The Best Tennis Racquets for Tennis Elbow
Serving Aces
Tennis elbow is one of the most common reasons players walk into our shop.
Usually after weeks of playing through it.
Here's the honest truth up front: a racquet won't cure tennis elbow. If you're in pain, see a physio.
But your racquet, your strings and your tension all decide how much shock travels up your arm on every single hit.
Get them right, and you take a lot of load off a sore elbow.
We'll cover:
- What actually makes a racquet arm-friendly
- The racquets we recommend most for sore arms
- Why your strings might be the real problem
- The setup changes that make the biggest difference
Quick answer: Look for a flexible frame, moderate weight, head-light balance and a larger head. Then string it with a soft multifilament or natural gut at a lower tension. The string change often helps as much as the racquet.
What makes a racquet arm-friendly?
Four things matter most.
1. A more flexible frame
Stiff racquets feel powerful. But that stiffness sends more vibration up your arm.
Flexible frames bend slightly on impact and soak up more of the shock.
2. Enough weight
This one surprises people.
Ultra-light racquets twist when the ball hits them, especially on off-centre shots. Your forearm absorbs that twist.
A moderate weight is often kinder to your elbow than the lightest racquet on the wall.
3. Head-light balance
Weight sitting in the handle is easier to control and easier on the elbow than weight sitting in the head.
4. A bigger head
A larger sweet spot means fewer off-centre hits.
And off-centre hits are the ones that jar.
The racquets we recommend most
These are the frames we see arm-sore players settle on again and again.
Volkl Vostra and V8
Volkl has built its reputation on comfort.
If someone comes in with a sore elbow, a Volkl is usually one of the first racquets we hand them.
Shop Volkl racquets or browse the Vostra range.
Wilson Clash
One of the most flexible modern frames you can buy.
Soft and connected, without feeling dead.
Yonex EZONE
A big, forgiving sweet spot and a comfortable feel, with plenty of easy power.
Head Boom
Easy power. Which means you don't have to muscle the ball, and your arm does less work.
Your strings might be the real problem
This is the part most players miss.
Stiff polyester strings are one of the most common causes of arm pain we see at club level.
Poly is brilliant for spin and control. It's what the pros use. But it's firm, and it goes dead well before it breaks, which makes it even harsher over time.
If your elbow is sore, change these first:
- Switch to a softer string. A multifilament or natural gut absorbs far more shock than polyester.
- Or use a hybrid. Keep a little poly for control, with a soft string in the crosses.
- Drop your tension. A few pounds lower makes the stringbed softer and more forgiving.
- Restring more often. Dead strings are stiff strings.
Tip from our stringers: A switch from full poly to a multifilament is often the single biggest change an arm-sore player can make. It costs a restring, not a new racquet.
More detail on each string type in our tennis strings guide. Or drop your racquet in and ask our team about it when you book in with our racquet restringing service.
Other quick wins
- Check your grip size. A grip that's too small makes you squeeze harder, which loads up the forearm.
- Add a dampener. It cuts the high-pitched vibration. It's not a fix on its own, but some players like the feel.
- Look at your technique. Late contact and a wristy backhand are common culprits. A lesson with a coach can help a lot.
Try before you commit
Comfort is personal. What feels soft to one player feels mushy to another.
Take a frame on court first through our demo program, or try our racquet finder to narrow it down.
Quick questions
What is the best racquet for tennis elbow?
There's no single best racquet. Look for a flexible frame, moderate weight, head-light balance and a 100 sq in head or larger. Volkl, Wilson Clash and Yonex EZONE frames are common choices.
Is polyester string bad for tennis elbow?
Polyester is the stiffest common string and goes dead quickly, so it can make arm pain worse. Players with sore elbows usually do better with a multifilament, natural gut or a soft hybrid.
Should I string looser if I have tennis elbow?
Usually, yes. Dropping a few pounds makes the stringbed softer and reduces the shock reaching your arm.
Will a new racquet fix my tennis elbow?
No. The right setup can reduce the load on your arm, but if you're in pain, see a physio about treatment.