Should I stop using PD?

G

GaryZ

New User
I am a 25 year-old beginner. I started playing tennis this May and I fell love with it. I take weekly lesson with a pro and practice hitting three times a week. I've been using Pure Drive 2015 since day one (it was my B-day gift) and I believe that it helped me developed my game.

I had some shoulder pain after I played at higher intensity but I never blame my racquet. I always thought the shoulder pain was due to my technique or the intensity. (I do not have pain in my elbows or wrists and the shoulder pain usually goes away within few days of rest.) However, after reading many posts on TW, I am scared by the negative comments about the stiffness of PD. Since this is my only racquet I have, I've no idea how racquet affects my shoulder. My question is: should I switch to a more arm-friendly racquet like Prince Tour 98? I want to play tennis for the rest of my life so I care more about long-term health than my round-robin results at club next week.

Thanks in advance for your input. Sorry for the bad English (I am a non-native speaker). Thank you.
 
BTW, I was using cheap Forten Syn Gut (@56LBs) that stringer provided. I just bought a Gamma X-2 stringing machine and decided to use XCel 16 or NXT (full-bed or hybrid) in the future. I enjoy playing at baseline but my coach always encourages me to come to net and volley.
 
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You answered the question I was going to ask already :P
I would be tempted to see if the switch to a multi helps the shoulder at all. If it does, then great. It's much cheaper and easier if you can find a solution in the strings that help.

I would also wonder more about your form, as well. Shoulder pain could be from poor server or groundstroke form as well. Like, if you swing forehands with just your arm, for example.

That isn't to say that a different racket might not be the solution. It might be. But if the strings fix it, you've saved a good bit of money. And if it's a form issue, it's probably not going to matter much what racquet you're using.
 
Like you, I used to play with the Pure Drive for a long time because it's just one of the best all-around racquets and so easy to use. Unfortunately, I developed wrist pain and I've never had it before. I couldn't possibly think it was my wonderful racquet that's at fault. Then as I continued to play, my wrist pain got worse and worse to the point where I couldn't pick up the racquet. Tennis should be a life-long sport like you said. Don't listen to the people saying things like it's your stroke that's the problem, not the racquet. It's not true, because I switched to a different brand and all is good. There are plenty of arm friendly racquets out there and some good alternatives to the PD.
 
avocadoz said:
Like you, I used to play with the Pure Drive for a long time because it's just one of the best all-around racquets and so easy to use. Unfortunately, I developed wrist pain and I've never had it before. I couldn't possibly think it was my wonderful racquet that's at fault. Then as I continued to play, my wrist pain got worse and worse to the point where I couldn't pick up the racquet. Tennis should be a life-long sport like you said. Don't listen to the people saying things like it's your stroke that's the problem, not the racquet. It's not true, because I switched to a different brand and all is good. There are plenty of arm friendly racquets out there and some good alternatives to the PD.
Click to expand...

We can't know if his situation is exactly the same as yours. It's best to point out all angles rather than just jumping to blaming the racquet. String setup could fix it. Racquet change could fix it. Form change could fix it. At least all three have a fairly easy test: try a softer string and/or lower tension, demo a racquet known for being arm-friendly, or talk to a coach/instructor to see if they see anything in his form that could be the cause of the pain.
 
My racket's 68 and stiffer (PD is 71), get poly tensions between 35 and 40 lbs. No arm or shoulder problems with such low tensions.
 
I've gotten periodic shoulder pain from every kind of racquet and every kind of string (except nat gut, havent tried that). mis-hits and bad form are more to blame than anything else. also not sure if i agree with the folks that say tennis can be played pain-free. it's a demanding sport
 
I had TE from my PD 2012 and it got healed in a few weeks after I switched to Yonex Vcore 100s which by no means is a soft racquet with 68 RA. Some people are more prone to tendon and joint injuries than others and some are OK. That's why you see them using their PD for a long time and never complaining.

As for the shoulder pain, since you don't have pain anywhere else it is most likely due to bad technique on your serve motion or maybe overheads etc. Try to serve with a relaxed arm and rotate the shoulder and drop non-serving shoulder down.
 
Joint pain is due to a combination of your play, racquet, and string choices. The easiest, quickest, and cheapest thing to do is to switch strings. If that doesn't provide relief, you may have to look for a softer racquet. Forten Sweet isn't a particularly soft string, and 56 lbs is pretty tight. Try something like Wilson Optimus or Head Rip Control at ~ 52 and see how it goes.
 
I would rather experiment with the racquet/strings than the arm, especially if you have TE, GE or shoulder issues. Your best bet is getting a ProKennex or Volkl racquet; or other brands with a flex rating below 65 or racquets with some shock absorbing technologies.

Some choices to demo:
- Prince Tour 98 or 100 or the new Texremes.
- Babolat Pure Control (std or tour version)
- ProKennex Q5 295
- ProKennex Ki 5 300
- Volkl V1 Pro
- Volkl Super G 8
 
Shoulder issues are more technique than anything else. Compared to the elbow/forearm, there are much more soft-tissue/structures to absorb the shock from the racquet before it reaches your shoulder joint.

If you constantly hit late and leave your shoulder in a much more vulnerable position (like making contact with the ball and taking a full swing at it when the racquet is still behind your body), then your shoulder would have experienced quite a lot of load.
 
Probably more of an issue with technique or strength of shoulder than racket. Both Forten syn gut and Excel multi are soft enough strings. Look for any reason why you might have a shoulder impingement. Do you over train your chest and front of shoulders. Do you do enough back and posterior shoulder exercises to keep the shoulder from being pulled forward. Are you doing rotator cuff stretching and strengthening on a daily basis? Do you sit at a keyboard too long with your shoulders pulled forward. You need to keep the shoulders back to prevent an impingement when bringing your arm over head.
 
It could be either racquet or form, if I were you I wouldn't jump to blame one or the other. We don't know what your strokes look like but I've heard from a pro at my club you can get arm pain if you are hitting your groundstrokes too late. Since you are a beginner you may be doing this, so make sure you are making contact out in front. This would be a cheaper fix than buying a new racquet.

On the other hand, my dad used to use a Pure Drive and also had some arm/shoulder problems on and off while using it(although he had a history of shoulder problems before he got the racquet). He doesn't play as much as you do, and he's also 50 years old so it could be all the years of tennis having a wear and tear on his body. However, he recently got a head youtek ig radical mp strung with a softer string and likes that much better.

Hope this helps, good luck with whatever decision you make!
 
Keep it simple. As others have said, try a switch in strings and tensions. There's no reason to start over-analyzing it at this point.
 
IA-SteveB said:
Keep it simple. As others have said, try a switch in strings and tensions. There's no reason to start over-analyzing it at this point.
Click to expand...
Do you feel that a full bed of Origin is a soft enough string fro the PD/PD+? What about a hybrid with Origin?
 
I am not sure a stiff racquet should cause shoulder pain; I can understand pain in the elbow. Maybe the weight is too much for you? You say you have been playing with this racquet from day one - a pretty heavy one to start out with imo - and ordinarily 6 months is enough time to get used to the weight. Still, you could perhaps try out a lighter racquet and see how it feels for sometime. See if you can find something like a Babolat Drive or Head Ti5/6 second hand and cheap. Try it out. If it doesn't feel too light to even play with, that means this racquet - Pure Drive - is too heavy for where your game is at the moment. But if you do find these ultra light racquets unbearably light to play with, maybe yeah experimenting with softer string set up could be the way to go.
 
PhxRacket said:
Do you feel that a full bed of Origin is a soft enough string fro the PD/PD+? What about a hybrid with Origin?
Click to expand...
I am not qualified to answer that. :) I was merely pointing out that keeping it simple is the best thing to do at this point. You can look for faulty mechanics, training methods or whatever you want until you become frustrated with the whole process. That's not good.

I don't like the RPM Blast strings I have now and am going to go back to Babolat Xcel multifilament after a while. Poly isn't for me but it is more of a feel thing that a problem causing one. I only did it because the club would string it for free with purchase with whatever they had and they didn't stock XCel.
 
PD is a good racquet and will serve you well. stick with it. swap out strings, change tension, get a coach. these are the solutions, not a different racquet.
 
GaryZ said:
I am a 25 year-old beginner. I started playing tennis this May and I fell love with it. I take weekly lesson with a pro and practice hitting three times a week. I've been using Pure Drive 2015 since day one (it was my B-day gift) and I believe that it helped me developed my game.

I had some shoulder pain after I played at higher intensity but I never blame my racquet. I always thought the shoulder pain was due to my technique or the intensity. (I do not have pain in my elbows or wrists and the shoulder pain usually goes away within few days of rest.) However, after reading many posts on TW, I am scared by the negative comments about the stiffness of PD. Since this is my only racquet I have, I've no idea how racquet affects my shoulder. My question is: should I switch to a more arm-friendly racquet like Prince Tour 98? I want to play tennis for the rest of my life so I care more about long-term health than my round-robin results at club next week.

Thanks in advance for your input. Sorry for the bad English (I am a non-native speaker). Thank you.
Click to expand...

Racket flex shouldn't affect shoulder. Most often I see shoulder problems develop from abrupt serving technique or if shoulder leads the forehand excessively.

Also, when I started playing I had all kinds of pains when play frequency went up (like during college tennis season). I remember elbow pains and one year I had to tape up my knees, but with time my body seems to have build up those areas and while I sometimes feel sore after intense match I haven't had any chronic pains in about 4-5 years now.
 
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GaryZ said:
I am a 25 year-old beginner. I started playing tennis this May and I fell love with it. I take weekly lesson with a pro and practice hitting three times a week. I've been using Pure Drive 2015 since day one (it was my B-day gift) and I believe that it helped me developed my game.

I had some shoulder pain after I played at higher intensity but I never blame my racquet. I always thought the shoulder pain was due to my technique or the intensity. (I do not have pain in my elbows or wrists and the shoulder pain usually goes away within few days of rest.) However, after reading many posts on TW, I am scared by the negative comments about the stiffness of PD. Since this is my only racquet I have, I've no idea how racquet affects my shoulder. My question is: should I switch to a more arm-friendly racquet like Prince Tour 98? I want to play tennis for the rest of my life so I care more about long-term health than my round-robin results at club next week.

Thanks in advance for your input. Sorry for the bad English (I am a non-native speaker). Thank you.
Click to expand...
Yes the PD is a stiff from you have 2 choices. basically work more on shoulder - arm muscles more or you can switch to a babolat pure strike or something more arm friendly.
you could switch string too, but the racquet will be stiff and make you shoulder sore.
 
Just by a used SOFT flexing racket, play with it for a month, and see what happens.
ANYTHING 60 flex or softer is adaquate.
 
shaneno said:
Yes the PD is a stiff from you have 2 choices. basically work more on shoulder - arm muscles more or you can switch to a babolat pure strike or something more arm friendly.
you could switch string too, but the racquet will be stiff and make you shoulder sore.
Click to expand...
As a Pure Strike user I would say the strike is only slightly better on the arm. I would say try a Pure control. But the strike 18/20 is a good racquet if you are looking for something new and slightly more arm friendly than a PD.
 
Shoulder pain is normally technique related and sometimes too heavy racquet.
In your case, it's almost certain to be the technique. Have your pro look at it.
 
Chris tennis52 said:
As a Pure Strike user I would say the strike is only slightly better on the arm. I would say try a Pure control. But the strike 18/20 is a good racquet if you are looking for something new and slightly more arm friendly than a PD.
Click to expand...
Oh shoots. yeah lol i got their name mix. pure strike just sounds cooler :)
 
I much more suspicious of bad technique in this case, however rather than ditch the PD I'd suggest grabbing a couple "softer" options used off the "bay" close in all other specs and compare. What could it hurt you're one year into tennis...virtually no one plays with what they started with.

BTW..if you do end up liking something else that PD will sell fast.
 
PhxRacket said:
Do you feel that a full bed of Origin is a soft enough string fro the PD/PD+? What about a hybrid with Origin?
Click to expand...

I found Origin to work fine in a Pure Drive. I used Origin in mains and Ashaway Monogut ZX in the crosses. Full Origin should be even softer. I don't get super good control and spin with Origin but it's a decent string and a good choice to soften the Pure Drive.
 
25 years and worried about playing a Babolat... nah don't worry.

Reverse those digits and yeah worry (but I only do a bit).

Think you'll find that competitive sport means managing injury(ies). Always.
 
GaryZ said:
BTW, I was using cheap Forten Syn Gut (@56LBs) that stringer provided. I just bought a Gamma X-2 stringing machine and decided to use XCel 16 or NXT (full-bed or hybrid) in the future. I enjoy playing at baseline but my coach always encourages me to come to net and volley.
Click to expand...

Sorry for only speaking/writing in English - yours is just fine.

One of the cheap syn. guts from Forten that I'm aware of is their Sweet 16. This string is a very nice, soft syn. gut that I think can work as a useful alternative to mulitfiber. Most multis are much more expensive than this string and I've tried at least one or two multis in recent years that did NOT seem as soft as Sweet 16. I've decided to keep at least a few sets of this string on hand because I also string at home for many players I know and Sweet 16 routinely comes in handy.

I agree with our pals here that shoulder issues could be caused by several things. Faulty technique can be compounded by a racquet that is either too heavy or even too light for an individual player's swing mechanics. I usually expect a combination of a stiff racquet and harsh strings to more immediately cause irritation in the wrist or forearm, but I'm only basing that on my own observations.

If you have what seems to be continued chronic discomfort in your shoulder, even after using relatively soft strings for a while in your own racquet, you'd be smart to have a qualified person look over your technique. It can also be fun to sample different racquets and learn about what different weight, flex, balance, head size, etc. might have to offer. But a racquet will only be arm-friendly for you if it gives you a good fit. Finding that will only come with some trial and error, but you may also have a decent fit now with your Pure Drive.

I also think that any racquet will most probably be more arm-friendly when paired with a comfortable string. If you want to stack the odds for better arm health in your favor, I think it's smart to avoid playing with poly string. Even a racquet with an excellent reputation for arm-friendliness will be less so when strung with poly or a poly hybrid.

In other news, I strongly agree with your coach's encouragement to get more comfortable with attacking the net!!
 
Seems like youre doing well with the rounder hoop. A PD is pretty much point and shoot. If you have the 2015 version, a version that is known to be one of the easier-on-the-entire-body pure drive and you still think it's giving you pain.. DEMO here at TW. Unfortunately the rounder hoops in 100 sq inch all have a similar spec, I believe. Well, maybe not similar at all.. but known for being stiff. I think the Head Extreme 2.0 has gotten a lot of great reviews from this board and playtesers from TW. Maybe try an Extreme as a DEMO?

I was really attracted the APD (same hoop as pd) for many reasons other folks were. .. Rafa and a ton of American men employing it. It being labeled tweener and easy to use. I've never felt so much pain after a match. I literally thought I ruptured something (LOL) when I hit an overhead with the APD and felt the worst pain ever all the way down my forearm. I kept hitting with it regardless, although, letting GO -hehe- of that stick was the best thing I've done. The only other racket I've used that hurt were OS Hyper Hammers by Wilson.

So It very well might be the racket.
Some of us joke it was the EXO3 Black that tore Maria's shoulder apart.

After saying all that.. basically just DEMO. I will say, I've never, myself, had unbearable shoulder pain even from the APD. Hope I don't jinx myself, now.
 
Dolgopolov85 said:
I am not sure a stiff racquet should cause shoulder pain; I can understand pain in the elbow. Maybe the weight is too much for you? You say you have been playing with this racquet from day one - a pretty heavy one to start out with imo - and ordinarily 6 months is enough time to get used to the weight. Still, you could perhaps try out a lighter racquet and see how it feels for sometime. See if you can find something like a Babolat Drive or Head Ti5/6 second hand and cheap. Try it out. If it doesn't feel too light to even play with, that means this racquet - Pure Drive - is too heavy for where your game is at the moment. But if you do find these ultra light racquets unbearably light to play with, maybe yeah experimenting with softer string set up could be the way to go.
Click to expand...

I'm no expert in this area, but the PD isn't exactly heavy, is it? 317g strung weight and the swing weight is also about 317. I've been playing for two months rather serious now (with coach) and I've used a 280g (unstrung) aluminium racquet (about 300g strung). Last week I demoed an Ai 98 that weighs 310g unstrung and with overgrip and strings it weighs 333g. However, due to its balance (315mm) it felt like at least as light as my cheap stick. It was so easy to swing and maneuver and I didn't expect that, because I was certainly worried about the weight. Despite my age (27) I'm not really a strong guy (no heavy muscles and very lean), so I thought maybe a lighter stick would be handier. Nevertheless, I didn't experience any pain nor problems in having the right timing. So, I don't know if weight itself is such a great issue. However, my shoulder quite ached after my first serving lesson - wasn't used to that kind of motion probably.
 
Lord Anomander said:
I'm no expert in this area, but the PD isn't exactly heavy, is it? 317g strung weight and the swing weight is also about 317. I've been playing for two months rather serious now (with coach) and I've used a 280g (unstrung) aluminium racquet (about 300g strung). Last week I demoed an Ai 98 that weighs 310g unstrung and with overgrip and strings it weighs 333g. However, due to its balance (315mm) it felt like at least as light as my cheap stick. It was so easy to swing and maneuver and I didn't expect that, because I was certainly worried about the weight. Despite my age (27) I'm not really a strong guy (no heavy muscles and very lean), so I thought maybe a lighter stick would be handier. Nevertheless, I didn't experience any pain nor problems in having the right timing. So, I don't know if weight itself is such a great issue. However, my shoulder quite ached after my first serving lesson - wasn't used to that kind of motion probably.
Click to expand...

It is the serve where the weight tells most. When I was just breaking out my PD, there was a day where I was on court for over 2 hours at a stretch and served out a bucket's worth of balls. I felt tiredness in the shoulders that day. Now I don't find it heavy but initially when you are moving from a lighter racquet or just starting to play tennis, it can take some adjusting to. Not so much a case of the racquet being too heavy as the body needing to get conditioned to the weight. It may not necessarily be what's causing the OP's problem, but it's worth ruling out.
 
BlueB said:
Shoulder pain is normally technique related and sometimes too heavy racquet.
In your case, it's almost certain to be the technique. Have your pro look at it.
Click to expand...

I agree with this.

And even with the correct stroke-technique, shoulder pain will often occur if the player does not warm their hitting shoulder up properly before fully engaging it.

Only a fool would walk onto a tennis court and start cracking ground-strokes or serves without spending at least 20 minutes warming their shoulder up properly first. Doing otherwise is simply asking for trouble and virtually guaranteeing shoulder pain in the short term and serious shoulder damage in the longer term. (The type or racquet or string configuration is pretty much irrelevant here.)

In this particular point, the saying "Patience is a virtue" certainly applies.
 
Thanks everyone for the inputs. I read all the replies carefully.

I had a pro looked at my technique yesterday. He told me that it is probably my serve that causes the trouble (bad form). In addition, he also suggested that I might be using dead string in the past (He said that the majority of rec players don't restrung string frequent enough).

I think you guys are correct. I would focus on getting correct techniques while starting to explore softer strings (and possibly demo some soft racquets in the future).

P.S. I have another favor to ask. I uploaded a video of my forehand. If you have a minute, please give some criticism. Thanks!
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/please-critique-my-forehand-video.549409/
 
n8dawg6 said:
I've gotten periodic shoulder pain from every kind of racquet and every kind of string (except nat gut, havent tried that). mis-hits and bad form are more to blame than anything else. also not sure if i agree with the folks that say tennis can be played pain-free. it's a demanding sport
Click to expand...

You left out another possible culprit ... A G E.

I agree totally with your points made.

I'm using 2012 Pure Drive, 2015 Pure Drive Tour and Play Pure Drives. If I feel pain, it is over use primarily due to age. I've been going out and serving 350-400 balls per session on Saturday and Sunday. My shoulder kills me for a month but I don't blame the racquet.
 
Sparky said:
You left out another possible culprit ... A G E.

I agree totally with your points made.

I'm using 2012 Pure Drive, 2015 Pure Drive Tour and Play Pure Drives. If I feel pain, it is over use primarily due to age. I've been going out and serving 350-400 balls per session on Saturday and Sunday. My shoulder kills me for a month but I don't blame the racquet.
Click to expand...

the older i get, the younger i was.
 
GaryZ said:
Thanks everyone for the inputs. I read all the replies carefully.

I had a pro looked at my technique yesterday. He told me that it is probably my serve that causes the trouble (bad form). In addition, he also suggested that I might be using dead string in the past (He said that the majority of rec players don't restrung string frequent enough).

I think you guys are correct. I would focus on getting correct techniques while starting to explore softer strings (and possibly demo some soft racquets in the future).

P.S. I have another favor to ask. I uploaded a video of my forehand. If you have a minute, please give some criticism. Thanks!
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/please-critique-my-forehand-video.549409/
Click to expand...

Technique matters, so do the racquet and strings. AND fitness/physical strength.

Light and stiff racquets with poly strings are recipe to arm issues; you could just read the 'Health & Fitness' forum on TT for real (horror) stories. I mainly had elbow pain when using racquets with high stiffness like 70 and weight below 11 oz. Watch out for elbow/wrist issues when using such racquets.

Some tips if you have or want to avoid any tennis related arm issues like GE/TE etc:

- Avoid the stiff and hollow racquets; would recommend to choose RA around 65 or below. For example, one is far less likely to get TE/GE with a Babolat Pure Control compared to Babolat Pure Drive.
- Avoid full bed of poly strings and kevlar strings; use a hybrid or multi or gut around mid or below the recommended tension and restring as recommended.
- Use the max.weight that you can play with. For example, if a player can play with a 12 oz racquet, better to avoid a 10 oz or 11 oz racquet.
- Some racquets have the built-in technologies for absorbing the vibrations like ProKennex kinetic, Volkl handle system, Prince ports etc; those are more arm friendly than others.
- FITNESS & REST play a huge role.
 
Karma Tennis said:
...
Only a fool would walk onto a tennis court and start cracking ground-strokes or serves without spending at least 20 minutes warming their shoulder up properly first. Doing otherwise is simply asking for trouble and virtually guaranteeing shoulder pain in the short term and serious shoulder damage in the longer term. (The type or racquet or string configuration is pretty much irrelevant here.)

In this particular point, the saying "Patience is a virtue" certainly applies.
Click to expand...

Hey that's me! :)

thats-so-me-logo.jpg
 
You absolutely should stop using this racquet if you want to avoid arm problems this racquet is notorious for arm complaints. Try getting used to more flexible racquets and it definitely does not need to be from Babolat!!
 
Shoulder problems are usually technique problems unless you're playing with something too heavy and the PD generally doesn't have that issue.
 
GaryZ said:
I am a 25 year-old beginner. I started playing tennis this May and I fell love with it. I take weekly lesson with a pro and practice hitting three times a week. I've been using Pure Drive 2015 since day one (it was my B-day gift) and I believe that it helped me developed my game.

I had some shoulder pain after I played at higher intensity but I never blame my racquet. I always thought the shoulder pain was due to my technique or the intensity. (I do not have pain in my elbows or wrists and the shoulder pain usually goes away within few days of rest.) However, after reading many posts on TW, I am scared by the negative comments about the stiffness of PD. Since this is my only racquet I have, I've no idea how racquet affects my shoulder. My question is: should I switch to a more arm-friendly racquet like Prince Tour 98? I want to play tennis for the rest of my life so I care more about long-term health than my round-robin results at club next week.

Thanks in advance for your input. Sorry for the bad English (I am a non-native speaker). Thank you.
Click to expand...
Obviously the serve. 100" to oversize racquets are hard to serve with and not develop shoulder problems.
 
GaryZ said:
I am a 25 year-old beginner. I started playing tennis this May and I fell love with it. I take weekly lesson with a pro and practice hitting three times a week. I've been using Pure Drive 2015 since day one (it was my B-day gift) and I believe that it helped me developed my game.

I had some shoulder pain after I played at higher intensity but I never blame my racquet. I always thought the shoulder pain was due to my technique or the intensity. (I do not have pain in my elbows or wrists and the shoulder pain usually goes away within few days of rest.) However, after reading many posts on TW, I am scared by the negative comments about the stiffness of PD. Since this is my only racquet I have, I've no idea how racquet affects my shoulder. My question is: should I switch to a more arm-friendly racquet like Prince Tour 98? I want to play tennis for the rest of my life so I care more about long-term health than my round-robin results at club next week.

Thanks in advance for your input. Sorry for the bad English (I am a non-native speaker). Thank you.
Click to expand...

I'd ask your coach and talk in detail about your goals and how you feel physically. He or she knows your game... We don't.
Good luck!

Typically, you'll get two general opinions here, with respect to my fellow forum members who in fact do offer much good advice.
1. Use an old school, heavy frame. That's the only way to develop proper, long strokes.
2. Forget that old school brick. Use a lighter modern frame, it's almost 2016...

So again, ask your coach. We all have different strengths.
As mentioned, shoulder pain isn't usually associated with lighter frames like the PD.
 
Roddick, Moya, and many other players used Babolat pure drive for years without any problem!
And they trained hours and hours every day
 
Pros, college players, and even serious rec players hit with stiff racquets all day long for years and don't get tennis elbow. Even physically tiny women hit 1HBHs with stiff frames for years without issues. OP, since you are just learning the game, it is far more likely that any arm or shoulder pain you are having is due to incorrect technique. I would consult your coach on that. A proper tennis swing should not hurt, regardless of the racquet.
 
Shoulder pain is mostly on
1)technique (frequent mishitting, not hitting the ball on the sweetspot )
Then
2)the flex of the racket will amplify the effect


Yonex racquet "cheats" by amplifying the sweetspot hence allow users to mishit less > less or none shoulder/elbow problems
 
Moveforwardalways said:
Pros, college players, and even serious rec players hit with stiff racquets all day long for years and don't get tennis elbow. Even physically tiny women hit 1HBHs with stiff frames for years without issues. OP, since you are just learning the game, it is far more likely that any arm or shoulder pain you are having is due to incorrect technique. I would consult your coach on that. A proper tennis swing should not hurt, regardless of the racquet.
Click to expand...

There are many pro players that run into arm problems in their professional careers and many that do not. I think that genetics plays a part in that. I've even seen Djokovic with Kineseo tape on his arm. I've seen more WTA players with Kineseo tape than male players too.

Also note that pro players don't use the same spec equipment as to what is available at retail so the frame that Tsonga hits with is stiff but there are some damping and stability properties that he gets by adding a ton of lead tape to the hoop.

I didn't develop arm problems until I was older and playing with a stiff frame. I did use far stiffer frames when I was younger (75 RA) but my body doesn't seem to be able to tolerate that sort of thing anymore. So I just stick with 62 or lower. The top two ATP players currently play with frames with < 60 RA. Federer playes with about 67 but he adds lead to the top of the hoop, which probably increase dynamic flexibility.
 
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