Blake on racquet technology and pj's

[jings]

I thought it worth sharing Blake's comments on this in case you don't get to reading the interview itself. Fairly conclusive proof if ever you need it ...

Q. Martina talked before you came in about the racquets, the courts and so forth. From the time that you started playing in Harlem and so forth, has the game changed in terms of yourself, but the racquet?

JAMES BLAKE: Oh, yeah, the game's definitely changed. I think with the advent of this poly mono string ‑ the Luxilons, the, I don't know who else makes it, Babolat ‑ they all make this poly mono string, and it makes such a difference. All the clay courters use it, I've been using it. Literally, the first time I put it on my racquet, I said I'm never switching to anything else, I'm using this for the rest of my career. It's unbelievable, the difference it makes. Racquets have gotten more technologically advanced. It really has changed. I think that's part of the reason it's taken away from a lot of serve and volleyers, because it makes it so much not easier to return, but your returns are much more effective. You can dip them to people's feet, you can swing a lot harder, and guys can stand far back and they know they can create enough power with these racquets and with this string.

It has made tennis, I think, much more enjoyable because it's made ‑‑ it's brought the level of the game up. You see guys hitting shots that didn't seem possible back with wooden racquets or back with natural gut, and it's ‑‑ I think it's great for the game. It's gotten better.

I don't know if Martina has used that to her advantage; I haven't seen her play that much lately. But I'm sure she's noticed a big difference because she was back in the day of the wood racquets. I think I'm just about on that borderline of people that never grew up with a wooden racquet. I never used a wooden racquet. I'm sure it's a huge difference for people like that.

Q. She said the manufacturers are trying to dictate the game. Do you believe that?

JAMES BLAKE: They might be trying, but I don't think they can be effective with that because if you're a top player, I think you use what you want to use. You don't care about if you're getting paid a little extra to play with something that they want. You're using what's effective for you.

For me, that's a no‑brainer. I don't mess with my racquet unless I put it in my hand and it feels good. If it's something where I need to adjust, I'm not sure about it, I can't do that. That's then messing with my prize money, my state of mind, because I'd rather go out on the court feeling good, feeling like I'm going to win, as opposed to worrying about a racquet that might change something.

So I don't even know if they're trying, but they're not going to be effective with me and I don't think they're going to be effective with a lot of the top players. You see a guy like Roger Federer, he's using basically the same racquet that he has the whole time. Sampras used the same racquet for his whole career. Andre has basically used his, the same racquet, his whole career. They stick with what works. I don't think manufacturers can change that.

If they are, they're probably trying it at the junior level. If you get kids started on something, then I think they're going to stick with it. But I don't think at this level they're dictating anything.

[BreakPoint]

Thanks for posting that, jings! Very interesting. Sounds like Blake is giving much more credit to the changes in strings than to the changes in racquets.

Also, does that mean that Blake thinks that Federer is still using a PS 6.0 85 (w/ paintjob)?

[jings]

No Lux, u sux it would seem. I wouldn't have thought it possible to attribute so much to a string, but you've got to believe what Blake is saying. As to the Fed stick I wasn't going to go there Breakpoint, but since you ask it would seem that he thinks he does - the small qualification might mean it is a slightly larger mould than he started out with - but it would seem the 6.0 lives on in some way, shape and form.

[BreakPoint]

I've always thought of all this poly hype as just a fad that will eventually blow over. But obviously the pros really believe in this stuff, as evidenced by Blake saying that he expects to use Lux for the rest of his career.

I haven't tried Lux in my own racquets (although I've hit with some that had Lux in them), but I have tried a few other polys, and so far all they've done for me is give me golfer's elbow. Ouch!!

[joesixtoe]

i dont think blake ment that roger is using the same racquet he used when starting out,, i think he ment the same line of racquets,, he said the same thing with agassi as well,, he said basically using the same racquet, and with sampras he said he did use the same racquet,, so diff racquet, same line though is what i think he ment

[BreakPoint]

BTW, jings,

Off topic but, are you still using your Asian nSix-One Tour 90s? Or have you gone back to the PS 6.0 95s? If so, why or why not? Thanks.

[jings]

I'm still with both BP! I'm not playing quite as much of late so enjoy the 6.0 95s a little more as they're a touch more forgiving, and a hair easier to swing. The Asian n90 is just a gorgeous frame as well and when I've warmed up or playing a little more regularly I enjoy the thinner beam and slightly more precise feel - but the differences in feel / result are as much in my head I think as anything else ... my footwork on the b/h will always let me down eventually. Definitely more cred points on court playing with the 6.0 though - people think you must really know what you're doing to play with such an "old" stick! While I'm at it I have them both set up with gut mains and lux alu rough cross and will let Blake do my talking for me as to the benefits of Lux - a really great set up this if you haven't tried it. I take it you're still with your 6.0 95's?

[edberg505]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

I've always thought of all this poly hype as just a fad that will eventually blow over. But obviously the pros really believe in this stuff, as evidenced by Blake saying that he expects to use Lux for the rest of his career.

I haven't tried Lux in my own racquets (although I've hit with some that had Lux in them), but I have tried a few other polys, and so far all they've done for me is give me golfer's elbow. Ouch!!

I don't really care for Lux, but that stuff stays in your racquet forever.

[travlerajm]

I'm curious to know more about Lux. I haven't tried it. Does anyone out there agree with Blake? Does it really give that much more bite?

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by jings

I'm still with both BP! I'm not playing quite as much of late so enjoy the 6.0 95s a little more as they're a touch more forgiving, and a hair easier to swing. The Asian n90 is just a gorgeous frame as well and when I've warmed up or playing a little more regularly I enjoy the thinner beam and slightly more precise feel - but the differences in feel / result are as much in my head I think as anything else ... my footwork on the b/h will always let me down eventually. Definitely more cred points on court playing with the 6.0 though - people think you must really know what you're doing to play with such an "old" stick! While I'm at it I have them both set up with gut mains and lux alu rough cross and will let Blake do my talking for me as to the benefits of Lux - a really great set up this if you haven't tried it. I take it you're still with your 6.0 95's?

Thanks, jings!

I haven't played for a while as I'm recuperating from the golfer's elbow I got from using poly strings and/or overplaying, but when I was playing I was also using both the Asian nCode 90 and the PS 6.0 95, for pretty much the same reasons as you stated. I also use my Slaz Pro X-1 and Vantage 90 sometimes.

One of these days I'll have to try a poly hybrid with the poly in the crosses and maybe a multi in the mains (I'm not a big fan of gut). Seems to work for Federer, right?

[spaceman_spiff]

Originally Posted by travlerajm

I'm curious to know more about Lux. I haven't tried it. Does anyone out there agree with Blake? Does it really give that much more bite?

One thing you'll notice is that deep groundstrokes you think are going out will start dropping in, even on some you'd almost turn your back on to go pick up a ball to start another point. Also, you'll win points when your opponents leave the ball, only to see it drop in.

You do have to string it low though, since it really is a stiff string. Getting the thinnest guages helps too. The stuff doesn't move, which means it's tough to break. So, you can use the thin stuff, which helps with the feel.

[AndrewD]

Three years ago, when asked almost the same question as Blake, Pat Rafter said that the biggest change to the game was in strings and if anyone was thinking of creating limits on technology that was where they should start, not with racquets. He believed that, above all else, they were the thing making it so difficult to serve-volley.

[SCSI]

Luxilon and imitation Luxilons really help those who hit with lots of topspin. They allow you to hit hard and keep the ball in play.

[35ft6]

^ Yeah, Big Banger strings are pretty remarkable. It's rare that something actually makes a REAL difference but these strings really do help you keep the ball in play. A great added benefit is how durable they are. I'm just repeating stuff that's already posted, but these strings really are one of the most incredible things I've tried in tennis.

[Richie Rich]

Originally Posted by AndrewD

Three years ago, when asked almost the same question as Blake, Pat Rafter said that the biggest change to the game was in strings and if anyone was thinking of creating limits on technology that was where they should start, not with racquets. He believed that, above all else, they were the thing making it so difficult to serve-volley.

i remember when rafter made the doubs comeback at the aussie openand he mentioned how hard the guys were hitting and no one was using gut anymore. he was one of the only players still using gut. we probably read the same interview.

[Ripper]

Originally Posted by 35ft6

^ Yeah, Big Banger strings are pretty remarkable. It's rare that something actually makes a REAL difference but these strings really do help you keep the ball in play. A great added benefit is how durable they are. I'm just repeating stuff that's already posted, but these strings really are one of the most incredible things I've tried in tennis.

Durable, because they don't snap. At least, not easily. HOWEVER, they lose tension fast. Therefore, I think you need to re-string with as much frecuency, not less. Oh and pros never use the same string twice. So, they can care less about tension loss. Yes, Luxilons and similar strings give an advantage to hard hitters, but the need to re-string frecuently is still there.

[VGP]

Luxilon string does add more spin.

I used to play with the Wilson PS 85. Coming off a several year layoff, I needed to get fresh stringjobs (I used to string myself with Alpha Gut 2000) and I deceded to give Luxilon TiMo 18 a try.

Once I started getting some strength back, I really saw a change in what I could do with the ball - even with my old, outdated, small-headed frame. The strings don't move and they really bit into the ball. More spin than I could ever generate before. I could drive shots deep and they'd dip onto the baseline, I could dip the ball short on passing shots better.....

I remember reading about Luxilon in 2002 and overheard Brad Gilbert talking about them when I was at the USO in 2002 (amonst all his other blabbering).

It's the biggest effective change in racket technology since the widebody.

[norcal]

About 5 years ago I was hitting with my cousin who at the time was playing the satellite circuit and when we finished he pulled a reel of Kirschbaum out of his bag and said, 'try this, everyone is using this now. It's cheap and lasts a long time'.

Been using poly hybrid ever since.

[TW Staff]

Here's an article we had posted during the Pacific Life Open where Agassi comments on the changes to the game since the intro of poly strings. - Chris, TW


If you're stringing racquets at the pro level these days, you'd better enjoy stringing with polyester strings.
While any respected stringer is more than capable of handling polyester string, most would admit it's not a whole lot of fun.
As wiry and difficult to manage as polyester string is during installation, its response once in the racquet has made it the go to choice among touring players.
Andre Agassi has noticed a difference in the game since players switched to using polyester or co-polyester strings.
"Back in sort of the day, whatever decade you're talking about, you're looking at gut, you're looking at the synthetic strings and you had to worry about controlling pace, you know," said Agassi. "You had to worry about the ball flying, you know. Now you're getting that spin so you can just hit everything, which means that guys can go out there and take their chances, which means that every match it's who's on that day, you know, because so many of them can do it."
Agassi also uses a polyester type string in his racquet as it allows him to take fast, aggressive swings at the ball without losing control.
"I think the strings have made a big difference in the game, you know. I mean we have strings now that really bite the ball which gives you that spin which means that you can really let go on your swings, and you can still control. It means you can hit harder with control."
The most popular polyester type string used on the pro tour is made by Luxilon. Looking at the list of players using Luxilon strings on the pro tour looks like a laundry list of the top 100. Even those using other string brands, are using something very similar to a Luxilon string.
Getting the hard to handle polyester strings into the pro racquets at the Pacific Life Open is the job of Star Stringing.
According to Star Stringing's David Mindell, polyester type strings started to become popular around 2000 to 2001, right about the time the Pacific Life Open moved to its current location at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Last year when we caught up with Mindell, he was busy stringing up Carlos Moya's racquets. Like most players from Southern Europe, Moya also uses polyester strings.
This year, Mindell was busy customizing some racquets for Prince sponsored pros such as Guillermo Coria and Rene Stubbs. The rest of the Star Stringing team were busy stringing pro racquets.
"See those guys there," said Mindell pointing to members of his stringing staff. "They've strung 400 racquets between them in the last few days. Most of those racquets were strung with polyester."
Mindell jokingly added, "You could say, we're sick of polyester."
As with most professional tournaments, the stringing room at the Pacific Life Open is a busy place. Several of the Star Stringing team had been working 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. shifts for 9 straight days.
Even rain delays during the middle weekend didn't slow things down, with a steady flow of racquets entering the stringing room each day.
While the majority of those racquets were strung with polyester type string, there were some exceptions. According to Star Stringing, pro player Max Mirnyi is among of a handful of players who still use an all natural gut string job. Then there are players such as Roger Federer and Andy Roddick who use a hybrid of natural gut and a polyester string. The idea behind the hybrid is to benefit from the control of the polyester string, while enjoying some of the comfort and feel from the natural gut string.
The players using gut, whether complete or in a hybrid, also tend to have their racquets restrung more often.
According to Mindell, players using gut, or hybrids with gut, often have their racquets restrung even if they've never been hit.
The polyester players aren't as picky, often using unused racquets for their next practice or match.
No matter if the racquets are used or not. Few players will go more that one match before having a bunch or racquets freshly strung.
If you are a member of the Star Stringing team, that means there's plenty more poly heading your way.

[35ft6]

Originally Posted by Ripper

Durable, because they don't snap. At least, not easily. HOWEVER, they lose tension fast. Therefore, I think you need to re-string with as much frecuency, not less. Oh and pros never use the same string twice. So, they can care less about tension loss. Yes, Luxilons and similar strings give an advantage to hard hitters, but the need to re-string frecuently is still there.

I only string my rackets when they break. Before they're about to break, the Big Bangers moves around the string bed just as much as any other string does.