Serving It Up In Women's Tennis

Chelmsford Physio • March 28, 2023

Firstly, I would like to say hello. It’s my first blog here at Chelmsford Physio and I am settling in well amongst some great clinicians and fantastic clients.


Let’s get to it in the performance blog series!

I am extremely proud to introduce my new role as a performance coach for Leylah Fernandez – Canadian professional tennis player. A role that mixes Sports Therapy, S&C and Sports Science allows me to maximise her performance on and off the court.




Recently I have returned from the US after a short period training in Miami and my first tennis tournament – Indian Wells. Indian Wells has been around since 1974 and takes place in California with the second largest outdoor tennis stadium in the world.


Tennis is a sport based on unpredictability. The unpredictability of point length, shot selection, strategy, match duration, weather and the opponent all influence the complex physiological aspects of tennis play. As a performance coach of a professional tennis player it is important to understand the demands of the sport and the capabilities of the player.



So let’s take you through a typical training day...


We start the day off with a 15 – 20 minute mobility routine before breakfast and then head to the practice courts. When at the practice courts we do a 10 – 15 minute warm up incorporating skipping, footwork and reaction drills. After this she goes onto court where the tennis coach takes over and we use a lot of video analysis to break down her technique. This session lasts approximately 2.5 hours before we head to the gym for our daily strength/speed session. During a strength session we look to target a high number of anti rotation work with trunk strength stability. After lunch we go back to the court to work on the

corrections from the morning session before finishing the day with a daily treatment.


I hope this gives you a little bit of an insight into the life of a performance coach on tour with a professional tennis player. I will be back next time to talk about all things performance nutrition and how to fuel for training and competition like a professional athlete.


You can catch me in clinic on a Tuesday and Thursday!

Tom


Chelmsford Physio

hello@chelmsfordphysio.co.uk

01245 895410

Riverside Leisure Centre, Victoria Rd, Chelmsford CM1 1FG

ACL Injuries in Female Football

By Jon McComish • July 29, 2025
Females are generally at a higher risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries compared to males. The evidence now suggests that females can be x8 times more likely to suffer an ACL injury compared to their male counterparts. Why is this? Several factors contribute to this increased risk in females: 1. Anatomical Differences: Females typically have a wider pelvis, which can affect the alignment of the knee joint and increase stress on the ACL. 2. Hormonal Factors: Hormones, particularly estrogen, may influence ligament laxity and strength, potentially affecting the stability of the knee. 3. Biomechanics: Women often exhibit different movement patterns, such as increased knee valgus (inward collapse of the knee) and less hip and knee flexion during activities like jumping and landing. 4. Neuromuscular Control: Females may have less neuromuscular control, which can affect their ability to stabilise the knee during physical activity. These factors combined contribute to the higher incidence of ACL injuries among females, especially in sports that involve jumping, cutting, and rapid changes in direction.

What Is Frozen Shoulder Diagnosis And Treatment

July 29, 2025
Frozen Shoulder Diagnosis - 500+ Google Reviews - Your Local Essex Physio - Riverside Leisure Centre - All Types of Physiotherapy

Frozen Shoulder: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

By Chelmsford Physio • July 29, 2025
Frozen Shoulder Causes - 500+ Google Reviews - Your Local Essex Physio - Riverside Leisure Centre - All Types of Physiotherapy