Leif S & Lindsay D on "Luxilon String"

For years I've been trying to get  players to understand that stiff, polyester strings are not for everyone. Read the following (condensed version)  and let me know what you think.

 

An interesting conversation took place last week during the women's year end championships in Istanbul. Leif Shiras who was ranked as high as 31 in the world, and former world #1 Lindsey Davenport, were commentating during the Serena-Azerenka match. It was brought up that Serena who had been using natural gut for years, now uses a blend of natural gut and "Luxillon." (As ususal they have no idea which particular Luxillon string Serena uses.)Tho following has been heavily edited. Lindsey:  The Luxillon gives her a little more control and spin. You lose feel and touch especially at the net but that is a lost art anyway. Leif: I do a lot of the Champions Tour events. Many of the guys are using Luxillon. Lindsey: How are their arms? Leif: Oh their arms are killing them! Leif: So you wouldn't recommend Luxillon strings for recreational players. Lindsey: Not a great idea.

Tennis Should Not be Played in Pain! Eric

Gamma Zo Tour - details you should know...

www.hardcoretennis.net

There are so many great strings on the market - I will send information on many different strings periodically. We carry a lot of great Gamma Strings at Hardcore Tennis - Here is one of them

GAMMA ZO TOUR: This string is a durable, spin-enhancing, easy on the arm string. GZT is a great choice for string breakers looking for durability and comfort. These two assets usually don't go hand in hand.
COLORS: Orange & Natural 
GAUGES: 1.25 & 1.30
Price Strung: $38.00

Hardcore Tennis Customer Speaking Out...

Eric, The hybrid setup of gut in the mains and barbed wire in the crosses is outstanding! The tension of 56/52 in my Dunlop Maxply McEnroe is giving me more angles and action on the ball, and control and placement when I need it. It still feels like gut but with a firmer spring.

Common Elbow Issues from Luxilon...Story

Eric,

Tom teaches my Men's team and I was speaking to him about tendinitis in my elbow and strings and he gave me your card and recommended I contact you.  I called your shop and they said you were out so I figured an e-mail might be easier.  Here is some background on me and my injury.  I started using Luxilon Big Banger Rough strings in 2009 and started having elbow pain last spring.  I thought I had just sprained it but it continued to get worse until I stopped playing and went to the Dr.  The Dr. found that I had tendinitis and minor arthritis so I have gone through Physical Therapy and after not playing for almost 4 months it is better but I still have pain and can't play more than a few times a week.  I am now using some Hurricane Blue strings that a tennis shop recommended as being easier on the elbow but Tom mentioned that it is still bad and I needed to change it up to something easier on the arm.  I would like to find out from you what you recommend so I can drop my rackets off and have you string them up.  I play Men's A5 and Mixed A2 and typically don't break strings but hit the ball fairly hard and play with a Head MicroGEL Radical Mid+.  Let me know if you need any other details.

Thanks for your time,

Jason

ANSWER from Eric,

Hi Jason,

Sorry about your arm.

You are correct in your thinking that your string isn't helping you. It's actually hurting you very much. Pro Hurricane is actually be stiffer than Alu Rough. Unfortunately most stores are just order takers and only sell the most popular (but not necessarily the best for you) strings and racquets. If you are not a big string breaker there is no reason for you to be using a "poly" string anyway.

Natural gut is your best option because you're not a string breaker and it holds tension much longer than ALL other types of string. We sell a huge amount of gut for this reason. You could also go with a good multifilament string but you will string it more often that gut. 

I'll be at the store Saturday after 11:00 and All day Monday.

E

University of South Carolina Men's Tennis Team

The Tennis Season is near - the guys are practicing hard. Support them this season!

You May Be a Hardcore Tennis Player If...

You are a Hardcore Tennis Player if:

You're definition of playing occassionally means you play 4-7 times a week.

Hardcore Tennis Staff - talkin string.......sorta

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6g2ThHomdM&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Important News

SAVE WATER, DRINK BEER
April 20, 2011
5 Season Brewing Westside

5 Seasons Westside
1000 Marietta St
(intersection of Howell Mill and Marietta St)
Atlanta, GA 30318
404-875-3232


It's that time again. Time to raise a glass for conservation. Time to show Alabama and Florida which state is boss. Time to thank the Georgia Conservancy for helping us conserve water so our hangovers are manageable. (Kidding. Mostly.)
It's time to mark your calendars for Generation Green's Third Annual SAVE WATER, DRINK BEER.
Where: Rooftop of 5 Seasons Brewery Westside.
When: Wednesday, April 20 | 7-10p
Why: Because beer is good. Wasting water is not.
Tickets: $10 donation (incl one drink)

Marietta Customers Speakin Out...

Eric,

I had to fill in for a match last night. Went ahead and had a bat restrung with Dunlop Hexy Fiber 16g at 58lbs(cheapest they had). It felt pretty good at that tension. I miss the spin from tour bite though. Arm is doing better, but I have reduced my schedule greatly for the next month or so. I was thinking that natty gut should feel a good bit softer than the Dunlop string and guess that natty gut at 58lbs would feel good and not be to mushy for my taste. Hopefully the gut has more spin potential than the Dunlop. I only hit at about 50%. Volleys and overheads felt good, but ground strokes had a lot less spin than usual.

What are your thoughts on gut? I have never used it before. Think 58lbs sounds about right? If you think it's good, i'll get both strung with gut. If you have different recommendation on tension, let me know.

Sorry for being a pain in the ass about this and bugging you. I don't want to make a large mistake with the string and have to redo it. I think gut will be good for the arm for a month or two before going back to tour bite. I also don't want to have to change the way I play if I don't have to, to compensate for the string or lose the performance I am used to.

After having someone else string a stick, you are truly DA MAN!!!!!!!

Thanks for everything,

Joey

Misinformation on Tennis String

I am constantly amazed by the misinformation that prevails concerning tennis racquets and tennis strings. The prevailing notion among many tennis players is that using the same equipment that tour players use, just has to make them better players. The truth is very far from that; At least for the most part.


Let's start with strings.

Tennis strings have improved tremendously over the past 10 years. For years it was virtually impossible to get good feel and durability from the same string. Now there are many strings that provide durability, comfort, and spin potential. Most of these strings are called co-poly or copolymer strings.


For years we have been hearing how most tour pros use "Big Banger" strings. And now RPM Blast is all the rage. To clarify Big Banger is a cool catch phrase that Luxillon puts some of its string packaging. Actual string names are Luxillon Alu Power or Luxillon Adrenaline.

RPM Blast is a cool looking octagonal shaped black string from Babolat. Many professional, hard hitting junior and college players like these strings for a few reasons. Because these strings are pretty firm, advanced players are able to take bigger swings and keep the ball in the court. And due to the texture and/or shape of these strings, potential for additional spin is excellent. But most of all they are extremely durable. Most tennis players including professionals cut these particular types of strings out of their racquets before they break due to tension loss.

We constantly hear how much spin and control these strings provide. But we seldom hear the negative issues associated with them. While the stiffness of these strings is a benefit for some players, it is a detriment to many more. Wrist, elbow, and shoulder pain is a constant complaint from players. And they tend to lose tension much quicker than you would expect. Especially considering what they cost.

There are many co-poly strings that are very durable and much softer than the most popular ones. Kirschbaum Pro Line 2, Poly Star Energy, Solinco Tour Bite, and Luxillon XP are all excellent co-poly strings. Cost for stringing varies from around $33.00 for Poly Star Energy to $43.00 for Luxillon XP.

We carry all of these great strings at Hardcore Tennis.

*Mention this blog and receive 5.00 of your string job!* (Does not include labor only string jobs)

Eric

Great Strings at Hardcore Tennis

Just wanted to let everyone know that we have some private label strings that are very popular in our store, and in the wholesale part of our business.

Hardcore Tennis Poly Platinum 17/1.25 is a multi filament co-poly that provides excellent durability. Due to it's great quality and low price it is very popular with academies and college teams. 30.00/7.00

Hardcore Tennis Metallix has been a best seller for the past 3 years. It is a crisp playing solid core synthetic and has a great blend of playability and durability. It comes in 16 & 17 gauge. 30.00/7.00

We also have had great success with Kirschbaum strings from Germany. They have been a leader in high quality polyester strings for over 20 years.

Kirschbaum Pro Line 2 is our best selling string. An incredible combination of durability, spin, feel, and control makes this one of the best strings I have ever played with. (I have played with a lot of strings.) Another great feature is many gauges the string comes in. With 4 gauges to choose from 1.15, 1.20, 1.25, 1.30, you can find one that is perfect for your game. 34.00/12.00

Kirschbaum Spiky Shark is an an 8 sided co-poly that plays similar to Pro Line 2 but with even more spin. It comes in 17/1.25 and 16/1.30 gauges.

NEW TENNIS PRODUCTS : New Strings

Introducing new quality tennis racquet strings available at HARDCORE TENNIS

Poly Platinum 17 High Performance Co-Ploymer String

Super strong polyester outer coating plus super strong polyester multifilament core make this a super polyester string in it's own class. Excellent durability, spin and control. For optimal performance and feel, we recommend strining this polyester string 5 to 10% lower tension than regular synthetic guts or nylons.

Hex Classic 16 & 17 High Performance Synthetic String

Provides great shock absorption and is an excellent choice for players with tennis elbow.

Don't forget we offer stringing services for : Tennis Racquets, Racquetball, Squash, Badminton Racquets.