One of the most painful things a tennis player can go through involves tennis elbow. Trying to simply play through it can cause a slew of problems.
Rest might be the only solution, but at some point, players want to make a return. Should they use a specific racquet?
Every player is different, but these nine racquets are great starting points to prevent tennis elbow, or bounce back from a tennis elbow injury. Playing pain-free gets people back in the spirit of playing after some down times with an injury.
Here are the 9 best tennis racquets for tennis elbow (ranked from number 9 to 1).
9. ProKennex Ki Black Ace
ProKennex isn’t the most popular tennis racquet brand out there, but they have a solid option for people struggling with tennis elbow.
Using kinetic technology in the racquet, this option has outstanding shock absorption while still providing players with plenty of mass and stability behind shots.
It is a very maneuverable racquet that can play the modern style of game. At the same time, it has a classic setup that can work for intermediate players still looking to progress as well.
Coming in 300 grams and 315 grams, players can get the type of feel that they want. Getting a chance to demo it in some way beforehand will convince people whether it’s the right fit for them or not.
Pros
- Fairly inexpensive
- Kinetic technology works
- Very maneuverable around the court
Cons
- Not the most popular brand
- Strings break pretty quickly
8. Yonex VCORE Pro 97HD
A common theme for a lot of elbow-friendly racquets is that they don’t necessarily have a small head size. At 97 in.², the Yonex VCORE Pro 97HD goes against that thought process.
However, it has a lot of fuel and control with an 18×20 string pattern and a very thin beam for additional comfort.
This is a stable player’s racquet that works best in the hands of players who are more on the advanced side.
It has a pretty solid weight to it, so players will need to generate their own power to get the most out of it.
Instead of fearing the thought of moving up to a heavier racquet, this one puts tennis elbow issues to the side.
Pros
- Outstanding feel
- Great control with an 18×20 string pattern
- Stability shines for singles and doubles
Cons
- Smaller sweet spot
- A bit too heavy for intermediate players
7. Head Graphene 360 Speed
An arm-friendly racquet that is the next in line of the Speed series is the Head Graphene 360 Speed Pro.
With the stock version coming in with a large sweetspot, this works for any player wanting a ton of power.
Older players are a bit more susceptible to tennis elbow, which is why this has been a big hit in that age range.
A lightweight option allows players to maneuver around the court with the racquet and hit shots the way they want to.
The large sweetspot is very hard to miss, as players will find better consistency added to their game once they make the switch.
Pros
- Large sweetspot
- Great maneuverability
- Helps people bounce back from tennis elbow
Cons
- Fits a specific type of playing style only
- Other Head racquets provide similar tennis elbow relief
6. Prince Phantom
A huge selling point of the Prince Phantom, specifically the 100X, is that it’s listed at a very inexpensive price. Prince has offered it as a bit of a budget racquet for players, who still want high performance to keep up with the best of the best.
Using Textrem X materials, this works specifically to cut down on vibration and dampen the impact of every stroke. This will help to eliminate any tennis elbow pain, or prevent it from ever flaring up.
A thicker frame also helps with power, as well as a smooth swing of the racquet. Players will find that it’s easy to maneuver on all types of shots to take control of points.
Power isn’t the best for players needed extra help in that category, as it’s more of a control-oriented racquet with a dense string pattern.
However, everything is designed perfectly to ensure that a player won’t be feeling too much shooting pain when they take a swing.
Pros
- Very inexpensive
- Flexible
- Comfortable on all strokes
Cons
- Dense string pattern cuts down more on raw power
- Can feel too lightweight against better players
5. Head Gravity
The Head Gravity racquet is a popular choice among tennis players due to its combination of power and control. One of the standout features of this racquet is its ability to help prevent tennis elbow.
A main cause of tennis elbow is the vibration that occurs when the ball hits the racquet. The Head Gravity racquet is equipped with a technology called d3o which helps absorb some of this vibration and reduce the impact on the player’s elbow.
This can help to reduce the risk of developing tennis elbow, or to alleviate the pain for those who already have it.
Additionally, the Head Gravity racquet has a slightly lighter weight than many other racquets on the market, which makes it easier to use during marathon matches. An arm that feels less tired isn’t going to put additional stress on the elbow.
Pros
- Built for added power
- Relatively light swingweight
- d3o technology works well
Cons
- Lighter racquet makes it tough for advanced players to hit hard
- Discounted price makes it hard to find in stock
4. Wilson Blade V7
That’s right, a slightly different (and cheaper) Blade makes this list. It’s not quite at the level of the latest version, but the Wilson Blade V7 is when the line started to be good for tennis elbow.
They have made some upgrades to how the racquet plays in the last two versions, with this one being a truly noticeable jump.
Simply put, the Wilson Blade takes a lot from the Wilson Clash. There’s that same muted field with every shot that makes players feel like they aren’t having vibrations going to their arms all the time.
The standard size of the 98 in.² racquet is control-oriented and ready to provide all types of overall playability.
Some have been loyal sticking with the Wilson Blade for more than a decade, and either the V7 or the V8 option is worth upgrading to.
This version can be found at a discount compared to the V8, so budget-conscious people should give it a try first and see if it works for them.
Pros
- Very control-oriented
- Sees a big boost and upgrade compared to the previous version
- Helps with a tennis elbow right away
Cons
- The V8 version is a little more well rounded
- Hard to find in stock without going to used websites
3. Yonex EZONE
The Yonex EZONE has been a fan-favorite for a lot of different players wanting feel, control, and a comfortable racquet that doesn’t throw them off.
Like a lot of racquets out there, Yonex puts out different types of EZONEs so that there’s one for everyone. The consistency with the line is that they all do a great job helping prevent tennis elbow issues.
The strings do a great job of absorbing the impact of each shot with the Yonex EZrone. They use a few different specific technologies to achieve this.
Another advantage of the EZONE (and any Yonex racquet for that matter) is the bigger sweet spot overall.
Yonex is known for having an isometric head shape that makes the sweet spot just a little bit bigger. It might not seem like that big of a change, but it’s enough to make players feel pretty comfortable.
EZONE users might need to mess with their string a bit to get the perfect fit, but tennis elbow issues shouldn’t be a problem. It’s one of the most popular performance racquets on the market currently.
Pros
- Solid comfort
- Easy to use at all levels
- Spin potential is there
Cons
- A little heavier than average for intermediate players
- Head shape isn’t for everyone
2. Wilson Blade V8
Another option from Wilson that is great for tennis elbow is the Wilson Blade line. It’s always been known for outstanding control and precision thanks to its thin and flexible beam.
Players can get a lot of feedback on the ball so that they know exactly where they are placing their shots.
Compared directly to the Clash, the Blade is more of a racquet for advanced players. They know how to take advantage of the thinner beam and provide their own power so that the racquet does the rest.
As far as tennis elbow is concerned, the 18×20 version has more strings than the 16×19. This usually is a positive for people who have had tennis elbow issues in the past.
They don’t have to worry about shots tearing up their arm because it’s a little bit softer on impact. Of course, changing the strings in either setup will make a difference as well.
Pros
- Improved technology makes it play similarly to the Clash
- 18×20 version is softer and provides great control
- Different versions help any type of player
Cons
- Not a lot of free power
- Thin beam takes getting used to
1. Wilson Clash V2
The Wilson Clash made headlines when it was first released as a brand-new model a few years ago. It focused on technology that helped out with tennis elbow significantly. Using FreeFlex and StableSmart improvements in the V2 takes comfort to a new level.
By now, a lot of people have tried the Wilson Clash at some point in their life. There isn’t a ton of change between the original and the V2, but it’s enough to give at least a little bit of consideration.
They found a way to make the sweet spot bigger for cleaner hits. Even if a player doesn’t hit the ball cleanly, it will reduce vibration and feel soft overall. In essence, it’s perfect for limiting tennis elbow pain.
Coming in a variety of versions, the V2 is perfect for just about any player out there. The standard 100 in.² option is a great place to start, but it can be tailored for just about any type of playing style.
Even better, Wilson offers customization options directly on the website if players want to walk away with a one-of-a-kind option.
Pros
- Very arm-friendly all the way around
- Easy to serve with and decent power
- Solid control
Cons
- Volleying a little bit challenging
- Feedback is different than other racquets
Choosing The Right Racquet For Tennis Elbow
There are a few factors to look at when trying to find a perfect racquet that will help people avoid tennis elbow.
Every player has slightly different needs, but paying attention to all these factors will help pinpoint exactly what could be changed.
Racquet Weight
A heavier racquet will put more stress on the body when swinging. Not only is it important to look at the actual weight of the racquet, but the swingweight as well.
Swingweight is judged based on the balance of the racquet and how it feels when actually in play.
Stiffness
If a racquet is flexible, it’s going to be a little comfier on the arm. Flexible flames will give a little bit when making contact with the ball. This cut down on vibrations.
The tough part about this is that the better the player, the stiffer the racquet should be in most cases. That’s because a stiffer racquet adds a certain level of control and power that flexible frames won’t have.
Head Size
A big head size with a large sweet spot will cut down on the number of mishits in most cases. That means fewer harsh vibrations, which can reduce the impact of tennis elbow.
Strings
Consider the type of strings, as well as the string pattern in a racquet. Both have a bigger impact than the average person realizes. Open string patterns usually do a bit better with tennis elbow, as it provides more free power and spin.
Soft strings also helped tremendously with tennis elbow. Natural gut and multifilament are two options worth exploring if polyester is tearing up a person’s arm.
The Fight Against Tennis Elbow
Nothing beats rest when it comes to treating tennis elbow after flaring up. It’s frustrating and can lead to people feeling anxious about getting on the court, but bouncing back becomes a lot easier.
When it’s time to get back on the court, change up a few things and see if the pain completely goes away.
It might take some tweaking of the racquet or buying new ones altogether, but it’s worth it in the end to avoid frustration.