Advice for Stringing Adjustments (Novice)

[shubs97]

Hey guys! I've recently taken up tennis again as a hobby, and I've been playing regularly for the last 3 months, (4 times a week, typically 90 minute sessions 1 on 1 with a hitter).

I was using a my old crappy cheap Prince racquet untill I played enough to make an upgrade. I recently bought a brand new Wilson Pro Staff 97L v.12 (I chose this because my trainer let me hit with his racquet sometimes and he had a Pro Staff and I really liked it.. and ofc the Federer effect).

I initially strung it with Solinco Vanquish 16 string at 54 pounds, because the store was offering it for free (even though i wasn't really sure about it). I ended up breaking the string in 3 sessions, and it didn't feel that great. I then used Luxillon ALU Power 125 Silver at 54 because that seemed to be a highly rated string. However, after 2 sessions it has really taken a toll on my arm and feels way too stiff for me to get consistency.

Any advice on what strings/tensions I should use for power and consistency? Open to any price range and string type! I never realised the equipment side of tennis is so technical!

Any help is appreciated!

 

[g4driver]

Please don't use any poly. Not sure how long you played before you started playing tennis "again", but since the poly caused you "arm" pain (elbow, wrist, or shoulder), copoly strings are a terrible option at this point. You also chose a lighter frame at 290 grams unstrung so that's not going to help any arm pain. Lighter frames absorb less shock than a heavier frame, AOTBE.

You're just starting back. If you were my client, I would put Technibre 1.30mm Multifeel in your mains at 55M and Head Velocity 1.30mm crosses at 53X and see how long it lasts. It's slightly more expensive than syn gut at $10.45 a frame MSRP. It gets cheaper when you purchase more or purchase on sale. Syn Gut 1.30mm would be my next suggestion. IMO, any replies or inputs to use this poly or that poly until your arm heals and you give this forum your actual level of play (not your perceived level of play), should be dismissed. There is nothing poly will do but hurt your arm at this point. You are going to get a lot of advice/replies on this forum from people who have never strung a tennis racquet in their life and from people who have played less than you have played. Consider the source of the folks who give you advice on this forum. There are numerous reputable stringers on Talk Tennis @TW

@Steve Huff @Rabbit @Wes @struggle @jim e @am1899 @Dags @Herb are posters you should remember. I didn't name several of the Grand Slam and major tournament stringers who post here, as they tend to string for a ATP/WTA pros

Tecnifibre Multifeel 16/1.30 String Natural | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

(edited the cross tension from 532X to 53X...just a typo)

 

[Rabbit]

@shubs97 - wholly agree with @g4driver. You cannot go wrong with synthetic gut....TW sells Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex in 16 gauge for $4.95/set. If you feel like you're a string breaker, this will last a good while. I personally, when younger, played 5.0 tennis. I'm a senior 4.0 now and I use synthetic gut in the main and polyester in the crosses. My tension is 56 for the synthetic gut and 52 for the polyester. I use a relatively soft polyester in a thin gauge for the crosses.

Hope this helps, rest your arm before you play again.

 

[shubs97]

Please don't use any poly. Not sure how long you played before you started playing tennis "again", but since the poly caused you "arm" pain (elbow, wrist, or shoulder), copoly strings are a terrible option at this point. You also chose a lighter frame at 290 grams unstrung so that's not going to help any arm pain. Lighter frames absorb less shock than a heavier frame, AOTBE.

You're just starting back. If you were my client, I would put Technibre 1.30mm Multifeel in your mains at 55M and Head Velocity 1.30mm crosses at 532X and see how long it lasts. It's slightly more expensive than syn gut at $10.45 a frame MSRP. It gets cheaper when you purchase more or purchase on sale. Syn Gut 1.30mm would be my next suggestion. IMO, any replies or inputs to use this poly or that poly until your arm heals and you give this forum your actual level of play (not your perceived level of play), should be dismissed. There is nothing poly will do but hurt your arm at this point. You are going to get a lot of advice/replies on this forum from people who have never strung a tennis racquet in their life and from people who have played less than you have played. Consider the source of the folks who give you advice on this forum. There are numerous reputable stringers on Talk Tennis @TW

@Steve Huff @Rabbit @Wes @struggle @jim e @am1899 @Dags @Herb are posters you should remember. I didn't name several of the Grand Slam and major tournament stringers who post here, as they tend to string for a ATP/WTA pros

Tecnifibre Multifeel 16/1.30 String Natural | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

Yes thank you! I now realise I didn't do my research properly. Until my form is much better I should stay away from Poly. Someone even suggested Natural Gut which I will also consider!
My level of play is still beginner/intermediate I would say. I can hold a rally very comfortably (and with growing intensity), along w reasonable volleying and slices. Main shortcoming right now is serve, which I would say I am still quite poor (and havent practiced as much as i should). I should mention I have a one handed backhand as well.

Thank you for your advice!

 

[shubs97]

@shubs97 - wholly agree with @g4driver. You cannot go wrong with synthetic gut....TW sells Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex in 16 gauge for $4.95/set. If you feel like you're a string breaker, this will last a good while. I personally, when younger, played 5.0 tennis. I'm a senior 4.0 now and I use synthetic gut in the main and polyester in the crosses. My tension is 56 for the synthetic gut and 52 for the polyester. I use a relatively soft polyester in a thin gauge for the crosses.

Hope this helps, rest your arm before you play again.

Thank you!
Thats good to know! Which Synthetic Gut and polyester combo did you use? My tennis store (I should mention I live in India right now) suggested the "Champions Blend" which features Natural Gut for the mains and ALU Power in the crosses, but I don't think my level of play is high (or important) enough to justify paying the high price, especially since I believe natural gut wears out particularly fast in humid conditions.

Also, don't know if this is relevant, but I play entirely on clay (very occasionally on synthetic if the Clay courts arent available).

 

[Rabbit]

@shubs97 - I too play on clay almost exclusively albeit green clay. I use several brands of synthetic, Gosen and Dunlop are my two steadies right now, both in 18 gauge. For the crosses, I use the no longer available Luxilon TiMO in 18 gauge. I will be transitioning to MSV Micro Focus Hex 18 or Luxilon ALU 18 when my supply runs out.

 

[Robbymack]

Hopefully you have another local option for a tennis shop. Anyone who puts you in a full bed of poly after using a multi and then wants to just up sell you on one of the priciest strings on the market doesn’t deserve your business. As others have said synthetic gut will last you a bit longer than the multi and if you go up from 16g to 15g a bit longer again. Prince synthetic gut has been around for a hell of a long time and there is a reason for it. when you consider the price it’s a no brainer to at least give it a go on a trail basis. Good luck and happy hitting!

 

[eah123]

Prince Synthetic Gut Duraflex is the optimal mix of feel, power, control, and durability for a new adult player in my opinion. Try it in 16 gauge at 60#.

 

[Cobra Tennis]

We used to have a sign up in my pro shop that said "Synthetic gut, forget about it, and hit the damn ball" ---holds true for about 90% of tennis players.

 

[RadicalEdward23]

If it was your choice to go from a multi to a poly with the same tension then I'd say go back to the shop and ask them for recommendations. If they're the ones who suggested the poly and are now suggesting Champs Choice, i'd say stop asking them for recommendations. Either way, avoid Poly. You don't want to play with that at your level and due to the injury it's causing. Start with g4Driver's suggestion, if you don't like it then come back and describe what it is you don't like or what you did like.