Lovely_Bone
Rookie
Hopefully this puts the questions to rest as to what type of string Rafa really uses. I think his tension was already pretty widely known.
Nadal's String and Tension
- Thread starter Lovely_Bone
- Start date
NikeWilson
Semi-Pro
I knew he was using RPM Blast for sure.
I didn't know what his tension was, but 55 lbs is interesting.
I've only used RPM Blast in my Mains of a hybrid(with SynGut crosses). I strung it at 58 lbs, and it worked beautifully.
I imagine a full bed of RPM at 55 lbs is slightly on the highside, but it is a soft comfortable string for a Poly, so I'm not too surprised.
I didn't know what his tension was, but 55 lbs is interesting.
I've only used RPM Blast in my Mains of a hybrid(with SynGut crosses). I strung it at 58 lbs, and it worked beautifully.
I imagine a full bed of RPM at 55 lbs is slightly on the highside, but it is a soft comfortable string for a Poly, so I'm not too surprised.
Lovely_Bone
Rookie
Yeah, a lot of people were debating as to whether or not he used black pro hurricanes or rpm. I think there was also another type of string that people thought he may be losing. Cool to know that it's RPM for sure.
![[d]ragon](/data/avatars/m/26/26312.jpg?1574364787){kind=avatar}
ericsson
Hall of Fame
That is correct, on the strings it says Hurricane Tour 1.35 but still was Duralast...
Lambsscroll
Hall of Fame
Where can you buy RPM Blast 15L (1.35)?
true, never seen this anywhere
darklore009
Hall of Fame
Exclusive for nadal?
BabolatTennis9
New User
you cant buy the RPM at 1.35mm but on tenniswarehouse Europe you can buy PHT and Duralast at 1.35mm
BabolatTennis9
New User
his string set up is alot like mine 
i use pros pro strategem (yes this is a poly) 1.35mm at 55lbs on my aeropro
i use pros pro strategem (yes this is a poly) 1.35mm at 55lbs on my aeroproxFullCourtTenniSx
Hall of Fame
He never used Pro Hurricane Tour. He used Duralast. His strings were printed to say PHT, but EVERYTHING else about them was different. There was a comparison photo on it.
Tension was universally known to be 55 lbs (or 25 kg). Duralast was pretty universally accepted to be his strings until he switched to RPM Blast. Though I was never big on Rafa's equipment other than racket specs, which probably haven't changed, so I'm not the one you'd ask about what his actual strings are.
m2nk2
Hall of Fame
The image is from this video from babolat, it's 720p so maybe someone wants to look for other clues.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuUc5jyrn8w
At 1.38 you can clearly see it says RPM Blast. But it definitely isn't RPM Blast since that string should be octogonal, no?
He's probably still using Duralast 15L, but painted black to look like RPM Blast.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuUc5jyrn8w
At 1.38 you can clearly see it says RPM Blast. But it definitely isn't RPM Blast since that string should be octogonal, no?
He's probably still using Duralast 15L, but painted black to look like RPM Blast.
Last edited:
m2nk2
Hall of Fame
sixone90
Hall of Fame
Have you ever seen RPM Blast? You can't really see the octagonal shape with the naked eye
ProStringing
Rookie
Just to finally draw this topic to a conclusion, below are a couple of quotes from uk_skippy and jazar. Both are members of the Babolat and Wimbledon Stringing Teams:
I have also handled his rackets and would like to add that his string is marked "Babolat RPM Blast 15L". Regarding tension, he usually strings at 25.0 KGS. All 56 rackets that were strung for him at Roland Garros this year were at that tension.
Hope this can be of help,
ProStringing
I have also handled his rackets and would like to add that his string is marked "Babolat RPM Blast 15L". Regarding tension, he usually strings at 25.0 KGS. All 56 rackets that were strung for him at Roland Garros this year were at that tension.
Hope this can be of help,
ProStringing
uk_skippy
Hall of Fame
Lukhas
Legend
Given his high topspin game and 100in² racquet, he's probably breaking everything else.
ericsson
Hall of Fame
I think that's one of the reasons he started out with the 1.35mm when he was younger...
the_faceless_player
Professional
Lots of companies manufacture string they don't sell at regular retail yet it is available to their tour players and in other limited instances. I've played with Tour Bite 15 and Pro Stacked 15L from Solinco. Neither one is a gauge available at retail however they clearly produce it.
uk_skippy
Hall of Fame
What proof do you want that he's using it, given that 3 tournament stringers who've strung Nadal's rqts confirm that its Blast 1.35mm??
Regards
Paul
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
uk_skippy
Hall of Fame
Clearly you cannot recognize a clairvoyant.
True, didn't see that coming. Although I think he's a cynic as it won't matter who confirms the facts, he won't believe them.
Regards
paul
He probably pops everything else in 20 minutes or less. Don't think they even sell 15L for RPM Blast, at least not in the states.
m2nk2
Hall of Fame
If you could feel or see the octagonal shape. Then I would believe you
But now it seems like Bab just gave you a set of strings and told you it was RPM.
uk_skippy
Hall of Fame
If you could feel or see the octagonal shape. Then I would believe you
On the 1.35mm RPM Blast that I've strung Nadal's rqts with, you can feel the shape. The shape is not so pronounced on the gauges below due to the unique octagonal shape of the string; and the same goes for Pro Hurricane Tour.
Of course, Babolat don't give me the string; Nadal himself will give a reel or two at the beginning of the tournament.
So, your statement of "If you could feel or see the octagonal shape. Then I would believe you" becomes true as obviously I'd need to handle it when I was stringing Nadal's rqt!
Believe me now??
Regards
Paul
ricki
Hall of Fame
Did they make some material expertise od did they play with his strings?
uk_skippy
Hall of Fame
Not sure what you're asking??
And as for the 3 tournament strings I referred to, I included myself as 1 of those 3.
Regards
Paul
Rafaboy
Semi-Pro
Ok BUT...heres the big question nobody seems to realize...
WHICH RPM BLAST?? (there are now three versions of this string available)
ricki
Hall of Fame
So you touch the string with your fingers during stringing and you KNOW that it is really RPM? Basically every poly strings feel same in hands.
m2nk2
Hall of Fame
You can touch and tell with RPM Blast just like you can with Alu Power Rough strings.
They're not circular.
sixone90
Hall of Fame
You said it yourself. Blast.
uk_skippy
Hall of Fame
There is only 1 Version of RPM Blast, with 3 different, public available guages (1.2mm, 1.25mm & 1.3mm). 1.35mm is only available to pro players i.e. Nadal.
There are 3 versions of RPM - RPM Blast, RPM Team & RPM Dual.
I touch the string with my fingers and I know its RPM Blast. Not every poly feels the same in your hands. Dunlop Black widow does not feel the same as Luxilon ALU Power. 1 is shaped with 'sharp' edges, the other is smooth. There are triangluar, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal shaped polys, none of which will feel the same as a traditional round string.
Regards
paul
D
DefensiveTennis
Guest
I was told by a stringer that he has talked to guys who are on tour and they are saying Nadal is using Black Code.
jelle v
Hall of Fame
1.35?!?!
Wow.. why would he use a 1.35 string Obvious answer of course would be that a thinner gauge breaks quicker, but come to think about it, I rarely (never?) see Nadal breaking strings.. With enough rackets in his bag, he would be save i would assume.. :-|
Of course maybe he just likes the feel of a 1.35 gauge string... That would be a strange notion for me..
Wow.. why would he use a 1.35 string
Obvious answer of course would be that a thinner gauge breaks quicker, but come to think about it, I rarely (never?) see Nadal breaking strings.. With enough rackets in his bag, he would be save i would assume.. :-|Of course maybe he just likes the feel of a 1.35 gauge string... That would be a strange notion for me..
WILSONKGUT
New User
1.35 mm for more control but stiffness will be high.
MachiA.
Banned
More spin. More string material comes in contact with the ball with the right space in string pattern.
Ball dives into the string bed and is "lifted up" more effectivly with a thicker string.
KR
dominikk1985
Legend
I have read that round polys produce more spin at thinner gauges (because it bites the ball more and the thicker string is slipping over the ball) but with the "edgy" strings thicker gauges produce more spin because it has bigger edges. most modern polys have edges so that might be an explanation.
MachiA.
Banned
There are different "schools" in this question.
I tried both. Thicker=more spin.
The "bite argument" is popular, but "more material" on the ball gives more action on the ball.
Of course technique is the most important.
KR
jazar
Professional
Please never contribute in this section again.
dominikk1985
Legend
I think the arguement was that with a round poly the string gets "flatter" (bigger "smoother" radius) and thus not gripping that ball as well as a thin string which "cuts" the felt.
with a textured poly the thicker string gets more edgy and thus grips the ball better.
ericsson
Hall of Fame
LOL.....
yes, great post from Jamie!
Blunt but to the point.
A spade is a Bloody shovel...:twisted:
The internet can be cruel but some posters could do some research.
Paul and Jamie are both stringing pro player's rackets, they have no reason to lie.
