Getting back in the game with the help of TW

[PhxRacket]

Hi all
I have been demoing a few different racquets. I have chosen, probably wrongly, to demo racquets from across the spectrum. The good news is that anyone new or recently returned would benefit from playing with what is available....very enjoyable and insightful. The bad news, I have develop a slight pain on the outside of my elbow. Maybe stiff racquets, prolly poor technique as I need to knock off rust, maybe I am just old. In any case, I have a box on the way and then I will get a last box of the four most beloved. I have loved the SG V1 Pro, the PAT, and, shockingly the DR100. I am trying to move up from USTA 4.0. I would like to play serious, competitive tennis for quite a while and avoid a sore arm after every match or hitting session. Ideas?

 

[TW Staff]

I would recommend you stick with comfortable racquets like the SG V1 Pro and use soft strings like Natural Gut or multifilaments. Once you have settled on a racquet things hopefully we be fine. Switching racquets frequently can take some getting used to. When I first started playtesting here back in 2003 my arm went numb as I wasn't used to constantly hitting racquets with a different weight, balance, length and stiffness etc.

However, make sure you listen to your body. If your arm hurts when playing then it is telling you to stop what you are doing. Rest it and ice it. If you still have issues then you should get it checked out and also perhaps take a lesson to see if you are doing something technically wrong to aggravate it.

Best of luck,
Chris, TW

 

[PhxRacket]

Thx Chris. I really liked the weight of the SG 10 320, but it seemed stiff and I didn't serve well with it, but the groundies, overheads and volleys....ohhh my!