String tension and effects on spin
I have a question on string tension that I've never been able to clarify:
For more spin on the ball, should I string with higher or lower tension? I know that lower tension will give more speed and less control, higher tension will give less speed but more control. Where does spin fit in this "system"?
Cheers,
Magnus :-)
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by akajohn on
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Less tension more spin... The problem is that as far as spin capacity is increased in the same way the power is increased but control is decreasing...
So, if you want to have a compromise take thinner gauge strings and use a higher tension... In that case thinner strings will help the spin and higher tension will give you some more control...
For me using AeroPro Drive Cortex by Babolat I think that best fit was:
Hurricane Pro Tour 18 tension 26 for mains
Xcel 17 tension 25 for crosses
Anyway I'm not a string breaker so i can benefit from this kind of setup...
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Serge T. said:Hmmm, I get much more spin with higher tensions....
finally I left my perception aside and I check the resources on Internet and finally I found this:
http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/articles/2005/01/does_higher_s...
The conclusion was:
Changing racquet tension does not affect spin, but it does affect string movement, dwell time, and ball contact distance. These latter parameters all can affect the ball trajectory as well as the player’s feel of the impact.
The main advice is that high string tensions make your shot more consistent and make it easier to hit topspin shots. If you do not like the “boardy” feel of high tension strings, then use a lower tension but remember to restring regularly to minimize the affects of undesirable string motion.
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Permalink Reply by Mark / The Mayor on
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Interesting. I feel that I can get more spin with lower tensions. It seems that the longer the ball stays on the racquet, the more time you have to brush up on it. Tighter strings may just make it feel like you are getting more spin because the ball slides across the strings. Maybe?
Serge T. said:Hmmm, I get much more spin with higher tensions....
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I was sure, according to my experience and feeling, that less tension give more spin but I was searching for proves and finally I saw that in the end the tension doesn't really impact the spin... Yes, mathematically because the balls are flying less from a high tension string-bed the average rotation is higher but in reality the balls spin the same times with high or low tension on similar hit... I usually string the racket quite high but I use thin strings to rip the ball :) So, if you have no pain in the hand just string higher for more control because the spin is the same...
Mark / Mr. Mayor said:Interesting. I feel that I can get more spin with lower tensions. It seems that the longer the ball stays on the racquet, the more time you have to brush up on it. Tighter strings may just make it feel like you are getting more spin because the ball slides across the strings. Maybe?
Serge T. said:Hmmm, I get much more spin with higher tensions....
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Permalink Reply by Jim on
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Another variable is the string... tension of poly, textured poly, natural gut and syn gut/multi are all different with respect to spin potential. An essential read is "The Physics and Technology of Tennis" (Brody, Cross, Lindsey). There is a lot more than dwell time and ball pocketing that effects spin.
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Permalink Reply by Tim Nguyen on
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I just read this article regarding spin and string movement back after impact.
http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/stringmovement.php
Worth reading to adapt your string type; I'll say that the type of string should be considered before stringing high/low tension for maximum spin.
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Permalink Reply by patrick m on
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You might be able to offset the lower string tension by choosing a very thin main string preferably 18g and possibly use a textured string such as Luxilon ALu Power rough, Babolat RPM Blast or gamma rough, etc.
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Permalink Reply by Tim Prapong on
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If you have a shearing type of spin where you do not drive into the ball as much, then it is good to have a full poly at 60-61. If you like to pocket the ball more and get spin by the ball sinking in, then string your hybrid or full multi/gut/syn gut at a lower tension, low to mid 50s. Below 50s is really too low and with tension loss, it's not going to feel good for very long.
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Permalink Reply by jazar on
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You can get more spin with both higher and lower tensions.
If you want your string to do the work for you in spin generation, go a little lower in tension. Spin is generated by the strings sliding across each other. So if you string lower the strings are able to slide across each other more and you will be able to generate more spin.
If you string higher you will be doing the work in generating spin. Higher tensions will result in less outgoing ball speed than lower tensions at an equivalent swing speed. Therefore, you swing faster to compensate for this lack of power and this greater racket head speed will result in you generating more spin.
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Yes, that is exactly my experience. I just used a Head Prestige Youtek Mid strung originally at 68 with Pro Line 2 16. I really had to swing hard to get the spin, but it was the shearing spin I mentioned.
Using a Radical Tour Zebra with Signum Pro Tornado at 58 gets that sliding/pocketing spin effect.
One feel like a sharp cut of the ball, the other feels draggy and pockety.
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I found an article titled "The new physics of Tennis' at http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/01/the-new-physics... it includes a 5 minute video discussing the idea that poly strings move when being impacted by the ball, but that is a good thing because it creates topspin, and poly strings move back into place after impact...... Very good read, check it out.
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