Huw has many years’ experience working with some of the biggest names in the sport and giving them the perfect set up to go out and compete on the world stage.

Here, he offers his advice on choosing your string tensions, racket customisation, different string types and thickness, and his recommendations for certain players.

How do I know what tension I should have my strings at?

It always comes down to personal preference and how you like to play. Generally, tighter strings give you more control and looser strings give you more power and feel.

It can depend on things like the time of year you’re playing, what racket you’re using or even the balls you’re playing with.

The best advice I can give is to speak to a local racket technician, whoever strings your racket or a tennis coach to work out what would be best based on your specific playing style.

Are there benefits to using thinner strings rather than thicker strings?

Yes. Thinner strings will give you more feel, are soft on the arm and give you more bite on the ball.

The trade-off is that they are less durable. With a thicker string they are likely to last you longer in terms of how quickly they may break. 

If you play a lot and looking for a bit more durability between restrings, a thicker string can be the way to go. However, you will lose some of that feel and comfort. Again, it’s down to personal preference  

Do you recommend adding lead tape to a racket head to improve stability?

Yes, but it’s definitely worth speaking to a racket technician first before you customise your racket.

They will have specialist equipment that can measure not only the weight of the racket, but the swing weight as well, i.e. the measurement of the weight of the racket through the swing (compared to the static weight - how much it weighs on a scale). 

Lead tape can be great as it’s one of the easiest and cheapest ways to customise your racket without needing to buy a new one. It can help not only improve stability but also the power and balance of your racket.

Are natural or synthetic strings more common amongst the pros?

There’s definitely still a mix. Natural refers to natural gut strings, which are still popular but not as much as it was in the past.

Natural gut is more powerful and comfortable but you can’t generate as much spin and control on the ball.

More players are now using synthetic polyester strings. These have become more popular because they allow players to hit harder but still keep the control. They’ve really changed the game at the pro level over the last 20 years and often you’ll see players using a hybrid of two synthetic strings to get a nice balance in performance.

My strings seem to notch quickly – how can I increase the time they feel good for?

It will depend on the string. My guess would be that this sounds like a synthetic gut string rather than a polyester.

I would recommend potentially changing the type of string you’re using and lower the tension slightly to see if this continues.

You could also look for a slightly thicker gauge of string too to improve the durability.

I want a racket with a bit more power and spin, but I’ve previously suffered with golfer’s elbow – am I right to avoid stiffer rackets?

The answer to that is yes and no. A stiffer frame will provide more power with less effort but will be less forgiving on your arm.

I would recommend a medium-flex racket with a soft string to anyone who is dealing with this type of injury.

For golfer’s or tennis elbow, I’d always say to avoid a polyester string as well until your arm is better.

What type of racket is better for an intermediate player?

For an intermediate player, you probably want a racket that is slightly heavier than your usual beginner frames.

I’d suggest looking for rackets that are more control-oriented at that stage to help you build more consistency before taking the next step up.

It’s always best to try and visit a tennis store if you can or go online and try to demo a racket first before buying one and find what works for you.

As with most things when it comes to rackets and strings, it’s about finding what you enjoy playing with