Goffin retires in match after freak eye injury
This can be a dangerous type of injury. I have heard of detached retina's from this type of strike on the eye. From experience I know that most tennis balls cause abrasion injuries rather than impact on the eye. But the traumatic injuries that can occur do suggest some precautions.
I will tell you that many players have taken a hit off another players racket in front of them and also off their own frames. I've had both in over 50 years of tennis participation. It is a rare occurrence but Murphy's law says that the ball will look for your eye every time. A strike from a very fast incoming ball do a lot of damage even though the ball doesn't fit well in the socket like a racketball. It can cause enough trauma to easily give you temporary blurriness justifying an eye exam.
Just last week I saw a young girl in a clinic chatting at the curtain behind the court and not paying attention to the play in front of her as she waited her turn and a very fast groundstroke got through and hit her in the eye. Fortunately, she was is fine and it only caused her discomfort, but it could have been tragic. The risk exists so paying attention when you're out there near flying balls is very important.
Eye Protection:
If you need vision correction then you have the option of wearing some prescription lens sport glasses with frames that will help protect your eyes. Make sure both the lenses and frame are well designed for eye protection.
Sunglasses are also a source of protection not just from the sun but from misdirected balls heading for your eyes. I wear them whenever the sun is out and it's a bright day. Indoors you have no choice but to go without sunglasses but you can still have clear protective lenses.
Safety Precautions:
Don't look back at your partner when they are serving. Don't play close to the net if you can't handle the speed of your opponent's shots. Turn around if you're facing an overhead smash and you're in the front court area and don't have time to retreat or exit the court.
In practice environments it is helpful to limit the ball speed if there are more than two people on the court. Especially in tennis classes it is imperative to control the ball speed so that out of control shots don't hit someone else that is focused on their own game.
How to hot get hit in the face with a wild ball:
In any situation when the ball is flying out of control toward other players it is good to give a warning by yelling watch out, incoming, or the person's name and watch out. I always tell students not to look around to see where it's coming from but to face away from the court and down. If you want to hold your racket up behind your head or over it depending on where it is expected to visit you from it may deflect a strike. Looking around or up almost guarantees that Murphy's law will come into play and you'll take a hit.
