Tennis Elbow (also known as lateral epicondylitis) is the scourge of many recreational players but there are steps you can take to limit elbow issues such as making sure you play with an arm friendly racket.
This article will explain what tennis elbow is and provide you with some tips on what you should look out for when purchasing an arm/elbow friendly frame.
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is a condition that is caused by the overuse of the muscles of the forearm near the elbow joint.
Symptoms include difficulty lifting and bending your arm, difficulty gripping items in your hand, and difficulty twisting your forearm.
Treatment usually involves avoiding the activity that caused the pain until the muscles in your forearm have had time to heal.
If you give your forearm adequate time to heal then the pain should subside over time.
How to Choose an Arm/Elbow Friendly Racket
The main thing you should look out for when purchasing an arm/elbow friendly racket is it’s weight, balance, and stiffness rating.
Weight
This is where many players go wrong when buying a racket to help with their elbow issues, as they think that a lighter frame will help but this, in fact, this is not true.
It is much better to go for a heavier racket as a heavier racket will absorb more of the shock from you hitting the ball so that it doesn’t travel up your arm as much.
I have had arm and elbow issues myself in the past but since I started playing with the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph (weights 360g strung), I have not had any elbow issues.
On occasion, I have played with a lighter frame but I have always regretted it as I would feel pain in my elbow the next day.
My recommendation would be to play with a frame that is at least 290g strung.
You can check out my list of recommended Arm/elbow Friendly Rackets below.
Balance
I believe that the balance of your racket is one of the key things to look out for when looking for a comfortable frame to play with as the more head light your racket the more arm friendly it will be.
A head light racket simply means the weight in the racket is more in the handle rather than in the head which makes it more maneuverable and easier on your arm.
Stiffness Rating
Stiffness is a measurement of how much a racket bends when it makes contact with the ball.
Stiffnesses range from 55 to 70 with rackets under 60 being considered arm friendly.
Generally speaking, the lower the stiffness rating of a racket the better it is for your arm.
However, I believe the weight and balance of a racket plays a much more important role when it comes to choosing a racket that will be comfortable to play with.
Recommended Arm Friendly Tennis Rackets for Tennis Elbow
Wilson Clash 100L – Best for Beginners
Like other rackets in the Clash family of rackets, the Clash 100L is arm friendly as it includes FeelFlex Technology, and is one of the best low stiffness rackets on the market.
The Clash 100L is a lighter version of the Clash 100 which makes it perfect for beginner players.
The Clash 100L has a 6pts Head Light balance, weighs 296g strung, and has a stiffness rating of 55 which makes it an ideal choice for those looking for a good arm friendly rackets for beginners.
Clash 100L Specs
| Head Size: | 100 in² |
| Length: | 27 in |
| Balance: | 6pts HL |
| Strung Weight: | 296g |
| String Pattern: | 16 x 19 |
| Stiffness Rating: | 55 |
Where can you buy the Clash 100L?
The Clash 100L is available to buy from Amazon and if you purchase it after clicking on the button below you will be helping to support our blog as we will earn a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to you.
Wilson Clash 100 – Best for Intermediate Players
The Clash 100 is a good option for intermediate players as it provides a good balance between power and control while still being very arm friendly.
Clash 100 Specs
| Head Size: | 100 in² |
| Length: | 27 in |
| Balance: | 7pts Head Light |
| Strung Weight: | 312g |
| String Pattern: | 16 x 19 |
| Stiffness Rating: | 59 |
Where can you buy the Clash 100?
The Clash 100 is available to buy from Amazon and if you purchase it after clicking on the button below you will be helping to support our blog as we will earn a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to you.
Wilson Blade 98 – Best for Advanced Players
If you looking for an arm friendly racket that is suited for more advanced players then a good option is the Wilson Blade 98.
The Blade 98 is popular with many recreational players and is endorsed by pros like Simona Halep, Alex de Minaur, and Emma Raducanu.
Wilson Blade 98 Specs
| Head Size: | 98 in² |
| Length: | 27 in |
| Balance: | 4pts Head Light |
| Strung Weight: | 334g |
| String Pattern: | 16 x 19 |
| Stiffness Rating: | 62 |
Where can you buy the Wilson Blade 98?
The Blade 98 is available to buy from Amazon and if you purchase it after clicking on the button below you will be helping to support our blog as we will earn a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to you.