RETURN TO PLAY
RETURN TO PLAY
Return to Play is an individualised, on-court service supporting tennis players returning after injury, illness, surgery, or age-related changes.
For many, tennis is closely tied to identity and psychological wellbeing. When physical capacity changes, return to play is not purely physical. It requires confidence, recalibration, and a structured re-engagement with the game.
The Return to Play program addresses this intersection of physical recovery and return-to-play readiness.
SERVICE OVERVIEW
Individualised on-court sessions calibrated to current physical capacity, with progression guided by clinical presentation rather than pre-injury performance expectations
Integration of physical, psychological, and behavioural factors influencing return to play
Responsive session management accounting for fatigue, symptom variability, and performance-related frustration
Optional incorporation of evidence-informed mental skills strategies, including guided visualisation and relaxation techniques
Written clinical summaries provided to referring practitioners following each session.
Initial assessment
The Return to Play Assessment is a standalone, on-court session.
Tennis-specific functional observation
Identification of current capabilities and constraints
Written report provided to the referring practitioner
For some individuals, a single session is sufficient to inform ongoing management.
Ongoing engagement
Where appropriate onging engagement may include:
A structured six-week return-to-play program, or
Flexible, session-based progression
All pathways are guided by individual presentation rather than fixed timelines.
PRACTITIONER PROFILE
Nicole Sultana – Tennis Reconditioning Specialist
BAppSci (Exercise and Sports Science) | Postgraduate Diploma (Pastoral Care) | Certified Tennis Coach
I bring a combined background in exercise science, clinical support, and tennis coaching to my practice as a reconditioning specialist.
My experience includes over ten years in acute hospital and hospice settings, supporting patients through injury, illness, loss of function, and end-of-life care. Working within multidisciplinary teams, I held space for the vulnerable, existential uncertainties of sudden physical change, contributing directly to the clinical understanding of patient readiness and emotional adjustment.
Today, I translate this clinical background into my work with tennis players. This is complemented by my experience as a tennis coach, former state-level junior player, and my own return to the sport after an extended absence due to injury and illness. I understand that returning to the court involves not just physical readiness, but adjusting to a changed relationship with the game. This dual perspective allows me to provide structured, patient-centred reconditioning that honours both physical capability and the psychological factors influencing a return to activity.
REFERRAL CRITERIA
Appropriate for individuals who:
Are seasoned players adapting their technique and court strategy to match current physical capacities
Present with reduced confidence, altered movement patterns, or difficulty re-engaging with tennis
Have had extended time away from the game due to illness or significant life events
Are medically cleared for graded return to activity following injury or surgery.
Self-referrals are accepted where no treating practitioner is involved.
REFERRAL AND CONTACT
Referrals and enquiries are welcome from medical, surgical and allied health professionals.
Written clinical summaries provided following each appointment
Available for case discussion where appropriate.
Email: facesoftennis@gmail.com