Looking for ambitious tennis partner(s)

[peoplespeace]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Yes let's see this serve.

There is a TW sponsored blog about a very talented player pursuing 1 ATP point right now that you should read.

Ok u have a link?

[yonexpurestorm]

http://blog.tenniswarehouse.com/cate...ennis-travels/

[yonexpurestorm]

id be interested in some of your progress. have you entered any tournaments. gotten any good wins. im basically trying to do the same thing with winning an atp point. however, i still have to work and progress in my career. but i would be interested in seeing how youre tournament results are looking.

[2ndServe]

hey man come to southern california, I'd like to hit some. I have this same love of the game. It left me for about 7 years but maybe that's good because I have so much desire to play it now. I'm not bad and I can give most a decent hitting session. My claim to fame is I took a set off of a former wimbledon player as a junior. This is me hitting, I've improved some since these were taken.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8VJx89bKyo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUkVrSd9tuc

[West Coast Ace]

Originally Posted by 2ndServe

I'm not bad and I can give most a decent hitting session.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8VJx89bKyo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUkVrSd9tuc

Nice strokes. Nice to see someone actually hitting the ball on the rise. Serve is very smooth too.

[peoplespeace]

Originally Posted by 2ndServe

hey man come to southern california, I'd like to hit some. I have this same love of the game. It left me for about 7 years but maybe that's good because I have so much desire to play it now. I'm not bad and I can give most a decent hitting session. My claim to fame is I took a set off of a former wimbledon player as a junior. This is me hitting, I've improved some since these were taken.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8VJx89bKyo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUkVrSd9tuc

nice hitting, looks looks like we could do some good drilling, how are u in match play? Tx for the offer to go to SoCal, u can also come to france where im based right now, u can stay at my place, i have a spare room.

Grea things are happening to my game these days, but finding people at a good level to play with everyday isnt easy but im playing an open indoor tournament at my club next month. Looking forward to that as i havent played alot of tournaments.

[2ndServe]

Originally Posted by peoplespeace

nice hitting, looks looks like we could do some good drilling, how are u in match play? Tx for the offer to go to SoCal, u can also come to france where im based right now, u can stay at my place, i have a spare room.

Grea things are happening to my game these days, but finding people at a good level to play with everyday isnt easy but im playing an open indoor tournament at my club next month. Looking forward to that as i havent played alot of tournaments.

thx West Coast Ace.

peoplespeace if you're serious I'm very much interested in France. I used to as a kid to drill in the mornings, rest/eat, maybe workout/play/drill in the afternoon, eat, play in the evenings. I'm definitely interested in becoming the best possible player I can be, and of course if you find yourself in beautiful socal you are welcome to train/crash at my place.

That being said I can't do this schedule right now as I'm working fulltime but I'd still be able to hit before work, go to work and hit after work should you find yourself here for a few weeks on vacation or travel.

I actually prefer match play but I love drills with a purpose and improvement. I'm not that much into rallying for hours because it doesn't seem like the best use of time. I prefer drilling/training on weaknesses and improving weapons.

gl man, keep chasing the dream.

[peoplespeace]

Originally Posted by 2ndServe

thx West Coast Ace.

peoplespeace if you're serious I'm very much interested in France. I used to as a kid to drill in the mornings, rest/eat, maybe workout/play/drill in the afternoon, eat, play in the evenings. I'm definitely interested in becoming the best possible player I can be, and of course if you find yourself in beautiful socal you are welcome to train/crash at my place.

That being said I can't do this schedule right now as I'm working fulltime but I'd still be able to hit before work, go to work and hit after work should you find yourself here for a few weeks on vacation or travel.

I actually prefer match play but I love drills with a purpose and improvement. I'm not that much into rallying for hours because it doesn't seem like the best use of time. I prefer drilling/training on weaknesses and improving weapons.

gl man, keep chasing the dream.

Sure im serious. Currently my plan is to stay here in France until mid september, so i was thinking that if u didnt have any plans til then u could come here and train and stay at my place. From mid september i would like to go go a month to an academy somewhere in southeastern europe, maybe croatia, Czech republic, serbia (as a homage to the great Djoko or something like that. I will have to do some research to find a suitable place with enough good players.

If my route comes by SoCal i will definetely take u up on ur offer!

Gl to u2 m8 and lets turn those dreams into reality ;0)

[2ndServe]

so I read a few more and people are hella negative, forget them. Everyone says you can't, nothing in this world drives me more than people telling me I can't do something. The human body is amazing, it'll do things you never thought possible. So here are my tips.

1) Develop as strong a 2nd serve as possible. You should be swing as fast or faster on the 2nd serve but of course with spin. You should be serving hundreds per day placing it at will

2) Practice 2nd serve returns. Find someone who understand tennis and it'll be very beneficial for you, as they will practice their 2nd serves and you'll be practicing your returns. If you look at the top player stats, the best players are always at the top in 2nd serve points won on their serve and 2nd serve return points won.

3) Get fit as possible, if your movement is top notch you'll be a great player. Champions may have had a bad stroke here or there but the common thing is that they could move, it'll help playing defense, attacking, and getting you back to neutral points.

4) Stretch, a lot. With all that tennis (not sure of surface but hard courts here can be bad for the joints) you'll need to avoid injury especially as we age.

5) Develop a big weapon (probably a forehand). I've played with guys in the futures and have seen matches (about 8 years ago so things have changed). Back then I think you could win by being super fit, hitting deep and not being attackable but time has changed and having a big forehand makes things much easier.

GL

[SusanDK]

There are a few of these threads on TT right now of players training with the ultimate goal of earning an ATP point (I'm enjoying reading them, btw).

Just an idea - why don't a group of you get together and see if you can get a couple days clinic with Mats Wilander through http://wilanderonwheels.com .

Since you all have the same goal, where else can a group of players who aren't already top prospects get a chance to work with a former #1, 7-time grand slam winner.

Have a look at this thread:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=324652

I'm sure Mats would tailor the clinics to focus on what you need to do to reach your dreams. I'll bet he could instantly break down the details of your games and what you needed to work on.

He would probably enjoy working with a group that was as serious as you are about tennis.

[peoplespeace]

Originally Posted by SusanDK

There are a few of these threads on TT right now of players training with the ultimate goal of earning an ATP point (I'm enjoying reading them, btw).

Just an idea - why don't a group of you get together and see if you can get a couple days clinic with Mats Wilander through http://wilanderonwheels.com .

Since you all have the same goal, where else can a group of players who aren't already top prospects get a chance to work with a former #1, 7-time grand slam winner.

Have a look at this thread:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=324652

I'm sure Mats would tailor the clinics to focus on what you need to do to reach your dreams. I'll bet he could instantly break down the details of your games and what you needed to work on.

He would probably enjoy working with a group that was as serious as you are about tennis.

Hi SusanDK! Tx for ur advice, im also reading the blog of that Andy guy, good reading. Are there others like his?

I would love to get together with a group of players with the same goals, that is why i created this thread in the first place! Regarding a clinic with Mat Wilander i dont think that would be of my interest as anything than a great happening. However i would like to work intensively with a (very) good and carefully selected coach on a part time basis while being in a group of likeminded players and most importantly one player of at least atp ranking of 400 with solid baseline shots. Without this atp level player the rest wont do the trick. However, u need 4-6 people to share the costs of this, which is what i aimed at last year, unsuccesfully though. The second best would be a top notch academy and paying for extra lessons with the top coaches, this would probably cost more than 5000 usd/month which i dont have. The other and probably more effective solution would cost each person about 1000 usd/month plus the cost of shared accomodation, food ect. This is doable for me but i need another 4-5 guys!

[peoplespeace]

Originally Posted by 2ndServe

so I read a few more and people are hella negative, forget them. Everyone says you can't, nothing in this world drives me more than people telling me I can't do something. The human body is amazing, it'll do things you never thought possible. So here are my tips.

1) Develop as strong a 2nd serve as possible. You should be swing as fast or faster on the 2nd serve but of course with spin. You should be serving hundreds per day placing it at will

2) Practice 2nd serve returns. Find someone who understand tennis and it'll be very beneficial for you, as they will practice their 2nd serves and you'll be practicing your returns. If you look at the top player stats, the best players are always at the top in 2nd serve points won on their serve and 2nd serve return points won.

3) Get fit as possible, if your movement is top notch you'll be a great player. Champions may have had a bad stroke here or there but the common thing is that they could move, it'll help playing defense, attacking, and getting you back to neutral points.

4) Stretch, a lot. With all that tennis (not sure of surface but hard courts here can be bad for the joints) you'll need to avoid injury especially as we age.

5) Develop a big weapon (probably a forehand). I've played with guys in the futures and have seen matches (about 8 years ago so things have changed). Back then I think you could win by being super fit, hitting deep and not being attackable but time has changed and having a big forehand makes things much easier.

GL

The negative people neither annoy me nor motivate me, maybe 10-20 yrs ago they would have. It would be like getting upset at somebody for not understanding that the earth is round in the 15th century, u have to understand where they are coming from.......

Tx alot for th advices, all good ones. The weapons im developping are 1st serve, agressive forehand, bh dtl. A current weak shot that i want to make a weapon is the drop shot. My volley is pretty decent at the net but weak when going forward and volleying a fast shot at the service line, so starting to work on that.

As im starting to play more and more relaxed the stress on the shoulder and albow is greater than when i was muscling the ball, which i feel, so have started to do rotator cuff band excercises. My plan is to be even fitter, stronger, healthier in 10 yrs from now in every aspect so need to take care of myself.

[jdubbs]

Originally Posted by peoplespeace

The negative people neither annoy me nor motivate me, maybe 10-20 yrs ago they would have. It would be like getting upset at somebody for not understanding that the earth is round in the 15th century, u have to understand where they are coming from.......

So, you're comparing those of us who think going for a pro tennis career at the age of 43 with the skills of a 3.5 to those who didn't realize the earth was round in the 15th century?

You couldn't make this up, folks. Seriously.

[eliza]

Hey guys, chill out. This is just a forum where we play and toy with ideas. Who knows their future? Why are people so drastic in drawing lines?
You never know. A man at 40 discovered ballet: everybody (me included) thought he will never make it. Sure, he is not a NYC or ABT soloist, but at 42 he dances. Beautifully.
I wish all adults tennis players here the very best. Keep studying this sport, keep practising, keep finding the best in yourselves. AND, NO, do not take NO for an answer!

[eliza]

SusanDK, I would prefer Navratilova....count me in the group...

[goober]

Originally Posted by eliza

You never know. A man at 40 discovered ballet: everybody (me included) thought he will never make it. Sure, he is not a NYC or ABT soloist, but at 42 he dances. Beautifully.
!

40 year old who discovers ballet and wishes to dance. Nothing wrong with that. I don't know why anybody who wanted to participate in ballet couldn't at any age.

40 year old that comes onto a ballet forum and posts "I just discovered ballet. My goal is to become a principal dancer in the NYC ballet within in 2 years" is pretty much the equivalent post here.

[peoplespeace]

Originally Posted by goober

40 year old who discovers ballet and wishes to dance. Nothing wrong with that. I don't know why anybody who wanted to participate in ballet couldn't at any age.

40 year old that comes onto a ballet forum and posts "I just discovered ballet. My goal is to become a principal dancer in the NYC ballet within in 2 years" is pretty much the equivalent post here.

if my ambition is so far fetched already then there shouldnt be any need to further exaggerate, eg earning a couple of atp points (which i will) is not the equivalent of being principal dancer at the NYC ballet, that would be the equivalent of being a top 20 player. Nor have i ever said that i will be a professional tennisplayer.

And no it is not that difficult to get better at tennis if u take charge of ur own improvement dont expect a coach to be able to teach u to play and dont expect improvement to happen automatically just with practice and little reflection.

As for my current level, i have played three matched with an american guy who plays 4.0 back home. After our first match i asked him what he thought my level would be in NTRP terms and he said a strong 4.5 or 5.0. And i wasnt playing up tp my normal standard. Yesterday we both played considerably better than our first match and he got 3 games in 3.5 sets. My game is improving fast and that is without having the setup that i want and was looking for last year which i know would make my level really take off. On the other hand it has given me the time to work on my serve which i believe is at the level of an avarage futere level player which im rather proud off as ive only had some 5 serve lessons.

[goober]

Originally Posted by peoplespeace

if my ambition is so far fetched already then there shouldnt be any need to further exaggerate, eg earning a couple of atp points (which i will) is not the equivalent of being principal dancer at the NYC ballet, that would be the equivalent of being a top 20 player. Nor have i ever said that i will be a professional tennisplayer.

And no it is not that difficult to get better at tennis if u take charge of ur own improvement dont expect a coach to be able to teach u to play and dont expect improvement to happen automatically just with practice and little reflection.

As for my current level, i have played three matched with an american guy who plays 4.0 back home. After our first match i asked him what he thought my level would be in NTRP terms and he said a strong 4.5 or 5.0. And i wasnt playing up tp my normal standard. Yesterday we both played considerably better than our first match and he got 3 games in 3.5 sets. My game is improving fast and that is without having the setup that i want and was looking for last year which i know would make my level really take off. On the other hand it has given me the time to work on my serve which i believe is at the level of an avarage futere level player which im rather proud off as ive only had some 5 serve lessons.

I agree that principal dancer is a bit of an exaggeration, although I would not call it the equivalent of top 20 ATP. NYC ballet has around a dozen soloists and there are many other ballet companies around the world so principal dancer would be much much lower. How about the equivalent would be a dancer at any metropolitan professional ballet troupe?

So you have 6.0 level serve after 5 lessons? You must be incredibly talented. You must have had a huge improvement from the last video you posted. Care to show us this serve?

[Power Player]

Got news for you OP, if you are playing for ATP points, you WILL be a professional tennis player because of the commitment and financing it will take to do it.

[jdubbs]

Congratulations on your quest. How is the futures tour going?