Why Does My Elbow Hurt When I Start Hitting Tennis Balls?

Your elbow may hurt during the first few tennis shots because the tendons around the joint have stiffened from repeated strain and have trouble handling impact before the arm fully warms up.

You may notice your elbow feels mostly fine walking onto the court, then suddenly grabs or aches once you start hitting. The first few forehands can feel rough, especially when the ball hits harder than expected or you tighten your grip during contact. This usually happens because the tendons on the outside of the elbow have become sensitive from repeated tennis strokes and stiffen up between sessions.

You might also feel like the arm needs several minutes to “wake up” before your shots feel normal again. The elbow can feel tight during early swings, weaker during backhands, or sore when you extend the arm through contact. Even if the pain settles once you warm up, repeated hitting often keeps irritating the same area, which is why the soreness tends to return during practice, later in matches, or afterward once the arm cools down.

The First Few Shots Feel Sharp And Tight

You may feel a quick jab or pulling sensation right as the racket contacts the ball.

The elbow often feels worst during the opening minutes because the forearm tendons are still stiff from previous strain and inactivity. Early contact can feel harsh before the arm loosens up, especially during harder forehands, serves, or off-center hits. Once circulation improves and the muscles warm up, the elbow may temporarily feel more flexible and less painful.

Repeated Hitting Keeps Re-Irritating The Same Spot

You may notice the pain fades for a while, then slowly builds again as you keep playing.

Long rallies, repeated gripping, and constant racket vibration can keep stressing the irritated tendon attachment near the elbow. You might feel the arm getting weaker or tighter as the session goes on, especially if you play several days in a row without enough recovery time. The area often feels more sore later that evening or the next morning after the tissues tighten back up again.

Managing Tissue Stress, Circulation, and Recovery

Pain that keeps returning during movement, after activity, or once the body cools down often means the injured tendons, ligaments, muscles, or nearby connective tissues are still recovering from repeated strain. When an area stays tight, restricted, or painful with normal movement, the tissues may not be moving or recovering as smoothly as they should.

Repeated stress can also leave circulation slower around the injured area, making it harder for oxygen, nutrients, and excess tissue fluids to move normally through the tissues. Over time, this can leave the area feeling stiff, weak, tight, or easier to aggravate during repeated movement and activity.

Topical Recovery Support

For acute injuries with pain, swelling and inflammation, some people apply Acute Sinew Liniment to help relieve pain, reduce swelling and inflammation, and increase blood flow to injured tissues to support faster recovery and a quicker return to activity. Some also use it alongside Sinew Herbal Ice to help speed up the recovery process and restore normal circulation and range of motion.

For ongoing pain, stiffness, or slow-healing areas after swelling and inflammation have subsided, some people apply Chronic Sinew Liniment to help relieve pain, stimulate circulation, and support recovery in overstretched tendons and ligaments. Some also pair it with Sinew Injury Poultice to further stimulate circulation and support deeper tissue recovery in areas with persistent pain and stiffness.

To warm up muscles, reduce tightness, and improve flexibility before or after activity, some people apply Sinew Sports Massage Oil to help increase circulation, prepare muscles for movement, relieve tightness, and support flexibility after activity.

Safety Notes

This article provides general educational information about the topic described above.

Persistent, severe, or worsening symptoms should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my elbow hurt most during the first few tennis shots?

The tendons around your elbow are often stiff at the start of play and react more painfully before the arm fully warms up.

Why does the pain ease once I keep playing?

Movement and increased circulation can temporarily loosen the area, making the elbow feel less tight for part of the session.

Can tennis elbow start gradually like this?

Yes. Tennis elbow commonly builds slowly from repeated hitting, gripping, and racket impact over time.

Why does my elbow feel worse again after tennis?

The area can tighten back up once activity stops, especially if the tendons were stressed repeatedly during play.

Should I stop playing if my elbow hurts early in matches?

If the pain keeps returning, becomes sharper, or starts affecting grip strength and normal swings, reducing strain and getting evaluated is a good idea.