String selection can make or break your game.
Many players use a single string throughout their racket. However, hybrid setups offer a way to fine-tune your performance by combining two different strings.
When discussing hybrid setups, we follow the convention of naming the main strings first, followed by the cross strings.
If you're new to hybrid stringing, our guide to mains vs crosses covers the fundamentals.
One important thing to know is that your main strings account for about 70% of your string bed characteristics, while cross strings contribute about 30% of the overall feel.
This article focuses on two specific hybrid configurations that we often get asked about:
Zero in the mains with Sync in the crosses (Zero x Sync)
Sync in the mains with Zero in the crosses (Sync x Zero).
We will go into detail about the pros and cons of each hybrid setup, visualize their characteristics and help you decide what is best for your game.
Zero in the Mains, Sync in the Crosses
Zero in the mains with Sync in the crosses creates a hybrid string bed focused on explosive power and heavy spin, rounded out by an important layer of added control.
The Zero mains bring out maximum bite and spin, letting you aggressively shape your shots. You’ll feel the shaped strings grip the ball, giving you easy access to topspin.
Adding Sync in the crosses moderates the extra power and introduces a touch of precision to your game. The control-oriented Sync crosses rein in Zero’s natural explosiveness, so you gain better directional accuracy and more confidence hitting hard without fear of the ball flying long.
Overall, this blend is perfect if you love the incredible spin and liveliness of Zero, but sometimes find a full bed too powerful or unpredictable.
Sync in the Mains, Zero in the Crosses
Stringing with Sync in the mains and Zero in the crosses creates a setup that puts precise control and feel front and center, while still offering a lively playing experience.
The Sync mains deliver a more controlled response, giving extra softness and that sense of connection. You’ll experience clean, predictable feedback on every swing, especially when aiming for tight targets like corners or lines.
Adding Zero in the crosses injects more energy into the string bed. You’ll notice an added boost of power and a touch more bite on the ball, which translates to a few extra RPMs of spin that help shots dip inside the baseline.
Overall, this hybrid is ideal if you love the feel and control of Sync but want just a bit more pop without losing accuracy.
It’s a smart choice for players transitioning to a control-oriented game, or for those who sometimes find a pure control string too underpowered or unforgiving.
The String Bed Spectrum
Visualizing ReString hybrids on a spectrum makes them easier to understand.
A full bed of Zero maximizes power and spin characteristics at one end.
A full bed of Sync delivers pure control and feel at the other end.
Zero x Sync gives you approximately 70% of Zero's power and spin traits combined with 30% of Sync's control characteristics.
Conversely, Sync x Zero provides about 70% of Sync's control properties mixed with 30% of Zero's power and spin qualities.
While this is a simplified model, it helps explain why choosing the right string for your mains is particularly important - it will define the majority of your string bed's playing characteristics.
Think of your string setup as a spectrum, with hybrids offering balanced positions between the extremes.
Conclusion
Hybrid setups with Zero and Sync offer flexible ways to balance power, spin, and control.
Zero x Sync suits aggressive players who want spin and power with added control, while Sync x Zero caters to precision players who want extra power in their shots.
Experience both Zero and Sync to discover which hybrid configuration matches your game.