TENSION
All rackets will have a recommended tension range from the manufacturer typically visible on the inside throat of the frame.
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The range is usually 10 - 15 lbs, e.g. 55lbs +/-5 would mean 50 to 60 lbs.
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Additionally, consider which string you’ve selected. If you’ve opted for 'Poly', it's advisable to start on the low end of the recommendation. For a synthetic gut, start on the mid to high end of the range provided.
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As some strings naturally provide more power, and others offer more control, you can accentuate these characteristics by adjusting how tightly you have your racket strung. ​
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The general the rules are:
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Lower = More power, comfort and durability
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Mid-Tension = Good balance; a great place to start!
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Higher = More control and spin
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If you're not sure what tension to select, then a good place to start is in the middle of your racket's specified tension range.
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GAugE
The gauge, or the thickness of the tennis string, also has an influence on string characteristics.
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Most tennis strings are available in different gauges which are represented by a number between 15 and 20. The higher the number, the thinner the gauge, the lower the number the thicker the gauge. Sometimes gauges come in half sizes, which is represented by the letter L (e.g 16L).
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Unfortunately the guage size is not uniform across all manufacturers, but the exact thickness is usually shown in 'mm' too.
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The most popular string gauges are listed below, alongside the range of diameters that each covers:
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15 = 1.41 – 1.49mm
15L =1.33 – 1.41mm
16 = 1.26 – 1.34mm
16L = 1.22 – 1.30mm
17 = 1.16 – 1.24mm
18 = 1.06 – 1.16mm
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Thicker Strings
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Generate less power
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Generate less spin
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Have more durability
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Have less comfort
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Lose tension slower
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Thinner Strings
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Generate more power
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Generate more spin
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Have less durability
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Have more comfort
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Lose tension faster
Durability
​The thicker the string, the more durable it will be. This is because that when the strings encounter friction, they wear out, and eventually break. So naturally, the more material there is to withstand this friction, the longer it will last.
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Thicker strings also handle harsher impacts better, so mishits near the frame's edge are less likely to break a string when the gauge is thicker.
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Remember that the 'type' of string has a far bigger impact, so a 19 gauge Co-Polyester is still more durable than a 16 gauge natural gut. The best way compare gauge is to look at the same family.​
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If you’re not breaking strings regularly, you likely don’t need to play with anything thicker than 16 / 1.30 mm.
For the majority of players, guages 15, 16, 16L, 17 and 18 are often the most appropriate.
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Spin Potential
​Thinner strings inherently have more spin potential, with thicker strings having less spin potential.
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This is because thinner strings can get more purchase on the ball, which results in more spin. A thicker string bites less into the ball, resulting in a lower potential for topspin.
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However, just like durability, there are many factors at play, a thin string does not guarantee spin - this is down to the player's technique! It does mean though that if you were to hit two identical shots, the thinner gauge string will impart more spin on the ball.
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Power​
Thinner strings of the same type are more elastic, they therefore produce more power due to more ball pocketing. Again, going to a slightly thinner string won't suddenly have you hitting winners, but all of the choices make incremental differences that contribute to the way your rackets plays.
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Feel​
Feel is certainly one of more subjective elements, but most players find thinner strings offer them more feel. Generally, thinner strings will be slightly softer, this creates more ball 'pocketing' and so gives players that more connected feeling.