Best Type Racket for Less Risk of Tennis Elbow

[Stoofpilot]

I am 65 and a 3.0 player. I just got over tennis elbow with a shot, rest and excercises. I would like to know for a 65 year old, what strings and rackets should I look at to reduce the chance of it coming back. Current rackets are a Prince O3 White which is 10.5 oz weight-Head pretty balanced. Other is a Wilson Ncode N5-head heavy but 9.0 ounces.

Suggestions for the best strings and racket for less tennis elbow. I will move to any racket/string combination. Both are strung at 58 lbs.

[Gerwalk]

My recommendation would be the Fischer Progressor NT. It is a mid weight racquet at about 11.2 oz strung, plays stable and is on the softer side so I believe it would be great for your arm.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageRCFISCHER-FPNT.html

Here is a user review:

"Great racquet for those suffering from tennis elbow. I switched from the Yonex RQiS 2 about three weeks ago and my tennis elbow symptoms have dramatically decreased. I only play about three times a week, but the NT Progressor is a solid choice for serious players who want to maintain control while using a less stiff racquet."

Being the racquet is a bit more control oriented you could most likely get away with a lower tension further easing the stress on your elbow.

As far as strings I would try the Tecnifibre multifilaments like X-One and NRG.

As far as grip a lot of guys (myself included at one time) use grips way too big as if using a 4 3/8 or 4 1/4 is a women's grip size. If you're using a 4 5/8 try a 4 1/2 or a 4 1/2 try a 4 3/8. You can always make the grip bigger and a smaller grip in theory will help you generate more power and spin with less effort.

I hope you find some of this info useful. I'm sure there are gonna be a lot of good suggestions.

[Stoofpilot]

Guys, thanks for all of our advise. I am currently having my Prince restrung with Wilson NXT at 56. I am also creating a spreadsheet with all of your suggestions. Today, I played with my neighbors Avery M5. Although his hands are huge, except for the weight, I really liked the way it felt when you struck the ball.

[Racqueteer]

Best racquet I know to help tennis elbow is a Boris Becker DNX-V1. Latest version of the Volkl V1. It's a bit lighter than your Prince White with better control.

[JPtennis]

Tom Avery produces a phenomenal tennis racquet that is specifically designed to reduce impact on your arm. I highly recommend his frames, especially the M5:

http://www.tomavery.com/racquets.php

[ArchEtech]

The best thing I ever did was start using a heavier racquet.

Many racquets out there are really light and stiff, and it just kill your arm if you have a big swing.

I would try a racquet that is perhaps .5 or so oz heavier than what you're used to and then try adding weights until you find the exact weight that you like without feeling too heavy. That might save you from buying a racquet too heavy and hating it. Then if you get used to that and want to try a heavier racquet later you can, or just add some more weight.

For sure though you don't want a stiff light frame, or really high string tensions.

I kept my string tension about the same and went to a racquet much more flexible and about 1 oz heavier. It took getting used to but hitting is much more confortable, and I notice less strain on my arm.

[mawashi]

This has been discussed in great detail on many other boards but it is generally accepted that soft, heavier, head light racquet is a good idea for those suffering from TE.

For strings, natural gut is the best albeit, the most expensive however, a good set of multis are pretty good too.

I have some friends in their late 50s n the racquets they use are Head Radical OS (a bit under power though), Head radical pros & ProKennex Kinetic Pro 5G.

mawashi

[Nadal46]

head protectors or light head team rackets

[benraschke]

I suggest trying the Volkl Power Bridge 8. Volkl racquets are proven to be easier on the arm. I know this statement to be true as I switched to Volkl racquets just a few months ago after having tennis elbow surgery.
Second suggestion is watch which type of strings you use. Stay away from a full polyester bed of strings. Try using natural gut, a multifilament, or a hybrid.
Third suggestion is watch your string tension. I would not recommend stringing any higher than 55 lbs.