4 ms·

Not really sure how this is much different from any consultant who does long projects on the road, at least as far as social isolation is concerned, really. You

Not really sure how this is much different from any consultant who does long projects on the road, at least as far as social isolation is concerned, really. You go to work, you do a job, and then you go back to the hotel. What I suspect is happening on top of everything else for these players is that (a) they're in a competitive field so they have to stay on top of their rest and diet at all times, (b) isolation is definitely a thing, but (c) many of them come from upper middle class backgrounds and it's a culture shock to bleed through money just to travel for tournaments and have proper gear.

p1esk 2y ago
The difference is: consultants are expected to get paid after they complete the job, tennis players lose a lot more matches on average than they win so they usually do not get paid.
fallinditch 2y ago
I understand that the actual playing the matches is very isolating too: there may be a crowd of people watching the 2 players but it's just them on the court battling it out. The intensity of the battle and its psychological components probably adds to the isolation on the court, and loneliness off it.
alexpotato 2y ago
A family acquaintance of mine was a consultant with an interesting work/life balance: - He had no permanent physical residence aka he didn't own a house or rent an apartment (he did have a PO Box in a city just for a legal address) - Everything he owned was in 4 suitcases - Other than scheduled PTO, the firm decided where he would go for consulting projects (often on short notice) which could be anywhere in the world - When he DID have PTO, the firm would pay for ANYTHING he wanted to do. Rent a speedboat? Check! Fly him to Asia to see a friend? Check! He had a girlfriend (who I was friends with and how I knew him) so I don't think he was totally isolated. That being said, must be tough to put down roots in that situation.
- pas 2y ago
  but they were paid very well at least, right? whereas tennis seems like a money pit.
asdff 2y ago
Well, consultants also have marketable skills that don't depend on them fighting aging and injury and are actually making money on the road vs going into debt potentially with nothing to show for it. I'd say that helps one sleep easy and not feel so constantly anxious.
et-al 2y ago
> they're in a competitive field so they have to stay on top of their rest and diet at all times Versus a consultant where you're racking up miles and points, have a per diem, and usually treated to a client dinner and/or sports game. Personally I enjoyed traveling for work when I was young and single. Depending on the hotel you're staying at, you can meet other traveling workers and commiserate.

p1esk 2y ago

The difference is: consultants are expected to get paid after they complete the job, tennis players lose a lot more matches on average than they win so they usually do not get paid.

fallinditch 2y ago

I understand that the actual playing the matches is very isolating too: there may be a crowd of people watching the 2 players but it's just them on the court battling it out. The intensity of the battle and its psychological components probably adds to the isolation on the court, and loneliness off it.

alexpotato 2y ago

A family acquaintance of mine was a consultant with an interesting work/life balance: - He had no permanent physical residence aka he didn't own a house or rent an apartment (he did have a PO Box in a city just for a legal address) - Everything he owned was in 4 suitcases - Other than scheduled PTO, the firm decided where he would go for consulting projects (often on short notice) which could be anywhere in the world - When he DID have PTO, the firm would pay for ANYTHING he wanted to do. Rent a speedboat? Check! Fly him to Asia to see a friend? Check! He had a girlfriend (who I was friends with and how I knew him) so I don't think he was totally isolated. That being said, must be tough to put down roots in that situation.

pas 2y ago
but they were paid very well at least, right? whereas tennis seems like a money pit.

asdff 2y ago

Well, consultants also have marketable skills that don't depend on them fighting aging and injury and are actually making money on the road vs going into debt potentially with nothing to show for it. I'd say that helps one sleep easy and not feel so constantly anxious.

et-al 2y ago

> they're in a competitive field so they have to stay on top of their rest and diet at all times Versus a consultant where you're racking up miles and points, have a per diem, and usually treated to a client dinner and/or sports game. Personally I enjoyed traveling for work when I was young and single. Depending on the hotel you're staying at, you can meet other traveling workers and commiserate.