Why Tennis Players Get Elbow Pain (and How to Fix It)

If you’ve ever felt pain on the outside of your elbow while playing tennis, you’re not alone. “Tennis elbow” is one of the most common overuse injuries in racquet sports—and despite the name, it can affect anyone who repeatedly uses their forearm muscles.

The good news? Research shows that with the right treatment approach—especially physiotherapy—most people recover fully without needing injections or surgery.

At Physical Edge Physiotherapy, we help tennis players get back on the court pain-free by addressing the root cause of elbow pain—not just the symptoms.

What Is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow. It typically develops gradually over time due to repetitive stress on the forearm muscles and tendons.

This repetitive strain leads to small amounts of damage in the tendon, which can build up faster than your body can repair—resulting in pain, weakness, and reduced grip strength.

Why Tennis Players Get Elbow Pain

1. Repetitive Overuse

Tennis involves repeated gripping, swinging, and especially backhand strokes. Over time, this places constant stress on the wrist extensor muscles, which attach at the elbow. Research shows that tennis elbow is strongly linked to repetitive motion and overuse, rather than a single injury. It is important to strengthen the muscles associated with these movements to make them capabale of sustaining these repeated loads.

2. Poor Load Management

One of the key findings from the research is that symptoms often depend on how long the condition has been present and how much stress is placed on the tendon.

• Playing too frequently

• Increasing intensity too quickly

• Not allowing enough recovery

All of these can overload the tendon and lead to pain.

3. Muscle Imbalances and Weakness

If the forearm, wrist, shoulder, or even core muscles aren’t strong enough, more strain is placed directly on the elbow. This creates a cycle where the tendon becomes irritated, weaker, and more prone to further injury.

4. Poor Technique or Equipment

Improper stroke mechanics, gripping the racquet too tightly, or using equipment that doesn’t suit your playing style can all increase stress on the elbow.

How to Fix Tennis Elbow

The research is very clear: conservative treatment—especially physiotherapy—is highly effective for tennis elbow. Here’s what actually works:

1. Gradual Load Management

Completely resting your arm isn’t the solution—but neither is pushing through pain.

The goal is to gradually reload the tendon so it can rebuild strength and tolerance over time.

2. Targeted Strengthening Exercises

Physiotherapy focuses heavily on eccentric strengthening exercises (slow, controlled muscle lengthening), which are shown to help repair tendon tissue and improve function.

These exercises help:

• Improve tendon strength

• Reduce pain

• Prevent recurrence

  
  

3. Hands-On Physiotherapy Treatment

A variety of physiotherapy techniques can be used depending on your stage of injury, including:

• Soft tissue therapy

• Joint mobilization

• Therapeutic exercise

• Modalities like shockwave therapy

Research shows that treatments like shockwave therapy can improve pain and function, especially when tailored to how long symptoms have been present.

4. Education and Technique Correction

One of the most important (and often overlooked) parts of recovery is understanding:

• How to modify activity

• How to improve stroke mechanics

• How to prevent overload

This is where working with a physiotherapist makes a big difference.

5. Progressive Return to Play

Returning to tennis too quickly is one of the main reasons elbow pain comes back.

A structured, gradual return-to-play plan ensures your tendon can handle the demands of the sport again.

How Physiotherapy Helps You Recover Faster

At Physical Edge Physiotherapy, we take a personalized approach to treating tennis elbow:

Detailed Assessment

We identify the root cause—whether it’s strength deficits, technique, or training load.

Customized Rehab Plan

Your program is tailored to your level of play and stage of injury.

Performance-Focused Recovery

We don’t just get you out of pain—we help you come back stronger and more resilient.

Don’t Let Elbow Pain Keep You Off the Court

Tennis elbow can be frustrating, but it’s also very treatable. The key is addressing it early and following a structured, evidence-based plan. If you’re dealing with elbow pain, the team at Physical Edge Physiotherapy is here to help you recover, rebuild strength, and get back to playing with confidence.

Ready to Get Back to Tennis Pain-Free?

Book your physiotherapy assessment today and start your recovery with a plan built for you.

Book Now!

Sources

• Kęska et al. Tennis Elbow – A Comprehensive Review

• Sohail et al. Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow): A Review of the Literature