Best Racquet Stringer in Atlanta...

I have to blow Eric's horn - he clearly is the most knowledgeable and best stringer/racquet technician in the area - by far....hands down. He just is! Come in to Hardcore Tennis, bring your equipment, tell him everything you have and what you want regarding your tennis game. He will give you his time and knowledge...He is available Monday - Saturday!

ALTA City Champion - James Tan

James is the "M" in Team!!! Very Cool!

Congrats to James Tan - City Champion (using Solinco Tour Bite)

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

Wilson 2012 Demo's are in at Hardcore Tennis Atlanta

Our Wilson Demo's are in. It has been a couple years since we sold Wilson - these racquets are worth noticing...The BLX Series - The Pro Staff Six.One 95 and 100...But many of our customers should get their hands on the BLX Juice 100 and the BLX Steam 100 (ladies and men)

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

Delray Beach Championship Results are in....

Okay, so we have a sale and offer $5.00 off stringing for the YEAR to anyone who guesses the winner of the Delray Beach Tournament.
This is a shame!!!
NO ONE GUESSED THE WINNERS  No One!

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.

Vantage Tennis is having a Birthday - and offering to the first 1000 customers, Bastcore Frames for $100.00
We know how awesome the frames are and feel confident in this promotion! I think they are throwing in a bag of 'goodies' too. Who knows what is in that!
The sale is international so it may not be around for long - these frames are very popular in Europe

You can demo the racquets at our Marietta store before buying. We have all three frame demo's. We have a direct line to Sven at Vantage so your order will get priority!

If you are anyone you know needs a new stick - these are incredible and very much worth consideration! We aren't making much money on this promo but feel you deserve to know when a nice deal is presented!

Polyester Tennis String - Is it for your game or not?

I think the largest improvement in tennis equipment over the past 10 years is/are strings. Higher level players have always known how important strings and stringing are. And now it looks as though the rest of the tennis playing world is catching on!

Let's start with the string type that has had the most buzz in recent years:

Polyester was once considered just a more forgiving option to kevlar strings. Dead feeling, with a slippery surface, and horrible tension maitanence, polyester strings were pretty much ignored in the US.

But now many polyester strings (co-polys) are softer, spin enhancing, and still very durable. Chronic string breakers who prefer a strings that don't feel like bricks now have many great choices.

Kirschbaum Pro Line II was one of the 1st polyester strings that provided durability, feel, and spin enhancement. " I  forgot that I was using a polyester string" is a typical comment from players using Pro Line II for the first time. A round string with a sticky, spin enhancing coating, Pro Line II is a fantasic option for a string breaker who wants more feel and power. Available in gauges 1.15, 1.20, 1.25 and 1.30.  It comes in red or  black.

Solinco Tour Bite is a  cool, silver colored, four sided string. If you're looking to add more spin to your game Tour Bite is  a must try.  It is available in 1.15, 1.20, 1.25, 1.30  gauge. Tour Bite

Gamma Zo Verve is a very unique looking , two-toned (black and red), 3 sided string.  A little on the firm side, Zo Verve is a great string for hard hitters looking for more control and spin.  It comes in 1.25 and 1.30 gauges.

Topspin Max Rotation is a black, shiny,  seven sided string. Max Rotation is great for players looking to add spin without sacrificing comfort. One of the best kept secrets on the market, Max Rotation has been a HCT fan favorite for  two years. Max Rotation comes in gauges 1.27 and 1.31.

All of these strings are excellent playing, and not so hard on the arm. But they are polyester: Tension loss can be quick and drastic! So while co-polys are excellent for spin enhancement, they do not hold tension well.

Because polyester strings are so durable, most players wait way too long before they restring. We often have customers come in and complain about shoulder, elbow, or wrist pain. This  is usually due to stiff and or dead strings. When you're ready let us pick out a good string for you!

                                                                                                                                                               TENNIS SHOULD NOT BE PLAYED IN PAIN!

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!

Hardcore Tennis Customer...

Terry Price - hits with Vantage Custom 95" 16 x 19 pattern 27 1/4 long. 11.4 oz, 9 points head-light, and he is kicking some ass with it! (seriously!)

What do the Gamecocks Tennis Team KNOW that you don't???

Yes we string and deliver supplies for the Gamescock Tennis Team!!! They knew who to come to!!! If we are good enough for this STELLAR team - are we maybe good enough for you? Contact Eric Burke at 678-768-4618

SUMMER SALE in Marietta - THIS Fri & Sat: we will string while you shop!

See you Friday or Saturday - Beverages (adult) Great Savings on everything - spread the word to your tennis friends and teammates!

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

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

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

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.