No Pain, No Gain

For older players, injuries are an unavoidable —but manageable—part of the game

- Andrew Friedman

Every tennis player is susceptible to short- and long-term injuries. But as we age, it’s increasingly important to find the sweet spot between keeping active, and letting the body recover from both exertion and injury.

“As you get older, you don’t need to play as much to maintain your level,” says Bob Litwin, a former No. 1 player in the 55-and older ranks. Litwin used to play daily, but now limits himself to three times a week, unless he’s preparing for a tournament.

“The average club player doesn’t realize the importance of taking time off,” adds Litwin. “Recovery is huge. It makes us better.”