Tennis, which can be played by everyone at all ages, is known for its health benefits. His practice is also a real therapeutic tool in the fight against chronic diseases. The French Tennis Federation has started, as part of its Tennis Health program, a labeling campaign "Club Tennis Santé". Initiated last July, this program already has 80 labeled clubs.

From 2014 and in accordance with the recommendations of the CNOSF, the FFT gathered a part of its entities (the Federal Pole, the National Technical Directorate, the Medical Commission and those of the Leagues) to implement the Tennis Health program, in collaboration with specialists in each pathology, with the aim of preventing and reducing the risk factors as well as the functional limitations related to the disease.

The Tennis Santé program, which allows you to play tennis in a fun way and interact socially, is dedicated to people with signs of aging and / or suffering from various pathologies: obliterating arterial disease of the lower limbs (PADI), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD), cancer (breast, prostate, colon), coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension (hypertension), stress, anxiety, depression or even overweight and obesity.

Au 1er October 2019, 80 FFT clubs obtained their “Health Tennis Club” label, subject to strict specifications and guaranteeing individualized and secure tennis practice. These receive an average of 700 beneficiaries each year. Seduced by this program and the real benefit brought to practitioners, many other clubs are in the process of being labeled across France.

To participate in this adapted program, people with a pathology must consult their doctor, general practitioner or specialist. The latter then has the option of prescribing prescription tennis sessions as part of a medical follow-up. Patients can also get a refund of their sessions (depending on their complementary health organization).

These Tennis Health sessions are given by professional tennis teachers (DE or DES) who have received specific training offered by their respective league. They are based on evolving material that allows each practitioner, novice or not, to carry out exchanges and have fun. The ground, the net, the racket or the balls used then adapt to the state of health and to the physical capacities of each one. At the same time, the lessons ensure a real follow-up with the help of the “Pass'sport Tennis Health FFT” which they share with the doctor of each practitioner.

To allow the greatest number of clubs to propose this program meeting a real need, the FFT, its Leagues and its Committees subsidize the clubs engaged in its development. Beyond this support, they support these clubs through material, educational and administrative support, but also by taking charge of the FFT license and offering training.

To find a "Health Tennis Club" adapted to their needs, practitioners can rely on the medical profession but also refer to local devices or networks, such as Prescriforme, or consult the complete list on the site fft.fr. In addition, these clubs are identified on the mobile application of the FFT Ten'Up thanks to a special pictogram.

Key figures 

The practice of tennis is:

  • A decrease in the risk of mortality of 47% (all causes) *
  • A lower risk of cardiovascular mortality of 56% *
  • An extension of the lifespan of its practitioners up to 9,7 years **

* Associations of specific types of sports and exercise with all-cause and cardiovascular-disease mortality: a cohort of 80 306 British adults, British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2016

** Various Leisure-Time Physical Activities Associated With Widely Divergent Life Expectancies: The Copenhagen City Heart Study, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2018

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovers the padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since padel is part of his life. You often see him touring France going to cover the major events of padel French.