Wrist Pain in Tennis
Also known as: wrist pain in tennis, tennis wrist pain, wrist hurts after tennis, sore wrist from tennis, wrist pain on forehand, wrist hurts on my forehand, wrist pain on two-handed backhand, pinky side wrist pain
Wrist pain in tennis is often linked to overuse, extreme grips, off-center hits and a tight grip. Pain on the little-finger side is commonly linked to western and semi-western forehands. The non-dominant wrist can hurt on two-handed backhands. Stop if it hurts, and see a qualified medical professional if the pain persists.
Research on tennis players describes some common patterns. A 2019 review of hand and wrist injuries in tennis players reports two links from a survey of club players. The eastern grip was associated with problems on the thumb side of the wrist. Western and semi-western grips were associated with problems on the little-finger side, including the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon. In elite players with one type of ECU injury, most cases occurred in the non-dominant wrist during the two-handed backhand.
Several contributing factors come up often. They include a sudden jump in how much you hit, heavy topspin swings that bend the wrist to its limits, and hitting off-center. Squeezing the handle too hard and changing grip size can add load too. Fatigue and poor sequencing make the arm and wrist do work the legs and trunk should share. None of these means an injury will happen, and pain can have many causes.
General habits that many coaches suggest are sensible for any player. Build up hitting time gradually, warm up properly and keep a relaxed grip. Drive the swing with the legs and trunk rather than flicking the wrist, and check that your grip size suits your hand. If your wrist hurts, stop playing. See a qualified medical professional for pain that persists, swelling, clicking or weakness, and do not play through it.
Tips by skill level
If your wrist aches after playing, take a break and tell your coach. Do not try to push through it.
When adding topspin or changing grips, increase hitting volume slowly, and let the legs and trunk drive the swing.
Example
After a week of extra topspin practice, a player with a western forehand feels soreness on the little-finger side of her wrist. She stops hitting and books an appointment with a sports medicine clinician.
Why it matters
Wrist problems can keep players off court for a long time. Knowing the common contributing factors helps you notice warning signs early and get proper advice.
Common mistakes
- Playing through wrist pain because it eases once warmed up
- Doubling practice time in one week, such as at a camp
- Flicking the wrist for spin instead of swinging low to high with the body
- Ignoring a grip that has worn down or a handle that is the wrong size
Frequently asked questions
Why does my wrist hurt after hitting forehands?
Common contributing factors include extreme western or semi-western grips, heavy wristy topspin, off-center hits, a tight grip and a sudden increase in hitting. Stop if it hurts, and see a qualified medical professional if the pain persists.
Why does my left wrist hurt on my two-handed backhand?
For a right-hander, the left hand is the top hand on a two-handed backhand, and research describes that non-dominant wrist as a common site of tendon problems. Stop if it hurts, and get it checked by a qualified medical professional.
Should I play tennis with wrist pain?
No. Stop playing if your wrist hurts, and see a qualified medical professional if the pain persists or comes with swelling, clicking or weakness.
Sources
Related terms
- Western GripThe western grip rotates the hand fully under the handle (base knuckle on bevel 4–5). This enables extreme topspin on high balls while making low-ball and flat shots very difficult.
- Semi-Western GripThe semi-western (base knuckle on bevel 4) is the most popular modern forehand hold, balancing topspin capability with comfortable contact across a wide range of ball heights.
- Two-Handed BackhandA two-handed backhand places both hands on the grip, with the non-dominant hand providing additional stability, power, and disguise through contact.
- 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.
- Kinetic Chain BreakdownA kinetic chain breakdown is a skipped or broken link in the ground-up leg, hip, torso, and arm sequence. The arm then has to make power on its own.
- Tennis ElbowTennis 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.
Related guides & benchmarks
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