Physical Therapy For Tennis Players
Common Tennis Injuries — Causes, Prevention, and Recovery
Tennis is a high-speed, full-body sport that demands quick changes in direction, powerful swings, and repetitive motions. While it’s great for fitness, it also puts unique stress on the body — especially the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and back.
At Savvy Physical Therapy in Denver, we specialize in whole body evaluation and assessment to find the root cause of your pain, not just treat the symptoms. Using tools like the Functional Movement Systems (FMS) and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), we can identify underlying movement dysfunctions that may be contributing to your injury — even ones you don’t feel yet. Whether you’re a competitive player or a weekend rally enthusiast, the right physical therapy can help you stay on the court and prevent future injuries.
Most Common Tennis Injuries
Tennis injuries range from overuse conditions to acute joint and ligament issues. Some of the most frequently seen include:
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) – Caused by repetitive backhand swings and gripping, leading to inflammation and pain on the outside of the elbow.
Rotator Cuff Strains – Overhead serves and high forehands can strain the small stabilizing muscles in your shoulder.
Wrist Tendonitis – Quick changes in racquet angle can irritate the tendons that control wrist movement.
Knee Pain & Meniscus Injuries – Sudden pivots and lunges can stress knee cartilage and ligaments.
Lower Back Pain – Serving and powerful groundstrokes create rotational forces that can lead to muscle strains or disc irritation.
More specific injuries seen in tennis players include internal shoulder impingement, rotator cuff pathology, labral tears, elbow tendinopathies, extensor carpi ulnaris tendinopathies and subluxation. While less common, posterior shoulder instability, distal humeral bone stress, elbow medial collateral ligament injuries, and nondominant wrist ulnar collateral ligament injuries are of significant clinical importance and should not be overlooked.
How Physical Therapy Helps
Our approach goes beyond simple rest. We’ll help you:
Reduce pain & inflammation with targeted manual therapy and dry needling (if appropriate)
Improve strength and stability in your core, shoulders, and hips for better on-court performance
Refine movement patterns using FMS and SFMA to spot and correct faulty mechanics
Increase mobility and flexibility so your strokes are powerful and efficient
Address the root cause, whether it’s poor racquet mechanics, strength imbalances, or mobility limitations
By incorporating FMS and SFMA assessments, we can create a customized plan that addresses both the painful area and the contributing movement issues elsewhere in your body. This not only speeds up recovery but also makes you more resilient to future injuries.
Get Back in the Game
If you’ve been playing through pain or sidelined by injury, you don’t have to wait it out. With personalized treatment, advanced movement assessments, and a clear recovery plan, you can get back to playing your best — and enjoy the game for years to come.
Serving Denver, Cherry Creek, and Highlands, Savvy Physical Therapy is your partner in tennis injury recovery and prevention.