nadal strings

M

monkeyisland90

Rookie
so nadal uses babolat hurricane pro tour polyester or does he have hybrid with the hurricane string? also anyone know what he strings the hurricane at?

I heard polyester needs to be dropped 5lbs due to string retaining its tension...?

so if i string at 60lbs usually.. i should go 55lb? is that why nadal might have low tension?
 
last i heard he strings his racquet with the same string for the whole thing, something he changed to this year
 
Lots of questions about what these top top guys are really using. but seems like he's switched to RPM or possibly the black PHT

You can drop tension 5-10% usually. Do a quick search - there's a lot of threads on that topic
 
monkeyisland90 said:
so nadal uses babolat hurricane pro tour polyester or does he have hybrid with the hurricane string? also anyone know what he strings the hurricane at?

I heard polyester needs to be dropped 5lbs due to string retaining its tension...?

so if i string at 60lbs usually.. i should go 55lb? is that why nadal might have low tension?
Click to expand...

If it is an issue what he strings at...then disregard it. He has lower tension because he likes it and..if he doesn't break it, he cuts it out after 30mins.

Nadal doesn't have to worry about string maintenance.. he needs a dead poly to kill the power from his apd rocket launcher and get the drop so that his boomerangs go in the court before they rebound all the way back to him.:twisted:
Once he "kills" this string and bashes the life out of it, he can afford to get it strung up and do it all over again....
Find a poly or string you like..test various tensions... and see if it meets YOUR needs. Unless you can swing it as fast as Nadal then dial in RPM or whatever pure poly he is using... and HIT IT!
 
Nadal's reel is marked "Babolat Power," but on the string, the printing says, "Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour 15L." However, the string is not cylindrical, it is octagonal. This is his new black string we're talking about.

In comparison, his reel used to indicate that it was "Pro Hurricane Nadal," the string itself read "Pro Hurricane Tour," and it clearly was Duralast 15L.

More here:

http://www.hdtennis.com/grs/pro_racquet_specs/200703nadal_babolat.html

At the 2010 BNP Paribas Open he use 25.5 for tension, and had 35 racquets strung up.
 
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Don't understand where the reference to Blast came from, but several of the pros using Blast seem to like it. I don't remember the Duralast being octagonal. And if Nadal was still using the same string, why change the color and the label on the reel? For that matter, why change anything?
 
he had 35 rackets strung up? isnt that bad? don't pros get rackets strung up like the day before because otherwise they lose their playability?
 
^^^^^up a bit but its up there^^^^^
Nadal's string is actually just babolat duralast, that says pro hurricane tour "Nadal" on the reel... The new black string he is using is also just duralast but since babolat wants to sell their new string RPM Blast that comes out next month in April they are just promoting the string by saying that Nadal uses it. And it kinda makes sense since RPM Blast is going to be alot more expensive then just plain old duralast. So its basically just a painted version of duralast that they dont sell to the public
 
Well a well known and respectable ex-pro and now pundit on SKY Sports in the UK addressed this debate in his commentary and he states quite clearly that Nadal HAS in fact changed strings.
 
holy crap this has been talked about SO much

if he has switched he's using RPM Blast, Babolat is claiming that he is using RPM Blast, whether he actually is is a different story.

I met a professional Babolat-sponsored player that was giving out packs of RPM Blast saying that it was what Nadal was using
 
Chezbeeno said:
holy crap this has been talked about SO much

if he has switched he's using RPM Blast, Babolat is claiming that he is using RPM Blast, whether he actually is is a different story.

I met a professional Babolat-sponsored player that was giving out packs of RPM Blast saying that it was what Nadal was using
Click to expand...

I remember that, right next to the guy handing out pamphlets on how the world was coming to and end...
 
jackson vile said:
I remember that, right next to the guy handing out pamphlets on how the world was coming to and end...
Click to expand...

my bad, I didn't explain, I go to a tennis academy that is Babolat sponsored and occasionally sponsored players on the tour come by, I promise you that this actually happened
 
Greg Raven said:
Nadal's reel is marked "Babolat Power," but on the string, the printing says, "Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour 15L." However, the string is not cylindrical, it is octagonal. This is his new black string we're talking about.

In comparison, his reel used to indicate that it was "Pro Hurricane Nadal," the string itself read "Pro Hurricane Tour," and it clearly was Duralast 15L.

More here:

http://www.hdtennis.com/grs/pro_racquet_specs/200703nadal_babolat.html

At the 2010 BNP Paribas Open he use 25.5 for tension, and had 35 racquets strung up.
Click to expand...

Quoted for info.

Guys I think Greg was stringing at IW and this is what he is using no need to discuss further.
 
Greg Raven said:
Don't understand where the reference to Blast came from, but several of the pros using Blast seem to like it. I don't remember the Duralast being octagonal. And if Nadal was still using the same string, why change the color and the label on the reel? For that matter, why change anything?
Click to expand...

It's called MARKETING.
 
Greg Raven said:
Nadal's reel is marked "Babolat Power," but on the string, the printing says, "Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour 15L." However, the string is not cylindrical, it is octagonal. This is his new black string we're talking about.

In comparison, his reel used to indicate that it was "Pro Hurricane Nadal," the string itself read "Pro Hurricane Tour," and it clearly was Duralast 15L.

More here:

http://www.hdtennis.com/grs/pro_racquet_specs/200703nadal_babolat.html

At the 2010 BNP Paribas Open he use 25.5 for tension, and had 35 racquets strung up.
Click to expand...

Greg, this is interesting because it is:

a) clearly not duralast - you know what it looks like, good enough for me.
b) raises questions as to what it could be, maybe another prototype ?(ie not RPM not PHT Black, not Duralast)
What do you think?
 
I had a set of Nadal's string given to me. It was black and octagonal. Wether it was RPM blast or not i don't know because the string was unmarked and it didn't come in a box. It was most definitely not Duralast. I might be able to find out tomorrow wether or not it is RPM blast or infact something completely different.
 
it is rpm blast for sure, i was told by a babolat rep, he confirmed it and the strings are due out in april to the rest of the public.
 
gimlestob commentating tonight's match vs tsonga, said that nadal uses rpm after he got an e-mail from the best stringer in the world lol
 
Chezbeeno said:
holy crap this has been talked about SO much

if he has switched he's using RPM Blast, Babolat is claiming that he is using RPM Blast, whether he actually is is a different story.

I met a professional Babolat-sponsored player that was giving out packs of RPM Blast saying that it was what Nadal was using
Click to expand...

Has anyone hit with RPM?
 
EKnee08 said:
Gimelstob clearly stated that he received the message from Nate Ferguson.
Click to expand...

Ok so Nate is giving out tips on strings to nadal ?? That makes NO sense. if anything,,, Eric Babolat personally would give heads up to Nadal about any new strings that Rafa may like potential. Nadal signed a 10 Year multi Million dollar deal and he is treated like part owner of Babolat or something like that....
 
EKnee08 said:
Has anyone hit with RPM?
Click to expand...


i have now. the string is totally different to pro hurricane. the shape is indeed the same but rpm blast is a lot more reactive. rpm is the most reactive and responsive string I have ever hit with. I'm not saying it is better than PHT but it is very different. the mains bite and hold the ball incredibly.the string is almost electric in it's feel. this is a string made for rafa and players with a similar game to his. when stringing rpm I'd highly recommend dropping a few pounds in the crosses to get the most out of them. durability of the string is much like pht which is actually very good considering.I'd say for once a string actually lives up to all it's hype!
 
Fedace said:
Ok so Nate is giving out tips on strings to nadal ?? That makes NO sense. if anything,,, Eric Babolat personally would give heads up to Nadal about any new strings that Rafa may like potential. Nadal signed a 10 Year multi Million dollar deal and he is treated like part owner of Babolat or something like that....
Click to expand...

Not what I said. Just that Nate Ferguson must have heard the telecast or actually was communicating with someone involved with the broadcast and to answer Gimelstob's question, sent him a text message with the name of the string.
Is either or both Rafa or Tsonga Priority 1 clients? or maybe Ferguson was aware of what string Rafa was using from one of his colleagues
 
NikeUp said:
i have now. the string is totally different to pro hurricane. the shape is indeed the same but rpm blast is a lot more reactive. rpm is the most reactive and responsive string I have ever hit with. I'm not saying it is better than PHT but it is very different. the mains bite and hold the ball incredibly.the string is almost electric in it's feel. this is a string made for rafa and players with a similar game to his. when stringing rpm I'd highly recommend dropping a few pounds in the crosses to get the most out of them. durability of the string is much like pht which is actually very good considering.I'd say for once a string actually lives up to all it's hype!
Click to expand...

How harsh is it on the arm?
 
just like to correct my post. turns out what I demoed was rafa's actual string but NOT rpm blast. I demoed a set of the stock rpm this afternoon and it is more or less a black pht but maybe a little stiffer. nothing to get excited about. rafa's string however is something else. the babolat rep couldn't or wouldn't give me a name or release date for this string which is odd. the rpm will be in shops in the uk in may and official release june.

r.e fedace, both strings were quite tough on the arm. the rafa one especially.
 
so what is a ocatagonal string? it's not cylnder shaped like normal? does this allow more bite to the ball for players with lot of spin?

anyways... before all this nadals string i orignally posted.. he did use babolat hurrican tour pro though full set before his new change right?

does the hurrican pro a octagonal shape?
\
 
monkeyisland90 said:
so what is a ocatagonal string? it's not cylnder shaped like normal? does this allow more bite to the ball for players with lot of spin?

anyways... before all this nadals string i orignally posted.. he did use babolat hurrican tour pro though full set before his new change right?

does the hurrican pro a octagonal shape?
\
Click to expand...

No, he used Babolat Duralast. An old, simple poly, that he had been using since he was 14.

Octagonal means 8 sided. The Hurricane tour is 8 sided as oppossed to the normal hurricane which is cylindrical. You're right, the purpose is to give you more bite on the ball. It's down side is obviously that it isn't as durable because of it's texture.

And as to the name of Rafa's new string, so far no one has any idea. But it isn't RPM Blast that's for sure. What i've discovered seconds what Greg Raven was saying. Kudos to anyone who can put a name to Rafa's mystery string....
 
From pics that FabFed posted (of Nadal's actual stick with painted cortex and fully strung) it had PHT printed on the string. Who knows if that's the real deal however.
 
NikeUp said:
just like to correct my post. turns out what I demoed was rafa's actual string but NOT rpm blast. I demoed a set of the stock rpm this afternoon and it is more or less a black pht but maybe a little stiffer. nothing to get excited about. rafa's string however is something else. the babolat rep couldn't or wouldn't give me a name or release date for this string which is odd. the rpm will be in shops in the uk in may and official release june.

r.e fedace, both strings were quite tough on the arm. the rafa one especially.
Click to expand...

the reason they can't give you a release date is because they are rushing it, don't really know when they can land it...RPM was the prototype, PHT Black is still floating around in sample packs and now this other Nadal string...lots of marketing problems here. It is causing lots of confusion but should sort itself out by mid July! :)
Supply to UK is proving even more difficult...
 
Of course the rep would say that! He would also say that he uses an Aero Drive GT with cortex.... Doenst mean it's true.
 
NikeUp said:
Of course the rep would say that! He would also say that he uses an Aero Drive GT with cortex.... Doenst mean it's true.
Click to expand...

I am not quoting a rep...with respect to them...they may be the last to know!

My comment is more on vague info. from babolat...confusion with so many strings being released at once and their supply problems...other countries may be faring better.
 
There is no black pro hurricane tour. My refrence to it was that i was merely comenting that retail off the shelf RPM Blast is more or less a black pro hurricane tour, maybe a little stiffer if you're being generous.

RPM blast is coming to certain tennis specialists stores in the UK on May 1st and then general release is June.

The actuall string in which Rafa is using is yet to be identified!
 
NikeUp said:
just like to correct my post. turns out what I demoed was rafa's actual string but NOT rpm blast. I demoed a set of the stock rpm this afternoon and it is more or less a black pht but maybe a little stiffer. nothing to get excited about. rafa's string however is something else. the babolat rep couldn't or wouldn't give me a name or release date for this string which is odd. the rpm will be in shops in the uk in may and official release june.

r.e fedace, both strings were quite tough on the arm. the rafa one especially.
Click to expand...

Are you talking about the B-432-C string from Babolat? This is the RPM blast for sure (100%). You can already buy the RPM at TW-EU.
 
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