Looser strings-->Help *cup* ball for topspin?

[naturallight]

Hi,
I'm sorry if this has been talked about before or if this is a completely obvious question, but I'm wondering if looser strings will help *cup* the ball more and provide more accuracy on topspin shots?

The reason I ask is because I demo'd a Babolat APDC with what looked to be regular syn gut. I think it was strung pretty low because the strings were moving all over the place. I loved the cupping feel I had on the topspin shots--really felt like I had a ton of control.

So I bought an APDC, but I strung it with my usually Cyberflash string at my regular high (65lb) tension (didn't want to change too many things at once). But I don't like this set-up as much as the demo--no "cupping".

Any thoughts here? I guess the obvious thing would be to restring my APDC using a syn gut at a lower tension. Has anyone else been in the same boat?
Do you think that this "cupping" feel is more due to the type of string, or more due to the tension?

thanks!

 

[Irvin]

Probably the cupping feel is more like just a softer string bed. I think tighter strings provide more spin and control than loose strings but I am starting to like the softer string bed. No matter what you call the feel whether it is cupping, softer, or whatever.

Irvin

 

[babar]

naturallight, I'm in the same boat.

I used an APDC demo recently and loved the "feel" or "cupping effect" on the ball since the racquet was strung with Babolat Fine Play 16g at 50lbs. The strings were put in 1-15-09 according the sticker on the APDC. So, I imagine the tension had dropped quite a bit.

So, I bought an APDC and strung it with Polyfibre TCS 17g at 50 lbs. It feels really nice. The power level is not as pronounced as with the Babolat Fine Play, but still pretty good. I really love the spin and grip on the ball with this set-up. My flat shots are pretty nice as well since the loose strings help with depth.

I'm planning to get another APDC and string it with Gamma TNT 16g at a loose tension to see how it feels and plays. I'll try to post up some comments once I do.

I'm a 4.0 player who plays singles and doubles about 2x a week.

Good Luck.

 

[naturallight]

Wow, 50lbs? That's pretty low. I was thinking 55.

Cool, thanks for all of the responses.

 

[mutantducky]

i've found for different racquets different results so exp with it. with my mid racquet higher=more topspin but mid-plus less tension=more.

 

[naturallight]

Alright, I strung it with Gosen syn gut at 53. Too bad it's raining now

 

[Steve Huff]

Looser strings DO give you more spin, however, most people find it difficult to control and/or keep the ball in play. In the real world, people with good strokes can get more spin with tight, low-powered strings because they can swing at the ball harder, get more racket head speed, and still keep the ball in play.

 

[Alafter]

Looser strings DO give you more spin, however, most people find it difficult to control and/or keep the ball in play. In the real world, people with good strokes can get more spin with tight, low-powered strings because they can swing at the ball harder, get more racket head speed, and still keep the ball in play.

that sounds like low tension, comparing to higher tension, gives more spin, but th increase in spin is outstripped by increase in power, therefore balls still go long.

 

[Steve Huff]

That's one way to look at it. It's probably due to the higher trajectory the ball takes leaving your racket. Depth is another way to look at it. You get more depth with looser strings.

 

[naturallight]

Ok, just hit with my new string job on my Babolat APDC--Gosen syn gut at 53 (my original was Cyberflash at 65). Definitely liked the new set-up much more. On the heavy topspin shots, I felt that "cupping" sensation again, and really had a lot more control. Also I had a lot more confidence that I could swing out on the ball and not have it hit the fence.

I understand the logic behind the traditional view that tight strings = control and loose strings = power, but I wonder if this applies more to flat ball hitters than heavy topspin hitters.

Do other heavy topspin players like the looser string set-up?

 

[volleyman]

Not sure about the physics, by I have a Volkl Cat V8 strung with Head Sonic Pro at 40 lbs right now, and it plays really well. I've not noticed a loss of control. The feel is good, especially at the net, and it's so much easier on my arm.

 

[Expired]

Well, haven't played in a week and went out to play today.
I don't know if it's just that I started hitting with more topspin, changed up my stroke a bit, or what. But my racket has definitely lost some tension since it was strung, and I feel that I can hit with more topspin now than when it was fresh.

 

[ilikephobo]

ive been wondering about this aswell!

i used to use 60 pounds. however that felt too stiff.

so now im using 57 lbs but it has dropped since then so im guessing right now i might be around 55lbs. it still feels nice.