Recently I went on a two-week vacation and didn’t once pick up a tennis racquet. Working in the sport and playing on a regular basis, it’s pretty rare for me to go that long without hitting a ball. When I got back from trip I had a match scheduled the next night and actually played better than I had in a long time. I didn’t try any new tactics or strokes, but simply executed my regular game plan much more effectively. I’ve noticed that when I take a short break from competition, I usually come back playing even better than when I left. If you find yourself in a playing rut, perhaps a brief hiatus is just what you need. Here’s how it can help:
Lowers your expectations: Ever notice how when you’re warming up your serve, you can sometimes crack your first couple better than any of your subsequent deliveries. It happens because you’re relaxed and not trying to kill the ball. When you return to the courts after a couple weeks away, you don’t demand as much of yourself. You put less pressure on yourself which makes you more comfortable on the court, allowing you to execute your shots more freely.
Rekindles your desire: I once heard Andre Agassi say that one of the reasons he believes there should be a longer off-season in pro tennis is it would give fans a chance to miss the game. As a player, you can certainly overload on your court time, too. If you play too much you start to lose some of your passion as it becomes more of a routine and less of a treat. Taking some time off will let you realize how much you enjoy playing and get you fired up for your next match.
Gives your body a rest: If you play competitive tennis several times a week, your body will take a pounding. Joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons all get beaten up. The thing is, it’s usually not severe enough where you can’t play through the soreness or slight pain. Even though you can still compete, if you keep pushing your body, particularly as you get older, a more serious injury can occur. When you start to feel a little rundown it’s always wise to give your body an extended rest for a full recovery.