First tournament back after 6 years!

[tsamo]

A little backstory first.

I used to play in my teens and a little bit in my early twenties but hadn't played in the past 5 years. Last time I played I rolled my ankle pretty bad, I have a badly healed ankle which sometimes in the past has betrayed me, and I was out for about 6 months. Then life happened, did my military service and gained a lot of weight. Like a lot!
Anyway fast forward to last September, started playing again and today had my first tournament game in 6 years! I am almost back to my past self and couldn't be happier!

Was pretty anxious for my first (tournament)match back but everything went well. I played a junk-baller who was at about 3.5/4.0 level. Had a pretty good strokes and serves but as I was returning everything and really pressured him he resorted to junk-balling. He even stopped hitting flat serves and started going for slice serves. Little did he know that even if now I'm more of an all-around player, I used to junk-ball with the best(worst?) of them. So the whole situation backfired spectacularly in his face.
Final score 6-2/6-1. Could have maybe went for a bagel, as in both sets I was up 5-0, but some dumb mistakes and stupid "I've already won" mindset lost me three games.

I am pretty satisfied.
Even if I lose the next match at least I've won one!!

 

[Cashman]

Glad to hear you are having fun. Take it easy as you ramp back up - given your time off you are in the high risk category for injuries.

Focus on the gym more than the court til you have your fitness back, make sure you have good shoes, and strap the ankle every match.

 

[megamind]

Glad to hear you are having fun. Take it easy as you ramp back up - given your time off you are in the high risk category for injuries.

Focus on the gym more than the court til you have your fitness back, make sure you have good shoes, and strap the ankle every match.

Plus one to this. I got injured shortly after returning to tennis. Take it easy

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Plus one to this. I got injured shortly after returning to tennis. Take it easy

Agreed. My #1 priority when coming back was more about injury prevention than performance.

 

[tsamo]

Glad to hear you are having fun. Take it easy as you ramp back up - given your time off you are in the high risk category for injuries.

Focus on the gym more than the court til you have your fitness back, make sure you have good shoes, and strap the ankle every match.

Plus one to this. I got injured shortly after returning to tennis. Take it easy

Agreed. My #1 priority when coming back was more about injury prevention than performance.

Thnaks!
It's been almost a year since I've started tennis back up again, so my fitness has been gradually getting better. Was going to the gym daily, at least before this whole covid-19 nightmare, and running in the mountains.
I really think that the running in uneven grounds has somehow helped me. I don't know if it's just in my brain or what not but these last months my ankle has been rock solid in the courts.
As for shoes, I currently use the Barricades.
Really looking forward to my new match though, that's for sure!!

 

[Cashman]

What sort of ankle brace do you use?

 

[tsamo]

What sort of ankle brace do you use?

The none kind .
But seriously, I never used one. My ankle does not hurt, it's just that it kind of "gave out", at times in the past.
My shoes do a very good job of locking the ankle in place.

 

[Cashman]

That’s... unwise.

From what you describe, your ligaments are permanently damaged. This means that without a brace you will continue to roll your ankle in the future - and when you do, you’ll be at an elevated risk of a fracture.

I’d definitely recommend wearing a heavy-duty lace-up brace for all athletic activity - especially tennis, which is a particularly bad sport for people with ankle problems. A brace mimics the function of healthy ligaments in a way that shoes cannot.

 

[tsamo]

Some years back I bought and used one brace like the one you were describing and it was uncomfortable to the point it sucked all the fun out of the match.
Honestly I think the gym and the running really helped strengthen the muscles in my feet and they are compensating for my ankle.
To give you an idea, when I started tennis back up in my early twenties I rolled my ankles about three times each year.
Luckily most of these were light rolls except the last one. The thing is, I was really feeling the instability when I was pushing my foot.
This past one the instability is completely gone. Maybe it's foolish of me not to wear a brace but...

 

[McLovin]

That’s... unwise.

From what you describe, your ligaments are permanently damaged. This means that without a brace you will continue to roll your ankle in the future - and when you do, you’ll be at an elevated risk of a fracture.

I’d definitely recommend wearing a heavy-duty lace-up brace for all athletic activity - especially tennis, which is a particularly bad sport for people with ankle problems. A brace mimics the function of healthy ligaments in a way that shoes cannot.

I agree 100%.

I've rolled both my ankles a multitude of times playing tennis, soccer, while hiking, and even going out for a jog (wasn't paying attention & stepped on a rock). Unlike bones, tendons don't heal back stronger before the injury, so the more you roll them, the more susceptible you are to ankle rolls.

About 5-6 years ago I started wearing the ASO braces all the time on both ankles whenever I played tennis/soccer/etc. While they don't prevent you from rolling your ankle, they most certainly help it be less severe when you do roll them (and you will roll them eventually).

For ~ $20 per ankle, its well worth the investment.

 

[stapletonj]

if you wont wear a brace, at least tape it up!

 

[thelimfactor]

A little backstory first.

I used to play in my teens and a little bit in my early twenties but hadn't played in the past 5 years. Last time I played I rolled my ankle pretty bad, I have a badly healed ankle which sometimes in the past has betrayed me, and I was out for about 6 months. Then life happened, did my military service and gained a lot of weight. Like a lot!
Anyway fast forward to last September, started playing again and today had my first tournament game in 6 years! I am almost back to my past self and couldn't be happier!

Was pretty anxious for my first (tournament)match back but everything went well. I played a junk-baller who was at about 3.5/4.0 level. Had a pretty good strokes and serves but as I was returning everything and really pressured him he resorted to junk-balling. He even stopped hitting flat serves and started going for slice serves. Little did he know that even if now I'm more of an all-around player, I used to junk-ball with the best(worst?) of them. So the whole situation backfired spectacularly in his face.
Final score 6-2/6-1. Could have maybe went for a bagel, as in both sets I was up 5-0, but some dumb mistakes and stupid "I've already won" mindset lost me three games.

I am pretty satisfied.
Even if I lose the next match at least I've won one!!

Mate- best wishes for the comeback! Nice to hear positive stories and the joy our beautiful game can provide. Let us know how you go in the tournaments. Happy tennis everyone.