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Tennis player serving on clay court
Sports & Recreation

Tennis Risk Assessment Template

The complete guide to creating professional risk assessments for tennis clubs, schools, and sports organisations. Protect your players and meet international safety standards.

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Free to use Instant PDF download Updated January 2026

What's in this guide

01 Benefits of Tennis 02 Who Needs a Risk Assessment? 03 Legal & Regulatory Requirements 04 Key Hazards & Controls 05 Qualified Supervision 06 Court Safety Requirements 07 Pre-Session Checklist 08 Frequently Asked Questions 09 Related Guides

The essential guide to tennis safety

Tennis is a popular individual and doubles sport played at all levels from recreational to professional. The sport combines explosive movements, quick direction changes, and repetitive overhead actions that require careful risk management to ensure player safety.

A comprehensive risk assessment is essential for any tennis club, school programme, or sports organisation. It demonstrates your commitment to player safety, helps prevent injuries, and ensures compliance with health and safety legislation.

This guide covers everything you need to create a thorough tennis risk assessment—from identifying activity-specific hazards to implementing practical control measures that keep your players safe on the court.

Tennis player serving on clay court
Sport & Fitness
Training Benefits

Why tennis is worth the investment

Understanding the benefits helps you communicate value to participants while creating a balanced risk assessment.

Cardiovascular Health

Enhances cardiovascular health and stamina through sustained physical activity and movement.

Hand-Eye Coordination

Improves hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills essential for effective gameplay.

Agility & Balance

Develops agility and balance through quick lateral movements and changes in direction.

Strategic Thinking

Boosts mental focus and strategic thinking required for match play and opponent analysis.

Flexibility

Increases flexibility and range of motion through various strokes and stretching.

Muscle Toning

Supports weight management and muscle toning through consistent physical exertion and training.

Who needs a tennis risk assessment?

If you're involved in organising or delivering tennis activities, you need a documented risk assessment. This applies to:

Tennis Clubs

Whether you're a community club affiliated with your national tennis association, a private club, or a recreational facility, you have a duty of care to your members. Your risk assessment should cover regular coaching sessions, social play, matches, and tournaments.

Schools & Educational Settings

Schools offering tennis as part of physical education curriculum, after-school clubs, or inter-school competitions must conduct risk assessments. Educational settings have additional safeguarding considerations for young participants.

Sports Centres & Leisure Facilities

Commercial venues with tennis courts should ensure appropriate risk assessments are in place, coordinating with coaches to cover all aspects of safety including court conditions and equipment.

Tournament & Event Organisers

Anyone organising tennis competitions needs specific risk assessments covering the competition environment, multiple courts, medical provisions, and spectator management.

Insurance requirement

Most insurance providers require documented risk assessments as a condition of coverage. Without one, your liability insurance may be invalid in the event of a claim.

Risk Identification

Key hazards & control measures

Effective risk assessment starts with thorough hazard identification. Here are the primary hazards associated with tennis.

Slippery Court Surface High Risk
Potential Harm

Slips, falls, sprains, fractures.

Control Measures
  • Ensure the court is clean and dry before play
  • Regularly maintain the court surface to prevent slipperiness
  • Use appropriate cleaning methods to remove moisture or debris
  • Delay play if the court is deemed unsafe
Benefit

A dry court surface enhances player performance and reduces injury risk.

Uneven Court Surface High Risk
Potential Harm

Trips, falls, ankle sprains, injuries from uneven footing.

Control Measures
  • Inspect the court regularly for cracks or uneven areas
  • Repair any damages promptly to maintain a level surface
  • Use only courts that meet safety standards
  • Inform players of any temporary uneven spots
Benefit

A smooth court surface improves the quality of play.

Mis-Hit Tennis Balls Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Injuries from being struck by balls, eye injuries.

Control Measures
  • Educate players on proper hitting techniques
  • Encourage the use of protective eyewear if appropriate
  • Install netting or barriers to protect adjacent areas
  • Supervise play to address reckless behavior
Benefit

Improving hitting skills reduces mis-hits and enhances game quality.

Loose Tennis Net Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Tripping, falls, entanglement, injuries.

Control Measures
  • Ensure the net is properly installed and secured before play
  • Regularly inspect the net and posts for wear and tear
  • Tighten or adjust the net as needed during matches
  • Replace damaged nets promptly
Benefit

A properly set net ensures fair play and reduces hazards.

Inadequate Warm-Up Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Muscle strains, sprains, injuries from sudden exertion.

Control Measures
  • Implement mandatory warm-up routines before play
  • Include dynamic stretching and sport-specific exercises
  • Allocate sufficient time for warming up
  • Educate players on the importance of proper warm-up
Benefit

Proper warm-up enhances performance and reduces injury risk.

Poor Weather Conditions High Risk
Potential Harm

Slips from wet conditions, heatstroke, lightning strikes.

Control Measures
  • Monitor weather forecasts and postpone play during rain
  • Use squeegees or drying equipment to remove water
  • Provide shaded areas for rest during hot conditions
  • Suspend play immediately during thunderstorms
Benefit

Playing in varied conditions can improve adaptability.

Dehydration & Sun Exposure Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Dizziness, cramps, sunburn, heatstroke.

Control Measures
  • Ensure water is readily available courtside
  • Schedule hydration breaks during play
  • Encourage use of sunscreen with high SPF
  • Provide shaded rest areas
Benefit

Proper hydration enhances performance and recovery.

Improper Footwear Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Slips, reduced traction, ankle injuries.

Control Measures
  • Recommend tennis-specific shoes with proper grip and support
  • Discourage playing in inappropriate footwear
  • Inspect footwear for wear and tear
  • Educate players on importance of proper shoes
Benefit

Proper footwear enhances performance and safety.

Damaged Equipment Medium Risk
Potential Harm

Injuries from equipment failure, accidents.

Control Measures
  • Regularly inspect rackets, balls, nets, and other equipment
  • Replace or repair faulty equipment promptly
  • Use equipment that meets safety standards
  • Educate players on reporting damaged equipment
Benefit

Safe equipment ensures consistent play and reduces injury risk.

Safeguarding High Risk
Potential Harm

Risk of abuse, harassment, neglect.

Control Measures
  • Implement a safeguarding policy and train all staff
  • Conduct background checks on coaches and volunteers
  • Provide clear reporting procedures for concerns
  • Foster an environment of respect and safety
Benefit

A safe environment allows focus on enjoyment and development.

This guide covers the most common hazards. Our risk assessment wizard includes 30 hazards and 120+ control measures for Tennis, sourced from industry guidance — create your assessment in minutes.

Qualified supervision

All tennis sessions must be led by appropriately qualified coaches. Essential requirements include:

  • Recognised coaching qualification from your national tennis association (minimum Level 1/Assistant)
  • Background/safeguarding check for anyone working with children or vulnerable adults
  • Current first aid certification
  • Safeguarding training (child protection awareness)
  • Valid insurance covering coaching activities

Player-to-coach ratios

Recommended maximum ratios for safe supervision:

  • Under 10s: 1 coach to 6 players
  • 10-16 years: 1 coach to 8 players
  • Adults: 1 coach to 10 players

For private lessons or intensive coaching, lower ratios are essential.

Heat illness awareness

Tennis is often played in warm conditions. Be alert to signs of heat exhaustion: excessive sweating, pale skin, muscle cramps, dizziness. Remove affected players from the court immediately and seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

Court safety requirements

The condition of the court and equipment is crucial for player safety. Before any session or match, assess:

Court Surface

  • Surface should be clean, dry, and free of debris
  • No cracks, holes, or uneven areas
  • Clear court markings
  • Different surfaces (hard, clay, grass) have specific maintenance needs

Net and Posts

  • Net at correct height (914mm at center, 1.07m at posts)
  • Posts secure and stable
  • Net properly tensioned without holes or damage
  • Center strap secure

Surroundings

  • Adequate clearance around the court (minimum 3.65m at baseline)
  • Fencing to contain balls and protect adjacent areas
  • Adequate lighting for indoor courts or evening play

Practical tip

Walk the court before every session. Check for loose debris, water pooling, and any surface damage. Keep a squeegee or brush courtside for quick maintenance during play.

Safety Checklist

Pre-session checklist

Court & Equipment

  • Court surface clean and dry
  • No cracks or uneven areas
  • Net at correct height
  • Posts secure
  • Balls in good condition
  • First aid kit accessible
  • Fencing intact

Players

  • Appropriate tennis attire
  • Proper tennis shoes
  • No jewellery
  • Rackets in good condition
  • Any injuries declared
  • Water bottles available
  • Sunscreen applied (outdoor)

Supervision & Documentation

  • Qualified coach(es) present
  • Appropriate ratios maintained
  • First aider identified
  • Attendance completed
  • Session plan appropriate
Help Centre

Frequently asked questions

A tennis risk assessment should include: identification of hazards specific to tennis (court surfaces, equipment, weather), who is at risk, existing control measures, risk ratings before and after controls, emergency procedures, and review dates.

The most common tennis injuries include: tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), shoulder injuries from serving, wrist strains, ankle sprains from lateral movements, knee injuries, and back pain. A thorough risk assessment should address prevention measures for each.

Tennis coaches should hold a coaching qualification from their national tennis association, appropriate background checks, current first aid certification, and safeguarding training. Higher qualifications are required for performance coaching.

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