Injury risks in padel tennis: What South African players need to know

AS padel tennis continues to captivate South Africans, drawing players of all ages to the courts, experts warn of the increasingly common injuries associated with this dynamic racquet sport.

Research from Europe has recently shown that around 36% of recreational padel players sustain injuries each year, at a rate of approximately 2.8 injuries per 1000 hours of play.

Local experts believe that with the right approach, these injuries do not have to deter enthusiasts.

Orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Ashley Naidoo, said while the sport was an excellent form of cardio exercise, as more amateur players take to the padel courts, they were seeing an increase in injuries associated with it, especially to the knees, shoulders, elbows, and ankles.

Naidoo, who practises at Netcare Waterfall Hospital’s Sports Orthopaedic Surgery (SOS) Centre, has subspecialist expertise in upper limb and sports-related conditions,

“Many of the common padel injuries affect the lower limbs, with ankle sprains, overused knees, calf and thigh strains, and Achilles tendon problems fairly common – particularly in players over 30 and in those who are new to the game.

“Padel players should also be aware of the risk of upper limb injuries, as pain or strains affecting the elbow, shoulder, and wrist are also prevalent, especially among players using heavy rackets and less experienced players who are still working on improving their technique,” said Naidoo.

Naidoo said many padel injuries could be avoided.

“Prevention of injuries is always better than treating them. Given the growing popularity of padel tennis, I would advise anyone who is enjoying this sport to make prevention part of their preparation,” added Naidoo.

Naidoo said the appropriate padel footwear was critical for the prevention of injury.

“Padel is played on synthetic turf, often with sand infill, and requires lateral grip and ankle support. Running shoes and general trainers are unsuitable, increasing the risk of slipping or ankle rolls. Footwear designed specifically for padel or clay tennis surfaces offers the best protection. Recent Spanish data suggests that hybrid or omni-soles may reduce impact forces compared to full herringbone designs.

"By combining smart training, proper preparation, suitable footwear, and evidence-based rehabilitation, players of all ages can enjoy padel while minimising injury risk. Whether you're playing socially or competitively, whether you're 25 or 65, playing smart today can help you stay on court and pain free for years to come,” said Naidoo.

Ulaysha Narandas, a physiotherapist who is part of the multidisciplinary team at Netcare Waterfall City SOS, said research from European and Latin American sources has consistently highlighted one common theme, the absence of a structured warm-up.

She said the absence of a structured warm-up dramatically increased injury risk.

“Most padel-related injuries, especially to the knees and calves, happen early in matches when cold muscles are pushed too hard, too fast," said Narandas.

Her advice was to start every session with 10 minutes of active movement, including light jogging, mobility drills, and dynamic stretching.

"After the game, static stretching of the legs, forearms, and lower back helps prevent tightness and speed up recovery,” said Narandas.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE