Tennis elbow is often made worse by the wrong gear. The right racket and string setup can meaningfully reduce the load on your arm. Here's what to look for. (This is general guidance, not medical advice — see a physio for persistent pain.)
What causes racket-related elbow strain? Vibration and shock transferring into the forearm — worsened by stiff frames, tight polyester strings, an incorrect grip size, and heavy off-centre hits.
What to look for in an arm-friendly racket
- A more flexible frame. Lower stiffness (RA) ratings flex on impact and transmit less shock. Look for softer, "comfort" or "flex" frames.
- A slightly heavier, head-light racket. More mass absorbs shock (counter-intuitively better than a very light frame, which can transmit more vibration), while head-light balance keeps it manoeuvrable.
- A larger sweet spot (mid-plus/oversize) so mishits jar you less.
- The correct grip size — too small is a major culprit. Check our grip size guide.
Strings matter as much as the racket. Ditch stiff full-polyester setups for a soft multifilament or natural gut, strung at a lower tension. This is one of the cheapest, most effective changes you can make — see our tennis string guide.
Add a vibration dampener and consider a softer overgrip for extra comfort.
Browse arm-friendly options in the tennis rackets collection at Central Tennis, and read our tennis string guide to soften your setup.
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