Do Strings REALLY Make That Much Of A Difference On Your Tennis Performance?

[@Playyourcourt]

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[@jorgetirado3201]

Most pro players use a full bed of poly, only a handful now use a hybrid with natural gut.

[@johndunn3492]

I’ve had some elbow issues so I’ve tried a whole bunch of strings recently. I love the play of poly, but it’s too harsh alone. I tried several multi filaments, love the feel, and they all broke in three or four hours of play. Synthetic gut is not bad, but it took quite a while to loosen up and feel responsive. My two favourite so far were a hybrid of synthetic gut and soft poly, and a hybrid of real gut and soft poly, which just felt fantastic. Part of the issue has been I bought a new Yonex percept 100, and it seems like a much more finally tuned racehorse compared to my old head racket. Every string feels completely different in it.

[@transklutz]

Yes, match strings + tension to your stroke type + speed + ball used to optimize dwell time and control on your racquet.

[@district2d]

Wow this so confusing. Didn’t realize so much went to just the racquet. But I guess now that I think about that is essential what makes the racquet

[@jonathankarakas5354]

Found that using the babolat vs + rpm blast hybrid gives crazy durability, decent spin , tons of power and that Cadillac plush feel ! over time due to how many hrs this setup lasts it actually ends up being on par cost wise w any strings on the market with all its advantages.

[@ROSEMARY-gl7wx]

Isnt RPM blast shaped?

[@hansdampf-i5x]

@@ROSEMARY-gl7wx i think so

[@h4rms]

I use a poly and string at 52lbs, however I find I play better as the strings get older, say 4-6 weeks later

[@Playyourcourt]

The lower tension found after several hours / weeks of playing with poly is ideal. Concur it feels much after being broken in! Thanks for watching

[@carloscuevas4442]

I have to highlight the comfort aspect of natural gut. I've struggled with tennis elbow and I ended up settling on a gut mains/poly crosses hybrid and it has made all the difference in the world in terms of arm health. Also, I use string savers to extend the life before it breaks to help save a little on the cost of gut.

[@bmanbusee3812]

That’s the best option imo and never went back from it. Especially with a nice smooth poly in the cross! Disagree with that nat gut is only for 5.0 and above. Good 3.5 can get great benefit from a hybrid with it

[@hillwellford9637]

"Gut is expensive." "Gut is cheaper than surgery." I'm kidding, but not kidding. Personally I find that the right poly mains / multi cross setup is almost as good (my favorite multi cross is Velocity MLT 16) but there is no denying that gut mains with a moderate stiffness, slippery, long lasting poly cross (Head Hawk 18 and Outlast 18 are my two favorites for this) is a great setup that offers arm friendliness, control, spin, and durability. If you don't mind the expense.

[@bmanbusee3812]

@@hillwellford9637 Everyone talking about how expensive gut is. Depends! You can get half sets of something like Klip legend for about 20 bucks. The set up with a good poly will last long too!!

[@Tennisbull-match-statistics]

Helped me recover from tennis elbow as well. Hybrid from Volkl is inexpensive and lasts long, especially with string savers. With the last stringing job I had the poly go in the mains to get more spin on my serve. I didn’t notice a big difference but my elbow isn’t as happy. I’ll go back to gut in the mains and poly in the crosses

[@bmanbusee3812]

Don’t like Volkl natural gut at all. Frayed quickly and felt cheap. It was the icon one I believe. Anyway, best to put gut in main for spin with poly cross. It’s proven it’s more effective at producing spin!

[@ashishsikka100]

You mentioned that only high level players will see a difference with natural gut. I am a 3.5 player but have tennis elbow issues. Will natural gut help me in reducing the risk of re-injuring the tennis elbow?

[@tenniswithandy]

This was such a good video for the non tennis nerds. I’m a tennis nerd and I enjoyed it too. Well done guys!

[@andrews2190]

Omg it’s tennis with Andy! Hiiii

[@Playyourcourt]

Thank ya sir, much appreciated!

[@pareshmathew1596]

I have had different strings on the same racquet and it makes it play so different. It can be the difference between ball landing in and hitting the net😊

[@Playyourcourt]

100%

[@liambergin5732]

Good video. I’d recommend to all intermediate / regular players to try hybrids with soft cross strings , local racquet stringer recommended a year ago to soften it for my arm but a huge surprise for me was how nicer the racquet feels. Need to restring couple of times a year but would never go back to full poly / standard strings

[@Playyourcourt]

Great suggestion!

[@FiendishFuManchu]

My argument for natty gut main w poly cross is the racquet still performs well and feels great all the way until the strings break, which for me is about 30-40 hours. When I was playing full poly, regardless of brand, tension etc (I experimented a lot), I was lucky to get 15-20 good hours out of the best strings, after which they just feel like garbage and don’t play as well. If you really care about performance and more importantly arm health, and commit to cutting polys out when they are dead instead of when they break, after doing the math on price vs frequency it’s more or less a wash for a string that feels so so so much better. Anecdotally, I had shoulder pain that lasted for years that went away completely three weeks after I made the switch to gut/poly.

[@Playyourcourt]

Great feedback and solid point on cutting poly's out when they go bad...not just when they break.

[@casperharmer2599]

Hi, I use ALU power rough and I am a 5.0 utr level. What tension is better for 2023 Babolat pure aero for main and cross?

[@TheDmonet]

Natural gut in hybrid mains last longer, plays better longer than multi. 15l gut over multi any day. Just don't get it wet. I break multi once a month, gut I can get 2 to 3 months on. hybrid with sort poly. food for thought

[@theripper37]

Any comments about tension for a beginner???

[@Playyourcourt]

Mid-range is always ideal with the synthetic guts

[@bengertzz]

im a total beginner male 30s, what string and tension should i use?

[@Playyourcourt]

Starting with a synthetic gut strung at a mid range tension is prob a great place to start. Hope this helps!

[@brandomaxwell]

That you discuss poly's danger to the arm is to your credit. I only wish you'd added that the average player should cut it out after 15 or so hours of play.

[@Playyourcourt]

Very true!

[@tijgertjekonijnwordopgegeten]

1:55 Alcaraz, Rune, Sinner and Medvedev all use poly, so I wouldn't say you're hard pressed to find a pro that doesn't use natural gut if 4/5 top 5 players don't use it.

[@Oxigan2win]

They just want to sell expensive gut strings on their website... thats all.

[@UzairAhmad-y7p]

Hello, Love your channel. What do you think about the hybrid of Babolat RPM blast with a head velocity MLT. What tension would you recommend. And what should go on the mains and crosses. Thank you.

[@Playyourcourt]

Thanks, glad you're enjoying the channel! Big fan of RPM but afriad we haven’t personally tried Head velocity MLT. Most syn gut or multi filaments will make for a good hybrid though. I personally string the entire bed at 52lbs but many players will string the non-poly string at a higher tension. Hope this helps!

[@fearwolfbrewery5014]

After a lot of testing I have ended up with Kirschbaum black shark strung at 23 kg in my Babolat Pure Drive. I can swing big and hard without hitting to long.

[@docstranger9520]

I'm pretty sure most ATP players are playing with full polyester these days.

[@MrHitthespot]

Multifilament saved my arm and improved my game. I have not tried gut but I’m only a 3.5 player right now and not sure if I would benefit.

[@Playyourcourt]

It may but the price point would prob have the juice not being worth the squeeze. Worth a try though as we certainly don't want to discount it. I think you're in good hands using the multi-filament. Best of both worlds! Thanks for watching

[@theripper37]

And would you recommend a pre-strung racquet to be re-strung? (Like the Yonex EZone Ace)?

[@Playyourcourt]

If you're just getting started in the game you're prob fine. Just be aware if any arm issues start to creep in...then it's time to restring whether they are broken or not

[@PeterRosa-bt2qr]

One disadvantage of natural gut seldom mentiined is that it frays quickly when the strings become wet or damp. This is important in more northerly climates.

[@Legnerps]

What about textured strings?

[@operation2096]

Yes it makes all the difference in the world. If the player has the wrong setup it could cost pros the match. Eg loads of unforced errors with too much power

[@minisurfbanana]

Voikl Torque16/17

[@aojajena]

Must add what is always not said. It's about poly. There are polyester and co-polyester strings as said, but there are co-polymer strings which is often not mentioned. Co-polyester is co-polymer. There are other co-polymer. There are mono core co-polymer strings which are not co-polyester. The most innovation is happening in co-polymers, especially softer strings that are spin friendly and gentle on the elbow and durable.

[@BenQ10]

I haven’t yet got my head around this distinction. Can you list us some examples of co-polymer strings?

[@aojajena]

@@BenQ10 Polyester aka polyethylene terephthalate aka PET was the main stream when it all began. Polyester is a polymer. Copolyester is a copolymer. Copolymer could be homo, alternating, random, block, graft. Majority of so called "copoly" strings are copolyester strings. There are other copolymers than copolyester. Polyether ether ketone aka polyetheretherketone aka PEEK is another polymer. Ashaway makes strings from it, branded Zyex. Polytetrafluoroethylene aka PTFE is a fluoropolymer, also used by Ashaway. Polypropylene aka polypropene aka PP could be used for core, e.g. in Isospeed Professional, though it's a multifilament string category. Monofilament Weiss Cannon Silverstring has a label co-polymer, which might be co-polyester or something else.

[@BenQ10]

@@aojajena Thanks!

[@Playyourcourt]

Very true...discussed going in that direction and then realized we would have a 30 min vid on our hands and decided to omit them. Def worth checking out though!

[@aojajena]

Here we go, looks like Luxilon Alu Power is not a polyester or co-polyester. It's poly-ether-ether, which is Polyether Ether Something.

[@Youngduck93]

Awesome video!

[@Playyourcourt]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@seanharmon1]

Regarding natural gut, I’ve got lots of players ranging from recreational to ATP professionals playing natural gut. Durability has not been a concern as long as the stringer is competent. Although it is more expensive per set, the durability, playability, and tension maintenance is far superior to synthetic gut. Over the course of a year, players using natural gut will pay less.

[@bravo890]

Agree, I get an extra couple weeks out of my hybrid setup that includes natural gut

[@Playyourcourt]

All solid points!

[@billpoulakis1741]

In an 18 x 20 string bed, a 17G full gut set up is the way to go. I rotate 2 fames, play 3 times per week at the 4.0 level and I easily get 6-8 weeks out of each frame. Big bonus, gut is the best at the net and for 1/2 volleys and no arm pain.!!

[@anotherfakepresident8432]

What tension do you use, and which model of racket?

[@seanharmon1]

@@anotherfakepresident8432 ​ I'm playing with a customized Head Gravity MP XL with Luxilon Natural Gut 1.25 in the mains at 54 lbs, Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.20 at 52 lbs in the crosses. Before that, I had a prototype Head Pro Stock Extreme with a very dense 16x19 pattern. Before that, a normal Head Pro Stock Extreme. Before that, Head PT57A 18x20. My ATP buddy plays a prototype Head Prestige Pro Stock with gut mains and Toroline Caviar crosses, 42/40 lbs.

[@PaulWolfe1]

I switched to square strings and yes they make a difference! They bite into the ball, don't notch, move and bounce back freely, and just give me confidence in topspin, even if I *could* get the same result with round strings, the square strings give me confidence that it if I hit the ball hard with the proper swing path, the ball will come down.

[@docstranger9520]

Which brand and gauge strings do you use?

[@PaulWolfe1]

@@docstranger9520 Weiss Ultra Cable, it only comes in one gauge, 17, which works great. Similar to Solinco Hyper G. It's hard to compare the gauge of square vs. round.

[@johndunn3492]

What kind of strings are you using? Poly?

[@kcazzzzz]

I feel that you got the multifilament and synthetic gut mixed up. multifilament is the sting which is constructed in the likeness of natural gut, to mimic natural gut's performace, even though natural gut is still superior to it. multifilament is the poor man's natural gut. and synthetic gut is the string constructed to look like it is a cross between natural gut and poly, with a big solid core in the middle like poly, and hundreds of small nylon fibres surrounding to solid core like natural gut. synthetic gut is the tweener between natural gut and poly, has all the advantage of both natural gut and poly, but at a much lower performance, and also has the disadvantages of both as well, but the disadvantage is not as bad compared to natural gut or poly

[@kjomalle]

Very informative !!!

[@Playyourcourt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@artimtoska5779]

I disagree that you have to be above 4.0 to play with gut. I’m 3.5 player and use Gut in a Hybrid with poly(champions choice). Can play for hours & dont feel any discomfort in my arm, unlike players at my sports center all play with poly and have arm sleeves on. Its more expensive than most string but i change mine out every 4 months whick is not bad compared to most changing thier full bed of poly every month. Upu also dont have to be a “millionaire “ to play with these strings. 44-48 dollars every four months is woth it for me.

[@alistairjones4361]

What's your hair routine

[@Playyourcourt]

practice practice practice 😉

[@K4R3N]

Send this video to Ian Westerman

[@xutsumi]

Didn't know LinusTechTips made tennis videos.

[@eincan1313]

In my opinion nothing plays better than natural gut mains and a smooth poly cross. The only problem is durability. I get maybe 6-7 hours before it snaps, but it hits phenomenal.

[@Playyourcourt]

100%

I challenge anyone to take on a scientific experiment to show if, by how much and who can tell a difference in strings. I would say a group of test users should receive several identical rackets with only the string type being the difference. Also, another control group is required where they receive several identical rackets with exact same strings without them knowing. My guess is that it will be like blind taste testing of wine where most people won't know the difference between $5 wine versus $5,000 wine.

[@steinanderson]

look up tennis warehouse - approx. 90% of spin is independent of string. feel, durability, tension maintenance are the only variables between strings.

[@zanido9073]

We can dream.

[@tcjensen1]

Federer’s main verticals are natural gut. Not crosses. You guys use natural gut crosses with poly mains???

[@NickNeras]

STRINGS AND TENSION TENSION AND STRINGS

[@PaulVoorberg]

6:55 - Multifilament

[@Dom-yv4nq]

Hey guys, and then there's the shaped and textured strings. 😂 next time...

[@Playyourcourt]

lol...we def discussed going in that direction but felt the 12 minute run time was prob enough

[@Dom-yv4nq]

@@Playyourcourt The discussion about string could literally last for hours.

[@Playyourcourt]

@@Dom-yv4nq FACTS!

[@ts440s]

Delpo destroyed his arm with luxilon big banger.

[@IrregularTangent]

If you want to save your elbows and arms natural gut is worth it. I rather pay a bit more then be eviscerate my tendons over time

[@edwardlaw797]

Yes, are you kidding me! For any advanced player string is the last element that is always in the tweaks. Everything else is pretty much static., string and tension. There are times small adjustments won't cut it because of the string change mid game.

[@edwardlaw797]

For longivity, co-poly and multifilament hybrid setup (Head MLT velocity/NXT Power - both still offer spins!) works best. No pain after 50! If you are in the your 20's... go ahead Luxilon full bed. :)

[@sebastiandomagala9233]

Covered it? Nope. Beware of hybrid strings, expecially if you are not the kind of player who breaks them. Let a hybrid sit in the racquet for too long and it will bend. But nobody seems to bother. And yes, the higher the number of the gauge, the thicker it is. Just not in the USA, where instead of an actual size (like in millimeters) you use random numbers. Might as well use letters, colours or flavours (cherry size, pls!).

[@peterparahuz7094]

it is far from random. the AWG was designed for the electrical industry. of course tennis strings dont conduct electric current, so all you are left with is this unusual scale reciprocal to its diameter.

[@Playyourcourt]

cherry size...yes please! lol

[@peterparahuz7094]

kirschbaum?@@Playyourcourt

[@Oxigan2win]

dont think its serious to make such a video if you selling those products in your shop.

[@Javi_C]

👍

[@mohongzhi]

Dude it's cow guts not sheep guts.

[@cybergrail]

Nobody should be using animals and murdering them just for tennis strings.

[@MauserM18]

Their jokes are so bad, blonde guy is super annoying