Life begins at 66, at 66 you start having fun. Udo Jürgens sang this, knowing that his now-legendary lyric contains a great deal of truth and conveys a great deal of motivation for "senior age." Joerg Pfuhl daily on tennis courts around the world that life in tennis doesn't end at 60. He has written a wonderful book about his tennis career, which truly took off after retiring from his successful career as a publishing manager: " Second Serve" is the title of his debut book, published by Edel Sports. The title couldn't be more fitting. This 208-page book tells the story of how Joerg, at 60, made it into the senior tennis world rankings, why his first serve had to be followed by a second, and how he discovered entirely new facets and talents within himself. A wonderful read, motivating, amusing, and thought-provoking – and not just in relation to tennis! This book is a source of inspiration not only for aspiring and more or less active (tennis) seniors, but for everyone facing what may be the final chapter of their life. Stay tuned for our book review.
The book "Second Serve" picks up exactly where author Joerg Pfuhl's first book leaves off. As the successful managing director of a publishing house and co-founder of the Audible audiobook platform, Joerg is caught in the daily grind, though he has always enjoyed working and, of course, worked hard. However, health problems shortly before his 60th birthday lead him to finally put into action the thoughts he's had about leaving the rat race, thoughts that have crossed his mind many times before. At first glance, nothing unusual, the reader might think. But along with his departure, Joerg immediately faces the question of what to do with all his newfound free time. Sitting in a rocking chair is out of the question. "I need a plan," Joerg tells himself. Typical manager.
He quickly intensified his beloved hobby of tennis, playing several times a week for a few hours with his teammate. The author, who describes himself as having average talent, had been playing tennis since his youth, albeit without great ambitions. Fun and teamwork were his priorities. Thus, Joerg followed what I would call a perfectly normal tennis career path for an amateur player, in which tennis played a smaller or larger role depending on his professional and current life circumstances.
Joerg first came into contact with international senior tournaments in his temporary home on Lake Tegernsee, where the German International Senior Championships were held until 2019. Joerg not only participated in the tournament as a player but was also actively involved as a tournament organizer. Perhaps he already knew then where his journey in "retirement" would lead him?
Author Joerg Pfuhl,
photo © Patrick Lipke
After moving to Hamburg, his international journey continued with his teammates: a trip to England for an international grass-court tournament was not only great fun. Joerg saw how many wonderful experiences and encounters attending an international tournament can bring, even off the pitch. A crucial experience that would be repeated very often in the years to come.
Before Joerg can truly dive into the national and international tournament scene, it's all about training, training, training. Here again, the manager's mindset shines through: not just jumping in and playing, but training systematically. If you're not familiar with the "grind" training method, no problem. After reading this, you'll know, and I'm sure some of you will want to give it a try. Have fun and sweat it out! Hard training pushing your physical and mental limits is what's needed before you really hit the "tour.".
Joerg in action
Photo © Patrick Lipke
At the grass-court tournament in England
Joerg is using the enforced Corona break to his advantage, playing outdoors in frosty temperatures, wearing a woolly hat and ski jacket. His motto is: don't let it get you down! Well-prepared, he can then continue: first to national senior tournaments, then to international tournaments, and finally to the World Championships. From tennis lessons to tournament victories, he's experienced it all.
Here, Joerg describes his tournament experiences from a variety of perspectives: in terms of tennis, he's searching for the "right" senior tennis that suits him and his playing style. How can he manage to win with his powerful, yet error-prone game, instead of just playing well and looking good? What are international tournaments like, how do players train and recover? How do they find doubles and mixed doubles partners? And what happens off the court? He reports on these experiences openly and honestly.
As a reader, you really get the feeling of traveling alongside him, playing alongside him, and sharing his emotions. Funny anecdotes from the tennis court, but also touching encounters, the development of friendships all over the world. Oh, what tennis can achieve! We won't reveal here exactly how Joerg's tournaments went, where he's actually played so far, or why he suddenly became a gifted mixed doubles player.
Nationally successful in mixed doubles.
Photo © Tennis Association Rhineland-Palatinate
At the 2021 World Championships
Joerg also shares insights into topics like training planning, equipment, and further education with his readers, providing very interesting and useful tips. This allows everyone to delve even deeper into various areas after reading the book.
Many might get the impression from the book cover that Joerg is a senior player who operates with the same ambition as in his professional tennis days: obsessed with the next victory and overly ambitious in every respect. Certainly, these two adjectives apply to anyone who pursues something so intensely at an advanced age. Obsession and ambition are indeed necessary, but Joerg, in my opinion, embodies both in a positive way. Always with a goal in mind and a concrete plan. Something for which I have great respect. This is how Joerg keeps tennis and the tournament scene young and, above all, fit. Physically and, of course, mentally as well.
I read the book during a short vacation. Or rather, I devoured it with great pleasure, because it will truly warm the heart of any tennis fan of a certain age. The unbridled passion with which Joerg lives his tennis dream, dedicates himself to it, and works tirelessly for it is simply captivating. But it wasn't just the main story of his journey to becoming an active, international senior tournament player that thrilled me; the stories off the court were equally compelling. The easy writing style often made me feel as if I were right there with Joerg, both on and off the tennis courts around the world. I felt almost as if I were right there with him as he repeatedly unleashed his own personal "second serve.".
Sure, there will certainly be some of you who think: isn't there anything more important than spending hours on the tennis court at 60, traveling around, and aiming to break into the senior world rankings? There are definitely "more important" things. But for me, the book conveys a completely different, much more important message than tennis. Setting a goal, regardless of age, regardless of how far-fetched it may seem (to others) – that's something fundamentally important for everyone. Reorienting oneself, finding motivation, and facing new challenges is generally inspiring, motivating, and allows one to discover entirely new worlds – even in advanced age! That's simply a wonderful message of the book. And combined with tennis as an "enabler," it's all the more beautiful! A perfect pairing for life, wouldn't you say?
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