Going Full Time at Tennis

NLBwell

Legend
I believe (on circumstantial evidence only) that many chronic symptoms of fatigue are due to infections that the body has essentially quit fighting (thus things like white blood cell counts don't show it). I was exhausted for a couple of years, barely functioning after a couple of hospitalizations for near-death experiences. I had chronic sinus and ear infections that didn't respond to antibiotics anymore, recurring shingles, and barely managed to function, sleeping 14 hrs per day. My doctor put me on long term sulfa antibiotics and the anti-shingles med, but that only helped a little. Then I researched everything I could about anti-staph natural cures. I can't say exactly what was most effective, because I did them all at once, but here is what I tried.

Supplements for energy:
Magnesium, vitamin D, Zinc, Pantothenic Acid, kelp (Iodine), and you need to balance with enough copper.
Supplements with anti-bacterial and some anti-viral properties:
echinacia and goldenseal (take in 2 wk bouts), grapefruit seed (not grape), NAC, colostrum, lots of garlic, of course lots of vitamin C (grams at a time), some vitamin E, a good multivitamin, and a pretty fair amount of fish oil (reduces inflammation throughout the body) AND Lysine as an anti-viral.
Other antibacterial things to do:
Couple cups of Peppermint tea a day WITH apple cider vinegar, oil of oregano (a few drops in the tea, and inhaled - just a drop on a paper towel - sounds like food, but feels more like paint thinner). For draining the sinuses, oil pulling. This seems strange but it is basically putting oil - like safflower oil - in your mouth and holding it there for 10 minutes. Uncomfortable, but really works (supposedly from India). Also, Sudafed as a decongestant, also.
Of course, you want to crowd out the bad bacteria with good bacteria. I use SinusEase, which comes in a bottle at Vitamin Cottage in the refrigerator. It has rhino bacteria as well as the acidopholus, etc. for the stomach. Drink about a third of a bottle each day and get some up toward your nose.

Also - and this really hurts and my doctor questions about how harsh it is - get one of those sinus rinse bottles you are supposed to put a bit of salt solution into. Put in some garlic-infused oil, some hydrogen peroxide, some Listerine (the thymol and eucalyptol are potent anti-bacterials as well as the alchohol) - about 1/3 inch of each except less of the peroxide - a bunch of salt, and fill the bottle the rest of the way with water. Rinse your sinuses out with that. You will definitely feel it. Tailor it to what you think helps you and how much you can stand.
(If you really want to feel your head explode, just snort a bunch of Listerine straight).

I felt better pretty qucikly, within a week or two, doing these things. Since then it has been a steady climb upward toward being normal. Since I've gotten on top of the infections, I've slacked off on the most unpleasant things (oil of Oregano, sinus rinsing) though I make sure I do them at any sign of sickness or weakness.

Now, when I play tennis for two hours or so, I'm more tired than before I got sick, but I'm not trashed for a week lying in bed.
All of this is just what one guy did to get better, doesn't mean it is applicable to others, but it is definitely worth researching.
 
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Moz

Hall of Fame
NLBwell - I'm not sure what happened here. Very rude of me not to reply and thank you for your advice. Apologies.

I've been feeling slightly better and won a very low key tournament a few weeks ago. Got a UK grade 4 coming up this weekend for which I'm seeded 2 and the following week am playing an over 40 ITF grade 3 in Portugal (part holiday for Missus as well).

I feel like I'm getting the bug again unfortunately!
 

Topaz

Legend
MOZZZZ!!!!

What is this about a 'missus'? Someone finally nailed you down? (so to speak?)

Congrats on the tournament...how is the arm???
 

Moz

Hall of Fame
Never nailed down, I'm too quick. She's there to carry my bags!

Arm seems to be holding up okay thanks. How is your tennis?
 

Topaz

Legend
Never nailed down, I'm too quick. She's there to carry my bags!

Arm seems to be holding up okay thanks. How is your tennis?

Haha, that's why all the speed work, right?

Glad to heat that about the arm...things were looking kind of dire last we heard.

Well, tennis is taking a bit of a back seat at the moment, I'm in my last semester of nursing school. Seven more weeks of h*ll to get through, and then boards, and then job hunting. Got bumped to 4.0 after playing 6,485,992 matches last year (approximately). Had a great run, and now starting all over again, because evidently, I now suck (from the top of the 3.5 barrel to the bottom of the 4.0 barrel...according to some...I don't necessarily agree!). Funny, and here I thought I was improving!

School has made tennis much more of an escape, and has kind of increased my appreciation that I get to play at all. So all is good. Since any trips to districts/sectionals most likely won't happen this summer, I'm looking to play a few more tournaments if my schedule allows.

Any plans for a visit???
 

rufus_smith

Professional
I'm fascinated by the stories of long-term fatigue-like (ME,etc) syndromes discussed here by tennis players. You can add me to the list. I too had an unexplained severe fatigue for all of the year 2009. Just like you guys say any exercise was followed by exhaustion the next day. I had lots of medical tests that provided no clear answers. I gradually got better over the year 2010. I'm still not sure why it happened or why it receded. I'm still occasionally bothered by it. I wish modern medical research would focus on this syndrome more than they have been.
Anyway, gl Moz.
 
For those mystery diseases that modern medicine can't figure out like CF, Fibro, Lymes, etc, check out the work of Dr. John E. Sarno, MD.
 

TomT

Hall of Fame
Wow, this sure is a long thread. Slowly making my way through it. How's it going Moz? Any recent results or videos to share?
 

Moz

Hall of Fame
You'll get to the injured part eventually! I'm playing again and have a tournament in Portugal next week - I'll try and get some video.
 

Costagirl

Banned
Having read lots of threads on here about improving your game, playing tournaments etc and currently being between careers in a mid life crisis sort of way I have been inspired to do what I do best. Bugger all.

So from now on I am a full time tennis player. Having not played tennis at all during my 20's and never really been coached as a junior I am giving myself two years to see where I could have ended up. At the end of the 2 years I will have turned 37.

I am currently a 4.5 NTRP and 5.2 LTA Rating and spend my time between the UK (mainly), the USA and perhaps a few others. I will also be playing some over 35's events - that being the lowest official age group for British and International veterans.

Anyway, as you can tell by my ratings I'm not particularly good but determined to improve. If you're bored enough you can follow my exploits at:

http://oldmanontour.blogspot.com/

Any tips / comments gratefully received.

What about a Summer Tennis camp for players your level ? http://www.costa-del-tennis.com/summer-tennis-camps/
 

Moz

Hall of Fame
Thanks for the link. It seems a bit too 'fun tennis for holidaymakers' for my liking.

The draw is out for the tournament in Portugal. I fly out tomorrow and it starts on Friday. Shame it's supposed to rain all the time whilst I'm there.

1st round unseeded opponent, 2nd round potentially 3rd seed, semi 1st seed. Not a bad draw really.
 

Costagirl

Banned
Thanks for the link. It seems a bit too 'fun tennis for holidaymakers' for my liking.

The draw is out for the tournament in Portugal. I fly out tomorrow and it starts on Friday. Shame it's supposed to rain all the time whilst I'm there.

1st round unseeded opponent, 2nd round potentially 3rd seed, semi 1st seed. Not a bad draw really.

Not a problem! It's actually the opposite. We work with one of Nadal's coaches to ensure high end tennis but you're right we tie that in with fun! I wish you tremendous success in Portugal :)
 

Moz

Hall of Fame
Thanks!

Have you been there during the camps? What sort of standard player do you usually get? What are the ratios of coach to student?
 

Costagirl

Banned
Thanks!

Have you been there during the camps? What sort of standard player do you usually get? What are the ratios of coach to student?

yes of course...the academy itself is a boarding academy tailored to juniors with the intention to play pro tennis. But when I send groups to this location I do so with high level college teams who need physical & mental training from someone who specializes in the competitive player at their core. It's not for everyone that's for sure. But this particular camp in Mallorca ratio is 3:1.

Keep us in the know about Portugal!
 

Costagirl

Banned
Hey hey hey... hope you're doing well!!

I'm sorry I'm just seeing this now!? I'm not on here to much. But if you want info - no problem, contact me www.costa-del-tennis. The more the merrier but if you are solo? Let's see what would be best for you.

Abrazos~
 

kabrac

Professional
Keep going. I love this thread. People like you and the likes of Tommy Haas give people hope to venture out of a comfort zone that we've all settled for. At least one day, and maybe now, you can say "At least I did it, I tried". Alot of people will never get that far. Keep It Going Dude!
 

Moz

Hall of Fame
Magg - rank of 34 in the o35's was my best.

kabrac - nice of you to say. Thing is with tennis there's always something you feel needs lots of work. I'll have it all nailed down when I'm 90.
 

beernutz

Hall of Fame
Barely! Just checked and am at the heady heights of 655.

Hey if you were the 655th best American football player you might be starting on an NFL team somewhere making the league minimum of around $400,000.

Seriously, congratulations, that is a very nice accomplishment.
 

Moz

Hall of Fame
So, an update. I've played a couple of events which has enabled me to take an inventory of what needs to be worked on.

1) My serve is pants and needs a complete overhaul (in progress).
2) My forehand is okay, but needs quite a few changes, some fundamental.
3) My slice backhand is weak and needs weeks / months of drilling.
4) My double handed backhand is fine, but needs some work up high and on approaches.
5) My fitness stinks.
6) My smash has gone missing and needs drilling.

My footwork seems to be in very good order.

The better I get the longer the list gets.
 

beernutz

Hall of Fame
So, an update. I've played a couple of events which has enabled me to take an inventory of what needs to be worked on.

1) My serve is pants and needs a complete overhaul (in progress).
2) My forehand is okay, but needs quite a few changes, some fundamental.
3) My slice backhand is weak and needs weeks / months of drilling.
4) My double handed backhand is fine, but needs some work up high and on approaches.
5) My fitness stinks.
6) My smash has gone missing and needs drilling.

My footwork seems to be in very good order.

The better I get the longer the list gets.
I'm curious how you go about the process of drilling those things you mention need work. Do you have a coach or do you work with various tennis professionals or with other players or some combination? Do you ever use the wall or a ball machine to grove shots?
 

Moz

Hall of Fame
Good question.

I'll start with a ball machine (although I might have to buy one) and then get one of the good teenage girls to hit with. In my experience decent men are more inconsistent to hit with and most aren't interested in practise anyway. The teenage girls drill regularly in squads and tend to be very consistent.

I'm thinking about seeing if one of the juniors will hand or racket feed me if i pay them minimum wage.
 

Dags

Hall of Fame
then get one of the good teenage girls to hit with.
Are you sure that's legal when you're sporting the short shorts? ;-)

Are you fitting this all in around work now, or are you still enjoying reverse-retirement?
 

Moz

Hall of Fame
Ha ha, I've had to upgrade my shorts to long ones for those practises.

I am doing some tennis and running coaching and other bits and pieces. I suspect I've finished full time work for good.

How are things with you mate?
 

Dags

Hall of Fame
I'm doing well, thanks. I've joined the ranks of the veterans now, so I might keep an eye out for the odd tournament where I can't be run ragged by some young whippersnapper!

Equally likely is that I'll ruin my tennis - I've taken up squash again, having previously played in my teens and at uni. I had a couple of coaching sessions to see where I was at, and apparently a topspin backhand just doesn't carry the same threat as it does on the tennis court...

Still stringing with the RAB of course. My current experiment involves putting 18g multi that I bought for squash in my tennis racquet. It plays very nicely crossed with a poly, and is lasting a lot longer than I though it would.

Looking forward to seeing how your self-improvement plan goes. I'm holding out for another tracksuit.
 

roman40

Rookie
I'll start with a ball machine (although I might have to buy one) and then get one of the good teenage girls to hit with.
...
No way, seriously? That's... surprising to say the least. I'd think that nothing less than a college level player would do.
 

Moz

Hall of Fame
In an ideal world yes, but I'm at least 20 miles away from any and fairly new to the area so have few contacts.

I've had this problem in the past and it's a case of doing what you can with what you've got and then playing tournaments. It's far from ideal but the basic stuff can be managed.

Dags - welcome to the vets! I laughed at the topspin in squash. I once stood there on a squash court while a mate whiffed 20 straight serves with his western grip forehand.
 

venciso

New User
Hey Moz,
I found your old blog 2 years ago I think and read the whole thing! Are you going to start it again? You should...
 
Hi Moz
Some insightful stuff here.
Always interesting to follow someone who has returned to the game though I must say ur line in ur blog about the irish always ending up underfoot was on first sighting a little mmmmmm. Probably true though. We may have to wait quite a while before Mickey Murphy hoists aloft the Wimbledon trophy.
Im a returning player myself. My form goes from sublime to infuriating and back again. Excelled as a junior but hey im 46 and one year back swinging a bat so!!!
Anyway, just passed an hour reaing ur stuff.
Take care and enjoy
 

Moz

Hall of Fame
I had to go back and see what you referring to. The comment probably qualifies for a harsh, but fair grading and I'd like to point out my father is Irish (I'm a Moraghan).

Hope your comeback is going well - you'll never get that youngster's spring back but there are lots of ways to win a tennis match. Good luck!
 

Moz

Hall of Fame
I'm good thanks. Just back in the UK after 13 months in Mallorca. I'll start blogging again soon, when something bad happens that I can talk about!
 
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