Strings: TIPS AND ADVICE
Nothing replaces a chat - so call me and i will guide you in your choice - We are passionate as you are!
Here is my guide to the type of strings that perform well for many of my customers.
The type of racket, your level, strenghts and weaknesses , age, the type of court, indoor/outdoor, weather etc.. play an important role in your strings ideal search!
Remember also that the higher the tension the less power but "more" control you have.
Since the "Federer years" tension on the pro circuit is towards medium-high as an average. 50-58lbs this is mainly due to the quality of strings that deliver the spin and precision previously lacking in the 80s-90s. So players lower the tension to get more power without sacrificing precision and spin. Nadal for instance "only" plays at 55lbs. Federer quite often in the 50s, and for our World number 1, Nole rarely goes above 58lbs (which is already pretty high on a 18x20 frame!)
Low powered Head Hawk is the perfect example - As TennisWarehouse puts it, "providing the exceptional control of a stiff poly without ever feeling harsh "
Multifilaments Wilson NXT and Xone Biphase have also provided recently the best of both worlds with low tension paradigm...power and precision.
Are you...
Club/County level play:
We recommend:
Complete player, Spin orientated: Babolat RPM Team at 54 Lbs up to 56
Agressive Spin led player, short swing: Babolat RPM Blast at 55Lbs to 57
Endurance player, requiring spin and effects at low tension: Luxilon Savage at 48 to 53Lbs (a RLS favourite)
Luxilon Alu Power Rough for explosive power and precision - probably the best string in the world
Tournament/League series of 5-10 matches:
I am currently playing a league with the Kirschbaum Helix 130 gauge and it is a great string providing a crisp feeling. Fantastic quality at a very competitive price. £28. For a full month at high intensity i didn't experience much tension loss and this despite the changes of temperatures recently. Will be an ideal set up for a full season!
Babolat Duralast Tour for a full round up string. Used on the Challenger tour. 1-2 restringing per tournament.
A grinder? > RPM Team is for you
The ultimate tricky player?.. > wrong footing your oponent, going from Spin to drop shot in a blink: Ncode Black is for you, 55lbs.
The Spin-crazy one? > Toalson Devil Spin (+ excellent durability, Japanese quality)
It's all about the touch > Synthetic gut but take the best in the market: Wilson sensation or Wilson sensation rough
over 40...with elbow, wrist pain from time to time?....> Puncher: go for Babolat Duralast, Smooth operator: go for a hybrid with
Doubles player: Hybrid with natural gut on the mains/Wilson sensation crosses or Toalson devil mains/Wilson sensation crosses
Pros stringing set-up
Novak Djokovic
Hard court/Acrylic: Tecnifibre X-One Byphase, Mains / Luxilon Alu Power Rough Crosses
Grass & others: Natural Gut, Mains / Luxilon Luxilon Alu Power Rough Crosses