The sharp pain shoots through your elbow as you hit that perfect forehand winner.
You grimace but refuse to give up your polyester strings. They give you that devastating topspin that finally helps you beat players who used to beat you every time.
This painful dilemma faces countless tennis players.
But there is another way.
In this article, you'll learn practical ways to reduce tennis elbow while still enjoying the benefits of high-performance polyester strings like Zero and Sync.
Why does my arm hurt playing tennis?
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) occurs when you experience pain on the outside of your elbow due to overuse of forearm muscles and tendons.
If you're struggling with discomfort when gripping, lifting objects, or during and after tennis matches, you might be dealing with this common condition. Unlike sudden injuries, tennis elbow typically develops gradually over time.
Polyester strings like Zero deliver exceptional performance benefits that many players love, but they come with a drawback. Their stiffness transfers more vibration directly to your arm. When you hit the ball with poly strings, there's less of a "trampoline effect," meaning your arm absorbs more of the impact force with each shot.
Despite this discomfort, many players (including ReString founder Nick) continue using poly strings because they're unwilling to sacrifice the performance advantages they provide.
This preference for performance explains why nearly 100% of ATP and WTA professionals use some combination of poly in their rackets. In today's professional game, it's virtually unheard of to see a top player competing without any poly in their string setup.
Fortunately, you don't have to choose between performance and comfort. Let's explore effective strategies for your body and equipment that can help reduce tennis elbow pain while continuing to enjoy the benefits of polyester strings.
What to do with your body
Get short-term relief
Rest plays a fundamental role in your recovery process. Continuing to play through pain will only extend your recovery time and potentially worsen your condition. Give your arm adequate time to heal between sessions.
A compression sleeve or tennis elbow strap can provide immediate relief during play by reducing strain on the affected tendons. This approach is common among professional players. Athletes like Carlos Alcaraz frequently use compression sleeves during intensive periods of the tennis calendar. Nick from ReString also uses one every time he steps onto the court.
After playing, you can apply ice to your elbow or immerse yourself in an ice bath to help reduce inflammation and accelerate recovery. This simple practice can make a significant difference in managing discomfort between sessions.
Manage long-term symptoms
For persistent cases of tennis elbow, consider seeking physical therapy. A professional therapist can provide personalized exercises and treatments to strengthen the affected area and prevent future issues.
Working with a coach to evaluate your technique is also valuable. Many tennis elbow cases at the amateur level stem from improper form. Refining your stroke mechanics can significantly reduce strain on your tendons. At the professional level, tennis elbow is more commonly the result of frequent intense play rather than incorrect technique.
What to do with your equipment
Pick a more flexible racket
Selecting a more flexible frame can significantly reduce the impact on your arm. Look specifically for rackets with a low RA measurement, which indicates racket flexibility. Models with RA values in the low 60s or high 50s will absorb more shock naturally. Nick from ReString consistently chooses rackets in this range to minimize elbow pain.
Also consider rackets with larger sweet spots, as they help minimize the jarring effect of off-center hits. Adding a vibration dampener might help some players, though benefits vary from person to person.
Lower your string tension
Reducing your string tension by 2-3 pounds can dramatically improve comfort while playing. Lower tension creates more "pocketing" of the ball, which cushions impact and results in a more forgiving stringbed overall.
When playing with Zero and Sync, we actually recommended stringing at slightly lower tension to optimize performance anyway. So this small adjustment gives you the dual benefit of improved playability and enhanced comfort.
Try a hybrid setup
You can offset some of the stiffness of your poly string by combining it with a softer string to create an ideal balance between performance and comfort.
A popular configuration uses poly in the mains and natural gut in the crosses. This combination maintains about 70% of poly's performance while adding 30% more comfort from the natural gut.
For maximum comfort, you can reverse this setup with natural gut in the mains and poly in the crosses. While this arrangement sacrifices more performance, it provides additional comfort that might make the difference between playing with pain or enjoying your game.
An example of a pro player experimenting with hybrid setups is Kei Nishikori. In the early part of his career, he used polyester in the mains with natural gut in the crosses. After a number of wrist injuries, he switched to natural gut in the mains with poly in the crosses.
Experiment with different string combinations to find what works best for your specific symptoms and playing style. Be willing to try several options, as the perfect setup varies by individual.
Conclusion
Tennis elbow doesn't mean you have to abandon polyester strings completely. With the right approach, you can continue enjoying their performance benefits while protecting your arm.
Start by incorporating proper rest and recovery techniques for your body. Then, make strategic equipment adjustments, such as choosing a more flexible racket, lowering your string tension, and experimenting with hybrid setups. Be patient during this process, as finding your ideal combination may take time.
For players looking to maintain performance while reducing arm strain, try Zero and Sync at a lower tension or in a hybrid setup for the perfect balance of performance and comfort.