POLYESTER IS BACK IN STYLE, BUT NOT FOR LEISURE SUITS {2003}

By Vince Chiarelli, PTR, MRT and Owner of String Along With Vince in Largo

Those who remember the disco days and the accompanying leisure suits recall that although they would tend to snag easily, they never wrinkled, and wore like iron. This same quality was originally noticed by the European community as a possible advantage for tennis string. Aside from the fact that it lasted longer than most string, polyester was cheap. In fact, it's the same material used to make soda pop bottles and many other containers. It became a popular string, in monofilament form, especially for those who couldn't afford to have their racquets strung so often, or couldn't afford more costly strings. About 12 or so years ago, the first polyester started showing up in the U.S. Although it would last a long time it was difficult to string, lost tension rapidly, did not give the same, more comfortable, feel that Americans were used to. It could also hurt your arm from excessive shock.

Over the years, polyester's popularity grew because of its longevity, but it has only been recently that progress in materials technology has allowed a more gentle form of this string to emerge. Various companies have evolved their own proprietary processes, making polyester string feel more comfortable, play much better and hold tension as well as anything on the market. At least one brand advertises that the strings won't move around, and our customers have reported this to be the case for them. Unfortunately, with the research and development has come a corresponding increase in price. This can be offset by the fact that you will be stringing your racquets less often.

Be careful if you decide to try it, however. If someone offers polyester to you at a low price, it is most likely the traditional type that can be harsh feeling to your arm and may not play well. Some of the manufacturers who have been pioneers in polyester strings and offer the upgraded versions are Luxilon, Gosen, Topspin and Kirschbaum.

Another company, IsoSpeed, has created a multifilament string from polyolefin. Many have considered this to be an excellent string, and it rivals (or possibly exceeds) polyester for durability, depending on whom you talk to. This material is most commonly used to make very tough, long lasting carpeting and upholstery fabric. The string is made up of hundreds of long strips, like ribbons, similar to the way natural gut is manufactured.

Is the new "poly" worth the extra cost? Only you can be the judge. I would recommend you at least try it, but be very careful. Technicians who are not familiar with this type of string may have problems installing it and the results can be less than stellar.

Copyright 2003 (published in Florida Tennis, August 2003)

by Vincent A. Chiarelli, PTR, MRT, Owner of String Along With Vince in Largo