I can't return to the level I used to be

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I can't return to the level I used to be

I used to play really well with strong serves and powerful shots that would usually be winner though I did have unforced errors.

I was sick for about a week or didn't play for about a week and when I came back I couldn't return to the level I used to. It was a few months ago.

Now I have a lot of unforced errors, bad footwork and I find myself a lot out of position and weak shots and I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

I'm not sure if it's a problem so much with my strokes or is it a problem with my mentality because I usually get on court and I'm afraid to play bad or maybe it's my strokes and my mentality.

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I can't return to the level I used to be

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Apr 17, 2009
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Forget the past
by: Anonymous

Don't remember the past.Start from the beginning again.

Apr 20, 2009
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stay in the moment
by: Anonymous

Stay focused in the present moment. Thoughts about the past and future will distract you from doing what you need to do right now. Focus on the ball right now, move toward it, hit it in the direction you want it to go. Though that sounds so simple, its really the only think you should be focusing on when playing tennis. You should only think about your feet, and strokes when you're practicing. Let it come naturally when you play the game. Stay relaxed. Thinking about points and score too much will cause tension. Tension causes you to interfere with the natural flow and movement your body will take care of if you stay focused in the present.

Hope this helps.

Apr 20, 2009
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in the present....
by: Franklin

I highly recommend two books to address this kind of issue... "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne and "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle... these books have done wonders for me in terms of getting me to be present to the moment... not one minute ago or one day ago or even one second ago but THE MOMENT... anytime you see a player on the court displaying negative behavior on the court they are focusing on or living in a prior moment and dragging it in to the present moment... anything negative that you bring in to the present is not going to help you... so you need to decide what kind of player you are going to be and play each moment accordingly regardless of what happened on your last shot...
Franklin

Apr 20, 2009
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Reply
by: SV

When you say "I'm afraid to play bad" it shows that you are focusing on the outcome of the match or on past performances, both of which will lead to problems. Accept the fact that your past losses are over. You can't do anything about them. Also accept the fact that you will be beaten again in the future by a better player. Accept the fact that you will make errors. Watch a tape of Nadal playing a match and watch for the errors he commits. If he can't play a match without errors, we certainly can't be expected to do so! Focus on the point that you are in. If you have trouble with that, try saying bounce to yourself every time the ball bounces or hits a racquet (or something similar). This keeps you focused on the moment, and keeps you paying attention to the ball, rather than thinking about past failures. And remember- everyone you encounter on the tennis courts has had plenty of losses and errors! Good Luck!

Apr 20, 2009
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Take off some pace
by: Campbell Ellison

Try to play consistent tennis as this will build your confidence back up gradually. If you keep playing just power tennis and make 102 errors in a match this will just hurt your confidence and make tennis miserable for you. Playing consistent tennis also causes you to play smart tennis as the points are not just hit or miss but about manipulating your opponent around the court and then hitting a winner or volley winner to the open court.

Apr 22, 2009
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I can't return to the level I used to be
by: gil

It's just a thought. I hope it helps:

Try serving and hitting balls against a wall. Notice how you execute your strokes and improve from there. You'll get "groove" back in no time. A friend can watch you and can help you "see and feel" your strokes back again. It's the least expensive way as you get aware of what you think are doing wrong. Good luck!

Apr 22, 2009
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that's not unnusual
by: Ivan

Be patiante. Go one step back and hit the ball with more spin and less power to recover the "feel". Try harder to stay in the game insted of perform the winner. Of course, after a few games played try to hit some of your favorite stroke to regain confidence, but one at the time, don't push and try to focus on

Apr 23, 2009
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i got your solution here
by: Anonymous

i think when you returned to the game your body was unable to play at the level you were at before you became sick. And then you started suffering mentally form worrying about your drop in game level. i'd say to go back to the basics..find a hitting partner and just hit some strokes for a couple weeks until you 'rediscover' yourself. Even play some practice games..different types of drill-games to work your way back.

Apr 24, 2009
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How is your physical health
by: Anonymous

I had a similar problem when I was younger. It may take a longer time to regain all of your physical skills--especially if you were bed ridden. Loss of mobility reduces proprioception. You need to regain proprioception and energy in order to restore your level of fitness. Did you know that forced lack of movement over months can even cause bones to fuse? You might especially have problems with the feet if you weren't walking and moving a lot. Tennis isn't enough--exercise and move the joints through all ranges of motion. Try ankle circles. Try walking on toes, heels, sides of feet. Tai Chi movements, hip circles--get that body awareness stimulated back to previous levels. Practice your swing without the ball every day. Concentrate on regaining the feel and sensation.
Check out http://www.zhealth.net for movement rehabilitation.
It took me months to regain my energy after pneumonia. You should make sure you have no lingering health problems.
Eventually, since you are now exercising, your fitness should improve and your level will return. You might feel especially frustrated if you identify with being athletic and skilled.
The difficulty in regaining the previous level is understandable--even though you only had a brief period of inactivity. As you get better, that should encourage you. Best wishes.

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I can't return to the level I used to be

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I can't return to the level I used to be