2013 USTA ITF NATIONAL 40s HARD - 5.0 vs 5.0 @ La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club

raging

Professional
2013 USTA ITF NATIONAL 40s HARD - 5.0 vs 5.0 @ La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club

In this match my knees were killing me, so I was glad my play or the wind had him playing a bit off.

Let me know if you see anything I can improve on, because I know I suck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CDQljUw-Mg

What specifically did YOU want to improve?

internet analysis is brutal and the video doesn't lie.
It doesn't tell the full story though and no sound makes it very deceptive regarding wind, mishits etc..

some posters may call open season without understanding what they are looking at.
 

tennis_ocd

Hall of Fame
at this level it isn't about attacking seconds, the 80% was overall returns...the other poster ednegroni thought there were too many return errors. 80% is perfect for seniors tennis, make the other guy play.
Two solid players; why not attack seconds? To me, this percentage thing is kinda meaningless. It would depend greatly on your approach to the return game.
 

Gut4Tennis

Hall of Fame
What specifically did YOU want to improve?

internet analysis is brutal and the video doesn't lie.
It doesn't tell the full story though and no sound makes it very deceptive regarding wind, mishits etc..

some posters may call open season without understanding what they are looking at.

thanks...good point.

I think my serve mainly, and shot selection on certain points.

My serve does not utilize the proper hip flex to get more power and snap.
 
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Gut4Tennis

Hall of Fame
Two solid players; why not attack seconds? To me, this percentage thing is kinda meaningless. It would depend greatly on your approach to the return game.

First off IMO my second is very hard for people to attack as its usually very near the service line, as its more of a drive slice serve, and his second was pretty good.

I feel if I can get the ball in play I have a 70% chance of winning the point. The matches I lose are where I try and do too much with the return.

Gotta grind it baby :)
 

raging

Professional
thanks...good point.

I think my serve mainly, and shot selection on certain points.

My serve does not utilize the proper hip flex to get more power and snap.

I was afraid you were going to say the serve!:)

Problem is with your knee problems there will also be something locking in the back, hips. Any flexibility will need to be improved via yoga, stretching of IT but also hip/shoulders etc. The 50 year old guy you played (& beat) had better flexibility!:)

If it was that windy then I thought your sudden attacks up the middle /drops/junk slice was pretty much a nightmare for your standard serve/volley, pretty flat hitting opponent. He looked tied in knots and mostly at a disadvantage in the longer rallies. It actually looked like you had planned the match and how you were going to play against him.

Over 2 sets and over an hour playing you didn't make more than 6 bad decisions and even those were solved by him reacting quicker to drop shots, changes of pace.

Once you get the ball toss more out in front and go after it a bit more, your hip flexion will occur more naturally. But get the knees (IT bands) and hips sorted out first. Then you will be able to attack the serve, drive up into the ball and not worry about hitting the ground afterwards.:twisted:

Now...let the games begin!
 

Spin Doctor

Professional
Let me know if you see anything I can improve on, because I know I suck

You have a great game, lots of variety. Nice watching "older" guys hitting all the shots. Young guys <30 are just hammering topspin shots at each other over and over. Nothing wrong with that but it's nice seeing something different.

I see a couple of areas for improvement:

1. Wardrobe/styling
2. You have your bag on the bench....:evil::evil:
 

Gut4Tennis

Hall of Fame
I was afraid you were going to say the serve!:)

Problem is with your knee problems there will also be something locking in the back, hips. Any flexibility will need to be improved via yoga, stretching of IT but also hip/shoulders etc. The 50 year old guy you played (& beat) had better flexibility!:)

If it was that windy then I thought your sudden attacks up the middle /drops/junk slice was pretty much a nightmare for your standard serve/volley, pretty flat hitting opponent. He looked tied in knots and mostly at a disadvantage in the longer rallies. It actually looked like you had planned the match and how you were going to play against him.

Over 2 sets and over an hour playing you didn't make more than 6 bad decisions and even those were solved by him reacting quicker to drop shots, changes of pace.

Once you get the ball toss more out in front and go after it a bit more, your hip flexion will occur more naturally. But get the knees (IT bands) and hips sorted out first. Then you will be able to attack the serve, drive up into the ball and not worry about hitting the ground afterwards.:twisted:

Now...let the games begin!

awesome stuff man. thanks

I will try and focus on what you just said.
 

Gut4Tennis

Hall of Fame
You have a great game, lots of variety. Nice watching "older" guys hitting all the shots. Young guys <30 are just hammering topspin shots at each other over and over. Nothing wrong with that but it's nice seeing something different.

I see a couple of areas for improvement:

1. Wardrobe/styling
2. You have your bag on the bench....:evil::evil:

thank you.

1. I dress like a fool huh? lol
2. What's wrong with the bag on the bench?
 

Gut4Tennis

Hall of Fame
If it was that windy then I thought your sudden attacks up the middle /drops/junk slice was pretty much a nightmare for your standard serve/volley, pretty flat hitting opponent. He looked tied in knots and mostly at a disadvantage in the longer rallies. It actually looked like you had planned the match and how you were going to play against him.

Do you know the player I played?

Yes I watched his first rd match very closely, and did indeed have a specific game to play him in the wind.

Very observant of you.
 

Gut4Tennis

Hall of Fame
Yesss. Thank-you. That was going to be my fashion tip #1. Second tip is to lose the sweat rag -- do you really need that?

Those are ultra absorbent microfiber towels. I never need to towel off as my towel is on my hip, and I never get soggy butt like most guys that play singles. Sorry but those towels are there to stay. :)

That was a joke. I guess you didn't see the thread in this sub-forum.

Ohh ok yes I remember.
 

arche3

Banned
I got some zensah calf compression sleeves. Love it. Ima boss now with girly like long sock look. :)
 

tenniscan

New User
RE ITF and closed nationals: The nationals are only closed to Non-USTA members...basically anyone, foreign or not can play but they have to buy a USTA membership (about $45 I think...not sure, I'm a lifetime member). The USTA closed them not because of the IPIN, or not soley because of it, but because they didn't want to have to follow ITF rules such as using an ITF ranking for seeding, white badge minimum referees, ITF rules for chair umpires (calling all lines), the ITF software and USTA software (double inputting of data). So now they are Grade 2 closed instead of Grade 1 and the ITF ranking of USA players has taken a big hit. I play a lot overseas and like the ITF rules in the main.
 

tenniscan

New User
PS: I play in the 55s but am a LJBTC member so was watching some of the 40 Hard...I usually play it but couldn't this year, thought the video was a great idea.
 

GRANITECHIEF

Hall of Fame
I lost 6-4 in 3rd to this years hardcourt finalist at Indoor Nats last year. Missed an approach by less than 1 inch (executed a sweet volley winner on the pass) that would have given me the chance to serve for the match.

Cool video. Def would like to play La Jolla sometime.
 

JLyon

Hall of Fame
thank you.

1. I dress like a fool huh? lol
2. What's wrong with the bag on the bench?

Who cares what you look like, it is all about the "W's"

Thanks for posting the videos, interesting to see the different styles at each level.
 

EP1998

Semi-Pro
no. I need to learn from watching videos of myself. I could though

I played some nationals a few years ago and at the time, I didn't take lessons either. I guess I thought I was on the court enough or maybe the lessons I had as a junior were enough. or i was spending enough on tennis. i'm taking lessons again now and I should have done it then too.
 

EP1998

Semi-Pro
I lost 6-4 in 3rd to this years hardcourt finalist at Indoor Nats last year. Missed an approach by less than 1 inch (executed a sweet volley winner on the pass) that would have given me the chance to serve for the match.

Cool video. Def would like to play La Jolla sometime.

I do as well. The Sunday after thanksgiving travel has been my problem with it.
 

GRANITECHIEF

Hall of Fame
Back on the atp ranking list after over 6 years. About as good of a draw as he could've hoped for.

Next round will be a better indicator of current level.
 

Gut4Tennis

Hall of Fame
Puzzling, Oren M got a WC to Bakersfield futures main draw. Plays first pro circuit match today since Nov. 2007

He must of won a national open ( gives you a wild card to the futures main draw of your choice), or won a wild card tournament.

I cant see them just giving him a wild card just because of who he is. He cant even beat all the 40 or 45 and over guys in the usta anymore.

Father time is starting to break down his body like the rest of us :(
 

cartel

Rookie
If I was financially secure, I would just travel all over the globe playing ITF events for my age group and one age group below. That would be sooo much fun.

i agree :) -- would love to play in spain in the sun on clay.. as opposed to indoors hiding from the rain on the west coast -- although today the sun came out and it was like spring is here-- but im sure the rain will be back in a couple of days :-(
 
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Moz

Hall of Fame
If I was financially secure, I would just travel all over the globe playing ITF events for my age group and one age group below. That would be sooo much fun.

i agree :) -- would love to play in spain in the sun on clay.. as opposed to indoors hiding from the rain on the west coast -- although today the sun came out and it was like spring is here-- but im sure the rain will be back in a couple of days :-(

This is ironic timing. I've bought the motorhome, pick it up next week and take the ferry to France in early April. This is my approximate schedule (all vets events):

12 -16 Apr: ITF Alassio.
21 - 27 Apr: ITF Rome.
30 - 4 May: ITF Bari.
8 - 11 May: ITF Novi Sad, Serbia.
15 -18 May: ITF Rogaska Slatina, Slovenia.
19 25 May, 26 May - 1 Jun: ITF Rovinj, Croatia.
4 - 8 Jun: ITF Klagenfurt, Austria.
12 - 15 Jun: ITF Slovenia.
16 - 22 Jun: ITF Poertschach, Austria.
23 - 27 Jun: ITF Karlovy Vary, Czech.
7 - 10, 11-14 Jul: ITF Arosa, Switzerland.
21 Jul: ITF Bordeaux, France.
Aug: South of France
Sep / Oct: Spain / Portugal.

Here is the website for the first tournmanet - looks nice, 400m from the beach.

http://www.hanburytennisclub.it/
 
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Sup2Dresq

Hall of Fame
This is ironic timing. I've bought the motorhome, pick it up next week and take the ferry to France in early April. This is my approximate schedule (all vets events):

12 -16 Apr: ITF Alassio.
21 - 27 Apr: ITF Rome.
30 - 4 May: ITF Bari.
8 - 11 May: ITF Novi Sad, Serbia.
15 -18 May: ITF Rogaska Slatina, Slovenia.
19 25 May, 26 May - 1 Jun: ITF Rovinj, Croatia.
4 - 8 Jun: ITF Klagenfurt, Austria.
12 - 15 Jun: ITF Slovenia.
16 - 22 Jun: ITF Poertschach, Austria.
23 - 27 Jun: ITF Karlovy Vary, Czech.
7 - 10, 11-14 Jul: ITF Arosa, Switzerland.
21 Jul: ITF Bordeaux, France.
Aug: South of France
Sep / Oct: Spain / Portugal.

Here is the website for the first tournmanet - looks nice, 400m from the beach.

http://www.hanburytennisclub.it/

Who wears short shorts.. Moz in France does.
 

Gut4Tennis

Hall of Fame
This is ironic timing. I've bought the motorhome, pick it up next week and take the ferry to France in early April. This is my approximate schedule (all vets events):

12 -16 Apr: ITF Alassio.
21 - 27 Apr: ITF Rome.
30 - 4 May: ITF Bari.
8 - 11 May: ITF Novi Sad, Serbia.
15 -18 May: ITF Rogaska Slatina, Slovenia.
19 25 May, 26 May - 1 Jun: ITF Rovinj, Croatia.
4 - 8 Jun: ITF Klagenfurt, Austria.
12 - 15 Jun: ITF Slovenia.
16 - 22 Jun: ITF Poertschach, Austria.
23 - 27 Jun: ITF Karlovy Vary, Czech.
7 - 10, 11-14 Jul: ITF Arosa, Switzerland.
21 Jul: ITF Bordeaux, France.
Aug: South of France
Sep / Oct: Spain / Portugal.

Here is the website for the first tournmanet - looks nice, 400m from the beach.

http://www.hanburytennisclub.it/

u da man!!!

stay healthy!!

pictures of the motorhome pretty preezz
 

Moz

Hall of Fame
Sup - I'm in long shorts now and I feel like Samson without his hair.

I'm planning on blogging again, otherwise I won't remember any of it!

Here are some pictures, as you can see its quite old but big.





 

Gut4Tennis

Hall of Fame
Sorry to derail the thread. I'll start a new one.

NO WORRIES. your story deserves its own thread as its going to be epic.

I think the motor home is a beauty! I've actually looked into buying something like that here in the states. Its around 10-15k used vs 60k new

I will ask you more questions in your thread about your travels :)

I KNOW your going to have the time of your life.
 

Moz

Hall of Fame
How's the serve coming along Moz? Getting any better?

Thanks for asking. Yes, but it got a lot worse first and it's only just coming round. The toss seems to be sorted mostly, now just need more drive. The weather has made it tough to practice.
 

dpca

Rookie
What are you talking about? No way its poor anything. When you bring someone the balls to the bench its just one more thing that can get lost in the gear on the bench. Tennis points are started at the baseline, so that's where the balls should be.

Agreed! I cannot see poor etiquette nowhere.

Please, someone to post a good and nice video like this and then where are all in the same etiquette.

Regrads!!

D.
 

Gut4Tennis

Hall of Fame
VERY DIFFERENT.

yeah the 40s 5.0 moves the ball around, while the open 5.0 just goes for winners.

haha just kidding.

the 40s 5.0 can easily be a 4.5 the next day due to aging body pains, while the open 5.0 is usually much younger, and can last longer as the match goes on

fitness and speed is the main difference IMO
 

McLovin

Legend
yeah the 40s 5.0 moves the ball around, while the open 5.0 just goes for winners.

Sheesh, isn't that the truth.

There's a 5.0 recent college grad I hit with at our club. Up until last year, I'd at a minimum split sets with him, but since the new year, I'm struggling to get games, let alone sets. I routinely see shots from 8ft behind the baseline go whizzing by me.

Our pro, however, who is 54, just puts the ball in the corner with decent pace, then comes in behind & puts the volley away. He varies spin, and redirects the ball effortlessly. Very, very frustrating to play against.

I'd rather lose tot he young kid, because at least I feel as if there was nothing I could do. With the older guy, there's this false sense that I can hang with him, when in reality, I have less chance vs him than the young kid. At least there's a chance the kid will miss...
 

McLovin

Legend
On a side note, I was looking up a friend of mine's results on TennisLink. I noticed that you (Gut4Tennis), beat the wife of a local celebrity the other night in mixed 40s.

When she hit a good shot, did you tell her it was "muuuh-ney"?
 

mikeler

Moderator
After playing my first 18+, 5.0 league I can tell you the difference between the older 5.0s and the younger ones. Doubles the crafty older guys can hang. In singles, like McLovin said they just hit such a huge ball. All of them seemed to have monster kick serves and the pace/spin combo was very tough to deal with even when I could actually reach the ball.
 

Gut4Tennis

Hall of Fame
On a side note, I was looking up a friend of mine's results on TennisLink. I noticed that you (Gut4Tennis), beat the wife of a local celebrity the other night in mixed 40s.

When she hit a good shot, did you tell her it was "muuuh-ney"?

The wife was Dina B?
 
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