Accepting that you cannot use poly strings

[TBM]

I've mainly used poly strings over the years due to the added control/ spin they provided.

For most of that time I did not have any pain, but after I tried the 2018 pure drive a few years ago, my elbow and shoulder have been very sensitive to poly in any racket, and trust me ive tried every poly out there that is reported as being "comfortable".

For some reason even my 93p with a hybrid makes my shoulder sore if I play a few times a few a week.

However, when I use a multi I never get any pain, which I have to accept at this point is the way forwards.

I'd like to hear from some people who are in a similar situation.

Did you just come to terms with the negatives that come along with using multi strings over poly (Break quickly / worse spin)?

Ive tried quite a few multis but none of them give me the confidence of poly.

 

[esgee48]

Have you tried Velocity or Rip Control?
There are also a lot of SG (see TWU) that are just as soft so consider hybrids with SG in the cross.

 

[ewiewp]

i stopped using polys due to similar reasons, about 10 years ago.
i was suppose to use low tension and restring them often, for which I failed to do so.
i recently re-experimenting with half poly Isospeed Cream.

 

[TBM]

Have you tried Velocity or Rip Control?
There are also a lot of SG (see TWU) that are just as soft so consider hybrids with SG in the cross.

I've used head velocity MLT quite a few times. There is something about the dead feeling that I don't enjoy, but could probably get used to.

I've also used Mantis comfort synthetic a few times and I like that it is very comfortable and low powered for a multi. The durability is terrible though.

I think I'm just going to keep playing with multis with the hope that ill eventually get used to them.

 

[Crimsonchen]

Have you tried lowering the tension in a poly/multi hybrid? I see you've tried soft polys, have you tried thinner gauges? I would start there.

You could also look into switching to a more flexible racquet. I'm not quite sure what your 93p is at, but when I made a move from a 69 flex to a 62 flex it made a huge difference in my wrist/elbow pain

 

[TBM]

I believe that the Prince 93p has a flex rating of around 60. I also use and angell tc101 that is in the low 60s.

Ive also tried hybrids at low tensions and thin gauges with no luck. The best poly for arm comfort I've tried is volkl cyclone tour, although this string loses tension extremely quickly in thinner gauges.

I am yet to try a hybrid with multi on the mains and poly in the cross.

 

[socallefty]

Do you restring your polys after 10-15 hours when they are typically dead? Also, do your string below 50 lbs? If you do that, a lot of soft polys work for most players. Most players keep playing with poly for many weeks and months and that’s why they get hurt.

 

[TBM]

Do you restring your polys after 10-15 hours when they are typically dead? Also, do your string below 50 lbs? If you do that, a lot of soft polys work for most players. Most players keep playing with poly for many weeks and months and that’s why they get hurt.

Yeah ive been stringing in the low 40's and restringing every 5 matches.

Its really weird as I played with the 2015 pure drive plus for quite a while, and never had any arm issues using low tension and thin strings.

Since using the 2018 pure drive, my shoulder and elbow have become very sensitive. Since then I've used flexible rackets with multis for long stretches, but any time I come back to poly the pain returns. I literally get no pain with multi at all.

I think im going to try out various multis and syn guts and just stick to something that keeps me pain free. I'll probably adjust to any string if I play with it long enough.

 

[Chairman3]

Gosen AK Control 17, Wilson NXT Max 15L and NXT 15 are all nylon/multifilament and have very high spin potential. This according to the TW string database
The latter two being 15 guage should last a bit longer.
Maybe the thickest version of tecnifibre triax, or the budget version RPX. They're supposed to be "multi's that play like polys" for whatever that's worth.
Lynx Touch too
Also read a good thread about Dunlop Silk Spin

So definitely some options

 

[Slicehand]

I wont accept it, i rather lose my arm

 

[TBM]

I wont accept it, i rather lose my arm

I feel like I'm about to lose my arm if I dont stop haha

 

[Slicehand]

I feel like I'm about to lose my arm if I dont stop haha

Nah really, if you feel like youve tried everything with poly, different types, tensions... work your way trough multi, find a set up that gives you the most and adapt to it

 

[TBM]

Nah really, if you feel like youve tried everything with poly, different types, tensions... work ypur way trough multi, find a set up that gives you the most and adspt to it

I can get about 10 hours out of a multi anyway (sometimes more), which is the same amount I use a poly for.

Im also going to try a full bed of syn gut as well. Ive only ever tried it before in old rackets Ive collected.

 

[Chairman3]

I can get about 10 hours out of a multi anyway (sometimes more), which is the same amount I use a poly for.

Im also going to try a full bed of syn gut as well. Ive only ever tried it before in old rackets Ive collected.

Gosen OG Sheep Micro
Head PPS
Are my go-to synguts. The Head PPS has a decent spin potential rating too

 

[TBM]

Gosen OG Sheep Micro
Head PPS
Are my got-to synguts. The Head PPS has a decent spin potential rating too

How are they on the stiff to soft ratio in terms of syn guts? Ive not tried either, but ive seen other people on here write that some syn guys are considerably firmer than others.

 

[jim e]

Try a natural gut mains, and a poly cross. You can still get good spin, and have comfort.

 

[Chairman3]

Subjectively, meaning from me playing with it, they're both pretty soft.
Objectivity, on the TW string database, I think Gosen is softer than the Head.
Neither are even remotely stiff like a poly and probably only marginally firmer than a multi.
I'd say synguts just aren't as powerful as multis.

 

[TBM]

Try a natural gut mains, and a poly cross. You can still get good spin, and have comfort.

Im only against this idea due to the cost.

 

[TBM]

Subjectively, meaning from me playing with it, they're both pretty soft.
Objectivity, on the TW string database, I think Gosen is softer than the Head.
Neither are even remotely stiff like a poly and probably only marginally firmer than a multi.
I'd say synguts just aren't as powerful as multis.

I like your testimonial so ill give one of them a try.

Im going to put Mantis comfort synthetic (multi) in one of my tc101's, and Head PPS in the other.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

-i string for several older players
-ive seen/experienced the progression they tend to go through
-IMO it boils down to "the length of the swing" for the level of competition/game
-the older one gets, the shorter the swing path becomes
-thusly, the need for poly winds down
-I've transitioned older players from all poly, down to poly/syn.gut, then down again to poly/multi, and now im about to suggest all multis
-their light rackets and short swing games seems to work best with a multi setup
-the need for durability and ultimate control does not seem t be a priority at later stages in their age
-comfort and power rule the courts at 65+ age groups

 

[BillKid]

i recently re-experimenting with half poly Isospeed Cream.

And what do you think?

 

[janelgreo]

Im only against this idea due to the cost.

It's actually not that bad and it'll last longer than a full bed of poly so you'll restring less. Nat gut is expensive for a set but you split that to two racquets.

 

[AceyMan]

Im only against this idea due to the cost.

You can substitute a high-end multi (e.g., NXT, NRG², X-One Biphase) for the gut mains and get "three-quarters" of the gut benefits. But for me natural gut lasts longer.

Also Klip gut still plays really great and is available in 15L/1.35 mm and a true 15/1.40 mm which helps longevity (tho TW doesn't seem to stock the thickest gauge).

/Acey

 

[jim e]

Im only against this idea due to the cost.

You may be surprised how long the strings can last and keep playable.

 

[TBM]

-i string for several older players
-ive seen/experienced the progression they tend to go through
-IMO it boils down to "the length of the swing" for the level of competition/game
-the older one gets, the shorter the swing path becomes
-thusly, the need for poly winds down
-I've transitioned older players from all poly, down to poly/syn.gut, then down again to poly/multi, and now im about to suggest all multis
-their light rackets and short swing games seems to work best with a multi setup
-the need for durability and ultimate control does not seem t be a priority at later stages in their age
-comfort and power rule the courts at 65+ age groups

I wish my excuse was age (im 27). I have been playing a lot more frequently over the last 2 years (2-4 times a week), which has seen my game get noticeably more spinny / powerful. Im sure I'd fair better with poly if I was only playing once a week like I used to.

Ill try a natural gut hybrid as some point as well.

 

[TBM]

You may be surprised how long the strings can last and keep playable.

Do people notice when the poly cross goes dead?

 

[Chairman3]

I like your testimonial so ill give one of them a try.

Im going to put Mantis comfort synthetic (multi) in one of my tc101's, and Head PPS in the other.

For a few dollars a set, you can't go wrong.

 

[LuckyR]

You may be surprised how long the strings can last and keep playable.

Exactly. Natural gut plays better and better until it breaks.

 

[ewiewp]

And what do you think?

I only played with it for about a few weeks, about 10 hours/week.
Pretty elastic poly feel. Sometimes feels powerful and yet feels pretty firm a lot of times. I think it depends on the weather, temperature.
Similar aging process as poly basically but it's much more prolonged aging compared to full polys.
I have it strung on my prince tour 100p at 53 lbs but I will try lower tension next time.
Then I may have more to write about...

 

[Kevo]

You'd probably be fine with poly if you had an older frame that had a good amount of fiberglass in the layup. I never had any serious issues with poly but usually strung it pretty low. I did find that some polys were noticeably harsher than others so I tended to use softer polys. Once I switched to the older frames everything feels sweeter though. I like the flex in the older frames. For me it really enhances the feeling of hitting the ball. I know some people hate that feel, but I don't think I'll be going back. It is noticeably easier on the arm though. You can really tell on those stretched out frame shots. It's just not the same level of shock even though they can still bite a bit.

 

[TBM]

You'd probably be fine with poly if you had an older frame that had a good amount of fiberglass in the layup. I never had any serious issues with poly but usually strung it pretty low. I did find that some polys were noticeably harsher than others so I tended to use softer polys. Once I switched to the older frames everything feels sweeter though. I like the flex in the older frames. For me it really enhances the feeling of hitting the ball. I know some people hate that feel, but I don't think I'll be going back. It is noticeably easier on the arm though. You can really tell on those stretched out frame shots. It's just not the same level of shock even though they can still bite a bit.

Ive got a Prince graphite pro 110 (its turquoise), that is made from graphite and fibreglass and I agree that it has the nicest buttery feel to it on contact. Shame its too heavy to be my main racket (about 360g with an overgrip). Ive also had my eye out for a midplus version on the bay.

 

[BillKid]

I’m carefully happy to play with polys and pick some strings on the softer end
My current string of choice is now TierOne Black Knight, which retains a pretty decent playability over time and offers a good compromise
Since the quest for better tennis stuff never ends, I also ordered some Ghostwire, which is even softer. Will demo it soon!

 

[veelium]

Do people notice when the poly cross goes dead?

I use nat gut / poly hybrids alot and the poly cross going dead is kinda irrelevant for the comfort.

A full bed of dead poly I get pain but in the hybrid I can play until the gut breaks without any issues usually (1-2 months depending on how much I play and the string pattern of the racquet).
I mean don't let it lie around for a year, then it can get uncomfortable.

Since atm I don't string myself and I don't break strings very quickly, it's actually cheaper for me to use a hybrid (40 bucks) than a full bed of poly (20-25) coz the full poly gets uncomfortable and therefore lasts me less than half as long.

 

[Billy T James]

I've mainly used poly strings over the years due to the added control/ spin they've provided.

For most of that time I did not have any pain, but after I tried the 2018 pure drive a few years ago, my elbow and shoulder have been very sensitive to poly in any racket, and trust me ive tried every poly out there that is reported as being "comfortable".

For some reason even my 93p with a hybrid makes my shoulder sore if I play a few times a few a week.

However, when I use a multi I never get any pain, which I have to accept at this point is the way forwards.

I'd like to hear from some people who are in a similar situation.

Did you just come to terms with the negatives that come along with using multi strings over poly (Break quickly / worse spin)?

Ive tried quite a few multis but none of them give me the confidence of poly.

It was the 2018 pure drive that destroyed my arm as will. I just tried playing through the pain until my elbow got so bad it wouldn't mend from rest, In the end I had to stop tennis for a year. Now I only use arm friendly rackets strung with cheap gut, klip legend. People always recommend this poly or that one saying it soft, or of course a co poly however I have experimented with a few however the pain always seems to start to come back, I stop right away. I even tried combining gut with a poly but this didn't work. I even tried a Wilson clash V1 with a poly this didn't work. Nowadays I just stick to klip but this limits my play as gut is to powerful and not much spin .

 

[socallefty]

I use nat gut / poly hybrids alot and the poly cross going dead is kinda irrelevant for the comfort.

A full bed of dead poly I get pain but in the hybrid I can play until the gut breaks without any issues usually (1-2 months depending on how much I play and the string pattern of the racquet).
I mean don't let it lie around for a year, then it can get uncomfortable.

Since atm I don't string myself and I don't break strings very quickly, it's actually cheaper for me to use a hybrid (40 bucks) than a full bed of poly (20-25) coz the full poly gets uncomfortable and therefore lasts me less than half as long.

I have the opposite experience. I play only with gut/poly hybrids and I notice the poly cross going dead within 10-18 hours (depending on the poly) where I start noticing loss of control and tightness in my wrist/elbow. When I play with the same poly in fullbed, I notice the lack of comfort when the poly goes dead about 3-5 hours before I notice it in a gut/poly hybrid. For me, the lifetime of a gut/poly hybrid is not that different therefore in terms of the poly going dead. The other problem is that I break the gut in 12-18 hours (varies depending on mix of singles/doubles/drills) anyway and with most soft polys, it is around the same interval at which I notice the effects of the poly going dead.

String comfort experience is so dependent on player level, age, style, previous injury history etc. that it is very hard to extrapolate from others experience on what you will feel personally. I am 54 and play with a Pure Strike Tour - string with VS17/HyperG Soft 18 at 47/44 lbs. I’m sure the thin gauge I use and the shaped poly reduces the lifetime a lot, but I don’t mind the short lifetime from a cost standpoint and love playing with the combo. Started playing with VS/HyperG and other gut/shaped poly hybrids when I learned that the Bryan brothers played with it - had previously experimented with gut/round poly hybrids also.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

After vacay, I’m considering switching from fb cyclone tour to cyclone tour (m)/monogut zx (x). This first bout of TE is frightening but the spin off cyclone tour is addictive, and since they lose tension similarly but ZX is so much softer, I hope I can keep the spin of CT and get a more arm friendly hit. Probably string both at 55 and let that tension drop to the low 40s/high 30s like I love.

In my case I think it’s more of an overuse thing than a poly thing but every little bit can’t hurt!

 

[antony]

Im only against this idea due to the cost.

Give it a shot at least once or twice. It might be the ticket.

I don’t like synthetic gut or multis because they move on me too much and get out of place.

 

[BillKid]

Poly strings, even softer ones, make a big difference for those who break other strings in less than 2-3h (I do).

 

[Casper777]

Try Tecnifibre HDMX... the closest to a poly feeling without the pain!
Solinco Vanquish is also a stiff and control poly... worth a try!

 

[Rorano_Fedalovic]

I'd rather have my arm fall off than stop using poly.

 

[Rabbit]

Im only against this idea due to the cost.

I’ve been down the same road. I now use synthetic gut mains and poly cross. I have used this set up for 15 years or more. No arm trouble. And it’s cheap!

 

[princemidplus]

I wish my excuse was age (im 27). I have been playing a lot more frequently over the last 2 years (2-4 times a week), which has seen my game get noticeably more spinny / powerful. Im sure I'd fair better with poly if I was only playing once i week like I used to.

Ill try a natural gut hybrid as some point as well.

Have you ever had your arm examined by a decent physical therapist that knows the mechanics involved in tennis? I would not be surprised if you have an overuse injury that is being exposed by the harsher poly strings. What you don't want to do is to ignore it and play softer strings only for it to get worse and then even the softer strings begin to hurt you.

 

[TBM]

I’ve been down the same road. I now use synthetic gut mains and poly cross. I have used this set up for 15 years or more. No arm trouble. And it’s cheap!

What's your favourite setup?

Racket, strings tension etc?

 

[TBM]

Have you ever had your arm examined by a decent physical therapist that knows the mechanics involved in tennis? I would not be surprised if you have an overuse injury that is being exposed by the harsher poly strings. What you don't want to do is to ignore it and play softer strings only for it to get worse and then even the softer strings begin to hurt you.

No I've never had it looked at and I know that is the best thing to do.

As soon as any pain creeps in I switch to a multi and the pain usually goes away and stays away within a week. Due to that I've not felt the need to have it examined further.

Being honest with myself I know that it isn't essential for me to play with poly anyway. It's not like tennis is my career. I just like the control it gives me and that crispy ball pocketing feel on impact.

Once I find a multi or syn gut setup I like, im just going to stick with that.

I also know that injuries can take a very long time to heal, and I've only used multis for a month or two at a time before returning to a poly setup. I think maybe a year off poly might actually help me fully recover.

 

[penguin]

Per

Yeah ive been stringing in the low 40's and restringing every 5 matches.

Its really weird as I played with the 2015 pure drive plus for quite a while, and never had any arm issues using low tension and thin strings.

Since using the 2018 pure drive, my shoulder and elbow have become very sensitive. Since then I've used flexible rackets with multis for long stretches, but any time I come back to poly the pain returns. I literally get no pain with multi at all.

I think im going to try out various multis and syn guts and just stick to something that keeps me pain free. I'll probably adjust to any string if I play with it long enough.

Perhaps go back to a plus length racquet? Pro Kennex are soft.

 

[princemidplus]

It i

No I've never had it looked at and I know that is the best thing to do.

As soon as any pain creeps in I switch to a multi and the pain usually goes away and stays away within a week. Due to that I've not felt the need to have it examined further.

Being honest with myself I know that it isn't essential for me to play with poly anyway. It's not like tennis is my career. I just like the control it gives me and that crispy ball pocketing feel on impact.

Once I find a multi or syn gut setup I like, im just going to stick with that.

I also know that injuries can take a very long time to heal, and I've only used multis for a month or two at a time before returning to a poly setup. I think maybe a year off poly might actually help me fully recover.

It is just suspicious to me that you have developed this pain very quickly and with a specific action (playing tennis). Sounds more like an injury to me.

Does your arm hurt if you only hit groundstrokes and not overheads and serves? I assume you haven't changed technique that could have caused this. You have rather increased the amount of tennis you play rather quickly which indicates an overuse injury. With proper assessment and treatment and exercises you should be able to ply with poly in a relatively short period again. I would suggest you rather attempt to fix the problem than avoid it.

 

[TBM]

It i

It is just suspicious to me that you have developed this pain very quickly and with a specific action (playing tennis). Sounds more like an injury to me.

Does your arm hurt if you only hit groundstrokes and not overheads and serves? I assume you haven't changed technique that could have caused this. You have rather increased the amount of tennis you play rather quickly which indicates an overuse injury. With proper assessment and treatment and exercises you should be able to ply with poly in a relatively short period again. I would suggest you rather attempt to fix the problem than avoid it.

Once the pain starts my shoulder hurts with most shots. It feels the worst while serving.

I then get a constant ache in my shoulder and sometimes my elbow for around a week. Then it feels back to normal. At its worst its taken longer than a week but not much more.

When i use poly, the pain doesn't always come back straight away. Sometimes I play a few matches before the pain resumes. If i dont stop playing with poly once the pain starts it gets worse very quickly.

Im going to play without poly for the remainder of the summer season and then judge if i need to see a specialist. I think a couple of months rest will help a lot.

 

[puck1230]

After developing golfer's elbow (from too much tennis) last year, I rested 5 months over the winter and made an equipment switch: from 2012 Speed Graphene Pro 18x20 w Technifibre Ice Code 17 at 52lbs, to ProKennex Black Ace 100 w Natural Gut. Big adjustment to go from a fairly stiff racquet with a dense pattern and a soft poly, to a very flexy racquet, open pattern, and the softest string.

I started with Babalot Tonic 15L, then tried Technifibre BiPhase 16, then HDMX 16, then settled on Triax 16. The latter gives me more of the crisp and snappy feel I want in the flexier racquet, but durability is obviously not as good as poly.

I'm happy and able to play pain free.

YMMV

 

[princemidplus]

Once the pain starts my shoulder hurts with most shots. It feels the worst while serving.

I then get a constant ache in my shoulder and sometimes my elbow for around a week. Then it feels back to normal. At its worst its taken longer than a week but not much more.

When i use poly, the pain doesn't always come back straight away. Sometimes I play a few matches before the pain resumes. If i dont stop playing with poly once the pain starts it gets worse very quickly.

Im going to play without poly for the remainder of the summer season and then judge if i need to see a specialist. I think a couple of months rest will help a lot.

Definitely sounds like an overuse injury. You should be able to sort that out with a proper exercise program from a physical therapist and not need any scans or trips to a specialist. All the best

 

[stapletonj]

Im only against this idea due to the cost.

KLIP 16 in the mains - isospeed cream in the crosses - cost of materials? about $16 for the mains - about $7 for the crosses = $23.00 total. vs. $16-$17 for say, a yonex poly.
We are talking literally 7 or 8 dollars difference per string job. And I actually get longer lively play from my hybrid setup. YMMV....