The Best Racquets and Strings for Tennis Elbow

The tennis-playing community is a tightly-knit group. We bond over Federer's majesty, Serena's dominance, and the wonderful feel of a fresh grip on a tennis racquet. There is something else that brings us together: The fear, pain, and strain of Tennis Elbow.

What is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow has a much cooler scientific name, lateral epicondylitis. The condition is described as an overuse injury of the elbow, specifically the forearm extensor muscles. It is interesting to note, so many sufferers of tennis elbow do not play tennis at all, but let's stick with us tennisers for a few moments. Whether you are a beer league champion, avid tournament player, high schooler, or league tennis dominator, tennis elbow can shut you down and break your spirits quickly. Here are some tips to help keep you pain-free on the court.

Best Racquets for Tennis Elbow

Wilson Clash - The Clash Racquets pair a manageable weight with a comfortable flex, which are both valuale traits for a comfortable hitting experience. The Clash stands out because Wilson has found a way to make the racquet flexible yet stable. There are several models to choose from, but the best seller is the Clash 100.

Head Gravity - The tear-drop head shape makes the Gravity stand out, and it does create a massive sweet spot for added forgiveness. The Gravity racquets are flexible, and they provide a smooth hitting experience for those with sore arms. The MP is the most well-rounded model, but the easiest model to play is the Gravity Team.

Here are a few guidelines: Generally, arm-friendly racquets have a lower RA rating (55-65), a medium weight (10.5-11 ounces), and a slightly head-light balance. If you swing fast and have long swings, but are using an ultralight tennis racquet, this is probably causing some of your arm trouble. Using a firm racquet with polyester string is a double whammy of sorts for your arm. If you love the stiffer-feeling racquet, consider a softer string. Pay attention to your racket's swing weight. The higher the number, the harder it is to move. A safe guideline for swing weight is between 300-320. Some racquets have swing weights above 330; this is an extraordinarily high number and is difficult to play with unless you are an expert-level player. Generally speaking, a thicker frame cross-section means it is a stiffer racquet and will provide more power but less dampening. Tennis Elbow can be a frustrating opponent, but by tweaking your existing equipment, you might be able to resolve the issue and hopefully get back on the court pain-free!

Best Strings for Tennis Elbow

Head Velocity Mutifilament - Arm friendly, and not too bad on the wallet either, Velocity brings durability to the table as well. Customers love this string because you can get tons of different colors, whereas most multifilament strings are only available in a natural color.

Wilson NXT - This option from Wilson has been around for a long time, but the string is still one of the most playable and comfortable strings for tennis elbow sufferers. Go with a thicker gauge for added durability or a thinner gauge for power and feel.

The first equipment adjustment to make would be lowering your string tension by 4-5 pounds. Many professional tennis players are stringing their racquets in the 40-50 pound range. With a lower tension, the string bed will play more powerful and more comfortably. Second, you should find out what string you are currently using, and most importantly, what it is made of. Polyester strings are all the rage at the moment, but they do not dampen the impact shock at all. Strings that offer more flexibility and energy return, like multifilament or natural gut, do a much better job of absorbing shock and protecting your arm. Because they are more pliable, they can be strung tighter for more control without increasing shock to the elbow. If you loved the firmer response of a polyester string, but it is causing elbow discomfort, consider trying a thicker synthetic gut string or multifilament. With the larger string diameter, the string bed will offer more control, and you can still string with higher tensions while protecting your elbow.

Cures For Tennis Elbow

Rest

Before considering racquet, string, or tension changes, start with the most obvious - Rest. How often do you play tennis? If the answer is "6 days a week and twice on Sunday", then why not start with some rest? The rest is not a fun solution, particularly if tennis is your primary form of exercise. But what about active rest? Go for a short jog, or do some cycling or swimming. By cross-training a little bit, you are giving your elbow some rest while maintaining your cardiovascular endurance.

On-court Evaluation

If you think rest is the worst and tennis must be played at any cost, consult a teaching professional for a half-hour lesson. Explain to the pro the issues you are having with tennis elbow, and ask them if they see anything technically you are struggling with that could be exacerbating the issue. Tennis professionals are not doctors, but they absolutely want you to be able to keep playing tennis. Perhaps your contact point is to late on your forehand, or maybe you are short-arming the ball. Either way, most of us don't have the ability to watch ourselves play tennis the way an instructor can.

Grip Tips

Pay attention to your racket’s grip. What size is your grip? If you do not know the answer to this, you need to find out. Using a grip that is too large causes you to strain your forearm when changing grips, and too small a grip forces you to squeeze the handle tightly, causing more fatigue. If the grip is particularly worn out and slippery, you will be straining your forearm to keep the racquet from twisting. Some players decide they want a smaller size handle so they can remove the replacement grip and put an overgrip over the bare handle. The problem here is twofold: 1. The replacement grip has a cushion built into it to keep it comfortable. 2. Using an overgrip only will decrease the grip size, but offer no padding and no comfort. Doing this will also affect the racket’s balance, as a replacement grip is much heavier than an overgrip. Shop for replacement grips with "Cushion" in the name. These are often a little thicker and they do a better job absorbing shock than the thinner ones.

Braces for Tennis Elbow

Some players have found relief from tennis elbow symptoms thanks to bands, sleeves, or braces. Here are some best sellers. Most of the bands are similar to the one below, and they apply pressure to the extensor muscle, which reduces the tension to relieve the symptoms. These braces are popular, but many players rely on a simple elbow sleeve to apply compression for added support.