Canada
Australia
03 9824 8001
Tennis is a high-speed, high-repetition sport that places significant mechanical and energetic demands on the body. It combines explosive sprints, rapid changes of direction, rotational power, and repetitive overhead movements.
Because of this, injuries in tennis are rarely accidental — they are usually the result of repetitive, asymmetric movement patterns, muscular imbalances, and progressive overload.
At Ace Sports Clinic, we approach common tennis injuries not only from a musculoskeletal perspective but also by understanding the sport’s functional and energetic demands.
Why a Specialised Tennis Assessment Is Essential
A proper evaluation must go beyond identifying where it hurts. Tennis requires:
- High levels of stability
- Explosive strength and power
- Adequate mobility
- Strong intermuscular and intramuscular coordination
- Efficient energy system performance
That is why our initial assessment includes:
- Full review of injury history and training load
- Professional musculoskeletal examination
- Evaluation of physical capacities (strength, endurance, mobility, power)
- Assessment of sport-specific technique
- Identification of musculoskeletal asymmetries and muscular imbalances
Our goal is to find the root cause, not just treat a symptom. Improving function, reducing pain, and returning you to sport safely and efficiently after a sporting injury.
Common Tennis Injuries
1. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylalgia)
Cause:
Repetitive overload of the wrist extensor tendons due to repetitive strokes and insufficient tendon capacity is more common among amateur players.
Professional ATP/WTA players experience more “Golfer’s Elbow” because they have better technique, take the ball earlier, and use more topspin.
Rehabilitation Focus:
Progressive tendon loading, grip strength optimisation, and correction of stroke mechanics.
2. Rotator Cuff Injuries (Tendinopathy)
Cause:
Repetitive overhead loading, scapular instability, and muscular imbalance.
Rehabilitation Focus:
Scapular stabilisation, rotator cuff strengthening, and biomechanical correction of serve mechanics.
3. Wrist Injuries
Cause:
Repetitive topspin strokes, improper grip size, or excessive string tension.
Rehabilitation Focus:
Forearm conditioning, load management, and equipment advice.
4. Low Back Pain
Cause:
Repetitive spinal rotation and extension during serves, combined with reduced hip mobility or core weakness. Spinal pain remains the most common injury on the ATP Tour.
Rehabilitation Focus:
Core stabilisation, hip mobility restoration, and movement retraining.
5. Anterior Knee Pain
Cause:
Repeated lunging, deceleration forces, and patellar tendon overload.
Rehabilitation Focus:
Quadriceps and gluteal strengthening, tendon conditioning, and load progression.
Understanding Tennis as an Asymmetric, Repetitive Sport
Tennis is fundamentally a sport of repeated asymmetric movement patterns. Over time, this can create:
- Muscular imbalances
- Musculoskeletal asymmetries
- Altered contraction patterns
- Decreased tissue tolerance
The Importance of Prevention and Rehabilitation Phases
Common tennis injury prevention should begin at early ages and apply to all levels of participation — from amateur players to competitive and professional athletes.
Each injury has:
- Estimated healing timelines
- Biological tissue recovery phases
- Specific loading progressions
Respecting each rehabilitation phase is essential. Returning too early or skipping progressions increases the risk of recurrence.
At Ace Sports Clinic, your rehabilitation timeline and return-to-sport clearance are guided by one of our specialist sports physiotherapists, ensuring your recovery from common tennis injuries is efficient and safe, so you get back to your best.
By Felipe Montoya – Ace Sports Clinic Physiotherapist