Tennis Most Common Injuries: Causes, Symptoms, & Prevention Tips

Getting injured on a tennis court is never fun. Unfortunately, tennis injuries are a prevalent problem for players, regardless of how long they have been playing the sport.

Tennis elbow, rotator cuff tears, back pain/stress fractures, tennis knee, and even sprained ankles are among the tennis most common injuries. Preventing these injuries is crucial since they might cause a player to leave the game and begin recovering quickly.

Whether you are currently injured or wish to protect yourself from one, we are here to help. Keep reading to find out about the most common tennis injuries (and how to avoid them). So let’s get started.

How Common are Tennis Injuries?

On average, the top tennis player practices and competes for 2.3 hours every day, 6.1 days a week. The typical point in a game necessitates 8.7 changes in direction, with each shift putting a stress of 1.5-2.7 times the body weight on the knee. The game’s frequency, intensity, and duration create biomechanical and physiological demands that increase the risk of injury.

These aspects are particularly problematic for those whose job it is to lessen the high stresses on their upper and lower limbs and who have not developed the necessary strength and endurance. According to studies, tennis players sustain injuries at a rate that varies from 0.05 to 2.9 per year. The most common injuries occur in the lower limb and include rips in the knee’s meniscus, muscular strain, and ligament strain, accounting for 39%-59% of total injuries. Additionally, 11%–30% occur in the center of the body (back and belly), and 20%–45% occur in the upper limb.

Improved endurance, dynamic balance, agility, strength, and technique should be the main goals of any effort to lessen these injuries.

List of Tennis Most Common Injuries

Tennis is a high-intensity sport that requires agility, speed, and endurance. However, the repetitive movements and sudden bursts of activity can lead to injuries. Here are some of the most common tennis injuries:

1. Tennis Elbow

Without a doubt, the most well-known tennis injury is the tennis elbow, which is common among tennis players due to their repetitive arm motions. Tennis elbow, despite its name, does not affect only tennis players; it can affect anyone who engages in activities that strain the forearm muscles and tendons.

What is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow (also known as Lateral Epicondylitis) develops when the tendons in the outside region of the elbow become inflamed or injured as a result of overuse or repetitive stress. The primary cause is the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon, which joins to the humerus’s lateral epicondyle. Tennis strokes like the backhand, which require repetitive gripping, twisting, and extension motions, can cause micro-tears in these tendons, resulting in pain and inflammation.

Symptoms and Signs

Tennis elbow is characterized by pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow, particularly in the area directly above the elbow tip, near the bony protuberance called the lateral epicondyle. Gripping objects, shaking hands, or lifting weights can all make the pain worse, and it may get worse over time. Additionally, some people may find it difficult to do daily duties requiring the affected arm and notice weakness in their grip strength.

How to Avoid?

To prevent tennis elbow, it’s a good idea to avoid overusing or overworking your joints on the court. This can also be avoided by utilizing lightweight rackets, extending your arm muscles, and warming up before a game.

2. Shoulder injuries

Shoulder pain after tennis is a prevalent worry for tennis players, particularly those who participate in frequent overhead actions such as serving and hitting groundstrokes.

Common Tennis Shoulder Injuries

• Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

This happens when overuse or repetitive tension causes inflammation or irritation in the rotator cuff muscles’ tendons. Shoulder pain and weakness, especially when performing overhead movements, can be caused by rotator cuff tendonitis.

• Shoulder Impingement

Shoulder impingement is a painful and inflammatory condition that happens when the rotator cuff’s tendons get pinched or crushed between the shoulder joint’s bones. Repetitive overhead motions frequently exacerbate this issue, which can lead to a reduction in shoulder strength and range of motion.

• Shoulder Instability

When the ligaments and tendons that support the shoulder joint are weak or injured, it can lead to shoulder instability, which makes the shoulder seem loose or unsteady. Particularly during dynamic motions like serving and shooting overhead shots, this instability can make the shoulder more prone to dislocations or subluxations.

Symptoms and Signs

• Shoulder pain or stiffness, especially when lifting goods or moving overhead
• Swelling, stiffness, or soreness around the shoulder joint, as well as clicking or popping sensations while moving.

How to Avoid?

• Warm Up: Stretch and activate your shoulder muscles prior to playing.
• Shoulder & Rotator Cuff Strengthening: Develop muscular stability through focused movement.
• Use ProperTechnique: Avoid overloading the shoulder with incorrect serving or stroke mechanics.
• Control Playing Volume: Reduce unnecessary serves and overheads to keep from overdoing it.
• Increase Flexibility and Mobility: Stretching on a regular basis increases your range of motion and can help reduce strain.
• Get the Right Equipment: A racket with the right grip size is key, as is the appropriate string tension.
• Listen to Body: Rest when you need to and take care of any discomfort early before it becomes a serious injury.

3. Wrist Injuries

Tennis players frequently worry about wrist injuries because hitting the ball requires powerful, repeated motions. Mild strains to more serious ailments like tendinitis or sprains are all possible outcomes of these injuries. 

Damage to bones, ligaments, tendons, and nerves is frequently the cause of the pain that comes with the injury. The location of wrist discomfort is frequently used to identify it. The discomfort is radial if it is on the thumb side and ulnar if it is on the pinkie side. The most prevalent wrist hurts after tennis among athletes is on the ulnar side. 

Common Tennis Wrist Injuries

• Tendonitis: Inflammation of the wrist tendons, frequently brought on by overuse or repetitive strain.
• Sprains: Usually brought on by abrupt motions or collisions, these injuries cause the wrist ligaments to stretch or rip.
• Fractures: Cracks or breaks in the wrist’s bones that can be brought on by direct trauma or falls.

Symptoms and Signs

• Wrist pain or discomfort, especially during or after tennis play.
• Discomfort, swelling, or bruises near the wrist joint.
• Inability to move the wrist or carry out daily tasks.
• During movement, the wrist experiences a popping or clicking feeling.

How to Avoid?

• Use the Correct Grip Size: A grip size that’s too small or too large increases strain.
• Maintain Proper Technique: No wrist flick; use your whole arm for impact
• Increase Strength in Wrist & Forearm Muscles: Frequent workouts enhance stability and endurance.
• Preparation & Stretch: Stretch out your wrists before play to avoid tightness and strain.
• Use Shock-Absorbing Equipment: A flexible racket and softer strings will lessen the impact stress.
• Tune Into Your Body: Take breaks when needed to avoid overuse injuries.

4. Rotator Cuff Tears

Rotator cuff injury is a common source of concern for tennis players. Tennis involves repetitive overhead movements, including serves and smashes. These repetitive movements can result in mild strains or more serious conditions like tendinitis or rotator cuff tears.

In tennis players, shoulder pain is usually caused by damage to the muscles and tendons of the rotator cuff. The injury can occur due to overuse, poor technique, or acute trauma. Pain is usually localized to the front or top of the shoulder, which can be aggravated with overhead movements or with lifting the arm.

Common Rotator Cuff Injuries in Tennis

• Rotator Cuff Tendinitis: Irritation of the tendons caused by overuse.
• Rotator Cuff Tears: Injuries to the rotator cuff, where tendons tear partially or fully due to overuse or trauma.
• Impingement Syndrome: This happens when the rotator cuff tendons get pinched between the bones of the shoulder.

Symptoms and Signs

• Shoulder pain, particularly during serving or overhead shots.
• Shoulder weakness (unable to lift arm).
• Tightness or reduced motion range.
• Popping or clicking sound/feeling in the shoulder.

How to Avoid?

• Stabilize Shoulder Muscles: Emphasize rotator cuff routines to limit shoulder instability.
• Use Correct Technique: No need to crush your stroke; just hit the ball with the correct mechanics.
• Warm Up & Stretch: Use dynamic stretching to warm up the shoulder prior to play.
• Overhead Repetitions Limit: Do not serve or smash unnecessarily without taking a rest.
• Ice & Recovery Methods: Ice after play to decrease inflammation.
• Listen to Your Body: If you’re feeling pain, rest, and see a doctor if the pain continues.

5. Ankle Sprains

The dynamic nature of tennis, characterized by rapid acceleration, deceleration, and directional changes, places significant stress on the ankles. Ankle sprains can occur when the foot rolls inward or outward, causing the ligaments on the outside or inside of the ankle to stretch or tear.

Clay courts can pose a greater risk for an ankle sprain. Because the clay surface is softer, the side of your foot can dig into it more easily, resulting in a turned ankle. A sprain can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the ankle. The ankle is often unstable, and bruising can occur as well.

Causes of Ankle Sprains

• Sudden stops or pivots during lateral movements.
• Uneven or slippery court surfaces.
• Inadequate footwear or ankle support.
• Fatigue or muscular imbalances.

Symptoms and Signs

• Pain and tenderness around the ankle joint.
• Swelling, bruising, or discoloration.
• Difficulty bearing weight on the affected ankle.
• Instability or feeling like the ankle is “giving way.”
• Restricted range of motion and stiffness in the ankle.

How to Avoid?

• Wear the Right Shoes: Make use of tennis-inspired shoes with proper rubber that maintains your grip.
• Strengthen Your Ankles:  Do stability workouts, which include balance drills and resistance band efforts.
• Warm Up & Stretch: Never play without warming up, and make sure to include mobility exercises for your ankles.
• Improve Footwork: Focus on short, controlled strides to reduce awkward landings and sudden changes.
• Use Ankle Braces if Needed: Use braces or taping for added support, especially if you’ve had sprains in the past.
• Play on the Right Surfaces: Avoid uneven or slippery courts that could lead to an ankle roll.

6. Knee Injuries

Tennis knee is medically termed as ‘Patellar Tendonitis.’ If you encounter this, the affected area may feel warm to the touch and you may have pain or swelling.

When sprinting, stopping, and rotating on the tennis court, the knees are subjected to a great deal of weight and force, which leaves them vulnerable to a variety of problems.

Common Tennis Knee Injuries

• Patellar Tendinitis

Patellar tendinitis, also referred to as “jumper’s knee,” is an inflammation of the patellar tendon, which runs from the tibia to the kneecap (patella). This ailment can cause pain and tenderness around the patellar tendon and is usually brought on by repetitive leaping or landing exercises.

• Meniscus Tears

In the knee joint, the meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage structure that absorbs trauma. Sudden twisting or pivoting motions can cause meniscus tears, which can cause knee pain, edema, and restricted range of motion.

• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries

ACL injuries are rather common in sports like tennis that require pivoting motions, abrupt pauses, and direction changes. An ACL tear may necessitate surgery to repair or reconstruct the ligament and can result in severe knee discomfort, instability, and edema.

Symptoms and Signs

• Knee pain or stiffness, particularly when exercising or carrying weight.
• Swelling, stiffness, or discomfort at the knee joint.
• Feelings of the knee popping or clicking when moving.
• Knee instability or a sensation that it is “giving way” while doing an activity.

How to Avoid?

• Improve Leg Strength: Strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves to support the knee.
• Increase Flexibility & Mobility: Stretch occasionally to improve joint range of motion.
• Use Good Footwork & Technique: No sudden stops or awkward landings!
• Wear Supportive Shoes If Required: Use tennis shoes with proper cushioning and stability.
• Train to Tolerate Load: Only push intensity levels seasonally to avoid injury and overuse.
• Warm Up & Cool Down: Get muscles ready before play and stretch afterward.
• Wear Knee Braces if Necessary: For weak or recovering knees, give them extra support.

7. Back Injuries

Tennis players are particularly vulnerable to back injuries since the game requires frequent twisting, bending, and rapid motions that strain the spine and surrounding tissues. Every element of tennis demands a strong and sturdy back, from serving and striking groundstrokes to sprinting across the court.

Common Tennis Back Injuries

• Muscle Strains

Overuse, poor technique, or abrupt movements can all result in strains in the back’s erector spinae and latissimus dorsi muscles. These strains may result in back pain, stiffness, and restricted range of motion.

• Disc Injuries

Tennis players may experience disc herniation or bulging discs as a result of the repetitive twisting and bending motions that put stress on the intervertebral discs. Back and extremity pain, numbness, and tingling may be localized or radiating as a result of these injuries.

• Facet Joint Syndrome

Back discomfort and stiffness, particularly during extension or rotation motions, can be caused by degenerative changes or repetitive stress that irritates or inflames the facet joints in the spine.

Symptoms and Signs

• Pain in the upper, middle, or lower back may be localized or widespread.
• Spinal stiffness or restricted range of motion.
• Pain worsens with specific motions, such as bending, twisting, or arching backward.
• Sciatica causes radiating pain, numbness, or tingling feelings in the legs.

How to Avoid?

• Stability: A strong core stabilizes the spine and absorbs impact.
• Enhance Flexibility: Stretching regularly decreases stiffness and avoids muscle strain.
• Use Good Technique: Avoid over twisting and maintain proper body positioning throughout your strokes.
• Warm Up & Cool Down: Always warm your muscles up before play and stretch them afterward.
• Manage Training Load: do not overplay, and allow time for recovery.
• Wear Supportive Shoes: Shoes made to stabilize the foot, provide support, and absorb shocks.

8. Back Pain and Stress Fractures

Tennis players are especially susceptible to back injuries because the sport demands so much twisting bending and high-impact movement. Everything about the game — from serves that amount to sonic booms to sprints that end in explosions — depends on a stable and healthy back. Unfortunately, the repetitive strain on the spine can cause injuries such as back pain and stress fractures over time, which can result in poor performance and more serious problems in the long run if not addressed properly.

Common Tennis Back Injuries

Back Pain

Because of muscle fatigue, bad posture, and repeated motion to the spine, general back pain is one of the most common complaints of tennis players. Overdoing it, not maintaining the correct form, and not allowing for proper recovery can all lead to lingering pain.

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures in the spine, especially at the pars interarticularis (a small bone in the lower back), are common in tennis. This condition, called spondylolysis, is caused by repeated hyperextension of the spine when serving and making overhead shots. If left untreated, it can progress to spondylolisthesis, in which a vertebra moves out of place, causing chronic pain and instability.

Symptoms and Signs

• Agonizing or persistent pain in the lower back, aggravated with movement.
• Pain on hyperextension (bending backward), particularly on serves.
• Stiffness and limitation of motion at the spine with a resultant decrease in flexibility.
• Shooting pain down the legs (worst case, nerve compression).

How to Avoid?

• Strengthen the Core: A strong core stabilizes the spine and diminishes excess pressure.
• Boost Flexibility: Routine stretching helps avoid stiff joints and promotes flexibility.
• Use Proper Technique: Avoid extreme hyperextension and maintain proper body shape during serves.
• Warm-Up & Cool Down: Warming up the muscles and loosening them after playing reduces the risk of injury.
• Manage Training Load: Avoid overplaying and ensure adequate rest and recovery.
• Wear Supportive Shoes: A good pair of shoes will absorb shock and help keep you stable when moving.

Best Tennis Injury Prevention Tips

Proper Technique and Equipment

To reduce elbow strain, concentrate on employing appropriate tennis technique, which includes body positioning, swing mechanics, and grip size. Make sure your tennis racket has the right weight distribution and string tension for your playing style and ability level. Tell us if you have any questions regarding your technique or the proper way to set up your racquet. Western’s tennis experts would be pleased to evaluate you and suggest the best racket specifications.

Exercises to Strengthen Specific Areas and Enhance Balance

Incorporate strength training exercises that target tennis-specific muscles and joints, such as the shoulders, wrists, ankles, and core. Consider collaborating with a licensed personal trainer who can design a personalized strength training program based on your needs and objectives if you’re unclear about which exercises to do or how to do them properly.

Proper Footwear

To lessen the danger of slips, falls, and ankle injuries, invest in high-quality tennis shoes that provide adequate ankle support, cushioning, and traction. Select tennis shoes that are made especially for the sport and fit your foot type and style of play.

Stretching and Improving Flexibility

Make frequent stretching exercises a priority to increase the range of motion and flexibility in the tennis-related muscles and joints. To get your body ready for action and lower your chance of injury, concentrate on dynamic stretches that replicate the motions used in tennis, such as arm circles, leg swings, and torso twists.

Proper Warm-up and Cool-down

To improve joint mobility, boost blood flow to your muscles, and get your body ready for the demands of tennis, always warm up before a match. To loosen up your muscles and joints, include vigorous warm-up movements like arm swings, skipping, and jogging. To encourage muscle relaxation and recuperation, spend some time cooling down with static stretches and light movements after playing.

Limit Overuse & Fatigue

Steer clear of overtraining and excessive stroke repetition, particularly if you’re tired or in pain or uncomfortable. To avoid overuse injuries and encourage the best possible recovery, pay attention to your body and take breaks when necessary.

Supports, Braces, or Tape for Affected Areas

Consider applying supportive braces or taping to provide extra stability and protection if you have a history of injury or instability in a specific location.

Gradual Increase in Intensity & Duration

To give your body time to adjust to the demands of tennis, gradually increase the length and intensity of your sessions.

Incorporate Rest & Recovery Days

To give your body time to heal and rebuild, incorporate rest and recovery days into your training routine. To encourage muscle relaxation and recovery on rest days, try low-impact exercises, mild stretching, or active recovery methods.

Who is More Likely to Get Injured: Professional or Amateur Tennis Players?

Everyone is prone to injuries when he plays poorly. However, professional tennis players experience injuries that are more severe.

Overuse-related injuries are more common among amateur athletes. Professional athletes are aware of the need of appropriate training and the deliberate design of an effort bar.

However, because professional athletes engage in more aggressive activities than amateurs, they are more likely to sustain traumatic injuries.

Does Knee Hurts After Tennis?

Playing tennis puts a lot of strain on the knee, a complicated joint. Indeed, knee pain and injuries can result from overload and excessively intense tennis activity.

Since tennis players put a great deal of strain on their bodies during games by jumping from side to side, doing sprints, and performing abrupt braking, knee discomfort is a typical complaint among many tennis players.

Tennis is a physically demanding sport, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your favorite pastime.

Wear specific tennis shoes: Tennis-related knee pain is frequently brought on by wearing shoes that are completely inappropriate for the game. It’s crucial that your shoes are sufficiently padded in the toe area to prevent needless injuries and flexible enough to allow you to glide from side to side, as is typical in tennis.

Final Words

This is our overall guide to tennis most common injuries. People of all ages and skill levels can play tennis, but it can also lead to a number of ailments. Nevertheless, it is crucial to warm up before a match to prevent these injuries.

Now is the time to take preventative measures if you have never had a tennis injury. To avoid problems like knee aches or elbow pain, take preventative actions by stretching and strengthening your muscles.

There are numerous kinds of tennis-related injuries that result from poor technique and overextending yourself on the court, so if you’re playing for fun or to get better, be careful not to push yourself too much. 

Frequently Asked Questions