The Comeback

…the challenges and the lessons! 

There aren’t too many sports played on cement!

Cost effectiveness and ease of maintenance of hardcourts is the reason professional tennis players spend a huge amount of time playing and training on this surface. This results in a longer competitive season but with less time for these top players to recover and heal from minor injuries and general wear and tear on their bodies.   They also put a significant amount of strain on their backs, hips, knees and ankles.

Denis Shapovalov (CAN)

Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)

This combined with level of performance, for professional tennis players, continuing to rise, the need for them to increase the strength and power, speed and endurance of these athletes grows.

The result is significant injuries causing players forced to take time off from the tour to recover.

Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Juan Martin del Potro, Kei Nishikori, and our own highest ranked Canadian, #3 (2016) Milos Raonic are amongst the top world tennis players that have fallen victim to injury from playing and been forced stop playing to heal and recover.

Lucas Pouille (FRA)

So, what are some of the physical and mental challenges and advantages that these players experience when coming back to the world stage of tennis?

Novak felt that the biggest improvement to his game after 6 months away from the tour, was his serve. Explaining that he focused on a change in his serving motion that allowed for more power, consistency and variety. Claiming that he was pleased with his serving in his first-round match win over Basic, 6-3, 7-6.

Mirza Basic (BIH)

Novak added that the mental struggle of a come back was his biggest lesson. To not be able to compete at a high level with confidence was his biggest challenge. Explaining how “quickly you lose it, your level of confidence” So in having a plan and a supportive team around him, Novak believed and trusted and felt satisfied in the process as he regains his confidence at a high level of play.

Nick Kyrgios (AUS)

When I asked Rafa Nadal what he learned from his come back to the world tour after being plagued with many injuries over his professional career. The most recent injury sidelining the Spaniard for 6 months.   He responded that it was “appreciation”.  Appreciation for his opportunity to come back and compete and play the game, that he feels “is not even a job”.

Milos Raonic, who is no stranger to injury these past 2 years has maintained a positive attitude in knowing how to deal with the injury and healing process.  This gives him the experience to know that it will pass. And pass it has!

Milos dispatched his first-round opponent, David Goffin, 6-3, 6-4 on Monday evening.   Milos said he was pleased with his performance and his mental toughness.

Stan the Man, Wawrinka, had been struggling to find his high-level match toughness since his return to the tour after recovering from knee injury. The surgery sidelined him from competition for 12 months.  But today Stan, ranked 195^th in the world, was riding high after his spectacular 3 set win over 18th seed, Nick Kyrgios.

Stan Wawrinka (SUI)

Juan Martin del Potro, has just announced that he has withdrawn from this years Roger Cup, due to a left wrist injury. Mikhail Youzhney will be the Lucky Loser to compete in the Argentinian’s place.

When I asked del Potro what he felt his biggest improvement in his game was in coming back from injury? Juan described how he felt his mental strength is what continues to grow, to have the courage and belief in himself and to play a high level of tennis, despite the pain and injury.  He said: “I feel I have a second chance at life, that makes me strong and positive. I am happy with the feelings of accomplishment when I cross the hurdles of healing”.

Professional players who experience these “comebacks” after injury are all looking for the same thing; to learn and grow in positive ways, both physically and mentally, from the challenge of injury. To regain confidence in order to compete on the world stage.

Jeremy Chardy (FRA)

We are so fortunate, as tennis fans, to witness the growth of these world class players, as they make their way back with a comeback!

Laurel Neal

Photo credit: Neena Channan