Is That Shoulder Pain from Serving? Here’s When You Need a Sports Doctor In Melbourne

January 2026

By Essendon Sports Medicine Team

The Australian Open is just around the corner, and tennis fever is sweeping across Melbourne. Courts are filling up. Racquets are being dusted off. And for many weekend warriors, that means one thing: time to serve like the pros.

But there's one thing the cameras at Rod Laver Arena don’t show you — the shoulder pain that creeps up after too many big serves.

Whether you're trying to channel your inner Djokovic or just getting back into social comps, it's easy to push your shoulder too far without realising it. And often, pain that starts small can become something serious.

So how do you know when it's just soreness — and when it's time to see a sports doctor?

What You’ll Learn in This Blog:

• Why shoulder pain from serving is common during tennis season
   

• The difference between a sports doctor and other health professionals
   

• Clear signs you need to stop guessing — and get expert help, right here in Melbourne
   

Serving Like a Pro Comes With a Price

It’s January in Melbourne — the sun’s out, the racquets are swinging, and everyone’s inspired by the action at the Australian Open.

But here’s the truth: serving is one of the most demanding movements in all of sport. It might look smooth on TV, but behind the scenes, even elite players are managing shoulder injuries, rotator cuff strains, and joint irritation.

The average club player? Even more at risk — especially if you:

• Play once a week and try to “go hard”
   

• Don’t warm up properly
   

• Use poor technique or old equipment
   

• Serve repeatedly without balancing the load on your body
   

The result? Shoulder pain that lingers, gets worse with overhead movement, or starts interfering with your sleep.

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What Shoulder Injuries Are Common from Serving?

The repeated overhead motion of the serve can lead to overuse injuries, particularly in the rotator cuff — a group of small muscles and tendons that stabilise the shoulder joint.

Top Injuries Sports Doctors See in Tennis Players:

• Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy – slow-building pain, weakness, and reduced power
   

• Shoulder Impingement – sharp pain when lifting or serving
   

• Labral Tear (SLAP lesion) – clicking or locking deep in the joint
   

• Bursitis – inflammation that causes pain at rest and during motion
   

• AC Joint Irritation – pain at the top of the shoulder, especially with serves or smashes
   

These aren’t injuries you can stretch away or fix with a few YouTube exercises.

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Why You Need a Sports Doctor (Not Just a GP or Physio)

Many people start with rest, then maybe see a physio. While that works for mild cases, sometimes you need a deeper look.

Here’s the difference:

What a Sports Doctor Offers:

• Medical diagnosis — they’re trained doctors who specialise in sport and musculoskeletal medicine
   

• Advanced imaging — including MRI or ultrasound referrals to get the full picture
   

• Non-surgical treatments — including injections (like cortisone or PRP) where appropriate
   

• Referral to shoulder specialists or surgeons if needed
   

• Return-to-play planning for your sport, not just day-to-day comfort
   

Think of them as your tennis injury detective — finding out what’s wrong, how bad it is, and how to fix it, fast.

When Should You See a Sports Doctor?

Don’t wait until your shoulder stops you from playing altogether.

Here are 5 signs it’s time to book in:

1. Pain lasts more than a week after a hit
    

2. Serving feels weak, off, or painful
    

3. You can’t sleep on that side anymore
    

4. You feel clicking, popping, or catching in the shoulder
    

5. Physio or rest hasn’t made it better
    

And with the Australian Open bringing tennis into the spotlight, now’s the time people start pushing harder — and injuries increase.

In fact, according to Sports Medicine Australia, shoulder injuries in amateur tennis spike in January due to overuse and sudden return to play after time off.

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What Happens at a Sports Medicine Appointment?

Visiting a sports doctor in Melbourne typically involves:

• A full history of your pain and playing habits
   

• Hands-on shoulder testing
   

• Imaging referrals (MRI, ultrasound) if needed
   

• A clear diagnosis and recovery roadmap
   

• Coordination with physios or surgeons if necessary
   

They won't just say, "rest it and see." You'll get a real plan — tailored to your body, your sport, and your goals.

Why Melbourne is the Place to Act

Melbourne isn’t just the home of the Australian Open — it’s a hub for sports medicine. From East Melbourne to Hawthorn, the city offers:

• Highly trained sports physicians
   

• Access to top imaging centres
   

• Clinics connected to Tennis Australia, AFL, and elite academies
   

Whether you’re an amateur, junior, or someone getting back into tennis after a break, you're in the right city to get world-class care without the wait.

What Most Blogs Won’t Tell You…

Here’s what often gets skipped:

• “Stretching” alone won’t fix impingement or tendon tears
   

• Some conditions won’t show up on X-ray — you need ultrasound or MRI
   

• The earlier you treat shoulder issues, the faster and more complete your recovery
   

Waiting months can turn a small issue into a chronic injury. Sports doctors are trained to catch things before surgery becomes your only option.

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 3 Takeaways You Need

• Serving in tennis puts big stress on the shoulder — especially during summer and Australian Open season
   

• Sports doctors offer medical expertise beyond what physios and GPs can provide
   

• If you’re in Melbourne and your shoulder still hurts after serving — don’t wait. Get it checked before it becomes something bigger
   

Ask Yourself:

• Am I serving pain-free?
   

• Is my shoulder better, or the same after each match?
   

• Have I had a proper sports medical assessment?
   

If the answer isn’t “yes” across the board — it’s time to act.

Final Serve

The Australian Open reminds us how exciting tennis can be — but also how demanding it is on the body. Don’t let shoulder pain bench you this season.

See a Melbourne sports doctor.
Get answers.
Get better.
Get back on court.

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