Last year in high school i picked up tennis i practiced alot and joined the team with mediocer technique and played 2 singles i lost most of my matches we all lost most of them we where bad 2nd worst team around. after the season i practiced everyday for hours and hours alll my free time i spent alot of time in the gym alot of hours online studying the game and alot of hours on the court i put all my time into the game everyday all day in the winter i played indoors a few times a week and spent most of my time in the gym. So the day has finally arrived its march the school year is almost over and tennis is starting im a senior btw. Challenge matches i beat all easy accept the #1 from last year he has improved... i take first set im up 2nd set 4-1 i see the finish line im gona be #1!!! this moment has been in my head since last year before i know it he takes the set 6-4 3rd set 4 all he cramps bad we eventualy go into a tie breaker 6-3 i got 2 match points 6-8 i lose... The coach wont let me rechallenge and he gets his picture in the paper . our season starts the #1 goes undefeated dosent drop a set to anyone meto untill i play this guy who wants to avenge there #2 from last year who is now #3 they both star me down for some reason and during the match the guy is a ass talking trash while hes behind the base line cause i sent a few lobs his way then he mixes up the scores and i said no its this score and hes like what ever ill say i gave it to u . thats just the begining but you get the point he was a ass i lost to him cause my feet where dad i wasent moving at all i played horribly i should of been able to crush him. so my perfect record was gone 4-1 . A chance for redemtion! the big tournement i couldent even qualify for last year the tournement that all the #1s and other players with a 60% win record or more get into. its the event ive been thinking about everyday all year. ill get another shot at our #1 and get pay back against that jerk i lost to before. first round of this tournement im playing a guy i know he is easy i have beaten him every other time ive played him without hardly trying im losing this time though is he playing better? no im playing worse... 3rd set he is up 4-3 40 all (no add scoring) i slice it down the line for a winner he calls out im like what!that was completly in which it was half the ball was even touching the green. He says he thinks it was out so he takes the game and then the next game to win it. the news paper reporter comes to me and says id like to right a story on you i hear you where out here in 10 degree weather practicing? i kinda brushed him off said ya.... gave him short replys .i was crushed mentally from losing he says well that dosent make for a good story. i say srry he says thanks then i leave and come home and type my tennis story on tennis wearhouse forums with bad grammer and sentence structure.Why shouldent i qiute tennis? or should i ? i havent enjoyed the game all year
a sad tennis story of somone who tryed so hard and failed so badly
- Thread starter shadower4
- Start date
NaeviusTennis
Rookie
I tried really hard to understand what you wrote. If you're a senior in high school in the United States, you better quit tennis and concentrate more time on learning English and probably other subjects.
Any senior should know BASIC punctuation and the difference between "there" and "their".
Anyways, I really couldn't understand what you're saying, but take a deep breath, take some time off (it seems like your season has ended?), and play again when you're ready.
I'm just as confused as you are.
Any senior should know BASIC punctuation and the difference between "there" and "their".
Anyways, I really couldn't understand what you're saying, but take a deep breath, take some time off (it seems like your season has ended?), and play again when you're ready.
I'm just as confused as you are.
eidolonshinobi
Professional
So you try for 2 years and don't make #1 singles.
Big deal. 2 years is just beginner stuff, and you haven't tried at all until you play for FOUR years or more.
EVERY pro player has been playing longer than 10 years.
EVERY 5.5 has been playing longer than 6 years.
You are just beginning to play some tennis.
Big deal. 2 years is just beginner stuff, and you haven't tried at all until you play for FOUR years or more.
EVERY pro player has been playing longer than 10 years.
EVERY 5.5 has been playing longer than 6 years.
You are just beginning to play some tennis.
dominikk1985
Legend
come on don't be mean to him. I can understand he is pissed after that.
and also if you play tennis only 2 years (the text was hard to understand for me-but I'm also no native speaker and don't speak english that well) that is a good achievement.
tennis players usually at least need 6-8 years to reach their peak so you are certainly at a disadvantage to kids who started with 7 or 8.
you can be proud of all the hard work you put into it. you just need some time to get over that **** and then you also will be proud about yourself and your improvement.
and also if you play tennis only 2 years (the text was hard to understand for me-but I'm also no native speaker and don't speak english that well) that is a good achievement.
tennis players usually at least need 6-8 years to reach their peak so you are certainly at a disadvantage to kids who started with 7 or 8.
you can be proud of all the hard work you put into it. you just need some time to get over that **** and then you also will be proud about yourself and your improvement.
E
eliza
Guest
DO not take it on HIM. I taught foreign languages night classes, and was spending more time correcting their English than teaching.........
The fault is : family and society.
Kid: you are young and the future belongs to you. Get back on track, both with English and Tennis. There are so many wonderful books, you know?
dominikk1985
Legend
Come on, his mind is ****ed up because of that situation.
I don't think his english language structure is that bad. he was just so upset that he wrote without punctuation, structure and paragraphs. I'm sure he can do better.
NaeviusTennis
Rookie
Whatever. Someone's got to tell him now. I don't know what his environment or family was like so I can't really comment on that. All I know is that he tried to communicate something and I literally could not comprehend what he was saying. As a senior in high school presumably in the United States, that is unacceptable, whether it's due to society, family, or individual. He unfortunately cannot control the external factors influencing him, but he can control what HE does and his own actions. I'm not taking out anything on him. If I tell him what he needs to hear, doubtfully, but perhaps, if he hears it enough, he can take some steps to right his path before he realizes that he's at the age where society no longer cares what his family structure is like, and he awakens to rude reality when he finds himself desperately behind in college or finds himself unable to get a job.
Manus Domini
Hall of Fame
So you are saying we shouldn't beat up on his inability to write in English effectively--as a native speaker to boot--but he should read more books? Kinda sounds hypocritical
@OP, don't come crying to us if you know we can't understand you. Try to clear it up; maybe we can give you some positives to look forward to. But we can't do a thing if we can't read your post...
Cindysphinx
G.O.A.T.
I don't want to pile on, but dang.
If English is your first language, there is no excuse to write something like that. Is there a book, newspaper or magazine where you would find something like that?
So many people are held back in their jobs by inability to communicate in writing. I would bet that they wish someone had said something to them earlier.
If English is your first language, there is no excuse to write something like that. Is there a book, newspaper or magazine where you would find something like that?
So many people are held back in their jobs by inability to communicate in writing. I would bet that they wish someone had said something to them earlier.
ProgressoR
Hall of Fame
hey, its a bit tough to read, but for a native english speaker it is not really a problem to read it, really, is it?
OP, as others have asked are you a native English speaker?
anyway, take it easy, you havent been playing long, you will improve, and you will lose along the way, keep on improving all the time, one day you will beat the guys you feel you should beat.
OP, as others have asked are you a native English speaker?
anyway, take it easy, you havent been playing long, you will improve, and you will lose along the way, keep on improving all the time, one day you will beat the guys you feel you should beat.
ProgressoR
Hall of Fame
^^^ good point, the best story is where you succeed and others fail.
But if we all acheived that there would be no failures, and the value of success is diminished.
So failure actually provides the value of success, bit like evil and good have to co-exist and are co-dependent.
But if we all acheived that there would be no failures, and the value of success is diminished.
So failure actually provides the value of success, bit like evil and good have to co-exist and are co-dependent.
Nuke
Hall of Fame
If you're not enjoying tennis, maybe you shoud quit. Half the people who play lose. Deal with it, or find something else to do.
Although I REALLY, REALLY want to, I'm not going to add to the punctuation/grammar/spelling criticism.
It seems, if I understand your situation, you seem to have a tough time getting over setbacks during the match. The jerk punks you on a line call and you fall apart. You let the #1 come screaming back to beat you. You seem to have enough of a technical game to compete with the top players in your level. What you need to focus on is your mental game. In each level, as you progress, you are going to have the physical game to compete but will you be able to out-think or out-grind your competition? In ANY sport, at the highest levels, EVERY player has a great game--it's the mental game that separates the #1's from the "also ran" multitude.
You spent a ton of time working on your physical game after last season. So, how about putting the same effort into your mental game this off-season? Learn to concentrate. Learn how to overcome nerves. Learn how to calm yourself after you get a bad call. Learn how to re-focus after a bad point/game/set. This is all stuff that you need to learn--this is not tennis specific.
I am a lowly 2.5 beginner. But, even at my level, I know that improvement in my game is only partially physical.
It seems, if I understand your situation, you seem to have a tough time getting over setbacks during the match. The jerk punks you on a line call and you fall apart. You let the #1 come screaming back to beat you. You seem to have enough of a technical game to compete with the top players in your level. What you need to focus on is your mental game. In each level, as you progress, you are going to have the physical game to compete but will you be able to out-think or out-grind your competition? In ANY sport, at the highest levels, EVERY player has a great game--it's the mental game that separates the #1's from the "also ran" multitude.
You spent a ton of time working on your physical game after last season. So, how about putting the same effort into your mental game this off-season? Learn to concentrate. Learn how to overcome nerves. Learn how to calm yourself after you get a bad call. Learn how to re-focus after a bad point/game/set. This is all stuff that you need to learn--this is not tennis specific.
I am a lowly 2.5 beginner. But, even at my level, I know that improvement in my game is only partially physical.
Ok..I'm chiming in too. (That's too as opposed to the preposition referencing direction "to"). Notwithstanding the fact that his post is barely intelligible, I feel compelled to comment in general on grammar, punctuation, etc. I can't tell you how many people I see posting on Facebook the most basic grammar mistakes: "their, they're, and there;" "to and too," "you're and your;" "between you and I, instead of between you and me;" I could go on. And these are adults whom, went to many of the same schools as I did.
In general I think that American society has been dumbed down. Schools are teaching for tests rather than teaching children how to think. When I was in high school (which was only 20 years ago), if I was caught using the wrong word, i.e. "your" instead of "you're" in a paper, by the end of the year that meant automatic failure of a grade. In college, I was a writing major (which lends itself nicely to my profession). As a result, the most basic grammar mistakes by supposedly educated people make me cringe.
Enough of my rant..I know I take liberties in casual posts and conversation. My posts are generally more conversational than they would be, say, if I were writing a memorandum or motion for work. Yet, I certainly know the difference between bad grammar/writing versus conversational tone.
In general I think that American society has been dumbed down. Schools are teaching for tests rather than teaching children how to think. When I was in high school (which was only 20 years ago), if I was caught using the wrong word, i.e. "your" instead of "you're" in a paper, by the end of the year that meant automatic failure of a grade. In college, I was a writing major (which lends itself nicely to my profession). As a result, the most basic grammar mistakes by supposedly educated people make me cringe.
Enough of my rant..I know I take liberties in casual posts and conversation. My posts are generally more conversational than they would be, say, if I were writing a memorandum or motion for work. Yet, I certainly know the difference between bad grammar/writing versus conversational tone.
Djokovicfan4life
Legend
Surely you mean "who," given that adults is the subject? The comma is unnecessary as well.
Just kidding, of course, and I agree with your post. Craming the night before and filling in the right circles doesn't make you smart. Thinking does.
C
chico9166
Guest
Yup, it's all a part of the process.
C
chico9166
Guest
Well, you are a success. It sounds like you went above and beyond the call of duty to improve your game. You worked hard and put yourself out there. That's more than most can say.
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Actually...if you truly want to critique my sentence, the word adults is the object..after are...(implied these people are adults, whom). Yes, I admit the comma is in the incorrect place..and that's just me..taking liberties..typing and breaking as I would speak.
Djokovicfan4life
Legend
Damn, can't blame a guy for trying. 
Damn, can't blame a guy for trying.
Don't blame you at all. It's rather endearing, actually
You are incorrect. Your adjective clause does not require "whom."
If your sentence had read, "Many of these are adults with whom I attended school," that would be correct. As written, it should be, "Many of these are adults who went to the same schools that I did."
In most circumstances, you can read the adjective clause on its own to determine the appropriate use of "who" or "whom."
NaeviusTennis
Rookie
I believe this to be correct.
Sintherius
Semi-Pro
Quit Tennis Quit Tennis!
ciocc
Rookie
I think it should be:
"Many of these are adults who went to the same schools as I did."
Djokovicfan4life
Legend
The fact that you're an old dog ruins most threads, by default.
I was only trying to address the who/whom issue.
Shadower4 -
You are in high school. It hurts now, but you will get over it. Think long-term now. As far as tennis goes, what do you want to get out of it in the future? Do you want to play in college? Are you sick of it right now?
Decide on what you want to do, but don't decide now. Relax, get your mind on something else - think about it in a few weeks.
You are in high school. It hurts now, but you will get over it. Think long-term now. As far as tennis goes, what do you want to get out of it in the future? Do you want to play in college? Are you sick of it right now?
Decide on what you want to do, but don't decide now. Relax, get your mind on something else - think about it in a few weeks.
Don't quit. Whatever happen don't quit. Your emotional turmoil only shows your passion for the game. Don't let this grammar bashers get to you. A lot of people assume that everybody speaks english fluently. With that being said I can sense that you are fishing for compliment to get some ego boost. Two years from the point of picking up a racket to be number 2 is pretty awesome
accidental
Hall of Fame
Life aint all sunshine and rainbows
I am thirty years old. I did not realize how bad my written english was/is until I was 25. I grew up in Maryland and teachers in Elementary, Junior Highschool, and Highschool were not going to teach grammar anymore.
To the OP, keep practicing and you will win matches. Make sure you are practicing the correct things.
Learn how to write and speak. It IS important. Trust me. This is coming from someone who always said English class is for girls. If you plan on being in the business world, then you need to be able to write properly.
Ok, so I will give you some ways to get started. I wish someone gave me this advice. S**T I'm old.
Tennis
Learn what shots you are supposed to play. You will not see these shots in professional tennis. Sometimes on the womens side, but never on the mens draw.
The vast majority of your shots should be cross court. Why? Well research it. It would take too long to explain. Down the line shots are acceptable when your opponent hits a short ball.
Then practice putting away short balls. DO NOT swing for the fences! Play controlled.
English
Research the basic puncutation marks, i.e., period, comma, semi-colon, colon, question mark. Read books made for children. Actively look at the grammar. Be sure to understand why those basic punctuations are being used.
Understand the difference between active and passive voice.
That's it! You will be pleasantly surprised. I promise you!
To the OP, keep practicing and you will win matches. Make sure you are practicing the correct things.
Learn how to write and speak. It IS important. Trust me. This is coming from someone who always said English class is for girls. If you plan on being in the business world, then you need to be able to write properly.
Ok, so I will give you some ways to get started. I wish someone gave me this advice. S**T I'm old.
Tennis
Learn what shots you are supposed to play. You will not see these shots in professional tennis. Sometimes on the womens side, but never on the mens draw.
The vast majority of your shots should be cross court. Why? Well research it. It would take too long to explain. Down the line shots are acceptable when your opponent hits a short ball.
Then practice putting away short balls. DO NOT swing for the fences! Play controlled.
English
Research the basic puncutation marks, i.e., period, comma, semi-colon, colon, question mark. Read books made for children. Actively look at the grammar. Be sure to understand why those basic punctuations are being used.
Understand the difference between active and passive voice.
That's it! You will be pleasantly surprised. I promise you!
thug the bunny
Professional
Grammar and tennis...awesome. I see more intellectual **** on these boards than any other. If you are averse to bad grammar, stay away from fishing and guitar forums!
OP, your main fault is that you are young. Don't be impulsive and throw a temper tantrum. Take a little break until you feel like playing again, and then try instead to focus on the beauty of this game.
OP, your main fault is that you are young. Don't be impulsive and throw a temper tantrum. Take a little break until you feel like playing again, and then try instead to focus on the beauty of this game.
andy_carterbx
New User
Yeah quit playing tennis for now! Maybe spend more time studying then browse some tennis tips/lessons from this forum or other tennis websites during your free time. There are tons of good tennis websites out there that you can use.
http://www.i-newswire.com/4-step-action-plan-to-improve-your/98245
http://www.i-newswire.com/4-step-action-plan-to-improve-your/98245
Rui
Semi-Pro
Are you s**tting me?
MonkeyTennis
New User
Moral of the story: To keep on trying your best! If you love tennis like I do,(I'm almost 14) KEEP ON GOING! You're gonna be great someday. I always tell myself.
O/T: Are you sure you're a senior? My grammar and sentence structure surpasses your thread post.
O/T: Are you sure you're a senior? My grammar and sentence structure surpasses your thread post.
Some pretty nasty replies here, though I'm sure everyone has sympathy for your situation. I listen to a cd/book called "Fearless Tennis". One of the points it touches on is putting too much value in a ranking or winning/losing while losing the enjoyment of playing. It sounds like you fell victim to putting a ranking ahead of the joy of the process of playing tennis. I would recommend listening to the cd/book I mentioned and try to focus on the feeling you get when you rip a winner rather than thinking about revenge or reaching #1. If you focus on the game, then the results will come. Besides, everyone can have a bad day/match.
The kid even admits to his bad grammar and sentence structure at the end of his story. He doesn't need to be told about repeatedly. If someone can't understand the story just because of poor punctuation and spelling, then don't bother replying. He was clearly upset when he wrote this so give it a rest.
caugas
Semi-Pro
I totally agree. That fact that you have determination & drive is a major asset. NOT ONLY IN TENNIS - BUT IN LIFE TOO! I commend you for this attributes! Don't give up, when someone says you can't do something, prove them wrong.
I haven't gotten where I am in life, by sitting on the bench...
FOR ALL THOSE PEOPLE MAKING FUN ABOUT HIS GRAMMER, GET A LIFE.
You know don't know what circumstances were or his mind-set was when he wrote the post.
Feel free to bash me about my grammar too! It will most likely make you feel better about your self’s – NOT.
I still see typos by professional editors in the WSJ, NYT's and AP. Give it up!!
Djokolate
Professional
Lol. I wasn't even making fun of his grammar, but I just needed to laugh.
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