What to work on when returning to tennis after a month off?

[EddieBrock]

For the first time in a while I took about a month off from tennis. I've been working out hard with weights and cardio, but haven't touched a racket in a month. I'm going to get back into it and was wondering if there are any common things to focus on or look out for when returning.

Would you say just focus on watching the ball? What usually goes when you're rusty? I'm at the high 4.0 level.

 

[golden chicken]

Clean contact

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Footwork [which will raise the probability of clean contact].

 

[ZanderGoga]

Probably whatever you needed work on before your short break. If anything else has broken in the meantime, it'll announce itself in short order.

 

[McGradey]

Be more active than usual with your feet; get your feet moving and keep them moving; in between points too if you feel like there’s concrete in your shoes

Watch the ball extra closely

 

[Fintft]

Would you say just focus on watching the ball?

Watch your opponents racquet first, b/c the ball will re-apear in your court and keep eyes at contact through contact.
Bounce all the time (instead of split stepping) and early prep.

 

[EddieBrock]

You weren't kidding about movement. I was trying to get my feet going but it was like they were stuck in cement. A few times the feed went out wide and I just watched it go. My strokes were pretty good, but it was like I forgot how to move.

By the end though I was doing a bit better.

 

[Fintft]

You weren't kidding about movement. I was trying to get my feet going but it was like they were stuck in cement. A few times the feed went out wide and I just watched it go. My strokes were pretty good, but it was like I forgot how to move.

By the end though I was doing a bit better.

You and...Thiem!
But were you split stepping?

 

[Cashman]

Footwork, footwork, footwork

 

[Pass750]

I took off 3 months last year because of COVID, stayed in great shape. When I got back I thought my strokes would need time, turns out they were fine but my footwork was terrible, felt like my feet were in concrete. Took 3 or 4 sessions to get back to normal.