Tennis … The Sport of a Lifetime

July 22, 2016 | By Christopher Dong
Tennis_Lifetime_Credit_grinvalds
Phot credit: grinvalds

Tennis can truly be the “Sport of a Lifetime” if your skills can age as gracefully as your passion for the game. As we get older, everyone from the recreational player to Roger Federer has needed to make adjustments to keep themselves competitive and enjoy their longevity in the sport. I have worked with numerous players transitioning to the next stage of their life, whether it is a top junior who now holds a full-time job and laments they are a shell of their former competitive self, to my parents who have played since their 30s and are still playing 40 years later. There are commonalities to the adaptations they have needed to make. The following are some of the “shortcuts” one can try incorporating in their game to keep themselves sharp for years to come.

Take the ball early
Taking the ball early can have a number of benefits. The pros are able to do it with full swings, but we may need to shorten our backswings a bit and redirect the opponent’s pace. This saves you court coverage and takes time away from your opponent. Be sure to keep you head down and focused at the point of contact as timing will become more important. Just remember to recover and never get caught in “No Man’s Land.”

Let the racket do the work
Although amazing to watch, ripping the ball like Rafael Nadal is not conducive to long-term play. Injuries are part of the game, but we cannot let them keep us out of the sport we love. Loosen that grip and try to get the racket going smoothly through the point of contact. This can be done by adjusting to more of an Eastern Grip and making three-ball contact instead of pulling up too early. Anticipating the ball rather than reacting to the ball can help you get your swing smoother. You may sacrifice some topspin, but in turn, may gain longevity in your wrists and forearms.

Improve your feel
Unfortunately, as our court coverage diminishes, we are not always in strike zone position. This means more contact points when we are out of position. Though not optimal, we still need to handle these shots as best as possible. To improve your feel, be sure to keep a loose grip, which will allow you to make subtle grip changes. Also, don’t be afraid to experiment. Trying different shots outside the box improves improvisational skills.

Shorten points
As Roger Federer has done later in his career, coming to net and shortening points can save valuable miles on timeworn legs, especially when you have been playing for years. If you have good hands and have practiced this list, you could even try the “SABR” (Sneak Attack By Roger) to get in early and surprise your opponent. As most players probably know, approach your opponent’s weakness and keep the ball deep. Also, pay attention to court speed as you may need to be more selective when coming in on a slower surface.

As players seem to be playing longer on the pro tour, factors such as improved equipment, training and technique all correlate to a higher quality of play later in life. Improvements in technology and video analysis may be considered as well. Though many factors come into play, these tips are timeless and can work at any age and/or level. So get out there, be like Roger and Serena, and keep these whipper-snappers at bay!

 


Christopher Dong
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