Do polyester strings really contribute to tennis elbow?

tlm

G.O.A.T.
@tlm What specific exercises do you do for your forearm, shoulder and wrist?
I do a combination of forearm exercises with part of the throwers 10 program which is for the shoulders. If you look up throwers 10 they have programs for youths also.

I start with wrist curls, then reverse curls doing 2-3 sets of 10 reps. Then I do a couple sets of wrist roll ups which is a devise that has a thick handle with a rope attached to a light weight like 5-8 lbs that you roll up and down. I also have a dumbbell bar that has weight only on one end and you hold the bar and let the weighted end down and then raise it back up slowly.

I combine that forearm workout with part of the throwers 10 shoulder program and my wrists, elbows and shoulders are now strong enough to withstand the shock of tennis. I do this workout 2-3 times a week and have no arm problems even though I play a lot and use poly strings.

This workout takes around 15 minutes or so and is very beneficial to tennis players. So many players have wrist, shoulder and elbow injuries and many could be prevented with a little strength training. How many players have sedentary jobs and do no training off the court then use stiff rackets and poly strings and can’t understand why they get injured? A lot of younger guys can get away with it but after a certain age it with catch up to you.
 

Anni.Angel

Semi-Pro
I am still wondering how some people like me played all the stiffest racquets and strings and got no tennis elbow, while others looked for all the plush in the world and still got tennis elbow.
Also I never used a dampener.
When I hear those words: tennis elbow, I jut roll my eyes.
 

tlm

G.O.A.T.
I am still wondering how some people like me played all the stiffest racquets and strings and got no tennis elbow, while others looked for all the plush in the world and still got tennis elbow.
Also I never used a dampener.
When I hear those words: tennis elbow, I jut roll my eyes.
Some people are just more susceptible to it. Most people that get tennis elbow do not get it from tennis it’s usually from some repetitive movement. But there are still a lot of people that do get TE from tennis and it can be really hard to heal. By the way a dampener only changes sound it does absolutely nothing to protect the arm.
 

Kevo

Legend
The only non-acute elbow issue I had was actually caused by my mouse. It was too small and low and it eventually caused me some chronic but mild elbow pain that I mostly felt after playing tennis. Once I figured out it was my mouse I got a bigger more ergonomic mouse and the problem resolved completely after a month or two IIRC. Have had that mouse for many years and it's starting to fall apart now. Probably going to need a new one soon.
 

PKorda

Professional
I am still wondering how some people like me played all the stiffest racquets and strings and got no tennis elbow, while others looked for all the plush in the world and still got tennis elbow.
Also I never used a dampener.
When I hear those words: tennis elbow, I jut roll my eyes.
so many factors are at play, genetics, how much you play, how hard you hit, how much spin, how good is your form, how much work out/ do exercises to have stronger tendons, rackets, strings, (dampener does practically nothing btw), so if you've never had it that doesn't make you special
 

ppma

Professional
Strings on themselves do not led to injury. You do not use more a muscle/tendon because of the strings. It's just bad technique. If one changes his swinging mechanics to compensate the string behaviour, that's another thing. Tennis elbow happens due to over use, either by holding too tightly, or due to stopping the arm (and hence the racquet) natural follow through.

Also, the hitting arm should take no shock from the shot, as at the time of contact the racquet should be at the point of having let go. Of course this does not happen 100% like this, but in any case the shock should affect the wrist more than anything else.
 

tele

Hall of Fame
Strings on themselves do not led to injury. You do not use more a muscle/tendon because of the strings. It's just bad technique. If one changes his swinging mechanics to compensate the string behaviour, that's another thing. Tennis elbow happens due to over use, either by holding too tightly, or due to stopping the arm (and hence the racquet) natural follow through.

Also, the hitting arm should take no shock from the shot, as at the time of contact the racquet should be at the point of having let go. Of course this does not happen 100% like this, but in any case the shock should affect the wrist more than anything else.
of course technique is paramount, but string material affects shock transmission and *can be* a contributing factor to elbow injury, especially for those with imperfect technique. i find it hard to believe that the association between poly and tennis elbow is simply due to changing technique to compensate for the strings.
 

einca13

Rookie
My 2 cents…

Tennis/Golfers Elbow are overuse injuries, which is why people who don’t even play sports get them. In tennis, the tendons if overused will break down over time and this breakdown can be sped up by poor mechanics, stiff strings and/or frames. Age plays a factor as wells as wells as whether or not that person does exercises or self care after playing etc…

I am in my low 50’s now. Started playing at age 5 and was a very high level junior. There was no tennis elbow (at least that I never heard of) in 70‘‘s to mid 90’s I took 20 years off from tennis from ‘95 until 2015. When I started playing again, I decided to try this new type of string (at least to me) that everyone was talking about. I used Solinco Tour Bite for a few years, but my arm was sore all the time. Played it until it broke around 50#. I got tired of my arm hurting all the time so I switched to a gut/poly hybrid and the issue was gone. Even with a stiff poly cross like 4G Soft or Max Power. i have now switched back to a full poly setup as I was breaking the gut too quick and it was getting crazy expensive. I decided to use a softer poly hybrid and restring every 6 hours or so. I use Cyclone Tour/Tourna Black Zone/Hyper G Soft all crossed with Ghostwire. I do exercises, stretching and soft tissue work. With these changes I am able to play full poly with no major issues. But even with all these precautions I still get some soreness from time to time and at that point I will play gut/poly for a week and instantly it is gone and I am good to go.

Long story short, my first hand experience is that poly strings (especially if used incorrectly) can contribute to arm issues. For me, I see no downside in playability with the gut/poly hybrid. Actually it plays better even with my heavy spin game. Gut just is not a great on the wallet for stringbreakers.

Play what keeps you healthy and on the court.
 

Anni.Angel

Semi-Pro
so many factors are at play, genetics, how much you play, how hard you hit, how much spin, how good is your form, how much work out/ do exercises to have stronger tendons, rackets, strings, (dampener does practically nothing btw), so if you've never had it that doesn't make you special

I didn't say I'm special. I said you are special for somehow getting tennis elbow (or lying you got it, to be special).

What do you understand from the fact that I roll my eyes?

The question was how come I do anything I want and don't get tennis elbow and other keep their arm in plush and still get it? Something is fishy, isn't it?

I don't really believe tennis elbow is real. It is one of the two:
1. Tennis elbow is in your head. You heard of tennis elbow, you are afraid of tennis elbow. You thought about the pain of tennis elbow. Then you started feeling the pain in your elbow.
2. Or the second option, you wanted to feel special. My dad was the kind of person who would always complain he is sick to get special attention, most of the times he had nothing. He seen some documentary about some disease, next day he got it too, no matter how rare it was. Some people want to be special and complain about it. Then they buy all "soft" strings and plushy racquets which honestly are crap.

If it really exists all you have to do is hit hard, don't restrain, and play free. Tennis elbow will go away. I cannot understand how in the hell you get tennis elbow.

I hit my forehands with a fully extended arm and a coach stopped me mid game to give me some precious advice. He told me that forehand with the fully extended arm will destroy my arm. I should learn to hit with a bent elbow. It was 10 years ago. Such a moron that coach. I continued playing my fully extended arm forehand for 10 years. Guess what, nothing happened. My arm is just as good as it was 10 years ago.

This tennis elbow thing is beyond stupid. And this is the main reason I try to stay away from forums and tennis discussion. All sort of nonsense everywhere.
 

ppma

Professional
I didn't say I'm special. I said you are special for somehow getting tennis elbow (or lying you got it, to be special).

What do you understand from the fact that I roll my eyes?

The question was how come I do anything I want and don't get tennis elbow and other keep their arm in plush and still get it? Something is fishy, isn't it?

I don't really believe tennis elbow is real. It is one of the two:
1. Tennis elbow is in your head. You heard of tennis elbow, you are afraid of tennis elbow. You thought about the pain of tennis elbow. Then you started feeling the pain in your elbow.
2. Or the second option, you wanted to feel special. My dad was the kind of person who would always complain he is sick to get special attention, most of the times he had nothing. He seen some documentary about some disease, next day he got it too, no matter how rare it was. Some people want to be special and complain about it. Then they buy all "soft" strings and plushy racquets which honestly are crap.

If it really exists all you have to do is hit hard, don't restrain, and play free. Tennis elbow will go away. I cannot understand how in the hell you get tennis elbow.

I hit my forehands with a fully extended arm and a coach stopped me mid game to give me some precious advice. He told me that forehand with the fully extended arm will destroy my arm. I should learn to hit with a bent elbow. It was 10 years ago. Such a moron that coach. I continued playing my fully extended arm forehand for 10 years. Guess what, nothing happened. My arm is just as good as it was 10 years ago.

This tennis elbow thing is beyond stupid. And this is the main reason I try to stay away from forums and tennis discussion. All sort of nonsense everywhere.
TE is real, of course.

I agree with hitting hard, let go, and play free. If the strings have anything to do with TE, it's all about poor hitting mechanics to in the first place. Most players that say suffer TE would develop it swinging into the air. Changing equipment to avoid TE is like putting pots beneath the leaks instead of fixing the roof.

Also, if anything related to equipment should be changed, I'd start by the racquet, paying especial attention to the grip size and swingweight. People who develop TE try to control the racquet with the wrist/forearm. Go for something heavier that kills that erroneus temptation. Light racquets are the worst choice to start in the sport IMO.
 

einca13

Rookie
I didn't say I'm special. I said you are special for somehow getting tennis elbow (or lying you got it, to be special).

What do you understand from the fact that I roll my eyes?

The question was how come I do anything I want and don't get tennis elbow and other keep their arm in plush and still get it? Something is fishy, isn't it?

I don't really believe tennis elbow is real. It is one of the two:
1. Tennis elbow is in your head. You heard of tennis elbow, you are afraid of tennis elbow. You thought about the pain of tennis elbow. Then you started feeling the pain in your elbow.
2. Or the second option, you wanted to feel special. My dad was the kind of person who would always complain he is sick to get special attention, most of the times he had nothing. He seen some documentary about some disease, next day he got it too, no matter how rare it was. Some people want to be special and complain about it. Then they buy all "soft" strings and plushy racquets which honestly are crap.

If it really exists all you have to do is hit hard, don't restrain, and play free. Tennis elbow will go away. I cannot understand how in the hell you get tennis elbow.

I hit my forehands with a fully extended arm and a coach stopped me mid game to give me some precious advice. He told me that forehand with the fully extended arm will destroy my arm. I should learn to hit with a bent elbow. It was 10 years ago. Such a moron that coach. I continued playing my fully extended arm forehand for 10 years. Guess what, nothing happened. My arm is just as good as it was 10 years ago.

This tennis elbow thing is beyond stupid. And this is the main reason I try to stay away from forums and tennis discussion. All sort of nonsense everywhere.

So your detailed and enlightening hypothesis is that a documented medical condition is fake and basically everyone who has suffered from it (in and out of sports) is basically a hypochondriac?
 

joshuayuan

Professional
Tennis elbow is caused by hitting the tennis ball on or near the racquet frame and hitting the tennis ball late. Prepare early, use your body, do not arm the ball and always hit on the sweet spot if you want to avoid tennis elbow.
 

nintendoplayer

Semi-Pro
I would like to add my 2 cents, having overcome my first tennis elbow experience just recently, which flared up during a period of testing almost every „controlled and comfortable“ racquet and string you can name.
The most important part of solving my issues was switching to the right racquet, which in this case are the Prince Phantom frames, namely the 97p. You could call that racquet a „heavy noodle“, but there‘s more to it in my opinion. I‘m pretty certain that the actual material in the Phantom frames makes a difference, the added Twaron for example. Because I tried a lot(!) of flexible frames, also Clash 98 v1 or the PK Black Ace frames, but none of them could solve my issues 100%.
I could also string as low as 17kg - and still couldn‘t get rid of the issues in my arm, shoulder and elbow.

And then it‘s also the mixture of frame and string. With frames like the Solinco Whiteout I tried so many soft strings…natural gut, multis…but no string could fix my issues with stiffer frames.

Now with the 97p I primarily use Kirschbaum Super Smash, a quite stiff and outdated string. But this combination is so muted and comfortable….just works for my arm and only(!) works in this particular frame for me. Tried it in other frames, felt a lot more uncomfortable and not nearly as muted.

Weight is also definitely an important factor, enough mass is necessary to prevent too much shock on impact, especially on the one handed backhand.

In the end I always get the same results: with a lighter frame the pain is concentrated in my arm and elbow, no matter what string or tension (or I string so loose that I cannot control the ball anymore). With a heavier frame there‘s more of a „whole body muscle soreness“, because you have to move more and hitting with a heavy frame results in more of a „full body workout“. Especially my lats, glutes and core can become sore after hitting long sessions with heavy frames. But I’ll gladly take muscle soreness instead of TE.

TE is real. And it‘s the result of wrong equipment choice and your kinetic chain not working properly in my opinion. Also related to weakness in other parts of your body than your elbow or arm. TE is the result but your elbow is not the root of the issue.

So for now my solution is not only using the right „heavy noodle“ frame but also strengthening my core and shoulders regularly with a kettlebell.
Strengthen your glutes, guys. You need a strong butt for pain-free tennis :) (strong glutes are also important for relieving knee pain, in case you have any!) And while you swing that kettlebell your shoulders are automatically getting stronger, as well.
 
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movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
I used ALU Power from around 2006 to 2022 and love it but it goes dead after 8 hours and playing beyond that results in arm issues for me. ALU Power gives me control, spin and feel.

I switched to Hyper-G last year and I do love it as well but for more practical reasons. I can get 20 hours out of it (I haven't tried it for longer than that as the tension drops quite a bit by then). It is softer than ALU Power, gives me great spin and control. But it is not great on feel. But the compromise is worth it in not having to string so frequently, the much lower cost of the string, and the arm health.

A note on arm health: I didn't start seeing problems until I hit my 40s.
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
The only non-acute elbow issue I had was actually caused by my mouse. It was too small and low and it eventually caused me some chronic but mild elbow pain that I mostly felt after playing tennis. Once I figured out it was my mouse I got a bigger more ergonomic mouse and the problem resolved completely after a month or two IIRC. Have had that mouse for many years and it's starting to fall apart now. Probably going to need a new one soon.
Its pricey but I love the rollermouse. Its hard to understand from the picture and because its so different, but this has saved my wrists and elbows:

 

nintendoplayer

Semi-Pro
In my case, the "mouse hand" primarily affected my wrist, not the elbow. But wrist-issues are also a problem for Tennis :)
I can recommend getting a trackball, I use the Kingston Slimblade - mostly with my non-dominant left hand. A good brain-practice, as well.

 
In my case, the "mouse hand" primarily affected my wrist, not the elbow. But wrist-issues are also a problem for Tennis :)
I can recommend getting a trackball, I use the Kingston Slimblade - mostly with my non-dominant left hand. A good brain-practice, as well.

I do the exact same thing! Bought a Slimblade and never looked back. The amount of desk space saved is a nice bonus too.
 

Happi

Hall of Fame
In my case, the "mouse hand" primarily affected my wrist, not the elbow. But wrist-issues are also a problem for Tennis :)
I can recommend getting a trackball, I use the Kingston Slimblade - mostly with my non-dominant left hand. A good brain-practice, as well.

Fore more advanced options, if you need more precision in your computerwork this is what I use:

 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
In my case, the "mouse hand" primarily affected my wrist, not the elbow. But wrist-issues are also a problem for Tennis :)
I can recommend getting a trackball, I use the Kingston Slimblade - mostly with my non-dominant left hand. A good brain-practice, as well.

I was using the hand shaped version of that with my laptop. Its great especially since you dont have to slide it around
 

Kevo

Legend
I like all the alternative mouse suggestions, but I will have to stick with something a little more traditional. I still need to be able to whoop my son in some Halo every now and then. :-D
 

tennislover2

New User
I am still wondering how some people like me played all the stiffest racquets and strings and got no tennis elbow, while others looked for all the plush in the world and still got tennis elbow.
Also I never used a dampener.
When I hear those words: tennis elbow, I jut roll my eyes.
Sounds like a tone deaf post! If someone has knee pain or back pain or any pain that you dont experience from doing the same activity, they are either a sissy or must be making it up!
 
I didn't say I'm special. I said you are special for somehow getting tennis elbow (or lying you got it, to be special).

What do you understand from the fact that I roll my eyes?

The question was how come I do anything I want and don't get tennis elbow and other keep their arm in plush and still get it? Something is fishy, isn't it?

I don't really believe tennis elbow is real. It is one of the two:
1. Tennis elbow is in your head. You heard of tennis elbow, you are afraid of tennis elbow. You thought about the pain of tennis elbow. Then you started feeling the pain in your elbow.
2. Or the second option, you wanted to feel special. My dad was the kind of person who would always complain he is sick to get special attention, most of the times he had nothing. He seen some documentary about some disease, next day he got it too, no matter how rare it was. Some people want to be special and complain about it. Then they buy all "soft" strings and plushy racquets which honestly are crap.

If it really exists all you have to do is hit hard, don't restrain, and play free. Tennis elbow will go away. I cannot understand how in the hell you get tennis elbow.

I hit my forehands with a fully extended arm and a coach stopped me mid game to give me some precious advice. He told me that forehand with the fully extended arm will destroy my arm. I should learn to hit with a bent elbow. It was 10 years ago. Such a moron that coach. I continued playing my fully extended arm forehand for 10 years. Guess what, nothing happened. My arm is just as good as it was 10 years ago.

This tennis elbow thing is beyond stupid. And this is the main reason I try to stay away from forums and tennis discussion. All sort of nonsense everywhere.
This post is up there in the top 10 dumbest posts on the forum. Probably the same guy who started playing and thinks he can take games off a pro. Sounds like you are the one posting nonsense.
 
I didn't say I'm special. I said you are special for somehow getting tennis elbow (or lying you got it, to be special).

What do you understand from the fact that I roll my eyes?

The question was how come I do anything I want and don't get tennis elbow and other keep their arm in plush and still get it? Something is fishy, isn't it?

I don't really believe tennis elbow is real. It is one of the two:
1. Tennis elbow is in your head. You heard of tennis elbow, you are afraid of tennis elbow. You thought about the pain of tennis elbow. Then you started feeling the pain in your elbow.
2. Or the second option, you wanted to feel special. My dad was the kind of person who would always complain he is sick to get special attention, most of the times he had nothing. He seen some documentary about some disease, next day he got it too, no matter how rare it was. Some people want to be special and complain about it. Then they buy all "soft" strings and plushy racquets which honestly are crap.

If it really exists all you have to do is hit hard, don't restrain, and play free. Tennis elbow will go away. I cannot understand how in the hell you get tennis elbow.

I hit my forehands with a fully extended arm and a coach stopped me mid game to give me some precious advice. He told me that forehand with the fully extended arm will destroy my arm. I should learn to hit with a bent elbow. It was 10 years ago. Such a moron that coach. I continued playing my fully extended arm forehand for 10 years. Guess what, nothing happened. My arm is just as good as it was 10 years ago.

This tennis elbow thing is beyond stupid. And this is the main reason I try to stay away from forums and tennis discussion. All sort of nonsense everywhere.
And yet here you are...:rolleyes::sneaky:
 

badmice2

Professional
If you ask me, strings alone is not the culprit. Strings + crappy balls (ie Costco Penn) are the real cause of tennis elbow. It’s one thing for the strings to play stiff, but most people damn well know to lower tension blah blah blah to offset “stiffness”. Yet, many continues to play with rock like tennis balls and complain their strings aren’t soft enough? You can grab any 2x4 to hit a rock, and 2x4 can come in different firmness, it’s still a rock you’re hitting with a 2x4…something’s gotta change.
 
Not if you have good technique and strike the ball out front and not late which torques the elbow. Or if you keep tensions reasonable (55 or less IMO)
 

jklos

Professional
Strings can definitely play a role, as can playing with dead balls... especially in cooler weather.
 

Shroud

Talk Tennis Guru
I have had two examples of pain caused by racquets. In both cases I added weight and it fixed the pain. One was wrist pain with an aero pro and the other was elbow with a blade 98. The strings were too tight for the weight and was causing pain so adding weight fixed it.
 

tennislover2

New User
Not if you have good technique and strike the ball out front and not late which torques the elbow. Or if you keep tensions reasonable (55 or less IMO)
Easier said than done! A good technique is not just hitting the ball in front - if you just aim for that, the ball might sail long especially if it is low.

A good technique also involves great footwork. That is you get to the ball fast and position perfectly, so that you have the right amount of spacing, you hit the ball in front and away from you while you are able to transfer some forward momentum into the ball. At 3.5 to 4.0 and even low 4.5 levels, in *most shots* you are not able to achieve all the above objectives. May be in a few shots you are able to achieve all the objectives - i.e hitting in front, perfect position spacing to the ball ( both laterally and forward) and able to transfer the body momentum forward.

The reasons why you dont achieve all the objectives may be many fold - athleticism, late ball recognition, deficiencies in some shot making skills, poor shot selection ( you hit the wrong shot in the prior ball that allows your opponent to make you scamper etc). Given that, it would be silly to dismiss that people who have tennis elbow as "lack of good technique". If a racket/strings helps prevent tennis elbow while you try to achieve the other objectives *most of the time* then that is the way forward. I say "most of the time" because even at higher levels you are not able to achieve all of objectives all the time( If they did, none of the pros would have elbow issues ) .
 

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
The only non-acute elbow issue I had was actually caused by my mouse. It was too small and low and it eventually caused me some chronic but mild elbow pain that I mostly felt after playing tennis. Once I figured out it was my mouse I got a bigger more ergonomic mouse and the problem resolved completely after a month or two IIRC. Have had that mouse for many years and it's starting to fall apart now. Probably going to need a new one soon.
And/or switch the mouse to the other hand.
 
Easier said than done! A good technique is not just hitting the ball in front - if you just aim for that, the ball might sail long especially if it is low.

A good technique also involves great footwork. That is you get to the ball fast and position perfectly, so that you have the right amount of spacing, you hit the ball in front and away from you while you are able to transfer some forward momentum into the ball. At 3.5 to 4.0 and even low 4.5 levels, in *most shots* you are not able to achieve all the above objectives. May be in a few shots you are able to achieve all the objectives - i.e hitting in front, perfect position spacing to the ball ( both laterally and forward) and able to transfer the body momentum forward.

The reasons why you dont achieve all the objectives may be many fold - athleticism, late ball recognition, deficiencies in some shot making skills, poor shot selection ( you hit the wrong shot in the prior ball that allows your opponent to make you scamper etc). Given that, it would be silly to dismiss that people who have tennis elbow as "lack of good technique". If a racket/strings helps prevent tennis elbow while you try to achieve the other objectives *most of the time* then that is the way forward. I say "most of the time" because even at higher levels you are not able to achieve all of objectives all the time( If they did, none of the pros would have elbow issues ) .
The title of the thread is do poly strings contribute to TE. My answer is they do not if you use proper technique. First tip here is proper technique. The string is not causing the TE, the poor technique is, the stiff poly just exacerbates it and therefore a player with this issue should either play a different string, drop tension or best option, improve technique

 

PRS

Professional
I don't understand how this is still a conversation. First off, everybody is different; one person could have the least arm-friendly setup and not have any issues, but that doesn't mean it's not a harsh setup and generally a bad idea for most people to use.

Second, there's a lot of possible issues that can contribute to pain:

-Poly/other stiff strings
-Stiff racquets
-Poor technique
-Too heavy of a racquet
-Too light of a racquet
-Too big of a grip
-Too small of a grip
-Dead strings (particularly dead poly)
-High tensions
-General overuse
-Lack of strength

You can debate over the level each of the above contribute, but there's not really any debate that any of the above CAN contribute to arm pain. You can't guarantee arm pain with any combination of the above, but if you are experiencing pain or wanting to avoid pain, you should consider all of the above.

Again just to be clear, ignoring any/all of the above does not guarantee arm pain. Some people will play with poly or even kevlar at high tensions way after they've gone dead and not have any issues. But that doesn't mean that they have nothing to do with arm pain.
 

Happi

Hall of Fame
I don't understand how this is still a conversation. First off, everybody is different; one person could have the least arm-friendly setup and not have any issues, but that doesn't mean it's not a harsh setup and generally a bad idea for most people to use.

Second, there's a lot of possible issues that can contribute to pain:

-Poly/other stiff strings
-Stiff racquets
-Poor technique
-Too heavy of a racquet
-Too light of a racquet
-Too big of a grip
-Too small of a grip
-Dead strings (particularly dead poly)
-High tensions
-General overuse
-Lack of strength

You can debate over the level each of the above contribute, but there's not really any debate that any of the above CAN contribute to arm pain. You can't guarantee arm pain with any combination of the above, but if you are experiencing pain or wanting to avoid pain, you should consider all of the above.

Again just to be clear, ignoring any/all of the above does not guarantee arm pain. Some people will play with poly or even kevlar at high tensions way after they've gone dead and not have any issues. But that doesn't mean that they have nothing to do with arm pain.
And you can play with poly for years and years with no problem, until suddenly just out of nothing you get TE and cant use poly any more without pain.
 
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TheBoom

Hall of Fame
It depends. It could be a combination of
1. Poly
2. In-proper form and footwork + hard poly
3. 16g stiff poly plus a frame that’s too heavy + improper form.
4. Lack of strength training exercises.

If you have good form and are fit physically and continue to have tennis elbow - yes poly could be the issue. I use a thin guage poly 1.20 most of the time bc I get better control and it’s lighter.
This. I think poor form/lack of strength are the main contributors of tennis elbow. Poly strings may exacerbate it, but I don’t think they’re the “cause” so to say.

A lot of my friends that suffer from TE solved it by fixing their form or going to the gym without changing their setup
 

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
More flexible racquet strung at lower tensions will help avoid TE. Once you have it it’s a process of months to get it right again. Have to make some adjustment with the frame and string to make it easier on the arm.
Only time I’ve gotten TE in 48 yrs of competitive tennis was with a stiff frame strung at 58 full poly. After healing went with a more flexible frame with a soft poly and soft synthetic gut. Poly/ synthetic gut strung in the mid 40’s. To this day still play with full poly in the 47-49 range. No more issues for 15 yrs and running.
 
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ChrisJR3264

Hall of Fame
This. I think poor form/lack of strength are the main contributors of tennis elbow. Poly strings may exacerbate it, but I don’t think they’re the “cause” so to say.

A lot of my friends that suffer from TE solved it by fixing their form or going to the gym without changing their setup
Yeah I mean not just TE - shoulder soreness too.
I’ve been feeling a bit weak on court lately and all I do is play tennis or jog. I took some time off from strength training and find my self more sore than usual now.

Taking tennis back from 5-6 days to 2-3 to get myself back on track.

However when it comes to strings - if most polys don’t hurt your arm and all of a sudden one does : that may be an exception. I’m skeptical of some of these cheaper made in tawain polys that are coming out of nowhere (toroline).
 
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nintendoplayer

Semi-Pro
My experience is that your body is used to a certain racquet setup. And whenever you change something about your setup you have the potential of hurting yourself, even with minimal changes. Muscle memory is a finicky little *******.
From my perspective this is also the main reason why whatever string or racquet you read about, some people are super happy with it while others cannot endure it.
 

veelium

Hall of Fame
Yeah I mean not just TE - shoulder soreness too.
I’ve been feeling a bit weak on court lately and all I do is play tennis or jog. I took some time off from strength training and find my self more sore than usual now.

Taking tennis back from 5-6 days to 2-3 to get myself back on track.

However when it comes to strings - if most polys don’t hurt your arm and all of a sudden one does : that may be an exception. I’m skeptical of some of these cheaper made in tawain polys that are coming out of nowhere (toroline).
Tbf lots of string companies produce in taiwan, all of solinco, some of head, toroline etc.
 

agradina

Rookie
1)Stiff Poly string at tension over 22 are one of three main cause of tennis elbow because amateur tehnique combine with their stifness is translated in much more shocks or if u want to experiment tennis elbow try luxilon 4g at 26 ,next day u wont be able to open the door.
 
I used ALU Power from around 2006 to 2022 and love it but it goes dead after 8 hours and playing beyond that results in arm issues for me. ALU Power gives me control, spin and feel.

I switched to Hyper-G last year and I do love it as well but for more practical reasons. I can get 20 hours out of it (I haven't tried it for longer than that as the tension drops quite a bit by then). It is softer than ALU Power, gives me great spin and control. But it is not great on feel. But the compromise is worth it in not having to string so frequently, the much lower cost of the string, and the arm health.

A note on arm health: I didn't start seeing problems until I hit my 40s.

+2 on the the 40 plus comment, played all my life since i was 5 got to futures level, did have 5-6 years off in late 20's but once i hit 40 all of a sudden I got bad golfers elbow and I didn't even know it was a thing, no matter what I have tried, rackets, strings( full poly, hybrid and non poly ), rest, massage, strengthening I cannot get rid of it and my technique is very sound.
 

agradina

Rookie
+2 on the the 40 plus comment, played all my life since i was 5 got to futures level, did have 5-6 years off in late 20's but once i hit 40 all of a sudden I got bad golfers elbow and I didn't even know it was a thing, no matter what I have tried, rackets, strings( full poly, hybrid and non poly ), rest, massage, strengthening I cannot get rid of it and my technique is very sound.
Imagine tennis elbow tendons as a tree , if ur tecnique is bad and strings also every hit is like a electric chainsaw u get down fast, if ur tehnique is good but other are bad its like chopping manually over the tree .
 
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heavyD

Professional
I'm still recovering from a bad case of tennis elbow where I tore a tendon last March. I would say I'm about 80% now. Absolutely zero doubt in my mind poly strings probably were the main contributor. I got to the point where I felt I may have been close to 100% good as new by strictly using multi strings and decided to try a full bed of Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 (supposedly a soft poly) at 46 lbs in my Extreme MP and I'm not kidding, within 10 minutes of hitting I immediately felt arm pain I hadn't felt in months. I played through in hopes that the strings would get more comfortable after break-in but after a couple of sessions I had to cut them out. Switched back to multi and no arm pain but a little sadness because I hit a better ball with poly. Now I'm easing into hybrids with Velocity MLT mains and softer polys in the crosses and that seems to be working okay. Not sure when I will be able to play with a full bed of poly again, if ever but next time I try I may start off low at around 40 lbs. Also it's not a form or strength issue (I'm a gym rat) for me. It's just the unforgiving nature of poly strings not getting along with my 50 year old arm tendons.
 

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
It all plays a factor. Djokovic ended up with TE and he has some of the most sound technique in the world. Natural gut mains and more weight on the frame in 2012 helped his situation after recovery but has still had issues along the way.
I can hit with certain frames, strings at certain tensions and tell that it is tough on the arm immediately.
Have seen the guys that claim nothing hurts their arm and 5-8yrs down the road they are playing with shoulder, wrist, elbow issues or quitting tennis all together because of nagging injuries. Best just to be smart about your equipment, stay in shape, let your body recover throughout the week.
 
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Miguelin

New User
Good replies so far but I was interested more how crucial it is for strings locking up being a higher contributor to tennis elbow compared to string stiffness. I think my title may have been a bit misleading.

I’m interested in hearing if anyone else has gotten tennis elbow from a synthetic gut or multi that locks up quickly and has been fine playing polyester like myself that slides well through it’s lifetime even though it is much stiffer.

I am a hard hitter that uses a 360 SW racquet and the synthetic was strung at 60 pounds and locked up within 30 minutes of hitting and started hurting my elbow and wrist compared to me playing Kirschbaum max power at 58 pounds (stiff poly) with no elbow or wrist problems. At least in my experience using a stiffer string does not cause me problems but a softer string that locks up gives me pain.
The most logical reply I can think of is, when you introduce a change (be it racket, string, tension, even overgrip) that makes a difference somehow, you tend to introduce some changes in your technique to compensate. For example, if you are used to soft strings (nylon, gut, whatever), and you change to poly, you may feel like the string is under-powered and the launch angle is too low, so you may tend to swing harder or in a steeper angle. If you change from "locking" strings to slippery ones (multis to poly), you may feel an easier acces to spin, and start swinging straight forward modulating spin with the racket head tilt or the contact point of the ball (even inadvertently), rather than wristing the racket on contact to creat lift (which is an elbow killer if you're using an eastern or continental grip), which may actually be your case.
Increasing the racket weight can make you swing looser (good), taking advantage of the extra power and stability, or can put extra stress on your tendons on awkward swings with bad technique, and force you to grab the racket more firmly to avoid it being centrifuged out of your hand at serves and aggressive swings.
In that sense, even using a worn out grip/overgrip or the wrong one (a tourna if you barely sweat from your hands, or an xtreme soft if you're a heavy sweater) can end up causing TE eventually.

In any case, from my experience, TE is caused 98~99% from technique issues, not gear.
Gear can definitely help indirectly, the way I explained above, but mostly a stiffer frame/stringbed will cause discomfort or even pain, particularly on an already injured area, but won't directly (and singlehandedly) cause the injury itself.
 
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