I only get TE against hard hitters, when I am not smooth

[Fintft]

So you could say, that in those cases, my technique tends to fail and I get a flare in my elbow. On the 1HBH, including on a slice...
Lucky for me it went away in one day, but the next time I stepped on the court, I've damned made sure that I hit very relaxed and smooth. Not even hard, b/c I was hitting against my significant one that was comming from an injury.

Now the question is how to be smooth under pressure against a hard hitter, with XL racquets that are known to have givem arm (and probably elbow) pain to players better than me? And with poly (albeit soft and fresh) strings.
We can't all be smooth like Federer, but it is something we could aim for (and the coach often mentions it)!

Minor tricks such as having new OGs each time and breathing might help as well. Alas I also went from a large grip L4, to L3 and now L2 for more racquet head speed.

 

[ollinger]

breathing might help as well.

might

 

[ollinger]

might not

 

[Arzivu]

Maybe you are hitting late and without taking the appropriate distance from the ball. Prepare early and try to shorten your swings using your opponent's pace.

 

[socallefty]

You moved from L4 to L2? Maybe L2 is too small and your strokes have become too wristy or you are gripping too tight?

 

[esgee48]

I have the same hypothesis as socallefty. You’re gripping too hard or flicking your wrist.

 

[Fintft]

You moved from L4 to L2? Maybe L2 is too small and your strokes have become too wristy or you are gripping too tight?

I think that a smaller grip actually alows you to grip with less tension.

 

[socallefty]

I think that a smaller grip actually alows you to grip with less tension.

If it is one size smaller. At two sizes smaller than what you normally use, maybe it is just too small for you.

 

[Fintft]

I was on L3 for about 8 months before switching to L2....L4 was over 1.5 years ago.

 

[ey039524]

Smaller grips require more effort to hold w/o twisting in your hand. Add an overgrip or two and see how it feels. Make a note of how hard you're gripping when you make contact.

 

[Fintft]

Smaller grips require more effort to hold w/o twisting in your hand. Add an overgrip or two and see how it feels. Make a note of how hard you're gripping when you make contact.

Maybe, but I seem ok with a standard length L2, while having problems with the XL version (27.25") of the same L2 stick, so it has to do with SW and so forth, mainly.

 

[Jono123]

So you could say, that in those cases, my technique tends to fail and I get a flare in my elbow. On the 1HBH, including on a slice...
Lucky for me it went away in one day, but the next time I stepped on the court, I've damned made sure that I hit very relaxed and smooth. Not even hard, b/c I was hitting against my significant one that was comming from an injury.

Now the question is how to be smooth under pressure against a hard hitter, with XL racquets that are known to have givem arm (and probably elbow) pain to players better than me? And with poly (albeit soft and fresh) strings.
We can't all be smooth like Federer, but it is something we could aim for (and the coach often mentions it)!

Minor tricks such as having new OGs each time and breathing might help as well. Alas I also went from a large grip L4, to L3 and now L2 for more racquet head speed.

I had a similar issue. I find using a heavier frame helps soaks up all the vibration rather than having it shoot up my arm.

 

[dannyslicer]

If it went away in a day, you did not have TE

 

[Fintft]

If it went away in a day, you did not have TE

A twinge comes back ocassionally, against hard hitters, basically when I am not smooth. I ice it and it goes away in a day.

 

[dannyslicer]

A twinge comes back ocassionally, against hard hitters, basically when I am not smooth. I ice it and it goes away in a day.

I'll say it again
If it went away in a day, you did not have TE

 

[ey039524]

A twinge comes back ocassionally, against hard hitters, basically when I am not smooth. I ice it and it goes away in a day.

Massage it after playing. Deep tissue/fascial manipulation.

 

[Fintft]

I'll say it again
If it went away in a day, you did not have TE

95-98% of pain/sorenness went away. Anyhow it is worrisome, b/c I am afraid to play with my heavier, higher SW, XL racquets and hit hard. I play with a lighter version, standard length and even with this one, I felt my elbow once last week, on a FH, when I wasn't smooth.

 

[Grafil Injection]

If it went away in a day it's a muscle\nerve twinge, it's not TE. TE lasts months without even hitting a ball.

 

[Fintft]

If it went away in a day it's a muscle\nerve twinge, it's not TE. TE lasts months without even hitting a ball.

Are you in the medical field?

Besides, it doesn't really matter, does it?

 

[Grafil Injection]

Are you in the medical field?

Besides, it doesn't really matter, does it?

Just trying to help you make the correct diagnosis having had TE. Be happy you haven't got it.

 

[Fintft]

Just trying to help you make the correct diagnosis having had TE. Be happy you haven't got it.

I seem to be ok now, but won't be trying my regular XL racquet anytime soon.
Also b/c today I dominated my Nemesis with the standard version of my racquet, that is easier to swing fast...

 

[Yamin]

Not one person asking what your racket or equipment is.. interesting. Same between both your rackets?

XL rackets usually have lower twist weights than the standard lengths and you're probably a bit late. The grip size is also definitely playing into it as others have mentioned.

 

[Fintft]

Not one person asking what your racket or equipment is.. interesting. Same between both your rackets?

XL rackets usually have lower twist weights than the standard lengths and you're probably a bit late. The grip size is also definitely playing into it as others have mentioned.

Sticks are in my sig, both L2 for the last half a year, or so.

 

[Fintft]

Back to normal XL racquet with poly, L2, playing singles daily, so far, so good, fingers crossed.

 

[nyta2]

If it went away in a day, you did not have TE

maybe it was a grade 0.25 tear, where you had a grade 2-3 tear?

 

[dannyslicer]

maybe it was a grade 0.25 tear, where you had a grade 2-3 tear?

TE is not a tear.
Cellular tendinosis from long-term overuse and poor healing
Not acute

 

[nyta2]

TE is not a tear.
Cellular tendinosis from long-term overuse and poor healing
Not acute

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A micro-tear in your tendon (also known as tendinosis) is a fairly common injury, especially in older adults. The most common causes of tendinosis are overuse and general wear-and-tear. You’re also at an increased risk for tendinosis if you:

• Make repetitive motions

shall we argue at what point a micro-tear becomes an acute tear?

anywho, the point is op is starting to feel "something" and if continued, maybe become something worse...
IME with long lasting tennis elbow and golfers elbow.... i had definitely felt a "twinge" (ignored it, "play through the pain"), before it became something more debilitating (te/ge) requiring me to rest for weeks/months
now when I "feel something" especially new, i analyze technique flaws, etc... especially when recently hitting against folks who typically hit bigger than i'm used to.. (eg. causing me to be late, and/or modify my technique to compensate for being late).
or when using a new racquet (eg. heavier, tigther, stiffer, etc...)

 

[dannyslicer]

@nyta2 That's fair. He may have sensed early stages (or literal first day) of TE.
If it quickly went away, then it could have been a very inchoate case of TE.

I've never felt a twinge while playing (acute), but a soreness the next day

But, I'll edit my prior statement:
If it went away in a day, you did not have (legit|full-blown) TE

 

[Fintft]

A change in technique and it flared back on some hard running FHs during my lesson (not on BHs, nor serves).
I might string with natural gut (and try to hit smothly/relaxed etc. Plus not hard for a while).

 

[GAS]

L4 to L2 with an extended frame and OHBH... I love this place.

 

[Fintft]

L4 to L2 with an extended frame and OHBH... I love this place.

It was the FH today though.
L4 to L2 happened over 2 years.

But you might be right about the XL, as:
a)I've done a technique change these past few days. And I might be hitting late as a result
b) It was doing a lesson, when things are more demanding, or at least more changes are forced.

I'll hit with the regular length and lighter racquet, same model. Will string the XL with gut at 52/50.

 

[Hawks9451]

breathing might help as well.

might

Can't hurt your elbow if you're dead. 400IQ escape

 

[Fintft]

Can't hurt your elbow if you're dead. 400IQ escape

I don't follow you.

BTW, pain in the elbow seems to be gone in a day (again).

 

[Hawks9451]

I don't follow you.

BTW, pain in the elbow seems to be gone in a day (again).

If you stopped breathing, you would perish

 

[Deleted member 775108]

@Fintft

Honestly I would try another known racket standard length racket with a multi string you can tolerate and see if it shows up again against hard hitters.

We are all (mostly) middle aged tennis players, with average (mostly) technique, with above average self images and below average (mostly) movement.

You might be an exception but why risk it? Some tennis is better than no tennis even if not with favorite racket and favorite string. And favorites can change

 

[Fintft]

@Fintft

Honestly I would try another known racket standard length racket with a multi string you can tolerate and see if it shows up again against hard hitters.

We are all (mostly) middle aged tennis players, with average (mostly) technique, with above average self images and below average (mostly) movement.

You might be an exception but why risk it? Some tennis is better than no tennis even if not with favorite racket and favorite string. And favorites can change

But my standard length .1 has never caused me problems, why change it?
Only the 27.25", occasionally...

 

[Deleted member 775108]

But my standard length .1 has never caused me problems, why change it?
Only the 27.25", occasionally...

Just to rule it out - since you have been talking about it recently.

 

[Fintft]

Just to rule it out - since you have been talking about it recently.

I could use it last time, no problems.

 

[vokazu]

Try my racquet

 

[Fintft]

Try my racquet

I aim to swing fast, so, no tyvm.

 

[jxs653]

I aim to swing fast, so, no tyvm.

Lose fast swing and aim for hitting sweet spot. Apparently they're not compatible: focusing on the latter requires more careful and relaxed swing. Mind you hitting sweet spot is not either you do it or you don't. You hit 90% the sweet spot, 80% the sweet spot and so on.

If you could hit sweet spot every time you are less likely to have elbow issue (even if you hit late etc.). But of course you can't. We all are bound to mishit.

Added bonus is it will increase pace of your shot. Slow but cleaner hit gives a lot more pace than fast but less clean hit.

 

[Deleted member 775108]

Lose fast swing and aim for hitting sweet spot. Apparently they're not compatible: focusing on the latter requires more careful and relaxed swing. Mind you hitting sweet spot is not either you do it or you don't. You hit 90% the sweet spot, 80% the sweet spot and so on.

If you could hit sweet spot every time you are less likely to have elbow issue (even if you hit late etc.). But of course you can't. We all are bound to mishit.

Added bonus is it will increase pace of your shot. Slow but cleaner hit gives a lot more pace than fast but less clean hit.

I wonder if you saw VOKAZU's specs below : My shoulder and wrist are hurting just looking at them. Personally I just cannot take suggestions of these kind of specs seriously - I have seen videos of some the people wielding rackets like this - and lets put it this way - I was extremely underwhelmed.

Toalson Power Swing 400. W: 436 g. SW: 401
Prince Tournament Nylon 15L (M-55 lbs) + Luxilon ALU Power 16 (C-45 lbs)
RW: 180.275 PI: 0.413 MgR/I : 21.68

 

[naturalexponent]

post videos of smooth and non smooth sessions

 

[Fintft]

post videos of smooth and non smooth sessions

I'm not sure that the late hitting would be obvious, besides, I've already guessed as much (Plus the XL racquets. Back to using the standard length now).

 

[Fintft]

So, since the lighter, standard length model gave me some wrist pain, I've just switched back to the heavier, more SW, XL ones (that used to give me TE )...
Fingers crossed

 

[Fintft]

Got some pains of a lesson and after a few days break it hurted again on a late hit. I've stopped but after one day pause, I tried one warm-up (but probably hard enough) serve and felt like something ruptured, got a bruise etc.

Seeing my family physician tomorrow. Now, excesive bruising is caused by a blood condition I have:

 

[Fintft]

Doubled checked some things:

If I am using a small grip size, heavy racquet, poly strings and swing hard, do I need to change anything in order to avoid tennis elbow?
AI:
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, can be a result of various factors including equipment, technique, and physical conditioning. Here's how you can adjust your setup and approach to potentially reduce the risk:

Grip Size: A smaller grip size can potentially increase the strain on your wrist and forearm muscles, leading to tennis elbow. Consider trying a slightly larger grip size to provide better support and reduce strain on your arm.

Racquet Weight and Balance: While a heavier racquet can provide more power, it can also increase the stress on your arm, especially if combined with a small grip size and a hard swing. You might want to consider using a slightly lighter racquet or one with a more head-light balance to reduce the strain on your arm.

String Type and Tension: Poly strings are known for their durability and control, but they can also transmit more shock to your arm compared to softer strings. Consider using softer strings or lowering the tension to reduce the impact on your arm.

Swing Technique: Focus on using proper technique and mechanics to generate power rather than relying solely on swinging hard. Incorporate more rotation from your core and use your body weight to generate power rather than solely relying on arm strength.

Warm-up and Stretching: Ensure you have a proper warm-up routine before playing, including dynamic stretches for your arms and shoulders. Additionally, incorporate exercises to strengthen the muscles in your forearm and shoulder to provide better support and stability.

Rest and Recovery: Allow adequate rest between playing sessions to give your muscles and tendons time to recover. Overuse is a common cause of tennis elbow, so listen to your body and take breaks when needed.

Consult a Professional: If you're experiencing persistent or severe symptoms of tennis elbow, consider consulting a sports medicine specialist or physical therapist. They can provide personalized advice, recommend exercises to strengthen your arm, and suggest additional modifications to your equipment or technique.

Making these adjustments and being mindful of your technique and physical condition can help reduce the risk of developing tennis elbow while still allowing you to enjoy playing tennis at a high level.

 

[johnmccabe]

If you only get it playing against hard hitters, my guess is you are not adjusting to the different timing. Basically hitting a little late.

 

[_Jaq]

Doubled checked some things:

If I am using a small grip size, heavy racquet, poly strings and swing hard, do I need to change anything in order to avoid tennis elbow?
AI:
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, can be a result of various factors including equipment, technique, and physical conditioning. Here's how you can adjust your setup and approach to potentially reduce the risk:

Grip Size: A smaller grip size can potentially increase the strain on your wrist and forearm muscles, leading to tennis elbow. Consider trying a slightly larger grip size to provide better support and reduce strain on your arm.

Racquet Weight and Balance: While a heavier racquet can provide more power, it can also increase the stress on your arm, especially if combined with a small grip size and a hard swing. You might want to consider using a slightly lighter racquet or one with a more head-light balance to reduce the strain on your arm.

String Type and Tension: Poly strings are known for their durability and control, but they can also transmit more shock to your arm compared to softer strings. Consider using softer strings or lowering the tension to reduce the impact on your arm.

Swing Technique: Focus on using proper technique and mechanics to generate power rather than relying solely on swinging hard. Incorporate more rotation from your core and use your body weight to generate power rather than solely relying on arm strength.

Warm-up and Stretching: Ensure you have a proper warm-up routine before playing, including dynamic stretches for your arms and shoulders. Additionally, incorporate exercises to strengthen the muscles in your forearm and shoulder to provide better support and stability.

Rest and Recovery: Allow adequate rest between playing sessions to give your muscles and tendons time to recover. Overuse is a common cause of tennis elbow, so listen to your body and take breaks when needed.

Consult a Professional: If you're experiencing persistent or severe symptoms of tennis elbow, consider consulting a sports medicine specialist or physical therapist. They can provide personalized advice, recommend exercises to strengthen your arm, and suggest additional modifications to your equipment or technique.

Making these adjustments and being mindful of your technique and physical condition can help reduce the risk of developing tennis elbow while still allowing you to enjoy playing tennis at a high level.

I had significant tennis elbow in the past and tried everything listed here. The key for me was getting rid of the poly, even in a hybrid, regardless of tension. I used a full bed of Wilson NXT at lower tension and it felt like butter. Immediately went away after a year of trying and failing with different rackets, straps etc. I see you switched to a full bed of gut, which I’ve heard is even better. Did it help?

 

[_Jaq]

Got some pains of a lesson and after a few days break it hurted again on a late hit. I've stopped but after one day pause, I tried one warm-up (but probably hard enough) serve and felt like something ruptured, got a bruise etc.

Seeing my family physician tomorrow. Now, excesive bruising is caused by a blood condition I have:

I’m a physician for what it’s worth. This looks more like a leg than an elbow in this photo lol. If it’s your leg, then it looks like the pes anserine bursa. If it’s your elbow, this looks like the medial side, not lateral so it’s not tennis elbow at all (lateral epicondylitis) but I’m a bit disoriented by the photo. If you didn’t have a bleeding diathesis and this is indeed the medial side of your elbow, I’d bet the farm you tore your ulnar collateral ligament (Tommy John injury) because we don’t see this type of bleeding without a ligament tear or full tendon rupture (medial epicondylitis or golfers elbow), but again your bleeding diathesis could make it appear worse than normal. Did you get evaluated?