Tennis after a day of work at a desk job

[JXG]

Even though the volume of posts I see from some of you suggests otherwise, I presume a lot of people have regular jobs (or school) during the day and play then play tennis after work. If you are like me, sometimes it can be really difficult to go from sitting at a desk all day and staring at a computer to playing tennis (usually with only an hour or so in between). Specific problems I have run into are general stiffness and dehydration. Anyway, based on some reading I did recently, I started doing the following:

I work in a 6 story building, so three times a day I get up from my desk, run up and down the stairs twice (which is just enough to get me breathing heavy, but not sweaty), and then I drink a cup of water. I find this little routine puts my body into a more "athletic mode" (for lack of a better term) and my body hydrates much better than it would if I had just drank water at my desk. Most importantly, I find I feel much better when I go to play.

I thought I would post this tip for anyone else in a similar circumstance. If anyone else has any good tips please post away!

 

[Doc Hollidae]

I sit at my desk at work and post on TTW for 8 hours and then go play tennis. =P

 

[Nellie]

My biggest problem coming from work is mental - I find it impossible to focus on the ball because I am occupied with work matter. The best thing I can do is try to get there 1/2 an hour early and stretch to try to relax.

 

[goober]

I sit at my desk at work and post on TTW for 8 hours and then go play tennis. =P

I have TTW running in the background all the time at work. I am probably going to get in trouble one day for this.

Official matches after work are not fun. Just hitting around though is pretty relaxing.

 

[JRstriker12]

Tennis after work is heaven for me. Great to go out and swing the racket.

Staying hydrated is a good idea. We have a watercooler a few feet from my desk so I'm sipping tea or just water most of the day.

I always make sure to warm up before I get on the court.

 

[Topaz]

Hunh, trying being on your feet all day, then going to play tennis. Specific problems I run into include total and utter exhaustion. This is what I'll be attempting in about an hour, and I'm sure it will be just fabulous...*rolling eyes*.

I'm biased, but I say enjoy being able to sit down!

Edited to add: At least you are getting up and moving every so often...that is good. As much as I envy it at times, I'm not sure I would be able to sit the entire day.

 

[montx]

Tennis really for me is like heaven on earth. Especially after a days work just like was said on a previous post.

It is hard to focus but you just are so happy with the 'slice of life' you are given that you go ou there and do it.

I hope you appreciated the 'slice of life' lol.

There are many frustrations such as adjusting from a computer screen to hitting a ball.

Also trying to tune your mind away from stress is another thing. Sometimes, I'm not sure if it can be done. If you can do it that you play tennis everyday after work, I think it can be a good routine.

Sometimes if you don't do it enough, its hard to get in the rythm again.

Finding different people to play with is a nice thing.

 

[sureshs]

Biggest problem for me is eyesight. It takes a long time to get the focus necessary for tennis after staring at a monitor the whole day.

 

[TennisDawg]

Even though the volume of posts I see from some of you suggests otherwise, I presume a lot of people have regular jobs (or school) during the day and play then play tennis after work. If you are like me, sometimes it can be really difficult to go from sitting at a desk all day and staring at a computer to playing tennis (usually with only an hour or so in between). Specific problems I have run into are general stiffness and dehydration. Anyway, based on some reading I did recently, I started doing the following:

I work in a 6 story building, so three times a day I get up from my desk, run up and down the stairs twice (which is just enough to get me breathing heavy, but not sweaty), and then I drink a cup of water. I find this little routine puts my body into a more "athletic mode" (for lack of a better term) and my body hydrates much better than it would if I had just drank water at my desk. Most importantly, I find I feel much better when I go to play.

I thought I would post this tip for anyone else in a similar circumstance. If anyone else has any good tips please post away!

I think you've got the right idea. Sitting at a desk or just taking it easy all day long, thinking you'll be more refreshed and energized to play tennis has the opposite effect, I think. I remember working jobs that were more physical and I was more energized and ready to play. One ATP player David Ferrer, I believe actually does the stationary bike and does some fairly intense running just before his matches. His theory is that his legs are pumped up and ready to go. I find that if I just do some running in place and stretch for quite a bit, helps. The worse time for me to play, though is if I go home first and play a late night match, now that is really draining.

 

[ohplease]

My biggest problem coming from work is mental - I find it impossible to focus on the ball because I am occupied with work matter. The best thing I can do is try to get there 1/2 an hour early and stretch to try to relax.

Agreed.

Practice after work is a great way to get my life back. League matches after work are guaranteed chaos for at least the first set. I've only got so much focus I can muster.

Luckily, most everyone else is in the same boat, as well.

 

[A.Davidson]

I'm a high school student.

Luckily/unlucky (hold on, I'll explain), I have a class called "Racket And Paddle Sports".

When we play tennis, its great - I only have another hour or so of school after that.

When we do badminton, ping pong, etc.? Horrible! I'm used to flicking my wrist and taking little chops, not using a full swing! Not cool!

 

[bluetrain4]

I'm usually very tired after work. But, once I start playing, the endorphins kick in and I generally feel fine, but never great, unless I sleep 9 hours the night before, and I usually never come close to that.

During the winter, my singles league starts at 8, so sometimes I can take nap after work before the match. But, I also play a lot right after work and that is more difficult.

In the spring and summer, the sun gives me motivation to get out.

 

[choth21]

My biggest problem coming from work is mental - I find it impossible to focus on the ball because I am occupied with work matter. The best thing I can do is try to get there 1/2 an hour early and stretch to try to relax.

I'm exactly the same way.

 

[thanatos2948]

My problem with tennis after work has very little to do with tennis and more to do with work; if I know I am playing a league match after work I really can't concentrate on work. Let's just say I can become less than productive that day strategizing for my match that night.

 

[albino smurf]

I walk to and from work every day, that usually is enough to get me out of work mode and slightly stretched enough to get at it. Def on the water cooler all day long as well and TTW is always in the background as well.

 

[fridrix]

Come four o'clock, you can forget it, I can't think about work any more. Then I watch some YouTube tennis clips and end up at the courts an hour early, staring out at the pastures.

 

[TennisProdigy]

Even though the volume of posts I see from some of you suggests otherwise, I presume a lot of people have regular jobs (or school) during the day and play then play tennis after work. If you are like me, sometimes it can be really difficult to go from sitting at a desk all day and staring at a computer to playing tennis (usually with only an hour or so in between). Specific problems I have run into are general stiffness and dehydration. Anyway, based on some reading I did recently, I started doing the following:

I work in a 6 story building, so three times a day I get up from my desk, run up and down the stairs twice (which is just enough to get me breathing heavy, but not sweaty), and then I drink a cup of water. I find this little routine puts my body into a more "athletic mode" (for lack of a better term) and my body hydrates much better than it would if I had just drank water at my desk. Most importantly, I find I feel much better when I go to play.

I thought I would post this tip for anyone else in a similar circumstance. If anyone else has any good tips please post away!

What do other people think when they see you run up and down those stairs?

But for your problem I also have trouble for example right after school because I'm normally dehydrated and going from sitting at a desk right to the courts is difficult for me too. When I have to play right after school I find it's difficult to move well and pretty much hit all my strokes especially my serve normally. I don't know why this helps but if I wear a sweatshirt for the 30 minutes before I play that normally helps my loosen up for some tennis.