By Stephen Bauer
I’ve worked on both the ATP Tour and the WTA Tour, and have had the privilege of working with Conchita Martínez, a Wimbledon champion, as well as former world No. 1 junior and Junior Wimbledon champion Wesley Whitehouse.
In addition to coaching at the highest levels of tennis, I’ve also worked with a wide range of high-profile celebrities clients and athletes, including Gerard Butler, Seal, Jim Carrey, Jodie Foster, Hugh Jackman, Quentin Tarantino, Ben Stiller, Ewan McGregor, Kathy Bates, Kate Winslet, Jim Caviezel ,Cybill Shepherd, Kirsten Dunst, Mariska Hargitay,among others.
From that experience, I’ve seen firsthand how physically demanding this sport is—and how misunderstood certain player health issues remain.
Tennis is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. Matches can go on for hours in extreme heat, with constant sprinting, stopping, and explosive movement. Yet when it comes to one of the most dangerous physical conditions a player can face—cramping—the rules and attitudes in tennis still lag behind reality.
Cramping is not just “tight muscles.” It is often a sign of severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and physical distress. In extreme cases, it can lead to heat exhaustion or even heat stroke—conditions that absolutely warrant medical attention, including hospitalization and IV fluids.
In other sports, when an athlete is physically compromised, they are treated immediately. In tennis, however, players are often expected to “push through it,” or they risk penalties, criticism, or even accusations of gamesmanship if they seek treatment during a match. That mindset is outdated and dangerous.
The truth is, cramping doesn’t just start on the court—it builds long before the first ball is struck. It can come from cumulative fatigue, improper hydration days before a match, electrolyte depletion, travel, or even stress. By the time a player is cramping mid-match, the body is already in distress. At that point, it’s no longer just a performance issue—it’s a health issue.
Allowing proper medical treatment on court—including evaluation, stretching protocols, electrolyte replacement, and when necessary IV intervention—is not an advantage. It’s basic athlete safety.
The tennis community needs to rethink its rules:
Medical treatment for cramping should be allowed without stigma or penalty.
Qualified medical staff should have more authority to intervene.
Player safety must take priority over pace-of-play concerns.
Education on hydration and electrolyte balance should be emphasized days—not just hours—before competition.
We’ve seen too many players collapse, retire, or put themselves at real risk because they felt they had no choice but to continue.
Tennis prides itself on toughness—but real toughness isn’t ignoring medical danger. It’s respecting the body enough to protect it.
It’s time for the sport to evolve.