“High-end polyester monofilament strings–we call them ‘gut on steroids’–are designed for hard-hitting, high-end players,” said Crandall, “not normal, everyday players. Most recreational players don’t hit the ball hard enough to benefit from them. But people read how the pros use these fancy strings and want to try them. Then they find that for their game, they’re not worth the added cost. Now–and we’re seeing this in our sales figures–they’re turning back to more traditional multifilament and synthetic gut strings which offer a good combination of performance, economy and durability.”

Traditional multifilament and synthetic gut strings play softer than the stiffer, high-tech monofilaments, which can be a benefit for no-longer-quite-so-young players, Crandall added. “None of us like to admit it,” he said, “but we feel it more after a good hard round on the court, especially in our joints. A softer playing multifilament or nylon string can significantly reduce impact shock on our arms and shoulders. That way, we can still look good without the tennis elbow!”

But the economy may also play a role in string choice. “In my experience, people don’t stop playing during hard times,” Crandall said. “In fact, they may even tend to play more, especially if they’ve been laid off. They need to keep active, stay in shape, reduce stress. But they may put off buying big ticket items: instead of buying a new racquet, they’ll buy a new grip, or they’ll keep wearing their old shoes longer than they might otherwise. And while they will still do the necessary things like restring their racquets, they may opt for a less expensive brand of string or look for a more durable string.”

Two beneficiaries of this back-to-basics trend are Ashaway’s Synthetic Gut and Liberty® brands. Synthetic Gut is a classic nylon polymer monofilament available in both 16 and 17 gauge–the 17 gauge being a bit more responsive–that offers excellent resilience with above average durability for players of all styles and skill levels. The string is very economical and includes a wear layer to resist notching, but the reason for its recent rise in popularity may be that it plays more softly than other synthetic guts and is less likely to jar elbows and wrists. Ashaway recommends stringing Synthetic Gut 16 at up to 70 lbs (32 kgs) and their 17 up to 60 lbs (27.5 kgs) for optimum playability.

Ashaway’s Liberty has been a favorite with US players for over 25 years. Also nylon, but using a multi stranded monofilament construction, Liberty offers the best value-to-performance ratio of any string on the market. Available in both L15 and 16 gauge configurations, Liberty gets high marks for both durability and playability. Designed for all playing styles, the 16 gauge version edges towards better performance, while the L15 gauge optimizes durability. Both are available in a variety of colors and can be strung up to 70 lbs (32 kgs).

Ashaway Racket Strings are made by Ashaway Line & Twine Mfg. Co., the only U.S. manufacturer of string for squash, tennis, racquetball, and badminton. Operated by the Crandall family since 1824, Ashaway has been making racquet strings since 1949, and is responsible for several important technical innovations. Ashaway is the Official String of USA Racquetball and the Women’s International Squash Players Association. Ashaway Line & Twine Mfg. Co. also makes braided products for medical and industrial applications.

For additional product information, contact:
Ashaway Line & Twine Mfg. Co.
PO Box 549
Ashaway, RI 02804 USA
Tel: (800) 556-7260 (U.S. only) or +1 (401) 377-2221
Fax: +1 (401) 377-9091
Email: sales@ashawayusa.com
Website: http://www.ashawayusa.com

Photo << ASH_Liberty_SyntheticGut.jpg >>
Two beneficiaries of this back-to-basics trend are Ashaway’s Synthetic Gut and Liberty® brands. Synthetic Gut is a classic nylon polymer monofilament available in both 16 and 17 gauge–the 17 gauge being a bit more responsive–that offers excellent resilience with above average durability for players of all styles and skill levels. Ashaway’s Liberty has been a favorite with US players for over 25 years and offers the best value-to-performance ratio of any string on the market.

ref: ASH8314.0509

And today she did just that.

“I wanted to apologize first to the lineswoman, to the USTA, and my fans most of all, and to Kim Clijsters who ended up having such a wonderful tournament and winning the championship, and what an amazing feat that was,” Williams said after she and her sister Venus beat the team of Cara Black and Liezel Huber for the Woman’s Doubles Championship, 6-2, 6-2. “I just really wanted to apologize sincerely, because I’m a very prideful person and I’m a very intense person and a very emotional person. I think it all showed.

“Most of all, I’m a very sincere person. I wanted to offer my sincere apologies to anyone that I may have offended. I would again like to thank the fans for all the support that I’ve gotten. I think it’s awesome and cool that I’ve got so much support. I appreciate everything.”

Because she apologized, Serena will find out that America is a very forgiving country. Baseball players like Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi were more or less exonerated for their steroids uses because they said they were sorry. And those like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, who still live the lie, are having problems.

Serena, though, didn’t take any drugs, didn’t shoot herself with a gun she smuggled into a club, nor did she have dog fight each other. No she lost her temper, much like the way John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, and even Andre Agassi have done in the past.

In baseball, actions like that are cheered. Yet not in tennis, which is more civilized, especially on the ladies side.

“I don’t really follow too much baseball,” Serena said. “I think every athlete is really intense.”

So now tennis needs to get out of its own way and move on from this ugly incident. Williams lost the singles title, partially due to her actions and of course her poor play, which caused the incident. Rather than having a tremendous investigation, the WTA needs to let the fine stand and consider the situation closed.

As for Serena, let’s see if she learned her lesson. In the future, will she think twice if she foot faults again? Well her tune changed about the lineswoman.

“I don’t think my foot touched the line in that call,” she said. “Looking back on it, I think the lady did the best that she could. She was just doing her job. I guess at the time, she probably saw it as what it was. You know, she was just doing her best.”

And that’s all anyone is looking for – their best. On Saturday, Serena was wrong for threatening the lineswoman, today she said she was sorry.

Serena paid her fine and seems like she knows she did wrong.

Now its time to move on.