I wasn’t really making a point. Mostly just curious how a racquet that doesn’t work for you is a suitable playtest frame. That wording from your FS post implies you don’t like it, but I can understand enjoying the frame while the racquet is not a good - or good enough - fit. I suppose if you’ve played a bunch of strings in it then go for it though!
Tennis Warehouse playtest: Hyper-G Round 1.25
- Thread starter TW Staff
- Start date
I think the essence of what you are talking about is how you test a frame.
Try different strings, see if what you experience is yourself, the racquet, the string, or some combination.
For me, if you're curious, it has to do with my timing when using the PSVS and the largely intangible "feel" aspect. Not physical feel or feedback, but that instinct of is this working or is something off.
The PSVS on paper should be perfect for me, but somehow it isn't, it's just slightly off.
That’s not how I would test a frame. I’d test a frame for my own use by weighting it to my specs, stringing it the same as my usual to start, and tweaking from there based on my impressions. I know what I like and what to change when something is missing. Then once I have it how I like, I keep it the same. Then it’s for sure me producing the tennis, bad or good…as if it isn’t always me lol.
Despite hitting most everything on the market from major brands in the past 15 years, I wouldn’t test a string in a racquet I have not played heavily with. That’s different than testing in a frame where I enjoy some qualities but don’t use it regularly. I like the feel of the Prestige Classic but wouldn’t test with it because it doesn’t fit my game. I play great with the Strike VS stock and enjoy it but haven’t used it in over a year. My old pure storm tours I still pull out for fun and played with for 8 years so they could work but aren’t the best option either. I used my blade 16x19s that I’ve been hitting exclusively for months to test HGR because then I’m only changing one variable and getting the best quality data I can get. How else will I know with good certainty if it’s the string, the racquet, or how the two work together? I owe it to the playtest to get the most accurate impression.
Is there anything wrong with doing it a different way? Depends who you ask. If you’re constantly switching or testing different strings and racquets, it may not matter as much which frame you use it in.
I mean sure, if you go read all my posts you'll see specs and different characteristics and things I mention about racquets I've used. You'd also see that I was on the playtest for the PSVS and wrote a review after lengthy use.
If you read the for sale posting you'd see the PSVS has lead, so clearly customized to a spec.
In the end though, I still don't get your point for calling me out. You do not make it known in your posts.
Do you think my review is bad, inaccurate, biased, or are you just being a contrarian against someone with whom you've never had any exchanges?
The latter would be very confusing to me.
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ryohazuki222
Professional
String Playtest Review
Racquet: Custom Ezone 98
My Usual Setup: Rev mains and RPM Rough crosses, both at 50 lbs.
Test Tension: 50 lbs.
Full Setup:
• Power/Control: It’s got low to medium power and really good control. This is more because of how stiff it is, not so much about the spin.
• Feel: Definitely stiffer than what I’m used to.
• Spin: It’s okay but not as spin-friendly as my regular strings.
• Playability Duration: Didn’t keep it long enough for a full test. Just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Tension Tip: Next time, I might go lower on the tension. Just a hunch.
Hybrid Setup Review
Strings: Hyper-G Round (HGR) in the mains, RPM Rough in the crosses.
Tension: Kept it at 50 lbs.
• Power/Control: This mix worked better for me. I think the RPM Rough made the overall feel softer and upped the spin game.
• Feel: Still a bit stiff but comfier than just HGR.
• Spin: Better spin here compared to the full HGR setup.
• Playability Duration: Didn’t play with it too long, same as the full setup.
Re: straightening/stringing…. Strung up well, no need to straighten strings. Didn’t play with them long enough to reach that point where it’d really become an issue though.
Racquet: Custom Ezone 98
My Usual Setup: Rev mains and RPM Rough crosses, both at 50 lbs.
Test Tension: 50 lbs.
Full Setup:
• Power/Control: It’s got low to medium power and really good control. This is more because of how stiff it is, not so much about the spin.
• Feel: Definitely stiffer than what I’m used to.
• Spin: It’s okay but not as spin-friendly as my regular strings.
• Playability Duration: Didn’t keep it long enough for a full test. Just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Tension Tip: Next time, I might go lower on the tension. Just a hunch.
Hybrid Setup Review
Strings: Hyper-G Round (HGR) in the mains, RPM Rough in the crosses.
Tension: Kept it at 50 lbs.
• Power/Control: This mix worked better for me. I think the RPM Rough made the overall feel softer and upped the spin game.
• Feel: Still a bit stiff but comfier than just HGR.
• Spin: Better spin here compared to the full HGR setup.
• Playability Duration: Didn’t play with it too long, same as the full setup.
Re: straightening/stringing…. Strung up well, no need to straighten strings. Didn’t play with them long enough to reach that point where it’d really become an issue though.
I’m not going to go back and read all your posts lol. I’m not calling you out. I just asked why you tested the strings in a frame you are dumping, inferring you didn’t like the frame because in your words you “can’t make it work.” That doesn’t seem like a great test to me unless you’re largely familiar with the frame and it fits your game. You are at least familiar with the frame and how different strings play in it.
I do disagree with your perspective on testing a frame, but all that means is your way wouldn’t work for me. To me, trying a bunch of different strings and setups hoping the frame will work is like having a kid in hopes it will save a failing relationship…it probably won’t help in the end. But if it works for you, go for it. You’re a grown adult I assume, so do what makes you happy and the game enjoyable.
Pretty much felt like you were calling me out without ever providing any substantiation behind how using a racquet I'm selling impacted my review.
I mean if you are really, really interested, I am happy to give you a dissertation on my entire racquet testing process. I don't really think you're that interested.
Again, if you've got specific questions because of my "flawed" review, I am happy to clarify.
Otherwise it just feels like you're spitting into the wind with criticism.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
@Chairman3 i didn’t feel he was calling you out. It’s a legit question imo. When I playtest strings now, I always do it in the racquet I am most comfortable and familiar with as well. Just my 2c.
I think you’re missing the point, buddy. I asked why you’d test in a frame you can’t get to work. Just for clarification...maybe you know it super well and really tried your hardest before deeming it a failure. I have no idea, so I asked - should readers take your review with a grain of salt? Because why review with it if it doesn’t work for you? You said you’ve played lots of strings in it. So at least you know the frame. Did I call it flawed? No. If you switch frames and strings a lot or if it’s the stick you’ve used for the past however long, it could certainly be the right move. But feel free to keep drawing whatever conclusion you want for the sake of argument. I just won’t respond if you’re playing the victim anymore.
FYI: selling your playtest frames here is a no no
I just don't think you've identified anything within my review that is frame specific, that's why I am confused. If you had things that seemed anomalous it might warrant more attention, I asked and you never really answered. Otherwise, I self-identified in the review observatios that could be specific to the frame.
Nope the review can be taken 100% at face value, as can all of the reviews I write. I test in frames I am familiar with otherwise I wouldn't be able to give an objective review of the string. I thought that went without saying?
Also, thanks for your concern, I'm sure it was sincere. But FYI, playtest frame was an L2 grip and sold elsewhere, these are L3.
Hard to tell on here sometimes.
The general tone seemed uncalled for and the continued remarks seemed like an effort to undermine my review, very confusing as to why.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
I honestly didn't get that impression.
It’s not about the frame relative to your review. I really don’t care what your impressions were. You’re neither right nor wrong about subjective things…you just had a different experience. I was generally curious why you chose to review with a racquet that you dumped on the classifieds in short order after the playtest and whether you thought it impacted your experience. You seem to have taken me asking why you reviewed with a frame that doesn’t work for you as an attack and gotten very defensive. You could have just answered the question - you don’t believe it had an impact because you’ve played the racquet extensively - and moved on. Carry on though.
You may know them better than I.
Admittedly tone can be hard to determine through the internet.
Ah well if I misunderstood your intent than I owe you an apology.
It didn't come across expressly genuine, so my mistake there.
I have been using this frame for a few months. It is what my strokes were adjusted to when the playtest came up. Also I had used it fairly extensively, previously. It made more sense to carry-forward with it than to go back to my tried and true Ultra Pro's which are a little heavier so might throw off my timing, initially. Also it had been months since I used the UP's.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
i think of it more like this...if you publish findings from a research project, peers could be interested in how and why you came up with your testing methodology. i wouldn't consider that as an attempt to undermine or attack. it's often done to gain more knowledge.
FrankyRelax
Professional
Tension(s) used for playtest: 48lbs
Regular string setup & tension: Most consistent setup for match play recently has been Mayami Tour Hex 1.23/Wasabi X 1.23
Racquet used for test: Wilson Blade Pro V8 16x19
Power/Control of test string: I found it to be a good mix of power and control. My main set up is mostly on the low powered side so it took a little adjustment. I found there was about a one hour break in period before the string settled in and become more predictable and not as harsh. Having tried its squared shaped counterpart, I found this string to have more control simply due to its increased predictability. Good controllable power on flat shots especially.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): I normally gravitate towards the softer end of poly strings, and while this one was softer than regular hyper g, I found it to be a tad stiffer than hyper g soft. It was more muted rather than crisp and sometimes made me feel like i lost the ball in the string bed. This was particularly true during the first hour of play. After settling, there was better ball pocketing, but not too mushy like some softer offerings.
Spin: For a round poly, I would say the spin generation was above average. It wasn't as pronounced as a sharper shaped poly might be, but I was pleasantly surprised by the spin I got from it. Predictably, launch angle was lower than regular hyper g or my regular set up, but it maintained good court penetration. I would think that it would be a good string in more open string beds that have some uncomfortably high launch angles. As mentioned before, flattening out shots was pretty fun. This was especially true when going down the line.
Playability Duration: I used this string for about 11 hours before I felt slight twinges in my arm. That being said, playability remained when when I cut it out and would probably play for a couple more hours for those with non-sensitive arms/elbows.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why): I think this string could be strung further into the mid-40s comfortably (44-45). I would string it a bit lower to see if I can get a couple more hours out of it with no loss to comfort. This could be a good option to experiment with a lower cross tension to play around with launch angle.
Other comments (optional): If I got anything out of this playtest its that this string would be a real contender for a go-to cross string in poly/poly or gut/poly hybrids. It is soft enough and definitely slick enough to really let most mains shine. I won't be switching to this in a full bed, and Wasabi X is still my go to cross, but I will probably buy a couple more sets to experiment with some hybrids. The most obvious trial would be regular hyper g main and hyper g round. This string is also a great middle ground for those wanting to get into hyper g, but found regular hyper g too stiff and hyper g soft to be too mushy. While the spin isn't there as much, the better predictability is a real winner. Thank you to Tennis Warehouse and Solinco.
Happy hitting!
Regular string setup & tension: Most consistent setup for match play recently has been Mayami Tour Hex 1.23/Wasabi X 1.23
Racquet used for test: Wilson Blade Pro V8 16x19
Power/Control of test string: I found it to be a good mix of power and control. My main set up is mostly on the low powered side so it took a little adjustment. I found there was about a one hour break in period before the string settled in and become more predictable and not as harsh. Having tried its squared shaped counterpart, I found this string to have more control simply due to its increased predictability. Good controllable power on flat shots especially.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): I normally gravitate towards the softer end of poly strings, and while this one was softer than regular hyper g, I found it to be a tad stiffer than hyper g soft. It was more muted rather than crisp and sometimes made me feel like i lost the ball in the string bed. This was particularly true during the first hour of play. After settling, there was better ball pocketing, but not too mushy like some softer offerings.
Spin: For a round poly, I would say the spin generation was above average. It wasn't as pronounced as a sharper shaped poly might be, but I was pleasantly surprised by the spin I got from it. Predictably, launch angle was lower than regular hyper g or my regular set up, but it maintained good court penetration. I would think that it would be a good string in more open string beds that have some uncomfortably high launch angles. As mentioned before, flattening out shots was pretty fun. This was especially true when going down the line.
Playability Duration: I used this string for about 11 hours before I felt slight twinges in my arm. That being said, playability remained when when I cut it out and would probably play for a couple more hours for those with non-sensitive arms/elbows.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why): I think this string could be strung further into the mid-40s comfortably (44-45). I would string it a bit lower to see if I can get a couple more hours out of it with no loss to comfort. This could be a good option to experiment with a lower cross tension to play around with launch angle.
Other comments (optional): If I got anything out of this playtest its that this string would be a real contender for a go-to cross string in poly/poly or gut/poly hybrids. It is soft enough and definitely slick enough to really let most mains shine. I won't be switching to this in a full bed, and Wasabi X is still my go to cross, but I will probably buy a couple more sets to experiment with some hybrids. The most obvious trial would be regular hyper g main and hyper g round. This string is also a great middle ground for those wanting to get into hyper g, but found regular hyper g too stiff and hyper g soft to be too mushy. While the spin isn't there as much, the better predictability is a real winner. Thank you to Tennis Warehouse and Solinco.
Happy hitting!
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
The Solinco Blackout also has some pretty wide string spacing so I believe HGR 1.30 would work really well in this frame to provide some added penetration. I plan to purchase a few sets of HGR 1.30 to try in the PA19 and Solinco Blackout.
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Dberger820
Rookie
Solinco Hyper-G Round 16L playtest
Tension(s) used for playtest: 50 pounds
Regular string setup & tension: I usually like to keep one racquet with RPM Blast for when I need more spin, and one racquet with Kirshbaum Super Smash Orange when I want to keep the ball lower.
Racquet used for test: 2021 Vcore 98
Power/Control of test string: I would like to start out by mentioning that I have tried normal Hyper-G in the last few racquets I have used and for some reason have not been able to mesh well with it. I was hoping this string would break the "mold" for me with Hyper-G and let me love it! This string has good power. Unfortunately for me, it was too much power and I had a really hard time keeping it within the baseline. Due to the power or the low spin, I could never figure out. I would play with this string for about 30-40 minutes then have to switch back to my other Vcore with RPM Blast to stay in the match.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): I would classify this string as comfortably firm. To me, if feels exactly like regular Hyper-G in the frame. It was very crisp to start out and didn't really loosen up until 5-6 hours in. I will say that once it finally loosened up, I enjoyed the string a lot more. It was a little on the "boardy" side for me for quite awhile.
Spin: This was where I struggled the most with this string. On serves, I was able to get plenty of spin and control. Groundstrokes were another beast. I believe this string and my Vcore 98 just were not meant for each other. With the Kirschbaum Super Smash, I am able to keep the ball low and driving. I was hoping for the same result with the Hyper-G but the ball wouldn't come down and continuously sailed long. I also struggled with directional control, which is something I rarely experience. Part of my thinks I was so focused on trying to get the ball to come down before the baseline that I was getting out of rhythm side to side.
Playability Duration: I am 10 hours into the playtest and the string still has plenty of life to it. Minimal notching and I would say it's about 45 pounds tension. Well done Solinco in this regard!
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why): Overall, I would probably string this about 45 pounds next time to allow for more spin and hopefully keep it in the lines. This would also decrease the "boardy" feeling I had for the first few hours of the playtest.
Other comments (optional): Thank you Tennis Warehouse and Solinco for offering this playtest. I really enjoy trying out new offerings and seeing what the creative minds in tennis are coming up with throughout the year!
Tension(s) used for playtest: 50 pounds
Regular string setup & tension: I usually like to keep one racquet with RPM Blast for when I need more spin, and one racquet with Kirshbaum Super Smash Orange when I want to keep the ball lower.
Racquet used for test: 2021 Vcore 98
Power/Control of test string: I would like to start out by mentioning that I have tried normal Hyper-G in the last few racquets I have used and for some reason have not been able to mesh well with it. I was hoping this string would break the "mold" for me with Hyper-G and let me love it! This string has good power. Unfortunately for me, it was too much power and I had a really hard time keeping it within the baseline. Due to the power or the low spin, I could never figure out. I would play with this string for about 30-40 minutes then have to switch back to my other Vcore with RPM Blast to stay in the match.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): I would classify this string as comfortably firm. To me, if feels exactly like regular Hyper-G in the frame. It was very crisp to start out and didn't really loosen up until 5-6 hours in. I will say that once it finally loosened up, I enjoyed the string a lot more. It was a little on the "boardy" side for me for quite awhile.
Spin: This was where I struggled the most with this string. On serves, I was able to get plenty of spin and control. Groundstrokes were another beast. I believe this string and my Vcore 98 just were not meant for each other. With the Kirschbaum Super Smash, I am able to keep the ball low and driving. I was hoping for the same result with the Hyper-G but the ball wouldn't come down and continuously sailed long. I also struggled with directional control, which is something I rarely experience. Part of my thinks I was so focused on trying to get the ball to come down before the baseline that I was getting out of rhythm side to side.
Playability Duration: I am 10 hours into the playtest and the string still has plenty of life to it. Minimal notching and I would say it's about 45 pounds tension. Well done Solinco in this regard!
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why): Overall, I would probably string this about 45 pounds next time to allow for more spin and hopefully keep it in the lines. This would also decrease the "boardy" feeling I had for the first few hours of the playtest.
Other comments (optional): Thank you Tennis Warehouse and Solinco for offering this playtest. I really enjoy trying out new offerings and seeing what the creative minds in tennis are coming up with throughout the year!
M Pillai
Semi-Pro
Solinco Hyper-G Round 1.25 playtest
- Tension(s) used for playtest
- 54lb all around (both mains and crosses)
- Regular string set-up & tension
- Volkl Cyclone17. 54lb mains & crosses
- Racquet used for test
- Wilson RF97 v13
- Power/Control of test string
- A really good combination of Power/Control. Hyper-G round is a relatively lively string for a poly. But no issues with control, especially when hitting with good spin on ground strokes. It took me a while to adjust for the return-of serve, since there was a good amount of responsiveness on these strings. But once I found the right feel, it helps sending the returns deep with some quality using the energy from the serve. Also find that there was a good amount of action and pop on the serves using Hyper-G round. Directional control was spot on from the first hit. Even though it took me a bit to get the depth control tuned in, once I found the right feel, the depth control also was excellent.
- Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
- Crisp and Comfortable. As mentioned before I find HyperG Round to be lively and responsive, with a crisp and comfortable feel. Found that it was easy to find the targets on Touch shots and dropshots. Also there is a good feel on the ball for depth and directional control of the shots.
- Spin
- Excellent. Based on the feedback from my hitting partners, I was able to hit heavier shots with HyperG Round, even when compared with Hyper-G regular (square shaped). Of course I have no definite way to measure the exact rotations on the ball. So I am not sure whether this was really because of extra rotations or just because of the liveliness of the string returning more energy. Either way, there was no issue in spin generation, and the snap-back qualities of the string were excellent.
- Playability Duration
- I thoroughly enjoyed this playtest, and found that the notching was minimal even after 18hrs of total hitting. I guess that is probably an advantage of the round variation, that appears to be more durable. If I remember correct, the shaped version used to notch a lot by the 12hr mark.
- Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why)
- I found the string tensions I used (54lb) to be perfect for my preference. So I don’t see a reason to alter anything (except of course to satisfy the mad scientist in me).
- Other comments (optional)
- One of the noticeable differences between HyperG round and HyperG shaped is the ball trajectory (or launch angle). I think it is because the HyperG shaped pockets the ball more. I prefer the HyperG round feel, even though I generally prefer ball pocketing. I guess it may differ based on the user. Since HyperG is the most popular string in college tennis, I am curious to know how many of them would switch to the round variant. I guess it would be hard to know, since they are of the same color and probably impossible to tell without looking close.
- Total Playtest time spent
- Full-bed of Solinco HyperG Round 1.25 on Wilson RF97 v13 : 18Hrs
- Hybrid of Solinco HyperG Round 1.25 mains + Solinco Vanquish 1.30 crosses on Wilson RF97 v13 : 12Hrs
HYBRID Section
- Which string for mains/crosses
- Solinco HyperG Round 1.25 in mains
- Solinco Vanquish 1.30 in crosses
- Tension(s) used for playtest
- 54lb
- Racquet used for playtest
- Wilson RF97 v13
- Provide a short summary
- Personally for me, the full bed setup was near perfect, that the hybrid setup was a downgrade. Essentially I felt like the Hybrid setup was fun, but not trustworthy enough (to take to a match for example). Essentially the hybrid was a bit over-responsive for me. It was definitely fun to play with, especially some lazy shots (Krygios style). But I know that boring consistency wins matches at my level, and that is why I may not take this hybrid setup to a match. Regarding the snap-back (sliding properties), on a fresh string bed of hybrid there was not much difference in snapback from a full bed vs hybrid. Vanquish seems to have a good sliding coating, which helps. Plus HyperG round is super slick as well. But after around 4hrs of hitting, there was more reluctance on snapback on the hybrid when compared with full-bed. But still didn’t have to move the strings back into place till around the 10hr mark. So I would say the snapback/sliding properties are excellent for a hybrid setup. The actual durability does not seem to be an issue, as long as you have HyperG round in the mains.
To simplify the comparison, I have chosen to have a scale of 5 for the rating on each category. This is only for the purpose of relative comparison.
- Poor
- Below Average
- Average
- Good
- Excellent
| Full bed Solinco HyperG Round 1.25 (mains and crosses) | Hybrid Solinco Hyper G Round 1.25 mains + Solinco Vanquish 1.30 crosses | |
| Control | Excellent | Average |
| Depth Control | Excellent | Good |
| Direction Control | Excellent | Good |
| Power | Good | Excellent |
| Feel | Excellent | Excellent |
| Spin Potential | Excellent | Good |
| Playability Duration | Excellent | Good |
| Tension Maintenance | Good | Good |
| Trust for a match | Excellent | Below Average |
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this playtest, and I may consider buying a reel of Solinco HyperG Round 1.25 once my current string reel is over. Thanks for the opportunity Solinco and TW.
longtimelurker
Professional
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
i tried TB 17/HGR 16L and found the full bed of HGR worked better. i had also tried HG 17/HGR 17 back in March 2023 and it was good but didn't do anything extra to the ball in terms of penetration like the full bed of HGR.Now that review makes me feel like I want to try HyperG-Shaped mains + HyperG-Round crosses. I am not really sure what I am really trying to achievesince I already like HyperG Round full bed so much.
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Dunlop300g
Rookie
I really enjoyed the official TW review on YouTube. I like the full bed of HGR; I think from their string test what kind of was not stated or went without stating is that this string is the same string as HG just in a different shape. If it was somehow slightly different in composition, it probably would be stated in the official review or by some statement from Solinco. It seems simply from a cost standpoint that the string composition must be the same. It's nice to see in the official review all the combinations of hybrids discussed as well. It was fun to watch and listen to their take on a string we are reviewing right now.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Solinco sent me a test pack of this months ago in 1.20 gauge. I am thinking I may try it in my 23 Vcore 98. Round polys work fantastic in that frame. It doesn't really need shaped ones since it already has a higher trajectory. Currently using Kirschbaum Flash 1.25 which is a round poly, like a crisper and better playing version of PTP.
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got a chance to try this out in 1.25mm last night. i agree that it feels a tad softer than the normal version. i thought it was a pretty great playing string, basically what i expected from a round hyper G although the slightly softer feel was a pleasant surprise. the one downside is that it feels awful in my ezone 98. i'm finding the ez98 to be more string sensitive when it comes to feel, so i don't think this is the string's fault. had i still used the PD, i'd probably make the switch.
stapletonj
Hall of Fame
Big John’s Solinco hyper G “ROUND” Review - Hybrid!
This review is written 100% by me.
Tension(s) used for playtest:
_58_/53__# strung on a Gamma electronic 6900 (10% prestretch)
strung up nice and smooth, my fingers didn’t get roughed up like regular hyper -G. No kinking. The familiar plastic feel of Hyper G is still there throughout. A little stiffer on the weave than Yonex PTP.
Regular string set up:
Main: 16 gauge Klip gut 62lbs Crosses: 55 lbs. Yonex blue PTP
On this one, I used some Babolat Xalt for the mains strung at 58 lbs.
This is my now go-to non gut (see my earlier review)
I stung the Hyper G crosses at 53 lbs.
Racquet used for test:
2023 Yonex 100 (16 X 19)
I decided to compare it mainly to the Xalt/Yonex PTP that I have in a 3rd back up racket (a 2018 all red Yonex vcore 100)
Control/Power of test string: Rating -
___9__/10 for control
___7_/10 for power
Observations
Feel - I could tell right away that the Hyper G had a stiffer “feel” than the Yonex PTP in the crosses. Every now and then, I could feel that familiar “plastic-y” sound and sensation. (Note: I ma not saying this is good or bad, but it is different, usually on a ball hit at an unusual angle or somewhat off center.
Overall -
Serving was excellent. I felt much more control with little loss of power compared to the Xalt/Yonex PTP combo.
Volleys were fine, but perhaps the Yonex PTP allowed the mains to “help” a little more on super low volleys and half volleys. I noticed it was tougher to dig out these low shots and get them up and over the net (without popping up) with the Hyper G cross racket.
Spin: Rating – __7___ of 10
I hit fairly flat and it reacted very predictably to flat strokes. When I applied a more topspin swingpath or a slice swingpath on a groundstroke, it gave me less spin than the Xalt/Yonex PTP setup. I got the spin, but only what I put in, no bonus spin here.
Playability Duration (did the playability change over time? How? Feel free to comment on durability & frictional wear as well):
Rating - ___5____ of 10
Comments - While it does not die as fast as Alu (what does?) I feel this is a fairly “short lived” string. I felt when it was dying (after about 8-10 hours) and it went completely dead after about 16 hours. It is not terribly expensive and if one fell in love with it and felt confident enough to do cross only restrings (I do), a reel would last a sufficient amount of time and would reduce the cost considerably.
Tension findings (what tension would you use if you strung it again? Why?):
I would likely keep the same tension (58/53) as I had no arm problems to speak of. However, I would certainly not go higher and might go a few lbs. Lower due to the stiffness of the crosses.
Observations
List any additional thoughts (optional):
Sometimes with gut/poly, I will get a “rogue wave” where I swing out and somehow hit a super sweet spot. Unfortunately, this usually results in the ball hitting the back curtain on the fly while still going up. Fortunately that only happens about once every 2 or 3 matches. This seemed impossible with the Hyper-G in the crosses. The control is definitely there.
I am a booster of the Marshall women’s tennis team. They use my indoor club as their home courts for indoor season. (Thundering Herd -Green and White) With the White-ish Xalt in the mains and the neon green Hyper - in the crosses, my racket was filled with school spirit. So much so that several of these young, beautiful, fit, players came up and asked what string setup this old, ugly, out of shape player had in his racket. Thank You TW, ha ha.
A big additional thank you to TW for allowing me to test this string.
NOW - ON TO THE KIRSHBAUM
This review is written 100% by me.
Tension(s) used for playtest:
_58_/53__# strung on a Gamma electronic 6900 (10% prestretch)
strung up nice and smooth, my fingers didn’t get roughed up like regular hyper -G. No kinking. The familiar plastic feel of Hyper G is still there throughout. A little stiffer on the weave than Yonex PTP.
Regular string set up:
Main: 16 gauge Klip gut 62lbs Crosses: 55 lbs. Yonex blue PTP
On this one, I used some Babolat Xalt for the mains strung at 58 lbs.
This is my now go-to non gut (see my earlier review)
I stung the Hyper G crosses at 53 lbs.
Racquet used for test:
2023 Yonex 100 (16 X 19)
I decided to compare it mainly to the Xalt/Yonex PTP that I have in a 3rd back up racket (a 2018 all red Yonex vcore 100)
Control/Power of test string: Rating -
___9__/10 for control
___7_/10 for power
Observations
Feel - I could tell right away that the Hyper G had a stiffer “feel” than the Yonex PTP in the crosses. Every now and then, I could feel that familiar “plastic-y” sound and sensation. (Note: I ma not saying this is good or bad, but it is different, usually on a ball hit at an unusual angle or somewhat off center.
Overall -
Serving was excellent. I felt much more control with little loss of power compared to the Xalt/Yonex PTP combo.
Volleys were fine, but perhaps the Yonex PTP allowed the mains to “help” a little more on super low volleys and half volleys. I noticed it was tougher to dig out these low shots and get them up and over the net (without popping up) with the Hyper G cross racket.
Spin: Rating – __7___ of 10
I hit fairly flat and it reacted very predictably to flat strokes. When I applied a more topspin swingpath or a slice swingpath on a groundstroke, it gave me less spin than the Xalt/Yonex PTP setup. I got the spin, but only what I put in, no bonus spin here.
Playability Duration (did the playability change over time? How? Feel free to comment on durability & frictional wear as well):
Rating - ___5____ of 10
Comments - While it does not die as fast as Alu (what does?) I feel this is a fairly “short lived” string. I felt when it was dying (after about 8-10 hours) and it went completely dead after about 16 hours. It is not terribly expensive and if one fell in love with it and felt confident enough to do cross only restrings (I do), a reel would last a sufficient amount of time and would reduce the cost considerably.
Tension findings (what tension would you use if you strung it again? Why?):
I would likely keep the same tension (58/53) as I had no arm problems to speak of. However, I would certainly not go higher and might go a few lbs. Lower due to the stiffness of the crosses.
Observations
List any additional thoughts (optional):
Sometimes with gut/poly, I will get a “rogue wave” where I swing out and somehow hit a super sweet spot. Unfortunately, this usually results in the ball hitting the back curtain on the fly while still going up. Fortunately that only happens about once every 2 or 3 matches. This seemed impossible with the Hyper-G in the crosses. The control is definitely there.
I am a booster of the Marshall women’s tennis team. They use my indoor club as their home courts for indoor season. (Thundering Herd -Green and White) With the White-ish Xalt in the mains and the neon green Hyper - in the crosses, my racket was filled with school spirit. So much so that several of these young, beautiful, fit, players came up and asked what string setup this old, ugly, out of shape player had in his racket. Thank You TW, ha ha.
A big additional thank you to TW for allowing me to test this string.
NOW - ON TO THE KIRSHBAUM
What about full bed?
stapletonj
Hall of Fame
coming - I collaborated with my buddy Bill on that one and should have it up by Tuesday..
Tension(s) used for playtest: 44/40
Regular string setup & tension: Tru Pro Ghostwire at 44/40
Racquet used for test: Yonex Vcore Pro 97HD (customized)
Power/Control of test string: Overall more control-oriented than power-oriented for a poly when compared to today's poly strings. It did feel slightly more powerful than regular hyper-g, but not quite as soft as hyper-g soft.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): Fairly crisp, but I wouldn't say stiff. If you're used to the older, traditional poly strings, it's definitely a little more on the comfortable side. However, if you're used to the newer, softer poly strings (like many of the strings from ytex, tru pro, etc) then it is definitely a little more crisp. I'd consider it medium-stiffness compared all poly strings on the market.
Spin: Definitely a little lower than regular hyper-g. Spin was decent overall but nothing to write home about. I'd say spin was very average for a round poly; not great but not bad.
Playability Duration: I noticed a dip in playability after about 9 hours of play, which again is pretty average for a poly for me. Not as good as luxilon 4g or Kirschbaum max power, but slightly better than Tru Pro Ghostwire.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why): I would string it the same again. I got decent power and spin potential while maintaining control.
Other comments (optional): While my review doesn't sound especially positive, I actually really enjoyed this string. I think it would go especially well in a hybrid, either with a shaped poly or a natural gut in the mains. It's a solid, all-around string. While I didn't find it to do any one particular thing especially well, it was satisfactory in every aspect as well. I would definitely consider this string if you enjoy round poly strings, and I'm sure I'll be using it again at some point in the future.
Thanks Tennis Warehouse and Solinco for letting me review this string!
Regular string setup & tension: Tru Pro Ghostwire at 44/40
Racquet used for test: Yonex Vcore Pro 97HD (customized)
Power/Control of test string: Overall more control-oriented than power-oriented for a poly when compared to today's poly strings. It did feel slightly more powerful than regular hyper-g, but not quite as soft as hyper-g soft.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): Fairly crisp, but I wouldn't say stiff. If you're used to the older, traditional poly strings, it's definitely a little more on the comfortable side. However, if you're used to the newer, softer poly strings (like many of the strings from ytex, tru pro, etc) then it is definitely a little more crisp. I'd consider it medium-stiffness compared all poly strings on the market.
Spin: Definitely a little lower than regular hyper-g. Spin was decent overall but nothing to write home about. I'd say spin was very average for a round poly; not great but not bad.
Playability Duration: I noticed a dip in playability after about 9 hours of play, which again is pretty average for a poly for me. Not as good as luxilon 4g or Kirschbaum max power, but slightly better than Tru Pro Ghostwire.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why): I would string it the same again. I got decent power and spin potential while maintaining control.
Other comments (optional): While my review doesn't sound especially positive, I actually really enjoyed this string. I think it would go especially well in a hybrid, either with a shaped poly or a natural gut in the mains. It's a solid, all-around string. While I didn't find it to do any one particular thing especially well, it was satisfactory in every aspect as well. I would definitely consider this string if you enjoy round poly strings, and I'm sure I'll be using it again at some point in the future.
Thanks Tennis Warehouse and Solinco for letting me review this string!
Tension(s) used for playtest: Full Bed Hyper G Round (HGR) 16L at 50 lbs
Regular string setup & tension: Hyper G (HG) 16L at 50 lbs
Racquet used for test: Head Youtek Radical Pro
Power/Control of test string: HGR had a slight increase in power compared to HG, but I didn’t find the amount of power difference impactful, as the difference of power could be made up by dropping HG by less than 1 lb. Which I could say for control as well, except more when at net. When up at net the HGR was superior as it became much more point and shoot, without inconsistency I had gotten with I used HG especially outside the sweet spot.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): It’s hard to describe the feel. No matter how I played it, I knew it was HG, but different. Like HG the string felt stiff, and crisp, but muted. I wouldn’t say the string was comfortable, but it did play softer than HG, but nowhere close to HG soft. Though I wish it was a tad bit softer.
Spin: I was impressed by how much spin I could generate with a round poly. I’m more of a flat player, but I still got a decent amount of spin compared to other round polys, as spin-wise it's close to Alu Power. Though I’ll say that the drop in spin potential compared to HG is noticeable. The strings weren’t getting as much topspin and the lost in spin made returning balls a bit easier. Which was seen when my hitting partner took more risks when hitting the weaker shots.
Playability Duration: Playability and tension maintenance was pretty good. With the biggest thing I’ve notice is that the strings felt “fresher” for longer. It didn’t notch as fast, and unlike HG, HGR didn’t lockout until the strings were much closer to snapping. Overall, the strings lasted about 25-30% longer, which meant I could sneak about 2 more hours with the string.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why): I would drop the tension to 44-46 lbs, or even lower from my normal 50 lbs. To make up for the drop in spin. Since on my weaker hits the ball landed nicely in front of my opponent and allowed for them to push much easier. And it didn’t improve until the strings loosen up a bit. where the extra power gave the strings enough penetrating power.
Thank you TW and Solinco for offering this playtest!
Regular string setup & tension: Hyper G (HG) 16L at 50 lbs
Racquet used for test: Head Youtek Radical Pro
Power/Control of test string: HGR had a slight increase in power compared to HG, but I didn’t find the amount of power difference impactful, as the difference of power could be made up by dropping HG by less than 1 lb. Which I could say for control as well, except more when at net. When up at net the HGR was superior as it became much more point and shoot, without inconsistency I had gotten with I used HG especially outside the sweet spot.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): It’s hard to describe the feel. No matter how I played it, I knew it was HG, but different. Like HG the string felt stiff, and crisp, but muted. I wouldn’t say the string was comfortable, but it did play softer than HG, but nowhere close to HG soft. Though I wish it was a tad bit softer.
Spin: I was impressed by how much spin I could generate with a round poly. I’m more of a flat player, but I still got a decent amount of spin compared to other round polys, as spin-wise it's close to Alu Power. Though I’ll say that the drop in spin potential compared to HG is noticeable. The strings weren’t getting as much topspin and the lost in spin made returning balls a bit easier. Which was seen when my hitting partner took more risks when hitting the weaker shots.
Playability Duration: Playability and tension maintenance was pretty good. With the biggest thing I’ve notice is that the strings felt “fresher” for longer. It didn’t notch as fast, and unlike HG, HGR didn’t lockout until the strings were much closer to snapping. Overall, the strings lasted about 25-30% longer, which meant I could sneak about 2 more hours with the string.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why): I would drop the tension to 44-46 lbs, or even lower from my normal 50 lbs. To make up for the drop in spin. Since on my weaker hits the ball landed nicely in front of my opponent and allowed for them to push much easier. And it didn’t improve until the strings loosen up a bit. where the extra power gave the strings enough penetrating power.
Thank you TW and Solinco for offering this playtest!
SOLINCO HYPER-G ROUND 16L PLAYTEST
INTRODUCTION
First, thanks to the TW team for my first official playtest. TW runs a smooth process, so I’m delighted to contribute. A learning for me is that it takes quite a bit of commitment to do the playtest properly, so I will be selective about the playtests that I sign up for to make sure I do a thorough job.
My methodology was first to string the Hyper-G Round full-bed at my reference tension. Since the gauge that was shipped was slightly thinner than my normal, I would have preferred to string it a bit tighter - but I thought it would be better for the playtest to have more controlled elements for an apples-to-apples comparison
I then strung the hybrid test racquet with the Hyper-G Round on mains and my regular cross string (Mayami Tour Hex), again at reference tension. In this way, I could discern the differences from my normal main string (Solinco Tour Bite) in direct comparison. I was planning to then string another hybrid with Vanquish crosses using the same tension. Since I am using a three racquet rotation, I haven’t been able to try this third setup simultaneously - I still need my incumbent setup for comparison with the Hyper-G full-bed and hybrid setups. I will add comments on the Hyper-G Round / Vanquish hybrid at a subsequent date.
The punchline is that I think that Hyper-G Round is an excellent string for players seeking a muted, comfortable poly string. It isn’t a leader in any category of power, control, or spin, but it provides a compelling balance between the three. I would prefer a bit less power and more control for my game than the 16L at my reference tension, so I would probably next try it in 16 gauge before playing around with alternate tensions.
As a hybrid main string, Hyper-G Round really stood out to me. It has a good chance to become my string setup of choice.
FULL BED REVIEW
Tension(s) used for playtest: 51.5 Mains / 49.5 Crosses
Regular string setup & tension: Tour Bite 16 @ 51.5 Mains / Mayami Tour Hex 123 Crosses
Racquet used for test: Head Speed MP Auxetic 2023
Power/Control: I’d rate Power a 8/10, which is in the right zone for me. I probably prefer a 7/10 to allow me to add more swing speed for my medium flat/spin shots. For this reason, I would slightly tighten the mains the next time I use this in full-bed. In terms of Control, I’d rate it a 7/10. I’d probably prefer a flip of these scores - more control and less power. Overall, this is still a very good power/control balance for me. The first time I hit with the string, I didn’t like the control at all. It felt like the ball was sliding off of the strings in the left-right (horizontal) plane - which was impacting my sense of control. After the first session, the strings broke in and I started to feel more pocketing and better response all across the board. I was more comfortable using spin to control the depth and aim of balls. This string provided meaningfully more power on the serve than my current setup, though slightly less bite and control. I could comfortably slice and kick serves.
Feel: The key words are dampened and comfortable. This string absorbs some of the impact of the ball. I found regular Hyper-G to be a bit plasticky and Hyper-G soft to be very muted - so much so that the ball barely made a sound off the strings. Hyper-G round seems in-between to me, but more on the Hyper-G side. It is a very unusual feel compared with other Poly strings I’ve hit in full-bed. This is mostly a good thing. Strings like Confidential are a bit too stiff for me, whereas Hyper-G round has a dampened feeling with enough feedback in the ways that matter. It is perhaps a bit more dampened than my preference, but I consider that a virtue. This is definitely a string I would feel comfortable recommending for players who have some elbow sensitivity but who want poly control. Hyper-G Soft would also be a recommendation for those players. Both are easy on the arm. One of the best parts of this string was the feel on volleys. The string was very comfortable and gave me confidence that I could corral and redirect volleys and half-volleys. It also gave a good feeling of long contact and predictable feel on my backhand slice and drop shots.
Spin: These strings don’t have the biting spin of Solinco Tour Bite and Barb Wire. Those strings seem to manufacture spin, even with weaker swing technique. I noticed that Hyper-G Round actually is very balanced and rewards spin generated from rising swing paths more than windshield wiper flicks. I believe this is actually helpful for my swing development, so I came to appreciate the string the more I played with it. It provides good spin on request, but no free spin.
Playability Duration: I’ve played about 6 hours with string to date, and it is still very much playable and the strings are recovering well. I am not a string breaker. I will update this review when I reach the limits of the string’s playability. There was an exceptional amount of rain over the test period, which prevented me from logging more hours with the string so far.
Tension Recommendations: With the same gauge, I would string the same racquet at 52.5/50.5 in full-bed. I hope to try this in 16g next time, as I think it would bring me closer to my best full-bed setup than changing tension first.
Other comments (optional): See Conclusion
HYBRID REVIEW
Which string for mains/crosses: Hyper-G Round 16L mains, Mayami Tour Hex 123 Crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest: 51.5 mains / 49.5 crosses
Racquet used for playtest: Head Speed MP
Summary: I really liked this hybrid combination - so much so, that it is now in the running (with my current Tour Bite / Tour Hex hybrid) as my go-to string combination. This combination provided the slightly lower power and the added control that I was seeking compared with the full-bed Hyper-G Round. It just felt right. I suspect I would prefer this hybrid to any variation of gauge and tension in full-bed. In terms of feel, it was slightly crisper than full-bed, but still smooth and comfortable. The launch angle was average, which meshed for my swing. It allowed me to add pace to flat shots and dial enough spin in a very intuitive way. I kept reaching for this hybrid racquet because of the very good power/control/feel combination for me. In terms of friction, I am not having any problems with string snapback yet. I am not having to adjust the strings after points yet. I will need to do more head-to-head comparisons of Hyper-G Round on the mains vs. Tour Bite on the mains in match situations to decide on the winner. I really like both right now. I have also played about 6 hours with the hybrid, so it is too early for me to determine playability and durability limits. I will update this review. This hybrid combination gave me all-around confidence to hit out on groundstrokes (both topspin and slice), and serve very confidently. Volleys felt controlled and a bit more penetrating than full-bed.
CONCLUSION
Hyper-G Round is a good fit for a player who likes a dampened feel with good comfort. It provides very honest but muted feedback. In a full-bed, it is slightly more powerful and less controlled than some of my best fits such as Solinco Tour Bite, Solinco Barb Wire, Volkl Cyclone, Alu Power Rough, and Tour Hex. It will be a good fit for a broad range of intermediate to advanced players with good technique, though. The feel is very unique to the Hyper-G line, and it is closest to Hyper-G soft. Where Hyper-G Round 16L really excelled for me was in hybrid with my normal cross-string, Mayami Tour Hex 123. It has a good chance to displace my regular setup that has Tour Bite mains. The Tour Bite is a bit stiffer, crisper, more controlled, and spinnier. The Hyper-G Round hybrid added power to my serve. It gave me added confidence on volleys that I could control placement and add a bit of pepper. It had a great feel for me that made me want to keep grabbing the hybrid racquet.
I have one bit of quantitative data to support the Hyper-G Round hybrid as a good fit. I occasionally use a racquet sensor called CueMate Tennis, which uses swing speed, spacial movement, and deflection to provide a range of measurements. I was very pleasantly surprised to see that the sensor indicated I was hitting with 300 RPMs higher spin than with my regular setup. My takeaway is that even though the Hyper-G Round hybrid setup doesn’t feel as spinny as my Tour Bite hybrid, I actually get more spin because the string gave me the confidence to take the type of swing that gives higher spin rates. I could swing a bit faster and trust that my balls would eventually drop in, even with an upward swing path. That confidence gave me more consistency than usual.
I hope this is useful feedback for fellow TW stringaholics and racquetaholics. Thank you, TW!
INTRODUCTION
First, thanks to the TW team for my first official playtest. TW runs a smooth process, so I’m delighted to contribute. A learning for me is that it takes quite a bit of commitment to do the playtest properly, so I will be selective about the playtests that I sign up for to make sure I do a thorough job.
My methodology was first to string the Hyper-G Round full-bed at my reference tension. Since the gauge that was shipped was slightly thinner than my normal, I would have preferred to string it a bit tighter - but I thought it would be better for the playtest to have more controlled elements for an apples-to-apples comparison
I then strung the hybrid test racquet with the Hyper-G Round on mains and my regular cross string (Mayami Tour Hex), again at reference tension. In this way, I could discern the differences from my normal main string (Solinco Tour Bite) in direct comparison. I was planning to then string another hybrid with Vanquish crosses using the same tension. Since I am using a three racquet rotation, I haven’t been able to try this third setup simultaneously - I still need my incumbent setup for comparison with the Hyper-G full-bed and hybrid setups. I will add comments on the Hyper-G Round / Vanquish hybrid at a subsequent date.
The punchline is that I think that Hyper-G Round is an excellent string for players seeking a muted, comfortable poly string. It isn’t a leader in any category of power, control, or spin, but it provides a compelling balance between the three. I would prefer a bit less power and more control for my game than the 16L at my reference tension, so I would probably next try it in 16 gauge before playing around with alternate tensions.
As a hybrid main string, Hyper-G Round really stood out to me. It has a good chance to become my string setup of choice.
FULL BED REVIEW
Tension(s) used for playtest: 51.5 Mains / 49.5 Crosses
Regular string setup & tension: Tour Bite 16 @ 51.5 Mains / Mayami Tour Hex 123 Crosses
Racquet used for test: Head Speed MP Auxetic 2023
Power/Control: I’d rate Power a 8/10, which is in the right zone for me. I probably prefer a 7/10 to allow me to add more swing speed for my medium flat/spin shots. For this reason, I would slightly tighten the mains the next time I use this in full-bed. In terms of Control, I’d rate it a 7/10. I’d probably prefer a flip of these scores - more control and less power. Overall, this is still a very good power/control balance for me. The first time I hit with the string, I didn’t like the control at all. It felt like the ball was sliding off of the strings in the left-right (horizontal) plane - which was impacting my sense of control. After the first session, the strings broke in and I started to feel more pocketing and better response all across the board. I was more comfortable using spin to control the depth and aim of balls. This string provided meaningfully more power on the serve than my current setup, though slightly less bite and control. I could comfortably slice and kick serves.
Feel: The key words are dampened and comfortable. This string absorbs some of the impact of the ball. I found regular Hyper-G to be a bit plasticky and Hyper-G soft to be very muted - so much so that the ball barely made a sound off the strings. Hyper-G round seems in-between to me, but more on the Hyper-G side. It is a very unusual feel compared with other Poly strings I’ve hit in full-bed. This is mostly a good thing. Strings like Confidential are a bit too stiff for me, whereas Hyper-G round has a dampened feeling with enough feedback in the ways that matter. It is perhaps a bit more dampened than my preference, but I consider that a virtue. This is definitely a string I would feel comfortable recommending for players who have some elbow sensitivity but who want poly control. Hyper-G Soft would also be a recommendation for those players. Both are easy on the arm. One of the best parts of this string was the feel on volleys. The string was very comfortable and gave me confidence that I could corral and redirect volleys and half-volleys. It also gave a good feeling of long contact and predictable feel on my backhand slice and drop shots.
Spin: These strings don’t have the biting spin of Solinco Tour Bite and Barb Wire. Those strings seem to manufacture spin, even with weaker swing technique. I noticed that Hyper-G Round actually is very balanced and rewards spin generated from rising swing paths more than windshield wiper flicks. I believe this is actually helpful for my swing development, so I came to appreciate the string the more I played with it. It provides good spin on request, but no free spin.
Playability Duration: I’ve played about 6 hours with string to date, and it is still very much playable and the strings are recovering well. I am not a string breaker. I will update this review when I reach the limits of the string’s playability. There was an exceptional amount of rain over the test period, which prevented me from logging more hours with the string so far.
Tension Recommendations: With the same gauge, I would string the same racquet at 52.5/50.5 in full-bed. I hope to try this in 16g next time, as I think it would bring me closer to my best full-bed setup than changing tension first.
Other comments (optional): See Conclusion
HYBRID REVIEW
Which string for mains/crosses: Hyper-G Round 16L mains, Mayami Tour Hex 123 Crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest: 51.5 mains / 49.5 crosses
Racquet used for playtest: Head Speed MP
Summary: I really liked this hybrid combination - so much so, that it is now in the running (with my current Tour Bite / Tour Hex hybrid) as my go-to string combination. This combination provided the slightly lower power and the added control that I was seeking compared with the full-bed Hyper-G Round. It just felt right. I suspect I would prefer this hybrid to any variation of gauge and tension in full-bed. In terms of feel, it was slightly crisper than full-bed, but still smooth and comfortable. The launch angle was average, which meshed for my swing. It allowed me to add pace to flat shots and dial enough spin in a very intuitive way. I kept reaching for this hybrid racquet because of the very good power/control/feel combination for me. In terms of friction, I am not having any problems with string snapback yet. I am not having to adjust the strings after points yet. I will need to do more head-to-head comparisons of Hyper-G Round on the mains vs. Tour Bite on the mains in match situations to decide on the winner. I really like both right now. I have also played about 6 hours with the hybrid, so it is too early for me to determine playability and durability limits. I will update this review. This hybrid combination gave me all-around confidence to hit out on groundstrokes (both topspin and slice), and serve very confidently. Volleys felt controlled and a bit more penetrating than full-bed.
CONCLUSION
Hyper-G Round is a good fit for a player who likes a dampened feel with good comfort. It provides very honest but muted feedback. In a full-bed, it is slightly more powerful and less controlled than some of my best fits such as Solinco Tour Bite, Solinco Barb Wire, Volkl Cyclone, Alu Power Rough, and Tour Hex. It will be a good fit for a broad range of intermediate to advanced players with good technique, though. The feel is very unique to the Hyper-G line, and it is closest to Hyper-G soft. Where Hyper-G Round 16L really excelled for me was in hybrid with my normal cross-string, Mayami Tour Hex 123. It has a good chance to displace my regular setup that has Tour Bite mains. The Tour Bite is a bit stiffer, crisper, more controlled, and spinnier. The Hyper-G Round hybrid added power to my serve. It gave me added confidence on volleys that I could control placement and add a bit of pepper. It had a great feel for me that made me want to keep grabbing the hybrid racquet.
I have one bit of quantitative data to support the Hyper-G Round hybrid as a good fit. I occasionally use a racquet sensor called CueMate Tennis, which uses swing speed, spacial movement, and deflection to provide a range of measurements. I was very pleasantly surprised to see that the sensor indicated I was hitting with 300 RPMs higher spin than with my regular setup. My takeaway is that even though the Hyper-G Round hybrid setup doesn’t feel as spinny as my Tour Bite hybrid, I actually get more spin because the string gave me the confidence to take the type of swing that gives higher spin rates. I could swing a bit faster and trust that my balls would eventually drop in, even with an upward swing path. That confidence gave me more consistency than usual.
I hope this is useful feedback for fellow TW stringaholics and racquetaholics. Thank you, TW!
BONUS - SOLINCO OVERGRIP REVIEW
TW included a free prototype Solinco Overgrip in white color. This overgrip is a winner. I would happily recommend it to anyone. My default overgrip is Yonex Supergrap in white, and I replaced the grips on my test racquets at the same time. The Solinco is a bit more glossy and tacky, whereas the Yonex is a bit softer, matte, and more dry. I have just inspected my grips after a few hours of playtest on each, and the feel is very close between them. The Solinco has kept its tackiness a bit more. It is ever-so-slightly more firm than the Supergrap, but it feels great. The glossy sheen has faded - and that is just fine. I find that some glossy grips get slippery from sweat over time. So far, it has held up incredibly well. It barely shows any wear at this point, and it is still startlingly clean. Supergrap has been a long time favorite of mine. The Supergrap seemed to retain a bit more dirt because of its absorbent qualities. If TW can name and sell the grip, I would happily buy a bunch of it in the future. It had a green end-tape, so it may not be the same as one of the current 3 Solinco overgrip models sold on TW.
TW included a free prototype Solinco Overgrip in white color. This overgrip is a winner. I would happily recommend it to anyone. My default overgrip is Yonex Supergrap in white, and I replaced the grips on my test racquets at the same time. The Solinco is a bit more glossy and tacky, whereas the Yonex is a bit softer, matte, and more dry. I have just inspected my grips after a few hours of playtest on each, and the feel is very close between them. The Solinco has kept its tackiness a bit more. It is ever-so-slightly more firm than the Supergrap, but it feels great. The glossy sheen has faded - and that is just fine. I find that some glossy grips get slippery from sweat over time. So far, it has held up incredibly well. It barely shows any wear at this point, and it is still startlingly clean. Supergrap has been a long time favorite of mine. The Supergrap seemed to retain a bit more dirt because of its absorbent qualities. If TW can name and sell the grip, I would happily buy a bunch of it in the future. It had a green end-tape, so it may not be the same as one of the current 3 Solinco overgrip models sold on TW.
stapletonj
Hall of Fame
UPDATE ON HYBRID REVIEW
Played with some good hard hitting players last night. My gut/poly I think lost a little tension, so I decided to use the xalt/hyperG round hybrid.
Boy am I glad I did. I really feel that the enhanced string stiffness kept hard hit balls in play better. Like my earlier review, a couple of 1/2 volleys were short in the first set, but by the 2nd and 3rd set
I had adjusted.
I was going to cut them out to do the Kirshbaum review, but now I think I will use my 3rd backup for that....
Played with some good hard hitting players last night. My gut/poly I think lost a little tension, so I decided to use the xalt/hyperG round hybrid.
Boy am I glad I did. I really feel that the enhanced string stiffness kept hard hit balls in play better. Like my earlier review, a couple of 1/2 volleys were short in the first set, but by the 2nd and 3rd set
I had adjusted.
I was going to cut them out to do the Kirshbaum review, but now I think I will use my 3rd backup for that....
loosegroove
Hall of Fame
Solinco Hyper-G Round 1.25 playtest
Tension(s) used for playtest 45pds
Regular string setup & tension Hyper-G 17 @ 48pds
Racquet used for test Babolat Pure Aero +(23)
Power: (7/10) Power was good once the strings started to notch. I could feel more power after they settled. At first the ball was sailing and I didn’t get the same spin as I am normally used to with regular Hyper-G. I did however like the pocketing provided with the strings. I would say Solinco Hyper-G round has the same power as regular Hyper G but the spin potential was cause for a lower launch angle overall.
Control: (8/10) Control was good but not unlike what I am used to with Hyper G 17. I would attribute this with the extra texture I get form the regular Hyper-G. The round string has good control and same response in feel I am accustomed to. Overall, I felt I could swingout and get the same depth and control throughout the playtest. I just feel my game was more aggressive and flatter during point play.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) Feel was stiff like Hyper g 17 that I use and comfortable for me. I went lower to get more dwell time and it felt smooth hitting with this string. After about 11hrs once the strings broke I would say that the strings were more springy and tingy. I am sure that was because they were so worn and ready to break.
Spin: (5/10) To me spin was the biggest difference in the playtest. The spin was not there for me. I had to adjust my swing to get more spin on the ball. If you hit flat then this string is good for you. Launch angle is considerably lower than Hyper-G. You have to use a lot of wrist to get that heavy topspin. I just hit flatter and more aggressive, not a bad thing but for me I like the extra spin. Just a personal preference.
Playability Duration: (10/10) This is just like any Solinco Hyper-G string that I play with. Very durable and nothing has changed. Great job as usual from Solinco. Strings lasted about 11 hours before breaking. The last 15 minutes before breaking the strings were a little erratic with some control but to be expected as they were on the last leg of use.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why) I went loose to get some more pocketing as I knew I would not have the spin potential I like. I did like the tension, but I also would like to experiment with a lower tension to see how far I could push the pocketing. After about 6 hours the strings are starting to get looser but felt good to use.
Other comments (optional) Very good string, but I will be sticking with Hyper-g 17. I liked the feel and pocketing, but I missed the spin so much. I would use this string as it has a lot of the same characteristics of Hyper-G just with not as much spin.
After 4 hours I noticed that the strings in the crosses started to thin out a bit. I think that because there are no edges the string gets worn through quicker.
HYBRID Section
Racquet 1 (Vanquish - Main, Hyper Round – Cross)
Tension(s) used for playtest 48 Main/45Cross
Racquet used for playtest: Wilson Pro Staff 97 v14
Control (8/10) Control was very good. Had good pocketing but not as much dwell time as my Pure Aero 98 that was also strung with the same hybrid setup. Could also be due to the fact that the Pro Staff was strung a little tighter and the Pure Aero 98 has a bigger head size.
Power (6/10) The pro staff is a control racquet, so power is not the strong suit of this racquet. With the hybrid set up I definitely felt less power on shots. Good control and depth but not the pace I need to hit outright winners.
Spin (6/10) Not a whole lot of spin but enough spin to use for slices and dropshots. Just not the heavy ball that I am accustomed to with Regular Hyper G.
Feel and any other details you'd like to share. The launch angle is higher with the Vanquish on the Mains. Good feel and pocketing overall. Launch angle is significantly lower due to the hybrid setup.
Of particular interest are the frictional properties, specifically whether manual straightening of the mains is required. I feel stringing was easier than with Hyper-G. The rounder strings don’t cut through the vanquish so that is a plus. Needed a lot of manual moving of these strings. After the 2hr, they were all over the place and after about 30 minutes after they broke. So not high on the durability side, but they did have good feel.
Please also comment on whether you prefer Hyper-G Round in a full bed or hybrid, and briefly state your reasons. For the Prostaff I would prefer a full bed as this is a control-oriented frame. I feel I need that extra pace to dictate off the first ball. So a complete 180 to my Pure Aero 98. The 98 is a control frame but also has extra spin and power in comparison. But I was happy that I got to test 2 different frames and get to see where the hybrids matched up. Thanks TW!!!! Truly the best!!
Racquet 2 (Vanquish - Main, Hyper Round – Cross)
Tension(s) used for playtest: 45 Main/42 Cross
Racquet used for playtest: Babolat Aero 98
Control (8/10) Very good, felt smooth pocketing and loved it so much. I did not expect the hybrid to feel this good as I don’t play with a hybrid setup. This is making me change my mind. I feel you get more touch with this setup in comparison to a full bed of poly.
Power (7/10) For me the power was not so much in force, but I felt the spring from the strings that added depth to most shots. Power was not the highlight of the playtest for me with the hybrid. More so control and touch increased in the hitting. It was a good tradeoff if you know how to slice, dropshot, and move the ball around. Those shots I feel benefited from the hybrid setup.
Spin (7/10) Was about average, but not as much as a full bed of Hyper-G or Hyper-G round. I feel the launch angle was lower when trying to hit through the ball for me. So didn’t get the high launch up and down that I am used to getting with my Hyper-G 17.
Feel (8/10) and any other details you'd like to share. Felt very springy and dwell time was awesome. Drop shots were on point could not be happier with them. Slice is good and again the depth was very good. I didn’t feel like I had to over hit the ball. The pocketing created the depth that I was looking for.
After 1 hour the Vanquish starts to notch and I am adjusting strings every point. 3 hours and they are about to pop but I still have good ball control and depth. 4 hours and the strings broke, I noticed some off shots as the Vanquish strings were fraying so that was a hint that they were about to break. I usually break and don’t cut strings. But if I was playing a tournament, I would have restrung to have a fresh setup into a match. Overall a great feel and setup.
Of particular interest are the frictional properties, specifically whether manual straightening of the mains is required. Yes, The Vanquish moves quite a lot, but the feel is great. I have tried Vanquish and Hyper-G17 but the edges and texture cuts right through Vanquish. With the Hyper-G round, you have so much more life and feel. So, while I do not prefer Hyper-G round as a full bed string. I have to say that using it as a hybrid is a great choice for users. I would use this setup as my hybrid of choice.
Please also comment on whether you prefer Hyper-G Round in a full bed or hybrid, and briefly state your reasons. I went in expecting to like Hyper G round as a full bed but after playing with the hybrid setup I am leaning towards the hybrid setup. I prefer the Hybrid overall for the extra depth and feel. Dwell time was also a big change for me. I mainly use Hyper-G 17 so I didn’t feel the same spin as the full bed of round which is a hard adjustment as I didn’t get the same launch angle. So, if I had to choose from Solinco it would be in this order.
1. Hyper-G 17
2. Hyper-G round/Vanquish Hybrid
3. Hyper-G round
I will be using the Hyper-G round and vanquish hybrid and see if it can beat out Hyper-G 17 in the future months.
GRIP: I use Solinco Heaven and Wonder grips. I use Heaven for Humid conditions and Wonder for winter months. I am not sold on this new grip unfortunately. It started to ripped and shredded after an hour and is not as durable in comparison to the other grips. The grip is very sticky and feels grippy but not as durable to me as the other grips. So, for me I would have to pass on this grip.
Thank you to Solinco and @TW Staff for the playtest. I was extremely happy to try out a full bed of Hyper-G round and 2 sets of Hyper-G round with Vanquish. I think Solinco Hyper-G round will be a great addition to the line and look forward to using it with a hybrid set up. Also, @TW Staff THANK YOU for the extra time with the playtest it was much appreciated as I was able to test 3 racquets.
Tension(s) used for playtest 45pds
Regular string setup & tension Hyper-G 17 @ 48pds
Racquet used for test Babolat Pure Aero +(23)
Power: (7/10) Power was good once the strings started to notch. I could feel more power after they settled. At first the ball was sailing and I didn’t get the same spin as I am normally used to with regular Hyper-G. I did however like the pocketing provided with the strings. I would say Solinco Hyper-G round has the same power as regular Hyper G but the spin potential was cause for a lower launch angle overall.
Control: (8/10) Control was good but not unlike what I am used to with Hyper G 17. I would attribute this with the extra texture I get form the regular Hyper-G. The round string has good control and same response in feel I am accustomed to. Overall, I felt I could swingout and get the same depth and control throughout the playtest. I just feel my game was more aggressive and flatter during point play.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) Feel was stiff like Hyper g 17 that I use and comfortable for me. I went lower to get more dwell time and it felt smooth hitting with this string. After about 11hrs once the strings broke I would say that the strings were more springy and tingy. I am sure that was because they were so worn and ready to break.
Spin: (5/10) To me spin was the biggest difference in the playtest. The spin was not there for me. I had to adjust my swing to get more spin on the ball. If you hit flat then this string is good for you. Launch angle is considerably lower than Hyper-G. You have to use a lot of wrist to get that heavy topspin. I just hit flatter and more aggressive, not a bad thing but for me I like the extra spin. Just a personal preference.
Playability Duration: (10/10) This is just like any Solinco Hyper-G string that I play with. Very durable and nothing has changed. Great job as usual from Solinco. Strings lasted about 11 hours before breaking. The last 15 minutes before breaking the strings were a little erratic with some control but to be expected as they were on the last leg of use.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why) I went loose to get some more pocketing as I knew I would not have the spin potential I like. I did like the tension, but I also would like to experiment with a lower tension to see how far I could push the pocketing. After about 6 hours the strings are starting to get looser but felt good to use.
Other comments (optional) Very good string, but I will be sticking with Hyper-g 17. I liked the feel and pocketing, but I missed the spin so much. I would use this string as it has a lot of the same characteristics of Hyper-G just with not as much spin.
After 4 hours I noticed that the strings in the crosses started to thin out a bit. I think that because there are no edges the string gets worn through quicker.
HYBRID Section
Racquet 1 (Vanquish - Main, Hyper Round – Cross)
Tension(s) used for playtest 48 Main/45Cross
Racquet used for playtest: Wilson Pro Staff 97 v14
Control (8/10) Control was very good. Had good pocketing but not as much dwell time as my Pure Aero 98 that was also strung with the same hybrid setup. Could also be due to the fact that the Pro Staff was strung a little tighter and the Pure Aero 98 has a bigger head size.
Power (6/10) The pro staff is a control racquet, so power is not the strong suit of this racquet. With the hybrid set up I definitely felt less power on shots. Good control and depth but not the pace I need to hit outright winners.
Spin (6/10) Not a whole lot of spin but enough spin to use for slices and dropshots. Just not the heavy ball that I am accustomed to with Regular Hyper G.
Feel and any other details you'd like to share. The launch angle is higher with the Vanquish on the Mains. Good feel and pocketing overall. Launch angle is significantly lower due to the hybrid setup.
Of particular interest are the frictional properties, specifically whether manual straightening of the mains is required. I feel stringing was easier than with Hyper-G. The rounder strings don’t cut through the vanquish so that is a plus. Needed a lot of manual moving of these strings. After the 2hr, they were all over the place and after about 30 minutes after they broke. So not high on the durability side, but they did have good feel.
Please also comment on whether you prefer Hyper-G Round in a full bed or hybrid, and briefly state your reasons. For the Prostaff I would prefer a full bed as this is a control-oriented frame. I feel I need that extra pace to dictate off the first ball. So a complete 180 to my Pure Aero 98. The 98 is a control frame but also has extra spin and power in comparison. But I was happy that I got to test 2 different frames and get to see where the hybrids matched up. Thanks TW!!!! Truly the best!!
Racquet 2 (Vanquish - Main, Hyper Round – Cross)
Tension(s) used for playtest: 45 Main/42 Cross
Racquet used for playtest: Babolat Aero 98
Control (8/10) Very good, felt smooth pocketing and loved it so much. I did not expect the hybrid to feel this good as I don’t play with a hybrid setup. This is making me change my mind. I feel you get more touch with this setup in comparison to a full bed of poly.
Power (7/10) For me the power was not so much in force, but I felt the spring from the strings that added depth to most shots. Power was not the highlight of the playtest for me with the hybrid. More so control and touch increased in the hitting. It was a good tradeoff if you know how to slice, dropshot, and move the ball around. Those shots I feel benefited from the hybrid setup.
Spin (7/10) Was about average, but not as much as a full bed of Hyper-G or Hyper-G round. I feel the launch angle was lower when trying to hit through the ball for me. So didn’t get the high launch up and down that I am used to getting with my Hyper-G 17.
Feel (8/10) and any other details you'd like to share. Felt very springy and dwell time was awesome. Drop shots were on point could not be happier with them. Slice is good and again the depth was very good. I didn’t feel like I had to over hit the ball. The pocketing created the depth that I was looking for.
After 1 hour the Vanquish starts to notch and I am adjusting strings every point. 3 hours and they are about to pop but I still have good ball control and depth. 4 hours and the strings broke, I noticed some off shots as the Vanquish strings were fraying so that was a hint that they were about to break. I usually break and don’t cut strings. But if I was playing a tournament, I would have restrung to have a fresh setup into a match. Overall a great feel and setup.
Of particular interest are the frictional properties, specifically whether manual straightening of the mains is required. Yes, The Vanquish moves quite a lot, but the feel is great. I have tried Vanquish and Hyper-G17 but the edges and texture cuts right through Vanquish. With the Hyper-G round, you have so much more life and feel. So, while I do not prefer Hyper-G round as a full bed string. I have to say that using it as a hybrid is a great choice for users. I would use this setup as my hybrid of choice.
Please also comment on whether you prefer Hyper-G Round in a full bed or hybrid, and briefly state your reasons. I went in expecting to like Hyper G round as a full bed but after playing with the hybrid setup I am leaning towards the hybrid setup. I prefer the Hybrid overall for the extra depth and feel. Dwell time was also a big change for me. I mainly use Hyper-G 17 so I didn’t feel the same spin as the full bed of round which is a hard adjustment as I didn’t get the same launch angle. So, if I had to choose from Solinco it would be in this order.
1. Hyper-G 17
2. Hyper-G round/Vanquish Hybrid
3. Hyper-G round
I will be using the Hyper-G round and vanquish hybrid and see if it can beat out Hyper-G 17 in the future months.
GRIP: I use Solinco Heaven and Wonder grips. I use Heaven for Humid conditions and Wonder for winter months. I am not sold on this new grip unfortunately. It started to ripped and shredded after an hour and is not as durable in comparison to the other grips. The grip is very sticky and feels grippy but not as durable to me as the other grips. So, for me I would have to pass on this grip.
Thank you to Solinco and @TW Staff for the playtest. I was extremely happy to try out a full bed of Hyper-G round and 2 sets of Hyper-G round with Vanquish. I think Solinco Hyper-G round will be a great addition to the line and look forward to using it with a hybrid set up. Also, @TW Staff THANK YOU for the extra time with the playtest it was much appreciated as I was able to test 3 racquets.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Correct. I was asked to playtest HGR 17 in hybrid configurations with HG 17 as a main and as a cross.
Hyper-G Round 1.25 Playtest
Tension(s) used for playtest: 54 lbs
Regular string setup & tension: Head Hawk Touch 1.25 @ 54 lbs
Racquet used for test: Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP (w/ weight in handle)
Power/Control of test string: To me, I would say Hyper-G Round had an above average level of power when compared to other polys. In comparison to regular Hyper-G, I thought it had slightly more power. In terms of control, I thought Hyper-G Round had an average amount of control or even slightly less. In comparison to its counterpart, I thought Hyper-G had more control because of its stiffer feel.
Over the course of the playtest, HGR slowly increased in power and decreased in control. It started to have a trampoline kind of feel. These changes over time however are slight. It by no means leaves the string unplayable. I just had to be conscious of choosing bigger targets and making sure not to go for too much - which may be a good thing
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): At first, the feel was not stiff yet crisp. I could feel the snapback of the strings for the first 30 minutes of hitting (as with any string). I could feel a nice pocketing sensation that was more on the muted side. Off-center hits weren’t jarring. I would consider it to be a soft poly.
First 4 hours or so, it was comfortably crisp and muted. After that, it got softer/more trampoline-like, more comfortable, more muted, and less crisp. Hyper-G is stiffer, crisper and a bit less muted.
Spin: At first, I would say this string had above average or even great spin potential. Over time, I had to be conscious about adding spin. Definitely after the first four hours or so, the spin potential dropped. Some shots I thought were going to go in started landing longer. Also, the strings started to move around out of place a bit and I had to readjust almost every point.
Playability Duration: I thought this string was great for the first four hours as mentioned above. It could be stretched to 6ish hours or 3-4 hitting sessions. After that, that playability definitely goes down, but at a slow rate.
From past experiences, Hyper-G lasts pretty long. The feel can be a bit after many hours of hitting, but I have found that it maintains tension and spin well - way better than HGR does.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why): I would string it again at 54 lbs. You could maybe convince me to pre-stretch the string maybe 5%, but I don’t know how it would affect the feel of the string (stiffness and pocketing wise).
I would also have to factor in temperature. If I strung up another racquet during the summer, I would pre-stretch or increase tension a couple pounds just to get away from the trampoline response.
Other comments (optional): If I was able to have a fresh set every 6 or so hours, this would be a great string. However, after stringing up another one of my racquets with Hawk Touch, I prefer the more crisp feel of HT than HGR. I may consider trying regular Hyper-G with my last half set of HGR.
HYBRID section
Which string was in mains/crosses?: Hyper–G Round 1.25/Gamma TNT2 1.27
Tension used for playtest: 54 lbs
Racquet used for playtest: Head Boom Pro (tail weighted) (tighter 16x19 compared to Speed MP)
I’m mainly comparing this to my previous hybrid I used prior to this: Yonex PolyTour Drive 1.25/Gamma TNT2 1.27.
I thought this hybrid had a low (and lower) launch angle. I could hit some flat and fast shots with low margin over the net. Less spin potential as well. So at first, I was a bit frustrated with my shots either going into the net, not as high of an arc, or not having the same effect as full poly/an open string pattern. Within the first 15 shots, the strings started moving which I would assume is from brushing the ball and taking a big cut at the same time. From that point on, I have to frequently readjust the mains back into place either every point/rally or every other.
The previous hybrid was sometimes jarring but had a higher spin potential, launch angle, and more power. This hybrid was more comfortable and muted and I could really flatten out my shots.
If I could restring it again, I would go down in tension so I could gain a bit more power and hopefully a bit more access to spin and launch.
Overall, I would say I preferred a full bed of HGR. I didn’t too much of an added benefit out of the hybrid than if I used another round poly other than comfort.
Tension(s) used for playtest: 54 lbs
Regular string setup & tension: Head Hawk Touch 1.25 @ 54 lbs
Racquet used for test: Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP (w/ weight in handle)
Power/Control of test string: To me, I would say Hyper-G Round had an above average level of power when compared to other polys. In comparison to regular Hyper-G, I thought it had slightly more power. In terms of control, I thought Hyper-G Round had an average amount of control or even slightly less. In comparison to its counterpart, I thought Hyper-G had more control because of its stiffer feel.
Over the course of the playtest, HGR slowly increased in power and decreased in control. It started to have a trampoline kind of feel. These changes over time however are slight. It by no means leaves the string unplayable. I just had to be conscious of choosing bigger targets and making sure not to go for too much - which may be a good thing
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): At first, the feel was not stiff yet crisp. I could feel the snapback of the strings for the first 30 minutes of hitting (as with any string). I could feel a nice pocketing sensation that was more on the muted side. Off-center hits weren’t jarring. I would consider it to be a soft poly.
First 4 hours or so, it was comfortably crisp and muted. After that, it got softer/more trampoline-like, more comfortable, more muted, and less crisp. Hyper-G is stiffer, crisper and a bit less muted.
Spin: At first, I would say this string had above average or even great spin potential. Over time, I had to be conscious about adding spin. Definitely after the first four hours or so, the spin potential dropped. Some shots I thought were going to go in started landing longer. Also, the strings started to move around out of place a bit and I had to readjust almost every point.
Playability Duration: I thought this string was great for the first four hours as mentioned above. It could be stretched to 6ish hours or 3-4 hitting sessions. After that, that playability definitely goes down, but at a slow rate.
From past experiences, Hyper-G lasts pretty long. The feel can be a bit after many hours of hitting, but I have found that it maintains tension and spin well - way better than HGR does.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why): I would string it again at 54 lbs. You could maybe convince me to pre-stretch the string maybe 5%, but I don’t know how it would affect the feel of the string (stiffness and pocketing wise).
I would also have to factor in temperature. If I strung up another racquet during the summer, I would pre-stretch or increase tension a couple pounds just to get away from the trampoline response.
Other comments (optional): If I was able to have a fresh set every 6 or so hours, this would be a great string. However, after stringing up another one of my racquets with Hawk Touch, I prefer the more crisp feel of HT than HGR. I may consider trying regular Hyper-G with my last half set of HGR.
HYBRID section
Which string was in mains/crosses?: Hyper–G Round 1.25/Gamma TNT2 1.27
Tension used for playtest: 54 lbs
Racquet used for playtest: Head Boom Pro (tail weighted) (tighter 16x19 compared to Speed MP)
I’m mainly comparing this to my previous hybrid I used prior to this: Yonex PolyTour Drive 1.25/Gamma TNT2 1.27.
I thought this hybrid had a low (and lower) launch angle. I could hit some flat and fast shots with low margin over the net. Less spin potential as well. So at first, I was a bit frustrated with my shots either going into the net, not as high of an arc, or not having the same effect as full poly/an open string pattern. Within the first 15 shots, the strings started moving which I would assume is from brushing the ball and taking a big cut at the same time. From that point on, I have to frequently readjust the mains back into place either every point/rally or every other.
The previous hybrid was sometimes jarring but had a higher spin potential, launch angle, and more power. This hybrid was more comfortable and muted and I could really flatten out my shots.
If I could restring it again, I would go down in tension so I could gain a bit more power and hopefully a bit more access to spin and launch.
Overall, I would say I preferred a full bed of HGR. I didn’t too much of an added benefit out of the hybrid than if I used another round poly other than comfort.
Hybrid review time!
Which string for mains/crosses: Luxilon ALU Power 125 mains and Hyper G Round Crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest: 50 pounds
Racquet used for playtest: Wilson Blade 98 v6 16x19 reissue
Provide a short summary (one paragraph is fine), briefly touching upon the control, power, spin, feel and any other details you'd like to share. Of particular interest are the frictional properties, specifically whether manual straightening of the mains is required. Please also comment on whether you prefer Hyper-G Round in a full bed or hybrid, and briefly state your reasons.:
Which string for mains/crosses: Luxilon ALU Power 125 mains and Hyper G Round Crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest: 50 pounds
Racquet used for playtest: Wilson Blade 98 v6 16x19 reissue
Provide a short summary (one paragraph is fine), briefly touching upon the control, power, spin, feel and any other details you'd like to share. Of particular interest are the frictional properties, specifically whether manual straightening of the mains is required. Please also comment on whether you prefer Hyper-G Round in a full bed or hybrid, and briefly state your reasons.:
- So, I find Hyper G Round to be a bit softer than ALU. I enjoy Element as an ALU cross because it seems to give a bit more comfort and a softer feel. I found the same with this hybrid. I perceived the ball staying on the strings a bit longer with HGR crosses as compared to full ALU, and I got a bit more control than full HGR. If the power was different, it was negligible. Spin was about the same as regular ALU - it's tough to tell any difference.
- I've since stocked up on HGR and was able to test side by side with full ALU and full HGR. Neither I nor my hitting partners noticed a significant difference in spin between all 3 setups, so it really just came down to feel for me. If you want ALU playability and crispness with a touch more comfort and smoother response? Toss HGR in the crosses. HGR is not as soft as Element, Cream, or GhostWire, so the stringbed remains controlled without an adjustment period. I think this would work extra well at a lower tension, as HGR drops much less than ALU does.
- I did not notice the need to straighten the mains at all until the end of this stringjob's life which is normal. I got 75 minutes of drilling with a 5.0 player before it snapped which is within my average range for ALU in practice when using more open string patterns.
- So, do I prefer it this way? Tough to say. This hybrid not as wild as full HGR and added a hint of smoothness to the stringbed which was pleasant. I still think I prefer ALU - it's in the mains, so it will dominate the stringbed. HGR is something I'll continue to experiment with, though. Really pretty impressed with the string overall. I could see myself giving HGR to clients as a cross to gut mains instead of 4G or other Lux strings. It's got a bit more liveliness without making the stringbed super soft like Element or dropping a ton of tension like ALU can. Oh, and it's friendlier on the wallet.
Seth
Legend
First off - thanks to TW and Solinco for the playtest opportunity. This was an interesting playtest for me because, while not a completely blank slate, the only Solinco string I have used is Tour Bite. I did not have experience with the original Hyper G for comparison. I only tested this string as a full bed. That said, here we go...
Tension(s) used for playtest - 50 lbs full bed
Regular string setup & tension - Head Lynx Tour full bed at 50lbs
Racquet used for test - Head Pro Tour 2.0
Power/Control of test string - I did not find HGR to be overly powerful. For me, this is a good thing. I've got long arms and have long strokes, so I don't need my racquet or string to give me too much power. Unfortunately, I don't need any help missing the court entirely and hitting the back fence. Similarly, I didn't feel that HGR was super control-oriented. It felt below-average to me in the control department. I guess I would classify this as more of a power string than a control string, if that makes sense.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) - The feel was firm and crisp. Not exactly stiff, but pretty firm right off the stringing machine. After a couple of hours it was more comfortable, and I could feel more ball pocketing on the string bed. It was about this time that the string became quite a bit more comfortable for me.
Spin - Pretty in-line with other round polys. It didn't have any much spin potential as a shaped poly, but the snapback that comes with all polys was definitely there.
Playability Duration - After the first 1-2 hours, the string really rounded into form, so to speak. After about 7-8 hours, it felt like the string had lost its magic. Hours 2-7 felt the best to me.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why) - I'd like to try this string a little lower, maybe 47-48 lbs to see if I can get better comfort and ball-pocketing earlier on.
Other comments (optional) - Having no experience with the original Hyper G, this string has piqued my curiosity. I'd like to try the original now, and I keep seeing in used among college players. It has to be at least decent! Overall, I liked HGR, but not enough to move to make it "my" string.
A quick comment about the prototype overgrip: I use Tourna Grip original XL exclusively, so a non-Tourna style grip is an interesting change. Back in my junior days, I used Babolat VS grip (the super thin and dry offering). This prototype grip felt like a mix of the VS dryness and the standard white grip feel of Wilson Pro. For someone who uses Tourna all the time, it was nice to use a white grip that wasn't as "wet" feeling as Wilson Pro. I really enjoyed this grip.
Thanks again, TW and Solinco!
Tension(s) used for playtest - 50 lbs full bed
Regular string setup & tension - Head Lynx Tour full bed at 50lbs
Racquet used for test - Head Pro Tour 2.0
Power/Control of test string - I did not find HGR to be overly powerful. For me, this is a good thing. I've got long arms and have long strokes, so I don't need my racquet or string to give me too much power. Unfortunately, I don't need any help missing the court entirely and hitting the back fence. Similarly, I didn't feel that HGR was super control-oriented. It felt below-average to me in the control department. I guess I would classify this as more of a power string than a control string, if that makes sense.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) - The feel was firm and crisp. Not exactly stiff, but pretty firm right off the stringing machine. After a couple of hours it was more comfortable, and I could feel more ball pocketing on the string bed. It was about this time that the string became quite a bit more comfortable for me.
Spin - Pretty in-line with other round polys. It didn't have any much spin potential as a shaped poly, but the snapback that comes with all polys was definitely there.
Playability Duration - After the first 1-2 hours, the string really rounded into form, so to speak. After about 7-8 hours, it felt like the string had lost its magic. Hours 2-7 felt the best to me.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why) - I'd like to try this string a little lower, maybe 47-48 lbs to see if I can get better comfort and ball-pocketing earlier on.
Other comments (optional) - Having no experience with the original Hyper G, this string has piqued my curiosity. I'd like to try the original now, and I keep seeing in used among college players. It has to be at least decent! Overall, I liked HGR, but not enough to move to make it "my" string.
A quick comment about the prototype overgrip: I use Tourna Grip original XL exclusively, so a non-Tourna style grip is an interesting change. Back in my junior days, I used Babolat VS grip (the super thin and dry offering). This prototype grip felt like a mix of the VS dryness and the standard white grip feel of Wilson Pro. For someone who uses Tourna all the time, it was nice to use a white grip that wasn't as "wet" feeling as Wilson Pro. I really enjoyed this grip.
Thanks again, TW and Solinco!
superjon027
Rookie
String Playtest Review
Tension(s) used for playtest: My usual 45lbs mains, 42lbs cross
Regular string setup & tension: Wilson RF97 v11-13 Toroline Wasabi Mains, Wasabi X cross. 45lbs mains, 42lbs cross
Racquet used for test: Wilson RF97 v13
Power/Control of test string: Power is medium to medium/low for poly’s. It’s about equal to squared Hyper-G, if my memory serves. I played with Tourna Silver 7 Tour for a long time, and I consider that string to be significantly lower powered at the same tension.
Control is good. It is probably more comparable to my current string, Toroline Wasabi. It’s easy to dial in directional control.
Feel: Feel is good. Comfortably crisp like Hyper-G. Not stiff like some metallic colored strings. But not plasticky like some colored strings can feel (Yonex PTP, Head Lynx). I found it comfortable, even in my RF97 where I have gravitated toward softer poly’s – I can’t use Tourna S7T in this racquet.
Spin: Spin is what you would expect from a round poly. Lower launch angle and requiring more brushing to achieve shorter flick angles. I haven’t used round poly’s in my mains in years. Maybe I have gotten spoiled with shaped mains and the easier grab on the ball. I did prefer it for volleys for a more linear response on stick volleys.
Playability Duration: I found the playability good, not great. It has good string to string friction, so it took me about 10 hours of playtime to break. The strings started sticking out of place at about the 6 hour mark. I’ve gotten used to my Toroline Wasabi/Wasabi X hybrid that hardly sticks out of place and remains playable until it snaps at the 12 hour mark.
Tension Recommendations: I would string it about the same. I’ve found this to be the sweetspot for most poly’s for me. I like the extra pocketing I get with a -3lb differential in the crosses. I only change tension dramatically if I do a gut/poly hybrid or if I’m going to be playing in really hot conditions.
Other comments: I would really like to try this with Hyper-G mains. I believe the combo (square poly mains, round cross) would perform more closely to my current setup, but possibly a little firmer.
--
Hybrid Setup Review
String setup: Hyper-G round (HGR) mains and Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution (PLE) crosses
Tension for playtest: Same as regular playtest. 45/42
Racquet used for playtest: Wilson RF97 v13
I was curious how HGR would perform with my old go-to cross poly, Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution. I thought the control, power, and spin were hardly affected. Both strings perform very similar in this regard. I thought the addition of PLE softened up the stringbed slightly and added a little extra pocketing. I believe the string to string frictions are very comparable, so the playability duration was about the same, with fullbed HGR lasting just a little longer before having to manually straighten the mains.
Again, I think the most interesting combo would be Hyper G regular with Hyper G round. I would have also liked to try HGR with gut mains, but it’s been raining in Northern California so much I couldn’t risk it. If I do end up trying it, I will update the thread.
Tension(s) used for playtest: My usual 45lbs mains, 42lbs cross
Regular string setup & tension: Wilson RF97 v11-13 Toroline Wasabi Mains, Wasabi X cross. 45lbs mains, 42lbs cross
Racquet used for test: Wilson RF97 v13
Power/Control of test string: Power is medium to medium/low for poly’s. It’s about equal to squared Hyper-G, if my memory serves. I played with Tourna Silver 7 Tour for a long time, and I consider that string to be significantly lower powered at the same tension.
Control is good. It is probably more comparable to my current string, Toroline Wasabi. It’s easy to dial in directional control.
Feel: Feel is good. Comfortably crisp like Hyper-G. Not stiff like some metallic colored strings. But not plasticky like some colored strings can feel (Yonex PTP, Head Lynx). I found it comfortable, even in my RF97 where I have gravitated toward softer poly’s – I can’t use Tourna S7T in this racquet.
Spin: Spin is what you would expect from a round poly. Lower launch angle and requiring more brushing to achieve shorter flick angles. I haven’t used round poly’s in my mains in years. Maybe I have gotten spoiled with shaped mains and the easier grab on the ball. I did prefer it for volleys for a more linear response on stick volleys.
Playability Duration: I found the playability good, not great. It has good string to string friction, so it took me about 10 hours of playtime to break. The strings started sticking out of place at about the 6 hour mark. I’ve gotten used to my Toroline Wasabi/Wasabi X hybrid that hardly sticks out of place and remains playable until it snaps at the 12 hour mark.
Tension Recommendations: I would string it about the same. I’ve found this to be the sweetspot for most poly’s for me. I like the extra pocketing I get with a -3lb differential in the crosses. I only change tension dramatically if I do a gut/poly hybrid or if I’m going to be playing in really hot conditions.
Other comments: I would really like to try this with Hyper-G mains. I believe the combo (square poly mains, round cross) would perform more closely to my current setup, but possibly a little firmer.
--
Hybrid Setup Review
String setup: Hyper-G round (HGR) mains and Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution (PLE) crosses
Tension for playtest: Same as regular playtest. 45/42
Racquet used for playtest: Wilson RF97 v13
I was curious how HGR would perform with my old go-to cross poly, Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution. I thought the control, power, and spin were hardly affected. Both strings perform very similar in this regard. I thought the addition of PLE softened up the stringbed slightly and added a little extra pocketing. I believe the string to string frictions are very comparable, so the playability duration was about the same, with fullbed HGR lasting just a little longer before having to manually straighten the mains.
Again, I think the most interesting combo would be Hyper G regular with Hyper G round. I would have also liked to try HGR with gut mains, but it’s been raining in Northern California so much I couldn’t risk it. If I do end up trying it, I will update the thread.
stapletonj
Hall of Fame
Big John and Big Bill’s Solinco hyper G “ROUND” Review
This review is mostly written by my buddy and doubles partner, “Hockey Bill” Durstein. He has been playing regular Hyper-G for a couple of years now and is a big fan of it. He is an amateur hockey player and high school and college hockey referee as well. He is also 6'7" and close to 250 lbs.
His wrist strength and quickness for his size are just sick. I may not have much tennis talent, but I know how to pick a partner.
Tension(s) used for playtest: _57_/_55_# strung on a Gamma electronic 6900 (10% prestretch)
strung up nice and smooth, my fingers didn’t get roughed up like regular hyper -G. No kinking. I could feel the familiar “plasticy” feel of Hyper G..
Regular string set up:
Main: 20 gauge hyper G 57 lbs mains 55 crosses
Racquet used for test:
2018 Babolat Pure Drive (16 X 19)
I decided to compare it mainly to the regular 20 gauge Hyper G.
Control/Power of test string: Rating -
___7__/10 for control
_8____/10 for power
Observations
Feel (Comfortable? Stiff? Mush? Crisp? Uncomfortable?):
Overall - Really comfortable – the round makes for good feel on contact.
Serving was Good Jump – minimal loss of control compared to regular thinner Hyper G.
Volleys were solid and sharp similar to other Hyper G products, couldn’t tell a noticeable difference here
Spin: Rating – __6___ of 10
I hit fairly flat and it reacted very well to flat strokes. When I applied a more topspin swingpath or a slice swingpath on a groundstroke, it gave me Slightly Less spin than my normal setup.
Playability Duration (did the playability change over time? How? Feel free to comment on durability & frictional wear as well):
Rating - __8_____ of 10
Comments
Held tension well, but this is a larger gauge than I prefer. Would order this in different gauge.
Tension findings (what tension would you use if you strung it again? Why?): 58 – would like to see performance off the strings at this tension.
In regular use, I would likely keep the same tension (57/55) as I had no arm problems to speak of.
Observations
List any additional thoughts (optional): Would order this for use in the future –
would like longer term trial vs current Hyper G. I also would like to see what regular hyper G in the mains with round in the crosses would do.
A big thank you to TW from both of us for allowing us to test this string!
This review is mostly written by my buddy and doubles partner, “Hockey Bill” Durstein. He has been playing regular Hyper-G for a couple of years now and is a big fan of it. He is an amateur hockey player and high school and college hockey referee as well. He is also 6'7" and close to 250 lbs.
His wrist strength and quickness for his size are just sick. I may not have much tennis talent, but I know how to pick a partner.
Tension(s) used for playtest: _57_/_55_# strung on a Gamma electronic 6900 (10% prestretch)
strung up nice and smooth, my fingers didn’t get roughed up like regular hyper -G. No kinking. I could feel the familiar “plasticy” feel of Hyper G..
Regular string set up:
Main: 20 gauge hyper G 57 lbs mains 55 crosses
Racquet used for test:
2018 Babolat Pure Drive (16 X 19)
I decided to compare it mainly to the regular 20 gauge Hyper G.
Control/Power of test string: Rating -
___7__/10 for control
_8____/10 for power
Observations
Feel (Comfortable? Stiff? Mush? Crisp? Uncomfortable?):
Overall - Really comfortable – the round makes for good feel on contact.
Serving was Good Jump – minimal loss of control compared to regular thinner Hyper G.
Volleys were solid and sharp similar to other Hyper G products, couldn’t tell a noticeable difference here
Spin: Rating – __6___ of 10
I hit fairly flat and it reacted very well to flat strokes. When I applied a more topspin swingpath or a slice swingpath on a groundstroke, it gave me Slightly Less spin than my normal setup.
Playability Duration (did the playability change over time? How? Feel free to comment on durability & frictional wear as well):
Rating - __8_____ of 10
Comments
Held tension well, but this is a larger gauge than I prefer. Would order this in different gauge.
Tension findings (what tension would you use if you strung it again? Why?): 58 – would like to see performance off the strings at this tension.
In regular use, I would likely keep the same tension (57/55) as I had no arm problems to speak of.
Observations
List any additional thoughts (optional): Would order this for use in the future –
would like longer term trial vs current Hyper G. I also would like to see what regular hyper G in the mains with round in the crosses would do.
A big thank you to TW from both of us for allowing us to test this string!
Full bed
Tension(s) used for playtest - 55 lbs
Regular string setup & tension - Diadem Solstice Black 15L 55 lbs
Racquet used for test - Prince ATS Textreme Tour 95
Power/Control of test string - Low powered control oriented string. Medium launch angle for a 16L poly string. It has better control and drive than the shaped hyperg. Great string for high performance high school, college level+ hard hitters.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) - Soft, forgiving, controlled, and consistent response. Comfortable even outside the sweetspot.
Spin - Solid and easy access to spin. The problems that I had with the shaped hyper g were that it generated too much spin and not enough depth when I needed but this rounded hyper g fixed those problems.
Playability Duration - Great tension maintenance for a poly. I am currently on 14 hour mark but it is still playable with good control.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why) - No I liked it at 55 lbs.
Hybrid
Which string for mains/crosses - strung both hybrids
Tension(s) used for playtest - both at 55 lbs
Racquet used for playtest - Prince ATS Textreme Tour 95
Provide a short summary (one paragraph is fine), briefly touching upon the control, power, spin, feel and any other details you'd like to share. Of particular interest are the frictional properties, specifically whether manual straightening of the mains is required. Please also comment on whether you prefer Hyper-G Round in a full bed or hybrid, and briefly state your reasons.
With the hyperg main / vanquish cross I had higher launch angle on groundstrokes which I didn't like as an eastern grip player. I enjoyed the pop feel and better power on serves, volleys, and slices.
With the vanquish main / hyperg cross the main string lasted 2+ hours which was expected. I prefer the multi on the main and poly on the cross more than the full bed poly because my groundstroke had lower launch angle and felt comforable response on the impact. Manual straightening of the mains were required for both hybrids.
Thank you TW and Solinco!
Tension(s) used for playtest - 55 lbs
Regular string setup & tension - Diadem Solstice Black 15L 55 lbs
Racquet used for test - Prince ATS Textreme Tour 95
Power/Control of test string - Low powered control oriented string. Medium launch angle for a 16L poly string. It has better control and drive than the shaped hyperg. Great string for high performance high school, college level+ hard hitters.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) - Soft, forgiving, controlled, and consistent response. Comfortable even outside the sweetspot.
Spin - Solid and easy access to spin. The problems that I had with the shaped hyper g were that it generated too much spin and not enough depth when I needed but this rounded hyper g fixed those problems.
Playability Duration - Great tension maintenance for a poly. I am currently on 14 hour mark but it is still playable with good control.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why) - No I liked it at 55 lbs.
Hybrid
Which string for mains/crosses - strung both hybrids
Tension(s) used for playtest - both at 55 lbs
Racquet used for playtest - Prince ATS Textreme Tour 95
Provide a short summary (one paragraph is fine), briefly touching upon the control, power, spin, feel and any other details you'd like to share. Of particular interest are the frictional properties, specifically whether manual straightening of the mains is required. Please also comment on whether you prefer Hyper-G Round in a full bed or hybrid, and briefly state your reasons.
With the hyperg main / vanquish cross I had higher launch angle on groundstrokes which I didn't like as an eastern grip player. I enjoyed the pop feel and better power on serves, volleys, and slices.
With the vanquish main / hyperg cross the main string lasted 2+ hours which was expected. I prefer the multi on the main and poly on the cross more than the full bed poly because my groundstroke had lower launch angle and felt comforable response on the impact. Manual straightening of the mains were required for both hybrids.
Thank you TW and Solinco!
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jwocky
Rookie
Thank you to TW (@TW Staff ) and Solinco for a this play test of Hyper G Round 1.25 mm.
STRINGS SHIPPED: Two sets of Solinco Hyper G Round1.25 mm and (not used) Solinco Vanquish 1.30 mm
PLAYER:
All Court Player with variety, will add spin or flatten as needed, one handed backhand, but have been trying to develop an abbreviated top spin THBH when I feel rushed or get caught in NML.
Played on the high school team, university intra-murals with Dunlops (Maxply Fort - wood, McEnroe Autograph - graphite)
REGULAR SETUP:
Aerogel 4D 200 - with Yonex Poly Tour Rev 1.30 mm (Orange) at 23.7 kg
375 g | 68.58 cm | 31.0 cm | 343 kg cm² | 21.19 | 177.625 kg cm² | 0.474 | 538 kg cm²
However, for this play test I used my Yonex VCore Pro 97 330 - 2019 (Green Emerald) sticks because I was using the Aerogel 4D 200/YPT Rev set up for match play.
TEST SETUP:
Yonex VCore Pro 97 330 - 2019 (Green Emerald)
375 g | 68.58 cm | 31.0 cm | 343 kg cm² | 21.19 | 177.625 kg cm² | 0.474 | 538 kg cm²
All are 16x19 and listed as 97 sq in frames
1) Yonex VCore Pro 97 330 (2019) - 25 kg (55 lb) full bed HGR 1.25mm
2) Yonex VCP 97 330 (2019) - 26.0 kg Wilson Gut 1.30 mm / 25.0 kg HGR 1.25 mm
3) Yet To Test: the gut in the second racquet is starting to fray and I will use the remaining half sets of HGR and gut for a reverse hybrid with poly (M)/gut (X).
Time for this test was split between singles and doubles for a total of 18 hours per racquet over the last three weeks. This averages to two (2) hours singles and about four (4) hours doubles per week while alternating racquets during after each set. Average temperature at evening playtime of mid-40Fs with generally breezy conditions.
EXEC SUMMARY:
Full bed HGR - plays like a medium stiff round co-poly as a full bed and it feels firmer than Hyper G Soft and closer to regular Hyper G. As a hybrid. It is not a spin monster like a highly profiled string, but it provides more than sufficient spin and control in the right hands. With the hybrid of gut mains with HGR crosses, I found more power and adequate control. However, I prefer Tourna Black One to HGR in with gut mains. I was happy with the selected tensions in both set ups.
FULL BED HGR 1.25 mm: [ Yonex VCore Pro 97 330 (2019) - 25 kg (55 lb) ]
• Power/Control - Full bed HGR achieved a good balance between power and control. This was especially perceptible after the first hour in cold conditions. For serves, volleys, slices, this string was average to good while providing adequate margin on top spin shots during baseline rallies and any dipping, short angle cross court shots off both wings.
• Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) - Hyper G Round feels muted in the VCore Pro with a Sampras style string damper, but provides good audible feedback without the damper. It is comfortable and I did not have any wrist/arm/shoulder issues. Drop shots were a bit erratic and that is one of my strengths, but I will attribute this to poor execution during gusty/windy playing conditions.
• Spin - Generating spin is not an issue for me with most strings so it was available when needed. HGR is less slick than YPY Rev so it has a little less spin comparatively.
• Playability / Durability Duration - There is still life in the full bed and I do not have the sense of lost control/spin.
• Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why) - No changes.
• Other Comments - I am not sure why Solinco felt the need to develop a round version of Hyper G given the various gauges of the regular HG. Offering HGR in the same variety of gauges would be perplexing.
HYBRID WILSON GUT 1.30 mm/HGR 1.25 mm: [ Yonex VCP 97 330 (2019) - 26.0 kg / 25.0 kg ]
• Power/Control - More powerful and comfortable than the full bed, but still with plenty of control.
• Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) - Comfortable and less muted than the full bed with better feedback.
• Spin - I did not observe a material difference in spin between this hybrid and the full bed.
• Playability Duration - The gut is starting to fray, but the string bed has a few hours until the gut snaps.
• Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why) - No changes.
• Other Comments - There are better options for a slick cross than Hyper G Round, for example, Tourna Black Zone (co-poly) or Head Velocity (multi).
OVERGRIP NOTES:
I routinely use a white overgrip over base leather grips and, In general, the bundled Solinco overgrip was comparable to others on the market. Unfortunately, I did not observe anything exceptional about the Solinco overgrip relative to others on the market (Wilson Pro, Gamma Supreme, Prince TackyPro) to make me want to switch.
STRINGS SHIPPED: Two sets of Solinco Hyper G Round1.25 mm and (not used) Solinco Vanquish 1.30 mm
PLAYER:
All Court Player with variety, will add spin or flatten as needed, one handed backhand, but have been trying to develop an abbreviated top spin THBH when I feel rushed or get caught in NML.
Played on the high school team, university intra-murals with Dunlops (Maxply Fort - wood, McEnroe Autograph - graphite)
REGULAR SETUP:
Aerogel 4D 200 - with Yonex Poly Tour Rev 1.30 mm (Orange) at 23.7 kg
375 g | 68.58 cm | 31.0 cm | 343 kg cm² | 21.19 | 177.625 kg cm² | 0.474 | 538 kg cm²
However, for this play test I used my Yonex VCore Pro 97 330 - 2019 (Green Emerald) sticks because I was using the Aerogel 4D 200/YPT Rev set up for match play.
TEST SETUP:
Yonex VCore Pro 97 330 - 2019 (Green Emerald)
375 g | 68.58 cm | 31.0 cm | 343 kg cm² | 21.19 | 177.625 kg cm² | 0.474 | 538 kg cm²
All are 16x19 and listed as 97 sq in frames
1) Yonex VCore Pro 97 330 (2019) - 25 kg (55 lb) full bed HGR 1.25mm
2) Yonex VCP 97 330 (2019) - 26.0 kg Wilson Gut 1.30 mm / 25.0 kg HGR 1.25 mm
3) Yet To Test: the gut in the second racquet is starting to fray and I will use the remaining half sets of HGR and gut for a reverse hybrid with poly (M)/gut (X).
Time for this test was split between singles and doubles for a total of 18 hours per racquet over the last three weeks. This averages to two (2) hours singles and about four (4) hours doubles per week while alternating racquets during after each set. Average temperature at evening playtime of mid-40Fs with generally breezy conditions.
EXEC SUMMARY:
Full bed HGR - plays like a medium stiff round co-poly as a full bed and it feels firmer than Hyper G Soft and closer to regular Hyper G. As a hybrid. It is not a spin monster like a highly profiled string, but it provides more than sufficient spin and control in the right hands. With the hybrid of gut mains with HGR crosses, I found more power and adequate control. However, I prefer Tourna Black One to HGR in with gut mains. I was happy with the selected tensions in both set ups.
FULL BED HGR 1.25 mm: [ Yonex VCore Pro 97 330 (2019) - 25 kg (55 lb) ]
• Power/Control - Full bed HGR achieved a good balance between power and control. This was especially perceptible after the first hour in cold conditions. For serves, volleys, slices, this string was average to good while providing adequate margin on top spin shots during baseline rallies and any dipping, short angle cross court shots off both wings.
• Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) - Hyper G Round feels muted in the VCore Pro with a Sampras style string damper, but provides good audible feedback without the damper. It is comfortable and I did not have any wrist/arm/shoulder issues. Drop shots were a bit erratic and that is one of my strengths, but I will attribute this to poor execution during gusty/windy playing conditions.
• Spin - Generating spin is not an issue for me with most strings so it was available when needed. HGR is less slick than YPY Rev so it has a little less spin comparatively.
• Playability / Durability Duration - There is still life in the full bed and I do not have the sense of lost control/spin.
• Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why) - No changes.
• Other Comments - I am not sure why Solinco felt the need to develop a round version of Hyper G given the various gauges of the regular HG. Offering HGR in the same variety of gauges would be perplexing.
HYBRID WILSON GUT 1.30 mm/HGR 1.25 mm: [ Yonex VCP 97 330 (2019) - 26.0 kg / 25.0 kg ]
• Power/Control - More powerful and comfortable than the full bed, but still with plenty of control.
• Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) - Comfortable and less muted than the full bed with better feedback.
• Spin - I did not observe a material difference in spin between this hybrid and the full bed.
• Playability Duration - The gut is starting to fray, but the string bed has a few hours until the gut snaps.
• Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why) - No changes.
• Other Comments - There are better options for a slick cross than Hyper G Round, for example, Tourna Black Zone (co-poly) or Head Velocity (multi).
OVERGRIP NOTES:
I routinely use a white overgrip over base leather grips and, In general, the bundled Solinco overgrip was comparable to others on the market. Unfortunately, I did not observe anything exceptional about the Solinco overgrip relative to others on the market (Wilson Pro, Gamma Supreme, Prince TackyPro) to make me want to switch.
Last edited:
Tension(s) used for playtest: 53 lbs on hand crank machine
Regular string setup & tension: Babolat RPM Soft 53lbs/Luxilon Element 48lbs
Racquet used for test: Yonex VCore Pro 97 HD
Power/Control of test string:
Power 8/10 - Power was higher than I expected on Hyper G Round. I have experience with regular Hyper G, most recently in 17 gauge, so I am somewhat used to the pop that it brings. However, I felt a noticeable increase in power from HGR compared to regular HG after the break-in.
Control 6/10 - There were random times throughout the playtest where the ball would launch on moderately fast swings. I thought the round texture would help flatten the ball a little better than regular Hyper G, but some shots would sail long in the middle of a rally. Suffice to say, I was disappointed in the lack of depth control, moreso as the playtest wore on.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): Muted. Firm at first, but stringbed softened up later on in playtest. I think it didn’t help that I put in a muted string such as Hyper G on a muted frame, but it didn’t feel like there wasn’t much of a difference when I was hitting flat or with topspin.
Spin: 5/10 - I expected spin potential to be above average despite the rounded shape, but it was difficult to generate decent topspin throughout the playtest. I enjoyed slicing with it a lot more, as I got more skidding and low bounce from HGR. I missed the bite that I got from regular Hyper G that gave the ball some shape.
Playability Duration: 6/10 - HGR lasts about the same as regular Hyper G (6-8 hours), but the characteristics are different after the drop off in playability. Whereas regular Hyper G will suffer in the launch angle of the shot, HGR starts getting more trampoline-y. Both can still be playable after the 8-10 hour mark, but it’s not recommended.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why): I would drop the tension by 3 lbs since the colder temperature made the break-in take longer. I think the drop in tension would also help with spin potential.
Other comments (optional): Installing the string was fairly smooth. The roundness helped on weaving crosses, whereas on regular Hyper G the edges would make it difficult to pull the string towards the last few crosses. I wanted to like Hyper G Round, as I did like using other round strings such as Tourna Premium Poly and Yonex PolyTour Rev. However, HGR didn’t have the dead feeling that those two strings had, and it felt overly launchy. Overgrip feels really nice. Feels similar to Wilson Pro Overgrip and Yonex Supergrap in terms of tackiness.
HYBRID Section (this is only for those selected to provide an additional review)
Which string for mains/crosses: Vanquish Mains/Hyper G Round cross
Tension(s) used for playtest: 58 lbs/53lbs
Racquet used for playtest: Yonex VCore Pro 97 HD
Provide a short summary (one paragraph is fine), briefly touching upon the control, power, spin, feel and any other details you'd like to share. Of particular interest are the frictional properties, specifically whether manual straightening of the mains is required. Please also comment on whether you prefer Hyper-G Round in a full bed or hybrid, and briefly state your reasons: The stringbed on the hybrid felt less muted and had more give compared to the full bed. Even though there was a little bit more power from the hybrid than the full bed, I liked how the stringbed softened up quicker and felt less firm. Having that softer stringbed made me feel more in control, and spin was about the same as the full bed. After about 2 hours, I did have to straighten the multis from time to time. However, I did prefer the hybrid over the full bed, as the playability lasted longer on the hybrid than the full bed.
Huge thank you to Tennis Warehouse and Solinco for letting me be a part of this playtest!
Regular string setup & tension: Babolat RPM Soft 53lbs/Luxilon Element 48lbs
Racquet used for test: Yonex VCore Pro 97 HD
Power/Control of test string:
Power 8/10 - Power was higher than I expected on Hyper G Round. I have experience with regular Hyper G, most recently in 17 gauge, so I am somewhat used to the pop that it brings. However, I felt a noticeable increase in power from HGR compared to regular HG after the break-in.
Control 6/10 - There were random times throughout the playtest where the ball would launch on moderately fast swings. I thought the round texture would help flatten the ball a little better than regular Hyper G, but some shots would sail long in the middle of a rally. Suffice to say, I was disappointed in the lack of depth control, moreso as the playtest wore on.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): Muted. Firm at first, but stringbed softened up later on in playtest. I think it didn’t help that I put in a muted string such as Hyper G on a muted frame, but it didn’t feel like there wasn’t much of a difference when I was hitting flat or with topspin.
Spin: 5/10 - I expected spin potential to be above average despite the rounded shape, but it was difficult to generate decent topspin throughout the playtest. I enjoyed slicing with it a lot more, as I got more skidding and low bounce from HGR. I missed the bite that I got from regular Hyper G that gave the ball some shape.
Playability Duration: 6/10 - HGR lasts about the same as regular Hyper G (6-8 hours), but the characteristics are different after the drop off in playability. Whereas regular Hyper G will suffer in the launch angle of the shot, HGR starts getting more trampoline-y. Both can still be playable after the 8-10 hour mark, but it’s not recommended.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why): I would drop the tension by 3 lbs since the colder temperature made the break-in take longer. I think the drop in tension would also help with spin potential.
Other comments (optional): Installing the string was fairly smooth. The roundness helped on weaving crosses, whereas on regular Hyper G the edges would make it difficult to pull the string towards the last few crosses. I wanted to like Hyper G Round, as I did like using other round strings such as Tourna Premium Poly and Yonex PolyTour Rev. However, HGR didn’t have the dead feeling that those two strings had, and it felt overly launchy. Overgrip feels really nice. Feels similar to Wilson Pro Overgrip and Yonex Supergrap in terms of tackiness.
HYBRID Section (this is only for those selected to provide an additional review)
Which string for mains/crosses: Vanquish Mains/Hyper G Round cross
Tension(s) used for playtest: 58 lbs/53lbs
Racquet used for playtest: Yonex VCore Pro 97 HD
Provide a short summary (one paragraph is fine), briefly touching upon the control, power, spin, feel and any other details you'd like to share. Of particular interest are the frictional properties, specifically whether manual straightening of the mains is required. Please also comment on whether you prefer Hyper-G Round in a full bed or hybrid, and briefly state your reasons: The stringbed on the hybrid felt less muted and had more give compared to the full bed. Even though there was a little bit more power from the hybrid than the full bed, I liked how the stringbed softened up quicker and felt less firm. Having that softer stringbed made me feel more in control, and spin was about the same as the full bed. After about 2 hours, I did have to straighten the multis from time to time. However, I did prefer the hybrid over the full bed, as the playability lasted longer on the hybrid than the full bed.
Huge thank you to Tennis Warehouse and Solinco for letting me be a part of this playtest!
evermilion
New User
Solinco Hyper-G Round 1.25 Playtest
Regular Setup: Yonex Vcore 95 2023 | Tru Pro (TP) Black Knight (BK) (1.23) @ 48/46 (lockout stringer)
Playtest Setup: Yonex Vcore 95 2023 | Solinco Hyper-G Round (1.25) @ 48/46 (lockout stringer)
During this playtest, I played mainly doubles at USTA 4.5 level. I had maybe an hour in total to do singles tie-breaks/ground stroke points against very high 4.5 level players.
Playtest Setup: Yonex Vcore 95 2023 | Solinco Hyper-G Round (1.25) x Head Velocity MLT (1.30) @ 50/55 (lockout stringer)
Regular Setup: Yonex Vcore 95 2023 | Tru Pro (TP) Black Knight (BK) (1.23) @ 48/46 (lockout stringer)
Playtest Setup: Yonex Vcore 95 2023 | Solinco Hyper-G Round (1.25) @ 48/46 (lockout stringer)
During this playtest, I played mainly doubles at USTA 4.5 level. I had maybe an hour in total to do singles tie-breaks/ground stroke points against very high 4.5 level players.
- Power/Control: Especially in contrast to my regular TP BK, the higher power was extremely noticeable. HGR might be the most powerful polyester I have used myself recently. This added power came in to play during longer rallies, where I have a tendency to hit shorter and shorter balls, but HGR allowed me to maintain depth relatively easily with similar net clearance. I did notice that my balls were noticeably heavier when going for counter-punch shots. Surprisingly, I did not feel like this power came at a cost in control. HGR allowed great depth and directional control on top of more power. While TP BK has an edge in directional control, in my opinion, HGR provides solid directional control with more power.
- Feel: I grew up playing black, polyester strings which tend be very dead, low-response strings, TP BK included. So, playing HGR with more response on the string bed was quite enjoyable. I can feel that, when I hit clean, the ball explodes off the racquet and I can feel that I hit "big." However, I must say TP BK, while being considered a muted string, provides an weird feeling of control that really allows me to hit all varieties of angles, heights, and touch shots. In this regard, TP BK outshined in the control-feel, but HGR outshined in the power-feel.
- Spin: Spin was, honestly, the most surprising aspect of this string. I have almost exclusively used shaped polyesters looking for spin and bite from my string bed. So, my expectation was quite low in this department from HGR. Fortunately, HGR provided nearly equivalent amount of spin than TP BK and, in combination with the added power, I felt that HGR hit a significantly heavier ball on average. Personally, HGR provided more than enough spin for my stroke style.
- Playability Durability: I got to about 8 hours of doubles gameplay before the string bed significantly loosened up. Personally, this is one of longer lasting setups I have used in a while. Typically, after 4-6 hours, I will have noticed mains not snapping back and catch myself launching balls more frequently. However, HGR maintained playability up until that 8-hour point, where it jumped off the cliff. Although I will have to try how long HGR lasts when I play singles matches, I reckon that HGR would last me 6 hours, before breaking or I cut it out.
- Tension Recommendation: 48/46 in VC95 felt perfect. If I were to play this again, I would definitely use the same tension.
- Summary (Additional Thoughts): Compared to my regular setup, I appreciated the increased power without really losing much control. While I didn't "feel" any speed increase in my serves, I did feel confident in hitting bigger second serves, both slice and kick, likely due to the higher power at a smililar spin rate. I did not notice any comfort issues with this setup. Though, comfort criteria requries to give it couple more sets to test. Subjectively, I did not feel any harshness or excessive stiffness, even if I hit an off-centered ball. Due to the surprisingly extended playability durability for my experience, I would likely try the 1.20 gauge, where I could get more power and spin, such that hopefully the string breaks around 6-8 hour time point. Depending on the cost of the string, I may consider switching to HGR from BK.
Playtest Setup: Yonex Vcore 95 2023 | Solinco Hyper-G Round (1.25) x Head Velocity MLT (1.30) @ 50/55 (lockout stringer)
- Mini-review: My typical go to hybrid is crossing the polyester mains with Velocity MLT in the crosses. This is simply for my bicep pain that comes during excessive playing. Since I am familiar with how Velocity MLT crosses against several polys, I tried HGR x Velocity MLT. Unfortunately, it was too much power, in the most simplest terms. After about an hour or so of doubles matchplay, I noticed that I was struggling to maintain racquet head speed in the fear of launching ball too long. It felt very difficult in maintaining the same level of spin that was present during nearly 8 hours of full-bed HGR playtest. The mains required manual straightening after an hour. I typically get around 3-4 hours in my BK x Velocity MLT setup, but with HGR, for some interesting reasons, did not make it past the 3 hour timepoint. This suggested to me that HGR had better snap back resulted in quicker shredding of the crosses. To conclude, HGR fullbed was preferred to HGR x Velocity MLT hybrid. However, I will say that HGR in the crosses should prove to be an excellent support to shaped main users, especially those looking for more power without losing out the spin. I may go out and say that you might even feel more spin by crossing a round poly HGR.
- Additional Thoughts: I am currently testing TP BK mains to HGR crosses to see if I could maintain BK's control feel (which I prefer) but adding tad bit more power and that power-feel.
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
Hyoer G Round Playtest
Tension(s) used for playtest: 48lbs
Regular string setup & tension: RPM Blast 17G @ 50lbs
Racquet used for test: Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18x20
Power/Control of test string: Power was adequate. The string provided all the power I needed when I was trying for a winner, or counter against hard incoming shots. Control was Hyoer G Round’s most noticeable feature. Ball just sank in a little to aid in both depth and angles on my shots. The responses were super predictable.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): The feel was comfortably connected and had less of the plastic feel than the refular Hyoer G in my opinion.
Spin: Spin was outstanding and didn’t notice much (*if any) differences compared to the regular Hyper G.
Playability Duration: I spent about eight hours of play without noticing much drop in playability. Quite impressive when most poly strings, in my experience, start to get wild or lose the feel around 8 hours mark.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why): I would string it the same. The string at the strung tension provided outstanding feel, ball pocketing, power (*when I needed it), and control.
Other comments (optional): I think I‘m going to make a switch to Hyoer G Round. It does everything that my current go to string does but lasts much longer. Highly impressive product from Solinco.
HYBRID Section
Which string and tension for mains/crosses: Racket 1: Hyoer G Mains at 48lbs and Vanquish 16G crosses at 48 lbs.
Racket 2: Vanquish mains at 55 lbs and Hyoer G Round at 50lbs.
Racquet used for playtest: Racket 1: Dunlop CX 200 Tour Limited 18x20
Racket 2: Dunlop CX 200 Limited
Provide a short summary: Racket 1 Hyper G as main played much like full bed of Hyper G Round but with much more comfort. There were no noticeable issues with spin or control in my initial experience of about three hours of play, but using it right after the racket that was strung with full bed of Hyper G Round required some adjustment. The launch angle seemed to be lower in the hybrid set up and the slight power, spin and control differences required making adjustments. This is honestly a great set up if someone hates the feel of full poly but likes the control and spin poly strings provide, The string bed didn’t start to lock up until about 3-4 hour mark. I noticed some crosses getting out of places, but it wasn’t anything like having to fix full bed of multi or synthetic gut after even less than thirty minutes of play. I think Hyper G Round performs great as a hybrid string for gut, multi, or synthetic gut strings. I still prefer the full bed of poly.
Racket 2: This set up felt powerful and very plush. Having the multi mains really brought out the softness in both the frame and the string bed. The spin and control was nice strung in the 16x19 more open pattern. During light rallies, this set up felt effortless to hit. However, some issues came up as the rallies became harder and more attacking. The first was the movement of the mains after just one hour of play, The second was the muted feel at hard impacts, especially on the flat shots. The numb feel made it more difficult to counter the hard shots. Having the full bed of poly has many downsides, but the predictability and having control while attacking or counter-attacking override any of its.negatives, especially for the players who like to “crush” the balls when chances are given.
Maybe I can string the mains tighter like 60lbs for more control and string being in place a bit longer, but how high would I have to string the poly crosses? Can multi mains be strung at 60 while poly crosses strung at 50 lbs?
Overall, Hyoer G Round is a great string for both full bed and hybrid set ups. The roundness of HPGR helps in snapping back for even multi strings. Vanquish lasted a lot longer than I expected. My initial experience with Multi mains and poly crosses ended in less than 30 minutes due to string breakage. The set up was Wilson Multi mains with Volkl poly in my Pro Staff Midsize, It felt nice but just did not last long, and I’m not a string breaker.
White overgrip (prototype): It felt a lot tackier than my go to winter grip - Tourna Tac XL - with thinner and firmer feel. I don’t normally use tacky grips because many can get slippery even after little usage, but during winter Tourna Tac feels a lot better than the regular Tourna grip. I actually really enjoyed using the prototype grip from Solinco. The grip felt secure and more connected than Tourna Tac, which feels a little cushioned . It also didn’t get noticeably slippery even after my hands were getting a little sweaty. Very impressive (*winter grip in my case) from Solinco.
Thank you, Solinco and Tenniswarehouse for this opportunity to playtest Solinco Hyper G Round.
Tension(s) used for playtest: 48lbs
Regular string setup & tension: RPM Blast 17G @ 50lbs
Racquet used for test: Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18x20
Power/Control of test string: Power was adequate. The string provided all the power I needed when I was trying for a winner, or counter against hard incoming shots. Control was Hyoer G Round’s most noticeable feature. Ball just sank in a little to aid in both depth and angles on my shots. The responses were super predictable.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): The feel was comfortably connected and had less of the plastic feel than the refular Hyoer G in my opinion.
Spin: Spin was outstanding and didn’t notice much (*if any) differences compared to the regular Hyper G.
Playability Duration: I spent about eight hours of play without noticing much drop in playability. Quite impressive when most poly strings, in my experience, start to get wild or lose the feel around 8 hours mark.
Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time - why): I would string it the same. The string at the strung tension provided outstanding feel, ball pocketing, power (*when I needed it), and control.
Other comments (optional): I think I‘m going to make a switch to Hyoer G Round. It does everything that my current go to string does but lasts much longer. Highly impressive product from Solinco.
HYBRID Section
Which string and tension for mains/crosses: Racket 1: Hyoer G Mains at 48lbs and Vanquish 16G crosses at 48 lbs.
Racket 2: Vanquish mains at 55 lbs and Hyoer G Round at 50lbs.
Racquet used for playtest: Racket 1: Dunlop CX 200 Tour Limited 18x20
Racket 2: Dunlop CX 200 Limited
Provide a short summary: Racket 1 Hyper G as main played much like full bed of Hyper G Round but with much more comfort. There were no noticeable issues with spin or control in my initial experience of about three hours of play, but using it right after the racket that was strung with full bed of Hyper G Round required some adjustment. The launch angle seemed to be lower in the hybrid set up and the slight power, spin and control differences required making adjustments. This is honestly a great set up if someone hates the feel of full poly but likes the control and spin poly strings provide, The string bed didn’t start to lock up until about 3-4 hour mark. I noticed some crosses getting out of places, but it wasn’t anything like having to fix full bed of multi or synthetic gut after even less than thirty minutes of play. I think Hyper G Round performs great as a hybrid string for gut, multi, or synthetic gut strings. I still prefer the full bed of poly.
Racket 2: This set up felt powerful and very plush. Having the multi mains really brought out the softness in both the frame and the string bed. The spin and control was nice strung in the 16x19 more open pattern. During light rallies, this set up felt effortless to hit. However, some issues came up as the rallies became harder and more attacking. The first was the movement of the mains after just one hour of play, The second was the muted feel at hard impacts, especially on the flat shots. The numb feel made it more difficult to counter the hard shots. Having the full bed of poly has many downsides, but the predictability and having control while attacking or counter-attacking override any of its.negatives, especially for the players who like to “crush” the balls when chances are given.
Maybe I can string the mains tighter like 60lbs for more control and string being in place a bit longer, but how high would I have to string the poly crosses? Can multi mains be strung at 60 while poly crosses strung at 50 lbs?
Overall, Hyoer G Round is a great string for both full bed and hybrid set ups. The roundness of HPGR helps in snapping back for even multi strings. Vanquish lasted a lot longer than I expected. My initial experience with Multi mains and poly crosses ended in less than 30 minutes due to string breakage. The set up was Wilson Multi mains with Volkl poly in my Pro Staff Midsize, It felt nice but just did not last long, and I’m not a string breaker.
White overgrip (prototype): It felt a lot tackier than my go to winter grip - Tourna Tac XL - with thinner and firmer feel. I don’t normally use tacky grips because many can get slippery even after little usage, but during winter Tourna Tac feels a lot better than the regular Tourna grip. I actually really enjoyed using the prototype grip from Solinco. The grip felt secure and more connected than Tourna Tac, which feels a little cushioned . It also didn’t get noticeably slippery even after my hands were getting a little sweaty. Very impressive (*winter grip in my case) from Solinco.
Thank you, Solinco and Tenniswarehouse for this opportunity to playtest Solinco Hyper G Round.
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kevonian
Semi-Pro
Solinco Hyper-G Round String Review
Tension Tried: 50 lbs
Normal Racquet: Diadem Elevate 98 v3 (Gut/poly)
Power & Control: The Solinco Hyper-G round hit a sweet spot between giving you enough power to smash the ball and enough control to keep it in bounds. Playing with these strings felt like having a good balance - you can go all out without worrying about the ball flying off to the moon.
Feel: These strings have a nice feel to them. They're not too hard on your arm, but they're not super soft either. It's like they're just right - you get good feedback when you hit the ball, so you know exactly how your shot went without it feeling too harsh. The feel is a bit different to normal HyperG it's like it has just a bit less grab and bite
Spin: These strings are like a dream. You can really whip up some topspin or slice the ball with ease. Even with the round profile spin potential is still high.
How Long They Last: These strings hold up pretty well. They keep their tension and don't wear out too quickly because of the round profile, so you don't have to worry about restringing all the time. They stay playable for quite a few matches, which is great if you're not into changing strings too often. I would normally have to change normal HyperG because the edges wear down
Tension Tips: Strung at 50 lbs seemed to work pretty well for a mix of power and control. If you're after a bit more oomph or a softer feel, you might want to loosen up the tension a bit. But if you're all about precision, cranking it up could be your move. It's all about what feels right for your game, but 50 lbs is a solid starting point.
Overall: The Solinco Hyper-G strings are a solid pick if you're into playing a game that's all about control, spin, and not breaking your strings every other week. They work great with the Diadem Elevate 98 v3, making for a combo that's pretty hard to beat whether you're slamming from the baseline or slicing and dicing all over the court. This lasted me 10-12 hours and they did not break
Solinco Vanquish & Hyper-G Hybrid String Review
Tension Used for Playtest: 50 lbs
Normal Racquet: Diadem Elevate 98 v3 (Gut/Poly)
Power & Control: Mixing Solinco Vanquish in the mains with Hyper-G in the crosses at 50 lbs was an interesting experiment. This setup delivered a pretty unique blend of power and control. The Vanquish mains brought a touch more power and a softer feel, which, when combined with the crispness and control of the Hyper-G crosses, allowed for some confident, controlled hitting. It felt like you could really swing out on your shots but still keep the ball in play.
Feel: This combo gave a feel that's hard to beat. The Vanquish is known for its comfortable, slightly softer feel, which took the edge off the typically crisper Hyper-G. The result was a stringbed that felt just right - not too stiff, not too mushy. It's like hitting a sweet spot where you get enough feedback to know how well you hit the ball, but it's also gentle on your arm.
Spin: The Hyper-G crosses definitely brought their A-game when it came to spin. The round Hyper-G helped grip the ball for some serious topspin and slice spin. The Vanquish mains, being a bit softer, seemed to enhance the snapback, making the spin potential of this hybrid setup quite impressive. It's like the strings were working together to put some extra bite on the ball. I've always liked HyperG but could never justify using it with a multi main but now I will try it with a Gut main next
Playability Duration: This hybrid setup maintained its playability nicely over time. The tension held up well, which meant consistent performance across multiple hitting sessions. The durability was also pretty solid, thanks to the tough nature of Hyper-G. Vanquish, while softer, didn't show signs of premature wear when paired with the more durable Hyper-G, making for a long-lasting setup. And long lasting for me is at least 2-3 singles matches and it did last that long plus 2 matches of doubles
Overall: The Solinco Vanquish and Hyper-G hybrid is a great choice if you're looking for a setup that offers a nice mix of power, control, and comfort, with the added bonus of great spin potential. It's especially effective in a frame like the Diadem Elevate 98 v3, where the string setup complements the racquet's capabilities well. Whether you're a baseline grinder or like to mix it up with volleys and slices, this string combo could be a game-changer for your play. Only issue is that this won't last long. I saw notching in the multi around the 3hr mark and it broke on the multi around 6-7 hours of light hitting, matchplay, and serving practice.
Tension Tried: 50 lbs
Normal Racquet: Diadem Elevate 98 v3 (Gut/poly)
Power & Control: The Solinco Hyper-G round hit a sweet spot between giving you enough power to smash the ball and enough control to keep it in bounds. Playing with these strings felt like having a good balance - you can go all out without worrying about the ball flying off to the moon.
Feel: These strings have a nice feel to them. They're not too hard on your arm, but they're not super soft either. It's like they're just right - you get good feedback when you hit the ball, so you know exactly how your shot went without it feeling too harsh. The feel is a bit different to normal HyperG it's like it has just a bit less grab and bite
Spin: These strings are like a dream. You can really whip up some topspin or slice the ball with ease. Even with the round profile spin potential is still high.
How Long They Last: These strings hold up pretty well. They keep their tension and don't wear out too quickly because of the round profile, so you don't have to worry about restringing all the time. They stay playable for quite a few matches, which is great if you're not into changing strings too often. I would normally have to change normal HyperG because the edges wear down
Tension Tips: Strung at 50 lbs seemed to work pretty well for a mix of power and control. If you're after a bit more oomph or a softer feel, you might want to loosen up the tension a bit. But if you're all about precision, cranking it up could be your move. It's all about what feels right for your game, but 50 lbs is a solid starting point.
Overall: The Solinco Hyper-G strings are a solid pick if you're into playing a game that's all about control, spin, and not breaking your strings every other week. They work great with the Diadem Elevate 98 v3, making for a combo that's pretty hard to beat whether you're slamming from the baseline or slicing and dicing all over the court. This lasted me 10-12 hours and they did not break
Solinco Vanquish & Hyper-G Hybrid String Review
Tension Used for Playtest: 50 lbs
Normal Racquet: Diadem Elevate 98 v3 (Gut/Poly)
Power & Control: Mixing Solinco Vanquish in the mains with Hyper-G in the crosses at 50 lbs was an interesting experiment. This setup delivered a pretty unique blend of power and control. The Vanquish mains brought a touch more power and a softer feel, which, when combined with the crispness and control of the Hyper-G crosses, allowed for some confident, controlled hitting. It felt like you could really swing out on your shots but still keep the ball in play.
Feel: This combo gave a feel that's hard to beat. The Vanquish is known for its comfortable, slightly softer feel, which took the edge off the typically crisper Hyper-G. The result was a stringbed that felt just right - not too stiff, not too mushy. It's like hitting a sweet spot where you get enough feedback to know how well you hit the ball, but it's also gentle on your arm.
Spin: The Hyper-G crosses definitely brought their A-game when it came to spin. The round Hyper-G helped grip the ball for some serious topspin and slice spin. The Vanquish mains, being a bit softer, seemed to enhance the snapback, making the spin potential of this hybrid setup quite impressive. It's like the strings were working together to put some extra bite on the ball. I've always liked HyperG but could never justify using it with a multi main but now I will try it with a Gut main next
Playability Duration: This hybrid setup maintained its playability nicely over time. The tension held up well, which meant consistent performance across multiple hitting sessions. The durability was also pretty solid, thanks to the tough nature of Hyper-G. Vanquish, while softer, didn't show signs of premature wear when paired with the more durable Hyper-G, making for a long-lasting setup. And long lasting for me is at least 2-3 singles matches and it did last that long plus 2 matches of doubles
Overall: The Solinco Vanquish and Hyper-G hybrid is a great choice if you're looking for a setup that offers a nice mix of power, control, and comfort, with the added bonus of great spin potential. It's especially effective in a frame like the Diadem Elevate 98 v3, where the string setup complements the racquet's capabilities well. Whether you're a baseline grinder or like to mix it up with volleys and slices, this string combo could be a game-changer for your play. Only issue is that this won't last long. I saw notching in the multi around the 3hr mark and it broke on the multi around 6-7 hours of light hitting, matchplay, and serving practice.
stapletonj
Hall of Fame
UPDATE - My buddy Bill asked me how thin I could get some Hyper-G round in as he wants to try it again!
