Is a lighter racquet really easier on the arm?

Try these steps in order

1. Review video from a normal, pain-free session. During the final 20 minutes, mark whether racquet preparation becomes late, the face is pushed back at contact, or you squeeze the grip harder than at the start. Do not combine fatigue and impact instability into one problem. Record your current racquet's strung weight, balance, swingweight, and grip setup. Limit the comparison to two racquets with clear hypotheses—for example, one that is simply 20 g lighter and another with similar static weight but a different swingweight.
2. Check the demo's string product and condition, and match them when possible. Do not compare a light racquet with old polyester to a heavier racquet with fresh multifilament on arm feel alone. With each racquet, play a 5-minute mini-rally, then hit 20 baseline balls, 10 fast body feeds, and 10 volleys. Record late preparation, racquet-face rotation on off-center contact, and occasions when you apply unnecessary hand pressure.
3. After 40–60 minutes, repeat the same 10-ball drill and compare centered-contact rate and swing length early and late in the session. Record any discomfort in ordinary movement both immediately afterward and the next day, but do not interpret it as a medical benefit of the equipment. The goal is not the lowest g figure; it is a combination that lets you prepare on time and preserve the same swing without excessive compensation at impact. If the results conflict, ask a coach to assess timing and contact-point issues and an appropriate clinician to assess symptoms before buying.