Going Full Time at Tennis

Moz, you really exceeding your own expectations in this tournament, I'm really happy for you.

As for the update on the elbow and the causes and treatments, I'm hoping you will continue to give a blow-by-blow as treatment continues. How are you limbering up the affected muscles? Are you planning on doing any strengthening exercises in those areas as well?
 
AndrewD said:
Bad luck on the loss, but he's used to playing at a certain pitch and you just had to adjust up. Once you did that you were pushing him. Next time you'll know what pitch you have to start the match at and that will make it very interesting. Get in front of him and who knows what will happen.

Thanks for the racquet info. I'm still looking around for something that combines my POG Mid (stiff, very spin friendly, surprising power for a mid, solid response) and my Volkl (larger sweetspot, flexy, lots of touch). Thought that Fischer might have the solution - if not in the model you use then in the 98sq.

Do you think full poly (I know you can't use it) would lift the kick quite a bit? How about off the ground? How are you finding the difference between it and your old Babolat?
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Dude, the new EXO3 Mid is a MUST demo for you.

Absolutely sick bat. Feels soft, and has all kinds of pop.

J
 
Moz said:
I did a good hour warm-up with some dynamic stretches, warm-up drills and hitting. I had a good preparation, the loosening up was more a result of getting used to the way the ball was coming at me. More spin and penetration than I was used to.

I find that if I warm-up properly it means that none of my old problems like stiff back, ab strain, sore achilles and bad knees crop up.

The only thing I wish I could have added in hindsight is a couple of tie breaks against a string player beforehand. As it was early there weren't many people to hit with.
Click to expand...
Sounds like great prep. Although I am doing well with the pre-stretch, the part that I generally fail at is stretching in the cool down after playing.
Looking forward to hearing more about your progress this year ... cheers.8-)
 
Moz said:
Lost 6-1, 6-3. I came out the gate extremely slowly. Think I was a bit tight and I couldn’t get the balance right between hitting too hard and too conservatively – I wasn’t moving too well either. His serve was tough to return consistently on the fast courts.

I got some rhythm in the second set – but at 1-6, 0-3! I also started to hit my first serves harder and go for the lines which gave me my first free points. I had one break point on his serve at 3-5, which if I’d got would have made things interesting, but his ad serve was very difficult to get anything on.

I’ve got a few more things I need to work on, but once I got into it was reasonably encouraging. I can stay in the points fine. It's easy to forget that he lost 7-5 in the 3rd to the world ranked 477 in July last year.

I’ve got my plan together for the elbow and once I can start practicing my serve regularly I’m expecting to show some improvement. I haven’t been able to practice it for over 6 months so have got used to having to grind out every point on my serve.

A fairly pleasing return to the courts this week.
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That is a great result back. Like Old Hacker, I am glad to see that you have not returned to the desk world and/or wearing a suit running through LHR. It's so tough against the tough seasoned players. You obviously played very well and are a lot closer than you think. At this level, it starts coming down more to shot selection as well as execution so just keep working on that. Easier said than done of course! I think confidence too. Just know that even though you're losing to these guys right now, they don't like seeing your name in the draw.
 
J011yroger said:
Dude, the new EXO3 Mid is a MUST demo for you.
Absolutely sick bat. Feels soft, and has all kinds of pop.
J
Click to expand...

Agreed, it does look the goods. Have it on my short-list (along with the C10, MPro 1 and MComp 95) but no idea when it will be available here in Australia. Only thing I don't particularly like is the 18x20 string pattern.
 
Moz said:
Having read lots of threads on here about improving your game, playing tournaments etc and currently being between careers in a mid life crisis sort of way I have been inspired to do what I do best. Bugger all.

So from now on I am a full time tennis player. Having not played tennis at all during my 20's and never really been coached as a junior I am giving myself two years to see where I could have ended up. At the end of the 2 years I will have turned 37.

I am currently a 4.5 NTRP and 5.2 LTA Rating and spend my time between the UK (mainly), the USA and perhaps a few others. I will also be playing some over 35's events - that being the lowest official age group for British and International veterans.

Anyway, as you can tell by my ratings I'm not particularly good but determined to improve. If you're bored enough you can follow my exploits at:

http://oldmanontour.blogspot.com/

Any tips / comments gratefully received.
Click to expand...


A 4.5 player is a good player. I'd like to a be a 4.5 NTRP

You will go as far as your wallet, talent and determination can take you.

Luck hasn't a thing to do with it.
 
Julieta said:
That is a great result back. Like Old Hacker, I am glad to see that you have not returned to the desk world and/or wearing a suit running through LHR. It's so tough against the tough seasoned players. You obviously played very well and are a lot closer than you think. At this level, it starts coming down more to shot selection as well as execution so just keep working on that. Easier said than done of course! I think confidence too. Just know that even though you're losing to these guys right now, they don't like seeing your name in the draw.
Click to expand...

If you look at a match like that, and replay it in your head, you usually find that about 10 points seperated you from winning/losing.

10 points per match is a lot, but it is also a little, depending on how you look at it.

Anyway I guess what I am trying to say is that Moz is a lot closer than he thinks.

If you can find a way to win 10 more points per match, you should be right there around your goal of gaining an ATP point.

I personally think once you start to believe you will be in terrific shape.

For what it is worth, I can see you going on an absolute tear once you get that first big win under your belt, and truly believe that you belong among the elite.

Anyhow, hope your health stays good, and allows you to continue competing, that is what is most important.

J
 
AndrewD said:
Agreed, it does look the goods. Have it on my short-list (along with the C10, MPro 1 and MComp 95) but no idea when it will be available here in Australia. Only thing I don't particularly like is the 18x20 string pattern.
Click to expand...

It is 16X18, very spin friendly, and hits a nice flat ball aswell, a light, fast, tightly spun ball.

My demo was strung with Recoil at mid tension, and I would drop it down just a touch lower (3lb maybe) to put a bit more arc in my ball, because for the most part I was hitting rifle shots to the back court, or angle winners out the side, and I would like a bit more arc in my rally ball.

But man, wicked good stick. Best Prince frame I have hit in years, certainly since I came back to playing.

J
 
pmerk34 said:
A 4.5 player is a good player. I'd like to a be a 4.5 NTRP

You will go as far as your wallet, talent and determination can take you.

Luck hasn't a thing to do with it.
Click to expand...


Yo Pat!

Are you still around?

Have not seen you at the club at all this winter.

I am still up for a hit whenever, just send me an e-mail.

J
 
J011yroger said:
It is 16X18, very spin friendly, and hits a nice flat ball aswell, a light, fast, tightly spun ball.
Click to expand...

My apologies, was thinking of the EXO3 Rebel - the racquet I am interested in. I'm currently playing with the POG Mid so swapping it for the EXO3 Mid doesn't have great appeal.
 
oldhacker said:
Anyway now that I have inflated your ego can you give me any pointers you have for staying 'balanced and controlled' while hitting groundstrokes. I am starting to get a bit peed off with my coach telling me that I am all over the place, falling away etc while I am gasping for breath and patting myself on the back for having sustained a reasonable pace 50 stoke forehand rally against him.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the kind words! Hard to know what your issue is – assuming it’s not a fitness issue. Every now and again I catch myself holding my breath during points – not giving the full exhalation on each breath, so I gradually go into oxygen debt and end up gasping. I get round this with a full audible, exhale on each shot which also helps my timing.

If I find myself getting a bit wild in a rally I will also shorten by backswing a little bit – if you do this you feel more compact when addressing the ball which seems to help (you will have to compensate with more net clearance to maintain depth). If you have more fitness / better breathing and are aggressive with your footwork you shouldn’t be falling away. I start to fall away if I’m hitting late and I’m usually hitting late if I am not being proactive and aggressive enough on my footwork recovery on the previous shot.
 
AndrewD said:
Thanks for the racquet info. I'm still looking around for something that combines my POG Mid (stiff, very spin friendly, surprising power for a mid, solid response) and my Volkl (larger sweetspot, flexy, lots of touch). Thought that Fischer might have the solution - if not in the model you use then in the 98sq.

Do you think full poly (I know you can't use it) would lift the kick quite a bit? How about off the ground? How are you finding the difference between it and your old Babolat?
Click to expand...

Judging by what you wrote I suspect you'll find the Pro #1 far too flexible if you prefer any element on stiffness.

With the M Comp. I think the full poly would certainly help lift it. My technique isn’t stellar so, even with the apdcs, I had to employ tricks to get a proper kick serve – high tension, poly and extreme grip.

I’m not too technical when it comes to racquets but here goes (I’m not going to compare serving as my elbow makes it irrelevant):

Groudstrokes: The main difference is the free and easy power that the APDCs give. At first it took me a while to start to comfortably generate the power with the M Comps, but now I can I wonder how on earth I ever kept the ball in with the APDCs. However, the caveat being that if I ‘pushed’ the ball or didn’t commit to the shot with the APDC the result was a decent shot. If I do that with the Fischer the ball will flop in the net or go really short. In that way you can say the Fischer is a little more demanding. Spin wise they are similar although the apdc would be slightly more accessible. I find that topspin with the Fischer has slightly more kick off the bounce.

So much for the ‘negatives’. I find the racquet demands a more thorough preparation and technique than the APDC which seems to be helping my game. Where the difference really comes alive is that I now feel that when I hit a groundstroke I am able to put the ball exactly where I want it – it feels as though you can almost steer the ball rather than smack it in the general area. This also enables me to be a lot more precise on short angled shots. With the apdcs on cross courts it was a choice of hit it hard and deep or skim the side of the ball and loop it short – whereas I can combine pace, direction and spin with the fischer. My crosscourt pass is much improved. On out wide squash shots I actually feel as though I am controlling the shot rather than just making contact.

I’ve not been hitting much backhand slice. So far the Fischer feels a lot better on contact than the APDC – it really grips the ball and there is more dwell time – but the result with APDC is more consistent. I have a feeling this is a technique issue – it’s a relatively new shot and I haven’t had the chance to groove it since I changed.

Volleys are much better with the Fischer. They feel more solid and I’m able to hit better angles and apply more touch. The apdc was just a stiff board when it came to volleying. I never had a chance of taking the power off hard passes with the apdcs – I’ve surprised myself a few times with the Fischer.

I’m so glad you, amongst others, persuaded me to try some other racquets. Thanks.
 
DJG said:
As for the update on the elbow and the causes and treatments, I'm hoping you will continue to give a blow-by-blow as treatment continues. How are you limbering up the affected muscles? Are you planning on doing any strengthening exercises in those areas as well?
Click to expand...

By limbering up - if you mean before tennis I just do standard warm-up drills and then some muscle massage. With just stretching during the day I try and warm up the muscles by arm circles and massage etc.

The physio told me not to bother with strengthening until the flexibility and posture are solved.

TourTenor said:
Sounds like great prep. Although I am doing well with the pre-stretch, the part that I generally fail at is stretching in the cool down after playing.
Looking forward to hearing more about your progress this year ... cheers.8-)
Click to expand...

Thanks - it's really easy to ignore the stretching after a match but fatal at my age!

Julieta said:
That is a great result back. Like Old Hacker, I am glad to see that you have not returned to the desk world and/or wearing a suit running through LHR. It's so tough against the tough seasoned players. You obviously played very well and are a lot closer than you think. At this level, it starts coming down more to shot selection as well as execution so just keep working on that. Easier said than done of course! I think confidence too. Just know that even though you're losing to these guys right now, they don't like seeing your name in the draw.
Click to expand...

Good point - my shot selection is getting better all the time - it was just my shot execution that killed me early on.

Topaz said:
Moz, I read your thread, and I hear a tune in my head...'back in the saddle again!'. :)
Click to expand...

J011yroger said:
If you look at a match like that, and replay it in your head, you usually find that about 10 points seperated you from winning/losing.

10 points per match is a lot, but it is also a little, depending on how you look at it.
Click to expand...

Thanks mate. Definitely true although it would be a stretch to say this came down to 10 points - it would be unfair of me to suggest this was a 1 & 3 which was closer than the scoreline suggested.

Many times last year I can point to matches were poor execution on the same shot 4 or 5 times cost me in both sets....
 
Moz said:
By limbering up - if you mean before tennis I just do standard warm-up drills and then some muscle massage. With just stretching during the day I try and warm up the muscles by arm circles and massage etc.
Click to expand...

Thanks, makes sense. Something so simple may hold the key... weird to imagine, but can explain a lot as well.

I guess you must be grateful it is not a groin injury - the limbering up and massage before could otherwise go down as "feeling yourself up".
 
Hey man I think i may know why your volleys are less than stellar, and why your serves are painful.
After I checked your site i noticed you have an aeropro cortex. This racquet is very unstable on the overhead and on the volley. It is also very stiff so that will increase pain. I was pretty unstable on my volleys and couldnt really feel the ball. Then I picked up a ksix one and fell in love. albiet you are complaining about aches and pains and i am just starting the engines up for my carreer, but I think if you look at a differnet racquet you will see better volleys and probably even serve/return.
I covered the babolat with lead all over the place, and either was to much power on the forehand or not enough stability on the bh and volleys.
It is a good racquet for the rallies but otherwise I think it lacks alot of feel, and stability. Where as my wilson ksix1 tour is super stable but low in power and very reliable feel.
what are you stringing that babo with and at what weight?
 
Thanks for the suggestion. I changed to Fischer M Comp 95's about 7 weeks ago.

I'm volleying much better now!
 
Not sure that Moz knows yet...tried texting him...but BIG NEWS

MOZ JUST GOT PICKED TO REPRESENT ENGLAND IN THE 4 NATIONS NATIONAL EVENT!!

The boy's made the big time! Well done mate!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Jolly, what's up with someone having the same avatar as you? That's pretty unoriginal. No offense to Alexio92, as I think he's pretty young, but it never hurts to be original.
 
Well done Moz.

I live only 30 mins from Bolton indoor arena so if I have a clear schedule I might pop up/right-ish to see some matches.
 
Thanks for the posts everyone. I only found out when kissmyace texted me and only know what is posted on the website.

I'm well pleased!

My name has been spelled wrong all my life - let's hope they actually mean me!

I believe the format is 2 singles and a doubles playing a different nation each day.

oldhacker said:
And the spelling of Moz's name ! They could have invented a fun game there - change one letter of the surnames of famous players to come up with something amusing.
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What? Like Tit Henchman?
 
As one Andrew to another (and someone whose surname is always misspelled),

Congratulations Moz,


(meant to ask before - any chance Nina Topper competes in your GB Vets events?).
 
Not to steal Moz's thunder here, since I think he is more than deserving...

However, looking at the team, the over 35 British rankings and ratings for the players selected for the team is all over the map.

DW #1, 3.1
AM #10, 4.2
PS #165, 3.2
DM #50, 5.2

How does the team selection actually work? Do you make yourself available? Do the selectors go on a hunch? Even more weird is that Moz didn't even know...
 
AndrewD said:
As one Andrew to another (and someone whose surname is always misspelled),

Congratulations Moz,

(meant to ask before - any chance Nina Topper competes in your GB Vets events?).
Click to expand...

Thanks. She coaches at Queens I believe and did play in the tournament just gone last year. She wasn't there this year. I think she plays a few.

DJG said:
Not to steal Moz's thunder here, since I think he is more than deserving...

However, looking at the team, the over 35 British rankings and ratings for the players selected for the team is all over the map.

DW #1, 3.1
AM #10, 4.2
PS #165, 3.2
DM #50, 5.2

How does the team selection actually work? Do you make yourself available? Do the selectors go on a hunch? Even more weird is that Moz didn't even know...
Click to expand...

They seem to go quite heavily on the results from last week. DW was r-up, I made the semi and should be ranked #4 in the new rankings, PS lost 2 and 5 to the winner. But, there is an element of mystery!

The GB team appear to made up of mostly ex-pros, some of whom don't play any of the tournaments but are no doubt the right guys standard wise.
 
Moz said:
They seem to go quite heavily on the results from last week. DW was r-up, I made the semi and should be ranked #4 in the new rankings, PS lost 2 and 5 to the winner. But, there is an element of mystery!

The GB team appear to made up of mostly ex-pros, some of whom don't play any of the tournaments but are no doubt the right guys standard wise.
Click to expand...

Ok, with the new ranking and you at #4 (whoha!) it makes much more sense.

Ex-pros and a never has been ;) Truth be told, I looked at the guys and they do seem like they can play - ITF 35's, British 35's and Open results do speak quite loud.
 
Back down to earth this week. Hit twice so far and have never been hitting the ball better off the ground.

Unfortunately the elbow is painful on forehand volleys and too bad to serve with. Hopefully this is it getting worse before it gets better, but i can't help thinking I've been here before.
 
WOW havn't checked this thread in quite a while and you seem to keep moving forward. Great! Congrats, Moz!
Hope your joints start getting better
 
Moz said:
Back down to earth this week. Hit twice so far and have never been hitting the ball better off the ground.

Unfortunately the elbow is painful on forehand volleys and too bad to serve with. Hopefully this is it getting worse before it gets better, but i can't help thinking I've been here before.
Click to expand...

Moz, not to sound like a mother hen or anything (cluck, cluck), but have you asked your physio about ASTYM (augmented soft tissue manipulation)?
 
Hi moonbat - he didn't offer that treatment. To be honest, I'm fed up of the whole physio circus when you go in each week and pay your money ineffectual treatment.
 
The elbow has become unbearable. I will play the tournament on monday as it's close and I'm entered, but serving will be severely restricted.

After that I will get another cortisone. I can't wait any longer as it will then be 3 weeks off, a week of gentle hitting and then about 5 weeks to get ready for the England tie.

At the end of that I will keep playing until the elbow says no. Hopefully the massage and stretching will have taken effect by then. If not, then that will be the end of the tennis.

I have a plan, now I will get on with it!

Not having had any alcohol since december 11th must be worth it in the long run!
 
Moz, sorry to hear about your elbow hurting again. It sad to hear you in so much pain, but on the brink of doing something good with your game.
 
Moz said:
Hi moonbat - he didn't offer that treatment. To be honest, I'm fed up of the whole physio circus when you go in each week and pay your money ineffectual treatment.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry nothing is working for you. I never thought that elbow pain could be so excruciating, but I now know better. Hope the cortisone shots help you; be careful though, you don't want to get too many of them.
 
jgn1013 said:
Moz, sorry to hear about your elbow hurting again. It sad to hear you in so much pain, but on the brink of doing something good with your game.
Click to expand...

moonbat said:
I'm sorry nothing is working for you. I never thought that elbow pain could be so excruciating, but I now know better. Hope the cortisone shots help you; be careful though, you don't want to get too many of them.
Click to expand...


Thanks chaps.

This will be my second and last shot on the elbow. I'm surprised at the levels of discomfort that can be achieved!
 
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