Unscientific experiment of string tension, 25lbs vs. 30 lbs.

While this comparison is not scientific as I did not keep all variables constant, even the strings I was interested in what I found.

This review/experience needs some back-story. I was playing for my university at the Canadian University Championships and whenever Sergiy Shatenko played, a national player who was also on the Canadian Uber cup team, his shots sounded so crisp and loud. I wondered what it could be. I figured the only variable in his situation to acquire such a sound was the string tension. That's where my story unfolds.

So my go-to tension on racquets was for a racquet to set at 25 lbs. It is a tension that I have been playing with for a couple years. I like the balance between control and power. For me, it is/was a tension that made me comfortable.

To try to test my hypothesis, that string tension to a high point will noticeably change hitting sound, I strung two racqutes. I strung a Z-Force with BG 66 Ultimax to set at 25 lbs, and a Black Knight Max Force with BG 80 to set at 30 lbs. The reason for this high jump in tension was because I wanted to hear a noticeable difference of strings. I figured that even though they are different strings, I can recall from memory the sound of BG 80 at 25 lbs. Again, not very scientific!

I tried the Z-Force at 25 lbs and it gave me good control and power. The hitting sound of BG 66 Ultimax is very nice. As expected from the string.

When I tried the Max Force 930 with BG 80 at 30 lbs the hitting sound of my overhead shots was crisp. To classify the difference between BG 80 at 30 lbs and the BG 66 Ultimax at 25 lbs, the BG 80 sounded crisp like chopping an apple while the BG 66 Ultimax might be like putting a hammer to a nail. I can see how the string can create hitting sound, but the change in tension from 25 lbs to 30 lbs was surprising.

In terms of playing, I felt very comfortable with the BG 66 UM at 25 lbs on the Z-Force, it gave good power and the control from the strings are superb. I have become accustomed to the string tension so net-shots are easy to execute.

With the BG 80 at 30 lbs, I felt the feather shuttle bounce off the stringbed with more repulsion. I think once I get used to the bounce of the shuttle it will definitely be something I can work with. I assume I lost power with this tension but I was playing with different racquets so there can be no comparison.

In terms of catching tennis elbow, I will have to see. There is definitely the question of only having played with these racquets for one session, perhaps replication can create more stable results? I only played with the racquets for a 3-hour session, with long breaks every 2 games. My team was working on strength and conditioning for the appropriate microcycle of sports periodization so my arms may be fine but I will have to see with time.

I definitely plan to make the variables constant and test this out again.

TL;DR Tried playing with BG 66 Um @ 25lbs on Z-Force vs. BG 80 @ 30 lbs on Black Knight Max Force 930, repulsive feel from the BG 80 was crisp and responsive, both strings are great in their own regards.