Technique correction – this is the most important way of reducing stress and strain on the body for any sport. Especially in tennis, one little adjustment may make all the difference. Having an accredited coach who can give correct advice on stroke and serve correction is vital especially if one is experiencing pain whilst playing tennis.
Some simple mistakes are:
- Ball toss positioning
- Incorrect grip used when playing
- Overuse of the wrist with ground strokes
- Lack of upper body rotation
Racquet grip – the appropriate grip size will reduce stress through ones forearm and prevent over-gripping. General over-gripping can also lead to problems. You don’t need an extremely tight grip to serve or ground stroke. Sometimes a looser arm and wrist can allow for a smoother action and greater force production.
String dampener – this can reduce the amount of vibration through the racket upon impact from the ball thus reducing overall shock to the forearm
Good footwear – especially for those who have fallen arches and have knee pain. Shoes made specifically for playing tennis on hard courts provide cushioning for the heel, arch and the whole foot.
Double up on socks – for more cushioning wear two pairs of socks. This will help absorb sweat and also absorb the shock from running and jumping especially if you play on hard court surfaces. The extra padding will also help prevent blisters. Blisters can often cause secondary problems as you compensate for the pain from the blister.
Good flexibility
- especially through the shoulder (frontal chest, back of the shoulder)
- lower limb stretches (hamstring, calf)
