String tension for copoly: What do you use?

[don_budge]

Natural gut is still my favourite but it's expensive and fiddly to string with. But I just love the elasticity and 'bounce' of natural gut.

Stotty

I remember getting a new Jack Kramer Pro Staff frame (wooden), new VS gut that was sprayed with gut spray (the smell). Along with a can of new balls at a dollar fifty a can. Total cost maybe 46 dollars. It felt like Christmas...especially those new balls. To hear that seal let the air in and then the aroma of those new balls. It smelled like victory.

[stotty]

I think it depends on the type of poly string. I use Isospeed Black Fire but it needs to be strung at 55 to 60 lbs to play well. I tried a Lexicon string once where the recommended tension on the packet was 45lbs. I strung it at 45lbs but it felt too tight believe it or not. So I think it must depend on the properties of the string.

The thinner the poly string, the better it plays in my view. I am not a string breaker so I always opt for thin and it usually lasts a good while.

I used Kevlar 10 years or so back. But Kevlar had so little stretch in it that it felt exactly the same whether it was strung at 50 or 60lbs.

Natural gut is still my favourite but it's expensive and fiddly to string with. But I just love the elasticity and 'bounce' of natural gut.

Stotty

[klacr]

Tension really depends on the player. When using poly they say to string not on looser end. Federer is at around 45lbs. Wawrinka strings his around 60-61lbs. I use Luxilon big banger rough and string it at 61lbs. For most that can be tough and create some shoulder/elbow issues but for me it feels just fine.

I think if you go look back on some of the forum posts from Geoff Williams he will have some references and nuggets of wisdom on string tension. He's the expert on that stuff.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[gzhpcu]

Reading this article again (https://www.tennisplayer.net/members...ngs_and_spins/), got me to thinking about the optimal string tension (Babolat RPM Blast) for my new Babolat pure aero rackets. I had them strung at 24 kilos (53 pounds). The tension drops pretty fast. After playing it the first time it dropped 9% in tension.

Then I read that Volandri uses about 19 lbs for clay!
Just wondering what other players here use for tension.