Time off is the rarest thing in the pro tennis calendar

	After a brief layoff, Lisa Raymond will defend her French Open doubles title with partner Samantha Stosur, starting later this month. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Fourteen days. That's how long I have off before my next tournament. Two weeks before I start the longest trip of the year, the European swing.

Technically, tennis has no "offseason," so time off is the rarest, most precious thing players have during the busy tour calendar. And the busiest time of year is just ahead. So what exactly do we do on our weeks off?

Some players will usually go home, which could mean different things. Flying back and forth to China or Australia every few weeks can be taxing on the body, as well as expensive, so some have purchased another residence somewhere more convenient so they can make a pit stop between events (for instance, Roger Federer owns a condo in Dubai). Still others will visit a tennis academy, where they can take time off and do some training. Depending on where a player is in his or her career, the answer varies.

My routine 10 to 12 years ago, when I was first starting out on this journey, was a lot different than it is now. At 33, my intensity is the same, but my goals and priorities have shifted. Nowadays, I retreat to my personal home, regrouping and recharging the batteries. So after playing Fed Cup in Delray Beach, Fla., a couple weeks ago, I flew home to Philadelphia on the first flight out on Monday morning.

My European swing will begin next week in Berlin, and possibly continue for two months, ending at Wimbledon. I may or may not fly home after the French Open, even if it's just for a few days. Either way, it's a long trip -- so these couple of weeks at home are precious.

For me, the first few days back are all about rest and recovery. Sleeping in, running errands, taking care of all the little things that always need to be done: unpacking, dry-cleaning, doctors appointments, booking flights, haircuts/highlights (the truth is out!) and treating my feet to a pedicure when possible. Amazing how, in an instant, I can morph from professional athlete into my own personal assistant!

The simple things are what I look forward to the most when coming home. Mom's home cooked meals, dinner and a movie with family and friends, meeting my parents for breakfast at our favorite local spot -- these are the small pleasures that signify home to me. Perhaps the best part of my time at home these days includes the time spent babysitting my three nieces. I find that heaven is as simple as spending hours watching them crawl around or having mashed peas thrown at me.

Given that New York City is only 90 minutes away, I find that it's slowly becoming my second home during weeks off. I always take a trip to Manhattan to see friends and have some fun. I have become a master of maximizing the short periods of time I have at home, sufficiently packing into 12 days what most people get weeks or even months to enjoy.

As the first week draws to an end, it's time to get back on the court and into the gym. At this point in my career, a typical day for me during an "off" week entails a long practice in the morning (long being a couple of hours) followed by a gym session. When I was still playing singles, I would spend more time on the court, hitting twice a day and then a training session as well. This would usually consist of endless drilling with a coach as well as playing practice matches with different players from the area, usually guys from the University of Pennsylvania's team.

The past few years, I've cut down on my on-court time, and focused more on trying to stay as healthy as possible as well as mentally fresh. Each player is different -- this just happens to be the formula that works for me. Since I'm an early riser, my "work day" is usually finished by early afternoon, which gives me ample time to run any errands and anything else I want to do.

The last few days at home are all about final preparations to leave. Those last goodbyes never seem to get easier, only more difficult with each trip. One final dinner with family and friends, last-minute errands to run, arranging a ride to the airport and the most dreaded chore of all -- packing! All tennis players could write novels on mastering the art of it. And then, of course, one final sleep in my bed before I embark on my newest adventure.

As tough as it can be to leave, I know how blessed I truly am to be living the dream. I look at my itinerary for my upcoming voyage and smile: Berlin, Rome, Paris and London. Not a bad business trip.

Half of the No. 1-ranked doubles team in the world, Lisa Raymond writes for SI.com on alternate Fridays.