Low, low tensions. 30lbs feels great. 20lbs pretty good, too

Roddick33

Roddick33

Rookie
p0Tc8.jpg
 
W

wolfinsignia

New User
Fuji said:
I might have missed it but...

Has anyone tried a Kevlar/Poly hybrid at low tensions? It seems like it might be an interesting match. If anyone is willing to sacrifice a set of Kevlar and post results that'd be awesome! I just don't have any right now to experiment with!

-Fuji
Click to expand...

try the first 5 pages, they tried it in the 30's i believe and they said that they liked it,
 
F

flair

New User
I am going to experiment with low tensions for the next little while. Wilson Sting largehead with Lux m2 pro and Wilson syn gut @ 33 lbs. This should make for an interesting start to the indoor season.
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
Centerforward71 said:
Ive quoted myself because now I have throughly experimented with the low tensions and here is what I got.

Racquet is Youtek MP 315, 16x19, Genesis Twisted razor. I am a 4.5 + player, big guy, big strokes on all hands and serve. Usually string my Multis at 62 +/- and 60 +/- on polys. Went away from polys for a while because of tension maintenance issues till I found Genesis which is very good with tension maintenance. So here goes.

4 Racquets each at 30, 35, 42, 48 lbs tension.

30LB: Was surprised by totally the opposite of what I thought would happen. Not alot of trampoline effect, great control on most groundies, spin was weird because although control was great and the ball seemed to dive into court, the ball was NOT kicking alot per my view and my hitting partner who knows me well. He said ball seemed slow but had good dive into court but not alot of giddie up after hit court, I think I could deduce that the diving was because of less pace on ball. Serves was the same, seemed to get great curvature and control but not great court bite or kick. Volleys seems pretty good as long as I just tryied to catch the ball and not step to it too hard, almost like racquet was doing work for me on volleys. NOW THE WEIRDEST thing is that according to my hitting partner there were instances were there was CRAZY spin and kick of the court but was not CONSISTENT. I started realizing that there was a very fine line in inpact angle, racquet speed and quality of shot that would produce this. IT almost felt like if I focused to REALLY put serious spin it would give SERIOUS SPIN but was not easy spin. And the weirdest part is that I thought it would feel soft and it did but my arm felt it a bit, not a alot but did feel it, I can say perhaps more than same setup at 60 which is my usual. In conclusion after hitting twice for about half hour I am not sure what I think. I think that the amount control that seems to come from this tension is more related to the lack of pace and I hit hard and swing hard. So conclusion ???? Not sure really, I like it and I dont and !#$@#%@#$

35LB: Didnt seem to different from the above except that I could not seem to volley AT ALL with this tension, Serves seemed good with perhaps a bit more bite and kick and pace but also was seeming to get consisent shots, almost like sweet spot seemed TINY. The only thing I liked better here was a bit more bite and pace on serves. BTW the time on the racquet face both at 30 and 35 was actually very different feel, not bad just different.

42 LBS: Sting bed seemd to vibrate a bit more here even with dampener, not terribly but noticeable. I can say that shots had more pace and spin was good but again nothing like what others have reported so far with that crazy spin. What I can say is that my serve control was OFF THE CHARTS here. I could not miss ANY serve, flat, kick, slice all seemed to go in easily with nice pace and spin when spin applied. Groundstrokes had more pop than above and again spin was good but NOTHING crazy. so far I would say that of the low tensions this would be the one I like the best so far. Control better than I expected at this low tension specialy on serve, I cant say that groundies were much better, they were a little less pace and perhaps a lilttle better control than perhaps my normal 60LB setup. did not get to volley with this will try later on.

48LB: Can I say that I dont like this, sting bed got really uncomfortable, actually was bothering arm and shoulder a bit specially on serve. Equal power than 42 but less control on grounds and spin was less. I kept putting this one down and going back to the 42 or the 60LB setup. This tension NEVER felt good nor I got comfortable with at any time during 2 sessions.

60LB setup: Can I say that I still feel that this is the setup that gives me ALL AROUND the most at least for now. the funny thing is that I really think that almost all these tensions would be playable if you play it long enough to be comfortable with it. the 35 and 48LB setup I felt were marginal in all ways from the higher and the lower but I think I could play with 30, 42, 60 and play similarly with all 3, IS THAT JUST A CRAZY CONSLUSION ????

I have to say that If I can SURELY conclude ANY thing it would be the following.

1. The poly at the lower tension at least the Genesis was not softer feeling than the higher tension, actually was uncomfortable at some of the lower tensions.

2. Lower tension is not always more power less control, I think there is a threshhold with all setups where the curve turns the other way.

3, playing styles and quality of player and strokes goes a LONG way in determining if these lower tensions will work for you or not. I think that these low tensions will benefit the higher level player that can generate effortless power, I think it can REALLY hurt the player who doesnt have great strokes and body movement.

4. I dont know but I will bet and will try later on that different polys and different racquest will have GREAT differences in results. Want to read more on the 18x20 patterns and results with that.

5. You can play hi or low, if you play it long enough and are a good player you can adapt and make the most out of it.

6. I want to say that the control at the lower tension would serve much better play on clay courts than the hard courts and I even think that it would accentuate some of the ball trajectory differences.

Well thats what I got so far. I am still going to be cutting strings out and trying setups. I may try 52 or 54 with this setup just to close that final gap. What are your thoughts form what Ive deduced as compared to your trials.
Click to expand...

This is a pretty accurate evaluation, I have found similar results there is a point if low enough the string loses power. But it also plays strange and erratic.

I always notice in these low tension reviews the common remark is that if the player is at a high enough level with advanced strokes then it will work for them. Well I would agree that obviously the higher level player can adjust much better than a lower less advanced player. But if it is so great you should not have to adjust to anything.

I know that when I find a great string set up there is no adjusting to anything, you know instantly that you can just swing away with great confidence and enjoy the great feeling of finding the right string set up for your racket and your game.

If you look at the pro players string set ups very very few use a these really low tensions, if you averaged them out they would be somewhere in the mid to upper 50's. And I would think that if it was so great more would use it. Plus the point that all these low tension advocates never mention is that pro players may come out with a racket strung at 54 lbs. but they only use it for a half hour then they get a fresh racket with new strings.

So when I here these guys say that I am using 54 lbs. just like some pro player, they forget that they are only using the same tension for the first half hour. Every hour after that let alone days later they are using a tension that is nowhere near what they started with.
 
2

2ndServe

Hall of Fame
I didn't find it feasible at the higher levels. Serving felt good, but returns on hard serves with lots of spin was difficult. Half volleys, taking hard spinning groundies on the rise wasn't very consistent. People who hit with lots of spin made the low tension very unpredictable.
 
Bartelby

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
42 LBS: Sting bed seemd to vibrate a bit more here even with dampener, not terribly but noticeable. I can say that shots had more pace and spin was good but again nothing like what others have reported so far with that crazy spin. What I can say is that my serve control was OFF THE CHARTS here. I could not miss ANY serve, flat, kick, slice all seemed to go in easily with nice pace and spin when spin applied. Groundstrokes had more pop than above and again spin was good but NOTHING crazy. so far I would say that of the low tensions this would be the one I like the best so far. Control better than I expected at this low tension specialy on serve, I cant say that groundies were much better, they were a little less pace and perhaps a lilttle better control than perhaps my normal 60LB setup. did not get to volley with this will try later on.

48LB: Can I say that I dont like this, sting bed got really uncomfortable, actually was bothering arm and shoulder a bit specially on serve. Equal power than 42 but less control on grounds and spin was less. I kept putting this one down and going back to the 42 or the 60LB setup. This tension NEVER felt good nor I got comfortable with at any time during 2 sessions.

60LB setup: Can I say that I still feel that this is the setup that gives me ALL AROUND the most at least for now. the funny thing is that I really think that almost all these tensions would be playable if you play it long enough to be comfortable with it. the 35 and 48LB setup I felt were marginal in all ways from the higher and the lower but I think I could play with 30, 42, 60 and play similarly with all 3, IS THAT JUST A CRAZY CONSLUSION ????



I can't see why the string gives you vibration and discomfort in the forties, but plays well at sixty.

The main property a string offers is stiffness and the more stiff the less dwell time.

So you've probably said more about what you like than what the strings are like.

Polys are stiff enough for me around the high forties.
 
LanEvo

LanEvo

Hall of Fame
Fuji said:
I might have missed it but...

Has anyone tried a Kevlar/Poly hybrid at low tensions? It seems like it might be an interesting match. If anyone is willing to sacrifice a set of Kevlar and post results that'd be awesome! I just don't have any right now to experiment with!

-Fuji
Click to expand...

I did a Kevlar 17g/Heptonic 18g setup in the low 40s, it was pretty nice. Low powered and really felt the pocketing of the ball and that bite from the kevlar.
 
C

Centerforward71

Rookie
Bartelby said:
42 LBS: Sting bed seemd to vibrate a bit more here even with dampener, not terribly but noticeable. I can say that shots had more pace and spin was good but again nothing like what others have reported so far with that crazy spin. What I can say is that my serve control was OFF THE CHARTS here. I could not miss ANY serve, flat, kick, slice all seemed to go in easily with nice pace and spin when spin applied. Groundstrokes had more pop than above and again spin was good but NOTHING crazy. so far I would say that of the low tensions this would be the one I like the best so far. Control better than I expected at this low tension specialy on serve, I cant say that groundies were much better, they were a little less pace and perhaps a lilttle better control than perhaps my normal 60LB setup. did not get to volley with this will try later on.

48LB: Can I say that I dont like this, sting bed got really uncomfortable, actually was bothering arm and shoulder a bit specially on serve. Equal power than 42 but less control on grounds and spin was less. I kept putting this one down and going back to the 42 or the 60LB setup. This tension NEVER felt good nor I got comfortable with at any time during 2 sessions.

60LB setup: Can I say that I still feel that this is the setup that gives me ALL AROUND the most at least for now. the funny thing is that I really think that almost all these tensions would be playable if you play it long enough to be comfortable with it. the 35 and 48LB setup I felt were marginal in all ways from the higher and the lower but I think I could play with 30, 42, 60 and play similarly with all 3, IS THAT JUST A CRAZY CONSLUSION ????



I can't see why the string gives you vibration and discomfort in the forties, but plays well at sixty.

The main property a string offers is stiffness and the more stiff the less dwell time.

So you've probably said more about what you like than what the strings are like.

Polys are stiff enough for me around the high forties.
Click to expand...

Update to this. I now play at 38lbs. Plays awesome in all phases. Some control and power is lost but still plays really good at about 4-5 hrs. I cut at that point and either restring at 38 or 40 to buy a little more time. Day of play I take a fresh 38. Practice sticks I load at 40. This is with genesis tws rzr. I tried hybrid with SPPP,crosses at 35 and did not love it and felt in two racquets a dead spot high on the strings. Out came the scissors !!

The 38 plays awesome in all phases and plays really good until it gets below 30 based on RACQUETTUNE software.

After my post above I went back to 60 for a while and eventually came back to the 38 I had liked best. So much easier to generate power,spin. The defense shots are also effortless and slices awesome. The only thing is to watch before it drops below that point where everything diminishes a bit.

I want to reiterate that because a player adjust to a setup does not mean its not the best setup forbthem. If you start using something different your gonna have an adjustment period regardless if it feels great. Your muscle memory is going to be loaded with previous setup feedback

I have been experementing with gut for the last few months will have a write up on that soon !!
 
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anubis

anubis

Hall of Fame
Bartelby said:
People need to go by the information in posts 164 and 271.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I have a philosophical question: Poly is more expensive, more stiff, and doesn't last as long. Now that I know what tension to string poly to emulate the same factors as syn gut, so what? What added benefit do I get if I choose poly over syn gut? It seems like I get all the same performance by stringing syn gut tighter, but its cheaper, lasts longer and is less stiff on the arm.
 
Rozroz

Rozroz

G.O.A.T.
so... read through all this thread.
how many of you still go below 40?
i will definitely try 30's soon on my Rdis 200.
how well my BHB7 suppose to cope with that?
anyone tried it low?

thanks.

oh, BTW- the Volendri 26 tension Fed domination ;)
http://youtu.be/gJn1iljsOqo
 
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Bartelby

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
I think its simply that poly is lower powered and therefore you can put more into your stroke, but for me its definitely the softer more powerful polys that I prefer.

There is also the question of the slipperiness of the string and spin production, which is quite noticeable on some polys.



anubis said:
Thanks. I have a philosophical question: Poly is more expensive, more stiff, and doesn't last as long. Now that I know what tension to string poly to emulate the same factors as syn gut, so what? What added benefit do I get if I choose poly over syn gut? It seems like I get all the same performance by stringing syn gut tighter, but its cheaper, lasts longer and is less stiff on the arm.
Click to expand...
 
C

Centerforward71

Rookie
Rozroz said:
are referring to the BHB7? or just in general?
if so, what was your previous setup?
how long you're in the 30's?
tell a bit about your 'journey'..
thanks.
Click to expand...


Been at 35 +/- 5 for six months. Used to play 60+ even poly full bed. I tried everything in between did not like anything between 42-56 approx I still actually like the high and low end but not the middle. I even leave one racquet in bag at 62. There are some opponents where I may chose the 62 over the 38. One thing I cannot do is switch mid match. I have turned on about 5 other 4.5 + players to low tension and they love it. The spin, feel, great defensive shots and great pocketing are big reasons. Also seems a lot easier on my body but I'm not 100% sure. May be placebo effect. Serve is the one thing that maybe a notch lower than than the hi tension but I'm understanding it more as I play it. What else could I tell you ?
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
Centerforward71 said:
Been at 35 +/- 5 for six months. Used to play 60+ even poly full bed. I tried everything in between did not like anything between 42-56 approx I still actually like the high and low end but not the middle. I even leave one racquet in bag at 62. There are some opponents where I may chose the 62 over the 38. One thing I cannot do is switch mid match. I have turned on about 5 other 4.5 + players to low tension and they love it. The spin, feel, great defensive shots and great pocketing are big reasons. Also seems a lot easier on my body but I'm not 100% sure. May be placebo effect. Serve is the one thing that maybe a notch lower than than the hi tension but I'm understanding it more as I play it. What else could I tell you ?
Click to expand...

I do agree that the middle tensions are not very good, there is a point when strung low enough the poly is not so high powered like mid tensions. But if these tensions in the 30's are so terrific why is it that very few if any pro players string that low? Here is a list of pro players tensions.



Tomas Berdych Head YouTek IG Instinct MP
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 55lbs

James Blake Donnay X-Dual Pro
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 68lbs

Bob Bryan Prince EXO3 Rebel 95
Prince Beast XP 56/52lbs

Mike Bryan Prince EXO3 Rebel
Prince Beast XP 54/51lbs

Jennifer Capriati Prince Tour Diablo
Babolat VS Touch/Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 51/48lbs

Juan-Ignacio Chela Babolat Pure Storm Team
Tecnifibre Spinfire Maxi Power 58lbs

Marin Cilic Head YouTek IG Radical MP
Babolat VS Touch 61lbs

Kim Clijsters Babolat Pure Drive Team
Babolat VS Touch 58lbs

Lindsay Davenport Wilson [K]Tour
Wilson Natural Gut 63/64lbs

Nikolay Davydenko Prince EXO3 Tour 18×20
Polystar Energy 51lbs

Juan Martin del Potro Wilson [K] Six.One 95
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 62lbs

Novak Djokovic Head YouTek IG Speed MP 315 18×20
Babolat VS Team Natural Gut/Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough 55/52lbs

Elena Dementieva Yonex RDiS 100 Mid Plus
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 52/48lbs

Roger Federer Wilson Pro Staff Six.One Tour BLX
Wilson Natural Gut/Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough 48.5/44lbs

David Ferrer Prince EXO3 Tour
Luxilon Big Banger Original 51lbs

Juan Carlos Ferrero Prince EXO3 Tour
Luxilon Big Banger Original 53/51lbs

Richard Gasquet Head YouTek IG Extreme Pro
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 58lbs

Robby Ginepri Babolat Pure Storm Team
Babolat Pro Hurricane/Babolat VS Team 64lbs

Fernando Gonzalez Babolat Pure Storm Team
Babolat Pro Hurricane 60lbs

Sebastien Grosjean Head Microgel Prestige Mid
Babolat VS Touch 51lbs

Tommy Haas Head YouTek IG Prestige Pro
Babolat VS Team 75lbs

Daniela Hantuchova Prince EXO3 Tour
Babolat VS Touch 58lbs

Justine Henin Wilson Tour BLX
Babolat VS Touch 59.5lbs

Tim Henman Slazenger NX One
Luxilon Big Banger TiMo/Babolat VS Team 62lbs

Lleyton Hewitt Yonex RDiS 100
Babolat VS Team/Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 56lbs

Martina Hingis Yonex RQS-11
Yonex Polyester/Babolat VS Team 49/44lbs

John Isner Prince EXO3 Warrior
Tecnifibre Pro RedCode 62lbs

Ana Ivanovic Yonex Ezone Xi
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 54lbs

Gustavo Kuerten Head Liquidmetal Prestige Mid
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 56lbs

Petra Kvitova Wilson Tour BLX
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 57/53lbs

Svetlana Kuznetsova Head YouTek IG Extreme Pro
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 57/55lbs

Sabine Lisicki Wilson BLX Blade
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough/Wilson Natural Gut 52/50lbs

Ivan Ljubicic Head YouTek IG Extreme Pro
Babolat Pro Hurricane 69lbs

Michael Llodra Wilson Juice Pro BLX
Babolat VS Team 52lbs

Feliciano Lopez Wilson Juice 100 BLX
Luxilon Alu Power/Luxilon AceVS Team 51/46lbs

Paul-Henri Mathieu Wilson [K]Blade 98
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 62lbs

Amélie Mauresmo Head Microgel Radical MP
Babolat VS Touch 54lbs

Jürgen Melzer Dunlop 4D 300 Tour
Isospeed Professional 75lbs

Gaël Monfils Prince EXO3 Rebel 95
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 57/55lbs

Carlos Moya Babolat Pure Drive Team
Luxilon Big Banger Original 60lbs

Andy Murray Head YouTek IG Radical Pro
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough/Babolat VS Team 62lbs

Anastasia Myskina Head Liquidmetal Instinct Tour
Luxilon Big Banger Timo 56/52lbs

Rafael Nadal Babolat AeroPro Drive GT
Babolat RPM Blast 55lbs

David Nalbandian Yonex VCore 98D
Luxilon Big Banger Original 64lbs

Jiri Novak Völkl Tour 10 Mid Plus
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 64/62lbs

Flavia Pennetta Wilson Blade 98 Pink BLX
Wilson Natural Gut 63lbs

Nadia Petrova Babolat AeroStorm
Luxilon Monotec Supersense 62lbs

Mark Philippoussis Head i.Prestige
Babolat VS Team 75lbs

Mary Pierce Yonex RD Ti-80
Luxilon Big Banger TiMo 65lbs

Milos Raonic Wilson Blade 98 BLX
Luxilon M2 44/46lbs

Tommy Robredo Dunlop 4D 300
Luxilon Big Banger Original 52lbs

Andy Roddick Babolat Pure Drive Roddick
Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour/Babolat VS Team 73/61lbs

Greg Rusedski Dunlop Aerogel 200
Babolat VS Team 48lbs

Marat Safin Head Microgel Prestige Mid
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 60lbs

Fabrice Santoro Head Flexpoint Radical Tour
Tecnifibre X-One Biphase 60lbs

Patty Schnyder Head Liquidmetal Prestige Mid
Kirschbaum Touch Turbo 57lbs

Maria Sharapova Head YouTek IG Instinct
Babolat VS Team/Babolat RPM Blast 62lbs

Robin Soderling Head YouTek IG Radical MP
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 56lbs

Paradorn Srichaphan Yonex Ultimum RD Ti-80
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power/Babolat VS Touch 64lbs

Radek Stepanek Bosworth Tour 96
Pacific Tournament Pro Natural Gut 55/53lbs

Paulo Suarez Prince O3 Tour
Prince Tournament Nylon 65lbs

Janko Tipsarevic Tecnifibre T-Fight 325 VO2 Max
Tecnifibre BlackCode 57/55lbs

Viktor Troicki Prince EXO3 Tour
Prince Poly EXP

Jo-Wilfrid Tsonga Babolat AeroPro Drive GT
Babolat VS Team/Luxilon Alu Power Rough 59.5lbs

Serena Williams Wilson Blade Team BLX
Wilson Natural Gut 66lbs

Venus Williams Wilson Blade Team BLX
Wilson Natural Gut 66lbs

Caroline Wozniacki Yonex VCore 100S GT
 
Last edited:
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Because it is a relatively new concept, and many pros have made their money hitting at a certain tension, so why would they change? It is the newer, younger players who will be using these tensions, and of course jack sock is an example of this.
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
Power Player said:
Because it is a relatively new concept, and many pros have made their money hitting at a certain tension, so why would they change? It is the newer, younger players who will be using these tensions, and of course jack sock is an example of this.
Click to expand...

It is not new there were old school players that used low tension like johnny mac. The reason they would not change is because they are professional players that know exactly what works the best. Do you really think that many of the pro players have not experimented with a wide variety of strings and tensions? They have unlimited access to strings and most have tried a wide variety of tensions and different string combinations.

A couple of years ago Rafa changed from duralast to rpm blast, so obviously they do experiment. I guess that pro's and their stringers will have to read this thread to find out what they are missing out on.
 
ben123

ben123

Professional
Power Player said:
Because it is a relatively new concept, and many pros have made their money hitting at a certain tension, so why would they change? It is the newer, younger players who will be using these tensions, and of course jack sock is an example of this.
Click to expand...

lol there are more young players than sock and they dont all string the same. the arguments used on this forum are so stupid.

tension is a personal thing.
 
C

Centerforward71

Rookie
ben123 said:
lol there are more young players than sock and they dont all string the same. the arguments used on this forum are so stupid.

tension is a personal thing.
Click to expand...

Exactly. A personal thing. And like I said I like both hi and low. I've spoken to a couple of guys who string at pro tourneys and they have said that the pros using lower tensions has increased. But again it doesn't have to be one over the other. I like both for their own reasons and characteristics.
 
Rozroz

Rozroz

G.O.A.T.
Centerforward71 said:
Been at 35 +/- 5 for six months. Used to play 60+ even poly full bed. I tried everything in between did not like anything between 42-56 approx I still actually like the high and low end but not the middle. I even leave one racquet in bag at 62. There are some opponents where I may chose the 62 over the 38. One thing I cannot do is switch mid match. I have turned on about 5 other 4.5 + players to low tension and they love it. The spin, feel, great defensive shots and great pocketing are big reasons. Also seems a lot easier on my body but I'm not 100% sure. May be placebo effect. Serve is the one thing that maybe a notch lower than than the hi tension but I'm understanding it more as I play it. What else could I tell you ?
Click to expand...

thanks again, it's just that you still didn't mention if it's BHB7 you're using.
 
T

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
tlm said:
I do agree that the middle tensions are not very good, there is a point when strung low enough the poly is not so high powered like mid tensions. But if these tensions in the 30's are so terrific why is it that very few if any pro players string that low? Here is a list of pro players tensions.



Tomas Berdych Head YouTek IG Instinct MP
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 55lbs

James Blake Donnay X-Dual Pro
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 68lbs

Bob Bryan Prince EXO3 Rebel 95
Prince Beast XP 56/52lbs

Mike Bryan Prince EXO3 Rebel
Prince Beast XP 54/51lbs

Jennifer Capriati Prince Tour Diablo
Babolat VS Touch/Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 51/48lbs

Juan-Ignacio Chela Babolat Pure Storm Team
Tecnifibre Spinfire Maxi Power 58lbs

Marin Cilic Head YouTek IG Radical MP
Babolat VS Touch 61lbs

Kim Clijsters Babolat Pure Drive Team
Babolat VS Touch 58lbs

Lindsay Davenport Wilson [K]Tour
Wilson Natural Gut 63/64lbs

Nikolay Davydenko Prince EXO3 Tour 18×20
Polystar Energy 51lbs

Juan Martin del Potro Wilson [K] Six.One 95
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 62lbs

Novak Djokovic Head YouTek IG Speed MP 315 18×20
Babolat VS Team Natural Gut/Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough 55/52lbs

Elena Dementieva Yonex RDiS 100 Mid Plus
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 52/48lbs

Roger Federer Wilson Pro Staff Six.One Tour BLX
Wilson Natural Gut/Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough 48.5/44lbs

David Ferrer Prince EXO3 Tour
Luxilon Big Banger Original 51lbs

Juan Carlos Ferrero Prince EXO3 Tour
Luxilon Big Banger Original 53/51lbs

Richard Gasquet Head YouTek IG Extreme Pro
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 58lbs

Robby Ginepri Babolat Pure Storm Team
Babolat Pro Hurricane/Babolat VS Team 64lbs

Fernando Gonzalez Babolat Pure Storm Team
Babolat Pro Hurricane 60lbs

Sebastien Grosjean Head Microgel Prestige Mid
Babolat VS Touch 51lbs

Tommy Haas Head YouTek IG Prestige Pro
Babolat VS Team 75lbs

Daniela Hantuchova Prince EXO3 Tour
Babolat VS Touch 58lbs

Justine Henin Wilson Tour BLX
Babolat VS Touch 59.5lbs

Tim Henman Slazenger NX One
Luxilon Big Banger TiMo/Babolat VS Team 62lbs

Lleyton Hewitt Yonex RDiS 100
Babolat VS Team/Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 56lbs

Martina Hingis Yonex RQS-11
Yonex Polyester/Babolat VS Team 49/44lbs

John Isner Prince EXO3 Warrior
Tecnifibre Pro RedCode 62lbs

Ana Ivanovic Yonex Ezone Xi
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 54lbs

Gustavo Kuerten Head Liquidmetal Prestige Mid
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 56lbs

Petra Kvitova Wilson Tour BLX
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 57/53lbs

Svetlana Kuznetsova Head YouTek IG Extreme Pro
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 57/55lbs

Sabine Lisicki Wilson BLX Blade
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough/Wilson Natural Gut 52/50lbs

Ivan Ljubicic Head YouTek IG Extreme Pro
Babolat Pro Hurricane 69lbs

Michael Llodra Wilson Juice Pro BLX
Babolat VS Team 52lbs

Feliciano Lopez Wilson Juice 100 BLX
Luxilon Alu Power/Luxilon AceVS Team 51/46lbs

Paul-Henri Mathieu Wilson [K]Blade 98
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 62lbs

Amélie Mauresmo Head Microgel Radical MP
Babolat VS Touch 54lbs

Jürgen Melzer Dunlop 4D 300 Tour
Isospeed Professional 75lbs

Gaël Monfils Prince EXO3 Rebel 95
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 57/55lbs

Carlos Moya Babolat Pure Drive Team
Luxilon Big Banger Original 60lbs

Andy Murray Head YouTek IG Radical Pro
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough/Babolat VS Team 62lbs

Anastasia Myskina Head Liquidmetal Instinct Tour
Luxilon Big Banger Timo 56/52lbs

Rafael Nadal Babolat AeroPro Drive GT
Babolat RPM Blast 55lbs

David Nalbandian Yonex VCore 98D
Luxilon Big Banger Original 64lbs

Jiri Novak Völkl Tour 10 Mid Plus
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 64/62lbs

Flavia Pennetta Wilson Blade 98 Pink BLX
Wilson Natural Gut 63lbs

Nadia Petrova Babolat AeroStorm
Luxilon Monotec Supersense 62lbs

Mark Philippoussis Head i.Prestige
Babolat VS Team 75lbs

Mary Pierce Yonex RD Ti-80
Luxilon Big Banger TiMo 65lbs

Milos Raonic Wilson Blade 98 BLX
Luxilon M2 44/46lbs

Tommy Robredo Dunlop 4D 300
Luxilon Big Banger Original 52lbs

Andy Roddick Babolat Pure Drive Roddick
Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour/Babolat VS Team 73/61lbs

Greg Rusedski Dunlop Aerogel 200
Babolat VS Team 48lbs

Marat Safin Head Microgel Prestige Mid
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 60lbs

Fabrice Santoro Head Flexpoint Radical Tour
Tecnifibre X-One Biphase 60lbs

Patty Schnyder Head Liquidmetal Prestige Mid
Kirschbaum Touch Turbo 57lbs

Maria Sharapova Head YouTek IG Instinct
Babolat VS Team/Babolat RPM Blast 62lbs

Robin Soderling Head YouTek IG Radical MP
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 56lbs

Paradorn Srichaphan Yonex Ultimum RD Ti-80
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power/Babolat VS Touch 64lbs

Radek Stepanek Bosworth Tour 96
Pacific Tournament Pro Natural Gut 55/53lbs

Paulo Suarez Prince O3 Tour
Prince Tournament Nylon 65lbs

Janko Tipsarevic Tecnifibre T-Fight 325 VO2 Max
Tecnifibre BlackCode 57/55lbs

Viktor Troicki Prince EXO3 Tour
Prince Poly EXP

Jo-Wilfrid Tsonga Babolat AeroPro Drive GT
Babolat VS Team/Luxilon Alu Power Rough 59.5lbs

Serena Williams Wilson Blade Team BLX
Wilson Natural Gut 66lbs

Venus Williams Wilson Blade Team BLX
Wilson Natural Gut 66lbs

Caroline Wozniacki Yonex VCore 100S GT
Click to expand...

Maybe it's because the serve is the most important shot in pro tennis. And it's the one shot in tennis where more power is definitely better.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Pros have much more swingspeed and uses heavier rackets, so too much pocketing only makes for trampoline affect.
You and I have little swingspeed compared to them, so can use lower tensions effectively.
We also face a much slower ball.
 
C

Centerforward71

Rookie
LeeD said:
Pros have much more swingspeed and uses heavier rackets, so too much pocketing only makes for trampoline affect.
You and I have little swingspeed compared to them, so can use lower tensions effectively.
We also face a much slower ball.
Click to expand...

The one opponent I sometimes use the 62 setup is the big hitter like me. You are very right mostly on the fast approaching ball. But Swing speed works very well with the lower tension. Actually you need swing speed for the lower tensions to be most effective IMO.
 
maxpotapov

maxpotapov

Hall of Fame
^Players on that list are all over the place, which only proves it is down to personal preference. Federer seems to have the most advanced setup: superelastic mains, low tension poly crosses (for some reason "rough" texture reduces friction, maybe because of hardness of the surface).
I'm surprised so many players use full poly of full natural gut setups, must be just a habit...
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
maxpotapov said:
^Players on that list are all over the place, which only proves it is down to personal preference. Federer seems to have the most advanced setup: superelastic mains, low tension poly crosses (for some reason "rough" texture reduces friction, maybe because of hardness of the surface).
I'm surprised so many players use full poly of full natural gut setups, must be just a habit...
Click to expand...

The list of pro players tensions are all over the place, but none are in the 30's and very few are in the 40's.
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
ben123 said:
that list is wrong anyways, or at least not up to date....

if you want to see real infos look for example here:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=270599
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=330478
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=427479
Click to expand...

Really so 2012 is not up to date. Thats funny your first example is from 2009, so even though mine is from the beginning of 2012 it is out dated. I guess that all the players have changed their tension since the AO. They must have been reading about the low tension craze here and have all changed and dropped tension.
Latest Update: Australian Open/Davis Cup 1st Round – January/February 2012

Tomas Berdych Head YouTek IG Instinct MP
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 55lbs

James Blake Donnay X-Dual Pro
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 68lbs

Bob Bryan Prince EXO3 Rebel 95
Prince Beast XP 56/52lbs

Mike Bryan Prince EXO3 Rebel
Prince Beast XP 54/51lbs

Jennifer Capriati Prince Tour Diablo
Babolat VS Touch/Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 51/48lbs

Juan-Ignacio Chela Babolat Pure Storm Team
Tecnifibre Spinfire Maxi Power 58lbs

Marin Cilic Head YouTek IG Radical MP
Babolat VS Touch 61lbs

Kim Clijsters Babolat Pure Drive Team
Babolat VS Touch 58lbs

Lindsay Davenport Wilson [K]Tour
Wilson Natural Gut 63/64lbs

Nikolay Davydenko Prince EXO3 Tour 18×20
Polystar Energy 51lbs

Juan Martin del Potro Wilson [K] Six.One 95
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 62lbs

Novak Djokovic Head YouTek IG Speed MP 315 18×20
Babolat VS Team Natural Gut/Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough 55/52lbs

Elena Dementieva Yonex RDiS 100 Mid Plus
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 52/48lbs

Roger Federer Wilson Pro Staff Six.One Tour BLX
Wilson Natural Gut/Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough 48.5/44lbs

David Ferrer Prince EXO3 Tour
Luxilon Big Banger Original 51lbs

Juan Carlos Ferrero Prince EXO3 Tour
Luxilon Big Banger Original 53/51lbs

Richard Gasquet Head YouTek IG Extreme Pro
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 58lbs

Robby Ginepri Babolat Pure Storm Team
Babolat Pro Hurricane/Babolat VS Team 64lbs

Fernando Gonzalez Babolat Pure Storm Team
Babolat Pro Hurricane 60lbs

Sebastien Grosjean Head Microgel Prestige Mid
Babolat VS Touch 51lbs

Tommy Haas Head YouTek IG Prestige Pro
Babolat VS Team 75lbs

Daniela Hantuchova Prince EXO3 Tour
Babolat VS Touch 58lbs

Justine Henin Wilson Tour BLX
Babolat VS Touch 59.5lbs

Tim Henman Slazenger NX One
Luxilon Big Banger TiMo/Babolat VS Team 62lbs

Lleyton Hewitt Yonex RDiS 100
Babolat VS Team/Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 56lbs

Martina Hingis Yonex RQS-11
Yonex Polyester/Babolat VS Team 49/44lbs

John Isner Prince EXO3 Warrior
Tecnifibre Pro RedCode 62lbs

Ana Ivanovic Yonex Ezone Xi
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 54lbs

Gustavo Kuerten Head Liquidmetal Prestige Mid
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 56lbs

Petra Kvitova Wilson Tour BLX
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 57/53lbs

Svetlana Kuznetsova Head YouTek IG Extreme Pro
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 57/55lbs

Sabine Lisicki Wilson BLX Blade
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough/Wilson Natural Gut 52/50lbs

Ivan Ljubicic Head YouTek IG Extreme Pro
Babolat Pro Hurricane 69lbs

Michael Llodra Wilson Juice Pro BLX
Babolat VS Team 52lbs

Feliciano Lopez Wilson Juice 100 BLX
Luxilon Alu Power/Luxilon AceVS Team 51/46lbs

Paul-Henri Mathieu Wilson [K]Blade 98
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 62lbs

Amélie Mauresmo Head Microgel Radical MP
Babolat VS Touch 54lbs

Jürgen Melzer Dunlop 4D 300 Tour
Isospeed Professional 75lbs

Gaël Monfils Prince EXO3 Rebel 95
 
Last edited:
Rozroz

Rozroz

G.O.A.T.
by the looks of this thread it seems that the 30's low tension was just a fun period and most of you got back to 'regular'..
it looks like there are around 3-5 people here that still actually use low tension, and even then also have a regular stick..
am i wrong?
it's not that i won't try it, it just that it's probably turned out not so spectacular as it seemed back when TW Chris tried it.
 
T

TonyB

Hall of Fame
I've been using poly at 35 lb. for the past year and a half. Just recently switched to Polystar Energy at 32 lb.

I'll never go back to "regular" tensions. This is perfect. Perfect control, perfect power, and perfect feel.
 
C

corners

Legend
TonyB said:
I've been using poly at 35 lb. for the past year and a half. Just recently switched to Polystar Energy at 32 lb.

I'll never go back to "regular" tensions. This is perfect. Perfect control, perfect power, and perfect feel.
Click to expand...

A soft copoly at 35 in a mid is great for me too. It's like having the control and spin of copoly with the dwell time of natural gut. The only thing better is gut/copoly at 50, for me anyway.
 
ben123

ben123

Professional
tlm said:
Really so 2012 is not up to date. Thats funny your first example is from 2009, so even though mine is from the beginning of 2012 it is out dated. I guess that all the players have changed their tension since the AO. They must have been reading about the low tension craze here and have all changed and dropped tension.
Latest Update: Australian Open/Davis Cup 1st Round – January/February 2012

....
Click to expand...

lmao are you just stupid or are you unable to accept critrism? this list is total ******** ask any pro stringer on this forum everyone will tell you that its wrong. thats the list from colinthestringer websitre right? gratz that you were able to copy and paste it, but do you actually know its right? no you dont so shut the **** up.
i mean come on up to date? when there are pros mentioned who didnt touch a racquet for ages lol? even the recent players are drastically wrong, tommy haas uses gut poly hybrid in the 50's or serena uses 4g hybrid and not full gut etc etc ....
just shut it if you only copy from a website which you dont even know properly the whole list is ********
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
ben123 said:
lmao are you just stupid or are you unable to accept critrism? this list is total ******** ask any pro stringer on this forum everyone will tell you that its wrong. thats the list from colinthestringer websitre right? gratz that you were able to copy and paste it, but do you actually know its right? no you dont so shut the **** up.
i mean come on up to date? when there are pros mentioned who didnt touch a racquet for ages lol? even the recent players are drastically wrong, tommy haas uses gut poly hybrid in the 50's or serena uses 4g hybrid and not full gut etc etc ....
just shut it if you only copy from a website which you dont even know properly the whole list is ********
Click to expand...

Okay so this list is wrong but a list that you agree with is right ya I got it. How about this list there know it all.





Wimbledon 2012



Serena Williams - Wilson Blade Team - Wilson Natural Gut / Luxilon 4G - 64/62 lbs - 74 restrings
Mike Bryan - Prince Rebel - Prince Natural / Prince Beast - 50/47 lbs - 36 restrings
Bob Bryan - Prince Rebel - Prince Natural / Prince Beast - 50/46 lbs - 35 restrings
Petra Kvitova - Wilson Steam - Luxilon Alu Power - 27/25 kg - 33 restrings
Xavier Malisse - Prince Tour - Babolat FiberTour - 29 kg - 33 restrings
Philipp Kohlschreiber - Wilson 6.1 95 - Wilson Natural Gut / Luxilon Original Rough - 22.5/23.5 kg - 33 restrings
Radek Stepanek - Bosworth Tour - Babolat VS Team / Luxilon Timo - 24/22 kg - 30 restrings
Venus Williams - Wilson Blade Team - Wilson Natural Gut / Babolat VS Team - 63/62 lbs - 30 restrings
Marin Cilic - Head Instinct - Babolat VS Touch / Luxilon Alu Power - 26 kg - 28 restrings
Kei Nishikori - Wilson Steam - Luxilon 4G / Wilson Natural Gut - 58/60 lbs - 26 restrings


Also here is a post from one of the pro stringers from this site.

jamauss
Hall Of Fame

Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,745


Not to mention, not that many pros are going real low with tension - maybe 5 to 10% are, but they are the exception. The pro events I string at still see most racquets being asked to be strung from about 55 to 64 pounds. Both poly and gut and syn gut/multi's included.



So what do you have to say now there Mr big mouth that has no idea what the hell you are talking about. It is hilarious that you can accuse someone of being stupid.LOL
 
Last edited:
Rozroz

Rozroz

G.O.A.T.
TonyB said:
I've been using poly at 35 lb. for the past year and a half. Just recently switched to Polystar Energy at 32 lb.

I'll never go back to "regular" tensions. This is perfect. Perfect control, perfect power, and perfect feel.
Click to expand...

and what's your game and strokes style, may i ask?
 
T

TonyB

Hall of Fame
Rozroz said:
and what's your game and strokes style, may i ask?
Click to expand...

Solid 4.5 player in both singles and doubles, 1HBH, semi-western FH, all-court player. Tend to flatten out my shots when I can. Rarely hit with Nadal-like heavy spin.

Like I said, I'm using Polystar Energy at 32 lb. in a Yonex Tour 89. I'd like a little bit more feel when I'm at net, but otherwise this string/frame setup is amazing.
 
Rozroz

Rozroz

G.O.A.T.
TonyB said:
Solid 4.5 player in both singles and doubles, 1HBH, semi-western FH, all-court player. Tend to flatten out my shots when I can. Rarely hit with Nadal-like heavy spin.

Like I said, I'm using Polystar Energy at 32 lb. in a Yonex Tour 89. I'd like a little bit more feel when I'm at net, but otherwise this string/frame setup is amazing.
Click to expand...

thanks. ------
 
H

Hi I'm Ray

Professional
Rozroz said:
would you say that a 35lb poly feels more softer on the arm than lets say a 55 multi?
Click to expand...

As Fuji mentioned, there is a big difference between the stiffer polys and the softer ones. Still, I'd say poly around 35lbs may feel like it has more give at impact, but I can still feel the underlying stiffness of the string and a multi at 55lbs will probably be better for your arm.
 
Fuji

Fuji

Legend
Hi I'm Ray said:
As Fuji mentioned, there is a big difference between the stiffer polys and the softer ones. Still, I'd say poly around 35lbs may feel like it has more give at impact, but I can still feel the underlying stiffness of the string and a multi at 55lbs will probably be better for your arm.
Click to expand...

You said it much better then I did, but that's the point I was attempting to make LOL!

-Fuji
 
Rozroz

Rozroz

G.O.A.T.
Fuji said:
It depends on the poly, but I don't think so. From my experiences, multi is almost always going to be softer then poly.

-Fuji
Click to expand...

Hi I'm Ray said:
As Fuji mentioned, there is a big difference between the stiffer polys and the softer ones. Still, I'd say poly around 35lbs may feel like it has more give at impact, but I can still feel the underlying stiffness of the string and a multi at 55lbs will probably be better for your arm.
Click to expand...

thanks!
but i'll miss some spin without my trust poly :(
 
v-verb

v-verb

Hall of Fame
Pwned said:
I was using low tensions on both 14x18 and 16x19 and thought it worked quite well. No problems with directional control once accustomed to the tension. I've moved back up into the 40s with a full bed of poly or 50s with a hybrid.
Click to expand...

Hey Pwned

Great info on your posts - and the others who have posted - in particular as I'm getting a few 1 stripe POG mids and 1 POG OS.

Going to string with Babolat RPM Team 17 ga at 38 lbs and see how it goes.

I tend to hit with lots of topspin and pace and hoping low tensions will add some more topspin.

Will report when I try it out

Cheers

nigel
 
yourmailman

yourmailman

Rookie
Okay, I am new to the low tension revolution, but here are my thoughts ...

First, low tension may not be right for everyone. Hell, back in the 70s and early 80s, I was having my racquets strung at 75 and 80. I loved it! I tried lower tensions back then (not as low as what we are talking here), and didn't like it at all.

Then, I didn't play for almost 30 years.

When I stared back, I was still in high tension mode. I had 2 each at 60. 65 and 70. I varied what tension I used based on factors like my opponent's style of play, weather, court conditions, etc. When I broke a string, my coach suggested 52 (and a lighter gauge), which I found appalling. But I tried it and I liked it. I had worked my way down to 48, 46 and 44 (2 each) and decided to try something. I strung one of my new Biomimetic 100's at 38 (co-poly mains & syn-gut crosses) and liked the results.

My latest adventure was restringing one at 36 with Gosen OG Sheep on both. I was actually amazed at the feel, the power, and the added spin I got. I have only played one doubles match with it, but we beat a team that we shouldn't have, and both of our opponents (and my partner) commented on my improved shot-making. I thanked them, but didn't let on what the difference was from the last time we played (about 6 weeks ago).

The extreme low tension seems to give my groundstrokes added spin, my serves are popping very nicely, and I haven't had any trouble with volleys at the net after the first few games. After one rally that ended with a reflex-volley duel, my opponent said "Wow, that was intense!". This is a guy almost 30 years my junior. He was amazed at how much pace was on the balls I was sending his way (with very little effort on my part).

Last night, I happened upon this thread. Some very interesting posts and information. I haven't got through all of it yet (although I plan to go back), but it is intriguing. My next trial will be the Gosen OG at 30 sometime this weekend. I'll report back after a few matches.
 
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