From your photo, it looks like you have a small bruise (subungual hematoma) under the fingernail caused by the impact. There does not appear to be a major deformity, but I can't confirm a diagnosis from a photo alone.
For the fastest recovery:
- Ice the finger for 15–20 minutes every 2–3 hours during the first 24–48 hours. Wrap the ice in a towel—don't place it directly on the skin.
- Elevate your hand above heart level whenever possible to reduce swelling.
- Rest the finger. Avoid playing tennis or gripping the racket tightly until the pain improves.
- Buddy tape the injured finger to the finger next to it if movement is painful (unless a fracture is suspected or taping increases pain).
- If needed and safe for you, you can use an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen according to the label directions.
When to see a doctor soon
You should have the finger examined, and possibly get an X-ray, if:
- You cannot bend or straighten the finger.
- The pain is severe or getting worse.
- The finger looks crooked or deformed.
- The nail becomes very dark with blood covering more than about half of the nail and is throbbing (sometimes the blood needs to be drained by a healthcare professional).
- You develop numbness, increasing swelling, or signs of infection.
Returning to tennis
- If it's only a bruise, many people recover enough to resume light play in 3–7 days, but tenderness under the nail can last 2–6 weeks.
- If there is a fracture, recovery is usually 4–6 weeks or longer.
It appears the injury is on your middle finger, and the impact is mainly at the tip of the finger beneath the fingernail. The bluish spot under the nail is consistent with a small subungual hematoma (blood trapped under the nail) from the racket impact.
From what I can see:
- There is a small blue bruise under the nail.
- I don't see an obvious deformity or major swelling.
- The nail appears intact.
What you should do
- Apply an ice pack for 15–20 minutes every 2–3 hours during the first 48 hours.
- Rest the finger and avoid hard gripping or hitting tennis balls for a few days.
- Keep the hand elevated when possible.
- If needed, take an over-the-counter pain reliever if it is safe for you.
Recovery
- The soreness usually improves in 3–7 days.
- The dark spot under the nail may take weeks to months to grow out as the nail grows.
Get checked today if:
- The pain is severe or throbbing and doesn't improve.
- You cannot fully bend or straighten the finger.
- The fingertip becomes numb.
- The swelling increases significantly.
- The nail turns mostly black or starts lifting off.