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In tennis, the strings are the part of a tennis racquet which make contact with the ball. The strings form a woven network inside the head (or "hoop") of the racquet.
The material used in tennis string can significantly change the performance of a racquet, especially for advanced players. Thus, several different compounds are used to make tennis strings, varying in terms of playability, durability, and "feel," among other considerations.
Natural gut is considered by many to be the best string in terms of overall playability, as it offers both power and control over the ball. However, natural gut breaks easily and is the most expensive kind of string; thus, it is usually used by professional tennis players. The first natural gut tennis string was manufactured in 1875 by Pierre Babolat, who would launch the VS brand of gut fifty years later.