Am I having a mental block?

[NRMM]

Guys.. I play with a wilson blade 104 (2015) and I had them strung with Luxilon Adrenaline for about 2 years at 55lbs (full bed). Just because I felt it was time to get the racquets restrung I got them on

head Velocity on crosses 53
head Sonic Edge on mains 55

I'm having no control whatsoever, it's hit and miss, either I can play a good shot or the ball just goes out wide or very long... the only thing that is ok-ish is serve.. is there such thing as time to adapt to new strings, specially when moving from Adrenaline full bed to such Hybrid? I now played doubles for 4 hours with the new strings and it ain't got better... feel myself trying to adapt and put less power and spin it more but I guess I'm overdoing the shots and it just gets worse <sigh>

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

You played one set of polyester strings for two years? WOW

Given that a shaped main was selected, I'm thinking you're making a conscious effort to hit with more spin and power. But the problem is that approach really isn't your best game, maybe?

Also, my experience is that Sonic is fairly mediocre.

 

[CopolyX]

My take, it is not the strings.
When was the last time you had a re-check of form/technique / foot work?
meaning either:
Take some lessons with a great coach
correct practice sessions.
Minimal: video yourself in play and review

Also not quite sure on your wording with your string setup. I am hoping you did not play with the same stringbed ( no re-stringing) for 2 years.
If you are a flat hither, you don't need the copolys.
4 hours is a lot to play in one shot.

 

[esgee48]

I think OP is saying he has been using Adrenaline as his string of choice; not the same set for the last 2 years. Anyway, this string is for people who can generate a lot of RHS. Sonic Edge mains and Velocity crosses are not a compatible with high RHS. The edges will grab the ball irregularly and the cross will wear from those edges (until you wear the edges out.) The Velocity is too low in tension. FB Sonic Edge may be OK.

But if he has been using 2 year old strings, they're deader than anything currently available on the market with the exception of maybe the Shroud special, Kevlar/poly at 86#.

Moving from all poly to poly mains/multi crosses means you will get a lot of unexpected power in the form of long or sprayed shots. 3¢

 

[Shroud]

I think OP is saying he has been using Adrenaline as his string of choice; not the same set for the last 2 years. Anyway, this string is for people who can generate a lot of RHS. Sonic Edge mains and Velocity crosses are not a compatible with high RHS. The edges will grab the ball irregularly and the cross will wear from those edges (until you wear the edges out.) The Velocity is too low in tension. FB Sonic Edge may be OK.

But if he has been using 2 year old strings, they're deader than anything currently available on the market with the exception of maybe the Shroud special, Kevlar/poly at 86#.

Moving from all poly to poly mains/multi crosses means you will get a lot of unexpected power in the form of long or sprayed shots. 3¢

They are soooo dead they are undead!

 

[NRMM]

The set of luxilon adrenaline was indeed 2 years old - I had quite a couple of extended periods of not playing any tennis (over those 2 years) so they were dead but not to the un-dead point LOL

Are you guys saying that I need to get used to the new setup and pay extra attention to technique.. ? Or are you recommending I change the strings to something that suits my game better / racquet perhaps ?

I tend to play really aggressively, with loads of power (double handed forehand and backhand).... flat mostly and using some spin in doubles, mostly. I'm a 3-5 shots kind of player.

 

[Traffic]

The set of luxilon adrenaline was indeed 2 years old - I had quite a couple of extended periods of not playing any tennis (over those 2 years) so they were dead but not to the un-dead point LOL

I tend to play really aggressively, with loads of power (double handed forehand and backhand).... flat mostly and using some spin in doubles, mostly. I'm a 3-5 shots kind of player.

I think @esgee48 and @CopolyX brought up good points.
1) 2y/o poly is indeed dead. Very dead. Dr. Bones McCoy dead, Jim. So it will play differently than pretty much anything on the market.
2) You mention extended periods of not playing. This probably contributes to not having a ton of consistency on your strokes nor feel of your racquet setup.
2a) If you are a 3.5 shots kind of player, then 1 and 2 really add up to not having a consistent swing to reference.

Unless you want to hybrid for a specific reason, I would go back to a full bed of whatever string you think may suit your type of play and skill level. Re-establish a baseline. Then figure out what specific aspects of the string you like and what you don't like.

If you like to swing out a bit with flat shots, full bed of Velocity might actually work well for you. It's one of the lowest power multi we've discussed on this forum. Easy on the arm and seems to last longer than typical multi. In fact, we call it a multi, but other than it being easy on the arm, its characteristics are like a super soft poly that holds its tension very well.

 

[NRMM]

The set of luxilon adrenaline was indeed 2 years old - I had quite a few extended periods of not playing any tennis at all so they were dead but not to the un-dead point LOL
I guess what you're saying is that I need to get used to the new setup and pay extra attention to technique.. ? Or really change the strings to something that suits my game better and racquet perhaps?
I tend to play really aggressive shots with loads of power (double handed foreand and backhand).... flat mostly as I said but using some spin in doubles, mostly.

I think @esgee48 and @CopolyX brought up good points.
1) 2y/o poly is indeed dead. Very dead. Dr. Bones McCoy dead, Jim. So it will play differently than pretty much anything on the market.
2) You mention extended periods of not playing. This probably contributes to not having a ton of consistency on your strokes nor feel of your racquet setup.
2a) If you are a 3.5 shots kind of player, then 1 and 2 really add up to not having a consistent swing to reference.

Unless you want to hybrid for a specific reason, I would go back to a full bed of whatever string you think may suit your type of play and skill level. Re-establish a baseline. Then figure out what specific aspects of the string you like and what you don't like.

If you like to swing out a bit with flat shots, full bed of Velocity might actually work well for you. It's one of the lowest power multi we've discussed on this forum. Easy on the arm and seems to last longer than typical multi. In fact, we call it a multi, but other than it being easy on the arm, its characteristics are like a super soft poly that holds its tension very well.

Thanks so much for your response.. it’s just depressing that the shots are no longer there and I need to do a reset apparently, just because of some dead strings.. anyway forward and upwards.. so the blade 104 has a 18x19 pattern.. how much lbs and which other strings would you suggest besides the Velocity? Just because I’ll have to shop around and check if the stringers have those, and thus I can have a quick turnaround. Let’s say 3 options please. Thanks very much.

 

[esgee48]

He goes for it after 3-5 shots. No idea if he is NTRP 3.5.

Go back to all poly and see if your control comes back. Does not have to be the expensive stuff since all polys will be die (an natural death) by hour 16-20. If you like dead poly feels (you must be kinky!), use the pre stretched polys or those that are described as having very good tension maintenance.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

Wilson Revolve 17 worth a look

Sent from my SM-T310 using Tapatalk

 

[NRMM]

Yeah id

He goes for it after 3-5 shots. No idea if he is NTRP 3.5.

Yeah I’d say I’m in between 3.5 and 4.0

 

[NRMM]

He goes for it after 3-5 shots. No idea if he is NTRP 3.5.

Go back to all poly and see if your control comes back. Does not have to be the expensive stuff since all polys will be die (an natural death) by hour 16-20. If you like dead poly feels (you must be kinky!), use the pre stretched polys or those that are described as having very good tension maintenance.

Right, all poly full bed.. you guys mentioned Wilson Revolve 17, Head Velocity, any other ?

 

[CopolyX]

Yeah id


Yeah I’d say I’m in between 3.5 and 4.0

3.75?
Well then consistency should be pretty much there.
Just get some fresh strings in that frame and make sure you restring "consistently".
Go on a quest sand find something that works best good for you. If you want others to pick them for you, then so be it...

Now add .25 of a ntrp point and your are there..we are done...(but should never stop honing your skills)
Hitting a ntrp 4.0 is roughly:
consistent (from serves with no double faults to volleys, lobs, ground strokes etc.)
able to control the ball i.e. if he/she aims for your backhand it gets there.
puts more pace into the game i.e it is harder for your to get ready or anticipate shots.

 

[USPTARF97]

String every couple of months and you will have a more consistent string bed.

 

[USPTARF97]

3.75?
Well then consistency should be pretty much there.
Just get some fresh strings in that frame and make sure you restring "consistently".
Go on a quest sand find something that works best good for you. If you want others to pick them for you, then so be it...

Now add .25 of a ntrp point and your are there..we are done...(but should never stop honing your skills)
Hitting a ntrp 4.0 is roughly:
consistent (from serves with no double faults to volleys, lobs, ground strokes etc.)
able to control the ball i.e. if he/she aims for your backhand it gets there.
puts more pace into the game i.e it is harder for your to get ready or anticipate shots.

That no double faults is misleading. Saw Venus Williams double fault 4 times in a row at the last slam. Federer double faulted in the tie breaker against Kyrgios at the Laver Cup. Missed allot of forehands as well. I play 5.0 and missed a few lobs last night and was spraying forehands around the court as well. Double faulted a couple of times. Don't believe you have to be those things to be 4.0.

 

[CopolyX]

That no double faults is misleading. Saw Venus Williams double fault 4 times in a row at the last slam. Federer double faulted in the tie breaker against Kyrgios. I play 5.0 and missed a few lobs last night and was spraying forehands around the court as well. Double faulted a couple of times. Don't believe you have to be those things to be 4.0.

True they are a part of the game but as a player reaches 4.0 and higher the key core factor in those levels is the prevalence of consistency.
Normally nrtp's @ 3.0 /3.5 are still struggling on a good second serve. which will lead to more double trouble....

 

[USPTARF97]

True they are a part of the game but as a player reaches 4.0 and higher the key core factor in those levels is the prevalence of consistency.
Normally nrtp's @ 3.0 /3.5 are still struggling on a good second serve. which will lead to more double trouble....

Believe he said he was between 3.5-4.0. Don't think I would chalk up a lack of consistency entirely to a string problem. Solution is to string the racquet more often as you mentioned and go back to the same string at the same tension (Lux 55). If he reaches the point that he is consistent the majority of the time on all shots he won't be between 3.5-4.0 any longer. Just my opinion from 36 years of teaching tennis. To say that there is a lack of consistency from 3.5-4.0 would be an understatement. Not trying to offend anyone.

 

[NRMM]

Right, going to restring with Wilson Revolve 17 at 56lbs and go from there... sigh

 

[Muppet]

You have two things going on in your string bed, switching from full Adrenaline to the hybrid.

First, Sonic Pro Edge is a more lively string that is shaped. These characteristics could make your ball more erratic.

Second, your softer string (Velocity) is strung lower than the stiffer string (Sonic Pro Edge). Always string the softer string in a hybrid at least a couple of lbs. tighter than the stiffer string. In my poly/multi hybrids, I tension the multi cross 5 lbs. tighter, but I like a smaller sweet spot. This way, the comparative stiffnesses between the two strings are more balanced and the string bed plays more consistently.

The easy answer (and maybe the correct one) is to go back to a full bed setup at equal tensions. But I hope you understand now why your hybrid didn't work well. Maybe it will help you with string and tension choices in the future. BTW, I like the recommendation that Traffic made to try Velocity full bed. It would give you a lot more control. But don't be dis-heartened. It's only one string trial gone bad.

 

[ByeByePoly]

They are soooo dead they are undead!

White Walkers

 

[Shroud]

White Walkers

Man this is getting frustrating. I know i am uncool. Its like a given now. But you dont have to rub it in my face with another reference i dont get! Either that or I am deeply offended by your racism. Next we will be building a wall of garlic and silver and making Transylvania pay for it...

 

[ByeByePoly]

Believe he said he was between 3.5-4.0. Don't think I would chalk up a lack of consistency entirely to a string problem. Solution is to string the racquet more often as you mentioned and go back to the same string at the same tension (Lux 55). If he reaches the point that he is consistent the majority of the time on all shots he won't be between 3.5-4.0 any longer. Just my opinion from 36 years of teaching tennis. To say that there is a lack of consistency from 3.5-4.0 would be an understatement. Not trying to offend anyone.

"36 years of teaching tennis"

Excellent ... good to know.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Man this is getting frustrating. I know i am uncool. Its like a given now. But you dont have to rub it in my face with another reference i dont get! Either that or I am deeply offended by your racism. Next we will be building a wall of garlic and silver and making Transylvania pay for it...

"Either that or I am deeply offended by your racism."



Just consider my Google assignments a welcome distraction.

 

[esgee48]

Does @Shroud have time to watch TV? Does he have time to read? I'm a Scifi and Fantasy Geek, so even I know what they are.....

 

[ByeByePoly]

Does @Shroud have time to watch TV? Does he have time to read? I'm a Scifi and Fantasy Geek, so even I know what they are.....

@Shroud could easily wield a Valyrian steel raquet.

 

[NRMM]

I just wanted to give you guys an update since you helped.. so I strung the racquets with revolve 17g at 55lbs and the difference is huge... not having a mental block no-more.. if you allow me to be a perfectionist I'd say that - although I feel much happier now - I'd still be prepared to give away a little bit of the power generated by the strings in favour of more control and spin..

 

[esgee48]

Revolve is a quasi factory pre stretched poly. Quasi because it is based on RIPSpin; not sure if they do the stretch or not. In order of more power, string makers of Proline II > Signum Pro > 4G Rough. These are factory pre stretched and will let you swing with control. They're Zombie strings for All Hollows or White Walkers.

 

[NRMM]

So the list of strings for dead walkers like me, by priority are?
Proline 2
Signup pro
4g rough
Where would you place revolve and luxilon savage black?

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

I just wanted to give you guys an update since you helped.. so I strung the racquets with revolve 17g at 55lbs and the difference is huge... not having a mental block no-more.. if you allow me to be a perfectionist I'd say that - although I feel much happier now - I'd still be prepared to give away a little bit of the power generated by the strings in favour of more control and spin..

In that case, you probably want to move into black poly. The black ink plays dead but has super spin!

I like tourna zone 16 and volkl cyclone 19. Babolat Rpm blast rough 17 had good reviews but I've personally never played it since the price puts me off.

55-58 is probably a good tension for all these.

Sent from my SM-T310 using Tapatalk

 

[esgee48]

So the list of strings for dead walkers like me, by priority are?
Proline 2 Not that DEAD, but deader than Revolve
Signum pro The round or the Hextreme are between
4g rough DEADEST
Where would you place revolve and luxilon savage black?

Savage is has more power than Revolve, which is not that dead compared to the 3 I listed. YMMV