If you love to watch the tennis stars at Wimbledon and other famous venues, you may have been inspired to take up the sport yourself. You love to get out in the fresh air to interact with others and understand that this sport can be particularly exhilarating and good for your health. Yet, you will need to watch out for the risk of injuries, especially with such a dynamic sport as this. What commonplace injuries could a tennis player encounter as they enjoy their new pastime?
General Conditioning
You will certainly need to be in generally good health to play tennis. This involves a lot of exertion, and your cardiovascular system must be able to cope with it as you chase that ball across the court. You need to pay particular attention to your feet and ankles as they are particularly susceptible to injury. Even the top professional players can come across these issues, and barely a year goes by without one or more "big names" being forced out of those signature events.
Sprains And Tendonitis
Ankle sprains are probably top of the list when it comes to tennis player risks. However, tendonitis would be a close second, a chronic and persistent issue that is often linked to the Achilles. Tendonitis occurs when the soft tissue connecting the bone to the muscles becomes inflamed. It can be very painful and come and go, making it difficult to deal with.
Plantar Fasciitis
If you approach your new pastime with too much enthusiasm, you may also develop a condition known as plantar fasciitis. This is more commonplace for those who play a lot without adequate rest, and it describes inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is the largest ligament running across the bottom of your foot. The condition can cause considerable pain in the heel and foot arch. You should be careful to avoid too much exertion, especially in the early days.
Making The Best Preparations
These are some of the biggest risks facing a new tennis player, but you can take steps to avoid them. Always ensure that you get the highest quality shoes you can find and those that have been specifically designed for tennis players. Start off slowly and only move forward in small increments. This way, your body (and especially your feet and ankles) will become used to the exertion.
Having An Expert On Standby
And make sure that you have the contact details of a good sports podiatry service on hand. When you do encounter issues, get in touch with them for their immediate support.
Share7 July 2022
Hi, my name is Steve and I’m a keen runner. I’ve been running for fun for years. I love the buzz I get from a long run and the fact that my hobby helps keeps me fit. Last year, I started to experience problems with my feet and ankles. It started with just a few twinges and soreness but ended up getting so bad that I couldn’t run to my usual schedule any longer. I couldn’t work out what was going wrong, so a friend recommended I see a podiatrist. I was a bit sceptical at first; however, my podiatrist immediately identified some issues with my running gait and shoes that were causing my problems. I started this blog to pass on some of the advice I got for any other runners who are suddenly suffering from unexplained discomfort. Hope it helps keep you on the road!
