The finals of the U.S. Open are just days away, piquing many Americans\u2019 interest in the sport. And major tennis organizations are doing their best to encourage people to get involved.\n<\/p>\n
The United States Tennis Association, which runs and organizes the U.S. Open, calls tennis the \u201cworld\u2019s healthiest sport.\u201d That claim comes from a few different studies, including one that found that people who play tennis live almost 10 years longer than those who are sedentary. That research also found tennis beat out swimming, cycling, jogging, soccer, and other activities for longevity benefits<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n But does that mean you should pick up a racket yourself? Here\u2019s what experts had to say about the pros\u2014and possible cons\u2014of hitting the tennis court.\n<\/p>\n Whether tennis is truly the world\u2019s healthiest sport may still be up for debate. But generally speaking, \u201ctennis is a very healthy sport to participate in,\u201d\u00a0Joshua Wu, DO<\/a>, orthopedic sports medicine physician at the Norton Orthopedic Institute, told Health.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0a game enjoyed by people of all ages, offering both physical and mental benefits.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Better Cardiovascular Health <\/p>\n American adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week to stay healthy, and playing tennis can contribute to that goal.\n<\/p>\n Specifically, tennis requires short bursts of sprinting and changing directions on the court, and these intense aerobic intervals can help strengthen the heart, Ryan Rauck, MD<\/a>, orthopedic surgeon at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told Health.\n<\/p>\n \u201cRegular cardiovascular exercise, such as with tennis, can lower your blood pressure<\/a> and improve your cholesterol<\/a>, which will reduce cardiovascular disease risk,\u201d he said.\n<\/p>\n Not only can tennis help protect you from heart disease, but it can also make your heart work more efficiently, added Christina Brown, MS, CPT<\/a>, a personal trainer and nutrition coach based in Illinois.\n<\/p>\n \u201cYou also develop a lower resting heart rate<\/a> and improve stroke volume, which allows your heart to do more with less effort,\u201d she told Health.\n<\/p>\n Improved Strength and Mobility <\/p>\n Playing tennis could help keep you moving and strong as you age.\n<\/p>\n The sport doesn\u2019t necessarily build muscle strength directly, but Brown said tennis can help with muscle endurance<\/a>, specifically in the core, legs, shoulders, and upper back.\n<\/p>\n The stop-and-go motion of tennis can also help foster better balance and agility. Plus, tennis players may see a lower risk of osteoporosis<\/a> and improved bone mineral density<\/a>, said Rauck, particularly in the hip, spine, and arm.\n<\/p>\n \u201cThis is due to the impact, quick stops, and multi-direction moves that load the bones, which is what keeps them strong,\u201d Brown said.\n<\/p>\n An Avenue for Social Connection <\/p>\n Tennis requires playing with another person or against others, which creates the opportunity to foster friendships and a sense of community.\n<\/p>\n One study published in March found that playing tennis mitigated college students\u2019 depressive symptoms<\/a> and made them more social. And research published in 2023 found that adults who played sports as part of a team had better mental health outcomes.\n<\/p>\n \u201cTennis is a social activity which can aid with networking and community, emotional control, communication with others, teamwork, and leadership, especially if playing doubles tennis,\u201d Brown said.\n<\/p>\n Benefits may also go beyond just mental health\u2014research has found that a lack of social connection raises mortality risk by 29%, and loneliness has been linked to health issues such as heart disease<\/a>, stroke<\/a>, and dementia<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n May Help You Boost Your Confidence <\/p>\n According to Brown, tennis players routinely:\n<\/p>\n Learn new skillsSet goals (and reach them)Feel their bodies get strongerReceive praise from others you play with<\/p>\n All of these can build confidence, she explained.\n<\/p>\n The mental aspect of tennis can help, too. The sport requires focus and problem-solving skills as you deal with adversity, Wu and Rauck added, which can make you feel more confident as you improve over time.\n<\/p>\n \u201cTennis sharpens your ability to concentrate, make quick decisions, and think strategically, which all boost your cognitive function and critical thinking skills, with every well-placed shot or winner hit down the line,\u201d Wu said.\n<\/p>\n Though tennis brings plenty of benefits, there\u2019s some risk involved, too.\n<\/p>\n Some Level of Physical Fitness Is Required <\/p>\n If you live a mostly sedentary lifestyle, check with your doctor before hitting the court, Wu advised.\n<\/p>\n \u201cUnderstanding your physical limitations is also important, especially if you\u2019re starting off brand new or returning from injury,\u201d he said.\n<\/p>\n Injuries Are Possible <\/p>\n Playing too much tennis without incorporating cross-training or adequate rest can lead to an increased risk of overuse injuries<\/a>.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Wu said common upper body injuries include lateral epicondylitis\u2014otherwise known as \u201ctennis elbow\u201d\u2014along with rotator cuff strains, caused by the repetitive nature of swinging a racquet over and over again. Sudden start and stop movements can also lead to a greater risk of calf strains and ankle sprains<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \u201cAll of these injuries can take time to heal before you\u2019re able to safely return to the court,\u201d Wu said.\u00a0<\/p>\n