Tennis is such a simple game. There is a racket, a felt-covered ball, a net and a court.
Compared to golf, with its ever- changing menu of high-power drivers, “hybrid” irons, rescue clubs and new-age putters, tennis is meat and potatoes.
Or so it would seem.
But under the radar, change continues to infiltrate tennis. Call it the string theory.
“I’m not sure a lot of people understand how much difference racket strings can make, especially in Colorado, with our high altitude,” said Adam Burbary, owner of Denver- based tennis stores Game, Set and Match.
Even a casual fan knows that tennis rackets have changed dramatically over the years, evolving from the tiny wooden models, to Jimmy Connors’ famous steel Wilson T2000 in the 1970s, to oversized Prince rackets in the 1980s, to contemporary graphite models.
But nowadays, the string is the thing. Luxilon string, to be precise.
According to Time magazine, at this year’s French Open, it was estimated that 65 percent of the men and 45 percent of the women use Luxilon strings. Those who don’t will use an imitation brand.
Luxilon strings are a polyester product designed by Luxilon Industries, a small Belgian company specializing in medical sutures and bra straps. In tennis racket stringing circles, Luxilon and similar brands are known as “poly” or “co-poly.”
Luxilon strings were first popularized by Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten, who won the French Open three times from 1997 to 2001. He generated incredible spin, resulting in aggressive, dipping shots.
Today, players such as Roger Federer use poly strings or a hybrid combining poly and natural gut. According to Burbary, Federer uses gut on the main (up-and-down) strings and Luxilon for the cross strings.
“When Federer started doing that, he created the most amazing angles in the sport,” Burbary said.
To understand the genesis of tennis’s string theory, a history lesson is in order. Back in the 1970s, baseline phenom Bjorn Borg strung his wooden rackets incredibly tight. So tight, in fact, that his rackets, or the strings, or both, frequently broke — sometimes when they weren’t even being used. What Borg was after was controlled power and heavy topspin.
Those who watch tennis on TV today will no doubt hear commentators discuss these newfangled strings that allow players to swing harder and with more spin than ever before. What the pros seek is a string that allows them to swing hard, put great “English” on the ball, yet not have a ball fly into the grandstands.
Polyester strings are becoming pervasive, displacing the old gold standard, natural gut (strands of sterilized cow entrails). Also, poly strings are extremely durable.
At Game, Set and Match, tennis players frequently ask about Luxilon, some believing it a cure-all for what ails their game. The better players, especially up-and-coming junior players, buy the poly strings.
But the so-called super string is not for the beginner or the average club player. Burbary said that 70-80 percent of his customers are women who play in area leagues. Many have, or have had, problems with tennis elbow. Luxilon is not for them.
“It’s a very unforgiving string,” he said.
Burbary also said it’s important for tennis players to understand the importance of getting their racket strung properly, especially in Colorado where the ball tends to fly.
“We have people come in all the time to try out demo rackets,” he said. “They will spend a lot of time picking out a racket, but a lot of players don’t spend more than five minutes thinking about the string and the right tension. They’d be better players if they reconsidered that.”
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
High strung
There are a variety of tennis strings on the market. A closer look:
Natural gut: Provides both power and control, but it is the most expensive string and the least durable. Natural gut is produced by drying fibers from cow intestine.
Synthetic gut: A widely used product, it’s made from a wide range of artificial materials, usually combining nylon and polyester. It’s cheaper, more durable and easier to manufacture than natural gut.
Polyester: These strings are typically stiff and lifeless, but very durable. They were originally intended for highly skilled players who broke natural-gut strings too frequently. Because of the low elasticity and low power, players are able to swing hard and still put a lot of spin on the ball. Poly strings have become extremely popular on the pro tour.
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