Keep busting strings on my O3 red - help!

[limitup]

Ok this is getting ridiculous. I'm a fairly new player and bought an O3 red. They strung it up with some type of synthetic string. Within 3 hours of play I busted a main.

Had it restrung, but while I was waiting for it to get restrung I started using a buddies racquet and stuck with that one for awhile. I pulled out my O3 today and boom, within 3 hours I busted a main again. Right smack dab in the middle of the stringbed.

Now, both of these times they were freshly strung and the string busted within a few hours. This can't be normal, right?

I don't know exactly what kind of string it is but it's some type of Wilson synthetic. I'm trying to make out the tiny writing on the busted string and it says something like Wilson Ultra Synthetic Gut 16 something ...

Both times it busted on a normal topspin forehand. I use a SW grip. Both times it was strung right around 60 lbs.

My first question is, can this be caused by crappy form i.e. am I doing something to cause this, or is it just really bad luck?

I don't want to use 15s ... so what should I do here? Do string savers really work? I'm looking at this busted main and it's crazy - the string is halfway gone in at least 4 or 5 places.

 

[Love Provider]

...first question is, can this be caused by crappy form i.e. am I doing something to cause this...

Could very well be the case.

...string savers really work...

Yes and I'd change to different string completely (try Prince Syn. Gut w/Duraflex).

 

[David Pavlich]

If your string is popping in the middle, then it's the fact that you are hitting with topspin with a racquet that has a fairly open string pattern.

You could try some Prince syngut/duraflex 16. If that doesn't give you any better durability, you could try a hybrid of something like Wilson Enduro Tour 17 in the mains and Prince syngut/duraflex in the crosses.

David

 

[hummer23]

O3 frames have very open stringpatterns, and they tend to really pocket the ball, putting a lot of stress on the strings. If they movve around alot, this is a combo that will have you popping frequently. I'd advise using a poly main, or maybe Prince Problend, which has a very durable kevlar main, and syn gut cross. Its a great sting, i use it often. the mains wont be sawed through too easily, and it is very durable. Give that a try if the synethtics are popping to fast.

 

[meh]

don't bother with string savers...not worth the effort for a cheap syn gut job.

Either go down to 15L gauge, or start using a hybrid. Since you didn't even make the choice on your current string, just buy whatever's the cheapest, since you probably won't notice the difference much anyways.

I suggest:
Gosen Polylon/Polylon Ice (polyester for the mains)
and Gosen OG Sheep Micro (syn gut for the crosses)

eh I like Gosen, but the two strings above are available in 660' reels for $30, which is a very good deal, and the OG Sheep is arguably, along with PSG, the best synthetic gut. Basically, you can try any poly on the mains and syn gut on the crosses, and you should be fine. You didn't break the crosses, but if they do show significant fraying, then use a full poly job (if your arm can take it) or thicken the gauge on the crosses.

or you could continue with what you're doing and play through a set in 3 hours...that way you would always have fresh strings...

 

[limitup]

don't bother with string savers...not worth the effort for a cheap syn gut job

What I'm really trying to do is save myself the hassle of having to drive 25 miles, drop off my racquet, and then go back the next day to pick it up. I can't find anyone decent nearby to string my racquets. The only nearby option is a sports authority store but I don't think I want them to do it ...

Thanks for all the replies. I will definitely try some different strings.