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Jens news
Jens Barthelmes (30) is founder and webmaster of Stringforum.net,
the online source for information on strings and stringing. Being a
stringer for more than 12 years, he has constantly gained
knowledge about his subject, which he is happy to share with other
people.
Jens News 8 - Have you hybridized yet?
Hybrid strings - i.e. combinations of different mains and crosses - are becoming more and more popular. But which of the virtually millions of possible combinations make sense? And what are the advantages of hybrid strings at all?
The original idea behind a hybrid combination was to improve durability without sacrificing too much playability. Since in a non-hybrid it is usually the main string that breaks, the first hybrid combinations were comprised of a kevlar main string. Kevlar is by far more durable than polyester, but also much stiffer, so it may cause arm problems. Today the popular hybrids are poly/gut or poly/multi combinations. Compared to a pure poly string, such hybrids provide a softer, more comfortable string bed, while maintaining a similar level of durability.
Which combinations are frequently used today?
Basically there are no limits. There are established multi/multi combinations (e.g. Head IntelliTour) as well as pre-packaged poly/poly combinations (e.g. Signum Pro Plasma HEXtreme / Poly Plasma). Even multi/gut would make sense for all players who like to play gut but can't afford a full gut job. As far as the pros are concerned who use hybrids, the dominant combination is poly/gut (Andy Roddick pioneered here with his Babolat Custom+ Hybrid Pro Hurricane (mains) and VS Team (crosses)). Many ex-gut players have switched to this type of hybrid because the poly component gives them better control (see Jens' News April 2007).
Why does the main string break first actually?
The problem is that the mains slide a lot on the cross strings when you hit with topspin or slice. This way they are "sawed" by the crosses. If you now replace the mains with a more resistant string and combine it with a softer cross string, the mains will not be hurt so quickly. They will rather scratch the crosses on a much wider area, which will actually take longer until it breaks.
When does it make sense for you to try a hybrid combination?
- you are playing a poly but your arm hurts sometimes -> try a poly/multi hybrid
- you are playing a multi but you face serious durability problems or you need better control -> try a poly/multi hybrid
- you love polys but need better feel without sacrificing durability -> try a thinner gauge poly in the crosses
- you are playing natural gut but can't afford it in the long run -> try a multi/gut hybrid
- you are a string breaker and even a poly won't last you long enough -> try a kevlar/multi hybrid
You see, there is lots of room for experiments. But beware! Hybridizing is fun, and before you realize you have been infected by the hybrid virus ;)
Happy testing!
Jens
Which combinations are frequently used today?
Basically there are no limits. There are established multi/multi combinations (e.g. Head IntelliTour) as well as pre-packaged poly/poly combinations (e.g. Signum Pro Plasma HEXtreme / Poly Plasma). Even multi/gut would make sense for all players who like to play gut but can't afford a full gut job. As far as the pros are concerned who use hybrids, the dominant combination is poly/gut (Andy Roddick pioneered here with his Babolat Custom+ Hybrid Pro Hurricane (mains) and VS Team (crosses)). Many ex-gut players have switched to this type of hybrid because the poly component gives them better control (see Jens' News April 2007).
Why does the main string break first actually?
The problem is that the mains slide a lot on the cross strings when you hit with topspin or slice. This way they are "sawed" by the crosses. If you now replace the mains with a more resistant string and combine it with a softer cross string, the mains will not be hurt so quickly. They will rather scratch the crosses on a much wider area, which will actually take longer until it breaks.
When does it make sense for you to try a hybrid combination?
- you are playing a poly but your arm hurts sometimes -> try a poly/multi hybrid
- you are playing a multi but you face serious durability problems or you need better control -> try a poly/multi hybrid
- you love polys but need better feel without sacrificing durability -> try a thinner gauge poly in the crosses
- you are playing natural gut but can't afford it in the long run -> try a multi/gut hybrid
- you are a string breaker and even a poly won't last you long enough -> try a kevlar/multi hybrid
You see, there is lots of room for experiments. But beware! Hybridizing is fun, and before you realize you have been infected by the hybrid virus ;)
Happy testing!
Jens
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