New racquet, instant tennis elbow. Help!

[scotteee]

Hi,

I was wondering if someone can help me.

I just started using the Wilson Pro Staff 97 LS. I really like the feel of the racquet and am hoping I can make this work.

The strings are Luxilon ALU Power(sorry I don't know anything more about the strings. I would have to ask the club.)
Tension is 55 lbs.
Strung Weight: 11.5oz / 326.02g
Grip size is 4 1/4.
Balance: 7 pts HL

Before this, I was using the Yonex VCORE Tour 97 (310g).
Strings are the same as the Wilson.
Tension is 55 lbs.
Strung Weight: 10.8oz / 306.17g
Grip size is 4 3/8
Balance: 3 pts HL

The specs on the racquet show the stiffness to be the same.

Both racquets I use an over grip.

After playing doubles for 2 hours I now have tennis elbow.

What can be causing the tennis elbow? Is it the difference in grip size, the weight difference or the strings? Something else?

Any ideas or suggestions would be really appreciated.

Thanks!!

 

[eelhc]

Wow... after just 2Hrs of doubles. If it was the same stringer and same string setup... Maybe the Grip Size.

 

[scotteee]

Hi,

Sorry double for 90 mins and hitting for 30 mins.

Thanks

 

[DustinW]

A little elbow pain doesn't mean tennis elbow. I find that trying different rackets at different specs (weight and stiffness) can cause some temporary discomfort while your body adjusts.

 

[scotteee]

That's interesting.

 

[fuzz nation]

Impossible to know, but the very first step I'd recommend is to stop playing for just a bit. Make some efforts to at least start a recovery before doing more of the same thing that hurt you in the first place.

Since you just started using that new Wilson, it's likely that you're still in the adjustment period that most of us go through when we take up with a different racquet. More mis-hits and shock going into the arm will happen over the course of several outings until your muscle memory changes to accommodate this different racquet. It could take a few weeks or a couple of months before you can swing unconsciously and catch the ball consistently in the sweet-spot with this frame.

Since you have some susceptibility to arm issues (and need some time to adjust to the new racquet), I also think you need to get away from the poly for a while. Even if you go back to your Yonex for a while, you'll stack the odds for success a LOT more in your favor if you can get by with using softer strings for a stretch. Staying healthy is a higher priority in the short term than the marginal advantages you may get with certain string setups.

 

[RalphJ]

The Pro Staff is stiff regardless of what the specs say. I know it's a spin racquet and you want your tension around 55lbs or above, but you may have to go down a few lbs and switch to a softer synthetic gut string along with the poly string. Or just go with a complete set of Synthetic gut.

 

[Irvin]

Possibly the grip a smaller grip makes for a more wristy stroke, where a larger grip give you more leverage to hold the racket on off center hits.

EDIT: The larger the grip the better for the elbow. Not advisable but you could test by wrapping three overgrips (or more) on the racket to see if the elbow pain goes away, but you loose the bevels on the handle.

 

[scotteee]

Thanks Fuzz,

Can you suggest a new string to use?
I like the Lux for the sake that it lasts a while.
My club is expensive enough and paying for new strings monthly really adds up.

I play 3-4 times per week so i want a string that will last but if my arm continues to hurt I will be down to playing once a week.

So i guess using a soft string even if it breaks monthly is better than not playing at all. Hopefully my arm adjusts to the new racquet quickly.

 

[SpinToWin]

Thanks Fuzz,

Can you suggest a new string to use?
I like the Lux for the sake that it lasts a while.
My club is expensive enough and paying for new strings monthly really adds up.

I play 3-4 times per week so i want a string that will last but if my arm continues to hurt I will be down to playing once a week.

So i guess using a soft string even if it breaks monthly is better than not playing at all. Hopefully my arm adjusts to the new racquet quickly.

Wait… How long do you usually play your stringjob before you cut it out? Or do you wait until it breaks (if yes, how long does that take)?

 

[McLovin]

Hi,

I was wondering if someone can help me.

I just started using the Wilson Pro Staff 97 LS. I really like the feel of the racquet and am hoping I can make this work.

The strings are Luxilon ALU Power(sorry I don't know anything more about the strings. I would have to ask the club.)
Tension is 55 lbs.
Strung Weight: 11.5oz / 326.02g
Grip size is 4 1/4.
Balance: 7 pts HL

Before this, I was using the Yonex VCORE Tour 97 (310g).
Strings are the same as the Wilson.
Tension is 55 lbs.
Strung Weight: 10.8oz / 306.17g
Grip size is 4 3/8
Balance: 3 pts HL

Um, you sure about that weight on the Yonex? It starts at 310g, and after stringing it weighs 306g? I know some manufacturers have bad QC, but that would have to have started out at 295g to be 306g strung.

 

[Ferbious]

IS NO ONE GOING TO MENTION THE STIFF POLY AT A HIGH TENSION

Luxillon strings are the stiffest polys around, maybe try dropping tension or switch poly

tour bite soft 17g is a good alternative, crsip poly feel without destroying your elbow

 

[scotteee]

Hi Spin,

I usually have to cut them out if they don't break after 3-4 months.
It is rare they break.

 

[McLovin]

IS NO ONE GOING TO MENTION THE STIFF POLY AT A HIGH TENSION

Except he has the same tension in the Yonex, which actually has a tighter string pattern (16x20 vs 16x19 in the PS97).

 

[scotteee]

Hi Mclovin,

The Yonex strung Weight: 11.5oz / 326.02g.
The wilson Strung Weight: 10.8oz / 306.17g.

Thanks

 

[Ferbious]

Except he has the same tension in the Yonex, which actually has a tighter string pattern (16x20 vs 16x19 in the PS97).

That tightness with that string is still a recipe for disaster

yonex's alone are more arm friendly, i say drop the tenison or try something softer

 

[McLovin]

Hi Mclovin,

The Yonex strung Weight: 11.5oz / 326.02g.
The wilson Strung Weight: 10.8oz / 306.17g.

Thanks

OK, so the Wilson is 4 3/8 and the Yonex is 4 1/4? So Irvin's advice doesn't come into play because, like me, he thinks the first set of specs are for the Wilson and the 2nd set for the Yonex.

 

[Rev Ryan]

Hi,

I was wondering if someone can help me.

I just started using the Wilson Pro Staff 97 LS. I really like the feel of the racquet and am hoping I can make this work.

The strings are Luxilon ALU Power(sorry I don't know anything more about the strings. I would have to ask the club.)
Tension is 55 lbs.
Strung Weight: 11.5oz / 326.02g
Grip size is 4 1/4.
Balance: 7 pts HL

Before this, I was using the Yonex VCORE Tour 97 (310g).
Strings are the same as the Wilson.
Tension is 55 lbs.
Strung Weight: 10.8oz / 306.17g
Grip size is 4 3/8
Balance: 3 pts HL

The specs on the racquet show the stiffness to be the same.

Both racquets I use an over grip.

After playing doubles for 2 hours I now have tennis elbow.

What can be causing the tennis elbow? Is it the difference in grip size, the weight difference or the strings? Something else?

Any ideas or suggestions would be really appreciated.

Thanks!!

I have been meaning to start this same thread since December. I have the exact same rackets and have tried 3 different strings and tensions
17g Ripspin 55lb
18g solinco heaven 52lb
18g Volkl v torque 50
I love the racket but you have to drop the tension so much it completely changes the racket. I have never had any elbow trouble until I hit the 97ls and I have always played with the Babolat Pure drive at 58lbs. So I'm at a loss myself because its the best racket I've ever played with but the pain isn't worth it.

 

[scotteee]

Hi

Really sorry for messing that up. Was trying to be helpful and made it more confusing.

Wilson is 4 1/4 and the Yonex is 4 3/8.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Irvin]

Hi

Really sorry for messing that up. Was trying to be helpful and made it more confusing.

Wilson is 4 1/4 and the Yonex is 4 3/8.

Thanks for your help.

That's the problem I'm telling you.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=9019336&postcount=8

OK, so the Wilson is 4 3/8 and the Yonex is 4 1/4? So Irvin's advice doesn't come into play because, like me, he thinks the first set of specs are for the Wilson and the 2nd set for the Yonex.

I had to go back and check. Glad OP confirmed the smaller grip was the Wilson which is the one causing pain. Onset of pain seems awful quick though.

 

[scotteee]

Hi Irvin,

Thanks!!

Would you suggest getting a new grip to put on to make it bigger?
Use 2 overgrips?

 

[Irvin]

Hi Irvin,

Thanks!!

Would you suggest getting a new grip to put on to make it bigger?
Use 2 overgrips?

Replacing the grip, adding over grips, or using heat sleeves is going to make the grip rounder and I know I would not like it. First I would try it though just to see if the pain subsides. If it does take it to have the grip built up but make sure it is by someone who retains the bevels so it feels right.

 

[McLovin]

That's the problem I'm telling you.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=9019336&postcount=8



I had to go back and check. Glad OP confirmed the smaller grip was the Wilson which is the one causing pain. Onset of pain seems awful quick though.

Yeah, I agree. It was just a bit confusing by the mixed up specs.

Hi Irvin,

Thanks!!

Would you suggest getting a new grip to put on to make it bigger?
Use 2 overgrips?

I'd recommend this first:

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Heat_Shrink_Sleeve_build_one_grip_size/descpageGAMMA-SLEEV.html​

With 1 sleeve, you can still retain the feel of the bevels and increase weight minimally. Use 2 and you start to lose the grip's shape.

 

[Irvin]

If you use a heat shrink you should also replace the grip I'd suggest a few over grips first just to see if the size is really the problem.

 

[scotteee]

Just wanted to say I really appreciate all your help.
I hope the pro shop at my club can put on a heat shrink sleeve.

Thanks

 

[SpinToWin]

Hi Spin,

I usually have to cut them out if they don't break after 3-4 months.
It is rare they break.

First of all, I agree with others that Luxilon strings are very stiff and not suited to someone at the 3.5 level (no offense). Hitting the ball late consistently or not hitting the sweetspot with these strings can lead to severe discomfort. You should check out soft polys and/or syn guts.

Secondly, if you do want to play poly strings, you should cut them out the latest by the 12th hour of play, because poly strings go "dead" (I won't go into too much detail explaining this, but you can search the forum for this), which makes them very uncomfortable and can make them cause injuries.

A problem you may have with your racquet is that it is lighter and more head heavy than your previous racquet, so it transmits more shock to your elbow as a result. Adding the heat shrink sleeve will both make your grip large enough and counter this problem though, so that should be your first course of action, I agree.

 

[McLovin]

Just wanted to say I really appreciate all your help.
I hope the pro shop at my club can put on a heat shrink sleeve.

Thanks

No need to go to the pro shop. It really is easy, and TW has detailed instructions on doing this. See http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/increasegrip.html

Also, I'd suggest you order two, just in case you screw the first one up. Its easy to remove it & try again.

 

[fuzz nation]

Thanks Fuzz,

Can you suggest a new string to use?
I like the Lux for the sake that it lasts a while.
My club is expensive enough and paying for new strings monthly really adds up.

I play 3-4 times per week so i want a string that will last but if my arm continues to hurt I will be down to playing once a week.

So i guess using a soft string even if it breaks monthly is better than not playing at all. Hopefully my arm adjusts to the new racquet quickly.

I typically avoid string beds that are too firm for me and I avoid poly because I'm older and don't want to put my arm at risk. I don't take super-fast swipes at the ball ("poly swings"), but I don't like my racquet to play like a slingshot either. The heft and softness of the Volkl C10 combined with either 16 or 17 ga. syn. gut has worked fine for me for several years, but I also string my own gear at home. More fragile strings are affordable for me.

In your case, I'd bet that you could get somewhat more softness in your racquet by stringing it with a syn. gut while still retaining some crispness in the overall feel. Prince Original SG (not the Duraflex version) and Gosen OG Sheep Micro could work well once you've got a good-feeling tension dialed in there. Forten Sweet 16 is perhaps the softest syn. gut under the sun and is also affordable (Sweet 17 was rather quick to break down when I tried it).

Hard to say what multifibers could be worth a look. I was impressed a few years ago with the durability I found with a set of Yonex 850 multi that came to me in a new racquet I picked up. Head RIP Contol is often heralded as offering some poly feel in a multi. Both of these options seem to offer better than average service life, but I'm not familiar with many of the multis out there.

One route that might help to keep your stringing costs down is to buy your own string when you find some stuff you like. If your club stringer charges less for just the labor, that could work, but you might also be able to track down somebody who strings at home in your area. I'll typically charge $10 when someone gives me their racquet and some new string, but some home stringers might charge a bit more. See if your club's stringer can offer you some options.

 

[BlueB]

Sounds like the problem was caused by the smaller grip size...
On top of that, the difference in weight and balance, might have thrown your swing mechanics a bit off?

 

[smalahove]

The wilson Strung Weight: 10.8oz / 306.17g.

Light racket (sub 11 oz)
with high rdc rating/stiffness (67),
tight pattern (18 mains x16) - see pic below
stiff poly (alu power min 240 lbs/in) @55 lbs,
smaller grip than usual (2)

= TE

 

[JustTennis76]

I go back to one of the posters here. luxilon @ 55 seems too high of a tension for me even though you have been using that tension previously. Try lowering the tension to under 50 lbs. I use a bigger grip size so that I am not squeezing the racket too much. That could also lead to some discomfort.

 

[Magic of tennis]

there is no doubt that racquet can cause the tendonitis with stiff string. Since you like the racquet there is one thing you can do for yourself. Try natural gut. There are cheap ones. It is still better than any other strings. Just use it for main, then multi for cross. When there is pain, body is telling you something is wrong. If you ignore it you will only aggravate it and make it bigger problem.

 

[Irvin]

Thanks Fuzz,

Can you suggest a new string to use?
I like the Lux for the sake that it lasts a while.
My club is expensive enough and paying for new strings monthly really adds up...

Head RIP Control is a good string and some people with TE seem to like it. The last time I bought RIP control it was on sale for $6.50 /set I think now it $11. If you keep checking maybe you can find a sale price. Depending on what your club charges to use your strings you could save money.

 

[eelhc]

Head RIP Control is a good string and some people with TE seem to like it. The last time I bought RIP control it was on sale for $6.50 /set I think now it $11. If you keep checking maybe you can find a sale price. Depending on what your club charges to use your strings you could save money.

Rip Control 17 was constantly sold out at the lower price and I think Head got wise.

It's a unique multi... low power so it could be strung at low tensions. Comfortable without loss in control.

That said, I liked it at $6.50 but not at $11 a set.

 

[coloskier]

Any Pro Staff and full poly is asking for trouble.

 

[Alien]

Simple, ditch that racquet, keep looking.

You break every 4 months and use Poly? Man, I use it becsuse sin gut lasts me 1 hour and a thick poly gives me 3-5 hours, send that reel to the dustbin with that light stick.

Rest a bit, and use your Yonex back after you have restrung it.

 

[Irvin]

Rip Control 17 was constantly sold out at the lower price and I think Head got wise.

It's a unique multi... low power so it could be strung at low tensions. Comfortable without loss in control.

That said, I liked it at $6.50 but not at $11 a set.

For only $4.50 a set more I think most people would still like it with the comfort and durability.

 

[VoodooBoot]

Light racket (sub 11 oz)
with high rdc rating/stiffness (67),
tight pattern (18 mains x16) - see pic below
stiff poly (alu power min 240 lbs/in) @55 lbs,
smaller grip than usual (2)

= TE
...

^this. Correct all of the problems (flexible racquet, gut/multifilament, correct grip size, 16 mains), and your technique (if necessary). Also take good rest. After your elbow has healed (a few months?), only then experiment with poly, stiffer racquets, etc. (if you want to).

 

[remarks]

geez - the Wilson has a smaller grip. The Wilson is a stiffer frame, the Wilson recommends a lower tension than the Yonex. Lux ALU Power is the stiffest stuff. So what do you expect.

And that Luxilon does not give particularly good spin in the Wilson Spin Effect racquets. If you got that from a store, this guy has a problem.

Why did yo go smaller grip? What do you measure. Go get the grip build up with a heat shrink sleeve. Use a decent vibration dampener, use a softer string like the new Luxilon 4G Soft, or try Head Hawk Touch.

 

[racquetreligion]

IS NO ONE GOING TO MENTION THE STIFF POLY AT A HIGH TENSION Luxillon strings are the stiffest polys around, maybe try dropping tension or switch poly tour bite soft 17g is a good alternative, crsip poly feel without destroying your elbow

Try red code or red devil crosses and multi mains, spin to win was right
budget effective combo for TE and awesome playability compared to all poly

Hi Spin,
I usually have to cut them out if they don't break after 3-4 months.
It is rare they break.

I and practise partners used to cut all bed of lux Big Banger them after a set, they lose all feel and sensitivity quickly, so you have to treat them like natural gut at halve the price but with opposite qualities.

That tightness with that string is still a recipe for disaster yonex's alone are more arm friendly, i say drop the tenison or try something softer

Yonex quality is superior to Wilsons, this is important for the majority of the Japanese tennis public in japan. While here in Japan I also noticed that multis are favored over polys while Multis only last me and other western players 3 to 6 games, they make them last forever with their omnicourt programmed flat strokes.

 

[KYHacker]

Head RIP Control is a good string and some people with TE seem to like it. The last time I bought RIP control it was on sale for $6.50 /set I think now it $11. If you keep checking maybe you can find a sale price. Depending on what your club charges to use your strings you could save money.

This is a great suggestion, but I would actually recommend Intellistring since it has a little better resistance to movement.

OP, two things, try stringing with Head Intellistring at mid-tension. This will give you a lot of the benefits of a poly setup without the downsides. On the other hand, I'm not sure about the durability in that string pattern, but the crosses in Intellistring allow the mains to slide pretty well so I would think you would get about the same life as a set of poly strings (10-12 hours before the poly dies rather than breaks).

Also, do as others have suggested and get a heat-shrink sleeve to put on the handle along with a new grip. I would suggest one of the Gamma gel-grips since they are a little heavier than other synthetic grips.

One thing that I have noticed with some of the players I know is that they change their technique when they get a lighter frame with a little more mass in the head. A good friend of mine got tennis elbow in about a week from the change in technique rather than the frame. He was able to hit later and use more arm and still get the ball in play-- at least until the TE flare up.

If you use the heat shrink sleeve and the grip you will add about 0.6 ounces to your frame and change the balance slightly toward being more head light. If you combine this with the Intellistring, I am willing to bet you will see an immediate improvement.

 

[kaiser]

Another option is to string your full poly set up MUCH lower, this will also improve the comfort of the string bed considerably. Chris from TW is currently stringing his 6.1 95s (also 18x16) at 40# and loving it:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=8823141&postcount=64