I hope he has the $$$ to fix some of the courts at Azalea. They used to have some of the best green clay public courts but not anymore.
Tennis Warehouse-Central Florida Chapter (Greater Orlando Area)
- Thread starter mikeler
- Start date
I hope he has the $$$ to fix some of the courts at Azalea. They used to have some of the best green clay public courts but not anymore.
mikeler
Moderator
I'm not sure how that will work. My guess would be that the City covers that. The last time I played there the courts were in great shape. That place off of Lee Road used to have awesome clay courts, but they fell into disrepair.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
OK..the dirt on the whole thing.
It will happen soon. Like this year. The Azalea people want Etennis and not Frank to run it because they believe that he will not fix the courts as mentioned by spinz. There are only 2 hard courts at azalea that are any good (out of 8 ), so you pretty much have to want to play clay or deal with some weird bounces.
John from Etennis has expressed that he would invest into fixing the courts and improving the facility.
There was a townhall meeting about it on wednesday where some of the guys went and spoke their peace. Frank won the bid, but IMO he will have to go above and beyond the call of duty or a lot of the people at Azalea may leave and go to OTC.
It will happen soon. Like this year. The Azalea people want Etennis and not Frank to run it because they believe that he will not fix the courts as mentioned by spinz. There are only 2 hard courts at azalea that are any good (out of 8 ), so you pretty much have to want to play clay or deal with some weird bounces.
John from Etennis has expressed that he would invest into fixing the courts and improving the facility.
There was a townhall meeting about it on wednesday where some of the guys went and spoke their peace. Frank won the bid, but IMO he will have to go above and beyond the call of duty or a lot of the people at Azalea may leave and go to OTC.
mikeler
Moderator
Frank told me about everything a few weeks ago and then last time I saw him he told me to keep it quiet. Etennis is going to bid on OTC too. Apparently there were 7 or 8 bidders on Azalea including MG Tennis. Frank mentioned he had lunch with Marcelo who runs MG earlier in the week. I'm guessing they might be discussing partnering up for the OTC bid. Frank running Winter Park could hurt him with winning the OTC bid.
My bottom line is this. Raise my membership fee if you have to. I don't want to play on clumpy clay courts or even worse courts with no clay at all. If I'm forced onto a hard court, I don't want to see a million cracks on it and on any court, you have to have nice bright lines.
I know I don't care who wins as long as the courts are improved. The clay courts used to be fantastic. They are still okay compared to say what Metro West used to be like (I havent been there in years but they used to be pretty bad), but getting bad with mold growing and some spots where you can trip. They really need to pull the lines up and redo that part at a minimum.
I would pay more too if they put money into the courts.
I would pay more too if they put money into the courts.
Is that facility closed? I haven't been over there in a long time.
bad_call
Legend
same here. Spinz - u been playing a while? just curious what your rating is? (self or ntrp...no matter)
I've been playing since I was little, but not always constantly playing as I have taken some breaks. I'm a 4.5 player.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Azaelea could be an amazing place. I also like the vibe of OTC a lot. Every time I go there to drop off sticks for frank everyone is super nice. They have some hot girls who play there, which is always a bonus, and the level of players can get pretty high. The only thing I notice about OTC is that it is not as easy to go up there in the evening nd hit until 10. They close earlier, and also everything seems more scheduled.
Azalea has a solid core of regulars that are really good players.I basically get free lessons sometimes from some of the guys I hit with, which is awesome because they have made me into a way better player in under 6 months.
There is something about Azalea where everyone shows up and plays and just all hits together that is cool. I know I can go at certain times and play for hours. What I am getting at is that I hope that does not go away, because it is not easy to find that type of setting.
Azalea has a solid core of regulars that are really good players.I basically get free lessons sometimes from some of the guys I hit with, which is awesome because they have made me into a way better player in under 6 months.
There is something about Azalea where everyone shows up and plays and just all hits together that is cool. I know I can go at certain times and play for hours. What I am getting at is that I hope that does not go away, because it is not easy to find that type of setting.
mikeler
Moderator
OTC has that same pickup game thing going for it. I was a 4.5+ before I started to play there. After getting schooled by the 5.0s up there at first, I now have a winning record against most of them.
I think that Lee Road place has been closed for a few years. The first time I played there, the clay courts were great. The last time I was there, the courts were almost unplayable.
I think that Lee Road place has been closed for a few years. The first time I played there, the clay courts were great. The last time I was there, the courts were almost unplayable.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Only real negatives of OTC are that it closes at 2pm on weekends and 9pm on weekdays. All the Azalea guys usually play in the evenings on weekends, which is quite nice. I dont like getting up early on weekends unless it's for matches to be honest.
We usually play until 10pm on Azalea. So another reason everyone may bail if Frank takes over is the hours he has.
We usually play until 10pm on Azalea. So another reason everyone may bail if Frank takes over is the hours he has.
I hope he doesn't reduce the hours at Azalea, especially in the mornings. In the summer it is good to get the hit in at 7AM during the week. I think they should expand Saturday and Sunday hours until 7PM for the clay courts.
You're right about Azalea having a good vibe.
Not sure if anyone here knew Nancy Reed, but she was a major contributor to the Orlando/Winter Park tennis scene. She passed away last weekend. So when you're out there playing, take a moment of silence to thank this fantastic lady for all of her contributions to Florida tennis.
You're right about Azalea having a good vibe.
Not sure if anyone here knew Nancy Reed, but she was a major contributor to the Orlando/Winter Park tennis scene. She passed away last weekend. So when you're out there playing, take a moment of silence to thank this fantastic lady for all of her contributions to Florida tennis.
bad_call
Legend
thanks for the update. saw Nancy a few times many years ago.
Spinz - let me know if u are up for a hit sometime. need to demo more strings here.
thanks for the update. saw Nancy a few times many years ago.
Spinz - let me know if u are up for a hit sometime. need to demo more strings here.
Do you play at Azalea or elsewhere?
mikeler
Moderator
It's funny that their posted hours are 9:30 PM and 2:30 PM, but they start yelling a half hour earlier that the club is getting ready to close. Fortunately, this does not affect me much. The best time for me to play is right after work, since downtown is halfway between work and my house. I also like to play early in the morning when it is cooler and then I feel great the rest of the day.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I'd actually love to hit right after work honestly. I hate waiting until 7pm. I just will have to meet new players there. There are 2 guys at Azalea who are 5s and really are good to hit with. You can not just put anything back , you have to hit hard the entire time or they will just bang winners out.
bad_call
Legend
shoot me an email to my username to discuss locations, etc.
mikeler
Moderator
One nice thing about OTC is half the guys there work for themselves and have flexible schedules. When I used to play at Fort Gatlin, there was one guy I played who could not play until 7. It sucked getting home at 10 or 10:30 and then having to cool down, fall asleep and get up at 6:30 AM the next day.
I do not see an option to send you an email. Maybe I dont have permission or something?
bad_call
Legend
i think u have to enable messaging from your username before u can send a message.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah..I get hom at 10, but I live right next to Azalea. But it still sucks because I get up at the same time. It hurts. I would rather play from 6 to 9.
Id love to work for myself. I am working on that with my management company on the side but I am not there yet.
mikeler
Moderator
It still doesnt show that as an option. Maybe my account is too new.
mikeler
Moderator
bad_call
Legend
good idea. Spinz - try http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/custservice/...and yeah i surf on occasion too.
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mikeler
Moderator
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Frank showed me the paper from WP stating he was taking over Azalea today. So it's on. I told him the courts were in dire need of work and he said he knew and was going to take care of it. So to me, that all sounds positive. Only thing that sucks is that I am moving downtown around fall or winter and planned on playing at OTC more, so I hope OTC stays relevant.
mikeler
Moderator
Azalea and OTC are not very far away from each other. I've offered to review Frank's proposal to the City. If he does not fix the courts at Azalea, I'll have to rethink that offer.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah..he said he would so let's hope so.
My master plan was to bike to OTC once I moved DT. I could walk to work, walk to the gym and bike to play tennis. Biking to Azalea is possible for sure, but obviously not as ideal.
My master plan was to bike to OTC once I moved DT. I could walk to work, walk to the gym and bike to play tennis. Biking to Azalea is possible for sure, but obviously not as ideal.
Are you going to rent downtown or buy? If you rent, check the place out - make sure the owner is not going into foreclosure. There are problems with some of the condo HOAs too but I dont know if that is as big of a concern to a renter versus an owner.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Thats a great point on foreclosure. I want to rent so I don't have to pay the HOAs.
Looking for 4.5 players for Orlando Doubles Silver League
Hey guys,
My Tuesday night team is in need of several strong 4.5 players to play lines 1 and 2 for us in the Central Florida Mens doubles league. Our home court is Lake Sylvan however, since most of the matches are at Red Bug, Winter Park, Lake Cane, and Sanlando, you can pretty much live anywhere around Orlando. We are very solid at lines 3-5 but really need some strong 4.5 players to round out the team. We have a great bunch of guys and would love to talk to anyone interested or if you have any recommendations. You can E-mail me at:
sbigham97@earthlink.net
Thanks
Bigs
Hey guys,
My Tuesday night team is in need of several strong 4.5 players to play lines 1 and 2 for us in the Central Florida Mens doubles league. Our home court is Lake Sylvan however, since most of the matches are at Red Bug, Winter Park, Lake Cane, and Sanlando, you can pretty much live anywhere around Orlando. We are very solid at lines 3-5 but really need some strong 4.5 players to round out the team. We have a great bunch of guys and would love to talk to anyone interested or if you have any recommendations. You can E-mail me at:
sbigham97@earthlink.net
Thanks
Bigs
mikeler
Moderator
Played both days this weekend. Saturday I gulped down 32 ounces of G2 before my match. My stomach was killing me and I played as well as I could not feeling 100% physically. I changed to Powerade Zero on Sunday and played fantastic. Anybody else have problems with the G2 Gatorade?
I haven't tried the Gatorade G2 specifically but I have felt sick with vitamin drinks (the kind in the packages that are mixed with water) on an empty stomach. If you did not eat anything and then drank the G2 that could be the problem. Sounds like you should stay with the Powerade.
mikeler
Moderator
I normally play early in the morning and don't eat anything, but I had my normal breakfast before consuming the G2. I never had stomach issues until it got hot and I started drinking the G2. In previous years, I used regular Gatorade which I love but has so many calories. In any event, I will stick with the Powerade for now.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I have been throwing 2.5 scoops of regular gatorade into a gallon of water lately. It gave me good energy the whole time. It loks like the rain may hold off tonight and I am going to try it again. But I also drank G2 before I went and played and never had a problem.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Mikeler, you know anything about Monday nights at OTC? There are some guys who pay around 15 bucks and hit with Carlos and Frank was saying I should check into it. It just seems like a closed thing and I don't want to crash it. The players are pretty good, more on the level I'd like to play with. Only people I know at OTC do clinics and are not that good. I use OTC more to meet up w/ somebody but sometimes I can't schedule hits in advance.
I like that dude Carlos though, I'd love to hit with him.
I like that dude Carlos though, I'd love to hit with him.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah Frank did. I hit with one of the guys before to warmup. He is a nice guy..a doctor, pretty short guy (not that im much taller..lol). Had a little trouble with my topspin, so I am sure I will be fine with those guys. I think I will try and call Carlos just to make sure it is cool before I do it. I figured it would be a good way to meet more OTC regulars and get casual hits and matches.
bad_call
Legend
yeah. i'd be interested in heading out there on Monday nite.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Well I made some key sales on the West Coast at work tonight so I could not make it out until 7 and had to hit at Azalea (which was slammed). But I am definitley going to do this. I will get carlos's number and see what the deal is so I know I am not being a PITA. I have seen where it is just 4 guys so I do not want to be the 5th or something lame like that.
mikeler
Moderator
Wow, you made it all the way back from California in time to play
They seem to have clinics every evening. I'm not sure what the difference is between the different nights.
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