Wimbledon serves as a reminder: take your joint pain seriously

While tennis is a fantastic way to stay active and social, it’s also a sport that can place strain on your hip and knee joints. This is due to movements such as sharp pivots, sudden stops, and lunges - particularly on hard courts.

In fact, former GB tennis champion Andy Murray is no stranger to joint pain. During his 20-year career, he underwent many surgeries to treat long-term hip degeneration - including a joint resurfacing procedure. This allowed him to continue competing until he retired from professional tennis last year.

Dr Nurul Ahad, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Medical Director, Practice Plus Group, UK says it’s crucial to look after our joints at any age.

“Knees and hips are two of the hardest working joints in your body," he explains. "They support nearly every movement we make - from walking and bending to sports such as tennis or running. And yet, they’re often ignored when discomfort starts.”

Dr Nurul Ahad, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Medical Director, Practice Plus Group, UK

It could be arthritis – don’t delay

Ahad warns that many people don’t realise they’re living with symptoms of osteoarthritis, cartilage or ligament damage until their pain becomes difficult to ignore.

Movement is medicine

Ahad says there is plenty that can be done to protect your joints - from choosing lower impact sports to supporting joints through building muscle strength.

“Movement is medicine," he explains. "Low-impact exercises - such as cycling, swimming, and walking are incredibly effective in strengthening the surrounding muscles without overloading the joint. And for those already having discomfort, it's often about modifying - not stopping - your activity.

“It’s also important to work on muscle strength. Strong glutes, quads, and hamstrings act like shock absorbers for knees and hips. But when we stop exercising due to pain, those muscles weaken, which can make the problem worse. That’s why keeping up with strengthening and stretching is so important - even a few minutes a day at home can make a difference.”

Support joints with a balanced diet

What you eat can also affect joint health - choosing a balanced diet and keeping weight in check can help keep budding tennis players in the game for longer.

He adds that supplements can be beneficial for some too - such as glucosamine, chondroitin, or collagen.

"While the science is mixed, they’re safe for most and may be worth trying if you're struggling," he says.

Act sooner rather than later

If all else fails, Ahad advises seeing your doctor or consultant as soon as possible. Delaying can inevitably make the issue worse and may lead to further complications.

Ahad concludes: “Don’t ignore persistent knee pain - it could be your body asking for help. Early intervention - whether through physiotherapy, lifestyle changes, or in some cases, surgery - can make a big difference.

"With timely joint surgery, you can avoid long-term damage and stay on the courts longer - just be sure to moderate your game and only begin playing again when you are fully recovered. Then think more gentle rallies rather than a Centre Court performance.”

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