If you have tennis elbow or want to avoid it, choose a racquet with a flexible frame (a lower RA stiffness rating), enough weight with a head-light balance to absorb shock, and a mid-to-large head with a forgiving sweet spot. String it with a soft multifilament or natural gut at a lower tension, and make sure the grip size is right. Equipment helps, but technique and medical advice matter most.
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a common overuse injury. The right equipment can reduce the shock that reaches your arm. If you have pain, see a doctor or physiotherapist; equipment is one part of recovery, not a substitute for treatment.
Racquet choices
Flexible frame
Frame stiffness is shown as an RA rating. Stiffer frames (around 68 RA and up) transmit more shock. Flexible frames (about 62 to 65 RA or lower) feel softer and are kinder to the arm.
Weight and balance
Mass absorbs shock. A moderately weighted racquet with a head-light balance is usually more arm-friendly than a very light, head-heavy one. Choose the heaviest racquet you can still swing comfortably through a full match.
Head size
A mid-to-large head (around 100 sq in and up) gives a bigger sweet spot, so fewer off-center hits jar the arm.
Strings and tension
- Soft strings: multifilament or natural gut.
- Lower tension: within the racquet’s recommended range, toward the lower end.
- Avoid full polyester, which is stiff and harsh.
- Restring regularly: dead strings lose their cushioning.
Grip size
A grip that is too small makes you squeeze harder; too large strains the forearm differently. Get the size right and add an overgrip for cushioning.
Arm-friendly setup checklist
- Flexible frame (lower RA)
- Moderate weight, head-light balance
- 100 sq in head or larger
- Multifilament or natural gut strings
- Lower tension, fresh strings
- Correct grip size
Beyond equipment
Technique matters: late contact and a tight grip increase strain. A lesson with a coach, a warm-up routine and strengthening exercises from a physiotherapist all help.
Common questions
Do vibration dampeners help tennis elbow?
Not much. Dampeners reduce string vibration and the ping sound, but they don't meaningfully reduce the shock that travels through the frame to the arm.
Is a lighter racquet better for tennis elbow?
Not always. Very light racquets transmit more shock to the arm. A moderately weighted, head-light racquet that you can still swing comfortably often feels better.
What strings are best for tennis elbow?
Soft strings such as multifilament and natural gut, strung at the lower end of the racquet's tension range. Avoid full polyester setups.