My set with a former D1 Female player (video)

Heck

Rookie
So this is not really battle of the sexes but a battle of D1 level vs 3.5 usta rated level.

So I am a mid 40's league 3.5 player who is trying to reach 4.0 and I make videos for my channel.
I got the chance to play a former D1 player who took a few years off after college and now is getting
back into the game. She agreed to do this match for fun and to help my channel.

Hope you enjoy


UPDATE: MY D1 MATCH VIDEO WAS REVIEWED BY Jeff Salzenstein FROM TENNIS EVOLUTION.

 
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Matthew ATX

Semi-Pro
So this is not really battle of the sexes but a battle of D1 level vs 3.5 usta rated level.

So I am a mid 40's league 3.5 player who is trying to reach 4.0 and I make videos for my channel.
I got the chance to play a former D1 player who took a few years off after college and now is getting
back into the game. She agreed to do this match for fun and to help my channel.

Hope you enjoy


Haha, surely you jest.
 

Moveforwardalways

Hall of Fame
So this is not really battle of the sexes but a battle of D1 level vs 3.5 usta rated level.

So I am a mid 40's league 3.5 player who is trying to reach 4.0 and I make videos for my channel.
I got the chance to play a former D1 player who took a few years off after college and now is getting
back into the game. She agreed to do this match for fun and to help my channel.

Hope you enjoy


Bro your accent sounds one of the sidekicks from the Sopranos. Winning.
 
Only saw a few minutes of it, but fill fully qualified to make unlimited comments. Will return to watching after making some popcorn and going back to sleep from my hang-over.

Good on you for getting a cute young chick to hit with you under the pretense that you would put her into the moving pictures--I'm going to try that with my new Galaxy 9 phone. You deserve a Golden Globe nomination for cinematography--or a job with the Tennis Channel now that Gimelslob is on leave for tricking while he should have been treating.

Sandbagger! You are at least a 4.0.

A cardinal rule here was broken, leaving that oversize bag on the bench!

As per the previous thread above--a hinder should have been called on almost every point due to the sound effects coming from the teaching court near-by.

You serve from the doubles position--Why?

She has a funky serve--but she's cute--could you please have her PM me, I can fix it for her, since she's cute.

Back to sleep now--will finish watching after sobering up--will write a review for VARIETY.
 

J D

Semi-Pro
You didn't ask for advice, but I feel compelled to mention a few things.

You play well and have solid 4.0 texhnique and a 4.0+ serve. You could/should have played her even, but you continually leaked points due to strategy, not strokes:
1) her serve wasn't overpowering but you hit many medium returns up the middle, giving her a chance to take control of the point right away. When you returned to the corners you put her at a disadvantage,
2) you hit many approach shots crosscourt. Even the pros do this often and get passed because it opens up both the down the line and cross court passing lanes. Keep the ball in front of you, cover the up the line shot, and make her hit the more difficult crosscourt pass, if the approach is going crosscourt, just stay back,
3) you lost several service points because you're standing in the middle of one side on your serve, leaving the up the line return for a winner. This isn't doubles, stand closer to the center,
4) your serve was better than hers. Take advantage of that by going for the corners more, especially on first serves,
5) like many D1 women, GS's are her specialty and passing shots her bread and butter. Unlike when playing against 3.5-4.0 men, you didn't really gain an advantage coming in when she's hitting on the run unless you really have her stretching. I like attacking, but you need to be a little more selective about what you come in behind with her.
6) You are going to lose just standing at the baseline trading topspin GS's. Mix up placement, spin, and depth more. She's a machine when camped out at the baseline (and will only get better).

She'll play better against you as she works her way back into the game and gets used to your serve. You need to make the adjustments now and beat her while you still can, lol.

Thanks for posting, I enjoyed watching.
 
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TagUrIt

Hall of Fame
Hey there Heck, I watched the entire video. It was enjoyable to watch. You tried and you got three games out of the set. Not bad at all. You seem to rush in and attack a lot, even when there’s nothing to attack. I felt she passed you a lot simply because of your positioning on the court. She has odd serve, but it works for her. Overall nice playing from you both.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
So this is not really battle of the sexes but a battle of D1 level vs 3.5 usta rated level.

So I am a mid 40's league 3.5 player who is trying to reach 4.0 and I make videos for my channel.
I got the chance to play a former D1 player who took a few years off after college and now is getting
back into the game. She agreed to do this match for fun and to help my channel.

Hope you enjoy

You do understand that coming into net on Short Crosscourt approach shots is not a good strategy. I hope. at 3.5 level, down the line Deep is the best approach shot you can hit, even if your opponent knows it is going there.
 

BallBag

Professional
You do understand that coming into net on Short Crosscourt approach shots is not a good strategy. I hope. at 3.5 level, down the line Deep is the best approach shot you can hit, even if your opponent knows it is going there.
IDK about that, he hits flat so he could probably use the extra court and I would rather deal with her forehead than backhand.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
IDK about that, he hits flat so he could probably use the extra court and I would rather deal with her forehead than backhand.
this is the flawed reasoning that 3.5 guys have. Court positioning and angle that you have to cover is much better if you approach down the line. No matter how good someone's backhand is, if you approach down the line 10 X and cross court 10X, you will find that you win about 30-40 % more points by approaching down the line. This is something that John Macenroe always knew and used.
 

Moppet52

Rookie
Enjoyed the video. Not for anything, I think you are more than on your way and in my area of the country (CO), would be a strong 4.0 player as you are today.

I like the strategy as hitting groundies all day against her would have resulted in a worse result for you IMHO.
 

Fxanimator1

Hall of Fame
That was a fun set of tennis to watch, thanks for posting. I am surprised a female actually posted a video up here...It’s the first that I’ve seen on TTW boards.
 

Heck

Rookie
Bro your accent sounds one of the sidekicks from the Sopranos. Winning.

I did go to the BadaBing once lol. Forget about it.

Sandbagger! You are at least a 4.0.

I have been called that many times. I been told I make poor choices with shot selection. I also work on my serve so much that its just stronger than my mental game lol. That is my excuse lol.

You didn't ask for advice, but I feel compelled to mention a few things.

You play well and have solid 4.0 texhnique and a 4.0+ serve. You could/should have played her even, but you continually l leaked points due to strategy, not strokes:
1) her serve wasn't overpowering but you hit many medium returns up the middle, giving her a chance to take control of the point right away. When you returned to the corners you put her at a disadvantage,
2) you hit many approach shots crosscourt. Even the pros do this often and get passed because it opens up both the down the line and cross court passing lanes. Keep the ball in front of you, cover the up the line shot, and make her hit the more difficult crosscourt pass, if the approach is going crosscourt, just stay back,
3) you lost several service points because you're standing in the middle of one side on your serve, leaving the up the line return for a winner. This isn't doubles, stand closer to the center,
4) your serve was better than hers. Take advantage of that by going for the corners more, especially on first serves,
5) like many D1 women, GS's are her specialty and passing shots her bread and butter. Unlike when playing against 3.5-4.0 men, you didn't really gain an advantage coming in when she's hitting on the run unless you really have her stretching. I like attacking, but you need to be a little more selective about what you come in behind with her.
6) You are going to lose just standing at the baseline trading topspin GS's. Mix up placement, spin, and depth more. She's a machine when camped out at the baseline (and will only get better).

She'll play better against you as she works her way back into the game and gets used to your serve. You need to make the adjustments now and beat her while you still can, lol.

Thanks for posting, I enjoyed watching.

Great break down. I don't play real singles matches much and doubles way too much. I also was just thinking of the basics and to try and get at least a few points. So putting the returns down the middle
was safe in my mind. Getting first serves in and trying not to be embarrassed. Maybe next time I will try some damn angles and stop trying to close out points quick. I was nervous.


Hey there Heck, I watched the entire video. It was enjoyable to watch. You tried and you got three games out of the set. Not bad at all. You seem to rush in and attack a lot, even when there’s nothing to attack. I felt she passed you a lot simply because of your positioning on the court. She has odd serve, but it works for her. Overall nice playing from you both.

Thank you. I kept saying to myself that she can't do that again I bet lol. The players I play with could never pass like that. I should of gone to moon ball more.


this is the flawed reasoning that 3.5 guys have. Court positioning and angle that you have to cover is much better if you approach down the line. No matter how good someone's backhand is, if you approach down the line 10 X and cross court 10X, you will find that you win about 30-40 % more points by approaching down the line. This is something that John Macenroe always knew and used.

Yes, I understand that. But I don't play enough singles to break my habit of approaching crosscourt from doubles. Plus down the line felt risky as I was nervous that I was going to look bad making errors. I tried to play
safe. Then again vs weaker players, I got away with crosscourt approaches until now lol.

That was a fun set of tennis to watch, thanks for posting. I am surprised a female actually posted a video up here...It’s the first that I’ve seen on TTW boards.

Thank you. But I am the male player lol. She was really great in helping me put this video together and I think it worked out the way it should have being that she is way above my skill level but
I kept it close to make it fun.
 

am1899

Legend
You have a nice game Heck. Really like your serve and attacking style. I would have to agree with some of the others:

- Your serving position got you in trouble. Try serving closer to the center hash

- Approaching cross court also got you in trouble. Stick to down the line, or even down the middle approaches. Only approach cross court if you have a good chance of ending the point on the approach shot itself.

- As I said I like your attacking style. But IMO you were too predictable in coming in on her serve. There’s a big difference between her fearing you *might* come in...and her knowing that you will come in every time.

Thanks for posting the video!
 

eelhc

Hall of Fame
There's an ex division 1 woman player at my club (but not from a big program)... She's a bit older now and lost a few steps and plays at a 4.5 level. Strong 3.5 men can definitely hang with her.

soooo... that said... I would like to understand your thought process... How many times do you head to the net on weak approaches before you determine it's not worth the risk/reward?
 

Traffic

Hall of Fame
Thank you for sharing the video. I would say you are playing solid 4.0 lvl. Looked like a very fun match.
As for your opponent, I'm sure she was going easy on you or she is very rusty. It's probably very difficult to play to one's potential when playing against an opponent that she knows she can easily beat. She played with atrocious UE for such a not too far removed elite level of play. I know some freshmen HS girls that could have similar results by returning everything and not making any mistakes and letting you beat yourself. How do you play D1 without a 1st serve? Again, I'm guessing she probably just hit second serves to put the ball into play.
 

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
There's an ex division 1 woman player at my club (but not from a big program)... She's a bit older now and lost a few steps and plays at a 4.5 level. Strong 3.5 men can definitely hang with her.

soooo... that said... I would like to understand your thought process... How many times do you head to the net on weak approaches before you determine it's not worth the risk/reward?

42 times. On the 43rd, I'd be thinking like Gerulitis: "No one beats me 43 times in a row when I'm at net!".
 

eelhc

Hall of Fame
42 times. On the 43rd, I'd be thinking like Gerulitis: "No one beats me 43 times in a row when I'm at net!".

LOL..

Seriously, here are the OPs stats for the set:

On his return games: Went to the not 12 times, won 3 points and lost 9 points. 25%.
On his service games: Went to the net 7 times, won 2 points and lost 5 points. 29%.

Not exactly a recipe for winning tennis.

I didn't count the points the OP was drawn into the net. Just the ones where he return & charged, S&V, etc. Depending on who's charting the match, the numbers might change slightly but the conclusion will be the same.

I suspect the OP is successful with this strategy against his normal opponents and maybe he didn't try to switch it up because it was for fun.
 

Heck

Rookie
LOL..

Seriously, here are the OPs stats for the set:

On his return games: Went to the not 12 times, won 3 points and lost 9 points. 25%.
On his service games: Went to the net 7 times, won 2 points and lost 5 points. 29%.

Not exactly a recipe for winning tennis.

I didn't count the points the OP was drawn into the net. Just the ones where he return & charged, S&V, etc. Depending on who's charting the match, the numbers might change slightly but the conclusion will be the same.

I suspect the OP is successful with this strategy against his normal opponents and maybe he didn't try to switch it up because it was for fun.

I was playing with my new extended length racket and thought I have the court covered lol. When she burned me at the baseline bad in the first game I tried to put pressure and make her hit those passing
shots. My luck and her skill she made them lol. We did play a few more games after and I tried to hit angles from the baseline but the errors just were adding up on my end and she kept winning.
She won 4 more games after.
 

MisterP

Hall of Fame
I was playing with my new extended length racket and thought I have the court covered lol. When she burned me at the baseline bad in the first game I tried to put pressure and make her hit those passing
shots. My luck and her skill she made them lol. We did play a few more games after and I tried to hit angles from the baseline but the errors just were adding up on my end and she kept winning.
She won 4 more games after.
I’ve been there. Playing somebody who’s that much better than you, you start throwing out all kinds of crazy stuff. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Just be glad to have the opportunity to play with someone who’s got a good game and seems like a cool person too.
 

Heck

Rookie
I’ve been there. Playing somebody who’s that much better than you, you start throwing out all kinds of crazy stuff. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Just be glad to have the opportunity to play with someone who’s got a good game and seems like a cool person too.

It was a great opportunity and a rematch is possible. I also like to do matches with Jr players more top-level types and pushers.
 

Bluefan75

Professional
I'm just amazed you were able to keep your concentration up while she was bouncing the ball 11 times before a first serve.
 

Heck

Rookie
I'm just amazed you were able to keep your concentration up while she was bouncing the ball 11 times before a first serve.

Not so much the bounce but the pause at the trophy position is what messed with my trying to step into the return. I found myself moving too soon then I started to move when she tossed and that solved
the riddle.
 

Heck

Rookie
You play 3.5?

Played in HS then took a 30 year plus year break and started as a 3.0 2016 and got bumped to 3.5 because I was on a 3.5 team that went to nationals.
Now I have 141 usta matches in the books and did not get the bump to 4.0. That was my goal. I try and self teach and jump in advanced clinics now and then.
But I do get my ass handed to me by strong 3.5 guys around me. I have the shots but suffer from poor selection at times. I also have not been picky with partners
in doubles as I see it as a challenge.
 
D

Deleted member 23235

Guest
nice, ytc... i have a seasonal court there on friday mornings...
not your typical 3.5 serve IMO... nice hitting.
 

J_R_B

Hall of Fame
Played in HS then took a 30 year plus year break and started as a 3.0 2016 and got bumped to 3.5 because I was on a 3.5 team that went to nationals.
Now I have 141 usta matches in the books and did not get the bump to 4.0. That was my goal. I try and self teach and jump in advanced clinics now and then.
But I do get my ass handed to me by strong 3.5 guys around me. I have the shots but suffer from poor selection at times. I also have not been picky with partners
in doubles as I see it as a challenge.
You look like you could handle 4.0 just fine. Keep working at it, you'll get there.
 

r2473

G.O.A.T.
But I do get my ass handed to me by strong 3.5 guys around me.
You must have some serious sandbaggers.

I guess it would be interesting to see you play different styles of opponents. How do you do against "moonballers" for example? Pushers? Slice / dicer? Can you play well / beat unorthodox styles? Or does she make you look better than you are because of her "classic" game?
 

CosmosMpower

Hall of Fame
Played in HS then took a 30 year plus year break and started as a 3.0 2016 and got bumped to 3.5 because I was on a 3.5 team that went to nationals.
Now I have 141 usta matches in the books and did not get the bump to 4.0. That was my goal. I try and self teach and jump in advanced clinics now and then.
But I do get my ass handed to me by strong 3.5 guys around me. I have the shots but suffer from poor selection at times. I also have not been picky with partners
in doubles as I see it as a challenge.

What's your UTR?
 

Heck

Rookie
nice, ytc... i have a seasonal court there on friday mornings...
not your typical 3.5 serve IMO... nice hitting.

That is the team I got to go to nationals with. Got my name on the banner. Small world. Good family place there.

You look like you could handle 4.0 just fine. Keep working at it, you'll get there.

I have to play smarter. Serving to them I feel like a boss but anything else I worry and get tight. It's in my head lol. Thanks.

I believe in @Heck

J

Thanks!!

You must have some serious sandbaggers.

I guess it would be interesting to see you play different styles of opponents. How do you do against "moonballers" for example? Pushers? Slice / dicer? Can you play well / beat unorthodox styles? Or does she make you look better than you are because of her "classic" game?

I did play really well vs her. Even the warm up was better than usual. So she did make me look good except for the winners she hit lol. I know how to beat a moonballer and pusher. After losing I learned to play the waiting game.
I have to wait for the right ball and be ready to accept that I will not enjoy this match and just stick to the plan. I beat a strong one in a playoff match. At the end he told me that I figured him out.

I have come across some self rates that had me pissed but then I know I **** others off.
 
D

Deleted member 23235

Guest
So this is not really battle of the sexes but a battle of D1 level vs 3.5 usta rated level.

So I am a mid 40's league 3.5 player who is trying to reach 4.0 and I make videos for my channel.
I got the chance to play a former D1 player who took a few years off after college and now is getting
back into the game. She agreed to do this match for fun and to help my channel.

Hope you enjoy


was that you at 7a this morning? serve and hair looked familiar :)

else there’s a doppelgänger masquerading with your serve :p


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Heck

Rookie
was that you at 7a this morning? serve and hair looked familiar :)

else there’s a doppelgänger masquerading with your serve :p


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was still sleeping at 7am. I hear George Clooney is in town doing a movie, Maybe he stopped in for some sets lol.
I will be there Sat night getting the tennis meetup started for a friend who runs it. 8-10 then 10-12.
 
D

Deleted member 23235

Guest
I was still sleeping at 7am. I hear George Clooney is in town doing a movie, Maybe he stopped in for some sets lol.
I will be there Sat night getting the tennis meetup started for a friend who runs it. 8-10 then 10-12.
ha... musta been clooney.
sleeping at 7a? slacker!
your friend... is that the "sets in the city" guy?
 

dak95_00

Hall of Fame
I’m playing my first season of usta tennis and am rated a 3.5 and play on a 4.0 team as well as a 3.5 team. For me, there’s a big difference between 4.0 and 3.5 players and that is confidence and comfort on the court. A 3.5 player typically lacks one solid stroke, usually the backhand, and unless they are feeling exceptionally confident will do anything to hide it such as rush the net for no good reason. I’ve played court 1 for both.

Your backhand needs the most work as it is evident you aren’t comfortable hitting it and are very stiff. You also open up quickly on your forehand so I know you’re not going to drive it hard to a target. Your serve looks good and you stay with it very confidently.

I believe you’re a very good 3.5 player who needs work on becoming better on your ground strokes. You’re likely close to getting bumped up to 4.0 but would have a very difficult time winning matches at 4.0.
 

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
Fun watch. I don’t think you won a point at the net. Surprised you kept rushing in. Whereas she looked a little slow and struggled with the drop shots. Getting her in to the net should have been your priority.

I’d have tried dink and slice over chip and charge.
 

Heck

Rookie
UPDATE: MY D1 MATCH VIDEO WAS REVIEWED BY Jeff Salzenstein FROM TENNIS EVOLUTION.

Well, that is a whole lot I can improve on lol. We talked about using my match video but I had no Idea about my off arm.

 
D

Deleted member 23235

Guest
UPDATE: MY D1 MATCH VIDEO WAS REVIEWED BY Jeff Salzenstein FROM TENNIS EVOLUTION.

Well, that is a whole lot I can improve on lol. We talked about using my match video but I had no Idea about my off arm.

that's cool!
did it cost anything to get it done? i'd like to get a match or 2 analyzed.
 

S&V-not_dead_yet

Talk Tennis Guru
UPDATE: MY D1 MATCH VIDEO WAS REVIEWED BY Jeff Salzenstein FROM TENNIS EVOLUTION.

I like Salzy's analysis. As someone who comes to the net a lot, I think his points are spot-on. Here are some additional thoughts:

- If you're dead-set on coming to the net off of the return [Chip and Charge; or C&C], not only should you be closer to the net when you make contact, but you should hit the ball as deeply as reasonable to make the passing shot more difficult and to give yourself more time to close into the net [instead of hitting flat you could have sliced to give yourself even more time].

- You hit crosscourt, which makes you have to cover more ground to get into a neutral position. Look at 2:01: you are about 5' to the other side of the centerline from where she is making contact. "Neutral" would be a few feet to the same side of the centerline [in this case, to your right].

In this point, she has a clear DTL shot, likely a winner even if it's only medium paced and several feet inside the sideline.

OTOH, passing you CC is highly unlikely: she would have to hit heavy TS into a very small area of the court.

In other words, you are defending against an unlikely shot and leaving open the likely one.

The fact that she missed the passer is irrelevant; against a consistent player, they will burn you DTL more times than not if you give them that much space.

If it were me, I would have hit an inside in FH [you hit an inside out] and approached DTL. If you had, your position at 2:01 would have been just about perfect.

One of the things that this point highlights is the tremendous amount of pressure that a net rusher can have on the opponent. You did not a great approach and you were out of position but you still won the point. Now imagine how much better your results will be when you improve A) decision-making on when to approach; B) the approach itself; and C) getting to neutral: that's worth 0.5 NTRP.

Great video; thanks for sharing!
 

Heck

Rookie
that's cool!
did it cost anything to get it done? i'd like to get a match or 2 analyzed.

No cost. I just made a comment in one of his similar videos about my match. I was in a slick way trying to promote it thinking he may take an interest in it. He posted a reply that he would like to see it and then asked if he
could use it. I told him sure with the hope of driving some traffic to my site and getting tips from him. Good deal al around.
 

Heck

Rookie
I like Salzy's analysis. As someone who comes to the net a lot, I think his points are spot-on. Here are some additional thoughts:

- If you're dead-set on coming to the net off of the return [Chip and Charge; or C&C], not only should you be closer to the net when you make contact, but you should hit the ball as deeply as reasonable to make the passing shot more difficult and to give yourself more time to close into the net [instead of hitting flat you could have sliced to give yourself even more time].

- You hit crosscourt, which makes you have to cover more ground to get into a neutral position. Look at 2:01: you are about 5' to the other side of the centerline from where she is making contact. "Neutral" would be a few feet to the same side of the centerline [in this case, to your right].

In this point, she has a clear DTL shot, likely a winner even if it's only medium paced and several feet inside the sideline.

OTOH, passing you CC is highly unlikely: she would have to hit heavy TS into a very small area of the court.

In other words, you are defending against an unlikely shot and leaving open the likely one.

The fact that she missed the passer is irrelevant; against a consistent player, they will burn you DTL more times than not if you give them that much space.

If it were me, I would have hit an inside in FH [you hit an inside out] and approached DTL. If you had, your position at 2:01 would have been just about perfect.

One of the things that this point highlights is the tremendous amount of pressure that a net rusher can have on the opponent. You did not a great approach and you were out of position but you still won the point. Now imagine how much better your results will be when you improve A) decision-making on when to approach; B) the approach itself; and C) getting to neutral: that's worth 0.5 NTRP.

Great video; thanks for sharing!


Great stuff. Yeah she shanked the ball as I charged in lol. I must of scared her hahaha. After that, she passed me about 20 times like nothing lol.
 
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