A Confession...

[StringGuruMRT]

I've been a full time teaching pro for the better part of 20 years, and for several years before that, and as I was setting up my court for a lesson this morning I came to a realization. I haven't enjoyed playing tennis for a really long time. Don't get me wrong, I love the game, it's been a part of my life since before I even have memories. I love to watch matches, I love teaching the game, I love stringing racquets, and keeping up to date with the newest gear. I just don't have fun playing anymore.

The good news is I know why this has happened. Every time I step out on the court to hit "for real" I get so frustrated with my level of play, that I feel like garbage the whole time I'm out on the court. Like most people in their 40's I look back with nostalgia to the time when I got to play everyday. Lessons with my friends, high school team practices, and four years of varsity tennis in college. Even after I graduated and started teaching I made a point to still get out and hit to stay somewhat sharp. I played in local tournaments, hit with fellow pros, and even hit a basket of serves here and there. Then life got busy, lessons picked up, babies were born, time for "real tennis" became scarce. The next thing I know I'm 20(ish) pounds overweight, and haven't played a competitive match in years. The even scarier revelation is that if it weren't my job, I probably wouldn't ever hit a ball. I know this to be true because for two years I lived in Israel, didn't teach tennis, had no job (except to keep my kids alive), and pulled out my racquets a grand total of two times to play. The sport that had greatly defined my youth and young adult life was almost completely absent from it.

I don't write this looking for advise. This was probably better suited for some sort of journaling exercise or something. But I thought I would confess it, and see if anyone else has had similar feelings.

 

[JoelDali]

At my club, all of the men believe that they are better than Fedr and play with the same extreme pashion.

We are all Fedr regardless of Flex League record and consistently poor shot selection.

 

[sureshs]

I see the frustration. Tennis coaching is different. I don't see high school Physics teachers publishing research papers in their spare time, but neither are they losing whatever they knew before. If at all, they are adding to their knowledge. They also don't have to prove anything to anybody.

But a coach in an individual sport like tennis will always be mocked if he is not at least a 4.0, and he is expected to occasionally showcase his shots.

Best compromise is to include point play with more advanced students to keep the skills polished.

 

[ChaelAZ]

Every time I step out on the court to hit "for real" I get so frustrated with my level of play, that I feel like garbage the whole time I'm out on the court. Like most people in their 40's I look back with nostalgia to the time when I got to play everyday. Lessons with my friends, high school team practices, and four years of varsity tennis in college. Even after I graduated and started teaching I made a point to still get out and hit to stay somewhat sharp. I played in local tournaments, hit with fellow pros, and even hit a basket of serves here and there. Then life got busy, lessons picked up, babies were born, time for "real tennis" became scarce. The next thing I know I'm 20(ish) pounds overweight, and haven't played a competitive match in years. The even scarier revelation is that if it weren't my job, I probably wouldn't ever hit a ball. I know this to be true because for two years I lived in Israel, didn't teach tennis, had no job (except to keep my kids alive), and pulled out my racquets a grand total of two times to play. The sport that had greatly defined my youth and young adult life was almost completely absent from it.

I am just a rec coach and work with high school kids, but also hit with a large variety of players. I posted about how that effected my match play quite a bit. kinda dulls your senese and I find myself feeding balls instead of going for shots. But I also took a passion - outdoors (hunting, fishing, off road, camping, etc) - and turn it into a business too. After I closed shop on that I haven't really done as much outdoors as I used to.

Cheers.

 

[StringGuruMRT]

Thats actually a really good point. In the last couple of years I've started playing Pickleball, and for a little bit it really sparked my competitive fire. It was nice at first, because I was not always the best player in the group, so it was easier to get in a good match. There is a very active Pickleball group in my community, so theres always a match to be had...

 

[Sudacafan]

I've been a full time teaching pro for the better part of 20 years, and for several years before that, and as I was setting up my court for a lesson this morning I came to a realization. I haven't enjoyed playing tennis for a really long time. Don't get me wrong, I love the game, it's been a part of my life since before I even have memories. I love to watch matches, I love teaching the game, I love stringing racquets, and keeping up to date with the newest gear. I just don't have fun playing anymore.

The good news is I know why this has happened. Every time I step out on the court to hit "for real" I get so frustrated with my level of play, that I feel like garbage the whole time I'm out on the court. Like most people in their 40's I look back with nostalgia to the time when I got to play everyday. Lessons with my friends, high school team practices, and four years of varsity tennis in college. Even after I graduated and started teaching I made a point to still get out and hit to stay somewhat sharp. I played in local tournaments, hit with fellow pros, and even hit a basket of serves here and there. Then life got busy, lessons picked up, babies were born, time for "real tennis" became scarce. The next thing I know I'm 20(ish) pounds overweight, and haven't played a competitive match in years. The even scarier revelation is that if it weren't my job, I probably wouldn't ever hit a ball. I know this to be true because for two years I lived in Israel, didn't teach tennis, had no job (except to keep my kids alive), and pulled out my racquets a grand total of two times to play. The sport that had greatly defined my youth and young adult life was almost completely absent from it.

I don't write this looking for advise. This was probably better suited for some sort of journaling exercise or something. But I thought I would confess it, and see if anyone else has had similar feelings.

Cheer up and relish your present moment... as you continue aging, it will get worse.
I am having the same experience.

 

[mikeler]

Just find a bunch of people your level and keep playing them year after year. You won't notice you are getting old as much since they are too.

 

[guanzishou]

I confess I fancied someone at school.