AmeriTennis
New User
Hi! I'm hoping to get some advice on types of string and tension to use based upon my style of game.
Short version: I like being able to swing hard through a ball without it sailing too much. In basic terms, I've liked the feeling of a dull "thwap" when I was hitting the ball more than a higher pitched noise. I would think a tighter, dull string would create this, but that hasn't always seemed the case.
Long version: Background of my game:
I've played 3.5 in my first two years of usta play, only lost a handful of matches, but somehow haven't been bumped up. I've got a .500 record on 4.0s I've played in non-usta matches recently. I've been told by others my backhand is a standard 3.5 level, my serve a 4.0 (though a little inconsistent at times), and my forehand closer to a 4.5. I use two hands off both sides (yes, the forehand too).
I swing hard on the forehand side, with a somewhat short, quick motion. I've tinkered with different strings/tensions in the past year. I previously used head rip control 16 at 58-60lbs and was fairly happy. I gave a lower tension a try earlier this year at 52lbs and played great my first couple matches with it. However, soon after I had a lot of difficulty with shots sailing a little long that generally should not. I then played a match with someone's racquet who had luxilon alu power 16l at 60lbs, and I played great. I then tried that in my own racquet and loved it. I like being able to swing hard through a ball without it sailing too much. In basic terms, it felt more like a dull "thwap" when I was hitting the ball than a higher pitched noise. I would think a higher tension would create that, but it doesn't seem so.
I got that racquet restrung and have yet to recreate that feeling exactly. When I orginally had it strung it was at ***** Sporting Goods, which frankly, doesn't know what they're doing. So I don't know if it was strung at a different tension, or they pre-stretched it or something. Having a local shop who knows what they're doing restring it using luxilon again at 60lbs felt too tight and, somehow, the ball was sailing a lot more (this doesn't make sense to me as the original ***** stringing seemed looser, but I would think a tighter string would be duller and have less power). I know this is way too long, but any suggestions?
Short version: I like being able to swing hard through a ball without it sailing too much. In basic terms, I've liked the feeling of a dull "thwap" when I was hitting the ball more than a higher pitched noise. I would think a tighter, dull string would create this, but that hasn't always seemed the case.
Long version: Background of my game:
I've played 3.5 in my first two years of usta play, only lost a handful of matches, but somehow haven't been bumped up. I've got a .500 record on 4.0s I've played in non-usta matches recently. I've been told by others my backhand is a standard 3.5 level, my serve a 4.0 (though a little inconsistent at times), and my forehand closer to a 4.5. I use two hands off both sides (yes, the forehand too).
I swing hard on the forehand side, with a somewhat short, quick motion. I've tinkered with different strings/tensions in the past year. I previously used head rip control 16 at 58-60lbs and was fairly happy. I gave a lower tension a try earlier this year at 52lbs and played great my first couple matches with it. However, soon after I had a lot of difficulty with shots sailing a little long that generally should not. I then played a match with someone's racquet who had luxilon alu power 16l at 60lbs, and I played great. I then tried that in my own racquet and loved it. I like being able to swing hard through a ball without it sailing too much. In basic terms, it felt more like a dull "thwap" when I was hitting the ball than a higher pitched noise. I would think a higher tension would create that, but it doesn't seem so.
I got that racquet restrung and have yet to recreate that feeling exactly. When I orginally had it strung it was at ***** Sporting Goods, which frankly, doesn't know what they're doing. So I don't know if it was strung at a different tension, or they pre-stretched it or something. Having a local shop who knows what they're doing restring it using luxilon again at 60lbs felt too tight and, somehow, the ball was sailing a lot more (this doesn't make sense to me as the original ***** stringing seemed looser, but I would think a tighter string would be duller and have less power). I know this is way too long, but any suggestions?