Tennis or Golfers elbow?

As the strawberries and cream come out and the world tunes into the Wimbledon Championships, elbow pain often becomes a hot topic — particularly tennis elbow. But despite the name, you don’t need to be playing centre court (or even playing tennis at all) to suffer from it.

In fact, both tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are incredibly common among everyday golfers, leisure tennis players, and people who’ve never picked up a racket or club.

So how do you tell the difference — and what can you do about it?

What Is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) causes pain on the outside of the elbow. It’s linked to overuse of the forearm muscles responsible for gripping and wrist extension.

Despite its name, tennis elbow is often caused by:

• Repeated gripping (rackets, clubs, tools, keyboards)
• Poor technique or sudden increases in activity
• DIY, gardening, or manual work
• Desk-based work combined with weekend sport

Leisure tennis players are especially prone when they play infrequently but intensely — perhaps inspired by Wimbledon coverage 🎾

Common symptoms include:

• Pain on the outside of the elbow
• Weak grip strength
• Pain when lifting, twisting, or shaking hands

What Is Golfer’s Elbow?

Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) affects the inside of the elbow and involves the muscles used for wrist flexion and forearm rotation.

It’s common in:

• Everyday golfers
• Tennis players (especially with heavy topspin or serving)
• Gym-goers and weightlifters
• Anyone doing repetitive wrist or gripping actions

You don’t need to play 18 holes a week to develop golfer’s elbow — occasional rounds, driving range sessions, or poor swing mechanics can be enough.

Symptoms often include:

• Pain or tenderness on the inside of the elbow
• Stiffness or weakness in the forearm
• Discomfort when gripping or swinging

Tennis vs Golfer’s Elbow — The Key Difference

Tennis Elbow

Golfer’s Elbow

Pain on the outside of the elbow

Pain on the inside of the elbow

Wrist extension overload

Wrist flexion overload

Common in tennis, desk work, DIY

Common in golf, tennis, gym

Gripping worsens pain

Gripping and wrist flexion worsen pain

Both conditions are overuse injuries, often building up gradually rather than appearing suddenly.

Why Everyday Players Are Most at Risk

Professional athletes train consistently, recover properly, and have support teams. Everyday golfers and leisure tennis players often:

• Play sporadically
• Warm up poorly or not at all
• Combine sport with desk-based jobs
• Ignore early warning signs

That combination makes elbow pain more likely — especially during seasonal spikes like summer golf and Wimbledon-inspired tennis sessions.

How Sports & Clinical Massage Can Help

Massage plays an important role in managing both tennis and golfer’s elbow by addressing the soft tissue causes, not just the painful spot.

Massage can help by:

• Reducing excessive tension in forearm muscles
• Improving circulation and tissue health
• Supporting pain reduction and movement
• Identifying overload patterns early
• Working alongside rehab exercises or physiotherapy

Importantly, treatment focuses on the forearm, wrist, shoulder, and upper arm, not just the elbow itself.

When to Seek Help

If elbow pain:

• Persists for more than a few weeks
• Is worsening rather than improving
• Affects grip strength or daily activities

…it’s time to address it properly rather than pushing through.

Early treatment often means faster recovery and less time away from the sports you enjoy.

Wimbledon Reminds Us — But It’s Not Just for the Pros

Wimbledon showcases incredible athleticism — but it also inspires thousands of people to pick up a racket, dust off their golf clubs, and get moving. That’s a great thing… as long as your body is supported along the way.

Whether you’re playing social tennis, enjoying a casual round of golf, or simply feeling elbow pain from everyday life, understanding the difference between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow is the first step toward recovery.

And you definitely don’t need a trophy to deserve proper care 🏆💆‍♂️