Sweet spot for me begins around 1 hour into playing and lasts for about 6-10 hours thereafter depending upon the string. How about an episode devoted to recommended hybrid setups?
Isospeed Baseline Control 1.30 mm (poly) in a Prince Phantom Pro 100 at 55#, the max end of the printed range. Exploring lower tensions: just re- strung at 53#. Racquettune app says the string bed tension dropped from 47 (fresh strung) to 42 after five hours of play
when I was playing competitively I strung my racket at 70lbs.. but at that time I hit a very flat ball and felt comfortable supplying all my own power.. If I picked up someone else's racket I felt like it was crazy cause I couldn't keep the ball in play.. but of course it definitely makes a difference when you drop 20-30lbs of tension.. course with the newer game being alot less flat I'm having to play with my tension again... not recommended for everyone.. lol so many times a friend would pick up my racket and would complain about their arm afterwards...... course I did also string with Kevlar... soooo...
Aero pro drive 16x19 @ 64lbs. = lefty madness hurts my serve a touch for the first 30-45 mins but my rally ball is like spotting Jason in your bushes at 3am.
In the 80’s I used “VS Gut” at 80 pounds. Yes. Eighty pounds. String was super elastic (cat gut apparently) and rackets were wood. Composites came out, but still mostly wood so 80 was my norm for me. I believe Borg strung very high as well. Broke lots of strings as gut wears quickly. Rackets are so different today. My old rackets (‘90’s) are strung at 60-65. If I string too lose it’s too high. I hit with heavy topspin, but swing for the fence. Need more control. Looking at new Babolats (Nadals racket)…wondering if 55 pounds would be ok. Any advice on that would be great. Just got back into tennis during Covid, but not looking to compete anymore. Almost 60 years old. Hahaha
VS Gut was sheep gut, cats have never been used. I've used beef gut years back. Back in the day with wooden rackets you could get by with higher tensions as the rackets themselves were flexible and also absorbed shock. High tensions to todays stiff rackets are a receipt for tennis elbow!
Hi! In my case, I ussualy string my Wilson Ntour 2 with Kirchbaum competition at 55lbs, and feel it quite stiff at first use (2 hours). Then, it reaches a sweet zone for about 5 months, playing once per week, some times twice per week. I estimate it reaches 50 lbs or so, at that moment. Now, after a year and a half of last string, it feels still ok. Not perfect but ok. I've never cut a Kirchbaum competition myself, that thing is undestructible haha. Greetings from Argentina!
I used to play with Wilson SixOne 95 16x18 K-factor at 60lbs tension when I was at 30s, then BLX version at 55lbs, then the SixOne 95S at 53lbs when I was in 40s. From 50s until now, I use Clash 98 V1 (with added lead-tape) at 38lbs due to my elbow and wrist issues. I was surprised that I got decent control at that low tension. I do use tennis-spin-maker to increase string-to- ball friction. FYI, I am 4.5 level and use topspin cyber blue 16g most of the time.
I don't know if it's all the modern synthetic string, but today's players are too finicky. When I was learning to play, we played until the string broke. (And I heard Chris Everett say the same thing.)
It's totally different b/c of the types of strings being used today. Syn Gut vs Poly/Co-Poly etc due to tension maintenance. Then you factor in crazy stuff like Kevlar strings etc. Natural Gut maintains tension far better than multi/syn and Poly, while also having power, feel and being easier on the arm. I'm currently using a Poly/Multi hybrid strung at 53(M)/51(P) and it feels good, gives me power and can play with no arm issues. So far ;)
I injured my elbow playing with dead strings. Waiting for strings to break is no longer a good idea because few people now string with natural gut like Chris Evert played with in her youth. Poly strings become bagged and too loose after about 10-12 hours of play. Synthetic strings become stiffer and unforgiving when they are dead. And, just like it is not recommended to play with dead strings, it is also not recommended that anyone play with dead balls for the same reason.
He's right that it really depends. The rule is that higher tension = more control, and because I have terrible control I have always strung high (64 lbs) since I took up the game again 12 years ago. Also I tend to hit a little long. Recently I got a stringing machine and have been experimenting. I dropped down to 57 (I figure it's 55 after breaking in) and the difference has been amazing. Also my favorite strings have been the soft co-polys. You'd think I'd be launching the ball all over the place and long. Instead the strings give in to the ball which has helped me feel the ball much better, better topspin, better control, counter to conventional wisdom. I've never felt so connected to the ball. So the answer is it depends on the player, the racquet, and the string.
Lots of good points made. I've been stringing my own for over 20 years and I'm very sensitive to how different strings perform. One point I'd add is that temperature is another factor that influences how a racquet feels. Use lower string tension as it gets colder. A local pro I know uses three identically set up racquets with the exception of string tension to accommodate different conditions.
I play with 24/23 kg (53/51 lb) on a Prestige MID and a Luxilon Alu Power 125 string. It feels great from the beginning and gets a little hard to control during the last hour before it breaks. My strings break after 10-20 hours, depending on who I'm practicing with. I think everyone needs to try out what feels best. Some pros like Volandri even play with 35 lb or less.
In the 80's, racket tension was 65-75 pounds because people were using natural or synthetic gut. In the 90's Kevlar and polyester strings began to increase in popularity and the racket manufacturers dropped tension on the rackets because they didn't want people injuring themselves by stringing polyester strings with high tension. In addition, rackets were less powerful due to smaller head size and greater flexibility. I used the 2014 PS90 up until last year and switched to the RF97. I would string my PS90 with natural gut at 65lbs. When I switched rackets the RF97 was so much more powerful than my PS90 that I had to tone down the power of the natural gut so I started using Wilson Revolve in the crosses. After testing and making adjustments I settled on natural gut at 62lbs in the mains and revolve in the crosses at 58lbs. I am a 4.5 all court player that loves to serve and volley. Once I get use to this powerful frame I will go back to natural gut at maybe 67lbs. Nothing beats the playability of natural gut and if you are a player that loves to finish points at the net the drop the poly. Your style of play also have a lot to do with string type and tension.
Easily the best string tension video I have ever watched and I watched like 20 of them. Using 48 pounds softer polys too, but I have the best feeling and control in the first 2 hours :)
A quick note: If your style is spin-oriented and you are playing with a spin-friendly racket less tension might mean more control. Less tension => more spin => more control.
PLAYABILITY DURATION. Too many Club players string with Poly. Annoying to have to restring every couple of weeks. Sure, the performance is great for a "period" of time, but think about that. It's not great right off the machine...so that's time lost. Then it plays great for 9-10 hours. YAY. Then you play a big match on the 12th hour and it sucks. May I suggest that you want a durable string that lasts for weeks. Either full gut at higher tension or Kevlar at lower tension. My choice is Ashway Crossfire at 48lbs in a Wilson Ultra Tour. Think PLAYABILITY DURATION!!!!!!
The “recommend tension range” was built when the only strings on the market were high powered gut and syn gut, never go above 50 for a poly unless you use a hybrid, I love using 46/44 full bed poly in a blade
I find the racquet recommendations are just about always 50-60 without thought. For example, that Pro Staff is widely acknowledged as underpowered and guidance should be at least 45-55 or lower. May not be case with all OEMs. I use 48 with 1.20 Polys and love it.
Thank you, this has been very helpful. I am an older playing coming back from the days of continental grip and playing with a stiffer tension of 65 lbs. I have switched to a semi western grip and now will need to test lower tensions.
I always use it with the highest tension for my raquet because I wanted control, but I notice that I like my swing after a couple of weeks. I will use lower tension next time. Thanks for the video
Tennis elbow is caused more by bad swing technique than tight strings....I play at 64 or 65 with lux power rough never had elbow problems since about 15 years ago when my swing was crap.
@@ldeue4837 impressive tendons. Reminds me of Dustin Brown and John Milman. I’m more of a Jack Sock 30lbs kind of guy. Milman says he loves the high tension, but his arm does suffer from it.
@@bokaichao3722 Yeah it could be depending on style...I seem to find more wrist pain or soreness from time to time but I like to hit up on the ball as opposed to a flatter more extended through type of shot.
The string tension for the racquet is usually on the inside shaft. BUT... what would be the recommended string tension (range) PER STRING TYPE, (polyester / multifilament / gut), for a given racquet ? That would be very useful information. Any advice on that?
if I were rich I would string lower tension but because I am not I start with 54 and enjoy the last hours of the strings when they are loose as you said. thank you btw you are really good
Bro we can’t afford to cut string n redo it again every 3 to 8 hrs thank u , bro I only replace when the string breaks which happens in 6 months to a year
Hey Harry -- Why do tennis players using hybrid stringing ignore the recommendations of one or the other of the two strings they use? For example, a common hybrid setup is ALU (poly) with a synthetic multifilament, and they will string both at about the same tension even though the poly is recommended to be strung 10% looser than a non-poly. Makes no sense to me, so I string with NXT 17g mains at 54 (inside the recommended range for the string) and Big Banger Ace 18g at 45 in the crossses, which is more than 10% lower than the mains, but in my experimenting with the setup is the most ideal combination for the racket I use (Wilson Blade 16x19 v7). I have looked for evidence that anyone else does this and have asked players and stringers I know, but I have yet to find anyone who does. But I haven't heard any reasons, from anyone, why they don't. The first time I tried this setup (a couple of years ago) it instantly performed better than any other setup I've used, and since I string my own rackets, I have tried countless setups.
I recently returned to the game after a 30-year hiatus. When I was playing regularly back in the day, I would string my rackets at 55 lbs. That was the optimum performance for both the racket and the strings I used (polyester). Now I am looking at going lower, to 45-50 lbs. I hit a semi-western forehand (always have; it's the most comfortable to me because it produces heavy topspin and greater control) and a two-handed backhand. I can remember one of my teammates stringing his rackets at 65 lbs.
quickly makes sense to get a stringing machine yourself. Got one a few months ago and already payed for itself, as my strings breaks after 4-8 hours (depending on the type of string)
Where did you hear that? 2007 US Open he used Luxillon Big Banger at 66 lb, so definitely not loose at all. He also played with an OS racquet so the tension recommendation is normally higher than traditional 97-100 in heads.
@@HougieBOOM He mentioned that the heaviest racket with the lowest tension would be “the best” setup during an interview. Unfortunately I can’t find the video right now. If I do I’ll post it here.
Thanks for the video. Please do a video about the tension difference between mains and crosses. I assume that the shape of the head, length and with of the head, no of main strings and no of cross strings has influence on that. I string like 200 racquets a year, and see quite a lot of deformation of the head after stringing. Like the head to loose or to tight in the arms of the machine. Most of the very experienced players often ask just 1 KG difference between mains and crosses even when they have a 18x19 string pattern. Thanks!
I'm a 4.5 and string my babolat PD with Lux ALU Power Fluoro at 57lbs. Everyone says I'm crazy for using such a high tension, but my strings feel good for a while. A few hours before they're about to pop, they start to feel dead... So I think I've found a good tension.
Tennis is a sport built around control and consistency most club players over hit and actually need less power that they control Especially considering most of them play doubles which requires more precision than singles using a trampoline effect might work for pros but is disastrous for club amateurs I have a novel idea if you want more power get stronger
I have been trying to find advice on tension specific to hybrid setups and I'm having no luck. I just purchased the Wilson Champion's choice Duo of the Wilson natural gut (16g 1.3mm) and Luxilon ALU Power Rough at 16L (1.25 mm) because I really want to try this hybrid combo. My question stems from some of the comments on the Wilson website. A couple of reviewers commented that they strung each at different tensions. First guy said he has the gut in the mains at 54 lbs and the poly in the crosses at 50 lbs. He said it works well for him. The second guy said he also has gut in the mains but at 49 lbs and has the poly in the crosses at 53 lbs. Is is common to string this combo at different tensions? If so why? And why would one find benefit stringing the mains higher but the other likes stringing the crosses higher? It's confusing. I'm hoping to not have to buy this string very often so I would like to use the best setup to start with. Right now I'm playing with a Yonex Percept 97H strung with Yonex Poly Tour Pro at 52 lbs. I like the Poly Tour, especially on my one handed backhand, but I think it's softening up a bit and is getting a little too much power on the forehand. My wife also wants to try the Wilson hybrid. She is not as experienced a player as I am, but she takes a full, big swing and could use more control vs power. She plays with a Babolat Pure Drive. Not sure what string is in it but from the looks I would say it's a poly. It is orange in color and has a lot of texture. The snap-back of her strings is terrible, they are always out of alignment, so she wants to try something new. They were originally probably strung right in the middle, 54 lbs or so. Any advice, or if you have a video already addressing this I would love to view it. Thanks for all the great content.
@@henrik1743 No did not really hurt. So I used an oversized racket and the strings back then were not monofilament but multiber synthetic gut. Almost felt like natural gut. With todays strings it would be another story indeed. But I used a very high string tension indeed. No doubt about that.
The "Recommended Tension Range" is totally Worthless as a recommendation as it is so General. It doesn't mention what type of String nor what Gauge. It's a legacy from 40 years ago when graphite racquets were coming out. It is totally and utterly worthless. You can only find your perfect string tension by trial and error as it is so racquet dependent, and I recommend for the sake of your elbow health, you start with a soft string at low tension for comfort and power and work your way up to stiffer strings and higher tension if you need more control.
Ummm, that's not at all correct. These tensions have become the recommended because of the amount of testing the manufacturers do to find the optimum sweet spot. They're not just sticking their fingers in the air and plucking numbers out. If you're not convinced, research the racket building manufacturers and go talk to experts in the industry. You think Federer, for example, didn't have any input in to the RFA model and ensuring that it played the best at the tension range he requires? That's not blind luck, it's complex materials research and composition testing. Your preferred tension may be different to what they recommend, but the majority of people (i.e. average club players) will get the best out of the rackets within the recommended ranges. Only more advanced players can even tell the difference. The general rule is you should always string at the lowest tension you are comfortable with that feels right for your game. That doesn't mean the racket's recommendations are worthless!
@@6064jkr Damn, Chairman got owned here and didn't say shit.. typical. Don't pay him any mind, basically every comment is "this sucks!" "I hate my life!"
RPM Blast at 53 lbs on my Wilson Prostaff RF97 Autograph and other Prostaff racquets e.g. 95, K Factor 90. It's good pretty much from the start but probably feels best 1 hour in right until the string starts to loosen right towards the end (the mains start to move from tension loss). Have tried 49, 51, 52 pounds and preferred 53.
Please tell me about the sticker with the tension recomendations. The sticker on the racket i have says: 16 mains/19 crosses.... Tension recommendation: 21/24 kg or 46/52 lbs Does it mean that I should string the mains with 21 kg and the crosses with 24 kg....????
I have RPM Blast at 60 pounds. The first two hours the balls lands long but after that it lasts for about 30 hours of play. I tried 55 pounds but that went bad more quicker.
Have you heard of the Racquet Tune app? It measures the string tension based on the sound. To my surprise, the actual tension on the racquet is much lower than what you get it strung for - even when freshly done on a calibrated machine. What tension should I go by? The machine number or the actual tension?
Great video! So, can a low tension make Wilson Pro Staff as forgiving as Wilson Blade? I’m actually thinking of putting 25 lbs on Pro Staff 97UL because I like an ultra light racket but I can use a little more power.
Just getting back into the game after a long time away. Thank you for continuing to produce these great videos. Strung around 55lbs back-in-the day but I am going to go for a lower tension now. Hope to try Confidential strings soon.
If you haven't already, please do. I fell in love with the strings right away. I've got my Pro Staff 97 strung up with Confidential 17G in the Mains @54lbs and Gamma Live Wire Professional 17G in the Crosses @56lbs. I don't have arm issues, but it is super soft and crisp at the same time. Not to say it feels dampened though, still plenty of feel.
i use luxilon liquid crystal polymer on my wilson blade 100L nd string tension of 53 lbs, no feelings of the ball when i use it,, i feel like iam using a wood rather than a string... should i lower my tension? from 53 can go to 40 or what? tnx please help me enjoy my racket..
I wonder why the Yonex Astrel 115 only recommends up to 55 lbs? I thought bigger headsize calls for more tension? I am a hard hitter who needs control and wanna string it at 60 lbs, would that damage it? BTW your videos are really awesome and you tell stories so well!
kind of like your videos, but I think you are overdoing your line, with your spin putting spin in my tennis. First of all, most people watching this never been to your store, so that's not true at all. I for example don't even live in your country. So that's not even possible. Repeating the same line at least twice in a slow and dragged on way, is actually quite obnoxious really. That is in every single video you make.
I would love to test tension after about a month of playing (6 hours doubles each week ) after I had a restringing..... How can I test the tension to see how much it has decreased ?
i think u forgot to say about stringing a racket . First do research of your raquet and how u put a string on that racket because he can be diferent it was my first time to buy a stringing service had a bad stringing and that damage my racket when i start playing i already knew something was wrong then i ask to my teacher see it and it was my lucky he knows about stringing and alert me the stringing wasnt right i had to buy new grommets to my racket it was horrible experience becareful first do a research people it happend in many years before probably 7-8 years ago i am a strange player i use on pro staff rf97 v11.0 26kg luxilon alu power i like to put all the power and get a easier control on my head speed mp i use 28kg multifilament tecnifibre biphase 1.24 i think diferent style of rackets but thats what i like to use
Wilson Clash Tour with Hyper G 16L at 52. Ideal. Wilson Blade 98 with Velocity MLT at 52 lbs. This is my test winter setup. Still trying to figure this one out. Might want to go for lower tension for more power in Blade.
I’m a collegiate level player, moving from prince 03 tour to Babolat Pure Strike Tour, what should i string it with? I like a lot of spin and control, I am a very strong powerful guy.
I have been playing with Solinco TourBite @48 for about 6 years now. Hate it for 1-2 sessions, then I love it for a month or so (I hit 3 times a week) after that it feels like I am hitting a rock with a paper bat!
Perfect 👌🏻 video explaining why and how use some tension or not!!! Can you make a review about kirschbaum tenis strings??? It came to my attention that a professional woman (Kerber) playing with those !!!!
About tension, power, control I would be curious to see an analysis of the resulting laws of physics, i.e. when the strings get tighter a powerful shot will probably squash the ball more than a powerful shot with low tension where the strings take the bend. The cumulated and differential bending of the ball and the strings might be worthwhile calculating (if at all possible)
Love your videos! Can you do a review of the major tennis ball machines? When and who should look for what features, like speed, spin, oscillation. Which manufacturers are more reliable and which machines are easier to repair?
I've used a hybrid setup at 58lbs for awhile, works well for me. I generally like it from freshly strung to midway through its life cycle. I'm not a huge fan of the strings towards the point it is going to break.
That prostaff behind you... It took about 11 mins for it to stop swaying! :-)
Speaks to how headlight the Pro Staff is haha
@@joshuab1707 yeah exactly
It’s haunted.
Y’all forgot the babolat on the right
Thanks for fueling my OCD 🫠😬
Sweet spot for me begins around 1 hour into playing and lasts for about 6-10 hours thereafter depending upon the string. How about an episode devoted to recommended hybrid setups?
If the racquet strings aren't broken. I'm fine
Isospeed Baseline Control 1.30 mm (poly) in a Prince Phantom Pro 100 at 55#, the max end of the printed range.
Exploring lower tensions: just re- strung at 53#. Racquettune app says the string bed tension dropped from 47 (fresh strung) to 42 after five hours of play
Great professional information. Thanks.
when I was playing competitively I strung my racket at 70lbs.. but at that time I hit a very flat ball and felt comfortable supplying all my own power.. If I picked up someone else's racket I felt like it was crazy cause I couldn't keep the ball in play.. but of course it definitely makes a difference when you drop 20-30lbs of tension.. course with the newer game being alot less flat I'm having to play with my tension again... not recommended for everyone.. lol so many times a friend would pick up my racket and would complain about their arm afterwards...... course I did also string with Kevlar... soooo...
TF TFeel user here always strung between 60 & 65 lbs. Always felt right to me I hear you say 48 lbs and I'm like shocked picachu
I use RPM Blast at 25kg on Babolat Pure Aero Banana, Luxilon Alu Power at 22-23kg.
Aero pro drive 16x19 @ 64lbs. = lefty madness hurts my serve a touch for the first 30-45 mins but my rally ball is like spotting Jason in your bushes at 3am.
In the 80’s I used “VS Gut” at 80 pounds. Yes. Eighty pounds. String was super elastic (cat gut apparently) and rackets were wood. Composites came out, but still mostly wood so 80 was my norm for me. I believe Borg strung very high as well. Broke lots of strings as gut wears quickly. Rackets are so different today. My old rackets (‘90’s) are strung at 60-65. If I string too lose it’s too high. I hit with heavy topspin, but swing for the fence. Need more control. Looking at new Babolats (Nadals racket)…wondering if 55 pounds would be ok. Any advice on that would be great. Just got back into tennis during Covid, but not looking to compete anymore. Almost 60 years old. Hahaha
VS Gut was sheep gut, cats have never been used. I've used beef gut years back. Back in the day with wooden rackets you could get by with higher tensions as the rackets themselves were flexible and also absorbed shock. High tensions to todays stiff rackets are a receipt for tennis elbow!
Hi!
In my case, I ussualy string my Wilson Ntour 2 with Kirchbaum competition at 55lbs, and feel it quite stiff at first use (2 hours). Then, it reaches a sweet zone for about 5 months, playing once per week, some times twice per week. I estimate it reaches 50 lbs or so, at that moment.
Now, after a year and a half of last string, it feels still ok. Not perfect but ok. I've never cut a Kirchbaum competition myself, that thing is undestructible haha.
Greetings from Argentina!
What if you switch from let's say a 17g to a 16g, how much tension should you lessen?
do you have a store website?
"And he's..uh, you know... whatever", lol. Good discretion.
It's John McEnroe isn't it.
My history of strings tensions.
Age 20 using 57lbs
Age 25 using 55lbs
Age 28 using 53lbs
Age 29 using 50lbs
Now I'm 30, I'm using 48lbs
Good to know. I hit hard in high school with alot of spin and power and loved tight strings, but I'm 33 now so it's good to know where I should start.
I used to play with Wilson SixOne 95 16x18 K-factor at 60lbs tension when I was at 30s, then BLX version at 55lbs, then the SixOne 95S at 53lbs when I was in 40s. From 50s until now, I use Clash 98 V1 (with added lead-tape) at 38lbs due to my elbow and wrist issues. I was surprised that I got decent control at that low tension. I do use tennis-spin-maker to increase string-to- ball friction. FYI, I am 4.5 level and use topspin cyber blue 16g most of the time.
do we need to string the cross lower for full bed of polyester string?
I don't know if it's all the modern synthetic string, but today's players are too finicky. When I was learning to play, we played until the string broke. (And I heard Chris Everett say the same thing.)
It's totally different b/c of the types of strings being used today. Syn Gut vs Poly/Co-Poly etc due to tension maintenance. Then you factor in crazy stuff like Kevlar strings etc. Natural Gut maintains tension far better than multi/syn and Poly, while also having power, feel and being easier on the arm.
I'm currently using a Poly/Multi hybrid strung at 53(M)/51(P) and it feels good, gives me power and can play with no arm issues. So far ;)
I injured my elbow playing with dead strings. Waiting for strings to break is no longer a good idea because few people now string with natural gut like Chris Evert played with in her youth. Poly strings become bagged and too loose after about 10-12 hours of play. Synthetic strings become stiffer and unforgiving when they are dead. And, just like it is not recommended to play with dead strings, it is also not recommended that anyone play with dead balls for the same reason.
@@boogie7778 Thanks for the info.
@@tedneanderthal7373 Thanks for the info.
You use to do my strings wen I was playing at Marin tennis club, happy Too see your video
He's right that it really depends. The rule is that higher tension = more control, and because I have terrible control I have always strung high (64 lbs) since I took up the game again 12 years ago. Also I tend to hit a little long.
Recently I got a stringing machine and have been experimenting. I dropped down to 57 (I figure it's 55 after breaking in) and the difference has been amazing. Also my favorite strings have been the soft co-polys. You'd think I'd be launching the ball all over the place and long. Instead the strings give in to the ball which has helped me feel the ball much better, better topspin, better control, counter to conventional wisdom. I've never felt so connected to the ball.
So the answer is it depends on the player, the racquet, and the string.
I started using your tension (48lb). I always used mid 50`s. But this "not so high and not so low" setup is really good.
Lots of good points made. I've been stringing my own for over 20 years and I'm very sensitive to how different strings perform. One point I'd add is that temperature is another factor that influences how a racquet feels. Use lower string tension as it gets colder. A local pro I know uses three identically set up racquets with the exception of string tension to accommodate different conditions.
I play with 24/23 kg (53/51 lb) on a Prestige MID and a Luxilon Alu Power 125 string. It feels great from the beginning and gets a little hard to control during the last hour before it breaks. My strings break after 10-20 hours, depending on who I'm practicing with. I think everyone needs to try out what feels best. Some pros like Volandri even play with 35 lb or less.
In the 80's, racket tension was 65-75 pounds because people were using natural or synthetic gut. In the 90's Kevlar and polyester strings began to increase in popularity and the racket manufacturers dropped tension on the rackets because they didn't want people injuring themselves by stringing polyester strings with high tension. In addition, rackets were less powerful due to smaller head size and greater flexibility. I used the 2014 PS90 up until last year and switched to the RF97. I would string my PS90 with natural gut at 65lbs. When I switched rackets the RF97 was so much more powerful than my PS90 that I had to tone down the power of the natural gut so I started using Wilson Revolve in the crosses. After testing and making adjustments I settled on natural gut at 62lbs in the mains and revolve in the crosses at 58lbs. I am a 4.5 all court player that loves to serve and volley. Once I get use to this powerful frame I will go back to natural gut at maybe 67lbs. Nothing beats the playability of natural gut and if you are a player that loves to finish points at the net the drop the poly. Your style of play also have a lot to do with string type and tension.
Coming back to tennis after the early 80s. Now I'm caught up-- thanks!
Easily the best string tension video I have ever watched and I watched like 20 of them.
Using 48 pounds softer polys too, but I have the best feeling and control in the first 2 hours :)
Excellent analysis. Pro-staff for life. Serve and volley baby.
A quick note:
If your style is spin-oriented and you are playing with a spin-friendly racket less tension might mean more control.
Less tension => more spin => more control.
Summary, he doesn’t know what your perfect tension is. The end.
Babolat RPM Team 52lb spins like a hurricane
192,764 views, 2.9k likes, 418 comments, 61.3k subscribers. Nice!!
PLAYABILITY DURATION. Too many Club players string with Poly. Annoying to have to restring every couple of weeks. Sure, the performance is great for a "period" of time, but think about that. It's not great right off the machine...so that's time lost. Then it plays great for 9-10 hours. YAY. Then you play a big match on the 12th hour and it sucks. May I suggest that you want a durable string that lasts for weeks. Either full gut at higher tension or Kevlar at lower tension. My choice is Ashway Crossfire at 48lbs in a Wilson Ultra Tour. Think PLAYABILITY DURATION!!!!!!
The “recommend tension range” was built when the only strings on the market were high powered gut and syn gut, never go above 50 for a poly unless you use a hybrid, I love using 46/44 full bed poly in a blade
How about poly with multi in the cross @ 52/55
@@simi9222 yeah, the multi balances out the stiffer polyester, that’s when I use poly above 50.
I find the racquet recommendations are just about always 50-60 without thought. For example, that Pro Staff is widely acknowledged as underpowered and guidance should be at least 45-55 or lower. May not be case with all OEMs.
I use 48 with 1.20 Polys and love it.
Thank you, this has been very helpful. I am an older playing coming back from the days of continental grip and playing with a stiffer tension of 65 lbs. I have switched to a semi western grip and now will need to test lower tensions.
i went from 60 to 40s incredible benefits
I always use it with the highest tension for my raquet because I wanted control, but I notice that I like my swing after a couple of weeks. I will use lower tension next time. Thanks for the video
You could also try a stiffer poly...
Why doesn't the racquet manufacturers lower their recommended tension to save people from tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is caused more by bad swing technique than tight strings....I play at 64 or 65 with lux power rough never had elbow problems since about 15 years ago when my swing was crap.
@@ldeue4837 impressive tendons. Reminds me of Dustin Brown and John Milman. I’m more of a Jack Sock 30lbs kind of guy.
Milman says he loves the high tension, but his arm does suffer from it.
@@bokaichao3722 Yeah it could be depending on style...I seem to find more wrist pain or soreness from time to time but I like to hit up on the ball as opposed to a flatter more extended through type of shot.
The string tension for the racquet is usually on the inside shaft. BUT... what would be the recommended string tension (range) PER STRING TYPE, (polyester / multifilament / gut), for a given racquet ?
That would be very useful information.
Any advice on that?
Volkl cyclone 17 at 52 optimum after 2 hours and last a couple of weeks ( playing 4/5 times a week) on my Yonex Ezone 98 +
Lmao same man except on a normal dr98
if I were rich I would string lower tension but because I am not I start with 54 and enjoy the last hours of the strings when they are loose as you said. thank you btw you are really good
Hyper g at 48, it's always hyper g at 48
I do Hyper G at 50...Love it
Dallas Cowboys best string and tension 👍
I only have one dude now who strings at over 70lb, and he’s…….. (mind check)…….a valued customer.
What is your recommendation for Wilson Blade v8, for elbow-friendly string?
Bro we can’t afford to cut string n redo it again every 3 to 8 hrs thank u , bro I only replace when the string breaks which happens in 6 months to a year
Hey Harry -- Why do tennis players using hybrid stringing ignore the recommendations of one or the other of the two strings they use? For example, a common hybrid setup is ALU (poly) with a synthetic multifilament, and they will string both at about the same tension even though the poly is recommended to be strung 10% looser than a non-poly.
Makes no sense to me, so I string with NXT 17g mains at 54 (inside the recommended range for the string) and Big Banger Ace 18g at 45 in the crossses, which is more than 10% lower than the mains, but in my experimenting with the setup is the most ideal combination for the racket I use (Wilson Blade 16x19 v7).
I have looked for evidence that anyone else does this and have asked players and stringers I know, but I have yet to find anyone who does. But I haven't heard any reasons, from anyone, why they don't.
The first time I tried this setup (a couple of years ago) it instantly performed better than any other setup I've used, and since I string my own rackets, I have tried countless setups.
I recently returned to the game after a 30-year hiatus. When I was playing regularly back in the day, I would string my rackets at 55 lbs. That was the optimum performance for both the racket and the strings I used (polyester). Now I am looking at going lower, to 45-50 lbs. I hit a semi-western forehand (always have; it's the most comfortable to me because it produces heavy topspin and greater control) and a two-handed backhand. I can remember one of my teammates stringing his rackets at 65 lbs.
Yonex ezone 100 with yonex polytour pro at 50 pounds
I play at 50 too 💪
Yonex ezone 98, with solinco hyper g at 55lbs
Bruh literally the exact same thing or me lol
EZONE 98 at 48 pounds 👌🏼
Unless you are a pro, or a millionaire you have the luxury of string and restring after ever 8-10 hours of play.
quickly makes sense to get a stringing machine yourself. Got one a few months ago and already payed for itself, as my strings breaks after 4-8 hours (depending on the type of string)
I go the Andre Agassi route. Heaviest racket I can handle with the loosest string tension that I can keep the balls in play.
Where did you hear that? 2007 US Open he used Luxillon Big Banger at 66 lb, so definitely not loose at all. He also played with an OS racquet so the tension recommendation is normally higher than traditional 97-100 in heads.
@@HougieBOOM He mentioned that the heaviest racket with the lowest tension would be “the best” setup during an interview. Unfortunately I can’t find the video right now. If I do I’ll post it here.
Wow man. I've learned so much fro your channel and I was wondering about this and was about to search other channels. STOP READING MY MIND!!!!!
Thanks for the video. Please do a video about the tension difference between mains and crosses. I assume that the shape of the head, length and with of the head, no of main strings and no of cross strings has influence on that. I string like 200 racquets a year, and see quite a lot of deformation of the head after stringing. Like the head to loose or to tight in the arms of the machine. Most of the very experienced players often ask just 1 KG difference between mains and crosses even when they have a 18x19 string pattern. Thanks!
That tidbit about stringing polys lighter to get the responsiveness is a game changer, thanks!
48-50 pounds best tensions for Polys👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I'm a 4.5 and string my babolat PD with Lux ALU Power Fluoro at 57lbs. Everyone says I'm crazy for using such a high tension, but my strings feel good for a while. A few hours before they're about to pop, they start to feel dead... So I think I've found a good tension.
Tennis is a sport built around control and consistency most club players over hit and actually need less power that they control
Especially considering most of them play doubles which requires more precision than singles using a trampoline effect might work for pros but is disastrous for club amateurs I have a novel idea if you want more power get stronger
I have been trying to find advice on tension specific to hybrid setups and I'm having no luck. I just purchased the Wilson Champion's choice Duo of the Wilson natural gut (16g 1.3mm) and Luxilon ALU Power Rough at 16L (1.25 mm) because I really want to try this hybrid combo. My question stems from some of the comments on the Wilson website. A couple of reviewers commented that they strung each at different tensions. First guy said he has the gut in the mains at 54 lbs and the poly in the crosses at 50 lbs. He said it works well for him. The second guy said he also has gut in the mains but at 49 lbs and has the poly in the crosses at 53 lbs. Is is common to string this combo at different tensions? If so why? And why would one find benefit stringing the mains higher but the other likes stringing the crosses higher? It's confusing. I'm hoping to not have to buy this string very often so I would like to use the best setup to start with. Right now I'm playing with a Yonex Percept 97H strung with Yonex Poly Tour Pro at 52 lbs. I like the Poly Tour, especially on my one handed backhand, but I think it's softening up a bit and is getting a little too much power on the forehand. My wife also wants to try the Wilson hybrid. She is not as experienced a player as I am, but she takes a full, big swing and could use more control vs power. She plays with a Babolat Pure Drive. Not sure what string is in it but from the looks I would say it's a poly. It is orange in color and has a lot of texture. The snap-back of her strings is terrible, they are always out of alignment, so she wants to try something new. They were originally probably strung right in the middle, 54 lbs or so. Any advice, or if you have a video already addressing this I would love to view it. Thanks for all the great content.
In the 90's I used 32 kg so 70 lbs on my Prince Graphite OS. Those were the days😁
jesus christ, that must have hurt, I've always played 22-24 kg's
@@henrik1743 No did not really hurt. So I used an oversized racket and the strings back then were not monofilament but multiber synthetic gut. Almost felt like natural gut. With todays strings it would be another story indeed. But I used a very high string tension indeed. No doubt about that.
I have the new babolat pure aero 2023 and I will use a polytour strike. Should I use 49lb for main and 47 lb for cross
The "Recommended Tension Range" is totally Worthless as a recommendation as it is so General. It doesn't mention what type of String nor what Gauge. It's a legacy from 40 years ago when graphite racquets were coming out. It is totally and utterly worthless. You can only find your perfect string tension by trial and error as it is so racquet dependent, and I recommend for the sake of your elbow health, you start with a soft string at low tension for comfort and power and work your way up to stiffer strings and higher tension if you need more control.
Ummm, that's not at all correct. These tensions have become the recommended because of the amount of testing the manufacturers do to find the optimum sweet spot. They're not just sticking their fingers in the air and plucking numbers out. If you're not convinced, research the racket building manufacturers and go talk to experts in the industry. You think Federer, for example, didn't have any input in to the RFA model and ensuring that it played the best at the tension range he requires? That's not blind luck, it's complex materials research and composition testing.
Your preferred tension may be different to what they recommend, but the majority of people (i.e. average club players) will get the best out of the rackets within the recommended ranges. Only more advanced players can even tell the difference.
The general rule is you should always string at the lowest tension you are comfortable with that feels right for your game. That doesn't mean the racket's recommendations are worthless!
@@6064jkr Damn, Chairman got owned here and didn't say shit.. typical. Don't pay him any mind, basically every comment is "this sucks!" "I hate my life!"
RPM Blast at 53 lbs on my Wilson Prostaff RF97 Autograph and other Prostaff racquets e.g. 95, K Factor 90.
It's good pretty much from the start but probably feels best 1 hour in right until the string starts to loosen right towards the end (the mains start to move from tension loss).
Have tried 49, 51, 52 pounds and preferred 53.
Please tell me about the sticker with the tension recomendations.
The sticker on the racket i have says:
16 mains/19 crosses....
Tension recommendation:
21/24 kg or 46/52 lbs
Does it mean that I should string the mains with 21 kg and the crosses with 24 kg....????
I have RPM Blast at 60 pounds. The first two hours the balls lands long but after that it lasts for about 30 hours of play. I tried 55 pounds but that went bad more quicker.
Have you heard of the Racquet Tune app? It measures the string tension based on the sound. To my surprise, the actual tension on the racquet is much lower than what you get it strung for - even when freshly done on a calibrated machine. What tension should I go by? The machine number or the actual tension?
Great video! So, can a low tension make Wilson Pro Staff as forgiving as Wilson Blade? I’m actually thinking of putting 25 lbs on Pro Staff 97UL because I like an ultra light racket but I can use a little more power.
Just getting back into the game after a long time away. Thank you for continuing to produce these great videos. Strung around 55lbs back-in-the day but I am going to go for a lower tension now. Hope to try Confidential strings soon.
If you haven't already, please do. I fell in love with the strings right away. I've got my Pro Staff 97 strung up with Confidential 17G in the Mains @54lbs and Gamma Live Wire Professional 17G in the Crosses @56lbs. I don't have arm issues, but it is super soft and crisp at the same time. Not to say it feels dampened though, still plenty of feel.
Confidential 17g is the most optimal string
i use luxilon liquid crystal polymer on my wilson blade 100L nd string tension of 53 lbs, no feelings of the ball when i use it,, i feel like iam using a wood rather than a string... should i lower my tension? from 53 can go to 40 or what? tnx please help me enjoy my racket..
Hello.. Im looking for a racquet that have the same "pop and feel" that the iconic head radical tour candy cane had.. Any suggestions?
I put rpm blast rough cut in there with the widest guage and can't tell the difference between the first hit and the day it breaks.
Do you prestretch x1 biphase? What other strings do you normally prestretch?
These tips help me a lot. Thanks ❤
I got the clash 100 pro. Use rough poly in the mains and synthetic gut on crosses. 48 lbs mains and 44 lbs in crosses
I wonder why the Yonex Astrel 115 only recommends up to 55 lbs? I thought bigger headsize calls for more tension? I am a hard hitter who needs control and wanna string it at 60 lbs, would that damage it? BTW your videos are really awesome and you tell stories so well!
kind of like your videos, but I think you are overdoing your line, with your spin putting spin in my tennis. First of all, most people watching this never been to your store, so that's not true at all. I for example don't even live in your country. So that's not even possible. Repeating the same line at least twice in a slow and dragged on way, is actually quite obnoxious really. That is in every single video you make.
I would love to test tension after about a month of playing (6 hours doubles each week ) after I had a restringing.....
How can I test the tension to see how much it has decreased ?
Head (don't kill me) MXG3, with luxilon adrenaline at 22kg
HEY fellow mx3 , I have 5 that I string at 54lbs, and I use different strings for different feel,spin ,or any combo for each one
Mine is kirschbaum competition 1.30 at 55 pounds with a Dunlop CX 200
i think u forgot to say about stringing a racket .
First do research of your raquet and how u put a string on that racket because he can be diferent
it was my first time to buy a stringing service had a bad stringing and that damage my racket
when i start playing i already knew something was wrong then i ask to my teacher see it and it was my lucky he knows about stringing and alert me the stringing wasnt right
i had to buy new grommets to my racket it was horrible experience
becareful first do a research people
it happend in many years before probably 7-8 years ago
i am a strange player i use on pro staff rf97 v11.0 26kg luxilon alu power i like to put all the power and get a easier control
on my head speed mp i use 28kg multifilament tecnifibre biphase 1.24 i think
diferent style of rackets but thats what i like to use
Any recomandation for wilson duo power strings tension?? And pls don't recomend me other strings cause i already have these 😂
The 70lbs customer must be a PS6.0 85 owner
im currently liking rpm blast strung at 51 and im liking it start to finish. gonna try wasabi/wasabi x combo at same tension see how that goes
Here’s the problem. Pros have to have their best play right off the stringer. What are they doing different with the tension and strings?
Prestige pro, hyper g 43-44 amazing for serve and volley
Love the hyper g @ 44lbs too
Wilson Clash Tour with Hyper G 16L at 52. Ideal.
Wilson Blade 98 with Velocity MLT at 52 lbs. This is my test winter setup. Still trying to figure this one out. Might want to go for lower tension for more power in Blade.
I’m a collegiate level player, moving from prince 03 tour to Babolat Pure Strike Tour, what should i string it with? I like a lot of spin and control, I am a very strong powerful guy.
I got xtreme graphene 360 and last week I played with 56lbs. Too low for me. Got it back to 59-60.
I have been playing with Solinco TourBite @48 for about 6 years now. Hate it for 1-2 sessions, then I love it for a month or so (I hit 3 times a week) after that it feels like I am hitting a rock with a paper bat!
Mains Babolat Blast
Crosses Toalson Gold
52lbs.
Best after 1 hour for about a month
Why are strings done in a square pattern. Has anyone done a diamond pattern on a racket. Would it affect the shot.
Hello from Germany,
I play the wilson clash tour with oehms black pearl 1.18 - 18/17 kg.
I use 53 tension on a Yonex Ezone 100 with MSV focus hex strings
RPM Blast V18 at 48, probably between hours 3-10 or so
Perfect 👌🏻 video explaining why and how use some tension or not!!! Can you make a review about kirschbaum tenis strings??? It came to my attention that a professional woman (Kerber) playing with those !!!!
With my rf97 i prefer 55 for my serve but i will admit that for everything else slightly lower is best
hahahha 5h of play time and restring.......what a strawberry
This was such a helpful breakdown of it all. Thank you so much!
About tension, power, control I would be curious to see an analysis of the resulting laws of physics, i.e. when the strings get tighter a powerful shot will probably squash the ball more than a powerful shot with low tension where the strings take the bend. The cumulated and differential bending of the ball and the strings might be worthwhile calculating (if at all possible)
I have a lot of power I go 60-63. Still powerful and good amount of control
59. I'm young so I can handle it. Need lots of control.
Love your videos! Can you do a review of the major tennis ball machines? When and who should look for what features, like speed, spin, oscillation. Which manufacturers are more reliable and which machines are easier to repair?
Pssst, try a hybrid Triax mains, 4G crosses…. Oh baby
I've used a hybrid setup at 58lbs for awhile, works well for me. I generally like it from freshly strung to midway through its life cycle. I'm not a huge fan of the strings towards the point it is going to break.
In high school I used to string at 67 lbs. I'm so confused