Dealing with age

[maverick66]

Originally Posted by LuckyR

Sorry to hear that. It isn't too late to get a Chris Evert game... j/k

I lived at her academy for a while and used to hit right next to her. When getting ready she would do a few little movements and hit pain free. Me and the guys i hit with all would be taping up or applying Biofreeze to get ready to fight the pain. The modern game might be a better style but it chews up your body like crazy.

[LuckyR]

Originally Posted by maverick66

I lived at her academy for a while and used to hit right next to her. When getting ready she would do a few little movements and hit pain free. Me and the guys i hit with all would be taping up or applying Biofreeze to get ready to fight the pain. The modern game might be a better style but it chews up your body like crazy.

I do not disagree.

[Ripper014]

I'm playing again at 50, though I missed the years between 35 to now I have noticed that I am a step slower... but I am still able to keep up. Speed around the court was always a big part of my game. The things I have noticed most about my game is the lack of speed on my serve everything else is a little slower and of course not as consistant but I am assuming it will will get better.

The saving grace for me is that I play a very traditional game, though I hit the ball harder than most it is through technique and the fact I don't hit excessive topspin. I can see how swinging all out with those ww swings could take there toll on your body... wrist, arm, shoulders and knees. I think the modern game is extremely hard on the body...

In saying all this it is hard to change a persons game... but then does someone really want to change it if it is successful. The fun is enjoying the game... and if you cannot play it the way you want are you really enjoying it? I guess the best thing for those with injuries is to ensure to warm-up slowly and be aware of your bodies limits... your body usually tells you before you actually hurt yourself.

[EKnee08]

Originally Posted by mike53

No way. Competitive athletics has always had a big component of injury management/avoidance at all ages. The key to long-term success is to ratchet up your game to the absolute pinnacle that you can achieve at your current age and keep up a plan to hold on to what you've got for as long as you possibly can. Easier said than done, but here are a couple pointers for the latter:

Keep you weight down. Not just under control, but down.
Strengthen the weakest links - perpetual strength training routine(s) that protect the knees, shoulders and back from injury
Take up jogging if you don't already and work your way up to 20 mi/wk at 8 min/mile.
Avoid catastrophe - don't do anything you haven't trained for

Oh, and don't worry about how you feel

I would add stretching is also very important and weight training.

However, I would avoid jogging either outside or on a treadmill for cardio and fitness- There is a tremendous amount of pounding and it is very hard on your back and knees. For longevity, biking and ellipticals are easier on your body. Since Tennis is anaerobic, interval training is best. The easiest cardio on the body is swimming and a great full body workout.

[jimanuel12]

Originally Posted by Cloud Atlas

I'm 29 years old and I'm starting to notice the inevitable decline.
Not so much in terms of poorer quality tennis, but definitely in terms of injuries. Some minor shoulder problems, very tiny scent of tennis elbow, and rolled my ankle two days ago and am out for four weeks.
So I'm wondering what others experience has been regarding dealing with getting older, not only in terms of injuries, but also in terms of playing (technique, slowing reflexes, etc).
I see the 45+ players at my club and most of them use 130sq inch head sizes, 31 points head heavy, 55 beam width monsters, strung at 21lbs. Obviously this is a massive exaggeration, but you get the idea.
I play with a full western forehand at the moment and I'm wondering how this will hold up when I'm 40.
But probably the most difficult thing I can imagine adapting too is the psychological aspect- knowing that you'll never be as good as your potential might have been.
I'd love to know other players experience of getting older.
Should I be shortening my swing, increasing my racquet head size and swapping to at least a sw grip in preparation for slowing down?
How do I deal with getting older!

You are not getting old, kid, you are still a youngester.
keep playing tennis and like one of the posters said, you will be in better shape than most of your peers.
until i hurt my arm(TE)this year, i was beating guys 15 years younger than me, i am 61 now.
i am 6'3" and weigth about 186 so i am ok for my age.
hang in there and play tennis, it will keep you young.

[dbusiness]

Originally Posted by EKnee08

I would avoid jogging either outside or on a treadmill for cardio and fitness- There is a tremendous amount of pounding and it is very hard on your back and knees.

This depends entirely on the surface. Why do older people play on clay?
If you have mulch trails or grassy areas to jog on then you should be able
to continue this until late in life.

[EKnee08]

Originally Posted by dbusiness

This depends entirely on the surface. Why do older people play on clay?
If you have mulch trails or grassy areas to jog on then you should be able
to continue this until late in life.

True, but overall orthopedists will recommend other forms of cardio that are easier on the body...and they generally recommend against running on a treadmill.

[tennisphotog]

I concur with Jagman.

I am 46, I am playing the best tennis of my life. Technology and maturity combined. You MUST stay fit and keep the weight off. I have nagging injuries, and recovery is slower, but it makes me feel so great to go out there and kick 29 year old ass! Seriously,
have no concerns my son, you can play this game with total enjoyment for many years to come.

I played at Queen's club in London for many years with a guy in his 70's. Was he great? no. But at almost every outing, he would say "hey, isn't it great to just be out here"

That's the difference, at 46, 50, 60 or 70, instead of results, you are glad to just still be playing the game and getting total enjoyment out of it.

My 2-cents.

[mark999]

have 2 recomendations. first, read the book by john douillard called "body, mind and sport". fantastic book on training, especially as you get older. martina navratilova said she wished she had read this book at the beginning of her tennis life. second, start taking these 2 supplements- msm in powder form for reducing whole body inflamation,and arginine and ornithine atbedtime. these 2 amino acids produce growth hormone naturally in your body which greatly aids your body's ability to heal itself.