Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray: Players' Hands Are Often Put to the Test

© AFP

Arthur Millot

le 09/10/2025 à 16h27

2 min to read

Djokovic Federer Murray Nadal

They have held trophies and signed unforgettable victories. The hands of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray are among the most famous in world sports. Yet, these precision tools have been put to the test for decades.

Roger Federer is associated with grace and fluidity. But even the Swiss maestro has experienced moments of intense suffering. In 2014, he revealed he had felt chronic joint pain in his fingers, to the point of fearing he would drop his racket mid-rally.

"No one talked about it, but my hands were my weak point. I suffered in silence."

On his part, Rafael Nadal has often made headlines for his knee or foot injuries. But his hands have been the scene of constant torment. His ultra-physical style and tight grip inflicted extreme tension on his left wrist and fingers.

"I had open blisters, blood on the handle. But stop? Impossible."

Moreover, during the 2019 French Open, he had to change his grip several times per match to avoid burns. His long-time coach, Toni Nadal, recounted: "Sometimes he was in so much pain that he couldn't even hold a fork after matches."

For Novak Djokovic, behind his exceptional versatility lies a sensitivity in the nerves of his fingers. The Serb confessed in 2020:

"There were times when I couldn't feel my fingers due to nerve pressure."

Thus, he adapted his training to spare his hands, using cryotherapy techniques, digital physiotherapy, and even special gloves during recovery phases.

Finally, Andy Murray, known for his resilience, has also endured persistent hand pain, often overshadowed by his hip issues. But according to his former physical trainer:

"Andy gripped his racket so tightly that he had constant micro-injuries in his palms and forearms." "It's like a pianist admitting they can no longer feel their fingers. You don't want to hear that," adds a former ATP tour physiotherapist.

Today, the top players work with hand specialists, orthotists, use pressure sensors, laser treatments, and customized protocols to prevent wear and optimize every movement.