DEALING WITH THE GRIND

Rafter: Don't retire – take a holiday

By Ron Cioffi
tennisreporters.net

Susan Mullane Camerawork USA, Inc.

Why must Pat retire? Here's a better formula: Plan a vacation … for 12 months.

Pat Rafter, the Australian crowd-pleaser who was beaten by Andrei Pavel at the Tennis Masters Series-Montreal Sunday, says he’s considering quitting tennis at the end of the year. The impending loss of one of the game’s favorite players has less to do with Rafter’s state of mind and body and more to do with the career length of male tennis players.

Why do some burn out so fast?

Why did Bjorn Borg have to retire at 25 … and then decide he should return in ’93, unable to win first-round matches? Is Pete Sampras no longer a serious threat, a victim of chasing the record of finishing No. 1 for six years running and most Grand Slam victories? Male tennis players often pull the plug on their careers too early, due to poor planning and a disregard for their body's ability to handle the pro tour grind.

The 28-year-old Rafter might consider a career-lengthening tactic used by Andre Agassi to help him win four Grand Slam tournaments from the ages of 28 through 30. Agassi has employed an extremely creative strategy: He has tanked two years.

SHORTEN THE SEASON
In many professional sports players can be competitive into their late 30s and, very occasionally, their late 40s. Cal Ripken Jr. played 2,632 straight baseball games. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar skyhooked for 20 seasons. Gordie Howe played pro hockey with his sons after he was 50.

Why? Because these pros had time off during their seasons. Each year they had time to recover and recuperate. Even as the sports seasons continue to elongate – hey, hockey players are in mini-camps this month – most athletes get about three or four months off.

Tennis is out of whack. The schedule runs from January to November, not counting the year-end tournaments. You can play every week. Except for a few off weeks … but if you're any kind of patriot, you have to play Davis Cup. Everyone says the schedule is too long, but no one cancels any tournaments.

Until the length of the season is shortened, tennis players must be proactive. Play less. Heal more. And when it all gets just too much … turn off the alarm clock and take a nap for half a year.

AGASSI'S WALKABOUTS
Maybe not intentionally. But, during his dive in ’93-’94 and his well-publicized plunge below 100 in the rankings in ’98, demonstrates the rejuvenate powers of losing. Agassi's two “off” years were beset with early-round losses and performances which belied his unique athletic talents. True, Agassi had some illnesses in his family and among his close friends during these derides. Still, he lacked the drive to win, the fire to compete. Which is fine. Everyone needs a vacation.

While Andre might not have called a press conference to announce it, he sensed he needed time away from the game. And, so, out he went and played two horrible seasons, lost early and often. While no one here at tennisreporters.net holds a degree in psychology, we do see the distinct possibility that Agassi knew he needed time off and competed like a person who was on holiday. He might as well just announced into the microphone, “I'm not going to play” for a few months or a year.

Then, he recommitted himself to training and fitness and refocused on his sport. He returned to the top of the heap in ’99 with a concentration on playing and winning. And he grabbed four more Grand Slams when most players are teaching at resorts. Mats Wilander gave himself a few breaks in his career, enabling a so-so athlete to shine due to great mental fortitude.

Check out the last few years of Jennifer Capriati’s career. The media can’t get enough of how tough it was for Jennifer to overcome the drugs and arrest – again and again and again. Surely, she wouldn’t want to repeat that part of her life. However, a silver lining; she did have a number of years away from the game. Time to reflect and refocus and train like a demon. And, shades of Andre, she came out of nowhere to win two Grand Slams at the age of 25. With the rest period behind her, Capriati was able to get herself into the best shape of her life.

Look at Martina Hingis. She plays often and wins consistently enough to make the weekend of just about every tournament she’s in. What does she get: the number one ranking but not a Slam for years. Is this effective?

One of the problems with the tennis tournament structure – play until you lose – means the most successful players get the most wear and tear. Mentally and physically, winners have the great luck to get to play more than the first-round losers. Of course, any player will tell you winning is much more fun and much more profitable. But, success can mean too much pressure, too many matches and too much abuse of rotator cuffs, knees and lower backs.

The top eight men not only have to play the most matches to achieve the highest ranking, but then have to play in the ATP year-end tournament when everyone one else is basking in an extra week of sunshine.

Here’s our advice, Pat. You said you considered a rest instead of retirement. Well, just chill. Just put up your feet and enjoy. For a two or three months. Maybe six.

Then hit some balls and run some laps. Do a little lifting and get back into shape. Please, don’t abandon the game for a year or more. You’ll never be a threat again if you take off too much time.

Give the tennis world what it wants: a little more Rafter.