new racket for 40-something w/ rotator cuff and joint probs

[rmccarty]

Hi All,

I'm a newbie to this forum.

I'm in my 40s now. I played tennis in my teens, in college and in to the early 30s. The I got married, have 2 kids, dogs, house, etc.

I really miss tennis! But because I have hyper-mobile joints and am recovering from a rotator cuff tear, I haven't played in years. My kids are 10 and 7. They've been asking for years for me to teach them.

OK, well... I felt they're finally mature enough not to get mad if they make a mistake. So I got a kid's racquet for the kids and off to the courts we went.

It only took me a couple of short swings & volleys to realize my old racquets aren't going to work and will make my injury worse if I continue to play with them. I have an 1980s Pro Kennex Graphite Ace and a Prince Graphite Comp. They're both way too heavy. I can't find any specs on them so I don't know their actual weight, etc.

Right now, the kids and I are playing in the no man's land. That's as far as the 10 yo can hit the ball. The 7 yo is showing me the vocabulary words she's learned from her dad. Yippie.

Although I probably played at a 3.0 level when I stopped playing 10 years ago, I'm no where near that now. I s#*% (no, I don't say that word in front of my kids). My 10 year old will pass my ability this year or into the next year, if she continues to play.

So, I need a different racquet. When I played, I twisted my wrist a few times. But I didn't have tennis elbow or injuries to my shoulder. Now, I have to be careful with my shoulder and other joints, but my primary focus is my shoulder. I probably will not go beyond light strokes and volleying. I may never serve again.

In my mind, I'm the 3.0 player of 10 years ago. I dream of ripping those backhands down the line and those volleys which barely cleared the net and not many could return b/c I had mastered short volleys with great backspin. Truthfully, I guess I'm a reborn beginner. Ouch, that hurts.

So, I'm searching for a much lighter racquet. I found the Wilson BLX six-one lite and the Dunlop Aerogel (too may trims to name). I bet there are other very light racquets I just haven't found yet.

I'm reading on this forum that too light is bad. I can't understand how that could be for a beginner.

Does anyone have any advise to offer. I'd like hear all opinions but I am especially interested in anyone who has experienced a rotator cuff injury. It would so be the icing on the cake if anyone has hyper-mobile joints and can chime in.

Thank you!

[tennisntn3477]

Would highly recommend the Volkl V1 - Classic version first, Powerbridge second.

[Icedorb217]

I would say that the head microgel radical mp might work for you. I havent had an injury or anything but the only reason i recommend it is because its a semi light ( 11.0 oz strung) but very flexible. Also it accepted around TT as a arm friendly racket. But dont take my word for it, i have had no experience as to what you have gone through.

[Marcus]

+1 for the Volkl frames, I think in your situation you couldn't find a better option.

(IMHO)

[Borg Forever]

Get the Wilson [K] Prostaff 88 and load that **** up with lead tape.

[coloskier]

Originally Posted by Borg Forever

Get the Wilson [K] Prostaff 88 and load that **** up with lead tape.

And kiss your tennis recovery goodbye.

[netguy]

Yeap! Volkl would be a wise choice. Also, check out Prince
I would pick an arm-friendly stirng too.
I would start with multifilament strings like Tecnifibre X-one, Wilson K-gut or Weiss Canon Explosiv!
Good luck!

[ced]

Originally Posted by rmccarty

Hi All,

Does anyone have any advise to offer. I'd like hear all opinions but I am especially interested in anyone who has experienced a rotator cuff injury. It would so be the icing on the cake if anyone has hyper-mobile joints and can chime in.

Thank you!

You want to protect that arm, but still use a racquet that while useful for teaching the kids (no-man's land tennis) and can help you get your game back.
Most Fischers are still going pretty cheap and the only place to find them is in the FS/FT section.

[prjacobs]

I'd ask a local coach. I own a MG radical midplus and I find it plays stiffer than it's specs. I think in general, Prokennex is recognized as the most arm friendly frames. If you read the customer reviews they often start out with..... I bought this racquet because I had tennis elbow, but..... it's great! Also, talk to the staff at TW. They'll help. I'm older than you and I now string with natural gut. Yes, it's more expensive, but it feels great. and lasts. Good luck. Especially with the kids.

[GorillaPeanuts]

Again with the Volkl's can't go wrong there, or even consider the EXO3 Red

[tvo]

I have similar problems and the Pro Kennex line is very good for what you have described. Try the Pro Kennex 5G.

[Roger88]

Originally Posted by rmccarty

Hi All,

I'm a newbie to this forum.

I'm in my 40s now. I played tennis in my teens, in college and in to the early 30s. The I got married, have 2 kids, dogs, house, etc.

I really miss tennis! But because I have hyper-mobile joints and am recovering from a rotator cuff tear, I haven't played in years. My kids are 10 and 7. They've been asking for years for me to teach them.

OK, well... I felt they're finally mature enough not to get mad if they make a mistake. So I got a kid's racquet for the kids and off to the courts we went.

It only took me a couple of short swings & volleys to realize my old racquets aren't going to work and will make my injury worse if I continue to play with them. I have an 1980s Pro Kennex Graphite Ace and a Prince Graphite Comp. They're both way too heavy. I can't find any specs on them so I don't know their actual weight, etc.

Right now, the kids and I are playing in the no man's land. That's as far as the 10 yo can hit the ball. The 7 yo is showing me the vocabulary words she's learned from her dad. Yippie.

Although I probably played at a 3.0 level when I stopped playing 10 years ago, I'm no where near that now. I s#*% (no, I don't say that word in front of my kids). My 10 year old will pass my ability this year or into the next year, if she continues to play.

So, I need a different racquet. When I played, I twisted my wrist a few times. But I didn't have tennis elbow or injuries to my shoulder. Now, I have to be careful with my shoulder and other joints, but my primary focus is my shoulder. I probably will not go beyond light strokes and volleying. I may never serve again.

In my mind, I'm the 3.0 player of 10 years ago. I dream of ripping those backhands down the line and those volleys which barely cleared the net and not many could return b/c I had mastered short volleys with great backspin. Truthfully, I guess I'm a reborn beginner. Ouch, that hurts.

So, I'm searching for a much lighter racquet. I found the Wilson BLX six-one lite and the Dunlop Aerogel (too may trims to name). I bet there are other very light racquets I just haven't found yet.

I'm reading on this forum that too light is bad. I can't understand how that could be for a beginner.

Does anyone have any advise to offer. I'd like hear all opinions but I am especially interested in anyone who has experienced a rotator cuff injury. It would so be the icing on the cake if anyone has hyper-mobile joints and can chime in.

Thank you!

Lighter rackets require that you swing it faster and/or take a larger swing to get the same result. Rackets from the past did weigh more than they do now. Also the balance of the racket plays a part in how hard it is to swing. Head light rackets will be easier to swing.

I would stay away from tight string tensions and string in the lower end of the tension recommend by the manufacturer. Use a soft string to cushion some of the impact from the ball. A stringer can suggest some that has this feel. Multifilament strings are usually softer than single strand strings. Vokyl rackets as already suggested have a softer feel than some others.

You say you are recovering from a rotator cuff tear. I would ask your Dr. what exercises i could do to improve my condition.

[quest01]

I'd probably recommend the Babolat Pure Drive GT or Wilson BLX90, these are both excellent racquets for people with joint problems. The BLX90 is very flexible and good on the arm while the GT has a generous sweetspot.

[Don S]

Originally Posted by Roger88

You say you are recovering from a rotator cuff tear. I would ask your Dr. what exercises i could do to improve my condition.

Absolutely this. Did you have surgery to repair a torn rotator or are you recovering from a non surgical R.C. problem? As someone with a prior history of rotator cuff problems and tennis elbow, I would talk to my doctor about how best to proceed. It's not very fun to not be able to lift your arm above your shoulder without pain and it's not worth adding more rehab time to your rotator simply for the sake of hitting tennis balls.

That said. I'd have to second (or 3rd 4th or 5th) the Volkl V1 Classic. If you're not sure about serving again, chances are your tennis career is going to consist mostly of having fun with your kids and rallying with people around your same 3.0(ish) level. The V1 is great for every level of player so even if you get to the point physically where you can serve and play matches and be somewhat competative, the V1 will take you as far as you can go.
You'll never outgrow it.

[ratm355]

not necessarily the coolest rackets, but check these out:

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wils...LSON-KFRC.html

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wils...LSON-K3FX.html

[Bhagi Katbamna]

I had rotator cuff problems and am over 40. I used a Gamma G325 and it really made a difference. Check out the Gammas.

[Hapless]

The Prince O3 Red (any interation) is light and very arm-friendly. The Head Radical Lite also meets your criteria.

[CP3]

Originally Posted by ratm355

not necessarily the coolest rackets, but check these out:

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wils...LSON-KFRC.html

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wils...LSON-K3FX.html

The Wilsons are very, very light. Not necessarily the best for elbow pain, but perhaps the low weight is better for shoulders?

[flashfire276]

Originally Posted by quest01

I'd probably recommend the Babolat Pure Drive GT.

LMAO!!!!! Are you trying to kill him or something???

[flashfire276]

You want something very arm friendly, and very forgiving to play with.

Head MicroGEL Radical OS.