Tennis, while often perceived as a non-contact sport, has its fair share of injuries. These can range from acute injuries due to sudden movements or impacts to chronic injuries from overuse and repetitive strain. Over the years, many tennis stars have faced serious injuries that have affected their careers.
Serena Williams has been an inspiration for many women around the world. Unfortunately, in 2021, Serena withdrew from her 20th Wimbledon after her hamstring injury.
One of the most well-known injuries is the one suffered by Rafael Nadal in 2012. After reaching the top of the world rankings, Nadal had to deal with a serious knee problem.
Djokovic withdrew from the French Open 2024 with a tear in the medial meniscus of his right knee…and a lot of others…
Here are some common tennis injuries and their causes.
- Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
- Cause: Overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons, usually due to repetitive motions of the wrist and arm.
- Symptoms: Pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow, weakening grip strength.
- Prevention/Treatment: Proper technique, strengthening exercises, rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, and sometimes physical therapy.
- Rotator Cuff Tears
- Cause: Overuse, poor serving technique, or sudden impacts.
- Symptoms: Pain and weakness in the shoulder, especially during overhead movements.
- Prevention/Treatment: Strengthening and flexibility exercises, proper technique, rest, ice, and in severe cases, surgery.
- Wrist Injuries
- Cause: Overuse, repetitive motions, and improper technique.
- Symptoms: Pain, swelling, and limited motion in the wrist.
- Prevention/Treatment: Wrist strengthening exercises, using appropriate grip size on the racket, rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications.
- Knee Injuries (Patellar Tendinitis, Meniscus Tears)
- Cause: Sudden changes in direction, jumping, and overuse.
- Symptoms: Pain around the kneecap or inside the knee joint, swelling, and stiffness.
- Prevention/Treatment: Strengthening exercises for the quadriceps and hamstrings, proper warm-up, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), and sometimes surgery.
- Ankle Sprains
- Cause: Sudden twists or turns, improper foot positioning.
- Symptoms: Pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected ankle.
- Prevention/Treatment: Ankle strengthening and balance exercises, proper footwear, rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), and bracing if necessary.
- Back Pain
- Cause: Poor technique, especially in serving, overuse, and lack of core strength.
- Symptoms: Pain and stiffness in the lower back, sometimes radiating to the legs.
- Prevention/Treatment: Core strengthening exercises, proper technique, rest, physical therapy, and sometimes medications or injections.
- Muscle Strains
- Cause: Overexertion, sudden movements, or inadequate warm-up.
- Symptoms: Pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion in the affected muscle.
- Prevention/Treatment: Proper warm-up and cool-down routines, strengthening exercises, rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), and sometimes physical therapy.
Prevention Tips
- Proper Technique: Ensuring correct technique in strokes and serves to minimize undue stress on the body.
- Appropriate Equipment: Using a racket with the correct grip size and appropriate string tension.
- Conditioning: Regularly performing exercises to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility, particularly in the core, shoulders, and legs.
- Warm-Up and Cool-Down: Performing thorough warm-up and cool-down routines to prepare muscles for activity and aid in recovery.
- Rest and Recovery: Allowing adequate rest between intense sessions to prevent overuse injuries.
- Hydration and Nutrition: Maintaining proper hydration and nutrition to support overall health and muscle function.
While injuries in tennis are common, many can be prevented with proper training, technique, and equipment. Early recognition and appropriate management of injuries are crucial to minimize downtime and promote full recovery. If an injury occurs, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and tailored treatment plan.