Ultra Tour 97: Xcel/Rip Control or TGV?

[Pitti]

Hi everyone:

Last autumn I bought a Wilson Ultra Tour 97 for returning to tennis after a long 10 year hiatus in which I played just twice per year. I purchased that racquet because (1) I love the 18x20 pattern and (2) It's comfortable to the arm, and I was ending with some pain in my elbow with my previous racquet, which by the way, I enjoyed (Wilson nsix one team 95, 289gr unstrung).

I was a decent club player, but I've lost a good amount of technique during the decade I gave up tennis. Still, I'm consistent enough to play in an amateur league and will probably do so in a future. I'm an allcourter who likes to attack, step into the court and rush to the net when possible. I play with a 1HBH, and with an almost-eastern forehand grip, which gives me some power and makes me use less spin.

I asked you some months ago about possible string choices for my racquet here: https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/string-advice-for-ultra-tour-18x20.636206/

Well, I finally put a full bed of TGV 1.30mm at 24kg (53 lbs) and it's lasted me almost 20 hours of play. I liked its power after 2 hours of hitting until the last 3 or 4 hours, when the 'trampoline effect' became a bit excessive to my taste. I also found it difficult to control on drop shots and volleys (the latter being long or excessively short) Now I'm debating on using a more control oriented multi at a slightly less tension (like Xcel or Rip Control) or repeating this setting up. What do you think? Thank you.

 

[Christoforos Giatzakis]

I think you should try multifeel...

 

[Pitti]

Thank you for answering. There's only one stringer in my town, which is a big sports retailer, and I don't currently have a stringing machine, so I have to choose from what they carry.

They don't have the multifeel string. From Tecnifibre monofilaments they carry Black code and black code 4s. From multifilaments they carry xOne at 1.24 (which I broke fast), TGV (1.30 and 1.35) and Duramix 1.35.

From different brands they have: Monofilament: Alu Power 125, Blast rough and Pro hurricane tour. Multifilament: Sensation 1.35, Xcel limited 1.30 and sometimes RipControl 1.30. They also carry Babolat natural gut.

What would you recommend for me from these strings? Is the Duramix string similar to multifeel? Maybe 1.35mm is too much for a 18x20 racquet...

And how does the gauge affect the tension? From 1.30 to 1.35 should I expect more or less power/spin?

Thank you again.

 

[Christoforos Giatzakis]

I would use either 1.25 or 1.30 but not thicker than that in ultra tour.
Since those are the only ones they carry I would try xcel or rip control but be prepared with rip control.. string low (maybe 20kg) as it is a very low power string and the ultra tour is not a powerful racket..

Else, buy from somewhere else and let them string it for you... multifeel 17g is awesome in ultra tour...

 

[Pitti]

Ok. Thank you. And just a last question for the moment I get the opportunity of trying it: Which tension range would you recommend for the multifeel on the ultra tour?

 

[Christoforos Giatzakis]

22-23kg

 

[hurworld]

Since they carry natural gut, I would also suggest natural gut main / poly cross. It would help in the power department (many in this board says Ultra Tour needs it) and 18x20 pattern gets more durability out of the natural gut.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

I currently have this racquet strung up with 17g head.velocity at 58lbs (black color)
16g multis are good on this racquet, but since its a tight pattern racquet, I can get away with 17g multis as well
I think your choice of 16g multi at 55lbs is good, but I like to get a bit more bite, that's why I chose 17g
I also tried and like this racquet with 17g babolat.origin string,, a multi-like string, good pop and comfort

 

[esgee48]

Your retailer has a very limited selection. I would ask them what would they charge if you provided the string. There are many good multis out there, but you will not be able to experience them if you restrict yourself to only their inventory. Of their choices, I would go with the Wilson Sensation at the same tension. Head's Velocity is too muted for me unless it is strung at a lower tension. FXP is more powerful. Rip Control is a control multi if that is what you are seeking.

 

[Pitti]

Thank you for answering, @hurworld @1HBHfanatic and @esgee48.

It's true that the retailer has a limited selection of strings. I'll ask them if I can provide the string. The good thing about using the strings they carry is that if you're registered as a usual customer, they install them for free on your racquet provided you buy the strings there.

I have no idea about hybrids, but given I've got a slightly sensitive elbow, I'm not sure about using any poly at all. I prefer to stick to a full bed of multifilament, given the fact that I don't break the strings very often thanks to my flatter shots and to the tight pattern of my racquet.

Do you think a full bed of Xcel 1.30 at 23kg would be good for the Ultra tour? Or should I start with 23.5kg? I liked the power of the TGV at 24kg, but at the end it was a bit 'overpowered'. The Xcel string is not as powerful in my previous experience with it, and gives good control.

 

[hurworld]

I think 23kg is fine, or your original 24kg tension is fine too. Personally, I would string the crosses 1kg or 1.5kg lower to help increase the launch angle / generate spin, but that's just my own preference.

 

[Pitti]

I think 23kg is fine, or your original 24kg tension is fine too. Personally, I would string the crosses 1kg or 1.5kg lower to help increase the launch angle / generate spin, but that's just my own preference.

Does reducing the tension on the crosses affect the durability of the strings?

 

[hurworld]

Does reducing the tension on the crosses affect the durability of the strings?

Likely. Since the idea of lowering tension on the cross strings is to allow main strings more freedom to move / snapback, hence wear out string faster. However, since the 18x20 has dense string bed, the main strings would not move as much as say a 16x19 string bed.

 

[Pitti]

Likely. Since the idea of lowering tension on the cross strings is to allow main strings more freedom to move / snapback, hence wear out string faster. However, since the 18x20 has dense string bed, the main strings would not move as much as say a 16x19 string bed.

My reasoning was correct then! Finally I seem to be grasping something about strings and their physics... Thank you. I may try on my next stringing it to see how it goes, and continue adjusting from there. Trial and error.

 

[hurworld]

My reasoning was correct then! Finally I seem to be grasping something about strings and their physics... Thank you. I may try on my next stringing it to see how it goes, and continue adjusting from there. Trial and error.

Good luck! Most of us are in constant trial and error phase, especially when we don't get to play as often as we would like to.

 

[Pitti]

I've seen that among multifilaments they also carry Tecnifibre XR3. Has anybody tried that string? How does it compare to TGV/X1/Babolat Xcel?

 

[Pitti]

I’ve brought the racquet to the store today and have decided to give XR3 a try at 23.5kg (52lbs). I’ll see how it goes, although unfortunately my partner will be out and I will probably have to wait 10 days until I can try it... (sigh!)