Tennis is one of the most beloved sports in the world, being ranked as the most popular individual sport of them all, watched, played, and enjoyed by tens of millions of people worldwide on a regular basis.
It’s fun to watch and a thrill to play, allowing individuals or pairs of two players to test their skills against one another, using every major muscle group in the body and involving agility, stamina, dexterity, strength, and strategy to succeed.
Tennis is a sport that requires a strong degree of physical fitness, and while it doesn’t involve any kind of physical contact between players, it can still be a risky game to play, with a lot of amateur and professional players alike suffering injuries on the court.
Still, many youngsters and older people love the idea of grabbing a racket and hitting the court with their friends or joining up with a local tennis club. If you or a loved one enjoy playing tennis, here are some useful tips to bear in mind to help you stay safe.
Wear the Correct Footwear
One of the most common ways in which tennis players can hurt themselves is by slipping over on the court while running from side to side to reach the ball in time. They can trip over, slip on the surface of the court, or simply put a lot of pressure on their ankles and sprain them. Even brain injuries can occur on a tennis court from nasty falls, but wearing the right shoes can help you reduce the risks.
Use an Adequate Racket
Using the right footwear is key, but it’s also important to use the right racket too. Not only will it harm your game to use a racket that isn’t quite right for you, but it may also lead to injuries. Overly light or heavy rackets can harm your shoulders and arms, while a racket with the wrong tension or an uncomfortable grip could cause issues with your wrists.
Stay Hydrated
Following on from the previous point, it’s also important to stay hydrated when playing tennis. It’s often played in warm conditions, which can cause your body to dehydrate more quickly, and it’s a very energetic game, involving a lot of physical activity and exertion. Keep bottles of water beside the court and take water breaks in between sets.
Check the Court
Before playing any game of tennis, take a moment to check over the court for any debris or little issues that could prove hazardous later on. This is especially true when playing on public courts, where little rocks or even bits of broken glass might somehow find their way onto the playing surface.
Use Sunscreen
Tennis is typically played on outdoor courts as a summer sport in dry and sunny conditions, and tennis players typically wear T-shirts and shorts, leaving a lot of bare skin exposed to the sun’s UV rays. It’s important to remember that as well as sprains and broken bones, you also need to think about the risks of sunburns when playing tennis. Always use sunscreen when playing on sunny days.
Always Warm Up
This tip applies to any sport or form of physical activity, but it’s especially important when it comes to tennis, which is such a physically intensive game. Be sure to take some time to limber up and stretch your muscles before hitting the court. A small warm-up session can make a real difference in terms of preventing muscle strains and injuries later on.
Consider Lessons
As mentioned above, tennis is a tough game. It demands agility, stamina, and a certain level of physical fitness, and it helps to know what you’re doing. Players with the poor technique are much more likely to injure themselves, so it might be wise, if you plan on playing regularly, to take some classes from your own personal tennis coach.
Stop Playing If You Feel Any Pain
One of the most important tips to stay safe when playing any kind of sport is to stop playing and seek medical attention if you feel any pain or suffer any injury. Sprains, strains, and even concussions can occur in tennis if you fall or get hit by the ball, so be sure to listen to your body and take the necessary action if you notice any issues.
Final Word
Playing tennis can be a lot of fun, but any game can end badly if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Be sure to keep these tips in mind to have enjoyable games with minimal risks of injuries and accidents.
