$21-22 Per Set
16, 16L Gauges
high Stiffness
14+ Min Age

Performance Ratings

power 7/10
spin 9/10
control 8/10
comfort 4/10
durability 7/10
tension Maintenance 6/10

Junior Player Guide

For Parents
Arm Friendliness Low
Cost Effectiveness Expensive to maintain

Recommended Level

advancedelite

Tension for Juniors

46-50 lbs for juniors. Textured surface grabs ball so you can string lower.

Gauge Recommendation

16L (1.25mm) is most popular. Texture wears faster so thinner gauge is acceptable.

Overview

ALU Power Rough takes the proven ALU Power formula and adds a textured surface for enhanced spin potential. The rough surface grabs the ball at contact, allowing players to generate more RPMs on their shots. Designed to grip the ball for increased spin, though not quite as durable as standard ALU Power due to the texturing.

Best For

  • Spin-focused advanced juniors
  • Heavy topspin baseliners
  • Players with western or semi-western grips
  • Those who loved ALU Power but want more spin

Not Ideal For

  • Flat hitters
  • Players with arm problems
  • Juniors needing comfort
  • Beginners or intermediates

Pros

  • + Excellent spin potential
  • + Same control as regular ALU Power
  • + Textured surface bites the ball
  • + Great for heavy topspin games

Cons

  • Less durable than smooth ALU Power
  • Stiffer than regular version
  • Premium pricing ($21.50/set)
  • Texture wears down over time
  • Not arm-friendly

Specifications

Type polyester
Construction Textured co-polyester monofilament
Gauges 16, 16L
Colors Silver, Black
Set Price $21-$22
Reel Price $170-$200

Used By

Juan Martin del Potro (former)Various ATP/WTA players

Hybrid Setup Ideas

  • Luxilon Element crosses for comfort
  • Wilson NXT crosses for feel
  • Natural gut mains with ALU Rough crosses (Federer-inspired setup)

Stringer Notes

String carefully - texture can catch on grommets. Pre-stretch recommended. String 1-2 lbs lower than regular ALU Power.

Break-in Period

Minimal break-in. Plays well from first hit.

When to Replace

When texture wears smooth (8-12 hours for heavy hitters) or spin noticeably decreases.

Sources

Data verified January 2025

Looking for arm-friendly options?

View Arm-Friendly Strings →