Real Tennis Players - Like You! - Asking For, and Offering, Advice on the Sport They Love
Player to Player is USTA.com’s regular 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.
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Player to Player:
This week's question from Job:
How is QST holding up in your neck of the woods?
I have been holding QST via the City's Parks & Recreation Dept. Our community is 100,000 in 100 square miles -- mostly newcomers, blue collar and many new in the last five years. This city does a little to enhance tennis, but this planet football/cheerleaders. Yee haw!! I love it here; been here over 30 years. There has not been an active tennis program here since I stopped teaching 18 years ago. Hence it is a 100% start-up tennis plan.
What I am experiencing is about 10-12 triers per month. A few come back once or twice, then try something else. I also have a smaller junior program; all start as beginners. With the annual night of Tennis Youth Registration, we had all but one return and one new player, just like last year. (The Hats gets the back.) The program runs twice a week for four weeks and is only $44 per person. Juniors added 6 beginners. We have run approximately 80 kids through in 12 months. Sent out 30,000 flyers through the dozen schools and are online. In closing, I am a certified teaching pro trained in QST via the USTA and follow the intended course curriculum.
Any suggestions on what I can do to get more kids in my program?
Please share your thoughts by e-mailing Player@USTA.com and include your name and hometown.
Got a question of your own? Send that along, too!
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READ OTHER PLAYERS' ADVICE
Last week's question from Annie
(Please note: There's no need to send additional responses to this question)
I'm a longtime 4.0-rated female super-senior age-level player who still plays on both 4.0 regular/senior/super-senior USTA teams, which I've been doing for some time. Although I'm very competitive and hold my own so far through keeping in good shape and taking regular lessons with my teams, I'm also aware when someone knows my age that they think, "Wow, how long can she last at this level, especially the regular 4.0 USTA level?" How have others dealt with reaching this juncture of tennis, and how long do you stay playing in the game on teams?
Player Responses:
From Janet, Americus, Ga.:
It's so funny -- I'm 62 years old and still play 3.5 singles on my adult team. I sometimes use my age to psyche out younger players. We'll get to talking and when they find out how old I am (I find a reason to bring it up!), they are stunned. I once had a player tell me I was older than her mama! They get so discombobulated that they start screwing up, and I wind up winning the match! Tennis isn't just physical, it's mental, too!
From Dick, Dallas:
Congratulations on your being able to compete at your level in all three leagues! Since I have a very similar situation to yours, except that I am a 4.5, what I have found is that when asked, I reply, "It is very tough to be competitive in singles with the younger guys because they are just so much faster and hit the ball so much harder."
However, the doubles game depends more on shot-making, strategy, experience and court positioning, and I have found that the older guys can still be very competitive and often times win because of their experience. The younger competitors seem to accept this theory because they usually give us grey-haired the experience edge!
From Coach Poppie, Palm Bay, Fla.:
Annie, as a senior working with all ages from 4 years up, it’s really not about how others are dealing with time and performance. It's about how you handle the test of time vs. performance. Here is the test:
- Are you still competitive?
- Has morning-after muscle and joint pain increased to the point that you think you need a change?
- Are you still reaping the enjoyment of match play?
As long as you are winning and contributing to your team's success, neither the USTA or your teammates will make a change. How long you stay 4.0 league-team capable is up to you; that is, until you start losing and then, as we all know, somebody may make that choice for you.
Hence, as a senior, continue to enjoy the game that you love some much. Then should you start to lose a step and move to 3.5, consider it a change for the good.
Play Tennis, Play Tennis Often.
From Lindy Lou, Bensalem, Pa.:
You just keep playing as long as you want to and as long as you feel good and are always looking forward to matches.
It is much like retirement. A frequent question becomes, "So, when are you going to retire?" Someone once told me -- now this is trite, I admit, but true -- and the answer is, "You will know it when the time comes." I had to wonder what that meant, and I found out. There are lots of little signals along the way, and one day you just say to yourself, "Now is the time."
Same with tennis. I believe you will know when it is the right time for you -- could be a physical change, or maybe you don't want to play on as many teams, and it can be a gradual thing. There are no rules, no right or wrong. I guess a rule of thumb can be if it stops being fun, maybe it's time. Of course, tennis is a lifetime sport. You can play it into your 80s and 90s -- they even have competitions in these age groups.
I know this has happened to me and I'll bet to others. You see someone on the other side of the net who looks "old" and you say to yourself this match will be easy. WRONG! How many seniors do you know who can put the ball exactly where they want it, without running too much? So you learn never to assume anything.
If you had to drop to a lower level or play less often, so what? You are the master of your fate -- do what you are comfortable with, what your body and mind tell you to do.
From Joan:
I am a 3.5 player and play on regular and super senior teams (actually, I'm 70 years but don't look, move or act it -- thank goodness). I just don't let it bother me and never hear from any of the regular players about how long I'm going to "last." In fact, my partner is 47, and we make a great team, for our shots compliment one another. In the last 20 matches, we have lost one. As long as I don't address the issue of age, I don't think they will, either. Cheers to the players that hang in there -- to good health, on and off the courts.
From Jean:
I'm a 3.5 female player in my 70s. I play only in the regular USTA league -- not senior or super senior -- because of the distance from my home to league-play courts. I am in my eighth season of captaining my 3.5 team, which was undefeated locally for three seasons. I have also captained (and won locally) 6.5 and 7.5 women's combo teams. I win a fair number of matches and feel that recruiting players and arranging winning lineups makes up for any lack of playing skill on my part. I don't know what may be said behind my back, but I am so happy to be playing at this age, I don't worry about it. I plan to continue playing as long as physically possible. I suggest that you do the same. The comments that others might be making about you could be, "I hope I can still play when I reach that age!"
From Dawn:
I also have begun to feel the slight rejection from being *older* than my USTA teammates. I went from being one of the youngest members on my team in another state to being one of the oldest members in my current community... both at the 4.0 level.
How do I deal with it? Much as you do... I probably work out more in the gym than any of my *young* teammates to keep up my strength and agility and keep injuries at bay. I also have the mind frame that tennis isn't the most important thing in my life anymore, which helps me relax and have fun while staying competitive. Of course, winning matches over the youngsters also will keep them on their toes and give you the respect that is due.
From Tony, Haddonfield, N.J.:
Don't even think about it. I'm 82, a super senior, also, and I play in a round robin three times a week outdoors with seniors like myself. One fellow is in his 90s and plays like a 50 year old. A few others are in the mid to higher 80s and play like younger folks. A few don't, but they play, and that's important. Senior ladies also play in the round robin, and play well. I am also a certified tennis instructor, so I also teach two nights a week.
Your body will tell you when it's time to quit. No one else. If it's not telling you now, you have years to go. I also have a knee replacement, which added years to my tennis life. So the end is not near for either of us.
We're all aware that we are seniors, but don't dwell on it. It's a non-issue. You shouldn't either. Remember the third rule of tennis: Have fun!
From Phil, Bristol, Vt.:
I am entering my sixth season playing on 4.0 regular/senior/super-senior USTA teams. I agree with Annie that you must do the right things to keep in shape. I have recently gone on a low-sugar, 15 grams/day and low-carbohydrate, 120 grams/day diet and over the last two months have lost 10 lbs., plus I try to do a light free-weight workout three times a week, in addition to playing doubles and singles each once a week. At 65, you must find your personal balance of exercise and diet without overdoing either one, which may cause injury and/or fatigue. I plan to continue to play on all three teams as long as I can stay healthy and maintain at least a minimum 50/50 win-loss ratio.
From Jan, St. Louis County, Mo.:
Being only a young 55 years old and seeing the young up-andcomers entering the 4.0 arena, I understand your concern. However, I feel you are somewhat sensitive to your age, and what may seem like an attack on your age may be a wonderful compliment.
Experience can't be bought, earned with many lessons, a camp or two, or gained in a month. It takes years and years of wonderful, challenging life events on the court and off to gain our tennis maturity.
We have many things to teach the up-and-comers. We should be relieved that our lovely sport exists and keeps alive!!! It is exciting to see the new blood coming in and bringing new enthusiasm. We can feed off their positive energy and attitudes.
We are giving back to the sport we love. Can you remember when we replaced the older players? Aging with grace is a gift, and the younger ones will respect and gain much in knowledge from all of us! We are in this together!!
From Kenny, Highland Park, Ill.:
Tennis can be a lifetime sport if you can handle the injuries and the natural loss of ability due to age. I saw my Uncle Wally playing 3-on-3 doubles in his late 80s. Would he have rather been playing singles? Yes, but he loved the game.
My mother is and always has been a very good ladies' player. I still hit with her, and my dad and brother also do. She has a bad back and foot, so she chooses not to play on teams. I tell her to play a lower level; you are still very good.
I have been out of the game due to elbow surgery but play well lefty. I have a lot of friends and family who play and have many opinions on this. My dad, Coach Rick, "The Legend," still teaches a little and plays singles and doubles in national events. I hope when he is 90 he wins a gold ball!
Tennis is not an easy game. It takes time, dedication, physical and mental strength. To make it a sport of a lifetime, you need to accept the process of age and where life takes you.
From Rick, Lugoff, S.C.:
I'm 70 and still play unlimited age. My name is Rick, and they call me "Papa Rick."
From Pauline, Las Vegas:
I think these thoughts pass through everyone's mind as they get older. If you can give the competition something to think about, win or lose, you should stay in the game as long as you can. You may have to work harder at keeping up your fitness level, but you should be doing that whether you are into athletics or not. I have also noticed how people perceive you is relevant. We have all heard someone described as an "old 60-something" or a "young 70.” So all I would say to anyone having doubts is stay sharp, don't be a fuddy-duddy, and you will outlast a lot of your peers.
From Bill, Fremont, Calif.:
Annie, first, how do you know that's what others are "thinking?" Beyond that, though, whether you know what they're thinking or not, I'd take it as a compliment. Hey, I'm 69 and have been playing adult, senior and super senior leagues all along. Sure, sometimes good youngsters might have a convincing win over us, but we also get a lot of points against them due to their inexperience, etc. Personally, I think any age-difference issues can be overblown and are generally irrelevant.