Dear Members,

This issue of Medicine and Science in Tennis marks a changing of the guard, though the quality remains as high as ever. Babette Pluim, MD, PhD and founding editor, has stepped aside, after 13 years of guiding our journal and raising it to significant heights, well respected among those whose life is tennis, tennis medicine and science. Javier Maquirriain, MD, PhD, orthopaedic surgeon, Medical Director of the Argentine Tennis Association, as well as head physician for the Argentinian Davis Cup, Fed Cup and Olympic tennis teams, has agreed to carry the torch as editor of the STMS journal. Javier is a former competitive tennis player, who has written and edited several books related to tennis and tennis medicine, and he continues to perform research in tennis and tennis injury. We welcome Javier and the experience he brings, to carry on the great job Babette has done.

This issue of Medicine and Science in Tennis contains a few original research articles of importance. Dr. Koehn does an excellent job discussing the popular topic of flow and performance, while Dr. Brown reports on the important topic of shoulder injuries in junior players – the second most common location of pain in the tennis player. Babette Pluim scientifically reviews what we have always believed…playing tennis provides health benefits. Tim Wood reviews a special journal edition on Heat Stress in Sport – something he is quite experienced with, being the head physician for the Australian Open. Javier Maquirriain reports an unusual cause of shoulder pain in a tennis player, and Babette Pluim reviews the book of Complete Conditioning for Tennis.  And finally, our Meet The Expert section highlights another of our members, Michael Turner, the long standing chief medical officer for the Lawn Tennis Association. 

I look forward to seeing you in Tokyo!
Marc R. Safran, MD
President, STMS