Why I Stopped Playing Tennis

I’m Dr. Rosenberg, and for more than three decades, tennis was my outlet — my escape, my exercise, my joy. What began as mild stiffness in my feet evolved into chronic ankle instability, joint inflammation, and pain that followed me long after leaving the court.

One evening, after a long match, I realized I could no longer walk without limping. As a physician, I knew exactly what was happening. As a player, I didn’t want to accept it. But the truth was clear: the cumulative stress of tennis had caught up with my body.

The Medical Reality of Tennis Injuries

Research consistently shows that tennis places exceptional stress on the lower extremities. Joint injuries account for nearly 30% of all tennis injuries, with the ankle being one of the most frequently affected areas. (PubMed)

Rapid lateral movements, sudden stops, and explosive pivots generate internal joint forces that exceed those seen in many other recreational sports. (PubMed)

Foot Stress and Playing Surfaces

Hard court surfaces significantly increase plantar pressure, contributing to chronic heel pain, plantar fasciitis, and stress fractures over time. (NIH / PMC)

Common Long-Term Tennis Injuries

• Chronic ankle sprains and ligament laxity
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Forefoot stress fractures
• Progressive joint degeneration

Knowing When to Step Away

I didn’t quit tennis because I stopped loving the game. I stopped because preserving long-term mobility mattered more than winning one more set.

For anyone who plays — recreationally or competitively — awareness is everything. Listen to pain. Respect recovery. And understand that no sport is “low-impact” when practiced intensely for decades.