Why Some Pros String at 30-40 lbs — Should You Copy Them?

Last updated: July 2026 · Written by the team at Badminton House

A professional’s reported tension is not evidence that the same setup will improve your smash. String, frame, contact quality and personal preference all matter. Compare the response on your familiar shots rather than treating a higher number as an upgrade.

What tension do pro badminton players string at?

Older secondary reports place some elite setups in the high-20s to mid-30s, occasionally higher. Those figures are dated reports, not a verified current specification list or a recommendation for readers.

A named setup also needs its date, racket variant, string and source. Our Viktor Axelsen guide discusses one player’s equipment context; it should not determine your tension.

So “pro tension” is a spectrum, not simply “as tight as possible.”

Why high tension works for pros

Higher tension generally produces a firmer stringbed, which some skilled players prefer for feedback. It does not guarantee a more accurate launch or a harder smash: the whole setup and contact still determine the result.

Power does not come from a tension number alone. Stringbed response interacts with the frame, string and player, as Babolat’s string guidance explains. Compare the practical choices in our badminton string tension guide before adopting a professional’s reported setup.

Why most players should not copy 30+ lbs

Tighter strings do not automatically create a harder smash. A setup that feels too firm or makes familiar shots difficult is a poor match, even if a professional uses that tension.

Compare whether your usual clears reach their target and whether contact feels comfortable; these observations do not establish an injury mechanism. If you are already feeling soreness, read our badminton elbow and wrist pain guide before increasing tension.

Choose tension by swing speed and skill, not by a pro’s setup

Use swing speed and contact consistency alongside feel and shot results. Neither skill level nor swing speed uniquely determines a suitable tension.

The ranges below are illustrative starting points, not universal limits by ability or medical prescriptions. Confirm the frame’s guidance, record your existing setup and change gradually. If clears get shorter, contact feels harsher or you start forcing familiar strokes, reassess the setup instead of chasing a higher number.

Frame limits and restringing are part of the decision

Every racket has model-specific stringing guidance. Stay within it; exceeding a recommended range can affect the frame and warranty coverage. A sponsored player’s equipment arrangements do not make an above-limit setup appropriate to copy.

Strings settle after installation and change with use. Restringing needs depend on condition, playing frequency and the response you want to maintain; there is no single four-week schedule shared by top players.

Confirm your racket's recommended tension range before you commit to a number, and budget for restringing sooner if you go higher — see how often to restring a badminton racket for a schedule based on how often you play.

Which tension should you choose?

Use this practical filter: pick the lowest tension that gives clean feedback without making clears, defensive lifts, or late backhands feel forced.

If your target tension is above your frame's recommended maximum, don't force it — a lower tension that stays inside your frame's range still beats risking a crack.

If you are unsure where your own tension should land, ask before you restring or upgrade. We play badminton, so we will talk through your swing speed, current setup, arm comfort, and frame limits without pushing you toward a pro-level number that does not fit your game. Send us a note through our contact page and we will help you narrow it down.