Tennis elbow, shoulder pain and wrist tendinopathy are the three most common complaints for UK tennis players - and all three are connective tissue problems. Here's what's actually going on, and an honest look at where collagen fits.
If you play tennis regularly - club, competitive or social - the chances are you've dealt with elbow, shoulder or wrist pain at some point. These aren't bad luck injuries. They're the predictable result of the mechanical demands tennis places on connective tissue, repeated across thousands of strokes a season. Here's the honest picture.
Why Tennis Creates Specific Connective Tissue Problems
Tennis combines explosive lateral movement with repeated overhead and rotational striking - placing cumulative stress on the elbow tendons, shoulder ligaments and wrist connective tissue with every session. A club player hitting 200–300 balls a session generates thousands of these stress cycles across a season.
Connective tissue adapts slowly - considerably more slowly than cardiovascular fitness or stroke technique improves. That mismatch between structural adaptation and playing frequency is why tennis-specific overuse injuries are so common, particularly in players who increase how often or how hard they play.
How Different Strokes Stress Connective Tissue
These Are All Collagen Structures
The elbow tendons, shoulder ligaments and wrist connective tissue most stressed by tennis are all primarily collagen. Their mechanical properties are a function of the collagen fibres within them.
Hydrolysed collagen peptides are a source of the amino acids glycine, proline and hydroxyproline - the amino acids most abundant in collagen itself. Like other dietary proteins, consumed collagen is digested rather than delivered intact to a sore elbow or shoulder.
Research context
Research relevant to tennis players and climbers uses specific collagen peptide ingredients, doses, study designs and participant groups. Findings should be interpreted within those study conditions rather than treated as proof of a guaranteed result for every reader.
Published findings relate to the ingredient and outcomes studied. Revayo Prime is a food supplement and is not a substitute for professional advice, rehabilitation or medical care.
Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage, bones, skin, blood vessels, gums and teeth. This authorised claim relates to the Vitamin C in Revayo Prime.
Revayo Prime provides 14.77g of FORTIGEL® hydrolysed collagen peptides per serving alongside 189.9mg Vitamin C. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage, bones, skin, blood vessels, gums and teeth.
The Things With Evidence Behind Them
- Technique: poor backhand mechanics - particularly leading with the wrist rather than the shoulder - substantially increase lateral elbow stress. A coaching session focused on technique is often the highest-value intervention available.
- Racket setup: string tension and grip size both affect the impact forces transmitted to the elbow. A racket technician can advise on setup for players with elbow issues.
- Warm up properly: cold tendons tolerate load less well. A proper warm-up before playing is basic and underdone.
- Load management: gradual increases in session frequency and intensity. Sudden increases are the most common trigger for tennis-specific tendon problems.
- Progressive loading and physiotherapy: for established tendinopathy, a structured loading programme is what changes outcomes.
For the broader picture on supplements for active men, see best supplements for men over 35 who train.
How Men Typically Take Collagen
Revayo Prime - £39.99
14.77g FORTIGEL® hydrolysed collagen peptides + 189.9mg Vitamin C per serving. Made in the UK, no fillers and no proprietary blends. 450g pouch, 30 servings - £1.33 a day.
Buy 3 and save £10 - a 90-day supply
Shop Revayo Prime →Free UK delivery · 30-day money-back guarantee
Further reading: Collagen for tennis elbow and climber's elbow - Does collagen help shoulder pain - Best collagen for men in the UK - 2026 guide
Note: This article is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. If you have persistent or severe elbow, shoulder or wrist pain, consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement programme. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.