When you’re trying to avoid tennis elbow, the type of string you use plays an important role. Finding the best tennis strings for tennis elbow will help relieve pain from this common injury.
Tennis is a fun game that requires you to flex your wrist, arm, and shoulder muscles while swinging a racquet. Unfortunately, this repetitive motion can cause tennis elbow or other injuries especially if you have poor technique.
Considerations before selecting tennis strings for tennis elbow
Does string tension affect tennis elbow?
When the muscles attached to your elbows are overused you will likely get tennis elbow. New research suggests tightly strung racquets increase the risk for this type of injury, but there’s hope!
It has been demonstrated that tightly strung racquets increase the risk of tennis elbow. This is because it places more pressure on your elbows causing them to get sore. Tighter strings will not allow the ball to be propelled efficiently. Lower string tension is better for your body and absorbs more shock on impact. Making it easier for you to play full tennis strokes without worrying about fatigue in that area of the arm and elbow.
String at the bottom of your manufacturer’s recommended tension range to lessen the amount of work you have to do. Looser strings can absorb shock better than higher-tension ones. This means they make a more comfortable swing for both player and equipment alike. Remember tennis elbow can be avoided by using the right type of strings and improving your overall technique.
Do polyester strings cause tennis elbow?
Polyester strings are considered very durable strings. This is a newer technology that really gained in popularity over the last 10 or so years. Polyester strings are the choice for many pros due to the advantages of producing extra power and spin. However, Polyester has also been considered a stiffer type of string. This stiffness has been attributed to causing tennis elbow.
What type of tennis string is best for tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is a serious issue that can be avoided by playing with natural gut tennis strings. Gut provides better power and absorption, so you avoid getting hurt when hitting the ball against your racket.
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!
Are natural gut strings durable?
Natural gut is not as durable as polyester or Kevlar strings, but it can hold tension well. The durability of natural gut is often questioned by modern tennis players who say they wear faster than other types of strings.
The artificial more modern strings such as monofilament do have greater elongation ability over certain time periods than natural gut but in turn, can cause more damage to the arm.
Using a thicker gauge of string may give you better durability and comfort, but it will also reduce your control and spin potential. If you want to use a thicker string try using less tension in order to compensate for the lack of control which is typical with such a string.
What tennis string is closest to natural gut?
Multifilament strings are the closest you can get to natural gut, and also happen to be next expensive. These strings are gentle on your arm while still packing plenty of power. Each filament has hundreds of strands so it will fray after extensive use. They are a good option for those who want a bit more power with a natural feel.
The top 3 best tennis strings for tennis elbow
- Luxilon Natural Gut 130
- Babolat VS Touch Natural Gut
- Wilson 17 Gauge Natural Gut
Luxilon Natural Gut 130
The Luxilon Natural Gut 130 is quite possibly the best multifilament string on the market. This string offers a very soft feel, great durability, and plenty of power. It provides a nice balance between power and control which makes it good for players of any type.
Babolat VS Touch Natural Gut
Babolat Natural Gut offers the best of both worlds – playability and comfort! It has amazing tension holding power that you can feel through skin, while still being very forgiving on contact points. You’ll get more out your racquet with this string.
Wilson 17 Gauge Natural Gut
Natural, or organic, serosa fibers (guts) provide excellent power and control. They are very durable for natural gut strings. Wilson’s natural gut is a success because of its power and control. If you want the best possible performance from your strings, then these will help you get it.
Conclusion: the best tennis strings for tennis elbow is . . .
Tennis elbow is a common injury amongst tennis players, caused by repetitive stress on the muscles and tendons in your arm or shoulder. Thankfully there are ways to reduce this risk so you can avoid missing time on court.
To prevent this painful condition you should string at the bottom of your manufacturer’s recommended tension range. This will lessen the amount of work you have to do when hitting shots against your racket.
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, comfort while still maintaining tension.
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