Tennis is an exciting, healthy activity, but you must be responsible when you are on the court. Just like any physical activity, you can hurt yourself if you do not take the proper precautions. If you do not play carefully, you can suffer from ankle sprains, tennis elbow, and other injuries. These three simple tips for how to prevent common tennis injuries will help you maximize fun and safety on the court.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Any player learning how to prevent common tennis injures needs to start with their shoe choice. Instead of using your everyday sneakers, flip flops, and other unsuitable footwear, seek out shoes specifically designed for playing tennis. These shoes feature sufficient support that can minimize discomfort during matches. Finding a good pair of tennis shoes will improve your overall comfort while playing, and it will help you avoid injuries like stress fractures and ankle sprains on the court.

Take Breaks Periodically

If you are playing tennis for an extended period, you should take breaks in between matches. Taking time to sit down, rest, and hydrate will keep you from pushing your body too far. If it is a particularly hot and sunny day out, taking a break in the shade gives you the chance to cool down. This is why installing tennis court benches is such an important part of owning a tennis court, whether it is at home or at a club. Furthermore, if you or another player experiences an injury such as a sprain, a scrape, or even tennis elbow, benches provide an area for you to sit down with an ice pack and heal.

Stretch and Warm up Before Playing

Another way to avoid pushing your body too far and straining muscles is by doing some simple warm-up and stretching techniques before playing. Aside from basic stretches like touching your toes, consider activities like lunges, jumping jacks, jogging, shoulder rolls, and arm circles to help your body remain flexible and healthy while playing. Tennis can really take a toll on your shoulders if you are not stretching consistently or using the proper techniques on the court. As far as warm-ups go, consider 15-minutes of hitting the ball back and forth, as well as serving, to get your body and your mind ready for the game.