my strokes (5.5) if interested

Good for you Tony. Switching rackets would take me 1-2 months to totally adjust, but I know if I like a racket after 2 minutes of hitting.

After hitting with you and watching your matches, I'd suggest a flexible frame with a small headsize (95 or smaller) and a tight string pattern (18x20). I believe the 2ooG would be a good frame to check out. I have 2 extras unstrung in my bag if you wanna test drive them. You can string how you want and borrow them for a month or two. Let me know, it's no big deal.

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Originally Posted by TonLars

also folks.... back to my old racquet again, haha! Hopefully Ive learned my lesson now, I play so much better with it. I honestly think I cost myself $700 last weekend playing with the one I tried, I could probably have won with my old faithful instead.

It's a frightening thought that you could play BETTER with another frame. Be well Tony, BHBH

[mtommer]

"Should TonLars switch to a 95" racquet?"

[Urza187]

Originally Posted by TonLars

He teaches tennis in Rochester, and plays tournaments occasionally. Definitely nice guy and a solid player.

also folks.... back to my old racquet again, haha! Hopefully Ive learned my lesson now, I play so much better with it. I honestly think I cost myself $700 last weekend playing with the one I tried, I could probably have won with my old faithful instead.

I know I wasn't able to watch your match against Edlefsen, but I was able to watch your first round match, and your match against Crossley. Your first round match I thought you played really well. The match against Crossley I thought you didn't play as well....Crossley is a better player than your first rounder, but it looked like your were just hitting better in that first round. It sucks that you lost, but looking at Edlefsen play and you play, I think it would have definitely been close. He wasn't as good as I would have imagined though....I definitely don't think there is any gap between you two.

[TonLars]

Originally Posted by Urza187

I know I wasn't able to watch your match against Edlefsen, but I was able to watch your first round match, and your match against Crossley. Your first round match I thought you played really well. The match against Crossley I thought you didn't play as well....Crossley is a better player than your first rounder, but it looked like your were just hitting better in that first round. It sucks that you lost, but looking at Edlefsen play and you play, I think it would have definitely been close. He wasn't as good as I would have imagined though....I definitely don't think there is any gap between you two.

Yeah, honestly I just wasnt playing well with that racquet and since I went back to my old one ive been playing really well lately. For example the kid I lost to at the Moore Lake tournament before the Iowa tournament, ive played him in practice a few times recently and Im winning while also only losing a couple games. Edlefsen and I are usually pretty close, and before I lost in Iowa to him I had beaten him our previous match 2 years ago in a tournament final. All that matters though is that im playing well now and getting better, and im very motivated to do well the rest of the summer.

Im actually in 2 tournaments at the same time this weekend.... weird huh? One had a small draw and I wanted more matches; ill be playing 6 singles matches total this weekend between both places. Should be fun, and then once July comes I have several big tournaments with tough competition.

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Originally Posted by mtommer

"Should TonLars switch to a 95" racquet?"

Apparently not. BHBH

[maverick66]

he should use the same racket as federer because that would make tony a 4.0 instead of a 3.5.

[Devilito]

I use to play at the level tony does now and I totally agree with the 6.0ish there-abouts assessment no doubt about it. BTW Nice thread. Fun read.

[TheFuture101]

Very good strokes and footwork, I can learn a lot from you : p

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Originally Posted by Devilito

I use to play at the level tony does now and I totally agree with the 6.0ish there-abouts assessment no doubt about it. BTW Nice thread. Fun read.

I recently hit with Tony. I hit with top level DI college players on a regular basis. IF it were his inclination, Tony could train for and compete well in Futures tournaments. I could consider him a 6.0. If (owing to lingering effects from an injury and/or lack of consistent competitive play) he (or others) choose to deem him a 5.5 I can understand and respect their logic. However, I believe the ONLY thing standing between him and that 'next' level is time on the court and full healing of his body. BHBH

Originally Posted by BounceHitBounceHit

I recently hit with Tony. I hit with top level DI college players on a regular basis. IF it were his inclination, Tony could train for and compete well in Futures tournaments. I could consider him a 6.0. If (owing to lingering effects from an injury and/or lack of consistent competitive play) he (or others) choose to deem him a 5.5 I can understand and respect their logic. However, I believe the ONLY thing standing between him and that 'next' level is time on the court and full healing of his body. BHBH

I agree with this... what Tony needs to step up to winning the matches he could win is 1) a bigger serve 2) more variety in groundstrokes... almost every shot gives the same look low-med height and flat-semi flat. I think with the addition of these two, he could do some damage in qualies.

[TonLars]

Thanks guys. My serve is getting better, other than that I just need to play alot of good matches against good players to be at my best, and be at my best physically. If I play at my current best I have a good chance to get through a qualifier and get an atp point, but I dont play any futures tournaments really because of the travel. For now mainly playing open tournaments and winning money is the best option and fun.


4 matches down and 2 to go for my two tournaments this weekend!
http://tennislink.usta.com/tournamen...2&E=17&D=M&S=F
http://tennislink.usta.com/tournamen...px?T=74670&E=1

[Sup2Dresq]

Sweet! Keep up the good play TonLars

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Outstanding Tony! Keep it up man. We are pulling for you. Best, BHBH

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Originally Posted by maverick66

he should use the same racket as federer because that would make tony a 4.0 instead of a 3.5.

Excellent point! Wish I'd thought of that one.

So, if Fed does switch to a 95si frame, he will truly be a 7.5 and the GOAT, right?

Oh, wait, I forgot............he already is the Greatest of All Time!

BHBH

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Quote:
Originally Posted by J011yroger
+1, T is a great guy, and never has a bad word to say about anybody, why people give him crap is beyond me.

And to imply that there are 4.5s in Atlanta that can 0 and 1 Tony when Alex Clayton (you know the guy who plays for Stanford and is around 800 in the world) couldn't?

I am kind of curious as to who plays in these 4.5 leagues you speak of. Did Tommy Haas sign up when he came off his shoulder surgery to work himself back into playing form?

Mr. Haas states "Well the surgery went well, and my team expects me back to full strength in 8-12 weeks of rehab. After I complete the PT, I will play an exhibition against Pete Sampras, and then sign up for the Alta 4.5 league. If I can win 75% of my matches at 4.5 then I can go into Roland Garros knowing that I am ready to go 5 sets against Federer."

J

Hi J-Rog,

Trust me my friend, Tony is the REAL DEAL. The guy can fliat out play, period.

Last May I sat immediately courtside (first row, as it were! ) and watched our #1 player go down in two EXTREMELY close sets, 7-6, 6-4 (I am recalling the scores from memory, so forigive me if they are a bit off) to one John Isner. Two months later Isner took the first set off of Fed at one of the summer ATP hard court events and was a finalist at another.

I think Tony, if anything, is overly modest. I see his abilities as on par with those of many of the other players I see pass this way every fall and spring at the local DI university's courts. Is he ready to take on Isner or our number 1 player? Not right now. But IF he had the desire, resources, and time to train and travel could he? Why not?

BHBH
__________________

[maverick66]

Originally Posted by BounceHitBounceHit

Excellent point! Wish I'd thought of that one.

So, if Fed does switch to a 95si frame, he will truly be a 7.5 and the GOAT, right?

Oh, wait, I forgot............he already is the Greatest of All Time!

BHBH

what if rog switched to a 100 inch racket? he could be the first 10 ever. he might even go up to 11.

But wait if tony switched to a wood racket and served and volleyed he could double bagel rog and nadal at the same time making him a 12.

[J011yroger]

Originally Posted by BounceHitBounceHit

Hi J-Rog,

Trust me my friend, Tony is the REAL DEAL. The guy can fliat out play, period.

BHBH

I don't need convincing

Just pointing out how absurd it is for people to give T grief when he is like the nicest guy ever, never has a bad thing to say about anyone, and has a record to back up more than he claims.

J

[J011yroger]

Originally Posted by maverick66

what if rog switched to a 100 inch racket? he could be the first 10 ever. he might even go up to 11.

But wait if tony switched to a wood racket and served and volleyed he could double bagel rog and nadal at the same time making him a 12.

These. . . go to 11.

J

[maverick66]

Originally Posted by J011yroger

I don't need convincing

Just pointing out how absurd it is for people to give T grief when he is like the nicest guy ever, never has a bad thing to say about anyone, and has a record to back up more than he claims.

J

the claims people are making around here are getting pretty sad. Its not just that one thread but it seems to be getting worse. There used to be a few people making claims here and there but its getting really bad.

On subject tony does go to 11. Everyone else goes to 10 but he goes 11 because thats louder.