Learn with comprehensive resources to help you improve your game. As your skills develop and you graduate to a more expensive performance tennis racquet, youll be in a much better position to benefit from the nuanced performance of a higher-quality tennis string. If youre a fan of natural gut but cant justify the cost, consider using string savers to extend its life and reduce the cost of restringing. Some tennis strings return significantly more energy when striking a ball, making it easier to generate pace. Wilson NXT is best known for its comfort, which is the feature that Wilson highlights as the strings strongest asset. If youre looking for a highly durable poly that doesnt skimp on performance in other areas, its worth checking out in 2023. Intermediate levelers need to invest in $10-$20 strings, while the pro gamers will require heavy-duty designs costing around more than $20 for a set. A tennis string tension of 55 to 65 pounds is considered high. Players will find Babolat VS Touch delivers power, comfort, and feel. There are quite a few alternatives to Prince Synthetic Gut. With that in mind, I recommend players check out Wilsons Control Duo Hybrid, a combination of Wilson NXT Tour and Luxilon ALU Power. review of the Solinco Hyper-G tennis string, View Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour on Amazon, View Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex on Amazon, View Wilson Synthetic Gut Power on Amazon, View Wilson Champions Choice Duo on Amazon, Too stiff and not enough power for beginners, Bright green color (if youre not into that), Too stiff and not enough power for beginners or shorter strokes, Too firm and underpowered for beginners and slower stroke styles, Too firm and low powered for beginners and shorter strokes, Surprising comfort for a control-oriented string, All-around playability good blend of features, Doesnt excel in any particular performance category, Too stiff and underpowered for beginners and shorter strokes. Before we get into the characteristics of tennis strings, lets talk about string tension. I would normally wait, but these strings are going to get in either the day before or the day of a national tournament, so that's no good. Here are the tension ranges we'd aim for the first time you get your racket strung: Nylon/Gut: 50-60lbs (22.5-27kg) Hybrid: 46-56lbs (21-25.5kg) *Because polyester is a stiffer material, string 2lbs (1kg) looser than nylon. If youre new to tennis or a parent helping guide your child, you may be concerned about whether or not your strings are adequate, which is an excellent consideration that Im happy youre investigating. At the same time, youll find a softer feel and increased playability by using Wilsons natural gut in the mains. However, X-One Biphase stands out as an ultra-comfortable string that does a great job absorbing shock and reducing the impact on your arm without losing the liveliness that makes this string a crowd favorite. Higher power strings will require less effort to increase the balls speed, while low-powered strings demand more from the player. Just so you know, TennisCompanion may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page to help keep this site running. #5. Here are the most common gauges and who we'd recommend each for: 15/1.40mm: Thickest gauge; best for advanced players looking for maximum durability and control. This means you wont need to replace them very often, and dont need strings that are especially durable. You can then adjust your requirement appropriately to even tighter or looser (towards the upper or lower end of the range). Natural gut tennis strings are the most expensive category available. The vast majority of players use 16 or 17 gauge. Over the years, the string has also received slight upgrades and revisions to increase its durability and resistance to moisture, which historically are two pitfalls of many natural gut tennis strings. $16.00. 3 How Do Tennis Strings Affect Your Game. Read our weekly recap of the 5 most interesting things we dig up in tennis. Many players make the mistake of not revisiting their string choice as their skills develop, which is one of the many reasons Im an advocate for helping players learn as much as possible about their gear. Whats the next step down from Hyper-G in the poly field ? www.prokennex.com. I totally read that as inches not feet. Made from quality and durable materials, Wilson Federer Adult Tennis Racket is a great tennis racket for tennis elbow. Prince Synthetic Gut offers moderate overall performance but lacks the most in durability, control, and feel. I cant speak highly enough of this strings comfort, so its a no-brainer for players who require strength in this attribute and are willing to sacrifice in some other areas. Its an excellent string and comparable to Babolats, delivering similar specs overall. Volkl Psycho Hybrid. Only a few polys out there manage to do both well. If you can afford other options, I recommend you don't use this string so you don't run the risk of injuries. Many players will wait until their strings break before replacing them. Here is the short and summerized advice -. Create a free account and explore my latest videos below. In general, thinner string will provide more power and spin, while thicker strings provide more control and durability. They tend to be softer (less stiff) and are easier on the arm. Volkl V-Icon and the more affordable KLIP Legend Natural Gut are a few other options worth checking out. Strings that snap back into place after hitting and dont move much or require constant straightening will have higher movement ratings. Of course, beyond name recognition, combining these two exceptional strings provides a unique balance to suit a wide range of players. With that in mind, here are a few quality alternatives to consider if youre looking for a string that meets these criteria. Power and control are inversely related, i.e., a lower power string will increase control, while a high-powered string will decrease control. Most players will find theyll cut out RPM Blast to replace them before they break. Theyre super durable but have the drawback of being extremely low on comfort, feel, and spin, which is why Im more inclined to recommend polyester. For most players, we recommend one of these options. Recommendations. We cover everything from improving your tennis game to the latest gear reviews. Once again, lowering the tension at which you string your racquet can also help to make your strings more comfortable. As a reminder, the main strings characteristics will dominate the racquets feel. Although durability isnt always the most exciting feature of a tennis string, Babolat RPM Blast delivers in this category and is a string you can count on to resist abrasion and last. When a string provides an outstanding balance between spin and feel in a low-powered package, you end up with excellent control. Your email address will not be published. . Is the Diadem Elevate Tennis Racquet Right for You? Best Hybrid Tennis Strings Price: $$. For the added durability Solinco Confidential provides, youll need to make some concessions. Its also an incredibly comfortable string to play with, which makes it an excellent choice for players with tennis elbow and an exceptional option for use as part of a hybrid string setup along with a more control-oriented, spin-friendly polyester. For many, the price of this string set is too high. Instead, check out Tecnifibres NRG2 and Babolats Origin, which will deliver plenty of power with the added benefit of more control. Manufactured in the United States, the HAWK POWER TENNIS STRINGS are designed for high-performance players who want to add even more explosive power to their games. Today's co-polyester monofilament strings also deliver increased power and comfort depending on the additives used. Relative to traditional stiffer polyesters, Hyper-G Soft offers a subtle bump in power, which may turn off players looking for maximum control. However, Prince takes things further than most multifilaments, using a spiraled ribbon construction to mimic the serosa fibers in an authentic natural gut more closely. 5 offers from $6.95. As a result, you get a blend of each string categorys features, which provides players with a balance that only a hybrid setup can offer. Each of these strings delivers above-average comfort in this category. It offers great precision in a softer string thats easier on the arm. As a result, theyre not as forgiving as a multifilament or natural gut, so if comfort is a top priority, soft polys will likely be too harsh for your needs. Just dont expect using them to transform your game or flatten the learning curve. If youre going for durability and control, Id recommend stringing the Luxilon in the mains. You can also check out our Summary & Recommendations at the end of this post, for the best strings for beginner, recreational, intermediate, and advanced players. How to Plan an Effective Table Tennis Training Session. These strings are very durable and generate a lot of spin. 4. Color: Silver or Blue. These strings are thinner than the corresponding number, but . For years, Hyper-G has delivered exceptional performance in the polyester category, so when Solinco announced a soft version of their string, it was a highly anticipated release. Despite its name, the most significant tradeoffs with Luxilon ALU Power are power and comfort. Required fields are marked *. However, this string set goes a step further with a unique octagonal shape that helps grab the ball and increase the spin potential even further, which is second to none. In particular, players used to full polyester string setups may find Wilson Champions Choice a bit too high-powered and lacking in the spin and control departments, so youll need to consider those facets when stringing with this hybrid. That is, no set of strings delivers exceptional marks across the board. Opinions vary, but many say they offer better quality and playability than traditional monofilament nylon strings. The more the strings can grip the ball, the more spin they will generate. I hope you enjoy the resources. Lower string-on-string friction means more spin, as the strings snap back into place quickly after being displaced by the ball. A higher touch rating will help a player execute with more precision and greater control over the ball. If using a stiffer string material like polyester, we'd recommend stringing looser to avoid arm injuries. Often overlooked or undervalued, tennis strings are as crucial as the frame you choose, delivering a substantial portion of your racquets performance when they come in contact with a ball. The most common materials are synthetic gut, multifilament, and monofilament. Like some of the other polys on offer from Solinco, Confidential is a 4-sided string, which offers a bit of extra added bite. This 'softening' effect is more pronounced than what can be obtained by using a nylon based solid-core string in the crosses. Generally, youre making a tradeoff between more power with a lower tension or added control with a higher tension. 8 offers from $12.00. When you think of polyester tennis strings, feel might not be the first thing that comes to mind. A 16 gauge for one company might be a 16L (L stands for "light," which basically means it's halfway between two gauges, think of a 16L as a 16.5) for another. Lets take a look at some of the best tennis strings on the market in 2022, and review the factors that you should be looking for in a string. When it comes to maxing out topspin, there are plenty of options. Combined with a great polyesters trademark ability to snap back into place and the lower power that allows you to increase your racquet head speed confidently, you end up with loads of topspin to help further dictate placement. Pro Kennex. As a result, most players will find the extra power a welcome feature that aids depth of shot without being overbearing. Furthermore, its a stiffer poly and nowhere near what players will find with gut or multifilaments from a comfort standpoint. When it comes to the synthetic gut family of tennis strings, its all about value, and Prince Synthetic Gut delivers with an excellent price point. However, this strings unique because it also plays super crisp and doesnt lose its plush feel at higher tensions. For reference, Id give both of Tecnifibres strings the edge if power is high on your list. Although theres a lot you can learn by looking for outside opinions and feedback, you should focus on identifying a string that provides you with the characteristics that would best enhance your game as a priority. For years, Prince Synthetic Gut has provided recreational players of all ages and levels with a time-tested string that delivers all-around playability at an unbeatable price. While I give Wilson NXT a slight edge, Technifibres X-One Biphase and NRG2 are borderline equivalents, and Id encourage you to check out all three. Besides the reasonable price, I especially appreciate the range of KLIP options available, making it an excellent starting point for players venturing into the world of gut. Natural gut strings are the softest, most comfortable string, and remain soft even at high tensions. As a starting point, racquet manufacturers provide players with a recommended tension range for optimal performance, which youll find printed on most frames. Buy Solinco Hyper G. But even then, youll need to replace the strings if yours break, lose tension, or go dead. Here are the important things to keep in mind when choosing a string and restringing your racquet. Its worth noting that the comfort associated with softer polys is relative to the classic stiffness of a typical polyester. One of the challenges that players have faced over the years is that strings come with distinct pros and cons. If youre new to tennis, dont underestimate synthetic gut tennis strings. From serving to volleying and hitting groundstrokes, players will find the ball aggressively rebounds from their strings. Solinco Confidential delivers on this front, which helped me to dictate points. However, one of the strings unique attributes is that its performance doesnt degrade at higher tensions, which is a great way to rein in its built-in power for more control. The spin and low power of RPM Blast allow me to take full swings and significant cuts at the ball, resulting in topspin that enables me to clear the net with confidence that the ball would dip back into the court, and I never feel I have to worry about the ball sailing long. This string is similar in some ways to the Wilson NXT, in that its a very comfortable string that offers a lot of power and sacrifices some control and spin. Material: Syntethic Multifilament. Weight: 10.8 oz. My pick for the best synthetic gut tennis string, which I cover in greater detail in this guide, is Prince Synthetic Gut. Hyper-G Soft offers more pop than the original, which most players will find translates to marginally less control. A lower tension will provide more power, but also less feel and control. Let's dive in! If you're a fan of natural gut but can't justify the cost, consider using string savers to extend its life and reduce the cost of restringing. As long as you still can control your power shots. Upgraded with Parallel Drilling for a larger sweet spot and Braided Graphite + Basalt for even greater feel on every shot, the Blade 98 16x19 more open string pattern has a forgiving feel and crisp responsiveness. Despite its softer formulation, Solinco Hyper-G Soft delivers outstanding spin aided by the strings shape and slick surface, which quickly snaps back into place to help improve bite and rotation on the ball. Within the past 10-15 years,polyester tennis strings have become hugely popular, allowing players like Rafael Nadal to take massive cuts at the ball and redefine our expectations and whats possible with topspin. Enquire about what strings theyre already using and how theyve performed for them, and then use that information to inform your purchase with the help of this guide. String tension is a measure of how tightly a stringer pulls your strings as they're attached to your racquet. Tourna Poly Big Hitter Black 7. Its also the most common approach when stringing a hybrid with gut and polyester. Check out their latest evolution, dubbed Prism, the same great string in a rainbow of colors. As a general rule of thumb, you can double the number of times you play per week to come up with the minimum number of times you should restring your racquet per year. First, here are our top picks. Although durability is one of its defining features, it scores well in many other areas, including spin, control, and the duration in which the string holds its performance. Luxilon ALU Power - Control, Spin. As you review my selections, keep in mind that Ill only allow one string to win best of for a single category. There are also different types of string materials available. Cant decide which color to buy? Babolat VS Touch (16-1.30mm) Natural Gut String (Black, 16) Recommended tension range: 130/16 : 24 kg/53 lbs - 32 kg/70 lbs. Combined with the ultra-soft stringbed that lacked feel, the string keeps me on my toes because its response isnt as predictable, making it difficult to find control and precision. The areas where it gives up the most are the spin, control, and feel departments. Generally, multifilaments and the thousands of fibers that make up this family of strings provide an arm-friendly hitting experience. Overall, its hard to go wrong with any of the above strings, so if you have an affinity to a specific brand, dont hesitate to go with that option.
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