Wouldn’t it be great if we could just level up our tennis game when we wanted too? Unfortunately, we all have to go through this steep learning curve. Some might progress faster, some might progress slower, but we all have to face it. We start as a beginner and through the efforts of hard work, we progress. However, not many players are aware that our racket setup needs to progress too.
It can actually be very beneficial to equip your racket with the right parts, at the right level of play. But how do you know? Well, first off, reading this blog can get you a step further. As your game evaluates, most noticeably your footwork and stroke preparation, your knowledge and your technique allow you to hit with more weight and less of a racket head. This, in effect, means hitting with more mass and less control. As a final step, you’d need to equip your frame with the right string too.
As an intermediate player, chances are that you are hitting more rpm’s on the ball than before, thus increasing your spin game. Therefore, intermediate tennis players, can best look for strings that focus on control and spin. The control that they provide can help you put in even more steady groundstrokes with margin and the durability of them will allow for playing with enough spin. Also notice that while you might have sacrificed control from your racket frame, you choose to compensate that with your string selection. Remember, choosing the best racket sports gear is a game of trade offs and dealing with them in a smart manner…
In a hurry? Here are our top 3 picks:
Logically, manufacturers produce a wide range of strings suited for intermediate players. Choosing the right one can be a hassle. Therefore, we have created a shortlist that will help narrow it down for you.
1. Babolat RPM Blast
Not surprisingly, this Babolat RPM Blast is one of the best selling strings for intermediate players in my tennis shop. This is one of the best strings to give you that blend of the spin potential and control. Definitely a great option for counter punchers too. I read a review on this string, saying that the string is ‘underpowered’. While to my opinion that is definitely not the case, I can see where this might be coming from. As with all polyester strings, a lot of the power has to come from you, the tennis player. This applies to all poly strings, a clear tradeoff while opting for control and durability.
So, all in all, a true players string that can aid in your quest for spin and control. Just remember you’re sacrificing on power and comfort.
Things we like
- Available in a variety of gauges, like 1.20mm, 1.25mm and 1.30mm.
- Great performance on spin, control and reasonable durabilty
- Great price/performance ratio
2. Wilson Luxilon Alu Power 125
One of the rare breeds out there is the Luxilon Alu Power. You could consider it as the perfect blend of poly. If factors in power, comfort, control and spin. This all has to do with the structure of tennis strings, a secret recipe that only Luxilon is known for producing.
This string is actually made with the use of aluminium fibers, which help to give it a excellent durability.
Things we like:
- Maximum flexibility and ‘ball pocketing’ for a polyester string
- A variety of gauges available but you might want to stick to the (original) 1.25mm
- Great durability
3. Solinco Tour Bite
One relatively new name on the market is the Solinco Tour Bite, that we have been selling a bit more lately in the shop. I’ve been able to take a swing at it with the Head Speed MP and found it to be a great addition to our product range. It is the one string in our top three list that features an edged shape, more specifically a triangular shape. While the jury is still out on the effects of these shapes and textures on actual spin potential, I must say that I liked the grip I had on the ball with this one. However, because my racket was a bit too light for me, I didn’t get the chance to test it in an intense rally.
Things we like:
- Grip and feel on the ball (making it a good option for someone who’s looking to knife slice those backhands)
- Stiffer feeling for good ball placement (however, a bit tough on the arm maybe)
- Overall durability
Frequently asked questions about tennis strings for intermediate players
Tennis strings are definitely not a one-size-fits-all solution. You’ll have to be prepared to do some proper research upfront, but also willing to do the leg work of testing and experimenting. Consider it part of the game. However, there are some frequently asked questions I might be able to help you with.
What is the best tension for intermediate players?
Difficult to say and I’m afraid again I have to disappoint you that there is no quick answer to this question. However, as my customer base is probably filled for the majority with intermediate players, chances are you could benefit from their findings too. We keep track of all the desired tensions in the shop and our current customer average (please note: on all of our tennis strings) is set to 24 kilograms. Anything up and above that, you could consider higher tensioned and anything below that, naturally, lower tensioned. The benefit of tensioning higher being, of course, more ready for control oriented type of play, like long rallies at higher speeds and forces. The benefit of tensioning lower would be to get some more ‘free’ pop or power on the ball. However, this effect has been researched and test results have shown these effect to be somewhat more limited than the results you get when stringing for control. Intermediate players will benefit from sticking more or less to the average mentioned above, which should result in a good blend of power and control.
What gauge of tennis string is best for intermediate players?
Again, difficult to say, but I would stick the average here too. From our customer base, we know this to be around 1.25mm. You could definitly choose to deviate from this average, for example, when you have a smaller head size with a tigher string pattern, which allows you to go for a thinner gauge. The other way around is probably advised too.
