Recommend me a string setup (~3.5 player, w. Wilson Blade v7; values precision, comfort, and maybe 10% extra power)

[eb_tennis_247]

I am a fast progressing player, athletic, late 40s, and at an approximate high 3.0, low 3.5 level. I expect to be very solid 3.5 in about six months, even 4.0 in about 18.

I value control, precision, and can generate my own power. I like to hit topspin but in moderation. I also like to flatten my shots, and to send slices. I would consider myself an all around player with a 1HBH.
I've been having elbow and some shoulder pain from bad serving and backhand technique which I since corrected, but pain can still come back easily if I play twice a day, or with a stiffer frame and a string.

I play and intend to play with Wilson Blade 98 16x19 for a long time. I love it for its feel, control, and how it is on a serve. I currently have Solinco Hyper G in it at 52 lbs. I like the spin HG gives, but I feel I might need a string with more comfort, good control, and a tad bit more power.

Currently, Hyper G is doing good for me, but it is probably also a little bit underpowered, and too stiff for my joints. I also feel that Blade could take a bit more power than what Hyper G can provide.

I have been considering full bed Triax, or Wilson Synthetic Gut Power. I am not yet at the point where I am into hybrids, or can re-string racquet every two weeks. In fact, Hyper G lasts me 2-3 months of moderate 3-4 times a week play. I would however consider a good hybrid, if you have something to recommend.


Do you have an affordable ($5-$20), durable, comfortable, precision-oriented string to recommend (full bed or hybrid)?
As I said, I've been looking into either high-end synthetic gut, or a string like Triax (based on reviews).

 

[TheFlash26]

If you think a comfortable poly might work, I would give Grapplesnake Alpha a shot. Definitely a good blend of power and comfort from a poly.
I can also highly recommend Tier One Ghost Wire as a cross if you wanted to try a hybrid with a non-poly main.

 

[franks]

I am a fast progressing player, athletic, late 40s, and at an approximate high 3.0, low 3.5 level. I expect to be very solid 3.5 in about six months, even 4.0 in about 18.

I value control, precision, and can generate my own power. I like to hit topspin but in moderation. I also like to flatten my shots, and to send slices. I would consider myself an all around player with a 1HBH.
I've been having elbow and some shoulder pain from bad serving and backhand technique which I since corrected, but pain can still come back easily if I play twice a day, or with a stiffer frame and a string.

I play and intend to play with Wilson Blade 98 16x19 for a long time. I love it for its feel, control, and how it is on a serve. I currently have Solinco Hyper G in it at 52 lbs. I like the spin HG gives, but I feel I might need a string with more comfort, good control, and a tad bit more power.

Currently, Hyper G is doing good for me, but it is probably also a little bit underpowered, and too stiff for my joints. I also feel that Blade could take a bit more power than what Hyper G can provide.

I have been considering full bed Triax, or Wilson Synthetic Gut Power. I am not yet at the point where I am into hybrids, or can re-string racquet every two weeks. In fact, Hyper G lasts me 2-3 months of moderate 3-4 times a week play. I would however consider a good hybrid, if you have something to recommend.


Do you have an affordable ($5-$20), durable, comfortable, precision-oriented string to recommend (full bed or hybrid)?
As I said, I've been looking into either high-end synthetic gut, or a string like (based on reviews).

I would suggest the following two hybrids:
1. Mains: Volkl Cyclone(orange 16 @ 51 lbs -- Crosses: Wilson Synthetic Gut Pwr 16 @ 55 lbs (I use this setup most of the time)

2. Mains: Volkl Cyclone Tour 16 @ 51 lbs -- Crosses: Wilson Synthetic Gut Pwr 16 @ 55 lbs (this is a softer setup and maybe a little
more powerful but great on your arm. The tension maintenance is not quite as good as regular Cyclone). I use this setup quite a
bit.
These are the setups and tensions that I use on my two Babolat Pure Strike 98 and I love them both. BE WARNED use these tensions as guidelines ONLY.

 

[Humbi_HTX]

I currently have Solinco Hyper G in it at 52 lbs. I like the spin HG gives, but I feel I might need a string with more comfort, good control, and a tad bit more power.
Hyper G lasts me 2-3 months of moderate 3-4 times a week play.

Try the same string you already like but in a thinner gage, it will be softer and more comfortable upon impact and will give you more spin and better bite on the ball.

Try also a hybrid with the mains you already like and know how they perform, and cross it with syn.gut, use a similar gage for both strings and keep it at the same tension you like to feel the difference the elastic cross will have. It will generate more power and be more comfortable.

It will also extend the playability of the string bed because the more durable poly string on the main will get worn on a small section of itself while the weaker cross string will get worn on a longer section as the main slides along the cross. this will keep the mains from locking up out of place which happens quicker on full beds of the same string grinding against itself.

I have strung a few blades for friends and play with frames of similar specs, I have come to like 54lbs for both mains and cross on thin gage (18g) poly/s.gut hybrid.

 

[g4driver]

I am a fast progressing player, athletic, late 40s, and at an approximate high 3.0, low 3.5 level. I expect to be very solid 3.5 in about six months, even 4.0 in about 18.

I value control, precision, and can generate my own power. I like to hit topspin but in moderation. I also like to flatten my shots, and to send slices. I would consider myself an all around player with a 1HBH.
I've been having elbow and some shoulder pain from bad serving and backhand technique which I since corrected, but pain can still come back easily if I play twice a day, or with a stiffer frame and a string.

I play and intend to play with Wilson Blade 98 16x19 for a long time. I love it for its feel, control, and how it is on a serve. I currently have Solinco Hyper G in it at 52 lbs. I like the spin HG gives, but I feel I might need a string with more comfort, good control, and a tad bit more power.

Currently, Hyper G is doing good for me, but it is probably also a little bit underpowered, and too stiff for my joints. I also feel that Blade could take a bit more power than what Hyper G can provide.

I have been considering full bed Triax, or Wilson Synthetic Gut Power. I am not yet at the point where I am into hybrids, or can re-string racquet every two weeks. In fact, Hyper G lasts me 2-3 months of moderate 3-4 times a week play. I would however consider a good hybrid, if you have something to recommend.


Do you have an affordable ($5-$20), durable, comfortable, precision-oriented string to recommend (full bed or hybrid)?
As I said, I've been looking into either high-end synthetic gut, or a string like Triax (based on reviews).

First of all, welcome to Tennis Warehouse's Talk Tennis forum. This forum is comprised of players ranging from 5.5 to beginners. Some are teaching pros, some are professional stringers. There are lots of good people on this forum.

my .02 on your initial post: You're a beginner playing with Hyper G and now you have both elbow and shoulder pain from hitting with a string not designed for 90% of rec players. Whoever strung your frame did you a great disservice. That's a different topic completely.

1) Lose the poly completely. Not poly whatsoever. If you want to have a cool looking green string in your frame, Wilson makes a multifilament called Sensation in green. If you want it to be more color-coordinated, grab some 1.30mm black Head Velocity for your mains, and use green Wilson Sensation. If care more about the performance of your strings rather than the strings matching your frame, put a full bed of $10 a pack Head Velocity 1.30mm in your frame. If you want the best multifilament company's top of the line, multi, put some Tecnfibre X1-Biphase 1.30mm in a full bed. If you want a better setup for $15, go with X1 Mains and Head Velocity Crosses. When you break 1,30mm X1 or Velocity mains in less than 16 hours, I can give you other suggestions. Not a fan of Sensation at all, but yes, I do stock in both Natural and Green reels for those players that require color coordination after Hyper G gives them tennis elbow. That's not a joke, unfortunately.

Despite your self-assessment, you are in fact a beginning player, not a 4.0, not even a 3.5 player. This isn't a slam on you in any manner, it's just a fact. Therefore poly isn't going to help your game whatsoever right now, and will only continue to hurt your body. You can choose to ignore this fact or keep playing with poly and injury your elbow and shoulder to a point you might need surgery. There is no reason for you to even be using a hybrid with poly until your elbow and shoulder are both better, then and only then should you start with a hybrid of something like Velocity mains / Cream crosses.

2) Lower your expectations of becoming a 4.0 in 18 months and seek the skills of a 4.0 player, not a rating. Ratings come out in Dec of each year, and this year nobody is getting bumped up or down due to Covid, so perhaps adjust your goals to a yearly goal. There are no 18-month bump ups/downs. Many players have your line of thoughts and expectations to advance to a rating quickly. A better goal might be to win a few 3.0 tournaments, then play in some 3.5 tournaments and see if you can advance deep and win a 3.5 tournament. That's a goal you can achieve as you enter more tournaments, rather than waiting for Dec 2021 to see if the USTA bumps you up. If you are playing tournaments and doing well, you will have a clear indication of your progression.

Here's the deal. You are a rec player in your late 40s. You're not a 12-year-old junior taking lessons from an Elite Academy four hours each day. Very few players in the US advance from a beginner in their late 30s to 4.0 in 24 months. That's likely for an ex collegiate baseball player, but unless you played a collegiate sport like baseball, basketball, or hockey, it's just an unrealistic timeline and puts a lot of pressure on yourself. Can you do it? Maybe if it was 2017 and you had two years to go from 3.0 to 4.0, but you are putting a lot of pressure on yourself. In 2021 you will still be a 3.0S or 3.0C as the USTA isn't bumping anyone up or down. My .02 is to try playing in 3.5 tournaments until you win them. There will be plenty of 3.5 players seeking to move up just like you and you are likely to find good competition.

3) Forget the one-handed backhand (OHBH) and learned to hit a two-handed backhand.(THBH) Honestly, a OHBH is the one-shot, 95% of 4.0 players don't have. When I see a 4.0 with a one-handed backhand, I attack it relentlessly, because 90% of 4.0 players with an OHBH can't hurt a 3.5 with their OHBH, an 95% of them can't hurt another 4.0 with their OHBH. 4.0 men with THBHs can hurt other 4.0 men with their 2HBHs. Sure these 4.0 players have visions of Stan the Man and Fed in their heads, but honestly, at 4.0, most players are hacks, including myself. A relentless hack, but still a hack who enjoys tennis as a way to get some calories burned and hang out with friends on a tennis court.

My advice: Enjoy tennis, your friends, and take lessons from a good teaching pro, ditch the poly and learn to hit a 2HBH. You're welcome.

To the other TW TT readers: Remember me writing the number of players with a Wilson Blade 98 with Hyper G has reached pandemic levels in Charleston and Mount Pleasant SC? Here is yet another poster who admits it. His club did him a major disservice.

 

[g4driver]

Try the same string you already like but in a thinner gage, it will be softer and more comfortable upon impact and will give you more spin and better bite on the ball.

Try also a hybrid with the mains you already like and know how they perform, and cross it with syn.gut, use a similar gage for both strings and keep it at the same tension you like to feel the difference the elastic cross will have. It will generate more power and be more comfortable.

It will also extend the playability of the string bed because the more durable poly string on the main will get worn on a small section of itself while the weaker cross string will get worn on a longer section as the main slides along the cross. this will keep the mains from locking up out of place which happens quicker on full beds of the same string grinding against itself.

I have strung a few blades for friends and play with frames of similar specs, I have come to like 54lbs for both mains and cross on thin gage (18g) poly/s.gut hybrid.

@Humbi_HTX

IMO this is terrible advice for a beginner player who already has elbow and shoulder pain from playing with a string specifically developed for players at 4.5 level and higher. My post isn't a dig at you, but please see understand the risks a player takes playing with poly who already has tennis and shoulder pain, even if you put syn gut crosses in his frame. Syn gut isn't going to soften Hyper G enough to stop the pain that he already has, and a 3.0 player isn't getting any benefit from any poly whatsoever. His time and money would be better spent on lessons and softer multifilament strings to let his elbow and shoulder heal. The multis would also give him the additional power his Blade 98 doesn't offer him.

@megamind, @Injured Again, @Wes, @haqq777, @sanister, @jmacdaununder2 @am1899, can you help the OP here?

Collaborative Effort By Bob Patterson:

When it comes to poly strings, we all need to make sure adult recreational players and juniors know the facts.
I speak to many manufacturers, coaches, and racquet technicians, and the consensus is that recreational adult players and junior players are using the wrong type of string, tension—or both.
Stiff polyester strings are prevalent in the marketplace and dominate the pro tours, but are they suited for the average club or league player? Most in this industry don’t think so.

First, the very benefit of poly strings is their ability to bend and snap back faster than other materials. This snapback enhances spin on the ball. A pro can swing out and get more spin on the ball while generating a heavier shot. You might think that would be the same for your average junior or club player, but it is most definitely not the case. Most players can’t generate enough racquet-head speed to bend stiff poly strings in the first place. If the string doesn't bend, it can’t snap back, and there is little or no spin enhancement. Many recreational players who switch to a poly never adjust their tension.

I’m always amazed to hear of a 3.5 adult or junior using a full poly set-up at high tensions. This is a surefire way for a player to hurt his or her arm.

Second, monofilament poly strings lose their elasticity—or the ability to snap back—much faster than nylon
or other string materials. Since poly strings have a fairly dead feeling to begin with, their decline is less noticeable for recreational players, who tend to not restring as often as they should, which only makes the problem worse.

Not only is poly string wrong for most recreational and junior players, it can be harmful. The stiffer string
coupled with stiffer, lighter racquet creates much more shock to the player when the ball impacts the stringbed. In recent years, we’ve seen arm and wrist injuries sideline many top pros, and these athletes train and take every precaution to prevent injury. If we all know it is a problem, how do we fix it?

It starts with education: inform players about why they should alter their string set-up. It is better for their health and for their game. Manufacturers need to step up, too. It is easy to market a string their top sponsored player is using, but companies need to make rec players aware that string may not be best for everyone. Then they need to offer a softer, better-suited string.

The bottom line is that we all need to address this issue. Injured players play less, and may stop playing altogether. And that’s not good for anyone. •

Bob Patterson:
Executive Director of
the U.S. Racquet Stringers Association.
Tennis Industry: Nov/Dec 2017

 

[eb_tennis_247]

my .02 on your initial post: You're a beginner playing with Hyper G and now you have both elbow and shoulder pain from hitting with a string not designed for 90% of rec players...

Thank for your detailed reply, but I am afraid that you made lots of assumptions, some that are, forgive me for saying this, off, and spent lots of time commenting on those (e.g.1HBH, ranking, (I was 4.0 in college but that was 20 years ago, and I am coming back to a "modern tennis"), etc.)

I say all this to keep the thread as useful as it started, where people have given some awesome advice on an arm-healthy string setup. I play seven days a week, sometimes (rarely) practice three times a day, so having an arm-friend grip, string, racquet is a good thing.

Any specific advice on a string?

 

[g4driver]

Thank for your detailed reply, but I am afraid that you made lots of assumptions, some that are, forgive me for saying this, off, and spent lots of time commenting on those (e.g.1HBH, ranking, (I was 4.0 in college but that was 20 years ago, and I am coming back to a "modern tennis"), etc.)

I say all this to keep the thread as useful as it started, where people have given some awesome advice on an arm-healthy string setup. I play seven days a week, sometimes (rarely) practice three times a day, so having an arm-friend grip, string, racquet is a good thing.

Any specific advice on a string?

Thank you for clarifying. Please accept the fact you misrepresented yourself as a high-level 3.0 player, yet you failed to disclose the fact that you were a 4.0 player in college 20 years ago. My faulty assessment of your skill level was in fact based on your lack of being completely accurate with your initial post. There is a thin line between lying and not disclosing the truth, and you in fact didn't disclose the truth. Being honest and open helps your case. If you self-rated at 3.0, sorry I just don't have any respect for that whatsoever.

My suggestions for strings for you remain the same. My suggestions to learn a THBH remains the same.

 

[Louis33]

Head Velocity MLT 16 gauge

 

[Yamin]

I've been exploring some Hyper G alternatives lately. Prince premier control and Velocity mentioned above are most recommended for multi. Don't love Prince Premier personally.

Full poly I've been using Lynx recently in the v7 18x20 blade. If you don't mind a muted feel, this was a combo that really surprised me. Think there's an edge version as well. You'll also know when the string has gone dead as all the power will be sapped. I also found hyper g soft to be okay so far as well though I have not tried it in the blade. Have no direct comparison but felt pretty good in my Phantom and no arm pain. I thought it was just a less performant Hyper G with qualities you'd find in a softer string. Can't replace the original, but acceptable for people who are right on the edge and need a softer alternative.

I'm sure there are many recommendations for hybrids that work, but I've had poor experiences with playability duration in the combos I've tried so I'll let someone else speak to hybrids.

 

[g4driver]

@eb_tennis_247

let your elbow heal first with multis. Hitting with dead Hyper G for 2-3 months is what hurt your elbow/shoulder and not the Clash with its RDC of 55. Hitting with a dead stiff poly is just something nobody should do.

when you start breaking multis too fast and you will, switch to something like Tecnfibre HDMX mains / isospeed cream crosses. HDMX is softer than TrIax but is still in their fusion line of strings (multis with poly fibers).. same as NXT Control, TrIax, HDX Tour and RPX.

Tecnfibre is having a giant sale on strings at TW right now.

Thanks for giving a better picture of your skill level. You will advance rather quickly and I still encourage you to play several 3.5 tournaments as you will get descent competition and immediate feedback on your progression. It won't take you 18 months to reach 4.0 but you need to hit against players who challenge you and 3.0 players aren't going to do that to you. You need upper level 3.5 guys to hit against as they will make you a better player.

Let us know what strings you seem to like. Hope this helps you reach your 4.0 skill level quickly

 

[LocNetMonster]

"Hyper G lasts me 2-3 months of moderate 3-4 times a week play. "

"I play seven days a week, sometimes (rarely) practice three times a day, so having an arm-friend grip, string, racquet is a good thing. "

No wonder your joints hurt! If you are hitting 7 days a week for an hour and half, that puts you at a conservative 10 hrs a week. Unless you are hitting powder-puff bunts, with the string you are using, you should restring roughly every 10 days optimally if you want to keep your arm and shoulder healthy. Bare minimum, restring your stick every two weeks.

Been there, done that and why I started stringing. I played with a poly set up too long - two months too long AMOF - and had real bad TE. I mean real bad. I came here seeking advice and had the pro shop put Sgut in my stick. I was playing nearly pain-free in a week. Three weeks later I bought my first stringer.

That said, I'm with @g4driver switch to a multifilament. If you are experiencing joint pain, Wilson NXT or Velocity MLT is what I recommend until you heal. Unless you want to hit heavy top spin, there doesn't seem to be a real reason for you to play full poly set ups. After you heal and can play pain free, then keep the multi in the mains and play with a poly cross. You mention of trying a synthetic gut, that works too. You won't get the same punch, but at least you will be healthy enough to keep up your 7-day/week playing schedule.

 

[eb_tennis_247]

Been there, done that and why I started stringing. I played with a poly set up too long - two months too long AMOF - and had real bad TE. I mean real bad. I came here seeking advice and had the pro shop put Sgut in my stick. I was playing nearly pain-free in a week. Three weeks later I bought my first stringer.

This is exactly where I am right now (buy my own drop weight stringer). I will likely go with an MLT based on the recommendations here, but I am tempted with Triax based on the reviews and the need for more power in the Blade, (except for a $20 price tag).

 

[Injured Again]

@eb_tennis_247 I agree with @g4driver that Hyper-G is not the right string choice for you. Especially as you already have experience playing at the 4.0 level, you probably realize that one of the best ways to get back there is to compete against the tougher competition and to get used to that level of shot. That means that you'll probably be forced to swing from bad positions or mis-hit a fair bit which will make your arm health issues worse.

Going with a multi is a great idea and even better if you have your own stringer to allow you to experiment. Hopefully it will also allow you to not play strings past their use-by date so you can continue to play as much tennis as you want.

As far as one or two handed backhand, there is as much personal preference there as anything. I will say that if you were in your 20's or 30's and planned to progress beyond 4.0, you need to figure out how you can best hit topspin backhands forcefully and offensively. Since you're in your late 40's, many of your peers will be going more and more to underspin backhands as they get older. It's easier to generate on the move, and as we all age and court coverage becomes more of an issue, an underspin backhand is usually more accurate and reliable, and that becomes the primary factor.

 

[eb_tennis_247]

That means that you'll probably be forced to swing from bad positions or mis-hit a fair bit which will make your arm health issues worse.

This is an excellent point, and it is probably the core of my issue. It combines a stiff string, lots of play, and lots of very "unhealthy" shots, like you mention.

Thank you, and thanks all here for the recommendations. I already hit one 2HBH practice today during lunch, (I could always play it, but my 1HBH was always pretty good, so I hated to give it up, but I will start going for it). You make lots of excellent arguments.