When to retire if you’re cramping

[DonPepe]

So when you feel a cramp coming or when it seizes your muscles in a match what do you do ? Some players play through it but I think it depends on the situation … what’s your experience ?

 

[ElChivoEspañol]

I had to retire once and was able to finish the match the match the other two times.

In the match I had to retire I was not able to run anymore, my quads had shot down on me.

In short, listen to your body, I am as far as you can imagine from being a snowflake, but reality is that mental fortitude can only take you so far.

 

[DonPepe]

Cramps went away during how many remaining games ? I find it impossible to play much less walk when muscles tighten and restrict movement. What are the rules about cramps and timeouts , in the pros you can’t get treatment since it’s a conditioning issue not an injury.

 

[ChaelAZ]

If you are cramping in the least you need to stop. Having just had to call emergency services for a team player, and see them spend the night in the hospital and go through 4.5 IV bags when on court they still felt "OK", I say error on the side of caution.

 

[puppybutts]

just depends how bad the cramp is...sometimes you can hydrate and massage out the muscle to make it last. other times it seizes up like a mother and can't be helped.

 

[tennis tom]

pickle juice

 

[DeeeFoo]

If I start getting that pre-cramp feeling without the cramp actually happening yet, that's when I stop all playing for the day.

 

[leech]

If it's doubles, I would not retire but let me partner try to cover the entire court, singles-style. I would expect my partner to do the same if he/she were cramping in a match.

 

[Turbo-87]

So when you feel a cramp coming or when it seizes your muscles in a match what do you do ? Some players play through it but I think it depends on the situation … what’s your experience ?

My experience is that once your legs start to cramp, that's when you should be done. They will feel fine for a bit after the cramp goes away, but it is more often than not a false sense of normalcy. The cramps will return with a vengeance soon and will likely get worse and resurface in more rapid succession. It just isn't worth it to gut it out since it could lead to a serious outcome. Not that I know anything about the last statement ... ok, I do.

 

[WhiteOut]

So when you feel a cramp coming or when it seizes your muscles in a match what do you do ? Some players play through it but I think it depends on the situation … what’s your experience ?

depends how much money is on the line. cramps can signal dehydration, but by then it's too late. I've made it thru a match i wish i had just retired...thankfully didnt have to go to ER, but very close...and a *really* unpleasant 24 hours after that. The ER/doc bills for that would have been *just shy* of my appearance fee/prize money. this was a 3.5 match. get my drift?

 

[jdawgg]

Hmmm, I've cramped 3-4 times I can remember in crazy long grinding 4.5 matches. Once in Tuscon AZ. Everytime I've finished the match, usually win the match, maybe I should try to cramp more because i seem to win those ones lol. Usually down a pedialyte/gatorade/nuun/coconut water and play crazy aggressive until it goes away. One match I felt twangs of a cramp but hid it from my cramping opponent, when I went to shake hands at the net my entire lower body locked up and i dropped to the ground. He thought I was making fun of him, lol. I'm like, nooo way man, that's some crazy intense pain.


I had a match this year in 110 degree heat against a known super grinder and felt cramps coming on in my calves. Downed 3 oz of pickle juice and it went away. So now that I know that trick I'm not sure cramps will be an issue for me again.

Also to add, I've never seen someone default a match because of cramps at 4.5/5.0. We're usually all good athletes and know how to hydrate properly, if you're dehyrdrated I think that's a better reason to default a match, especially if its crazy hot.

 

[fishepa]

I was playing in the Southern sectionals two weeks ago and was cramping so bad on the court I collapsed. And this was in the 3rd set tie break down 8-9. My body literally shut down on me. I was cramping for the past 4 or 5 games prior but tried to push through, will NEVER do this again. Luckily there was a nurse there playing that she gave me an IV or I was headed directly to the ER. Felt like crap the next two days as well. I will never make that mistake again.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Playing singles? I'll retire after the first big cramp.

Playing doubles? I'll suck it up for my partner's sake and try to help out as best i can.

 

[zaskar1]

DP
when i was cramping during USTA matches playing doubles, i would hit out and try to get off the court as soon as possible.
i tried not to let opponents know., i just mentioned it to my partner. usually it was when it was humid.
now i take electrolytes prior to the matches as a preventative measure.
z

 

[mikelikesgatorad]

I eat at least a banana after a long first set or if I sense a match could go 3 if its a regular 3rd set. I'm also alternating between water and gatorade each changeover. Sandwiches and fruit between matches until day is finished.

 

[time_fly]

For me, cramps during a match are almost always accompanied by major muscle strains as I pull the knotted-up area while trying to move. If that happens, it's all over. I've had success managing my body on hot, humid days with lots of water and using a Gu (a distance running product) about every 30 minutes, generally alternating between the caffeinated and uncaffeinated versions.

I still often feel crampy AFTER a long, hot match no matter what I do. But since I'm not competing I can usually relax and massage the affected muscle when I feel it starting to knot and prevent a full-on cramp. For some reason this seems to happen no matter what I eat or drink.