Tennis Elbow
Also known as: lateral epicondylitis, lateral elbow pain, outer elbow pain, elbow pain from tennis, sore elbow from tennis
Tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow, linked to overuse of the forearm tendons that attach there. In tennis, contributing factors can include a late, wristy one-handed backhand, tight or very stiff strings, a sudden jump in hitting or serving volume and a tight grip. If it hurts, stop playing, and see a qualified medical professional if the pain persists.
Doctors call it lateral epicondylitis. It involves the tendons that attach the wrist-extending forearm muscles to the bony bump on the outer side of the joint. Symptoms usually build gradually rather than after one injury. People describe pain or burning on the outer arm and a weaker grip. Holding a racquet, turning a wrench or shaking hands can make it worse. Despite the name, many people who get it have never played tennis.
The classic tennis pattern is a one-handed backhand met late, behind the front hip, with the wrist leading. That puts more of the impact through the forearm instead of the shoulder and trunk. Squeezing the grip hard on every shot adds load. So does volume. A sudden jump in match play, a week of daily clinics or extra baskets of serves leaves little time to adapt.
The racquet and strings may play a part. OrthoInfo notes that looser-strung racquets often reduce stress on the forearm. It also says changing from an oversized racquet to a smaller head may help keep symptoms from returning. Very stiff strings, such as polyester strung tight, may add stress, and so can a grip that is too small or too large.
General habits that coaches and clinicians often suggest include a relaxed grip, meeting the backhand out in front and building weekly hitting and serving gradually. Warm up the forearm before you hit. Have a coach check your backhand and a stringer check your grip size, string type and tension. Stop if it hurts. If pain lasts more than a few days or keeps returning, see a doctor or physiotherapist rather than playing through it.
Tips by skill level
Hold the racquet loosely between shots and let the body turn, not the wrist, power the stroke. If your elbow starts to ache, stop and rest rather than pushing on.
Review the whole setup with a coach and a stringer: backhand technique, grip size, string type and tension, and weekly load. Small changes across several of these may lower the load on the forearm.
Example
After doubling his weekly hitting and switching to a polyester string strung tight, a club player feels a burning ache on the outer arm after one-handed backhands. He stops playing and sees a physiotherapist, then returns later with a softer, lower-tension setup and a gentler build-up.
Why it matters
Tennis elbow can keep players off court for weeks or months. Knowing the common contributing factors helps you spot warning signs early and get proper advice.
Common mistakes
- Playing through outer-arm pain instead of stopping and getting it checked
- Hitting one-handed backhands late with the wrist leading
- Stringing a stiff polyester at high tension and never revisiting the setup
- Jumping from occasional play to daily play, or adding big serving sessions, with no build-up
Frequently asked questions
How do I prevent tennis elbow?
No method rules it out, but some habits may lower the risk. Keep a relaxed grip, meet the backhand in front, build up playing and serving time gradually and have your grip size and string tension checked. Stop if it hurts.
What causes tennis elbow in tennis players?
It is linked to overuse of the forearm tendons at the outer elbow. Common contributing factors include a late, wristy backhand, a tight grip, stiff or tightly strung strings and sudden increases in play. A qualified medical professional can assess your case.
Should I play tennis with tennis elbow?
If it hurts, stop. Playing through pain may make it worse. See a doctor or physiotherapist if the pain persists, and ask them when and how to return.
Sources
Related terms
- Grip Pressure (Tennis)Grip pressure is how tightly a player holds the racquet. It should generally stay relaxed through most of the swing, firming only briefly at contact.
- Polyester StringPolyester is a stiff, durable monofilament string built for spin. But it transmits more shock to the arm compared to natural gut or multifilament strings.
- String TensionString tension is how tightly a racquet is strung, in pounds or kilograms. It shapes the string bed's trampoline effect, control, and power.
- RA / StiffnessRA is a racquet's stiffness measured by how much the frame deflects under load. Higher RA (66+) means a stiffer, more powerful but harsher frame; lower RA (under 58) flexes more for feel and arm comfort.
- One-Handed BackhandA one-handed backhand uses only the dominant hand. It gives more reach and disguise than a two-hander, but less stability against high-bouncing pace.
- Shoulder Pain From ServingShoulder pain from serving is often linked to overuse and to a serve driven by the arm instead of the legs and trunk. Common contributing factors include a toss behind the head, a sudden increase in serving volume, and weak or tight shoulder and upper-back muscles. Stop if it hurts, and see a qualified medical professional if the pain persists.
Related guides & benchmarks
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