String Pattern
Also known as: 16x19, 18x20, 16x19 vs 18x20, open string pattern, dense string pattern, closed string pattern, mains and crosses, string pattern for spin
String pattern is the number of main (vertical) and cross (horizontal) strings, such as 16x19 or 18x20. An open pattern like 16x19 lets the strings move more for extra spin, launch and power. A dense pattern like 18x20 gives a flatter, more controlled ball and usually lasts longer.
The first number counts the mains, which run from the throat to the tip. The second counts the crosses. Under ITF Appendix II, the hitting surface must be one flat, generally uniform pattern of crossed strings. It cannot be less dense in the center than anywhere else, and both faces must play the same. The pattern is built into the frame's string holes, so you choose it when you choose the racquet.
Wider gaps let the strings deflect and slide more at impact. An open 16x19 pattern gives a livelier, more forgiving feel. The ball launches higher with more spin, which helps topspin hitters get depth and net clearance. The trade-off is less directional control. The extra string movement also tends to cost tension and string life. A dense 18x20 pattern feels firmer and sends the ball on a flatter, more predictable line. Frames with 16x20 or 18x19 patterns sit in between.
Match the pattern to your swing. Many players who hit with heavy topspin like the margin an open pattern gives. Flatter hitters, and players who break strings often, may prefer a denser pattern. Pattern is one factor among several. Your technique produces most of your spin, and string type, gauge and tension change the feel as much as the pattern does.
Tips by skill level
If you are unsure, a 16x19 frame is the most common choice and suits most developing players.
If an open pattern makes your ball fly long, try a slightly higher tension or a firmer string before switching to a denser frame.
Example
A topspin baseliner moves from an 18x20 frame to a 16x19. His rally balls clear the net higher and still dip in, but he breaks strings sooner and restrings more often.
Why it matters
Pattern changes launch angle, spin, control and string life. Knowing the trade-off helps you pick a frame that suits how you hit.
Common mistakes
- Expecting an open pattern to create spin without a low-to-high swing
- Choosing 18x20 for control when you struggle to hit deep
- Ignoring how an open pattern shortens string life
- Changing pattern, string and tension all at once, so you cannot tell what helped
Frequently asked questions
Is 16x19 or 18x20 better for spin?
16x19 usually gives more spin. Its wider gaps let the strings move more and launch the ball higher. 18x20 gives a flatter, more controlled ball. Your swing still produces most of the spin.
What does 16x19 mean on a tennis racquet?
The frame has 16 main strings, running from throat to tip, and 19 cross strings. Fewer strings make an open pattern, and more strings make a dense one.
Do open string patterns break strings faster?
Often, yes. The strings move more against each other in an open pattern, and that tends to cost string life and tension. Dense patterns usually last longer.
Sources
- Tennis.com — Gear Q&A: Pattern Recognition (mains vs crosses; open vs dense patterns, launch and spin)
- Tennis Warehouse — Racquet Terminology (16x19 open, 18x20 closed; fewer strings, more spin)
- Tennis Warehouse Europe — Selecting the Right Racket (open patterns deflect more and rebound more)
- ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 — Appendix II(b) The Racket (uniform, flat stringing pattern)
Related terms
- Racquet Specs ExplainedRacquet specs tell you how a frame will play. Head size sets the sweet spot, weight sets stability, and balance shows where the weight sits. Head-light means the balance point is nearer the handle, and each 'point' head-light is 1/8 inch. Length runs from the standard 27 inches to the 29-inch legal limit.
- String TensionString tension is how tightly a racquet is strung, in pounds or kilograms. It shapes the string bed's trampoline effect, control, and power.
- String GaugeString gauge is the thickness of a tennis string measured in millimetres or gauge numbers, with thinner strings providing more spin and feel and thicker strings offering greater durability.
- TopspinTopspin is forward spin imparted by brushing up the back of the ball. It makes the ball dip down into the court and kick up high after the bounce.
- Choosing a Tennis RacquetMatch the racquet to your level and swing. Beginners usually suit a lighter frame with a larger head, and Wilson's sizing chart suggests 105 to 110 square inches. Advanced players with long, fast swings often prefer heavier frames and smaller heads for control. Get your grip size right and demo a few racquets before buying.
Related guides & benchmarks
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