Michael did not play tennis for a while

[Bassim]

I am wondering if my sentences are grammatically correct. I am not sure if the past at the beginning is correct or it should be the past perfect.

Michael did not play tennis for a while, and when he took it up again, every muscle hurt him the morning after the game.

 

[teechar]

I think the past perfect would work better in that.

 

[Bassim]

teechar,

Could I delete "the game" and end with "...hurt him the morning after."?

 

[teechar]

You can.

 

[GoesStation]

You can end with nothing more than every muscle hurt the next morning.