Yonex Poly Tour Pro vs. Poly Tour Spin

[liamw77]

Hi Guys,
I have recently purchased a few Babolat AeroPro Drive 2013 racquets and have been searching for my new favourite string setup.
I am 19 and have played at a national level back home in NZ back in 2011-2013. However, In the past 12 months I have not played that much and am looking to get back into the swing of things.
I primarily play from the back of the court with an aggressive style of game involving spin and pace.
I purchased a couple of sets of string from TW and have since tried Solinco Tour Bite 19g and Yonex Poly Tour Pro 16L.
I absolutely loved the spin production of the tour bite and the crisp feel, but due to the ultra thin 1.10mm I snapped the strings within 3 hours.
I then tried Poly Tour Pro and I cannot believe how comfortable the string is!!!
I swear I have never hit the ball as hard as I currently am... Tension maintenance seems to be great too!
However, for some reason I find that I am not generating nearly as much spin as I normally do...
So my question to you guys is whether Poly Tour Spin has the same great feel, tension maintenance and comfort as the PTP but with more spin production?
I would also love to hear from you guys as to other strings you recommend.
Is always great to hear from the experts!!!
Cheers,
Liam

 

[Imago]

Funny, I just ordered two sets of PTS to test. As for the comments, see here
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/feedback-YPTS125.html

 

[un6a]

From my experience PTP is better string than PTS. PTS have probably worst feel from all strings i have ever tried. It feels like cheap plastic even if you string it very low. It is definitelly very bad alternative for double or all court players who need precision and touch. And spin production was nothing special. In short i liked PTP and didn't liked PTS.

 

[colowhisper]

^^ I agree. I tried to like PTS but didn't. I played a reel of PTP125 and loved it. Recently switched to Tour Bite Soft and even better.

 

[GaryB]

I too really like PTP and was keen to try PTS but might pass on it now!
if you wanted a soft spin-friendly string i'd say Tour Bite Soft is worth a try

 

[Rabe87]

In terms of spin potential if you have fast-strokes PTS blows most other strings out of the water.

If you have slow or medium-strokes then PTP will bite the ball more as it's way softer.

Yonex Polytour HS is pretty much PTS without the shape so it's notch-free, give it a go, slightly crisper yet more powerful than the spin version. My personal favourite is Polytour Pro 1.20mm strung at super low tensions

 

[liamw77]

Thanks for the feedback!
Is there much difference in playability between the PTP 125 and the 120?
Have never heard of Poly Tour HS... So how does that compare to the standard PTP?
I did like the original Tour Bite so might give TBS a go!!!
Any other strings that are similar?
Awesome feedback thanks

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

I only know PTP 1.25 black and it is excellent... I find it a tad dead feeling so I cross it with Weiscannon Scorpion 1.22 at 46 lbs

 

[Krajicek Serve]

Hi Guys,
I have recently purchased a few Babolat AeroPro Drive 2013 racquets and have been searching for my new favourite string setup.
I am 19 and have played at a national level back home in NZ back in 2011-2013. However, In the past 12 months I have not played that much and am looking to get back into the swing of things.
I primarily play from the back of the court with an aggressive style of game involving spin and pace.
I purchased a couple of sets of string from TW and have since tried Solinco Tour Bite 19g and Yonex Poly Tour Pro 16L.
I absolutely loved the spin production of the tour bite and the crisp feel, but due to the ultra thin 1.10mm I snapped the strings within 3 hours.
I then tried Poly Tour Pro and I cannot believe how comfortable the string is!!!
I swear I have never hit the ball as hard as I currently am... Tension maintenance seems to be great too!
However, for some reason I find that I am not generating nearly as much spin as I normally do...
So my question to you guys is whether Poly Tour Spin has the same great feel, tension maintenance and comfort as the PTP but with more spin production?
I would also love to hear from you guys as to other strings you recommend.
Is always great to hear from the experts!!!
Cheers,
Liam

PTS and PTP are very different strings. PTS is way more underpowered and is much stiffer, for example. Due to its shape, PTS generates more spin. PTS has better tension stability. Tests performed by TWU have proven PTP loses tension like there's no tommorrow. My guess is only few people notice this, as PTP still performes very well on ultral low tensions. I play with PTP 120 now in my PD Roddick 2012 @ 38 lbs. I absolutely love this string. PTS is too stiff and underpowered for me. PTP is very cheap here in Europe, so this string has the best price/performance ratio imho

 

[liamw77]

PTS and PTP are very different strings. PTS is way more underpowered and is much stiffer, for example. Due to its shape, PTS generates more spin. PTS has better tension stability. Tests performed by TWU have proven PTP loses tension like there's no tommorrow. My guess is only few people notice this, as PTP still performes very well on ultral low tensions. I play with PTP 120 now in my PD Roddick 2012 @ 38 lbs. I absolutely love this string. PTS is too stiff and underpowered for me. PTP is very cheap here in Europe, so this string has the best price/performance ratio imho

Thanks for you response...This is precisely the type of information I am looking for! I was under the impression that PTP and PTS were identical expect for the shape!

 

[Rabe87]

Thanks for you response...This is precisely the type of information I am looking for! I was under the impression that PTP and PTS were identical expect for the shape!

Poly Tour Spin is more like the identical spin version of Poly Tour HS not Poly Tour Pro.

Poly Tour Pro 1.20 is insanely amazing at spin, power, touch, comfort (big thumbs up) and even seems to have tension stability on par with the thicker versions, I really can't fault it and I use it as a full-bed. Poly Tour Pro 125/130 were just too sluggish and dull, muted for my tastes whereas the new thin version seems to address those problems.

 

[Rabe87]

They all seem to work really well in hybrids with eachother, PTS mains and PTP crosses is like the epitome of control same with HS mains and PTP crosses, and strung really low (like 35) it can get quite powerful.

 

[liamw77]

They all seem to work really well in hybrids with eachother, PTS mains and PTP crosses is like the epitome of control same with HS mains and PTP crosses, and strung really low (like 35) it can get quite powerful.

Great thanks! The power aspect is not a problem as I truly feel as if I can swing out on the ball. I strung PTP 125 at 53.5lbs on my customized 2013 APD and loved everything but found spin potential to be lacking.. Maybe due to the fact I just finished playing with 1.10 TourBite? haha.
So try PTHS and PTP 120 and see how those go? Seems like people are favouring these offerings over PTS???

 

[Rabe87]

I had the same problem in open-string patterns, PTP 125 is too thick and sluggish, it's quite dead yet soft (but not that soft)

And at 53 pounds that's pretty high for PTP 125, it performs very well in the 40's.

PTP 120 is a lot more spin friendly and more powerful and has in my opinion (and I've tested close to 90 strings) it's number 1 in spin potential, I guess the snap-back theory must be correct because it's a spin-MACHINE when strung below 45 (right down to 30)

PTS and PTHS are also really spinny but mostly at lower tensions, theyre too stiff and under-powered (prob two of the lowest powered polys on the market) for tensions in the upper 50's

Try PTS or PTHS 125 mains and PTP 120 crosses at 48ish/46ish!

The reason this would be a good hybrid is PTP 120 could become too elastic and over-powered as it loses tension, it doesn't have as strong tension stability as the other two.

 

[smirker]

I had the same problem in open-string patterns, PTP 125 is too thick and sluggish, it's quite dead yet soft (but not that soft)

And at 53 pounds that's pretty high for PTP 125, it performs very well in the 40's.

PTP 120 is a lot more spin friendly and more powerful and has in my opinion (and I've tested close to 90 strings) it's number 1 in spin potential, I guess the snap-back theory must be correct because it's a spin-MACHINE when strung below 45 (right down to 30)

PTS and PTHS are also really spinny but mostly at lower tensions, theyre too stiff and under-powered (prob two of the lowest powered polys on the market) for tensions in the upper 50's

Try PTS or PTHS 125 mains and PTP 120 crosses at 48ish/46ish!

The reason this would be a good hybrid is PTP 120 could become too elastic and over-powered as it loses tension, it doesn't have as strong tension stability as the other two.

Got PTP 1.20 as a main string in one of my 400Tours. Syn gut cross. It's one of the few poly's that moves when hitting which I don't like very much. I can see it working with a PTHS or PTS main though. Only had a 1/2 set left so need to re-stock.

 

[smirker]

Poly Tour Spin is more like the identical spin version of Poly Tour HS not Poly Tour Pro.

Poly Tour Pro 1.20 is insanely amazing at spin, power, touch, comfort (big thumbs up) and even seems to have tension stability on par with the thicker versions, I really can't fault it and I use it as a full-bed. Poly Tour Pro 125/130 were just too sluggish and dull, muted for my tastes whereas the new thin version seems to address those problems.

What tension would you advise in an open pattern 100" frame for PTP 1.20? Didn't like the string movement but willing to give it another go.

 

[Krajicek Serve]

Great thanks! The power aspect is not a problem as I truly feel as if I can swing out on the ball. I strung PTP 125 at 53.5lbs on my customized 2013 APD and loved everything but found spin potential to be lacking.. Maybe due to the fact I just finished playing with 1.10 TourBite? haha.
So try PTHS and PTP 120 and see how those go? Seems like people are favouring these offerings over PTS???

You should definetely try PTP 120, like other posters stated, it has more power and spin potential than thicker gauges.

And why not try a thicker gauge Tour Bite (soft)? The 1.20 mm version is more durable. I think you should also try Vokl Cyclone 1.20 mm and big hitter black 1.20 mm. Tour bite soft, Cyclone, BHB and PTP (all 1.20 mm), are the 4 best polys imho (and I tested a LOT), especially their spin potential, which seems to be important to you as well. I chose PTP, because it's very comfortable, it has very good power and spin potential and a stringjob costs me under 4 euro's.

 

[Rabe87]

What tension would you advise in an open pattern 100" frame for PTP 1.20? Didn't like the string movement but willing to give it another go.

It will move at lower tensions but that's the whole point of its magic that seems to be how it gives you monster spin, but I use it in a Blade 98 BLX so its a tight string pattern (I go at about 40/38) so the movement doesn't bother me much.

If you used HS in the mains it would dramatically decrease the movement.

PTS in the mains and PTP 120 in the crosses may bite into the pentagonal shape too much and cause notching (I've had that problem before for a few clients I've strung for) so I usually just advise HS mains (and the green and yellow combo looks incredible on court)

Maybe try 52/50 or if a full-bed of PTP 120 go higher if you don't enjoy the movement? It's all personal preference.

Another option may be PTP 130 mains and PTP 120 crosses?

I'm trying PTP 120 mains Solinco Outlast 1.15 crosses at 40/38 next to see if I can get even more spin and power

 

[smirker]

Great, cheers. Have ordered a set of PTHS and PTP 1.20 to experiment with a couple of set-ups in my Dunlop 400Tours. Also have a Head LM Rad to play with so a similar, tight pattern to your Blade. Going to try MSV Hex 1.10 in that one to get some extra pop and spin.

 

[Muppet]

I strung PTS in my LM Radical OS @54 and it cut right through my lower outside main grommets. This may be due to quality of the second-run Radicals, but I never had this difficulty while stringing with Cyberflash 1.25 and 1.20. The PTS is very stiff and it has edges. I didn't like that racquet anyway. The PTS just gave me another good reason to get rid of it. I'd never try using PTS again though.

 

[Rabe87]

I strung PTS in my LM Radical OS @54 and it cut right through my lower outside main grommets. This may be due to quality of the second-run Radicals, but I never had this difficulty while stringing with Cyberflash 1.25 and 1.20. The PTS is very stiff and it has edges. I didn't like that racquet anyway. The PTS just gave me another good reason to get rid of it. I'd never try using PTS again though.

Shaped strings (PTS, Tour Bite, B7) can tear grommets. Smooth strings (like your Cyberflash) are less likely to do so.

Yeah PTS is stiff, no secrets there, Poly Tour HS is even stiffer. They're control strings what did you expect?

Duh.

 

[Rabe87]

I strung PTS in my LM Radical OS @54 and it cut right through my lower outside main grommets. This may be due to quality of the second-run Radicals, but I never had this difficulty while stringing with Cyberflash 1.25 and 1.20. The PTS is very stiff and it has edges. I didn't like that racquet anyway. The PTS just gave me another good reason to get rid of it. I'd never try using PTS again though.

It's interesting you say that with 1.10mm Hex, I think there is a point where a string can be too thin that it actually doesn't generate as much power and spin and is kinda clumsy.

You even look at the pro's, do any of them use super thin strings? Strangely enough, Ana Ivanovic uses 1.30mm Tour Bite with 1.30mm Natural Gut mains - surely she's experimented with different gauges and has surmounted that thicker works best?

Even Nadal, 1.35mm RPM Blast (not available to consumers as it would probably break everyones arm with its stiffness rating) I mean surely he has summised he generates maximum spin with a super thick gauge?

It's an interesting topic. Personally for me, I get most spin at the 17/1.20mm gauge, any lower or higher and its not the same.

 

[men8ifr]

Changing gauges without changing tension is nearly the same as changing tension alone as far as string bed stiffness is concerned. Rabe were you stringing at the same tension?

As far as spin is concerned a thinner string will have less friction due to the crosses geometry not going up and down as much but will wear notch and snap faster. There is a caveat the mains can move too far so you could in theory reduce spin but I don't think that applies to normal set ups.

 

[men8ifr]

I think the pros use thick strings for durability so 1.3 or 1.35 may be necessary to either prevent snapping or more likely give a consistent response for at least 1 set

 

[Rabe87]

I think the pros use thick strings for durability so 1.3 or 1.35 may be necessary to either prevent snapping or more likely give a consistent response for at least 1 set

The pro's (almost ALL of them) change their frame to coincide with new balls (so every 7 games), some of them change more frequently than that (usually the higher-ranked players) so durability is definitely not the issue.

Most of the pro's use 16-gauge poly with only a few using 16L (very few using 17) and none using 18 (according to Colin The Stringer which is the most reliable source we got on here)

You can even SEE how thick some of their strings are purely from a spectators angle.

To me, 17 gauge or 16l gauge creates the most spin, I have never bought the theory that super-thin strings generate the most spin, if that were true, pro's would be using them to get an edge.

 

[Rabe87]

I think it's also the shaped/textured debate, personally I've never felt an advantage from them, people say PTS and Tour Bite give great spin (and they do) but that's because they're super stiff and low-powered, Alu Power has mad spin, we all know that, and i'm not talking about the rough version.

Why do most pro's use round strings? Surely if shaped strings truly did give an advantage they'd be used by almost every touring pro? Yes a few players use Alu Power Rough but it seems that the main benefit from that version is a slightly softer, more powerful response than the smooth version.

Plus a tonne of pro's use shaped poly's and natural gut crosses which would negate a lot of that aforementioned spin - Lisicki, Tomic, Federer, Murray to name a few..

 

[Rabe87]

Then we look at the latest strings on the market - they're mostly smooth strings:

Head Hawk and Lynx, Kirschbaum Max Power (with a rough version purely to copy the Alu Power fanfare), Yonex Polytour Pro 120, Isospeed V18..

 

[Jerme]

I can't believe there are people here who said PTS doesn't generate spin. This string , along with Solinco TB play in a league of their own in terms of spin for polys.
It doesn't have the same feel you have with the PTP.

 

[men8ifr]

I can't believe there are people here who said PTS doesn't generate spin. This string , along with Solinco TB play in a league of their own in terms of spin for polys.
It doesn't have the same feel you have with the PTP.

Maybe because it's very stiff so could do with dropping 5-10lb in tension to compensate?

I've got a set of PTS waiting to go, I need to pick the tension though.....

 

[Jerme]

Maybe because it's very stiff so could do with dropping 5-10lb in tension to compensate?

I've got a set of PTS waiting to go, I need to pick the tension though.....

If you drop the tension the string will lose it's snap back movement so it will drop spin. You should use the same tension like for other co-polys.
Whatever the tension you won't get the same feel like the PTP.

 

[Dragon J]

I guess pro uses thicker gauge because they hit so hard that they can't afford to change that much rackets. It may oso be a reason because before they turn pro they been used to the feel of 16 gauge string due to their frequent breakage when young without sponsor. I once read in forums before, that nadal uses a thicker string because he is getting too much spin for it.

• If u are a big spin hitter u will realise that you couldn't use a extreme open pattern racket because the ball lauch trajectory is too high. Which I believe what nadal is facing. Too much spin isn't a good thing, u can't drive a flat ball for winner at approach. Imagine u are practicing rallies and all your balls are "topspin lobs", u urself oso uncertain whether the ball will dip down on time.

About shape string concepts, are u kidding that there is not much pros or no pros using shaped string? XD
there is this shaped string called Rpm Blast and most of the pros using it are big sized due to their massive forehand XD
I personally think shaped string dun go well with natural gut based on common logic. The shaped will hinder the gut characteristic due to the edges and saw thru the gut quickly

 

[mikeeeee]

Is there any difference in PTP between the black and yellow color?

 

[Dragon J]

Hello
usually colors have some difference for some users. Some might feel its just a mental illusion or they are very sensitive players to even the paint molecule of black and yellow paint differences.

Nvr tried but u can refer to this review from TW
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/reviews/YPTP125/YPTP125review.html

P.S. the yellow version is more popular and use by the pros.

Is there any difference in PTP between the black and yellow color?

 

[naturallight]

I have some PTS I'm excited to try at 35lbs when (if) the weather gets a little better.

 

[Dragon J]

I have some PTS I'm excited to try at 35lbs when (if) the weather gets a little better.

Thats a good tension. Tell me how it feels man
interested to know abt it. I have stringing my msv hex focus lower too. Latest was around 38/35lbs. Its still plays solid and I realise playability of poly string seems to be longer. Because of lesser friction(low tension on cross will make slight less contactwith main string)between cross and main

 

[Rabe87]

A fraction of p

I guess pro uses thicker gauge because they hit so hard that they can't afford to change that much rackets. It may oso be a reason because before they turn pro they been used to the feel of 16 gauge string due to their frequent breakage when young without sponsor. I once read in forums before, that nadal uses a thicker string because he is getting too much spin for it.

• If u are a big spin hitter u will realise that you couldn't use a extreme open pattern racket because the ball lauch trajectory is too high. Which I believe what nadal is facing. Too much spin isn't a good thing, u can't drive a flat ball for winner at approach. Imagine u are practicing rallies and all your balls are "topspin lobs", u urself oso uncertain whether the ball will dip down on time.

About shape string concepts, are u kidding that there is not much pros or no pros using shaped string? XD
there is this shaped string called Rpm Blast and most of the pros using it are big sized due to their massive forehand XD
I personally think shaped string dun go well with natural gut based on common logic. The shaped will hinder the gut characteristic due to the edges and saw thru the gut quickly

Barely any pro's use RPM and it's barely got edges, it's virtually a smooth string. They use Alu Power, Yonex PTP, even Kirschbaum Pro Line II gets a fair bit of use, as far as the real shaped strings like TB or PTS yes, Sloane Stephens, Jie Zheng, not many others

 

[Rabe87]

Go back to 2011 when Tsonga, Stosur were reppin RPM, now they're back to Luxilon and Gut. Guess they moved on from the hype too.

 

[Dragon J]

Go back to 2011 when Tsonga, Stosur were reppin RPM, now they're back to Luxilon and Gut. Guess they moved on from the hype too.

Yepp guess u are right. RPM Blast is also as overpriced as Lux strings too. Dun really like it personally cus the performance/price factor.

A fraction of p

Barely any pro's use RPM and it's barely got edges, it's virtually a smooth string. They use Alu Power, Yonex PTP, even Kirschbaum Pro Line II gets a fair bit of use, as far as the real shaped strings like TB or PTS yes, Sloane Stephens, Jie Zheng, not many others

The edges are Not so that bad XD
But Nadal & Wawrinka still currently uses Rpm Blast which I think the hype will not die that fast.

 

[Rabe87]

Nadal uses a stiffer thicker version not available at retail, so essentially not even he uses the RPM that we've all tried.

 

[EasternRocks]

Is there any difference in PTP between the black and yellow color?

Yes, 100%. Black is a bit crisper, less dead feeling and has more direct response IMO. It is a bit less arm friendly, but IMO has more snap-back potential, thus more spin. In addition, it has more spring/pop to it.

 

[mikeeeee]

Just picked up a set of the 16L (125) because I've demo'd a racquet that had the 16g (120) in it and it felt a little bit too dead and low powered for me. I think I've heard people say that the 17g was less than stellar so I'm wondering if anyone has tried the 16 and 16L and noticed any play ability difference?

 

[GN-001]

Bringing this thread back to life.

So im using PTS 125 mains and PTP 120 crosses and found it to be a great balance of control, power, spin etc. Has anyone tried PTS 120? I know alot of people like PTP 120 better than 125 but what about PTS?

 

[naturallight]

The 120 has a slightly higher stiffness rating and better tension maintenance number than the 125. Seems odd. Does it play this way?

 

[phanker]

The higher the RHS, the thicker the string gauge should be for optimal snap back.
The pros would stretch thin gauge strings way past their elasticity limit and will actually lose spin as a result.

 

[Otinis]

PTS and PTP are very different strings. PTS is way more underpowered and is much stiffer, for example. Due to its shape, PTS generates more spin. PTS has better tension stability. Tests performed by TWU have proven PTP loses tension like there's no tommorrow. My guess is only few people notice this, as PTP still performes very well on ultral low tensions. I play with PTP 120 now in my PD Roddick 2012 @ 38 lbs. I absolutely love this string. PTS is too stiff and underpowered for me. PTP is very cheap here in Europe, so this string has the best price/performance ratio imho

How much in europe

 

[2ndServe]

Is there any difference in PTP between the black and yellow color?

yes most prefer the yellow. I think it plays livelier as do most