Does the Prince Tour Diablo Mid really cause TE?

[Applesauceman]

I've seen a few posters mention that they got TE from the Prince Tour Diablo Mid, so I thought that I would find out why.

Racquet stiffness?

Head size?

String pattern?

All of the above? None of the above?

I went from the Prince Tour Diablo MP to the Mid, and that's exactly what happened to me. What if I went to the Prince EXO3 Graphite 93? I understand that 100% graphite racquets are better for your arm/elbow. Does the Graphite have the same issues as the Diablo?

 

[Applesauceman]

Also, when I first developed TE (about 2 years ago), I was using full Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power @ 57 lbs. Then switched to full Pro Supex Big Ace 16 @ 57 lbs (about a year and a half ago). Then switched to M-Pro Supex Big Ace 16 and X-Prince Natural Gut 16, both @ 57 lbs (about a year ago).

Currently I'm trying M-Prince Natural Gut 16 and X-Gosen Micro 16, both @ 53 lbs (for about 2 months now).

 

[EDK]

I demoed both the mid and midplus a while ago, not sure what strings. For me the balance was weird (even?) and I remember both being a bit harsh. Maybe a manuverability issue, I was late on the shots often

 

[In D Zone]

hmmm....

this is interesting. My complained with Diablo mid was the lighter SW which made the frame feel unstable. I added lead at 11 and 1 - the frame played much better. I strung mind with hybrid 58/56 and so far it plays well for me. No vibration or TE to report.
Diablo frame does not feel stiff to me compared to RDiS or KBT.
I found the Diablo to be much easier to swing than the K90 - very manuverable and offers good control.

 

[EDK]

Thanks D Zone, back then I was coming from a soft CTS Graduate and I was probably punier too, so that might have accounted for some of it

 

[skraggle]

I've seen a few posters mention that they got TE from the Prince Tour Diablo Mid, so I thought that I would find out why.

Racquet stiffness?

Head size?

String pattern?

All of the above? None of the above?

I went from the Prince Tour Diablo MP to the Mid, and that's exactly what happened to me. What if I went to the Prince EXO3 Graphite 93? I understand that 100% graphite racquets are better for your arm/elbow. Does the Graphite have the same issues as the Diablo?

I had the same issue with the Diablo Mid. Played great with it-especially serve-but had to give it up when elbow started twanging. Happened regardless of string used.

 

[Applesauceman]

I had the same issue with the Diablo Mid. Played great with it-especially serve-but had to give it up when elbow started twanging. Happened regardless of string used.

Do you think that I'm headed down the same road with the EXO3 Graphite 93?

 

[skraggle]

Do you think that I'm headed down the same road with the EXO3 Graphite 93?

Hard to say without hitting it. I was playing with the POG mid 4-stripes for a few weeks without issue, so if they're closer to that, you should be okay.

I've been having more shoulder and elbow issues lately, so I'm running back to the most comfortable frame I've ever used. After having chronic foot issues resolved a few years ago, I'm super conservative when it comes to possible injury.

 

[Sleepstream]

I've never had any problems with TE from using the Diablo mid.

 

[Applesauceman]

I've actually narrowed down the injury to the olecranon process in my elbow, rather than tennis elbow specifically.

 

[no1]

Are you sure its the racket? Maybe you are compensating for the reduction of power by changing your stroke in a certain way that might induce TE?

 

[fuzz nation]

The TE demons can be rather elusive or unpredictable, but I'd say that if you're at all at risk, stay away from the poly, even in a hybrid setup. I've even seen a few guys, both older and younger, run into elbow problems when they sampled that stuff in the racquets that they'd already been using for a while.

As I see it, there's no telling whether poly strings or a certain frame will hurt your elbow, but if you've already got some issues in there, the poly won't help. If you can afford a full round of nat'l gut or a soft multi, that would probably be smart, but if the twinges persist after you take steps to cool them out, you may not have a good fit with that racquet.

 

[tennislvr135]

I got my new diablo mid and hit for 3 hours today and from the moment that i hit it it felt slightly stiff but maybe thats because i was coming from hitting with pure storm tour which is a verrrry soft racket. I strung it with kirschbaum pro line 2 at 58lb and it didnt hurt my elbow at all

 

[NLBwell]

Didn't have any trouble with tennis elbow hitting with the Diablo Mid and I have a very tender elbow. Thought it was in a way too comfortable with a rubber feel. Great results, though. Didn't use poly with it, though.

 

[gonzalocatalino]

i´ve the diablo mid, is not my main racquet buy i´ve played with it without any arm trouble (yet at least)...
String selection and tension is probably very important with this racquet...

 

[Bengt]

I'm one of the ones who posted that it gave them elbow problems. I think it was a combo of relative lack of skill (4.0 player), OHBH and the racquet itself. I'm curious if the others afflicted also have OHBHs. When it got really bad and I had to sell the racquets (to a certain poster in Argentina who will remained unnamed ) it never hurt on the forehand - only the serve and backhand.

The weird thing is that I had played with the POG 93 for about 4 years without any pain. In fact, I've never had any pain playing and I've played for over 10 years. I quit using the POG because I read that the Diablo was very similar, but had a larger sweetspot. I thought it would be more suitable for my 4.0 level than the POG. And it was except for the pain. Maybe it's the grip?? I've never seen a boxier grip. I'm still scratching my head on this one.

 

[Applesauceman]

I'm one of the ones who posted that it gave them elbow problems. I think it was a combo of relative lack of skill (4.0 player), OHBH and the racquet itself. I'm curious if the others afflicted also have OHBHs. When it got really bad and I had to sell the racquets (to a certain poster in Argentina who will remained unnamed ) it never hurt on the forehand - only the serve and backhand.

The weird thing is that I had played with the POG 93 for about 4 years without any pain. In fact, I've never had any pain playing and I've played for over 10 years. I quit using the POG because I read that the Diablo was very similar, but had a larger sweetspot. I thought it would be more suitable for my 4.0 level than the POG. And it was except for the pain. Maybe it's the grip?? I've never seen a boxier grip. I'm still scratching my head on this one.

I also use a OHBH. My groundstrokes and volleys don't seem to hurt, maybe backhands a little, but overheads and serving does big time. I'm in the 3.5/4.0 range, so lack of skill is possible. I'm leaning more on the type of string. I just don't think that I can use a poly and this racquet.

 

[Bengt]

I also use a OHBH. My groundstrokes and volleys don't seem to hurt, maybe backhands a little, but overheads and serving does big time. I'm in the 3.5/4.0 range, so lack of skill is possible. I'm leaning more on the type of string. I just don't think that I can use a poly and this racquet.

I was using multis - Volkl Power Fiber and Ashaway Dynamite at 60 pounds (I don't like loose strings). Switch to a multi and you'll probably be fine. Great racquet other than the pain.

 

[gonzalocatalino]

I'm one of the ones who posted that it gave them elbow problems. I think it was a combo of relative lack of skill (4.0 player), OHBH and the racquet itself. I'm curious if the others afflicted also have OHBHs. When it got really bad and I had to sell the racquets (to a certain poster in Argentina who will remained unnamed ) it never hurt on the forehand - only the serve and backhand.

Who´s that guy?!?!?

I did´t have the chance to play much with the diablos (winter, work and because my lower back is not 100% functional right now) but i will start using them with my usual strings next week.
By now, diablos are quite far from my POG´s: They feel heavier, but also more stable and powerfull.
Stiffnes is obviously there, but with a nice poly-multi hibrid is not a real problem if you hit the sweetspot...

I will use them for a couple of weeks from now....i hope to not experiment any elbow pain...

 

[backhand]

I owned one for several years, never had any issues with elbows. Definitely on the stiff side, but very smooth, good at absorbing shock. Very maneuverable for a stick that heavy. IMO most TE is about mechanics, not racquets. If you're late getting around from either side, you're still unbending your elbow and then you try to wrist it through for snap to recover. Rx for TE.

 

[gonzalocatalino]

i spent some time on the court on saturday and monday (around 5hs total) with the Diablo. I strung my racquets with soft polys In mains (sppp, pro supex and things like that) and Tecnifibre E-Matrix 1.30mm on crosses (55lbs on the diablos).

Previoulsy, i was using the strings that BENGT send with the frames: he sold me the Diablos with Ashaway Dinamite and Volkl power fiber.
Didnt liked the frames at the beggining, but with my usual string setup was a completely different experience. I found more comfort and power with the poly/multi hybrid. The stringbed become much more controlable and responsive at the same time.

After a 3hs session, i dont feel any pain or "after play heat" on my elbow. In fact, i think the frame could be as comfortable as my POG mids (or even more).