I need some expert help. I'll "try" not to be too wordy. Keep in mind I don't know much about string terminology. I get the basics like solid core vs multifilament, but some strings being referred to by their material while others referred to by their construction confuses me.
I get my racquets strung at the local tennis pro shop. ($73 for a pair, labor+strings)
I'm a 3.0 player, male, mid-30s, small guy (5'5").
When I first got back into tennis, after several demo racquets, I bought a Wilson Steam 105S 16x15 with X-one Biphase 16 at about 60 lbs. I absolutely loved the feel of it, but I was breaking strings in 2 hours or less. At that point my shoulder was in terrible shape so a soft string was required.
I'm currently using a pair of Wilson Steam 99S (16x15) strung with Luxilon ALU Big Banger Power Spin in the mains and RPM Blast in the crosses (both at 59lbs, I think). I've strung this combo the last three times in my pair of racquets.
What I like about my current setup:
-I'm getting an astonishing 30+ hours (each racquet) before they feel dead.
-I've never broken this string combo.
-I never have to straighten them--always snap right back in place. (I'm not sure they move much.)
-During a serve (flat, moderate pace), I prefer this firm feel over the X-one Biphase.
-When I hit with decent technique (on occasion), there is certainly top spin.
What I don't like:
-I'm having a lot of trouble keeping the ball in contact with the racquet long enough during groundstrokes.
-My shoulder is still hurting, though that might be something that just can't be fixed with strings.
I'd love to find a string and tension configuration that feels a bit softer but doesn't annihilate the best attributes of my current setup. And while money isn't really a big deal, it's too wasteful to be using strings that cost $36 per stringing and last only a couple of hours--at least until my sponsorship from Wilson is finalized.
I'm also willing to change racquets but I really never have found a racquet I thought was more comfortable.
If I could find a string that was relatively cheap that could give me a relatively consistent 12+ hours, I'd even be willing to invest in a stringer and learn to string them myself.
Thanks for any advice.
I get my racquets strung at the local tennis pro shop. ($73 for a pair, labor+strings)
I'm a 3.0 player, male, mid-30s, small guy (5'5").
When I first got back into tennis, after several demo racquets, I bought a Wilson Steam 105S 16x15 with X-one Biphase 16 at about 60 lbs. I absolutely loved the feel of it, but I was breaking strings in 2 hours or less. At that point my shoulder was in terrible shape so a soft string was required.
I'm currently using a pair of Wilson Steam 99S (16x15) strung with Luxilon ALU Big Banger Power Spin in the mains and RPM Blast in the crosses (both at 59lbs, I think). I've strung this combo the last three times in my pair of racquets.
What I like about my current setup:
-I'm getting an astonishing 30+ hours (each racquet) before they feel dead.
-I've never broken this string combo.
-I never have to straighten them--always snap right back in place. (I'm not sure they move much.)
-During a serve (flat, moderate pace), I prefer this firm feel over the X-one Biphase.
-When I hit with decent technique (on occasion), there is certainly top spin.
What I don't like:
-I'm having a lot of trouble keeping the ball in contact with the racquet long enough during groundstrokes.
-My shoulder is still hurting, though that might be something that just can't be fixed with strings.
I'd love to find a string and tension configuration that feels a bit softer but doesn't annihilate the best attributes of my current setup. And while money isn't really a big deal, it's too wasteful to be using strings that cost $36 per stringing and last only a couple of hours--at least until my sponsorship from Wilson is finalized.
I'm also willing to change racquets but I really never have found a racquet I thought was more comfortable.
If I could find a string that was relatively cheap that could give me a relatively consistent 12+ hours, I'd even be willing to invest in a stringer and learn to string them myself.
Thanks for any advice.