man holding tennis racket with ReString zero strings

Understanding Mains vs Crosses in Tennis Strings

Take a close look at your tennis racket.

Those vertical strings you see? They're doing most of the work every time you hit the ball.

If you're like most players, you've probably never given much thought to why your racket has two different string directions.

Or how this seemingly simple design choice can dramatically impact your game.

It's time to change that.

In this article, you'll learn how to optimize your mains and crosses to improve your game.

The Basics of Tennis String Configuration

When you look at a tennis racket, you'll notice two distinct sets of strings: the vertical strings (mains) and horizontal strings (crosses).

These two components work together to create the string bed that makes contact with the ball during play.

The most important strings for your game are the main strings. They influence about 70% of the string bed's performance because they are longer and have more direct interaction with the ball upon impact.

Cross strings complement the mains by providing the remaining 30% of string bed performance. While they may seem less important, they are essential for creating a complete, functional string bed.

Whether you're a beginner looking to improve or an advanced player fine-tuning your equipment, knowing the basics of string configuration will help you make better choices for your game.

The vertical main strings do 70% of the work, while the horizontal cross strings handle the remaining 30%, creating a complete hitting surface.

Dominant Role of Main Strings

Your choice of main strings will largely determine how your racket performs on court. Therefore, it is very important to match them to your playing style.

For maximum spin and power, a shaped poly like Zero is your best option. The string's design delivers exceptional bite and snapback, perfect for players who want to generate heavy topspin and penetrating shots.

If control and feel are your priorities, a round poly like Sync will give you the precision you need. Its round profile and crisp response help you place the ball exactly where you want it.

Players seeking ultimate comfort and pocketing should consider natural gut for their mains. While more expensive, natural gut provides unmatched feel and shock absorption, making it especially beneficial for those with arm sensitivity.

The key is selecting main strings that complement your primary playing characteristics. Think of it as choosing the foundation of your string bed. You want materials that enhance your strengths and support your game style.

Your main strings are the foundation of your racket's performance, so choose them based on your primary playing need.

Supporting Role of Cross Strings

Cross strings are there to complement your main strings.

When choosing cross strings, focus on characteristics that aren't your top priority but would still benefit your game.

For example, if you've chosen Zero in your mains for maximum spin and power, you might want a softer cross string to add comfort.

A great analogy to think about is when you go to a restaurant and order food. Your mains are like your main dish, providing the primary characteristic you want, while your crosses are like your side dish, adding complementary qualities to complete your string bed's performance.

The beauty of this setup is its flexibility. You can fine-tune your racket's performance by experimenting with different cross string materials until you find the perfect balance for your game.

Your cross strings should complement your mains by adding secondary benefits your game needs.

Different Tension Setups

Creating a tension differential between your mains and crosses can enhance your racket's performance.

If you are using Zero or Sync, we recommend that you string your crosses about 2 pounds lower than your mains. While not a 'must' by any means, this small difference will help bring out that extra benefit from your stringbed.

This setup creates more movement in the mains, resulting in increased spin and pop on your shots.

However, you should always experiment to find the right tension setup for you. Here are the three possible combinations you can choose from.

Equal Tension Setup

The easiest approach is stringing both mains and crosses at the same tension. This works particularly well when using the same string material throughout, such as a full bed of poly strings.

Higher Mains Tension

As we stated previously, most players benefit from higher tension in the mains. This popular setup maximizes string movement while maintaining control, giving you the best of both worlds.

Higher Crosses Tension

This less common setup is primarily used when mixing materials. For example, if you're using a poly in the mains and natural gut in the crosses, you might increase the cross tension to compensate for natural gut's greater elasticity and flexibility.

Adjusting the tension difference between mains and crosses lets you fine-tune your racket's performance.

Your Best Mains x Crosses Setup

Finding your perfect string combination takes time and experimentation.

Even professional players regularly adjust their setups to match changing conditions and playing styles.

For example, take Kei Nishikori's journey with hybrid setups.

He used polyester in the mains with natural gut in the crosses early in his career. This "poly dominated" setup gave him excellent ball control, though it was somewhat unforgiving since the stiff poly made up roughly 70% of the string bed's feel.

Later, after experiencing wrist injuries, Nishikori switched to natural gut in the mains with poly in the crosses. This "gut dominated" hybrid proved more forgiving on his arms and wrists. While he sacrificed some control, the added comfort made the trade-off worthwhile for his game.

Finding your ideal string setup requires experimentation. Even pros adapt their configurations as their needs change.

Conclusion

Main strings and cross strings each play distinct roles in your racket's performance. Your mains determine roughly 70% of your string bed's character, while crosses account for about 30%.

By varying materials and tensions between mains and crosses, you can create a string bed that perfectly matches your playing style and physical needs.

Whether you're seeking maximum spin with Zero or precise control with Sync, ReString has the perfect string combination for your game.

Back to blog

Leave a comment