Rackets that help my elbow pain

[thu1972]

Hi,

I use the Babolat pure drive standard (non cortex) and my elbow is pain recently. Are there any
rackets that help to reduce the pain? Will cortex one help my elbow?
Thanks.

[Jetpilot2112]

What kind of string are you using? Elbow problems most likely have to do with string, not racquet...

[thu1972]

I am using a hybrid of SPP-17 and Prince Sync. Gut-17 at 56/58lbs. I heard that the higher stiffness will cause the tennis elbow. Is it right?
I love to play the Poly string since it does not move and last long.
Will my elbow better if the tension is lower?

[Jetpilot2112]

That's the exact same combo I've had on my racquets before, SPPP 17 and Prince synthetic 16... 60/57. For me, it didn't cause any problems, but I had the Signum in the mains, not the crosses. My advice would be to lower the tension and see if that helps. If not, you might need to change strings. Also, keep an eye out for tiny little things that you might doing differently by accident...such as a lower serve toss which would cause a bent elbow at serve contact, etc. It's probably the strings though :)
Also, have you weighed your racquet? Is it pretty light? After changing the strings, you could try adding some lead weight to the head of the racquet. The added swingweight and momentum could lessen the shock on your arm to an extent. Again, I'd look to the strings first. Good luck :)

[ggtennis]

The Babolat Pure Drive is a very stiff frame and this certainly does not help in regard to the elbow pain you are experiencing. Yes, tennis frames as well as strings can have an impact regarding tennis elbow. In general frames with an even to headlight balance weighing 11oz or more with a flex rating no higher than the mid 60's is how I direct my local customers. These specs tend to promote arm health.

The bottom line is shock. Shock is the enemy of tennis elbow. Your equipment needs to absorb as much shock as possible. Stiff strings and stiff racquets are not the best for absorbing the shock.

In the case of the OP, a softer frame perhaps combined with a softer string setup may do the trick. I have posted an article concerning my tennis elbow observations at http://www.gutsandglorytennis.com/home/gg2/page_36/tennis_elbow_relief.html

[Jetpilot2112]

I COMPLETELY agree with GGTennis and it's nice to see someone backing me up on this. In retail stores, an unsuspecting public tends to pick up a light racket and instantly be smitten. Why?? What's wrong with the solid feel of a heavier racket plowing through the ball? Needless to say, I'm a huge fan. I'll use my Yonex RDS002 Tour as an example: it weighs about 12.4 oz, is flexible (but not too flexible) and despite its weight, it is head light which offers good maneuverability at the net...best of both worlds.
I switched to a heavier racket because, in the past, I found myself adding lead tape to my lighter rackets in search of more comfort through the contact zone. By adding lead tape, I sacrificed some maneuverability at the net, but I knew I was on the right track.
So, I'm sure there are some great lightweight rackets out there, but people have to ponder the question: if you are driving a vehicle down the road and have no choice but to collide with a car, which would you rather be driving: a Miata or a Mack truck?

[JPtennis]

To what extent does an oversize frame, say 110 or larger, help out? I've noticed on my Volkl DNX3 that the giant sweet spot reduces impact on my arm, especially on poorly hit shots. I also will add that while this particular frame is stiff and light, it plays like a much heavier and much more solid racquet. A friend and I both have had arm issues and they have largely gone away with this frame.

[Jetpilot2112]

I'd guess your racket has a somewhat higher swingweight, the same effect as adding lead tape to a lighter racket head. Having more weight further away from the arm causes an increase in moment (weight x distance).

[MHK]

I agree with ggtennis re: the frame is the chief cause of tennis elbow; however, some interim measures you might take with your current Babolat (in addition to using softer string) would be to change the grip (use one of those gel grips which absorb more vibration) as well as to use an overgrip to widen the grip. A grip that's too narrow for your hand can lead to tennis elbow.

[Jetpilot2112]

Actually, extensive studies have shown that grip size has nothing to do with tennis elbow, only wrist issues (if any).
In fact, I just read about the misconception of grip size quite recently. Tennis magazine? PTR magazine? I forget where I saw it, but it came up again.
Grip size DOES, however, affect one's control. A larger grip size (circumference) adds more surface area for the hand to act upon, reducing torquing moments upon ball impact and putting more of the racquet's surface in the player's hand, adding more feel.


I agree with ggtennis re: the frame is the chief cause of tennis elbow; however, some interim measures you might take with your current Babolat (in addition to using softer string) would be to change the grip (use one of those gel grips which absorb more vibration) as well as to use an overgrip to widen the grip. A grip that's too narrow for your hand can lead to tennis elbow.

[lordjohn]

Babolat racquets appear to be associated with arm problems and I experienced tennis elbow for the first time ever with a Pure Control Team. There is information posted elsewhere in this section on stiffness parameters. Jens recommended a multifibre to me and I have strung the racquet with a multifibre and it plays better but I am nervous of the condition returning and have gone back to my old Head Radical. I would string the racquet with a multifibre that has a good reputation and, if any pain persists or starts to return, junk or sell the racquet to someone who can handle it and start again with a flexible frame.

[Flycaster]

FWIW, I was getting (got) tennis elbow with my new Prince Red O3 MP (original O3) after about 3-4 months use. It was strung with Topspin Cyber Power (60#). I hit with a fair amount of topspin and play senior doubles about 2hrs/d or more, 6 days/wk. Not sure if it was the stringing or the racket as I had been hitting with polyester on my other rackets (Prince grahite II MP and Wilson 5.3 MP) for a few years without any problem. Nonetheless, I strarted looking around for another racket.

The racket that I chose was the new Babolat Cortex PD+ strung with 17g Gamma syngut at 58#. Too many variables to determine, but I will say that this racket felt a lot more solid and comfortable. In fact, just about every hit was like hitting the sweet spot. And, most amazingly, my tennis elbow problems started to lessen with each use of the racket. Once again, too many variables, but solid/comforable hitting qualities of the PD+ with Cortex may have made a significant difference. Overall, jus trying to say that the new Babolats with Cortex may offer better elbow treatment than before Cortex????

[Jetpilot2112]

Interesting...my original Prince O3 Red actually cured my tennis elbow...strung with natural gut and a soft multifilament hybrid. The O3 Red is, in my opinion, one of the most comfortable racquets out there. I think it all comes down to strings and technique.

[Flycaster]

And, interesting again, JP. Before getting the PD+, I had my O3 strung with Tecnifibre syngut 17g at 58# and hit with it for about 2 weeks...without relief for the TE. As soon as I hit with a demo PD+, it was so comfortable that I knew this was the racket for me.

The other day, I hit with the 03 (as it is my backup racket), and, unfortunately, it was like night and day. The PD+ was so much more solid hitting and somewhat more powerful. I know I was using different strings between the two rackets, but the difference in feel had to be more than the strings, IMO. Anyway, I think that all this demonstrates that as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, hitting characteristics are in the hands of the hitter. Now, having said all that, how can one rely on what someone tells you about a racket and/or strings???? Gotta try for yourself, eh.

[Jetpilot2112]

You're preaching to the choir!! ;)



And, interesting again, JP. Before getting the PD+, I had my O3 strung with Tecnifibre syngut 17g at 58# and hit with it for about 2 weeks...without relief for the TE. As soon as I hit with a demo PD+, it was so comfortable that I knew this was the racket for me.

The other day, I hit with the 03 (as it is my backup racket), and, unfortunately, it was like night and day. The PD+ was so much more solid hitting and somewhat more powerful. I know I was using different strings between the two rackets, but the difference in feel had to be more than the strings, IMO. Anyway, I think that all this demonstrates that as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, hitting characteristics are in the hands of the hitter. Now, having said all that, how can one rely on what someone tells you about a racket and/or strings???? Gotta try for yourself, eh.