What To Look For
In general, a larger-headed racquet is more elbow-friendly. A larger head means a larger sweetspot, or the area on the strings where little to no vibration is felt when making contact with the ball. Hitting a ball off-center causes shock and vibration, which can aggravate the elbow. The chances of this are less with a larger head size. Look for a racquet that has a medium flex frame. A stiff racquet generates more shock at ball contact. This is absorbed by the arm and can lead to tennis elbow.
Common Pitfalls
Players sometimes play with a racquet simply because the handle feels comfortable. This does not always mean that it is the correct size to use. A racquet with a grip that is too small or too large can twist in the hand and can put stress on the forearm leading to elbow problems. Lightweight racquets may initially feel good when you first pick them up, however, these are not always the best choice for players with tennis elbow. When playing with a light racquet, there is less mass to hit through the ball. Instead, these racquets bounce off from the ball at contact, producing an uncomfortable feel to the arm.
Where To Buy
Most tennis club pro shops are authorized dealers for certain brands of racquets. They generally carry a small selection of racquets and have on staff a knowledgeable person who can answer questions and make recommendations. Online sites, such as Tennis Warehouse, will have a larger selection to choose from. It is a good idea to demo racquets before you purchase one. Pro shops usually have a demo program as do some online sites. For example, Tennis Warehouse allows a player to demo up to four racquets for one week for just the cost of shipping.
Cost
The cost for a tennis racquet will depend on the manufacturer, design technology and what material is used. A quality tennis racquet will range in price from $100 to $279. This may not include the cost of strings, which also varies depending on the type of string used. A professional sting job, including labor, starts at $15 and goes up from there. These figures reflect August, 2010 market prices.
Insider Tips
For players who have or are susceptible to getting tennis elbow, it is worth spending a little extra for stringing. A softer, multi-filamented core string, such as natural gut, may be more expensive, however, it is easier on the arm. Using a lower string tension is also recommended.
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