Spectator care is delivered at six first aid posts staffed by the St John Ambulance Brigade. Wimbledon is steeped in history, but very contemporary. Familiarity with grass courts is crucial for Wimbledon medical staff because the surface creates a unique injury profile compared with other tennis surfaces. Batt had previously covered the Nottingham Open, a precursor to Wimbledon, which is also played on grass courts. Though he says playing on grass is kinder to the joints, it is typically damper than other tennis surfaces and can contribute to slips and falls.
Players react with different techniques.
They have to get down lower, and that can be hard on the back, gluteal, and hamstring muscles. Most injuries encountered by the medical team are typical of those to elite tennis players, such as overuse injuries of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist. Patellar tendinosis is common, Batt says, as are foot and ankle complaints. A factor that can complicate injury management is timing treatments based on a player's next match, he says. Match duration varies depending on match length and player success.