Low, low tensions. 30lbs feels great. 20lbs pretty good, too

Kcraig

Professional
More Open Pattern w/ Low Tensions?

I love the lower tensions, but have never ventured under the 50lb range. Lowest I ever tried (and enjoyed) was 50# on my previous stick-Prince Tour Diablo MP 16*18.

Are most of you out there trying these uber low (35-45#) tensions using midsize/18x20 patterns such as Chris? My stick is a 100"16x19 and wonder how a full poly at 40# would compare in this more open pattern??:confused:. Anyone try these low setups in the more open 16x19 100'/midplus head? Thanks so much:)
 

Dot

New User
1992 Damn I'm I old!

Can't find it but i think i recall Jack Groppel looking at this in high tech tennis from 1992?? before poly and likely before some of you were born! I thought 40 was the ideal tension balancing control and power. Any way did try my old prince graphite mid at 45 with syn gut and it is awesome Switching to BLX 18X20 and will start stringing at mid forties (my age!) and creep down as low as comfortable
 

michaelavich

New User
wishing now that i had not sold my tour10 mid V-engine. low tension poly may have given me what I was missing in that frame...
 
I tried 50 pounds the other day and I seriously hit a ball over the fence in the air.:shock:

So I won't be venturing into the 30s 40s.

Thats whay happens to me when I try 50lbs!!! It goes against what we've been taught, but I get much more control from 35lbs.

After hitting for awhile with the strings you can see in the fuzz pattern on the strings its starts on one corner of the frame and ends on the other. The dwell time is insanely comfortable and useful in alot of situations. For me at least.
 
I love the lower tensions, but have never ventured under the 50lb range. Lowest I ever tried (and enjoyed) was 50# on my previous stick-Prince Tour Diablo MP 16*18.

Are most of you out there trying these uber low (35-45#) tensions using midsize/18x20 patterns such as Chris? My stick is a 100"16x19 and wonder how a full poly at 40# would compare in this more open pattern??:confused:. Anyone try these low setups in the more open 16x19 100'/midplus head? Thanks so much:)

Excellent question. I strung my racquet with Unique Big Hitter 16g mains and Lux BB Ace 18g in the crosses @ 45 pounds in my modified Yonex RDS 001 ( 98 ) (13 oz. and 27.65 in. long); open string pattern 19 x 16. I will post the results as soon as I can. I did not have the stomach to go 30 or 35 pounds.

BTW, from Tennis Magazine: The Prince that David Ferrer uses is strung @ 44 pounds with Lux BB Original... and Baggy 46/51.

http://www.tennis.com/articles/templates/gear.aspx?articleid=3035&zoneid=24
 
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C-XIII

Rookie
What could the negative effects be? Lower tension leads to less stress on the frame and that's a good thing. :)
Are you talking about the extra vibration that Chris was referring to at 10lbs?

yes the vibration and also why the rackets have a intended range,I mean obviously they have to set some standards but I was wondering on that. But hell I never really thought of less tension and less stress on the frame. Ill def be trying this out then!
 

thebuffman

Professional
what in the living world. now i am going to have to give this a shot. this thread has my mind all messed up especially after reading the article which highlights the low tensions being used by pros. i thought the majority of all pros strung at 60+. boy was i dead wrong!
 

MayDay

Semi-Pro
Maybe the next hot thing is hand stringing? :)
Special order some TW hand stringing gloves. :p

I'm currently trying 45# with Prince Syn Gut Original 17 with positive results. I'll also take the plunge into 30# in a week to see if I get a little more "ball pocketing" feel.
 
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jk175d

Semi-Pro
I feel like some of you are missing a key point. A lot of you are talking about your results from stringing in the 40's and even low 50's and saying there's too much trampoline so you don't want to go lower. But from what Chris has reported I gather there is a threshold which is crossed somewhere in the low 30's which creates a totally different set of circumstances and "low tension" effect. So those of you saying you tried the 40's but weren't brave enough to go into the 30's, I don't think you have even touched on what Chris has been experiencing with his low tensions. It sounds like 30's is not more of the same from the 40's and 50's, when you get that low is becomes something new altogether.

I'm REALLY curious to try this out but I've been playing so well lately with my 52/55 hybrid set-up that I'm reluctant to throw a wrench into the works. I'll probably try 30 on an old frame I don't use anymore though anyway just to see for myself.
 

jrod

Hall of Fame
I feel like some of you are missing a key point. A lot of you are talking about your results from stringing in the 40's and even low 50's and saying there's too much trampoline so you don't want to go lower. But from what Chris has reported I gather there is a threshold which is crossed somewhere in the low 30's which creates a totally different set of circumstances and "low tension" effect. So those of you saying you tried the 40's but weren't brave enough to go into the 30's, I don't think you have even touched on what Chris has been experiencing with his low tensions. It sounds like 30's is not more of the same from the 40's and 50's, when you get that low is becomes something new altogether.

Agree. I'm still having a really hard time imagining what 30 lbs would feel like, never mind how it plays. I do get the sense that it produces a heavier ball. In fact, there is a fellow I occasionally hit with who strings his frame with poly in this range. His strokes are very old school, yet his ball can be very deceiving in terms of weight an pace. I'm not sure how to describe it but it can be very difficult to handle.

I'm REALLY curious to try this out but I've been playing so well lately with my 52/55 hybrid set-up that I'm reluctant to throw a wrench into the works. I'll probably try 30 on an old frame I don't use anymore though anyway just to see for myself.
I'm in the same boat as you...extremely happy with my current set-up. Quite frankly, it's hard to imagine what improvement might result from lowering the tension. I suspect from reading Chris' blog it might lead to a heavier ball, but since I'm not the one receiving what I generate, the feedback is subject to interpretation. I really wish there was a way I could play myself so I could get a better sense as to what it's like to be on the receiving end of my game.
 

Audiophile

Rookie
Chris,

I have been keeping an eye on this thread and reading every blog you have posted. I want to thank you for sharing your experience with me, as well as other members. I think its great to be able to share this type of knowledge with so many.

I have for years played with sub 50 tensions, but never down to 30. After your posts, I'm certainly going to give it a try.

Keep up the great work! :)
 

dman72

Hall of Fame
I feel like some of you are missing a key point. A lot of you are talking about your results from stringing in the 40's and even low 50's and saying there's too much trampoline so you don't want to go lower. But from what Chris has reported I gather there is a threshold which is crossed somewhere in the low 30's which creates a totally different set of circumstances and "low tension" effect. So those of you saying you tried the 40's but weren't brave enough to go into the 30's, I don't think you have even touched on what Chris has been experiencing with his low tensions. It sounds like 30's is not more of the same from the 40's and 50's, when you get that low is becomes something new altogether.

I'm REALLY curious to try this out but I've been playing so well lately with my 52/55 hybrid set-up that I'm reluctant to throw a wrench into the works. I'll probably try 30 on an old frame I don't use anymore though anyway just to see for myself.

I think an even more important aspect of this whole thing is the type of string. We discussed this phenomenom back in one of the "Kevlar at low tensions" threads.

Because Poly and kevlar are not elastic, lowering tensions does not have the same effect with them as lowering gut or synthetic gut. I felt that my kevlar jobs in the low 40's felt very mushy, but actually were way underpowered compared to the same set up in the 50's. This is because they just give when you hit the ball, but don't snap back.

It's kind of like the difference between a flexible and stiff frame. The flexible frame does not "snap back" enough to have any effect on the flight of the ball in terms of propelling it..it gives on impact decreasing power...the frame returning to its normal shape has no effect on the flight of the ball.

When you lower tensions on very stiff strings, you get similar effects. But make no mistake, it feels very mushy.
 

endbegin

Rookie
Can't wait to see the videos, Chris.

I have always played around 60 lbs but am stringing one of my frames with all poly at 50. Yes, I know it isn't 30 lbs (!) but baby steps ...
 

Xenakis

Hall of Fame
Tried stringing up an old frame at 17kg/37.4lbs last night (Yonex RD-Ti 70 Long MP. Gamma Advantage 15L) Played a set with it earlier.

It's not that low I suppose and the Gamma string isn't exactly a top notch co-poly but it worked ok. Will go lower next time, going to have to take one weight off my dropweight I think as I've run out of scale on the two weight ruler (only goes down to 16kg)

Definitely more ball pocketing and spin, but I'll need to adjust for volleys and drop shots etc. Very comfortable too which is nice.

Will try stringing my main frame (Vantage 95 18x20) at about 30lbs next I think.
 

Kcraig

Professional
Okay, so my racquets sat over the weekend and I took them out again today. I hit with the 10lbs racquet and the 30lbs racquet again, plus one at my regular 52lbs.

Here's my blog from today's hit:
http://blog.tenniswarehouse.com/?p=1167

We shot some video and will try to get it posted soon.

Cheers,
Chris, TW.

Awesome stuff Chris--but as I stated in my earlier post, all these low tensions are with midsize 95" and tight 18*20 string patterns. I am curious on how this same experiment would work out on a larger head (100") and a more open pattern such as 16*19.:confused: My assumption is that feel would be great, but control would be suffer! Any insight here? Thanks so much for taking the plunge for us all-:)
 

TW Staff

Administrator
Awesome stuff Chris--but as I stated in my earlier post, all these low tensions are with midsize 95" and tight 18*20 string patterns. I am curious on how this same experiment would work out on a larger head (100") and a more open pattern such as 16*19.:confused: My assumption is that feel would be great, but control would be suffer! Any insight here? Thanks so much for taking the plunge for us all-:)

I'm actually splitting the difference -- midsize but a 16x19 pattern.

Jason just strung his PB9 at 35lbs which is a 98sq. in. and a 16x19. Will be interesting to see how it hits.

Chris, TW
 

Shangri La

Hall of Fame
Okay, so my racquets sat over the weekend and I took them out again today. I hit with the 10lbs racquet and the 30lbs racquet again, plus one at my regular 52lbs.

Here's my blog from today's hit:
http://blog.tenniswarehouse.com/?p=1167

We shot some video and will try to get it posted soon.

Cheers,
Chris, TW.

Ohh, the madness...

This is really intriguing. I wonder if extreme low tensions only work with poly strings - what about multi/gut?
 

Kcraig

Professional
I'm actually splitting the difference -- midsize but a 16x19 pattern.

Jason just strung his PB9 at 35lbs which is a 98sq. in. and a 16x19. Will be interesting to see how it hits.

Chris, TW

Def interested in Jason's PB9 results. That stick is very similar to my BLX Open I have modified to 340g. Do you know what poly he is going with? thanks Chris!:)

KC
 

ClubHoUno

Banned
Ohh, the madness...

This is really intriguing. I wonder if extreme low tensions only work with poly strings - what about multi/gut?

I use a hybrid of VS Team 17 mains @ 48 lbs and Luxilon Alu Power crosses @ 44 lbs in my 2 Völkl PB10 Mid's - this is the lowest I've tried in my life.

I would think a full job of multi or gut should not be strung lower than 50 lbs depending on frame size and string pattern tightness of course.

But when doing a hybrid of a soft multi or gut with a stiff poly, you CAN go pretty low, but not as low as the 25 lbs or 10 lbs Chris and the TW Team are testing full poly at currently.
 

TW Staff

Administrator
Def interested in Jason's PB9 results. That stick is very similar to my BLX Open I have modified to 340g. Do you know what poly he is going with? thanks Chris!:)

KC

I had my Powerbridge 9 strung with Solinco Outlast.

Jason, TW
 

edberger

New User
After reading Chris' blog, I embarked on this low tension experiment using one of my extra PC600s strung with my regular setup of SPPP & Maxim Touch, except at 35 lb. I normally string at 54/52.

My first observation of this experiment was that stringing the racquet was actually more difficult at 35 versus 54/52. At such low tension, the mains flop around like rubber bands and makes weaving the crosses more of a chore.

On the court, my impressions mirrored Chris' (for the most part). The first thing I noticed was that ball pocketing was excellent! I could really feel the stringbed deflection and the ball seemed to dwell much longer. Like Chris noted, spin is definitely an advantage of this kind of setup. The strings really seemed to grab the ball. I don't have very spinny strokes to begin with, but my partner commented that my groundies were definitely jumping off the court much more. Low slices were great...I could really carve into them, especially when stretched wide. Volleys were okay. I didn't need to be as firm to make the ball go. But this brings me to the big disadvantage of low tension (IMO). While spin was great, I felt a big loss in directional control. When I hit the ball flat, or tried to angle it, the results were less predictable than with my normal tension. It was also a little more difficult to control the depth (not because trampolining, but more of uncertainty in the angle that the ball is coming off the strings). Maybe this is something that just takes more time to get used to.

All in all, a very interesting experiment! I'll continue to playtest this stick to see what else I can learn.

Keep up the good work, Chris, and thanks inspiring some interesting conversation!
 

rasajadad

Hall of Fame
As I've previously posted, I string for a client who uses a Prince Graphite 125 with full gut at 13 lbs. in a 1-piece. He can hit with incredibly well-disguised touch and underspin. A post script to this story is that when he asks me to restring, I simply untie the knots and undo the string recoil it and store it. I just tried reusing it in a friend's racquet (at 55lbs.) He loves it.
 

Jack & Coke

Professional
Head Classic Mid ( 18 x 20 )
M: CyberFlash, 1.30 @ 30 lbs.
C: MSV Focus Hex, 1.27 @ 30 lbs.

  • so far so good, a really fun experience!
  • Topspin FH - very nice! Noticed an increase in errors from my opponents trying to return my lefty kick FH's. Also noticed that I started doing more Nadal-style reverse-forehands. I didn't mean to, things just kinda worked out that way.
  • Slice BH - great bite, and more effective.
  • Spin serves (twist, kick, slice).. jumping! Got some great action on the ball with less effort.
  • Flat serves - heavy, but less consistant (my % went way down)
  • Topspin BH - less consistant, still need to make adjustments to the low tension on this side.. dumped a lot into the net.
 

corners

Legend
Head Classic Mid ( 18 x 20 )
M: CyberFlash, 1.30 @ 30 lbs.
C: MSV Focus Hex, 1.27 @ 30 lbs.

  • so far so good, a really fun experience!
  • Topspin FH - very nice! Noticed an increase in errors from my opponents trying to return my lefty kick FH's. Also noticed that I started doing more Nadal-style reverse-forehands. I didn't mean to, things just kinda worked out that way.
  • Slice BH - great bite, and more effective.
  • Spin serves (twist, kick, slice).. jumping! Got some great action on the ball with less effort.
  • Flat serves - heavy, but less consistant (my % went way down)
  • Topspin BH - less consistant, still need to make adjustments to the low tension on this side.. dumped a lot into the net.

J&C, Why the textured strings in the cross?
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
My prelimary test. 45 min of groundies, no serves or volleys.
Racquet: blx pro tour 18x20
String: alu power
Tension: 30

Racquet was pinging like crazy. I put a worm dampener in it and it went completely silent. Dead quiet. And this frame was cracking with co-poly at 52 and a dampener.

My spin was just dirty. I had no idea what the ball was going to do until it bounced due to the lack of sound. Also, my flat shots were flatter. Just grazing off the court. Fh and bh slice was dying on impact rather than skinning. CC forehand was the best, I could really angle it off.
So far, all positive except for the wierd silence.
 

corners

Legend
heh.. cause I have a reel of it :)

Ah. My impression is that textured polys really only do what they're intended to do, increase friction between ball and string, when they are in the mains. I also think that Hexs, due to their sharp edges, cut through mains more quickly than a smooth cross. I tried Hex 18L as a full job one time and the crosses sliced through the mains in half an hour - they were well notched after 10 minutes. Never had any other strings break so fast on me (although I've rarely used strings that thin either). Since then I've always put shaped polys only in the mains. Just my $.02.
 

PimpMyGame

Hall of Fame
Ah. My impression is that textured polys really only do what they're intended to do, increase friction between ball and string, when they are in the mains. I also think that Hexs, due to their sharp edges, cut through mains more quickly than a smooth cross. I tried Hex 18L as a full job one time and the crosses sliced through the mains in half an hour - they were well notched after 10 minutes. Never had any other strings break so fast on me (although I've rarely used strings that thin either). Since then I've always put shaped polys only in the mains. Just my $.02.

I have used a textured string in the cross before, again like J&C because it was lying around. I used it to tame the power of natural gut in the mains to very good effect. However, I'm not a string breaker...
 

jrod

Hall of Fame
I didn't get a chance to do the hand pull tension test today due to being in meetings and running out of time. However, we do have the video done of me hitting at 10lbs, 30lbs and at 52lbs.

Here it is:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/video/StringTension.html

Cheers,
Chris, TW.


Thanks for the video Chris....Watching it I can't tell diddly (big surprise?). Gonna have to try it myself to see. Last week I hit with a guy who hits perhaps the heaviest ball I've had to deal with in a long time. I could feel my frame bending and cupping the ball against him....I can't even begin to imagine what a 30lb string job will feel like against this guy...a "slingshot" comes to mind.
 

Xenakis

Hall of Fame
Played today with my Vantage 95 strung at 30lbs (Gamma Advantage and Black Code)

Very pleased with it. Definitely pockets the ball well and my forehand was much improved (not been playing that long so tend to overhit my forehand and it lacks spin, this extra pocketing effect made my shots dip down nicely into the court, most of the time anyway.)

2HBH had more power (my best shot), serve about the same, volleys and dropshots were better apart from some reaching defensive shots that went long (need a minor adjustment there, no biggie.)

Also was really comfortable to play with.

I'm sold. Thanks for publishing the experiment Chris, I might try 20lbs next time.
 

TW Staff

Administrator
Thanks for the video Chris....Watching it I can't tell diddly (big surprise?). Gonna have to try it myself to see. Last week I hit with a guy who hits perhaps the heaviest ball I've had to deal with in a long time. I could feel my frame bending and cupping the ball against him....I can't even begin to imagine what a 30lb string job will feel like against this guy...a "slingshot" comes to mind.

It is really hard to see the spin on video. If anything, I think the video just demonstrates that I can go out and hit the way I would normally hit -- even at 10lbs. Something I did not expect to be possible going into this test.

Going to go hand pull tension right now, then hit with Spencer. Will post how it all goes.

Chris, TW.
 

duffman

Rookie
I tried Big hitter blue in a pure storm tour 16 x 20 in 54 and 38 lbs. At 38, like previously reported I could really feel the pocketing and got wicked spin. But I actually didn't find it that comfortable. It vibrated like crazy (I dont use dampeners) and while the intial pocketing felt nice it felt like it got to a point where the poly just stopped stretching and then felt kind of harsh. It felt like the stringbed just bottomed out. I do hit the ball pretty hard and with lots of spin so I tried backing off a bit and with a slower swing speed I didn't have that same bottoming out feeling but I can't play like that. I then went to the 54 lb racquet and it just felt soooo much better. It looks like this will be a short experiment for me although I will miss the pop from serving with the tension at 38!

I was also very surprised that there was still lots of control to be had with the low tension. The guys I was hitting with were laughing when I told them about the low tension racquet, but very intrigued with the spin generated and the retained control. But like I said earlier the bottoming out harsness feeling is a deal killer for me...
 

Jack & Coke

Professional
Some quick comments from someone I know who has a lot of experience using various super low tension set-ups:
  • thinks it's GREAT for groundies (increased action for topspin and slice)
  • SUCKS for volleys because the reverse is true.
  • heavy passing shots have traction on your loose string bed and deflect with less prediciton (more difficult to control). Thus, you are left to being more conservative and "blocking" back heavy passes with your volley (which is a weaker shot)
  • had great results with low tension in singles, not so much in dubs.
  • tough on low volley digs, which are the most important ones in dubs.
  • can only really "attack" soft balls when at the net
  • for dubs, a compromise is need.. (i.e. don't go super low in tension since volleys are more frequent and critical)
 

Ripper014

Hall of Fame
Some quick comments from someone I know who has a lot of experience using various super low tension set-ups:
  • thinks it's GREAT for groundies (increased action for topspin and slice)
  • SUCKS for volleys because the reverse is true.
  • heavy passing shots have traction on your loose string bed and deflect with less prediciton (more difficult to control). Thus, you are left to being more conservative and "blocking" back heavy passes with your volley (which is a weaker shot)
  • had great results with low tension in singles, not so much in dubs.
  • tough on low volley digs, which are the most important ones in dubs.
  • can only really "attack" soft balls when at the net
  • for dubs, a compromise is need.. (i.e. don't go super low in tension since volleys are more frequent and critical)



I have tested low tension off and on since the 80's, and everytime I find that I struggle with control issues. The dreaded slingshot issue... now again I am tempted to try it this time with a poly.

As far as low tensions and being unable to volley... well the most famous low tension player I know is perhaps the best volleyer ever, and not surprisingly in my opinion the best doubles player to ever pick up a racket. Yes none of us have his talent, but I would not say it couldn't be done.

I am just waiting for a string to break and I will try test a low tension poly string job.
 
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Jack & Coke

Professional
but I would not say it couldn't be done

Just to be clear.. I believe the comments my friend made were regarding his experience with ultra-low tensions (i.e. sub 30's) and the volley stroke.

I played dubs the other night (Head Classic Mid 18 x 20, 127 mm, 30 lbs.), with no increase in difficultly at the net. Then again, I was cognisant of my low tension set-up, and probably made micro adjustments out there without realizing it.
 

TW Staff

Administrator
I strung my Volkl Power Bridge 10 mid at 35lbs and I have been testing this tension for just over a week now. I love the feel at 35 vs my normal 53 lbs and I am surprised by how controllable the low tension is. I have noticed an increase in spin potential and my backhand slice stays lower to the ground and is more accurate. The string that I have in my Pb10 mid is Luxilon M2 at 35lbs and my other racquet has Solinco Revolution at 53. Today was the first day that I tested serving with the low tension and my first serve percentage was astonishing. I don't want to give the tension the credit, only because I made an adjustment on my serve. For the time being, I am going to continue using the low tension cause I love it.

Danny, TW
 
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TourTenor

Professional
I didn't get a chance to do the hand pull tension test today due to being in meetings and running out of time. However, we do have the video done of me hitting at 10lbs, 30lbs and at 52lbs.

Here it is:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/video/StringTension.html

Cheers,
Chris, TW.
Chris, Thanks for the video and interesting tests. Here are a few questions and comments ...

How were hard first serves at 10 and 30? It sounds like spin is easy and flat is not. Specifically, was first serve directional control an issue for you? If so, it seems that hitting spots in the service box would be tough.

Did your partner react to the 10 and 30 versions differently because he wasn't used to it? I would imagine that it was all new to him and that he would find it more comfortable with some time.

And, how was the string movement at the lower tensions? I really hate moving strings after every point. I would guess that at 10lbs you would have some serious spaghetti issues!

I look forward to hearing more about your experiment. I am also wondering about string longevity. I would think the 10lb version would tend to last the longest however, maybe not ... as there might be more sawing of the strings at the lower tensions???

Cheers.
 

Pwned

Hall of Fame
Because of this thread I tried Genesis SpinX at ~38lbs in my POG OS and definitely like it. When I switched back to my other racquet strung at 55 with SpinX the stiffness and lack of power was immediately apparent. I had about 15 straight balls land in the net or short. Even with the softness of SpinX the difference was quite large. No control issues with 38 and my serve was popping nicely. I have been doing well with the low tension and volleys too. Going to go for ~32 next string job. Very little to no string movement. I don't really have to fix them ever.

BTW SpinX rocks.
 
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Pwned

Hall of Fame
I just think..this phenomenon is due to most people using syntectic strings.

If we where using poly's..the stringbed with such a low tension with be uncontrolable, right?

I remmeber not long ago a lot of threads on this forum about how to control the Babolat Pure Drive power....

How would you say now about the pure drive with a lively poly string ..strung at 30 lbs? It would be like a cannon, right?

I think we would need to have match play experience and reports on this low tension thing.

One thing is to hit with 20 lbs...another very different is to play a league game with 20 lbs.
Poly strings are usually lower powered....
 

ronalditop

Hall of Fame
I tried Big hitter blue in a pure storm tour 16 x 20 in 54 and 38 lbs. At 38, like previously reported I could really feel the pocketing and got wicked spin. But I actually didn't find it that comfortable. It vibrated like crazy (I dont use dampeners) and while the intial pocketing felt nice it felt like it got to a point where the poly just stopped stretching and then felt kind of harsh. It felt like the stringbed just bottomed out. I do hit the ball pretty hard and with lots of spin so I tried backing off a bit and with a slower swing speed I didn't have that same bottoming out feeling but I can't play like that. I then went to the 54 lb racquet and it just felt soooo much better. It looks like this will be a short experiment for me although I will miss the pop from serving with the tension at 38!

I was also very surprised that there was still lots of control to be had with the low tension. The guys I was hitting with were laughing when I told them about the low tension racquet, but very intrigued with the spin generated and the retained control. But like I said earlier the bottoming out harsness feeling is a deal killer for me...

So you felt the stringbed was harsher at 38lbs rather than at 54 ? That's weird. I'd thought it was the opposite.
 

Ripper014

Hall of Fame
Like I said my experience with low tensions have alway revolved around control issues. I have friends that have played low tension all their lives and do it well, the difference is that I play with very fast swing speeds to generate my pace. Control for me has always been what I am looking for... power I have at my disposal.

Prior to returning to tennis from my haitus I was playing with a PS 6.0 85 strung at 72lbs. It provided me with the control I was looking for. Since my return I have switched frames to a PS Tour 90 and have lower my tension slightly to 64lbs using a hybrid of mulit and co-poly. My timing is not what it was... but I am playing a comfortable game.

But like I said... after reading this thread I have been bitten and am looking to see what low tensions may have in store for me. My initial thought is that things have not changed and that this combination is not made for players that rely on fast swing speeds in their games... but I am willing to give it another shot. And I will try hard to approach it with an open mind.

My plan is not to go to an ultra low tension like is being tested here... but a hybrid solution at around 42lbs.
 
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duffman

Rookie
So you felt the stringbed was harsher at 38lbs rather than at 54 ? That's weird. I'd thought it was the opposite.

The stringbed was much softer at 38, but I felt like the stringbed stretched to a point where it couldn't stretch anymore which felt like a bottoming out feeling and that was the harshness I was feeling. I would liken it to setting up your suspension on a mtn bike or car too soft. It feels great going over the small bumps but when you hit a big one it blows through the travel and hits the bumpstop and BAM! That is where I was feeling the harshness if that makes any sense...
 
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