String comparison
Champion's Choice vs Natural Gut
Wilson Champion's Choice Hybrid against Wilson Natural Gut: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Champion's Choice is a hybrid string and Natural Gut is a natural gut string. Champion's Choice leads on spin, control and durability. Natural Gut leads on power, comfort and tension hold. For a junior with arm concerns, Natural Gut is the safer choice.
Ratings
Power
Spin
Control
Comfort
Durability
Tension hold
Ratings are on a 1–10 scale. The higher score is in bold when they differ.
Pick Champion's Choice if…
- You want more spin (8 vs 7 out of 10)
- You want more control (8 vs 7 out of 10)
- You want more durability (6 vs 5 out of 10)
- Best for: advanced juniors seeking pro-level setup
- Best for: all-court players wanting power + spin
- Best for: those who can afford premium stringing
Pick Natural Gut if…
- You want more power (10 vs 9 out of 10)
- You want more comfort (10 vs 8 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (10 vs 8 out of 10)
- Arm comfort comes first (arm friendliness 5/5 vs 4/5)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 10 vs 13)
- Best for: players with arm issues needing ultimate comfort
- Best for: touch players seeking maximum feel
- Best for: hybrid setups with poly crosses
Specs side by side
| Spec | Champion's Choice | Natural Gut |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Hybrid | Natural gut |
| Construction | Wilson Natural Gut (mains) + Luxilon ALU Power Rough (crosses) | Premium beef serosa with moisture-resistant coating |
| Gauges | 16 | 16, 17 |
| Stiffness | Medium | Low |
| Set price | $38–42 | $38–45 |
| Reel price | — | $250–300 |
| Arm friendliness | 4/5 · Good | 5/5 · Excellent |
| Cost to maintain | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 13 | Age 10 |
| Levels | Advanced, Elite | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | All court, Serve and volley, Baseliner | Serve and volley, All court, Touch player |
| Junior tension | 52-56 lbs for juniors. Gut mains allow slightly higher tensions. | 52-58 lbs for juniors. Holds tension excellently. |
Champion's Choice in short
Wilson Champion's Choice Duo combines Wilson's premium natural gut with Luxilon ALU Power Rough for Roger Federer's signature hybrid setup. The unmatched comfort and power of natural gut pairs with the control and spin potential of polyester. Federer uses Natural Gut in the mains and ALU Power Rough in the crosses for a softer feel and superb playability. Power and control were rated outstanding by reviewers - kick serves, flat winners, and baseline exchanges all felt great.
Natural Gut in short
Wilson Natural Gut uses only top quality beef serosa to produce a consistent and responsive string with truly outstanding comfort. The moisture-resistant, long-life coating protects your investment and makes it as durable as some multifilaments. Slightly firmer than Babolat VS Touch but offers easy power along with better tension maintenance than any synthetic string on the market. If you are looking for ultimate feel and arm-safety, this is the perfect string.
Champion's Choice vs Natural Gut: quick answers
Which has more spin, Champion's Choice or Natural Gut?
Wilson Champion's Choice Hybrid, with a spin rating of 8/10 against 7/10.
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Wilson Natural Gut scores 5/5 for arm friendliness, against 4/5 for Champion's Choice. It is recommended from age 10.
Which lasts longer?
Wilson Champion's Choice Hybrid rates 6/10 for durability against 5/10.
Which is cheaper?
Champion's Choice costs about $38–42 a set and Natural Gut about $38–45, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (Champion's Choice) and 2025-01 (Natural Gut).