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Every summer, Wimbledon inspires thousands of people across the UK to pick up a tennis racket and head back onto the court. Whether you’re playing competitively, joining a local club, or enjoying a friendly match in the park, tennis is a fantastic way to stay active.

However, the combination of sprinting, twisting, serving and sudden changes in direction also makes tennis one of the most common sports for musculoskeletal injuries.

While many aches and pains settle with rest, persistent pain may be a sign of a more significant injury. Knowing when to seek further assessment—and whether an MRI scan may be appropriate—can help you recover more quickly and get back to doing what you enjoy.

Why are tennis injuries so common?

Tennis places repeated stress on multiple areas of the body. Every serve, volley and sprint loads your muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints.

The most commonly affected areas include:

  • Shoulder
  • Elbow
  • Wrist
  • Lower back
  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Ankle
  • Calf

Many injuries occur gradually through overuse, while others happen suddenly following a twist, fall or awkward landing.

1. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Despite its name, tennis elbow doesn’t only affect tennis players. It’s one of the most common repetitive strain injuries and develops when the tendons on the outside of the elbow become irritated.

Common symptoms

  • Pain on the outside of the elbow
  • Weak grip strength
  • Pain lifting objects
  • Discomfort when shaking hands
  • Pain that worsens after playing

Most cases improve with activity modification and physiotherapy, but persistent symptoms may require further investigation.

An MRI scan can help assess the tendons and determine whether there is more significant tendon damage or an alternative cause of your pain.

2. Shoulder Pain After Tennis

The repeated overhead serving motion places considerable strain on the shoulder.

Common shoulder injuries include:

  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Tendon inflammation
  • Shoulder impingement
  • Bursitis
  • Labral injuries

Symptoms to look out for

  • Pain when lifting your arm
  • Weakness during serving
  • Night pain
  • Clicking or catching sensations
  • Reduced range of movement

MRI provides detailed images of the muscles, tendons and ligaments around the shoulder, helping clinicians identify the exact cause of your symptoms.

3. Knee Pain After Playing Tennis

Your knees absorb significant forces every time you change direction, stop suddenly or jump for a shot.

Common knee injuries include:

  • Meniscus tears
  • Ligament sprains
  • Cartilage injuries
  • Patellar tendon injuries
  • Flare-ups of arthritis

You should seek assessment if you experience:

  • Persistent swelling
  • Locking or catching
  • Knee instability
  • Difficulty straightening the knee
  • Pain that prevents you from returning to sport

MRI is particularly effective at identifying injuries involving cartilage, ligaments and the meniscus.

4. Ankle Sprains and Foot Injuries

Rapid side-to-side movements make ankle injuries extremely common in tennis players.

While many sprains improve within a few weeks, persistent pain or swelling may indicate:

  • Ligament tears
  • Tendon injuries
  • Cartilage damage
  • Stress fractures

If your ankle remains swollen or unstable, imaging may help determine the severity of the injury and guide treatment.

5. “Tennis Leg” (Calf Muscle Tear)

One of the classic injuries seen in recreational tennis players over the age of 40 is “tennis leg.”

Despite the name, this injury is actually a tear within the calf muscle.

Symptoms often include:

  • A sudden sharp pain in the calf
  • Feeling as though someone has kicked the back of your leg
  • Difficulty walking
  • Swelling or bruising

MRI can show the size and location of the muscle tear, helping clinicians estimate recovery time and plan rehabilitation.

Lower Back Pain and Tennis

The repeated twisting and extension involved in serving can place strain on the lower back.

Common causes include:

  • Muscle strains
  • Facet joint irritation
  • Disc injuries
  • Stress reactions

Persistent back pain, particularly if accompanied by leg pain, numbness or weakness, should always be assessed by a healthcare professional.

MRI is often used to investigate suspected disc problems or nerve compression.

When Should You Consider an MRI?

Not every sports injury requires imaging, but an MRI may be appropriate if:

  • Your pain has lasted longer than one or two weeks
  • Symptoms are getting worse instead of improving
  • Your joint feels unstable
  • You heard or felt a “pop” when the injury occurred
  • There is significant swelling
  • You cannot bear weight comfortably
  • Your symptoms keep returning
  • Pain is preventing you from playing or exercising

MRI is particularly useful because it provides highly detailed images of soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage without using ionising radiation.Why an Accurate Diagnosis Matters

Many sports injuries produce similar symptoms.

For example, knee pain could be caused by a meniscus tear, ligament injury, cartilage damage or arthritis. Likewise, shoulder pain may result from tendon inflammation, bursitis or a rotator cuff tear.

Rather than guessing the cause, an MRI can provide greater clarity, helping your clinician recommend the most appropriate treatment and rehabilitation plan.

Earlier diagnosis can often reduce unnecessary delays and help you return to normal activities sooner.

Need Help Getting a Referral?

If you don’t already have a referral for an MRI scan, Oryon’s Fast Track Referral Service can connect you with a specialist who can assess your symptoms and determine whether imaging is appropriate.

Once your referral is in place, appointments are available across our London clinics, with expert reporting designed to support your ongoing care.

Find the Right Specialist

Receiving a diagnosis is only part of the journey.

If your MRI identifies an injury requiring further treatment, Oryon’s Practitioner Finder makes it easy to search for experienced consultants, sports medicine physicians and musculoskeletal specialists who can help you understand your results and discuss the most appropriate treatment options.

Whether your goal is returning to tennis, reducing pain or avoiding further injury, finding the right specialist is an important next step.

Don’t Let Pain Keep You Off the Court

Whether Wimbledon has inspired you to return to tennis or you’ve been playing for years, persistent pain shouldn’t be ignored.

If you’re experiencing ongoing shoulder, elbow, knee, ankle, calf or back pain after playing tennis, speaking to a healthcare professional and obtaining an accurate diagnosis can help you recover with confidence.

At Oryon, we provide fast access to high-quality MRI imaging, expert reporting and onward support—helping you move from uncertainty to diagnosis as quickly as possible.

Ready to take the next step?