Tighter string tensions mean that the strings stretch less when the ball is in contact with the racket. If you are looking for the most durable option, Head Rip Control strings are the one for you. The type of string, the gauge of the string, and the tension all play a role in how a players racket will perform. Players like Wawrinka and Sinner both string their racquets around 28 kg or 62 lbs. So I strung up my Babolat Pure Aero Rafa with Grapplesnake Tour M8 1.30 at 12 kg / 24 lbs and went to the court. During our research, we noticed that many players claimed that the strings break easily, which we found to be true, especially when constantly hitting hard. WebHere is a handful of qualities frequently associated with tennis strings: Power Spin Comfort Durability Feel/Touch String Movement Tension Maintenence Once a player finds a string they enjoy, they might consider combining it with another string to enhance any of the above qualities. Is low tension really keeping the string from going beyond its limit? However, if you string them too tightly, you will almost certainly have problems with your elbow and shoulder. Strings on some players racquets are a few kilograms or pounds tighter in order to control them better. Simone Bollelli used a double that weight of 27-28 kg. After so many years in the game, we understand the science behind the strings manufacturing process, their impact on performance, and also the players needs on the court. This makes it easier for the players to maximize spin and control with some simple adjustments. Some players crave control, and use a high tension, whereas others will enjoy the springy feel of a low string tension. The tension is measured in pounds or kilograms, and represents the amount of weight that has effectively been used to stretch the string. They deliver a lively feeling and are highly responsive. The popularity of multifilament tennis strings is by no chance a simple consequence nor a strike of luck for the manufacturers. With minimal physical effort from the player, these strings can generate a great amount of power with each shot. WebThe best string tension for most players is normally between 48 and 54 lbs. They deliver explosive power, helping the player to add more depth with each shot without spending much physical effort. Players like They were deliberately created to mimic the performance and features of natural gut strings, which are commonly considered the best kind of strings. Tennis strings have to be replaced occasionally and while this may not be important to you when you buy a new set of strings, its something to keep in mind. What Does String Tension Mean? Get the YTEX Touch Natural Nylon on Amazon. Ive had the chance to play against great names of the new generation, like Christian Garin, Cameron Norrie, and Kyle Edmund. An open string pattern typically runs 18 x 20: 18 main strings and 20 cross strings. String tension is defined as the amount of pressure on the frame of the racket that secures the strings. Best Overall: Head Velocity MLT. When a ball collides with strings, both deform to some extent. Spin is affected both positively and negatively by increasing and decreasing tension, so it is difficult to determine which setup would help provide more/less spin. If you are a beginner or intermediate player, natural gut strings and nylon strings are the best choices for you due to their power and comfort. Low tensions are on the rise (pun intended). Wilson Natural is one of the best natural gut tennis strings, while Luxilon Alu Power is a premium polyester monofilament. They have a unique construction where the core is surrounded by thicker and extra flexible filaments, which aim to enhance features. The main one is that advertisers try to sell some rackets to men and others to women hoping to [], The Wilson Pro Staff 97 is a stunning tennis racket made for intermediate to advanced tennis players. Another favorite pick is the Head Rip Control strings, perfect for high intermediate and advanced players. We can not recommend these strings enough after the excellent performance during the playtest. The main differences between polyester and multifilament strings are in their construction and performance. However, depending on the string youre using, there are some additional suggestions below. During the playtest, we were impressed by the amazing spin potential these Head strings hold. And despite not being a big brand, it also offers plenty of control for your shots. Many players also use polyester strings, which are even more durable than nylon. Therefore, if you hear someone say that the string tension is 60 pounds or 25 kilograms, that is the amount of tension applied when the string is in a pulled state. They hold the tension pretty well; however, they arent as long-lasting as other options on this list. Then 42lb, then 44lbs. What Tennis Strings Do the Pros Use?Roger Federers Tennis String. Roger Federer uses the Wilson Champions Choice tennis string, which are natural-gut strings that offer top-notch surgical precision while playing.Rafael Nadals Tennis String. Novak Djokovics Tennis String. Serena Williams Tennis String. Ashleigh Bartys Tennis String. FAQs. Conclusion. Ps. On the downside, these strings might feel too stiff for some players, which is a fair trade considering the spin and control levels. Mannarinos swing is compact and relatively flat through the ball and that kind of style seemed to be tailored towards this string tension/racquet combo. Nowadays, multifilament tennis strings are one of the most popular options worldwide, and even professional players use them for training sessions and matches. Vladimir is a former journalism student and an active freelance writer. WebProfessional players' string tension can range anywhere from 48 pounds to 75 pounds, while most fall in the 50 to 60-pound range. In general, higher tension provides control while lower tension provides more power. They have a very lively response and are comfortable for the arm. Furthermore, there was a 5.0 guy who was pushing me around, forcing me to play hard. If you can see bare wire fibers poking out of the string bed or if your racket feels limp, then its definitely time for a new set of strings. The fact that it is filled with nylon fibers makes this string quite easy on the arm, so these strings are quite comfortable and a good choice for those with elbow problems or even junior players. In general, beginners should play with nylon strings (or natural gutif you dont mind spending the money), intermediate players can start to blend with hybrids, and advanced players can take the court with a full bed of polyester. This is a string that also plays nice at lower tensions, for example, try it around 20 kg (44 lbs) or lower and it will respond well with good spin and control. Low tension typically ranges from 40 to 50 lbs, while high string tension ranges from 55 to 65 lbs. Strings that are thicker are not always better. For many recreational tennis players, tennis strings dont seem too important. Power, control, and stress all influence a players feelings about the body. String tension on a junior tennis racket ranges from 45 pounds to 55 pounds. If There are, of course, exceptions; some players weigh less than 40lbs.! WebAs the most expensive type of string on the market and a favorite choice among professional tennis players, natural gut is often considered one of the highest quality strings available. The determining factor for selecting the appropriate tension depends on the players style of play: For a recreational player If you prefer a softer feel and added power, select slightly higher tensions (60 62lbs). As the name suggests, these strings are loaded with sensational power that makes the ball really move through the air. String also plays a role in the durability of a racket. Club players would often benefit from trying a few different tensions, in order to find the feel that suits them best. + Added spin. Strings on tennis rackets are one of many factors that influence the force transfer to the elbow in tennis players. String tension is defined as the amount of pressure on the frame of the racket that secures the strings. Thousands of filaments are woven together to create a single string, hence the name multifilament. This high tension makes the player feel as if he is spinning and controlling the action. The spin comes from the seven sharp edges but this springy response comes with a lack of control that firmer poly strings have to offer. Softest: Gamma Sports Live Wire. Of course, the biggest advantage of this string is still topspin and in certainly doesnt disappoint in that area. This stiffness results in less power, but it also causes the ball to sit on the string bed for a Your string tension is just as important as the type of string you use. To ensure that our readers would have only the best user experience from our recommendations, we researched the market and analyzed the customers feedback for the best-selling options. Miqkel Kukushkins weight was just 12.5kg when he competed in the 2018 Monte Carlo Masters. A player who is very strong, and produces a lot of power, will probably prefer a higher string tension in order to give them control. Tennis strings explainedHybrid tennis strings explainedBest tennis strings gear guide. Does high tension increase durability of building materials? Small changes can help determine the best tension, whereas drastic changes can often leave you unsure of what works. Both John and Andy were strung low and high. String types can have a completely different feel and performance depending on how they are used. The strings are firm enough to provide excellent control while also producing a discernible mute that reduces even the harshest vibrations. For example, Roger Federer uses Wilson Natural Gut for his main strings, and Luxilon Alu Power Rough for his cross strings, whereas Andy Murray uses Luxilon Alu Power for his main strings, and Babolat VS Touch for his cross strings, try it out for free. I am getting elbow issues and wanted to ask what is the lowest tension you would recommend for a multifilament in a pro staff 97. Stringing elastic materials like natural gut or nylon requires a general rule of thumb of 50-60lbs, which will use as a starting point. We recommend stringing looser when using a rigid string material like polyester to avoid injuries. The selection of a proper racket is only a portion of success in the game. Wilson NXT is made with around 1,600 proprietary Xycro microfibers impregnated with PU. This makes them easier on the arm than most poly strings, and allows them to provide a bit more power. So, it's important to experiment and find a tension that works best for you and your game. Likewise, thinner strings provide more spin but they are not as durable. Here are the strings the worlds top tennis players, (and a few recently retired players), are using in their rackets, together with the rackets theyre usingthrill spin slot, and the tensions, (in lbs), they most commonly string at. The polyester strings are much more durable, generate heavy spin, and tend to snap back into place. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some machines actually use a physical weight to attain the desired tension, although most use either a spring-loaded mechanism or electronic tensioning. In the case of a tension change, it is always best to adjust the tension by a pound or two. The following are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using a high-tension tennis string: Thats a perfectly reasonable assumption to draw, given the vast amount of LESS.. This means that one type of string is used for the mains, while the other is used for the crosses. They also have enhanced spin potential and good levels of control which was a pleasant surprise during the playtest. It makes me wonder what would happen if I try this tension or similar in a racquet that Im more used to, like the Extreme Tour or Prestige MP. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Please wait while you are redirected to the right page Pros and cons of playing with LOW tensions. We hope that our guidelines were helpful and that our choice of best tennis strings saved you some time in your search. Theyre always happy to help! The higher your string tension, the more control youll have while the looser your string tension, the more power. The debate between synthetics and multifilament has been ongoing for many years. If you are using a hybrid string setup with a polyester and something softer like a multifilament or natural gut, we usually recommend stringing the polyester at 5 percent lower tension to account for its stiffness relative to the other string. Adding an extra pop at groundstrokes, volleys, and serves was easy. They also tend to hold the tension better and are more soft and elastic, which makes them comfortable for the arm. Unless youve got steely wrists and are physically fit, its best not to string high with polyester string unless youre willing to put in the time and effort necessary to avoid injury. One proviso is that an elderly beginner with little physical strength might want to learn using a lower string tension, as this will make it easier for them to hit the ball firmly and could be more encouraging for them. 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