Tennis is one of the most complete sports that exist for our health, but it is also one of the most popular in our country, thanks to figures like Rafa Nadal, who participates in the 71st Edition of the Open Banc Sabadell – Conde de Trophy. Godó, which is held at the Real Club de Tenis de Barcelona until April 21.
The benefits of this very popular sports discipline occur not only on a physical level, but also mentally, explains Dr. Mindaugas Gudelis, a specialist in the Sports Medicine and Traumatology Unit of the Teknon Tennis Clinic of Barcelona at the Teknon Medical Center, a hospital that repeats as the Official Medical Service of the tournament for another year in an agreement that will extend until 2027.
“Tennis is a very complete sport with benefits both physically and mentally. It can help improve the work of the respiratory and cardiovascular system, as well as burn calories,” he emphasizes.
Gudelis also mentions improvements in the person’s coordination and proprioception, with movements on the court or hitting the ball, as well as the coordination of movement between the lower body, the trunk, and the upper extremities. “But tennis is also distinguished by its psychological benefits, since it improves the player’s concentration, mental capacity, patience, but also their levels of improvement,” highlights the doctor.
The main quality that a tennis player must have, in the opinion of this specialist from the Sports Medicine and Traumatology Unit of the Teknon Tennis Clinic in Barcelona, ??is to be an athlete from a physical point of view, but also on a psychological level because, according to values, a tennis player makes great efforts on the court. “Starting, running, changing direction and hitting the ball, and for this he needs great aerobic and anaerobic resistance, at the same time he must endure great emotional tension during the competition. This explosive force in speed must also be maintained throughout the game, not just at the beginning of it,” details this expert.
For this reason, he emphasizes that coordination is also very important so that the player can read what is happening on the court and thus be in the best conditions when making the correct decisions during the match, and here he highlights the need to have joint flexibility and muscle elasticity.
What is the optimal technique in tennis? As described by Dr. Mindaugas Gudelis, a specialist in Sports Medicine, it is one that allows the most efficient combination of power and control, both in hitting the ball and in movement, consequently reducing the risk to a minimum. of injury.
“Correct biomechanics consists of knee flexion and extension, hip rotation, rotation of the trunk and arm towards the shoulder, as well as elbow extension with forearm pronation, and wrist flexion. . This chain allows you to maximize power, control, delay fatigue, and prevent player injuries,” he maintains.
Specifically, the Official Medical Service team of the Conde de Godó tournament will be made up of nearly 40 highly qualified health professionals, who will be led by Dr. Ángel Ruiz Cotorro, director of the Teknon Tennis Clinic, as well as medical officer of the Royal Spanish Federation. of Tennis (RFET). These will attend ‘in situ’ to any incident that may arise during the competition, while at the same time helping the tennis players to be in the best condition, both before and after each match.
If other types of tests or more specific treatments are required, they will be referred to the Teknon Medical Center, categorized as having the most advanced technology in this field, and which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary. Precisely, it has a multidisciplinary team that covers all medical-surgical specialties. “Anyone attending the tournament can be certain that they will have the best care for any medical need that may arise,” celebrates Ruiz Cotorro.
Like last year, specialists from the Teknon Tennis Clinic will participate this Saturday, April 13, in scientific conferences that will be held at the Real Club de Tenis de Barcelona-1899 on sport, integrity, and health.
In this way, the Quirónsalud health group consolidates its commitment to tennis health, currently being responsible for the Medical Services of the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) and, since 2019, the Official Medical Service of the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar .
In addition, it has been the Official Provider of Medical Services for the last three editions of the Davis Cup finals, held in Spain, and last year it looked after the health of the best players in the world who met in Seville for the first time. , at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals 2023 by Gainbridge, the women’s Tennis World Cup.
Likewise, for more than two decades it has collaborated with the Mutua Madrid Open Tennis and has also been present as the Official Medical Service in the latest editions of other major tennis sports tournaments held in our country.
