Tsitsipas black strings

PropertyLuxilon Alu Power Soft 1.25Luxilon 4G Soft 1.25Difference %
MaterialPolyesterPolyesterNA
Stiffness (lb/in)19821710

I’ve tested both, and I believe ALU Soft is much easier on the arm than it’s 4G counterpart.
 
HeavyHitter said:
Looks like RPM blast. You can tell by the light reflection of the shape. I recognize it immediately from using it for many years. He’s probably looking for free power but still retain the similar impact feel. He really can’t stray too far and make a sudden change to a gut. The impact feel is so different, it would be too risky at this stage of his career.
stefanos-tsitsipas-of-greece-plays-a-backhand-volley-during-a-ahead-picture-id1353058205
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It was Luxilon Alu Power Black!
 
HeavyHitter said:
Looks like RPM blast. You can tell by the light reflection of the shape. I recognize it immediately from using it for many years. He’s probably looking for free power but still retain the similar impact feel. He really can’t stray too far and make a sudden change to a gut. The impact feel is so different, it would be too risky at this stage of his career.
stefanos-tsitsipas-of-greece-plays-a-backhand-volley-during-a-ahead-picture-id1353058205
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If he is having arm problems he may not want to hit bent arm backhands. That could be a volley though so who knows.
 
I don't think it's all because of the 4G string. You can get injuries to your elbow even with a soft frame layup and soft strings, sure it will lessen the chances but there are many other factors as well. I'm sure he's playing with a SW that is 340+, so the comfort shouldn't be an issue with the 4G. Also at this level, these guys are training and playing 2~6hrs a day with barely any breaks. Playing that much will wear and tear your joints eventually. 4G got him to top 3 in the world....what a terrible string.....
 
70sStrokes said:
If he is having arm problems he may not want to hit bent arm backhands. That could be a volley though so who knows.
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-looks like lux.alu.power (BLACK- limited edition)
-feels good on the v8s

-btw there is also 4g.SOFT
-a much friendlier version to the 4g string
-both versions of 4g string are good, tension maintenance above average
-tension and racquet combo is critical, regardless of the string
 
HeavyHitter said:
I don't think it's all because of the 4G string. You can get injuries to your elbow even with a soft frame layup and soft strings, sure it will lessen the chances but there are many other factors as well. I'm sure he's playing with a SW that is 340+, so the comfort shouldn't be an issue with the 4G. Also at this level, these guys are training and playing 2~6hrs a day with barely any breaks. Playing that much will wear and tear your joints eventually. 4G got him to top 3 in the world....what a terrible string.....
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Complete denial. Sheesh.

If you’ve ever hit with 4G, you would know it’s the stiffest and harshest poly. Now try that at 55/52LBS, tight pattern, and play/train on the tour. It’s insane hours of additional wear and tear which certainly increases your chances of injury over any other string.
 
These guys hit so many dang balls I don't think we can imagine or even compare. Anyone who has been to a tournament and watch the pros has seen them each day practice for a few hours and then bash away in a 3 hour match a few hours later. That is just during tournaments not even when they are practicing and getting ready for big events. Plus they rip the living snot out of the ball!

Because of that I think most players as they move through juniors are changing up their equipment/setup both as they mature but adjust to all that hitting until they settle into something that performs and that their bodies can take. I am sure someone will point out exceptions but you certainly don't see many pros going through the process and picking a full set of 4G. The stuff is dead and stiff as can be.

Who knows if 4G caused the Tsitsipas injury or if it was all the wear and tear. However, I would be very surprised if he sticks with 4G after the injury.
 
Not denial, just stating the facts. And yes, I've played with 4G in a 18x20 frame at 23~25kg for a while, so I know exactly what it feels like and I've never had arm issues. If you have a frame with enough SW and you can supply the racquet head speed it's very crisp and has a very unique feel. The direction control and consistency is what makes the 4G desirable. Every string has its pros and cons and certain players will compromise certain things to gain another. If you look at his game, he's looking for depth, placement, spin control and directional control. These are things that 4G does well. He also developed his strokes and game with the 4G so if he does decide to switch, he won't stray too far. There isn't enough "off-season" for most of these guys to make drastic changes.
 
Don’t get me wrong, I personally also think he should switch. He can be serving at 130+ Consistently with faster strings. I’ve moved on and currently testing head strings, new prototype is really good btw. All I’m saying is that it’s not just the strings, he trains non stop and played non stop for the past 5 yrs. 4G probably doesn’t help either.
 
HeavyHitter said:
Don’t get me wrong, I personally also think he should switch. He can be serving at 130+ Consistently with faster strings. I’ve moved on and currently testing head strings, new prototype is really good btw. All I’m saying is that it’s not just the strings, he trains non stop and played non stop for the past 5 yrs. 4G probably doesn’t help either.
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Just some background. My son hit with 4G 16l from the age of 13 to 17 and the stuff is a great string no doubt. I have strung a boatload of the stuff. I have hit a bit with it when reaching into my son's bag to hit but I don't have the game to really appreciate what it offers.

However, those guys hit a lot of balls and I think tournament players as they get older and stronger (become men) realize it just cannot be sustained as they become stronger. We as adults and players that don't train to hit bigger as they do and hit as frequently as they do and hit with the force as they do have no way of relating to what they go through.

A string like that is not sustainable and we are seeing that both with him as well as the lack of adoption from the other players on the tour.

He will switch and he will switch to a setup more commonly used by the others that play at his level. It will be interesting to watch but I am pretty sure it will be to something softer.
 
LOBALOT said:
How many of his peers are using a full bed of 4G right now?

I am really curious.
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- i think it would be a good number of them
-it is a good string, good durability, good/great control and above par tension resilience
-the trick to original lux.4G is to string it low enough so it does not hurt
-sadly tough, most juniors and/or college kids string too tight, and never bother to lower the tension when the pain starts

-lux.4g.SOFT is a friendlier version for the masses
-original lux.4g is stiff, but i always suggest going down 4-5lbs less than your normal poly tension
-with lux.4g.soft, i strung at 51lbs and was very surpriced on my blade.v8s,
-i could have gone up to 52lbs since w.blades have a more open pattern than the tight pattern yonex vcores ive also strung them on
 
LOBALOT said:
..........
He will switch and he will switch to a setup more commonly used by the others that play at his level. It will be interesting to watch but I am pretty sure it will be to something softer.
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-yptp is a good option (IMO)
-a bit notisably softer and also good tension maintenance/resilience for a poly
 
fox said:
??? Switch from the stiff harsh crisp controlled poly to one of the most muted springiest and soft ???
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-muted maybe
-medium stiff is what i would classify as
-tension maintenance was very surprising with this one (y.p.t.PRO)
- crisper yonex string is y.p.t.STRIKE
-a softer yonex string is y.p.t.FIRE
-y.p.t.REV is on another class, now thats a soft, springy string, IMO
 
FIRETennis said:
just due to a higher number of impact & vibration on the same hand.. even with perfect technique....
his frame has a Stiffness 66, yes.
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I wonder if he would consider a hybrid of 4G and 4G Soft at a lower tension such as 49/46 LBS. It could be to minimal of a change or it could be enough to reduce the inflammation or whatever it is.
 
CiscoPC600 said:
I wonder if he would consider a hybrid of 4G and 4G Soft at a lower tension such as 49/46 LBS. It could be to minimal of a change or it could be enough to reduce the inflammation or whatever it is.
Click to expand...

I'm sure he and his team will figure out some solutions. Many options out there...
 
LOBALOT said:
How many of his peers are using a full bed of 4G right now?

I am really curious.
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Not an ATP peer, but Pavlyuchenkova plays 4G in a full bed. I think her frame is a Burn or Steam pro stock; either way, it's a high RA stick.

She does wail on the ball which is one way to 'soften' any string—force it to stretch with high RHS.
 
Suarly said:
I'm just watching Tsitsipas warming up with Hurckacz in Torino and he is hitting with a full bed black strings

Does anyone know which string is he playing with?
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Just saw a photo from a couple days ago. Looks like ALU power rough in the mains and something else in the crosses.
If you type “Tsitsipas 2022” in google, you will see a closer up photo of a back hand volley 3rd photo down on the left side. From the angle you can see the “rough” on the mains. The crosses look like standard ALU power.
 
Tjg said:
Just saw a photo from a couple days ago. Looks like ALU power rough in the mains and something else in the crosses.
If you type “Tsitsipas 2022” in google, you will see a closer up photo of a back hand volley 3rd photo down on the left side. From the angle you can see the “rough” on the mains. The crosses look like standard ALU power.
Click to expand...
Great detective work.
 
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