I got to play tennis last sunday... I mean, TENNIS...
and it felt good again... really good... tiring good... but good...
It started when I posted at Tennis Friendz Network, a local (singapore) tennis network that I was looking for anyone looking for a hitting partner.
I was looking to hit with others who has higher NTRP level than me (I think I'm a 2.5-3) & who was willing to hit too. As usual, it's a weekend warrior thing (weekdays are work days, but I guess night games can be squeezed in should the need be). After getting delayed for a week due to rains, I finally got to hit some real balls...
It felt good, to be able to hit again with players better than me. Obviously, after almost 1 1/2 years of not being able to play has taken their toll.
I couldn't hit the backhands as well as I used to (my left wing used to be my favorite shot)... be it a topspin, or slice... I just sprayed all over the place. I had to hit them defensively, just putting the balls back into play. On my right (forehands), I was hitting better but there are still some obvious rust in them. I just kept to the baseline most of the time, even if we were playing a doubles game. I couldn't hit the volleys even; other than the easy ones. I tried adapting to an eastern forehand grip sometime ago to no avail... I just can't control the shots; so I'm back the the ol' semi-western. As for moving around the court, well... what can I say :) I've been out of it for awhile so I would make an excuse to be slow; a step behind, ...slow to react (you know where the shots are going, but your body is still slow to react), ...court-vision is off;well, all in all... it has all the symptoms of a long absense from playing.
My body was sore the next day :) the wrist numbs a bit (i'm glad it wasn't sore), my back was sore, my shoulders ache and so was my legs. The worst hit was lower back; it was really sore that I could not sit still for long. Even till now, I still feel the numbness on my lower back...
Probably, after a few more hits; 4-5 more sessions... then I'd get comfy again and start getting back in the zone. The 4-5 hitting sessions does not mean that I'll be able to play the way I used to but it should get me comfortable on the court again... be able hit on both wings, move around better, hit the volleys. But to be able to play, REALLY PLAY again... hmmm lemme see, 1,000 balls to get the rhythm and 10,000 more balls to perfect them...
At the end of the day, I'm just glad that I get to play again. It's a good stress reliever (all work and no play, makes a tad duller day) & a good sweat too (gotta rid some poundage too)...
The US Open is on now, hmmm gotta check who're still in the hunt; I know Rafa, Fedex, Nole are still in there...
and it felt good again... really good... tiring good... but good...
It started when I posted at Tennis Friendz Network, a local (singapore) tennis network that I was looking for anyone looking for a hitting partner.
I was looking to hit with others who has higher NTRP level than me (I think I'm a 2.5-3) & who was willing to hit too. As usual, it's a weekend warrior thing (weekdays are work days, but I guess night games can be squeezed in should the need be). After getting delayed for a week due to rains, I finally got to hit some real balls...
It felt good, to be able to hit again with players better than me. Obviously, after almost 1 1/2 years of not being able to play has taken their toll.
I couldn't hit the backhands as well as I used to (my left wing used to be my favorite shot)... be it a topspin, or slice... I just sprayed all over the place. I had to hit them defensively, just putting the balls back into play. On my right (forehands), I was hitting better but there are still some obvious rust in them. I just kept to the baseline most of the time, even if we were playing a doubles game. I couldn't hit the volleys even; other than the easy ones. I tried adapting to an eastern forehand grip sometime ago to no avail... I just can't control the shots; so I'm back the the ol' semi-western. As for moving around the court, well... what can I say :) I've been out of it for awhile so I would make an excuse to be slow; a step behind, ...slow to react (you know where the shots are going, but your body is still slow to react), ...court-vision is off;well, all in all... it has all the symptoms of a long absense from playing.
My body was sore the next day :) the wrist numbs a bit (i'm glad it wasn't sore), my back was sore, my shoulders ache and so was my legs. The worst hit was lower back; it was really sore that I could not sit still for long. Even till now, I still feel the numbness on my lower back...
Probably, after a few more hits; 4-5 more sessions... then I'd get comfy again and start getting back in the zone. The 4-5 hitting sessions does not mean that I'll be able to play the way I used to but it should get me comfortable on the court again... be able hit on both wings, move around better, hit the volleys. But to be able to play, REALLY PLAY again... hmmm lemme see, 1,000 balls to get the rhythm and 10,000 more balls to perfect them...
At the end of the day, I'm just glad that I get to play again. It's a good stress reliever (all work and no play, makes a tad duller day) & a good sweat too (gotta rid some poundage too)...
The US Open is on now, hmmm gotta check who're still in the hunt; I know Rafa, Fedex, Nole are still in there...
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