The Tennis Thread

[aliyid]

Get in there Murray

Let’s hope that toe issue doesn’t hold him back in the decider

 

[Teemu]

I wanna try playing some futures once the pandemic has toned down (or once we have learned how to live with covid), but I will turn 33 next march and I'm not exactly rich, so it's probably not the wisest idea.

I spent the last three years prior to the arrival of covid training at an academy, and I was matching quite well against the juniors, but my physical condition still needs to improve quite a bit.

You must play a pretty good level to play Futures! Have you played any before?

I recently read a book called Chasing Points which was written buy a guy who left teaching at 34 to try and earn himself an ATP ranking point (having been a high-ranked junior). Was a pretty interesting insight as to how the lower echelons of the tour work.

 

[aliyid]

What an incredible performance, that is the mentality needed to be one of the best in the game. Well played

 

[ajspurs]

What a win. Not the greatest of performances but fantastic determination. Glad we get to see him in at least one more match here!

 

[ralvy]

Wow really? I assume you're at quite a good level then?

What's your style like? As in one-handed or two-handed backhand, play with spin or like to hit flat, baseline or net player etc.

I have my moments, but I'm still not at the level of playing futures. I still need more serve variants before I make that decision (I still can't hit a slice serve to save my life, and my second serve, spin serve, still needs to get better). I think I'm still some 6 months away of solid training and good physical conditioning to get there, but my country still isn't back to business as usual.

Anyway, I've always been a base liner (two-handed backhand), but lately I was developing a more aggressive strategy of regularly attacking the net when I managed to open my opponents (my volley still lets me down sometimes, but not nearly as much as it used to). I think against the stronger opponents it's probably not a good idea to visit the net all that often, but I can't deny how cool it feels to do so.

Oh yeah, I usually hit with a decent amount of spin, but I think I may hit a bit more flat most winners.

You must play a pretty good level to play Futures! Have you played any before?

I recently read a book called Chasing Points which was written buy a guy who left teaching at 34 to try and earn himself an ATP ranking point (having been a high-ranked junior). Was a pretty interesting insight as to how the lower echelons of the tour work.

Oh, I will make sure to read that book. Thanks

I have never played any futures (not even close, actually), so if I ever managed to earn myself an ATP ranking point it would be a major major achievement for me. I've had this idea in my mind for some time actually, but I was hoping to raise some more money before doing so. However, this whole covid thing is making me remember that the ideal circumstances may never arrive, so I might as well just go for it while my body still can.

I also just got accepted into a physics masters program in Berlin starting this fall, so I will need to make some important choices these next few weeks.

 

[ralvy]

What a win. Not the greatest of performances but fantastic determination. Glad we get to see him in at least one more match here!

Next rival is Felix-Auger Aliassime. A very talented kid, but I think it's an ideal match for Andy, as he still exhibits the mentality of a next gen sometimes.

 

[Teemu]

I have my moments, but I'm still not at the level of playing futures. I still need more serve variants before I make that decision (I still can't hit a slice serve to save my life, and my second serve, spin serve, still needs to get better). I think I'm still some 6 months away of solid training and good physical conditioning to get there, but my country still isn't back to business as usual.

Anyway, I've always been a base liner (two-handed backhand), but lately I was developing a more aggressive strategy of regularly attacking the net when I managed to open my opponents (my volley still lets me down sometimes, but not nearly as much as it used to). I think against the stronger opponents it's probably not a good idea to visit the net all that often, but I can't deny how cool it feels to do so.

Oh yeah, I usually hit with a decent amount of spin, but I think I may hit a bit more flat most winners.




Oh, I will make sure to read that book. Thanks

I have never played any futures (not even close, actually), so if I ever managed to earn myself an ATP ranking point it would be a major major achievement for me. I've had this idea in my mind for some time actually, but I was hoping to raise some more money before doing so. However, this whole covid thing is making me remember that the ideal circumstances may never arrive, so I might as well just go for it while my body still can.

I also just got accepted into a physics masters program in Berlin starting this fall, so I will need to make some important choices these next few weeks.

Good luck mate, hope it goes well for you. What level have you played at, out of curiosity? I’m guessing you play in the German leagues, if you’re studying in Berlin?

I play at a decent club standard in Surrey but the gap between that level and the guys trying to make it on the circuit is huge. Our club #1 was ranked Top 10 in the country as a junior and played on the futures circuit for a bit (albeit with limited success), but has now accepted in his early 20s he won’t make it as a pro and is in full-time work. I played him in the quarters of our club tournament and lost 6-1 6-1 despite playing really well! To be honest I was pretty positive after the match - I never felt completely outmatched/overpowered and pushed him pretty hard for large parts of the game, but the consistency those guys have is incredible. At club level I can get away with hitting blocked returns and backing myself to defend the next ball, but he was just killing me on anything left short.

Does anyone else here play team tennis, on that note?

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Fantastic win by Murray. Can't think of anyone else in the draw sufficiently bloody-minded to have pulled it off. Says it all, really.

Hope he has time to recover before the next one, which will be a very different match indeed.

 

[ralvy]

Good luck mate, hope it goes well for you. What level have you played at, out of curiosity? I’m guessing you play in the German leagues, if you’re studying in Berlin?

I play at a decent club standard in Surrey but the gap between that level and the guys trying to make it on the circuit is huge. Our club #1 was ranked Top 10 in the country as a junior and played on the futures circuit for a bit (albeit with limited success), but has now accepted in his early 20s he won’t make it as a pro and is in full-time work. I played him in the quarters of our club tournament and lost 6-1 6-1 despite playing really well! To be honest I was pretty positive after the match - I never felt completely outmatched/overpowered and pushed him pretty hard for large parts of the game, but the consistency those guys have is incredible. At club level I can get away with hitting blocked returns and backing myself to defend the next ball, but he was just killing me on anything left short.

Does anyone else here play team tennis, on that note?

Hey, thanks! And I'm actually from Guatemala. I just want to continue my studies in Germany, but I don't know if covid will let me just yet (I'm already accepted by the university for this upcoming semester, but I still don't know if I will be able to enter into the country this year... or if it's even a wise decision to go ahead with those plans until the global situation changes a bit).

I guess the strongest opposition I have faced, with whom I have matched quite decently, have been some division 1 players (US university tennis system) that were formed at the academy I'm part of. However, that was mostly during practice/friendlies and I'm well aware that in tournaments is a whole different thing.

Anyway, I think it would be more accurate to say most parts of my game are still at club level, but in some other aspects I do feel stronger (like with my base line game, or my footwork). I understand there's still a lot of work I need to get done, and who knows if I will ever be able to raise my level that much higher than what it currently is, but I definitely will try.

How big was the age different between you and that guy, btw? And how long ago was it that you played against him?

 

[THFCjosh]

Does anyone else here play team tennis, on that note?

Not yet... hopefully joining the team of my club in the coming months. I used to play at a really high level when I was around 10 to the point where I was winning junior trophies at club level and entering under 16 competitions but eventually get knocked out due to lack of power against the older kids. I stopped when I went to secondary school as I didn't have the time to do homework and train for tennis. Just picked it up again over lockdown so getting back into the swings of things (pun intended).

 

[Teemu]

Hey, thanks! And I'm actually from Guatemala. I just want to continue my studies in Germany, but I don't know if covid will let me just yet (I'm already accepted by the university for this upcoming semester, but I still don't know if I will be able to enter into the country this year... or if it's even a wise decision to go ahead with those plans until the global situation changes a bit).

I guess the strongest opposition I have faced, with whom I have matched quite decently, have been some division 1 players (US university tennis system) that were formed at the academy I'm part of. However, that was mostly during practice/friendlies and I'm well aware that in tournaments is a whole different thing.

Anyway, I think it would be more accurate to say most parts of my game are still at club level, but in some other aspects I do feel stronger (like with my base line game, or my footwork). I understand there's still a lot of work I need to get done, and who knows if I will ever be able to raise my level that much higher than what it currently is, but I definitely will try.

How big was the age different between you and that guy, btw? And how long ago was it that you played against him?

I imagine lots of people at club level have wondered what level they could have reached had they committed to training properly, so good on you for giving it a go! Keep us posted

I played that guy on Monday in our club summer tournament - he's 23 and I'm 30. As I said, he wasn't blowing me off court and I felt like I was matching him for 80/90% of the game, but the differences I really noted between his level and club level were:

a) when attacking at club level, inevitably one or two hard, deep shots will win you the point, either with a winner or with your opponent unable to do anything than float one back mid-court for an easy put-away. This guy's defence was unbelievable even on my best shots, I felt like I was having to hit 4 or 5 "winning" shots, just to force him into a mistake and win the point.

b) at club level there aren't that many players able to hit clean through you for a winner - I'm quick so even when I'm on the back foot I can position myself behind the baseline and back myself to stay in a rally. Against the better guys that doesn't work....

 

[ajspurs]

I have my moments, but I'm still not at the level of playing futures. I still need more serve variants before I make that decision (I still can't hit a slice serve to save my life, and my second serve, spin serve, still needs to get better). I think I'm still some 6 months away of solid training and good physical conditioning to get there, but my country still isn't back to business as usual.

Anyway, I've always been a base liner (two-handed backhand), but lately I was developing a more aggressive strategy of regularly attacking the net when I managed to open my opponents (my volley still lets me down sometimes, but not nearly as much as it used to). I think against the stronger opponents it's probably not a good idea to visit the net all that often, but I can't deny how cool it feels to do so.

Oh yeah, I usually hit with a decent amount of spin, but I think I may hit a bit more flat most winners.




Oh, I will make sure to read that book. Thanks

I have never played any futures (not even close, actually), so if I ever managed to earn myself an ATP ranking point it would be a major major achievement for me. I've had this idea in my mind for some time actually, but I was hoping to raise some more money before doing so. However, this whole covid thing is making me remember that the ideal circumstances may never arrive, so I might as well just go for it while my body still can.

I also just got accepted into a physics masters program in Berlin starting this fall, so I will need to make some important choices these next few weeks.

Awesome! Sounds similar to me in trying to be a but more aggressive. I want to get more easy points and dictate points with more consistent but aggressive forehands and that's why I'm experimenting with grips at the moment as I'm going to see if I can be more aggressive on the forehand side and hit more vigorously in using a lot more spin with an extreme grip. I like you am let down by volleys too unfortunately. Is definitely a satisfying feeling finishing points off at the net

Ive actually been watching a lot of US college tennis on youtube recently, it's crazy how the level of some looks so good yet barely any of them really break through. Was watching Mackenzie Macdonald's college matches and it's quite cool to see those and then see him take Dimitrov to five sets in the Australian Open.

 

[ralvy]

I imagine lots of people at club level have wondered what level they could have reached had they committed to training properly, so good on you for giving it a go! Keep us posted

I played that guy on Monday in our club summer tournament - he's 23 and I'm 30. As I said, he wasn't blowing me off court and I felt like I was matching him for 80/90% of the game, but the differences I really noted between his level and club level were:

a) when attacking at club level, inevitably one or two hard, deep shots will win you the point, either with a winner or with your opponent unable to do anything than float one back mid-court for an easy put-away. This guy's defence was unbelievable even on my best shots, I felt like I was having to hit 4 or 5 "winning" shots, just to force him into a mistake and win the point.

b) at club level there aren't that many players able to hit clean through you for a winner - I'm quick so even when I'm on the back foot I can position myself behind the baseline and back myself to stay in a rally. Against the better guys that doesn't work....

Thank you! I just figured I don't want to spend all of my youth (or what's left of it, no matter how little that is) simply doing what I need to survive, it would be great if I could dedicate some of it to that which I love doing the most.

Oh wow, you're fortunate that you're already back playing competitive tennis. I've only been 4 times on a tennis court since the world closed down (all those times with my brother).

I think against the better players sometimes you can also win points with two or three well hit and placed shots, but most of the times you need to be ready to tango with them. Does your heart rate doesn't go all that over board during the longer rallies? It can be a real challenge not to go out of breath after rallying these guys.

 

[ralvy]

Awesome! Sounds similar to me in trying to be a but more aggressive. I want to get more easy points and dictate points with more consistent but aggressive forehands and that's why I'm experimenting with grips at the moment as I'm going to see if I can be more aggressive on the forehand side and hit more vigorously in using a lot more spin with an extreme grip. I like you am let down by volleys too unfortunately. Is definitely a satisfying feeling finishing points off at the net

Ive actually been watching a lot of US college tennis on youtube recently, it's crazy how the level of some looks so good yet barely any of them really break through. Was watching Mackenzie Macdonald's college matches and it's quite cool to see those and then see him take Dimitrov to five sets in the Australian Open.

Yeah, I'm no expert but dominating the spin is definitely key. The eastern grip has been enough for me to create good spin and power, it also depends of course of swinging with your whole body (stance and rotating your waste). You're trying the semi-western grip I suppose, let me know how that works for you.

I've found out that volleys and smashes are also a measure of how high or low confidence I'm felling (well, and also a measure of how well I've been training, haha). Does it works similar for you?

Yeah, college tennis is definitely fun to watch, but I suppose is very different playing when you're holding a scholarship than playing out there in the real world, where a bad streak can let you out of business. I think is also difficult to keep a scholarship with all the partying and temptations that young people face there, I would guess it demands a lot of self-discipline to not get kicked out of the roster.

 

[Teemu]

Thank you! I just figured I don't want to spend all of my youth (or what's left of it, no matter how little that is) simply doing what I need to survive, it would be great if I could dedicate some of it to that which I love doing the most.

Oh wow, you're fortunate that you're already back playing competitive tennis. I've only been 4 times on a tennis court since the world closed down (all those times with my brother).

I think against the better players sometimes you can also win points with two or three well hit and placed shots, but most of the times you need to be ready to tango with them. Does your heart rate doesn't go all that over board during the longer rallies? It can be a real challenge not to go out of breath after rallying these guys.

Yeah my club reopened as soon as it was allowed to, so I've been playing lots of singles over the summer. I'm probably playing as well as I have for 3 or 4 years and have realised how much I enjoy it as a hobby (I've played since I was 10, but slightly fell out of love for a couple of years due to moving out of SW London and having to change clubs, as well as more personal issues which dampened my enthusiasm for playing sport).

To answer your question, I've been keeping fit over lockdown so that was probably the only area where I felt like I had the beating of the guy! Whilst he still moves very well he's no longer training as hard as he did when he was trying to make it pro...

 

[JCRD]

I am a big fan of Djokovic but he really has had a year to forget eh

 

[tototoner]

Seemed a bit harsh but also couldn't have happened to a nicer Robot ???

 

[JCRD]

Seemed a bit harsh but also couldn't have happened to a nicer Robot ???

You're so rude man haha.

I feel it to be extraordinarily harsh. I mean most players do what he did but he did hit it a bit harder.

Just overall harsh

 

[tototoner]

You're so rude man haha.

I feel it to be extraordinarily harsh. I mean most players do what he did but he did hit it a bit harder.

Just overall harsh

Harsh but so funny

 

[riggi]

???