Hybrid Stringing, also called a Custom Hybrid, is the practice of using two different string types on the mains (vertical) and crosses (horizontal) of the racquet. This results in a blend of playability characteristics from each string that can't be found with a single string type. While any two strings can be blended in a hybrid, there are a couple things to keep in mind for the best outcome:

• The mains are dominant in providing the overall feel of the hybrid, so use the string with the characteristics you want more of as the mains.
• Mains and crosses can be strung at different tensions, but the mains should be a couple pounds tighter than the crosses. Do not vary the tensions by more than 5 lbs.

Hybrids are yet another method of getting one step closer to customizing the perfect racquet for your game, and below are a number of reasons why a player would want to create a custom hybrid:

Value

Often, players want increased playability without having to break the bank on a set of natural gut strings. So they use a premium string for the mains, and a synthetic string for the crosses, resulting in a soft and comfortable string bed at a lower cost than a premium string alone.

Durability

Among more advanced players, the foremost reason to use a custom hybrid is to increase durability without sacrificing playability. The mains are usually the first strings to break since the crosses dig notches into them. So hybrids created for durability use a more durable string (like Kevlar or Polyester or a 15-16 gauge string) for the mains and a more resilient and playable string (like Synthetic Gut with a higher gauge) for the crosses. This makes the string durable, but the crosses soften up the feel making it much easier on the arm than a Kevlar or Polyester string alone. Kevlar and Polyester strings also retain tension better than Nylon, so this type of hybrid will feel more consistent over the life of the stringbed.

Playability

Custom Hybrids can offer blends of power and control tweaked to fit your needs. Professionals like Roger Federer or Andy Roddick use hybrids that offer controllable power, choosing a blend of Natural Gut with Polyester.