Tennis Tales: Day 34

I played yesterday after about two weeks hiatus. I'm happy to find out that I haven't lost the strokes despite not playing for some time. I liked how it turned out despite semi-cracking my shoulder when I did an awkward backhand while moving backwards ::d'oh!:: What I don't like is how my body, especially both shoulders, hurt now. It's trying to readjust to the beating it received yesterday. Oww.

Raves, Rants and Tennis Tales: Day 33.5

Raves~

I surprised myself just now since I actually completed my preps today (and it’s not yet midnight!). I was able to read the left out text for tomorrow’s lec, do a powerpoint for it and make lab exams. PLUS, I got to watch most of the opening game of the ATP Master’s Series in Shanghai. (Too bad Gasquet and Djokovic lost….but Nadal and Ferrer did deserve to win, I guess :P)

Rants~

No wonder I’ve been feeling crappy lately—thyroid’s acting up again and fatigue is one of the effects. I thought I was just being lazy (well, okay, a bit of that too…). What’s more, I’ve been having palpitations and I get tired easily—this means no tennis! : ( Just when I’m getting the feel of the forehand.

Tennis Tales: Day 33.5~

This month, I’ve only played once and it was crosscourt practice and doing drive (shots?). I’ve practiced a bit of overhead smash and forehand volley but depressingly, my backhand volley felt awkward—as my trainer graciously described it—parang ‘komang’. Still, it was my last 1.5 hours of play before this thyroid condition came up.

Then one time while waiting for some test results, I dropped by the tennis courts to watch and pass time. Fortunately, I saw one of my acquaintances (I finally learned what her name really is) who’s been MIA for three months. I got to chat with her as well as her coach and learned some things about the different grips and how it’s not totally wrong to change grip when doing backhand volley (from a forehand), as well as to where and when it is best to hit the ball in ground strokes. Even if I didn’t play, I’m glad I picked up some tips. It was tempting to borrow a racquet and start playing though. And I was surprised that some of the ball kids already knew me (by name) and asked why I haven’t been playing. ^^; Ehehe…

Tennis Tales: Day 32

Yesterday, I played for 1.5 hours after not playing for 6 consecutive days. I liked how it turned out-my forehands were okay although there were still homeruns, some of my serves got in and I get to return my trainer's serve (his tip here was to look at the ball and he said I'd know which direction it will go...I'm still trying to figure that out but whatever my interpretation of it was seemed to work since I did guess right where the ball was heading).

This made me realize some things: (1) despite not playing for almost a week, I still did okay, (2) maybe playing daily at this point makes me tired so I don't get to play well the next day, (3) I may have already acquired the skills but I won't lose it if I don't play daily, (4) I can survive with eating only a banana and yogurt drink before playing, and (5) maybe playing on a no class day helps mentally. I have to put these to the test and see how it turns out--whether it gets consistent.