Any way to extend the life of your string?

[gameboi499]

I'm an advanced beginner to intermediate player (2.0-2.5). I'm using the wilson ncode with 16x18 and wilson nxt at 16 gauge. I have the tension at 60lbs (the recommended range is 50-60lbs). I break the strings after about 12 hours of playing time. 12 hours! I mostly hit with the machine to work on my topspin forehand stroke. So I guess that's why my strings break so fast. But do you think I should decrease the tension next time? Maybe make it 55lbs? One thing I notice is that the string looks really new. It barely moves. All of the mains look almost untouched. As for the crosses, the only one that actually breaks is number 7 counting from the bottom up. Also 5,6,8,9,10, and 11 are the only other ones that actually show some wear and tear. All the other crosses look untouched.

 

[xtremerunnerars]

Err...I hate to say it...but what nCode are you playing with? You may be shooting yourself in the foot by using a racquet that's too demanding. Trust me from experience, you could be severely holding yourself back.


Anyways...look up string savers or string a lings as they used to be called. TW sells the Babolat Elastocrosses I think, and there are some other brands too.

There's wax for natural gut also, but that's for different reasons.

 

[JavierLW]

I'm an advanced beginner to intermediate player (2.0-2.5). I'm using the wilson ncode with 16x18 and wilson nxt at 16 gauge. I have the tension at 60lbs (the recommended range is 50-60lbs). I break the strings after about 12 hours of playing time. 12 hours! I mostly hit with the machine to work on my topspin forehand stroke. So I guess that's why my strings break so fast. But do you think I should decrease the tension next time? Maybe make it 55lbs? One thing I notice is that the string looks really new. It barely moves. All of the mains look almost untouched. As for the crosses, the only one that actually breaks is number 7 counting from the bottom up. Also 5,6,8,9,10, and 11 are the only other ones that actually show some wear and tear. All the other crosses look untouched.

Are you in the US? I think someone might be confused at the notion that a intermediate player is 2.5. (here in the US that's definately not 2.5, most people who can barely play but are not very good at all are 2.5 and some are 3.0)

I doubt there is a set skill level that you would say "that's an intermediate player", I just think it's definately not 2.5.

Otherwise you can use string savers. NXT frays similar to Natural Gut which is caused by friction. String Savers lesson a lot of the friction because your strings dont rub together then (at least where you make contact).

 

[Final_Match_Point]

Um 2.5 using the nsix one? Must be tough, but anyway

If you are that low, I think you just might be mishitting, ALOT.

 

[JavierLW]

Um 2.5 using the nsix one? Must be tough, but anyway

If you are that low, I think you just might be mishitting, ALOT.

I doubt he's a 2.5 player that's why I asked. He must be from another country. 2.5 players dont use ball machines otherwise they would be 3.0 players. (unless he's in some area of the country that has 2.5 state league and it's full of 4.0 players)

If anyone plays that much and they are still a 2.5 player that would be amazing....

 

[lethalfang]

I'm an advanced beginner to intermediate player (2.0-2.5). I'm using the wilson ncode with 16x18 and wilson nxt at 16 gauge. I have the tension at 60lbs (the recommended range is 50-60lbs). I break the strings after about 12 hours of playing time. 12 hours! I mostly hit with the machine to work on my topspin forehand stroke. So I guess that's why my strings break so fast. But do you think I should decrease the tension next time? Maybe make it 55lbs? One thing I notice is that the string looks really new. It barely moves. All of the mains look almost untouched. As for the crosses, the only one that actually breaks is number 7 counting from the bottom up. Also 5,6,8,9,10, and 11 are the only other ones that actually show some wear and tear. All the other crosses look untouched.

If the mains haven't moved much and it's the cross string that actually breaks, it sounds like one set of bad string.

 

[gameboi499]

Err...I hate to say it...but what nCode are you playing with? You may be shooting yourself in the foot by using a racquet that's too demanding. Trust me from experience, you could be severely holding yourself back.

That really scares me!
I started playing tennis about a year ago. I didn't take any lesson. A friend of mine introduced me to the sport, and I just hit with him. He's also no pro. He took an elective course in college and started playing with people, picking up some stuffs along the way. Anyhow, he chose to play with wilson nSix-One 95 nCode because that's what federer plays with (except fed uses headsize 90). I chose the same racquet per his recommendation. I did not give a single thought on what racquet a beginner should use. I played on and off the first 4-5 months. I did not play consistently until 5 months ago. During that time I play about 3-5 times a week, 1-2 hours per session. When I say "play," I meant just rally or hit with the machine. I also started taking lesson. The thing is I've gotten used to this racquet. But the all important question I have is SHOULD I SWITCH TO A RACQUET THAT'S DESIGNED FOR ADVANCED BEGINNER? Will sticking with the ncode slow my progress? I would hate to have to switch to a new racquet because I've gotten used to this one. But if it's necessary to switch, then I would rather switch sooner than later. Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[gameboi499]

Um 2.5 using the nsix one? Must be tough, but anyway

If you are that low, I think you just might be mishitting, ALOT.

Mishitting? What do you mean? Where on the racquet should the ball make contact with?

 

[gameboi499]

I doubt he's a 2.5 player that's why I asked. He must be from another country. 2.5 players dont use ball machines otherwise they would be 3.0 players. (unless he's in some area of the country that has 2.5 state league and it's full of 4.0 players)

If anyone plays that much and they are still a 2.5 player that would be amazing....

I'm in the US. To tell you the truth, I'm not exactly sure what my rank is. I say 2.5 because I took a couple of group lessons about 2 months ago and the guys in there are 2.5-3.0. For the most part, I matched evenly with them. As for the ball machine, I do own one. I thought it was a good investment. What do you mean 2.5 players don't use ball machines?

 

[ayyhwang]

Lol you make contact with the racquet right in the middle, AKA the sweet spot. also i didn't know there was such thing as an advanced beginner.. isn't that a contradiction?

 

[xtremerunnerars]

Preferrably in the center of the strings. That's the area where the most power from your swing will be transferred to the ball as well as maximum spin production.

Don't worry though, most people don't hit it there (I hit it "high" most of the time) and that's a skill that takes a very, very long time to really master.

You want to look at oversize racquets (probably) because the sweetspot (center of the racquet) will be larger and you will get added help from the frame rather than the frame hurting you. You can expect to see more power, lighter weight, and _maybe_ better control.

I suggest making a thread in the Racquets section of this forum and telling your story there.

 

[todd03blown]

Mishitting? What do you mean? Where on the racquet should the ball make contact with?

The center portion of the racquet. Do you hit what appear to be rim shots or shots on the outer part of the string bed? I have been playing for 3yrs and have never broken a string ever so I find it odd you can break one in 12hrs of playing time.

 

[lethalfang]

Lol you make contact with the racquet right in the middle, AKA the sweet spot. also i didn't know there was such thing as an advanced beginner.. isn't that a contradiction?

No contradiction.
In this case, "advanced" is an adjective describing the state of beginner-ness.

 

[JavierLW]

That really scares me!
I started playing tennis about a year ago. I didn't take any lesson. A friend of mine introduced me to the sport, and I just hit with him. He's also no pro. He took an elective course in college and started playing with people, picking up some stuffs along the way. Anyhow, he chose to play with wilson nSix-One 95 nCode because that's what federer plays with (except fed uses headsize 90). I chose the same racquet per his recommendation. I did not give a single thought on what racquet a beginner should use. I played on and off the first 4-5 months. I did not play consistently until 5 months ago. During that time I play about 3-5 times a week, 1-2 hours per session. When I say "play," I meant just rally or hit with the machine. I also started taking lesson. The thing is I've gotten used to this racquet. But the all important question I have is SHOULD I SWITCH TO A RACQUET THAT'S DESIGNED FOR ADVANCED BEGINNER? Will sticking with the ncode slow my progress? I would hate to have to switch to a new racquet because I've gotten used to this one. But if it's necessary to switch, then I would rather switch sooner than later. Any input is greatly appreciated.

gameboi, dont buy into the hype about what is an advanced players racquet and what is a advanced beginners racquet.

It all depends on you, go find a pro and get his opinion which is more valueable then this board.

There are pluses and minuses to the diffrent kinds of frames, it's kind of a misconception that certain ones are for "beginners" and certain ones are for "advanced".

If you are a good athlete, move your feet well, and pick up the sport fast and get some lessons it's not totally impossible that the racquet you have is fine for you.

Plus you have the extra benefit of the ball machine which 98% of the other beginners do not have. You can hit the same shot like 1000 times and fine tune it.

Are you getting a lot of pace with your current racquet? How is your depth?

 

[officerdibble]

That really scares me!
I started playing tennis about a year ago. I didn't take any lesson. A friend of mine introduced me to the sport, and I just hit with him. He's also no pro. He took an elective course in college and started playing with people, picking up some stuffs along the way. Anyhow, he chose to play with wilson nSix-One 95 nCode because that's what federer plays with (except fed uses headsize 90). I chose the same racquet per his recommendation. I did not give a single thought on what racquet a beginner should use. I played on and off the first 4-5 months. I did not play consistently until 5 months ago. During that time I play about 3-5 times a week, 1-2 hours per session. When I say "play," I meant just rally or hit with the machine. I also started taking lesson. The thing is I've gotten used to this racquet. But the all important question I have is SHOULD I SWITCH TO A RACQUET THAT'S DESIGNED FOR ADVANCED BEGINNER? Will sticking with the ncode slow my progress? I would hate to have to switch to a new racquet because I've gotten used to this one. But if it's necessary to switch, then I would rather switch sooner than later. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Don't change your frame. There's a lot of rubbish about what weight of frame people should use, it starts with kids rackets (almost always far too light) and goes on from there. Go back twenty or thirty years and you would have been using a wooden racket, whatever age you started playing! When I bought my first racket (probably in 1990) it weighed what your nCode does, and I was a complete beginner.

A decent weighted frame will help you hit through the ball and help avoid injuries. The most important thing is to get decent stroke mechanics as early as possible through good coaching. My four year old son can hit the same basic forehand as Roger Federer - biomechanically it's not an issue, you just need someone to teach you the right basics and then get out with your ball machine. IMO (aside from knowing what coaching you're getting) you're doing the right things. Incidentally, regular coaching is great, but getting two hours of excellent coaching on one shot, then working with the ball machine and videoing yourself to check your progress is a very good substitute (and infinitely cheaper).

Good luck

 

[Mad iX]

Blablabla ... I started playing with a 95 sq in frame.
It wasn't that long ago that 95 was considered massive.
If your racket is too heavy you would've realised it by now.
If you're comfortable with the N95 then concentrate on your strokes.