What to know about tennis elbow in padel players

Tennis elbow is irritation and reduced load tolerance in tendons on the outer side of the elbow. Padel can repeatedly challenge these tissues through gripping, backhand strokes, volleys, serving, and fast corrections at the net. A change in racket weight, grip size, string tension, technique, court time, or recovery can alter the force reaching the forearm.

Pain may appear during a shot, while squeezing the racket, or when lifting a cup later. A physiotherapist will consider the elbow as well as shoulder control, wrist movement, trunk rotation, and footwork, because the whole stroke affects how force is shared.

Reduce the strokes and drills that clearly provoke symptoms, rather than repeatedly testing the painful shot. Keep a record of court time and next-day response. A longer warm-up with easy rallies may prepare the arm, but it does not replace load management. Check that your grip is relaxed and discuss equipment changes with a qualified coach or clinician before making several changes at once.

Rehabilitation often includes progressive forearm, wrist, shoulder, and trunk exercises. Reintroduce hitting in stages, starting with controlled volume and simpler strokes before harder pace, serves, or long matches. Pain that escalates during play or remains worse the following day means the step may have been too large.

Arrange an assessment if elbow pain limits grip, changes your stroke, or keeps returning between sessions. Seek prompt care after a fall or impact if there is deformity, rapid swelling, or inability to move the elbow. New numbness, persistent tingling, significant loss of strength, fever, or pain that seems to come from the neck warrants medical review.

Which part of my stroke is increasing elbow load? What court activities can I continue? How should I progress strengthening and hitting? Should my grip or racket setup be checked? What next-day symptoms are acceptable? Which findings would suggest a nerve, joint, or neck problem instead?