New Polymer Technology Promises New Generation of Synthetic Gut Tennis String, Says Ashaway's Crandall

New multi-polymer, monofilament tennis strings, like Ashaway's MonoGut, offer a superior combination of playability, durability, and value compared to more traditional multifilament synthetic gut construction. MonoGut's fluorocarbon emulsion coating provides surface friction for superior bite and allows for easier stringing.

College and high school tennis coaches and teaching professionals training aspiring professional and competitive players should be especially interested in some recent developments in polymer technology, says racket string expert, Ashaway's VP of marketing, Steve Crandall. A new generation of multi-polymer, monofilament tennis strings are providing a superior combination of playability, durability, and value compared to more traditional multifilament synthetic gut construction, he said.

"This new type of synthetic gut is ideal for players who bang the ball and break string," said Crandall. "They are always looking for value in both price and performance, and while traditional synthetic guts are acceptable, this new monofilament will last much longer and provide superior response right up to the final hit."

The new type of string was introduced last year as Ashaway MonoGut(tm) and has become one of the company's leading sellers. The string is manufactured from a proprietary blend of several polymers, which is extruded with a fluorocarbon emulsion coating which provides surface friction for superior bite and also facilitates stringing. A full line of MonoGut multi-polymer strings is in the planning stages at Ashaway.

To understand the significance of this advance, Crandall says you have to look at the history of synthetic gut strings. Initially developed in the 1970's as a more economical replacement for natural gut, these nylon-based "synthetic gut" strings were produced from ribbons of nylon that were twisted together and bonded, just like natural gut. They offered good playability, were more durable than natural gut, and less expensive.

As synthetic gut strings gained popularity, manufacturers introduced new models based on multi-stranded monofilament nylon technology. These strings offered increased tension stability in addition to their other benefits, and became the leading "type" of tennis string in the '80s and '90s.

MonoGut is the first multi-polymer, monofilament synthetic gut string. The new polymer technology behind MonoGut provides even more durability than multifilament construction, along with excellent playability for a broad range of players. "These new strings offer an excellent value for teams and other competitive players," Crandall said. "Coaches of all types will find MonoGut a real advance in string technology."