Seniors lounge (over 50) come on in.

52 here.

I'm varying between a Prince TT100 and a Wilson Blade 104 SW these days depending on how my arm feels. The PD's are in the closet.
Tennis is my exercise routine + stretching
Super Tuscans and i prefer Macallan Scotch to bourbon.
Playing more has helped my game.
A surgically repaired shoulder from my youth has been killing my game for years
My wife retired last year. I've got a decade to go. Then its Palm Desert winters for me.
 
Soon to be 51,

Weight training, Treadmill, Yoga (questioning why I didn't start this earlier in life), Tennis (almost exclusively doubles now)

Have been playing with the RF Autograph frame, switched from a long time Head Radical user. Play 3 to 4 times a week, after 10 years of not playing (but watching a lot of tennis...as an umpire)

Playing a variety of different players has helped my game, from big bangers to spin doctor pushers.

If I drink, it's a beer or wine and usually not more than one. The strong stuff is outta my league now. I don't recover from drinking like I did when I was younger.

Retired, and once I got past the boredom and discovered what I wanted to do, been active and busy all day.
 
Turned 62 in March. How on earth did that happen. Been blessed with good health. Played in the late 1970's till about 1986. Then played golf for my company for 15 years. Attending company golf outings, flying from Ohio to Doral in Miami to play golf with customers. Been in Pharmaceuticals/ medical device sales for the past 17 years. Started playing tennis again about 10 years ago.

Only play singles. Play 4-5 times a week. Went from players frames to light frames in the past month. Has kept me in the game. Live in Ohio, own a condo in SW Florida with a fantastic golf course and clay courts. I would retire today if they could figure out Obama/Trump care. Have two wonderful grand kids that I'm obsessed with. Like Cabernet and Bulliet, 4 Roses bourbon at times. Avid guitar player.
 
Turn 61 end of the year. I learned to play tennis at 9 or 10 I think and played for 15 years or so but baseball was my sport when young and played in college and thereafter. Also play golf, ride bikes (mtn and road) and still race motocross. Returned to tennis 5 months ago and feels like I never left just like riding a bike. Love my Microgel Radcal Pros but my Yonex Tour 97 and my ProKennex 7G get some love too. Joints are a bit creaky but otherwise ok physically. Live in SoCal and have 15 courts within 5 minutes and belong to a local tennis club. Being Irish beer is in my blood. Also play pickleball (gasp) and touch tennis with my wife and play guitar. Contemplating retirement in the next couple of years.
 
56, how time flies.

Torn meniscus has forced me to change my mindset about singles. Mostly giving it up which has hurt. Learning the tricks trade of doubles now.

I lift weights, cycle., some yoga but not as much as i should.

Long time micro gel mid plus player. Lately been playing with the ti s6. Yep i know, crazy granny stick. Truth is, as much as i don't want to admit it, i play better with it. Weight and length both help me. It doesn't have the amazing control of my microgel, but it has enough and the rest is better.

I'm also accepting the fact that 20 to 30 year olds of equal skill are going to beat me. Haha.

I appreciate when i play more and care about winning less.
 
In the past used rackets in the 11 3/4 ounce range now use more around 11 ounces. I just retired this spring and love it, many days I will hit twice a day. I work more on conditioning now, I've always worked out with weights which to me is the key to staying on the court. But I've added more aerobic and cardio training now I try to run at least 4-5 days a week or do tabata training.

I play a grinder style and noticed in the last few years that I get winded easier so had to get more cardio training going which I can tell already that it helps my game. As fas as improving my game I've been taking some lessons from the local college coach this summer which has helped that and working with the ball machine.

Still like my Miller Lite at night with some bud also. Oh as far as age I'm 61 years young. Lol
 
68.
Left ankle now lasts through a whole set, so my game is better.
Mostly 100 sq in stiff rackets, STBite16 at 35 lbs., flat first serves, maybe 50% lately, and erratic second serves, since I actually get a few first flats in for a change.
Even been running down lots of lobs over my head that land within 2' of the baseline.
Tennis is more fun when it's possible to run....and move the feet.
 
Will be 63 this fall.

Currently hitting with Volkl PB 10 mid ( 3 frames ), sweet for elbow and shoulder.

I play tournaments at the club level ( i'm between 4 and 4.5 ) when I'm in France visiting my folks, 2 months around Xmas and another 2 months in may-

june, that's about 45 tournaments matches per season.

I also works with free weights at home, focusing mainly on core muscles ( abs, obliques, squats and so on ) 2 x 1 hour per week....when in California I hit

3 times a week with different partners ( level 4.0 to 4.5 ).

I also run ( 45mns ) excepted in summer months when it's too hot.

I watch my diet but i'm not obsessed by it : absolutely no sodas, no sugar ( even in coffee and tea ), no ice cream, no pastries, no red meat, no junk food...I

will eat bread moderately, and drink red wine daily at lunch and dinner.

:D
 
Will be 62 in a couple months. But luckily most people say I don't look it yet.

I use PT 280's. I have 10 that will hopefully last the rest of my life. I have tried the newer racquets the kids use. They feel like wiffle-ball bats and the feedback is deceptive. I sometimes use one of my PT 630's or PT57E's, but the PT 280's just feel right to me.

I did lose 30 pounds last year that I gained during the time around my hip replacement. I cut out processed sugar and a lot of the carbs I liked. I also had a apple cider vinegar/honey/lemon/cinnamon drink every day.

I am not much of a drinker. I think I have had 2 beers and a glass of cheap champagne this year.

I am a visual learner, so the internet and slow motion video have helped me the most. Not competing and ball feeding has hurt me the most. I have lost any killer instinct and have developed some form of the yips when attempting to hit into the open court. I actually feel guilty for doing it because hitting winners on kids doesn't really benefit them. It's something to work on. Tennis is still the funnest exercise, and I like the process even if I hate the results.
 
Vanhalen said:
https://www.flickr.com/gp/145516804@N08/UDNz37I think we need our own lounge to hang out. Away from all the silly teenager questions....

What frames are you using now in later life? Gone lighter? Have you changed your diet, exercise routine? Favorite wines, bourbons. What has helped your game? What is killing your game? Retired? Retiring soon?
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Just turned 50. Been playing with the Ti.S6 for about a year. Lots more control, less power. Lighter than my earlier frames. Dropped most carbs and nearly all sugar from my diet after being diagnosed pre-diabetes about a year ago (runs in the family). Ramped up the mountain biking to 40 miles per week.

Playing less tennis this last year to go easier on my joints. Less time on court hurts my game when I do play. But I am enjoying my son's game and my wife's game and their improvement quite a bit this past year. Beat my 16 year old son shortly after turning 50 which was nice. He owns me physically, but I can out think him.

Retiring? Maybe never. I'm a consulting scientist and I still do lots of publishable research. Too much fun to quit.

Wines? Never been an expert. I like red. My wife brought home a nice red from Argentina this weekend, but I don't remember what it was.

Bourbon? Yuk.
 
This thread is an interesting read. 57 y.o. here - actively working and spending lots of time with my 10 y.o. and 12 y.o. competitive tennis kids with my 2nd wife. Competitive junior tennis and future educations are expensive, so retirement is still a concept more than a reality for me.

Still playing exclusively singles around 3 times a week at a decent level (4.5 strokes but I've slowed down a bit). I've reduced racket weight mostly because I'm around competitive teenagers that wield 11 oz sticks with great technique and a lot of RHS. I like rackets around 64-67 R.A and either play with gut-poly, poly-syn gut, of soft poly. I like to think my game is still improving due to listening to my kid's coach a few hours a week. He has also become a friend and we hit together, though I stopped taking lessons.

I love good food, good wine and it seems the weight creeps on over time - this and adding additional non tennis exercise are my current challenges. I've almost cut out the wine - gotta improve on reducing the carbs, sugars (I see a few of us have been successful - that's encouraging). I don't really like non tennis exercise. I am mostly injury free. A bout of tennis elbow convinced me that stiff rackets and stiff poly are not worth it.

Spending a lot of time with younger people (due to kids and tennis) has kept me in a young frame of mind. I reread and follow the concepts of Taoist philosophy this keeps me grounded with the challenges of life. Once I reached 50, I tried to force myself to slow down a bit - to do 70%-80% of what I used to do.
 
^^^ Great point. One must always seek out young enthusiastic players and avoid the above-50 group as much as possible, except when rejected by the younger crowd. Older people are jaded and not fun to be around with.
 
I'll be 60 at the end of the month. I use an SW 104 and love the combination of old school feel and added juice. I'm happy to report I've learned to hit the modern forehand after 40 years of hitting the old straight backswing/flat forehand.
I retired last February. The best thing about it is not having to be in a hurry all the time. And of course less stress which should reduce my alcohol and food consumption more than it has, but I'm working on it.
 
Still love Tennis. Solo tennis about 2 times per week, singles match about 1 a week and sub in a 3.5 -4.0 ish doubles league. Thinking of entering 3.5 singles tournament soon. I don't play as many matches as I used to. Sometime ago I was a decent 4.5 player, even played as a 5.0 doubles. I mix in a little Pickleball for fun a it's mostly social and good for short movement. I use tennis as a workout for conditioning because it's something that I will stick with. I mostly work on stroke technique. Enjoy Moosehead beer and some red wine every now and then. Watch Tennis channel but I'm very selective on the matches. Anyway that's a brief introduction. Glad to see people are still playing as they mature.
 
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Age 52.. Currently using 2015 version of PS97. I've been using a similar spec racquet for the past 5 years or so. Seriously considering something lighter and possibly extended.

My diet and or exercise routine has not changed much other than eating healthier food. Tennis is my main source of exercise. I'm a beer drinker, not much of a wine drinker. I do like Tito's vodka, :). I would say, on average, I play twice a week. Some weeks I might play 4 or 5 times, but very rare.

I've been fighting thru lots of injuries the last 2 years, very nagging, back, neck, shoulder, knee. Because of these injuries, I've become much slower and much less flexible. I think experience has helped my game when competing against younger folks. Changing strategy when necessary. I went 3-0 at 4.5 18 and up this summer, but am 0-2 at 4.5+ 40 and over. Maybe younger guys suit my game better.

I hope to retire in 8 years.
 
sureshs said:
For dirty jokes and drinking beer, old guys are fun, yes.
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Ugh, must be the class of people you hang out with.

The 50-60 year olds I hang out with don't stoop to the immaturity of dirty jokes. We will sit on the patio of the club after tennis, have some Cabernet or bourbon and discuss politics, investing, or investments, business opportunities, restaurants, our aching bodies, automobiles, getting deals on various things, our kids, our grandkids, tennis, tennis racquets, golf, issues at work, retiring, retirement, helping family, kids, church. Important things to us.
 
sureshs said:
52 here. Have mastered all strokes except the serve.
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sureshs said:
^^^ Great point. One must always seek out young enthusiastic players and avoid the above-50 group as much as possible, except when rejected by the younger crowd. Older people are jaded and not fun to be around with.
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sureshs said:
^^^ I will also become like that eventually
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I tried to keep quiet but really if you have mastered all those strokes you wouldn't be losing so badly. "jaded" it seems you've already reached that goal.
 
Vanhalen said:
Ugh, must be the class of people you hang out with.

The 50-60 year olds I hang out with don't stoop to the immaturity of dirty jokes. We will sit on the patio of the club after tennis, have some Cabernet or bourbon and discuss politics, investing, or investments, business opportunities, restaurants, our aching bodies, automobiles, getting deals on various things, our kids, our grandkids, tennis, tennis racquets, golf, issues at work, retiring, retirement, helping family, kids, church. Important things to us.
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Sign me up for beer and boobie jokes.
 
Turned 61 this year. Trick back and knees... try to keep it going with lots of stretching. Since prospects of much improvement are low going forward, I stifled my urge to get serious coaching (although there are many good coaches in this area), and just have fun hitting these days. I try to follow the technical discussions here, but most of them go over my head. I have developed some simple cues to hit/serve well that I would like to discuss with an expert some day.
 
RajS said:
Turned 61 this year. Trick back and knees... try to keep it going with lots of stretching. Since prospects of much improvement are low going forward, I stifled my urge to get serious coaching (although there are many good coaches in this area), and just have fun hitting these days. I try to follow the technical discussions here, but most of them go over my head. I have developed some simple cues to hit/serve well that I would like to discuss with an expert some day.
Click to expand...
Well I turn 61 in 4 months and felt all of 61 today. Had no energy. Might be because I played pickleball and touch tennis last 2 days in morning for 2 hours and then hit for hour and a half each evening. Just not a spring chicken anymore.
 
Vanhalen said:
Ugh, must be the class of people you hang out with.

The 50-60 year olds I hang out with don't stoop to the immaturity of dirty jokes. We will sit on the patio of the club after tennis, have some Cabernet or bourbon and discuss politics, investing, or investments, business opportunities, restaurants, our aching bodies, automobiles, getting deals on various things, our kids, our grandkids, tennis, tennis racquets, golf, issues at work, retiring, retirement, helping family, kids, church. Important things to us.
Click to expand...
No wonder suicide has surged in that age group.
 
62 yr old geezer, 5'11" 185lbs, monogamous with the same gal since '78. Prefer to play singles with younger guys, but play doubles once a week with a mixed group of guys who like to serve "hard" and talk serious smack. Take lessons from the local uni coach. Currenly #1 sticks is Prince Textreme Warrior 100 with #2 sticks Prince Classic Graphite 100, all with lead in the hoop.

I've been stringing on a NEOS 1000 for the last several years and am always looking for the magic string. Currently liking 18g Tour Bite in the mains with 18g Black Magic in the crosses. Experimenting with Luxilon Nat Gut in the mains x Ashaway Zyex Pro in the crosses.

Weirdest place I have hit was in Kiseljak, Bosnia Hercegovinia early '93 during the civil war. I was "on loan" from the U.S. Army/NATO assignment. For a good hit on grass I personally recommend a road trip to: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/if-you-build-it-they-will-come-proves-true-for-tennis-in-iowa-too/ http://www.alliowalawntennisclub.com/about.html

My presbyopic eyes make me a daylight player unless very good artificial light, which we don't have locally except indoors at the uni. Hardest shot now is getting to a drop shot with time to do something meaningful with it. However, love the fact I can "run those down" without feeling winded and don't take it for granted. 38 yr old I was hitting with yesterday told me I shouldn't play so many days of the week. 30yr old former D2 player told me Thurs I should take 2 steps in after my serve, get really good at half court volleying where at my age and speed I can make the 3rd shot my put away. Some days I am a decent 4.0, some days not so much. I try to hit at least 100 serves 5-7 days/week.

Recommended reading: http://www.tennisindustrymag.com/articles/2012/02/20_the_complete_stringer_from.html
 
Vanhalen said:
Ugh, must be the class of people you hang out with.

The 50-60 year olds I hang out with don't stoop to the immaturity of dirty jokes. We will sit on the patio of the club after tennis, have some Cabernet or bourbon and discuss politics, investing, or investments, business opportunities, restaurants, our aching bodies, automobiles, getting deals on various things, our kids, our grandkids, tennis, tennis racquets, golf, issues at work, retiring, retirement, helping family, kids, church. Important things to us.
Click to expand...

Pretty much my experience until too many bourbons set in. Then some dirty jokes start to creep into the converasation
 
nvr2old said:
Well I turn 61 in 4 months and felt all of 61 today. Had no energy. Might be because I played pickleball and touch tennis last 2 days in morning for 2 hours and then hit for hour and a half each evening. Just not a spring chicken anymore.
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That's a lot, man! If I play in the morning, I need to have a nap in the afternoon to be able to play again in the evening - and then I will be a zombie all day the next day, lol!
 
Vanhalen said:
think we need our own lounge to hang out. Away from all the silly teenager questions....
Click to expand...

I agree. I'm 66, and one of the apparently rare birds who only plays singles. Don't care for doubles.

I don't mean to sound condescending, but most 65+ guys I run into shuffle around the court hitting moonballs and/or slicing everything. It's very, very difficult to find a M65s player who's serious about the game and not just dinking around for socialization. So I usually end up thwacking it back and forth with younger players.

I play a Pure Aero Tour, all court, lots of pace and spin. Almost never slice. Fast, wide serves. I watch my diet and weight, do some cardio on an elliptical, and drink plenty of water before, during and after playing or practicing. I'm also VERY careful to do some stretching before hitting any balls, especially in my wrists, elbows and shoulders. Going out and hitting full-power serves and shots while you're still "stiff" is a good way to end up in the x-ray clinic.

But yes, I agree; TT should have a forum JUST for over-60 players.
 
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how do you guys deal with playing in low light? ie dusk, indoor lighting, etc,... i find as i get older my eyesight gets worse
 
nytennisaddict said:
how do you guys deal with playing in low light? ie dusk, indoor lighting, etc,... i find as i get older my eyesight gets worse
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Not 50 yet, but am curious about night vision deterioration. What happens? More glare? harder to see darker objects?

My night vision and hearing has always been pretty good. Hope it stays that way.

Now my vision... horrible. Need contact lenses but fully corrected with them.
 
onehandbh said:
Not 50 yet, but am curious about night vision deterioration. What happens? More glare? harder to see darker objects?

My night vision and hearing has always been pretty good. Hope it stays that way.

Now my vision... horrible. Need contact lenses but fully corrected with them.
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I have glasses and on occasions the glare might affect me, but overall it makes little difference. As long as I have a cap and a headband on, I'm fine with the sweat not fogging up the glasses.
 
mcs1970 said:
I have glasses and on occasions the glare might affect me, but overall it makes little difference. As long as I have a cap and a headband on, I'm fine with the sweat not fogging up the glasses.
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One of the reasons I haven't had lasik is that I am afraid my night vision will be worse afterwards.

I used to wear glasses as but stopped after breaking too many pairs from playing sports.
 
54. Still use player's frames (Prince Rebel, 95, 350g strung). Only play singles, but almost nothing competitive. Mostly just hit, some volleys, and play some practice points. Biggest emphasis on hitting with good form, good pace, lots of spin, and as much consistency as I can muster. I have a stressful job so I want Zen-ness, enjoyment, and exercise in my tennis, not competitive stress.

Not playing competitively and focusing on form has both helped and hurt my game. I can regularly hit 10-20 well hit balls with good pace in a spin in a rally. I could not do that five years ago. OTOH, I suck in games. I'm a bit of head case and really have to put a lot of energy into the mental part of competitive tennis, but frankly I just don't care. I just want to hit, feel the ball on the strings, and chill out.

I weigh the same as I did in high school, and everything still works. Biggest place I notice the age thing is backing up on overheads, but I don't do that a lot (see above). Obviously a bit slower than 30 years ago, but I still move pretty well.

Eat less now than when I was younger. Even when I play a lot I basically eat the equivalent of one big meal a day.

My only exercise is tennis. I should do some lifting and stretching, but don't. Walk sometimes at lunch at work.

Wine and stout beer drinker, not to excess (usually).
 
onehandbh said:
One of the reasons I haven't had lasik is that I am afraid my night vision will be worse afterwards.

I used to wear glasses as but stopped after breaking too many pairs from playing sports.
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i've been procrastinating lasik myself... my night vision is seriously bad

there is huge difference in how i play indoors/dusk (reacting as the ball comes over the net) vs on a bright sunny day where i'm picking up the ball off my opponents racquet
 
I am 60 years old and play 3 singles matches a week. Once a month I play men's doubles. My racket of choice these days is the Babolat Pure Aero. I am a left handed baseline grinder; and play ladder matches (tennis club equivalent of speed dating!) As a result, I play a lot of tennis against guys I have never met...some 20 to 30 years old. I play against 3.5 / 4.0 opponents...I do have a hard time hanging with the younger players should the match go to a third set...my 60 year old legs lose some zip...started taking spin classes on Mondays in an effort to strengthen my legs; fun, challenging, however my legs still tire in that third set, lol...I eat whatever I want, whenever I want; gave up soft drinks; and drink copious amounts of craft beer...I pulled a groin muscle this year and also pulled a calf muscle; this has led me to drink more water and energy drinks before and during matches, and I also eat a banana before and during matches...this has helped.
 
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