With The Australian Tennis Open inspiring many to take to the sport, tennis players can reduce their risk of injury by following tips from Smartplay’s Preventing Tennis Injuries Fact Sheet.

Developed in association with Tennis Victoria, the fact sheet encourages players, regardless of skill level, to prepare their bodies for play – to get the most from their game and most importantly avoid injury.

The rate of tennis injuries has been calculated at five injuries per 1,000 hours of participation. The most common injuries are to the lower limbs – ankle, knee and thigh.

“Every year people are inspired by The Australian Tennis Open and start playing tennis without appropriate preparation. Sadly, this is a recipe for injury,” said Sports Medicine Australia’s spokesperson, Dr Anita Green.

“However many common tennis injuries can be prevented by undertaking good preparation in the form of hydration, warming up, using appropriate equipment and practising good technique,” said Dr Green.

Smartplay, Sports Medicine Australia’s sports injury prevention program funded by VicHealth and the Department of Planning and Community Development (Sport and Recreation Victoria), offers these timely tips to get prepared and minimise the risk of tennis injury:

• Always warm up, stretch and cool down
• Maintain an adequate fitness level. Undertake specific conditioning and training exercises that simulate tennis (ie. acceleration, deceleration, twisting, turning and stretching).
• Seek instruction from a qualified coach to develop correct skills and techniques.
• Avoid over-repetition of any one type of shot. Practise a range of strokes including groundstrokes, serves, return of serves, overhead smashes and volleys.
• Use a racquet suitable for your style of play and physical capabilities.
• Check and maintain the playing surface to ensure it is in good condition and free of hazards. A tennis ground checklist can help.
• Seek professional advice on footwear.
• Be sunsmart to protect from heat injury. Wear sun-protective clothing, a hat, sunglasses and SPF 30+ sunscreen.

To download the Smartplay Preventing Tennis Injuries Fact Sheet visit www.smartplay.com.au

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