STRING SELECTOR 2020 GUIDE

Whether you carry a hundred different or just 10, you want to be sure that your string inventory has variety.

racquet stringers and technicians, it’s hard to keep up with what is new, and what old standards are still relevant. But the USRSA’s online String Selector Tool, available to USRSA members at the RacquetTech.com website, makes everything easier to sort out, allowing you to compare all the strings EQUIPMENT currently available, so you can provide the best advice possible to your players. Having access to the lab statistics in our String Selector Tool will help you sort through the myriad String Players choices and offer an apples to apples comparison, so you can choose the With more than 1,000 strings inventory that works best for your business. The goal is to provide your in its database, the USRSA presents customers with a solid variety of products that can meet their needs the newest strings and specs. and help them play their best. The lab test numbers for each By Bob Patterson string will give you and your Chart compiled by David Bone customer a good indication of what a new string has to offer, and will help to eliminate having several strings in your inventory that may be too similar to each other. Whether you We often use the analogy of the string itself is, of course, a vital carry a hundred different strings or comparing a racquet to a car, with the component. just 10, you want to be sure that your strings being the racquet’s “engine.” Today’s strings continue to evolve, string inventory has variety, so you While there is a lot of technology as manufacturers tweak and innovate can meet the needs of a variety of and ingenuity in racquet design, if it with new designs, materials and players and playing styles. doesn’t have strings, it is useless. processes to provide an array of The chart the following three Going back almost 40 years, a strings to meet the varying needs of all pages nearly 200 strings that are familiar USRSA motto still rings true: players. The sheer number of strings either new to the market or new to A racquet will only play as well as it is can be overwhelming, even to the most our database. The complete database strung. While many things contribute knowledgeable racquet technician. of more than 1,000 strings is available to providing a well-strung racquet, We have more than 1,000 strings to USRSA members at RacquetTech.

such as expertise and equipment, in the current USRSA database. For com. We suggest reviewing both. • SHUTTERSTOCK

32 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com 2020 STRING SELECTOR: NEWEST STRINGS IN THE USRSA DATABASE

Brand String Name / Gauge Material Nominal Diameter Stiffness (lbs.) Tension loss (lbs.)

1 - Alpha MXT 15L Synthetic Gut Nylon 1.35 238 12.52 2 - RPM Power 17 Polyester 1.25 268 14.44 3 - Clarke Distributing Poly Power Pro 17 Polyester 1.25 277 16.23 Power Feel 16 Nylon & Polyamide 1.30 169 12.61 Synthetic Gut 16 Polyamide 1.30 212 12.21 4 - Diadem Evolution 15L Polyamide 1.35 227 12.64 Evolution 17 Polyamide 1.25 204 13.16 Solstice Power 15L Polyester 1.35 323 15.92 Solstice Power 16L Polyester 1.25 283 13.56 5 - Dunlop Comfort Pro 16 Nylon 1.34 164 10.30 Comfort Pro 17 Nylon 1.28 157 9.28 Explosive Red 16 Polyester 1.30 202 14.95 Explosive Red 17 Polyester 1.25 193 16.39 Explosive Spin 16 Polyester 1.30 315 11.25 Explosive Spin 17 Polyester 1.25 329 11.95 Silk Pro 16 Nylon 1.32 145 10.92 Silk Pro 17 Nylon 1.27 138 11.36 Silk Spin 16 Nylon 1.34 187 11.11 Silk Spin 17 Nylon 1.28 197 12.06 6 - Forten Competition Nylon 16 Nylon 1.30 269 12.64 7- Gamma TNT2 Fat Core XL 16 Nylon 1.32 225 11.82 TNT2 Fat Core XL 17 Nylon 1.27 217 10.52 8 - Genesis Hexonic Power 16L Polyester 1.27 313 15.77 Hexonic Power 17L Polyester 1.23 290 14.84 Hexonic Power 18 Polyester 1.18 278 14.95 Spyder Super 8 by H.H. 16 Polyester 1.30 283 17.01 White Magic 16 Polyester 1.30 278 15.37 White Magic 17 Polyester 1.25 277 14.84 Zero Gravity Synthetic Gut 16 Nylon 1.30 220 10.78 9 - Gosen G Spin 3 17 Polyester 1.23 244 17.53 G Tour 3 16L Polyester 1.28 269 15.67 Polylon 18 Polyester 1.20 275 18.12 10 - Hawk Touch 16 Polyester 1.30 301 14.16 Hawk Touch 18 Polyester 1.20 272 15.41 Hawk Touch 19 Polyester 1.15 248 15.81 Lynx Tour 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 314 14.62 Lynx Tour 17 Co-Polyester 1.25 299 15.08 11 - Kirschbaum Xplosive Speed 1.20 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 175 17.79 Xplosive Speed 1.25 17 Co-Polyester 1.25 221 19.36 Xplosive Speed 1.30 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 206 18.74 12 - Klip Legend 15 Natural Gut 1.40 131 8.03 Legend 15L Natural Gut 1.35 124 7.40 Legend 17 Uncoated Natural Gut 1.25 109 7.08 Legend 18 Natural Gut 1.20 107 7.05 Legend Tour 16 Natural Gut 1.30 128 7.54 Legend Tour 17 Natural Gut 1.25 115 7.80 13 - Laserfibre Edge 16 Co-Polyester 1.29 174 20.71 JB Tour 16 Co-Polyester NA NA NA JB Tour 17 Co-Polyester NA NA NA Laser 1200 16 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.30 139 18.06 Laser Edge 17 Co-Polyester 1.24 180 19.82 Laser Rev 16 Co-Polyester NA NA NA Laser Smooth 16 Co-Polyester 1.28 189 21.54 Laser Smooth 17 Co-Polyester NA NA NA Native Tour 17 Co-Polyester 1.25 177 28.07 Supreme 2.0 17 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.25 142 15.97 14 - Luxilon Element 130 Rough 16 Polyester NA NA NA 15 - Mayami Big Spin 1.25 Polyester 1.25 247 17.18 Hepta Power 1.24 Polyester 1.24 268 14.53 Hit Pro 1.25 Polyester 1.25 257 21.90 "Na" denotes that we did not receive the string in time for testing for publication; however, new strings are added to the usrsa database at racquettech.com as soon as we receive them. as soon we receive database at racquettech.com are added to the usrsa new strings for publication; however, in time for testing the string receive that we did not "Na" denotes

www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com March 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 33 2020 STRING SELECTOR: NEWEST STRINGS IN THE USRSA DATABASE

Brand String Name / Gauge Material Nominal Diameter Stiffness (lbs.) Tension loss (lbs.)

Hit Pro 1.30 Polyester 1.30 269 23.50 Magic Twist 1.25 Polyester 1.25 259 16.92 Tour Hex 1.23 Polyester 1.23 290 14.93 16 - MSV Co Ultra 16 Polyester 1.30 282 15.31 Co Ultra 16L Polyester 1.25 266 17.07 Co Ultra 17 Polyester 1.20 237 18.66 Multi Q10 16 Polyamide 1.30 181 12.00 PolyNyKing 16 Polyester & Polyamide 1.30 193 11.16 PolyNyKing 16L Polyester & Polyamide 1.25 186 11.14 Spin Plus 16 Polyamide 1.30 220 12.88 Tecnora 100 19 Aramid 1.10 408 14.18 Titanium 16 Polyamide 1.30 221 13.78 17 - Pacific ChampTour 1.25 16L Polyester 1.25 295 16.01 Classic Gut 15L Natural Gut 1.35 170 8.95 FTX 1.28 16L Nylon & Polyamide 1.28 211 11.88 NXS Supreme 1.23 17 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.23 195 11.34 NXS Supreme 1.33 16 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.33 204 12.22 Powercraft 1.20 17 Kevlar-Aramid 1.20 426 12.41 Powercraft 1.30 16 Kevlar-Aramid 1.30 435 12.46 Prime Gut 15L Natural Gut 1.35 115 8.51 Spin 6 Power 1.32 16 Nylon 1.32 216 13.85 SPX 1.28 16L Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.28 205 13.51 SPX 1.33 16 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.33 223 12.52 18- Polyfibre Black Venom 1.15 Polyester 1.15 251 22.29 Black Venom 1.20 Polyester 1.20 246 22.54 Black Venom Rough 1.30 Polyester 1.30 247 24.63 Evolution 1.20 Polyester 1.20 278 23.09 Evolution 1.25 Polyester 1.25 272 24.57 Evolution 1.30 Polyester 1.30 276 25.71 Hexablade 1.20 Polyester 1.20 266 24.10 Hightec Premium 1.15 Polyester 1.15 248 21.32 Viper 1.15 Polyester 1.15 253 21.08 19 - Prince Perfection 16 Nylon 1.30 152 18.50 Perfection 17 Nylon 1.25 147 17.59 Tour XR 16 Polyester 1.30 304 21.30 Tour XR 17 Polyester 1.25 293 19.34 Vortex 18 Polyester 1.20 270 19.07 Vortex Triad 16 Polyester 1.30 291 19.07 Vortex Triad 17 Polyester 1.25 302 16.00 20 - Robin Soderling RS Lyon 120 17L Polyester 1.20 187 16.78 RS Lyon 125 17 Polyester 1.25 210 17.57 RS New York Multifilament 16 Nylon 1.30 152 12.24 RS Paris Octagon 17 Polyester 1.25 222 12.30 21 - Signum Pro Fibercore 1.30 16 Polyurethane 1.30 182 12.55 Outbreak 1.30 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 252 18.46 Plasma Hextreme 1.20 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 260 16.27 Plasma Hextreme Pure 1.20 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 259 17.27 Plasma Mega Force 1.19 18 Co-Polyester 1.19 275 17.13 Plasma Mega Force 1.24 17 Co-Polyester 1.24 280 16.74 Plasma Mega Force 1.29 16 Co-Polyester 1.29 286 15.35 Plasma Mega Force 1.34 15 Co-Polyester 1.34 310 10.18 Tornado 1.29 16 Co-Polyester 1.29 270 18.22 Triton 1.18 18 Co-Polyester 1.18 223 22.56 X Perience 1.18 18 Co-Polyester 1.18 240 18.92 X Perience 1.24 17 Co-Polyester 1.24 271 14.95 X Perience 1.30 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 279 15.04 Yellow 1.22 17 Co-Polyester 1.22 270 16.73 22 - Black Beam 15L Co-Polyester 1.35 272 16.67 23 - Solinco X Natural 16 Nylon & Polyurethane 1.30 206 13.63 24 - HDMX 15L Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.35 162 8.88 HDMX 16 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.30 150 9.26 HDMX 17 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.25 137 10.16 Ice Code 16 Polyester 1.30 225 19.23 Ice Code 17 Polyester 1.25 211 15.84 Ice Code 18 Polyester 1.20 282 17.03 Multi Feel 16 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.30 166 10.58 Multi Feel 17 Thermoplastic Polyurethane 1.25 155 10.21

34 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY March 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com Brand String Name / Gauge Material Nominal Diameter Stiffness (lbs.) Tension loss (lbs.)

25 - Tier One Sports Ghost Wire 19 Co-Polyester 1.10 146 23.77 26 - Toalson Acestar 1.20 17L/17L (Cross) Nylon 1.20 198 12.88 Acestar 1.20 17L/17L (Main) Nylon 1.20 170 14.62 Asterista 120 17L Nylon 1.20 197 14.24 Asterista 125 17 Nylon 1.25 195 12.19 Asterista 130 16 Nylon 1.30 206 12.44 Asterista Metal 125 17 Nylon 1.25 193 13.29 Asterista Metal 127 Rainbow Edition 16L Nylon 1.27 201 12.79 Asterista Metal 130 16 Nylon 1.30 203 12.96 HD Aster Poly 125 17 Co-Polyester 1.25 288 16.03 HD Aster Poly 130 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 307 14.97 Laser 125 17 Polyester 1.25 302 18.94 Laser 130 16 Polyester 1.30 306 19.55 Mugen 125 17 Nylon 1.25 198 12.92 Mugen 130 16 Nylon 1.30 202 14.58 Profocus 125 17 Co-Polyester 1.25 249 19.73 Profocus 130 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 270 18.50 Rencon Devil Spin 125 17 Polyester 1.25 263 17.13 Rencon Devil Spin 130 16 Polyester 1.30 294 14.62 Splagauge 125 17 Nylon 1.25 195 14.13 Splagauge 130 16 Nylon 1.30 202 16.51 T8 125 17 Nylon 1.25 178 18.96 T8 130 16 Nylon 1.30 192 14.11 27 - Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 204 15.12 Big Hitter Blue 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 194 18.70 Big Hitter Blue Rough 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 165 20.31 Big Hitter Deuce 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 189 20.28 Big Hitter Deuce 17 Co-Polyester 1.25 181 21.34 Big Hitter Silver 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 192 15.02 Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 216 12.63 Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour 17 Co-Polyester 1.25 198 13.41 Big Hitter Silver Rough 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 183 15.12 Big Red 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 183 13.69 Black Zone 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 198 15.94 Grit 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 287 15.39 Grit 18 Co-Polyester 1.20 136 22.95 28 - Volkl Cyclone 15L Polyester 1.35 316 13.29 Power Fiber Pro 16 Polyamide with Co-polymer coating 1.30 142 11.56 Power Fiber Pro 17 Polyamide with Co-polymer coating 1.25 136 10.60 Power Fiber Pro 18 Polyamide with Co-polymer coating 1.20 196 11.46 V Square 16 Polyester 1.30 203 19.69 V Square 17 Polyester 1.25 194 17.90 V Square 18 Polyester 1.20 184 18.17 V Square 19 Polyester 1.10 236 19.09 V Star 18 Polyester 1.20 251 20.44 V Torque Tour 16 Polyester 1.30 252 16.18 V Torque Tour 18 Polyester 1.20 233 17.62 V Torque Tour 19 Polyester 1.10 209 20.37 V Twist 16 Nylon 1.30 183 12.44 29 - Wilson NXT Soft 16 Nylon NA NA NA Revolve Twist 16 Crosslink Ester Polymer & UHMW NA NA NA Revolve Twist 17 Crosslink Ester Polymer & UHMW NA NA NA Sensation Plus 16 Nylon NA NA NA Sensation Plus 17 Nylon NA NA NA 30 - Yonex Dynawire 125 16L Nylon 1.25 151 14.37 Dynawire 130 16 Nylon 1.30 171 10.43 Polytour Air 125 16L Polyester 1.25 157 22.73 Polytour Fire 130 16 Polyester 1.30 181 21.06 PolyTour Pro 115 18 Polyester 1.15 213 24.25 Polytour Tough 125 16L Polyester 1.25 180 24.85 Rexis 125 16L Nylon 1.25 129 19.14 Rexis 130 16 Nylon 1.30 137 18.55 31 - Ytex Hexagon X 1.25 16L Co-Polyester 1.25 303 13.12 Hexagon X 1.28 16 Co-Polyester 1.28 320 12.81 Pentapower 1.28 16L Co-Polyester 1.28 278 14.99 Polyspin 16L Polyester 1.27 284 18.99 Protour 1.18 17L Co-Polyester 1.18 272 16.15 Protour 1.28 16 Co-Polyester 1.28 287 17.53 Protour 1.30 16 Co-Polyester 1.30 302 15.61 Triangle Twisted 1.28 16L Co-Polyester 1.28 259 18.17

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