The Benefits of Stringing Poly’s Looser | String Tension Advice

[@IntuitiveTennis]

High One-Handed Backhands with Shamir 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2aaaJuVodurf6Msi=JfsLMy5GT6AgoLDh

[@johnmedina7941]

"Was that the eighties?". I feared for Shamir's life. Thank goodness the camera was on.

[@knotwilg3596]

I got the opposite today. A young dude was surprised I had never used Tinder or Bumble. I said, man I met my wife when the Internet didn't exist. (And I look my age)

[@ArturasDzeikas]

Haha epic comment

[@Fatonzzz]

Shamir, is by far the most relatable and entertaining student ever featured on the channel. The chemistry Nic and Shamir have is the perfect balance of comedy and seriousness. The one liners and banter between these two has made me laugh out loud more times than I can count. From an instructional standpoint I derive great value from your lessons in general, but most specifically your lessons with Shamir. Hoping we get to see many more lessons and coached matches featuring Shamir 👍 I took up tennis about 16 months ago and almost immediately got into stringing. In my 2023 Pure Aero I was playing with Solinco Tour Bite 19 gauge at 44lbs, but have recently been using Hyper-g 17g at 48lbs, but will try 45lbs next 👍

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Thank you 🙏

[@ivandean1]

The day i bought stringing machine, it became my best decision to support my tennis game. It allowed me to experiment with different strings, string tensions and find what I like the best, gut on main (48lbs) and restring sync on crosses (52 lbs). From time to time I string with something else, to test the strings (just recently tried Solinco Confidential 1.25), Toroline Caviar earlier this summer, Head Hawk, etc. It is nice to have the option of trying things out without spending too much money.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Great comment Buying a stringing machine and learning how to string is a game changer 💯

[@cybernetennis]

Toroline's whole line are my favorite strings.

[@petershort936]

If you don't string yourself, this is the best reason a rec player should buy two racquets...so you can string differently and compare.

[@bodzio2304]

​@@IntuitiveTennisHi Nick! Have you tried the Pro's Pro brand from Germany? They are supposedly very good strings in a "classic" style.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Omg blast from the past, of course I know pros pro. Good strings

[@georgegarcia566]

The quality of the image from your camera is fantastic.

[@jlarson1040]

There are a lot of videos on TennisNerd KZbin channel detailing string tension that the pros are using. Quite a few of them are stringing their racquets in the 40 lbs range but some of the top players string at 60+ (e.g., Sinner). Alcaraz strings his racquets at 55/53. As a general rule a faster swing of the racquet benefits from higher tension (more control) while a slower swing of the racquet benefits from lower tension (increased power). Lighter racquets allow for faster swing of the racquet but less power and heavier racquets generate more power because it has greater mass. Agassi said that you should use the heaviest racquet that you can handle with the lowest string tension that you can control. I think this is good advice.

[@SomeOne-rh5so]

Thank you Nick! I independently come to same idea - this season play vs 40 and so happy, same racquet vs 60 already don't like. It's gave me more power and less stress for arm and shoulder, now just polish my technik. 😀

[@dundundunnnnnn8717]

I see Shamir and Nick, I thumbs up! Good advice Nick!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Thank you

[@Shaunsweeney-Kubach71]

I used to play with the Wilson Profiles 95 from west Germany it’s not the 2.5 but the first Profiles and I strung the racquets 35 on the mains and 33 on the crosses and the feel was amazing, now I am playing with the Wilson blade v6 98 and I strung them at 45 on the main and 43 on the crosses with hyper g and that feels so much better on my arm and I am probably going to go down to 40 on the main and and 38 on the crosses. Thank you for sharing this video Coach Nick!

[@petershort936]

Ha! Nic sowing seeds on a lighter racquet. If you're using a heavy racquet acceleration is not just about the arm. It's about the legs, getting into position early enough to rotate through the ball.

[@milanvincic9668]

Enjoyed this talk😊. Nick and Shamir plus gear rant. Great job guys❤

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Thank you Milan

[@Michael-uj8ql]

Over the past month, strung my 4G as 35lbs. Killer string at that tension. Would love to try Restring Zero under 40#.

[@GeraldVeeneman]

I agree with everything Nik said here. Like Shamir I also like the solid and comfortable feel of a heavy racquet. Of course you should still be able to accelerate your swing well enough. Lately I strung my Angell TC99 (325g 10pts HL 27.25 inch 305 SW unstrung) with MSV CoFocus 1.18 at 21/20 kg tension as Tecnifibre Multifeel at 24/23 kg was too powerful. I have a little less touch/feel but better control with the MSV strings and most importantly no arm issues anymore like I used to with copoly strings.

[@bkatbamna]

I bought a Yonex Vcore 100 on ebay and didn't realize it was a Vcore 100L. I was thinking about just selling it but tried it and the lighter racket is like a cheat code. I can really swing it fast and it does weigh enough to not be pushed around either.

[@thiagobadin5331]

I'm 32 and I would say I hit the gym 3 to 4 times a week. Also play tennis 2 times a week and i strung my blade v9 with Hyper G 1.30mm 52lb. Man that was rough. My arm and shoulder started to hurt after the session. Now I see how poly strings can hurt if strung too tight. Next time i will try 1.25 at 50lbs, because after a few sessions the string lost tension and felt great

[@erikstam1]

Hyper g 1,25 at 48-50 lbs in a Blade is perfect 👌

[@liverbird66]

Hyper G 1.15 is where it’s at don’t last as long but feel great when they are good with no pain

[@erikstam1]

⁠​⁠@@liverbird66I don’t disagree. I’ve even played with the 1.10 version but it broke almost straight away.

[@0clouds0]

Alright Nick. You are right about stiff racquets with low tension. (And foam filled). I picked up a Technifibre Tempo 298 Iga for $99!! Strung it with Razor soft at 45 lb (on sale too). Finally found a good marriage of my 2 previous racquets ( prince Graphite 2 midplus and Prince Thunderstick). The Tempo 298 is very responsive, has feel but well dampened.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙌

[@jameszhang3672]

I feel as my level went up, i can handle higher tension better. When I just started, 52lbs felt like rock and hurt my arm, but that was mostly because I was muscling the racquet and often didn't make clean contacts. Now, years later with better techniques, 54-55 feels awesome.

[@BurnsTennis]

I am using Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour + Xcel strings on my racquets since 2008. Before that I used Technifibre which I didn't like much. My racquets weigh 12 ounces strung (340 grams) and I string between 54 and 56 pounds tension. I perform certain excercises to help me and have no arm or shoulder problems since 2010.

[@tomathome77]

Great video! Thank you!

[@IntuitiveTennis]

🙏

[@1114gabby]

I agree with him regarding the racket weight on the backhand. The heavier racket definitely feels better on the one hander. It's physics. Weight plus speed....

[@greg5892]

I think you mean mass * acceleration ;)

[@ekaanshikapoor9313]

I agree with the coach, Nick. Wilson’s I can play with but yonex being a brilliant racquet, just can’t play with it. Wilson hyper hammer 5.3 is my favourite. Second favourite is Wilson pro staff.

[@Kureransu]

current using the yonex percept 97h with a full bed of restring zero strung at 45lbs. I love it.

[@fiat_hater7761]

I have the Hyper Pro Staff 6.0 95 Tour (not the 6.1 version but the very rare european model and I love this frame and the old school color scheme!) with a full poly bed strung at 45LBS ... like butter!

[@thomaswilkinson4027]

Luxilon poly at 45 for me - could I go even lower though...? Also recently went lighter from a 305g to a 290g - not planning on going back. So maneuverable! Just listen to Nick.

[@Biff420NoScope]

Back in the 90‘s everyone around me used Prince Nylon for strings. 1,38 mm, relatively durable, low price. Still too much monthly cost for me so I bought a cheap stringing machine and switched to Toa Leoina 66 (1,4 mm), which felt a bit better and was cheap as well. Today I can afford any kind of strings in unlimited quantities but somehow my game now sucks in comparison 😂 My 2 cents: get a decent poly string, maybe try out different products and tensions and when you found a setup that works for you, just stick to that. If your game is lacking, no string on the planet can fix that.

[@TheBronzika]

I think I had the same path as Shamir. I play with heavier racket and enjoy that. I did try lighter rackets but they didn't feel stable and comfortable. I also started with higher tension and as my technique got better I started dropping the string tension and ended up at 23.5/22kg. Shamir has much better technique than I do so I do understand him lowering the tension. Technique makes you more sure in your shots and lower tension makes the racket more comfortable and powerful and makes the sweet spot a little bit bigger.

[@francotarantino2679]

i started stinging at 55lbs. now im using 49lbs. watching this makes wanna try 45lbs

[@kneeslider9342]

It's all about control !

[@jupiter7x7]

That beautiful tennis court ruined with lines for pickleball. What a shame.

[@Thetiersofmadness]

Amen

[@reuelray]

Yeesss..👍👍

[@machinarum]

Agreed! They give me headaches! Hate them so badly!

[@alexanderhemming9148]

Sharing is caring

[@Thetiersofmadness]

@@alexanderhemming9148 someone find me a guillotine (lol)

[@knotwilg3596]

Force = mass x acceleration. The Newton vibes are strong in this video.

[@CH-yp5by]

35lbs for Luxion 4G would be hard to control the ball, you also need to take into account the initial stretch period which happens mostly in the first few hours of play. Luckily for 4G this string holds its tension the best because its probably the most stiff sting int the market, having this strung at 45lbs M/ 42lbs C would be perfect because after a few hours will settle and lose a couple of pounds.

[@cekinekshn]

19kg on all my rackets (pure aero 22, tempo 298, speed mp legend)

[@sandelsson7]

I’m a pretty big hitter and was thinking of switching to a multifilament from poly. I had Solico Confidental on my Wilson 100 v8 at 25kg and I felt like I had to swing too hard with my one handed backhand. Would Wilson sensation at 24kg do the job or should I just stick with a poly and drop the tension to 21-22kg?

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Try dropping tension first

[@sandelsson7]

@@IntuitiveTennis ok, thanks!

[@theeggrollrapper]

Fantastic recommendation to go lower. Now if he would only take the second great advice and at least try to regular Percept 97 in the mid 40’s. Once he got used to the swing weight I feel like his overall game would improve. A little lead at 3 and 9 if more stability is needed. Also: “Was that the 80’s?…. 90’s?” 😅

[@SpudicusMaximus]

Is the string you are talking about the Luxilon 4G?

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Yes

[@mohongzhi]

Last month i still think 45 is the sweet spot and then i force myself just strung at 40 it's so amazing. Now trying to reduced to 37 for next week and than 35. Hope i can still handle 35. One thing is I do only belive only PE strings are good for low tension. Not sync and multi.

[@Revjonbeadle]

Nic is great coach. Love these videos.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

I appreciate that!

[@rodrigomartindelcampo9534]

This one definitely needs a follow up as I am also pretty scared to go to a lower tension and hate to see my strings all moved after play

[@jackerylel]

I went lower in tension and noticed the strings move less between points. Dunno why

[@IntuitiveTennis]

It depends on the the string. Some will move more at low tensions, especially syn gut and some multis, even some polys. 4g does not

[@MyLifeFrAiurGaming]

nice video as always, but i couldn't figure out who was talking to shameer the whole video

[@RNOlu88]

Go low!! Greatest change I've made at 45x43

[@Justin-r7u2p]

I feel like Shamir improved very quickly

[@user-jb2vo6qi4h]

40 is the new 50. Shamir try Head Lynx Tour at 47lbs

[@dharmaboy75]

Shamir should go to the Percept 100D with some lead at 3 and 9. Made a massive difference for me and my 1HBH.

[@davidhale8034]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@caioscofield]

I'm going tighter with my gravity pro. just moved from 50 to 55, much better control.

[@harterjay]

I currently play with Gamma professional. I’m struggling with some tennis elbow issues. Not sure if it’s due to the string in the tension (52 lbs). What string would you recommend?

[@jadawin1137]

Am I wrong to assume that low tension will make the strings start to move after every shot even faster? That's usually the trigger for me to have a racket re-strung. I don't want to have to adjust my strings after every shot, and I don't want to have to re-string rackets after less than a month or so, that's just too expensive. So I go for higher tensions just to avoid that moving-strings problem for a longer time.

[@nznige]

is a lower tension going to help generate power against low power hitters?

[@IntuitiveTennis]

It can help

[@ForefrontTennis]

now that's a nice court.

[@sebastiandomagala9233]

The tension you get from the machine isn't the tension you play with anyway. First lb is lost overnight. And when it breaks you barely have 70% left of what you strung it.

[@chrislin2774]

I want to say here. If you have a staggered string tension, one tighter than the other, you are shortening the life of the racquet frame. You are also, over time, changing the shape of the hoop and sweetspot. It's very subtle. But can be noticeable when striking the ball. It will depends on how often you re-string your racquet.

[@proshepherd]

If it's only 1kg difference or about 2 lbs difference, or shouldn't really be an issue

[@anotherfakepresident8432]

If you play with low, 35-40lb tension like me, it does not stress the frame as much.

[@bhuvneshaiims]

@nick- what’s the co-poly or multi string that’s closest to natural gut for feel. I’m a 4.0 and for me the feel is the most important factor. Any specific suggestions ?

[@rajavidhun]

Force = Mass x Acceleration so 100 g racket you would need ot accelerate 5 times faster than a 500g racket in your example :)

[@casperharmer2599]

Hi Nick is Luxilon ALU Power Rough respone well with high or low string tension?

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Low

[@PD-nz5rk]

Personally I think his racquet and string choice are both wrong for his skill level and type of game. I bet if he switched to a Ezone 98 and hybrid string set up, his game would improve. But everyone has their preferences.

[@davidhale8034]

😂😂😂

[@tamasajtony9855]

Bab hurricane pro 39lbs it s great i cannot play with higher temsions any more.

[@八極麻花捲]

54lb with alu 125/130, no issues. Technics matters. Age 60++

[@thefridgeman]

60 lb poly tour rev or alupower in a 18x20, no problems despite hitting hard up to 12 hrs a week.

[@Bambotb]

What percept are those please

[@FYProduction]

I'm playing with Völkl Cyclone 16 at 48/45lb, but I can lower it to 30/28 if needed (once due to wrist injury) but that ping/buzzing sound is annoying to me and my opponent. I can't play with 17 because it gives me less feel. Strange that I feel looser tension gives me less power since I feel that the ball pockets too much so I unconsciously try to push the ball out of the string bed. Whereas tighter tension gives me more pop so I feel relaxed to shape the ball flight more.

[@jimj7333]

Can someone please post the link to a short where Nikola is getting smoked by serves and he decides to take his own advice and ramp up more intensity and starts returning? I need that link. Thanks

[@IntuitiveTennis]

kzbin.infopVRo4bCQhDg?si=XYTDXiva9TgJHWlR

[@jimj7333]

Thank you! I just found it. I was in a funk for the last three weeks due to work and burn out. Had a few weeks off and my first ever USTA match is Sunday morning. I went to a drill today and needed to ramp up my intensity to get ready and I remembered that IG short and I decided to bring it hard from the first ball. Worked great and I played great and kicked a…. Tennis can be so damn mental . thanks for all your posts and teaching.

[@IntuitiveTennis]

@@jimj7333🔥

[@jayp123]

I always go with luxilon alu power at 50lbs. I feel like going lower loses a lot of control

[@tatsf226]

15l cyclone 65lbs on head 102 team radical 18x19, still too bouncy, too much trampoline effects, compare to my head prestige mid

[@wildflower7574]

Karue strings at 60lbs. Crazy!!

[@TtownLarry]

What string???? Kirschbaum what??? Thanks

[@IntuitiveTennis]

Kirschbaum Super Smash

[@webbezzy]

Low is the new high!

[@gab_ale]

I have tried lower tensions, and I just can't control the ball. I hit quite flat and the ball just sails on me. Most polys I have to string over 55lb.

[@kevinle5460]

I dropped to 38/36 and not looking back

[@QawiemJamil]

I tried low tension just a few months ago and I never looked back. I think it should be part of everyone's tennis journey! It's analogous to the racket weight journey where you start with a light racket as a platform to work on your technique so that you can generate your own power. Then you move to heavier ones to allow the racket to help you more with power and stability, so that you don't have to generate it all by yourself. With good technique, It becomes controllable power. With strings, you might start at a high-ish tension, where you have to generate your own power but once you have refined your technique, and you know the string well enough, go lower in tension. With good technique, it can provide you with even more power (and comfort!). The feel is great especially on stiff, shaped, and rough strings. So much pocketing and grab on the ball. It really does feel like you can manipulate the ball to your liking. Generally speaking, solinco polys feel great at 40lbs and it stays playable for even longer!

[@euroclyde]

full poly strings at 39 mains and 43 crosses. go low. swing hard and let the strings do the work. f=ma

[@MrJonOnTheRoad]

Did he say he was doing 4G at 55? On a percept. Goodness gracious.

[@patrickrogersiegismund2785]

Shamir going "Mannarino" 😂

[@julioo534]

Why a lot of tennis players have tennis elbow, wrist or back problems?

[@rbarreira2]

Various reasons, one of them is people think they can go from doing no exercise to going wild on a tennis court without any time to get used to exercise.

[@CH-yp5by]

Having a tennis racquet strung at a high tension with poly strings, especially a stiff racquet. Also, poor tecnique and playing to often!

[@thefridgeman]

@@CH-yp5by just poor technique.

[@proshepherd]

Technique usually

[@dustyroot4708]

Most rec players would have no problem playing with poly strung in the 30’s. I think it’s more of an ego thing. Yes, pros tend to hover around the 52 pound range, but most people don’t understand just how far they are away from playing at that professional level. Time for them to revisit your skill level pyramid video. 😉

[@marcomonti9823]

For most of the player there is no reason to string higher than 45. Some players prefer the "rock solid" sensation, but the arm always suffer from it in the middle age....better the raquet do the work for you, and if you sometimes will lose some balls off the court, it will be a good price to pay to stay healthy.

[@topbanana3413]

I am at 26 pounds.

[@MingTheAce]

Natural gut lasts longer and retains tension better than poly...

[@eincan1313]

Not necessarily, depends on the player. I played a gut/poly hybrid for awhile and I could never get the gut main to last more than 6 hours before snapping. Poly for me last 5-6, but is drastically cheaper. Gut does hold tension better for sure.

[@MingTheAce]

@@eincan1313 I went thicker on gut on the main, 16G and 18G round poly cross. My last 2 rackets lasted me 10 months and I still didn’t break it. Is your poly shaped?

[@eincan1313]

@@MingTheAce 15g VS or Lux gut and a 1.25 smooth poly cross usually 4G Soft or Max Power. 10 months! That is crazy long. I snap 15g gut in 6. Used a multi once and got 45 minutes to and hour, Consider yourself lucky you are not a string breaker, it sucks.

[@stimsingh9361]

Sinner strings at 58lbs... lower isn't better.

[@caioprudente3279]

we ain't sinner

[@stimsingh9361]

@@caioprudente3279 true, neither joker (57lbs), roger (57lbs), murry (58lbs) ... the goats string tight.

[@petrinupponen8595]

@@stimsingh9361 Sinner uses Head Hawk Touch. Which is soft poly, loses tension really quick. And those goats, all use hybrids whit gut. I dont think even they, want to try 4G at tension. 😅

[@edmondakong]

You’re comparing Sinner to Shamir 😂

[@stimsingh9361]

@@edmondakong Shamir is clean...

[@Doty6String]

4g is sooooo dead

[@criktun3346]

Nik upload this on the 2nd channel maybe, it might hurt your view count on the main channel IMO, i liked it though obviously lol

[@tennisgolf-iu5pf]

Alu power has more power than 4g? I’ve heard enough here.

[@coilinnunan4058]

When talking about 4g he said "I'm not saying it's as low power as ALU power". So he is saying that 4g has more power than ALU power.

[@proshepherd]

Tennisgolf is saying that this is BS. And he's right. Alu power is not low powered and 4G has less power than ALU power.

[@proshepherd]

​@@coilinnunan4058to add.. 4g has better string stability, control, and holds tension better but Alu Power is better at just about everything else. 4g is basically designed to be put in the crosses with Gut in the mains.

[@tennisgolf-iu5pf]

@@coilinnunan4058 I am aware of what he said, and frankly it's utter BS.

[@27blanx]

57lbs, full poly. 13.1oz racquet. Be a man.

[@DeltoidBeast]

I disagree, looser is not the way to go. Good technique with crushing shots asks for higher tension even with polyester strings. Sinner is the best example. I tried playing with 22 kg and could not shape the ball properly, too many outs. Player must create power on the shots, technique, that is the point. I string on 26-25kg even with 18-20 string pattern.

[@miguelbarahona6636]

I disagree with you. Some pros 😮(Sock, Hewitt, Mannarino) use less than 30 lbs. They know how to shape the ball, for sure.

[@TheBlessedLion]

…the recommends are for 4G…you talk about 4G..?

[@DeltoidBeast]

@@miguelbarahona6636 What a nonsense! Djokovic, Federer, Nadal, Wawrinka, Sinner, Alcaraz, all use higher tension. These players are best ball strikers. Hewitt and Manarino cant beat anyone on clay, you should wonder why. Sock is very specific player with very strong and fast arm. He has very spiny forehand with his western grip. I miss him on the tour, but his preferences should not be example for anyone. Manarino's and Hewitt's as well.

[@DeltoidBeast]

@@TheBlessedLion No. I play currently wity solinco confidentional, but played with many other poly too, and tried them all on lower and higher tension. Higher tension wins all the time. I never played with 4G before, but I know it is string which holds tension well, so that one should not be exception. My point is that best technique for hitting hard asks for higher tension. If you try to crush the ball with lower tension it sails long. I am well aware that many pro players use lower tension, but reason behind this is their poor technique, Tiafoe for example. They simply do not have that the most ellitte technique for crushing the ball hard and they can get away with it.

[@TheBlessedLion]

@@DeltoidBeast …is Shamir a pro as the guys you mentioned…? Bro, a 4G with 48pounds on a 320 Yonex is tough for a hobby-player…

[@avalanchecreative]

Metric system FTW ❤ plz include KG for the rest of us! 🫶🏻