Racquets for players with tennis elbow

[benraschke]

This blog is just a FYI for any tennis player who has or is suffering from tennis elbow. I recently had surgery to re-attach the tendon. I was not able to play for 4 months, but I am back on the court and most importantly playing pain free. During my time away from the game I did a great deal of research on racquets and strings. Once I returned to playing I began to demo different racquets based on the information I learned. There were 2 companies that were continuously rated as being arm friendly. Boris Becker by Volkl and Pro Kennex. After one full month of playing at least twice a week which included singles, doubles, and a tournament I decided on the Pro Kennex Ki 5 PSE. This racquet is amazing providing relief from pain. This racquet was the only model that provided pain free play and that included a 3 set 3 hour marathon match. I can't say enough good things about the Pro Kennex. If anyone our there is suffering from arm problems I highly recommend trying a Pro Kennex model. If you have any questions contact Kevin Gilbert at Pro Kennex kgil30@yahoo.com. Kevin was great at answering all my questions, and he responded quickly. My arm pain was unbelievably painful and lasted 15 months until I had the surgery. I wish I had been using a Pro Kennex all along, and I might not have suffered so long. I am not getting paid or being given anything free from Pro Kennex. I am simply trying to help fellow players who might be suffering from tennis elbow.
Best Wishes for a great 2010 to all our tennis competitors.
Ben

[grip]

Ben,

The specifications said it all. The racket is heavy (12.9oz). It is 9 point headlight. It is low on stiffness (63). It has a hefty swingweight (345). I think you have a winner. :)

[Gerwalk]

I'd been getting elbow pain recently after a long tennis lay off. Initially I went to the Microgel Prestige MP but it seemed a bit stiff (64 RA I think) so I went to the Tecnifibre 315 V02 which has a 61 rating according to Tennis Warehouse. Still had a bit of pain and was going to go with the Head Radical Pro (58) but just on a whim put lead tape on the 2 and 10 positions on the racquet and it is playing like a different frame. Solid on shots in the upper hoop and it even felt softer (could that be?). I felt the difference in my arm immediately and was able to play three hours last night with no pain. It was just two 4 or 5 inch strips cut in half on each frame and what a difference it made.

[cougarnation]

Would adding head weight on a stiff racquet help at all? I just started using the Tecnifibre 320 VO2 and I think this is the stiffest racquet I have ever used, and I am experiencing some elbow tenderness. I've switched to a hybrid strings, and maybe its the poly thats doing it.... but I string what I would consider fairly low (52/48 is highest I go with the hybrid). I really like the way this racquet hits, so would like to see if I can work it out.

[Gerwalk]

Even though the 320 is a fairly stiff frame I do think lead tape will help in that I believe a heavier racquet absorbs shock better and mis-hits won't jar your arm as much. I didn't add the lead tape to my 315 for elbow relief but it did seem to make a significant difference.

That said the 320 is a fantastic frame. With some lead at 10 and 2, I strung one up with Black Code 17 on the mains and Babolat NV.Y 17 on the crosses at 51/53 and it felt great.

If I do switch to a poly hybrid it will be Black Code with NV.Y or Gamma TNT.

[JT_2eighty]

Just be sure to put head tape in the right place, I'm no expert on the subject, but lead at 3 and 9 o'clock will help with torsional stability, and then add the same amount near or on/in the handle to get back to the same balance, unless you want it to be more head heavy. Lead tape at 10 and 2 will also help with this stability, while also shifting the sweet spot up towards the tip a little bit.

The problem is, a more head heavy racquet is less-beneficial to the elbow. I think the general claim is that a "heavier" (12oz. +), head light, flexible frame is the best for arm health and shock absorption. Poly mains are also not the best for shock absorption, but if you can't live without poly, my personal favorite is gut mains with a softer co-poly cross.

[ZeroDfx]

Recognizing the multitude of variables at play with tennis elbow, does it make any sense to start with one set (strings and stringing, for instance) and test those before switching to a new/different racket?

I have been playing with a Prince 03 Speedport Blue strung at 60lbs and have been developing a chronic problem that has finally side-lined me for the last two months. My inclination is to try restringing with another string at lower tension as I prepare to resume playing. I already add some lead tape at 10/2 to increase the weight, but from what I've been reading here I may need to add more. Does it make sense to try this approach or am I just adding "whipped cream on a turd" by trying to salvage my Prince racket?

Thanks, Nick

[Stefano]

Hi Nick.

As JT_2eighty has correctly stated above, a more head-heavy racquet can be a major reason for TE.

At the same time, adding weight is a very good thing to do for a huge bunch of reason. Adding lead tape randomly can give much more problems that advantages.
So let me explain you very quickly how to add lead tape and why.

First of all, you have to decide which weight fits you best. As a general rule of thumb, 340-355 grams of weight are fine for a baseliner, defensive orientated player.
For a serve and volleyer or all-court player, I suggest to go to a 355-370 grams mark.

I am talking about an average man, 6' - 6'2" tall, 165-175 lbs. I am 5'11" - 165 lbs, S&V - doubles and my racquets weight 358 grams each. But I started with a racquet that weighs 340 grams strung, so the procedure is easier.

Then, based on what I just said about the style of play, you can decide to go for a polarized or depolarized set up.

What does it mean? A polarized racquet is done adding weight at 12 and the same weight under the butt cap. It provides poor stability and poor control on volley, less power, increased spin, possibility to hit very sharp angles. Examples of polarizers are Federer, Nadal, Davidenko.

A depolarized frame provides much more power and it flattens serves and groundstrokes. This is the most used set up on the tour.
Example of depolarizers, S&Vs like Becker, Edberg, Sampras, Krajicek and the best returner in the history of tennis: Hewitt, Agassi, Blake, Courier, Roddick.

To depolarize a racquet, add lead tape at 3 and 9 and the same amount under the grip 7" from the butt cap. It is where the grip ends, where there is the finishing tape.

With a polarized set up, keep the string tension low. In case of your Prince, you can go down to 54-55 lbs, 56 max.
With a depolarized set up, instead, go a couple of lbs higher than that, so 56-57.

If you use poly, don't be afraid to go much lower, 10% less. But if I were you, I would avoid poly, at least until your elbow recovers completely.

This way, you will increase the weight of your racquet without changing the balance. Or even, you can add more weight at the handle to have the frame more head-light. It's a matter of taste. But NEVER use a head-heavy racquet! I don't know if you remember the INfamous Wilson Hammer...Head-heavy, very light and very stiff...That was the best way to get tennis elbow. Guaranteed! :D

Last but not least, 1" of 1/4" lead tape weighs 1/4 of a gram, 1" of 1/2" lead tape weighs 1/2 gram.

In case of your Prince, that weighs 320 grams strung, to obtain for example 340 grams you need to add quite a fair amount of lead tape. Most of all, under the grip or butt cap it would become a problem. Much better to add some weight inside the handle (like lead for fishing), using some silicone to keep it there.

So - if I were you - I would look if there is a good racquet technician, possibly a MRT, where you live.

Usually, something like that doesn't cost a fortune at all, and you will be sure to have a racquet done the best way :)

This is to save your Prince, but in my opinion I would change racquet (which is pretty stiff, 70), it's probably more expensive but simpler. Pro Kennex and Volkl are a great solution to your problem. Also Kneissl, Power Angle and Avery do wonders.Then you can customise them too and have the perfect weapon, TE-friendly. ;)

[ZeroDfx]

Stefano:
Thanks very much for that detailed, comprehensive response; it gives me a variety of things I can work with immediately to make a change without immediately changing my racket.

I will start with the weight distribution and stringing at a lower tension and give that a try. depending on the results, I may simultaneously start checking the rackets you and others have suggested.

I will also reduce my grip size which I had beefed up from 4 3/8 to 4 5/8 with overgrip. And I read elsewhere that my emphasis on pronating on my serve may also be aggravating the condition. The day before I experienced the pain that made me stop playing, I had been working on strongly pronating on serve to hit the ball more squarely and with less spin.

Thanks again for all the useful information.
Nick

[ZeroDfx]

Stefano:

I just put your suggestions into practice over the last week, and I am pleased with the results after one time back on the courts; here's what I've done:

First, I restrung the racket with Wilson NXT at 56 lbs to give it a softer feel; but what has really made the difference is the addition of the lead tape as you described to depolarize the racket.

I added 3 grams of lead tape to the 3/9 o'clock positions, and added 6 grams of tape to the handle at the top of the grip. This had made the racket far more stable and has virtually eliminated any sense of vibration going into my arm. Ball contact feels immensely solid on both wings; although I have sent a few off the back of the court as my strokes seem flatter with less topspin. I will have to work on that a bit. But overall, I like what the lead has done to the playability of the racket, and to eliminating vibration in my elbow. Thanks for your insightful suggestions.
Nick

[Nadal46]

head protectors are the best for it but are quite expensive

[iamtompowers]

A comment about tennis elbow: IF you are still plagued by it, you should seek out a treatment called "Graston Technique" at least here in the States. Go to Grastontechnique.com and put in your zip code to find the nearest provider. I've used it twice and have had fantastic results. BUT, you must also rest it, ice it and stretch it along with the Graston or it won't work fully.
If you happen to be on Cape Cod, I can tell you who is the best Graston provider (Ben Anderault).

[ZeroDfx]

Tom:

Thanks much for the reference; I'll check that out.

[fighter240]

i had some killer arm pains from pure drive but made the switch to youtek radical pro, works like a charm in conjunction with some more comfortable strings.

[ZeroDfx]

Actually, I just made the transition from the Prince Blue to the Prince Hornet OS, which is essentially the same style/shape racket in a lower power level & less stiff, and this has pretty much taken care of the issue. I may wear the elbow band as a secondary preventative as I did w/ the Blue, but I have definitely noticed a difference for the better.

[KendraB]

Benrashke, the Pro Kennex kinetic technology really works, in my experience. I have just started using a PK ki15 PSE. This is a 105 that has a 25 mm beam and weighs 11.5 oz. This racquet is pretty powerful, but it transmits very little shock. The sand in the head makes a very big difference.

[BallJacker]

I want to try out the Pro Kennex SQ Ltd., but the price has not budged from $200. Also there are no local shops near me that has it for demo.

[aschwarzinger]

I was playing with the Wilson K Factor 6.1 - Federer's racket and
a full bed of Luxilon BB Alu Power at 58 lbs when I developed a really
bad case of tennis elbow.

Besides the obvious fact that the 6.1 is a relatively stiff racket and that
the tough Luxilon was strung way to tight I learned a few important things
about tendon and muscle health that I didn't know before.

Now that I'm a bit older and don't play tennis as regularly as I used to, the
muscle/tendon combination in my elbow is undertrained and more easily injured. Beyond the traditional tennis elbow pain, I also suffered from pain when rapidly extending my arm (while serving and using the back hand slice).

I stopped playing tennis for a while (until the pain was gone) and started a weight training schedule to strengthen my right arm.

I can't tell you how much this has helped me with my elbow. Resistance traning for my legs has also eliminated the occasional tendinitis in my knees and hips.

If you are past 40 and want to play tennis injury free, then you need to start some type of strength/resistance training to keep the tendons and muscles in shape.

It's that simple.

Andreas

[KendraB]

A year ago I had tendonitis in my shoulder that was so bad I would feel sharp pain every time I hit the ball on the serve. I switched to a Pro Kennex 5G and my shoulder was in good shape again after a few months. I am a firm believer in the Pro Kennex kinetic technology. Flexible racquets are good for tendonitis problems, but a kinetic racquet is an order of magnitude better. I am currently using a PK ki15 PSE. I play pretty well with it and I love the protection it gives.

[sweatband]

I have been playing with a pair of Pro Kennex Ki 5 PSE's for a couple weeks now, specifically purchased because they are said to be good for TE. What can I say, my TE is gone. Heavy racquets, but they are like anything else, you get used to them.