My daughter is 11 and is a competitive player. She is medium height/thin, but strong, and hits relatively hard for her age. She plays with a Yonex Vcore 100L racket (strungweight 298g). She hurt her arm about a year ago, so I have since had her playing with a full bed of multifilament strung at 43-44 lbs. I tried the Yonex Rexis Comfort (she breaks it after 6-8 hrs) and the Wilson Sensation (breaks it after about 10 hours). Because she hits hard and has hurt her arm in the past, I have been reluctant even to try a soft-poly/multifilament mix. Does anyone have any thoughts on string (how she could get a bit more durability without risking injury)? Thanks
String for 11 yr old girl
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socallefty
G.O.A.T.
Thicker gauge?
TennisJrDad
Professional
Try HDMX
KungfuTennis
Semi-Pro
Has she tried a slightly heavier racket? Heavier rackets tend to be easier on the arm as they absorb more of the vibration, maybe 298g strung is a bit too light if she's hitting hard enough to break Sensation in 10hrs?
Because of her arm problems, she is limited to either synthetic gut or multifilament. Only way I can see of getting more durability is with a thicker gauge. Or another option might be to use string savers. They are little plastic pieces that insert at the intersection of strings in strategic places ie where she tends to break strings.
Poly loses its elasticity after about 10 hrs anyway, and you have to restring even though it hasnt broken. I'm wondering if she got a sore arm from using poly that had gone dead. It's very very dangerous to keep using it after its reached that state.
Poly loses its elasticity after about 10 hrs anyway, and you have to restring even though it hasnt broken. I'm wondering if she got a sore arm from using poly that had gone dead. It's very very dangerous to keep using it after its reached that state.
stapletonj
Hall of Fame
I know I sound like Johnny One Note here, but have her try a gut/poly hybrid. I play a Yonex 100 vcore and swear by it. Get a 1/2 set (16 ga.) from Klip for less than 20 bucks and use a slick round poly in the cross like isospeed cream.
Granted I am on the opposite end of the spectrum (age 66), but... gut is surprisingly easy on the arm and lasts longer than you think and doesn't go dead like poly.
Granted I am on the opposite end of the spectrum (age 66), but... gut is surprisingly easy on the arm and lasts longer than you think and doesn't go dead like poly.
TennisJrDad
Professional
Tecnifibre HDMX is a great and durable string to begin with and it also comes in 15L/1.35. I would give that a try in her racquet, I think you will be surprised the play life you get out of it.
LOBALOT
Hall of Fame
Thicker gauge or I don't find a stab at multi/poly hybrid that bad of an idea although that may also increase the sawing through the main. Ultimately if tennis is going to be her racket then she will head in the direction of poly anyway. When that time comes a good transition string is Luxilon Element.
My experience is the string snapping goes in waves and is not consistent based on what they are learning / how they hit the ball so don't fret too much. My son went through a wave in early teens where he was snapping 4G like crazy and I was thinking "this is nuts" and then it kind of just oddly went away (maybe he started hitting flatter). He never snapped poly (it died instead) until a recent string switch / experiment and I am having to identify shuttle services between me and my son's college of strung racquets from my house. Luckily a parent of the men's swim team lives near me and they go often so I am shipping/receiving racquets from them. He likes how I string his racquets I guess.
In addition if you have the cash and you get the sense she is all in now is the time to purchase a stringer and I would get an eCP for it's ease of use and consistency of results as a busy parent.
My experience is the string snapping goes in waves and is not consistent based on what they are learning / how they hit the ball so don't fret too much. My son went through a wave in early teens where he was snapping 4G like crazy and I was thinking "this is nuts" and then it kind of just oddly went away (maybe he started hitting flatter). He never snapped poly (it died instead) until a recent string switch / experiment and I am having to identify shuttle services between me and my son's college of strung racquets from my house. Luckily a parent of the men's swim team lives near me and they go often so I am shipping/receiving racquets from them. He likes how I string his racquets I guess.
In addition if you have the cash and you get the sense she is all in now is the time to purchase a stringer and I would get an eCP for it's ease of use and consistency of results as a busy parent.
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fuzz nation
G.O.A.T.
I've been coaching high school teams for almost 20 years and I've also been stringing for the kids for a long time. I agree with our pals that an 11-year-old shouldn't be using poly or poly hybrids. But the good news is that you've definitely got some options to try.
I generally stay away from premium multis because they're pretty expensive for what they have to offer. The multi I keep on hand for when somebody wants that string type in their racquet is Prince Premier Control (PPC). This string isn't as pricey as others like Wilson NXT, Tecnifibre Biphase, or even Yonex Rexis, and it does a better than average job of holding tension.
A few years ago when the #1 boy on our team was dealing with a steadily worsening case of golfer's elbow in the chilly spring season, we switched him away from his full bed of poly (RPM Blast - overpriced garbage string) into full beds of PPC 16 ga. He started feeling better almost immediately, but this young buck was farmer strong and he was only getting 3-5 days of use from that string before it would snap on him. When we switched to the 15L ga. of the same string, his service life pretty much doubled and his arm issues continued to improve. He was fine for the rest of that season.
So I trust this string and recommend at least putting it on your short list of considerations. You could start with the 16 ga., but maybe try the 15L ga. to see if it has the combo of softness and durability you want (TW is selling individual sets for $9.00). Keep in mind that the heavier 15L ga. will probably need slightly less tension to get a similar feel as a 16 ga. multi.
Note: Wilson offers sets of 15 ga. Sensation, which is the same 1.35mm ga. as PPC even though the one is labeled "15 ga." and the other "15L ga.". Tecnifibre also sells sets of 1.35mm X-One Biphase.
Many kids (and adults) that I string for get enough softness from syn. gut (SG). I've always used it in my own frames and I recommend it all the time. Keep in mind that they're not all the same. Prince SG with Duraflex is quite stiff - I don't use it in my own racquets. Gosen OG Sheep Micro is also somewhat stiff, but some folks like it. This is a rather durable SG and might bring decent service life along with some softness as long as it isn't installed at a high tension.
Softer SG's include Babolat (their hot pink version is a hit with the girls' team), Volkl Classic, Prince Original, and Kirschbaum. There are others that I'm not too familiar with right now. The softest SG I know is Forten Sweet - this string is soft enough to work as a low cost alternative to many multis. The 17 ga. version isn't too durable, but the 16 ga. offers average service life for a SG. You can get individual sets for $5.00.
TennisJrDad
Professional
Steve Huff
G.O.A.T.
Do you string her rackets yourself? That would be a big help. I'd get a machine if you think she will remain active in tennis over the years, and teach her to string. Here are the options I would give you had you come to me: 1) Gamma Marathon. It's a synthetic gut made to last longer. 2) Klip Legend Natural Gut in 15L. I string it with other strings in a hybrid, and it's usually the other string that breaks 1st. 3) See if she can handle a one size larger grip. As she's grown, she may have outgrown her grip. 4) See if she can use a neoprene sleeve. Spread a little bit (start with a really small amount) of Capzasin cream on the spot that hurts most. Use the sleeve so she doesn't get the cream in her eyes. 5) See if she may be using her computer mouse a lot. Overuse of the mouse can give you tennis elbow type pain.
TennisJrDad
Professional
Investing in a stringing machine is an excellent choice
AmericanTwist
Professional
thicker multi or hybrid multi with solid core syn gut in the mains or full bed syn gut. Try 17gauge. If still breaking too often then go to 16g. The latter should last a lot longer. Multi loses tension quickly while syn gut loses tension gradually. Stay away from poly for now.
batareikin
New User
I see lots of threads about strings for 11 yo going around. Not gonna open another one. Well, my 11 yo kid is playing tennis for pretty much of his life. For most of the journey he was playing kind of a more relaxed way. Then past year things somehow accelerated. All classical factors came around. More frequent and intense practice sessions day by day with some intermittent competitive encounters. And the last drop was switching to poly. It appeared that the club he is still practicing at do not take much care about explaining things or giving any advise. They just rigged his racket with whatever strings were available. And I am not the expert in this field either. A month after switching to Kirschbaum Pro Line poor kid felt his arm sore next day after one of his practices. That's it.
Now, having some founded doubts about the skills and knowledge of the local club stringer, I am looking for a piece of advise about string tension for Prince Premier Control and Wilson Sensation Control both 16/1.30. Kid is playing Babolat Pure Aero Lite 100
Thanks in advance!
fuzz nation
G.O.A.T.
It should likely be the case that your young slugger will get a softer ride with those multis, even if he wants a few extra pounds of tension to help them behave and give him a relatively consistent response.
You might get lucky with the first try, but even if the first setup with multi is too loose or tight, it will give you a reference tension to work from. I'd go with 55 or 56 lbs. and make sure to watch how the strings settle in after maybe two hitting sessions. If they get a little flimsy in a hurry, try them at two lbs. higher tension on the next try.
Also keep in mind that a full bed of multi won't behave or feel like a full bed of poly. The switch to a softer string might require a little adjustment period, but aside from improved comfort, your kid might also find it easier to put some nice zip on the ball without completely swinging out of his sneaks.
Best of luck to all.
We do sensation 52lbs
fritzhimself
Professional
New stringer question: why does my freshly strung soft poly feel "dead" the second day? Please help!
I just bought an Alpha crank stringing machine to string my son's racquets The goal was to save money but after stringing and cutting out new strings a few times, now I am not sure anymore as we have wasted a lot of strings. He has been very happy with the string job done by the club stringer...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
People are telling you to go thicker on the string gauge--that is exactly the wrong advice re injury.
"Lower tension, bigger grip, softer string and thinner strings"--my stringer when asked how to deal with my arm pain.
Keep an eye on her grip size as she grows. And seriously who the F cares about string life when she's already had an injury? Don't be cheap
silentkman
Hall of Fame
interesting thought concerning the bigger grip. Did anyone have any arm issues in the 70's-90's?
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
Of course they did, but poly has opened Pandora's Box.
I went bigger on my grips and that has helped a lot. I did everything my stringer recommended and I'm much happier now.
silentkman
Hall of Fame
i don't remember anyone that had any issues back then. Poly is the ultimate dichotomy. if only gut had spin potential.
bago94
New User
I have two kids, 10 and 12, who both play with similar weighted racquets. In terms of strings, I have them using a soft multifilament, Gamma Live Wire XP 16 (1.32mm), in the 50-54 lbs range. Neither of my kids break strings too frequently with this string, but your mileage may vary. As others have said, I would avoid polys. If you want to experiment with different multifilament strings, I think this one is worth a try as it's pretty decent quality at a reasonable price (less expensive than the Yonex Rexis Comfort you're currently using).
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
Coolhwip
New User
If price isn't an issue and as long as they're not playing in humid or wet conditions, I would echo the recommendations of a gut/poly hybrid which would last much longer than a full bed of multi. I use Babolat elasticross string savers as well to extend the life of the gut.
Multi/poly hybrids work too and the durability would be quite a bit better than a full bed of multi while allowing easier access to spin (depending on the poly cross used).
Multi/poly hybrids work too and the durability would be quite a bit better than a full bed of multi while allowing easier access to spin (depending on the poly cross used).
AmericanTwist
Professional
What frame is your kid using?
batareikin
New User
Both rackets are 27-inch Babolat Pure Aero Lite. Those are quite light. That was the reason of choice. I did not want to hurt his arms. Now I managed to get one racket rigged up with Wilson Sensation Control at 52 lbs. That was actually done before my earlier post. After just 30 mins of practice strings displaced sideways quite noticeable.
So might be wise to try second racket at 55-56, like it was suggested above. But I just do not know. Today the boy is having his first practice after 2 weeks pause. Then I will find out what he thinks about Sensation at this tension.
I can recall he was not happy with poly the first day they put it into his hands. But after a few practices he could carry on with it, even though was not fully content. Jeez I still can not understand how did they give him poly without even asking or at least making us aware.
fuzz nation
G.O.A.T.
When I started stringing, I was lucky to have the help of a local guy who had his own small string company/business. He usually liked to take time out for story telling and trading notes about this and that. When he sold me my first machine and taught me how to use it, he also gave me a bit of an education in terms of understanding the different string types and how to put them to their best use.
When the early generation of poly string came along, this guy had tried it out for himself and it wrecked his arm in a big hurry, so he had plenty of insight about what the string is as well as what it can do to us. He liked to say that these strings should come with some sort of Surgeon General's warning label like we see on tobacco products. Funny, but probably true...
Some folks want poly because it doesn't snap in a hurry. Some folks want it because they assume that it's "better" - better players often use it. Stringers will often simply give the people what they want. Your case is different because you apparently didn't even ask for poly. So I don't get the impression that your stringer was being especially smart or responsible.
Wondering if you talked directly with the stringer when you bought the racquets? If you got them through a pro or somebody else, then the question may have been sort of lost in the mix. I've strung for a couple different pros at small clubs and often just replaced what was in a racquet with a similar setup. Any brand new racquets usually got a syn. gut or multi at mid tension unless that client already knew what they specifically wanted to use in it. Just thinking that it's easier for poly to end up in a racquet with no questions asked if there's a middleman involved.
AmericanTwist
Professional
53-55 lbs sounds about right for a multi assuming spring/summer temps for a kiddo. If using solid core syn gut go down a few lbs.
batareikin
New User
Club stringer does use whatever strings club management supply him. At some point they managed to buy a large amount of Kirschbaum poly reels. And from that point those strings went down the rackets of all average joes in the club
If you do not specifically ask for something different you get it with no notice. You know, those are cheap, do not break, everyone is happy. Well, if the boy will seriously continue his tennis carrier I will be happy to start stringing for him.For now I wonder if I need to ask to add a couple more lbs since now the strings look a bit messy after only 5-6 hours of action. Just have a look at Wilson Sensation strings at 51-53 lbs. after 5 hrs
Although he is actually happy with the feedback and overall feeling.
fuzz nation
G.O.A.T.
If that string wandering becomes a nuisance, you could easily give the next set a two or three lb. bump to see if it does a better job of staying put. The feel probably won't change too much - I'd expect it to start feeling much more firm up at around 57 or 58 lbs. Even at 55 lbs., a full bed of Sensation will still be somewhat soft.Club stringer does use whatever strings club management supply him. At some point they managed to buy a large amount of Kirschbaum poly reels. And from that point those strings went down the rackets of all average joes in the club
For now I wonder if I need to ask to add a couple more lbs since now the strings look a bit messy after only 5-6 hours of action. Just have a look at Wilson Sensation strings at 51-53 lbs. after 5 hrs
Although he is actually happy with the feedback and overall feeling.
And don't rule out synthetic gut. If the multifiber's personality becomes borderline too soft or its service life gets to be too short, syn. gut will generally bring nearly as much softness as multi along with a mildly less "mushy" personality and a very affordable price tag. And while some syn. guts will bring durability that's similar to some multis, I generally find that my syn. gut holds up a good bit better than a multi of the same gauge when I use it in my own frames.
If you find that you're making more frequent trips to the stringer, you might consider saving some money by buying your own reel of whatever string you want to use and just pay your stringer for installation. Just ask your particular stringer about this ahead of time. Most have a basic labor charge for folks who go this route.
With sensation or most multis in general it will look like this even if you string 15 lbs higher.Club stringer does use whatever strings club management supply him. At some point they managed to buy a large amount of Kirschbaum poly reels. And from that point those strings went down the rackets of all average joes in the club
For now I wonder if I need to ask to add a couple more lbs since now the strings look a bit messy after only 5-6 hours of action. Just have a look at Wilson Sensation strings at 51-53 lbs. after 5 hrs
Although he is actually happy with the feedback and overall feeling.
It doesn't really change how it plays, even if the strings are all over the place.
batareikin
New User
Now the kid breaks Wilson Sensation Control 1.30 at a steady rate of 10-12hours. Not an issue for me as far as he is happy with playability and feedback. I have decided to stick with full bed multi for a while, letting the kid grow peacefully before switching to something else, like syn.gut or anything else.
While the only Sensation reel I have got is quickly unwinding (and PPC reel got stuck somewhere on its way) I would like to order right now a couple more reels for a foreseeable future.
And I need a piece of advice regarding strings listed below in 200m reels
1. Head Velocity MLT 16 / 1.30 € 84,90
2. Head Rip Control 16 / 1.30 € 104,90
3. Yonex Dynawire 16 / 1.30 € 109,90
4. Solinco Vanquish 16 / 1.30 € 117,50
5. Dunlop Iconic All 16 / 1.30 € 124,90
Yeah, I assume that at his age I just have to go with cheapest ones in this range of multis. But may be there are some reasons unknown to me to stay away from some of listed up there.
Unfortunately now I am limited to this list for the reason I can get those quick.
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fritzhimself
Professional
In any case, it is a good decision to stay with Multis.
I would throw in a few strings of Isospeed.
Before you order a 200 reel, I would give your youngster 12m sets and ask for his opinion.
I would throw in a few strings of Isospeed.
Before you order a 200 reel, I would give your youngster 12m sets and ask for his opinion.
TennisJrDad
Professional
My suggestion would be to try:
- Tecnifibre Multifeel 1.30 Black in the mains
- Head Velocity MLT 1.30 Natural in the crosses
I wouldn't risk arm health, and there is an academy close to us where many kids have arm issues which I feel is b/c their coaches all push poly early.
Personally, I bought a stringer and just string multis when they break. went through a reel of babolat xcel and now we're on Wilson sensation. Could also move to a more string friendly racquet than an aero/vcore etc.
Personally, I bought a stringer and just string multis when they break. went through a reel of babolat xcel and now we're on Wilson sensation. Could also move to a more string friendly racquet than an aero/vcore etc.
TennisJrDad
Professional
@batareikin If price is not an issue then you could consider either a full bed of either Tecnifibre HDMX 1.30 or Babolat Xalt 1.30, both will give you the arm protection of a multi, but performance close to a soft poly.
Happi
Hall of Fame
This is good stuff, I however playnthe reverse Velocity mains and Multifeel cross.
Mlt/ swift white is great also...mlt/multifeel felt mushy
Happi
Hall of Fame
Both Head Reflex and Velocity are called MLT but I guess you are talking about Velocity.
Important that you use the black version of Multifeel as it has a very different coating and is much more crisp than the natural version. Its like two different strings.
Velocity MLT / Multifeel black plays great for me, almost poly like snapback and not mushy at all.
Nole Ivanisevic
Rookie
I recommend the following:
1. Firstly, it is essential to avoid stiff poly strings, especially ones like Alu Power.
2. Try using full gut (VS 1.25) on two racquets with a medium tension and softer strings. Your daughter may perform well with this setup, and remember that strings should not go dull and not require frequent restringing, which can offset the cost. I encountered issues with full gut during play as they were too soft and powerful. Then consider trying a hybrid setup. I wouldn't recommend combining Gut and Synthetic Gut; instead, use poly for the crosses and gut for the mains.
Make sure to incorporate Theraband stretching for her tendons and fascia. Fascia is the tissue surrounding the muscle, and research shows it plays a crucial role in healing. Stretching and flexibility exercises stimulate it. Additionally, consider MSM capsules.
Take care of your daughter, as early injuries are often a sign of overuse.
1. Firstly, it is essential to avoid stiff poly strings, especially ones like Alu Power.
2. Try using full gut (VS 1.25) on two racquets with a medium tension and softer strings. Your daughter may perform well with this setup, and remember that strings should not go dull and not require frequent restringing, which can offset the cost. I encountered issues with full gut during play as they were too soft and powerful. Then consider trying a hybrid setup. I wouldn't recommend combining Gut and Synthetic Gut; instead, use poly for the crosses and gut for the mains.
Make sure to incorporate Theraband stretching for her tendons and fascia. Fascia is the tissue surrounding the muscle, and research shows it plays a crucial role in healing. Stretching and flexibility exercises stimulate it. Additionally, consider MSM capsules.
Take care of your daughter, as early injuries are often a sign of overuse.
