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If you’re simply looking for a new tennis racquet that’s easy on your arm, I highly recommend the Yonex Ezone 100. This racquet features superb vibration dampening and is one of the most comfortable racquets I’ve ever tried.
Nothing can be worse as a tennis player than suddenly developing tennis elbow. This debilitating condition can seriously ruin your enjoyment of the game along with causing pain.
Luckily, you don’t need to despair because you will recover if you take the proper steps. You will be able to continue playing tennis.
While there are specific treatments for tennis elbow, the biggest thing you can do is change your tennis racquet.
The wrong tennis racquet can destroy your wrist and elbows while the right one will keep you playing for years or even decades!
I’ve been playing tennis for 10+ years now. Here are my recommendations for the best tennis racquets if you’re experiencing tennis elbow.
The most common question about tennis elbow is: exactly what is it? Most of us have heard of it or know someone who has suffered from it but don’t know the causes or how to treat it.
Getting an understanding of the causes and cures can help avoid it as can choosing the best racquet for tennis elbow.
What is Tennis Elbow?
According to WebMD, Tennis elbow is a condition where the outer part of the elbow becomes sore at the lateral epicondyle.
The root cause is that the muscles and tendons of the forearm become damaged from overuse of the same motion.
This in turn leads to pain and tenderness in the elbow. Although most commonly associated with the game of tennis, it can affect a wide range of people from golfers to carpenters.
What causes Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is caused by repetitive overuse of the same motion by the arm over a period of time. In terms of tennis, this means that playing the same shots frequently, as you would in a game or practice, can bring tennis elbow on.
The repetitive nature of continually doing the same motions can cause acute tendonitis of the exterior forearm muscles which in turn leads to the elbow becoming sore.
It can also result in severe wrist pain which can make it hard to even grip the tennis racquet properly.
Interestingly, recent research suggests that tennis elbow can be caused by mis-hitting the ball when learning to play as this puts a strain on the forearm muscles and elbow joint.
It is also thought that increased playing time can lead to the condition.
Tennis Elbow is a condition that can be helped by having the right equipment. Choose a slightly heavier racquet, have a vibration dampener, and choose GUT strings
One of the most common misconceptions about tennis elbow is that using a heavier racquet can cause tennis elbow. This is not true!
Heavier tennis racquets do not cause tennis elbow. In fact, they help you recover!
It turns out heavier racquets absorb more of the impact and vibrations of hitting the ball. This is much better for you as it’s not going into your body.
Most people start out with a really light tennis racquet then work their way up as their skills advance.
If you find yourself stuck with tennis elbow, I would suggest looking at racquets in the 10 to 11.5 oz range.
Some people suggest 12 oz or more but I’ve found that’s simply too heavy for 95% of people.
Cures for Tennis Elbow
There is an old saying ‘Prevention is better than the cure’ and this is true for tennis elbow. The best thing you can do to stop it from happening to you is to learn the correct form when hitting tennis shots.
As above, one of the main causes is a poor technique or mis-hitting the ball regularly so learning from a professional will help avoid this.
Making sure you are using the correct racquet on the court is also an important consideration.
Your racquet must be the right size for you and the correct weight.
Make sure that you are using soft strings like GUT strings and that the racquet has a lower string tension as this will reduce the impact on you when you hit the ball.
If you have already had tennis elbow, the best advice is to take a short break from playing until you feel better. Rest is the best cure for this type of condition so if you feel any pain in the elbow, take it easy until it feels better!
Some people find it useful to visit a professional physiotherapist for some gentle joint manipulation if rest doesn’t work. The physio will manipulate the joints of the elbow and wrist in an attempt to cure the problem.
Braces for Tennis Elbow
In some cases, some players will wear tennis elbow braces around their arm. These devices wrap around the elbow area and have been shown by studies to reduce pain and inflammation.
I’ve written about the best tennis elbow braces here! Check out that article to see how you can fix your tennis elbow quickly (and cheaply)
These braces can be very helpful to the tennis players who are trying to maintain their game and stop tennis elbow early.
The Simien Tennis Elbow Brace is one of the best selling braces for tennis elbow on the market today.
One of my favorite braces is the Simien Tennis Elbow Brace. This small and compact brace fits just under your elbow in order to prevent your tennis elbow from getting worse. With the Velcro construction, you can rest easy knowing that one size fits all.
This brace for tennis elbows works by applying pressure to your elbow using a gel pad and it is one of the most effective(and well-liked by customers!) on the market today.
Best Tennis Racquets for Tennis Elbow
One of the best ways to prevent getting tennis elbow is to use the right tennis racquet for tennis elbow. This will be slightly different for everyone as we are all unique but there are some general things to look for when buying a racquet for tennis elbow.
You will want to get a head-light one with a standard length (around 27 inches) and flexible frame as this will ensure the racquet absorbs the vibrations of hitting the ball and not you.
It is also advised to get a racquet with soft GUT strings and one that has a lower string tension as this will also ensure the impact of playing is taken by the racquet.
Taking all this into account, these are six of the best racquets to play with to prevent or help cure tennis elbow:
YONEX EZone 100
One of the best racquets out there for tennis elbow is the Yonex EZone 100. This has one of the lowest flex ratings(59) which makes the racquet flexible and easier to swing with. The strung weight is 11.1oz and it comes with soft GUT strings to reduce stress on the wrist and forearm when striking.
The beam size is not too thick and tapers down to 19mm which again helps with making the racquet flexible. Its head is light, making the racquet take the strain and vibrations of hitting the ball rather than your elbow. Yonex has also included an oval pressed shaft with this racquet to help with control and flexibility.
Yonex also included a feature called Quake Shut Gel which filters out unwanted vibrations going into your wrist and hand. With all of these vibration dampening features, the Yonex Ezone is one of the best tennis racquets for tennis elbow.
Wilson Blade 98 V7
This is a superb racquet to use when we are thinking about racquets for tennis elbow. It is -6 head light which makes it easy to maneuver and that the impact of striking the ball is taken by the handle of the racquet. The strung weight is 11.3 which is just about right in terms of it being easy on your arm when playing.
In terms of flexibility(score: 63), the Wilson Blade 98 has enough give to ensure it’s comfortable to play with and absorbs the racquet on ball vibrations.
One of the best features of this racquet is that it has a big sweet spot meaning that it is easier to hit the ball properly. As we have already noted, the incorrect striking of the ball is one of the main causes of tennis elbow and the Wilson Blade 98 easily prevents that.
To eliminate vibrations in your wrist, Wilson has also fitted an amplified handle to the head of the tennis racquet. This results in a great advantage when avoiding or curing tennis elbow.
Wilson Clash 100
The Wilson Clash has made a huge splash in the tennis racquets market when it was first released. Wilson says it’s one of the most arm-friendly tennis racquets and I completely agree!
With a low stiffness rating, the flex of the frame absorbs nearly all vibrations before they come to your arm. That makes hitting tennis balls all day very easy – even if you have tennis elbow.
The Wilson Clash 100 has a 100 sq inch head size and features an enormous sweet spot. This will help reduce any jarring or wrist/elbow pain you may get from off-center hits.
With the flex of the frame though, you’ll be able to feel the tennis ball brush up against the strings of your racquet with every stroke you take. That means the Wilson Clash is great for players who love to apply spin and power to every shot.
I was simply blown away during my time with the Wilson Clash and it’s clear that many other people have been as well. Reports are flooding the forums with people saying how the Wilson Clash has improved their game and kept them playing through tennis elbow.
For this tennis racquet, I’d recommend (especially if you’re suffering from severe tennis elbow) a string tension around 50 lbs. You can go lower if you wish but the minimum I’d recommend is 45 lbs string tension.
Prince Textreme Tour 100
Prince racquets are well known for producing brilliant racquets and this one is no exception. As with the Wilson, it comes with all the features to help with any tennis elbow problems. The weight of it is really nice – it’s not too heavy but has enough about it to take the strain of playing and protect you.
It is another head light product too so this helps in preventing undue physical stress on you when on the court.
The RDC Flex rating comes in at 59 which is very flexible and gives a nice feeling when you hit the ball with it.
The strung weight is comparable with the Wilson at 11.3 and a length of 27 inches is perfect for reducing any shocks to the body that might cause tennis elbow.
Being this length and size also makes the racquet very easy to swing and play with.
I think this is actually one of the main plus points – it’s so easy to play with and ‘arm friendly’ so that it will stop any problems before they begin.
HEAD Graphene 360+ Prestige
The HEAD Graphene 360+ Prestige racquet is a great product and a great tennis racquet for tennis elbow afflicted people. The head measures 98 sq inches which may seem a little small but in many ways, this is perfect for what we need.
The smaller head makes the racquet easier to use and control your shots – this, in turn, takes away any problems caused by mis-hitting balls.
The beam profile of it is nice and thin which leads to a flexible frame. It is another racquet that is head light with all the previously discussed advantages this brings.
The weight distribution of this racquet is heavily optimized preventing torque from going into the wrist from the handle.
Overall the Head Graphene 360+ Prestige is a racquet for tennis elbow with the right amount of power, weight, and control that makes it a joy to play with.
Volkl V-Feel V1
The Volkl V Feel is a racquet I actually hadn’t played with when I first wrote this article. However, so many people commented and emailed me asking about my opinion that I knew I had to pick it up.
Here’s the quick takeaway: the Volkl V-Sense is very comfortable and easy on your joints. Using this racquet will ease and eliminate your tennis elbow in a matter of weeks.
That being said, I would recommend the Volkl V-Feel tennis racquet mainly for beginners or older tennis players who struggle a lot with tennis elbow. On the court, the Volkl V-Feel is comfortable but it doesn’t have the same power or control as other tennis racquets on this list.
With a huge 110-inch head size, the racquet definitely has enough power and a big sweet spot to make the ball easy to hit.
The real magic of the Volkl V-Feel though is in the Super G Grommet System. What does that mean or do? The grommets in this tennis racquet minimize vibrations preventing joint pain. That’s why this Volkl tennis racquet is known for being good for tennis elbow.
In addition to the grommets, this racquet also features a tiny pendulum pin in the handle. That helps absorb those quick and sharp vibrations when you make hard contact with the ball. This will help any wrist pain you’re experiencing.
Overall, it depends on your situation. The Volkl V-Feel is more of a “therapeutic tennis racquet” and will help you get over tennis elbow quickly.
But will your game become much better using this racquet? Yes, up to a certain point. It’s mostly designed for comfort. Once you feel comfortable enough to move on to a technical and powerful racquet, this racquet can help expedite that if you’re struggling with tennis elbow.
Honorable Mention: Donnay’s Tennis Racquets
Said to be the most arm-friendly tennis racquets on the market today, Donnay’s deserves a shoutout when it comes to looking for tennis racquets to help with tennis elbow.
Similar to the Volkl V-Sense though, I get the feeling they’re designed for comfort and for tennis elbow not performance.
My favorite Donnay tennis racquet is the Donnay Formula 100 Hexacore. Said to be reminiscent of the Babolat Pure Drive, this tennis racquet offers a great mix of spin, control, and feel on the court.
The flexible frame easily absorbs all vibrations allowing you to play tennis for longer than ever before.
A women who weighs 125 lbs, an 11.2+ ounces is too heavy. Any recommendations for a 10.2 unstrung racquet?
I would recommend the Head Microgel Radical Midplus. While it clocks in at 10.4 oz unstrung versus 10.2, it is a very arm friendly racquet and provides a lot of power while reducing vibration to your elbow.
Any woman can handle a racket, even one over 12 ounces. What is more important is swing weight. I have two rackets which both weigh 12.41 ounces strung. One feels much heavier than the other due to its higher swing weight. It is 4 points headlight while the Volkl Powerbridge 10 Mid is 10 points headlight. The Volkl is one of the most arm-friendly rackets out there. Keep in mind, also, that most amateurs string their rackets much too tight. Over 50 pounds is okay for the pros, but try stringing in the low 40’s and you will be surprised how happy your arm will be plus the added power.
Simple
….get STRONGER!! YOU CAN HANDLE THE HEAVIER FRAME!!
I’m a 120lb, female, 3.5 player suffering tennis elbow. I’m trying to decide between Yonex Ezone DR 100 or 98. I like the spes better for DR 98, but like the bigger sweet spot on DR 100, any suggestion?
If you’re a 3.5 player, I would highly suggest the Yonex Ezone DR 98. It provides enough forgiveness in the frame to avoid jarring when hitting off center shots if that’s your main concern. Have you played with a 98 inch head size before? It’s not a major difference but it does give you slightly more control. As you move up in the rankings, I would suggest focusing on control more than power ESPECIALLY if you’re suffering from tennis elbow right now. The forgiveness that DR 98 provides you and the control I believe will suit you well. Let me know what you end up choosing!
Thank you for the suggestion. I’m thinking about testing a few racquets: Yonex Ezone Dr 98, Head Instinct MP, Head MXG3 (like the feel), and Volkl Super G V1 Pro. What do you think my choices? Thank you!
Personally, I really like the Yonex Ezone DR 98. It’s a very comfortable racquet but very powerful on the court. However, if you personally like the Head MXG3, go with that racquet! A large part of choosing a tennis racquet is a personal choice for your specific playing style.
what would you string this racket at?
Probably 50 – 55 lbs. If that feels a little uncomfortable, you could go a little lighter around 45 – 50 but I wouldn’t go lower than that. 50-55 is where the racquet will feel lively while still reducing vibrations.
Hi Julian, I’ve just started getting tennis elbow, not a very sharp pain, but I can feel it’s sore. Currently I have the Wilson ultra tour old one, 305g, and babalot pure drive, and Wilson blade 98 old one. Are any of these good or shall I go for the Yonex enzone?
I am a 4.5 player with a bad case of tennis elbow. 5’3” and 110 pounds. What racket would you recommend. Have tried my boyfriends Wilson k factor six one team which I like but it’s an old racket and can’t find the equivalent. Thank you
Deb
Hey Deb,
The best equivalent to the Wilson k factor is the Wilson K Zero strung. These are very arm friendly racquets and super powerful. Good choice!
Had severe tennis elbow so I quit playing for 6 weeks, used a flex exercise bar and went to a Pro Kennex Ki 5 315 when I started playing again. It was hard to get used to the heavier racquet, but have used it for years and tennis elbow has not returned. This racquet is worth a mention.
I haven’t actually heard of this brand before. Thank you for bringing it to my attention! I’ll look into it further.
what would be the tension I should use on my Yonex EZONE 98 DR racquet, I’m a 3.5 player suffering tennis elbow…
Thanks!
I would use somewhere between 50 – 55 lbs. That’s the range where that racquet has the most power and liveliness.
I am a 4.0 male player, how would you rate the Wilson pro staff 97 ?
I like the Wilson pro staff 97! However, for tennis elbow, it is not the best racquet. The Pro Staff is a very stiff racquet which means that it will transfer all of the vibrations from hitting the ball straight to the elbow. Definitely not the best for somebody experiencing tennis elbow.
what the stiffness of the YONEX EZone DR 98?
It has a flex rating of 62 which means it is very arm friendly.
Would appreciate some advice. I’m a 50 year old 130lb woman 4.5/5.0 singles player mostly and have been using the Wilson K Four X ( 9.3 oz / 107″) for 10 years or so with no problem but for the last few months have struggled with tennis elbow. I have little back swing and hit the ball very flat. I am at the point of picking a new racquet and sort of narrowed it to the Volkl V Sense1 and the Wilson Triad 5. Do you have any other suggestions? Many thanks.
Hey Donna,
You may want to try out the Wilson Burn or the Wilson Ultra. Both are pretty comfortable and pack lots of power. I actually really like the Wilson K Four X and think it’s a really comfortable racquet. Have you tried any braces for tennis elbow yet?
While we enjoy picking various racquets to help tennis elbow, my 30 years of experience says that each and every player is unique. The combinations of frame and string is endless. Go to someone who understands technique, frame stiffness and sweetspot. In addition, you will need CUSTOM stringing so pick someone capable of delivering the full package.
My daughter is suffering from tennis elbow
She is 9 years old !
Her weight 30 kg
Her length 129 cm
Any recommendations for suitable racquet for her ?
And the how can i choose the right size ?
At that age? How much is she playing? Being so young, she may just be playing tennis too much. Or swinging the racquet with the wrong form. Make sure her form is good before you look for a different racquet. I don’t think it’s the tennis racquet with her being so young. I would focus on practicing her form and taking time off from playing tennis.
Three months ago, my daughter was diagnosed with tennis elbow
After whole month of treatment the pain was increasing
I have had many medical tests to discover a crack in the right elbow!
A splint was made for 3 weeks
Then began in physiotherapy sessions for two weeks
Then she returned to training gradually and started with the orange ball then green and the yellow ball as she used to
She was fine for two weeks and suddenly her elbow hurt her alot
She did Magnetic resonance imaging
And there was a Severe inflammation of the tendons
And mild joint effusion means ( tennis elbow )
She stopped playing again and she is soo deppressed
I wish her healing soon and back again to the sports fields 🙏
Actually she was playing about 8 hours a week
Maybe less may be more
About swinging raquet the last two times her coach was learning her new technique in backhand
What about the head graphene radical xt mp and it’s relation to tennis elbow?
Thanks
Hey! I like the Head Graphene Radical XT MP. If you’re experiencing tennis elbow while using it, I’d suggest a brace first and being sure to put a vibration dampener on your racquet.
My MXG5 is strung with natural gut at 52lbs. But it does not help my arm at all. What is the fix for this?
Hmm, it could be a number of things. That’s a racquet that will definitely transfer a lot of vibration to your hand. If you’re looking for a quick temporary solution, I would suggest looking at some tennis elbow braces. But for a long term solution, I would recommend trying out different racquets.
I am make 27 year old beginner. I play for 5 days a week (1 hour max). I am experiencing wrist and elbow pains. I had a cheap beginner racquet and was thinking to switch one. Any suggestions ? (I am 6ft, 68 kgs)
Yeah! Yonex has super comfortable racquets that are great for all skill levels. As a beginner though, you may want to focus on your form first before looking at other racquets. I’d suggest looking into group or private lessons. You don’t need a lot of them to learn basic form.
I am a club player (33 years old) experiencing tennis elbow on and off. Post every tennis session, I will have severe tennis elbow pain which will last for 2 days. I tried different racquet with various strings but none were helpful. I tried heavier racquet and I find it difficult in manoeuvrability.
Currently, I am using Head Graphene XT Radical S with Head Lynx Edge stringed at 53lbs. Though it is very flexible racquet, it is not helping me. Can you please recommend a racquet and strings to minimise my tennis elbow pain. Thank you in advance.
Have you tried any Yonex racquets? I’ve found them to be more comfortable than most. Head tennis racquets tend to be stiffer as a whole and transmit more vibrations to your wrist and elbow.
Have you tried any Yonex racquets? I’ve found them to be more comfortable than most. Head tennis racquets tend to be stiffer as a whole and transmit more vibrations to your wrist and elbow.
Hi, I am a 162 cm male weighing 140 lbs. I use a 11.4 oz Wilson k factor unstrung which I bought few years back.. it has definitely not caused any elbow. Please suggest ideal string tension. Also should I change my racquet?
In general, the Wilson K Factor is a pretty comfortable racquet. In this case, it might be your form. Have you tried having somebody videotape you and comparing it to videos on youtube? I particularly like these videos on youtube for form:
forehand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZj7DIEftPg
backhand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBguk3yRPgI
Pro Kennis racquets are probably the best racquets for anyone who has tennis elbow. The beads really do work!
Can anyone clear my confusion. Arm friendly racquets should be less stiff, RA in lower sixties. Pro kennex tennis racquets which are supposed to be very arm- friendly, are stiff racquets, with RA of 68, 72, . I would like to buy one,if I am able to understand this contradiction. Thanks
As with anything there’s kind of a sliding scale between arm friendliness and stiffness. The less stiff racquets make your arm do more of the work which some people don’t like. They find it aggravates the injury. Overall, if you get a racquet that is too stiff, it tends to transmit the shock of hitting the ball straight to the arm. Obviously this isn’t good either. Most people should go with a less stiff racquet. That’s the correct answer for 90% of people. However, some people should go with a slightly stiffer racquet like the Pro Kennex. These racquets provide a good mix of sheltering your arm from shock while also doing a lot of the work of hitting the ball and generating power for you.
had tennis elbow after using Wilson Blade Serena Williams. Went to chiro & after research switched to Pro Kennex (after Tennnis Warehouse rec) and have almost no problems despite playing a lot. I will say I usually use cold pack after playing.
Highly recommend Pro Kennex despite their being under the radar.
Hi there! Thank you for providing this, rather very informative write-up on correct racket selection in tennis elbow. I weigh 165 lbs, age 48 and a 4.5 level player who has been playing tennis for more than 40 years. Back in 90s, I was captain of my University Tennis Team and competed in few national level tournaments. For the last few years, I’ve developed tennis elbow that won’t go away. I use Wilson Pro Staff 97 weighing 310 gms (unstrung). What would you recommend in my case as I still participate in club level tournaments and play competitive. Kindly let me know if you require any further information. Thank you again.
Oooof! Be warned, you may not like this answer.
The Wilson Pro Staff is one of the worst racquets for tennis elbow. It’s very heavy, stiff, and transmits a lot of vibrations.
Have you tried out the Wilson Countervail? Or, you should check out the Babolat Strike! That’s a VERY competitive racquet that advanced players tend to love.
Hi, So I’m 48 years old, weigh 165 lbs. I was captain of my university tennis team for 3 years and played some national level tournaments back in 90s. Currently I play my club tournaments regularly. I can categorize myself as a 4.5 level player. I’ve been using with Wilson ProStaff 97 – a 2014 model which weighs 310 gms (unstrung). I’ve been experiencing some serious tennis elbow problem for the last couple of years. Earlier I was thinking, it was due to age. But now I think it is because of my racket, perhaps, as I’m not sure. Can you advise what racket would be best suited for my age. I’m still quite athletic, love to play a hard, competitive game and win over most of my younger club players. Thanks!
The Wilson Pro Staff 97 is not very arm friendly at all. It’s very heavy, stiff, and transmits a lot of vibrations to your arm.
The bad news? You may need to start testing out new tennis racquets. The good news? There’s a lot of racquets that are well suited for people in your situation. I would suggest the Wilson Countervail, Babolat Strike, or even the Babolat Pure Drive. The Countervail and the Strike are more suited for people with long swings because they rely on the player to generate power. The Babolat Pure Drive will definitely keep your joints happy. It generates a lot of power in the right hands.
Hello I am a female suffering from tennis elbow for the past 8 months. I have to stop playing all this time because had a partial fracture of the tendon.
I used to play with a Babolat Aero with 300 grams.
I play more or less 3 times a week. Learned to play when I was little and now I am on my 40’s. Have a very powerful game and my forehand is with one hand. That is how I got injured I think.
I am looking for a new Raquet maybe a little lighter. Went to the store and they recommended:
1. Head Radical S
2. Wilson Ultra 100L
3. Babilla Pure drive
They are all around 280 grams
Which one would you recommend?
Thanks!
Sylvia
I really like the Wilson Ultra 100L. It’s combination of maneuverability with a big sweetspot makes it a great choice for you.
I had a tennis elbow so I quit playing for a few weeks. After that, I tried some recommended rackets for the tennis elbow, and finally went to a Pro Kennex Q Plus Tour 300 (FLEX: 63RA). I have used it for a year and tennis elbow has not returned. This racquet is worth a mention.
Hi
I’m playing with babolat pure control strung at t0, Blue Hitter Blue Rough strings Which is co poly because I like how it gives me more topspin. However, after years of playing with it, I’ve suddenly developed TE. I should mention that in 5 weeks this summer, I played twice without any issue until this week. Puzzled whether it’s the set up, or not. Not sure if I should change rackets and strings or just string same racket with Gut? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
If it doesn’t keep happening, it may just be overplaying. Take a break and make sure to go through all of the recommended steps for helping tennis elbow. Use a brace, make sure to stretch it in your off time, and alternate between hot and cold treatments.
Hi
I have been playing with babolat pure control strung at 50 with Tourna BHBR strings for years because I like this copoly for topspin. I played 2x in t weeks this summer, but this week suddenly I’ve developed TE. Should I change rackets and strings? Or should I keep racket but play with gut instead?
I was recommended Volkl DNX with synthetic gut, any thoughts?
Hmm, I would definitely try gut strings first because those can definitely help. From there, if you’re looking Volkl, I’d also suggest looking at the Volkl V-Feel series as well. All of the tennis racquets in that line are specifically designed to be comfortable and help prevent tennis elbow.
Hello,
I have bee. Fighting golfers elbow for almost a year now. I am a 4.0 player. I used Babolot for years but recently switched to the Wilson Ultra 100l, countervail. I am also having a soft stroling, Wilson nxt power 17g. Although I think I’m recovering, pain in my forearm (inside) won’t fully go away. I ice it 2x a day and have been seeking chiropractic Care. Any suggestions?
Also, is wearing a brace with a cushion pad good for golfers elbow. I heard so many good reviews but some say it can cause more strain on elbow. I am lost on whether or not I should be wearing a golfers elbow strap.
Thank you for the input!
Hmm pain in your forearm may be caused by your grip. You may be gripping your racquet too tight exhausting your forearm. Have you tried any overgrips?
And wearing a brace for golfers elbow should be fine. I also wrote a more detailed article on the best tennis elbow braces here. You’ll notice there’s a lot of overlap between tennis and golf elbow.
Everyone keeps mentioning Yonex DR 98. But I can’t find it anywhere to buy or demo. Is this being made or is there a newer version on the market? I’d love to try this.
Also what do you think of babolat excel on mains and crosses once I find an elbow friendly racket?
Hi! It’s available on Amazon! I have not seen it in many stores as the most common stores tend to push the bigger brands like Head, Wilson, or Prince.
Hi. Great article. I don’t have tennis elbow but want to prevent it from happening. I am 5’11” and 180lbs and a 3.5 player. I like the Babolat Pure Strike followed by the Yonex EZONE DR 98. Any concerns with the Pure Strike 16×19 Project One racket?
Thanks.
Absolutely none! I love the Babolat Pure Strike and it’s actually one of my top recommended racquets for advanced players. It’s a great tennis racquet!
Hi, when you say GUT strings, do you mean synthetic gut, or natural gut?
I typically use synthetic gut but that’s because I’m cheap haha. The only difference is that natural gut hits a little bit smoother and is more expensive.
Do you believe that going down a grip size would be helpful? I’m a 4.0 player –have been using Wilson Steam for past 5-6 years and usually my elbow tells me when it’s time to restring–poly blend at 55 lbs. But after a summer of 6days/week and heavy usta schedule my tennis elbow is raging. Already tried going down 3 lbs and changing from 16 to 17 guage. Thinking of going to the Blade but wondering about moving from 4 3/8 to 4 1/4. Any sugggestions
Typically going down a grip size is not the right move. First, I’d recommend to take some time off. Try some different racquets like the ones here. Have you tried a brace?
I’m trying to decide between Wilson Ultra Tour, Wilson Blade 98 CV 16×19, and Volkl Vsense 10 325. I’m coming off golfers elbow and have been in PT for 2-3 months. Which do you recommend? I’ve hit with them and like all of them. I’m thinking Wilson NXT string at 45#. I’m using a brace now. Any suggestions would be super helpful.
If you like all of them, it really comes down to playing style. I used to play with the Wilson Blade 98 CV a lot so I’m a little biased towards that one. I think it’s a superb all-court racquet. The Wilson Ultra Tour is very good at applying spin so if use spin a lot in your game, that may be a good fit for you though.
I’m an intermediate player. My weight 80kg. Have a tennis elbow playing with Babolat pure drive 300gm. Shall I go to less weight ??? Plz advice
Hmm, how much have you been practicing? You may just need to take a break. How long have you had the racquet? Did the tennis elbow develop right after you got it? If the problem is the racquet, you would see the tennis elbow develop pretty quickly while playing.
Pure Drive 2018 destroyed my elbow, Many times when I see someone with a PD at my club or any other club they are wear a TE brace, I think its the worse racket in the world for TE, now I hate it, yet when I first brought it i thought I was so cool and was going to smash everyone, lesson learnt the hard way
Hi. Thanks for this article and the supported feedback! I’m a 45 yr old 4.5 player who grew up playing in the 80s (ie hit with spin) and play mostly doubles now. I’m average size – 5’10 and 175 and fairly athletic. I’ve used Head Radical for years but have wear and tear from years of playing (rotator tear and tennis elbow) and need to switch to something that doesn’t create as much arm stress. What do you recommend that will be softer on my arm that still enables me to create power and have control? Yes, my next question is… how do you solve world peace. Thanks for any recommendations – racket, string, and tension.
First of all, world peace is easy….
No, I’m just kidding. All of the tennis racquets in this article are good for tennis elbow. For you, I’d recommend trying out the Wilson Countervail. That’s an immensely powerful racquet that will go easy on your joints.
I have a chronic tendinitis in my elbow, and had to stop playing tennis. I used to play with Wilson n code no-one tour. Is this raquet ok with problem?
Yeah that racquet will be fine! Something you may want to consider also is the Wilson Blade. That’s a very similar racquet to the Wilson N-code series.
Hi, I have been playing for the last 1.5 year after 15+ years off. I use a very old inexpensive racquet that all the pros criticize. I am ready for a new racquet. I tried the Head TI S6 and liked it, but the pros recommended something heavier. I tried the Blade 104 and really liked it, but started to have arm problems. I think I’m not comfortable with the extra weight. The problem keep reoccurring with my old racquet now. I also tried the HEAD graphene 360 S and felt it was good for my arm, but not for my game. I am about a 3.0. What would you recommend?
Hmmm, you may want to try one of the Volkl V-Feel series of tennis racquets. Volkl and Yonex tennis racquets are great for tennis elbow and they have a variety of ranges and weights that will go easy on your joints.
Hello, I am a 5’10”, 148lb woman who is on the upper end of 4.0 rating.
I have both golfers and tennis elbow although the golfers side is much worse.
I am looking to change rackets to a tendonitis elbow friendly racket. Can you please advise for the 2019 products out there which would be best and recommended tension.
Currently I am playing with a Prince EXO3 with a 58 tension.
Any recommendations would be most appreciative.
Of course!
I’d suggest trying out the Wilson Ultra or the Yonex 100. Both excel in terms of sweetspot and applying spin on your shots. I’d go a little lighter on the tension than 58 lbs for both of those. Somewhere around 52lbs should be ideal.
Hi. What do you think of the Babolat Aero for tennis elbow, both the regular or the long? I’m an advanced player over 55 who had never ever had tennis elbow after decades of tennis but have now been out almost a year. With racquets or just change the strings and tension? Thanks!
I like the Babolat Aero because it’s so lightweight. However, that can actually hurt you by throwing out your elbow.
I would definitely recommend demoing a couple of racquets at your local club. If you’ve been out for a year, you need to make drastic changes.
The Volkl v1 classic
Is one of the best racquets for tennis elbow. Most of the Volkl racquets are very easy on elbows.
I am a 5’2″ 105 pound 4.5 woman player I suffered tennis elbow a lot in the past and have been playing with a Wilson Spin that doesn’t hurt my elbow. However I feel the power lacks with this racquet and am looking for a new one. I love the Head Pro extreme but am worried about the elbow. I like pretty fast racquet speed but still like control. I have been told a heavier racquet is good for the elbow but feel I need to balance my ability to get the racquet back and swing quickly with the wait. I noticed I didn’t play well with the light versions of a couple of rackets. Any suggestions on a racquet?
Hmmm if you’re looking for a slightly heavier racquet, you may want to try out the Wilson Countervail. That racquet packs a Wallop and is great for people who have long swings.
Hi there, I also have had some fairly serious tennis elbow issues and stopped playing for 6 months. I am a 4.0 women in my 40’s and play a fairly hard-hitting game. I am currently trialling a Wilson Triad XP 5 on a recommendation from my coach, and wondered what you think of this racquet? I understand that it is arm-friendly and am wondering, as it is classed as a beginner/intermediate racquet, if it will still allow me to progress my game to a higher/more advanced level?
Also, what would be your strings & tension recommendation for this?
Thanks heaps
That is a very arm friendly tennis racquet! I wouldn’t wonder about the class of the tennis racquet. As you develop your game more, you’ll know when you need to switch. Most people can advance solely through more practice and better form. If you know you have good form but you feel like your tennis game is lacking in one aspect then it may be time to look for a new racquet.
Hi,
I am testing the tecnifibre t-flash 300 powerstab and the Wilson ultra 100 c.v. Right now I have to make a decision between these racquets, but they play almost the same. I have tested the racquets this week for 6 hours and my arm really hurts a lot. This is a common problem for me, but I don’t know if it is from one of the racquets.
I want a racquet around 300 grams. And the pain comes from the service. Can you recommend a racquet for me ?
I have played the head graphene xt instinct mp before but didn’t like it. I loved the Wilson burn 100s cv but my strings broke too fast
Thank you
Hi! I’m 41, intermediate, 5’9 , 177 weight. Been having tennis elbow and shoulder to bicep tendonitis, though the latter has receded somewhat. Currently use a Babolat Pure Drive. Constantly needing physio, ice and pads to keep on playing. Been researching. Tried couple demos for Ezone 98 and Vcore 98 liking the latter more. But it seems EZone works better for tennis elbow / shoulder? Thanks a lot!!
Hey Daniel, that’s been my experience. Above all, remember that the final decision should be yours! Ask, how does the racquet feel in your hands? That’s what’s important
Hi there
Lots of good information here! Appreciate it. My situation – I’m a 4.5 male player. My game is a mix – powerful flat serve, but also kick and slice. I’ve played with a Babolat Pure Drive for as long as I can remember. Babolat Gut VS Touch on the mains, Alu Power on the crosses. Played a few weeks ago and for the first time, my elbow really wasn’t happy. Been resting, icing, and strengthening my whole arm and shoulder. It’s feeling better (and certainly stronger).
Thinking I should contemplate trying a more arm/elbow friendly racquet.
Any suggestions for me are really appreciated.
Tom
Hey Tom,
If it’s only the first time, I would take a little break (maybe a week or 2) and try out some of some of the braces on this page braces for tennis elbow
I use the pro kennex kinetic 15g for years then suddenly it started hurting my wrist and entire arm, even when I purchased a couple brand new ones. This is so mysterious I can’t figure out why. One question I have is when tension is reduced past a certain point can the vibration hurt your arm. I am using a Wilson 5.0 Hammer stretch strong at 20 lb with synthetic gut and natural gut and it does not hurt my arm have everyone I have tried to set up and other rackets the vibration actually hurts my arm.
No one seems to carry the yonex ezone DR 98 (amazon has one odd reference). Yonex no longer lists the DR line. Would the ezone 98 be arm friendly?
Yes, the ezone 98 is pretty arm friendly.
I find it surprising that your review doesn’t mention Donnay, a company that manufactures strictly to create a more arm friendly racquet. I bought my Donnays about four months before I was scheduled for surgery on my elbow. I didn’t change anything, but my elbow pain disappeared and I cancelled my surgery.
I don’t see any mention of the Wilson Clash. I just switched to a Wilson Clash Pro Tour 100 and have developed TE. Pretty sure I’m not using gut and also went down a grip size. Wss thinking an over-wrap and switching to gut strings. Overall is the Clash series good or bad for TE ?
I am just now getting back into tennis after a 13+ year hiatus. I dusted off my old Prince CTS Thunderstick oversize, and picked up where I lift off. Having had 2 shoulder and wrist surgeries and an elbow dislocation, I enjoyed the heavy weight, power and control. Unfortunately, after 3 days of playing, my tennis elbow returned (which I had forgotten about), which seems to be directly related to serving, as I had rallied with my daughters for many days/hours prior to my first match with no pain and I never feel any pain other than serving. I had a big serve in 77; clocked at 110, 99% second serve, 95% first serve using the infamous Cannon Aldila, yes the one with the quarter size sweet spot that required your complete concentration just to hit a halfway descent shot, but serving with that thing was awesome. Would you still suggest the Yonex Ezone DR98? What about the new Wilson Clash, any of those models be good for us with tennis elbow?
I would still recommend the Yonex Ezone DR98! It is definitely one of the most comfortable racquets I’ve ever played with and I found that it really helped me recover from tennis elbow. I haven’t had a chance to try the Wilson Clash yet so I can’t give a great recommendation either way. I’ll add it to my list!
Hi.
I have suffered with tennis elbow for over 2 years. I am just returning to the game and play at club level. I am a 49 year female (and to be honest pretty out of shape at present). I was previously playing with a Wilson Sting (very old racquet). I purchased a Wilson Burn S prior to my injury but have only played with that a couple of times. I have never loved playing with it and am looking to replace it. It weighs 303g UNstrung. I was considering something a bit lighter. I am noterested in the Yonex racquet you mention – would the one at 285g be an option or would you suggest sticking with something a little heavier? Would you recommend the Yonex over the Wilson Blade? Many thanks.
*interested in the Yonex
Do you have any update for this blog with the new brand realeses? For example Yonex DR 100 is discontinued, as I know. Thanks
Yes! While the Yonex DR 100 has been discontinued, they do have the Yonex 100 which is a VERY similar tennis racquet. I have updated the article accordingly.
Hi! I have tennis elbow and was wondering if either the Wilson Triad XP3 or the Head Instict PWR are good choices to play with this condition, I am a female at about a 3.0 level. Can you please recommend either one of the above mentioned or another choice? Thanks!
Hmm, I wouldn’t recommend the Head Instinct PWR. It weighs in at 8.7 oz which is really light and will transmit a lot of vibrations to your elbows. The Wilson Triad 3 is a great choice though!
I’m 2.5/3.0 player suffering from tennis elbow. Someone told me Wilson Clash lines, like Clash 100 and 100 Tour are one of the most “soft” and arm friendly racquet in the market. But none of them are on your list. How do you feel about the Clash lines racquets compare to those on your list?
Hey Linda,
To be honest, this list needs some updating! I’ve since added the Wilson Clash racquets to this list because I tried them out and found them so comfortable. The Wilson Clash lines are great tennis racquets from Wilson.
Hi. I’m 51, 5’1″, 100lbs, play w a Babolat Pure Drive Lite, Grip 4.0. Wilson NXT strings @ 55lbs. Severe tennis elbow. Play with a LOT of topspin. Abt a 3.5 level. Any suggestions for a new racquet or should I just buy a new version of what I have? strings are changed often but frame is older. Thx in advance!
Hey Karen,
How old is the Babolat Pure Drive? You may want to upgrade to the newest frame if it’s really old (2014 or earlier). If you’re really struggling with tennis elbow though, you may want to check out racquets from Prince and ProKennex. While I haven’t played with a ProKennex racquet in a while, Prince racquets are known for being really good for players who use a lot of spin.
Thanks Julian! My Babolat has to be at least 5 years old so perhaps your suggestion on getting a new frame is a good one! Also do you think that’s the right Babolat to get? I also just tried adding some lead tape on my racquet to see if the added weight helps.
Hello,
What about the Wilson Ultra 100L?
Any of the newer ProKennex racquets?
Thanks,
Jack.
Dear Julian,
In the intro you mention “If you’re simply looking for a new tennis racquet that’s easy on your arm, I highly recommend the Yonex Ezone 100. ” Do you mean the one that is currently for sale, as the editor’s pick is the Yonex Ezone DR 100 from 2016 or so?
Thanks,
Ronald