Though it really sucks to see an injury force out of the 2011 Australian Open one of the most competitive (…and adored) players in the sport of tennis, Venus Williams, there is a silver lining.
Venus showed millions of tennis players as well as other athletes around the world just how important it is to LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.
Because doing more than your body can handle is a common way to really hurt yourself in tennis, including many other aspects of life for that matter.
Usually when you’re such an incredible player (…like Venus Williams) and get hurt, you can find yourself in a mental tug-of-war, trying to decide what really is the best path to take – to stop or to press on and play through it.
…And when the stakes are as high as they are in one of the most historical tournaments of the sport (…plus having already gotten to the finals back in 2003), the decision becomes even more difficult. That’s a lot pressure to perform!
Venus Williams is A Smart Warrior
That said, being the warrior that she is, her heart (…when playing against opponent Andrea Petkovic) was likely telling her to keep going, compete and get to the next round at all costs – and not to let anything slow her down or stand in her way.
But luckily, Venus Williams didn’t do what many players would do, let their humongous hearts take over and ignore the warning signs. She heard the voice of her body screaming loud and clear. STOOOOOP!
Good thing, because the effects of playing through extreme pain can be pretty detrimental. And she realized that. She knew that it just wasn’t some slight discomfort that would go away relatively quickly (…like a stubbed toe or a jammed finger).
The problem Venus Williams had was a gripping muscle injury around her mid-section, her core. And the pain there can get pretty intense, and she would have felt that wrenching pain throughout the entire match.
And I’m telling you, that pain hurts like heck – OUCH! I mean, every time you turn to hit any shot, you feel it! And even if, by some miracle she was able to finish out this match (…like she did against 2nd round opponent Gilles Simon), it would be a total pipe-dream to be able to complete another one a few hours afterward.
So, she was smart and lucky! Williams made the smart decision to stop play, retiring from the third round match. And she was lucky not to have aggravated the injury any further. I guess she thought that one match wasn’t worth a career. And it isn’t.
Since then, she’s already stated that she’ll definitely be back to fight another day down under. But who knows what would have happened if she had kept playing (…for pride etc.), the injury could have progressed and become increasingly worse.
Then, how many matches would she have left in her, if any. So, the next time you experience an injury during a match, and it feels like it could be severe or the pain is pretty high, think career not match. Think trophies NOT title. Ok, call it a day.
Think about not being able to properly and effectively play this game that you love ever again. Is it worth it? Absolutely not.
You want to be able to get back out there and play your 100% A-game as quickly as possible. And the fastest way to do that is by stopping, rehabbing the injury, and giving it time to heal.
Once there’s no pain in the compromised area at all (…and you’ve been cleared), then you can make your way back onto the court to start kicking some butt.
IMPORTANT: Much like the philosophy of “dunk-monster” of the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin when he had that devastating knee injury, don’t rush things. As much as his insanely competitive fire was in wanting to get back onto the basketball court and somewhat salvage some of his first season, he waited for the right time.
And like Venus Williams, he was smart. You want to play at your best, not 75 or 80%. Trust me, you won’t be satisfied. You’ll likely just re-injure yourself (which will keep you out even more time) and you’ll probably get beaten down by your hitting buddies or opponents pretty badly as well. That’s no fun.
Now, he’s 100% (…injury free), and the entire NBA, except his teammates, is having nightmares.
Hope this helps,
And of course, we all here at Tennis Mind Camp wish you a speedy recovery Miss Venus Williams…
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Have a great day and an even better game,
Brian
TennisMindCamp
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Me too!!! She needs to give her body a rest once in a while, and stop playing with everything wrapped just to get through a match.
Elaine
I totally agree Elaine – especially since she was still sort of making her final recovery from a couple of the minor (…nagging) injuries that she suffered earlier on. You definitely want to come into a tournament 100% And I don’t think she was.
Think that you have a very good point. why should you allow one match to jeopardize a career. No Brainer
I think that if Nadal’s arm isn’t 100% better he should get it treated. If it causes him to lose, he really needs to check on it periodically. Thats better than him missing the 2009 season.
Tried pointers you recommending regarding the serve. I did everything except “Telling time” — being able to see the back of my serving hand. But with the other tips, I beat one of our club’s best 4.0 singles’ players this Saturday, 6-3,6-2. He is 6-3 and great athlete. He had tremendous difficulty with the spin from my serve especially my 2nd serve! I’m 5’7 and left-handed. I’ve played him 3 times before and he has just crushed me. I’ve never won more than 3 games in a set before. So your tips are excellent! Thanks.