ABSTRACT Objective To describe the self‐reported occurrence and anatomical distribution of musculoskeletal injuries among recreational tennis players and to explore associated modifiable factors among respondents. Methods A cross‐sectional online survey was completed by 172 recreational tennis players (mean age 50.2 ± 12.1 years; 64.5% men). Data included participation habits (warm‐up/cool‐down/stretching and equipment use), self‐reported injury characteristics, management, return to play, and return to performance. Injury correlates were analysed using logistic regression. Results Overall, 73.3% (126/172) reported at least one tennis‐related injury. Common sites were the elbow (34.9%), ankle (32.5%), knee (28.6%), and wrist/hand (27.8%). Muscle strain (45.6%) and ligament sprain/tear (34.4%) were the most frequently reported injury types. Warm‐up/cool‐down/stretching habits and overgrip use were not significantly associated with injury status, and weekly playing frequency showed only a borderline univariate association ( p = 0.054). Players who sought medical evaluation reported longer return‐to‐play time (median 90 vs. 25 days; p < 0.001). Median return‐to‐play time increased with treatment intensity (20 days pharmacological; 30 days spontaneous recovery and conservative management; 90 days physical therapy; 180 days surgery), and 86.6% returned to their pre‐injury performance level. Conclusions Tennis‐related injuries were common among respondents and recovery duration varied markedly by clinical course and treatment intensity. Findings should be interpreted as sample‐based self‐report rather than population‐level prevalence; prospective studies with defined sampling and clinical verification are warranted. These observational findings do not allow causal or preventive inferences regarding modifiable habits.
Akdoğan et al. (Mon,) studied this question.