Hi guys, need some advice please! A friend of mine is in the market for a new racket. He currently has a Yonex NS9000, which he has developed tennis elbow from using. He finds it too stiff and light for him. He plays about 4-6 hours a week in 1-2 sessions, an aggressive style smash doubles player but also values control shots (drops, etc.). He wants a racket that has a flexible shaft that can generate power (so he's fine with it being a head-heavy balance or even balance). Something heavier than a NS9000 is preferred. Price is not a concern. I recommended to him the Yonex Arc 10/11, but I'm sure you guys can advise with better choices. Thanks in advance!!
It's not as stiff as the racket he is using. Even though the XT1200 is rated as stiff, the flex is still in the region of 59mm.
Arc11 is probably a safe bet. great all rounder, but a bit quicker than the arc10 so decent for both doubles and singles if you play both. i loved the arc11 and have been using it most now since it came out a few years ago...just something about it that suits me well
If ur friend is still experiencing tennis elbow, its in his best interests to rest until the pain is gone. Tennis elbow condition wont just go away with a change of rackets. Ample time, could take up to 3 mths, is needed to rest the arm without badmtn... In the meantime, google "tennis elbow exercise" n dilligently do it a few times daily. If pain still persists, pls c a physiotherapist rather than a GP. Once he's completely healed, he should check his technique with a coach to ensure he's got the right swing. This is to prevent tennis elbow from recurring. Only then, should it b considered timely to chg his racket. AS10 should b similar to AS11 iirc. The latter has quite a stiff shaft, so it wont help ur friend much to prevent his condition from recurring. Reckon less stiff rackets will benefit ur friend more. Have a couple of rackets in mind from Victor. First is BS12, even to slight head heavy balance, with medium stiff shaft. It has a fast frame that may require a chg in swing speed. Another is TK-6000, head heavy balance, also with medium stiff shaft. The latter is flexier than the former. Of the two, would strongly recommend the BS12 since ur friend's goto used to be a headlight.
the NS9000 comes stiff and extra stiff. if he's using extra stiff and trying to smash hard for a while he could develope tennis elbow. if he's using extra stiff, maybe suggest him getting a stiff version of the ns9000. if then he wants his racket to be even more flexible then maybe a nanoray 700rp? nanoray300 is definitely heavier and flexible with even balanced. i love my nr300