In tennis, the quest for the perfect string is a journey every player embarks upon, and MSV has carved a niche for itself among the myriad of brands that populate this space.
Originating from Germany, Mauve Sports Vertrieb (MSV) has been synonymous with high-quality tennis strings since its inception in 2000 by Karl-Eberhard Mauve.
While not as heavily promoted or marketed as strings from giants like Wilson, Head and Babolat, they continue to be revered for their top-notch performance, durability, and astonishing price-to-performance ratio.
One factor that sets MSV apart is its commitment to catering to players of all levels, providing a broad spectrum of options.
Their strings, like MSV Focus-Hex® and MSV Co.-Focus, have become staples in the tennis community, scoring very highly for their resilience, tension maintenance and ability to deliver under pressure.
We decided to delve deeper into the world of MSV by reviewing several of their strings – MSV Co Ultra, MSV Co Focus, MSV Hepta Twist, MSV Focus Hex Ultra, MSV Focus Hex, MSV Swift and MSV Bussard.
Our focus was to explore the features of these strings, how they perform on the court, and who they are best suited for.
Below is a quick summary of each string, shedding light on what they bring to the table. Each string also has a link to our full, in-depth review.
Like all products reviewed on Perfect Tennis, the strings were purchased at full price and playtested thoroughly for several hours, often until breakage, which was anywhere from 5 to 20 hours of play.
MSV Co Ultra
Summary:
MSV Co Ultra is a monofilament co-polyester string known for its durability, control, and playability, ideal for players seeking a balanced string with good durability and arm-friendliness.
The string offers a reasonable balance of power and control, though it might not cater to advanced players who desire greater precision.
It performs satisfactorily in terms of spin generation and comfort but shows a noticeable drop in tension after a few hours of play. This string positions itself as a mid-range option in terms of price, suitable for budget-conscious players.
Pros:
Solid all-rounder.
Ok comfort.
It could work well as a cross in a hybrid.
Cons:
Doesn’t excel in any area.
It felt mushy after a couple of hours of play.
Full Review: MSV Co Ultra Review
MSV Co Focus
Summary:
MSV Co Focus, a monofilament co-polyester string, shines in control while offering a good blend of power and spin.
The string provides a controlled power output, aiding in precise shot-making. It demonstrates excellent tension maintenance and durability, remaining consistent even after extended play.
Despite its controlled power, it might not cater to players seeking explosive power. Its control and durability suit intermediate to advanced players, particularly those valuing consistent performance.
Pros:
Good tension maintenance.
Plenty of spin potential.
Lots of control.
Cons:
Muted feel.
Below average comfort.
Full Review: MSV Co Focus Review
MSV Hepta Twist
Summary:
MSV Hepta Twist, known for its unique twisting pattern, aids in generating spin and control over shots.
The string’s heptagonal twisted design enhances topspin, aiding in precise spin and slices. It provides good tension maintenance and a firm feel, which might not be everyone’s liking.
However, it does lack a bit in the power department, especially on groundstrokes. Hepta Twist is ideal for intermediate to advanced players who value spin and control.
Pros:
Excellent spin potential.
Good tension maintenance.
Cons:
Full Review: MSV Hepta Twist Review
MSV Focus Hex Ultra
Summary:
MSV Focus Hex Ultra is a hexagonal-shaped string designed for enhanced spin potential and maximum control, well-suited for professional and higher-level recreational players.
While marketed as “explosive,” the string disappoints in power generation but impresses with exceptional comfort, even on faster shots.
It performs well in spin generation, especially on forehand strokes, aiding in a consistent landing behind the service line.
The string’s hexagonal shape provides a good bite on the ball for better spin and control on backhand slices and serves but struggles with touch shots, particularly volleys.
Despite the lack of power, its exceptional durability, tension maintenance, and comfort make it a good choice for players with a modern technique of heavy spin looking for a reliable, high-performance string for competitive play.
Pros
Excellent tension maintenance.
High spin potential.
Stable after the first hours of play.
Available in a wide choice of gauges.
Cons
It’s too underpowered for many recreational players.
Metallic sound on impact may not be to everyone’s taste.
Full Review: MSV Focus Hex Ultra Review
MSV Focus Hex
Summary
MSV Focus Hex is a six-sided co-polyester string engineered to offer an ideal blend of control and spin. It is a commendable choice within the MSV string line, especially given its budget-friendly price point.
However, the string may fall short for players seeking power, particularly in serves and aggressive groundstrokes. While it excels in control and spin, the trade-off in power may deter power-hungry players.
Nevertheless, it shines in touch shots, providing exceptional control and responsiveness. Its durability, tension maintenance, and surprising comfort for a polyester string add to its appeal.
Players prioritising control and spin while not requiring a power boost might find MSV Focus Hex a worthy addition to their racket.
Pros
Excellent control.
Excellent performance on touch shots.
Outstanding tension maintenance.
It is durable with good comfort for a poly string.
Cons
Low-powered, especially noticeable on serves.
Full Review: MSV Focus Hex Review
MSV Swift
Summary
MSV Swift is a soft monofilament co-polyester tennis string known for its comfort and gentle feel on impact. It’s ideal for intermediate players, coaches, and those transitioning to polyester strings, minimising stress on arm joints.
While the comfort and touch are commendable, it may lack the power and spin required by advanced players, especially in aggressive groundstrokes and serves. Its durability is average, but it offers good tension maintenance. It’s a solid choice for those prioritising comfort and consistent response over power.
Pros
Very comfortable with minimal vibrations.
Good tension maintenance.
Ideal for touch shots and consistent rallying.
Competitive pricing.
Cons
Lacks power and aggressive spin.
It may break quickly for hard hitters.
Performance may drop significantly after a few hours of play.
Full Review: MSV Swift Review
MSV Bussard
Summary
MSV Bussard is a co-polyester monofilament string known for its exceptional spin, control, and outstanding tension maintenance.
It’s a well-rounded option suitable for advanced and high intermediate-level players, especially those favouring consistent rallies and precise shot placement.
Its durability is notable, staying reliable even under heavy use. However, it may fall short in power and comfort, particularly for those favouring fast, flat shots from the baseline.
Pros
Excellent tension maintenance.
Superb spin and control, aiding in precise shot placement.
Competitive pricing with excellent durability.
Suitable for a variety of play styles, particularly spin and control-oriented players.
Cons
Average comfort may feel stiff to some players.
It might lack power for those who prefer hitting fast and flat shots.
Performance may drop when countering heavily spun shots.
Full Review: MSV Bussard Review
From our playtesting, MSV is somewhat of a hidden gem in the tennis string market and has some of the best-quality tennis strings available today.
All of the strings we have tried in their lineup deliver stellar performance without a hefty price tag.
MSV has something for everyone, whether you are an aggressive baseline player, a spin enthusiast, or someone looking for comfort on the court.