Top-level athletes, a sports event integrated in international competitions, high pressure, physical strain, and competitive spirit to the fullest; when it all happens simultaneously, as is the case at Estoril Open 2021 , one other special element could not be absent: a team of Hospital da Luz physiotherapists , present in-person and in full-time. Madalena Carvalho, João Simões, João Cunha and Georgina Cardoso integrate the team of physiotherapists and massage therapists in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation from Hospital da Luz Lisboa, that are once again allocated to the Millennium Estoril Open. “We don’t see these people for a year. But when we meet again, it is like we are old friends. The truth is that this partnership exists for some years now: so, it is only natural that we end up by creating bonds with the athletes, their teams and particularly with our ATP colleagues.” Madalena, as you can see, is a repeater in this major tennis tournament held in Portugal. The Hospital da Luz Lisboa physiotherapist confesses she does not miss the opportunity: “These are 9 intensive days, with very demanding work, yes. But this is also a very rich moment and of great learning for us. About new techniques and new approaches in the prevention, treatment, and quick recovery of this kind of athletes, for they must be fit in little time, to be able to go back to the court” , she justifies. And adds: “It is also an excellent opportunity to prepare ourselves to start working, then, at Hospital da Luz Lisboa, with other top-level athletes” , as she stated, referring to the future center dedicated to Sports Medicine and High-Performance, that HLL will inaugurate before the end of this year. With 10 to 15 athletes in her hands daily Between 10 to 15 athletes go literally through her hands, daily, during the tournament. There are workouts and matches every day, therefore the tennis players in this international event, counting for the ATP world ranking, need support in their physical preparation, muscle recovery, effort lesions treatment, among many other situations. “We give support to athletes before, during and after matches. Even when they do not have matches, they train and need that support” , she begins by explaining. “Before, we usually start by doing articular mobilization, structures warming-up, dynamic stretching… After matches, we give support in muscle recovery, apply recovery massage and stretching, and we may have to help solving any dysfunction arisen during the match” , reports the physiotherapist. “This is a very specific and technical work, which also requires from us an intense physical effort” , adds Madalena, further explaining: “Before each match or workout session, we also dedicate around 20-30 minutes to prepare the athlete. After the match, we definitely dedicate one hour of work to each tennis player” . This year, due to the pandemic, the Hospital da Luz support team of physiotherapists and massage therapists is divided into “two poles” : in the precinct of the tournament, where the matches and training sessions take place; and in the hotel where the athletes are installed. “Of course, we had to adapt to this new reality. We work in close physical proximity with other people, we touch them…” Therefore, they are always equipped with the adequate protection gear and, obviously, undertake Covid-19 testing every two days, like all the team of Hospital da Luz Lisboa professionals directly involved in the clinical assistance to Millennium Estoril Open 2021. Together with the team of PM&R and the physicians and nurses allocated to the tournament, in the whole around 20 health professionals from Hospital da Luz Lisboa are involved. They work daily in the precinct, inside medical centres that are equipped with all the devices necessary to assist the athletes, respective teams and all the organization staff of Millennium Estoril Open. The event also counts with the backup support of medical teams in different specialities and means of diagnostic from Hospital da Luz Lisboa. This time with no public present, but being the major tennis event in Portugal, the Millennium Estoril Open 2021 brings to our country some of the top tennis players in the world. The Argentinian Diego Schwartzman (currently n. 9 in the ATP ranking), the French Gaël Monfils (n. 14), the Spanish Pablo Carreño Busta (n. 15), the Italian Fabio Fognini (n. 17), the Chilean Christian Garín (n. 20) and João Sousa (the best Portuguese tennis player of all times and winner of the 2018 tournament, which will be the wild card) are the prominent names of the tournament, where a total of 28 players will be participating. “ We used to see them on TV and we have the idea that some of them are true stars, but after all, when we are with them, they are friendly, nice, common people” , confesses also Madalena. However: “They are very demanding, they know exactly what they need and want us to do. We must really be at our best when dealing with the best!” , concludes the Hospital da Luz Lisboa physiotherapist.
