I started playing with a Wilson (maroon) ultra graphite 95 in the early 90s. RA was probably low 50s. People use to comment on how strong my forehand and serve was, and they could not keep up with my passing shots. Yet when they tried my racket, they would always say I needed new strings because my strings were dead/racket was too low tension. I'm guessing my tension was 35-40lbs CHEAP SYNTHETIC GUT. When I finally broke a string, I restrung in the low 50s, my game was never the same, and they could now get to my shots. I had the discovered the power, finnesse and even control of low tension back in the early 90s. I'm currently back into tennis after 30yrs. Needless to say I"m going low tension and only using synthetic gut as its extremly cheap and always worked VERY well for me.
Hey, that's great to hear! I think everyone should stick with what works for them, but keeping in mind the general best practices in the sport. I'm glad you tried both and are sticking to what feels the best for you. Also, HELL YES to syn gut! Completely underrated (especially with hybrid with a round soft poly)!
I agree with many of your observations respective to the string tensions used (and recommended) by many amateur tennis players. I think, perhaps, your analysis, while on the right track in many ways, is missing something essential. I wonder if you can discover what I'm thinking of. No matter. Thanks for your vids. They are very refreshing.
Thanks for the kind words, hopefully you'll find the ones that are coming up refreshing as well. Unfortunately I don't know what this essential thing is that you're thinking of. If I did and I found it essential too then I would've included it in my video to begin with. 🤷♂️
@@11sweetspot11 What essential is this: Most recreational players model their racket, string and tension choices o their favorite professional. The problem is that the recreational player misses the sweet spot FAR more often and they miss it with a swing speed that's far lower than their favorite pro. So, most recreational players are actually fighting with their racket setup. You've figured this out, as have I, though to a somewhat different degree. Tennis is a very weak game when it comes to objective analysis. That means that most recreational players are playing setups they HOPE will work or WANT to work but do not actually work with their game and physical abilities.
I agree with this. It's why I recommend hybrid setups to most people. It allows one to play the sport sustainably and build on improvements over time. It's extremely arrogant to think that the thousands of focused hours that pros put into their game is somehow equivalent to the meagre amount to time that us average Joes spend on court (and thus entitles us to use their setups). I made this point towards the end of my review of Gosen OG Sheep Micro: ua-cam.com/video/RI_jPVNJ-CY/v-deo.htmlsi=j80EVcAPRIYneKEY&t=495
@@11sweetspot11 I think beyond simple hero worship, many club players convince themselves that a good string must bring along more than a touch of arm discomfort. Add to that peer pressure and scads of mis and disinformation and things get to point they are now. I would love to see actual spin measurements for USTA 3.0 / 4.0 players showing the differential (if there is one) between a low-spin string and a high-spin string. I know what "the lab data" says but why not discuss actual results from actual players looking for "more" whatever from their strings?
I think squash had a uniqueness regarding tension that many fail to mention... ball temperature. If you are a high level and always using very hot balls then a medium tension will feel softer than a lmid level player using a lukewarm ball at the same tension. With this logic, I think all amateur squash players should be stringing much lower than professionals do.
That's actually a really good point about the temperature of the squash ball. Every time I've introduced someone that already plays a racket sport to squash they're always taken aback by the difference in bounce between a cold and a hot ball. This difference is even more pronounced in places like Canada where temps on court tend to be on the cooler side (especially in the winter months). Tbh, I do think my preference is on the lower side of "normal" to begin with. I out this video out there because I wanted someone else who might find themselves in this same camp to get some validation that it's ok to have such preferences. I myself played with what didn't feel right to me for so long just because everytime I asked for lower tensions I got talked out of it.
You need high rhs for high tensions...at 40pound n my high rhs causes my shots to be uncomfortable...gut or multi or Sg needs 55+ pounds for me and poly over 45 pounds for soft iron medium stiff. Poly ..I don't use high stiff poly
Thanks for that. 🙏🏽👍🏽 I'll try and experiment with higher tensions while swinging with high RHS to see how I feel. What's your current playing level and game style? Do you play any other racket sports or just tennis?
@11sweetspot11 just tennis, I'm a coach but I play all court . Short balls I try to hit winners 100% of time, in or not I won't push short or soft shots. I've tried over 200 string setups and over 20 rackets. My current rackets in my bag are aero98,ezone98, and gravity pro...for teaching I use any cheap syngut mains n poly ceoss...for match play or serious practice I use hyper g soft or msv hex soft yellow 1.20mm as mains . I use yellow 1.25mm poly tour pro( for my ezone) or msv bussard(for stiffer tighter bed in NY aero98) as cross. Mains in summer 48 or 50pounds and 46 in winter...crosses are 2 pounds lighter....hope this helps
Thanks mate, that's good info! It definitely helps. 👍🏽🙏🏽 I haven't tried many MSV strings, I'll give them a try this summer. They seem to have a pretty loyal following and the price is very reasonable too.
I started playing with a Wilson (maroon) ultra graphite 95 in the early 90s. RA was probably low 50s. People use to comment on how strong my forehand and serve was, and they could not keep up with my passing shots. Yet when they tried my racket, they would always say I needed new strings because my strings were dead/racket was too low tension. I'm guessing my tension was 35-40lbs CHEAP SYNTHETIC GUT. When I finally broke a string, I restrung in the low 50s, my game was never the same, and they could now get to my shots. I had the discovered the power, finnesse and even control of low tension back in the early 90s. I'm currently back into tennis after 30yrs. Needless to say I"m going low tension and only using synthetic gut as its extremly cheap and always worked VERY well for me.
Hey, that's great to hear!
I think everyone should stick with what works for them, but keeping in mind the general best practices in the sport.
I'm glad you tried both and are sticking to what feels the best for you. Also, HELL YES to syn gut! Completely underrated (especially with hybrid with a round soft poly)!
I agree with many of your observations respective to the string tensions used (and recommended) by many amateur tennis players. I think, perhaps, your analysis, while on the right track in many ways, is missing something essential. I wonder if you can discover what I'm thinking of. No matter. Thanks for your vids. They are very refreshing.
Thanks for the kind words, hopefully you'll find the ones that are coming up refreshing as well.
Unfortunately I don't know what this essential thing is that you're thinking of. If I did and I found it essential too then I would've included it in my video to begin with. 🤷♂️
@@11sweetspot11 What essential is this: Most recreational players model their racket, string and tension choices o their favorite professional. The problem is that the recreational player misses the sweet spot FAR more often and they miss it with a swing speed that's far lower than their favorite pro. So, most recreational players are actually fighting with their racket setup. You've figured this out, as have I, though to a somewhat different degree. Tennis is a very weak game when it comes to objective analysis. That means that most recreational players are playing setups they HOPE will work or WANT to work but do not actually work with their game and physical abilities.
I agree with this. It's why I recommend hybrid setups to most people. It allows one to play the sport sustainably and build on improvements over time.
It's extremely arrogant to think that the thousands of focused hours that pros put into their game is somehow equivalent to the meagre amount to time that us average Joes spend on court (and thus entitles us to use their setups).
I made this point towards the end of my review of Gosen OG Sheep Micro: ua-cam.com/video/RI_jPVNJ-CY/v-deo.htmlsi=j80EVcAPRIYneKEY&t=495
@@11sweetspot11 I think beyond simple hero worship, many club players convince themselves that a good string must bring along more than a touch of arm discomfort. Add to that peer pressure and scads of mis and disinformation and things get to point they are now. I would love to see actual spin measurements for USTA 3.0 / 4.0 players showing the differential (if there is one) between a low-spin string and a high-spin string. I know what "the lab data" says but why not discuss actual results from actual players looking for "more" whatever from their strings?
I think squash had a uniqueness regarding tension that many fail to mention... ball temperature. If you are a high level and always using very hot balls then a medium tension will feel softer than a lmid level player using a lukewarm ball at the same tension. With this logic, I think all amateur squash players should be stringing much lower than professionals do.
That's actually a really good point about the temperature of the squash ball. Every time I've introduced someone that already plays a racket sport to squash they're always taken aback by the difference in bounce between a cold and a hot ball.
This difference is even more pronounced in places like Canada where temps on court tend to be on the cooler side (especially in the winter months).
Tbh, I do think my preference is on the lower side of "normal" to begin with. I out this video out there because I wanted someone else who might find themselves in this same camp to get some validation that it's ok to have such preferences.
I myself played with what didn't feel right to me for so long just because everytime I asked for lower tensions I got talked out of it.
Great background. WAOOOWW!!
I know right?! WAOOOWW!!
Nice video!!
Thanks mate!
You need high rhs for high tensions...at 40pound n my high rhs causes my shots to be uncomfortable...gut or multi or Sg needs 55+ pounds for me and poly over 45 pounds for soft iron medium stiff. Poly ..I don't use high stiff poly
Thanks for that. 🙏🏽👍🏽
I'll try and experiment with higher tensions while swinging with high RHS to see how I feel.
What's your current playing level and game style? Do you play any other racket sports or just tennis?
@11sweetspot11 just tennis, I'm a coach but I play all court . Short balls I try to hit winners 100% of time, in or not I won't push short or soft shots. I've tried over 200 string setups and over 20 rackets. My current rackets in my bag are aero98,ezone98, and gravity pro...for teaching I use any cheap syngut mains n poly ceoss...for match play or serious practice I use hyper g soft or msv hex soft yellow 1.20mm as mains . I use yellow 1.25mm poly tour pro( for my ezone) or msv bussard(for stiffer tighter bed in NY aero98) as cross. Mains in summer 48 or 50pounds and 46 in winter...crosses are 2 pounds lighter....hope this helps
Thanks mate, that's good info! It definitely helps. 👍🏽🙏🏽
I haven't tried many MSV strings, I'll give them a try this summer. They seem to have a pretty loyal following and the price is very reasonable too.