Does a vibration dampener help tennis elbow?

Very little. It only damps string vibration, not frame shock. A more flexible frame, softer strings and lower tension help much more.

Do pros use vibration dampeners?

Many do and many do not. It is a personal preference about sound and feel.

Where do you put a tennis dampener?

Between the main strings near the throat, below the lowest cross string. Placing it inside the string bed is not allowed in matches.

Do Tennis Vibration Dampeners Work?

7 video lessons

What a dampener changes, and what it does not.

Quick answer & tips ▾

A vibration dampener is the small rubber piece between the bottom strings. It works on string vibration: it cuts the high-pitched ping and makes the feel a little muted, which many players find more comfortable. It is legal as long as it sits outside the crossed strings, below the lowest cross.

What it does not do is absorb the shock of the frame, which is what reaches your arm. So a dampener will not prevent or fix tennis elbow; frame flex, weight, softer strings and lower tension matter far more. Using one is purely a feel and sound preference, and plenty of pros play without.

Key tips

Place it below the last cross string, between the two center mains.
Try a hit with and without; keep whichever feels better.
For arm pain, change strings and tension before blaming the dampener.
Worm-style dampeners spread across several mains for a more muted feel.

FAQ

Does a vibration dampener help tennis elbow?: Very little. It only damps string vibration, not frame shock. A more flexible frame, softer strings and lower tension help much more.
Do pros use vibration dampeners?: Many do and many do not. It is a personal preference about sound and feel.
Where do you put a tennis dampener?: Between the main strings near the throat, below the lowest cross string. Placing it inside the string bed is not allowed in matches.