Seniors lounge (over 65 - 85) come on in.

[tanventure]

Inspired by the popular thread:Seniors lounge (over 50) come on in., also as many have suggested to have a thread for people over 70 to share ideas and tips, etc.

How about start from: your NTRP level (self rating), how often you play weekly, Single/Double, etc.; are you using lighter racket now? Keep trying to improve your tennis skills/NTRP or learn new skills? Are you participate super senior tournament? ......

I am at 73, renewed my interests in tennis about 3 years after retirement, at NTRP 3.0 - 3.5, morning rally 1 - 1.5 hours every day, play games mainly for doubles; still try hard to improve my backhand slice, better footwork, etc.; main objectives: having funs, staying healthy

Looking forward to establish this thread as a good place for folks to share



Thanks

 

[Friedman Whip]

Since I retired couple of years ago at age 69 and have a lot more time to play I've added 2 new shots to my repertoire. I have some grand nieces, nephews that I am helping learn the game and I thought it might be a good idea to be able to hit a 2H BH myself in order to instruct others how to hit it. It's still a work in progress but really helps in returning kick serves to backhand. Also have added an effective forehand drop shot. Before the only drop shots I could hit were basically by accident. For me the key to the drop shot was hitting it with my forehand grip and not switching to continental like many suggest. Now going to work on BH drop shot. IMNSHO it's never too late to add new stuff.

 

[tanventure]

I have some grand nieces, nephews that I am helping learn the game and I thought it might be a good idea to be able to hit a 2H BH myself in order to instruct others how to hit it.

Nice to know you being a coach for grand children!

 

[Friedman Whip]

Nice to know you being a coach for grand children!

I wish I had more time with them. I could make them into really good players. But I have to compete with baseball, soccer, dance classes, music lessons, you name it. Oh well.

 

[Friedman Whip]

Nice to know you being a coach for grand children!

I wish I had more time with them. I could make them into really good players. But I have to compete with baseball, soccer, dance classes, music lessons, you name it. Oh well.

 

[Pete Player]

I wish I had more time with them. I could make them into really good players. But I have to compete with baseball, soccer, dance classes, music lessons, you name it. Oh well.

Sporty lifestyle will pay off, no matter the selection and mix of sports. Music too is great to now and play an instrument. That will carry and last a lifetime.

Soccer and dance, I think is a combination of perfect foundation for any other sports, and since they have already been introduced to tennis, they can catch on later at any point their life. Dance and gymnastics develop proper body image and motoric skills, which enable people to adapt any motion required for other sports.

My daughter is a ballet/modern jazz dancer at her teens and she’s superb in motion rythm in any sport after instruction. Like in golf I told her not to worry about the hit, but make a rythmic motion, showing how-to and boom!

Great shots every now and then on the range and understanding, what makes a swing. Same thing with tennis shots, we haven’t been out on courts, but once and we could rally mini tennis for 20 consecutive shots the first time out after just two basic drills.

Couldn’t believe my eyes, cause so many people have extreme difficulties making contact in tennis.


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On pain meds - all contributed matter and anti-matter subject to disclaimer

 

[Pete Player]

It’s echoing here.

And sorry for barging in as minor. Great stuff @Friedman Whip!

 

[tanventure]

I wish I had more time with them. I could make them into really good players. But I have to compete with baseball, soccer, dance classes, music lessons, you name it. Oh well.

Very surprised to know that you still play soccer, I thought it's only for young people.

Soccer and dance, I think is a combination of perfect foundation for any other sports, and since they have already been introduced to tennis, they can catch on later at any point their life. Dance and gymnastics develop proper body image and motoric skills, which enable people to adapt any motion required for other sports.

I do cycling, swim too. Would love to learn dance, but so far not yet, still on my to do list

 

[tanventure]

I wish I had more time with them. I could make them into really good players. But I have to compete with baseball, soccer, dance classes, music lessons, you name it. Oh well.

Wow, you got so many activities! Must be very busy. BTW, I never play soccer, thought it's only good for young guys, so you must be very strong!

 

[Friedman Whip]

Wow, you got so many activities! Must be very busy. BTW, I never play soccer, thought it's only good for young guys, so you must be very strong!

Sorry I wasn't clearer. My grand kids are doing all this stuff not me. I meant to say that I have trouble getting tennis time with them because of all the other things they are involved in. And it's true that there is a good bit of overlap from one sport or activity to another but at some point if you want to be really good at something I think you have to narrow your focus. I'm partial to tennis because it is so good for you physically, if done with proper technique, and can last for a lifetime.

 

[MyTennisTools]

If any of you are competitors, here's a video I just posted of the USA's No. 1 ranked Men's 65 Doubles team - Tom Smith and Phil Landauer. I have quite a few senior matches on my channel if you are interested in more. So here's the latest:

 

[Friedman Whip]

If any of you are competitors, here's a video I just posted of the USA's No. 1 ranked Men's 65 Doubles team - Tom Smith and Phil Landauer. I have quite a few senior matches on my channel if you are interested in more. So here's the latest:

Interesting. I'm assuming these guys were at the least very good college players at one time or maybe better than that. Would you know that?

 

[tanventure]

If any of you are competitors, here's a video I just posted of the USA's No. 1 ranked Men's 65 Doubles team - Tom Smith and Phil Landauer. I have quite a few senior matches on my channel if you are interested in more. So here's the latest:

Thanks for the great video!

Wonder if one can tell from the video what NTRP levels of the players ?

 

[Pete Player]

Thanks for the great video!

Wonder if one can tell from the video what NTRP levels of the players ?

Must be quite high, and would be anything between 4.5 and 5.5, 6.0 even, cause Tom is current #44 ITF Seniors Over 65 category, if I found the right Smith from the database.

According to ITF database, player profile, he’s started playing at the age of 12.

——————————
On pain meds - all contributed matter and anti-matter subject to disclaimer

 

[tanventure]

Must be quite high, and would be anything between 4.5 and 5.5, 6.0 even, cause Tom is current #44 ITF Seniors Over 65 category, if I found the right Smith from the database.

According to ITF database, player profile, he’s started playing at the age of 12.

I see, so the players of super senior competitions are professional players, not recreational ones, right ?

thanks

 

[Pete Player]

I see, so the players of super senior competitions are professional players, not recreational ones, right ?

thanks

No, everyone who attends their National Seniors Championships will get an ITF Seniors Player profile. It is similar to ITF juniors ranking. Winners score points and all players are computed and ranked.

All players, pros and amateurs, rec players may compete in the events of their age group (yy and over) around the world.


——————————
On pain meds - all contributed matter and anti-matter subject to disclaimer

 

[Nostradamus]

How many times a week can you guys play without injury occurring or body so sore that you end up in bed knocked out ? Once a week at most ?? if so how many times a week do you workout ? once a week also ?

 

[LeeD]

Typical week, 2-3 days of high 3.5 to low 4.0 doubles 3 sets, 4-5 days of windsurfing, 1 day of 25+ mile bike ride.
I do that about 30 weeks a year.
In winter, hibernate for 6 weeks.

 

[ChaelAZ]

If any of you are competitors, here's a video I just posted of the USA's No. 1 ranked Men's 65 Doubles team - Tom Smith and Phil Landauer. I have quite a few senior matches on my channel if you are interested in more. So here's the latest:

Yup. Good stuff. Keep posting.

 

[Oldguytennis]

Oh Yay, so.ething closer to my age, I'm 63 so a little young for this started playing at 61 to get a break from soccer due injuries. Currently UTR 2.5ish and loving this game. Play competition singles twice a week and rack up about ten hours of tennis, a bit of running and or so and some social soccer. I am in Sydney,Australia.

 

[Bobs tennis]

I play singles tennis atleast 2 times a week-doubles atleast once-gym and yoga atleast 2/3 days- might do yoga in am then hit wall or serve for a while- You cant play tennis unless your in gym and found yoga 3 years ago it's just great for keeping injury free- whole thing is usually over by 1030- I just love to beat 65 yr olds- I left age until the end -78 just keep moving- God has been good to me

 

[Airspun]

Everyone here is actually 19 and very obese to be honest.

 

[TennisCJC]

66 years old. Play tennis 4-5 times per week. Play local doubles leagues and may try a singles tourney later in summer and singles league in the fall. Was rated 4.5 when younger but on the way down for last 20 years. Relatively healthy and reasonably fit except for chronic inflammation in L ankle. It hurts but doesn't stop me from playing. Own a stringer and have been stringing for last 16 years. Using PS97 V13 customized to 12.1 oz, 7+HL and SW approximately 331 strung with either TF NRG2 16G mains or TF MultiFeel 16G mains and Kirschbaum Max Power 17G poly cross at 52/48.

 

[TennisCJC]

Everyone here is actually 19 and very obese to be honest.

I wish you were correct but try 19+47 for me.

 

[TennisCJC]

Oh Yay, so.ething closer to my age, I'm 63 so a little young for this started playing at 61 to get a break from soccer due injuries. Currently UTR 2.5ish and loving this game. Play competition singles twice a week and rack up about ten hours of tennis, a bit of running and or so and some social soccer. I am in Sydney,Australia.

Sydney is a great city. I live there for 13 months from mid-1993 to mid-1994 for a work assignment. There were a lot of the artificial grass courts with sand on top back then. Is that surface still used?

 

[TennisCJC]

How many times a week can you guys play without injury occurring or body so sore that you end up in bed knocked out ? Once a week at most ?? if so how many times a week do you workout ? once a week also ?

Typical week for me:
- 1 or 2 sessions on the wall and serving 1 or 2 buckets - 90-120 minutes each
- 1 or 2 practice sessions with 2 hitting friends - mostly drills, some point play and some singles practice sets - 90-120 minutes each
- 1 team doubles practice for 90 minutes but player to court ratios have been good so far with 4 players per court and each court has a coach. Drills are fairly intense with 4 players so it's a good work out.
- 1 league doubles match per week
- skipped summer singles but may play in a single and doubles league in the fall but will have to cut back practice sessions if I do.
- Stretch 3 or 4 times a week and normally after a match or practice
- light weights 1 or 2 times per week.

I have chronic inflammation in my L ankle. It hurts after most practices and matches. But, I work on strengthening and stretching it and continue on. I have had back, shoulder and knee issues over past 20 years so most of my strengthening and stretching exercises come from PT sessions after injury. But, over all I cannot complain because I am pretty lucky to play as much as I do.

 

[Oldguytennis]

Pretty quiet in this thread.
Apparently I've just reached my third year playing tennis having decided that footy (soccer) is making too many injuries.
I just played my first club tennis session with mixed feelings. Really didn't work up a sweat or anything but it was great playing with a good variety of players. It's just, you know, it was all doubles. Some of those folk I'm sure were having a bit of fun with me and it took a while to get used to a different strategy after three years of singles but I got the hang of to towards the end.
I reckon once a week of social will be good, at least for my volleys and overheads. I'm also playing two singles comps so maybe the doubles will help there.
I am feeling in fantastic shape at 64. I nearly signed up for another season of competitive soccer but have decided to focus on tennis instead.
There's a sports competition in Queensland Australia (Gold Coast) called the the Pan Pacific Masters Games, in November and I'm focussed on playing that in my age category (60-65) so tennis it is.
Fired up !!!!!

 

[toby55555]

Pretty quiet in this thread.
Apparently I've just reached my third year playing tennis having decided that footy (soccer) is making too many injuries.
I just played my first club tennis session with mixed feelings. Really didn't work up a sweat or anything but it was great playing with a good variety of players. It's just, you know, it was all doubles. Some of those folk I'm sure were having a bit of fun with me and it took a while to get used to a different strategy after three years of singles but I got the hang of to towards the end.
I reckon once a week of social will be good, at least for my volleys and overheads. I'm also playing two singles comps so maybe the doubles will help there.
I am feeling in fantastic shape at 64. I nearly signed up for another season of competitive soccer but have decided to focus on tennis instead.
There's a sports competition in Queensland Australia (Gold Coast) called the the Pan Pacific Masters Games, in November and I'm focussed on playing that in my age category (60-65) so tennis it is.
Fired up !!!!!

I'm almost same age but I avoid doubles other than when asked to play for team. My advice is stick to singles and you will progress much faster and keep up your fitness. I mostly play against much younger players which also helps keeping standard up.

 

[nyta2]

according to utr,
i think it's crazy that i have to go all the way up to the 70+bracket to find folks in the top 10 that i can compete against... (#1 usa is ~utr8)
the 65+ top tenners, are too good (#1 usa is utr9+)
i'm in my early 50's, and a utr8
when i grow up i hope to one day be as good as the top 65y olds

 

[Oldguytennis]

I'm almost same age but I avoid doubles other than when asked to play for team. My advice is stick to singles and you will progress much faster and keep up your fitness. I mostly play against much younger players which also helps keeping standard up.

Thanks Toby, most of my opponents are half my age. The 2 or so hours Doubles thing just tops out a solid 10-15 hours of tennis at a time where there's no singles options anyway. Besides, it, at least, is free.
Fired up to up my game at the moment.

 

[LuckyR]

Why are you limiting to folks who are younger than 86? Guys older than 85 are seniors too.

 

[toby55555]

according to utr,
i think it's crazy that i have to go all the way up to the 70+bracket to find folks in the top 10 that i can compete against... (#1 usa is ~utr8)
the 65+ top tenners, are too good (#1 usa is utr9+)
i'm in my early 50's, and a utr8
when i grow up i hope to one day be as good as the top 65y olds

Is UTR still being used as the main guide in the States? WTN has taken over from LTA Rating in UK.

 

[nyta2]

Is UTR still being used as the main guide in the States? WTN has taken over from LTA Rating in UK.

yes (speaking on the authority of a pool sample of 1, me )
seriously though:
* utr tourneys use utr to do seedings (of course )
* as a hs coach (only 1 season under my belt), i and all hs in my area (and at states), all use utr to assist in seedings/lineups (we did last year anyway)
* utr seems to be the critieria some programs use to determine if you're good enough to be in that program

 

[Oldguytennis]

So here's a question, I just started playing a few years ago and right now, I'm feeling like I'm reaching a plateaux. I play a lot but not really feeling like I'm improving anymore. Current state of play looks like 3.5 hours of social, 3 hours of group classes, 3 hours of competition, 2 hours of club tennis and about 1.5 hours of dedicated practice (service and wall and maybe a private coach thrown in occasionally)
I feel like I want to scrape some extra time just for practice (wall, ball machine, service) but I don't have any extra hours in the week and I'm not keen on ditching anything, but If I were to cut down on something, what would it be?

 

[Nostradamus]

Inspired by the popular thread:Seniors lounge (over 50) come on in., also as many have suggested to have a thread for people over 70 to share ideas and tips, etc.

How about start from: your NTRP level (self rating), how often you play weekly, Single/Double, etc.; are you using lighter racket now? Keep trying to improve your tennis skills/NTRP or learn new skills? Are you participate super senior tournament? ......

I am at 73, renewed my interests in tennis about 3 years after retirement, at NTRP 3.0 - 3.5, morning rally 1 - 1.5 hours every day, play games mainly for doubles; still try hard to improve my backhand slice, better footwork, etc.; main objectives: having funs, staying healthy

Looking forward to establish this thread as a good place for folks to share



Thanks

You guys with Osteoarthritis in the hands... how do you guys play tennis ? does it really hamper you badly ?? i have beginnings of Osteo in my thumb joint, its not hampering the movement in that joint but it seems to be getting worse and the bump on the joint seem to be getting bigger... I know there is no cure but is there anything you guys do to minimize the problems during tennis ?

 

[TennisCJC]

So here's a question, I just started playing a few years ago and right now, I'm feeling like I'm reaching a plateaux. I play a lot but not really feeling like I'm improving anymore. Current state of play looks like 3.5 hours of social, 3 hours of group classes, 3 hours of competition, 2 hours of club tennis and about 1.5 hours of dedicated practice (service and wall and maybe a private coach thrown in occasionally)
I feel like I want to scrape some extra time just for practice (wall, ball machine, service) but I don't have any extra hours in the week and I'm not keen on ditching anything, but If I were to cut down on something, what would it be?

I think eliminating social or group classes would be the best option to get more practice time. I love wall and service practice but can you find a hitting friend who would drill with you for about 90 minutes and then maybe play 1 or 2 10-point tiebreakers to end the session? I hit with friends and we do CC and DTL groundstrokes, volleys and overheads all for a few minutes each. Then we will hit about 15-20 warm-up serves each and play either tie-breakers or alternate each player serving 6 points. I find live ball drills are a little better than wall drills because live drills more closely simulate match play. I am 67 and retired so play a lot of tennis.