ouch, got the crap beat out of me in my first lvl 6 junior tourney

[dave333]

ouch, got beat good (6-0, 6-3). I didn't play tennis for a week but still, didn't expect to do so poorly. my opponent has this sick-nasty twist serve that he said has reached 80 mph!

my biggest problem though, was hitting his REALLY heavy topspin shots that went to the baseline on the rise. I tried backing up but he hits with so much i was still hitting it on the rise. I normally play flat hitters or people that hit topspin shots short or with less pace....

[FiveO]

Welcome to the learning curve. Unless very well versed in hitting on the rise, you have to accept that on deep heavy balls you are defensive and the best response is safe/neutral, by any means, which should translate into x-court, looped and deep. Trying "to hit with the opponent" off such balls is a recipe for disaster and you will likely yield short stuff off which the opponent can be offensive and hit early enough so you are caught out of position. Like I said, welcome to the learning curve.

[NbladeTopspin]

Dave, u say ur a 4.0


i saw a video of ur serve, your more like 2.5-3.0

[TonyB]

One thing I learned from my first tournament was not to underestimate my opponent. The first round, I drew the eventual winner of the tournament. Just my luck.

Anyways, I didn't know who it was, because he wasn't local and I had never played against him before. I had a pretty good winning record against regional opponents, but this guy must have been from upstate or something. Suffice it to say, I lost 6-0, 6-1. His serves were tremendous and he was hitting my hardest forehands back with EXTRA pace.

Keep the faith. You're still in the juniors, so you got lots of time. Keep improving and maybe next time you won't draw such a mismatched opponent.

[zzzbrianxxx]

Wow, similar experience. First tournament (I play on an undefeated high school team, 1st Dubs 16-3) was a level 6 and I got smoked. 6-0 6-0. Thing was though, I played the eventual winner and he was also #20 in B18 NE. He was amazing. Look him up.
Needless to say, I have played tournements since then and have done much better.

[rrhstennis]

Dave, u say ur a 4.0


i saw a video of ur serve, your more like 2.5-3.0

It's really impossible to tell something like this. The modern game has evolved to a point where one could theoretically play at a 4.0 level with a 3.0 serve and 5.0 groundstrokes, because once you get the serve into play you dictate the game. Even if they crush a few, you're crushing your groundies too.

Not saying this is the case for Dave, but making the point that rating individual strokes just won't work these days.

[Duzza]

I hate to say it. I hate being mean. But no wonder. That serve would get thumped.

[equinox]

Haha duzza you're cracking me up.

This is coming from a kid who got beaten by a little kid in the Caulfield rec doubles.

Boys' 14 & 16 Doubles

QF Loss vs. Barry/Stagg 7-6;6-0

That's embrassing mate, I crushed little crazy francis and his sis in doubles last year. His dads an ok sv player, sis is not bad, though a little physically fragile..

Just wow.

[Duzza]

Haha duzza you're cracking me up.

This is coming from a kid who got beaten by a little kid in the Caulfield rec doubles.

Boys' 14 & 16 Doubles

QF Loss vs. Barry/Stagg 7-6;6-0

That's embrassing mate, I crushed little crazy francis and his sis in doubles last year. His dads an ok sv player, sis is not bad, though a little physically fragile..

Just wow.

Equinox, please don't remind me :|. My partner had a mental fit in the second set, he was doing something, and it wasn't doubles. PLUS it was my FIRST DAY using the POG Mid, no joke! I hated it so much I resorted to the Prestige Classic in singles LOL.

Funny you're looking up my results :p they will improve this year, expect big things :D

[dave333]

Dave, u say ur a 4.0


i saw a video of ur serve, your more like 2.5-3.0

but that serve video is old...i got a coach for a month and he said he fixed it. he ran away to new jersey :mad: so i can't find one right now

[andyroddick's mojo]

Man, this really puts us into perspective of how good we are compared to even low ranked national juniors. And also how good they must be in comparison to low ranked ATP players, and then how those guys must be compared to roger federer!!!! Man, lots of work to do.

[TENNIS_IS_FUN]

Dave, u say ur a 4.0


i saw a video of ur serve, your more like 2.5-3.0

I completely agree.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7etOYMZc8FM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_IRAtjTf-s

[NbladeTopspin]

Dave show us a new video

because ur serve is 2.5 strong weak 3.0 serve

[dave333]

kk. i'll get my sister to vid one in my backyard. i don't have access to a tennis court until jan 6 but those are public lessons.

[spectraflamed]

wow is that serve really a low 3 type? I only ask is because I have no clue on what a 2.5/3 type serve looks like. It would be really cool to have a video database that shows things like serves, groundshots etc... ranging from about 2.5 to 5 since that is where 99% of us fall in the rankings. Sorry to take this post a little off topic but man maybe I can survive in a 3.0 tourny.

[Tour 90]

Yeah that serve looks weird, you end up facing completly sideways. lol

[booky]

wow...comparing urs with mine, i think mines like 5.0..dam i want the kick serve, T_T

[dave333]

hmmm I thought this was dead.

that video is dead too, 3 months old. I'm not sideways anymore!

[Janne]

What was the level of your opponent?

[spadesss]

It's really impossible to tell something like this. The modern game has evolved to a point where one could theoretically play at a 4.0 level with a 3.0 serve and 5.0 groundstrokes, because once you get the serve into play you dictate the game. Even if they crush a few, you're crushing your groundies too.

Not saying this is the case for Dave, but making the point that rating individual strokes just won't work these days.

I agreed, you suck at your serve, you can kiss the rest of the game goodbye even if you have good ground game. I am living prove! I lost to a club player (that I thought I should beat) as I gave away my points on my own serve. Can't break the guy everytime even if I have Agassi's return of serve.