There is an old joke about not being able to claim light bulbs last forever, since they can never finish testing them. Of course, players still need the required technique and racket head speed to take advantage of this, but if present, polyester strings can produce much higher RPMs than other strings. 3.1 Topspin Generation 3.2 Control 3.3 Durability 4 What are the Drawbacks of a Polyester String? Which round poly will last more than 15 hours without going dead and has as much spin as HyperG in a hybrid? Im Matt Olsen, and Ive been playing tennis for over 10 years. For example, professional tennis players who play constantly typically restring their rackets daily or every few days, as the strings can quickly lose tension and resilience with heavy use. So yes the bed is softening during this time as the tension lowers, however there is another factor going on that you might not thinkof. Fresh strings make a significant difference in the performance of your racket. This also makes it easier to string if thats part of your buying consideration. Exclusive Member of Mediavine Home. How long does it take for strings to go bad? The key, as always, is to experiment. How do I know when polyester strings are dead? The best indication that your racket needs to be restrung is how it feels during play. However, there are many variables that can impact the lifespan of your strings, so this is not an exact science. If you have decided to take a punt on using polyester to see if it works for your game, then there are three things worth considering: Polyester strings have high dynamic tension. There arent too many tips or tricks other than practice, practice, practice. One reason for this is that strings lose tension over time, so strings that sit in a racket for a while go dead. Leave them in the comments below. Alongside playing the sport, I also enjoy writing about the tour, rackets, strings, and the technicalities of the game. Kids want poly strings to hit with spin like their idols, and parents like it because it doesnt break as quickly. If they screech instead of gliding smoothly, its time to restring your racket. 6:12 - Tension Tester Tools. Its what makes contact with the ball, so its essential to have good quality strings that are in good condition. So who should use polyester tennis strings? Solinco Hyper-G Review - The Tennis Bros I string for myself and friends at the club and have very few clients who bring racquets with broken strings, - vast majority my clients change strings when they feel that it became difficult to control depth, spin and/or accuracy. If you plan on using a polyester string as part of a hybrid setup, should you use the poly in the mains or the crosses like Federer? Are you looking for a new string to try in your racket? Would you get more life out of your Gut mains with a smooth round cross Poly string? Regards, Morten. Babolat RPM Power is a very comfortable polyester, and while you cant say its powerful, its certainly above average. This is one of the firmer strings in the list and isnt the easiest to play with. So next time youre on the court, pay attention to how your racket feels and dont be afraid to get it restrung when necessary. Dunno why as Ive just written about Nadal using thick string on a previous post, but tbh writing this much about polyesters was more painful than stringing both my racquets with them so I need to proofread it again , Yay! We're Gui and Karue. Very entertaining. When it comes to the question of how long strings last, there is no easy answer. So let's get right into why this happens. Best of luck! MyTennisHQ is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to websites like TennisWarehouse.com and Amazon.com. 3:28 - Types of String. When a tennis racket is strung, the strings are pulled by the machine to create tension. Perfect Tennis delivers the latest tennis news, match reports, racket reviews, guides, and more. The trick to getting poly to last long while continuing to have excellent playing characteristics is to prevent: You must log in or register to reply here. Tensions have dropped over the years with the introduction of poly strings and the average string tension is likely to keep dropping a bit more. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. By far the fastest growing string construction is in the polyester based realm, which is the focus today. However, stringing one string ahead makes the job quicker and more comfortable when weaving crosses. Choosing the best tennis racket that suits me. Around 80% of professional tennis players use polyester tennis strings. Finally, maybe youre a frequent player but youre not sure if you should change your strings or wait for them to break. In addition, fresh strings can help you add spin to the ball, making it more difficult for your opponent to return your shots. Some commonly asked questions about polyester tennis strings. Generally, it is better to restring if there is a doubt. The strings should be tight enough to provide good control and power, but not so tight that they make the racket difficult to swing. This affect is similar to that of a rubber band; as time goes on, it looses its pop and becomes mushy. This is a polyester string. However, in 1987 they added high-tech filaments to their product range, including, amongst many other products, tennis strings. As we mentioned before, strings can go bad without even being used. Hi! As is often the case, it boils down to personal preferences, budget, restringing frequency and the specific characteristics of the two strings you combine for the hybrid. I typically use Volkl CT as a full bed, the rest as cross strings for gut/multifilament mains. In general, however, most strings will last anywhere from 10 to 20 hours of play before needing to be replaced. The guys over at Tennis Spin call this string predictable, and from my impression, after testing a set, that is the perfect way to describe it. I pop a string every 4-6 hours, but typically toward the 4-4.5 hours mark. You may also notice that thestrings are moving around more than usual, which can cause them to become tangled and increase friction. For recreational players who dont restring often, this is bad news as they will be playing with a dead string that has less control, less power and is not arm-friendly. If they don't break (rare), they die after about 8 hours. When the strings start to feel loose or losing their tension, its time to get the racket restrung. If you are a tennis player, then you know that having a good racket is essential but how long do tennis racket strings last? Roger Federer is widely considered the pioneer of a hybrid setup which has seen the likes of Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Grigor Dimitrov, and Serena Williams follow suit. Co-polyester strings are polyester tennis strings that combine various additives to change their playability in the racquet. Tennis strings are under a lot of tension-literally. 1:53 - Factors to Consider. In fact, most amateurs wont be able to tell the difference between a freshly strung racket or one that was strung 6 months prior. A poly can lose playability more quickly than it loses tension. How much spin you typically have on your shots? Much often as you play tennis its important to change your strings frequently. For me, its 21-30 hours with Big Ace 17g at 52 pounds. Yes, and like the advantages above, polyester strings have three main disadvantages. If you are an aggressive player who hits the ball hard, then your strings will not last as long as someone who is a more consistent player. Three Ways To Tell If Your Polyester Tennis Strings Are Dead And virtually all of the top players use it in their racquets to some degree. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. #1 I have been using synthetic guts all along and I break them after about 10 hours of playing. At the end of the yo-yo string, you've got two strands of string twisted together here. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. So why do tennis strings keep breaking? Many players wait until the strings break before getting them replaced, but this can negatively impact your game. In addition to losing tension, strings will also become harder and less elastic over time. Fast forward to today, and every tennis string manufacturer produces a polyester string in their lineup. Durability ratings are typically a good indicator of how long different strings will last before breaking. Do Tennis Strings Go Bad? Know When You Need Fresh Strings Otherwise, youll be stuck with a lifeless racket that wont respond the way you want it to. Ive found out that HyperG and HyperG Soft last longer between 18-20 hours and so, Ive been using them as my cross with VS mains for the past six months. Most players string with polyester in a hybrid setup alongside a natural gut to blend the polys control with the guts power. However, if you play five times a week, you should restring your racket approximately five times a year. The short answer to this is that it depends on a variety of factors. This also brings about the possibility of a hybrid string setup where you can use polyester in the crosses or mains and combine it with a softer string. As a stringer, coach and player I couldnt have summed it up any better and Ill be sharing this article widely. Read Ruis full Babolat RPM Blast Review. I use lux in the mains and it's true it hits really well for the first few hours, you get a lot of extra spin. The general rule of thumb is that polyester strings will play well for between 10-20 hours of play. 2. A co-poly string is made from polyester and other additives like olefins, plasticisers, and elastomers to change its characteristics. According to the study, tennis strings made of each material can lose up to one pound of tension per hit. The Best Babolat Tennis Rackets (for Every Type of Player). In addition, you should also consider restringing if you have doubts about the freshness of your strings. Luxilon Element is extremely similar to RPM Power, and like the Babolat version, its a soft poly. INTRODUCTION Tennis players often complain that a tennis string, especially polyester string, "goes dead." It is generally described as occurring after 2-20 hours of play. For poly strings to reach their final product, manufacturers like Luxilon use polys comprised of ester functional groups for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET polyester), co-PET, and thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPE). Thanks, yes interesting on the stringing. 5 Share So, if you are unsure, it is always better to err on the side of caution and restring your racket. Tennis strings are under a lot of tension- in fact, professional players typically string their rackets at around 50-70 pounds of tension. Thus, Nadal probably uses the THICKEST string (15). So on that basis, youll need to decide which string characteristics you want more of. Check out the timing of Wednesday's PlayStation Showcase in your . As it becomes dead, the only thing I notice is that you get less spin probably b/c the strings don't recoil back as well as in a fresh string job. Still, for that blend of spin, comfort and power, Luxilon Element works well for many intermediate and advanced players. Like RPM Blast, Volkl Cyclones playability is there from the word go, and for a player testing polyester but still wanting some comfort and power, Cyclone is as good a choice. https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/indet-to-preventing-poly-from-going-dead.563630/, Best advice for anyone playing tennis more than 1 hour per month, POLL: Full Bed Polyester cut out/snapping times. If youre suffering from tennis-related arm injuries, then you will not enjoy the feeling that polyester strings offer. For example, a beginner might play one to two times per week, while an advanced player might play four to five times per week. I know you can't feel this, but I'm running my hand across, it's very smooth. When in doubt, ask a trusted coach for advice. Some players prefer to wait until the strings start to fray or break, but by then its often too late. A recent study by Tennis Warehouse University sheds some light on this question. Additionally, playing with dead polyester strings can cause arm and wrist problems. Do you want comfort or performance? It depends on how frequently you play. Discussing Polyester Strings: Are They Right for You? The answer is, that its behavior is different, and then you'll understand. To many players think they know better until they dont. To ensure the new stringjob is consistent with the last stringjob I did for them. I still remember what it's like to be a beginner. For casual players, this may mean changing strings once or twice a year. All Rights Reserved 2022 My Tennis Outfitter. For example, to make them softer, more elastic, or better at tension maintenance etc. Different polys lose tension and playability at different rates. Polyester strings are the most durable on the market and can last you around 20 hours of playing, while synthetic gut strings are less durable and should be changed after around 12 hours of playing. That sounds like the perfect string for many players but are there any drawbacks? It won't lose more tension than that but it's no good for my game. One player estimated it must have been 4-6 weeks since last restring. The main strings on the racquet do more work and therefore dominate the playability of the frame. This rule says that you should be stringing your racket the amount of times you play per week. The Flemish company originally produced yarn for the textile sector and medical applications. This is becoming an increasing problem among junior players. This loss of elasticity is what really starts killing the setup - and possibly your arm. Soft polys like Cyclone, Cyclone Tour and Tour Bite Soft last 10-12 hours before the same things happens. This is . POLL: What is the lifespan of your poly strings? | Talk Tennis How long do each kind of string last? : Throwers - Reddit Last updated on September 29th, 2022 What gauge tennis string do you use? For players who want a user-friendly control-orientated string but with some feel and all-around responsiveness, Element is a solid choice. Im trying to get better about restringing at right time and those are the strings I use and love currently. How long does polyester tennis string last? - TennisGuide.org In fact, the first version is the only string until now that made me shout wow! when I first tried it on my trusty Dunlop M5.0. As any seasoned tennis player knows, there is a certain feel to a well-strung racket. The final characteristic where polyester performs well is its durability. My name is Austin Rapp and since I picked up a racket at age 8, I worked hard to improve my game. By David Henry on Dec 15, 2009 with Comments 2. There's an initial tension loss after the first few sessions that happens pretty quickly, then it starts to level out a bit. you notice a difference after 10 hours and at 20 the string has lost it's resiliency. This dead feeling will promote a lack of feel, especially for experienced players. I would say anything at or below 50 lbs or 22.5 kg is a lower than average tension. So advanced players know already, because of their experience in tennis, that they should restring their racket every time the strings break if they want their strings to be fresh, new, and strong for every important match. This can cause them to snap more easily and can make them more difficult to control. The gauge of a tennis string is how thick it is, which can range from 19 to 15, with lower numbers being thicker. I would not recommend using a polyester string until a child ages 14-16. Youll see hundreds of posts online from other players saying, I get more spin with the thicker string, I get more spin with thinner etc. How long are you getting with Poly before it goes dead. After a couple of months I was pretty much done with it as it got very uncomfortable, but it was great while it lasted. Strings can only take so much While it might be awesome to have a string that lasts forever, all strings have a peak performance . After that, the poly is the worst string in the world and you'd better cut it out and restring. This depends on the string used, as the various polyester and co-polyester strings behave differently. Sony's PlayStation Showcase will stream live on YouTube and Twitch, on Wednesday, May 24, starting at 4 p.m. EDT/1 p.m. PDT. Kuerten won his first of three French Opens that year, thanks in part to his roundhouse backhand capable of producing vast amounts of topspin. Take care of your strings and they will take care of you! The less durable strings on the market are probably the natural gut strings. In addition, old and worn-out strings are more likely to break, which can be very frustrating. Not quite. If you have questions, please leave them in the comments below. If you are a competitive player who hits the ball hard and with a lot of spin, you will likely need to restring your racket more often than if you are a recreational player who takes a more relaxed approach to the game. We are grateful for any support that our users can provide by making purchases through the aforementioned links! And Roger definitely remembered his matches well; checked his 2003 Indian Wells match and indeed Guga served to his forehand at the very beginning of the match. Just get it restrung and be happy! The general rule is that polyester strings will play well for between 10-20 hours of play. The lifespan of your tennis racket strings depends on a few factors. I am 4.0-4.5 club player. The trend on the pro tour has seen the average string tension for a poly move lower over time. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know when its time to restring your racket. Great reading, thanks again Jon!!! For this reason, it is recommended that beginners restring their rackets every two to three months. Its better to know the signs that your racket should be restrung rather than follow some rule of thumb that you see online. You could also experiment with a thinner gauge in the crosses and a thicker gauge of the same string in the mains. With fresh strings, youll be able to hit the ball with more power and spin, giving you a competitive edge. Any tennis player knows that having properly strung racket is essential for playing their best game. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/15/sports/tennis/coronavirus-ron-yu-tennis.html.

Fujifilm Np-95 Battery, Best Zero Waste Moisturizer, Healthcare Assistant Jobs With Visa Sponsorship In Canada, Ua Golden Reverberator Midi, Articles H