08/21/2026
Shoulder pain during your serve doesn’t automatically mean the problem starts and ends at the shoulder.
Serving is a full-body movement, so I usually want to look at more than the painful area.
𝟭. 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗜𝗡
Force moves from the ground through your legs, hips and trunk before reaching the arm. If you’re not using that chain efficiently, the upper body may have to take on more of the workload.
𝟮. 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 + 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟
Your rotator cuff helps produce movement while also controlling and stabilizing the shoulder through demanding positions. For a tennis player, basic band exercises may be a starting point, but eventually the shoulder needs enough capacity for the range, speed and repeated demands of serving.
𝟯. 𝗠𝗢𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 + 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟
Having enough range of motion matters. But simply being able to reach a position doesn’t tell us whether you can control it under load or at speed.
A simple thing you can observe: slowly move your arm through an overhead serve-like position. Notice whether the movement feels comfortable and controlled, whether you compensate by excessively shrugging or arching, and whether it reproduces your symptoms.
That isn’t a diagnosis. It’s simply information that may help identify what deserves a closer look.
If your shoulder keeps complaining every time you return to serving, don’t just keep repeating the same cycle of rest, stretch, serve, pain.
Comment 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗𝗘𝗥 and I’ll send you my free guide, Shoulder Pain: Save Your Serve.
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