"If you were not playing TENNIS...?"

Kaptain Karl

Hall Of Fame
Actually, this is a multi-question thread:

1 - Is tennis your best sport?

2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all?

3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis?

4 - Add your own questions if you want.

- KK
 

Kaptain Karl

Hall Of Fame
1 - No. My wife and I were talking just this past weekend, and the truth is, tennis is my "Third Best" sport.

2 - Karate is my best. I've won a few tournaments -- and "placed" in dozens. I still go by "old school" meaning. You "place" if you are in the top four. (Unfortunately, the "everybody's a winner" attitude is quite prevalent in the martial arts. Many tournaments give you some kind of award simply for getting past the first round.)

Also, it bugs me that I was better at sparring than at kata. Though I am a firm believer that each helps the other discipline.

I'm also probably a better skier (alpine) than tennis player. (Though I've never skied a single gate in my life, I've had lots of top racers tell me I'd be good -- after Free Skiing with them.) I was taught to ski by a former pro Freestyler ... and his Swedish Ski Team wife.

3 - Skiing, for sure. Karate, simply for how good it made me feel about my fitness. (I was in the best shape of my life when I was training in karate five days a week.)

- KK
 

Kaptain Karl

Hall Of Fame
Oh. I forgot to answer my own second part of #2: I play tennis because I love the artistry and the workout. I like the mental workout too -- especially with an opponent for whom I must change my game. (If I change my game -- and win. Oh! What a thrill to have "figured it out" for that opponent....

- KK
 

raftermania

Banned
If tennis for some certain reason ceased to exist, make sure of the following:

1. No razaor blades are available to us.
2. Forbid us to go within 100 meters of high rise building/bridges/cliffs.
3. Take all our ropes and other noose tying material away.
4. Not much a problem in Canada, but make sure American players have their firearms removed.
5. To avoid aggrevation, do not suggest a similar individual sport such as golf or bowling!

I think this answers your question. Don't really have an opportunity to show off any accomplishments in other sports, tennis is the only sport I'm good at. Although I love watching basketball, just suck really bad at it!
 

Aykhan Mammadov

Hall of Fame
I'm not a sportsman.

1. Tennis is the only and best.

2. I weighed a little more than norm, say for 10 kg. Since I'm lazy I couldn't force myself to run, swim and etc, so I wanted to find such a sport that has excitement, competition and at the same time force you to run much. It is difficult to gather a team, so if you leave aside football and other team sports what you get ? Only 2-persons competition. And of course not wrestling and fighting including box. Forget about them, they are not for my age. Only sports are table-tennis - less dynamic and tennis - more dynamic. So I chosed tennis.

3. No other sports. Very rarely I could watch say free fighting championship at times of Hoyce Gracy 6-7 years ago. And once in 4 years I can watch semi and final of football championships.

4. Yes I have. Why Kaptain Karl and what does it mean?
 

Noelle

Hall Of Fame
1 - Is tennis your best sport?
No, I don't think so. I've only been playing for six months.

2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all?
I think my best sport is swimming. However, it's easier for me to get to a tennis court than a swimming pool, and I don't like the wrinkly fingers and toes you get from spending too much time swimming. :(

But the real reason I choose to play tennis is simply because the game is addictive.

3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis?
Can't say I enjoy anything quite as much as tennis, but a close second is badminton (which is all the rage in my country these days).
 

goober

Legend
1. Tennis is my best sport right now. Up until about 6th grade I played soccer everyday. After that basketball until I got into high school. My "best" sport probably was track and field because I got a bunch of medals doing it in high school but I really didn't enjoy it at all and stopped it right after high school. Now I just play tennis and workout.

3. As far as other sports, I really don't enjoy playing too much of anything else these days other occasional table tennis match. Spectating though is a different story.
 

gmlasam

Hall of Fame
1 - Is tennis your best sport?
Yes indeed, very much so, and most certainly is.
2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all?
N/A
3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis?
Any physical sports that involves me and the Mrs. ;)(I'm a newlywed ;))
4 - Add your own questions if you want.
Do you all enjoy doing sports with the Mrs. as much as I do? ;)
 

Craig Sheppard

Hall of Fame
Kaptain Karl said:
Actually, this is a multi-question thread:
1 - Is tennis your best sport?
2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all?
3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis?
4 - Add your own questions if you want.

1. Yep. Best sport by far nowadays.

2. I choose to play b/c it is my best sport...lots of things run in that cycle. I play a lot b/c I'm good it, I'm good at it b/c I play a lot...

3. I enjoy cycling, but not as much as tennis. If I'm not playing tennis I try to ride my bike. I actually love playing softball, but don't have a team around here to play with.
 

Steve Huff

G.O.A.T.
1. No
2. Ping Pong is probably my best sport (or was when I played competitively 25 yrs ago). I play tennis because I love it too, and it's much easier to arrange matches with guys that are pretty near the same level. And, for the social aspect. Two guys I've been playing with every Friday now (we had to replace 1) for about 7 years now. And on Wednesdays, I've been playing with the same guys for about 5 years (a couple have come and gone). Wed. we play at 9 or 10:30 am, then go out for lunch. It's great competition and fellowship.
 

bc-05

Semi-Pro
1 - Is tennis your best sport?
well one of the best i'd say.. i just got promoted from the division 1 junior to the div 1 senior this year for my club.

2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all?

i liked this sport i dont know what its called... it involves 2 people like tennis but better with the opposite gender preferably your own partner in this case my girlfriend.. you burn more calories per hour in this sport then tennis thats why if you have to do exersice its better to do this.. u can do it anytime you want.. even before u sleep... eventhough it is "painful" but its enjoyable.. it is that painful that everytime my gf plays this sport she screams on all 4 like a giraffe..

3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis?
what gmlasam said but replace wife with girlfriend and - newlywed

4 - Add your own questions if you want.
Please don't flame me! I'm just telling the truth :(
 

Kaptain Karl

Hall Of Fame
Aykhan Mammadov said:
4. Yes I have. Why Kaptain Karl and what does it mean?
I didn't really have any "ulterior motive" with this topic, Ahkhan. I'm simply curious to get some sense of whether we are sports "Specialists" ... or "Generalists".

gm - Congratulations on being a newlywed! Blessings on you and your bride.

Now that I know this about you ... I *do* wonder how you're managing to spend so much time on these boards. Maybe you only *think* your other best sport is in the marriage bed...? (IOW, we can "take it" if you ... neglect ... us. Neglect your "duties" to your bride, and you'll find tennis is a poor substitute, friend....)

bc-05 - You should be spending more time on the court. You've got *way* too much energy, IMO....

- KK
 

Aykhan Mammadov

Hall of Fame
Kaptain Karl, you didn't answer my question. Why do you call yourself Kaptain Karl ? And from where did you get your name? You probably didn't understand my question because explained me something from another story.
 

Kaptain Karl

Hall Of Fame
Oh... I missed that. (If you had posted the question using quotes, I'd have understood it the first time. Please don't take offense. I only speak two languages ... and if I had to write in my second language (Spanish) I'd probably be incomprehensible. But, following this paragraph, I'll put your question to me again ... using the quotes.)

Why "Kaptain Karl" and what does it mean?

It's just a screen name I use. (My first web forum was for a Space Adventure game for Macs. Everyone on there used some military/space name as their screen name. I like "comic book-like" alliteration, and "Captain Carl" seemed too ... ordinary.)

- KK
 

matchpoints

Professional
1 - Is tennis your best sport? Yes, unless you count sleeping a sport.

2 - And why do you choose to play tennis at all? It's competitive physically but more mentally. It's affordable and convenient. It's also a lot of fun. And there are no one to blame but you if you lose. It's also a lifetime sport

3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis? I would say Ping Pong, Billiards (not a sport), sand and clay volleyball, wallball :), and racquetball. I guess I like balls.

4 - What are your goals with tennis? Break top 500 and teach as many people as I can.
 

jayserinos99

Hall of Fame
1 - Is tennis your best sport?
2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all?
3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis?

1. i guess it is.
2. i grew into liking tennis.
3. basketball
 

khs_tennis

New User
1. Yes, tennis is my best sport as of right now. That might change this coming spring when i play golf though.

2. I'm close to being as good in tennis as i am in golf and hopefully i will be this spring lol.

3. I love playing golf and tennis but probably golfing more because there is more social interaction and is more fun (when you're playing good). I also enjoy motorsports and football just as much as tennis.
 
Kaptain Karl said:
Oh. I forgot to answer my own second part of #2: I play tennis because I love the artistry and the workout. I like the mental workout too -- especially with an opponent for whom I must change my game. (If I change my game -- and win. Oh! What a thrill to have "figured it out" for that opponent....

- KK

Agree KK, tennis is chess with athleticism.
 

fan_of_reds

New User
1 - Is tennis your best sport?
No, definitely not...but my game is quickly catching up!

2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all?
Depending on the day/season my best sport is either skiing, soccer (or futbol), baseball, or something indoors like ping-pong...
I play tennis because it is fun, not hard to find an opponent, and it's a lifelong sport (unlike soccer for instance...)

3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis?

All of the sports mentioned above..I especially enjoy watching and playing baseball, but finding 18 people for a full game can be quite difficult anymore... Finding 2 or 4 people for tennis is much easier.

I like any sport that stresses the mental aspects as well as the physical aspects... For instance, in baseball, it's a constant cat-and-mouse game between the pitcher and the batter... In tennis, since I do not have a power-based dominating game, I usually win by using decent well-placed shots that my opponent(s) did not expect. The thrill of winning is outsmarting the competition, not outmuscling them...at least for me. (perhaps this is a byproduct of my aversion to boring "workouts" in the gym)
 

Kaptain Karl

Hall Of Fame
K. Wilson Moose said:
Agree KK, tennis is chess with athleticism.
Oooo! I *like* that. I'll probably steal it ... if it's OK with you. (Who am I kidding? In six months I claim it was my line....)

- KK
 

Phil

Hall of Fame
If I didn't, somehow, stumble onto a court 16 years ago while visiting a friend in Phoenix and almost immediately fall in love with the game, I would probably still be playing racquetball and squash. I was a decent r-ball player; actually won 9 or 10 tournaments (the trophies are in storage,so I don't have them around to count), and was starting to place in squash tournaments at the time that I hit on tennis. Tennis is much more difficult than either of those sports, and I can count how many singles tournaments I've won on one hand-though I've won a few more doubs tournaments. Relatively speaking, I was a better r-ball player than I am a tennis player, even now.

Baseball, however, was "my" sport. Better at that, or was, than all the rest.
 

tennisp13

Rookie
1 - Is tennis your best sport?
Yes, tennis would be my best sport

2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all?
Let see, i am a sport junkie, grow up w/ soccer, then basketbal (H/S) but like volleyball, mountain biking, badmington, ski (try too), bowling (not a sport), but right now top three is tennis, volleyball, mountain biking.

3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis?
Volleyball, moutain biking

4 - Add your own questions if you want.
Would like to try golf sometime, some say that I would be good at good because of the swing of my forehand :)

Phillip
 

tykrum

Rookie
1 - Is tennis your best sport?
Most definitely.
2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all?
I chose to play so I could be better than all my friends at least one sport. This was when I was 11, so give me a break.
3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis?
Watching - basketball, playing - well, it depends, football if I am with a bunch of friends playing 7 on 7 or something, but I enjoy basketball, racquetball, and golf a lot too, just not very good at basketball and golf (yet).
4 - Add your own questions if you want.
Why in the (heck) are the Timberwolves doing this to me? (Darn) Sprewell!
 

007

Professional
- tennis is not my best racquet sport (squash is) but I enjoy tennis more than squash. I'm probably in the small % of tennis players that prefer doubles to singles, espcially if the level of play is high (4.5 BTW)

- my best sport is alpine skiing, followed by squash, golf, tennis and windsurfing in that order....but if I had to give up one of those it'd be squash, then tennis. Could not imagine never being on a beautiful mountain, golf course or lake/ocean again, but a tennis court is a tennis court.

- love watching tennis,skiing, Canadian football, soccer, rugby, and playoff NHL hockey. Only watch golf majors on TV. Don't like MLB, NBA or NFL.
 

saeta119

New User
1 - Is tennis your best sport?
Yes, it's just awesome.
2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all?
been playing tennis since I was 8, I know a late bloomer, can't think of any other sport I'd rather play than tennis
3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis?
Any racquet sport, try playing badminton agains a chinese dude, then you'll know how it feels to run around volleying and smashing non stop, it's a killer
 

ChrisNC

Semi-Pro
gmlasam said:
Do you all enjoy doing sports with the Mrs. as much as I do? ;)
I can't really say. I've never played sports with your Mrs.

What's that? Oh...you meant MY Mrs. Well, yes, of course. ;-) My Mrs is very "athletic"



1 - Is tennis your best sport?
Yes! I was never really the athletic type, although I did run crosscountry (slowly) in HS, but that was only because a girl I liked was running.

2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all?
I absolutely love the game.

3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis?
Nothing gives me the rush tennis does.
 

nimxnooj

New User
"If you were not playing TENNIS...?"

1 - Is tennis your best sport? Yea. I used to play lots of basketball, but got into tennis and now i don't really play any other sports, unless working out counts as a sport.

2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all? I chose to play tennis initially because i knew i wouldn't be able to make the basketball team (our high school basketball team won City Section last year, and our MVP went on a full scholarship to USC and was told he'd most likely make it to the NBA right after sop****re year. He could dunk with his elbows while jumping over two of his teammaates) So i did tennis and our team is pretty good. We made it to the Semi-finals in the playoffs. Our #1 Jared Drucker is now #4 at Columbia University.

3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis? working ouT?

"If you were not playing TENNIS...?" Stealing Safin's girlfriend...hehehehe
 

ffrpg

Professional
1 - Is tennis your best sport?
No

2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all?
If you count skating as a sport, then skating. I play tennis because it's fun.

3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis?
Basketball and Hockey
 

Kaptain Karl

Hall Of Fame
I recently learned that more kids in the USA skate ... than play baseball. "America's pastime" has changed, huh?

- KK
 

AndrewD

Legend
Is tennis your best sport?
Not overall but it is these days

2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all?
I played Australian Rules Football professionally for about 15 years so that would be my best one.
Chose tennis because, when I was 14 someone gave me a tennis magazine that had Connors run to the US Open title in it. The game seemed fun and exciting, it was a lot more exotic than Aussie Rules and it was different in a more interesting way. I play now because I still remember how it felt when I first read that magazine.

3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis?
Tennis is number one for me, to watch or play. I only wish Id come to it earlier.
 

ShooterMcMarco

Hall of Fame
1. i dont know
2. i grew up playing tennis with my dad. loved it ever since i first picked up a racquet
3. i love basketball as much as tennis. the whole "team" thing is great. i enjoy playing football and hockey as well. oh yeah, gymnastics too. edit: baseball is another favorite.


4. What other hobbies do you guys have?
 

Saito

Professional
1 - Is tennis your best sport?
Yes

2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all?
I find that tennis is the most interesting and challenging(competition wise) sport out of all the ones I participate in.

3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis?
Boxing, Basketball, Martial Arts (Kung fu), and Track.

4 - Add your own questions if you want.
I don't want to :mrgreen:
 

peter

Professional
1 - Is tennis your best sport?

Yes - definitely. I also play floorball (I guess I'm "ok" at that) and a variant of hockey - "rinkbandy" (which I suck at - but it's so fun to play so I keep insisting on playing that anyway :)

2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all?

When I grew up I got a pair of tennis rackets from my uncle and there was this nice brick wall at the nearby school where I could stand and bang a ball at it for hours. I guess I was (and still am to a certain degree) a guy that liked to be able to do things for himself without having the find other
kids to play with all the time - so it suited me fine. A little later on I found a couple of other kids that also liked to play tennis and then we started playing a lot in the summers. I think I liked the combination of exercise and strategy needed to win - and that you had to do it yourself, you couldn't depend on someone else.

3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis?

Watching: Hockey, Downhill skiing
Playing: Floorball, Rinkbandy

4 - Add your own questions if you want.
 
R

rocky b

Guest
Kaptain Karl you a karate expert great skier and number 1 tennis player are you also a rocket scientist on the weekend ha ha ha
 

MegacedU

Professional
Tennis is my best sport. I play because I like the skirts. haha I'm Kidding. I really like beach sports a lot. Padlle ball, beach volleyball, and beach football - rock my world. Especially if I'm in the Caribbean while playing them.
 

tennismx

New User
MOTOCROSS is the best sport.
However, I play tennis.
And I won my match today 6-2, 6-2.
Also, I beat these other two girls left-handed.
I play right-handed.
 

gmlasam

Hall of Fame
Kaptain Karl said:
I recently learned that more kids in the USA skate ... than play baseball. "America's pastime" has changed, huh?

- KK
I think its more like more kids in the USA play more video games, than play sports. This why USA has the most obese kids in all industrial countries. Instead of playing tennis outdoors, they prefer to play video game tennis indoors.
 

gmlasam

Hall of Fame
MegacedU said:
Tennis is my best sport. I play because I like the skirts. haha I'm Kidding. I really like beach sports a lot. Padlle ball, beach volleyball, and beach football - rock my world. Especially if I'm in the Caribbean while playing them.
Where does someone from NY play beach volleyball, in NJ?
 

Noelle

Hall Of Fame
tennismx said:
MOTOCROSS is the best sport.
However, I play tennis.
And I won my match today 6-2, 6-2.
Also, I beat these other two girls left-handed.
I play right-handed.
Congratulations are in order for you, tennismx.

I feel like I have to answer the thread's question again. If you were not playing TENNIS...? I'd be hanging around here all day living vicariously through other people's tennis playing. :) Which is exactly what I've been doing for the past two weeks because of my ankle sprain.
 

MegacedU

Professional
gmlasam said:
Where does someone from NY play beach volleyball, in NJ?

Pfffft.. NJ?! Summers I got to coastal maryland and spring break is Caribbean of some flavor. Dominican Republic, Myan Riviera etc..

What, did you think I was lying about it? lol.

And oh btw in NY if I wanted to stay in this lovely state, there's a little place called the Hamptons.
 

FREDDY

Semi-Pro
1 - Is tennis your best sport? Nope.
2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all? Track & Field. I play tennis because its my calling or something like that. it just feels right.
3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis? Running until i cant feel my legs.
4. - How can i get better? WATCH AND LEARN.
 
1 - Is tennis your best sport? By far.

2 - If not, what is? And why do you choose to play tennis at all? I used to play just about all sports, but at 14 or 15, I went to just tennis. Played at a good level until age 28 or 30 or so.

3 - What sports do you enjoy as much -- or almost as much as -- tennis? Table Tennis, Squash, soccer, mtn biking. Boogie board, body surf, swimming, skiiing in the winter whenever I can, but that's only once per year. Non-sports: darts, bowling, miniature golf. Rowboat on a lake, that's probably my favorite, but it is not really a sport when there's food and wine involved.

Great thread. After a certain age, we tend to specialize. We also tend to get hurt if we play a good level of soccer or basketball. I plan on playing tennis until I die. Tennis is diverse, safe and fun.
 

quest01

Hall of Fame
1. Is Tennis your best sport?

Yes and also my favorite sport

2. If not, what is?

I used to play Baseball and Hockey back in high school but i havent played hockey in quite some time so at this point i probably suck at that sport. As for baseball i havent swung a baseball bat in about 5 years so i would most likely be a little rusty at that sport also.

What sports do you enjoy as much, or almost as much as tennis?

Tennis is my favorite sport but i follow baseball in particularly the New York Yankees (who will win the world series next year)

the end
 

10nisDude~

Semi-Pro
hmmmm

yup tennis is my best sport!!!

i enjoy soccer, basketball,ping-pong, street hockey, volleyball,ultimate medicine ball and ultimate Frisbee, soo basicly every sport....
 
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