TENNIS STRINGING: WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU STRING YOUR CROSSES 4LBS LOOSER THAN YOUR MAINS?

Thank you to Coach Christopher Chien for sharing tennis stringing information with us.
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[@SRKarting]

Main string tension will always go up once the crosses are strung as the main string now has to weave between the crosses which it didn’t have to before the crosses were weaved, increasing its distance without extra string length with equals a tension increase so when the main string was pulled on the machine at for example 55lbs without the crosses, it will have gone up anyway by 4lbs after the crosses have been weaved. If you look at badminton rackets they recommend you string the crosses tighter by 2lbs to compensate for the main string tension increase to protect against frame deformation so be careful. Be careful stringing crosses too different to the mains as it will permanently deform the frame over time.

[@ockelito]

Yes. And also, the crosses will get lower tension due to the friction form the mains when pulling.

[@michaelh5160]

Completely different sports. Badminton shuttlecocks have feathered trails and therefore cannot spin. Tennis balls are round and spin is a major part of the game. On a tennis racket, stringing the crosses looser than the mains is thought to enable the mains to flex more and snap back faster, thereby imparting more spin.

[@danbeedle3118]

Less lbs in the cross allows main strings to move and snap back to enhance spin. Works wonders with revolve spin in mains and revolve in crosses. Been doing this for a few years and feels great! Everyone has their preference though.

[@benjaminjensen111]

Other way around. If same poly both main and cross, then the higher tension mains snaps back better on higher tension cross, plus you get better pocketing and a larger sweetspot on the length og the racket which is were the ground strokes are build. The cross is majorly the backbone of the mains which should be the most lively and thus have lower tension. only serve and smash the cross becomes the major string section for the play and also here it good its the tightest/controlled/less lively as you bring much more self generated power to the ball than any other strike. cross is for stability and mains for playability. If you tighten up the mains more than the cross you will feel less control and less power.

[@ql3670]

Even if you initially string the mains and the crosses at the same tension, your mains will end up with significantly higher tension than your crosses, and both different from the tension you set on your machine. Just use a string meter to measure actual tension and you will find out. For example, I just strung my racquet at 60 lbs, the mains ended up at 55 lbs while the crosses at only 40 lbs. It has something to do with the fact that the mains get strung first then the crosses, and the friction forces between the strings and between the strings and the grommets.

[@johneggers1291]

Right. When pulling the crosses, you also reapply tension to the mains, since the crosses have to move the mains out of the center of the stringbed.

[@tz1843]

Wait a minute . . . .What? . . . No, . . . Your mains won't be a higher tension than your crosses because they have a longer distance than your crosses, which means that they will lose tension faster than your crosses over time. For Example: if you have a 15' string at 55lbs between two points and you 5' string at 55lbs between two points, which is going to lose tension faster??

[@ql3670]

@@tz1843 But they indeed are, I measured them. Not sure what to argue here...

[@tz1843]

@@ql3670 Do you one piece string or two piece string?

[@ql3670]

@@tz1843 Personally, 2 piece, set at the same tension.

[@jimhaggerty1863]

Glad to see you finally address this, a question that's been out there for quite some time now. But you missed the most important consideration. With hybrid stringing, using a multi and a poly, the strings themselves have different optimum performance tensions. Duh. Multis perform better at the higher end of a racket's recommended tension, and polys perform better tensioned at least 10% lower than multis. Yet, since hybrids came into vogue, many players would sting both types at the same tension. Makes no sense, and yet that seems to be the case today still. When I first experimented with stringing NXT in mains at 55 and 18g poly in crosses at 48 it was a revelation. Best response from a racket in my long life of tennis playing. Since then (6 years ago) I have experimented with various strings, gauges, X vs M, and tensions and found my optimum set up is almost the first one I tried, which makes sense since it was closest to following exactly the manufacturers recommendations. I did setups that were more than 10lbs different, which also performed well, but not quite as sweet as when the difference was a few pounds less. Stringers I know have dismissed my idea, saying that it might cause frames to warp. And they string full beds within 2 lbs difference, no matter what type of string, no matter which is in X, etc. After six years of stringing my own rackets this way, there has been no warping, no bad effects to the frame. I'm now using Blade v7 16x19, but I've also used Prince Textreme, and Yonex rackets over this time. Ball pocketing on the stringbed seems to be the takeaway on why this works so well. With a 10% difference between the poly X and the multi M, they are more likely to have the exact same response while the ball is on the strings therefore giving maximum performance from each type. The comments here about length of X vs M may also be valid, but to me, the biggest consideration is the optimal tension for 2 different types of strings, no matter whether they are X or M.

[@goranmarinic2923]

great! thank you for sharing your experience, everything you wrote makes a lot of sense to me.

[@Peter-wp5vb]

Should mains be thicker than crosses? In poly/poly and multi/poly setups

[@jimhaggerty1863]

@@Peter-wp5vb I always use the thinnest poly with a 16g multi, no matter which is a cross or a main.

[@SolowSports]

The distance of a main is longer than the distance of a cross. That ONLY affects how much energy the machine must put into getting the string at that tension. You are getting more power because you are stringing the racket looser. I would be shocked if you measured the racket accurately and noticed a difference in size. These rackets are strong, and it will take more than 4 lbs to "bend/warp" the frame. None the less, an interesting and fun video to watch. Thank you :)

[@marcelobarros5729]

Yep. I am really skeptical that one can actually see the racquet be rounder with a 4 lbs tension difference. Probably psychological.

[@tariqkamil7853]

Yes, it can round the frame. Dunlop max200g was a very soft graphite racquet and did go round. But how long ago was that. If the racquet went round on u, u might wanna check ur clamp or 4 point clamp.

[@SolowSports]

@@tariqkamil7853 I agree, there is a chance that 1 incredibly old and rare racket might warp. But this is not the case for the majority of rackets with a small tension split, if not with all current rackets. Also, if you dont string on a solid stringing machine with adequate mounts, it can warp a racket no matter what stringing technique.

[@anuragchandra7838]

It affects how much stretch there is in a string. F= k*x If under 50 lbs tension string has to stretch 5mm then the shorter string is stretched more per unit length than the longer one.

[@SolowSports]

@@anuragchandra7838 Correct, but if its a constant pull machine. The machine will pull X to achieve 50 lbs no matter the distance, and if there is stretch, the machine will apply X + additional force to adjust no matter the distance. Thus its perceptual.

[@thetennisjournal]

I strung mine at 56 main / 53 cross and I really liked the feel the spin and power seemed a good balance to me

[@neertw]

Seems like some of you guys commenting don't really understand the varying properties of different types of strings. It's normal to have different tensions in a hybrid if you're using 2 types if string e.g. poly and multi. I think video refers specifically to using the same type of string (poly) in the mains and crosses.

[@enigmatic_soul9112]

I’ve always done the opposite and pulled my crosses higher than my mains. I’ve been looking for some info on the reverse since I had heard a similar theory awhile ago. Thanks for addressing this

[@benjaminjensen111]

If you did the opposite.... You did the right thing.

[@steventan8416]

It is kind of hybrid string effect. the cross with lower tension can help for pocketing and allow Main to move longer to bite the ball. Also elbow friendly as decrease the overall tension.

[@vaibhavbhushan4257]

Request: can you do a complete review on tennis ball machines?

[@leisurefarm]

Mind blowing yet sensible. I can't wait to try this! Can't wait for Chris' next suggestion!

[@FredYang]

Two things need to consider here. First thing is , how do you swing your racquet? Badminton and tennis are both racquet sports. We mostly hit badminton with overhead (so that the cross slide over the main), and hit tennis mostly cross body (so that the main slide over the cross). So if you lower the cross, it can help the main slide more, so that it logically help to create more spin. Second thing, how do we string racquets. We all (100%) string our racquet main first, then cross. Even we use pull the same with same tension on both main and cross. The actual tension imposed on cross is 30% to 40% lower than main. You can use tension gauge to test it. Let' say you pull both with 52 pound. After it is done, you can measure it, main probably reads 50 lbs, and cross read 36lbs. The reason is that, we string cross after stringing main, part of the tension is offset by friction caused by the main. So if we pull 4 lbs cross less, the actual tension of cross may be actually about 30 lbs. Yes, it will help the main slide more, yes, it will give you more power. But you may feel different in volley, and inside-out stroke. Here we don't consider how to make the racquet last longer, and protect it better, as it is different topic.

[@chuckharris4855]

Is that tension difference seen more with one piece stringing jobs rather than a 2 piece method?

[@userdjee834]

@@chuckharris4855 same

[@Pinworms666]

Yea I agree. I thought my tension gauge was broken the first time I used it, because I string at 60, and it said the mains were 55 and the crosses at 45. By default, your crosses are already looser than the mains. I think alot of the benefit is placebo too, where they know Federer does it, and it sounds kinda cool like you've got this inside trick to customize your racquet. The real test is to do a blind test with 2 racquets (one strung the same, one with crosses 2lbs lower) and see if people can tell the difference. I doubt 99% of recreational players will notice any difference at all.

[@pedrorelvasdeoliveira6381]

Hello!! Pedro here from Barcelona!! I use a much highest tension 25kg 55 lbr on the mains and 53 on the crosses and at some time the bed is all on 22 kg or 21 Kg or less depend on the strings I use kirschbaum pro line 2 !!! I’m 44 years old and use a pro staff LS!! And it gives you more feel and more power!!!

[@pedrorelvasdeoliveira6381]

Roger uses diferent tensión on the mains and on the crosses!!!

[@stilllifeproductions5017]

Thanks for this. I've been stringing my oval-shaped Volkls 3lbs lower in the Xs since the late 1990s...

[@jesterkatz223]

Ive been doing that since late 2000s also used hybrid. It works.

[@JovanniG678]

I actually tried this when Chris spoke about this a few episodes ago. I do 52/50 and i found that my balls land closer to the baseline now, like i have always wanted, and that i do get a bit more free power from my racket.

[@direwolf525]

but you will end up having tennis elbow

[@bensmith9820]

In Europe it’s a pretty common thing... I string mine at 25/23kg. The difference is actually 4.4 pounds 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@markomarko3336]

I strung my Diadem Elevate FS at 23,5/22kg. And all of my rackets have always been with 1kg or 1.5kg difference between mains and crosses. Everyone does that where I'm from.

[@MrMSS22]

In Europe it's common to string the crosses 1kg (~2lbs) looser than the mains for the reasons you mentionend. In fact, when someone is saying "I'm stringing the racquet at 50lbs" for me it means, the mains are strung at 50lbs. I did not know that in the US you use the same tension for mains and crosses usually.

[@scottwiggins2093]

I've been doing this for around 30 years now. I string 59/54 in my son's, (5.0), Pure Drive with Gosen OG Sheep 17 but I've done it with all my rackets. Here's my rationale. The mains are longer than the crosses. If you string them to the same weight, the mains will deflect more than the crosses so the ball is responding to the crosses. If you string the crosses looser they will deflect more like the mains, which I think might increase your sweet spot and keep the ball on the strings slightly longer. The idea that the head might deform never occurred to me but it would be easy to test. Just string two identical rackets both ways and measure. Or you could string the same racket twice and measure.

[@guava8719]

I have my Wilson Stratus Three racket strung 52lb main 18 Gauge Ashaway Kelvar/48 lb Wilson Sensation 16 gauage green color. I found 52/48 is definitely more powerful/bouncy than 52/52 with the identical string setup but I like 52/52 more. 52/52 gives me more pop and 52/48 leaves me less control. Just my preference. The recommended string tension range on Stratus is 53-63lb. I may increase to 53/53 or 54/54 next time. I was USTA 4.5 20 years ago. I am 65 years old at USTA 3.5 level now. I have tried many different hybrid setups (at least 7-8 different strings/tensions) after I came back to tennis last year. Tennis Spin gave me a good suggestion to use 18 gauge for the best feel/power. I chose Kelvar 18 gauge for its durability. I play 1-2 times/week now and the string is not broken after one month. Love to watch this channel. Thank you.

[@mrfrog235]

I see u got a new camera I love the quality of it keep the this camera it’s amazing also keep on making great content

[@viktor123k]

Because of the oval shape...it takes more force or tension to deform or to break the racquet lengthwise(top to bottom), so less tension on the crosses will help keep the oval shape more, and keep the strength and integrity of the structure better...as well as the sweet spot.

[@HoustonRacewayKid]

I’m always breaking mains before I break the crosses…..definitely going to try this out for the sweet spot influence.

[@WilliamUhrhammer]

Harry, You are providing a valuable service to the tennis playing public. Your clips are thoughtful, informative, and humorous. Taken to its logical conclusion stringing, as you know, is a very personal and exacting art and science. I think that when varying main and cross string tension there are more factors to consider than comparative string length. String gauge, composition, elasticity, and pattern ought to be considered. I use a Blade Pro 98 v8 16x19. I'm going to try Touch 17 ga gut in the mains and 4G Rough 17 ga in the crosses. I'm going to balance the force of the string tension applied to the frame by the mains and crosses. Given that there are three more crosses than mains there is a significant reduction in the tension of the crosses. This reduction is easy to figure out. How would you adjust for the differing coefficients of elasticity in this example?

[@tomwilliams242]

Crosses always loose a lot more tension than the mains so I have crosses 3lb more than mains & this was the recommendation of a study in Australia.

[@MiracleAgeGKS]

Well done!

[@exotour3501]

I recommend for those who have arm issues to go hybrid with these combinations: M: Solinco Tour Bite Soft 1.25g / X: Volkl Cyclone Tour 1.20 g. Tension up to your specs with 2 lbs less on X.

[@greenranger9428]

ThankYOu. Like that the fact that you actually experimenting on issue of discussion

[@user-se7vt5ow4e]

I live in Spain and string at 20/18 kgs. It gives a lot of pop but also really increases the spin to keep the ball in play. I also use Babolat string savers as the crosses saw through the mains quickly.

[@LarzB]

I am actually shocked tennisspin doesn't know about lowering cross tension after working so many years in the field. Pulling the same tension on both directions actually deforms the racket. read below: It is not about the distance! It is about 19 cross strings vs 16 mains. So the horizontal pull is 19 times the tension and the vertical pull is 16 times that tension. I string the cross 4 kg lower than the main, that is 8 lbs? I do 16/19 times the tension of the main. so say main is 23kg, 23*16/19 = 19,4 kg for the cross. As the mains will increase additional tension because of weaving in the crosses, I do compress the racket a bit with 4 kg less. without the weaving factor the difference should be 3,6 kg, so with the weaving effect somewhere between 2,5 and 3kg (5 to 6 lbs) for no compression.

[@scottwiggins2093]

Similar concept but I've always thought it was the total length of each string that mattered.

[@LarzB]

@@scottwiggins2093 A rope from the second level of your house holding 100 lbs of say bricks has a 100 lbs tension at the point where you are holding the rope (lets assume the weight of the rope is nil in this example). If you make the rope longer so you can hold it on the third level. With the same 100 lbs bricks ( and nil weight for the rope), the tension where you hold it on the third level is still 100 lbs. So in a racket the point where the force of the string is acting on the racket is the same point as where you hold your hand in the above example. So you have 19 strings pulling tension of the cross horizontal and you have 3 strings less pulling tension vertically. So to have no tension difference between main and cross you have to lower the tension in the cross. The weaving increases the tension in the main, I don't know how much, say 2 lbs? So if your mains are at 50 lbs, the end result is main 52 lbs. 16/19 times 52 is 44 lbs. originally you had 50 lbs for the main. 50-44 = 6lbs lower So I would suggest to string your crosses 6 lbs lower than the cross. If the weaving increases the mains tension by 4 lbs, string the crosses 4 lbs lower than the mains.

[@scottwiggins2093]

@@LarzB Cool, if you find my comment below, I posted that I string my son's Pure Drive at 59/54. I figure it's about 10% difference and I use a Klippermate so prolly not super accurate. Also, how did you know my house has three levels!? Hmmm....

[@LarzB]

@@scottwiggins2093 haha funny..

[@HoboHabilis]

Oh hi. I have been hybrid stringing my rackets 54lbs with gut or a good multi and 48lbs on the poly for ten years. Currently Bab RPM Blast 18G at 48lbs on the crosses and Bab VS gut 16G at 54 lbs on the mains in all my rackets PS 85 to this years Head Radical Pro. All flavor of modern rackets “go round” luckily mine have not. If a racket manufacturer told you round was better and got a top pro to use one painted like the new improved roundy. You would want one. I know I would. The Wilson T2000 was round and we all had to have one. I think the mains give the bed more feel than the crosses. If you want to soften up a harsh string but not want to give up the action of that string put something softer in the crosses. String up two of the same racket and reverse the pattern to see which you prefer.

[@repriser9876]

Time 6:57 He is right. In mechanics, a longer string under the same tension will yield more ( elongate more ) vs shorter string. We know this in mechanical engineering. So if cross is same tension as main, it is more restricted ( tensioned under trampoline effect ). kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKTYc2yhe9KHqqc

[@dzonyLM]

Srisaphan was stringing his crosses wit higher tension than mains... and you need to mention that when you are weawing cross string, main string gets tighter

[@supermanwhereareyounow3081]

I have hybrids in all of my rackets. I use Babolat Natural Gut on all mains...and spin strings on my cross...I usually have the main around 52-54 and my spin strings at 47...For the cross I use mostly Weiss Canon Ultra Cable...Tier 1 Firewire...or Babolat RPM rough...

[@BOBBY-et9xb]

It will be nice to see a review of how Jimmy Connors Wilson with the wires was strung.

[@kamrannikoo7764]

I stung at 35 pound Main & Cross and love it.

[@Mike-B.]

I like my crosses 4-8 lbs tighter than mains. I keep mains really loose for power, and crosses tighter for control. I do break more strings than otherwise; however, being older, I need the loose strings for my arm/shoulder and just don't like the loss of control, so mains (40-42) and tighten crosses (~48). But I like yonex iso (square) head.

[@steinanderson]

wow so wrong

[@malagabee]

I just tried crosses at higher tension and like it. It also raises my mains tension in doing so therefore I will try lowering both next time while pulling crosses 4 lbs higher.

[@evd9181]

Great weather you have in the winter. We have snow above the knees on the ground now.

[@lachatseb]

Actually 30 years I have been doing it that way. My old stringer from Switzerland called it a true tension.

[@miguelpessanha]

Weird that power was mentioned but not spin - which is usually the main reason why you would loose the cross, to allow the mains to snap back and pocket the ball better

[@charliemckay6402]

Tightening the longer main strings squishes out the the shorter cross strings putting an 'artificial' tension on the strings which will produce different results depending on which strings you string tight first.

[@jimmac6367]

Interesting topic! I use the hybrid stringing method based on the Weiss CANNON Dual Reality string pack recommendation - 50 lb poly main (Solinco) and 55 lb syngut cross. Since syngut is much more elastic than poly, it would seem that equal or higher tension would be needed in the cross to balance playing characteristics of both strings, so the Weiss method seems sound. But maybe this changes the playing characteristics of the racquet itself. And this video suggests lowering the cross tension may be the right approach if using the same string throughout. Ouch, my head hurts!

[@kutayyurtsever3619]

I believe another thing it does is increase the launch angle slightly...

[@qkjones]

Why?

[@vwmusicplaylist1935]

8:35 theres some logic to that but you're ignoring that the fact that there are friction losses when pulling crosses, so if you're going say 52lbs on the crosses, the actual tension you end up with will probably be less than that due to the friction against the main strings.

[@tariqkamil7853]

This isn’t new. Yonex used to string its racquets this way from a few months after the release. The constant tension was because stringers didn’t like to cut the string into 2 pieces...especially natural gut. Rossignol F200(?) designed the inverted yoke to equalise string length. I’ve used ashaway crossfire in 18 gauge, and strung my racquets at 40 main(Kevlar) 45 cross without a double pull on the cross. Double pull is to take out the stretch. Strings maintain their tension but doesn’t last...I stung racquets like this for college players

[@djforcefield9115]

You’re EQUALIZING the tensions of the mains and the crosses so as to maintain the shape and integrity of the strung face of the racquet. Works well. And with the Clash it works very well going 48m x 45c.

[@Freidrich842]

I strung main 52 sensation, cross 48 RPM blast.

[@bogdanandrone653]

I thought every stringer knows and does this?!?Mains are longer than the crosses, so if you want all the stings to feel the same, the shorter sting needs to be looser. If you string all at the same tension the tension throughout the raquet is not the same. This is the main reason why I think the 2 piece string job has a big advantage. I always string the crosses 2-4 lbs looser on the cross if I am using the same sting as the main.If you do this you will also gain better snapback of the mains and spin.

[@donquixote...]

I agree with one caveat... The tension both ways would be the same if strung at the same tension. The difference is that given the same force applied to a shorter and longer span of string of equal tension, the longer one would flex further from the center. So if the shorter one was a little looser, they would both flex away from center closer to the same distance, and would therefore be working more in tandum. This would in part explain why Chris felt the mains more than he previously did, as they were absorbing more of the impact of the ball, whereas had the crosses before.

[@Tennissensitive]

I always do so. We ever did. Learnt this way.

[@nicolewb24]

ofc Chris feels more pop - he’s playing at a lower tension. he’d feel even more pop if he strung both mains and crosses lower. there’s nothing here.

[@sebastiandomagala9233]

Not only are the cross strings shorter, there simply are more. 19 cross strings will have way more power than 16 mains. Same with 18/20. Ideally, calculate your tension multiplicated with your mains (e.g. 16), then divide by the amount of crosses (19) and voilà.

[@DamianSheesh]

This is the correct conclusion, though it still has to do with tension over area. There are more crosses than mains, but they're distributed over a longer area (still more than the main I'd gather). The length of the strings has nothing to do with racket deformation.

[@webbezzy]

Over time in co-poly, the tensions in crosses would lose 15% to 20% more than the mains. So, if one doesn’t restring often, it would actually make more sense to restring crosses higher (the opposite of what’s done here) to even out over time. For example: 45 mains. 50 lbs crosses.

[@alexandervandenbosch2833]

It is very common here in the Netherlands to have 2 or 1 kgs (4 to 2 lbs) difference in mains / crosses. I've been doing that for more than 20 years. Indeed, the longer the string is, the more it will stretch, thats why for instance a 24 / 22 kg (52 / 48 lbs) will be similar to 23 kg (50 lbs) all around. It blends control (from higher string tension in the mains) with power (from lower tension on the cross). But at the end, it is just what you prefer. Try it out and see if you feel the difference, thats what I always say. Thee are also theories, that you should reverse it: 1 to 2kgs lower string tension for the mains, that allows the string to move more and thus create more spin. Who do you belive? Just try it, i'd say, and see for yourself.

[@stimsingh9361]

Also experiment with Alu power and alu rough hybrid...

[@markbrodeur1707]

I dunno. I learned how to string racquets from Warren Bosworth and he was the ultimate "experimenter" and he had us doing this back in the day of HEAD Master and HEAD Pro's (redhead). I'm not sure he invented it but people said they thought their sweetspot was bigger. I still do this.

[@bowsershark]

Ha, the biggest difference is the mix up of the tensions Chris was expecting higher tension. And, the lower tension was a significant power boost. Nick bolliterri said long ago, if you want power, get a stiff racquet and string it low.

[@andrewyoung3546]

Bringing couple rackets up next week to string.

[@biondipepe]

Based on the criteria you guys explained, shorter and longer distances every single string should have different tension. Every string around the frame has different length :) Obviously you should mirrored and and match from the center East-West / North-South

[@KoBizme]

Yeah after hearing this I wonder if rackets were ment to be strung like this.

[@bogdanandrone653]

If you do this the requet feels more compact and you get less vibration noise from the strings, so from feel and sound point of view, requet IMO acts healthier :) as a result of constant tension(this also depends of the quality of the stringing with increased tension on the start/ending stings to compensate for knot tension lose)

[@anielloliguori6312]

Been doing this for years, it was pretty obvious to me along time ago! Surprised peeps don't realise this

[@juju-rt8ek]

Harry....You could determine exactly how much difference in tension is needed for crosses and mains by individually testing the amount of pressure is needed to move the strings the same distance. Tighten one string in each racquet. One in mains and the other in the cross. Better yet, don't use racquets. Just tension between two unmovable points. Let the strings settle for a few hours and check the distance of deflection on each. Different string compounds and thicknesses will have different results. But it would narrow down how much more tension the mains require. Using the same tension for both mains and crosses is just being lazy.

[@scottwiggins2093]

I just replied above but that's what I've always thought was the reason.

[@jamierobinson1923]

Interesting... I'm only thinking out loud, but from my own experience as a player, coach and stringer... The direction of travel of the contact zone in modern strokes causes the mains to impart the majority of rotational force on the ball, while the crosses impart more of the drive... So, loosening the crosses effectively makes them longer, allowing a greater "trampoline" effect ... Slightly easier power without loosing control???

[@anacap007]

I've been doing this "thing" for a while but it's more like dropping the tension around 10% lower for the crosses than the mains. The only reason why is due to the fact I wanted a more even string tension at the center of the racquet. It's just simple physics. If you hold a tension for a long piece of string and then hold the same tension for a shorter piece of string, the shorter string effectively has more tension. Just look inside a grand piano. The higher pitch notes all have short strings.

[@RobsTennisVids]

This already happens though. The friction of pulling the crosses across the mains. as well as the increase in tension the mains undergo when installing the crosses makes the mains tighter. This is why almost all racquets have more crosses than mains - to make up for this difference and protect the structural integrity of the frame.

[@anacap007]

@@RobsTennisVids Threading the crosses would have the same effect on tightening the crosses for the same reason - the mains make the crosses tighter. The number of crosses mainly affect the spin potential more than anything.

[@RobsTennisVids]

@@anacap007 You have that backwards. The crosses make the mains tighter. The friction of the mains, being that they are installed first, prevent the crosses from reaching the tension the machine head pulls. In fact, the cross string has less tension as you move from the side nearest the tension head to the other side of the racquet, due to the friction from the mains. This effect increases as you install more crosses. So the first cross installed will have more tension than the last (not accounting for tension lost when tying the knots), as well as each cross string being tighter on the end the tension head was on. The tension difference on each individual string does equalize eventually, but the difference can be measured when the strings are being installed, as I have done myself. And while you are correct that the number of crosses affects spin, the reason EVERY racquet ever made has more crosses than mains (until the Wilson "S" racquets) is because it is structurally more sound. The force imparted on the racquet is the sum of all the string tensions. Because the crosses do not reach the same tension as the mains, racquets always had more crosses to keep the forces in equilibrium. Only recently has the material and engineering technology allowed for string patterns with equal or fewer crosses without risk of frame damage.

[@JamesTenis]

I had no interests in physics in college, but now that I am playing tennis I have renewed interest. Here are my questions. My racquet has 16 strings in the main and 19 strings in the cross. If a string machine pulls each string at 50 pounds, what is the total combined force the frame sees in the main and the cross. I calculated the total force to be 16x50=800 pounds for the main, and 19x50=950 pounds for the cross. The total force applied to the frame is 1750 pounds? That's a lot of force! Did I do the math correctly? 150 pounds more force is applied to the frame on the cross side. That's a enough force to lift a man.

[@malagabee]

@@JamesTenis except as stated above when measuring the cross tensions with the string meter they r 20 to 40% lower than the mains.

[@casperharmer2599]

What happen if you have a higher tension on the cross and lower tension on the main? And is this good

[@cabforwardooo9983]

In a nutshell, the hoop deforms less top to bottom due to the shorter width. Because the sides are longer they will flex inward more under tension versus top to bottom.

[@aaronjohnson7992]

Try the sergitti stringing method. Each string gets its own tension.

[@kaialoha]

At equal tension the longer string is more elastic. The much much shorter Xs needs 6-8 lbs ( 10 tops IMO ) less tension in order to equalise elasticity in the string bed. This allows greater deflection-snapback of the outside Ms widening the sweetspot which has benefits for both rising and descending swing paths. More elastic X has same effect on horizontal and pull swings like sidespins and SVC. String characteristics are adjustable factors but the physics is the physics. Personally I use a stiff shaped poly M ( grabby, snappy and durable ) and a very soft syngut X to enhance aforementioned effects even more. This results in having to replace only the Xs 4x for every M. The M are not notched ( and compromised ) by the soft Xs. which are flattened by the sweeping Ms, increasing the tension differential effect. Performance and economy are optimal with this set up over the last 8 years or so. I am a spinny all courter of the old school so amount and variety of spin and pace absorption is crucial to me.

[@Crazy-Roland-vDrums]

i think TWO factors were not addressed: 1) actually measuring the racquet dimensions before & after, and 2) what if the preference is a Hybrid string pattern - for example don't many players prefer (co)Poly, or Natural Gut on the Mains, and different material on the Xs?

[@yomamacrib3297]

Wild, I’ve always done it vice versa...😂🤦‍♂️

[@uchihasasuke7436]

I string with 3 pound differential, I find that I get more spin and a better launch angle, but the strings don't last as long

[@wolleo4818]

Messure next time the lenght and the width of the frame before and after stringing - then you can see the deformation of the frame coming from your variation of forces...

[@monlewi1976]

stringing mine babolat APD with kevlar 45/ poly 50. String cross higher cause it loses tensions much more and faster than kevlar (which stays very the same till last hit). So eventually I have something like 42/42 on both strings after few hours of play till the end of life of strings (crosses snaps)

[@DanielM-ld8cv]

"woah he hasn't shanked one yet!"

[@paulyeung962]

We have been stringing like that for awhile but for the Clash we did 3 lbs different to get a similar feel.

[@FYProduction]

Hook’s law. F=xD. Mine is at 48/45 lbs. & it gives the best harmonic response.

[@ijuwan17]

Force and Tension are different things Einstein 🤦🏻

[@chuckharris4855]

@@ijuwan17 pretty sure tension is a force considering the units are lbs (the English unit for Newtons).

[@ijuwan17]

@@chuckharris4855 an object is in Tension / Compression state when Force is applied. Tension remains constant throughout a strings length. Tension doesn’t spread out it entire length. A Force of 50lbs being pulled will still be 50lbs of force no matter the string is 1 foot or 50 foot

[@chuckharris4855]

@@ijuwan17 So what you are saying is hooks law doesn't apply to tension in tennis strings? But the strings do stretch a little like a spring

[@ijuwan17]

@@chuckharris4855 NOT non applicable, but negligible. Since tennis string work in a string-bed and works like a trampoline, Hooks law is applied by considering the trampoline as the spring. The force is the impact of ball not the string tension.

[@viktorbenedek868]

Lower tension in crosses means that the mains can snap back more easily, therefore it means more spin and of course more power because lower tension means more power anyway.

[@ThorD4602]

You are right about the spin, but lower tension doesn't equal more power, that is a myth.

[@viktorbenedek868]

@@ThorD4602 you can hit a deeper ball with the same stroke with a looser string. Maybe it's not more power (maybe flying path), but you have to generate less power on your own. So when you have to work less for the same depth, you feel more power from the racquet.

[@lilies9251]

A pro stringer in Japan advised me to string 2 lbs lower in the crosses, but for better spin, and for being more forgiving on the elbow. For me the magic combo is 50 lbs on mains and 48 lbs on crosses (mostly hyper-g 1.15). I tried once 54/48, but it felt weird

[@prankyification]

Hello Tennis Spin🙂 what kind and brand of tennis strings do you recommend for advance or compettive players? (Ages 20-35)

[@rubengomez6798]

It all depends on which strings you use hybrid co poly or gut/co poly you might need to reverse the tensions if you use co poly on the mains and gut on crosses question what about Segetti method ? Or Jet?

[@michainlu6708]

One of my friend heard of that theory. He said it makes the racquet crack overtime. It may hit good. I used to do that for the head burn and it did cracked after 2 or 3 years that way. Idk if it was that or it just the way i hit it.

[@volodymyrmulyar6309]

Our club stringer always do 2kgs difference. Before moving to this club I always asked for 1kg difference at local shop

[@youngsuit]

I'd like to hear more people weigh in

[@Lego-tennis]

Was it just me or it was funny to see both of them hit😂

[@juju-rt8ek]

They seemed to having fun

[@martinminar1949]

I always string 2-4lb less on crosses. I was told that number on mains and crosses matters. For example 16x tension = 19 x tension. To put no stress on frame you should not string same tension on main and crosses as crosses have more strings. In the end, it doesn't really matter much. All it matters is your skills, but that's my opinion.

[@direwolf525]

tight on the poly main can cause tennis elbow..

[@kevinyang4209]

Biggest advantage is amplifying feel of a string in a hybrid set up?

[@peterochester2320]

No one discusses the tension retention % of various strings. So what should actually be calculated is the tension after a day. Most poly loses 30-40%, gut and multis significantly less. So if you string poly/gut at 55/53 the tension after a day is 38.5/47.7 given a 30% loss on the poly and 10% for the gut (and not factoring the increase to mains from the cross weave). I've never seen much deflection on a racquet from this and pros use a wide range of tensions and differentials. Really not much research on this but there is some on the effect of looser crosses allowing more pocketing and the feeling of an expanded sweet spot.

[@harlanzip]

Federer requests his rackets to be strung 1.5kg less on the crosses (about 3.5 pounds). This is hardly a secret strategy. Although, he issues poly in the crosses, so maybe that’s part of why he wants it less tension.

[@SkyreeXScalabar]

Yes, polys you go lower tension and natural gut you go higher tension

[@j_rf3038]

Lot of pros that string their crosses lower with full beds of poly.

[@userdjee834]

That is also because natural gut is significantly more elastic than ALU

[@Multisportamateur]

I crossed my string with a hybrid (slightly thicker poly) that is softer and I noticed more power and feel (since the strings moved more). But I haven’t tried lowering the tension on the X. See what happens.

[@007gpv]

I always do that 2kg less in the cross ,because I play with natural gut 21kg in the main and Luxilon in the crosses 19 Kg Otherwise full bed always at least 1Kg less in the crosses ( they're shorter ) By the way looking at your videos I decided to try the new Yonex VCORE 95 and I decided to switch from the Blade 98 16x19 . Awesome 👍

[@craigcalistro3754]

The natural gut will maintain its tension much longer than any poly, so after one week, your tension difference might be more than 10 lbs.

[@tonygareth221]

I string my poly at 57 lbs. I know that poly still plays well at lower tension but I just can’t get away from the fighter strings but I might try 57/53 next time to see what it does. I usually string my crosses a pound or pound and a half looser

[@benjaminjensen111]

Should crosses be tighter than mains? When a racquet is strung with the set tension the same in the mains and the crosses the differential between the two (as measured by a Stringmeter) is often in the 32 - 37% range. . The mains will measure (on average) 35% tighter than the cross strings. So you need to string the crosses with 2-3 lbs tighter than the mains. good luck.

[@roberthoener3901]

With all the research the racquet manufacturers do to gain a edge on the competition, I believe if they thought this was an advantage we would have heard of it before now.

[@maikelalefceolin5595]

I strung my Prince Beast 98 with 47 pounds on mains and 44 pounds on crosses, and I felt a normal feel and spinning the ball, although when I hit a more flat stroke, I got a really nice more power. I thought it happens because when I am spinning the ball, I am activating 47 pounds on the mains, and in a flat stroke or a volley I am activating 44 pounds on crosses. I also felt more confort with my usual string (Tourna Big hitter silver). Do you guys think this is right?

[@Richibald1]

better sweet spot or worse? 🤔

[@myviews469]

IMPORTANT QUESTION TO YOURS TRULY HOW CAN I CHECK THE TENSION ON A RACKET OF TWO DIFFERENT TENSIONS MAIN IS ONE THE CROSS IS ANOTHER

[@nate.s1krr]

Roger does this similar thing but the difference for his rackets is about 2.5kg

[@jorgmaierstein473]

Feds Difference is 1.5kg! He strings 26.5 Main/25 Cross 👍

[@OlivierL]

Yes but Roger do this because he uses hybrid setup. You don't use the same tension for natural gut and poly.

[@jorgmaierstein473]

@@OlivierL Why not? Tommy Haas strung luxilon/gut at 29kg Main and Cross 😉 And that‘s for 100% shure.

[@userdjee834]

@@jorgmaierstein473 you've already answered your question. gut is significantly more elastic than alu, and always goes higher. gut in mains and alu in crosses is not the same as alu in mains and gut in crosses. so basically tommy's and roger's setups are equivalent.

[@jorgmaierstein473]

@@userdjee834 Haas also String gut in Mains 😉

[@patriciamason8058]

Yep.

[@tonyr8443]

Isn't that what Yonex requires for their racquets

[@danfischbach3549]

I thought Yonex recommended stringing the crosses at 5% less tension than the mains

[@o.bechtel7474]

More or less, yes. It's 5% less tension, but usually I just drop 3 or 4 pounds on mine and call it good enough.

[@bradmcnutt9533]

Word on this was they don’t require that anymore. It was due to the isometric head shape but something has either changed in strings or racquet material enough that they don’t require that any longer.

[@bowsershark]

The newer hybrid set up situations pose a few questions when there are different types of strings at different tensions. If you string a racquet's mains with a stiff poly at 50, does it shorten the hoop more than a similar racquet with synthetic pulled at 50 pounds. Or, is 50 pounds of tension the same amount of racquet bending on synthetic gut, multifiber or poly string???

[@joshuab1707]

I have never thought of trying that on a full bed of poly. I always do the opposite on a hybrid setup though where my multifilament crosses are 2 lbs tighter than the poly mains.

[@pl4851]

in that case you'd go with 2 lbs lower in crosses than mains in hybrid...i'll try that out as well..

[@CostarreraGT_the_allknowing]

@@pl4851 that would eat through your multi crosses

[@joshuab1707]

@@CostarreraGT_the_allknowing even in my setup, they don't last particularly long. Confidential 16L @54lbs and Gamma Professional 17g @56lbs. About 5 hours and the mains refuse to move cuz they've torn up the Multi too much. How much worse could it be? Lol

[@pl4851]

@@CostarreraGT_the_allknowing even worse, my current setup is multi main and poly cross :( i'm running my multis on a sharp knife