a break from tennis

[joshburger]

im going on a four week trip, in which i will not be able to play any tennis. i usually play about 3-5 times a week, and i at like a 4-4.5 level. how long will it take me toget back to my old form, and do you guys have any tips on starting slow, or anything i should do when i return, so that i can achieve my previous level faster. thanks!!!!

 

[Blake0]

Most people don't forget their form, unless it's just been changed recently and then you stop playing before getting used to it and hitting with it without thinking about form. Usually what you lose is timing mainly, and footwork might become a little sloppy.

I'm guessing it'll take about 2 weeks and you'll get your timing back.

 

[mikeler]

You won't lose your cardio in that time. I'd be willing to bet that you will play great your first match back because your body will be well rested. It's the 2nd match where your timing will go berzerk on you. Give it a week full of matches and you'll be right back where you were most likely.

 

[BU-Tennis]

2% of your fitness is lost every week if you do not maintain it. so in a four week period you will lose around 8% of your base fitness. But i bet you'll be pretty active so i wouldn't worry about fitness. It should only take one hitting session for you to be back to old form. You just have to get a little timing back and the feel of the court.

 

[Valdez737]

I was a 4.0 to 4.5 player. I took 8weeks off give or take because I hurt my left hand. My 1st day I felt pretty good I said I play a 3.5 game then it was all down hill after that.

 

[mikeler]

2% of your fitness is lost every week if you do not maintain it. so in a four week period you will lose around 8% of your base fitness. But i bet you'll be pretty active so i wouldn't worry about fitness. It should only take one hitting session for you to be back to old form. You just have to get a little timing back and the feel of the court.

I've never heard the 2% thing. Where did you learn this? Getting back into tennis 6 years ago was brutal. I bet it took a year for me to get really fit meaning I gained about 2% per week.

 

[wngan9447]

You'll be fine. I've taken a month off plenty of times. You'll be very anxious to play right away when you get back. I've notice that it has a lot to do with mentality. As long as you're not getting overly frustrated with missing a shot here and there, you'll get your game back relatively quickly... for me, it was 2-3 matches in.

 

[In D Zone]

I seriously doubt that you will loose you skill just from having a 4 week sabbatical.

The important thing is to keep your body fit - keeping yourself active with any type physical activities. It keeps you physically and mentally sound - when you come back it all just plugging the old skill back into the groove. Now if you just stayed idle and not do any physical activities - you can bet it will take you a longer time to regain and perhaps loose your skill.

 

[jmverdugo]

Mikeler is right the first (and maybe the second) day of playing you will do it fine because your body is rested although you may loose some timing, on the other hand I do not know if this is common but usually when I am on a "break" is when all the pains start to appear, maybe is just me...

 

[joshburger]

ya thanks guys. but il stay very active, im travelling to israel for 4 weeks and im doing a lot of hiking and other physical activities, so im not worried about the physical aspects. hopefully after hitting a few times il be back at my previous level

 

[Kick_It]

It almost totally depends upon how experienced of a player you are and how grooved your strokes are.

Some folks can get their strokes and timing back after only 5 or 10 rallies after being out for over a month with an injury. Other folks can struggle with it for over a month.

A couple quick tips:

1) Pay attention to what you eat. Choose the healthy choice a majority of times ;-)

2) Do other things to stay in shape where you can - go for a run, hit the gym, or just do sit-ups, core work, lunges, etc if you don't have equipment.

There are things you can do to stay in shape pretty much wherever you go.
I've done sit-ups, crunches, and core work while on Safari in Africa. Some environments aren't well suited to going for a run - unless you want to be a predator's meal ;-)

Have Fun! K_I

 

[fattsoo]

aww cr@p! I hurt my shoulder and now I will have to stop playing tennis for 1 month...hate this feeling :*(