Racquet for somebody with arm problems switching from Six.One.Tour

[b.termite]

I currently use a Wilson Six.One.Tour, and I really like the racquet. I have been using it for about a year, and started to have arm problems about a month ago. I took some time off, and started demoing some other racquets today and the arm problems seemed to go away after some time off. But, when I tried hitting with the Wilson my arm started hurting again.
I have thought about a Head Radical MP, a Babolat Pure Storm, and a Prince EXO3 Tour 100 16X18.
I am after a racquet that gives a lot of spin, good power, and is decent for serving. I think the Prince racquet is good, but the strung weight (11.6 oz) is quite bit heavier then the Babolat and Head (11 oz). Any opinions on how all these racquets would treat my arm compared to each other and the Wilson?
Does anybody have any ideas on how these racquets play compared to each other, what is good about them etc.?
Thanks

 

[roundiesee]

Which version of 6.1 Tour are you using?
I would recommend any of the Kinetic/Ionic series from Prokennex for your arm pain. String it with a soft multi at low or mid tension and I think you should be fine.

 

[b.termite]

Which version of 6.1 Tour are you using?
I would recommend any of the Kinetic/Ionic series from Prokennex for your arm pain. String it with a soft multi at low or mid tension and I think you should be fine.

I'm using the BLX version. What Prokennex would you recommend specifically? Are they significantly better for arm problems then the other ones I am currently looking at?

 

[snr]

Out of curiosity, any reason you're suggesting that the 11.6oz racquet is considered too heavy (I know you didn't specifically say it's too heavy but your comparison suggested it, sorry if that's not what you meant)? That weight would still be from my experience almost an oz lighter than a six one tour.

Also, just wondering, how do you find you're hitting with the tour? Are you still hitting it cleanly as your game progressed over the past year? just trying to find cause of the pain after a long period of time...

As for suggestions, or think the Radical is a good choice. IMO a more flexier feel than six one series IMO, but also keep in mind the MP with the tight pattern may feel stiffer with the same tension. Pure Drives also never really fit well with my arm, it never hurt, but it always felt a bit stiff for me.. I have not hit with the Prince so I cannot comment.

I know this is more of a control line, but as someone who owns a six one tour, I always found the Prestige Pro line to also provide a good combination of control and spin potential. You wont lose too much control from your six one tour and the larger head and open pattern will give access to spin and power.

 

[klementine]

Got some extensive experience with all those frames except the PureStorm (brief demo).

The exo3Tour100 swings easier than both RadMP and the PureStorm due it's 7ptHL balance.

If you want spin and comfort, the exo3 is the way to go. Just spin, the PureStorm is more than capable.

If you want easier put away power and easier pace on serve the Radical and PureStorm perform better, especially the PureStorm.

If you want to 'swing out' and not worry too much about the ball landing long, exo3Tour.

If you prefer not putting your all into the every single shot, the PureStorm is your stick.

The radical, to me, is the perfect balance between the PureStorm and exo3Tour100, in terms of playing characteristics, ie- power, comfort/flex.

The exo3Tour modded/customized is a weapon. I've got mine (18x20) at 12.5oz and it's still head and shoulders more comfortable than 99% of the sticks available and also has packs a punch now.

 

[b.termite]

Out of curiosity, any reason you're suggesting that the 11.6oz racquet is considered too heavy (I know you didn't specifically say it's too heavy but your comparison suggested it, sorry if that's not what you meant)? That weight would still be from my experience almost an oz lighter than a six one tour.

Also, just wondering, how do you find you're hitting with the tour? Are you still hitting it cleanly as your game progressed over the past year? just trying to find cause of the pain after a long period of time...

As for suggestions, or think the Radical is a good choice. IMO a more flexier feel than six one series IMO, but also keep in mind the MP with the tight pattern may feel stiffer with the same tension. Pure Drives also never really fit well with my arm, it never hurt, but it always felt a bit stiff for me.. I have not hit with the Prince so I cannot comment.

I know this is more of a control line, but as someone who owns a six one tour, I always found the Prestige Pro line to also provide a good combination of control and spin potential. You wont lose too much control from your six one tour and the larger head and open pattern will give access to spin and power.

In regards to the weight, I was just asking if the .6 of an oz would make a difference for my arm between the Prince and the Babolat/Head.
I like the Prestige quite a bit, but I'm worried about it being upwards of 11.9 oz. I hit pretty cleanly with the six one tour, and the head size has never really bothered me. I think it might just be playing so much (at least 2 or 3 hours a day usually) with such a heavy racquet that was giving me problem. Would that make sense?

 

[ramos77]

what string/tension were you using on the wilson?

 

[b.termite]

what string/tension were you using on the wilson?

I had been using Tourna big hitter blue rough in the mains, and prince synthetic gut in the crosses at 55.

 

[ramos77]

hmmmm, the Tourna is a stiff poly and you've put the gut in the crosses, also 55 is pretty high IMO

I would try a soft gut or multi for a while and see how you go. Don't use poly.

How often did you re-string? If you're convinced to buy a racquet, demo the Prince exo3 warrior 100 or Donnay Pro One 97...

 

[b.termite]

Got some extensive experience with all those frames except the PureStorm (brief demo).

The exo3Tour100 swings easier than both RadMP and the PureStorm due it's 7ptHL balance.

If you want spin and comfort, the exo3 is the way to go. Just spin, the PureStorm is more than capable.

If you want easier put away power and easier pace on serve the Radical and PureStorm perform better, especially the PureStorm.

If you want to 'swing out' and not worry too much about the ball landing long, exo3Tour.

If you prefer not putting your all into the every single shot, the PureStorm is your stick.

The radical, to me, is the perfect balance between the PureStorm and exo3Tour100, in terms of playing characteristics, ie- power, comfort/flex.

The exo3Tour modded/customized is a weapon. I've got mine (18x20) at 12.5oz and it's still head and shoulders more comfortable than 99% of the sticks available and also has packs a punch now.

Thanks for the information. So if I am looking to get more power out of my shots (mainly baseline and serve, so basically everything I guess) along with spin on my backhand and serve (have enough spin enough spin on the forehand) Which would you recommend? None of those 3 racquets seemed to bug my arm other then the little bit that playing for the first time in a while would be expected to. I thought the Prince was nice with the 16x18 pattern as far as spin goes, but I felt like I could get quite a bit with the Purestorm too. Any thoughts?

 

[b.termite]

hmmmm, the Tourna is a stiff poly and you've put the gut in the crosses, also 55 is pretty high IMO

I would try a soft gut or multi for a while and see how you go. Don't use poly.

How often did you re-string? If you're convinced to buy a racquet, demo the Prince exo3 warrior 100 or Donnay Pro One 97...

Would you try stringing probably in the high 40's range? I usually break strings in one of my racquets at least every week.

 

[ramos77]

the exo3 tour is low powered from all reports I've read. It's a thin beam...

 

[Ramon]

I also had to switch racquets because of arm problems. I wrote reviews of the arm-friendly racquets I demoed:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=413091

My racquet of choice was the Pro Kennex Ki 5x because it worked best for my game. You can read my review for details.

As for the Prince EXO3 Tour 100, I think it's quite possibly the most arm-friendly players racquet on the market. Weight can work either for or against you. If you are straining your shoulder to hit harder serves because you have a weak shoulder, then the extra weight might put more stress on your rotator cuff. However, I think that most people find the weight of the EXO3 Tour 100 to be light enough that they don't feel strained to take full swings. If you don't have a problem swinging the racquet, the extra weight actually helps because it puts more mass between you and the ball.

 

[ramos77]

Would you try stringing probably in the high 40's range? I usually break strings in one of my racquets at least every week.

Depends on the string. Can you afford natural gut? It's the best for your arm and will give you extra power...

 

[b.termite]

Depends on the string. Can you afford natural gut? It's the best for your arm and will give you extra power...

Would I need to string a full bed of natural gut? And how often does natural gut break?
If it doesn't break as often as a poly and I could do half sets then I don't really think it would be an issue.

 

[mawashi]

I currently use a Wilson Six.One.Tour, and I really like the racquet. I have been using it for about a year, and started to have arm problems about a month ago. I took some time off, and started demoing some other racquets today and the arm problems seemed to go away after some time off. But, when I tried hitting with the Wilson my arm started hurting again.
I have thought about a Head Radical MP, a Babolat Pure Storm, and a Prince EXO3 Tour 100 16X18.
I am after a racquet that gives a lot of spin, good power, and is decent for serving. I think the Prince racquet is good, but the strung weight (11.6 oz) is quite bit heavier then the Babolat and Head (11 oz). Any opinions on how all these racquets would treat my arm compared to each other and the Wilson?
Does anybody have any ideas on how these racquets play compared to each other, what is good about them etc.?
Thanks

What's your current setup on the tour?

 

[Smasher08]

I currently use a Wilson Six.One.Tour, and I really like the racquet. I have been using it for about a year, and started to have arm problems about a month ago. I took some time off, and started demoing some other racquets today and the arm problems seemed to go away after some time off. But, when I tried hitting with the Wilson my arm started hurting again.
I have thought about a Head Radical MP, a Babolat Pure Storm, and a Prince EXO3 Tour 100 16X18.
I am after a racquet that gives a lot of spin, good power, and is decent for serving. I think the Prince racquet is good, but the strung weight (11.6 oz) is quite bit heavier then the Babolat and Head (11 oz). Any opinions on how all these racquets would treat my arm compared to each other and the Wilson?
Does anybody have any ideas on how these racquets play compared to each other, what is good about them etc.?
Thanks

You've told us very little here, so it's almost impossible to give applicable advice. That's because your conclusion that the racket is to blame could very well be wrong. Dead poly strings could be the cause of your ailments, and switching to a multifilament or natty gut will cure them.

What are your "arm problems"?

What is your NTRP?

How old, in hours of playing, are your strings?

Do you have any history of "arm problems"?

 

[roundiesee]

I'm using the BLX version. What Prokennex would you recommend specifically? Are they significantly better for arm problems then the other ones I am currently looking at?

Ki5, but if you want to go lighter with more power, then the Ki15; I think both are very good, so depends on what is your playing style and your preference. I think your priority should be to switch to something which does not give pain.
A friend of mine also had pain from using the BLX90, and after switching to PK, he is fine now. He is now using the 2012 BLX PS 100.

 

[klementine]

Thanks for the information. So if I am looking to get more power out of my shots (mainly baseline and serve, so basically everything I guess) along with spin on my backhand and serve (have enough spin enough spin on the forehand) Which would you recommend?

There's only one racquet that can do all that... the 6.1Tour90 :smile:

I jest of course.

Stock?.... The easiest transition from the Tour90 would be the PureStorm stock, for me.

If you like to tinker and customize your frames, the Rad and exo3Tour are good candidates and have the potential of 'out-performing' a stock PureStorm in certain aspects.

The only modification I would do to the PureStorm is make it more head light, as the swing weight is already quite high.

 

[b.termite]

You've told us very little here, so it's almost impossible to give applicable advice. That's because your conclusion that the racket is to blame could very well be wrong. Dead poly strings could be the cause of your ailments, and switching to a multifilament or natty gut will cure them.

What are your "arm problems"?

What is your NTRP?

How old, in hours of playing, are your strings?

Do you have any history of "arm problems"?

Sorry about that. I had some rotator cuff problems about a month ago, and some pain in my right pectoral muscle. I took some time off, and then came back with elbow pain in several places: where my tricep and elbow connect, on the outside of my elbow, and the top of my forearm where my elbow and forearm connect.
As far as NTRP, the best I could probably say is good 4.0-4.5. I'm 15 so NTRP is kind of difficult.
I really couldn't give the age of my strings a shot, I usually break them out in about a week, and I play between 2-6 hours a day usually. Does that give you enough information?
I did have some elbow problems about 6 months ago, but it went away with a week off and some icing etc.

 

[Ramon]

I had been using Tourna big hitter blue rough in the mains, and prince synthetic gut in the crosses at 55.

That's a big part of the problem. BHBR is a poly. It might be ok for the first few hours of hitting, but after the poly dies, watch out!

Would I need to string a full bed of natural gut? And how often does natural gut break?
If it doesn't break as often as a poly and I could do half sets then I don't really think it would be an issue.

A full bed of multifilament synthetic would be good enough, and it would be reasonably priced, but it would break more often than poly or gut. If you're used to poly, you might feel like you have less control, but that's the price you pay to be able to play tennis.

Gut is expensive, but it does last longer than multifilaments. It's more likely to break than poly, but it doesn't die either, so in reality it's probably your most durable option unless you're a 6.0 level player who hits the crap out of the ball. Just remember to keep gut dry. If it gets wet, it could break while sitting in your bag.

 

[ramos77]

if you're re-stringing once a week and playing everyday for a few hours minimum, the poly is dead and that's most likely why your arm hurts my friend.

at your age, it shouldn't be hurting you. get rid of the poly! agree with Ramon above...

 

[b.termite]

There's only one racquet that can do all that... the 6.1Tour90 :smile:

I jets of course.

Stock?.... The easiest transition from the Tour90 would be the PureStorm stock, for me.

If you like to tinker and customize your frames, the Rad and exo3Tour are good candidates and have the potential of 'out-performing' a stock PureStorm in certain aspects.

The only modification I would do to the PureStorm is make it more head light, as the swing weight is already quite high.

One of the pros at the club I play at uses the Prince exo3 Tour and put lead along the whole top half of the racquet (maybe 9-3?) I don't really know much about lead tape. I just have enough on my Wilsons to match them. That makes the Prince hit through the court really well, is that the kind of customization you would do on the Prince?

 

[b.termite]

That's a big part of the problem. BHBR is a poly. It might be ok for the first few hours of hitting, but after the poly dies, watch out!



A full bed of multifilament synthetic would be good enough, and it would be reasonably priced, but it would break more often than poly or gut. If you're used to poly, you might feel like you have less control, but that's the price you pay to be able to play tennis.

Gut is expensive, but it does last longer than multifilaments. It's more likely to break than poly, but it doesn't die either, so in reality it's probably your most durable option unless you're a 6.0 level player who hits the crap out of the ball. Just remember to keep gut dry. If it gets wet, it could break while sitting in your bag.

Won't I be losing quite a bit of spin etc. if I switch away from a poly? I'm not really a string nut so I don't know that much about the differences sorry.

 

[ramos77]

Won't I be losing quite a bit of spin etc. if I switch away from a poly? I'm not really a string nut so I don't know that much about the differences sorry.

Most likely yes, but would you prefer not to play tennis at all?

You might be able to go back to poly once you find a softer string, and can afford to re-string more often. Until then, play it safe IMO.

 

[b.termite]

Most likely yes, but would you prefer not to play tennis at all?

You might be able to go back to poly once you find a softer string, and can afford to re-string more often. Until then, play it safe IMO.

No no no, I will play with whatever I have to in order to make it so I can keep playing! Would the combination of a different string along with one of the racquets that are less stressful on my arm get rid of my issues hopefully?

 

[Ramon]

Won't I be losing quite a bit of spin etc. if I switch away from a poly? I'm not really a string nut so I don't know that much about the differences sorry.

Yes, you will lose spin, at least compared to fresh poly. Dead poly, which you are probably using quite a bit, loses a lot of its original bite, so you might not notice that much of a difference compared to dead poly. Of course, if it's a matter of being able to play tennis, you might have to eliminate poly anyway.

One possible setup you can try for maximum spin is gut/poly (gut mains, poly crosses). You get a lot of spin with this setup, and it's more likely to be friendly on your arm than your current setup. It's still not immune from the effects of dead poly, but it might be playable for a longer time.

 

[ramos77]

I think it will. It worked for me and many others.

I also got treatment from an osteopath and that helped.

If you like the racquet just change the strings first

 

[b.termite]

Yes, you will lose spin, at least compared to fresh poly. Dead poly, which you are probably using quite a bit, loses a lot of its original bite, so you might not notice that much of a difference compared to dead poly. Of course, if it's a matter of being able to play tennis, you might have to eliminate poly anyway.

One possible setup you can try for maximum spin is gut/poly (gut mains, poly crosses). You get a lot of spin with this setup, and it's more likely to be friendly on your arm than your current setup. It's still not immune from the effects of dead poly, but it might be playable for a longer time.

Ok I'll definitely give that a try. Would you still recommend changing racquets though along with the string change?

 

[Ramon]

Ok I'll definitely give that a try. Would you still recommend changing racquets though along with the string change?

If you like your racquet, I think the string change is probably all you need. I'm almost positive that full multi or full gut will do it for you. Gut/poly is a maybe.

 

[b.termite]

If you like your racquet, I think the string change is probably all you need. I'm almost positive that full multi or full gut will do it for you. Gut/poly is a maybe.

Ok I'll give that a try, hopefully I can save a few hundreds that I would have spent on a different racquet. Thanks for the help.

 

[Larrysümmers]

you would probably benefit from playing with a full bed of multi or a full bed of gut, at a tight tension of course.

 

[RadicalMPfan]

What kind of arm problems? I learned with a six one 95 and played with virtually every popular racquet to find that I love the six one the best. One day I impulsively bought a radical mp for $60 and fell in love. It's similar to the six one 95 but is easier on the arm. I played with an exo3 and is a great racquet but the head size plays much different than my beloved 6.1. Pure storm was a racquet that I liked but you need to demoe to see if it fits your game. I'd try 1. Radical 2. Pure storm 3. Exo3 in the order I think you will have less time having to adapt to.

 

[SwankPeRFection]

Also, and most importantly, if you play with an overgrip on top of the leather grip, check to make sure the leather grip isn't completely compressed and needs replacing. After a full year of playing the cushion the grip had stock is probably gone and you're left with whatever the overgrips provide as you change them out. Couple that with Tourna string and you're basically playing with a tuning fork set to high.

One other thing, if your racquets are more head heavy because of leading them up and you've recently started to hit with faster pace/swing speed, I bet your elbow is hurting in those areas because of the additional swing weight while accelerating and stopping that from during your strokes. I had similar issues when I try to force the racquet to do the work I want rather than letting it do the work.