Padel, tennis and squash: protecting your knees on court in Qatar

Three sports, three different loads

Padel, tennis and squash look similar, but each stresses the knee in its own way, and that changes which injuries appear.

• Padel: a small court, short reaction steps, low volleys and deep lunges, played on artificial turf with sand that grips the sole. Twisting on a fixed foot is the main risk, and many players start in their 40s or 50s.
• Tennis: longer sprints and hard braking on hard courts, plus repeated push-off in the serve. Overuse problems of the patellar tendon and the front of the knee are frequent.
• Squash: the deepest and most repeated lunges of the three, in a closed court with little recovery time between rallies. The kneecap joint and the meniscus take most of the load.

Common knee problems in racket players

Acute injuries usually come from a single movement: a twist while reaching for a ball behind you, or the foot sticking as you change direction. They include meniscus tears, MCL sprains on the inner side, and less often ACL tears.

Overuse problems build over weeks. Patellar tendinopathy, felt as pain just below the kneecap, follows explosive push-off and sudden increases in playing time. Patellofemoral pain at the front of the knee is aggravated by deep lunging and stairs. In players over 40, a meniscus can tear with very little force because the tissue has weakened with age, and existing knee osteoarthritis may flare after a run of long matches.

Warning signs worth stopping for

Mild stiffness the morning after a long session is common. These signs suggest something more than overload:

• A sharp pain on the inner or outer joint line when you twist or squat
• Swelling that appears within hours of a movement, or a knee that puffs up after every match
• Catching, clicking with pain, or the knee locking so it cannot fully straighten
• The knee giving way during a lunge or a change of direction
• Tendon pain that is getting worse week by week rather than settling

A locked knee, a sudden inability to walk, or a hot, red and swollen knee with fever needs prompt medical attention.

Prevention and warm-up for court sports

Most racket players arrive, hit a few balls and start a match. A short, deliberate warm-up of around ten minutes helps more: light jogging, side shuffles, gentle lunges that gradually get deeper, and a few quick split steps.

• Strengthen the thighs and hips two or three times a week, with squats, split squats, step-downs and side-lying hip work
• Wear sport-specific shoes: padel soles for turf and sand, and tennis or court shoes for hard and indoor surfaces, and replace them when the tread wears smooth
• Increase playing time gradually; jumping from one to five sessions a week is a common trigger for tendon pain
• If you have arthritis or a previous meniscus problem, prefer doubles, shorter sessions and rest days between matches

Playing in Doha: heat, courts and timing

Padel courts are now found across Doha, from hotels and clubs to residential compounds, and many are indoor and air-conditioned. Tennis players can use public facilities such as the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in West Bay, which has hard courts open to amateur players. Squash is played indoors all year.

In the hot months, outdoor play is easier on the body early in the morning or late in the evening. Heat and dehydration bring on fatigue, and tired legs lunge with poorer control, which is when twisting injuries happen. Drink before and during play, and remember that hard courts become very hot in direct sun. During Ramadan, a lighter first week of evening games after iftar is sensible.

Returning to court after injury or surgery

Return is guided by the type of injury and by how the knee performs. An MCL sprain often allows a return within several weeks. Patellar tendinopathy usually needs a structured loading programme over a few months, while you keep playing at a reduced level if pain stays mild. After a meniscus repair, pivoting sports are usually delayed for several months to let the repair heal; after a partial meniscectomy, return is often quicker. After ACL reconstruction, racket sports are commonly resumed from around nine months.

Before returning, you should be able to lunge, hop and change direction without pain or swelling the next day. Many players restart with drills and doubles before singles.

When to see a knee surgeon in Doha

Book an assessment if your knee swells after play, catches or locks, gives way, or hurts for more than two weeks despite rest. At Aman Hospital, Dr. Pablo Gelber examines the meniscus, ligaments, kneecap and tendons, and arranges imaging when it will change the plan. For older players, he also considers whether symptoms come from a meniscus tear or from arthritis, because the treatment and the expectations differ. Many racket players are treated with physiotherapy, activity changes and time; surgery is considered when there is a mechanical problem such as a displaced tear, or when the knee remains unstable.