The best tennis rackets for tennis elbow help you prevent injuries and return to play!
In tennis, practice can contribute to a medical condition known as tennis elbow, which is caused by overuse. Inflammation, swelling, and pain can result from repetitive motions overusing the arm’s joints and muscles.
That’s right, you read that correctly! It’s not necessary to give up your favorite sport in order to recover, instead, you can switch up to an arm-friendly tennis racket. All the technical information and what suits you best will be included in this guide.
What is an arm-friendly racket?
Here are the characteristics of a racket that is arm-friendly before we dive into this list. Flexible rackets perform better because of their stiffness level, which is measured by RA ratings. At impact, the racket flexes more with a lower number, resulting in more comfort. It is considered flexible if the racket has an RA lower than 63.
In addition, we must emphasize the importance of choosing a tennis racket that fits your needs. The reason for offering rackets that differ in weight and specifications is to protect players from injuries caused by rackets that are too light or too heavy for them.
To find the tennis racket that’s right for your tennis elbow and your game, try our demo program.
Note: A string installed at high tension and a firm string can cause tennis elbow. Consider your string of choice and tension.
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Best Tennis Rackets for Tennis Elbow
According to our research and playtesting, these tennis rackets are the best on the market today. In addition to being very comfortable for the arm, these models offer great performance on the court, as well as reducing vibrations. Come on, let’s get started!
Wilson Clash 100
The Wilson Clash 100 racket was selected as the best overall racket because it is one of the most innovative rackets on the market. High-tech innovations have enhanced comfort and improved performance for the well-known brand.
The flexibility, stability, and performance of the racket are enhanced by Stablesmart and Freeflex technologies.
Wilson Clash 100 is lightweight and features a 100 square-inch head size to allow you to easily tap into high levels of power.
The player can connect almost immediately to the game thanks to its dynamic feel, responsiveness, and easy connection. It has an open string side of 16×19, minimizing ball impact and reducing harsh vibrations.
Those looking for a racket that offers high performance on all kinds of surfaces will find this racket a great choice. Despite its weight, this racket feels quite stable; its explosive power levels make it easy to weaponize for aggressive players.
Head Gravity Tour Graphene 360+
We recommend the Head Gravity Tour Graphene 360+ for advanced players and pro players with tennis elbow issues who are looking for a racket that is more army-friendly.
Technology has been used to enhance comfort and support, so it’s easier to wear.
The head is generously sized at 100 square inches. Soft flex and a large sweet spot make this stick hard to miss.
Combining Graphine’s unique technology with spiral fibers increases comfort, power, and maneuverability by allowing a clean feel at impact and improved energy transfer.
Tennis rackets from Head are extremely versatile and are suitable for aggressive, skilled players. Performance on the court is good, with full swings and fast shots. It provides a great blend of spin, control, stability, and feel, so you don’t need to sacrifice performance for comfort.
In spite of the lack of power, it will still save physical energy for advanced players when hitting shots.
With a solid frame and added weight, this racket is intended for players with advanced skills who don’t want to compromise their game strategy and want something that will perform at high levels, even in competitions.
Prince Phantom 100X
We have affordable options for those on a budget. It comes at a reasonable price, is extremely comfortable, and provides high performance on all surfaces.
In our playtest, we observed a similarity between these rackets and Head Graphite yet with a greater emphasis on arm comfort and flexibility.
In order to enhance harsh vibration dampening, brand Textrem X materials have been integrated into the racket.
In addition to generating a great deal of power and spin, the Prince Phantom 100x gives the player a lot of control. Compared to previous models of the same line, this middle-weight racket has a thicker frame, which helps deliver more power.
Despite the 100 square inches of head size, it is surprisingly controllable and has a large sweet spot. With its easy maneuverability, forgiving nature, and high margin for error, it can deliver full, powerful swings easily.
Only the dense string pattern could be found to be a negative, but overall, this is a good tennis racket for tennis elbow.
Head Graphene 360+ Speed PWR
Head Graphene 360+ Speed PWR rackets boast an oversized head area of 115 square inches, are loaded with power, and sport a massive sweet spot. If you’re looking for the most arm-friendly racket for tennis elbows, we recommend the Head Graphene 360+ Speed PWR.
In addition, it has an open string pattern of 16×19 on the body of the shoe, which provides additional comfort.
In addition to being lightweight, this racket offers a great deal of maneuverability as well as an incredible power. Especially for those who prefer full, powerful swings on their game style, this racquet caters to a wide range of players.
Considering the racket’s weight, we weren’t expecting decent control and stability, which was a pleasant surprise during the playtest.
Energy transfer and clean impact are two of the features of the new technology used by the brand during shots.
Those who are suffering from tennis elbow pain and inflammation can benefit greatly from this Head racket’s ability to minimize shock impact and strain on joints and muscles.
Yonex EZONE 100
The Yonex EZONE 100 was the most flexible racket we tested during our playtest. A wide range of skill levels and game styles can enjoy the new exciting technological updates, which provide superior comfort and excellent performance.
A massive sweet spot and an isometric design provide a great deal of control without compromising power. In addition to providing spin, control, and a clean feel at impact, the Yonex oval shaft provides an incredible combination of spin, control, and feel.
This racket is very flexible due to the shaft flexing when it is in contact with the ball, and its stiffness rate is low, allowing it to dwell longer on the ball.
Within the grip, a vibration-dampening mesh was incorporated around the graphite material to reduce harsh vibrations and improve precision and touch. For those with tennis elbow pain, the racket is very forgiving and effective at transferring energy.
Wilson Blade v7 98
Wilson Blade v7 98 is the perfect racket for advanced tennis players with tennis elbow conditions who want maximum spin and speed.
Compared to other control rackets, this racket provides the highest level of comfort for highly skilled and competitive tennis players.
It has a smaller 98-square-foot area. It has a smaller head size, so it has less power, but that means it can generate heavy spin and provide a lot of stability and control.
Although the stiffness of this racket is already quite low, only 60 RA, the brand has developed FeelFlex technology throughout the frame to provide additional flexibility.
Ours playtest found that the racket provided a nice, crispy feel and allowed an immediate connection with the ball. With Top Grip Taper already pre-installed on the handle, you will be able to place your hands more comfortably, even when switching grips quickly.
The stringed response is quite forgiving, and it’s easy to maintain a constant pace during shots. As a result, Wilson Blade v7 98 feels more comfortable in the hand thanks to its relatively large sweet spot.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Tennis Rackets for Tennis Elbow
It can be tricky to choose the best tennis rackets for tennis elbow, especially if you need to swap out your old one for a new, more comfortable one. A player with a lot of experience shouldn’t completely change his or her game style and strategies, especially if it has been a long time since they played.
In addition to enhancing your comfort, a few key things also reduce stress and pain from your wrists, shoulders, and arms during the game. The following information will help you to make an informed choice without sacrificing comfort or performance.
Weight
| Weight | Range | Power | Control | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight | 8 oz – 10.5 oz | High | Low | Beginner |
| Midweight | 10.5 oz – 11.5 oz | Medium | Medium – High | Beginner – Intermediate |
| Heavy | 11.6 oz – 12.6 oz | Low | High | Advanced – Professionals |
Tennis elbow can be treated by checking the weight of your tennis racket. Your arm and shoulder will be under more stress when you use a heavier racket. As a result, you may experience more pain and your condition may worsen.
Due to their low power, heavy rackets require a lot of physical strength from the player. It’s true that heavy rackets give more spin than lighter ones, but that’s just dangerous and can lead to even more complications, including muscle degeneration.
A lightweight racket is also a big no-no if you’re considering switching over. In addition to lacking control, lightweight rackets require a lot of body power to make shots, which will also put stress on the joints and muscles of the arm.
You should stay in the middle of the weight range. You don’t want a racket that’s too heavy, but you also don’t want one that’s too light. A twinner racket weighs approximately 200 grams to 300 grams when strung, and they are usually referred to as “twinners.”.
Tennis elbow is best treated with middle-weight rackets because they are more comfortable on the arm, produce more power, and perform better.
Stiffness
| Rating | Stiffness | Power | Control | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 – 60 | Flexible | Low | High | High |
| 61 – 70 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| 71+ | stiff | High | Low | Low |
There is a difference between a stiff racket and one that is flexible in terms of comfort for the arm. Taking advantage of the flexibility of the frames will reduce the harsh vibrations and shocks when the ball comes into contact with them.
As a result of harsher vibrations being transmitted to the arm and shoulder, stiffer frames can lead to tennis elbow conditions after being used continuously for a long time.
It can be difficult to determine the stiffness level because it immediately impacts your style of play. Stiff rackets add more stability, power, and control to professional or advanced players.
You might as well consider a racket that is more flexible in terms of flexibility if you expect high performance from your racket. Many different game styles can be accommodated by rackets with a stiffness level between 61 and 70 RA. A great combination of power and control can be obtained with these rackets because they are extremely comfortable for the arm.
Head Size
| Spec | Mid | Mid – Plus | Oversized |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inches | 85 – 97 | 98 – 104 | 150+ |
| Centimeters | 545 – 625 | 630 – 671 | 150+ |
| Power | Low | Medium | High |
| Control | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Sweet Spot | High | Medium | Low |
In addition to tennis racket head size, you should consider the elbow-friendly nature of your tennis racket. You can develop tennis elbow conditions if you miss off-center shots because of the harsh vibration all throughout your arm. Therefore, it’s not recommended to have a smaller head size in these situations.
Large head sizes and a wider sweet spot are the best tennis rackets for tennis elbow. You won’t strain your muscles with these rackets because they’re loaded with power.
A racket with a head size between 98 square inches and 105 square inches may be more suitable for advanced players who are used to a smaller head racket that generates heavy spin. Since these rackets generate both power and spin, they are more suitable for advanced players.
String Pattern
String patterns are always listed on the specifications of tennis rackets. The performance of the racket is highly influenced by this factor, as is the comfort of the racket arm. You should consider an open string pattern if you have tennis elbow problems, which is often 16×19 or 16×18.
Tennis rackets with open string patterns lessen the impact on your arm and shoulder since the ball spends more time in the stringbed, absorbing vibrations and reducing shock.
As well as producing more power and spin, it allows you to add more depth to your shots without exerting too much effort.
Dense string patterns (18×20) provide more control and stability, but at the expense of comfort, since the harsh vibration and ball impact will spread further down the arm.
Types of Strings
It is better to have softer strings. Soft strings, like the gut and multifilament, are the best tennis rackets for tennis elbow, as they help reduce shock at impact and relieve stress on the joints and muscles.
Choosing natural gut or multifilament tennis strings is recommended if you have a tennis elbow.
Another great choice is polyester or Kevlar strings. These are flexible and reduce harsh vibrations. The trampoline effect on the stringbed creates a more prolonged dwell time for the ball, which makes the racket more arm-friendly.
Technology
New technology is being introduced by many renowned tennis racket brands at the release of their newest models to improve comfort and performance. Players will usually be able to tell immediately whether the racket they are considering has improved comfortability and feel as a result of all the technology used.
As a result of these updates, the stress on joints and muscles will be reduced. However, you will always be able to tell what type of tennis racket you are playing with based on details such as head size and flexibility rate.
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Our Selection for the Best Tennis Rackets for Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow can be quite serious, and players who experience pain and inflammation often need medical attention. When you are recovering, it is imperative that your racket is not only designed to suit your skill level and game style, but also to cater to your health and overall well-being.
Researching the markets and testing many different options ourselves helped us choose the best tennis rackets for tennis elbow. In order to make the list, models had to be comfortable, which was an unnegotiable requirement. Thus, we prioritized a few key factors, including flexibility, weight, head size, string patterns, etc., that determine how comfortable and arm-friendly a racket is.
These models have high performance and easy playabilities, making them an excellent choice for advanced players recouping from tennis elbow, as well.
Several different categories are also included to meet the needs of a wide variety of players. You’ll find everything you need to know about choosing a racket that fits your needs and wishes, so you’ll always be able to play tennis in a safe and healthy manner in this guide.
FAQs
You might still have some questions after reviewing all of this information about which tennis racket is best for your game. Learn how to choose a tennis racket that will fit your tennis elbow by reading the following questions and answers.
Do heavier rackets help with tennis elbow?
There is no evidence that a heavier racket is better for tennis elbow. Due to the fact that lighter rackets require less effort to swing, they might be easier on your arm. Choose a racket that feels good to swing and has a weight that is comfortable for you.
Can Yonex EZONE be used for tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is treated well by the Yonex EZONE 100 because it is designed to be arm-friendly. You can easily hit the ball with it without putting too much strain on your arm since it is lightweight and has a large sweet spot.
Are there any specific features to look for in a tennis racket for tennis elbow?
Yes, there are a few specific features to look for when choosing a tennis racket for someone with a tennis elbow. One important feature is the racket’s grip size.
A grip size that is too small can cause extra strain on the elbow, while a grip size that is too large can lead to decreased control. It is generally recommended to choose a racket with a grip size that is comfortable and allows for a firm, but not overly tight, grip.
Another feature to consider is the racket’s beam width. A racket with a wider beam can provide more power, but may also cause more vibration, which can be uncomfortable for someone with a tennis elbow.
A racket with a narrower beam may offer more control, but may also have less power. It is important to find a balance between power and control that works for you.
Can using a different type of string help prevent or reduce tennis elbow?
Yes, using a different type of string can potentially help prevent or reduce tennis elbow. Different strings have different levels of elasticity, which can affect the amount of shock and vibration that is transmitted to the elbow.
It is generally recommended to use a string that has a moderate level of elasticity, as this can help absorb some of the shock and vibration that is generated when the ball is struck. Some examples of strings with a moderate level of elasticity include multifilament and synthetic gut strings.
Are there any specific brands or models of tennis rackets that are particularly good for tennis elbow?
There are several brands and models of tennis rackets that are known for being particularly suitable for players with tennis elbow. Some examples include the Wilson Pro Staff 97, the Head Graphene 360 Speed Pro, and the Yonex VCORE SV 98.
These rackets are lightweight and have a medium to high balance point, and a medium to low string tension, which can help reduce strain on the elbow. It is always a good idea to try out a few different rackets to see which one feels the most comfortable and works best for you.
What’s Next?
Our first choice would be Wilson Clash 100 if we had to choose the best tennis racket for tennis elbow from this list. This racket has been engineered with innovative new technology that makes it very comfortable, reducing its impact on the wrist, arm, and shoulder.
The Wilson tennis racket delivers a great blend of power, speed, and spin while remaining lightweight, flexible, responsive, and easy to maneuver.
A great option is the Head Gravity Tour Graphene 360+, which is an arm-friendly tennis racket that performs well on the court all around. This product transfers energy efficiently and minimizes harsh vibrations thanks to its lightweight design, dynamic feel, and dynamic response.
As part of our list of best tennis rackets for tennis elbow, we would like to mention Yonex EZONE 100. As a result of the advancements in technology, this racket provides outstanding all-court performance. Besides being very flexible and absorbing vibrations, it provides a great blend of power and spin.
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