You don’t see as many strings released in a year as the number of racquets. What is your favorite string in 2020?
I tested a bunch of interesting strings in 2020. It will be hard to choose my favorite, but two I keep coming back to, which is a good sign! What is your favorite string in 2020? Please comment below. If you haven’t tried any new ones, I am keen to hear your top string in general.
Strings on the list
Yonex Poly Tour Rev (review to come)
I like softer yet more control-oriented polys generally, but it has been fun and interesting to try innovative strings like Triax and String Project Magic. They kind of land in between polys and multifilament, much like Luxilon Smart did when they launched it in 2019.
I am becoming increasingly picky with the string bed’s feel from what I want to play with myself, but I try always to list the pros and cons of all the products I test. Feel, and performance is subjective and depends on your game and your preferences. Yes, there might be poorly made strings and racquets out there or something that doesn’t live up to the previous generation, but some players enjoy stiff/crisp/muted/dampened/plush/flexible. The spectrum is quite broad. What most players won’t enjoy are things of low quality and high cost.
What are you looking for in a string?
I am keen to hear what you are looking for in your string of choice. My favorite strings give me an extra bite on the ball, so I can swing out with confidence but are soft enough not to hurt my arm. I’m not too fond of strings that feel too soft, lively, or mushy. And I’m generally not a fan of “power” in a string. Although in a hybrid with a control string, a power string can be a perfect addition.
So let me know what is your favorite string of 2020 or just in general. I’m keen to hear your thoughts and opinions.Â
Merry Christmas everyone!
13 comments
Polylon 16g by Gosen (made in Japan)
I have been playing with it for 12 years.
Solinco CONFIDENTIAL!
Development samples have been around but i think it launched in 2020
I keep coming back to Cyclone tour 17.
I tried many strings this year, RPM power came second (blue color)
I’m falling in love with gut again ( mains vs 17/cyc tour 17)
Solinco Confidential!
BABOLAT RPM POWER 1.25 for sure!!!!!
I really liked Solinco Confidential for the combination of consistency, control and spin, but I think it works better in tighter string patterns. I had durability issues in a PCG100 or Angell TC100, which both have very open string patterns.
I’ve been looking to slightly soften my string bed, which is full bed of Volkl Cyclone Black 1.25 @ 50lbs. Every hybrid I have tried has changed the feel too much but now I’m set on Solinco Hyper-g soft 1.20 mains and Volkl Cyclone 1.25 crosses. It’s perfect with slightly less spin but arm friendly enough for me.
I generally like dead-feeling low-powered spin-friendly strings. I don’t really like lively strings, I find Luxilon strings generally too lively.
Weiss Cannon Ultra Cable, amazing string and it replaced Volkl Cyclone 17g for me.
Your question is what do I look for in a string. The answer for me is “consistent playability”. While natural gut probably ranks highest in this regard, I’ve just started using Ashaway Crossfire ZX. With good pre-stretch, it lasts me over a month.
I’ve given up on poly because it just feels different too often. If anyone wishes to suggest a poly that’ll last longer than 20 hours and feels the same time after time, let me know.
Unfortunately I have not tried any strings on the list above this year.
A string that I tried a few years ago and contrary to most opinion did not really like [in a different frame] was Hyper-G, but I decided to try it again in 18 gauge (1.15mm). To my surprise I quite liked it – not too powerful, not too stiff, great feel and tension stability. Obviously I am not a string breaker or it would not last 10 minutes. Afterwards I learned that the Bryan Bros are using it too (rare to see pros using so thin a string) so I am not the only one.
Another string from years past that I did like and used again this year was Yonex Poly Tour Spin, now available in 1.20mm. Though it is fairly stiff and low power it has somehow [so far] not hurt my arm, and it offers excellent control and spin, and a consistent response through time. I think that there is more to arm friendliness than stiffness, but I cannot put my finger on what it is.
In my queue to try next year are Hyper-G soft, Confidential, Ice Code, V-Square and Poly Tour Strike.
Over the years my preference has shifted towards good feel and lower powered strings so that I can have a fuller swing and keep the ball in. On my groundstrokes I do not hit with as much spin as I’d like and a round string works ok, but shaped strings’ spin does help me bring the ball down into the box on serves so I tend towards those. I also pay attention to tension loss (eg. in the TW string database) to avoid having to restring too often.
Head Lynx Tour is my favorite out of the list. After Lockdown will try Solinco Hyper G soft, let’s see.
Next in the queue is Yonex Poly Tour Rev and Babolat RMP Power.
Hi!I am sorry about my english!
I am using msv hepta tuisted 1.25,for a long time.
I am a stringer and i play tennis,middle level.I have a babolar pure stike 16/19, 305gr and the tension is 21 kilos.
My favorite string,and value for money.
Best regards!
I’ve tried so many strings: Luxilon Alu Rouch, Wilson Champion’s Choice, Babolat RPM Blast, Volkl Cyclone, Technifibre Multifilament, etc. But the best I’ve ever used is the Yonex Polytour Pro 17 ga. It makes my Wilson Clash 100 sing! I have excellent feel, power, and the spin! OMG! My drop shots are fantastic, my topspins are out of this world.