The new high-tech poly strings are all the rage on the pro tour but are they good strings for young and developing players?
Perhaps not.
Young and developing players don’t generate enough racquet head speed to stretch polyester strings. It is necessary for the strings to stretch in order for the strings to do what strings do, generate pace and spin. The stretching of the strings at ball impact allows them to “snap back” generating power and spin. The stretch of the strings also increases dwell-time of the ball on the strings to create more depth and penetration on flat strokes.
In addition to racquet head speed, racquet weight is also a factor when considering polyester strings. Young and developing players use lighter racquets and heavier racquets stretch all racquet strings more than lighter racquets. Check a racquet’s weight before installing polyester strings. An unstrung racquet should weigh at least 295 grams to use polyester strings and ideally 300 grams or more for optimal performance.
Polyester strings being more difficult to stretch can create an unacceptable level of shock on ground strokes and a less lively string bed which diminishes easy execution of touch shots. Polyester strings also lose their ability to “snap back” sooner than other strings requiring them to be replaced more frequently.
Synthetic gut from all manufactures make for fine and cost-effective string for young and developing players as well as for experienced players. Synthetic gut provides more stretch and therefore more power and less shock then polyesters strings. Multifilament strings at a higher price point are excellent strings as well. Multifilament strings have even less shock at ball impact and deliver even more power. Wilson Sensation is a soft and accurate multifilament string for all playing levels and is considered to be the best value multifilament string on the market. The higher price point multifilament strings are always excellent and include Wilson NXT, Babolat Xcel and others.
Multifilament strings offer power, comfort and ease of play for all level of players. Their ability to absorb shock will also help to alleviate elbow and joint pain in players who hit hard and to prevent injuries in younger players who are still growing.