There are many tennis elbow treatment options, but something that is overlooked by a lot of players is using the right type of tennis racquet. This article will suggest the best tennis racquets for tennis elbow based on popular brands.
What you need to know about tennis elbow as a tennis player
What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is an injury to the outer tendon of the elbow. Tennis elbow occurs when you overuse your forearm muscles, which are the muscles that rotate your wrist and fingers. Repetitive stress causes tiny tears in your forearm muscles or tendons, which leads to inflammation and pain. This may sound simple, but it happens much more often than you’d expect.
Too many players (amateurs and pros alike) get similar repetitive stress injuries from serving hundreds of hours a week, playing hundreds of games or just plain overdoing it! If you do not play regularly and then play tennis over a number of consecutive days you will increase your chance of injury.
How to treat tennis elbow
Tennis elbow is a painful injury to the tendons that connect the muscles in your forearm to your elbow. Though it may be misleading, this pain is felt on the outside of the arm and nowhere near a tennis court. People of all ages can suffer from tennis elbow.
Treatment depends on how bad your pain is and how long you have been experiencing it. Sometimes, tennis elbow symptoms clear up on their own through rest. In other cases, a doctor may recommend physical therapy or medications such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to help manage pain.
There are a number of treatments for tennis elbow, but one that many players overlook is using the right type of racquet.
Is a lighter racquet better for tennis elbow?
Many amateur and recreational players assume that a lighter racquet would be better for tennis elbow. But the logic behind this assumption isn’t based on any actual data or science. If you’ve experienced tennis elbow from playing tennis, you’ve probably wondered whether you should avoid using a heavier racquet in order to prevent aggravating your condition. But is a heavier racquet the right answer?
Lighter rackets are also more prone to breakage because they are less rigid. Heavier racquets are usually designed to be more sturdy – which is another factor in preventing tennis elbow. If you have tennis elbow and haven’t been able to give up on your racquet of choice just yet, you may want to consider getting a heavier one.
As a player using lighter racquets, you’ll feel more “zip” when hitting the ball with a lighter racquet, but you have to remember that lightness comes with another disadvantage: lack of power. True, it does not put as much strain on your arms. But it also means your balls won’t be driven as far and will be more prone to drops and shots that don’t go with the direction of your swings.
Is a heavier racquet better for tennis elbow?
So, heavier racquets are better for tennis elbow. But how heavy should the racquet be? The answer is the balance needs to be right.
You don’t want your racquet to be too heavy that is compromises your technique, this could lead to injury. That is the belief of many elbow surgeons who treat players with tennis elbow, a painful condition where the muscles on the outside of the elbow become inflamed and weak from an accumulation of small tears.
Most elbow surgeons agree that overall, heavier racquets are best for tennis elbow. Heavier racquets mean more power and less stress on the arm. If you can get used to it, a heavier racquet will give your game more zing.
Racquets weighing over 300g (10oz) are ideal. You may want to opt for a racquet weighing around 290g (10oz) if you have a big frame and want more power. If you are particularly petite, go with a lighter racquet – around 290 g – as heavier ones may be too cumbersome.
In conclusion, is a heavier racquet better for tennis elbow? It really depends on the individual player and their own situation. If you are experiencing pain it is important to see a doctor so that you can get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. If your doctor recommends switching to a heavier racquet, it is worth giving it a try.
How to choose the best tennis elbow brace
The best tennis elbow brace will allow your arm to recover from tennis elbow quickly and relieve pain while giving you the best results. In order to determine what the best tennis elbow brace is for your needs, you need to answer some important questions first before making a decision:
Is it adjustable? Is it sturdy enough? Will it fit me properly? How long should I wear it for?
If you can’t find answers online or in stores, it might be best to consult a professional tennis elbow brace provider instead.
What is the best tennis racquet for tennis elbow?
A lighter racquet creates more power and speed, but this will come at a cost: it puts more stress on your arm. If you already have or are experiencing tennis elbow pain, then heavier weights are best as they will take less strain on your arms.
A heavier weight can be a hard adjustment for those who have been using lighter racquets exclusively, but it’s best to stick with a grain that’s best for tennis elbow.
Is head heavy or head light better for tennis elbow?
A more head-heavy racquet is best for those who have tennis elbow as it will take less strain on your arms. A head light racquet will be better for those with strong and fast swings.
What type of grip is best for tennis elbow?
The best grip to ease pain from the tennis elbow is an eastern forehand. This helps the most in absorbing the shock from a tennis racket, reducing stress on your arm at impact, and relieving shoulder tension. There are several types of grips you can use to aid in recovering from tennis elbow:
- Eastern forehands – best gripped perpendicular to the target with your thumb above your index finger for control and maximum power
- Western backhands – best gripped perpendicular to the target with your thumb below your index finger for power and control
- Serves – best gripped at a 90-degree angle with the fingers spread evenly to make the best contact with the ball. Use semi-western or eastern grips depending on your preference.
- Volleys – best gripped perpendicularly, with the fingers spread to make the best contact with the racquet head for best control.
Best strings to avoid tennis elbow
Tennis elbow can make it difficult to play tennis, but switching strings might be the perfect solution. If you use a softer string that is more forgiving on your arm and less painful when hitting balls then you will be on the road to recovery.
Tennis players should know that natural gut strings are best for absorbing shock and minimizing potential elbow problems. The added power will make it easier on your arm when hitting off-center shots or volleying. Important because those types of shots tend to really wear down other strings quickly!
Natural gut tennis strings provide better power and absorption so you can avoid developing tennis elbow. We recommend the Wilson 17 Gauge Natural Gut because the string’s natural fibers provide maximum power, and comfort while still maintaining tension. Read our article to learn more about the best tennis strings for tennis elbow.
Top 5 arm friendly tennis racquets
- Wilson Clash 100
- Yonex Ezone DR 100
- Head Graphene 360+ Gravity Spin
- Prince Phantom Pro 100P
- Yonex VCORE Pro 97HD
Wilson Clash 100
Wilson is one of the best tennis racquet manufacturers globally. The Wilson Clash 100 takes the top spot on our list for being one of their best tennis racquets for intermediate players.
This model’s design takes the cake for being the best-in-class, offering immense control and flexibility. All thanks to the head-light balance that’s accentuated with the FreeFlex technology.
This technology utilizes proprietary carbon mapping, which allows the frame to bend in the appropriate dimensions. This provides excellent ball pocketing and dwell time.
StableSmart frame geometry utilized in this racquet helps preserve the force of your swing by offering immense flexibility during the time of contact. It’s arm-friendly yet still offers spin and force.
You can pick up this model in two versions based on your skill level. For intermediate players, the Clash 100 is ideal because advanced players can opt for the heavier Clash 100 Tour.
Some users have reported that the nature of the stringing used in this model means that this racquet lacks power.
Yonex Ezone DR 100
The EZONE DR 100 is the latest milestone from Yonex. It’s the world’s first tennis racquet to contain premium grade NANOMETRIC DR carbon graphite, giving it increased flexibility and repulsion along with a larger sweet spot for dynamic power.
The frame and beam are made using Yonex’s proprietary HYPER THREAD technology which allows more flexibility in the frame at the same stiffness level as standard grade graphite. This unique construction is an opportunity for you to break your mold and command the court with greater confidence.
Head Graphene 360+ Gravity Spin
The Graphene 360+ Gravity racquet line has a blend of Graphene 360+ technology and SpiralFibers at the shoulders for an even softer, more dynamic feel. Oversize strung areas increase sweet spot area for increased ball pocketing. The extreme stiffness of this racquet gives it a lively feel with great precision.
This one-piece frame has a large, forgiving sweet spot and provides added comfort with a flexible beam and vibration-damping technology.
The use of Graphene 360+ allows for a more stable feel when hitting out, with Head claiming greater power and spin from the racquet on off-center hits.
Prince Phantom Pro 100P
The Prince Phantom Pro 100P is perfect for those who want a racquet with ample power, control, and feel at a mid to low price point. It boasts a thin, flexible beam with plenty of plows through to put away points.
Players who don’t want to sacrifice control for more power will enjoy this frame. The hitting area is large and offers enough on-center sweet spot for a forgiving hitting area. Prince has nicely balanced the frame so it doesn’t feel stiff or lifeless at net. The open string pattern provides some nice bite on serve too.
The combination of a thin beam profile and open string pattern makes this racquet extremely maneuverable and lightweight without sacrificing control. In fact, it gives you access to a vast variety of spins making this an ideal weapon for today’s modern player.
Yonex VCORE Pro 97HD
The Yonex VCORE Pro 97 HD 18×20’s modern design features a slightly flatter beam and modified head shape, which together contribute to its lively acceleration and crisp, feel-oriented play. This offering has the potential to be an excellent control racquet for baseline technicians with powerful strokes.
Ideal for intermediate and advanced players, it features a crisp headlight balance that will inspire confidence at contact. The racquet also boasts Yonex’s signature Nano Grip II and Halo Frame Technology® designs for optimal durability and dampening on off-center hits.
Conclusion: the best tennis racquet for tennis elbow
With so many tennis elbow treatment options, it can be difficult to know which one will work best for you. It’s important to remember that not all racquets are the same and there is a difference between lightweight and heavier weights. If you have already been experiencing pain in your arm or if you’re just looking to prevent future injuries, then we recommend using a heavyweight such as the Wilson Clash 100 which won’t put too much strain on your arms while playing. When choosing what type of racquet may be right for you, consider this article when making your decision!
Comments are closed.