How loose can you string for power?

Lawn Tennis · Jul 25, 2014

I don't like poly cause it has very little trampoline effect, but I like its bite and spin on serves and aggressive ground strokes. How loose can I string poly to get more power or trampoline effect from it? The specific poly I'm speaking of is Cyclone original.. if that has any bearing on the topic.

eelhc · Jul 25, 2014

Only you can answer this question for your game. It should only take 4~5 string jobs to find out...

LeeD · Jul 25, 2014

I string STBite16 at 47 lbs. on a 98 sized 16x19 racket with 60 flex.
I'm going down 5 lbs. next string job, but it won't break for me.
There HAS to be a point were lowering the tension becomes harder to control, but I don't know what that is, and it's different for different players and different rackets/strings/gauges.
I pride myself that I can hit a pretty big first flat serve and forehand, for a 4.0.

yangster007 · Jul 25, 2014

Strung Tour Bite 17/Wilson Gut 16 @ 51/51, just hit with it earlier, it feels good.

SpinToWin · Jul 25, 2014

Stringing lower doesn't make a racquet more powerful, it simply raises the launch angle which makes the ball go longer and causes the illusion of more power. If you truly want more power try a more powerful poly. Coming from Cyclone, give Cyclone Tour a shot, it essentially plays like a more powerful Cyclone.

TennisManiac · Jul 26, 2014

SpinToWin said:
Stringing lower doesn't make a racquet more powerful, it simply raises the launch angle which makes the ball go longer and causes the illusion of more power.

This is exactly correct. :wink:

I used Cyclone a couple of times and went as low as 46 with absolutely no loss of control. And it seemed to have pretty decent power at that tension.

sm01 · Jul 26, 2014

Don't think you will get that feeling with Cyclone. Too plasticky. I recommend BHBR. Spin about the same as Cyclone, but has much better explosive launch from the stringbed. Great power and spin with acceptable control at 38-42#.

hoodjem · Jul 26, 2014

I have seen references to people saying they are stringing down into the higher 30s, say 37 lbs.

The Big Kahuna · Jun 10, 2017

I am stringing Cyclone 19 in the mains now at 42 pounds with L-Tec Syn Gut Flex crosses at 46 pounds and it feels and plays great! Nice pocketing, fantastic spin, good feel, comfortable, and good control. Started this set-up at 48/52 and then went to 46/50. I am wondering how low I can go before I loose too much control - any thoughts on this?

LeeD · Jun 10, 2017

Still depends on how fast you swing, how fast the incoming balls can get, what you like in feel, your swingpaths, and probably a handful of other things.
I have 7 rackets with STBite 16 strung at 35 lbs. That's the lowest the stringer will do. Sometimes it feels a little stiff, so I stand on the stringbed to lower the tension around 3 lbs., which lasts about 4 minutes before it starts feeling a bit tight again.
I"m old, weak, don't swing full speed for groundies, but still serve around 100 on flat first serves.
I know you don't believe the last sentence. I've played well OVER 20 guys on this forum, and not one, including a few 5.0's, would ever say otherwise. Lastest to face some of my moderate speed into the sun lefty flat serves is Erlang on travel section on this site.

kramer woodie · Jun 11, 2017

I set up my racquets to hit 3-4 feet long. Then use spin to keep ball inside baseline. I'm playing 3 Yonex Duel Gs strung at 37 pounds with 18 gauge
Tourbite. I have gone as low as 31 pounds, but found better feel and consistency at 37.

All you can do is experiment and find out what works best for you.

Aloha

Attila_the_gorilla · Jun 11, 2017

Edit: It's more complicated than I thought, but with the strings I use, looser strings have resulted in more power.

kiteboard · Jun 11, 2017

50lbs for me is the lowest.

Stupendous1HBH · Jun 11, 2017

as loose as you can go while still being able to control the ball with your style of play. all you can do is experiment. Lower by 5lbs each string job until you find the best tension.

ReopeningWed · Jun 11, 2017

Lawn Tennis said:
I don't like poly cause it has very little trampoline effect, but I like its bite and spin on serves and aggressive ground strokes. How loose can I string poly to get more power or trampoline effect from it? The specific poly I'm speaking of is Cyclone original.. if that has any bearing on the topic.

I string at 40 lbs and play for a collegiate team. Lots of D1 players string at similar tensions.

graycrait · Jun 11, 2017

My experiments with Genesis Pro Advantage are interesting to me. Geezer here trying to relive his past, taking more lessons, losing more weight, hit mostly with 25-40 yrs olds. But have the most fun with my hitting partner of many years who is about my age and can knock the fuzz off a ball with his one-handed backhand.

Tried many polys strung from 48-58lbs, but found no majick. Then got a couple of reels of GPA 17 and started stringing and cutting out string. I found that for me in my 16x18 26.6/7" PCG 100s at 11.3oz that 33lbs worked the best. For my buddy 38lbs worked well. String that GPA 17 much over 40lbs and it feels boardy to me. 50+ and that 17g GPA might as well be braided steel cable IMHO. I tried 23lbs and that was nasty.

Then I get 3 reels of GPA 16 gauge (ordered the wrong gauge it seems). At 33lbs the 16g GPA feels like a mushy ball launcher. Then I started stringing the GPA 16 at 36/39lbs and it approaches what the 17g feels like at 33lbs.

This has forced me to start relooking poly. Trouble is experimenting or using poly like Lux and the rest of the "premium" priced polys seems such a waste of money as it is short lived just like the "cheap" stuff. Therefore I am looking at poly that is in the sub $50.00/reel because I will be cutting it out every 6-8hrs. But now I realize that going to lower and lower tension might be the right answer. The issue is can you afford to buy $250/reel poly that will be cut out after minutes or an hour or two in a failed experiment/test. And then find that perfect high dollar poly and cut it out before the 10hr mark and restring? I am pretty sure there are some beer budget polys that work great if you are willing to go low in tension.

TennisCJC · Jun 12, 2017

ReopeningWed said:
I string at 40 lbs and play for a collegiate team. Lots of D1 players string at similar tensions.

Stringers have stated Jack Sock strings at 38lbs. Leyton Hewitt recently has used around 30lbs. So, 40lbs for all poly is reasonable for even for the biggest hitters.

Daniel Nestor had gut mains at 40lbs with poly cross at 38.

I use hybrids - multi mains 52, poly cross 48 is hot weather setup and will go down to 48/44 in the outdoor winter. If I strung all poly, I would go low to mid 40s.

Planar · Jun 12, 2017

In the summer, I strung my dr 98 with TB16 main @ 48lbs and ISOspeed control classic 16 cross @ 51lbs.

Deleted member 23235 · Jun 12, 2017

i've gone as low as hand stringing... whatever tension that is... felt great in the sweet spot... i'd lose the ball if i hit anywhere else.
currently string my kevlar mains at 40, and poly cross at 45

Stupendous1HBH · Jun 12, 2017

I'm so scared to go lower than 50 to be honest. I also use natural gut in the mains so it would become a bazooka x10 if I had it strung in the low 40s.

LeeD · Jun 12, 2017

STBite 16 at 35 lbs., for 6 of my rackets.
Shroud used to string at 25 lbs., was 4.0 then, is 4.0 now at 80lbs.
Softer rackets can use higher tensions, and conversely, stiff rackets can be played with low tensions.
And of course, it depends on the specific string we're talking about, which is why I list that.

Nkster · Jun 12, 2017

42lbs Maxpower Rough 1.30/RS Lyon 1.25 in customized Radical Rev(360 SW)

No problems with control, good Power, good Spin.

graycrait · Jun 12, 2017

Stupendous1HBH said:
I'm so scared to go lower than 50 to be honest.

Neos 1000 lockout stringer.

I was afraid of going lower than 50 until I ordered 3 reels of inexpensive poly and started to cut it out for the slightest infraction. What I have found so far is that somewhere between 33-38lbs for 17g Genesis Pro Advantage is pretty good for me. 16g Genesis Pro Advantage poly needs to be higher, where I am not sure yet, but probably somewhere between 40-48lbs. After stringing GPA 17 as low as 23lbs (yuck) as a Zyex user I hadn't tried Zyex any lower than 50lbs and that was in a hybrid.

Today I strung a full bed of Zyex 17g at 42lbs and as long as I am hitting the sweet spot it works well, but with me using it at 42lbs I feel like I can help NASA launch a satellite if I am off just a little. But I am going to continue to use this stringbed for a while because it is on the cusp between nice extra free power and control.

LeeD · Jun 12, 2017

Thin gauge needs higher tension, while the thickest gauges can go down to the high 20's if it's a stiff string to begin with.

The Big Kahuna · Jun 13, 2017

TennisCJC said:
Stringers have stated Jack Sock strings at 38lbs. Leyton Hewitt recently has used around 30lbs. So, 40lbs for all poly is reasonable for even for the biggest hitters.

Daniel Nestor had gut mains at 40lbs with poly cross at 38.

I use hybrids - multi mains 52, poly cross 48 is hot weather setup and will go down to 48/44 in the outdoor winter. If I strung all poly, I would go low to mid 40s.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The Big Kahuna · Jun 13, 2017

TennisCJC said:
Stringers have stated Jack Sock strings at 38lbs. Leyton Hewitt recently has used around 30lbs. So, 40lbs for all poly is reasonable for even for the biggest hitters.

Daniel Nestor had gut mains at 40lbs with poly cross at 38.

I use hybrids - multi mains 52, poly cross 48 is hot weather setup and will go down to 48/44 in the outdoor winter. If I strung all poly, I would go low to mid 40s.

I do the same thing right now with my Prince Textreme Warrior 107

String:
Mains: Volkl Cyclone 19 at 42 lbs (summer 46 lbs)
Crosses: L-Tec Flex at 46 lbs (summer 50 lbs)

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Fintft · Jun 15, 2017

Stupendous1HBH said:
I'm so scared to go lower than 50 to be honest. I also use natural gut in the mains so it would become a bazooka x10 if I had it strung in the low 40s.

In open bed string patterns: Lately, I don't go lower then 57 LBs mains and 55 crosses in full bed natural gut (VS Team 17) and although I could go a bit lower with full bed multi, I keep the same tension, for less pocketing and more control.

LeeD · Jun 15, 2017

Stiff strings can be strung at very low tensions, and still give good control.
Resilient strings need more tension, lose more tension more quickly, but feel great in the process.

The Big Kahuna · Jun 16, 2017

LeeD said:
Stiff strings can be strung at very low tensions, and still give good control.
Resilient strings need more tension, lose more tension more quickly, but feel great in the process.

I would agree with this from what I am finding. Do you feel there is a benefit to playing with the resilient string in a higher tension over the stiffer polls at a lower tension? On the surface you would think they would be able to play very similarly by just tweaking the tensions.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

LeeD · Jun 16, 2017

Some people say looser string tensions, even with stiff strings, equates to a player with slow swingspeeds. I can't agree or disagree, but several ATP pros string around 37 lbs., and they probably have decently fast swing speeds.
Most player's agree high tensions with thin gauge soft strings are one good way to go, and it's certainly been played for over 50 year's like that.

bosko · Jun 17, 2017

Lux Ace 18 gauge - I'm currently at 40/38. 37/35 is probably where I will end up. Spin gives me all the control I need with no trampoline effect with an APD+. Great on clay.

CopolyX · Jun 19, 2017

how low can you go...?

WYK · Jun 19, 2017

LeeD said:
Some people say looser string tensions, even with stiff strings, equates to a player with slow swingspeeds. I can't agree or disagree, but several ATP pros string around 37 lbs., and they probably have decently fast swing speeds.
Most player's agree high tensions with thin gauge soft strings are one good way to go, and it's certainly been played for over 50 year's like that.

There really is no 'one answer fits all' when it comes to poly. As you mentioned, the pros hit the most and the hardest and the loopiest amongst us, and they are all over the map when it comes to tension. I have strung from 60# down to hand tensioned(see the "how low can you go" thread).

SpinToWin said:
Stringing lower doesn't make a racquet more powerful, it simply raises the launch angle which makes the ball go longer and causes the illusion of more power. If you truly want more power try a more powerful poly. Coming from Cyclone, give Cyclone Tour a shot, it essentially plays like a more powerful Cyclone.

Often times stringing low with poly will reduce the over all power of the racket. Most poly's like to be under a good bit of tension in order to 'trampoline' as the OP wishes. I agree with cyclone, tho.The tour version is very, uh, springy.

OP, you may want to read a few string reviews from TW. Start with the 17 gauges I would guess.

Shaolin · Jun 19, 2017

CopolyX said:
how low can you go...?

Great pic of young Sureshs.

tlm · Jun 20, 2017

I've tried poly at all different tensions but like it between 60 and 70lbs.

Shroud · Jun 20, 2017

nytennisaddict said:
i've gone as low as hand stringing... whatever tension that is... felt great in the sweet spot... i'd lose the ball if i hit anywhere else.
currently string my kevlar mains at 40, and poly cross at 45

I went as low as 15lbs. Lol i string at double your current tension

Shroud · Jun 20, 2017

kramer woodie said:
I set up my racquets to hit 3-4 feet long. Then use spin to keep ball inside baseline. I'm playing 3 Yonex Duel Gs strung at 37 pounds with 18 gauge
Tourbite. I have gone as low as 31 pounds, but found better feel and consistency at 37.

All you can do is experiment and find out what works best for you.

Aloha

Must be nice. I can never seem to accomplish that at all. I just end up with no pace spinny balls or fences with more holes in them

kramer woodie · Jun 21, 2017

Shroud said:
Must be nice. I can never seem to accomplish that at all. I just end up with no pace spinny balls or fences with more holes in them

Shroud

I am sorry to hear the above. I hope you don't have to pay for repair of the fences you damage!

Now I must admit I hit a few back fences on the fly, if my mechanics are bad, and once in a while 6 feet behind the base line for the same reason.
It's usually for lack of proper windshield wiper follow through. Stroking the ball more 60s style old school. However, with the proper technique, the ball sticks in the back chainlink fence about five feet above the court surface off the first bounce. That's on good days, but as I get older this happens less
often regrettably.

Aloha & Great Tennis to Ya

men8ifr · Jun 21, 2017

SpinToWin said:
Stringing lower doesn't make a racquet more powerful, it simply raises the launch angle which makes the ball go longer and causes the illusion of more power. If you truly want more power try a more powerful poly. Coming from Cyclone, give Cyclone Tour a shot, it essentially plays like a more powerful Cyclone.

I thought stringing looser means the strings deform more and the ball less. Energy return for strings is 80 or 90% but a ball it 50% hence stringing low gives more power.

SpinToWin · Jun 21, 2017

men8ifr said:
I thought stringing looser means the strings deform more and the ball less. Energy return for strings is 80 or 90% but a ball it 50% hence stringing low gives more power.

Not really. Energy return as TWU measures it is... Well... Why the hell is 4G so high then? IIRC the measured energy return actually increases with tension. I'm sure that at some point it will play a role, but with the small margins we're considering it's kinda doubtful, especially with intrinsically resilient/stiff strings such as poly.

You need to differentiate between perceived power (most often depth) and power (actual power potential).

BA10S · Jun 21, 2017

men8ifr said:
I thought stringing looser means the strings deform more and the ball less. Energy return for strings is 80 or 90% but a ball it 50% hence stringing low gives more power.

This is correct (though 55% for the ball and 80-95% for strings are slightly more accurate values). @SpinToWin is also correct that high tensioned strings usually have very slightly greater energy return, most likely because the polymer chains become better aligned. However this is outweighed by the fact that lower tensions yield a softer string-bed. The TWU article "Why is Tennis String Stiffness so Important to Power" gives a very good and thorough explanation as to why a softer string-bed produces more power.

Rabbit · Jun 21, 2017

as loose as you can control

anubis · Jun 21, 2017

Lawn Tennis said:
I don't like poly cause it has very little trampoline effect, but I like its bite and spin on serves and aggressive ground strokes. How loose can I string poly to get more power or trampoline effect from it? The specific poly I'm speaking of is Cyclone original.. if that has any bearing on the topic.

If you want more power, string tighter and add lead. There's a reason why Sampras used a 14 ounce frame strung in the mid to high 70's: controlled power.

LeeD · Jun 21, 2017

Which is why you're slipping to 3.5 from 4.0.
And you're in as good shape as Sampras, you are as good an athlete, so can use the exact same gear he uses.

SJSA · Jun 21, 2017

Lawn Tennis said:
I don't like poly cause it has very little trampoline effect, but I like its bite and spin on serves and aggressive ground strokes. How loose can I string poly to get more power or trampoline effect from it? The specific poly I'm speaking of is Cyclone original.. if that has any bearing on the topic.

Go for thinner gauge like 18 or 19.

anubis · Jun 23, 2017

LeeD said:
Which is why you're slipping to 3.5 from 4.0.
And you're in as good shape as Sampras, you are as good an athlete, so can use the exact same gear he uses.

LOl I don't do that, I use a lightweight racquet strung relatively tightly. but i don't have power issues (or power for that matter). but if i needed more power, I wouldn't string more loosely, I'd keep the same tension and add lead. My point was that stringing more loosely reduces accuracy and control in exchange for power... why do that when you can have accuracy and power?

I'm slipping to 3.5 because i'm not on my toes, I wait for the ball to drop before I hit it, I move to the ball too slowly, I'm all jammed up when I swing, and i stay rooted to the ground after I swing.

LeeD · Jun 23, 2017

anubis said:
LOl I don't do that, I use a lightweight racquet strung relatively tightly. but i don't have power issues (or power for that matter). but if i needed more power, I wouldn't string more loosely, I'd keep the same tension and add lead. My point was that stringing more loosely reduces accuracy and control in exchange for power... why do that when you can have accuracy and power?

I'm slipping to 3.5 because i'm not on my toes, I wait for the ball to drop before I hit it, I move to the ball too slowly, I'm all jammed up when I swing, and i stay rooted to the ground after I swing.

Some player's, talking PRO level ATP dudes, string at the mid 30's and don't seem to sacrifice too much, either in control or power. They still can hit 130 mph first serves, 95 mph second serves, 85 mph groundies, and sustain a rally.
While you think there is more power by stringing soft, it's more important that soft tension increase the size of the sweetspot, so you don't mishit as often.
I won't get into the debate of soft strings equate to more power or higher launch angle, as I don't know. But, I have 7 racket's strung at the 35-40 range, play 4.0, and don't sacrifice accuracy for a bigger sweetspot.
Most of my peers don't believe in low tension stringing, but they're free to decide for themselves.

chrisb · Jun 23, 2017

Attila_the_gorilla said:
Edit: It's more complicated than I thought, but with the strings I use, looser strings have resulted in more power.

Research says no, higher angle of release giving more lift thus depth. Power comes from mass times acceleration

Attila_the_gorilla · Jun 23, 2017

chrisb said:
Research says no, higher angle of release giving more lift thus depth. Power comes from mass times acceleration

I think the research I've seen was done with higher racket head speeds.
The big difference I noticed when I strung looser was the much bigger pop on my high volleys, which is pretty much just a block.

Shroud · Jun 23, 2017

anubis said:
LOl I don't do that, I use a lightweight racquet strung relatively tightly. but i don't have power issues (or power for that matter). but if i needed more power, I wouldn't string more loosely, I'd keep the same tension and add lead. My point was that stringing more loosely reduces accuracy and control in exchange for power... why do that when you can have accuracy and power?

I'm slipping to 3.5 because i'm not on my toes, I wait for the ball to drop before I hit it, I move to the ball too slowly, I'm all jammed up when I swing, and i stay rooted to the ground after I swing.

You forgot not covering the court because you are warching them get a racquet on your "winner"

How loose can you string for power?

Semi-Pro

Hall of Fame

Bionic Poster

Professional

Talk Tennis Guru

Hall of Fame

Rookie

G.O.A.T.

Hall of Fame

Bionic Poster

Professional

Attila_the_gorilla

Guest

Banned

Stupendous1HBH

Guest

Professional

Legend

Legend

Rookie

Deleted member 23235

Guest

Stupendous1HBH

Guest

Bionic Poster

Rookie

Legend

Bionic Poster

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

G.O.A.T.

Bionic Poster

Hall of Fame

Bionic Poster

New User

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

Professional

Semi-Pro

Talk Tennis Guru

Rookie

G.O.A.T.

Hall of Fame

Bionic Poster

Professional

Hall of Fame

Bionic Poster

Professional

Attila_the_gorilla

Guest

G.O.A.T.

Similar threads