Neither racket helps with arm problems!!

[T-Vex]

Hello,

recently I have been testing many different racket types and models after breaking one I played with before for 6 mths.

Anyways, after Pure Strike 98 16/19 2024 i started to feel pain in my elbow, which I havent had before. I am dealing with golfers elbow for a long time but that problem has been better during warm part of the year.

I immediately discarded that PS, but the pain in elbow didnt vanish. It remained with various intensity, as had been the case with golfers elbow.

Then I tried older Blade (V5 with sw 317 and 18/20 pattern), and i put soft strings gauge 1.20 at 20 kgs. Pain worsened.

After that I decided to look for a comfort racket and I gave a chance to Clash Pro v2. I was VERY satisfied with the feel that racket provided and control was great on fh. I strung it at 21kg with Hawk touch 1.25.

The pain worsened and became the worst ever!! Unbearable at times. I played 4 matches with that racket and the pain was becoming only more intense.

So I gave up on that racket thinking Maybe the high dwell time is the problem and strains my arm longer (to long?).

Recently I tried Blade v7 16/19 and Nordicdots 18/19 (cant believe the spin on that racket, impressive for a 98 piece!).

Finally I became so desperate that I tried even one of Artengo models. 102 head 16/19 pattern. Very forgiving, nice spin, not to high of a launch.

With artengo my arm issues seemed like they dampened a bit, but still, the pain is here.

After tonite, in a match in which i played with Blade v7, Nordic and Artengo I finally came to presumption that its probably not about RACKETS, but about - BALLS!!!?


You know what is common denominator for all these mentioned rackets that I tested in last 2 months?

Wilson US open balls!

Heavy, stiff balls that have great durability, probably theyre the best currently in that terms, but it seems to me that they are destroying my arm.

Bcs I tried all racket stifnesses and patterns, i tried soft strings, round ones and shaped ones, medium tension, low tension even very low tension (14-15kg)....

So what do you think?

I always had issues with golfers elbow but not to this extent and elbow pain (just above the flexion point) was never a thing when playing with dunlop (fort and AO ones) balls!


Id really like to hear your honest opinions.

Cheers

 

[BumElbow]

I've had golfer's elbow and tried many racquets. Firstly, let it fully heal and follow the full healing with some light strength training and stretching. Then, analyze your forehand technique - is your stance too open? Are you using too much wrist? What forehand grip are you using? Is your grip size too small? You need to develop technique that will protect your elbow from too much strain. Unfortunately, it seems that heavier balls are going to be around for a while. I no longer use poly string. I've tried many racquets including the Artengo TR500 in the 102" head size. It's stiff but comfortable. I like it a lot. As for comfort and spin, nothing beats the Prince Phantom line especially with the "O" ports. I mis-hit too many balls with the Prince Ripstick because of its thick CTS beam (at the top of the racquet). Avoid racquets that are too headlight. A racquet like the very comfortable and stable Head Squared is worth a demo if you must have a headlight racquet.

 

[mauricem]

I've struggled with GE over the years and found strings by far the biggest difference in what will or wont aggravate my arm. My go to arm saver setup is nat gut mains at 50 and a soft slick poly cross at 46. I use these in my Shift 300 which on paper is a very stiff frame but with this setup it's nice and plush while still providing plenty of spin.

 

[Bud]

Are you playing with poly string?

If you want to keep playing and let your arm heal, go with a PK KP 5G Classic with full gut. It's a highly underrated frame.

The balls shouldn't matter unless they are pressureless or old/flat.

 

[thenewbig3]

Have you tried other balls?

 

[TennisCarsPlanes]

Hello,

recently I have been testing many different racket types and models after breaking one I played with before for 6 mths.

Anyways, after Pure Strike 98 16/19 2024 i started to feel pain in my elbow, which I havent had before. I am dealing with golfers elbow for a long time but that problem has been better during warm part of the year.

I immediately discarded that PS, but the pain in elbow didnt vanish. It remained with various intensity, as had been the case with golfers elbow.

Then I tried older Blade (V5 with sw 317 and 18/20 pattern), and i put soft strings gauge 1.20 at 20 kgs. Pain worsened.

After that I decided to look for a comfort racket and I gave a chance to Clash Pro v2. I was VERY satisfied with the feel that racket provided and control was great on fh. I strung it at 21kg with Hawk touch 1.25.

The pain worsened and became the worst ever!! Unbearable at times. I played 4 matches with that racket and the pain was becoming only more intense.

So I gave up on that racket thinking Maybe the high dwell time is the problem and strains my arm longer (to long?).

Recently I tried Blade v7 16/19 and Nordicdots 18/19 (cant believe the spin on that racket, impressive for a 98 piece!).

Finally I became so desperate that I tried even one of Artengo models. 102 head 16/19 pattern. Very forgiving, nice spin, not to high of a launch.

With artengo my arm issues seemed like they dampened a bit, but still, the pain is here.

After tonite, in a match in which i played with Blade v7, Nordic and Artengo I finally came to presumption that its probably not about RACKETS, but about - BALLS!!!?


You know what is common denominator for all these mentioned rackets that I tested in last 2 months?

Wilson US open balls!

Heavy, stiff balls that have great durability, probably theyre the best currently in that terms, but it seems to me that they are destroying my arm.

Bcs I tried all racket stifnesses and patterns, i tried soft strings, round ones and shaped ones, medium tension, low tension even very low tension (14-15kg)....

So what do you think?

I always had issues with golfers elbow but not to this extent and elbow pain (just above the flexion point) was never a thing when playing with dunlop (fort and AO ones) balls!


Id really like to hear your honest opinions.

Cheers

Sorry to hear you’re going through this. It is annoying and hard to get rid of because equipment really does not cause it or help heal. Generally, resting and let it heal is the answer.
I have gone through multiple tennis elbow episodes over the past 45 years of playing, during my nBlade, H22, YT Radical, PT57A, GT98 years. It comes and goes.
Never had any issues when I used (stiff) kblades 98 with poly in them and never had any issues when using (very soft) GT100 with gut/poly.

I believe it is related to: genetics, technique, lack of recognition of initial inflammation. I know of many well coached, former pros with flawless technique that occasionally get it and I know many weekend warriors with totally flawed technique swinging yellow Babolats strung with ALU, and zero issues.

I refused to stop playing and played through those pains, managing them with some massages, icing, creams/gels, and eventually, it would go away. Last one lasted for about 4 months, and disappeared and now I am elbow pain free.

On the other hand, I do blame the balls (new USO with wild high bounces) and lack of my adoption to catch those earlier, on my persistent shoulder pain that has gone from worse to better with me never stop playing. It is still there, I still play every day and the pain/discomfort is subsiding over time.

 

[akclau]

Hello,

recently I have been testing many different racket types and models after breaking one I played with before for 6 mths.

Anyways, after Pure Strike 98 16/19 2024 i started to feel pain in my elbow, which I havent had before. I am dealing with golfers elbow for a long time but that problem has been better during warm part of the year.

I immediately discarded that PS, but the pain in elbow didnt vanish. It remained with various intensity, as had been the case with golfers elbow.

Then I tried older Blade (V5 with sw 317 and 18/20 pattern), and i put soft strings gauge 1.20 at 20 kgs. Pain worsened.

After that I decided to look for a comfort racket and I gave a chance to Clash Pro v2. I was VERY satisfied with the feel that racket provided and control was great on fh. I strung it at 21kg with Hawk touch 1.25.

The pain worsened and became the worst ever!! Unbearable at times. I played 4 matches with that racket and the pain was becoming only more intense.

So I gave up on that racket thinking Maybe the high dwell time is the problem and strains my arm longer (to long?).

Recently I tried Blade v7 16/19 and Nordicdots 18/19 (cant believe the spin on that racket, impressive for a 98 piece!).

Finally I became so desperate that I tried even one of Artengo models. 102 head 16/19 pattern. Very forgiving, nice spin, not to high of a launch.

With artengo my arm issues seemed like they dampened a bit, but still, the pain is here.

After tonite, in a match in which i played with Blade v7, Nordic and Artengo I finally came to presumption that its probably not about RACKETS, but about - BALLS!!!?


You know what is common denominator for all these mentioned rackets that I tested in last 2 months?

Wilson US open balls!

Heavy, stiff balls that have great durability, probably theyre the best currently in that terms, but it seems to me that they are destroying my arm.

Bcs I tried all racket stifnesses and patterns, i tried soft strings, round ones and shaped ones, medium tension, low tension even very low tension (14-15kg)....

So what do you think?

I always had issues with golfers elbow but not to this extent and elbow pain (just above the flexion point) was never a thing when playing with dunlop (fort and AO ones) balls!


Id really like to hear your honest opinions.

Cheers

I had tennis elbow for 9 months. It was very bad for a while.

Incidentally, I found Artengo TR990 pro friendly to my arm, have been using it since.

You probably need to stop playing, get some scans, visit a doctor, to ensure nothing too serious. If your tendon is seriously damaged, you need to fix it.

If nothing too serious, get an injection to calm the inflammation & the pain.

Then rest for 3 months. Try wear a strap during the day. Don't play just because it doesn't hurt.

1st month very light massage & very light stretching. 2nd month massage it a little harder + more stretching. 3rd month massage it hard, more stretching, rehab with squeezing exercise & light weight with slow controlled movement. See how you feel by month 4.

Some say shockwave therapy works well. I have not tried. Ask your physio.

When you get back to playing, use a strap. You can ditch it later if you feel your elbow doesn't hurt during & after the game.

Apply cold anti-inflammatory gel after every game. Even better if you can find cold anti-inflammatory patches to stick on your elbow and let it sit for half a day or overnight. Don't use heat rub.

I'm 98% recovered. By that I mean no pain even if I play 6-8 hours a week, but I can feel "something" there. Doubt it will ever get back to 100%.

I still use cold anti-inflammatory gel after every game. This maintenance routine works well for me.

Good luck.

 

[bentos]

I don't know about your area, but there's no realistic way for me to play with other people and avoid US Open balls. I used to have very bad tennis elbow but nowadays rarely feel even a twinge. Tyler Twist exercises with the Theraband Flexbar and massage really helped relieve the pain and build up the forearm muscles to avoid future issues. Working on my technique, especially relaxing my grip, and moving to a heavier racquet also helped.

 

[Fintft]

Strengthen your ligaments with....straight arm lifting (I use 20LBs and gave up on hybrids, went back to full ned poly).
Technique?

 

[rjp1977]

For TE & GE rest helps, as well as strengthening. I went from Speed Touch MP to Clash V1 Pro when I got both and the difference is immense. Strung with a poly/multi hybrid and no arm pain while playing. Occasionally a little sore afterwards, but without the Clash I'd have to rest for a long time.

 

[MyDogHoney]

I've struggled with GE over the years and found strings by far the biggest difference in what will or wont aggravate my arm. My go to arm saver setup is nat gut mains at 50 and a soft slick poly cross at 46. I use these in my Shift 300 which on paper is a very stiff frame but with this setup it's nice and plush while still providing plenty of spin.

What’s your cross of choice? I’m using the “mojo” setup (isospeed professional classic) and have tried a bunch of polys. 4G soft seems to play the best for me but I’m not sure it’s the best long term for my elbow.

 

[tele]

take time off and see a doctor. Once you get past a certain point, hitting a ball with any racquet will hurt. there are flexbar exercises for te and ge. I and others have found them helpful, but ymmv. When your doc gives you the green light, I would stay on the safe side with a soft racquet (i found headlight and relatively heavy comfy, but ymmv depending on how tgat impacts your technique) and strings until you are healed. If natural gut is too expensive, try isospeed professional classic.

Of course, there could be a technique issue, so I would investigate that as well. Best to combat on all fronts IMHO. Once the pain is severe, full recovery can take a long time, but it is possible. best of luck.

 

[mauricem]

What’s your cross of choice? I’m using the “mojo” setup (isospeed professional classic) and have tried a bunch of polys. 4G soft seems to play the best for me but I’m not sure it’s the best long term for my elbow

I'm currently enjoying MSV Swift 17, I had Poly Tour Strike in maybe too high at 50 but it was still hurting my wrist. Swift is softer and a side benefit easier to string plus it was available from WD strings. Given the price of gut I was also trying to economize a bit on the poly as in a gut hybrid I don't think its that critical.

 

[fuzz nation]

Hello,

recently I have been testing many different racket types and models after breaking one I played with before for 6 mths.

Anyways, after Pure Strike 98 16/19 2024 i started to feel pain in my elbow, which I havent had before. I am dealing with golfers elbow for a long time but that problem has been better during warm part of the year.

I immediately discarded that PS, but the pain in elbow didnt vanish. It remained with various intensity, as had been the case with golfers elbow.

Then I tried older Blade (V5 with sw 317 and 18/20 pattern), and i put soft strings gauge 1.20 at 20 kgs. Pain worsened.

After that I decided to look for a comfort racket and I gave a chance to Clash Pro v2. I was VERY satisfied with the feel that racket provided and control was great on fh. I strung it at 21kg with Hawk touch 1.25.

The pain worsened and became the worst ever!! Unbearable at times. I played 4 matches with that racket and the pain was becoming only more intense.

So I gave up on that racket thinking Maybe the high dwell time is the problem and strains my arm longer (to long?).

Recently I tried Blade v7 16/19 and Nordicdots 18/19 (cant believe the spin on that racket, impressive for a 98 piece!).

Finally I became so desperate that I tried even one of Artengo models. 102 head 16/19 pattern. Very forgiving, nice spin, not to high of a launch.

With artengo my arm issues seemed like they dampened a bit, but still, the pain is here.

After tonite, in a match in which i played with Blade v7, Nordic and Artengo I finally came to presumption that its probably not about RACKETS, but about - BALLS!!!?


You know what is common denominator for all these mentioned rackets that I tested in last 2 months?

Wilson US open balls!

Heavy, stiff balls that have great durability, probably theyre the best currently in that terms, but it seems to me that they are destroying my arm.

Bcs I tried all racket stifnesses and patterns, i tried soft strings, round ones and shaped ones, medium tension, low tension even very low tension (14-15kg)....

So what do you think?

I always had issues with golfers elbow but not to this extent and elbow pain (just above the flexion point) was never a thing when playing with dunlop (fort and AO ones) balls!


Id really like to hear your honest opinions.

Cheers

Whenever I've helped out anybody in my local circle with an issue like you're describing, step #1 is to get rid of any poly string at least for the short term.

Natural gut is expensive stuff, but it's the unbeatable option among arm-friendly strings.

I've coached local high school teams for over twenty years and I've also been stringing for several of these kids over most of my coaching years. Occasionally one of my sluggers will have a progressively worsening case of golfer's elbow (or another arm/wrist ailment) set in when the start of the season takes them from hitting maybe a couple times a week to a tougher schedule where they're hitting balls five or six days a week. This is a little more common among the boys who often have to play outdoors in the cold (38-40F), but the girls can also run into trouble in the fall.

Even though these stronger kids have arm troubles happening, the team's season can't be put on hold. A drastic softening of their string setup is generally the best first step for reversing the progression of something like a sore elbow. The multifiber that I've had great luck with here has been Prince Premier Control (PPC). I'll usually start with the 16 ga. to see how that works, but I've had two cases where really strong boys could only get about 4-6 days of slugging with that string before it would snap.

When we tried the heavier 15L gauge of that string, the big hitters found a lot more service life with it - about double what they got with the 16 ga. And their arm issues cooled out even while they kept up with their match schedules. Our #1 girl from only a couple seasons ago also got great results after using the 15L ga. Although this is a softer string type than a poly or poly hybrid, the performance of the PPC was entirely acceptable for these kids as long as the tension wasn't too low.

Don't be subtle with you equipment tweaks. There's already some degree of injury happening there. Aside from getting an evaluation from a health care professional, a substantially softer string type should give you a less aggravating setup right away and might even work best for you going forward.

Even though it's easy for me to put whatever string I want in my own racquets, I'm far and away most comfortable and confident with semi-soft synthetic gut. My 60-year-old arm doesn't tolerate poly strings at all, but I can get out on the practice grinder with the stronger kids I coach and crack it with them nearly every day with no issues using full syn. gut or even "Tournament Nylon" that runs really well for me and only costs $30 for a full reel. It's not exotic stuff, but syn. gut is still a great option for many of us.

 

[Crocodile]

Best ball for tennis elbow - Slazenger Wimbledon and always use new balls.
Best racquets for tennis elbow
1. 2026 Pro Kennex Q Tour 315 .( 16 by 19 or 18 by 20 ) previous iteration Q Tour 315 also brilliant - Best in class
2. Prince Phantom 100X, 100P snd 03 - the choice of those who like arm comfort but want to keep the feel
3. Volkl V10 Pro or EVO version - the Pro if you are big, strong and old school otherwise go for the EVO and customise - proven technology
4. 2025 Head Gravity MP and then you customise - a Head with a soft lay up of graphite
5. Angell K7 Red and Lime - brilliant materials with auriel carbon by Paul Angell
6. Volkl V1 Classic - seniors special
7. Yonex Percept - get the standard one and add weight to suit
I always thought that Wilson racquets were a bit unrefined, pro staff hard edged and blade has D beam which doesn’t absorb shock as well as box beam. That being said it’s still better than pro staff in this regard. The Clash is marketed as an arm saver and the 1st generation was a good one with the 2nd generation moving away from the original concept while V3 has been released as a go/between the 1st 2 generations. Im still getting feedback from clients about this one.

Strings - Natural gut or X One biphase
Rules
1. Stay away from wet courts and heavy older balls.
2. Learn to use the kinetic chain to perfection and remember that being fit and having meticulous footwork is important,
3. Understand that the body picks up on changes in volume, frequency and intensity and lets you know when you have the balance right.
4. Understand that once you irritate your elbow ( the first time with the Pure Strike ) you need to do the treatment protocol until inflammation subsides and you regain strength:
Wish you the best

 

[ozbikebuddy]

Best ball for tennis elbow - Slazenger Wimbledon and always use new balls.
Best racquets for tennis elbow
1. 2026 Pro Kennex Q Tour 315 .( 16 by 19 or 18 by 20 ) previous iteration Q Tour 315 also brilliant - Best in class
2. Prince Phantom 100X, 100P snd 03 - the choice of those who like arm comfort but want to keep the feel
3. Volkl V10 Pro or EVO version - the Pro if you are big, strong and old school otherwise go for the EVO and customise - proven technology
4. 2025 Head Gravity MP and then you customise - a Head with a soft lay up of graphite
5. Angell K7 Red and Lime - brilliant materials with auriel carbon by Paul Angell
6. Volkl V1 Classic - seniors special
7. Yonex Percept - get the standard one and add weight to suit
I always thought that Wilson racquets were a bit unrefined, pro staff hard edged and blade has D beam which doesn’t absorb shock as well as box beam. That being said it’s still better than pro staff in this regard. The Clash is marketed as an arm saver and the 1st generation was a good one with the 2nd generation moving away from the original concept while V3 has been released as a go/between the 1st 2 generations. Im still getting feedback from clients about this one.

Strings - Natural gut or X One biphase
Rules
1. Stay away from wet courts and heavy older balls.
2. Learn to use the kinetic chain to perfection and remember that being fit and having meticulous footwork is important,
3. Understand that the body picks up on changes in volume, frequency and intensity and lets you know when you have the balance right.
4. Understand that once you irritate your elbow ( the first time with the Pure Strike ) you need to do the treatment protocol until inflammation subsides and you regain strength:
Wish you the best

I'd add the Volkl V1 EVO there too

 

[Crocodile]

I'd add the Volkl V1 EVO there too

While it’s more flexible than the classic V1 by a fair margin and has better mass characteristics for advanced players I had a few clients question the balance point of the 2024 version. Interestingly Jonas liked this model the most out of the 3 Volkl’s he tested: I know the new 2026 version is meant to be just a cosmetic update but I wonder if they have made a slight adjustment to the balance snd SW. I’m going to order another one and test it out,

 

[thenewbig3]

Best ball for tennis elbow - Slazenger Wimbledon

Have to bring up some arm risk from "fluffy balls" when trying to force heavy spin balls... This specific ball, the Dunlop ATP & AO are better when "hitting through" that trying heavy spin - especially after they fluff up within minutes.

 

[ozbikebuddy]

While it’s more flexible than the classic V1 by a fair margin and has better mass characteristics for advanced players I had a few clients question the balance point of the 2024 version. Interestingly Jonas liked this model the most out of the 3 Volkl’s he tested: I know the new 2026 version is meant to be just a cosmetic update but I wonder if they have made a slight adjustment to the balance snd SW. I’m going to order another one and test it out,

I tried to get a '26 recently but went onto back order, the I called after 2 weeks of dead air, only to be told it hadn't even been ordered so I cancelled the order, after they said it was going to be another 1-2 weeks to get it. Going to wait until I get my tax return and then try again

 

[Asquared]

@Crocodile nailed it but if you need to boil it down to one thing, it’s that you’re using poly string. If you change to natural gut or a soft multi, the problems with balls or rackets may all fall away.

 

[mrravioli]

Wilson US open balls!

Are you using the extra duty ones? I got a new case of those and they're absolutely rocks when fresh. I had soreness in wrist & elbow after playing with those - from someone survived dead RPM in Babolats!

 

[stephenpinkus]

My recommendations:
1. Only use regular duty balls.
2. No poly. Low tension.
3. Volkl or Kennex racquets.
4, Proper grip size.
5. Don’t play with old balls.
6. Take tennis lesson.

 

[Crocodile]

Have to bring up some arm risk from "fluffy balls" when trying to force heavy spin balls... This specific ball, the Dunlop ATP & AO are better when "hitting through" that trying heavy spin - especially after they fluff up within minutes.

In my basket at the moment I am testing the Slazenger Wimbledon up against the Dunlop AO and Tecnifibre X One and will report back when I have more data.
It must be said that 90 percent of the time the balls are being used in synthetic grass.
So far after one week while the Slazenger does fluff up a bit but the Tecnifibre has gone hard and the Dunlop somewhere in between but despite its fluffiness the Slazenger seems kinder on the arm. More information to come in week 2.
Does anyone want me add more brands into the basket to test ? I have a can of Solinco balls to try as well !

 

[The Aceserver]

Hot tip: It’s not the balls.

 

[thenewbig3]

In my basket at the moment I am testing the Slazenger Wimbledon up against the Dunlop AO and Tecnifibre X One and will report back when I have more data.
It must be said that 90 percent of the time the balls are being used in synthetic grass.
So far after one week while the Slazenger does fluff up a bit but the Tecnifibre has gone hard and the Dunlop somewhere in between but despite its fluffiness the Slazenger seems kinder on the arm. More information to come in week 2.
Does anyone want me add more brands into the basket to test ? I have a can of Solinco balls to try as well

Agreed - The balls themselves are easier on the arm... Our bi-weekly dingles group 3.5-4.5 only allows Slazenger, AO and ATP balls to allow the oldies with arm issues to compete and reduce the effect that bigger and younger hitters have on the results. I think overstated a problem that effects a small minority of players - amount of effort it takes for attacking baseline players to win with heavy baseline style spin or big serves. I love US Open style balls - it give me personally a huge advantage as I can faster serves, finish points faster with shorter rallies are somewhat arm friendly due to faster outcomes instead of having to overswing on the same ball 4-5 times. I could adjust game style with hitting through and touch games and play with the "fluffy cat" balls as well.

 

[Yamin]

US open balls are very squishy and soft compared to the Penn Marathons that are being pushed recently. Wilson rackets with forty five are also not comfortable if you are hitting hard. V5 is not soft either. You haven't really improved your situation equipment wise. You should go to the gym and lift while taking a week off

 

[ozbikebuddy]

In my basket at the moment I am testing the Slazenger Wimbledon up against the Dunlop AO and Tecnifibre X One and will report back when I have more data.
It must be said that 90 percent of the time the balls are being used in synthetic grass.
So far after one week while the Slazenger does fluff up a bit but the Tecnifibre has gone hard and the Dunlop somewhere in between but despite its fluffiness the Slazenger seems kinder on the arm. More information to come in week 2.
Does anyone want me add more brands into the basket to test ? I have a can of Solinco balls to try as well !

Try the yonex balls. I've been trying them on syn grass damp and dry, winter here, and been really impressed. Also the TF court ball has also been good. This is going up against the AO balls the club uses

 

[Crocodile]

Try the yonex balls. I've been trying them on syn grass damp and dry, winter here, and been really impressed. Also the TF court ball has also been good. This is going up against the AO balls the club uses

I will put those recommendations to my “to do” list.