MSV Co Focus is a tennis String that has gained attention in the tennis community for its high spin potential and durability.

Manufactured by the German company Mauve Sports, it’s a monofilament co-polyester string designed to offer players controlled power and superior spin.

I hope to share my insights about the string’s performance, durability, and overall value to the tennis player. Whether you are an aggressive baseliner or a tactical player, this review will help you assess if the MSV Co Focus fits your game.

MSV Co-Focus Specification

Specification

Racket Setup for Testing

A Few Words From the Stringer

As a stringer, working with the MSV Co Focus is a straightforward process. Its stiffer nature requires a bit more care during installation, but it’s not particularly problematic. The string is robust and resistant to kinks, making it easy to work with overall. An important note is that due to its higher stiffness, a slightly lower tension could be considered for those transitioning from softer strings to ensure optimal playability. Stringing with MSV Co Focus.

MSV Co Focus Playest and Review

First Impressions

The MSV Co Focus is a monofilament co-polyester string noted for its durability and resilience. The string is round in profile, a typical shape for tennis strings that allows for a consistent feel and response from all angles.

Upon first impressions, the string comes neatly coiled and well-packaged. It has a glossy finish, and although it is available in various vibrant colours, I chose to try the timeless black string with a diameter of 1.27 mm.

Nonetheless, the brand offers different gauges, with 1.18mm being the smallest and 1.27 being the widest, to provide a sturdy and robust feel.

As for the manufacturer’s claims, Mauve Sports promotes the MSV Co Focus, providing an exceptional blend of control and spin.

The control is attributed to the co-polyester construction, which they claim offers more efficient energy transfer and less power leakage than traditional polyester strings.

MSV also emphasizes the string’s excellent Tension Maintenance and durability, asserting that it is an appealing choice for players seeking a string that offers consistent performance over time.

Groundstrokes

Regarding on-court performance, the MSV Co Focus demonstrated a unique power, control, spin, comfort, and durability combination.

Starting with power, I noticed a marked improvement in the depth and speed of my shots. The co-polyester makeup of the string seemed to provide an enhanced energy transfer, resulting in more powerful strokes. However, the power wasn’t uncontrollable or excessive; it had a measured and manageable quality, which brings us to control.

Control is where the MSV Co Focus truly shined. Regardless of the power behind my strokes, the string allowed a remarkable precision. This control was evident on all shots – groundstrokes, volleys, and serves. My backhand slices were sharper, and I could place my serves with greater accuracy, which led to more effective service games.

Moving onto spin, the MSV Co Focus does not disappoint either. While the round profile may not give as much spin as the more geometric profiles, it still provides ample spin potential. My topspin groundstrokes had a good dip, and slice shots stayed low, making it more difficult for my opponents.

Touch and Comfort

Comfort and feel are subjective, and what I found might vary for others. But, in my experience, the MSV Co Focus offered a comfortably firm feel with less vibration, which is ideal for players like me who prefer a solid connection with the ball. The string bed response felt consistent, leading to a predictable and satisfying ball contact. It was also gentle on my arm, with no significant increase in fatigue or discomfort, even after long playing sessions.

Durability

As for durability and tension maintenance, the MSV Co Focus excelled in these aspects, too. After approximately 15 hours of intense play, the string showed minimal notching and no signs of fraying.

The tension drop was minor, which is commendable for a co-polyester string. Even after weeks of use, the string performance remained consistent, which I attribute to its robust construction and quality materials.

Drawbacks

While the MSV Co Focus offers numerous positive features, it’s crucial to acknowledge its potential drawbacks to give a balanced perspective.

One of the prominent limitations I experienced was the string’s muted feel. Although the firmness of the string provides excellent control, it may lack the ‘pop’ or lively response that some players prefer. Those accustomed to a more responsive, softer string might find the Co Focus somewhat lacking in this regard.

Additionally, while the MSV Co Focus has a decent spin potential for a round-profiled string, it may not satisfy those who rely heavily on spin-based strategies. Players seeking to generate extreme spin on every stroke may find strings with a more textured or edged profile, like the RPM Blast or Solinco Tour Bite, to their liking.

Another potential downside could be its power level. Despite offering a controlled power output, it might not cater to players who seek explosive power from their strings. Co Focus might come across as slightly underpowered for players used to highly powerful strings.

MSV Focus Hex vs. Similar Strings

There are noticeable differences in comparing the MSV Co Focus with other strings I have used.

Take Solinco Tour Bite, for example. Tour Bite offers a slightly higher spin potential due to its square profile, but I found the MSV Co Focus to have superior tension maintenance and durability. The two were comparable for power and control, with the Co Focus edging ahead in the control department.

Compared to the Luxilon 4G, a string known for its tension maintenance and control, the MSV Co Focus provided a similar level of control but offered a bit more power. Regarding comfort, I found the Co Focus to have a slightly softer and more arm-friendly response.

Analyzing playstyles and situations, aggressive baseliners who rely heavily on power and spin might prefer a string like the Babolat RPM Blast or Solinco Tour Bite.

Nonetheless, the MSV Co Focus is an excellent choice for an all-court player looking for a balance of power, control, spin, and durability. It provides a consistent response across all shot types, making it versatile for game situations.

Furthermore, it’s an excellent option for players seeking a string that maintains its playability characteristics over a long duration.

Who is MSV Co Focus For?

In conclusion, the MSV Co Focus is a well-rounded tennis string that excels in control, has respectable power and spin potential, offers commendable durability, and maintains tension well.

It’s a versatile string that performs consistently across various shot types and playing styles and is quite arm-friendly.

I highly recommend the MSV Co Focus to intermediate and advanced players seeking a blend of power and control without compromising durability or tension maintenance. It’s particularly suited for all-court players who value consistent performance over time.

My experience with MSV Co-Focus has been overwhelmingly positive. It offers a reliable, stable performance that has added a layer of confidence to my game.

While it may not outshine other strings in any specific category, its well-rounded attributes and longevity make it a standout choice in the tennis string market. It’s a string that delivers more than its price would suggest, making it a worthy choice for discerning tennis players.

Pros

Cons

Have you tried MSV Co Focus? Let me know in the comments.