6 Tips for Keeping Tennis Fun This Summer
The Tennis Australian Open has become as much a part of the Australian summer as thongs, barbeques and backyard cricket on Christmas Day.
Many of us will watch it on TV or head into Melbourne Park to catch some of the action live and after the Open finishes, participation in local tennis skyrockets as we try to emulate the feats of some of the Tennis greats!
Old racquets get dusted off, long-forgotten sweat bands are brought out or retirement, and the amateur tennis player heads off to the local courts.
But jumping head first into a sport after some time off carries certain risks.
This is particularly the case as you push yourself to your limits to mimic your favourite tennis player.
Warm up correctly and stay on the court
It is common at this time of year for physiotherapy clinics to see a spike in people who have injured themselves on the tennis court after some time away from the sport. Some of the most common complaints include back, shoulder, elbow and knee injuries.
Tennis is a great sport because it engages almost all parts of the body. The lower body is required to run around the court, change direction quickly and propel up into a serve. The upper body is used to generate racquet head speed and is often stretched to its limit in lunging for a ball that is just out of reach. Not to mention the back, which is put through its entire range of motion in arching for a big kick-serve or reaching forward to get under a drop-shot.
On top of this, cardiovascular fitness is also key in making it through a long, gruelling match on a summer’s afternoon. The highly demanding nature of the sport can be a factor for injury risk.
Here are our 6 tips to keeping tennis fun this summer!
- Warm up and stretch – a gentle warm up and thorough stretching can be great in preventing musculoskeletal injuries.
- Don’t go for broke – professional players train all year round to be at their peak for a grand slam. Consider easing yourself back into tennis if it has been some time since your last hit.
- Keep up the fluids – professional players sit down and have a drink every few games and between sets. This is a great practice to mimic in order to avoid dehydration.
- Correct Technique – injuries often occur when poor technique results in excess force being placed through certain joints or muscles. Consider a lesson or two from an accredited tennis coach before launching back into tennis.
- Play within your limits – recognise that you won’t be quite up to the standards of the professionals at the Australian Open. Trying to hit the ball too hard will load your body and may result in injury.
- Get on top of little niggles early – If you have a nagging tennis injury, pop in to see your local Back In Motion physiotherapist. We offer a Free Initial Assessment, which may be just what you need to get on top of your injury and maximise your on-court performance.
With the sun out shining and the best in the game showing us how it’s done, now is a great time to get back outside in the fresh air and partake in some fun, interactive exercise by getting back into Tennis.
Just remember to take it easy and warm up correctly to prevent injury and you should have a fun filled summer of tennis!
Tom Collier - Physiotherapist, Back In Motion Montmorency
Tom undertook his studies at The University of Melbourne where he completed a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Physiology, followed by a Doctor of Physiotherapy. Tom is passionate about all areas of physiotherapy and enjoys helping people of all ages to become injury free, reach their goals and gain their highest level of function. In particular, Tom has an interest in treating sports injuries and in paediatric physiotherapy. He also works as a physiotherapist for Old Ivanhoe Grammarians Football Club. Outside of work Tom enjoys fishing and playing or watching any form of sport, particularly tennis, football and cricket.