Specifications:
- Brand : Diadem
- String type : Solstice Pro 16L
- Thickness : 16L (1.25 mm)
- Similar strings : Luxilon Big Banger Original, Luxilon 4G, Babolat RPM Blast, Solinco Tour Bite, Yonex Poly Tour Pro
Tested by:
- Name : Stephan
- Playing strength : 5/5
- Player type : All-court player, eastern grip, one-handed backhand, fairly flat shots
- Racket : Wilson Juice Pro, 96 sq/inch, regular 16/20 string pattern
- String hardness : 25/25kg (stringing range: 24-28 kg)
- Test duration : 12 hours
Judgement:
- Durability : 9
- Voltage retention : 8
- Spin/Slice : 8
- Ball feeling : 7
- Power : 7
- Control : 8
- Comfort/Arm-friendliness : 7
Review:
The Diadem Solstice Pro 16L is a turquoise, six-cornered star string designed for maximum control and spin. The color is striking, almost toothpaste-like, but it matches my Wilson Juice Pro, which also has turquoise accents. But enough about the looks – time to discuss the playing characteristics.
First Impression :
My first impression of the Diadem Solstice Pro 16L is that the string is quite stiff and offers a lot of bite. At first contact with the ball it felt like I was really hitting "plucks" out of the ball. The spin potential is enormous and the stiffness of the string gives a lot of control over the length of my shots. For players like me, who like direct feedback from the string, this is a great experience.
Stringing advice :
However, it takes some searching to find the right hardness of the stringing. My experience was that this string can be tensioned a little lighter than usual. Especially in the last hours of my test, the string felt wonderful. Diadem advises to tension the string about 5% lower than normal, and that turns out to be good advice.
Strokes from the Baseline :
Baseline shots are controlled and spinned. It is important to follow through properly, otherwise you risk too much spin and too little length. With this string you absolutely do not have to worry about hitting the ball too far. The backhand slice also feels great: you can cut the ball hard and with the right technique get a great mix of spin and length.
Service :
When serving, it was noticeable that slice and spin can be produced with ease - a nightmare for any opponent. Although the string is stiff, it did not feel uncomfortable for my arm. This makes the racket ideal for players who want to use a lot of spin and slice during their serve.
Drop Shots and Refined Strokes :
Where the string excels a little less is with drop shots and more refined strokes. The extreme "bite" causes the ball to slow down quickly, which is why my drop shots often didn't make it to the net. This is a matter of getting used to and adjusting.
For players who can generate their own power and are looking for more spin, the Diadem Solstice Pro 16L offers a lot of stability and direct ball feel. This string is especially recommended for flexible frames. The product has since been succeeded by the Diadem Elite XT , which you can find in our webshop.