Real Tennis Players - Like You! - Asking For, and Offering, Advice on the Sport They Love
Player to Player is USTA.com’s bi-weekly feature in which everyday tennis players are given a forum to ask advice on the sport they love – and their fellow players will dish out advice. We’ll post a number of the best responses we receive to our question of the week. Please send any questions you’d like answered, or responses to other player’s questions, to Player@USTA.com.
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This week’s question from Thomas K. of Midland, TX
My son and his team are constantly harassed when they are trying to play tennis. This happens in USTA tournaments and high school matches. The harassment comes from people who think that their role is to help their kids win. It might be his opponent, opposing teammates, opponent's parents or the opponent's coaches. These people are rude, relentless and are damaging to the game itself. My son, his coach and I have tried everything, but we have not been able to succeed in getting a handle on these people. Applauding good play has been replaced with yelling and screaming. Encouragement has been replaced with noisemaking after missed first serves to try to get the opponent to double fault. Too many times tennis has boiled down to who has the most disruptive, obnoxious players, coaches and fans. Does anyone have any ideas, or should we just throw the sport of tennis in the trash can? It is no longer a ladies’ and gentlemen’s game!
Please share your advice with Thomas K. by e-mailing Player@usta.com with your name and hometown. Got a question of your own? Send that along, too.
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Last week’s question from Monty
Can anyone recommend some good shoes to wear while playing tennis after recovering from an ankle sprain?
PLAYER RESPONSES
From Karl K. of Greene, NY
A sprained ankle in May of this year kept me sidelined for nearly six weeks. I tried several ankle braces available at local pharmacies, as well as Reebok "high top" basketball shoes. Although these did provide some ankle support, I was not really satisfied with any of these solutions. Eventually I tried ASO ankle braces, which Andy Roddick and Sania Mirza wear and, quite frankly, they're the best. My ankle sprain was quite severe, but with the ASO braces I play fearlessly. The braces are available at AchillesMed.com. The plastic inserts that can be ordered with the braces add some additional support, but I find that they slide out of their pockets and that the brace provides excellent support without them. Tweaking these braces takes a little practice since they use a combination of laces and straps, but once you get them right you can wear them for hours without any discomfort. They can also squeak a bit when rubbing against the lining of some tennis shoes.
From Jim C. of Towson, MD
The New Balance 802 is designed for players with foot problems. My right foot is flatter than a pancake. One afternoon while officiating HS tennis, a coach observed me limping around and he told me about the New Balance shoe. On the way home I stopped at Holabird Sporting Goods and asked the manager if there was a shoe that could help me. He immediately recommended the NB 802 shoe. When I tried a pair, it was like putting on a new foot. The pain magically disappeared. I have worn nothing since.
From Kathleen Bright of Hingham, MA
I have had problems with my ankles for years. I’ve had physical therapy, worn splints and had acupuncture. In the meantime, I found a men’s shoe, K-Swiss Preventor 7.0. This shoe has a higher throat that supports the ankle and a Velcro strap around that throat, which fastens over the laces. The shoe does not restrict the ability to move easily and quickly around the court, but it does supply just enough additional support that you are less apt to roll over the outside or inside of your heel. The K-Swiss Preventor 7.0 only comes in men's sizes and is a little hard to find in stores, but it is available online at K-Swiss.com. Best of luck.
From Noel B.
I went to my general practitioner for an ankle sprain and was told I could play on it, but to wear an ankle brace. After many weeks with an ankle that continued to swell, I decided to go see my Orthopedist. He suggested taking three weeks off, so I took four. He did not recommend that I continue to use an ankle brace and told me that it would weaken my ankle over time. I was wearing New Balance shoes when I sprained my ankle and knew that the shoe was just too wide in the heel. I did try a pair of Prince mids and found them to be uncomfortable. I have since ordered the Adidas Barricade II and I am doing really well. I would recommend you purchase a well constructed shoe that fits your foot. Perhaps the shoe you were previously wearing was too wide like mine and allows your foot to slide around. My Orthopedist also provided ankle strengthening exercises such as writing the alphabet with the foot and using an elastic band. I have found running in the pool also helps to keep my ankle in shape, though it does get sore from the workout. According to my Orthopedist, strengthening the ankle is key to reducing the number of sprains in the long run.
From Pam of Durango, CO
If Adidas makes a men's version of the Barricade, I would definitely try that one.
From Dean of Ann Arbor, MI
I highly recommend Andy Roddick's old shoe, the Reebok Match Day Pump. This shoe is slightly higher topped than normal, very stable and well cushioned. The heaviness gives the shoe all the more stability and cushion and comes in six colors. Follow the link to Tennis Warehouse.
From Dr. Mary Rutkowski, Chiropractic Orthopedist, Center Valley, PA
I recommend New Balance shoes -- they seem wider and have more foot coverage. I also recommend orthotics inside that have an out raised edge to eliminate rolling the foot to the outside. This worked for me after I sprained my ankle last year and kept rolling the ankle afterwards.
From Bret H. of Allen, TX
I've suffered since juniors with ankle sprains. The best thing I know is to wear the Swede-O lace up brace that you can get for $10 at Wal-Mart, as well as K-Swiss mid- or high-top 7.0 system tennis shoes.
From Bruce F. of Wallingford, CT
Play in any shoes. Use a Kallassy Ankle Support. Problem solved medically with a cost-effective solution, and you’ll promote flexibility as you heal and thereafter.
From Judy of Scottsdale, AZ
I had a few ankle injuries. Now I ONLY wear high-top sneakers. The only ones I have found (and they are for a wider foot than mine, so I tie them very tightly) are the K-Swiss 7.0. There is a lower version of this shoe, and the higher one clearly covers your entire ankle. I have played with high sneakers the last three years (after a few sprained ankles and a fractured one), and it seems that I will NEVER be able to roll that ankle again. It’s easy to get used to them, as well. I buy four pairs at a time (because you never know when they will no longer exist).
*Please note that any advice given out in this forum should in no way be confused with actual medical advice. Before starting any new exercise regimen or altering your existing one, we strongly urge you to consult with your regular physician.
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