What are the Best Strings and Rackets for Tennis Elbow?
I get this question on a daily basis. Tennis players come into the shop holding their forearm asking what they can do to prevent tennis elbow or how to get rid of it. Around 40% of tennis players will get tennis elbow sometime during their playing career. I’m not a doctor and can’t recommend a certain treatment for tennis elbow but I do know that the best way to reduce the inflammation and pain is to REST! It is extremely hard to get rid of TE if you do not let it heal completely.
There are some great racquets and strings available that can help prevent TE and is easy on the arm. None of these sticks or strings will stop TE. Before mentioning specific sticks or strings, let’s understand the basic causes of TE and the effects your equipment can have on it. .
In striking the tennis ball, there are two main factors that can hurt the arm – shock and torque.
Shock: When the ball makes contact on the strings (and sometimes the frame) it produces a vibration (shock). You will get a vibration every time you hit the ball and some of the shock is transmitted to the arm. In some cases the shock is so great that it can do damage to the arm.
Torque: Unless your name is Roger, you will hit some balls off center. This causes the racket to twist (torque). If this twist is repeated too many times it will strain the arm.
So …. what type of equipment will help lessen the effects of the shock and torque?
When looking for an arm friendly racket here are some things to look for:
1) Overall heavier racket to help absorb the shock.
2) Headlight racket to put less stress on the arm.
3) Thinner and more flexible to absorb the shock.
4) Vibration Dampening System or Technology
5) A larger grip to help prevent torque
When looking for an arm friendly string here are some things you want to look for:
1) A thinner gauge.
2) A multifilament.
3) A more elastic string.
4) String at a lower tension.
Here are my top ten current rackets, both mid to mid plus sticks and oversize, and strings
Racket (Mid-Mid Plus)
10) Prince EXO3 Red
9) Head YouTEK IG Speed 315 (16×19)
8) Wilson Six.One BLX (16×19)
7) Babolat Aero Storm Tour GT
6) Solinco Pro 10
5) Head YouTEK Prestige Pro
4) Babolat Pure Storm Ltd GT
3) Wilson Six.One Tour 90 BLX
2) Solinco Tour 10
1) Prince EXO3 Tour 100 (16×19)
Racket (Oversize)
10) Babolat Over Drive 110
9) Head Radical OS
8) Babolat Pure Drive 107
7) Volkl Power Bridge 2
6) Wilson One BLX
5) Head Star Six
4) Prince EXO3 Silver
3) Wilson Stratus Three BLX
2) Prince EXO3 Blue
1) Volkl Powerbridge 1
Strings (not including guage)
10) Gamma TNT RX
9) Wilson Shock Shield
8) Wilson Sensation
7) Gamma Live Wire
6) Wilson NXT
5) Solinco Vanquish
4) Prince Premier LT
3) Wilson NXT Tour
2) Gamma Professional
1) Babolat VS Gut
If you have any questions regarding this article feel free to comment or send me an email at service@proamtennis.com.
Racket and String Presentation at Village Walk Country Club
ProAm Tennis did a demo day at Village Walk Country Club in Bonita Springs Florida. Before we started I wanted to introduce the members to what they should look for in a racket. I also talked about tennis elbow prevention.
Prince EXO3 Tour 16×18 Love it!
I got to play doubles with this stick Tuesday evening. I have been using the Wilson 6.1 starting from the ProStaff 6.1 Classic to the 6.1 95 BLX most of my tennis life. I wasn’t too sure how the Prince EXO3 Tour 16×18 would feel since it is only 10.9oz unstrung as opposed to my 6.1 with a 11.7oz unstrung weight. I was also worried about the 100in headsize instead of 95in like my 6.1.
Well neither mattered. I loved it! With the lighter weight I was able to whip the stick so quickly to generate tremendous racquet head speed. With the faster racquet head speed I was able to generate massive spin when needed (like my kick serve) or hit a flat penetrating ball (like a high forehand). I could feel the flexibility of the racquet upon contact especially my gourndies. I believe that is why I was able to keep the ball low and in play. My worries of the 100in head being too powerful quickly went away after my first forehand return winner. When I went back to the shop I tested the stiffness of the stick on my RDC machine. It came up 52ra! In other words it is very very flexible. I’m curious to try the tour in singles.
Mindy is testing the racquet today and I can’t to hear her opinion of it.
The Racket Review 