Wimbledon Tennis always inspires people to get out and try this family-friendly sport. However, the sport requires the use of our whole bodies; which can lead to repetitive overload on soft tissues or joints.
Here are my top five tips on how to prevent developing a tennis-related injury this Summer:
1. Invest in the correct equipment
Playing regularly will require the correct equipment. While you don’t need the fanciest racquet, making sure you have the correct grip size will reduce the strain put on your wrist and, in turn, how the rest of your arm is affected.
2. Wear the correct shoes.
Your shoes should have a good grip to allow you to stop and start without hesitation, which will depend on the surface you are playing on. They should also be durable and sturdy to tolerate the sudden direction changes.
3. Address the root cause of niggles as quickly as possible.
Many people think that a few days or weeks of rest will resolve the issue, and while it initially may, over time you may find the issue worsens.
4. Warm up and cool down appropriately.
Make sure you spend some time preparing your body for the task ahead. Start off with some slow, deliberate movements and gradually increase the speed of them. Remember to take some time at the end of your session to cool down. This will improve your recovery between sessions.
5. Invest in some lessons.
If you’ve been bitten by the tennis bug, it’s worth having a couple of lessons to have technique explained and corrected if need be. This helps prevent unnecessary strain on your body and will increase your enjoyment of the game.
Do you have pain or an injury that is preventing you from enjoying tennis this Summer?
Contact me here for more advice, guidance or to book a session at JT Biokinetic.
Have a knee injury that is hindering your performance on the tennis court?