Roddick/Rafa strings

[jc4.0]

I just had my Pure Drive racquet strung with the Babolat pro hurricane strings. I had been using syn-gut previously. It felt like I was swinging a 2-by-4 at the ball - no feel whatsoever. yes, extra power and maybe some extra spin, as promised - but the control I previously experienced with the textured syn-gut strings was GONE. The ball skates off the hard plastic string bed at uber-velocity. Great - if it stays in!

I didn't buy them because Andy and Rafael use these - I thought I'd hit with more spin and power. Anyone have advice? Will this type of string help me in the long run - so should I adjust my game?

 

[TMCW140]

ignore the adverts, Rafa doesn't actually use it. Anywho, i use the hurricane tour and like it- whats it strung at?

 

[schap02]

Not too mention all their racquets are basically modified out the wazoooooo

PHT is ok - nothing beats good old PSGD @ $4 a pack

 

[フェデラー]

yea roddick is pro hurricane and gut strung at low 70s? And Nadal is Duralast.

 

[ag200boy]

I just had my Pure Drive racquet strung with the Babolat pro hurricane strings. I had been using syn-gut previously. It felt like I was swinging a 2-by-4 at the ball - no feel whatsoever. yes, extra power and maybe some extra spin, as promised - but the control I previously experienced with the textured syn-gut strings was GONE. The ball skates off the hard plastic string bed at uber-velocity. Great - if it stays in!

I didn't buy them because Andy and Rafael use these - I thought I'd hit with more spin and power. Anyone have advice? Will this type of string help me in the long run - so should I adjust my game?

If you claim that switching from a syn gut to a poly gave you more power, but less control, then I don't trust your ability to tell what the string is like...

 

[jc4.0]

ignore the adverts, Rafa doesn't actually use it. Anywho, i use the hurricane tour and like it- whats it strung at?

I strung it at 55, on the low end for my racquet. I have strung the syngut at 55 but it had a little better "feel" than these strings, the ball seemed to hang onto the strings a bit better so I could carve shots, even when hitting a little off-center. Even at 55, the ball zings off the pro hurricane strings. Probably I just need to get used to it - but was wanting some advice on how to adjust to the "harder" feel.

 

[plowmanjoe]

maybe you should just switch back. or maybe put syn gut in the crosses next time.

just because other people like the feel of poly doesn't mean you have to adjust your adjust your game to use it.

 

[azn_lefty_roddick_jr]

Pro Hurricane Tour (the yellow octagonal-shaped version) is a bit softer, albeit only slightly, than the regular Pro Hurricane (white colored), but is also a bit more expensive. Roddick doesn't use the regular Pro Hurricane anymore.

You've got several ways to go from here:

1-try PHT
2-hybrid Pro Hurricane with either Xcel, another Babolat string that's recommended for the PD, or any multifilament, or even the synthetic gut you used previously
3-dump polys altogether, and go back to your synthetic gut

I'd probably try a hybrid with Xcel or synthetic gut, and see how that plays for you, if you still want the power and spin characteristics of Pro Hurricane, but with a tad softer feel.

 

[Grizvok]

ignore the adverts, Rafa doesn't actually use it. Anywho, i use the hurricane tour and like it- whats it strung at?

Correct. Nadal DOES NOT use PHT.

 

[migjam]

I just had my Pure Drive racquet strung with the Babolat pro hurricane strings. I had been using syn-gut previously. It felt like I was swinging a 2-by-4 at the ball - no feel whatsoever. yes, extra power and maybe some extra spin, as promised - but the control I previously experienced with the textured syn-gut strings was GONE. The ball skates off the hard plastic string bed at uber-velocity. Great - if it stays in!

I didn't buy them because Andy and Rafael use these - I thought I'd hit with more spin and power. Anyone have advice? Will this type of string help me in the long run - so should I adjust my game?

You should try some Isospeed Professional Classic in your Pure Drive. It is really a great setup for that frame.

 

[Blade0324]

I agree if you think that there was more power with PHT than Prince Syn. gut then you probably should just go back to the Syn. gut. PHT has far less power than syn. gut. Yes is is very stiff by comparison but not too bad. I would recommend you try PHT mains with Excel or Addiction crosses and string the mains at say 58 with crosses at about 61. It will not be any more stiff at this tension than the full set at 55 and you will gain both feel and control. For me personally I love that really hard stringbed and don't care to feel the ball on the strings but to each his own.

 

[THESEXPISTOL]

I've heard somewhere that Rafa uses some kirschbaum string.

 

[jc4.0]

I agree if you think that there was more power with PHT than Prince Syn. gut then you probably should just go back to the Syn. gut. PHT has far less power than syn. gut. Yes is is very stiff by comparison but not too bad. I would recommend you try PHT mains with Excel or Addiction crosses and string the mains at say 58 with crosses at about 61. It will not be any more stiff at this tension than the full set at 55 and you will gain both feel and control. For me personally I love that really hard stringbed and don't care to feel the ball on the strings but to each his own.

Thank you for this advice - it seems like something I should try. I've been hitting with these PHT strings for about 2 weeks and have had several people tell me - wow you are hitting the ball so much harder. I think they are producing a little intimidation factor so I'm not willing to let them go just yet. Still the only drawback is I have to really focus on control, as the sweet spot on my strings seems to be smaller. Any off-center hits will definitely fly, especially hard flat shots. Topspin shots or slices work just fine. Also gives me extra pop on serves.

 

[Eiffel59]

I've heard somewhere that Rafa uses some kirschbaum string.

Immediately stop smoking that bad grass...

 

[THESEXPISTOL]

Immediately stop smoking that bad grass...

check this topic:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=270599&highlight=racquet+indian+wells

 

[Eiffel59]

It's Duralast 15L...it has been discussed 1000s times in a number of threads. Best (only?) string PJ ever since the string is marked "PHT Nadal"