String suggestion for a beginner experiencing wrist and shoulder pain

[_a4rush]

Greetings!
First of all hello everyone this is my first thread here. I am Aarush, 17 years old and I started playing tennis about 2 weeks ago.
Currently I have 3 rackets, the new head speed mp legend, head mx spark pro, and the old Wilson pro staff 100L, I use the head speed mp as my main racquet, so the problem is because I didn’t know much about strings and stuff because I was new to tennis, I didn’t do much research and ordered the Head lynx touch for my racket and got it strung at 54 lbs tension but since I started playing with it I have been experiencing wrist and shoulder pain, I also have a very skinny build maybe that could be the reason. I know this could also be because of bad technique but I would say I play pretty decent for a beginner, so I did more research about strings and found out that polyester strings are pretty harsh for the body, could that be the reason of my wrist pain? If yes what strings would you recommend for me? I will also be reducing my tension to 50 lbs because I think 54 lbs is too much for a beginner. A friend of mine has suggested the Babolat RPM soft string, I would be very grateful for any help and really appreciate it!!
Aarush

 

[happyandbob]

Strings won’t matter for you for a while. Use the cheapest synthetic gut you can find @ 50 lbs. Your body and wallet will thank you.

 

[_a4rush]

Strings won’t matter for you for a while. Use the cheapest synthetic gut you can find @ 50 lbs. Your body and wallet will thank you.

Honestly money isn’t a problem for me, the problem is I live at place with very little exposure to tennis, a very few people have the access to courts that’s why there are no shops that keep tennis accessories or even good rackets, I have to order everything online and it would take 4-5 days to arrive, I can’t just go to a store and choose my string so it become a hectic process for me. I want a string that I can rely on for Atleast 2-4 months which provides good comfort because lately I have been experiencing a lot of pain. I would be very grateful if you could drop some suggestions for a good string irrespective of the price, because I would have to order it online and I still don’t know much about strings.
Thank you for the reply!!!!

 

[tele]

Honestly money isn’t a problem for me, the problem is I live at place with very little exposure to tennis, a very few people have the access to courts that’s why there are no shops that keep tennis accessories or even good rackets, I have to order everything online and it would take 4-5 days to arrive, I can’t just go to a store and choose my string so it become a hectic process for me. I want a string that I can rely on for Atleast 2-4 months which provides good comfort because lately I have been experiencing a lot of pain. I would be very grateful if you could drop some suggestions for a good string irrespective of the price, because I would have to order it online and I still don’t know much about strings.
Thank you for the reply!!!!

isospeed control classic for max comfort. if you want more power, tecnifibre x−one biphase is a good place to start.

you should be looking at multifilament, synthetic gut, or natural gut strings. avoid polyester strings, especially since you want the comfort to last for months.

 

[_a4rush]

isospeed control classic for max comfort. if you want more power, tecnifibre x−one biphase is a good place to start.

you should be looking at multifilament, synthetic gut, or natural gut strings. avoid polyester strings, especially since you want the comfort to last for months.

Sadly the strings you mentioned are currently unavailable here, the options I am looking at are babolat Xcel in the multifilament category, Head Synthetic Gut pps or Technifibre synthetic gut

 

[esm]

Sadly the strings you mentioned are currently unavailable here, the options I am looking at are babolat Xcel in the multifilament category, Head Synthetic Gut pps or Technifibre synthetic gut

Stay away from poly (and heavy racquets)!
I agree to use multifilament or synthetic gut for your current phase of tennis sessions.
If things gets too difficult in your area, maybe also try to obtain a string machine and you can do it yourself.
Head Synthetic Gut is a very good option for beginners.

 

[_a4rush]

Stay away from poly (and heavy racquets)!
I agree to use multifilament or synthetic gut for your current phase of tennis sessions.
If things gets too difficult in your area, maybe also try to obtain a string machine and you can do it ayourself.
Head Synthetic Gut is a very good option for beginners.

Thank you for your reply!!
Getting my racquet strung isn’t really a problem only getting the strings is, what do you think about the Head Velocity MLT? It’s a multifilament string

 

[esm]

Thank you for your reply!!
Getting my racquet strung isn’t really a problem only getting the strings is, what do you think about the Head Velocity MLT? It’s a multifilament string

Ah okay. Gotcha.
Head Velocity MLT is also a good choice, I know you mentioned money isn’t a problem, but honestly at this stage if your tennis, Head Synthetic Gut will be plenty enough. if I remembered correctly, it also comes in various colours, so you can always funk up your mains and crosses with different colours. It can also be fun, in a different way. Good luck and hope you get better!

 

[KingCarlitos]

If you’ve never played tennis or haven’t played for a while you will get neck, and body and wrist aches after playing.

 

[_a4rush]

Ah okay. Gotcha.
Head Velocity MLT is also a good choice, I know you mentioned money isn’t a problem, but honestly at this stage if your tennis, Head Synthetic Gut will be plenty enough. if I remembered correctly, it also comes in various colours, so you can always funk up your mains and crosses with different colours. It can also be fun, in a different way. Good luck and hope you get better!

Also, when I am hitting a forehand I get nervous/scared that if I hit the ball hard it might go outside the court and I suddenly slow down my racket with my hand/wrist, could that also be a reason to my wrist pain?
And just to confirm, the string I’m currently using, the head lynx touch is a polyester string right?

 

[tele]

Also, when I am hitting a forehand I get nervous/scared that if I hit the ball hard it might go outside the court and I suddenly slow down my racket with my hand/wrist, could that also be a reason to my wrist pain?

If you slow down, it can actually result in launching the ball because you will not impart much spin. I suggest watching videos on youtube about how to hit proper groundstrokes. IIRC, "Feel Tennis" has easy to understand, intuitive lessons for beginners, but there are many others as well.

 

[Trip]

Sadly the strings you mentioned are currently unavailable here, the options I am looking at are babolat Xcel in the multifilament category, Head Synthetic Gut pps or Technifibre synthetic gut

For where you're at in your tennis journey, I would just go with one of the syn guts. Head Syn Gut PPS is especially good.

 

[VanDerVaart23]

Sadly the strings you mentioned are currently unavailable here, the options I am looking at are babolat Xcel in the multifilament category, Head Synthetic Gut pps or Technifibre synthetic gut

Do the Babolat xCel for all your racquets and keep it until it breaks
Keep practicing

 

[Robert F]

For where you are in your journey is focus on technique that is the culprit for most injuries/pains.
Yeah, strings can contribute but improvements in technique will do wonders.

If money isn't an issue find a pro who is willing to teach you proper strokes and not stroke your ego. Hit with him 2-3 times a week.

 

[useframesavestrings]

It's hard to tell whether you're hurting because of the strings or because you've just started playing tennis (I'd lean towards it being the latter), but I agree that polys probably aren't the best for you at this point in your tennis journey.

If Babolat Xcel is available to you, it's a good option. It's actually my favorite multi, but you should be aware that it's on the lower powered side (not as low powered as Velocity MLT though).

 

[esgee48]

Get a reel of either Head or Tecnifibre Synthetic Gut in 1.25 mm if you want feel or 1.30 mm if you want durability. Natural or white is my preference.

 

[useframesavestrings]

Get a reel of either Head or Tecnifibre Synthetic Gut in 1.25 mm if you want feel or 1.30 mm if you want durability. Natural or white is my preference.

the guy's been playing tennis for like 2 weeks I dunno if he should be out getting reels of anything

 

[esgee48]

It’s SG and he only needs to order once. Packs costs more and you have to pay for more shipping. The reel will yield 17-18 string jobs which will get him thru his learning period.

 

[hadoken]

Dude is a beginner, just buy a 1/2 reel of AG Synthetic Gut from the big auction site and you are good to go. Try 40, 45, 50 lbs and see what works and then go from there. The play differential on a synthetic vs a budget multi will be minimal if you ask me vs the tension differences for someone starting out.

 

[dmtree]

1.25mm synthetic gut. I'd get a few single packs to start, string it in the middle of your racquet's recommended tension range and adjust if needed - tighter for more control, looser for more power. These will last you a long, long time until you develop enough power and spin to break them. And they don't really go bad, lose much tension, or playability for a long time.

 

[devoker]

2 week old player. It doesn't matter if they are using poly. Definitely something wrong if they are having wrist and shoulder pain. It is 100% technique.
What you need is lessons my friend not new strings.

 

[LocNetMonster]

Stay away from poly (and heavy racquets)!

Three things:

1. Stay away from polys (for now) - yes. Pretty much any brand of synthetic gut will be good.

2. While your level of fitness may be a contributing issue, based on your complaint, sounds like you need to work on preparation, timing, and footwork. Take a month or two of lessons.

3. And do play with the heaviest frame you can handle. Heavier frames absorb more shock, transmitting less energy to the arm and joints. More mass gives you easier access to power. Light frame+late contact, generally = joint irritation.

 

[vokazu]

Also, you should do a lot of various warm up and stretchings before and after playing.

 

[Shroud]

also if you can make a vid of some strokes and post it in the Tips section. It will be brutal for sure, but if there is any technique issue you will find it out fast and get advice to fix. Strings and racquets are far behind technique when it comes to injury and pain. Racquets and Strings are way ahead of technique in terms of easy magical fixes.

 

[Irvin]

There are different types of string.

• Synthetic Gut
• Multifilament
• Poly / Co-poly
• Kevlar
• Hybrids
• Natural Gut

If I were to offer a suggestion for a beginner it would be either synthetic gut or multifilament string at mid range tension for your racket.

 

[vokazu]

Don't use Head Velocity multifilament string though. It can be a bit harsh at 50+ tension.

I find heavy racquet will help reduce harsh string vibration. If your racquet is light, you can try adding lead tape under the head guard and on the sides at 3 and 9 o'clock, and at the handle (or replace the handle original grip with a leather grip).

 

[TheRareCreature]

1) Take multiple lessons since money is not an issue for you - can’t stress this enough!!!
2) Use any multi or synthetic gut string while you continue to learn the fundamentals

 

[_a4rush]

also if you can make a vid of some strokes and post it in the Tips section. It will be brutal for sure, but if there is any technique issue you will find it out fast and get advice to fix. Strings and racquets are far behind technique when it comes to injury and pain. Racquets and Strings are way ahead of technique in terms of easy magical fixes.

Sorry for updating y’all so late but technique was probably the main reason of my joint pain. I have improved my technique quite a bit since I first posted the thread and haven’t felt pain in my joints since. As most of suggested getting lessons should be my priority however because tennis has very little exposure where I live, I’ve not been able to find any good Tennis academy which I can join therefore I have been looking for individual coaches who might help help me improve my game, in the mean time I learnt how to hit tops in and I’ve been hitting decent forehands but for some reason I struggle with double handed backhand a lot, I am not able to time it correctly and even if I do time it correctly I end up hitting the ball in the net but when I hit a slice or a single handed backhand for some reason it’s pretty good.

 

[Shroud]

Sorry for updating y’all so late but technique was probably the main reason of my joint pain. I have improved my technique quite a bit since I first posted the thread and haven’t felt pain in my joints since. As most of suggested getting lessons should be my priority however because tennis has very little exposure where I live, I’ve not been able to find any good Tennis academy which I can join therefore I have been looking for individual coaches who might help help me improve my game, in the mean time I learnt how to hit tops in and I’ve been hitting decent forehands but for some reason I struggle with double handed backhand a lot, I am not able to time it correctly and even if I do time it correctly I end up hitting the ball in the net but when I hit a slice or a single handed backhand for some reason it’s pretty good.

Good job. Also there is a travel section here. Couldn’t hurt to post there looking for coaches. You never know