Why tennis players are breaking down

[Bartelby]

Here's an evidence=based account of the problem that mostly tracks over-playing and over-physical styles:

https://theconversation.com/the-terrible-toll-tennis-can-take-on-top-players-who-play-too-much-90237

Breaking down the game age of ten players from the 1970s to the present clearly shows that today’s players are playing more at earlier ages than ever before.

In the time of Björn Borg-John McEnroe, for example, top players were usually 25 years or older before they had accumulated 10,000 games played. In the Murray-Djokovic era that age has dropped to 23.

This trend is even starker when we account for surface.

Hard courts, the surface considered most stressful on the body, make up 60% of the highest-level events in the men’s tennis season, and the disparity between accumulated games played on hard court across generations is even greater than all surfaces combined.

Today’s players are reaching 10,000 games on hard court nearly five years earlier than players from several decades ealier.

 

[SinjinCooper]

Tennis players are breaking down?

Guys used to stop winning slams at 24, and retire well before 30. Sounds like a thesis in search of a reality.

 

[eelhc]

Boo hoo... poor tennis players.

I'm sure there are guys in Melbourne right now who are nailing in roofing shingles... All day, every day,, They won't be able to retire at 30.

 

[Bartelby]

Yes, well, it is a tennis forum and there is an acknowledged problem of injury in the sport, so why not stick to the topic as opposed to an irrelevant rant?

 

[Bartelby]

One sensible thing they could do is to try to do more research and development on making performance-oriented hardcourts more limb-friendly than what they are now.

 

[Chadillac]

Here's an evidence=based account of the problem that mostly tracks over-playing and over-physical styles:

https://theconversation.com/the-terrible-toll-tennis-can-take-on-top-players-who-play-too-much-90237

Breaking down the game age of ten players from the 1970s to the present clearly shows that today’s players are playing more at earlier ages than ever before.

In the time of Björn Borg-John McEnroe, for example, top players were usually 25 years or older before they had accumulated 10,000 games played. In the Murray-Djokovic era that age has dropped to 23.

This trend is even starker when we account for surface.

Hard courts, the surface considered most stressful on the body, make up 60% of the highest-level events in the men’s tennis season, and the disparity between accumulated games played on hard court across generations is even greater than all surfaces combined.

Today’s players are reaching 10,000 games on hard court nearly five years earlier than players from several decades ealier.

Factor in how the style of play has changed. People used to s&v on hardcourts, now they grind.

I prefer hardcourt, everyone who swears by clay has some sort of injury in my area.

 

[eelhc]

One sensible thing they could do is to try to do more research and development on making performance-oriented hardcourts more limb-friendly than what they are now.

I really don't care... it's entertainment. New players are always coming along to replace old, broken down ones.... and BTW, old guys have been smacking around the young ones. Its not like the NFL with the concussion issues. There are better things to spend research and development $$ on.

 

[Bartelby]

I prefer to play on surfaces that are softer on the body, so I'm sure there is a wider market out there too.

I really don't care... it's entertainment. New players are always coming along to replace old, broken down ones.... and BTW, old guys have been smacking around the young ones. Its not like the NFL with the concussion issues. There are better things to spend research and development $$ on.

 

[hipolymer]

didn't read

Because they're too busy twiddling their twitters

 

[bogdan101]

 

[True Fanerer]

Boo hoo... poor tennis players.

I'm sure there are guys in Melbourne right now who are nailing in roofing shingles... All day, every day,, They won't be able to retire at 30.

I feel you. Hate to be a roofer in Australia.

 

[Chadillac]

I prefer to play on surfaces that are softer on the body, so I'm sure there is a wider market out there too.

Soft body needs soft surface?

 

[smoledman]

Tennis players should be able to collect millions while in Jacuzzi. Roofers should bake in the hot sun for 10 hours/day, every day for life.

 

[True Fanerer]

Tennis players should be able to collect millions while in Jacuzzi. Roofers should bake in the hot sun for 10 hours/day, every day for life.

I did it for a few weeks as a teenager in south USA.. baked my a**. Can't imagine doing it down under.

 

[Bartelby]

We all know what part of you is soft.

Soft body needs soft surface?

 

[Bartelby]

Your class consciousness is admirable.

Tennis players should be able to collect millions while in Jacuzzi. Roofers should bake in the hot sun for 10 hours/day, every day for life.

 

[Chadillac]

We all know what part of you is soft.

Im flattered at where your imagination led you

 

[NuBas]

Today’s players are reaching 10,000 games on hard court nearly five years earlier than players from several decades ealier.

Its definitely a valid concern and I do believe eventually surfaces may change slightly to address this but right now, I'm more interested in knowing more about players shoes and their cushioning system. Its definitely different from retail and it must be very good considering how these players endure such pounding.

 

[Bartelby]

It only got as far as your soft mind.

Im flattered at where your imagination led you

 

[Gary Duane]

Here's an evidence=based account of the problem that mostly tracks over-playing and over-physical styles:

https://theconversation.com/the-terrible-toll-tennis-can-take-on-top-players-who-play-too-much-90237

Breaking down the game age of ten players from the 1970s to the present clearly shows that today’s players are playing more at earlier ages than ever before.

In the time of Björn Borg-John McEnroe, for example, top players were usually 25 years or older before they had accumulated 10,000 games played. In the Murray-Djokovic era that age has dropped to 23.

This trend is even starker when we account for surface.

Hard courts, the surface considered most stressful on the body, make up 60% of the highest-level events in the men’s tennis season, and the disparity between accumulated games played on hard court across generations is even greater than all surfaces combined.

Today’s players are reaching 10,000 games on hard court nearly five years earlier than players from several decades ealier.

I think this is an interesting thing to be investigated, but one question:

Why are careers longer today?

 

[Deleted member 716271]

I think this is an interesting thing to be investigated, but one question:

Why are careers longer today?

Has to be nutrition and overall more holistic approach to the game focusing on health, sleep, recovery etc, no?

 

[Gary Duane]

Has to be nutrition and overall more holistic approach to the game focusing on health, sleep, recovery etc, no?

I have no idea. I also don't know how many matches/games all the top players have played, but it seems like Nadal has played a ton, and we know about Fed. I think Nadal was born with knee problems. Then again, Fed has already had knee surgery.

 

[NuBas]

I think this is an interesting thing to be investigated, but one question:

Why are careers longer today?

More money to get treatments, better tech, larger team, specialists, nutrition, racquet tech, just think about it.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

I have no idea. I also don't know how many matches/games all the top players have played, but it seems like Nadal has played a ton, and we know about Fed. I think Nadal was born with knee problems. Then again, Fed has already had knee surgery.

According to ATP

Fed's career WL is 1132/250

Nadal's is 873/185

1382 for Federer
1058 for Nadal.

 

[Gary Duane]

More money to get treatments, better tech, larger team, specialists, nutrition, racquet tech, just think about it.

This would counter-balance the thrust of this thread, which is that more and more players are playing more and more games at a younger age.

 

[Chadillac]

It only got as far as your soft mind.

Brains are supposed to be soft... The only way you want to be "hard headed" is your original implication.

 

[PMChambers]

Did the numbers include all matches including non ATP sanctioned matches? Players like Borg where playing as many big money invitational as ATP matches. Connors also played a lot of non ATP matches. The big money events where not ATP or ITF events. In 70s the best played doubles as well, this dropped off to point where by 80s no top players regularly played doubles except Mac. Edberg, Stich, etc stopped once in Top 20.
I seriously doubt today's players played as much as Borg or Mac did in 70s. Same with 50 & 60. I think this indicates that the Tour is fully developed and that playes don't play invitations as much or ITF events choosing big money appearances for ATP 250/500 instead.

 

[Bartelby]

Yes, well, if you wanted to be anatomically correct then why did you talk about 'soft bodies' when they are composed of bones among other things?

If you are going to try to begin a witty exchange about 'soft' used purely metaphorically, then you've used up all your rights to get technical.

Brains are supposed to be soft... The only way you want to be "hard headed" is your original implication.

 

[insideguy]

Their careers are longer than ever cept maybe the pre open days. Sure they get hurt. All athletes do

 

[Chadillac]

Yes, well, if you wanted to be anatomically correct then why did you talk about 'soft bodies' when they are composed of bones among other things?

If you are going to try to begin a witty exchange about 'soft' used purely metaphorically, then you've used up all your rights to get technical.

Seems i hit a nerve, like in djoks back. Sorry me lady, carry on

 

[Bartelby]

The only thing you strike is your forehead with your right palm.

Seems i hit a nerve, like in djoks back. Sorry me lady, carry on

 

[Chadillac]

The only thing you strike is your forehead with your right palm.

I posted a video of my fh in the tips/instruct section. You probably watched it, why your so focused on my right palm. Its not the only thing that plows through

 

[2good4U]

The main reason Tennis players break down is due to under-developed, out-of-balance physiques.

And, unless they follow a strict diet, the lack of proper nutrition to maintain their physiques.


Male ballet dancer and ice skaters [pairs] get as strong as they can, while keeping muscle mass to
a minimum, which is a recipe for disaster. (and injuries) You won't find any of them much past the
age of 30, thanks to that.


I've maintained a balanced, developed physique for decades by eating to live instead of living to eat.

And at age 54, I couldn't ask for more. (of an injury free existence)

 

[Bartelby]

I thought you'd just been furloughed.

I posted a video of my fh in the tips/instruct section. You probably watched it, why your so focused on my right palm. Its not the only thing that plows through

 

[BGod]

Matches are also much longer than before. But at the same time the top players have so many advantages. Stem cells, cortison, microscopic, etc.