However, a near equivalent and one I often recommend is Gosens OG-Sheep Micro, which is even more affordable. Hyper-G is square-shaped, so it has four edges for embedding into and gripping the ball. If you can afford other options, I recommend you don't use this string so you don't run the risk of injuries. Some tennis strings return significantly more energy when striking a ball, making it easier to generate pace. While you can undoubtedly achieve more comfort with a full bed of natural gut, the tradeoff with spin and control is significant. If you have not had a fresh string bed in six months, then I would say it's time to freshen things up. Join the conversation with other members of the community. For 2023, Ive awarded Babolat VS Touch as the best natural gut tennis string. I totally read that as inches not feet. How to Plan an Effective Table Tennis Training Session. Weight: 10.8 oz. One of the best benefits for beginners is tension retention. The Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex is maybe the ideal starter string. Its perfect for players who want a good mix of comfort, control, spin, and power, but dont need exceptional quality in any one category. Your tennis strings are a big factor in determining what you feel in your arm. True to most polyester strings, the lower power allows players to accelerate their racquet head faster to generate added spin without fear of sending the ball long. Like some of the other polys on offer from Solinco, Confidential is a 4-sided string, which offers a bit of extra added bite. And finally, using a string that is too stiff, or strung at too high a tension may also hurt your arm and wrist over time. Despite its name, the most significant tradeoffs with Luxilon ALU Power are power and comfort. All else equal, a thicker string will be more durable and offer less spin potential, while a thinner option will be less durable and provide more spin potential. The last comment and 20 other comment(s) need to be approved. A softer string will absorb more of the impact of the ball and be more comfortable on your arm. Here are a few additional options to consider for beginners and children. 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. How powerful your strings are is a matter of personal preference. 3. Some tennis strings are better at absorbing and reducing shock and vibration, resulting in more comfort, while others feel harsh. They tend to offer a lot of control, and are better suited for experienced players. Although there are undoubtedly more comfortable strings on the market, Ive found Hyper-G Soft to perform best in this category relative to other soft polys, which makes it unique. Its three-sided profile is designed to grab the ball and apply heavy spin. I recommend players stringing their racquet for the first time to start at the middle of the recommended tension. Generally, this is a terrific option for beginners who still need to develop the technique and skill set to notice a significant difference between strings. The more the strings can grip the ball, the more spin they will generate. Strings that snap back into place after hitting and dont move much or require constant straightening will have higher movement ratings. True to that claim, NXT is easy on the arm but doesnt sacrifice the response and playability that players demand. Its worth noting that a players racquet and technique also influence comfort. The Importance Of String Tension In Tennis. 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. Once again, lowering the tension at which you string your racquet can also help to make your strings more comfortable. Polyester strings are a stiff string and tend to be harder on the arm. First, here are our top picks. 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. Over time, your strings go dead, losing the resilience that helps them deliver optimal performance in power, spin, comfort, and control, so you miss out on these benefits by waiting too long. Its a useful measure because some strings are highly durable and resist breakage but require frequent replacement to preserve the quality of the strings performance. Table of Contents. . Therefore, I strongly recommend players consider this facet before trying it. MYTH #1: Tennis elbow is most often caused by improper technique and bad mechanics. To help you get the most out of this guide and select the best set of strings for your needs, here are a handful of helpful concepts to review and consider before making a decision. The best part about hybrid string setups is combining the best of two worlds in natural gut and polyester tennis strings. 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. TW is backordered for NRG, so does anybody have any recommendations? This string is the best choice for players fond of topspin or underspin. For example, if topspin is your main priority, Im confident that my string selection will deliver that characteristic. Luxilon ALU Power doesnt disappoint in the durability department, one of the polyester categorys trademark features. You will also find half-gauge tennis string labeled with an L after the numbers (15L, 16L, 17L). 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. 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. One of Babolat RPM Blasts unique attributes is that its surprisingly comfortable to play with for a polyester tennis string, which makes it a terrific option for anyone looking to test the waters with a poly to help enhance their topspin and control. In this regard, polyester tennis strings are excellent low-powered options that make them an ideal fit for players seeking control. For the added durability Solinco Confidential provides, youll need to make some concessions. All tennis racquets come with a recommended string tension range (usually around 40 60 lbs). Dominic Thiem uses this racket on tour. I hope you enjoy the resources. One of Wilson NXTs standout features is its power, which it delivers through the combined effort of 1,600 individual microfibers. For reference, Id give both of Tecnifibres strings the edge if power is high on your list. As a closing thought, remember that it usually takes players a few tries to find a string they love. This type of string works well because it offers an ideal set of characteristics, including exceptional elasticity, long-lasting tension maintenance, and arm-friendly comfort. Luxilon 4G 16L String. As far as tennis strings go,natural gut is some of the best (and priciest) on the market, and up until the 90s, most players considered it the gold standard, used by virtually all professionals. . Prince Premier Touch also packs a highly respectable level of power. 16/1.30mm: Medium-thick gauge; best for competitive players who break strings frequently. Instead, its a polyamide, belonging to the same family of synthetic materials as nylon and aramids. If Solinco Hyper-G Soft doesnt meet your needs, or if youve already tried it and are looking for another option, theyre worth exploring further. Many players seek polyester strings for their control, spin, and durability. While serious flaws in technique continue to be a legitimate cause of TE, it is no longer the primary cause. Finally, if you want to enhance the durability of any strings, give string savers a try. Best Overall: Babolat VS Touch. Before you choose a tennis string to play with, you should know which characteristics to look for, including the pros and cons of choosing one over another. While you get a blend of characteristics, you dont get the full benefit of either string type, and you end up meeting somewhere in the middle. The following are the different types of strings that Ill cover. Of all the strings available to players, Kevlar is one of the least powerful strings. However, its important to note that with each string Ive selected, there will often be tradeoffs in performance. Regarding performance, here are the most common characteristics that players seek out when researching new strings. Below youll find my picks of the best tennis strings for 2023. Because I want to know if is worth using them. Let's dive in! Required fields are marked *. S = Short Side Main String Measurement (Used For One Piece Stringing) So if youre looking for a little extra pop or spin from your strings, or if you want them to last longer and feel better on your arm, then try dropping the tension a few pounds to the lower end of your racquets recommended tension range. As with all tennis strings, theres always a tradeoff, and Prince Premier Touch is no exception. However, not all polyester delivers equal performance, so it pays to know your options. The capacity for a set of strings to limit wear and tear from hitting, moisture, debris, and changes in temperature, which can lead to breakage or reduce the lifespan of a string, represents durability. Tourna Poly Big Hitter Black 7. We don't recommend going over 60Ibs unless you want an injury. With Wilsons Natural Gut in the mains, Champions Choice delivers more than enough power. Its an excellent string with a long-standing positive reputation in the tennis community. This string is made of a single filament (extrusion process). I created a custom vibration dampener thats compatible with all racquets and string patterns. After all, restringing too often can become an expensive habit. Recommendations For Different Levels of Players. Yonex Dynawire. Despite that, this feature is undoubtedly one of the strings standouts, especially when combined with the strings excellent spin. In this case, Wilson combines a natural gut with a polyester string. Your email address will not be published. Same with the Prince Synthetic Gut, the Wilson Synthetic Gut Power is a great all-around string. Stiffer, thicker strings are highly durable, but offer less playability (which includes features like power, spin, control, comfort). Cons. One of the challenges that players have faced over the years is that strings come with distinct pros and cons. Used by the pros for its unrivaled performance, power, comfort, and feel. Specifications: Brand Name: WILSON. For most players, we recommend one of these options. However, you can mix any two types of strings as a hybrid. So if you play four times a week, then restring you racquet four times a year. However, that has steadily evolved as more companies recognize the demand, and trends in arm injuries continue to increase. Best Hybrid Tennis Strings Beginners and recreational players If youre looking for a comfortable string that provides some easy power, we recommend an inexpensive, all-around performance string like the Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex or the Wilson Synthetic Gut Power. Rather than introducing a watered-down version of their flagship string, they managed to retain the essential control and spin youd expect from a poly with above-average comfort thats easier on a players arm. If you are a Beginner in the game of tennis, consider reducing tension a little to compensate for stiffness. 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. As a general rule, the softer the string, the more power it has. In this case, Ive named Solinco Hyper-G the best tennis string for control. Your email address will not be published. You can then adjust your requirement appropriately to even tighter or looser (towards the upper or lower end of the range). After a few hours on the court, its easy to notice how much more forgiving this string is on your arm. Composite. The ball propels itself off my strings with impressive action and ease. There are many fantastic polyester strings, but they sometimes have lower durability than expected. The spin potential of a string is determined by friction. Best for Spin: Babolat RPM Blast. . If you are not a string breaker, we typically recommend 17 gauge, otherwise use 16 gauge for a little more durability. In general, strings that are more playable tend to be less durable, and vice versa. With so many different tennis strings on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right one for you. unstrung; Head Size: 98 square inches; Length: 27 inches; Balance: 320 mm; String Pattern: 16 x 20; The Elevate Tour is 11.1 oz. I often find players swayed by what the pros are using or a teammate or friends advice with little or no consideration for their specific needs or attributes that make them unique as a player. Compared to the Wilson NXT, it may also be a bit more durable. With that in mind, I hope my list of the best tennis strings for 2023 helped provide you with some options youd like to explore. Solinco Confidential delivers on this front, which helped me to dictate points. The types of string that you will want to consider are Polyester, natural gut, synthetic gut, multifilament, and hybrid. Multifilament tennis strings are composed of hundreds or thousands of tiny microfibers woven together to form a single strand with similar qualities to natural gut, so its a fantastic, less expensive alternative. Theres a lot of emphasis on choosing the right tennis racquet, but a racquet is only as good as its strings. T = Top of Frame. They have a world-class selection, including Luxilon ALU Power Rough, ALU Power Spin, ALU Power Soft, 4G, and Element. There are numerous multifilament tennis strings on the market and more than a handful of terrific options. With players like Rafel Nadal on tour, one of the most sought-after attributes for tennis players is the ability to generate massive topspin. Polyester tennis strings are some of the best-selling. This post was written by the Tennis Department staff. Out of curiosity, what turned you on to those strings? Heres a recap of some of our recommendations. Synthetic gut are multifilament nylon strings. Required fields are marked *. We concluded that our Tour Status string performs best between 42-52 lbs which is quite lower tha the usual recommended string tension on rackets. Before we get into the characteristics of tennis strings, lets talk about string tension. First, as a polyester tennis string, RPM Blast is slick and quickly snaps back into place upon contact, helping to generate topspin. One of the most common scenarios that competitive tennis players face is overheating. Lastly, while the playability duration or the lifespan of the strings performance is impressive, the strings durability may be an issue for chronic string breakers. If you like the idea of Babolat VS Touch but want to explore alternative natural gut options, start with Wilson Natural Gut. Volkl V-Icon and the more affordable KLIP Legend Natural Gut are a few other options worth checking out. It's a highly crystalline microfiber specialized in providing feel & power. Natural gut tennis strings are the most expensive category available. But if youre looking to maximize control, precision, and accuracy, try a higher string tension. However, with more than a handful of polyester strings on the market, one stands out as the best for topspin, and thats Babolat RPM Blast. Here are the specs for the Diadem Elevate 98 tennis racquet. The natural elastic fibers with Babolat VS Touch make for a string with unrivaled comfort. 4. It means these types of tennis strings are best for experienced players, and not for beginners. OUR BELIEF: When initial research on Tennis Elbow (TE) was conducted flaws in technique and mechanics were often cited as the cause of the discomfort. The middle of the recommended tension range is a good place to start on the quest for the perfect racquet tension. Hyper-G Soft offers more pop than the original, which most players will find translates to marginally less control. Generally, multifilaments and the thousands of fibers that make up this family of strings provide an arm-friendly hitting experience. Buy Solinco Hyper G. 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. 5) comfort. Try it at a lower tension like 45-51 lbs. If theres a defining characteristic of this hybrid string set, its the fact that its Roger Federers choice one of if not the games greatest player of all time. Step 4: Identify an Appropriate Tension. Yesterday, I added one of my favorite polyester strings . In-depth Resources Unfortunately, ALU power is no exception to these rules. Not only is it relatively hard to break, but it also does an excellent job maintaining tension, which helps extend the strings overall life. 1. Thankfully, to the delight of many players, Solinco delivered. These strings are fantastic options for players running into arm issues but still demand the performance of polyester or players looking to transition into polys and are concerned about comfort. However, this strings unique because it also plays super crisp and doesnt lose its plush feel at higher tensions. As a starting point, racquet manufacturers provide players with a recommended tension range for optimal performance, which youll find printed on most frames. A big part of what produces a string with a greater sense of control is a consistent response or knowing what to expect every time the ball leaves the stringbed, and Hyper-G checks the right boxes to make that happen. HEAD Hawk Touch Tennis String. MAINS: Co-Polyester more info CROSSES: Multi-Filament more info SUMMARY: The co-polyesters' durability, excellent spin generation and controlled power dominate. Lower string-on-string friction means more spin, as the strings snap back into place quickly after being displaced by the ball. Just dont expect using them to transform your game or flatten the learning curve. That said, the trade-off is that a lower tension tends to give you less control. Recognizable with its neon green color, the Solinco Hyper-G is one of the best tennis string of 2020 and one of the favorite strings among the TW playtesting team. Their slick surface and ability to snap back into place are dynamic combinations to help you generate maximum spin. However, this huge diversity of string options also means that with a bit of research, you can find a string with the right features for the perfect fit for your racquet, style, and level of play. Once you play with your racquet strung at that tension, youll start to develop a baseline for its performance that you can use to make adjustments. They tend to be softer (less stiff) and are easier on the arm. However, if youre looking outside the Luxilon family of strings, I recommend you check out the following strings. 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. When it comes to Luxilon ALU Power alternatives, one of my favorite places to look is among the line of Luxilon strings. On the other hand, a lower score for this attribute will make hitting finesse shots more challenging, thus requiring additional focus, attention, and innate feel. A control-oriented string might be a great option if you want to tone down your racquets power or reduce the likelihood of overhitting with added topspin that gives you more margin for error to keep the ball in play. If youd like to dive deeper into the topic, check out my article on tennis string gauge, which provides a full explanation. Tecnifibre X-One BiPhase - Power, Comfort. 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. If youre a beginner or intermediate player, youll most likely just use the strings that came with their racquet. If youve ever experienced it yourself, youll know how painful it can be and how it can sideline a player from enjoying the game they love. For starters, the look is revamped with an anodized infrared finish and embossed Clash logo. These small plastic devices install between the cross sections of your strings to prevent wear and tear that leads to breakage. While you wont get access to some of the higher-end features available with natural gut, multifilament, or polyester strings, you should find that these strings are great all-around performers for the price. 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. For example, many players will find multifilaments too powerful and lacking in the spin department, while polyesters tend to be harsh on the arm. 232. 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. #5. Luckily, string manufacturers have continued developing products that aim to ward off the harsh vibrations of playing tennis. Material: Syntethic Multifilament. Polyester and Co-poly - for advanced players who break strings often. Furthermore, the differences from one string to the next are harder to detect and appreciate when you first learn to play tennis, so theres no reason to overinvest your hard-earned money early on. If youre a beginner to intermediate player, youll probably want to opt for softer (less stiff) strings that prioritize comfort and power over durability. When you think of polyester tennis strings, feel might not be the first thing that comes to mind. These come with a higher price tag, but if its in your budget, they provide an unrivaled blend of comfort, power, and control. 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. With its polyester makeup and 4-sided construction, Solinco Confidential delivers terrific access to spin. Furthermore, Luxilon ALU Power retains a liveliness, ensuring the string doesnt feel underpowered or dull. 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. Thinner strings also have more elasticity which is what makes a string play better. After you selected a tennis string, you're almost across the finish line, but there are a few more things to keep in mind, starting with tension. This year, Im awarding the best synthetic gut tennis strings to Prince Synthetic Gut, a classic offering that delivers comfort and adequate power at a wallet-friendly price. Finally, expect your preferences to change as your skills improve and your style of play evolves. Along with practical tips to inform your decision, insight into my rating process, and thoughtfully selected alternatives to expand your options, youll have everything necessary to confidently choose your next set. Of course, beyond name recognition, combining these two exceptional strings provides a unique balance to suit a wide range of players. Volkl Cyclone Tour Tennis Strings. To the surprise of many players, manufacturers create natural gut tennis strings by weaving together several strands of cow intestine. We cover everything from improving your tennis game to the latest gear reviews. However, for a better understanding of when to restring, there are several factors Id encourage you to consider, including: I speak to each of these in my dedicated guide on restringing, which Id encourage you to explore if youd like to learn more. I playtested each string using the same racquet, rated every attribute on a scale of 1 to 10, and calculated the average score to arrive at the rating. 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. Power and control are inversely related, i.e., a lower power string will increase control, while a high-powered string will decrease control. $16.00. Although Solinco Hyper-G is a terrific option for control, several others deliver fantastic performance. Ultimately, the strings feel results in a highly predictable option that further aids control. At the same time, youll find a softer feel and increased playability by using Wilsons natural gut in the mains. If you are a beginner or intermediate player, its unlikely that you will be breaking strings or needing to replace them very often. If youre going for durability and control, Id recommend stringing the Luxilon in the mains. Plus, it comes in a wide array of colors, which is fun for younger players where string performance isnt a priority. Just so you know, TennisCompanion may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page to help keep this site running. The cherry on top for Babolat VS Touch is its incredible feel, even when strung at a high tension, which helps aid precision and connection with the ball for exceptional touch. Of course, if this isnt your first time stringing your racquet, you can use your previous tension as a baseline and adjust up, down, or keep it the same depending on how you felt it performed. Your email address will not be published. Co-poly strings have also grown in popularity in recent years, and are a great choice for a range of skills levels and styles of play. Just as a good pair of court tennis shoes can prevent foot and ankle pain and injury, a good racquet and strings can alleviate arm and wrist pain, and prevent injuries like tennis elbow. Made from quality and durable materials, Wilson Federer Adult Tennis Racket is a great tennis racket for tennis elbow. 5. You really get a crisp feel from this string set up, whilst being able to access as much . Some sets of strings, such as Wilsons Champions Choice, my pick for the best-prepackaged hybrid, include two different types of strings. However, within the realm of polys, Solinco Hyper-G delivers a welcome high-end performance that sets it apart from many other low-powered strings. An inexpensive string with a good blend of comfort, control, power, and spin. 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. My pick for the best synthetic gut tennis string, which I cover in greater detail in this guide, is Prince Synthetic Gut. Instead, check out Tecnifibres NRG2 and Babolats Origin, which will deliver plenty of power with the added benefit of more control. 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. To compensate, I recommend you use the 16 gauge to help extend its life. What sets it apart from the rest is that its firm and ultra-low powered, which allows you to take massive swings at the ball while maintaining added precision. Finally, its worth noting that this strings natural fibers will fray. HEAD Hawk Tennis String. Only a few polys out there manage to do both well. That is, no set of strings delivers exceptional marks across the board. Similar to the Blade V8 racquets, the Clash 100 Pro features the biodegradable Agiplast bumper and grommets which reduce waste while maintaining high performance. Notably, lower power and less comfort. Tension maintenance refers to how long a string holds its tension before it needs to be replaced. Without question, Luxilon ALU Power exemplifies what modern players expect from a poly in terms of control, spin, and durability. If control is a priority, look no further than Solinco Hyper-G a bright green co-poly thats developed a cult-like following. Players might also consider string savers to extend this strings life. Another dependable option if youre looking for a thinner gauge poly that doesnt break easily is Luxilon Big Banger Ace. Due to its amazing performance and best hybrid string steup, many players recommend it as the best tennis strings for Wilson. 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. With that in mind, I recommend players check out Wilsons Control Duo Hybrid, a combination of Wilson NXT Tour and Luxilon ALU Power. . Tennis strings are generally available in diameters ranging from 1.0 to 1.5 mm, with the vast majority of strings having a diameter between 1.2 and 1.3 mm.