I no longer get any enjoyment out of tennis

ogruskie

ogruskie

Professional
I've been playing for around 5-6 years. Played in a few minor competitions around the area (nothing major), and played on the varsity doubles team my senior year of high school. At the start of college I was pretty overwhelmed with having a part-time job and going to school, so I managed to only exercise at the gym and maybe hit a few hours per week. Continued to play very infrequently throughout the year, and now I just don't find any fun in the sport.

It brings about more frustration than enjoyment. I've gotten myself physically fit so getting around is a hell of a lot easier than it was a year ago. I'm possibly in my best shape yet. But even on my good days I just don't feel truly satisfied with what I'm doing. Whenever I get invited to play with the guys I'd rather make an excuse why I can't come. I mean I'll go hit, win some games, lose some games. Doesn't make me feel content at all.

Is this unusual? Am I going through a phase? I've wanted to train in Muay thai for the longest time, and I'm seriously considering doing it. But it would just me such a damn shame for me to quit tennis after I've invested so much time in it...
 
ogruskie said:
I've been playing for around 5-6 years. Played in a few minor competitions around the area (nothing major), and played on the varsity doubles team my senior year of high school. At the start of college I was pretty overwhelmed with having a part-time job and going to school, so I managed to only exercise at the gym and maybe hit a few hours per week. Continued to play very infrequently throughout the year, and now I just don't find any fun in the sport.

It brings about more frustration than enjoyment. I've gotten myself physically fit so getting around is a hell of a lot easier than it was a year ago. I'm possibly in my best shape yet. But even on my good days I just don't feel truly satisfied with what I'm doing. Whenever I get invited to play with the guys I'd rather make an excuse why I can't come. I mean I'll go hit, win some games, lose some games. Doesn't make me feel content at all.

Is this unusual? Am I going through a phase? I've wanted to train in Muay thai for the longest time, and I'm seriously considering doing it. But it would just me such a damn shame for me to quit tennis after I've invested so much time in it...
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My advice would be to put less weight in the amount of time invested. That's a silly reason to do something that makes you unhappy, if it isn't bringing money in or something. You might even find if you take a sizable break from tennis that you will want to play again sometime. Don't torment yourself out of some weird sense of obligation.
 
I've quit things that I had half my life invested in because the bottom fell out on the industry. You should feel what it is like to let down your mother down, and almost have her beg you to continue. Not to mention all the people who believed in me and my potential. Makes me almost cry, sometimes. Quitting a hobby should be easy in comparison. I haven't hit a tennis ball in 2 years, and I could take it or leave based on how I'm feeling.
 
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I quit for awhile too, but then I came back because I kept playing it more often so it encouraged me to re-try. :)
 
ogruskie said:
I've been playing for around 5-6 years. Played in a few minor competitions around the area (nothing major), and played on the varsity doubles team my senior year of high school. At the start of college I was pretty overwhelmed with having a part-time job and going to school, so I managed to only exercise at the gym and maybe hit a few hours per week. Continued to play very infrequently throughout the year, and now I just don't find any fun in the sport.

It brings about more frustration than enjoyment. I've gotten myself physically fit so getting around is a hell of a lot easier than it was a year ago. I'm possibly in my best shape yet. But even on my good days I just don't feel truly satisfied with what I'm doing. Whenever I get invited to play with the guys I'd rather make an excuse why I can't come. I mean I'll go hit, win some games, lose some games. Doesn't make me feel content at all.

Is this unusual? Am I going through a phase? I've wanted to train in Muay thai for the longest time, and I'm seriously considering doing it. But it would just me such a damn shame for me to quit tennis after I've invested so much time in it...
Click to expand...

Perhaps, you just need a break. Perhaps, it is time to move on from tennis. My suggestion would be to do what makes you happy and take it as it comes. If it isn't tennis, so be it.
 
OP sounds like he has his heart set someplace else right now. Give tennis up for a while, it will be there when you come back, if you do.
I haven't had the feeling of not feeling enjoyment out of it. I long for it more when I get some kind of injury that prevents me from playing. I will take any chance to hit tennis balls.I don't win a lot of times but I feel like my strokes are getting better, slowly.
 
Couple things might be happening.

Are you really busy / distracted with something else? It can be hard to enjoy tennis if the whole time you are thinking about the homework you should be doing, for example. Try budgeting your time carefully. If you spend enough time on the other stuff you need to do, then you can easily justify a few hours of tennis per week without feeling guilty or thinking about the other stuff while you hit.

Is there a rut in the way you play your tennis? Maybe it's hitting with the same people over and over or getting tired of competition. Try a cardio tennis class or some semi-private lessons with a new coach. You could meet some interesting new people (perhaps of the opposite sex?!), learn some new drills, etc. Just mixing up the surroundings a bit might reveal the problem to be something other than the sport itself.
 
Maybe take up another sport. I'm into cycling too & it's nice to have something else to do when I'm not up for one or the other & it helps me keep fit so that even when I take some time off I'm usually not too far from where I had left off skill-wise.
 
Take a break from it. Then you'll either come back to it or you won't. If you do come back to it, though, you'll notice that you'll have a big advantage over a complete newbie. You'll already know how to play. Remember how it was when you started, and you couldn't even keep a rally going? Now that you're past that, your skills can last you a lifetime. Later you'll probably play more for fun, and not be so worried about if you're improving or not.
 
Ahh , My Friend - I'm no psychiatrist , but life is about ups & downs , when down comes if you realize that period is the down time - actually thats a big step in my book , you've admitted to youself that you find no joy in a sport that used to be fun - but now feels like a chore , it's kinda like sex with your wife if she turns 40 , althugh you are in the best shape of your life - she just doesn't do it for you ( this is just my hypothesis ) - so , what a smart guy does is : he takes some risks ( gets involved with a younger girl )[if he is really smart - does it without getting caught - then comes back & spices up the relationship with his wife - doing new things & stuff..... now wife=tennis here for you , since you are in a good shape why not ditch those tennis-mates ( I beleive sometimes the same guys could also be a bore - when playing tennis ) & switch sports to something like Badminton or swimming or football or soccer or squash ? If you like it - stick there , if not come back a few months later - find new buddies in tennis , maybe spice it up playing mixed doubles ( inviting maybe some hot gals :P ) - spice things up , have fun , then play like a pro , why not ? Life is too short to feel like a robot, why not try new things my friend ? Why not pull a tiger-woods ? ( I know my advice doesn't seem like the best one , but atleast think about tiger , the world maybe after him - but c'mon , you know it - inside he feels like billion dollars , he had 17+affairs & he still is rockin - no nike deal could have made him feel that way .... ) Go with the flow my friend , go with the flow...
 
larlarbd said:
Ahh , My Friend - I'm no psychiatrist , but life is about ups & downs , when down comes if you realize that period is the down time - actually thats a big step in my book , you've admitted to youself that you find no joy in a sport that used to be fun - but now feels like a chore , it's kinda like sex with your wife if she turns 40 , althugh you are in the best shape of your life - she just doesn't do it for you ( this is just my hypothesis ) - so , what a smart guy does is : he takes some risks ( gets involved with a younger girl )[if he is really smart - does it without getting caught - then comes back & spices up the relationship with his wife - doing new things & stuff..... now wife=tennis here for you , since you are in a good shape why not ditch those tennis-mates ( I beleive sometimes the same guys could also be a bore - when playing tennis ) & switch sports to something like Badminton or swimming or football or soccer or squash ? If you like it - stick there , if not come back a few months later - find new buddies in tennis , maybe spice it up playing mixed doubles ( inviting maybe some hot gals :P ) - spice things up , have fun , then play like a pro , why not ? Life is too short to feel like a robot, why not try new things my friend ? Why not pull a tiger-woods ? ( I know my advice doesn't seem like the best one , but atleast think about tiger , the world maybe after him - but c'mon , you know it - inside he feels like billion dollars , he had 17+affairs & he still is rockin - no nike deal could have made him feel that way .... ) Go with the flow my friend , go with the flow...
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Is that your story?
 
LanEvo said:
Is that your story?
Click to expand...

Nah Man , It's much more interesting .... & I didn't even lose the love of tennis ... lol:twisted::

I also forgot to mention to OP that Muay Thai seems like a great idea dude , yeah why not ?
 
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larlarbd said:
Ahh , My Friend - I'm no psychiatrist , but life is about ups & downs , when down comes if you realize that period is the down time - actually thats a big step in my book , you've admitted to youself that you find no joy in a sport that used to be fun - but now feels like a chore , it's kinda like sex with your wife if she turns 40 , althugh you are in the best shape of your life - she just doesn't do it for you ( this is just my hypothesis ) - so , what a smart guy does is : he takes some risks ( gets involved with a younger girl )[if he is really smart - does it without getting caught - then comes back & spices up the relationship with his wife - doing new things & stuff..... now wife=tennis here for you , since you are in a good shape why not ditch those tennis-mates ( I beleive sometimes the same guys could also be a bore - when playing tennis ) & switch sports to something like Badminton or swimming or football or soccer or squash ? If you like it - stick there , if not come back a few months later - find new buddies in tennis , maybe spice it up playing mixed doubles ( inviting maybe some hot gals :P ) - spice things up , have fun , then play like a pro , why not ? Life is too short to feel like a robot, why not try new things my friend ? Why not pull a tiger-woods ? ( I know my advice doesn't seem like the best one , but atleast think about tiger , the world maybe after him - but c'mon , you know it - inside he feels like billion dollars , he had 17+affairs & he still is rockin - no nike deal could have made him feel that way .... ) Go with the flow my friend , go with the flow...
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I enjoyed reading this. Cheers!

Anyway i think the OP should just take a break and return to playing tennis later.
 
Im going through the same thing right now, for a while i was playing 5 days a week training and eating healthy then i think i got burnt out and have reversed all my progress.

You just need a break from tennis that means no playing,watching or even thinking about tennis for a couple months.

good luck.
 
I get no kick from champagne
Mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all
So tell me why should it be true
That I get a kick out of you

Some, they may go for Cocaine
I'm sure that if I took even one sniff
It would bore me terrifically too
But I get a kick out of you

( Some like the bop-type refrain )
( I'm sure that if, I heard even one riff )
( It would bore me terrifically too )
( But I get a kick out of you )

( Some they may go for cocaine )
( I'm sure that if, I took even one sniff )
( It would bore me terrifically too )
( But I get a kick out of you )

I get a kick every time I see you standing there before me
I get a kick though it's clear to see, you obviously do not adore me

I get no kick in a plane
Flying too high with some gal in the sky
Is my idea of nothing to do
But I get a kick out of you
 
OP: about 2-3 years ago, I was in a similar position.. I took a few months off and started all over. trust me, it worked

We all get burned out and some take longer to recover than others.. take a break when you get "hungry" again for tennis, then wait a few days and go out there..
 
ogruskie said:
I've been playing for around 5-6 years. Played in a few minor competitions around the area (nothing major), and played on the varsity doubles team my senior year of high school. At the start of college I was pretty overwhelmed with having a part-time job and going to school, so I managed to only exercise at the gym and maybe hit a few hours per week. Continued to play very infrequently throughout the year, and now I just don't find any fun in the sport.

It brings about more frustration than enjoyment. I've gotten myself physically fit so getting around is a hell of a lot easier than it was a year ago. I'm possibly in my best shape yet. But even on my good days I just don't feel truly satisfied with what I'm doing. Whenever I get invited to play with the guys I'd rather make an excuse why I can't come. I mean I'll go hit, win some games, lose some games. Doesn't make me feel content at all.

Is this unusual? Am I going through a phase? I've wanted to train in Muay thai for the longest time, and I'm seriously considering doing it. But it would just me such a damn shame for me to quit tennis after I've invested so much time in it...
Click to expand...

You don't want to play, so don't. Spend more time on the things you do enjoy and/or take up something new like Muay Thai. After a few months you may get the urge to hit a ball again. If that happens then it's time to try playing again. If you never get the urge again, then that's fine also - enjoy your life.

Imagine this; there's a guy who's been a lawyer for 30 years. He's about to become a partner, which will boost his career immensely. But deep down he hates being a lawyer, he dreams of being a teacher in a rural area. What should he do?
 
larlarbd said:
Ahh , My Friend - I'm no psychiatrist , but life is about ups & downs , when down comes if you realize that period is the down time - actually thats a big step in my book , you've admitted to youself that you find no joy in a sport that used to be fun - but now feels like a chore , it's kinda like sex with your wife if she turns 40 , althugh you are in the best shape of your life - she just doesn't do it for you ( this is just my hypothesis ) - so , what a smart guy does is : he takes some risks ( gets involved with a younger girl )[if he is really smart - does it without getting caught - then comes back & spices up the relationship with his wife - doing new things & stuff..... now wife=tennis here for you , since you are in a good shape why not ditch those tennis-mates ( I beleive sometimes the same guys could also be a bore - when playing tennis ) & switch sports to something like Badminton or swimming or football or soccer or squash ? If you like it - stick there , if not come back a few months later - find new buddies in tennis , maybe spice it up playing mixed doubles ( inviting maybe some hot gals :P ) - spice things up , have fun , then play like a pro , why not ? Life is too short to feel like a robot, why not try new things my friend ? Why not pull a tiger-woods ? ( I know my advice doesn't seem like the best one , but atleast think about tiger , the world maybe after him - but c'mon , you know it - inside he feels like billion dollars , he had 17+affairs & he still is rockin - no nike deal could have made him feel that way .... ) Go with the flow my friend , go with the flow...
Click to expand...
i posted just to say i thoroughly enjoyed this :)
 
Thanks for the feedback guys.

Earlier a few posters said that maybe I'm distracted by current ongoing things. Lately I've just been going through a lot of different realizations about my life. I felt like I needed a change within myself. I'm just tired of the "routine" I've grown accustomed to my whole life. I want to achieve something great, But I don't know what it is.

I'm distressed with school, trying to transfer out of community college into a 4 year university. Distressed with my crummy job, my friends, girls, typical **** you know? I felt like I needed to ditch my old lifestyle so that I could create a perfect new one. Tennis was like the anchor still holding me back from going out to try new things.

Anyway, I'm sorry to have this stupid therapy session here. I'm sure nobody here wants to hear this sappy emotional BS. Thanks for the feedback once again. I'm going to take a long break and see if I regain my interest.
 
Take a break. why not? It's just a game.

I once took off a year because I found myself getting all tense and swearing on the court. It worked to end that frustration; coming back fresh was a good thing.
 
1. Treat it like exercise. Something you tell yourself is good for you and do it, even if little.

2. Focus on improving something or other. Like the serve, or the backhand loop. That is how I keep myself going. I can beat or lose to all the 3.5 and 4.0 guys I play with, depending on my mood, the day, circumstances etc. So that alone doesn't motivate me. I like how in tennis if you keep working on something, you do get better. For me, it has been the serve of late. For someone like Fed, the only way is down. For us, the only way is up. Let us be grateful for that.
 
ogruskie - life is full of change so glad to read that you are adapting. been down that road a few times and can expect more.
 
ogruskie said:
Thanks for the feedback guys.

Earlier a few posters said that maybe I'm distracted by current ongoing things. Lately I've just been going through a lot of different realizations about my life. I felt like I needed a change within myself. I'm just tired of the "routine" I've grown accustomed to my whole life. I want to achieve something great, But I don't know what it is.

I'm distressed with school, trying to transfer out of community college into a 4 year university. Distressed with my crummy job, my friends, girls, typical **** you know? I felt like I needed to ditch my old lifestyle so that I could create a perfect new one. Tennis was like the anchor still holding me back from going out to try new things.

Anyway, I'm sorry to have this stupid therapy session here. I'm sure nobody here wants to hear this sappy emotional BS. Thanks for the feedback once again. I'm going to take a long break and see if I regain my interest.
Click to expand...

You'd Probably be surprised that how many ppl actually might feel connected to your problem , it's not at all emotional sappy BS , I myself transferred from community college to 4yr-university , if I remember correctly i went through a very painful break-up as well , part of the reason was I became this irritated person who was not fun anymore - I was under the gun & felt the same way you felt .... anyone who is 25+ years old must have gone through a period like that - I'm talking about not just tennis but felt the same thing in other departments in life .... I guess the trick is to change things up to keep it fresh & take every challenge as life's gifts ....

Or maybe pull a Tiger-Woods , lol , why not ? :D

Back to Tennis :
I'm on-borad with SURESHS on this one , I do the same if I feel my game is getting one-dimensional , I try to improve on specific's like serve or backhand - right now I'm working on getting to the net quickly with a good approach .... after reading all the comments - I have to say my respect for tt members is higher than ever - great advise , great level of understanding - it's good to be a part of this community. Great Posts guys.
 
ogruskie said:
Thanks for the feedback guys.

Earlier a few posters said that maybe I'm distracted by current ongoing things. Lately I've just been going through a lot of different realizations about my life. I felt like I needed a change within myself. I'm just tired of the "routine" I've grown accustomed to my whole life. I want to achieve something great, But I don't know what it is.

I'm distressed with school, trying to transfer out of community college into a 4 year university. Distressed with my crummy job, my friends, girls, typical **** you know? I felt like I needed to ditch my old lifestyle so that I could create a perfect new one. Tennis was like the anchor still holding me back from going out to try new things.

Anyway, I'm sorry to have this stupid therapy session here. I'm sure nobody here wants to hear this sappy emotional BS. Thanks for the feedback once again. I'm going to take a long break and see if I regain my interest.
Click to expand...

For what it's worth, I'm on the far end of the tennis road from you, in my 60s with prospects of playing decent tennis dwingling with each year. If you are really burned out on the game, by all means take a little time off. But don't waste too much of that time, because it will be gone before you know it. Tennis truly is the sport of a lifetime, but only if you enjoy it.

Again, for what it's worth.
 
when i play tennis with the same guys every week the funness goes down aswell, i think its because u get use to the same routines and it just gets boring
 
ogruskie said:
I've been playing for around 5-6 years. Played in a few minor competitions around the area (nothing major), and played on the varsity doubles team my senior year of high school. At the start of college I was pretty overwhelmed with having a part-time job and going to school, so I managed to only exercise at the gym and maybe hit a few hours per week. Continued to play very infrequently throughout the year, and now I just don't find any fun in the sport.

It brings about more frustration than enjoyment. I've gotten myself physically fit so getting around is a hell of a lot easier than it was a year ago. I'm possibly in my best shape yet. But even on my good days I just don't feel truly satisfied with what I'm doing. Whenever I get invited to play with the guys I'd rather make an excuse why I can't come. I mean I'll go hit, win some games, lose some games. Doesn't make me feel content at all.

Is this unusual? Am I going through a phase? I've wanted to train in Muay thai for the longest time, and I'm seriously considering doing it. But it would just me such a damn shame for me to quit tennis after I've invested so much time in it...
Click to expand...

I can't speak for others, but, I get joy from different aspects of tennis. I get a sense of accomplishment and pride when my practice results in improvement and I execute my shots well. But, more than that, tennis is a warrior's sport. There's no team. It's one on one. It's personal. There's no coaching. There's no clock. You have to win the points and finish the match. You play because you are addicted to this level of personal, me against you, one on one competition. Anyway, that's what keeps me going.

In the words of the great Tony Williams: "You play because you must."
 
sureshs said:
Play singles with young women. Always motivating.
Click to expand...

Overrated, I have done it a lot. It is better to play and have them watching and hanging out.

Unless they are great players, then it is a different story.

OP, you should obviously take a break. You will like tennis again, but you can't force it.
 
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