Hybrid String Recommendations

[Andrew Park]

May I ask your help on selecting right set up for my racket?

I am heavy top-spin hitter using Babolat Pure Aero La Decima. I've been trying a few string setups but cannot tune in to the "optimal" setting. Can you advise me on what I should try next according to the comments I made while I was using other settings?

1. May 15th: Babolat Xcel 17 @ 53LB
   1. Pros: like the feel and power & very forgiving when making mistakes
   2. Cons: Strings move around too much, quite irritating. Too much power after tension lose.
   3. Summary: Let’s try poly or hybrid for better control and less string movements
2. June 10th: Luxilon Alu power 16L @ 55LB
   1. Pros: like the control, but prefer more
   2. Cons: HURTS! I don’t feel much gain in spin potential.
   3. Summary: I prefer little string movements and control of poly while liking the comfort of multi.
3. June 29th: 4g rough @ 55lb & head velocity 16 @ 57lb
   1. Pros: For center hits, it feels very soft like the multifilament. Crazy amount of spins
   2. Cons: Very low powered. Hurts my arm more than ALU power full bed when making off-centered hits
   3. Summary: I want a little bit more power and comfort, but not as much as ALU power

 

[junior74]

I suggest a round poly on the softer side with Monogut Zyex cross - for power, snapback and comfort.

 

[Traffic]

May I ask your help on selecting right set up for my racket?

I am heavy top-spin hitter using Babolat Pure Aero La Decima. I've been trying a few string setups but cannot tune in to the "optimal" setting. Can you advise me on what I should try next according to the comments I made while I was using other settings?

1. May 15th: Babolat Xcel 17 @ 53LB
   1. Pros: like the feel and power & very forgiving when making mistakes
   2. Cons: Strings move around too much, quite irritating. Too much power after tension lose.
   3. Summary: Let’s try poly or hybrid for better control and less string movements
2. June 10th: Luxilon Alu power 16L @ 55LB
   1. Pros: like the control, but prefer more
   2. Cons: HURTS! I don’t feel much gain in spin potential.
   3. Summary: I prefer little string movements and control of poly while liking the comfort of multi.
3. June 29th: 4g rough @ 55lb & head velocity 16 @ 57lb
   1. Pros: For center hits, it feels very soft like the multifilament. Crazy amount of spins
   2. Cons: Very low powered. Hurts my arm more than ALU power full bed when making off-centered hits
   3. Summary: I want a little bit more power and comfort, but not as much as ALU power

You can try all three selections but different tensions.
1) Xcel 17 @57#. Should help reign in some control while still providing forgiveness. Also, if you liked the tension straight off the stringer, then with higher starting tension, it should de-tension into your optimal tension and play there for a while.

2) Alu power 16L @ 50#. Many players prefer to play poly @ 50# or lower. Better control, better comfort.

3) 4g rough @ 50/Velocity @ 50. This may not be ideal for you if you don't like low powered setup. Velocity is low powered no matter the tension. I use Velocity to lower the power of other strings. Actually, I've used poly to raise the power for Velocity. So this setup may be a complete scratch.

My recommendation would be to try Xcel @ 54 # crossed with Velocity @ 53#. Should provide you with comfort, control with not too much power. The Velocity can help with string movement. It will also deaden the feel of Xcel and lower the power. But you'll get the majority of the performance you like from the Xcel in the mains.

 

[Andrew Park]

I suggest a round poly on the softer side with Monogut Zyex cross - for power, snapback and comfort.

when you mention a round poly, do you mean something like Luxilon ALU power?

 

[Andrew Park]

You can try all three selections but different tensions.
1) Xcel 17 @57#. Should help reign in some control while still providing forgiveness. Also, if you liked the tension straight off the stringer, then with higher starting tension, it should de-tension into your optimal tension and play there for a while.

2) Alu power 16L @ 50#. Many players prefer to play poly @ 50# or lower. Better control, better comfort.

3) 4g rough @ 50/Velocity @ 50. This may not be ideal for you if you don't like low powered setup. Velocity is low powered no matter the tension. I use Velocity to lower the power of other strings. Actually, I've used poly to raise the power for Velocity. So this setup may be a complete scratch.

My recommendation would be to try Xcel @ 54 # crossed with Velocity @ 53#. Should provide you with comfort, control with not too much power. The Velocity can help with string movement. It will also deaden the feel of Xcel and lower the power. But you'll get the majority of the performance you like from the Xcel in the mains.

Wow thank you so much for all the recommendation. I will consider these options and apply it to my next restringing. One quick question. How about going 4g on main and NXT (probably duramax) on the cross? Would NXT make the setup bit more powerful?

 

[Traffic]

Wow thank you so much for all the recommendation. I will consider these options and apply it to my next restringing. One quick question. How about going 4g on main and NXT (probably duramax) on the cross? Would NXT make the setup bit more powerful?

There seems to be several variations of NXT. My only experience with it is my son played it back when he was 13. Great string. Frayed like crazy and didn't last very long even for a 13y/o. Can give it a try as a cross.

If you like how 4g plays, you could also try crossing it with Xcel.

Another combo could be to put Xcel in the mains and 4g in the cross.

Lots of different combinations you can try. Ultimately, only you can decide what grooves with you and the style of tennis you want to play. I found that what I was looking for in strings was not what was necessarily good for my tennis. I used to want a very spin friendly setup. But now I'm really splitting hairs with a comfortable control setup that is forgiving and offers good access to spin.

 

[junior74]

when you mention a round poly, do you mean something like Luxilon ALU power?

No, that's a rather stiff poly.

Soft, round: Topspin Cyber Flash, Solinco Tourbite Soft, Pro Maxim Big Ace

Soft, twisted: Gosen Sidewinder, Tourna Big Hitter Black 7, Volkl Cyclone Tour

 

[RobS]

I'd drop the tension 7 or 8 pounds and try option 3 again. Alternatively, if you don't minding the cost, try natural gut in the mains and 4g rough in the cross strings.

 

[Muppet]

String polys 5 - 10 lbs. lower than softer strings. See my signature for 2 hybrid examples.