Long term TE battlers - equipment history and choice

[Zverev]

Yes, it's another TE thread... but I hope to keep it a very narrow scope please if we can
If you are battling TE issues, on and off, for over 2 years +, what was your equipment history and what you have settled with now.

Just giving mine
Wilson Hammer, Wilson Triad..... TE, TE, TE.... Head Prestige Classic, Dunlop 200g.... no TE but searching for more pop... 5g... oops, no... Babolat Pure Storm... no TE for 10 years until an unfortunate incident
Strings: always same - Soft thin poly in mains and multi or Gosen in crosses
All rackets are always leaded to 360g
So that's a basic wrap up... my choice is Pure Storm, but they don't make them anymore... wouldn't mind to get something similar, not sure what without possibility to test

Cheers

 

[LuckyR]

My equipment journey was to freak out when I got it, I went full arm friendliness (with no regard for playability), which was ProKennex 5g and gut. After several years without incident I loosened up and switched to a Völkl Classic V1 with gut for increased playability, did well, then switched to thin beam Donnays with gut.

 

[Artanis]

Played in my 30s with Pure Storm and then Pure Control. 4.0, singles.
The best from the current lineup which is similar is Pure Strike VS, which I have enjoyed so far.
Now in my 40s I'm also struggling with TE...I think I will switch to Prokennex (black ace) for maximum comfort available. But only after proper rest/treatment, will take some months I believe...

 

[ey039524]

Wilson ncode npro after a long break, multi x soft poly, 45 lbs. TE, then Clash, gut x Monogut ZX 40 lbs. PS 6.1 100, same string setup. PS 7.5 95. Now Prince phantoms w 30 lb soft poly x ZX.

 

[fullgarage]

Moves from a Volkl Vcell 8 300g (with which i got a very long lasting TE) to a clash 100 V2, with similar mutli at around 42lbs. Can play twice a week without too much issues....

 

[Shroud]

Lots of sticks but got TE when playing with a POG mid strung with kevlar/gut. I was stupid and forgot about the whole week of spray painting as well as playing 5 times in the same week. That caused a long journey. Now I don't think I can get TE. Short story, heavy racquet big handle and try to stretch. Now its a wilson hyper hammer 5.3 stretch with a bunch of weight added to get a 459sw. It weighs 408g IIRC. Strings are kev/4g at 86lbs. Which IMHO shows how weight insulates one from TE. I should have blown up my elbow long ago with that tension.

 

[devoker]

Fixing my technique was more important than anything else for me. I had golfers elbow due to arming forehands. Now, I play with stiffer polys and only get some minor soreness only if I play very long sessions like 3-4 hours, and I use flexbar to stretch after. If you keep hitting with bad technique, strings/racquets will only mask/hide the problem until it comes back again.

 

[dannyslicer]

TE has nothing to do with equipment

I got TE using a soft gut setup
and did not get TE when I went to PuerDrive/poly

 

[Shroud]

TE has nothing to do with equipment

I got TE using a soft gut setup
and did not get TE when I went to PuerDrive/poly

I strung a buddies racquet with a stiff string and it hurt his elbow.

 

[Artanis]

TE has nothing to do with equipment

I got TE using a soft gut setup
and did not get TE when I went to PuerDrive/poly

Using the same technique?

 

[Zverev]

Sorry, gents, it's not about what is causing TE or technique vs equipment, etc.
I see there are tons of those discussions around.
But I hoped to gather some factual info on what the real people with real TE issues ended up using and see how it correlates to what is touted as arm friendly sticks.
Thanks!

 

[fuzz nation]

Sorry, gents, it's not about what is causing TE or technique vs equipment, etc.
I see there are tons of those discussions around.
But I hoped to gather some factual info on what the real people with real TE issues ended up using and see how it correlates to what is touted as arm friendly sticks.
Thanks!

In my experience, the racquet choice isn't nearly as big of a deal in terms of either controlling or avoiding arm issues compared with finding a good string. Pure Drives, etc. can be completely comfortable for lots of us as long as the racquet and string combo click for a particular player. Softer strings aren't a universal cure-all for grumpy tennis arms, but I've never seen arm or wrist issues amplified by switching into a softer string type.

One guy I knew a few years ago (former solid college player, but not quite a big-time D-1 killer) was sidelined with ferocious TE for a few months and did all sorts of treatment to help with his recovery - acupuncture, deep massage, stretching, exercises... He kept his beloved Pure Drive Roddicks, ditched the Babolat Pro Hurricane that attacked his arm, and switched into full beds of natural gut. His return to the courts was remarkable - no twinges or lingering soreness of any kind in his arm once he started playing again.

I've been stringing and coaching high school teams for about 20 years now. Through recent years I can remember a few different kids who were managing arm/wrist issues as we got into the heart of a season where the kids have been hitting almost every single day for several weeks. These examples stick out in my mind because in each case, I switched that girl or boy into a full bed of Prince Premier Control (PPC) and their ailments eased.

One boy - our #1 singles player at the time - had progressive golfer's elbow setting in and we were worried that he might need to stop playing for at least a few days. Then he switched to PPC and was managing okay, but he was popping the 16 ga. string about every 4-6 days. We got him a few sets of the heavier 15L ga. to help with the service life in his string beds and he could get about two weeks out of that thicker string. He also finished the season with his elbow at nearly 100% cooled out.

I don't have an endorsement with Prince or anything - I just like to keep a reel of that particular string on hand for jobs that call for a multi. PPC isn't as expensive as some premium options, but it seems to play pretty well and also does a rather good job of holding tension (some multis don't). I like to use syn. gut in my own racquets - my favorite is 16 ga. Kirschbaum. A few years ago, some so-called soft poly installed at low tension in one of my regular players killed my arm after only two hitting sessions of 15-20 mins. on consecutive days. In contrast, I can slug almost every day with the same racquets strung with syn. gut with no twinges or troubles in my arm.

 

[fuzz nation]

TE has nothing to do with equipment

I got TE using a soft gut setup
and did not get TE when I went to PuerDrive/poly

Maybe... maybe not. If a stiffer string bed gives you more consistent response and control, that might also coax you toward hitting with a more relaxed arm, since you're not fighting the racquet to control the ball.

Many arm ailments among tennis players are thought to be caused by faulty technique. Hitting "late" can be rough on the elbow because the muscles and connective tissue in the forearm are still under tension (still accelerating the racquet) at contact. It's also trouble for some folks who hit while squeezing the handle too hard - more tension at contact and more pounding on the soft tissues. In a sneaky way along these lines, softer strings can create similar troubles for some players.

Aside from transmitting more or less impact shock into the racquet and the player's arm, softer or stiffer strings also alter feel, response (perceived rebound power), and directional control. If softer string makes a player's racquet feel like it has diminished control for that player, it can trick that player into unconsciously steering the racquet too often using a more active wrist and forearm seeking more control. That creates a similar problem of having too much arm tension at contact and even though the softer string isn't transmitting extra impact shock into the player's wrist and arm, that arm can still catch more fatigue and abuse.

This could have been something that happened when you used a softer setup. It's a relatively rare thing, but apparently it's a thing.

 

[Icsa]

I developed tennis elbow as a result of playing with a dead polyester string beyond its optimal lifespan. This experience served as a valuable lesson, prompting me to explore various strategies to prevent the recurrence of TE. Based on my personal experience, I have identified these key factors that contribute to TE, listed in order of significance:

1. Impact from a dead polyester string: It is crucial to replace the polyester string early and promptly or consider not using it at all to avoid the shocks that can lead to TE.
2. Improper technique: Rectifying any flaws in your technique can significantly increase your chances of preventing TE.
3. Overuse: The human body, including the elbow and wrist, requires adequate recovery time. Inflammation can set in early, and continuous overuse could potentially lead to irreversible damage.
4. Vibrations from the racquet and string combination: It is a misconception to assume that a soft racquet or softer string can prevent TE. The combination of the racquet and string generates vibrations, and certain frequencies can exacerbate your elbow condition more rapidly. It’s important to note that what works for one individual may not necessarily work for another. Therefore, it is advisable to experiment and listen to your body’s signals. If you experience pain, it is a clear indication to avoid that particular combination.

Currently, I continue to use a polyester string that I replace promptly based on the number of hours played. However, I always carry an additional racquet strung with synthetic gut or multifilament string, which I switch to whenever I sense the onset of pain in my elbow.

 

[PKorda]

it's not really an either/or discussion, is usually multi-factored, of course everyone's situation is different too. but the either/or is kinda a silly discussion. someone will say i got TE with this but not with that therefore it's not due to equipment or whatever. Bottom line is equipment can make a difference even it may not be the only cause. If you have TE or want to do everything you can to prevent it, makes sense to think about what equipment will help to achieve this. And while objectively softer string and less stiff rackets will help, the answer will not be the same for everyone.

 

[Artanis]

I would be curious if anybody chose a ProKennex racquet for other reasons than to help/avoid arm issues...

 

[fullgarage]

i developed TE for i don't know exactly which reason, between playing tennis, wakeboarding, moving to a new apartment, staying all day behind a computer.... it was a long lasting TE, ended with multiples micro tears in the tendon (end 2022 / jan 2023) after 6 months of playing injured (while doing a lot - 30mn a day - of PT, and having the medical green light to continue playing).

I cured my TE (18 months after early 2023) for i don't know exactly which reason, between having a PRP shot, doing 30mn of PT each and every day, restarting to play even with a bit of pain, opting for a vertical mouse, never giving hope to hit as hard as before, and changing racket (but keeping using multi string at a low tension).

I don't know if this will ever come back - turning in few years 50s - but i was feeling a bit of pain in my elbow last week, and went to an echo today at the national sport center - all good on tendons side ☺ - so recovery seems to last for good !

And my stick and the strings seem pretty elbow friendly, i'll stick with it - an enjoy it - as long as i can. This game is so much pleasure....

 

[Artanis]

i developed TE for i don't know exactly which reason, between playing tennis, wakeboarding, moving to a new apartment, staying all day behind a computer.... it was a long lasting TE, ended with multiples micro tears in the tendon (end 2022 / jan 2023) after 6 months of playing injured (while doing a lot - 30mn a day - of PT, and having the medical green light to continue playing).

I cured my TE (18 months after early 2023) for i don't know exactly which reason, between having a PRP shot, doing 30mn of PT each and every day, restarting to play even with a bit of pain, opting for a vertical mouse, never giving hope to hit as hard as before, and changing racket (but keeping using multi string at a low tension).

I don't know if this will ever come back - turning in few years 50s - but i was feeling a bit of pain in my elbow last week, and went to an echo today at the national sport center - all good on tendons side ☺ - so recovery seems to last for good !

And my stick and the strings seem pretty elbow friendly, i'll stick with it - an enjoy it - as long as i can. This game is so much pleasure....

Can you detail on the PT done and racquet/string used?
Thanks!

 

[legcramp]

Stop arming the ball.

 

[fullgarage]

Can you detail on the PT done and racquet/string used?
Thanks!

Moves from a Volkl Vcell 8 300g (with which i got a very long lasting TE) to a clash 100 V2, with similar mutli at around 42lbs. Can play twice a week without too much issues....

For PT, i did all the standard exercices (flexbar, excentric ones...) consistently

 

[t_pac]

Any Prince with o ports, full poly fine
Prince Phantoms - generally fine with any string setup
TF40 18x20 and Head Gravity - fine with gut/poly hybrid but not full poly
PK Q Tour 325 - no issues with either gut hybrid or full poly

 

[Artanis]

For PT, i did all the standard exercices (flexbar, excentric ones...) consistently

Regarding tennis break, how long has it been?
Thanks!

 

[ey039524]

I wouldn't play w poly unless at a ridiculously low tension. I think tension and string material make as big of a difference as the frame.

 

[fullgarage]

Regarding tennis break, how long has it been?
Thanks!

3 to 3,5 months prior playing again, but like 6 months prior matching again. It was kinda severe TE, but in the end recovered fully from a tendon viewpoint. But did PT everyday. And accepted to play through a bit of pain from 3 to 9-12 months after PRP.

 

[Fintft]

I recently had TE with XL (27'25"), high SW racquets and more than one month old poly. Plus maybe too thin grip, L2, that I love for swinging easily.

Fresh poly and standard length racquets + 3 weeks break fixed it for me. Still L2.

How old is your poly? And your racquets seem heavy.

 

[Artanis]

3 to 3,5 months prior playing again, but like 6 months prior matching again. It was kinda severe TE, but in the end recovered fully from a tendon viewpoint. But did PT everyday. And accepted to play through a bit of pain from 3 to 9-12 months after PRP.

2 months after my last match and 1.5 months after PRP and zero effect.
Don't expect to work, but corticosteroid had an effect, even if temporary. Will need more patience I suppose and do some PT (which I have ignored so far).

 

[Brand77]

I have/had TE since 2019. The only combination were i don't feel anything the next day is the 2015 Prince tour 100p with Pros pro eruption 1.18mm at 20kg. If I string it with gut @23kg I still feel sore the next day.
No idea how that works but it works for me.

 

[Zverev]

I would be curious if anybody chose a ProKennex racquet for other reasons than to help/avoid arm issues...

I have nearly brand new Kinetic 5g Pro, it's a very decent racket, good power, control, spin, stability... yes, awesome racket,
but it didn't work for me a arm friendly option. I needed to put all multi in it and lead it up so it wouldn't hurt my arm.
I just do not understand how such a stiff racket can be touted as arm friendly. This king is completely naked to me.
And I like poly in my mains and can put poly in my mains into Pure Storm or Head Classic MP, no elbow or wrist issues.
Basically I am looking to replace my nearly 15 years old Pure Storm with anything on the market currently.
But it cannot be 5g, that's determined long time ago.
Cheers

 

[Zverev]

Any Prince with o ports, full poly fine
Prince Phantoms - generally fine with any string setup
TF40 18x20 and Head Gravity - fine with gut/poly hybrid but not full poly
PK Q Tour 325 - no issues with either gut hybrid or full poly

Thanks for that, I am looking at these now

 

[Artanis]

I have nearly brand new Kinetic 5g Pro, it's a very decent racket, good power, control, spin, stability... yes, awesome racket,
but it didn't work for me a arm friendly option. I needed to put all multi in it and lead it up so it wouldn't hurt my arm.
I just do not understand how such a stiff racket can be touted as arm friendly. This king is completely naked to me.
And I like poly in my mains and can put poly in my mains into Pure Storm or Head Classic MP, no elbow or wrist issues.
Basically I am looking to replace my nearly 15 years old Pure Storm with anything on the market currently.
But it cannot be 5g, that's determined long time ago.
Cheers

I think closest to the Pure Storm is Pure Strike 97 currently.

 

[leejayh]

Every time my TE flares up, it is because I am experimenting with new equipment, strings, etc.
The answer: Donnay Pro One Penta - 16x19 weighted up to 7pts head light & 340g, Wilson Gut (any Gut) mains @53, and mid-soft poly crosses (Lux Alu Soft, Silverstring, Sync, etc). 46lbs.
Change crosses after 6 hrs of play generally 2x more times. Then cut the whole thing out and start over.