Trying to regain control after being 31

[Jimmoh]

Hi,
I found this site, and I thought to myself, this could be your way out(in my case, my way in)
I turned 31 this March. I abadoned playing tennis seriously when I was 17. I was pretty promising and I had a local ranking.
I kept playing on and off till I was maybe 25. I haven't played much since then, except for the fun of the game every once in a while. I have been smoking pretty heavily. Tennis was my life.
I need to start over.. but I have no idea where to begin. My fitness is horrible.
I have noticed that techniques have change a great deal. New terminology adopted. My time, there wasn't much to say other than how to swing, how to hold your grip.. not every single grip had a name.. etc.. you old folks should have a clue what i'm saying
It also seems that I can't find decent websites about tennis to visit and check out. Probably it is because I can't search properly. There's much to go about.. but I'm not sure if anybody would even read this post as big as it is.
Thank You
Yours
Fallen from grace :p~

[D-man]

Subscribe to www.tennisplayer.net. It has everything you need.

[mdhubert]

I'm 31 like you and I started playing seriously 2 years ago.
First train seriously at least twice-thrice a week. Get different partners with different styles, in order to see different shots and tactical combinations, and play with guys of different levels: the ones you beat, to build confidence, and the ones that you'd like to beat, to maintain challenge and progress.
Work on your fitness, swimming, running, cycling, to get in shape. Strengthen your body to avoid injury and increase your stroke efficiency, especially the trunk (abs, pecs) and legs (esp. jumping rope for footwork).
Start competition, it allows to keep some goals and measure your progression. Watch tons of matches on TV, on the web, I recomend you to watch Federer in priority, he's doing all the shots fluidly and his tactical ability is demoniac, plus he's got an attitude that is right to copy on court: don't panic if you lose a few games, fight till the end, keep cool, be gracious in defeat, take every match as an important one, respect your opponent...
You can get a subscription to tennisone.com or tennisplayer.net, the first is updated quite often and the second ianswers many questions you ask yourself, as well as Tennis magazine.
Then go to the court and enjoy this fabulous game for the many years to come !

[mislav]

Hey Jimmoh, welcome back to the game!

Don't worry, you'll get all your skills back! I'm in a similar situation. Back in my days of playing (20 years ago) tennis was a lot different from today. I started playing after this huge break and noticed how many racquets and theory have changed. Still, they're not too different and even some forgotten truths of yesterday can be used as new weapons of today.

Just keep playing, slow at first and you'll advance big. Use this board to get some very good and free advice, also to have your questions answered. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on this board.

Anyway, how's tennis doing in Egypt? I couldn't find any tennis courts in Cairo, Giza, Hurghada or Luxor. I suppose it's not a very popular sport in Egypt?

[Jimmoh]

at least I now know I'm in the right place
busy with college to my neck, but I need to thank everybody for being helpful


I'll certainly start with twice or three times aweek tactic very soon.

And, by the way, Egypt is full of tennis courts, you only have to be a member.. which is not very difficult. You only had to email somebody for more conveniency

[rod99]

quit smoking. it kills.

[mislav]

quit smoking. it kills.
I imagine it would be very hard for him to quit - they smoke shisha all over the place. :mrgreen:

[Jonas]

You can easily come back and play great tennis from 31 all the way through your 50's. You have a lot of time left.
I have been watching Ronald Agenor all this week at a Futures event. He is hear coaching some kid from the University of Georgia. Anyhow, Ronald made a comeback in his career at 33 and got back into the top 100 and competed in all the slams.
It is amazing to watch this guy (now in his early 40's) strike a tennis ball.
He just works his 25 year old student over in practice with MASSIVE and effortless grounstrokes from both sides. I could watch him hit all day long.

[Marius_Hancu]

check my signature here:

Great fitness sites
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=33800

get in shape. most important.

[Kaptain Karl]

I just read this whole thread and my original attitude wants to shout. (This is coming from a 49 year old.)

"Hey! You punk 31 year old kid. Suck it up! Get to work. You've got it easy. I "came back" after taking 18 years off ... at 44. I'm playing better now than when in college."

But seriously, welcome back. You can do it. (My first two years back, I had many days when I wondered why I was even trying. The gap between what I *could do* and what I *remembered doing* was HUGE. I'm glad I stuck it out. You will be too.

- KK

[mislav]

And, by the way, Egypt is full of tennis courts, you only have to be a member.. which is not very difficult. You only had to email somebody for more conveniency
I know there had to be some courts in Egypt, but I never saw any. Whom do I send e-mail to? The Internet? Help me out over here. I'll be going to Egypt again this summer for some diving. I'd love to be able to play some tennis while there too. :)

I "came back" after taking 18 years off ... The gap between what I *could do* and what I *remembered doing* was HUGE.
I so understand what you mean by this! Terrible feeling, eg. going for the shot you know you can hit and remember hitting many times before but not being able to hit it right. Leaves you puzzled. :(

[vin]

If you're concerned about getting your health on track, join a gym and make use of their cardio equipment. This will be more favorable to your joints than running outside, jumping rope, etc. Lift some weights too and obviously, consider giving up smoking.

As for the tennis, if you're looking to really embrace it and make it a serious hobby, I think the two best things you could possibly do are to find a fun and dedicated practice partner and to find a good teaching pro. It's possible to teach yourself and practice by yourself, but not nearly as easy or as fun.

And if you start playing a lot of tennis, you may want to consider ramping up your fitness first because your body may tell you in an impolite way if it's not ready for the abuse. As the saying goes, get fit to play tennis rather than play tennis to get fit.

Good luck!

[fjgarciap]

check my signature here:

Great fitness sites
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=33800

get in shape. most important.

I agree. Suscribe to Netfit (it's on Marius' list of sites, you may want to start with the basic free routines to start). Once you get your hardware prepared I'm sure your game will come back!

Welcome back and happy hitting!

[Jimmoh]

I just read this whole thread and my original attitude wants to shout. (This is coming from a 49 year old.)

"Hey! You punk 31 year old kid. Suck it up! Get to work. You've got it easy. I "came back" after taking 18 years off ... at 44. I'm playing better now than when in college."

But seriously, welcome back. You can do it. (My first two years back, I had many days when I wondered why I was even trying. The gap between what I *could do* and what I *remembered doing* was HUGE. I'm glad I stuck it out. You will be too.

- KK

You give me so much hope there. Two years sound logical to tolerate :)

[Jimmoh]

If you're concerned about getting your health on track, join a gym and make use of their cardio equipment. This will be more favorable to your joints than running outside, jumping rope, etc. Lift some weights too and obviously, consider giving up smoking.

As for the tennis, if you're looking to really embrace it and make it a serious hobby, I think the two best things you could possibly do are to find a fun and dedicated practice partner and to find a good teaching pro. It's possible to teach yourself and practice by yourself, but not nearly as easy or as fun.

And if you start playing a lot of tennis, you may want to consider ramping up your fitness first because your body may tell you in an impolite way if it's not ready for the abuse. As the saying goes, get fit to play tennis rather than play tennis to get fit.

Good luck!

My body has been so impolite to me, for a fact. Which is a bit humiliating, at the back of my head. But the thing is, I'm too busy studying and attending classes... I think it'll take some time to push myself ahead.

[Jimmoh]

Well my email is Jimmoh@menanet.net
I'll be more than glad to give you names of places where you can play.. depending on where you will be when you come back to egypt.
I envy you for going to dive, I snorkle but I don't dive.
I hope I get a chance next summer to work things out :)

[Jimmoh]

Help me out over here. I'll be going to Egypt again this summer for some diving. I'd love to be able to play some tennis while there too. :)

Well my email is Jimmoh@menanet.net
I'll be more than glad to give you names of places where you can play.. depending on where you will be when you come back to egypt.

[mislav]

Well my email is Jimmoh@menanet.net
I'll be more than glad to give you names of places where you can play.. depending on where you will be when you come back to egypt.
I envy you for going to dive, I snorkle but I don't dive.
I hope I get a chance next summer to work things out :)
Thanks, Jimmoh - I'll write you an e-mail as soon as I get my plans fixed for this summer.

Snorkelling is a good start! Diving is great fun plus a great method of relaxation. It's an eye opening, mind blowing experience. It's really a totally different world down there.

You're lucky in a way - you live in Egypt. Red Sea is one of the best places in the world to dive. The warm, clear waters and a rich and colorful marine life. Try it Jimmoh, you'll remember it forever! :D

[Bungalo Bill]

I turned 31 this March. I abadoned playing tennis seriously when I was 17. I was pretty promising and I had a local ranking.

Great glad you are back.

I kept playing on and off till I was maybe 25. I haven't played much since then, except for the fun of the game every once in a while. I have been smoking pretty heavily.

Get a physical. Now. If you want your form back and get "real" in tennis, you need your lungs. If you came to me for lessons, I need your lungs because I am going to make them suck wind. You will work. If you want to prance around and stand around, see someone else.

Tennis was my life. Tennis IS your life. It is part of your life and it always will be.

I need to start over.. but I have no idea where to begin. My fitness is horrible.

Exactly. So start there. Your fitness will bring back your strokes and form. You must get that through the carbon dioxide in your head. Clear out your body.

I have noticed that techniques have change a great deal. New terminology adopted. My time, there wasn't much to say other than how to swing, how to hold your grip.. not every single grip had a name.. etc.. you old folks should have a clue what i'm saying

Dont worry about this yet. You would be coughing and gagging with your new found strokes anyway - so what good would that do? I can show a nice new shiny grip that you could use for your forehand but if you are gasping for air because the smoke is still in your lungs it wouldnt matter would it?

You are 31, quit the damn smokig and get your fanny out there (after your physical).

It also seems that I can't find decent websites about tennis to visit and check out. Probably it is because I can't search properly. There's much to go about.. but I'm not sure if anybody would even read this post as big as it is.
Thank You
Yours
Fallen from grace :p~

This website, EASI tennis, Tennisplayer.net are excellent sites to join. But leave here thinking about how you will get in shape. Quit the smoking!

[Jimmoh]

Great glad you are back.


If you want to prance around and stand around, see someone else.

Quit the smoking!

Your reply had the strongest impact on me as far as I recall.
And I needed to ask what did you mean by "find some one else"

[Kaptain Karl]

... what did you mean by "find some one else"Really? I understood him.

Here it is in-context again. (And note the "If" which starts it off....If you came to me for lessons, I need your lungs because I am going to make them suck wind. You will work. If you want to prance around and stand around, see someone else.

Jimmoh - Have you seen your doctor to get "clearance" to embark on reconditioning yourself? Are you doing any fitness training yet? Are you getting back into shape?

You can do it! (I did it.) It will take some time.

I took "off" 18 years from tennis. It took me three years, but I'm now playing at least as well as when I was a college team player. (I was only mildly unfit. I have been regularly working out in the gym for 30 years.) I did alter my weight training. In the first six months of being "back" in tennis I lost 27 pounds, too. That helped my stamina and court coverage ability.

You can do it!

- KK

[Jimmoh]

Really? I understood him.

Here it is in-context again. (And note the "If" which starts it off....

Jimmoh - Have you seen your doctor to get "clearance" to embark on reconditioning yourself? Are you doing any fitness training yet? Are you getting back into shape?

You can do it! (I did it.) It will take some time.

- KK

Oh well, I must have been sleepy or something.. I haven't quit smoking seriously yet. Which is a shame.. !!
Right now, I'm going to play for a bit and then go for a nice long swim.
Cheers :)

[TennisAsAlways]

quit smoking. it kills.The most important 1st step.

If you develop diseases from smoking or die early, the other tips would be of no use anyways.

[Bungalo Bill]

Oh well, I must have been sleepy or something.. I haven't quit smoking seriously yet. Which is a shame.. !!
Right now, I'm going to play for a bit and then go for a nice long swim.
Cheers :)

Jimmoh,

Do you want to quit smoking? Some people don't.

What I meant above was this, if you are serious about tennis and getting better, achieving goals, and advancing in the rating system, you can't ignore conditioning.

Smoking does more harm in the circulation systems so you are defeating your purpose. Plus, by working hard to improve in tennis you need to have clear lungs to take in the oxygen, etc...

If you are not serious about getting back into shape and improving then you just need to go hit a few balls every now and then while looking at tennis as more of a social sport.

[TennisAsAlways]

Help me out over here. I'll be going to Egypt again this summer for some diving. I'd love to be able to play some tennis while there too. :)

Well my email is Jimmoh@menanet.net
I'll be more than glad to give you names of places where you can play.. depending on where you will be when you come back to egypt.That's great that you love "diving". And speaking of "diving", have you ever imagined "drowning"? Terrible way to die, right? Just "suffocating" to death.

Essentially you are doing the same thing by depriving your body of oxygen by smoking. (If I was too harsh, then I apologize, but scare tactics can be very effective.)

Sometimes people quit only after they are scared to death after a doctor's visit; for example some people see the results of their EKG and they then realize that they are at a serious risk of heart attacks etc. (Having a heart attack would be a scary way to die as well!) It's better to be scared from informative "consequences" rather than being scared from just finding out that you already have a disease.

[papa]

You can easily come back and play great tennis from 31 all the way through your 50's. You have a lot of time left.


Just curious as to what you think happens then?

[Bungalo Bill]

Just curious as to what you think happens then?

You are considered dead. ;)

[Jimmoh]

(If I was too harsh, then I apologize, but scare tactics can be very effective.)


Hallelujah
I am down to 4 cigarettes aday.. I'm trying to quit now cuz I am scared.
It's an insecurity that made me smoke and now it's another insecurity that will make me quit.
And, no, you were not too harsh.. so, thanks for being honest

[Jimmoh]

Hi, I don't believe that you people actually are still posting replies. It's a great thing.. you actually giving me great hope, nomatter what you think or say.
The problem now is finding the right partners. And since I can't find partners, I suppose I'm gonna hire one or two or three.. I'm not sure what the opportunity cost of doing that would be since i'm not quite rich.
I'm looking for a coach in Egypt as we speak.
My body doesn't seem to be resisting, only the normal muscle pain after practicing and training.
I jog for 5-10 minutes after I stretch and play for an hour and then stretch again.
I feel that my body can endure more exercise but there's not any supervision whatso ever.
I'm kinda lost really.. I need to know what it takes, how long.. etc. So I can atleast prepare myself psychologically. I have a very low self esteem and people around me are not helping very much.
Thanks

[Jimmoh]

Also, I was wondering if there's anyway I could treat my lungs if I ever manage to totally quit smoking?
I mean is there an operation or treatment to clean my lungs and remove the tar out of it? If so, what is it? I do need help with that issue so I can work on it immediately :)

[Bungalo Bill]

Also, I was wondering if there's anyway I could treat my lungs if I ever manage to totally quit smoking?
I mean is there an operation or treatment to clean my lungs and remove the tar out of it? If so, what is it? I do need help with that issue so I can work on it immediately :)

I dont think there is anything you can do within reason. In fact, I don't know of anything at all.

Your body will improve the immune system if you give it a chance. It will repair what it can over time. However, the damage is done with regard to what the body can not repair.

The good news is if you quit now, get in shape, you will be much better off if you didn't do a thing about your smoking (obviously).

So my hat is off to you, scaring yourself out of smoking seems to work for some people. It takes several days to several weeks for the nicotine and other bad chemicals to exit your system.

Don't be surprised if on some days you feel the symptoms of the flu or have a sore throat, etc.. this is the bodies way of getting rid of the toxins.

I am just glad to hear you are giving it up.

[TennisAsAlways]

I am down to 4 cigarettes aday.. I'm trying to quit now cuz I am scared.
It's an insecurity that made me smoke and now it's another insecurity that will make me quit.
And, no, you were not too harsh.. so, thanks for being honest.....Cutting down IS better, but still not enough. If you think about it deeply (Yes I know, smokers either don't really think about their "habits" deeply at all or they just let info come in one ear and then exit out of the other.), although one were to smoke "only" (A word that is oftens times used as an "excuse") one cigarette per day or even one per week, that is still NOT enough time for their lungs, esophogus, mouth, throat, heart, arteries, etc. to heal.

By smoking less, you damage your body "less" than you would if you were to smoke more (say a pack a day), BUT you're essentially "still" peventing your body from healing — i.e., if one had a broken wrist, than would it be a wise thing for them to still use that wrist, but only less than before? (Please don't answer that question.)

Also, I was wondering if there's anyway I could treat my lungs if I ever manage to totally quit smoking?

I mean is there an operation or treatment to clean my lungs and remove the tar out of it? If so, what is it? I do need help with that issue so I can work on it immediately As far as I know, if and when you have abstained from smoking for at least 2 months (Without even smoking 1 or 2 ciggies!) then you may notice that your lungs feel clearer and you may notice that you are breathing easier. IMO, if you could go as far as month 2 then you are well on your way to having full control of the addiction.

By month four you may notice even more pronounced things, such as a huge increase of energy (Remember when you were a kid, how much energy you had? Now imgine that type of energy combined with the build of a grown "athletic" man. That is what it feels like to NOT be sluggish. It's sort of like a "high on life" if you will.). Your appetite may be that of a regular person (non smoker). You may begin to have a keen sense of smell once again (Notice how you "currently" cannot smell things such as the bad smell of your burning cigarette.).

If you can quit smoking, after about 2 days the nicotine and other hundreds (or thousands) of chemicals should have metabolized. That ridding of the nicotine may lower your cravings (physiological). You still however may "think" or have the "thought" of smoking, since it is a habit of yours (Years and years of doing that same old thing, perhaps?) and so your mind is used to it (psychological).

Between day 2/week 2 through month 2, you may become depressed. If that happens to you, don't think that there's something odd or strange about yourself. Basically your brain has been "dependant" on the chemicals that you have been exposing it to, and now that you have deprived it of those chemicals, you are likely (not always) going to have some symptoms of withdrawal. Due to the chemicals, your brain's wiring has been reconfigured ever since you started smoking. Once you quit, it's almost as if you suddenly jumped into a "new program", becoming someone else (Your old "healthy" self again!). That "sudden" shift could be a bit too shocking for the brain to process.

The nice thing about quitting is that old thoughts, memories, and dreams may reoccur to you, thoughts that you rarely or never come across while you were smoking. The reason why you don't ponder and relive those moments while you were smoking may be because the cigarette chemicals "mask" the way your brain "normally" functions — i.e., notice how smokers tend to act more tough, and physically, they truly CAN endure tougher things than a nonsmoker (They're not necessarily "tougher", but they tend to be able to "tolerate" more, for some things.). Take drinking alcohol for example. Smokers tend to be able to have a higher tolerance than nonsmokers. Another example is caffine intake. Smokers tend to have to drink more coffee in order to get the same effect as a nonsmoker (If you're a coffee drinker, when you quit smoking, note that if you consume about half as much as your usual coffee intake than that should suffice.). The reason for this tolerance may be due to the fact that the chemicals from cigarettes damage a lot of one's sensory glands. A smoker's metabolic system functions differently as well (Less effiecient than non-smoker's (With all other things being equal of course!.)). I am pretty sure that it's a cumulative amount of damage that comes into play.

To sum it up (I don't want this to go on looking like one of those "TRUTH.org" articles), if you want to clear your lungs, just quit. After 2-4 months of quitting you should feel healthier already, and you may notice more physical endurance when playing sports. By month 7-12, your lungs should clear up tremendously. By about "year" 15, as far as I know, your risk of dying unnecessarily is about just the same as a person who has never smoked before (So if you can remain smoke-free for 15 years then your chances of premature death is very close to that of a person who was healthy since day one.). Some smokers (ignorant ones) say to themselves, "I've already started this bad habit. I've already damaged myself. There's no point in quitting now. Things won't reverse themselves." Little do those people know that: "IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO QUIT SMOKING!"

Good day now. 8)

[papa]

You are considered dead. ;)

Jeez, thanks a lot.

[chess9]

You are considered dead. ;)

Unfortunately, the younger guys are the ones who are "dead". :) Or, going very fast.

Regarding smoking and other lung diseases, COPD is the fastest growing health problem in the world. Although only about 20% or so of smokers get emphysema from smoking, it causes numerous other health problems, like lung cancer, heart disease, circulatory problems, stroke, etc. Also, COPD is being diagnosed, on average, at earlier ages. We now have people in their early 30's getting emphysema, which is a destruction of the bullae in the lungs. Your lungs ability to transfer oxygen to your blood is gradually impaired. Many of those people you see on oxygen in wheelchairs are emphysema patients who smoked for 40 or 50 years. :(

You don't have to smoke to get COPD. And you don't have to smoke to get lung cancer. Our air is filled with so much crap, and we've allowed so much interior pollution to creep into our homes and buildings that we're being killed by technology and attendant pollutants.

The biggest threat to your tennis is not age, but obesity and the abuse of drugs such as tobacco, alcohol, mj, etc. Pollution is pretty far down the list though.

I'd say the physiological age of the average 30 year old American is FIFTY!

-Robert

[chess9]

Also, I was wondering if there's anyway I could treat my lungs if I ever manage to totally quit smoking?
I mean is there an operation or treatment to clean my lungs and remove the tar out of it? If so, what is it? I do need help with that issue so I can work on it immediately :)

Not yet, though some research may change this. Right now a lung transplant is your only hope IF you get emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

-Robert

[TennisAsAlways]

I'd say the physiological age of the average 30 year old American is FIFTY!That seems like a reasonable estimate and.... a frightening fact!

[chess9]

Here's an email from one of the emphysema patients I train. She has 25% of her lung capacity left after about 40 years of smoking. Oddly enough, she is a Mensa member and possibly the funniest woman on the planet, but you'd never know either from this angry email. Here it is:

"Have you recently stopped smoking, only to have a stressful happening in your life that causes you to start again? What a damn shame you fell for the tobacco companies' con-trick again. It is exactly that - a giant con-trick to make people believe that they can't live without them, especially during a crisis. A similar thing happened to me in 2001 - I stopped smoking for 3 weeks, felt great, and then got hit by a careless driver, reversing her car at speed, as I was walking across a parking lot. Out of action for 9 weeks, broken arm, cracked ribs, unable to drive throughout Christmas and beyond, I definitely had a case of 'poor little Ann, let's reward her with letting her smoke again.' I carried on smoking for another 18 months, doing further damage to my lungs.

The tobacco companies have d-e-l-i-b-e-r-a-t-e-l-y ensured that the hundreds of chemical additives in cigarettes create nervousness, stress and total addiction. Instead, our anxiety while we are still addicted, convinces us that the next cigarette will calm us down. That next cigarette tops up the addiction and insidiously poisons us further. I truly believed I could not live without cigarettes but I was about to find out that I could not continue to live with them. I was rushed to the hospital barely breathing and had the golden opportunity of a few days unable to move, on supplementary 02, and finally focussing on what role cigarettes had played in my life.

I ceased smoking in May 2003 - life is wonderful without the habit."

-Robert

[chess9]

That seems like a reasonable estimate and.... a frightening fact!

Yes, and I think I'm being very charitable. :(

-Robert

[Galactus]

Jimmoh - I'm 39 this year and I've been lucky with my body: I can still run 3 miles in 24 mins, swim a good number of lengths, cycle 8 miles no problem....this helps me to play tennis for 2-3 hours, 3x a week.

The only thing you may suffer from, and this isn't 'treatable'...and that's reflexes. You may find that stamina and strength will increase, but speed and reflexes are something that always slow down, even in your 20s.

Also, if you don't play with correct technique or arm-friendly racquets and strings, you might develop 'tennis' or 'golfer' elbow.

I only started playing tennis again seriously 15 months ago, and found that it took about 6 months to get the basics back again and I had about 10 one-on-one coaching lessons to imrpove my technique.

[Jimmoh]

Cutting down IS better, but still not enough....
Good day now. 8)

Well, I'd like to thank you so much for your time and for being so informative..
I think I, now, have a plan to work out :)

[Jimmoh]

I only started playing tennis again seriously 15 months ago, and found that it took about 6 months to get the basics back again and I had about 10 one-on-one coaching lessons to imrpove my technique.
Again, that was informative.. I'm looking for a coach as we speak and I intend to play 5x week... if that is not too much..

[mislav]

It really might be too much to start with 5x a week. Allow your knees, elbow, muscles some time to adapt to a new regime.

I'd go for 3x a week and upgrade from there.

Actually, that's exactly what I did, except that recently I just can't keep up and even got to as low as playing once a week. Then again, I do have that pesky golfer's elbow problem...

[Jimmoh]

I was wondering.. cutting down made me feel a bit more energetic.
I do need some advice concerning this..
1. Go to college
2. Play Tennis(warming up and cooling down stretches included)
3. Jog for a few minutes
4. Go swimming
The thing is I feel that my body can do it.. on the grounds that doing so will improve my fitness faster.. fitness is an ISSUE (i'm desperate)
Having played regularly lately, I find myself doing a good job with my style and approach and everything.. I am surprised I have such a good backhand, a very powerful forehand... etc.
It is so crystal clear that fitness is the major thing now... pufffft
I reckon.. writing in this message board is so comforting :)

[Galactus]

I was wondering.. cutting down made me feel a bit more energetic.
I do need some advice concerning this..
1. Go to college
2. Play Tennis(warming up and cooling down stretches included)
3. Jog for a few minutes
4. Go swimming
The thing is I feel that my body can do it.. on the grounds that doing so will improve my fitness faster.. fitness is an ISSUE (i'm desperate)
Having played regularly lately, I find myself doing a good job with my style and approach and everything.. I am surprised I have such a good backhand, a very powerful forehand... etc.
It is so crystal clear that fitness is the major thing now... pufffft
I reckon.. writing in this message board is so comforting :)
Fitness-wise, I'd suggest running: both mid-distance for stamina and wind-sprints for quick movement (if your joints can take it, that is!). Rope-jumping is another underrated stamina-builder and really burns fat if you do it long enough - I find that these really help me cover the court quickly and improve balance.

Personally, the only real concerns I have when playing tennis regularly is ache on the inside of my elbow - however, I've since found that regular biceps excersises using dumbells can help reduce this.