What is your quirk?

[floridatennisdude]

So, plenty of people on these boards are quick to point out what drives them nuts. So, let's take a moment to look in the mirror.
----------------------
What is one of your quirks or habits during a match that might seem odd to an opponent?
----------------------
For me, I always want all 3 tennis balls on my side. I do this because I have a mental habit of never serving with the same ball twice in a row. For example, if a ball is used during one point, it gets put back at the fence, the ball that was at the fence goes in my pocket and the ball that was in my pocket becomes my 1st serve ball.

No one has ever really directly complained to me about it, but I am upfront on my first service game that I'd like all three. I would assume that my process might make people believe that I am slowing down play, but that is actually not why I do it. Although, it does give me a few seconds to catch my breath.

[spot]

I talk to myself a TON. I am a very auditory learner so I will just constantly tell myself what I think that a coach would normally be telling me. Every point I'll talk to myself about what I could have done differently or what I want to be focused on. In friendly singles matches where I am just working on my stuff if people listen to me then I'll be happily giving away my plan for the next point.

[michael_1265]

Originally Posted by floridatennisdude

So, plenty of people on these boards are quick to point out what drives them nuts. So, let's take a moment to look in the mirror.
----------------------
What is one of your quirks or habits during a match that might seem odd to an opponent?
----------------------
For me, I always want all 3 tennis balls on my side. I do this because I have a mental habit of never serving with the same ball twice in a row. For example, if a ball is used during one point, it gets put back at the fence, the ball that was at the fence goes in my pocket and the ball that was in my pocket becomes my 1st serve ball.

No one has ever really directly complained to me about it, but I am upfront on my first service game that I'd like all three. I would assume that my process might make people believe that I am slowing down play, but that is actually not why I do it. Although, it does give me a few seconds to catch my breath.

I doubt that I would notice your quirk. I usually don't pay much attention until my opponent is ready to serve.

When I am on the run, especially hitting a forehand off a deep ball, I am very focused on contact. Sometimes, I am so focused that I have probably hit a ball 2-3" outside of the line. It has annoyed some players at times. Why be annoyed by a freebie??????

[zcarzach]

My quirk is that I will not serve a ball that has just been thrown to me by my opponent. I don't know why. So I switch balls in and out of my pocket a lot. I also will not serve a ball that I faulted with, so if I double, I will need the third ball for the next side.

[mikeler]

A lot of people talk to themselves, so I'm not sure if that is a very unique quirk I have. I guess a quirk of mine is that I usually wear gray shorts with white shirts.

[spiderman123]

Originally Posted by floridatennisdude

So, plenty of people on these boards are quick to point out what drives them nuts. So, let's take a moment to look in the mirror.
----------------------
What is one of your quirks or habits during a match that might seem odd to an opponent?
----------------------
For me, I always want all 3 tennis balls on my side. I do this because I have a mental habit of never serving with the same ball twice in a row.

I do that too since I like to serve with the least fluffed up ball every time. Sometimes it is difficult to tell but I act as if I can tell easily.

After hitting a winner, I walk back as if nothing happened and it is a very routine shot for me.

[OrangePower]

Originally Posted by floridatennisdude

For me, I always want all 3 tennis balls on my side. I do this because I have a mental habit of never serving with the same ball twice in a row. For example, if a ball is used during one point, it gets put back at the fence, the ball that was at the fence goes in my pocket and the ball that was in my pocket becomes my 1st serve ball.

Originally Posted by spot

I talk to myself a TON. I am a very auditory learner so I will just constantly tell myself what I think that a coach would normally be telling me. Every point I'll talk to myself about what I could have done differently or what I want to be focused on. In friendly singles matches where I am just working on my stuff if people listen to me then I'll be happily giving away my plan for the next point.

Ha, I do both of these!

I need to have all three balls when I'm serving. Even in dubs, I'll ask my partner to always give me the third. Funny thing is, I don't have any reason for this other than wanting the balls in my control - I don't pick and choose from the three balls.

And I regularly talk to myself... but it seems a lot of people do.

[CaldwellYSR]

Originally Posted by floridatennisdude

So, plenty of people on these boards are quick to point out what drives them nuts. So, let's take a moment to look in the mirror.
----------------------
What is one of your quirks or habits during a match that might seem odd to an opponent?
----------------------
For me, I always want all 3 tennis balls on my side. I do this because I have a mental habit of never serving with the same ball twice in a row. For example, if a ball is used during one point, it gets put back at the fence, the ball that was at the fence goes in my pocket and the ball that was in my pocket becomes my 1st serve ball.

No one has ever really directly complained to me about it, but I am upfront on my first service game that I'd like all three. I would assume that my process might make people believe that I am slowing down play, but that is actually not why I do it. Although, it does give me a few seconds to catch my breath.

Interesting post!

I agree with the 3 balls things. I always want to have three... don't really know why. My most annoying quirk though is probably that I can't serve if the people on the other side are talking. We play recreationally and everyone talks alot... but for some reason I just feel like they aren't ready so I wait and wait for them to stop :P

Oh... and I'm a lefty, that really drives people nuts when I play at the net. They try to pass my forehand side so much because the forget it's not my backhand

[floridatennisdude]

Originally Posted by spiderman123

I do that too since I like to serve with the least fluffed up ball every time. Sometimes it is difficult to tell but I act as if I can tell easily.

After hitting a winner, I walk back as if nothing happened and it is a very routine shot for me.

That is another reason that I rotate the balls. If I want to hit a flat, hard serve I want the ball that the felt is matted down and my pocket mats it down. I remember Roddick giving that pointer out on TTC at one point and I've followed it ever since.

Something in my brain tells me to wear the balls out evenly throughout the match, which is the main reason that I discard a ball to the fence that has just been rallied with. Goofy, but it's what I do.

[Taxvictim]

Originally Posted by OrangePower

I need to have all three balls when I'm serving. Even in dubs, I'll ask my partner to always give me the third. Funny thing is, I don't have any reason for this other than wanting the balls in my control - I don't pick and choose from the three balls.

That's me, too. All 3 balls when serving, if for no other reason than it makes it so much easier to get the top ball out of my pocket when my first serve hits the net.

[Ico]

I have a Head dampener to go with my Head racquet. I always spin the racquet so that when I look down, the apex of each logo is facing up.

[prgault]

Originally Posted by spiderman123

After hitting a winner, I walk back as if nothing happened and it is a very routine shot for me.

Ditto on that one, I'm sure my partners/opponents notice others...

P_

[MesQueUnClub]

Mine is a combination of wanting all 3 balls and never serving twice in a row with the same ball. I also have this superstition of never serving with the last ball my opponent tosses back to me. The ritual of switching the ball keeps me focused.

[retlod]

I'm bad about returning serves that are out. I also like to have all three balls on my side when I'm serving...and on the other guy's side when he's serving, so he gets all three whether he wants them or not!

[Cindysphinx]

I think my quirk is that I am very precise about my toss. Sadly, my toss is not consistent. This can lead to my tossing the ball four times before I get one I like. I then hit it, and it is often an outstanding serve.

That has got to be annoying.

It used to be much worse -- I routinely had to toss 3, 4, 5 times. Now I can get it the first time most of the time. But when it is a big point, or I DF'd earlier, or it is a tiebreak, or I am hitting one of my least favorite serves . . . well, you're going to have to wait.

[F L O B B E R]

To be honest Cindy, that would **** me off... I wouldn't view it as quirky, I would tend to view it as rude / gamesmanship. Once in a while is fine (we aren't robots) but 3,4 or 5 times "frequently"? That's ridiculous.

[Mike Y]

I throw my racket and cuss at myself a lot.

[I Heart Thomas Muster]

I don't think I have any on court quirks which is surprising considering how superstitious I am and the preparations I go through before actually getting onto the court. As long as those "rituals" are met I can play tennis with a clear mind.

I tell lies. When changing over I don't just drop the balls. I pick up the balls on my side and will either hand them to my opponent or put them near where they are sitting. I do this whether or not they return the favor. Just seems more respectful to me.

[grolson1993]

Originally Posted by floridatennisdude

----------------------
For me, I always want all 3 tennis balls on my side. I do this because I have a mental habit of never serving with the same ball twice in a row. For example, if a ball is used during one point, it gets put back at the fence, the ball that was at the fence goes in my pocket and the ball that was in my pocket becomes my 1st serve ball.

No one has ever really directly complained to me about it, but I am upfront on my first service game that I'd like all three. I would assume that my process might make people believe that I am slowing down play, but that is actually not why I do it. Although, it does give me a few seconds to catch my breath.

i do this too glad to know im not the only one!

[mucat]

I bounce the ball too much and it annoys me but I have to do.