Two-time Roland Garros finalist Robin Söderling recently started his own brand of strings, balls and grips under the name RS Tennis. Today, Mike shares his thoughts on the RS Lyon 1.20 stringing, a thin co-polyester string for feel and comfort.
Specifications:
- Brand: RS Tennis (Robin Söderling)
- String type: RS Lyon
- Thickness: 17L (1.20)
- Type: Round, medium stiff co-polyester string with good damping properties
- Comparable strings: Diadem Solstice Power 17 , Luxilon Element, Head Hawk Touch , Yonex Poly Tour Pro
Tested by:
- Name: Mike
- Playing strength: 4/4
- Player type: Classic player with flat groundstrokes, generates little spin, and 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 kg
- Test duration: 5.5 hours
RS Lyon 1.20 rating
- Durability: 6
- Voltage retention: 6
- Spin/slice: 7
- Ball control: 8
- Power: 7
- Control: 6.5
- Comfort/arm friendliness: 8
Stringing the string
Stringing the RS Lyon 1.20 went without any problems. The string is flexible for a polyester string, which made threading the cross strings easier. Tying off also went without any problems.
Review
The RS Lyon 1.20 stands out for its comfortable touch. It is noticeably softer than most polyester strings, which makes it less taxing on the arm. This was a plus, especially considering my shoulder problems. The playing characteristics are reminiscent of the Head Hawk Touch , which I tested earlier. The racket plays quite quietly, and the balance between power and control is good, although the 1.20 version sometimes feels a bit jumpy.
The spin potential is decent, but falls a bit short of my favorite, the Diadem Solstice Power 17 . This means that balls can float faster with my flat shots. For more control, the thicker 1.25 might be a better fit, although it probably offers a bit less spin potential.
Durability: The durability of the RS Lyon 1.20 was average. After 5.5 hours of playing, the string was worn out. For me, this is not a big problem, since there is a more durable 1.25 version available, and comfort is more important to me than durability. The tension retention was okay, but not as good as stiffer strings like the Yonex Poly Tour Pro.
Conclusion: The RS Lyon 1.20 offers a nice feel and good comfort, making it a good choice for junior players or those looking for a less stressful string. For players who break strings frequently and have a powerful, full swing, the 1.25 version may be a better option for its added control and durability.