Lendl's eight knot hybrid string job

AR15 · Feb 8, 2013

Check out this thread from the "Pro's racquets and gear" forum:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=425724

The string job looks very interesting to me. Does anyone have any information on how his racquet is strung? Are there truly 8 knots?

struggle · Feb 8, 2013

AR15 said:
Check out this thread from the "Pro's racquets and gear" forum:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=425724

The string job looks very interesting to me. Does anyone have any information on how his racquet is strung? Is there truly 8 knots?

Either that, or there are some long runs on the outside of the frame, i'd say?
I suppose the white stuff could be strung one side/end at a time? But the black would need some longer runs.

Hell, I dunno.

Irvin · Feb 8, 2013

If I had to guess I would say two piece with 4 knots. center 10 main and crosses 1 piece black strings. Thre top and side strings and bottom 5 1 piece white.

AR15 · Feb 8, 2013

Irvin said:
If I had to guess I would say two piece with 4 knots. center 10 main and crosses 1 piece black strings. Thre top and side strings and bottom 5 1 piece white.

So, would you string the black mains and black middle crosses first? Then, would you start the white mains on one side, do the white crosses at the top, then the mains on the other side, with the bottom crosses last?

Irvin · Feb 8, 2013

AR15 said:
So, would you string the black mains and black middle crosses first? Then, would you start the white mains on one side, do the white crosses at the top, then the mains on the other side, with the bottom crosses last?

It would depend on the racket. Surelynstartnwith the black center strings first. For a 16 main racket I would have three white strings on each side and the top three crosses. Therefore i would probably start at the bottom with either a cross or main and do a three string box around the racket and at some point (probably at finish) string two extra crosses on the bottom.

Do you have a racket in mind? Why type stringer and clamps do you have?

AR15 · Feb 8, 2013

Irvin said:
It would depend on the racket. Surelynstartnwith the black center strings first. For a 16 main racket I would have three white strings on each side and the top three crosses. Therefore i would probably start at the bottom with either a cross or main and do a three string box around the racket and at some point (probably at finish) string two extra crosses on the bottom.

Do you have a racket in mind? Why type stringer and clamps do you have?

I have a Donnay XP102. I string with an Alpha Pioneer III with Glide bar clamps.

Irvin · Feb 8, 2013

AR15 said:
I have a Donnay XP102. I string with an Alpha Pioneer III with Glide bar clamps.

String the center strings first, these are the black strings in Lendl's racket. You are going to have a short side (5 mains on one side only) and a long side (5 mains on the other side and 12 center crosses 4th-15th.) This will leave you the top 3 and bottom 5 crosses and the three outside mains on each side. Start on the bottom string three outside main on one side. you will need a starting clamp for this. You will end up at top string the top three crosses you will end up on the side missing three mains at the top. string the three outside mains and you will end at the bottom. string you bottom crosses and tie off.

EDIT: BTW this pattern probably will not be recommended by Donnay. LOL

AR15 · Feb 8, 2013

Irvin said:
String the center strings first, these are the black strings in Lendl's racket. You are going to have a short side (5 mains on one side only) and a long side (5 mains on the other side and 12 center crosses 4th-15th.) This will leave you the top 3 and bottom 5 crosses and the three outside mains on each side. Start on the bottom string three outside main on one side. you will need a starting clamp for this. You will end up at top string the top three crosses you will end up on the side missing three mains at the top. string the three outside mains and you will end at the bottom. string you bottom crosses and tie off.

EDIT: BTW this pattern probably will not be recommended by Donnay. LOL

Thanks. I am going to give it a try.

Irvin · Feb 8, 2013

Take some pictures and let me know how it turns out.

hyperion99 · Feb 12, 2013

My Version

http://imageevent.com/hyperion99/racket?p=0&n=1&m=24&c=4&l=0&w=4&s=0&z=2

Strung it yesterday.

Irvin · Feb 12, 2013

Looks just like Lendl's racket to me except you have four crosses at the top and bottom that are white. Is that two piece?

hyperion99 · Feb 12, 2013

Irvin said:
Looks just like Lendl's racket to me except you have four crosses at the top and bottom that are white. Is that two piece?

No,it is 6 piece.

Irvin · Feb 12, 2013

12 knots? How does it play?

Torres · Feb 12, 2013

What tensions did you use for which strings / crosses / mains?

hyperion99 · Feb 12, 2013

Irvin said:
12 knots? How does it play?

Yes 12 knots.
Was trying on a old racket of mine.
Didn't feel bad.
Need to try it on my prestige MP with NXT mains/M2 Pro crosses.

hyperion99 · Feb 12, 2013

Torres said:
What tensions did you use for which strings / crosses / mains?

50 for both.

Irvin · Feb 12, 2013

Just wanted to make sure it would work with two pieces and 4 knots.

hyperion99 · Feb 12, 2013

Irvin said:
Just wanted to make sure it would work with two pieces and 4 knots.

Nice man

rolliges · Feb 12, 2013

This pattern looks more "right" on the Bosworth frames.

I'm curious about the purpose and tensions. I can only guess that on Lendl's racquet the black poly is at a lower tension and the outer strings (gut?) is strung a bit tighter.

Any thoughts?

What are the advantages to using two piece vs. four pieces?

I know someone to ask, but it'll be a week or so.

hyperion99 · Feb 12, 2013

Irvin said:
Just wanted to make sure it would work with two pieces and 4 knots.

How did you do it?
What tools did you use?

Irvin · Feb 12, 2013

hyperion99 said:
How did you do it?
What tools did you use?

I did it just like I said in post #7. I did have to use two starting clamps one to hold the bottom black cross until there was a cross in 11T and one to start the mains.

Irvin · Feb 12, 2013

rolliges said:
This pattern looks more "right" on the Bosworth frames.

I'm curious about the purpose and tensions. I can only guess that on Lendl's racquet the black poly is at a lower tension and the outer strings (gut?) is strung a bit tighter.

Any thoughts?

What are the advantages to using two piece vs. four pieces?

I know someone to ask, but it'll be a week or so.

I can't answer those questions but I can string the pattern. I think the main reason is for looks. There could be some playability advantages to varying the tensions on the two strings but I have my doubts.

I do think two strings versus 4 strings will have a lot less tension loss. The black string was 24' long and the white string was 17'. You won't find a lot of rackets with 8 tie off grommets either. Most have only 6. I used the tie off at 5H, 11T, 11T, and 6T.

hyperion99 · Feb 12, 2013

rolliges said:
This pattern looks more "right" on the Bosworth frames.

I'm curious about the purpose and tensions. I can only guess that on Lendl's racquet the black poly is at a lower tension and the outer strings (gut?) is strung a bit tighter.

Any thoughts?

What are the advantages to using two piece vs. four pieces?

I know someone to ask, but it'll be a week or so.

I think that he does this pattern in order to have a more solid feel on the sweet spot and to have a softer feel on the if he makes an off hit.

The tension I can't tell what it is because it's based on his preference.
If I was him I would put a lower tension on the poly(sweet spot) and put a tighter tension on the gut but I would not make more of a tension change of 2lbs.

Those are my thoughts.
Hope this helps answer your question.

hyperion99 · Feb 12, 2013

Irvin said:
I did it just like I said in post #7. I did have to use two starting clamps one to hold the bottom black cross until there was a cross in 11T and one to start the mains.

Ok thanks for the tip Irvin.
I'll let you guys know how the play test goes

ericsson · Feb 13, 2013

Nice work Irvin!

AR15 · Feb 18, 2013

Irvin said:
String the center strings first, these are the black strings in Lendl's racket. You are going to have a short side (5 mains on one side only) and a long side (5 mains on the other side and 12 center crosses 4th-15th.) This will leave you the top 3 and bottom 5 crosses and the three outside mains on each side. Start on the bottom string three outside main on one side. you will need a starting clamp for this. You will end up at top string the top three crosses you will end up on the side missing three mains at the top. string the three outside mains and you will end at the bottom. string you bottom crosses and tie off.

Looking at the picture and reading your directions, I'm not sure where you tied off your short side main.

After you strung the black strings, Did you start the white mains from the inside going out (like normal) or outside going in?

Irvin · Feb 18, 2013

I like to use the regular tie off holes whenever possible. Your rackets normal tie off at the head is 5H. So I suggested (because you have fixed clamps) skinning the fourth main on the short side and stringing the fifth. Ten after string the fourth you can tie off the short side at 5H.

I would normally string the outside strings in a box pattern to eliminate overlaps on the outside but you have a glide bar machine that makes transitioning from mains to cross a big more difficult so I did three on a side three at the top etc...

If stringing an 18 main racket instead of a 16 main one you should do 12 center mains instead of 10. This makes the pattern around the outside string work.

Irvin · Feb 18, 2013

I started the white strings with a starting clamp. When I strung mine it required two starting clamps. One to hold the start of the white and another for the end of the black.

rolliges · Feb 18, 2013

Just finished this experiment on one of my son's racquets.

Came out nice. Only used/had one starting clamp. Two clamps would have been ideal. Had to be a bit creative. Vertical weaving was fun and a different way of thinking.

Normally the racquet would be strung with WeissCannon Silverstring in mains at 20kg and Gosen OG Sheep (synthetic) in crosses at 22kg.

For this job I used Prince Experimental poly (whatever was handed out at Eddie Herr) in the "hitting strings" (center mains and crosses) and Gosen Sheep in the "supporting strings." The tensions used are the same as normal stringing: 20kg poly/22kg synthetic. I imagine that you would only want a tighter tension on the supporting strings. (If there are other ideas about this, let's discuss).

So I always measure with RacquetTune immediately after stringing. In the normal mains/crosses pattern the stringbed usually measures at close to the cross tension. So, close to 22kg. With the "Lendl string job" the stringbed tension measured at 19.7kg just after stringing!

So the center "hitting strings," the black poly in this case, seem to be less influenced by the tension, and perhaps the other properties, of the "supporting strings." This would seem to create a trampoline effect. The poly gives more and it seems like the strings will spread and cup the ball on impact better than in a typical hybrid pattern.

We will see how it plays, but it looks like you can really isolate and fine tune the center "hitting" strings.

Irvin · Feb 19, 2013

Looks very good. Depending on how young your son is he will probably love it. All his friends will want you to tell them how you did that and more than likely do 'it' for them. I doubt it makes any difference but is there a reason you chose three bottom crosses instead of five?

Irvin · Feb 19, 2013

Looks very good. Depending on how young your son is he will probably love it. All his friends will want you to tell them how you did that and more than likely do 'it' for them. I doubt it makes any difference but is there a reason you chose three bottom crosses instead of five?

EDIT: Lendl has created a gaggle of monsters. I can see it now teams will be doing it with school colors.

Irvin · Feb 19, 2013

I would be interested in hearing from someone who tries this with flying clamps. Seems like you'd have some big problems with this pattern using flying clamps.

rolliges · Feb 19, 2013

Irvin,

I did three bottom crosses instead of five because I wanted a bigger "hitting area." And it just looks better to me. I could go four bottoms, but five would seem to limit the hitting area.

Just bouncing a ball on the strings it becomes apparent that this string pattern creates an artificial "sweet spot." The tighter "supporting strings" are still playable but also act as a "frame" for the center hitting area.

I haven't read exactly how the "sweet spot"/center of percussion (COP) test are conducted but I expect that they use a stingbed with one known tension and that will allow the COPs to be determined for the racquet. (I have The Physics and Technology of Tennis by the bed).

I believe that this string pattern creates a visible and useful sweet spot that is created by the strings. (This assumes a tighter tension in the outer strings). The cool thing here is that this opens up more possibilities for what can be done with the strings.

BTW: the team colors idea is a good one, however the black string does give the invisible string look.

Irvin · Feb 19, 2013

Yes I was just curious about the three or five bottom crosses. I was looking at trying that on a Prince racket. I could not do more than three on the bottom then because of the O Ports.

If you ever end up with something between 25 & 30 feet of string or about 15 feet those left over strings would be just the strings to try this with.

Roger Wawrinka · Feb 19, 2013

^^Irvin, would you consider doing a video on how you strung this? I would really love to see it

R.W

Irvin · Feb 19, 2013

Roger Wawrinka said:
^^Irvin, would you consider doing a video on how you strung this? I would really love to see it

R.W

Sure let me see what I can do? My camera was messing up the last time I used it but I'll try it.

AR15 · Feb 20, 2013

Irvin said:
Just wanted to make sure it would work with two pieces and 4 knots.

Where did you tie off your short side (main) knot? I can't see it in this picture?

EDIT: Ok, I see the knot on 5T. Did you not start the mains in the middle? Not sure how you tied in this spot?

Irvin · Feb 20, 2013

In that racket 5H is the normal tie off at the top. I assume you meant 5T for Top.

EDIT: I skipped the 4th main on the short side. On the short side the strung ip the mains in this order 1-2-3-5-4.

AR15 · Feb 20, 2013

Irvin said:
In that racket 5H is the normal tie off at the top. I assume you meant 5T for Top.

EDIT: I skipped the 4th main on the short side. On the short side the strung ip the mains in this order 1-2-3-5-4.

Yes, I did mean 5H. And, that is what I thought you must have done.

Thanks

AR15 · Feb 21, 2013

Ok, here's my racquet strung with the "Lendle string job". Yes, stringing the mains through the crosses was wired, but all and all this was not a difficult string job. It just took more thought and time than I'm accustomed to.

I have an identical racquet strung with only the black poly (Head sonic pro). Tonight I hope to compare how the 100% poly job hits vs. this hybrid. I'll report back to let you know if I think this was worth the effort.

Thanks, Irwin, for your guidance.

Irvin · Feb 21, 2013

Cnbratulation on your string job, I like the four crosses on the bottom. It puts the two (white) knots on opposite sides and looks more 'normal.'

EDIT: I almost forgot I was going to make a video. I will work on that tomorrow.

AR15 · Feb 21, 2013

Irvin said:
Cnbratulation on your string job, I like the four crosses on the bottom. It puts the two (white) knots on opposite sides and looks more 'normal.'

EDIT: I almost forgot I was going to make a video. I will work on that tomorrow.

The knot placement is why I opted for the 4 white bottom crosses. And, who knows, the 4th white cross might soften or expand the sweet spot.

AR15 · Feb 28, 2013

After having played with the string job a few times, I can say it does have a slightly different feel. Comparing it to my other identical racquet with only the poly strings, the Lendle hybrid has more of a trampoline affect and more power. Sweet spot might be bigger but I can't really tell. Spin doesn't seem to be any different.

ewberner · Feb 28, 2013

Here are my "Lendl Method" racquets. The Maxply McEnroe was my practice then I strung up one of my Biomimetic 200s. BHB7 17 for the middle 12 mains and middle 11 crosses and OG Micro 16 for the outer mains and crosses (5 bottom crosses and 4 top). I strung it at 50 across the board. So far, after 12 hours with no play it has not lost any tension according to my ERT 300.

Irvin · Feb 28, 2013

ewberner said:
Here are my "Lendl Method" racquets...

...

I am curious why did you go with four outside strings? Is that a 3 or four piece string pattern?

ewberner · Feb 28, 2013

Irvin said:
I am curious why did you go with four outside strings? Is that a 3 or four piece string pattern?

It's an old racquet that I don't play with. I was just trying it out before I did it on one of my sticks that I currently use. It is a 4 piece pattern.

Irvin · Mar 1, 2013

ewberner said:
It's an old racquet that I don't play with. I was just trying it out before I did it on one of my sticks that I currently use. It is a 4 piece pattern.

The other racket all have three strings on the outside (except for bottom) how do you like the way they play?

ewberner · Mar 1, 2013

Irvin said:
The other racket all have three strings on the outside (except for bottom) how do you like the way they play?

I have not yet had a chance to hit with it. Tomorrow will be the day to try it out and I will be sure to let you all know how it is.

xiaobo · Mar 2, 2013

Irvin said:
String the center strings first, these are the black strings in Lendl's racket. You are going to have a short side (5 mains on one side only) and a long side (5 mains on the other side and 12 center crosses 4th-15th.) This will leave you the top 3 and bottom 5 crosses and the three outside mains on each side. Start on the bottom string three outside main on one side. you will need a starting clamp for this. You will end up at top string the top three crosses you will end up on the side missing three mains at the top. string the three outside mains and you will end at the bottom. string you bottom crosses and tie off.

EDIT: BTW this pattern probably will not be recommended by Donnay. LOL

Irvin:

Your method works perfectly for all racquets with mains stringing from center bottom. But I have trouble to try it with racquets with mains stringing from center top. Is there any way to do it with racquets such as Babolat Pure Storm Tour?

Thanks.

Xiaobo.

Irvin · Mar 3, 2013

xiaobo said:
Irvin:

Your method works perfectly for all racquets with mains stringing from center bottom. But I have trouble to try it with racquets with mains stringing from center top. Is there any way to do it with racquets such as Babolat Pure Storm Tour?

Thanks.

Xiaobo.

That method should work with any racket. I would reserve three strings for each side and top while at the bottom you can do what you want. Doing that string your racket as normal and the mains will end at the opposite end they should end on. Then start your outside string on the end where the mains should end. If you're starting the mains at the top the bottom must have an odd number of crosses if you want to do two piece.

Lendl's eight knot hybrid string job

Professional

Legend

Talk Tennis Guru

Professional

Talk Tennis Guru

Professional

Talk Tennis Guru

Professional

Talk Tennis Guru

Semi-Pro

Talk Tennis Guru

Semi-Pro

Talk Tennis Guru

Banned

Semi-Pro

Semi-Pro

Talk Tennis Guru

Semi-Pro

New User

Semi-Pro

Talk Tennis Guru

Talk Tennis Guru

Semi-Pro

Semi-Pro

Hall of Fame

Professional

Talk Tennis Guru

Talk Tennis Guru

New User

Talk Tennis Guru

Talk Tennis Guru

Talk Tennis Guru

New User

Talk Tennis Guru

Professional

Talk Tennis Guru

Professional

Talk Tennis Guru

Professional

Professional

Talk Tennis Guru

Professional

Professional

Rookie

Talk Tennis Guru

Rookie

Talk Tennis Guru

Rookie

New User

Talk Tennis Guru

Similar threads