Posted 29 Jun '23

Anyone for tennis?

Tennis is a fantastic sport that combines agility, endurance, and precision. However, like any physical activity, it comes with its own set of challenges and potential risks. Whether playing tennis competitively, for fun (a bit competitively with a friend) or with the family, as with all sports, it’s essential to consider your feet. 

Wimbledon fortnight is about to start, it’s impossible not to enjoy the fun, rivalry, fashion and footwear on display in South London. Wimbledon is just up the road from our Croydon podiatry clinic, and it will be the topic on conversation for the two weeks.
 

Good foot care will maintain performance on the court while minimizing the risk of injuries; everyone should have a good foot hygiene regime, wear suitable shoes and socks, warm up effectively and allow time to rest. 

Common foot injuries in tennis

1. Ankle Sprains: Lateral ankle sprains are the most prevalent foot injury in tennis. These occur when the foot rolls inward, damaging the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. Tennis players are particularly susceptible to ankle sprains due to the rapid side-to-side movements and sudden changes in direction involved in the sport.
2. Plantar Fasciitis: This condition causes inflammation and pain in the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue running along the bottom of the foot. Tennis players often experience plantar fasciitis due to repetitive stress from running and jumping.
3. Achilles Tendinitis: Tennis demands constant running, which can strain the Achilles tendon. Overuse or inadequate warm-up may lead to Achilles tendinitis, characterized by pain and swelling in the back of the heel.
4. Stress Fractures: Stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bones of the foot caused by repetitive impact and inadequate rest. Tennis players may develop stress fractures due to the high-intensity movements and court surfaces.

If you’ve just suffered an injury whilst playing tennis, take a read of our recovering from a sporting injury blog. Summer won’t then be ruined by swelling, foot pain and limping.

Tennis shoes

As podiatrists, we recommend wearing the right shoe for the activity; if you are going to be playing regularly, make sure your trainers have these features

1. Stability: Think of all of the quick movements from side to side as you go to hit the ball.
2. Grip: Tennis shoes must grip the ground very well to stop you slipping and sliding around.
3. Cushioning: a good amount of cushioning will help reduce the force and strain on your muscles and tissues.
4. Toe box: Because you’ll be going backwards and forwards to get to the ball, make sure there’s plenty of room at the toes in case your toes slide forward slightly.

If you’re looking to take it up a notch, look at our gait analysis if you want to become more consistent, generate more power, move more efficiently around the court and finally win more matches. 

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