Arm friendly racquet for older player

[Bjorn Again]

Would love some advice on racquets for my age and level. I’m a 55 year old, 162 lbs, 5 ft 11 inch tall guy and a keen post-beginner playing 2-3 times pw. I enjoy whipping a topspin forehand and am reasonably able to volley balls back to my opponent. However, my serve is inconsistent (half are long or in the net) and my instinctive one-handed backhand is unstable unless I slice and even then it often lifts up too high. Being 55 and succumbing to more regular sports injuries these days I’m keen for a more arm friendly racquet as my priority is not to get injured and to keep playing. I’m also not as fast as I was so make more annoying mis-hits than I’d like. To help me keep more balls in play I was thinking of trying OS racquets with a flexible arm friendly frame but most of these are 27.5 long and may not help my weak 1 handed back hand develop, not to mention the risk of tennis elbow. I currently play with an old aluminium Henman 27 racquet (98sq in, 319g strung) Any advice?
The racquets I have shortlisted for testing are:
Wilson Triad XP-3
Wilson Clash 108
Wilson Blade 104 v7
Pro-Kennex KiQ+15 (and the lighter version with a swingweight 5 points lower )

 

[JBH]

Given how you describe yourself and the state of your playing ability, focusing racquet selection on RA and head size wouldn’t necessarily be optimal. They don’t address your weak points, and will act more to maintain you in your current situation rather than providing a path to move forward.

If it were me, I would consider one of the newer designs that attempts to provide control through a somewhat denser string pattern, while providing ease of spin generation through head balance and string spacing. None of these are likely to be unfriendly to your arm when matched to an appropriate string setup.

Prince Textreme Tour 100P Racquet | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

Tecnifibre TF40 305 Racquets | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

Head Graphene 360+ Gravity Tour Racquet

www.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[Bjorn Again]

Thanks for the response. Plenty to think about here

 

[speedysteve]

If you have nice swings, good racquet head speed, perhap grew up in an era of wooden racquets / small sqin graphite, try the Völkl C10 Pro.
It's one of the all time arm comfort rated racquets.

 

[TagUrIt]

Wilson Clash definitely a good choice. I used to play with the Clash Tour, solid arm friendly racquet.

 

[pats300zx1]

Wilson Clash definitely a good choice. I used to play with the Clash Tour, solid arm friendly racquet.

I remember your posts from the Wilson Clash thread. What did you end up switching to?

 

[TagUrIt]

I remember your posts from the Wilson Clash thread. What did you end up switching to?

Nothing at all wrong with the Wilson Clash. I just always wanted to try Yonex racquets. I demoed seven of them and fell in love (if that’s possible) with the 2020 Yonex EZONE 100. I’m playing some super lights put tennis with this new racquet. The beam is a bit thinner than the Clash and I’m really bending the ball well.

 

[pats300zx1]

Nothing at all wrong with the Wilson Clash. I just always wanted to try Yonex racquets. I demoed seven of them and fell in love (if that’s possible) with the 2020 Yonex EZONE 100. I’m playing some super lights put tennis with this new racquet. The beam is a bit thinner than the Clash and I’m really bending the ball well.

That's great !!!! Thanks to all of your info and input on the Clash I ended up demo'ing the Clash 100. I really liked it and ended up ordering one and then got 2 more used on a great deal.

 

[Frankc]

Given how you describe yourself and the state of your playing ability, focusing racquet selection on RA and head size wouldn’t necessarily be optimal. They don’t address your weak points, and will act more to maintain you in your current situation rather than providing a path to move forward.

If it were me, I would consider one of the newer designs that attempts to provide control through a somewhat denser string pattern, while providing ease of spin generation through head balance and string spacing. None of these are likely to be unfriendly to your arm when matched to an appropriate string setup.

Prince Textreme Tour 100P Racquet | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

Tecnifibre TF40 305 Racquets | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

Head Graphene 360+ Gravity Tour Racquet

www.tennis-warehouse.com

Makes sense, if you wish - a denser patterned control with moderate weight frame will be arm friendly, and will give you good feedback as you improve. Believe it or not, a racquet that gives away less free power is a far better teacher - you will have to get it right to improve and the feedback from the frame will be invaluable.
Last summer, even well into seniordom, I reworked my whole service motion. I practiced with a low powered , heavy by today's standards frame so I had to get it right to get any good results. I could never compete with that frames as in a complete match it is too demanding now for me. But , I did learn how to generate racquet speed and really develop a far better serve... great feedback and great to develop the right technique...

 

[Mark-Touch]

Would love some advice on racquets for my age and level. I’m a 55 year old, 162 lbs, 5 ft 11 inch tall guy and a keen post-beginner playing 2-3 times pw. I enjoy whipping a topspin forehand and am reasonably able to volley balls back to my opponent. However, my serve is inconsistent (half are long or in the net) and my instinctive one-handed backhand is unstable unless I slice and even then it often lifts up too high. Being 55 and succumbing to more regular sports injuries these days I’m keen for a more arm friendly racquet as my priority is not to get injured and to keep playing. I’m also not as fast as I was so make more annoying mis-hits than I’d like. To help me keep more balls in play I was thinking of trying OS racquets with a flexible arm friendly frame but most of these are 27.5 long and may not help my weak 1 handed back hand develop, not to mention the risk of tennis elbow. I currently play with an old aluminium Henman 27 racquet (98sq in, 319g strung) Any advice?
The racquets I have shortlisted for testing are:
Wilson Triad XP-3
Wilson Clash 108
Wilson Blade 104 v7
Pro-Kennex KiQ+15 (and the lighter version with a swingweight 5 points lower )

I have the Wilson Triad XP5 (two of them) and highly recommend it.
In stock form it comes in under 300 gm. but you need to weight it up to get the most out of the racket.
The one I'm using most often now is weighted to 342 gm (handle and hoop).
This racket has it all: power, control and loads of comfort.
It does have a rather strange 'feel' on contact, but that's only because of the three piece arrangement.
You have the XP3 so you know what I am talking about.

You won't have any arm issues with this racket.

 

[NLBwell]

Don't use poly stings.
Racket stiffness below 65.
At least 10.8 oz strung weight so mishits don't torque your arm too badly.

 

[brownbearfalling]

If you like the 98 head size, you could try the clash 98 or Volkls vfeel 10 and prokennex ki q + tour.

I think more importantly is to make sure your strings and grip are optimal for comfort. soft strings and vibration dampening grip.

 

[kailash]

Would love some advice on racquets for my age and level. I’m a 55 year old, 162 lbs, 5 ft 11 inch tall guy and a keen post-beginner playing 2-3 times pw. I enjoy whipping a topspin forehand and am reasonably able to volley balls back to my opponent. However, my serve is inconsistent (half are long or in the net) and my instinctive one-handed backhand is unstable unless I slice and even then it often lifts up too high. Being 55 and succumbing to more regular sports injuries these days I’m keen for a more arm friendly racquet as my priority is not to get injured and to keep playing. I’m also not as fast as I was so make more annoying mis-hits than I’d like. To help me keep more balls in play I was thinking of trying OS racquets with a flexible arm friendly frame but most of these are 27.5 long and may not help my weak 1 handed back hand develop, not to mention the risk of tennis elbow. I currently play with an old aluminium Henman 27 racquet (98sq in, 319g strung) Any advice?
The racquets I have shortlisted for testing are:
Wilson Triad XP-3
Wilson Clash 108
Wilson Blade 104 v7
Pro-Kennex KiQ+15 (and the lighter version with a swingweight 5 points lower )

That is a good list for demoing. I would go with the Prokennex or Blade 104.

 

[E46luver]

Nothing at all wrong with the Wilson Clash. I just always wanted to try Yonex racquets. I demoed seven of them and fell in love (if that’s possible) with the 2020 Yonex EZONE 100. I’m playing some super lights put tennis with this new racquet. The beam is a bit thinner than the Clash and I’m really bending the ball well.

Ezone has stiffness of 69
That is arm crushing

 

[Luke Yonex]

Nothing at all wrong with the Wilson Clash. I just always wanted to try Yonex racquets. I demoed seven of them and fell in love (if that’s possible) with the 2020 Yonex EZONE 100. I’m playing some super lights put tennis with this new racquet. The beam is a bit thinner than the Clash and I’m really bending the ball well.

Any reason why you choose the 100 over the 98??

 

[Luke Yonex]

Ezone has stiffness of 69
That is arm crushing

Wow

 

[TagUrIt]

Ezone has stiffness of 69
That is arm crushing

Yes, but some reason it doesn’t play that stiff. I like the thinner beam also, lots racquet head speed and I’m able to generate much more topspin

Any reason why you choose the 100 over the 98??

It might be mental, but I feel I need the forgiveness of a 100 square inch frame. Initially I was looking at the 98, I demoed two 98 and one 97. I gravitated more towards the 100. It’s minuscule, but the extra two square inches are needed. I’m humble enough to admit that I might not be quite ready for a 98 square inch frame.

 

[WilPro]

Just make it heavy as hell. I went up to 510 gr. And I think of going higher.

I used to look for soft poly strings. Not anymore. Now I am looking for the stiffest polys as they provide you with the best spin.

If I can, I will go up to 1 kg but I doubt I will be able to play that. Weight is soooo addictive. Once you start going up you won't be able to stop. You will dream at night about stores that sell cheap lead tape and very good lead tape.
You won't be thinking of women as often as you think of the blessing of lead tape.

As Shania Twain was once saying:

"I'm going up"
...........................
"Up--up--up--
Can only go up from here
Up--up--up--Up
where the clouds gonna clear
Up--up--up--
There's no way but up from here"

And a little joke:
Q: What do you say when you just went up 515 gr. on your racquet?
A: I want more.

 

[Luke Yonex]

Yes, but some reason it doesn’t play that stiff. I like the thinner beam also, lots racquet head speed and I’m able to generate much more topspin



It might be mental, but I feel I need the forgiveness of a 100 square inch frame. Initially I was looking at the 98, I demoed two 98 and one 97. I gravitated more towards the 100. It’s minuscule, but the extra two square inches are needed. I’m humble enough to admit that I might not be quite ready for a 98 square inch frame.

I don't think ezone has a 97 I think you are referring to the vcore

 

[Luke Yonex]

Just make it heavy as hell. I went up to 510 gr. And I think of going higher.

I used to look for soft poly strings. Not anymore. Now I am looking for the stiffest polys as they provide you with the best spin.

If I can, I will go up to 1 kg but I doubt I will be able to play that. Weight is soooo addictive. Once you start going up you won't be able to stop. You will dream at night about stores that sell cheap lead tape and very good lead tape.
You won't be thinking of women as often as you think of the blessing of lead tape.

As Shania Twain was once saying:

"I'm going up"
...........................
"Up--up--up--
Can only go up from here
Up--up--up--Up
where the clouds gonna clear
Up--up--up--
There's no way but up from here"

And a little joke:
Q: What do you say when you just went up 515 gr. on your racquet?
A: I want more.

Ouch my elbow hurts just reading this post

 

[TagUrIt]

I don't think ezone has a 97 I think you are referring to the vcore

Yup it was the VCORE pro 97 330 beast of a stick! Loads of power, but I didn’t want to lug it around on the court.

 

[ichaseballs]

clash 98? the whole clash line is great for anyone needing a bit of help in the power dept. it imparts a lot of spin as well which is fun. if you were going to a flexy style racquet like the clash, i think it's a bit much to go from a 98 to 108 head size. i have only tried the 98, and the control is still a bit clunky vs other 98's.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Yes, but some reason it doesn’t play that stiff. I like the thinner beam also, lots racquet head speed and I’m able to generate much more topspin



It might be mental, but I feel I need the forgiveness of a 100 square inch frame. Initially I was looking at the 98, I demoed two 98 and one 97. I gravitated more towards the 100. It’s minuscule, but the extra two square inches are needed. I’m humble enough to admit that I might not be quite ready for a 98 square inch frame.

more likely “a little more topspin”. When you look at TW racquet testers playsight results they rarely vary their spin numbers by more than 10% even when going from a spin frame to a control frame. Even less so when comparing two spin friendly frames like the Ezone and Clash.
but hey, even a little more topspin can mean the difference between a ball landing in and a ball landing out.

Swing and strings affect topspin more than frames. Pros use a multitude of frames but every Pro has poly in his racquet.

 

[Mad hatter]

Would love some advice on racquets for my age and level. I’m a 55 year old, 162 lbs, 5 ft 11 inch tall guy and a keen post-beginner playing 2-3 times pw. I enjoy whipping a topspin forehand and am reasonably able to volley balls back to my opponent. However, my serve is inconsistent (half are long or in the net) and my instinctive one-handed backhand is unstable unless I slice and even then it often lifts up too high. Being 55 and succumbing to more regular sports injuries these days I’m keen for a more arm friendly racquet as my priority is not to get injured and to keep playing. I’m also not as fast as I was so make more annoying mis-hits than I’d like. To help me keep more balls in play I was thinking of trying OS racquets with a flexible arm friendly frame but most of these are 27.5 long and may not help my weak 1 handed back hand develop, not to mention the risk of tennis elbow. I currently play with an old aluminium Henman 27 racquet (98sq in, 319g strung) Any advice?
The racquets I have shortlisted for testing are:
Wilson Triad XP-3
Wilson Clash 108
Wilson Blade 104 v7
Pro-Kennex KiQ+15 (and the lighter version with a swingweight 5 points lower )

Check out the Avery M5 110 . Oversize players racquet standard length.
also prince original graphite os series 110 4 stripe. Also standard length. Both racquets are known to be arm friendly,players frames.

 

[stapletonj]

also try gut mains and poly or syngut crosses.... very arm friendly

 

[PT280 Fan]

Why hem and haw when you can just dive right in and save $$$ in the process. An extra 15% off through tomorrow: https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Prince_Textreme_Beast_98/descpageRCTWABG-TX2B98.html.
They have Twaron in the layup which makes it super easy on the arm. I've had mine for a couple weels (second one arrived Wed. actually), have them strung with kevlar in the mains, and they're still soft as charmin on the arm.