Some pics of me hitting at my club

topsltennis · May 6, 2009

These were taken a few weeks ago- I was demoing Wilson frames- I have since decided on the K Factor 6.1 Team and awaiting my first package.........

http://www.mcelvyphotography.com/gallery/7922842_HoitB#513985960_e2TYF

nyc · May 6, 2009

nice shirt!

topsltennis · May 6, 2009

nyc said:
nice shirt!

yes indeed, got it from cafepress- nice and soft

J011yroger · May 6, 2009

I like the first serve pic where you get the big air!

J

topsltennis · May 6, 2009

J011yroger said:
I like the first serve pic where you get the big air!

J

Thanks, but I actually serve better when I don't jump into it that much. I was hitting with a very strong 5.5 player or so and trying to hit it too hard. It did remind me of some Agassi serve pics I've seen though, kinda surprised me. I hadn't had any pics taken of me playing since I was a junior. The guy that took them is an upstart photographer- he took dozens and there is actually some much better ones he gave me on a disc- some of these are just ok I think

J011yroger · May 6, 2009

Ya, the "Cowabunga Serve" doesn't give me any good results either. But it sure makes for a cool picture.

J

Octavianus · May 7, 2009

Nice photography

Gemini · May 7, 2009

Nice photography and the form on your strokes looks good :0) Good balance especially on the backhand side from what I can tell. What level (NTRP) are you playing, topsltennis?

topsltennis · May 7, 2009

Gemini said:
Nice photography and the form on your strokes looks good :0) Good balance especially on the backhand side from what I can tell. What level (NTRP) are you playing, topsltennis?

Well, I don't really know- somewhere in the 4.5- 5.0 range I'd say. I am a certified 'pro' through the USPTA (not that it matters that much as far as level of play is concerned) and I've been playing since juniors- (I turn 40 next week) I am a part time instructor (formerly full time and likely to be again soon in a couple of months I hope) but also take the time to get in a 45m to hour hit everyday- it just makes me feel better when I hit. The guy I was hitting with is VERY good- probably more a 5.5 player- also my age but played a higher level of college ball than I did. Thanks for the complements, and you are very right about my backhand- it is a much better stroke than my forehand.

Gemini · May 7, 2009

topsltennis said:
Well, I don't really know- somewhere in the 4.5- 5.0 range I'd say. I am a certified 'pro' through the USPTA (not that it matters that much as far as level of play is concerned) and I've been playing since juniors- (I turn 40 next week) I am a part time instructor (formerly full time and likely to be again soon in a couple of months I hope) but also take the time to get in a 45m to hour hit everyday- it just makes me feel better when I hit. The guy I was hitting with is VERY good- probably more a 5.5 player- also my age but played a higher level of college ball than I did. Thanks for the complements, and you are very right about my backhand- it is a much better stroke than my forehand.

Very cool. On the backhand side, the stroke looks "textbook" if there is such a thing anymore..LOL. But you're balance is superb from what I can see. Awesome stuff. Also, good luck with the teaching.

One question... Looks like you're hitting with the K-Zen? How is that working for you? Locally, I don't see many people using that frame. I'm on the hunt to a frame that packs more punch than my beaten-down Fischer Pro No. 1s and I was hoping to find something lighter but still stable.

jimwh · May 7, 2009

Were those photos taken at Watercolor?
I play at Sandestin quite a bit. Great photos by the way.

topsltennis · May 7, 2009

Gemini said:
Very cool. On the backhand side, the stroke looks "textbook" if there is such a thing anymore..LOL. But you're balance is superb from what I can see. Awesome stuff. Also, good luck with the teaching.

One question... Looks like you're hitting with the K-Zen? How is that working for you? Locally, I don't see many people using that frame. I'm on the hunt to a frame that packs more punch than my beaten-down Fischer Pro No. 1s and I was hoping to find something lighter but still stable.

Thanks so much for the kind words. I liked that frame, but I have settled on the lightweight K Factor 6.1. I am waiting for the Wilson rep to send me my first package. I am making the switch from Prince to Wilson after 3 + years with Prince.

topsltennis · May 7, 2009

jimwh said:
Were those photos taken at Watercolor?
I play at Sandestin quite a bit. Great photos by the way.

Actually no, they were taken at the neighborhood club I teach at Mon- Fri, Club Destiny which is west of Sandestin near the Commons shopping Center. I don't play Sandestin much but I was briefly on their staff in the early 90's. I hit with and teach the son of the former Tennis Director that was there for over 18 years and gave me my first tennis job back in 92.

Gemini · May 7, 2009

topsltennis said:
Thanks so much for the kind words. I liked that frame, but I have settled on the lightweight K Factor 6.1. I am waiting for the Wilson rep to send me my first package. I am making the switch from Prince to Wilson after 3 + years with Prince.

When you say lightweight K Factor 6.1, are you referring to the Team version?

topsltennis · May 7, 2009

Gemini said:
When you say lightweight K Factor 6.1, are you referring to the Team version?

Yes, it's 18x20 string pattern , 95 sq inch head and 10.2 oz. unstrung. It's a big change for me- I have been hitting with a full oversize, 9.5 oz Prince frame that I would string up tight as a drum- I thought I liked it until I started demoing some better suited frames for me.

Gemini · May 7, 2009

topsltennis said:
Yes, it's 18x20 string pattern , 95 sq inch head and 10.2 oz. unstrung. It's a big change for me- I have been hitting with a full oversize, 9.5 oz Prince frame that I would string up tight as a drum- I thought I liked it until I started demoing some better suited frames for me.

Wow..so you actually stepped up to a heavier (and smaller) frame. Interesting. Good luck with the change and enjoy the new frames.

In the recent past, I've stepped down to a lighter frame and had decent success against 85% of the players I hit with but the moment I play someone that hits a "heavy" ball I feel like the frame (anything sub-12oz) gets pushed around and I end up running back to a heavier frame.

Now that I'm slowing down slightly (turned 35 this year), I'm looking for something that will help me keep up my racquet head speed but still give me that stable playing surface.

topsltennis · May 7, 2009

Gemini said:
Wow..so you actually stepped up to a heavier (and smaller) frame. Interesting. Good luck with the change and enjoy the new frames.

In the recent past, I've stepped down to a lighter frame and had decent success against 85% of the players I hit with but the moment I play someone that hits a "heavy" ball I feel like the frame (anything sub-12oz) gets pushed around and I end up running back to a heavier frame.

Now that I'm slowing down slightly (turned 35 this year), I'm looking for something that will help me keep up my racquet head speed but still give me that stable playing surface.

There are so many racquet choices out there- I had just somewhat 'settled' on a frame with Prince and I think I was really doing myself an injustice as this slightly heavier, smaller head feels much better and it is so much more maneuverable, particularly around the net. Because I had played with that big head for so long is the reason I initially tried on the K Zen- I liked it, but loved the Kfactor Team when I tried it. I just got word that my gear is on the way from Wilson and I'll have my new frames Monday. I've been hitting with a demo for the past 2 weeks waiting for them to process my order.

Gemini · May 7, 2009

Once again...enjoy the new sticks. I'll continue my hunt for my replacements. My Fischers are so dead it's not even funny anymore. I've been back out on the court now abou 4 weeks after being out for the last several months due to knee injury and from the first strike of the ball weeks ago I've noticed the death of my frames. I line up to rip a shot and it lacks any explosiveness off of the strings (and I KNOW it's not the player).

topsltennis · May 7, 2009

Gemini said:
Once again...enjoy the new sticks. I'll continue my hunt for my replacements. My Fischers are so dead it's not even funny anymore. I've been back out on the court now abou 4 weeks after being out for the last several months due to knee injury and from the first strike of the ball weeks ago I've noticed the death of my frames. I line up to rip a shot and it lacks any explosiveness off of the strings (and I KNOW it's not the player).

No doubt they can go dead. My Prince frames had been strung dozens of times by the time I retired them - they were toast.

Some pics of me hitting at my club

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