A Wimbledon podiatrist has lifted the lid on the hidden medical team helping tennis stars battle blisters, corns and grass-court injuries during the championships
Wimbledon’s podiatrist said the championships are the “place to be” as he shared what it is like to treat the feet of tennis superstars.
Sal Afzal, consultant podiatrist at The London Clinic in Harley Street, is back at Wimbledon for the sixth time this year, where he forms part of the multidisciplinary medical team on hand to support players throughout the two-week tournament. Mr Afzal is on-site in his medical room beneath Centre Court from 8am each day of the championships, ready to provide speedy care for players in need.
Wimbledon boasts a “full-blown” medical team, complete with podiatrists, doctors, consultants, massage therapists and physiotherapists, Mr Afzal said.
Staff are there to support players facing a variety of challenges, some of which arise from the fact that Wimbledon is the only grand slam played on grass, which can create problems for players – and their feet.
The change of surface from the hard and clay courts used in the Australian, US and French opens can leave players prone to more moving in their shoes – which sometimes unsuitable for the turf – and to slipping or twisting.
Most commonly, Mr Afzal finds himself treating players who have developed corns, calluses and blisters. The podiatrist said: “One of the biggest things that we find with all players, whatever rank they are, is they’re so grateful. The fact they’re getting free, high-level treatment is by the by.”
Often working at speed to treat a player shortly before they are due to play, and sometimes under pressure from coaches, the pace at which Mr Afzal must treat his patients is something he describes as a “massive challenge”.
He said: “(Players will say) Saj, I’ve got to hit in 15 minutes, what can you do? And you look at a patient and think, ‘whoa’.
“So you do a minimal amount of treatment that you can to get them through a game, and then post-match, you’ll carry on, you do further treatment.”
Mr Afzal treats all players, from those at the start of their career at the Wimbledon qualifiers, to the biggest names on Centre Court, but he never feels starstruck.
He said: “They’ve got two feet and 10 toes. I say, sit down and do exactly as I say, and suddenly, they are on the receiving end, and they’re the patient.”
What makes Wimbledon special for Mr Afzal is the “pristine” medical facilities, this year featuring a new gym, clinical zones and the latest technology, he said, adding: “It’s the place to be. It’s humbling to know they wanted me here.”
“It’s all about getting a player through their journey, whether they’re from quallies (qualifiers) through to here, or if they’re here and they’ve been ranked, keeping them going on the best footing we can,” Mr Afzal said.
Though the podiatrist is too busy to watch the tournament while treating its stars, he enjoys having strawberries and cream “on tap”, and the more light-hearted moments.
Mr Afzal said: “There’s an area where they warm up, and some of the players were playing with a football.
“It kind of trickled into my corridor, I went to kick the ball out, and, of course, I’m obviously not very good at football, I kicked it, it hit two walls, and it bounced straight back and hit me on the head.
“I picked up the ball and walked out to the main area and I said, ‘I think I better hand this to you’, and they all fell about laughing.
“This is a player that you think, they’re very, very serious all the time, but he was actually on the floor in hysterics, and he said to me, ‘Saj, stick to feet’.”
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