Gosen Sidewinder 17 String Black
Line: Sidewinder 17
$14.99
Gosen has created one of the most arm-friendly co-polys on the market. Not only is this a great string for intermediates who want to transition into a control string, but it's also ideal for advanced players who want control without a lot of shock. This special blended polyester monofilament adds a twist. Literally. By twisting the string in the extrusion process, Gosen has given Sidewinder a textured shape for increased ball bite. This, in turn, enhances spin, allowing for better control. It also offers excellent durability. This string received one of the lowest stiffness scores for a co-poly in our University String Lab
String specs
| Gauge | 17/1.22-1.24mm |
| Length | 40ft/12.2m |
| Composition | Co-polyester Monofilament |
| Color | Black, Yellow |
Where to buy
What players say
Coverage of the black Sidewinder 17 comes from Tennis Warehouse's playtester review (shared with the natural colorway, same twisted monofilament construction) plus three named customer reviews on the black product page. Both sources describe a soft, arm-friendly co-poly with strong spin and pop, though control takes a tension bump and the feel runs soft rather than crisp. No Reddit, forum, or YouTube coverage of this specific string turned up.
Best for
- Players wanting a comfortable, arm-friendly poly
- Players chasing extra spin from a shaped string
- Hybrid setups as a main with a firmer cross
- Players moving from gut or multi toward poly
Pros
- Noticeably easier on the arm than most polys, per the Tennis Warehouse playtester
- Good pop/power and strong spin grip from the twisted string profile
- Customer reviewers (Cheng, Ken) describe it as comfortable with good touch and pop
- Two of three customer reviews report solid durability, including one match-only break over extended use
Cons
- Soft construction lets the stringbed move more at impact, which reduces shot precision
- Playtester needed to raise tension from 50-52 lbs to 56 lbs to regain control
- Feel runs soft/"mushy" rather than crisp compared to stiffer polys
- Only three customer reviews and one shared editorial writeup exist for this exact colorway; no independent or community coverage found
Voices
— Andy Gerst, Tennis Warehouse playtester, Web
It's definitely easier on the arm than the majority of polys I've hit.
— Andy Gerst, Tennis Warehouse playtester, Web
Since it is so soft the stringbed gets manipulated and transformed at impact more, which diminishes precision on shots a bit.
— Cheng, Tennis Warehouse customer review, Web
Arm savor without sacrificing touch and fell nor power nor control.
— Ken, Tennis Warehouse customer review, Web
I love testing soft poly's and this one is near the top of the list.