Help with final decision before getting rackets restrung

[Nickzor]

Okay so I've been playing tennis since about 2005, (I'm 20 years old now) and I own 6 rackets and i've only ever had to restring 4 rackets this entire time believe it or not, i have 2 wilson rackets and the default stock strings lasted 8 years, i broke the strings of both of them in the same week, in fact i broke the strings for 4 of my rackets in the same 3 weeks, long run of good luck ended very quick lol, I own a babolat Aero Pro drive GT and a Pure Drive GT, I've had the Aero Pro drive restrung twice both times with RPM blast at 60 and 58 lbs, which killed my arm but for some silly reason i just kept on playing with it and never really thought about getting it strung with maybe a Multi at a lower tension, but i've given up on that racket now (JUST ENDLESS ARM ISSUES) the Pure Drive is better but still the racket is still as a metal pole, but i also had that restrung with RPM blast at 58 lbs, yes silly idea for someone with arm problems, so tomorrow I'm going to drop of 2 of my rackets, Wilson Ncode sixone 95, (weighs 347 grams but leaded it up somewhat to about 360 grams) and my Pure Drive GT, and for the first time ever I'm going for a tension below 58 lbs, so in a nutshell I like to serve hard and fast, and go for winners often, but also like control and have a one handed backhand, all in all though I'm looking for a good Multi String that is still powerful and preferably a known brand such as Wilson/Head/Prince/Babolat as the stringer doesn't stock the more unknown brands, most importantly though I want a good tension/string (multi) that will be easy on the arm, because RPM blast at about 60 lbs is NOT!

I've just never gone for a tension below 58lbs (which is probably the reason for my perennial arm pains, nor have i ever strung my rackets with anything besides RPM blast (because I've just never really read into other options), i just want some tips on what multi string and tension to go for.

 

[Irvin]

Prince Lightening XX 16
Wilson Sensation
Head RIP control (low power string)

 

[Rabbit]

If you've been playing 5 years, you don't state your level, you're probably not a good candidate for a poly. Were I you, I'd reset and string with a good synthetic gut at your normal 58 pounds. The only difference you should notice is your arm should quit hurting.

 

[eelhc]

I'm not sure how often you play but I assure you the Wilson factory strings did not last 8 years. If they came strung from the factory, they were most likely strung with Wilson Synthetic Gut Extreme 16 (which I think is fantastic BTW). String breakage does not equal string life. For non string breakers, the strings will lose playability far before they break. Somewhere along those 8 years the strings have lost tension and became brittle. 8 years is long enough so even UV damage could have been the cause.

It seems you're not a string breaker.... since you're having arm issues perhaps natural gut or a natural gut hybrid on those frames. NG setup with string savers will last you a long time and NG will maintain its playability until breakage.

Don't give up on the Babolat frames... I know a guy with both of those frames playing a full bed of NG with no arm discomfort. But they are rocket launchers with NG.

 

[Nickzor]

If you've been playing 5 years, you don't state your level, you're probably not a good candidate for a poly. Were I you, I'd reset and string with a good synthetic gut at your normal 58 pounds. The only difference you should notice is your arm should quit hurting.

Oh its been 9 years actually, since 2005, I don't know what my level is, But possibly a 4.0, here's a vid of me hitting for 5 mins if you want a look at my level, its very recent, I generally always play with rackets that have very very dead strings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA2RH0FT50s

Serving video below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBA2p57cd88

 

[Nickzor]

I'm not sure how often you play I assure you the Wilson factory strings did not last 8 years. If they came strung from the factory, they were most likely strung with Wilson Synthetic Gut Extreme 16 (which I think is fantastic BTW). String breakage does not equal string life. For non string breakers, the strings will lose playability far before they break. Somewhere along those 8 years the strings have lost tension and became brittle. 8 years is long enough so even UV damage could have been the cause.

It seems you're not a string breaker.... since you're having arm issues perhaps natural gut or a natural gut hybrid on those frames. NG setup with string savers will last you a long time and NG will maintain its playability until breakage.

Don't give up on the Babolat frames... I know a guy with both of those frames playing a full bed of NG with no arm discomfort. But they are rocket launchers with NG.

I guessing the wilsons lasted so long because i played with them for some maybe 5 months them didn't pick them up again for about 3 years, by then the strings were dead and maybe dead strings last a long time, i also played with them in the rain a few times lol, the babolats are good, but the Aero Pro drive just always gives me issues, the Pure Drive however I'm sticking with, oh and in terms of how often i play, i play a lot but generally for only maybe 2-4 months at a time (long long sessions about everyday almost 3-4 hours, then when winter rolls around i don't play for about 4-5 months because the weather is atrocious

 

[eelhc]

Oh its been 9 years actually, since 2005, I don't know what my level is, But possibly a 4.0, here's a vid of me hitting for 5 mins if you want a look at my level, its very recent, I generally always play with rackets that have very very dead strings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA2RH0FT50s

Serving video below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBA2p57cd88

Does OZ have NTRP?

Sorry.. not to burst your bubble but honestly I would say closer to a 3.0 than a 4.0. not criticizing... Just my observation and opinion.

 

[Nickzor]

Does OZ have NTRP?

Sorry.. not to burst your bubble but honestly I would say closer to a 3.0 than a 4.0. not criticizing... Just my observation and opinion.

well the footwork is very lazy, but i was just hitting for fun, when i play matches though I'm much more focused and pro active, I don't think OZ has the ntrp rating

 

[Lukhas]

I think anything higher than 55lbs is far too high for poly. Especially 60lbs. And honestly, 55lbs is already pushing. I find it plays best around 50lbs. I'm not surprised you had arm problems with poly strung that high. And BTW, I fully agree with Eelhc.

May want to try HEAD Rip Control, Prince Premier attack or Dunlop Hexy Fiber among others around mid-tension (55lbs). Poly is strung 10% lower than your s-gut/multi usual tension range, which is around 50lbs tops.

 

[eelhc]

I guessing the wilsons lasted so long because i played with them for some maybe 5 months them didn't pick them up again for about 3 years, by then the strings were dead and maybe dead strings last a long time, i also played with them in the rain a few times lol, the babolats are good, but the Aero Pro drive just always gives me issues, the Pure Drive however I'm sticking with, oh and in terms of how often i play, i play a lot but generally for only maybe 2-4 months at a time (long long sessions about everyday almost 3-4 hours, then when winter rolls around i don't play for about 4-5 months because the weather is atrocious

3-4 hrs a day for 2-4 months at a time is a LOT of Tennis. Even with a multi I might invest in a stringing machine.

well the footwork is very lazy, but i was just hitting for fun, when i play matches though I'm much more focused and pro active, I don't think OZ has the ntrp rating

You're hitting off a planted back foot off both wings and rotating around the knee (my knee hurts watching the vid). Might work since you're 20. But if you plan on playing for a long time, at 40 you could have serious knee issues. Post the vid on the Tips/Instruction section and see if you can get some pointers... and remember, free advice is worth what you pay for.

 

[Muppet]

Here's some free advice:

Your racquet looks over-powered for you. It inhibits your stroke on both sides. Especially on the backhand, where you chip everything back. A lower powered racquet would allow you to swing through the ball a lot more freely. You'll be able to develop better accuracy and more spin.

Muppet

 

[Nickzor]

3-4 hrs a day for 2-4 months at a time is a LOT of Tennis. Even with a multi I might invest in a stringing machine.



You're hitting off a planted back foot off both wings and rotating around the knee (my knee hurts watching the vid). Might work since you're 20. But if you plan on playing for a long time, at 40 you could have serious knee issues. Post the vid on the Tips/Instruction section and see if you can get some pointers... and remember, free advice is worth what you pay for.

Yeh its a lot of tennis, however there's no way i can afford a stringing machine haha, most of the time though I'm just hitting up then playing a doubles match, then I'll go home take a break go back play again, yeh i need to get into the habit of turning 90 degrees and prepping better when i hit my forehands, interestingly enough though i have slightly better form when I'm playing singles matches, I don't play a heck of a lot of matches though, i am having some knee issues too though, that may be why, some days when i play it hurts my knee/shin area when i run around, thanks for the tips, i'll check it out

 

[Nickzor]

I think anything higher than 55lbs is far too high for poly. Especially 60lbs. And honestly, 55lbs is already pushing. I find it plays best around 50lbs. I'm not surprised you had arm problems with poly strung that high. And BTW, I fully agree with Eelhc.

May want to try HEAD Rip Control, Prince Premier attack or Dunlop Hexy Fiber among others around mid-tension (55lbs). Poly is strung 10% lower than your s-gut/multi usual tension range, which is around 50lbs tops.

Thanks, i was looking at HEAD RIP CONTROL in fact. If i ever go poly again for whatever reason I'll be going about 52-53 lbs max!

 

[Nickzor]

Here's some free advice:

Your racquet looks over-powered for you. It inhibits your stroke on both sides. Especially on the backhand, where you chip everything back. A lower powered racquet would allow you to swing through the ball a lot more freely. You'll be able to develop better accuracy and more spin.

Muppet

yeh thanks, that might be true, Part of the slicing is because i can't hit a proper one hand backhand with my aero pro drive, too light, head shape too big, racket just has no flexibility at all, but when i play with my wilson nsix one 95 which is evidently lower powered and with the 18x20 string pattern i can really unload on the backhand side and the ball will still stay in most of the time-ish, the Aero Pro drive just doesn't work for me on both wings i agree, I'm looking at getting a wilson blade 98, I've noticed that with all my 100 square inch frames i can't hit a proper one handed backhand, it just doesn't seem right, but i have two 95 sized wilsons and i can confidently hit backhands with them, but whenever I'm using my 100 head sized babolat's, the ball just goes long and it doesn't seem right, i lose confidence and just slice slice slice lol

 

[SpinToWin]

you can always buy a reel of strings and give it to your stringer to string for you. An ideal multifilament for you at a super low price would be Pro's Pro Clay Court +. It has become one of my favourite multifilaments at a price of around 30$ the 200m reel.
Otherwise, from the multifilaments I know, Wilson Sensation Control and Head Rip Control are good control oriented multis.

 

[Muppet]

yeh thanks, that might be true, Part of the slicing is because i can't hit a proper one hand backhand with my aero pro drive, too light, head shape too big, racket just has no flexibility at all, but when i play with my wilson nsix one 95 which is evidently lower powered and with the 18x20 string pattern i can really unload on the backhand side and the ball will still stay in most of the time-ish, the Aero Pro drive just doesn't work for me on both wings i agree, I'm looking at getting a wilson blade 98, I've noticed that with all my 100 square inch frames i can't hit a proper one handed backhand, it just doesn't seem right, but i have two 95 sized wilsons and i can confidently hit backhands with them, but whenever I'm using my 100 head sized babolat's, the ball just goes long and it doesn't seem right, i lose confidence and just slice slice slice lol

Go with your six one 95 and start with your footwork. Your forhand has some semblance of footwork, but it could use a lot more discipline. Your backhand totally lacks footwork. You chop at the ball wildly, managing some backspin, and you just put the brakes on your feet wherever you are and depend on your arm and racquet to make an awkward "slice."

The six one 95 will require you to play cleaner tennis. You will need to prepare your racquet and get your feet moving sooner to make effective strokes, with full follow through. I mean tap-your-back follow through. And that's when the recovery footwork starts. Followed by the next shot's footwork. When you have yourself one foot closer to being in perfect position, you can make far, far better shots.

 

[Deleted member 120290]

Does OZ have NTRP?

Sorry.. not to burst your bubble but honestly I would say closer to a 3.0 than a 4.0. not criticizing... Just my observation and opinion.

You may want to record yourself on video to see how good you look. You will look ridiculously bad compared to how good you think you are. Nickzor is at least a 3.5-4.0. He has an unconventional style but chases everything down under the hot sun and gets the balls back into play. His serve is easily 4.0. His FH is also a weapon. Nickzor would bagel most 3.0 players.

 

[eelhc]

You may want to record yourself on video to see how good you look. You will look ridiculously bad compared to how good you think you are. Nickzor is at least a 3.5-4.0. He has an unconventional style but chases everything down under the hot sun and gets the balls back into play. His serve is easily 4.0. His FH is also a weapon. Nickzor would bagel most 3.0 players.

I don't think I'm very good so I will not have this problem.

I do ask another person to record me regularly on my lessons/clinics... quick and dirty video on a smartphone. I find it much easier to see first hand what I am doing rather than trying to visualize what the pro is telling you.

As far as Nickzor I think we have a difference in opinion. That's all...

 

[Deleted member 120290]

Speaking from personal experience, I'm competitive at 4.5 as a righty, 3.5-4.0 as a lefty. But when I saw myself on video, WOW! it was ugly.

 

[bluegrass_stringer]

Oh its been 9 years actually, since 2005, I don't know what my level is, But possibly a 4.0, here's a vid of me hitting for 5 mins if you want a look at my level, its very recent, I generally always play with rackets that have very very dead strings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA2RH0FT50s

Serving video below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBA2p57cd88

Is your girlfriend OK? Looks like you hit her with a serve.

 

[Nickzor]

Go with your six one 95 and start with your footwork. Your forhand has some semblance of footwork, but it could use a lot more discipline. Your backhand totally lacks footwork. You chop at the ball wildly, managing some backspin, and you just put the brakes on your feet wherever you are and depend on your arm and racquet to make an awkward "slice."

The six one 95 will require you to play cleaner tennis. You will need to prepare your racquet and get your feet moving sooner to make effective strokes, with full follow through. I mean tap-your-back follow through. And that's when the recovery footwork starts. Followed by the next shot's footwork. When you have yourself one foot closer to being in perfect position, you can make far, far better shots.

Yeah i'll do that, I'm not just making up excuses but i do play much better with the wilson nsixone 95, but the reason i don't use it at all very often is because the strings were about 8 years old as of late, I'm getting it restrung today though! The aero pro drive brings out the sloppiness in me big time

 

[Nickzor]

You may want to record yourself on video to see how good you look. You will look ridiculously bad compared to how good you think you are. Nickzor is at least a 3.5-4.0. He has an unconventional style but chases everything down under the hot sun and gets the balls back into play. His serve is easily 4.0. His FH is also a weapon. Nickzor would bagel most 3.0 players.

thanks, i do like to think I'm Nadal sometimes and just run for every ball i can LOL

 

[Muppet]

Yeah i'll do that, I'm not just making up excuses but i do play much better with the wilson nsixone 95, but the reason i don't use it at all very often is because the strings were about 8 years old as of late, I'm getting it restrung today though! The aero pro drive brings out the sloppiness in me big time

Glad to hear it. You should really put down the PD as well.

 

[Nickzor]

Is your girlfriend OK? Looks like you hit her with a serve.

haha yeah she was okay, just had a big red mark on her thigh, she's a good sport though, i actually stood in the service box and told her she could take 3 swings at a ball from the baseline and try and hit me for revenge, she missed each time but one was close to getting me in the head though hah

 

[Nickzor]

Glad to hear it. You should really put down the PD as well.

Yeahhh i knowww but the PD doesn't quite give me arm pains as bad as the APD does, i just wanna give it one more swing with a multi string for once and see how that goes, that being said however i still can't hit a proper one hand backhand with it and tend to slice a lot, more then likely by the time the strings break on it next time I'll probably put it down by then, like i said though I'm planning on getting the wilson blade 98 (18x20) very soon which sounds like it suits me well

 

[Muppet]

Yeahhh i knowww but the PD doesn't quite give me arm pains as bad as the APD does, i just wanna give it one more swing with a multi string for once and see how that goes, that being said however i still can't hit a proper one hand backhand with it and tend to slice a lot, more then likely by the time the strings break on it next time I'll probably put it down by then, like i said though I'm planning on getting the wilson blade 98 (18x20) very soon which sounds like it suits me well

The problem with the Blade 18x20 is that it has a high swingweight. You can't decrease swingweight, except a bit by using lightweight strings. Adding weight to the handle will shift the balance, but it won't decrease the swingweight. I was thinking that it might be a good idea to add a leather grip to that racquet to make it more manuverable, but the combination of the higher static weight and the swingweight would make it too much to handle.

The six one has a 10 HL balance built in with a reasonable swingweight. The PD has a manuverable balance built in with a low swingweight. The Blade 18x20 is very different than both of these racquets that you like. I think you should reconsider the Blade.

 

[Fintft]

I second the advise on 6.1 95 and as for multi, a durable one is Wilson NXT Max, mid range (55/57)

 

[drgchen]

Regarding string advice I would suggest the following.
For wilson get nxt. It is durable and plays well.
For babolat, get xcel.
Both are the top of the line multis and play well. They will fray but play decently.
Considering that you are not a string breaker, it is likely worth the money. I just strung a racquet for a kid who used nxt for close to two years.

Poly does go dead after a while.
At your playing level i doubt you will see or feel much difference playing with a luxilon rpm vs playing with a generic poly.

You already own six racquets. Before you buy more, consider customizing the ones you have. Take the money and buy a cheap stringing machine. A dropweight costs as much as a racquet.

 

[Steve Huff]

Wilson Red Alert is about the most durable non poly I've seen (other than natural gut). You might want to try a 15 or 15L natural gut. You could keep it tight (60-65#) and it would still be easier on you arm.