“I’ll mend myself
before it gets me”
With today’s news of
defending champion, Raphael Nadal’s withdrawal from the U.S. Open, it makes
sense to talk tennis injuries. Injuries are inevitable in sport. The human body
can only take so much wear and tear before it breaks down. Conditioning can
help reduce the risk of injury in many cases. But even the fittest athletes
suffer ailments from overuse, mechanical breakdowns and freak accidents.
Nadal’s aggravated right wrist is a setback for fans who were hoping to see
another Novak/Nadal showdown. Roger Federer will certainly benefit from his
rival’s withdrawal. Federer, the favorite, will land the number two seed in the
tournament. Rafa’s absence also opens up
the field for other talented players on the men’s side.
Nadal is a warrior,
with violent and stabbing groundstrokes. Tennis is a sport where injuries
cannot be taken lightly, where players cannot just shake or brush off the pain.
The wrist, elbow and forearm are valuable and delicate essentials in the sport
of tennis. Baseball, hockey and basketball players may suffer wrist pain or
elbow injuries and still be able to participate. But at what cost is an injury
more of a serious pitfall than losing court, ice or turf time? Professional and college players have the advantage
of staff physicians to advise them whether to play or rest. The casual sports
participant does not always have the wherewithal to nurse an injury, and so the
injured player’s dilemma often ensues. I have been in this boat many times.
Most recently, I have suffered a stabbing, sharp pain to my shoulder and neck
following heavy hitting sessions. I love tennis and have been far too stubborn
to rest what I believe is a reactivated pinched nerve. At what point should we “club
players” withdraw from the sports we love so much? Do you have more to lose by
withdrawing?
Obviously, the answer
lies in the extent of the injury. It is not smart to play through an injury
that could escalate into something more severe with permanent damage. Only you
can know your body, and each athlete responds differently to injuries. Be
smart. Pride should not be a reason you continue playing when injured. If only
I could take my own advice…or a cue from Mr. Nadal.
“I’m fallen down but I’ll
rise above this”
Roger Bannister once said: "The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win."
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if that's strictly appropriate to your post, but I just thought I'd share it.
Thanks, Paul. I think I agree with that!
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