A new brand, a star-shaped string, enormous spin and lots of power, excellent tension retention and comfortable for the arm? Is this possible? I had to experience this myself! This is the Diadem Solstice Power 17, new on the Dutch market!

Specifications: Brand: Diadem String: Solstice Power Gauge: 17 (1.20 mm) Type: Soft co-polyester string Comparable strings: Luxilon Alu Power (Feel), Babolat RPM Team, Solinco Tour Bite Soft, Völkl Cyclone, Head Hawk Touch, RS Lyon Tested by: Name: Mike Playing strength: 4/4 Type of player: somewhat classic player, flat groundstrokes, generates little spin himself. Until recently had shoulder problems Racket: Head Graphene Radical MP, 98 sq/inch, 16/19 stringing pattern String hardness: 24/24 kg with a stringing range of 22-26 kilos Test duration: 14 hours

Rating: Durability: 8 Tension retention: 8 Spin/slice: 9 Ball feel: 8 Power: 8 Control: 8 Comfort/arm friendliness: 8 Stringing the string It is quite common that 'shaped' strings are a bit more difficult to string, especially when braiding the cross strings. Or that the strings can be a bit annoying for the fingertips due to the coarser texture. None of this with the Diadem Solstice Power 17. The string twists very little and does not get caught in the tis. Funny thing is that you immediately feel the special six-pointed (star) shape of the string. You do not have to have the clamps of the stringing machine particularly tight to be able to secure the string properly. When braiding the cross strings, it is no different from other polyester strings: straighten the string before you let the machine pull it. The string retains its shape very well when stringed, so you don't have to worry about the shape of the string when tightening the clamps. Review What immediately struck me during my first strokes is the power and elastic feel of the string. There is definitely a lot of life in this string, a nice difference compared to most polyester strings. This lively feel ensures that the string feels very comfortable on the arm. Since I have had shoulder problems in the recent past, the comfort of the string has become a major point of attention for me. I have a somewhat flatter stroke, to which the spin potential of the Diadem Solstice Power 17 is a welcome addition. With my flatter stroke, I sometimes overheat, which means that I hit the balls long rather than short. The extra snapback and grip of the string provided clearly more spin and therefore more margin in my strokes. Balls that I would normally have hit too long, now fell before the baseline. Very nice because you can just continue to make your stroke. Of my groundstrokes, my slice backhand is not exactly my weapon. However, the grip you can generate on the ball with the Diadem Solstice Power 17 is enormous. This kept my backhand slices tight and flat. A world of difference. Unfortunately, my sensitive shoulder can sometimes play up when serving (and smashing). I cannot generate enormous speed from my arm/shoulder itself. I need help from the string for this. Both speed and spin and slice are super easy to produce with this string. My favorite serve with this string is played from the right with slice to the outside. Super easy, controlled without putting a strain on my shoulder. What most polyester strings, including the Diadem Solstice Power 17, have is that the strings neatly return to position after a stroke. Only after 8 hours of play did I occasionally have to straighten a string. Very pleasant. The retention of the typical six-pointed (star) shape of the string, largely responsible for the fantastic playing characteristics, is still good after 12 hours of play. This is extremely important because many 'shaped' strings quickly become rounder, which is at the expense of those playing characteristics.

I can be brief about the tension retention of the string: this is neatly taken care of with the Diadem Solstice Power 17! All in all, the Diadem Solstice Power 17 is highly recommended. The fine mix of power, spin, durability, tension retention and comfort are magnificent. I think we will hear a lot more from this great new American string brand! Note: I also tested the slightly thicker Diadem Solstice Power 16 (1.30 mm) version. This string offers the same fantastic playing characteristics with a slightly more solid feel. The string is slightly less elastic, but therefore offers slightly more control and a longer lifespan. The 17 thickness, on the other hand, has slightly more spin potential, because it is simply a bit thinner. The Diadem Solstice Power 17 is now for sale in our webshop in both separate sets and rolls .