Help! N Code 6.1 killing my arm!

[jdub486]

My trusty n 6.1 95 I have used for last four months is really starting to hurt my arm, especially after long matches. The heavy weight and stiffness of the frame are catching up to me. Unfortunately, I love the spin, pop, and stability of the frame, especially on serves, but the feel is a bit harsh at times. I need something a bit softer and lighter sw quick because my arm is hurting a lot. Here is what I have in mind:
M Fil 200 Plus 2006
Yonex RDS 001, Ti-80
Wilson N Tour 2
Volkl Dnx 9
Volkl Tour 10 Gen 2

 

[basil J]

Funny you bring this up. I have shoulder issues and while using my 03 tour, they never got worse, since I switched to the ncode 6.1 95 18 x20 the symptoms have gotten so much worse that I have to schedule surgery. I have in the mean time gone back to the dunlop 200G revelation and I can actually last longer on the court than I can with the wilson. More flex, less pop, but easier on my shoulder. What kind of strings have you been using. Stiff poly on this frame could be rough.

 

[bluescreen]

i had the same problem, but instead of switching racquet i took a 2-week rest and put on 1 of those tennis elbow braces. i play pain-free now, but i always play w/ the brace though.

 

[Court_Jester]

The specs of the 6.1 are actually arm-friendly (well, maybe the SW is a bit high). Just strengthen your arm by doing exercises. Changing sticks is not going to help if your arm is incapable of handling them.

 

[Court_Jester]

Unfortunately, I love the spin, pop, and stability of the frame, especially on serves, but the feel is a bit harsh at times. I need something a bit softer and lighter sw quick because my arm is hurting a lot.

You didn't say what kind of string setup you have but I suggest multifilament strings for a softer and less harsh feel. It's far less expensive than switching racquets.

 

[and then I said]

wilson ntour 2

 

[mislav]

Check your strings before you make any other changes. Lower the tension and step away from poly strings for a while. That might be it. No kidding.

 

[BreakPoint]

You may also want to add the PS 6.0 95 to your demo list. It also has that Wilson ProStaff feel but play flexier and swings much easier and lighter.

 

[Vasily]

Had the same problem with yellow Dunlop 200G. After I have change the basic grip to some soft Babolat that decrease vibrations the elbow feel great. Try to change your grip.

 

[kabob]

Have you considered just going with a softer multifilament string or natural gut? No need to give up a preferred racquet if you haven't eliminated other problem areas.

 

[beernutz]

I have used an ncode nsix-one 95 18x20 for the last 4 months too, after having played with a Prince OS for the three previous years and many other Prince OS racquets in the preceeding years. I have only strung the nsix with multifiliment strings like Klipper Zyex and Prince Primer Softflex in the 54-59lb range since I've owned it.

My $.02: I agree with the original poster that, despite what the specs say, the racquet can be hard on your arm and elbow, at least that has been my experience. I'm 47, have played tennis for the last 30+ years, and have NEVER had even the slightest hint of TE. I buy the nsix-one 95 and after a couple of months I start to experience TE symptoms for the first time in my life. You do the math.

I love how the racquet plays though. It is great for serving and volleying in particular, but plays at least as well as my old racquets from the baseline. It does start to feel a bit heavy at the end of a 3-setter, and I have tried to compensate by doing arm and grip exercises which have helped. I'm going to keep the racquet for a while longer since I've never played better tennis, but I don't like the fact that I must rest my arm at least a day before playing again, which I've never had to do in the past. YMMV.

 

[BreakPoint]

Don't forget that as you get older, you become more prone to tennis elbow as your tendons and muscles start to lose some of their elasticity. I've been playing for over 30 years too and never had a hint of tennis elbow until I hit the big four-o. That being said, the nSix-One 95 is a pretty stiff racquet so it's probably not the most elbow friendly racquet out there.

 

[louis netman]

I've been playing for over 30 years too and never had a hint of tennis elbow until I hit the big four-o. .

Something about the big four-o and tennis. Thirty-nine was fine and then came
four-o and it was just one thing after another....

My advice if you're going up the hill: get accustomed to heavie r& flexier and string with gut or hybrid therof...

 

[man-walking]

RDC apart... the key is that all wilson n6.1s are very very firm TORSIONAL WISE.
That said in my experience some hits struk non properly well and repeatedly produce some weakening on arm and especially shoulder and from time to time this gives some pain.

 

[NoBadMojo]

Something about the big four-o and tennis. Thirty-nine was fine and then came
four-o and it was just one thing after another....

My advice if you're going up the hill: get accustomed to heavie r& flexier and string with gut or hybrid therof...

I gotta disagree with this..the older you get, the tougher it is to swing something heavier...something too heavy can cause as many problems as swinging something too light. I also partially disagree with going flexier..there are some stiff frames out there that wont hurt your arm. Flexy frames are quite usually low powered frames, and people often put 'wrong' moves on the ball in an effort to ramp up their power whilst using a frame which is too low powered and heavy for them...this often happens with the midsized crowd..putting a bad move on the ball is probably the biggest cause of physical problems

People say go heavier.. I say find the swingweight which is right for you no matter what that swingweight is....pick something appropriate and call it a day. Agree with the poly comments...def avoid those.

So key is to find the right swingweight for you, and if you need a stiffer frame at that swingweight for power, pick something known to be comfortable for its stiffness

 

[th41291]

i just got a n6.1 16x18. can't wait to use it...but then again i'm only 15 years old, so my arm's alright