ReString Zero: Hyper-G’s Slayer

For many, Hyper-G is a benchmark string, featuring outstanding spin and durability without any obvious weaknesses. So when ReString called me saying that they benchmarked their Zero string against Hyper-G, in the same way that Chevy benchmarked the C8 Corvette against the Ferrari 458, I wondered how a brand new company could even hope to slay the Green Giant.

If ReString Zero wants to terminate one of the most popular strings of the past 10 years, they will have to beat Hyper-G where Hyper-G is strongest, spin and durability.

Spin

With polyester strings, there are two critical factors when it comes to spin generation. Friction between the ball and the strings, and friction between the main strings and the cross strings. For maximum spin, you want to maximize the friction between the ball and the strings to help with energy transfer. However, you want to minimize the friction between the main and cross strings to get the most snapback possible. This is backed up by string data available on Tennis Warehouse University, where you can see that the most spin friendly strings have low coefficients of friction for string-on-string contact, but higher coefficients of friction for strong-on-ball contact.

To accomplish this, Zero is 6 sided, so the sharp edges grab the ball, but it’s also coated with a lubricating material to promote snapback, resulting is epic spin.

Even after new releases from Toroline (O-Toro Spin), Solinco (Mach-10) and Grapplsnake (Aspera Triplum), ReString Zero remains my go-to recommendation is spin is the #1 priority.

Durability

The problem with lubricated coatings is that they tend to wear off. This is one of the primary weak points with RPM Blast. After only about an hour of play, RPM’s silicone coating rubs off and you can feel a palpable reduction in snapback, crushing the string’s spin potential and ball pocketing characteristics.

ReString Zero’s coating is shockingly resilient, playing more like an infusion than a coating, meaning you’ll be able to access this extreme snapback even after the string is worn in and notched, though it takes a lot time to develop any sort of notching with Zero, outlast Hyper-G by about double.
Notching is the arch enemy of polyester strings. As the main strings snapback over the crosses, they leave behind material. Depending on the string, level of the player and density of the stringbed, you could notice notching occurring in as little as 30 minutes. I typically see notches start to form in 1 hour to 90 minutes of high intensity hitting. These notches increase the contact patch between the mains and crosses, increasing friction, and reducing snapback.

When the strings stop snapping back, you lose more than just spin. You also lose comfort because the string isn’t absorbing the impact shock as intended. So because Zero’s coating lasts so long, the string KEEPS snapping back well past the point of most other strings. This means that the string doesn’t just last longer because the notching is delayed, but it plays better for longer.

With ReString Zero, you get approximately 5x times longer lasting performance when compared to RPM Blast and at least 2x longer lasting performance when compared to Hyper-G.

Con’s

As far as I can tell, there’s only 1 reason that you might not consider ReString Zero as your new favourite string, and that is feel.

To be clear, ReString Zero doesn’t feel bad, but things are quite muted. The string responds to on and off-centre shots almost indistinguishably, making hard to diagnose your imperfections on court, leading to what can feel like an unpredictable experience.

It feels firm for sure, but the snapback encourages a great ball-pocketing sensation which prevents any serious comfort issues. That said, I wouldn’t pick this string as a comfort poly, for that, I think something like Tru Pro Ghostwire or Toroline Toro Toro will serve you better.

My primary issue with Zero, which is highly personal, is that the string doesn’t give you a ton of feedback.

Final Thoughts

Overall, ReString Zero is truly one of the best strings you can buy today. Even 2 years after launch, I don’t think there’s anything that produces more spin. Durability remains at the top of the heap.

No doubt that some will seek more controlled options, but for sheer RPM’s you can’t beat Zero.

Hyper-G is dead. RPM Blast is dead. Long live ReString Zero.