Wilson
Natural Gut 16
Wilson Natural Gut 16 is widely regarded as the finest playing string in tennis. Made from natural bovine intestine fibers, it delivers unmatched comfort, power, and tension maintenance — characteristics that synthetic strings have failed to fully replicate despite decades of development. The elasticity of natural gut creates a supremely arm-friendly response that significantly reduces vibration transmission compared to polyester, making it the go-to recommendation for players with arm injuries or sensitivity. Tension maintenance is best-in-class: natural gut holds its playability longer than any synthetic alternative. Many tour professionals hybrid it with a polyester string — gut in the mains for comfort and power, poly in the crosses for spin and durability. At $48 per set, it's a premium investment that delivers a premium experience.
Ratings
Spin
Power
Comfort
Durability
Tension loss
Full specifications
Pros and cons
Pros
Unmatched comfort — softest feel in tennis
Best power and tension maintenance of any string
Arm-friendly for players with elbow or shoulder issues
Ideal main in poly/gut hybrid setups
Cons
Most expensive option by a wide margin
Weather-sensitive — degrades with moisture exposure
Not as durable as polyester for heavy hitters
