my strokes (5.5) if interested

[jasonbourne]

TonLars, thanks for sharing your vids. I'm only a 5.0 and regularly play against players that hit similar to you. Great 2hbh. One suggestion I have for the fh is maintain a "quiet" head and get lower, stay "on" the ground through the stroke for more penetration and better placement.
Since this was taken couple of years ago, you probably do this now.

Best wishes in the summer.

[35ft6]

Originally Posted by TonLars

Haha oh you found that from my senior season? Yeah, I had a really good match that day, it was fun. He is a good player and Gustavus is a very good team, id reccomend anyone to go there if they are looking in the area and not going Division 1 or something. Their coach is one of the best youll ever come across

Butorac winning an ATP doubles title is mind blowing. On TV, you could see that his strokes were the worst on the court, but hustling in doubles goes a long way. You could see him and Murray wanted it wayyyyyy more. I've heard great things about Gustavos.

You hit your forehand a lot like Nadia Petrova. Did you guys ever play any of the top d-2 teams? Ever scrimmage Northwood, the Michigan one?

[TonLars]

Originally Posted by 35ft6

Butorac winning an ATP doubles title is mind blowing. On TV, you could see that his strokes were the worst on the court, but hustling in doubles goes a long way. You could see him and Murray wanted it wayyyyyy more. I've heard great things about Gustavos.

You hit your forehand a lot like Nadia Petrova. Did you guys ever play any of the top d-2 teams? Ever scrimmage Northwood, the Michigan one?

Yeah im happy for Butorac he is doing amazing in doubles right now with Murray! He is a great doubles player with his height and serve and net play, also he is an example of how people can be alot better at either singles or doubles. I am pretty even with him for singles but he is now top 45 I think on ATP for doubles now having won about 3 titles which is just as you said more than anyone could ever ask for and I certainly could never accomplish that!

We actually almost played Northwood as we would have met them in the sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament but we lost in the round of 32 to Nebraska-Kearney.

[OrangeOne]

Any junior / pretender who even thinks (dreams) they're at this level without actually being at this level, needs to look at the consistency and the footwork (let alone the fitness).

Hitting for a minute-plus with consistent, directed, solidly hit balls? That's high level. Many, many, many steps (too hard to count) between each shot, positioning carefully for each shot? Also high level.

Most players will play their whole lives without reaching 5.5....

[TENNIS_99]

Originally Posted by TonLars

Although the guy probably would beat me more often than lose, I did have a win last summer in a tournament final over a player who made the spring Division 1 singles tournament. I wont mention his name but he played #1 for Minnesota last year and did well, although this year he has done poorly due to a major injury and has played in the middle of their lineup.

Well, it's not absolute that D1 players are much more better. I know someone had junior ranking in the 100's came to the States played a few Futures went to a D2 and was bageled in some D2 conference. So work it up and good luck

good luck Tonlars. u can only get better. i will keep a lookout for u in the qualifiers.

Originally Posted by TonLars

Heres two links I just made of me hitting groundstrokes 2 years ago for a guy that does video analysis. I can put a couple others up later, but for now I have here basic cross court topspin forehands and backhands:

backhands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGR1n0Xhvvk Disregard blank blue screen for first 10"
forehands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRj1mV6n-VU
backhand flatter drives and some slices: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqbbYVl2Fqg
forehand short angles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvP_C7tBz1k

Comment if you like I guess. Im a 5.5 out of college and playing Open tournaments for cash and trying to do something in the Futures this summer.

your a 4.5 a best

[SlapShot]

Nice vids Tony. Your footwork is really strong.

If you ever come down to Minneapolis and want to go hit, I'm always up for knowcking some balls around.

[goober]

Originally Posted by DraGoNoFfiR3

your a 4.5 a best

Yes based on your vast competitive tennis experience and extensive USTA tourney play I think we should defer to your rating of this player. clearly you are in the know. Oh wait a minute I forgot you posted this-

Originally Posted by DraGoNoFfiR3

any advice to a newbie to usta tourneys? i'm about 3.5, i'm the 3rd best on my high school team, but ive never had the chance to play in a usta tournament.

i plan on joining a satellite 16 tournament soon, so any advice on my first usta tourney? should i be afraid?

[J011yroger]

Originally Posted by cam2

I think it's funny that that the people who were the most critical here and in other threads are probably the weakest players and the better players gave credit were it's due.

Could it have something to do with the fact that we have busted our *rear end* for hours upon hours, and years upon years to get to a good level, and understand the amount of work and dedication it takes, and so would never talk down someone else who worked that hard, whereas those who have never played at a high level who sit on their *rear end* watching tv and listening to commentators who say Roddick is a serve and a forehand, and Agassi can't volley, who go out and hit a few balls with their buddies on the weekends have absolutely no comprehension of the hours of work and pain and frustration it takes, and in some little demented corner of their mind actually believe that with a little practice they could actually compete at that high a level.

I dunno...could be.

J

[waves2ya]

Dude - nice strokes...

Good sound.

[serveitup911]

Nice compact, consistent strokes, TonLars. The first thing I noticed was the early preparation on the backhand. You seem to like your backhand more - you were always moving forward for it. On your forehand, you sometimes hit off your back foot, but had pretty solid results anyway.

You seem to be in great shape and I'm sure you make people work hard to beat you! Keep up the good work, and good luck if you decide to play some futures!

People who said he's not hitting hard or not a 5.5 - you just have no idea. That ball is moving pretty fast and consistently landing deep. If you are making comments like that, TonLars would probably be happy to wipe you off the court!

[saqdeez]

Originally Posted by goober

Yes based on your vast competitive tennis experience and extensive USTA tourney play I think we should defer to your rating of this player. clearly you are in the know. Oh wait a minute I forgot you posted this-

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHHAHAAAHHAHAHAHAAHA HAHAHAHA!!!!

[beernutz]

Originally Posted by goober

Yes based on your vast competitive tennis experience and extensive USTA tourney play I think we should defer to your rating of this player. clearly you are in the know. Oh wait a minute I forgot you posted this-

LOL - you OWNED him goober, well done.

[drakulie]

Originally Posted by J011yroger

Could it have something to do with the fact that we have busted our *rear end* for hours upon hours, and years upon years to get to a good level, and understand the amount of work and dedication it takes, and so would never talk down someone else who worked that hard, whereas those who have never played at a high level who sit on their *rear end* watching tv and listening to commentators who say Roddick is a serve and a forehand, and Agassi can't volley, who go out and hit a few balls with their buddies on the weekends have absolutely no comprehension of the hours of work and pain and frustration it takes, and in some little demented corner of their mind actually believe that with a little practice they could actually compete at that high a level.

I dunno...could be.

J

JO, Nice way to sum it up.

Ton, nice strokes. Thanks for sharing!

As others have stated>> and speaking from experience>>> I guarantee he is hitting the ball with very good pace. Pace of the shots, for whatever reason, doesn't tranlsate well to video. It gives a false perception that the ball is traveling slower than it really is.

[Fedace]

I think Tony has better backhand than forehand. Backhand looks more reliable and more flexible, looks like can hit with power and disguise on the backhand side. but the forehand seem to be off the back foot too much. could have better weight shift into the shot on the forehand side, and balance is not always there either. ON the backhand side, could use better hip rotation into the shot to get more power if need be.

[Phil]

Tony - I like the fact that you use a very compact loop and minimal backswing on your forehand. No wasted motion, nice smooth swing and follow through. One reason my f/h is inconsistant is the too-complex junk that comes before making contact. I would advise any beginning or intermediate player to look at your style.

Originally Posted by goober

Yes based on your vast competitive tennis experience and extensive USTA tourney play I think we should defer to your rating of this player. clearly you are in the know. Oh wait a minute I forgot you posted this-

yes and i acknowledge that

however, im still sure that i, a usta newbie, am able to beat any player who hits like the player in the video, (4.5 at best).

I HIT BETTER THAN THAT, and ive never played a tourney before.

[saqdeez]

oMg dragin ur awesome!!! pls post vids so we c@n lernnnn teh m0d3rn str0kez!!!

[Andres]

Originally Posted by goober

Yes based on your vast competitive tennis experience and extensive USTA tourney play I think we should defer to your rating of this player. clearly you are in the know. Oh wait a minute I forgot you posted this-

And he also asked:
"btw what is a tweener? is that like a really light/powerful racket?"