Tennis -- a low-impact, individual sport -- is a smash across all ages and abilities throughout Australia. Whether you compete at a club or join a friend for an afternoon game at your local park or sports centre, it is one of the country’s top ten activities. Plus, when a Grand Slam is broadcast on TV, Aussies love to hit the courts too. So, if you’re inspired to play tennis this summer, here’s our advice on how to reduce your risk of injury as you play.

Your body’s musculoskeletal system is comprised of bones and muscles which are joined together by connective tissues – like cartilage or ligaments. Your joints are the most vulnerable part of the entire system, with your ankles copping the brunt of your body’s pressure. Ankles are flexible and allow a wide range of movement. Therefore, they can be the number one spot to attract injury, pain or discomfort. Not only that, issues in your ankles can cause pain in other remote (and seemingly disconnected) parts of your body too.

A couple of great tips to self mobilise your ankles and to teach ankle balance (or proprioception). This is integral for ankle stability, helping to prevent a recurrence of an old injury. If you’ve just injured your ankle, please chat with us or your health care professional to ensure you haven’t fractured your ankle or sustained another type of nasty injury.