Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour - Durability??

[Rafael_Nadal_6257]

I am a heavy topspin player who hits with quite a bit of pace also. My NTRP is +4.5. I use a Babolat AeroPro Drive. I have used Pro Hurricane Tour for a while now. Recently though, as I have improved (Im in high school and taking lessons consistently), it has taken shorter and shorter for the PHT to break. A problem associated with it is that for me the PHT does not fray at all, so I have almost no idea when it is going to break next. I checked out the customer feedback on this string on TW and most were positive, citing improved spin and pace, similar to what I like. On the other hand, some of the feedback was undeniably negative. A couple posters said that the tension drops dramatically after 4-5 hours of heavy hitting. On the description of the PHT, it is noted as being durable, Im guessing that it can still be durable but lose tension quickly?? Additionally, somewhere on these forums, I found out for the first time that Nadal does NOT use Babolat PHT, but uses something called Duralast?? Is this confirmed, as the TW page for PHT says that both Nadal and Roddick DO USE the PHT. And what brand is this Duralast string that Nadal uses??
Finally to my main question, is there another string like the PHT, which provides a lot of spin and pace, but is slightly more durable and keeps tension longer??, Thanks a ton in advance...

 

[rabidcow]

How long is taking to break the PHT

 

[Rafael_Nadal_6257]

I dont know exactly, but the real problem is I dont know when its going to break, as for me, the strings dont move around like at all and they dont fray either. The tension loss is quite noticeable though. Additionally, the time between each restringing gets less rather fast.

 

[mdjenders]

For me, the string maintained its tension and played quite well for 5 hrs or so of hard practice rallying, maybe twice that long of actual match play. For these initial hours, this was a great string for me, with lots of pop, topspin, and decent feel for a poly. After that, and you will know when this starts to happen, the tension drops like a rock and soon after, the strings go dead. Once you start having to swing twice has hard for the same result, cut them out.

 

[Rafael_Nadal_6257]

I have always thought that when the strings go dead, you get decreased power and pop, but I also know that decreased tension produces more power...am I wrong? If Im not wrong, would one know that one's strings are dead when balls start to fly?
Thanks for the comment mdjenders, the rest of you, another string w/ similar characteristics - good spin, pace, durability - that doesnt drop tension as fast or drastically...?

 

[Rafael_Nadal_6257]

Once you start having to swing twice has hard for the same result, cut them out.

confused now...so decreased tension means less power??...

 

[TennezSport]

Confusion

RN6257,

Think you are confusing tension loss and string resilency or elogation properties (the ability to snap back quickly). Reduced tension does mean more power, but only when the string quickly snaps back to original position.

When a string goes dead it no longer snaps back so you lose power, comfort and accuracy. Think of it like a trampoline that has lost its springyness; you don't bounce as high. This is why mdjenders stated that he has to swing twice has hard for the same result.

As far as better tension holding string, try Pro Supex Big Ace; Blue Gear(very stiff) or Weiss Cannon Scorpion or Silverstring. These strings hold tension very well and last a little longer than PHT.

TennezSport