First time poster with a few questions

[cutchemist42]

Stumbled upon this message board and was really thrilled to learn of such a message board to talk tennis! Look forward to being a part of this.

Anywho, to start off, I want to explain where I'm at with my tennis playing. I started playing last summer by taking 6 lessons from my local tennis club, Tuxedo in Winnipeg. I was looking for a new sport since I wasnt interested in playing baseball anymore at the age of 22 due to how much travel around Manitoba was involved with senior baseball.

So throughout the summer, I took 6 lessons, rallied with a friend who was a former 13 year old instructor, and now play every tuesday night at my university's tennis club. When we play there, it's always doubles because of the amount of people.

Now lastly I want to say, I find it hard to rate myself because I'm still new to this. During the next summer however I want to enter a 3.5 tourney in my city somewhere. Like I've heard from people and stuff about HOW to do top spin but I'm wondering just how you can TELL you did put actual good spin on it? That would be my first main question.

My second question is since I'll be playing doubles all winter till about Mayish when the clubs open up again, can anyone direct me to good explanations on proper doubles playing?

Thanks!!!

 

[Okazaki Fragment]

If you're putting pretty good topsin on it, you should see the ball drop and dig into the court. It's pretty neat the first time you do it.

I would enter the 3.0 tournament if I were you.

 

[drakulie]

I'm wondering just how you can TELL you did put actual good spin on it? That would be my first main question.

welcome to the boards.

You will know when you put good tospin on the ball, when after you hit it,>>>> it looks like a diamond shape in the air. The ball literally is spinning so fast, it becomes elongated, and looks warped in the air. Additionally, it will just drop straight down (like falling off the edge of a table), and then bounce really high.

You stated you played baseball. If you played at a high level, then surely you have seen a curve ball. The topsin shots will act simialr to this>>> they will just break straight down.

Good luck with the game and have fun!

 

[Geezer Guy]

As stated above, you'll be able to see the actual spin on the ball, AND you should be able to see by the action on the ball. You should be able to hit a topsping shot as hard as you can, and with sufficient topspin (as long as you don't hit it too high) it will stay in. Without topspin, a hard-hit ball will fly long almost every time.

I agree with Okazaki - I'd say start at 3.0 and work your way up if you're successful.

 

[Geezer Guy]

And, welcome to the boards - and the sport.

 

[edwinjn]

A fellow Gapper.

Starting off, the easiest way to tell is by the bounce. It should bite and bounce quite a bit higher than if you hit it flat or sliced.

So, start off by hitting a few flat, just to gauge it, then start trying to put some decent spin on it and observe how much more height you're getting.

At this point, you should be able to hit a heavy ball. Just step back from the baseline three steps or so, and try to hammer it about four to six feet above the net. If there's enough spin, the ball should land in (and you can notice it dive) and bounce about shoulder to head height. The ball simply won't land in without enough spin.

 

[CoachingMastery]

There are a few good books on doubles, but you will probably pick up more understanding by watching a high-level doubles match at your club. Watch where players stand, relative to where the ball is, where their partner is, and where balls are directed.

You can watch the pros, however, they often can be seen playing doubles sometimes differently because of their strong baseline game. (Although, watch Bob and Mike Bryan play if you can, they are the #1 doubles team in the world and play the game about as well as you will see a doubles team play!)

Check out the different books found here at TennisWarehouse. Most instructional books, (mine included) provide good doubles understanding as well as techniques to work towards.

Good luck and enjoy this great game!