
Why 55% of the Top 100 Use Luxilon with Justin Van Malderen
From The Functional Tennis Podcast by Fabio Molle
February 25, 2026 · 39 min · Episode 269
About this episode
The episode discusses the prevalence of Luxilon strings among top players and the evolving demands of modern tennis.
Justin Van Malderen from Luxilon is back on the Functional Tennis Podcast. At the 2025 US Open, 55% of the Top 100 were using Luxilon strings. In this episode, we discuss why. We talk about falling string tensions on tour, how modern powerful rackets are changing string demands, and why today’s aggressive baseline game requires more durability and control than ever. We also dive into why I chose Luxilon Element for the FT99 racket, how it compares to 4G and Alu Power, and who it’s best suited for. Justin shares insight into Sabalenka’s unique setup, the reality of sustainable strings, and how Luxilon competes as a family business in a market dominated by major global brands. Plus, Justin is offering a €500 Functional Tennis voucher to one listener who fills out Luxilon’s string questionnaire. Tap here to fill it out and the last submission date is on March 31st. If you care about your setup and want to understand what makes a difference at the highest level, this one’s for you. Enjoy Fabio
People in this episode
Host: Fabio Molle
Guest: Justin Van Malderen
Topics covered
- string tension
- tennis strings
- racket technology
- baseline game
- durability
- sustainability
Keywords
- Luxilon
- tennis strings
- string tension
- racket technology
- baseline game
- sustainability
- Sabalenka
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Luxilon, Luxilon Element, 4G, Alu Power
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