What strings and tension did sampras use?

i am not exactly sure of what strings he used, but i know it was a full gut string job...as for tension, that varied from 70 to 80 pounds...usually on the upper end of that range
 
Rabbit can you give us an actual guage in mm since 17L these days is a very vague range along with 18g, thank you, please read klip legend 18g thread
 
he used the 122 initially and then switched to the 125, but used the 122 on grass til the very end.
 
Hi Eagle ,
No I never strung for him. At Paris Bercy in '98 I was emergency stringer for him if he needed any quick on site. Jay was stringing for him at the time(off site).A little while later he changed over to Nate and stayed with him till the end.
All the best,
Richard
 
Hey there, Richard, Are you sure it wasn't VS Team 124 that Sampras used later, or was it really VS Team 125? I've seen both sets of string, but I wonder why Babolat would make both, unless of course a difference could be felt.
 
Hi PC,
I have never seen a VS 124. The normal gauges that I have seen are 125,127,130,132 and 135. 122 was made for pete and have neve heard of another gauge being made for a player since then.
Nate would have to answer that question for you as I was under the impression that it was 125.
All the best,
Richard
 
i think he used a squash string natural gut with very thin gauge but he broke that too much so he went back to the 1.25mm, i read that somewhere...
 
Pete used Babolat VS Team....three different gauges. 122 123 and 125. Mostly used 122 and 123. 75 lbs...give or take a couple due to weather, opponent.
 
wait a minute?!?!?! 122mm 123mm 125mm what is the difference? only .01mm (being facetious)

I also thought he used less than 1.20mm at very high tensions where 1/2 would break while stringing
 
Yeah...those three gauges. Nothing thinner as far as I know. Pete is pretty meticulous when it comes to his sticks. Many would pop while stringing, high tensions and such highly strung gut.
 
I believe just to combat the shear weight, and thus power, of his rackets, he had to string the rackets at a very high tension as everyone has mentioned above.
 
Anyone know where all the lead-tape was added to the frame of his Prostaff to make it 380-390g?
Was it all added at 3 and 9'oclock or was there some under the handle?
 
War said:
Anyone know where all the lead-tape was added to the frame of his Prostaff to make it 380-390g?
Was it all added at 3 and 9'oclock or was there some under the handle?
Click to expand...

Go with what works for you. A heavy racket like his is going to fatigue an average player just after a few sets; we're not conditioned for that kind of weight. But dont take my word for it, maybe you'll just have to try it and see for yourself.
 
AlpineCadet said:
Go with what works for you. A heavy racket like his is going to fatigue an average player just after a few sets; we're not conditioned for that kind of weight. But dont take my word for it, maybe you'll just have to try it and see for yourself.
Click to expand...
Already tried it - it works fine for me anyway - I was just curious as to how much lead was placed where on Sampras' Prostaff. :mrgreen:
 
Fatigue isn't really the problem for me, it's getting the racquet in motion. Adding a lot of lead cut down the head speed I was able to generate and made me hit even flatter than I normally do. I got more stability and power, but much less maneuverability. I agree that tight and thin strings are essential when using gut in a Prostaff 85, but since I don't have much money, I've stayed with 17 gauge and don't string over 60 lbs.
 
superstition said:
Fatigue isn't really the problem for me, it's getting the racquet in motion. Adding a lot of lead cut down the head speed I was able to generate and made me hit even flatter than I normally do. I got more stability and power, but much less maneuverability. I agree that tight and thin strings are essential when using gut in a Prostaff 85, but since I don't have much money, I've stayed with 17 gauge and don't string over 60 lbs.
Click to expand...

Trying to compensate for the loss of racket head speed will increase the fatigue that comes with playing tennis.. unless you are a mighty athlete who has unlimited amounts of endurance and energy.
 
This is a little off-topic but does anyone know what strings Sampras is using now? One of the announcers during his match with Roddick on the WTT said that since he had switched strings, his play has improved from earlier in the season. Thanks.
 
Slice Approach said:
This is a little off-topic but does anyone know what strings Sampras is using now? One of the announcers during his match with Roddick on the WTT said that since he had switched strings, his play has improved from earlier in the season. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Looking at pics at www.gettyimages.com of Sampras' match with Courier in August, I noticed that Sampras had switched from his long-standing full gut. He appears to have gone the way of Federer and latched onto a gut/Alu Power(?) hybrid. First, same frame apparently, and now same strings as Federer. Anyway, Sampras sure had a decent result with those strings then.
 
1701292742346-jpeg.75797
 
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