Love never dies?

Today I played for the first time in 2 months and it was my longest absence from the game in 3 or 4 years. And although I enjoyed myself, I think my love for the game is diminishing, which I never thought would happen.

I don't know why this may be happening; I played much better than I thought I would, so it wasn't like poor play effected things.

What's gonna happen?

Time to try Golf, or try playing in some team tennis like USTA or World team tennis..

Other things become a priority as you get older.

Maybe the game has become too predictable? Have you tried treating yourself to some new equipment? Changing up opponents? Could be a combination of many factors.

So after no tennis whatsoever for 2 months, I played 3 times in 3 days! It's funny how I've shed some bad habits but kept most of the good ones. Fitness is an issue though.

Anywho, it's strange that my enjoyment remained the same throughout my little comeback here: from the first 1+ hour practise on Thursday(singles), to the mini sets played against old rivals(singles), to the intense doubles matchup which was occasionally glanced(and sometimes commented on) by teaching pros and an international player in training. Even Steven.

And thanks for the responses, I think migjam hit the target; I got a new job that's changed my life significantly and I've begun dating a new girl.

I'll be playing once a week from now on, I'll see how things go.

Rafa's best friend said:

Time to try Golf, or try playing in some team tennis like USTA or World team tennis..

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adely,
Take RBF's advice. Just go ahead and uhmmm, play some World Team Tennis...yeah, okayy.

Kidding. Well you know what a fun game it is.The new gig, the new lady....there are things more important than tennis. I don't play one-tenth the tennis I used to (quantity AND quality, LOL) ... but honestly, once a week is just not enough, man.

Even a half-hour of rallying/drilling, then a couple of 21's or TB's one day, then some dubs on the weekend. Maybe a group drill session or something, then a beer afterwards. I just keep it light. No stress, no league BS, nothing but love.

My dos centavos.

Like so many others who have a passion for the game in their youths, then have trouble rekindling the fire after a layoff, you might want to consider becoming a nun.

Grimjack said:

Like so many others who have a passion for the game in their youths, then have trouble rekindling the fire after a layoff, you might want to consider becoming a nun.

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a spinster nun maybe?

adely said:

...and I've begun dating a new girl.

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That's it right there!!! New women can have an effect on everything we do. Specially if you're really in to them. Once the 'newness' of the relation is over, things tend to go back to normal. Sometimes it takes time.

I played hardcore amounts of tennis from age 13 until about 29, as well as coaching, running tournaments, and serving a short stint at the USTA. Around that time, my son was born and my "real" career was taking off, and I just decided that enough was enough with tennis. I wasn't getting as much out of it for all the effort I was putting in... and the fire was gone. I ended up focusing all my extra time into my job, family, and the occassional game of golf (I got my handicap down to 14).

However, about two years ago, I realized I was getting too fat and needed to start doing more exercise. I ended up watching some tennis matches on television and decided that maybe getting back into tennis was the right kind of activity for me. Much to my surprise, after a few weeks on the court again, I was fired up. I played in a couple tournaments and lost to players that I would have beaten in years past, and my competitive juices were stoked. Now, much to my wife's dismay, I've played 26 tournaments in the past 26 months and am really looking forward to achieving some goals in 2007.

Sometimes the desire fades and we need a break from the game, but that doesn't mean that you won't fall in love with it again.

Much to my surprise, after a few weeks on the court again, I was fired up. I played in a couple tournaments and lost to players that I would have beaten in years past, and my competitive juices were stoked. Now, much to my wife's dismay, I've played 26 tournaments in the past 26 months and am really looking forward to achieving some goals in 2007.

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I think once you're an addict, you're an addict for the rest of your life. I started playing at 26 and now I'm 62 and I'm playing senior tennis. I want to play singles. But they don't have singles for seniors here. ..:grin:

Thanks for the responses everyone.

Slice, you don't think I could do it? You don't think I'm good enough for World Team Tennis? I wonder if you are proud of your ignorance...

Jack, thanks for your story. You say you quit at 29 and you came back 2 years ago. How long were out of the game? And for the years you were away, did you still watch tennis? Or how did you catch up with history?

MariaS said:

I think once you're an addict, you're an addict for the rest of your life. I started playing at 26 and now I'm 62 and I'm playing senior tennis. I want to play singles. But they don't have singles for seniors here. ..:grin:

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hey what the heck, i bet if you ask some juniors to play with you they will. btw, you might jsut beat them granted you have the 'senior' game lol, those low flat balls that used to kill me when i was a junior.

adely said:

How long were out of the game? And for the years you were away, did you still watch tennis? Or how did you catch up with history?

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Even though this question isn't directed at me, I'm going to answer it anyway. I followed and played tennis in the 1970's as a kid, and then basically neither watched nor played for almost 30 years. So I went from McEnroe and Connors to Federer and Nadal, and completely missed this mysterious "Sampras" fella I keep hearing references to, along with these "Graf" and "Seles" gals who apparently won a few tournaments as well.

once a week worked for me and it might for u so long as u have a good practice partner. both of us didn't want to lose and we ended up pumping the volume each time. very enjoyable and my game level pumped up too. now after a long layoff (like Jack) i'm back especially since surfing hasn't been consistent and i need to get into shape.