UK TT racquetaholics and tennis bums

Aggro

Rookie
Has anybody used the mower types of hopper ? there is one at the new club and it looks immense!

One of the problems i always have with hoppers is that the wire bends and obviously gets wonky as time goes on :(

this thing is built like a truck - have you guys got any thoughts on them ? Might pick up one for myself :)

pro-s-pro-ball-mower-2-384-p.gif
 

Dream_On

Rookie
Has anybody used the mower types of hopper ? there is one at the new club and it looks immense!

One of the problems i always have with hoppers is that the wire bends and obviously gets wonky as time goes on :(

this thing is built like a truck - have you guys got any thoughts on them ? Might pick up one for myself :)

pro-s-pro-ball-mower-2-384-p.gif

They are really good for picking up balls quickly, apart from one near the fence. Very useful though, I would recommend one if it doesnt cost too much. They are also annoying if you wana tip the balls out of it
 

Dave M

Hall of Fame
Thanks for the info, Paul. That's good to know. There have been rumours before that they might pull out of tennis and concentrate on the music side of the business, and I was concerned it might have actually happened.

The Magic Cow just keeps on mooing. Another couple of hours tonight and still intact. Of course, it has dawned on me that perhaps I don't hit as hard as I thought...

I've never really used gut other than babolats VS stuff, how does bow brand compare?
 

Dags

Hall of Fame
RIP Magic Cow. :-(

Finally popped it today with a return of serve, then hit 5 more shots before... losing the point. I was paddling it back, and so badly wanted to win the point just to have the story to tell, but it wasn't to be.

It broke around the 29-30 hour mark, so let's say 30 hours for a nice round number. Setup was Bow Brand Professional gauge 8 (equivalent of 16L) at 52 lbs in the mains, Luxilon Adrenaline 1.20 at 48 lbs in the crosses. I underestimated the tension: I'd been playing it in a Prestige MP at 44 / 40, but the string patterns made more of a difference than I anticipated. I'll go either 56 / 52 or 58 / 54 next time.

I had half an hour to play with the factory strings in the next racquet. I didn't actually find them as bad as I feared, and was more bothered by the synthetic grip. That's being replaced with a leather one either today or tomorrow. I'll try to keep going with these strings until they break just for comparison - if they also last 30 hours, then we can conclude that the longevity of the gut was actually down to my playing style!

I've never really used gut other than babolats VS stuff, how does bow brand compare?

Bow Brand is softer, and doesn't have that crisp feel you get with VS. I prefer stringing with it though - it doesn't have the smell of VS, and the coating on the string makes it quite slick. One thing I've always been a bit wary about is that it doesn't come in air-tight packaging like VS, and you never know how long it's been sitting on a shelf. As it's out of stock everywhere at the moment, that worry will temporarily go when it returns. I keep mine in those re-sealable bags you get at the supermarket. I also put the VS in one if I use half a set.
 
Tried a new set-up today.........multi mains and poly crosses.

I used Dunlop Explosive Multi 1.25 @ 60lbs and and SPPP 1.24 @ 54lbs. Liking it so far, never played a hybrid this way before so I was quite interested how it would play. Felt slightly harsh at first, prob went a little tight on the shorter crosses with the poly, but felt better after a couple of hours hitting. Nice control and spin and pop off the ground, great to volley with.....nice and crisp pop and again great control, maybe a little underpowered on the serve, I think that could improve after the strings have settled in and lost a little tension. I need to string my other frame the opposite way so I can compare which way I prefer it.
 

forthegame

Hall of Fame
Avoid hitting in the freezing cold with dead, wet balls.
Avoid hitting in the freezing cold with dead, wet balls.
Avoid hitting in the freezing cold with dead, wet balls.
Avoid hitting in the freezing cold with dead, wet balls.
Avoid hitting in the freezing cold with dead, wet balls.
Avoid hitting in the freezing cold with dead, wet balls.
 

forthegame

Hall of Fame
Dags, I hear you. Never got warm, couldn't move and now I'm paying the price. Sore shoulder (must have been 'arming' the ball) and sore left wrist/thumb (no clue why).

Funny thing, it was a friendly against David Lloyd, they needed "outdoor" experience for the upcoming season!
 

spaceman_spiff

Hall of Fame
Avoid hitting in the freezing cold with dead, wet balls.
Avoid hitting in the freezing cold with dead, wet balls.
Avoid hitting in the freezing cold with dead, wet balls.
Avoid hitting in the freezing cold with dead, wet balls.
Avoid hitting in the freezing cold with dead, wet balls.
Avoid hitting in the freezing cold with dead, wet balls.

Quick question for the locals. I don't know if it's just tennis players or the general public. But, why is it that people around here (East Anglia at least) have no understanding of the local weather?

So yesterday, it rained all day. The captain for my team lives and works within walking distance of our club, so he should have been completely aware of the rain. Despite that, because the rain died down a little bit for about 30 minutes, he decides we should be ok to play a match. By the middle of the second set, the rain had picked up again and we were all soaking. We called it quits after the first rubber. It was the second time in a couple of months this has happened, and there have been several other instances in the last few years.

Why is it that people who have lived here their entire lives have this unrealistic optimism/no understanding about the local weather, whereas the foreigner who's only been here a couple of years has to be the voice of reason? (For example, if it's been raining all day, there's no significant break in the clouds, and the weatherman hasn't forecasted a change, there's a pretty big chance IT'S GOING TO KEEP RAINING.) Is it just limited to the tennis community?

Sorry for the rant.
 

Dags

Hall of Fame
Don't worry, it's not restricted to East Anglia!

The impression I have is that no one wants to be responsible for cancelling a match. They feel it will somehow let down everyone involved. And they don't want the hassle of re-arranging. It seems to be justified with this daft optimism that weather in this country is imminently changeable, and that things will clear up in 20 minutes.

I played in the rain tonight. Indoors. :)
 

Kam2010

Rookie
Don't worry, it's not restricted to East Anglia!

The impression I have is that no one wants to be responsible for cancelling a match. They feel it will somehow let down everyone involved. And they don't want the hassle of re-arranging. It seems to be justified with this daft optimism that weather in this country is imminently changeable, and that things will clear up in 20 minutes.

I played in the rain tonight. Indoors. :)

lol that doesn't count
Club has a match on Sat and it's away, I hope they cancel if it rains in the morning.
 

spaceman_spiff

Hall of Fame
Don't worry, it's not restricted to East Anglia!

The impression I have is that no one wants to be responsible for cancelling a match. They feel it will somehow let down everyone involved. And they don't want the hassle of re-arranging. It seems to be justified with this daft optimism that weather in this country is imminently changeable, and that things will clear up in 20 minutes.

I played in the rain tonight. Indoors. :)

I used to get the same with guys who wanted to have a hit. I'd suggest booking an indoor court, but they always wanted to wait to see how the weather turned out, even in the middle of winter. Eventually, I got them to appreciate our warm, dry indoor courts, which are pretty decent and don't cost much.

It didn't take me long to figure out that, if it looks like it might rain, it's probably going to rain (i.e., don't get your hopes up). That said, today looks promising (is that a sign that I've been here too long?).
 

Aggro

Rookie
Got my first match for the club this weekend i believe one of the new aegon matches.

Could be fun, haven't got my new rackets yet so will be learning how to hit with it and string it up very quickly!
 

Dags

Hall of Fame
That said, today looks promising

That's the spirit, old boy. Stiff upper lip and all that, what?

Today started rather overcast in the west, then a heavy hail storm, and now fairly bright sunshine. In fact, you could describe it as imminently changeable, and have faith that things will clear up in 20 minutes...
 

Dags

Hall of Fame
Got my first match for the club this weekend i believe one of the new aegon matches.

Could be fun, haven't got my new rackets yet so will be learning how to hit with it and string it up very quickly!

I'm assuming that as my club hasn't put up any fixture lists, let alone organised any team trials or practice, that things are probably being conducted as a closed shop. I'm not overly fussed about regular league as I don't like doubles much, but Aegon has singles in it, right? That could have been interesting.
 

Aggro

Rookie
Dags said:
I'm assuming that as my club hasn't put up any fixture lists, let alone organised any team trials or practice, that things are probably being conducted as a closed shop. I'm not overly fussed about regular league as I don't like doubles much, but Aegon has singles in it, right? That could have been interesting.

Yep thats right you play one singles and one doubles. The difference with the aegon is that its all done by ratings. So they 4 players in the team must play in ratings order highest #1 and lowest #4. The also count as rating matches.

Me being a 8.2 having played zero lta matches since i was 17 (6 years ago) need to get my rating up asap. was told by the LTA if i post notable results over people at the same ratings or higher i can get boosted up.
 

crosscourt

Professional
Quick question for the locals. I don't know if it's just tennis players or the general public. But, why is it that people around here (East Anglia at least) have no understanding of the local weather?

So yesterday, it rained all day. The captain for my team lives and works within walking distance of our club, so he should have been completely aware of the rain. Despite that, because the rain died down a little bit for about 30 minutes, he decides we should be ok to play a match. By the middle of the second set, the rain had picked up again and we were all soaking. We called it quits after the first rubber. It was the second time in a couple of months this has happened, and there have been several other instances in the last few years.

Why is it that people who have lived here their entire lives have this unrealistic optimism/no understanding about the local weather, whereas the foreigner who's only been here a couple of years has to be the voice of reason? (For example, if it's been raining all day, there's no significant break in the clouds, and the weatherman hasn't forecasted a change, there's a pretty big chance IT'S GOING TO KEEP RAINING.) Is it just limited to the tennis community?

Sorry for the rant.

Are you in fact foreign? I ask because you refer to what is apparent to a foreigner in your post. If you are that could be the problem. In England we see tennis as a summer game -- that is a game played in all conditions bar deep snow. If it has rained hard enough that the balls dont move after they have hit the court that is treated as the same as deep snow. But otherwise it is a summer game so lets enjoy it while we can (and in all the types of weather we get in the summer).

cc
 

Kam2010

Rookie
Kam, which one of your sticks will you use?:twisted:

I usually take 2 rackets, but I am going to take 3 APD, pure storm tour and K88.
If I feel like hitting with lot of power than I will use K88 otherwise I will use either the APD or Pure storm tour.


Edit
Any one had any experience with Pro Kennex Championship tennis balls
I posted on the other equipment see if I get any responses there
Here are the balls

20120420_123302.jpg


20120420_123256.jpg


20120420_121007.jpg
 
Last edited:

spaceman_spiff

Hall of Fame
Are you in fact foreign? I ask because you refer to what is apparent to a foreigner in your post. If you are that could be the problem. In England we see tennis as a summer game -- that is a game played in all conditions bar deep snow. If it has rained hard enough that the balls dont move after they have hit the court that is treated as the same as deep snow. But otherwise it is a summer game so lets enjoy it while we can (and in all the types of weather we get in the summer).

cc

I never understood that mentality really, because tennis was quite obviously never intended to be played in the rain (the indicators being the hard grass courts that offer no grip when wet and the felt balls that soak up loads of water). I've always found it humorously puzzling. :)

When I first moved here, people at my club were explaining about how the all-weather courts were designed so that you could play in the rain and so on. I just said, "why not put up a roof?" You'd have thought I had suggested building gold-plated courts at the bottom of the ocean judging by everyone's reaction. Apparently, thousands of pounds spent on carpet that has to be relaid every few years from the heavy use is ok, but thousands of pounds on a roof (not even fully enclosed building) that blocks the rain and allows you to use any surface you like is some sort of crazy talk.

I think this is one of those things about Britain that would be better if the weather was actually worse, i.e., genuinely cold in the winter and hot in the summer.
 
Last edited:

Aggro

Rookie
Got my new sticks today! I have drawn one conclusion from them, I HATE Xcel strings particularly factory strung! Will take great pleasure in ripping them out tomorrow.
 

Dags

Hall of Fame
Me being a 8.2 having played zero lta matches since i was 17 (6 years ago)

I wonder how long it will be before the LTA realise their system is broken? In any other sport, you playing down would make you a ringer - here, they governing body are forcing you to do it!
 

Aggro

Rookie
Dags said:
I wonder how long it will be before the LTA realise their system is broken? In any other sport, you playing down would make you a ringer - here, they governing body are forcing you to do it!

I did email the LTA asking to be boosted up to a more appropriate level having posted wins over 4 and 5s at university but apparently that is not good enough. The Head coach is a 4.2 and the club coach below me is a 5.1 and the rating is embarrassing.

It is my fault that i haven't played but with the job i have and playing standard i was at i thought i would be able to get up to a 6 but I'm not allowed.

I have been advised once i get some wins against higher level opponents that i can manually request a change to my rating.

Luckily we have lots of juniors at the 7.2 level who i can beat and then email the LTA :) just a very long process !!
 

Dags

Hall of Fame
It's just struck me that the LTA have licenced our man Aggro (to Level 3, no less), which means people who can hand out accreditation have seen him hit, but they refuse to acknowledge he's better than an 8.2.

If nothing else, they really ought to have a rule for their own coaches that allows sensible rating.

On the flip side, my 9.2 is fully deserved. :)
 

Aggro

Rookie
Should add i have also done a play test and the equivalent grade is 5.1/4.2.

Ah well :)

prostaff junkie said:
Is it also correct that Doubles matches don't count towards your rating?

That's correct.
 

crosscourt

Professional
I never understood that mentality really, because tennis was quite obviously never intended to be played in the rain (the indicators being the hard grass courts that offer no grip when wet and the felt balls that soak up loads of water). I've always found it humorously puzzling. :)

When I first moved here, people at my club were explaining about how the all-weather courts were designed so that you could play in the rain and so on. I just said, "why not put up a roof?" You'd have thought I had suggested building gold-plated courts at the bottom of the ocean judging by everyone's reaction. Apparently, thousands of pounds spent on carpet that has to be relaid every few years from the heavy use is ok, but thousands of pounds on a roof (not even fully enclosed building) that blocks the rain and allows you to use any surface you like is some sort of crazy talk.

I think this is one of those things about Britain that would be better if the weather was actually worse, i.e., genuinely cold in the winter and hot in the summer.

You have to follow the logic of tennis being a summer game. Because it is a summer game it is played outside. Outside means among other things "not under a roof".

Where are you from Spaceman?

cc
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
I did email the LTA asking to be boosted up to a more appropriate level having posted wins over 4 and 5s at university but apparently that is not good enough. The Head coach is a 4.2 and the club coach below me is a 5.1 and the rating is embarrassing.

It is my fault that i haven't played but with the job i have and playing standard i was at i thought i would be able to get up to a 6 but I'm not allowed.

I have been advised once i get some wins against higher level opponents that i can manually request a change to my rating.

Luckily we have lots of juniors at the 7.2 level who i can beat and then email the LTA :) just a very long process !!

Its all crocked, If you dont start on the ladder as a child its pants. I started late, in my 30's, Ive beaten an ex player on tour who is a 4.1 coach and lost to a coach who works with the LTA and he's a 10.2 !!! Crazy.....
 

forthegame

Hall of Fame
Restrung my M-Fil 300 with Gamma Synthetic Gut 16 at 54lbs - hope it's not too powerful.

Waiting on another raq locally and 2 more across the pond!

Haven't even touched the BBDCPro after the first hit, HELP!!
 

forthegame

Hall of Fame
what happened??

After the original gut strings in the BBDCP broke, I picked up the MFil and just never got round to the BBDCP again. The butterfly net feel of the first hit with the Becker was a little off putting and I enjoyed getting to know the Dunlop and it seemed a better fit. I'll have to string up the Becker and try again.

I guess I have a thing for thinner beams.
 

Aggro

Rookie
Well after 2 rain delays. I eventually won my match 7-5, 3-6, 11-9. The Team won overall quite easily.

I played an absolute shocker! Didn't take to the new string setup and the only shot working for me was my volleys which in the conditions didnt happen very often!

i was 4-1 down in the first set and rallied back. In the match tie break i was 8-4 down to come back.

Was very fortunate to win but now the first one is out of the way hopefully more will flow.
 

nickynu

Semi-Pro
Played for 40 minutes today, my first hit since 28th December when I suffered a herniated disc. Tennis is beautiful no?
 

spaceman_spiff

Hall of Fame
You have to follow the logic of tennis being a summer game. Because it is a summer game it is played outside. Outside means among other things "not under a roof".

Where are you from Spaceman?

cc

Ah, but that's where you run into a conundrum. Tennis is an outdoor sport, but it's not designed to be played in the rain. So, why not block the rain? :)

I'm from Oklahoma. If it rains there, we just wait a couple of hours for the rain to stop and the (hard) courts to dry. In the area around DC (I lived there just before moving here), they have a lot more indoor courts than OK because it rains and snows more often, but they also have plenty of hard courts and some clay courts for the warmer months. In Moscow (lived there before DC), indoor is the only option all winter, and many clubs have clay for the summer months.

Britain is the only place I've ever lived where people think playing tennis outside in the rain/snow is a good idea. It's more like cricket, but you treat it like football.
 

crosscourt

Professional
Ah, but that's where you run into a conundrum. Tennis is an outdoor sport, but it's not designed to be played in the rain. So, why not block the rain? :)

I'm from Oklahoma. If it rains there, we just wait a couple of hours for the rain to stop and the (hard) courts to dry. In the area around DC (I lived there just before moving here), they have a lot more indoor courts than OK because it rains and snows more often, but they also have plenty of hard courts and some clay courts for the warmer months. In Moscow (lived there before DC), indoor is the only option all winter, and many clubs have clay for the summer months.

Britain is the only place I've ever lived where people think playing tennis outside in the rain/snow is a good idea. It's more like cricket, but you treat it like football.

Cricket is a summer sport too and we play that in the rain. My comments on this are slightly tongue in cheek but you shouldn't underestimate the importance that we attach in England to doing things at the appointed hour. There are also lots of people who think that being able to play in the rain is one of the skills of tennis. And there are times when if you wait for it to stop raining you would never play.

Cc
 

spaceman_spiff

Hall of Fame
Cricket is a summer sport too and we play that in the rain. My comments on this are slightly tongue in cheek but you shouldn't underestimate the importance that we attach in England to doing things at the appointed hour. There are also lots of people who think that being able to play in the rain is one of the skills of tennis. And there are times when if you wait for it to stop raining you would never play.

Cc

I've never seen cricket in the rain. I thought the crease would be far too soft for a proper bounce.

Anyways, as you said, waiting for the rain to stop obviously isn't the way to go. But, playing in the rain is bad for your game and worse for your body (imagine how much more stress there is on your joints when you hit a wet ball). I'm just surprized more people here don't go for the third option.

It only took me a few years, but I eventually got most of my hitting buddies to appreciate the joys of hitting on warm, dry indoor courts on a rainy day. Now, if only I could convince the team captains.

(BTW, if you ever have a chance to play on indoor clay courts, I highly recommend it. It's surreal the first time you do it.)
 

Ash_Smith

Legend
The problem with that theory spiff, is that once you go indoors you almost never go out again! Players at my old club used to dread 'having' to go outside to play, almost to the point where they would rather not play at all!

That said, I'm quite comfy indoors, with my underfloor heating through the winter!!!

Cheers
 

crosscourt

Professional
spaceman_spiff;6483265 But said:
It may be that you overestimate the importance that we -- as a nation -- attribute to what is good for our game. In many sports concern for technique is considered to mask a lack of competitive intent. As to injuries, I am always surprised by how many of the guys I play with are really quite pleased when they pick up a sporting injury.

I have played on indoor clay and like you I really enjoyed it.

cc
 

Dags

Hall of Fame
The problem with that theory spiff, is that once you go indoors you almost never go out again! Players at my old club used to dread 'having' to go outside to play, almost to the point where they would rather not play at all!

I believe 'David Lloyd Softie' is the technical term! I can very rarely tempt players outside, but it isn't helped by having some of the worst outdoor courts I've ever played on. I swear it's the same carpet they use indoors, with a load of sand thrown on it and an uneven bounce. And a damp spot. Always a damp spot, even if it hasn't rained for weeks.

Regarding the weather, I don't often start playing in the rain. But when you're on court and you get a bit of drizzle, you have to be the last left out there. That's a test of dedication. And probably manhood.

I wonder why we don't have more clay courts in the UK. You're supposed to keep those watered, right?
 

spaceman_spiff

Hall of Fame
It may be that you overestimate the importance that we -- as a nation -- attribute to what is good for our game. In many sports concern for technique is considered to mask a lack of competitive intent.

And how's that working out for you? :)

I think that whoever is in charge of your cycling team should be put in charge of the LTA and FA. You'd probably get far better results. They really seem to get the whole learning-how-to-win thing.
 
Last edited:

spaceman_spiff

Hall of Fame
I believe 'David Lloyd Softie' is the technical term! I can very rarely tempt players outside, but it isn't helped by having some of the worst outdoor courts I've ever played on. I swear it's the same carpet they use indoors, with a load of sand thrown on it and an uneven bounce. And a damp spot. Always a damp spot, even if it hasn't rained for weeks.

Before our courts got resurfaced, I hated them with such a passion that I'd rather play indoors in the middle of a sunny summer day. The slow, low, inconsistent bounce was absolutely horrendous. My favorite shot was the topspin forehand drop shot (slightly mis-hit forehand that hits a dead spot and drops for a winner). I'd never seen so many points won accidentally.

Our new carpet plays higher and faster, so I can tolerate it. But, there are still plenty of whacky bounces to mess with your head. I always find it funny to watch a coach try to teach a kid how to hit on the rise when they're on a court that Agassi himself would struggle with.

Needless to say, just about everyone from my club struggles when we play on hard courts.
 
Last edited:

Kam2010

Rookie
I'm looking to restring and have a go with the Prince Precision Response TI or the Exo3 Tour 16x18
Was wondering what you guys thought of the Solinco Revolution, is it better as hybrid or full bed and I usually string at 55lbs but don't mind going higher or lower as long as it's not above 60 and below 50.
I read up and correct me if i'm wrong but Meag you are quite a fan of the string maybe you could shed some light :D
 

crosscourt

Professional
And how's that working out for you? :)

I think that whoever is in charge of your cycling team should be put in charge of the LTA and FA. You'd probably get far better results. They really seem to get the whole learning-how-to-win thing.

I dont share that view so it doesn't affect me. A couple of years ago though I spent a week in Spain at a tennis academy. It was just a holiday for me -- for various reasons I hadn't been able to go away with the rest of the family and I needed a break -- but it was of course very serious for the full time players and coaches. What struck me most was how little interest they had in technique by comparison with fitness, matchplay and tactics. Sometimes I would point to one of the players and ask why they didn't iron out an obvious fault -- a double take back in a forehand or something like that -- and they had no interest at all. For them it just wasn't about that. What I learned was never to give up the baseline!

cc
 

spaceman_spiff

Hall of Fame
I dont share that view so it doesn't affect me. A couple of years ago though I spent a week in Spain at a tennis academy. It was just a holiday for me -- for various reasons I hadn't been able to go away with the rest of the family and I needed a break -- but it was of course very serious for the full time players and coaches. What struck me most was how little interest they had in technique by comparison with fitness, matchplay and tactics. Sometimes I would point to one of the players and ask why they didn't iron out an obvious fault -- a double take back in a forehand or something like that -- and they had no interest at all. For them it just wasn't about that. What I learned was never to give up the baseline!

cc

(Sorry, I meant you as a nation, not you personally. Just joking around.)

Strategies and tactics are the main reason I disagree with playing on carpet in the rain. The strategies and tactics that work in those conditions are practically worthless when it comes to playing on hard/clay courts with dry balls (which is pretty much every professional tournament in the world).

For example, the guy who hits low, flat shots from below the waist is going to be up a creek when it comes time to face heavy topspin balls up around the shoulders (or higher), which is pretty typical stuff on hard courts and clay. Even if he has beautiful technique, he won't know how to deal with it.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
I dont share that view so it doesn't affect me. A couple of years ago though I spent a week in Spain at a tennis academy. It was just a holiday for me -- for various reasons I hadn't been able to go away with the rest of the family and I needed a break -- but it was of course very serious for the full time players and coaches. What struck me most was how little interest they had in technique by comparison with fitness, matchplay and tactics. Sometimes I would point to one of the players and ask why they didn't iron out an obvious fault -- a double take back in a forehand or something like that -- and they had no interest at all. For them it just wasn't about that. What I learned was never to give up the baseline!

cc

Great line cc I wish I could get away with that one :)

Explain 'never give up the baseline'......like holding the T in squash ??
 
Top