Wilson Champion’s Choice is a premium hybrid set combining Wilson Natural Gut with Luxilon ALU Power Rough. It is associated with Roger Federer’s natural-gut and polyester setup, but buying the package does not reproduce his racket, tension, customization or technique.
The two materials serve different purposes. Natural gut supplies elasticity, power, comfort and tension stability, while ALU Power Rough adds a firmer launch, control and a dented low-friction cross option.
Champion’s Choice is best suited to experienced players who understand hybrid orientation and are willing to pay for premium materials. Players unfamiliar with the differences between gut and polyester can use the Tennis String Finder before selecting the setup direction.
Wilson Champion’s Choice Rating
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Power | 8.5/10 |
| Spin | 9/10 |
| Comfort | 8.5/10 |
| Control | 9/10 |
These ratings represent Wilson Natural Gut in the mains with ALU Power Rough in the crosses. Reversing the hybrid reduces power and comfort while increasing the polyester-dominant feel.
Wilson Champion’s Choice Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| String type | Natural-gut and polyester hybrid set |
| Main component | Wilson Natural Gut 16 / 1.30mm |
| Second component | Luxilon ALU Power Rough 16L / 1.25mm |
| Natural-gut material | Natural serosa fibers with protective coating |
| Polyester material | Poly-ether-ether and aluminum formulation |
| Polyester profile | Round base with a dented rough surface |
| Colors | Natural and Silver |
| Package length | Approximately 6.1m of each string |
| Made in | Belgium |
Package availability can differ between regions and retailers.
Material and Construction
The Wilson component is a natural-gut string made from twisted and bonded serosa fibers. Its protective coating supports installation, moisture resistance and surface durability.
The Luxilon component is ALU Power Rough, a 1.25mm polyester monofilament using Luxilon’s poly-ether-ether and aluminum formulation. Dents create its rough texture and add flex compared with smooth ALU Power.
Champion’s Choice is not one blended string. The package contains two half sets, each approximately 6.1m, intended to create one hybrid stringbed.
Orientation changes the result. Natural gut in the mains makes its elasticity and feel dominant, while ALU Power Rough in the crosses restrains launch and supports movement. ALU Power Rough in the mains creates a firmer, lower-powered setup in which the gut mainly softens the crosses.
The rough label should not be interpreted as a conventional sharply shaped string. ALU Power Rough has a generally round body with a dented texture, making its interaction different from a pentagonal or octagonal polyester.
Wilson Champion’s Choice Performance
Power
With natural gut in the mains, Champion’s Choice provides excellent power. The gut stretches and returns energy efficiently, while the polyester crosses prevent the launch from becoming as lively as a full bed of gut.
This balance helps all-court players create depth on groundstrokes, serves and defensive shots without surrendering the ability to accelerate.
Putting ALU Power Rough in the mains lowers power substantially. The polyester dominates the response, and the gut crosses supply support rather than defining the stringbed.
The package should therefore not receive one orientation-independent power claim. The 8.5/10 rating reflects the common gut-main installation.
Power rating: 8.5/10
Spin
Champion’s Choice offers excellent spin when natural gut is placed in the mains. The elastic mains can slide over the polyester crosses and snap back, while the controlled launch encourages racket-head speed.
The rough dents may contribute surface interaction, but low inter-string friction and main-string movement are more important than simply claiming that roughness grips the ball.
Polyester mains also provide strong spin through control and texture, although the softer gut crosses can notch as the mains move. The result is firmer and less gut-dominant.
Spin declines when the gut notches deeply or the ALU Power Rough loses its original response. The stringbed should be evaluated as a system rather than two independent pieces.
Spin rating: 9/10
Control
Control is one of the hybrid’s main strengths. Gut mains offer predictable elasticity, while the polyester crosses restrain launch and create a more stable trajectory than a complete gut bed.
The setup suits advanced players who want to attack without accepting the rigidity of full polyester. Touch shots also benefit from the gut’s connected pocketing.
Reversing the orientation produces even lower free power and a more direct polyester response. This can suit aggressive baseliners, but it sacrifices much of the premium gut-main character.
Control can change when the ALU component loses elasticity or the gut becomes heavily notched. Excellent initial performance does not make the hybrid permanently stable.
Control rating: 9/10
Comfort and Feel
Champion’s Choice is highly comfortable with natural gut in the mains, but it should not receive the same maximum comfort score as a full bed of gut. ALU Power Rough remains a firm polyester and increases overall stringbed stiffness.
The feel combines gut pocketing with the direct feedback of ALU. Volleys, slices and touch shots can benefit from a clear connection without the overly lively response of complete natural gut.
Polyester mains reduce comfort further. Natural-gut crosses soften the impact but cannot make the setup equivalent to gut mains or a full soft bed.
No hybrid can prevent injury. Players with recurring elbow, wrist or shoulder discomfort should consider whether any polyester is appropriate and seek qualified medical guidance for persistent pain.
Comfort rating: 8.5/10
Durability and Tension Maintenance
Champion’s Choice has mixed durability characteristics. ALU Power Rough is physically resistant, while natural gut can fray and notch under the movement of the polyester surface.
Gut mains often deliver better performance but can be cut by the crosses, especially in open patterns and heavy topspin play. Polyester mains may physically survive longer while sawing through the gut crosses.
Natural gut offers exceptional tension stability. ALU Power Rough loses tension and elasticity more quickly, which means one component can decline while the other remains responsive.
Physical survival and useful playability must therefore be separated. The hybrid may remain intact after the polyester has lost its original snapback and control. It may also break through the gut while the ALU still feels usable.
Frayed gut is not always an immediate failure sign, but deep notching, exposed fibers, stuck mains or a significant launch change indicate that replacement is approaching.
Choosing the Right Gauge
Champion’s Choice is a fixed-gauge package rather than a family of diameter options.
| Component | Gauge | General characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Wilson Natural Gut | 16 / 1.30mm | Practical balance of elasticity, control and resistance |
| Luxilon ALU Power Rough | 16L / 1.25mm | Dented polyester control, spin and movement |
Players wanting different gauges must purchase the two strings separately. The 1.30mm gut specification is important because the current article lists 1.32mm.
Full Bed or Hybrid Setup
Full Bed
Champion’s Choice cannot create a conventional full bed of one component because each package contains only a half set of each string. Its intended use is one complete hybrid stringbed.
Players wanting a full bed must purchase a complete set of Wilson Natural Gut or Luxilon ALU Power Rough separately.
Wilson Natural Gut in the Mains With ALU Power Rough Crosses
This orientation emphasizes power, comfort, pocketing and spin. The gut mains dominate the feel and slide across the polyester crosses, while ALU Power Rough restrains launch.
It is the premium, performance-balanced direction most closely associated with the package’s reputation. The crosses can still notch the gut, and the ALU response may decline before the gut breaks.
ALU Power Rough in the Mains With Wilson Natural Gut Crosses
This reverse orientation emphasizes polyester control, firmness and resistance. Natural-gut crosses add power and comfort but do not dominate the response.
It can suit aggressive polyester users seeking a softer cross. The moving ALU mains may saw into the gut, and the setup sacrifices much of the spin-friendly gut-main movement.
General Tension Guidance
The two materials should not automatically be installed at one copied tension. Natural gut is highly elastic, while ALU Power Rough is substantially firmer.
Players seeking greater pocketing and comfort can begin toward the lower portion of the racket manufacturer’s recommended hybrid range. Those seeking a firmer trajectory can make modest adjustments while ensuring the polyester does not become unnecessarily severe.
Orientation, pattern, head size and racket stiffness all affect the relationship between mains and crosses. Professional-player tensions are not a suitable universal guide.
The Tennis String Tension Calculator can help organize the variables. An experienced stringer is recommended because natural gut requires careful handling.
Who Should Use Wilson Champion’s Choice?
Champion’s Choice is best suited to:
- Intermediate and advanced players who understand hybrid setups
- All-court players seeking power, spin, control and touch
- Natural-gut users wanting a more restrained launch
- Polyester users seeking greater comfort and response
- Players willing to replace the hybrid when either component declines
- Players who value performance enough to justify the premium cost
Who Should Avoid Wilson Champion’s Choice?
Champion’s Choice is less suitable for:
- Beginners who do not need a premium specialized hybrid
- Players on a limited restringing budget
- Frequent gut breakers using very open patterns
- Players unwilling to care for natural gut
- Anyone expecting a retail package to reproduce a professional’s setup
- Players with arm discomfort who should avoid polyester entirely
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Exceptional balance of power and control | Very expensive compared with synthetic hybrids |
| Excellent spin with gut in the mains | ALU Power Rough can notch the natural gut |
| Much more comfortable than full polyester | Less comfortable than a full gut bed |
| Premium touch and pocketing | Components age at different rates |
| Two distinct orientation options | Fixed gauges in the package |
| Strong tension stability from the gut component | Requires careful installation and monitoring |
Wilson Champion’s Choice Compared With Other Strings
Champion’s Choice vs Wilson Duo Power
Wilson Duo Power replaces natural gut and ALU Rough with NXT Power and smooth ALU Power. Duo Power costs less and avoids natural material, while Champion’s Choice provides superior gut elasticity and tension stability.
Champion’s Choice vs Wilson Natural Gut
Wilson Natural Gut in a full bed maximizes comfort and power. Champion’s Choice adds polyester control and spin but increases stiffness and wear complexity.
Champion’s Choice vs Luxilon ALU Power Rough
Luxilon ALU Power Rough in a full bed is firmer, lower powered and less comfortable. The hybrid makes it more accessible while preserving much of its control.
Champion’s Choice vs Babolat RPM Blast and Natural Gut Hybrid
Babolat RPM Blast and Natural Gut Hybrid uses a shaped Babolat polyester rather than dented ALU Power Rough. The Babolat setup emphasizes stronger geometric bite, while Champion’s Choice offers the distinctive ALU feel.
Champion’s Choice vs Wilson Duo Control
Wilson Duo Control uses two synthetic strings and prioritizes a firmer, lower-powered response. Champion’s Choice provides greater elasticity, premium feel and cost.
Final Verdict
Wilson Champion’s Choice is a premium hybrid whose performance comes from a meaningful material contrast. Natural gut supplies elasticity, comfort and tension stability, while ALU Power Rough adds control and a spin-friendly cross surface.
It should not be treated as flawless or automatically professional. The polyester lowers comfort, the rough cross can wear the gut and the two components decline at different rates.
For experienced players willing to manage cost and maintenance, gut mains with ALU Power Rough crosses offer an exceptional blend of power, spin and control. Players seeking a more affordable version of the concept should consider Duo Power or build a custom multifilament-and-polyester hybrid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What strings are included in Champion’s Choice?
The package contains Wilson Natural Gut 1.30mm and Luxilon ALU Power Rough 1.25mm, with approximately 6.1m of each.
Which string should go in the mains?
Natural gut mains emphasize power, comfort and spin. ALU Power Rough mains create a firmer, lower-powered and more polyester-dominant response.
Is Champion’s Choice comfortable?
It is highly comfortable with gut mains compared with full polyester, but less comfortable than a complete natural-gut or multifilament bed.
Does Champion’s Choice produce good spin?
Yes. Gut mains sliding over the polyester crosses can create excellent snapback and spin when the stringbed is fresh.
Is Champion’s Choice durable?
Durability varies. The polyester is physically strong, but it can notch the gut. Heavy topspin and open patterns can shorten the hybrid’s life.
Is this exactly Roger Federer’s setup?
It contains the same broad string pairing associated with Federer, but it does not reproduce his racket, customization, tension choices or technique.
Can the two components be used as separate full beds?
Not from one package. Each component is only a half set, so a complete set must be purchased separately for a full bed.