Calf injury

[ByeByePoly]

Pulled my calf (upper medial) playing tennis. I Googled grades and recovery time ... but thought I would post here for any guidance.

- pain when I landed ... could walk fine, but some pain when foot flexed
- no visable signs of bruising ... been 10 hours
- no pain unless walking, then just if calf stretches
- very sore when pressing down on spot

Based on brief googling:
Grade 1 7-10 days
Grade 2 5-8 weeks
Grade 3 4-6 months

I'm assuming most likely Grade 1. I figured I would do nothing for a week ... other than very light stretching after a couple of days. Then maybe a calf sleeve ... and hit the ball machine if pain mostly gone.

???

 

[esgee48]

Happened to me about 5-6 weeks ago. I just stopped playing tennis for 7 days. Took Asperin for the 1st 2 days. On 8th day, I hit against wall and felt some pain, more like muscle fatigue. Now everything is fine. I had no swelling or pain. I could walk, but could not push off on that leg. I did exercises that involves some sets and slow movement. When I could push off the leg without any pain, I knew I was getting better.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Happened to me about 5-6 weeks ago. I just stopped playing tennis for 7 days. Took Asperin for the 1st 2 days. On 8th day, I hit against wall and felt some pain, more like muscle fatigue. Now everything is fine. I had no swelling or pain. I could walk, but could not push off on that leg. I did exercises that involves some sets and slow movement. When I could push off the leg without any pain, I knew I was getting better.

I hope I get lucky also ... 1 week works. FYI ... I mentioned I struggled with singles in the heat last week. My buddy that I played that day (he is in awesome shape) ... played again in the evening the same day. He ended up spending the night in the hospital getting IV fluids. Brutal heat that day. We are both enjoying the change to 9:00 am.

 

[esgee48]

Certified Insane, or WAS. But at least 0900 should be cooler.

Make sure you test your ability to move before doing anything drastic. A slow set of Tai Chi type moves at day 4 hurt. The same set on day 6/7 felt fine. That's when I knew the strain/pull/injury had basically healed.

 

[RogueFLIP]

You keep advocating self massage for your TE issues, why don't you do the same thing for your calf issue?

Good luck.

 

[ByeByePoly]

You keep advocating self massage for your TE issues, why don't you do the same thing for your calf issue?

Good luck.

I thought about that, but figured my calf muscle tear was different then a RSI tendon injury. With the TE, I can feel around and find the sore/tight spots away from the injury, and work them.

I was planning on working calves regularly with roller bar after healed. Should I be massaging the hurt calf before healed?

Thanks for input.

 

[beepee1972]

Try doing some eccentric calf stretching exercises. Help your week side when you move your heel up, by using the support of your normal leg/foot. The importance lies within the movement of letting the heel drop. Pushing up should be prevented as much as possible by your week leg. In the movie, she does it on 1 leg, but I would suggest using your good foot/leg for balance! And hold your pose for at least 20-30 seconds while stretching.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Try doing some eccentric calf stretching exercises. Help your week side when you move your heel up, by using the support of your normal leg/foot. The importance lies within the movement of letting the heel drop. Pushing up should be prevented as much as possible by your week leg. In the movie, she does it on 1 leg, but I would suggest using your good foot/leg for balance! And hold your pose for at least 20-30 seconds while stretching.

Thx beepee (never thought I would type that ).

Yes, that is the eccentric contraction PT I referred to in the TE thread. The flexbar tyler twist is doing that for the elbow. They do the leg pt in the video for achilles injuries.

My questions are 1) when to start 2) is that video pt the same one for all calf injuries.

I'm at the 5th day post injury, and much better. I can still feel soreness if I poke around, but no more grabbing while I walk. I think safe to pt now.

After googling calf injuries, appears 9 muscles, but 3 main ones. A pair of big ones at top of calf ( gastrocnemius) and one internal and lower (soleus). I saw they had different stretches depending on which muscle you hurt. Bent knee stretching for soleus ... and straight knee for gastrocnemius. I appear to have injured the inner gastrocnemius (medial) ... so the exercise in the video should be good.

Thanks for link.

Edit: turns out spot is more sore than I thought. I am starting with a training wheels version of that video. While standing, I bend the knee of the injured leg and lift heel off the ground while toes stay on the ground. Then I add downward pressure of heel toward ground. I'm sure that's not perfect eccentric load ... but I feel the spot being worked and I can control "how much".

 

[RogueFLIP]

I thought about that, but figured my calf muscle tear was different then a RSI tendon injury. With the TE, I can feel around and find the sore/tight spots away from the injury, and work them.

I was planning on working calves regularly with roller bar after healed. Should I be massaging the hurt calf before healed?

Thanks for input.

I always advocate soft tissue work. As long as you don't force anything, you won't injury yourself. Gentle pressures. If anything is "more" it's more time, not intensity.

Esp with the upper calf. Sometimes can be a little tough to get too with stretching alone as most people are tight in their calves, the stretching will be felt more in the achilles or the middle of the muscle belly.

I've had it myself in that area. I could use a soft ball (not softball) for trigger point work in the area but wasn't able to stretch it out effectively myself. Had to have someone pull my leg in different directions to get a stretch in that area, and some positions weren't easy to replicate myself.

Good luck.

 

[ByeByePoly]

I always advocate soft tissue work. As long as you don't force anything, you won't injury yourself. Gentle pressures. If anything is "more" it's more time, not intensity.

Esp with the upper calf. Sometimes can be a little tough to get too with stretching alone as most people are tight in their calves, the stretching will be felt more in the achilles or the middle of the muscle belly.

I've had it myself in that area. I could use a soft ball (not softball) for trigger point work in the area but wasn't able to stretch it out effectively myself. Had to have someone pull my leg in different directions to get a stretch in that area, and some positions weren't easy to replicate myself.

Good luck.

Thanks ... "a lot of gentle" makes sense. I have always stretched calves and hamstrings before matches. I remember doing it half- a s s that morning. That won't happen again. I usually walk and then jog on the treadmill for a couple of minutes, and then stretch before I leave the house. If I wait until at the court ... never do as much.

 

[ByeByePoly]

I always advocate soft tissue work. As long as you don't force anything, you won't injury yourself. Gentle pressures. If anything is "more" it's more time, not intensity.

Esp with the upper calf. Sometimes can be a little tough to get too with stretching alone as most people are tight in their calves, the stretching will be felt more in the achilles or the middle of the muscle belly.

I've had it myself in that area. I could use a soft ball (not softball) for trigger point work in the area but wasn't able to stretch it out effectively myself. Had to have someone pull my leg in different directions to get a stretch in that area, and some positions weren't easy to replicate myself.

Good luck.

"most people are tight in their calves"

Wow ... mine certainly were. I started poking around at the top of the two big muscles on the non-injured leg, and very tight and sore. There is a reoccurring theme ... there is stuff under the skin pretty darn sore you aren't even aware of until you poke around. It's a miracle we don't tear muscles every day.

Question about soft ball work. I have had success before with a tennis ball in several areas. Sometimes lower back area ... and move leg like pedaling. Have fixed occasional crick in the neck with ball between knot in neck and wall ... turning head left and right, and up and down (literally felt the knot in neck pop and tension went away).

But not sure with upper calf muscle sore/tight spot. Easy enough to put leg weight on the ball at the right spot ... but nothing really to move other than flexing foot forward and back. I have read that rolling the spot isn't the idea ... but rather pressure on the point, and work muscle while under pressure.

Regardless ... thx for advice to massage calf muscles lightly while healing. Haven't hit yet, but feel pretty good at this point. I bought calf compression sleeves. Do you think those help prevent re-tearing when starting to play again.

 

[dimkin]

"most people are tight in their calves"

Wow ... mine certainly were. I started poking around at the top of the two big muscles on the non-injured leg, and very tight and sore. There is a reoccurring theme ... there is stuff under the skin pretty darn sore you aren't even aware of until you poke around. It's a miracle we don't tear muscles every day.

Question about soft ball work. I have had success before with a tennis ball in several areas. Sometimes lower back area ... and move leg like pedaling. Have fixed occasional crick in the neck with ball between knot in neck and wall ... turning head left and right, and up and down (literally felt the knot in neck pop and tension went away).

But not sure with upper calf muscle sore/tight spot. Easy enough to put leg weight on the ball at the right spot ... but nothing really to move other than flexing foot forward and back. I have read that rolling the spot isn't the idea ... but rather pressure on the point, and work muscle while under pressure.

Regardless ... thx for advice to massage calf muscles lightly while healing. Haven't hit yet, but feel pretty good at this point. I bought calf compression sleeves. Do you think those help prevent re-tearing when starting to play again.

My left calf felt tight for a while, but after a nice warm-up it would usually release.

But last Wednesday, after a routine movement to the backhand (nothing strenuous about that one) felt a sharp pain/pull/pop (below calf, to the outside),
soleus is my guess ... it swelled up and felt painful when pressed ...

I rested for a week, saw a PT, it was getting much better, to the extent that I couldn't find the sore spot, I started stretching and eccentric raises, all was going well.

So yesterday morning (8 days since injury) I warmed up nicely, stretched ... and tried light jogging ... 3rd step sharp pain below the big calf muscles all across
(not concentrated to where it originally hurt) ... I stopped immediately, and now I can find the sore spot again ... (same place)

Feels like it's the same injured spot that's referring pain across and making the whole calf tight as a rock ... really annoying ... had to skip all my USTA playoffs ...

 

[ByeByePoly]

My left calf felt tight for a while, but after a nice warm-up it would usually release.

But last Wednesday, after a routine movement to the backhand (nothing strenuous about that one) felt a sharp pain/pull/pop (below calf, to the outside),
soleus is my guess ... it swelled up and felt painful when pressed ...

I rested for a week, saw a PT, it was getting much better, to the extent that I couldn't find the sore spot, I started stretching and eccentric raises, all was going well.

So yesterday morning (8 days since injury) I warmed up nicely, stretched ... and tried light jogging ... 3rd step sharp pain below the big calf muscles all across
(not concentrated to where it originally hurt) ... I stopped immediately, and now I can find the sore spot again ... (same place)

Feels like it's the same injured spot that's referring pain across and making the whole calf tight as a rock ... really annoying ... had to skip all my USTA playoffs ...

Sorry to hear that dimkin. I would have hated missing playoffs ... you play all summer to get there. Hey ... If team wins, get to play next stop.

Yes, that is exactly what I worry about with calf ... How do you know it's good to go to start playing again. I had zero warning with the initial injury ... Didn't feel stiff (well ... not stiffer than usual ) ... and no big move. I didn't have calf swelling or bruising. I just took a little step back ... and felt the pull. The calf injury was pretty common in our indoor winter doubles leagues. I have seen several friends hobble off the court ... come back to soon, and hobble off again. The couple of times it happened to me, I came back with a neoprene sleeve, and it seemed to help calf warmup quicker. I am going to try the cheap compression sleeves I bought off Amazon. Might try playing Monday ... that will be almost 2 weeks.

I would be just fine not having tennis teach me anymore anatomy. All the calf injuries I used to see was right in the middle of the calf ... like someone used a knife across it horizontally. I always thought that was one muscle, but it looks like it's two. I guess it could have been high up on the soleus ... Who knows?

What advice did PT give you? I know the hamstring, calves and Achilles are all connected ... have to stretch all of it.

Heal quick ... same for me. I have been really enjoying singles after missing so much time last year with TE.

 

[RogueFLIP]

there is stuff under the skin pretty darn sore you aren't even aware of until you poke around. It's a miracle we don't tear muscles every day.

Which is why I also always advocate exploring around other areas of your body when doing soft tissue work bc you never know that another restriction you find can be influencing your symptomatic areas.

Question about soft ball work. I have had success before with a tennis ball in several areas. Sometimes lower back area ... and move leg like pedaling. Have fixed occasional crick in the neck with ball between knot in neck and wall ... turning head left and right, and up and down (literally felt the knot in neck pop and tension went away).

Again, I alway encouraging gentle pressures. If a tennis ball is all you have fine, but I usually would prefer a softer ball.

But not sure with upper calf muscle sore/tight spot. Easy enough to put leg weight on the ball at the right spot ... but nothing really to move other than flexing foot forward and back. I have read that rolling the spot isn't the idea ... but rather pressure on the point, and work muscle while under pressure.

You can move the foot back and forth, you can bend the knee, you can rotate the leg in and out.

I had to lie on my back hips flexed 90 degrees, knees bent 90 degrees and placed my lower legs up on a chair and put a soft ball in my upper calf. Seems to be the only position I could really hit that spot and also relax my body. YMMV.

Regardless ... thx for advice to massage calf muscles lightly while healing. Haven't hit yet, but feel pretty good at this point. I bought calf compression sleeves. Do you think those help prevent re-tearing when starting to play again.

Compression might feel good and there's nothing wrong with that, but honestly IMO it won't prevent anything.

 

[RogueFLIP]

You can do all the "right" things to rehab and you can still F yourself up at the end of the day. Sometimes it's just in the cards.

But sometimes what's missing is addressing what you alluded to, everything is all connected. Perhaps something else further up the chain....there's been a kink and it's putting force or pressure on the calf, so even if the calf itself is feeling better, if the kink somewhere else hasn't been addressed, that's why you can re-injure soon there afterwards.

 

[Sirius Black]

You can do all the "right" things to rehab and you can still F yourself up at the end of the day. Sometimes it's just in the cards.

But sometimes what's missing is addressing what you alluded to, everything is all connected. Perhaps something else further up the chain....there's been a kink and it's putting force or pressure on the calf, so even if the calf itself is feeling better, if the kink somewhere else hasn't been addressed, that's why you can re-injure soon there afterwards.

What's a good stretch for the soleus and joint capsule? I have limited dorsiflexion on my left ankle compared to my right (need to elevate heel for pistol squat). I like using one of those pro stretch rocker-type things, but that's mainly for the gastroc. What's a good bent leg stretch?

 

[ByeByePoly]

Which is why I also always advocate exploring around other areas of your body when doing soft tissue work bc you never know that another restriction you find can be influencing your symptomatic areas.



Again, I alway encouraging gentle pressures. If a tennis ball is all you have fine, but I usually would prefer a softer ball.



You can move the foot back and forth, you can bend the knee, you can rotate the leg in and out.

I had to lie on my back hips flexed 90 degrees, knees bent 90 degrees and placed my lower legs up on a chair and put a soft ball in my upper calf. Seems to be the only position I could really hit that spot and also relax my body. YMMV.



Compression might feel good and there's nothing wrong with that, but honestly IMO it won't prevent anything.

Thx ... appreciate it. You get high marks for your chair/calf stretch creativity.

I will probably wear the compression sleves since I bought them ... but fashion statement will not be worth it if they do nothing.

 

[ByeByePoly]

You can do all the "right" things to rehab and you can still F yourself up at the end of the day. Sometimes it's just in the cards.

But sometimes what's missing is addressing what you alluded to, everything is all connected. Perhaps something else further up the chain....there's been a kink and it's putting force or pressure on the calf, so even if the calf itself is feeling better, if the kink somewhere else hasn't been addressed, that's why you can re-injure soon there afterwards.

"everything is all connected"

My big toe is kinked (hallux limitus) ... so no telling what chain reactions are going on. That said ... doubling turmeric and $17 Costco Kirkland shoes has done wonders for the toe.

 

[RogueFLIP]

What's a good stretch for the soleus and joint capsule? I have limited dorsiflexion on my left ankle compared to my right (need to elevate heel for pistol squat). I like using one of those pro stretch rocker-type things, but that's mainly for the gastroc. What's a good bent leg stretch?

Bent leg stretch on your Pro-stretch.

If you've isolated that it is just a soleus issue, try stretching for longer periods of time, gentle stretches for at least 5 minutes. Multiple times a day.
If you haven't isolated that it's just a soleus issue.....

 

[RogueFLIP]

Thx ... appreciate it. You get high marks for your chair/calf stretch creativity.

I will probably wear the compression sleves since I bought them ... but fashion statement will not be worth it if they do nothing.

Well that chair position wasn't a stretch, it just allowed the muscle to slacken which allowed for a bit more deeper ball work.

I mean, maybe the compression may keep the muscle warmer than without the sleeve which I guess could potentially lessen the chance it seizes up or something.

 

[Sirius Black]

Bent leg stretch on your Pro-stretch.

If you've isolated that it is just a soleus issue, try stretching for longer periods of time, gentle stretches for at least 5 minutes. Multiple times a day.
If you haven't isolated that it's just a soleus issue.....

I haven't isolated it. I'm not sure how I'd go about doing that.

Can the bent leg stretch be replicated on the stairs, with the heel hanging off while trying to dorsiflex the ankle?

 

[RogueFLIP]

I haven't isolated it. I'm not sure how I'd go about doing that.

Well, first I'd start checking your range of motion of both ankles, dorsi & plantarflexion when your knees are straight and when they are bent at 90degrees. The bent knee ROM isolates the soleus.

Then I'd see if I can feel if the end range feels the same for both ankles, again in both straight and bent positions. They should have a "soft" end feel as opposed to a "hard" end feel. If you passively bend someone's elbow into flexion, you'll feel at the end of their range there's this "squishy" feel as you can get a few more degrees. That's a "soft" end feel. Now do the opposite and passively take them to extension. Notice the difference in feel and full extension is quite firm (for the majority of people). It's usually "hard".

Oh, the end range feel ideally should be done passively, not actively. Might be hard to assess yourself....and end range dorsiflexion should have a "soft" end feel.

If you've got a difference between the two ankles (and there's different degrees of end feel), but esp if one feels "hard", it could be an indication that your ankle or foot joints may be too stiff and may be in need of some mobilizations. In addition to having a tight calf.

Can the bent leg stretch be replicated on the stairs, with the heel hanging off while trying to dorsiflex the ankle?

Yes it can. I like hanging off stairs bc you can just let gravity do all the work and holding onto the rail allows you to relax. Plus stairs are easily accessible everywhere.

But I like the Pro-stretch (or slant board) bc it doesn't flex the foot which results in a more effective stretch for the gastroc complex.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Well that chair position wasn't a stretch, it just allowed the muscle to slacken which allowed for a bit more deeper ball work.

I mean, maybe the compression may keep the muscle warmer than without the sleeve which I guess could potentially lessen the chance it seizes up or something.

I just hit the ball machine for an hour and a half, and calf was fine. The real test will be when I play a match... maybe Monday. Who knows if the compression sleeves helped, but it at least helped "in my head". It did feel like they gave some support.

Now that I know to bend the knee to stretch the soleus, I will include that in pre-match stretching. I've always done the straight leg Achilles/calf stretch before matches. Are calf muscles all connected like the hamstring/calf/Achilles. In other words, could stretching the soleus take stress off the other calf muscles, and vice versa?

I am flying the calf compression sleeves in Bethany's honor. She looked much hotter in hers. Hope she heals quick.

 

[Sirius Black]

I just hit the ball machine for an hour and a half, and calf was fine. The real test will be when I play a match... maybe Monday. Who knows if the compression sleeves helped, but it at least helped "in my head". It did feel like they gave some support.

Now that I know to bend the knee to stretch the soleus, I will include that in pre-match stretching. I've always done the straight leg Achilles/calf stretch before matches. Are calf muscles all connected like the hamstring/calf/Achilles. In other words, could stretching the soleus take stress off the other calf muscles, and vice versa?

I am flying the calf compression sleeves in Bethany's honor. She looked much hotter in hers. Hope she heals quick.

Rogue Flip will know better than me, but in a sense everything is connected. Some people may even argue that instead of 500 or so separate muscles, the body is just one muscle with 500 or so fascial compartments.

The soleus and gastrocnemius both insert to form the Achilles' tendon, and both are the prime movers in plantarflexion. So both are most certainly connected.

The gastroc actually originates above the knee, and therefore it has a small role in knee flexion. Hence why you get a better stretch on it with your knee straight, and a better stretch on the soleus with your knee bent.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Rogue Flip will know better than me, but in a sense everything is connected. Some people may even argue that instead of 500 or so separate muscles, the body is just one muscle with 500 or so fascial compartments.

The soleus and gastrocnemius both insert to form the Achilles' tendon, and both are the prime movers in plantarflexion. So both are most certainly connected.

The gastroc actually originates above the knee, and therefore it has a small role in knee flexion. Hence why you get a better stretch on it with your knee straight, and a better stretch on the soleus with your knee bent.

Thanks ... makes sense. I've never included the knee bend stretch before tennis, but will now.

 

[dgold44]

Happened to me about 5-6 weeks ago. I just stopped playing tennis for 7 days. Took Asperin for the 1st 2 days. On 8th day, I hit against wall and felt some pain, more like muscle fatigue. Now everything is fine. I had no swelling or pain. I could walk, but could not push off on that leg. I did exercises that involves some sets and slow movement. When I could push off the leg without any pain, I knew I was getting better.

I once pulled a calf and took over a year to recover

 

[ByeByePoly]

Played singles, everything was fine. I opted not to run down certain shots ... not sure when full trust comes back. Doing the massage and eccentric stretch in the video. I am going to keep wearing the compression sleeves ... already don't even notice them. Pain in the a s s to get off. They save on sunblock.

 

[RogueFLIP]

Rogue Flip will know better than me, but in a sense everything is connected. Some people may even argue that instead of 500 or so separate muscles, the body is just one muscle with 500 or so fascial compartments.

The gastroc actually originates above the knee, and therefore it has a small role in knee flexion. Hence why you get a better stretch on it with your knee straight, and a better stretch on the soleus with your knee bent.

BBP, so looking at the origin of the soleus, the only joint to truly influence it is the ankle; so any dorsiflexion motion will stretch out the soleus because of it's common insertion point with the gastroc. Bent or straight knee. You'll just feel it more with a bent knee bc you've put the gastroc on slack.

Played singles, everything was fine. I opted not to run down certain shots ... not sure when full trust comes back. Doing the massage and eccentric stretch in the video. I am going to keep wearing the compression sleeves ... already don't even notice them. Pain in the a s s to get off. They save on sunblock.

Glad to hear that you're feeling better. Actually I'm a little surprised that Systemic Anomaly hasn't chimed in about you actively stretching before your match and the studies that say that's a no-no. But in the end, you have to go by what you body tells you. If you understand what its saying.

 

[ByeByePoly]

BBP, so looking at the origin of the soleus, the only joint to truly influence it is the ankle; so any dorsiflexion motion will stretch out the soleus because of it's common insertion point with the gastroc. Bent or straight knee. You'll just feel it more with a bent knee bc you've put the gastroc on slack.



Glad to hear that you're feeling better. Actually I'm a little surprised that Systemic Anomaly hasn't chimed in about you actively stretching before your match and the studies that say that's a no-no. But in the end, you have to go by what you body tells you. If you understand what its saying.

Actually I have read articles that make me question the idea of stretching. The gist was ... "muscles come in the right sizes, attached at the right locations. Makes no sense to make longer muscles. Better to think of muscles as rubber bands ... you don't stretch rubberbands ... but you want the rubber to keep it's elastic properties. With muscles ... the point would be to keep them healthy, not try and make them longer."

One of the guys I read on this subject finished with ..."I know all this ... but I still stretch before my run".

 

[heninfan99]

Been through Grade 1 & 2 many times.

Don't play until the pain is gone and remember when you walk it's a kind of rehab.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Been through Grade 1 & 2 many times.

Don't play until the pain is gone and remember when you walk it's a kind of rehab.

Yes ... I had the same thought about walking. The mutts got a walk around the pond at the park as part of rehab yesterday. They hope I pull my calf often.

I'm past any pain ... unless I poke around with fingers. The part that worries me is tightness ... you figure one full out sprint (59 year old version) might be another tear. Tried the heating pad on the injured calf this morning for 20+ minutes, and it seemed to help.

Grade 2? How long until you could play tennis again.

 

[heninfan99]

For me about 1 to 1.5 months. I know I can play again when I can walk up on the balls of my feet.



Keys after the injury heals
Before tennis

After tennis

Yes ... I had the same thought about walking. The mutts got a walk around the pond at the park as part of rehab yesterday. They hope I pull my calf often.

I'm past any pain ... unless I poke around with fingers. The part that worries me is tightness ... you figure one full out sprint (59 year old version) might be another tear. Tried the heating pad on the injured calf this morning for 20+ minutes, and it seemed to help.

Grade 2? How long until you could play tennis again.

 

[ByeByePoly]

For me about 1 to 1.5 months. I know I can play again when I can walk up on the balls of my feet.



Keys after the injury
Before tennis

After tennis

I have a roller ... don't all older tennis players have them?

I just used the roller on the calves for the first time yesterday. I didn't think about it at first (had it for TE). I rolled both calves knee to ankles, including sides. Then I followed with fingers working the sore spots, and finally keeping pressure on sore spots with fingers/thumb ... flexing foot up and down. Singles this morning was rained out ... probably a good thing. Probably having a day or more between matches is a good thing in the final healing. That said, it seems as you get older you are better off playing several times a week than once. It seems to keep the tennis muscles stretched out unless you over do it.