how to deal with getting old

jdubbs

Hall of Fame
I just turned 25 today and im so depressed. Although i still feel 21 the fact that im now a quarter of a century old is scarying me. I dont want to get old, i dont want to get slow and weak. Im only a 4.5 atm I want to get better still.

I swim or work out on the days im not playing tennis and some times take the entire day off to recup. I eat very healthy and avoid all sweats. I hope that if I keep this up I will be able to play good tennis well into my 30s.

What do you guys think?

Is this a joke? 25 is so young, im almost 40 and playing great tennis and routinely beating guys much younger.
 
60-medium-croquette.jpg


If that's a Honey Baked ham, I'm all over it, but judging by the relative size of the lemon wedge contiguous to it, I'm guessing it's a deep fried slug or Twinkie.
 

gregor.b

Professional
I just turned 25 today and im so depressed. Although i still feel 21 the fact that im now a quarter of a century old is scarying me. I dont want to get old, i dont want to get slow and weak. Im only a 4.5 atm I want to get better still.

I swim or work out on the days im not playing tennis and some times take the entire day off to recup. I eat very healthy and avoid all sweats. I hope that if I keep this up I will be able to play good tennis well into my 30s.

What do you guys think?

Dude,are you serious?25 is probably less than 1/3 of your total life.You still got a long way to go.Agassi improved till he was about 35 or so WITH a chronic back complaint.I think you will be OK.
 

Rhino

Legend
Getting old, I"m 62, you move out of the way of the younger, stronger generation so they can take your place atop the podium. The older guys did that FOR you, so you should do that for the next generation. Part of evolution, out with the old, in with the new.
If you don't get out of the way, not only will you get run over, but you are blocking the growth of the sport.

That's scary. If michael valek doesn't stop playing his club tournaments, tennis itself will stop growing. Who knew?

Move over michael valek, for all our sakes!
 
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=croq...t=0&ndsp=4&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&biw=888&bih=479

Quote:
Originally Posted by tennis tom
I can empathize but unfortunately can't give you much hope. I hung up my tennis cleats at about your age and took up CROQUETTE and trolling tennis message boards, much easier on the body and the ego than suffering loss after loss to teenagers. It's good you're eating healthy but you should break a sweat on occasion just to keep your glands from clogging up. Taking a day to recup seems excessive, maybe buy some Dixies to save you some time.

Sorry for the bad news but try to have a happy birthday anyway, there's always reading to while away your remaining years.

If that's a Honey Baked ham, I'm all over it, but judging by the relative size of the lemon wedge contiguous to it, I'm guessing it's a deep fried slug or Twinkie.


In a flash of enlightenment after having my coffee and Pillsbury Pastry Strudel, I captured your quadruple entendre and fired my editor and hired spell-check.


"CROQUET": the game

"CROQUETTE": the edible

Good eye mate!
 
Last edited:

jswinf

Professional
If that's a Honey Baked ham, I'm all over it, but judging by the relative size of the lemon wedge contiguous to it, I'm guessing it's a deep fried slug or Twinkie.

That's too funny for a Saturday morning, I can't handle it. I'm thinking Julia Child warbling "now we've prepared our lovely plump slug for deep-frying..."
 
dealing with getting older.....

1) think about people who became seriously ill or even died in their 20s or 30s.
2) remind yourself that you're still in relatively good health.
3) shut up and be a little grateful instead of complaining about this!
 

rjw

Professional
1) think about people who became seriously ill or even died in their 20s or 30s.
2) remind yourself that you're still in relatively good health.
3) shut up and be a little grateful instead of complaining about this!

+1 thankfully out health is good enough to even play, walk, run, etc. Lot of people my age can't do squat
 
Looks like me without arms and legs...:twisted:

That devil icon does bare a strong resemblance to the the croquette.


Thanks for the video, the surprise ending was cool.

That's too funny for a Saturday morning, I can't handle it. I'm thinking Julia Child warbling "now we've prepared our lovely plump slug for deep-frying..."

Thanks, the close-up of the croquette should help to suppress the appetite for anyone trying to diet.
 

rjw

Professional
I could eat a dozen of those and probably still lose weight...just get out there and chase those fuzzy things around.
 

rjw

Professional
Mcenroe is like 53 years old and still beats up on pros that is 32 to 33 years old. That is Good, right ?

I would say so...But Philli probably hasn't been keeping up his game. That's a lot of years difference to be losing , even if it is to Mac
 
Mcenroe is like 53 years old and still beats up on pros that is 32 to 33 years old. That is Good, right ?

Phillo is a 3.5. His game is old school, 1bh, no heavy topspin. Strong 4.0 would beat him up with their WW forehand, and heavy flat 2bh.
 
I'd like to see that...how'd Philli get on the tour as a 3.5

Have you been to a pro tournament like the Masters or a Major and compared those against a serious Men's 4.0 league play. the 4.0 are in another class, there is no comparison.
 
lol

anyway. I agree with whoever it was who said anyone playing their best tennis over 40 wasn't ever very good. I am 45 and I still play in open tournaments. I have changed my game a lot over the years (modern FH now, kick serve etc) but I am a shadow of my youthful self in terms of match play. Sure, if I can GET to the thing I can still play a good shot, maybe in some circumstances a better shot than when I was 25 (I am especially thinking of an open stance inside out FH I never would have thought of then) but the key issue is mobility. I am very fit, and I play a lot, and I KNOW I am nowhere near as quick as I once was, and probably not quite as strong, although that is hard to assess. (is my serve less effective because I don't hit it as hard? or because the courts/balls are slower? I dunno, really!)

However, to Michael I say this, keep trying to beat the buggers!!! Nobody is going to think any less of you if you lose to some guy 20 years your junior and think what it will mean to the kid who pulls it off!

While you are doing that, look into seniors events and play them as well, that;s what I do, still decent tennis only it is played on a level playing field. (ie, we are all a step or two slower)

cheers!
 

mrw

Semi-Pro
I'm 57. I ski all winter, sail my beach catamaran all summer still trapping out when ever I can and play as much tennis as I can squeeze in. I run 2 miles every morning. I'm 5'9" 135 lbs.

The good news about tennis is that you can compete within your age group. A friend is in his mid 70's and still kicking ass in USTA tournies.

Stay in shape and have fun. That's my motto.
 

rjw

Professional
I'm 57. I ski all winter, sail my beach catamaran all summer still trapping out when ever I can and play as much tennis as I can squeeze in. I run 2 miles every morning. I'm 5'9" 135 lbs.

The good news about tennis is that you can compete within your age group. A friend is in his mid 70's and still kicking ass in USTA tournies.

Stay in shape and have fun. That's my motto.

I'd have to cut off my head and a leg to get down to 135....lol
 

nickarnold2000

Hall of Fame
I know a couple guys, late 50s early 60s, who still do very well in 4.5 tourneys. They're technically very sound and don't get nervous or make many unforced errors. One of them said to me once, if I lose then I get to go home and start drinking beer earlier. :)
Both these dudes pay attention to their fitness.
 

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
I know a couple guys, late 50s early 60s, who still do very well in 4.5 tourneys. They're technically very sound and don't get nervous or make many unforced errors. One of them said to me once, if I lose then I get to go home and start drinking beer earlier. :)
Both these dudes pay attention to their fitness.

Take it these guys play daily
 

michael valek

Hall of Fame
thanks for all the advice chaps. was very heartened recently when our team was in a national play off singles league final, and the best player in the other team whipped our coach, who is the fittest guy i ever saw, aged 33. the player from the other team was 47 years old, and is still ranked 200 in UK, overall. all age groups. not bad. shame we lost the match but proves age is no barrier.
 
I didn't deal with it too well the other night in league. Playing two kids I had recruited previously...partner and I couldn't break through with any success at all. Definitely made me feel old...
 

Caesar

Banned
I play a five set team competition during the week (three sets of doubles plus two one-set singles rubbers).

One of the old dudes deals with it by forfeiting every singles rubber against someone he doesn't think he can beat. :D
 
Well, we will find out how I go practising what I preach tonight!

First match of the interclub season, opposition appears to be comprised of state squad 16s.

Hmmmm
 
Top