I'm in trouble now.....

[PinkTennisNinja]

I'm a 3.0 soon to be bumped up 3.5. I'm a primarily doubles player and I'm very good at it. I've played about 3 singles matches (all 3.0 and won 2 out of 3) in my two years of USTA tennis. Well I just got sucked into playing in a USTA 3.5 singles league....I Am Not Ready.....and my first match is tonight.....

3.5 doubles doesn't worry me because I'm at there level and have won the majority of my matches against 3.5s however singles is completely different.

Any suggestions???? :\

 

[J_R_B]

I'm a 3.0 soon to be bumped up 3.5. I'm a primarily doubles player and I'm very good at it. I've played about 3 singles matches (all 3.0 and won 2 out of 3) in my two years of USTA tennis. Well I just got sucked into playing in a USTA 3.5 singles league....I Am Not Ready.....and my first match is tonight.....

3.5 doubles doesn't worry me because I'm at there level and have won the majority of my matches against 3.5s however singles is completely different.

Any suggestions???? :\

Play in the league and try to get better?

 

[Dreamer]

Well relax! we enjoy playing tennis remember?

Okay so what we can do is at least be sure we will be prepared mentally. Decide how you want to play the game. Do you feel comfortable maintaining a rally on the baseline? Do you feel comfortable approaching? If so then you can make your doubles experience your strength. From doubles to singles, consistency and high percentage still rule.

I would make a game plan according to my strengths and go out there and playing what I believe is most realistic and gives me a good shot. That's all you can do coming into this match, know where your game stands and believe you can give it your best shot. You will rock it.

 

[PinkTennisNinja]

Well relax! we enjoy playing tennis remember?

Okay so what we can do is at least be sure we will be prepared mentally. Decide how you want to play the game. Do you feel comfortable maintaining a rally on the baseline? Do you feel comfortable approaching? If so then you can make your doubles experience your strength. From doubles to singles, consistency and high percentage still rule.

I would make a game plan according to my strengths and go out there and playing what I believe is most realistic and gives me a good shot. That's all you can do coming into this match, know where your game stands and believe you can give it your best shot. You will rock it.

I'm a good baseliner and I'm good with serve and volley (my serve is usually dinked back over so I have to come to the net and put it away). I LOVE pace and I love to use my slice and drop shots. And I've been improving my inside out forehand it's become a good weapon. I normally am pretty consistent too.

 

[Dreamer]

I'm a good baseliner and I'm good with serve and volley (my serve is usually dinked back over so I have to come to the net and put it away). I LOVE pace and I love to use my slice and drop shots. And I've been improving my inside out forehand it's become a good weapon. I normally am pretty consistent too.

Ok this sounds great! You can play this however you want. It's important to know your consistently will be an asset. You also want to choose your attack wisely both with your drop shots and inside out. The slice will be a great variation to throw into rallies.

What I would be most worried about is recovery position and movement. It will be important that you give yourself time after you hit your shots and place yourself in the correct position. From there be confident in your baseline and be patient. Single points tend to end less quickly, you don't want to force a shot and hit wrong shots from the wrong positions. When in doubt hit cross court.

Things to keep in mind:
1. Your net game and slices are great assets in unnerving a singles player.
2. Be patient with balls, positioning will be very important.
3. Attack when you're comfortable

Don't overreact to the new environment, you have all the tools. Go in prepared mentally and focus on performing your best.

 

[PinkTennisNinja]

Ok this sounds great! You can play this however you want. It's important to know your consistently will be an asset. You also want to choose your attack wisely both with your drop shots and inside out. The slice will be a great variation to throw into rallies.

What I would be most worried about is recovery position and movement. It will be important that you give yourself time after you hit your shots and place yourself in the correct position. From there be confident in your baseline and be patient. Single points tend to end less quickly, you don't want to force a shot and hit wrong shots from the wrong positions. When in doubt hit cross court.

Things to keep in mind:
1. Your net game and slices are great assets in unnerving a singles player.
2. Be patient with balls, positioning will be very important.
3. Attack when you're comfortable

Don't overreact to the new environment, you have all the tools. Go in prepared mentally and focus on performing your best.

Yeah I'm definitely worried about position. I know where I should be and most of the time I'm there when I should be but I'm not as quick as I could be. I don't normally have to be quick in doubles. I read the ball very well and most of the time I know where their going to hit it and how. Since I'm not quick I want to finish the points quickly and that's probably what's going to kill me.

 

[Dreamer]

Yeah I'm definitely worried about position. I know where I should be and most of the time I'm there when I should be but I'm not as quick as I could be. I don't normally have to be quick in doubles. I read the ball very well and most of the time I know where their going to hit it and how. Since I'm not quick I want to finish the points quickly and that's probably what's going to kill me.

Defensive shots can go a long way. Slice, high arcing shots, cross court can give you more time to get back into recovery.

Even when going for a shorter point you still want to be sure when to make your move. If you cannot confidently go on the offensive you run the risk of increasing your UE as well as compromising your position.

You don't want your ground strokes to become erratic from over striking.

Striking the ball well and deep will give your opponent a more difficult time to move you around.

 

[PinkTennisNinja]

Defensive shots can go a long way. Slice, high arcing shots, cross court can give you more time to get back into recovery.

Even when going for a shorter point you still want to be sure when to make your move. If you cannot confidently go on the offensive you run the risk of increasing your UE as well as compromising your position.

You don't want your ground strokes to become erratic from over striking.

Striking the ball well and deep will give your opponent a more difficult time to move you around.

I don't have any problem hitting hard and deep Let's just hope it works out I'm sure I'll post a play by play review tomorrow either titled "I Did it" or "What went wrong???" haha

 

[Dreamer]

Haha sounds great. Good luck, have fun and play to win!

 

[DavaiMarat]

Watch these gal 1-2 hours before your match.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb1C1UnRndA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtjAs3YB36s&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST9SYy8vLOk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgsw529j2CA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQRycckKSBQ&feature=related


-These help me put everything to perspective before any match.
Pay attention especially to #2 and #3.

- Take a note pad, rip out a piece of paper. Write down a few key notes like -

- Play with the enthusiasm of a child. Have fun.
- 85% effort not 100%
- No one's perfect. Manage expectations.
(it all depends on which ones apply to you).

Take this paper and read it before you go on court. Put it in your bag, read it again on the change overs.

This will put you in the right mind set for the match and free it to play up to your potential.

Remember you want to perform the best you can, not necessarily win. Most importantly, go have a good time. Tennis isn't an exam or midterm.

 

[PinkTennisNinja]

Watch these gal 1-2 hours before your match.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb1C1UnRndA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtjAs3YB36s&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST9SYy8vLOk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgsw529j2CA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQRycckKSBQ&feature=related


-These help me put everything to perspective before any match.
Pay attention especially to #2 and #3.

- Take a note pad, rip out a piece of paper. Write down a few key notes like -

- Play with the enthusiasm of a child. Have fun.
- 85% effort not 100%
- No one's perfect. Manage expectations.
(it all depends on which ones apply to you).

Take this paper and read it before you go on court. Put it in your bag, read it again on the change overs.

This will put you in the right mind set for the match and free it to play up to your potential.

Remember you want to perform the best you can, not necessarily win. Most importantly, go have a good time. Tennis isn't an exam or midterm.

"No one's perfect" would be the one I have trouble with lol I always feel like I should be the best player on the court and that's not always true haha. But this league doesn't go toward anything (like rating) so I'm not so much worried about it BUT I'm not a big fan of losing lol

 

[DavaiMarat]

"No one's perfect" would be the one I have trouble with lol I always feel like I should be the best player on the court and that's not always true haha. But this league doesn't go toward anything (like rating) so I'm not so much worried about it BUT I'm not a big fan of losing lol

Of course. Everyone gets frustrated when they think they should be pummeling the ball and making perfect shots. Remember, you just have to get the ball over the net one more time then your opponent. Your ball doesn't have to 85mph ground stroke but just simply something just a bit better or smarter then your opponent.

Even pros usually end up with more unforced errors then winners so don't beat yourself up over them.

The biggest enemy out there is your own expectations usually fueled by what you 'think' a loss would do to people's impressions of you. That is the number one fear of any league play. So I ask those people, what is the real reason you play tennis. To impress others or to empower yourself? Remember, empowering yourself doesn't necessarily mean winning but letting yourself enjoy the moment and perform.

 

[PinkTennisNinja]

Of course. Everyone gets frustrated when they think they should be pummeling the ball and making perfect shots. Remember, you just have to get the ball over the net one more time then your opponent. Your ball doesn't have to 85mph ground stroke but just simply something just a bit better or smarter then your opponent.

Even pros usually end up with more unforced errors then winners so don't beat yourself up over them.

The biggest enemy out there is your own expectations usually fueled by what you 'think' a loss would do to people's impressions of you. That is the number one fear of any league play. So I ask those people, what is the real reason you play tennis. To impress others or to empower yourself? Remember, empowering yourself doesn't necessarily mean winning but letting yourself enjoy the moment and perform.

Words to live by or at least try haha and I just love to impress others

 

[DavaiMarat]

Words to live by or at least try haha and I just love to impress others

I know we've all become victim of a little narcism once and a while. =).

I just remember a matched I watch in Div A ladies dlbs (my fiance plays in) with some old ladies (probably +60) with nothing but a little guile, good hands and a strategy squeaked out a match against some up and coming juniors girls with some huge groundies. It was court #4 but still....

I found those two little old ladies 'impressive'.

 

[PinkTennisNinja]

I know we've all become victim of a little narcism once and a while. =).

I just remember a matched I watch in Div A ladies dlbs (my fiance plays in) with some old ladies (probably +60) with nothing but a little guile, good hands and a strategy squeaked out a match against some up and coming juniors girls with some huge groundies. It was court #4 but still....

I found those two little old ladies 'impressive'.

It's always the old ladies with braces on everything they have, knee elbow wrist ankles, that beat us young people

 

[DavaiMarat]

It's always the old ladies with braces on everything they have, knee elbow wrist ankles, that beat us young people

Isn't that the truth.

Go out and have fun. That's #1. Smile at your good shots and bad. Love the challenge and remember, you could be doing 100 other things rather then playing tennis, 100 other things that aren't even half as fun. (like me nursing a hockey injury atm)

 

[jdubbs]

At that level, you're going to see a lot of unforced errors, so be patient, don't overhit or go for too much, and let them make all the UE's. You'll be fine.

 

[Dreamer]

Calm Intensity. You want to be focused with your muscles relaxed. People often experience it when they get into the zone. Few people have an all year pass.

 

[Cindysphinx]

A quick word from a 3.5 doubles player who is learning to play singles . . .

Get to the ball and set up. Get there early. Move like your hair is on fire. The thing that has struck me about singles is how I always feel like I am under pressure. I am just not used to covering that much court.

The other difficult thing is recovering. There isn't much recovering in doubles. You hit, you watch your opponents and your shot, you might or might not hit again.

In singles, you have to begin recovering the instant you hit. That is very difficult.

Have fun! But whatever you do, do not push. If this experience is to be developmental, you have to get practice going for your shots, and you have to learn what gives you trouble so you can work on it. If you push, you might win, but you won't learn.

I can't wait to hear the details!!!

 

[Bacterio]

Haven't read what others have said but if your doubles game is that much better that must mean you're good at net. I'd rush the net as much as possible.

At the 3.5 level you'll find so many players that can't hit a lob, passing shot or they'll just outright choke when they see you coming up to net. Since you're new to singles this is probably the best strategy you can employ because trying to hang from the baseline against players that are used to singles probably won't go well for you.

 

[NLBwell]

Move, run, cover the court, get into postion, hit the ball, move, run, cover the court, get into position, hit the ball,
repeat ...

 

[PinkTennisNinja]

Okay ladies and gentlemen,

Results are in........................


I lost

BUT it was clooooossseeee.

The score was 7-6 (lost the tiebreak), 5-7, 10-6 (ten pt tie instead of 3rd set)

I was doing REALLY well in the first, I was up 5-2 and either I got worse or she got better. She had zero pace, no special shots, an extremely slow serve and I still lost lol. All she did was get to the ball and hit it back. I came to the net A LOT and won most of those points she tried to lob once and it didn't work haha however every time she came in I lobbed and couldn't reach it I switched up my game and used different kinds of shots, deep flat loopy short slice spin everything and it worked pretty well but towards the end she just got lucky a few more times She had a pretty decent passing shot but only when it went to my backhand, I got to most of the shots on my forehand. Also I was on 3rd ct. and our team played straight up 1-2-3 and they played 3-2-1 so of course I had to play the number 1 player haha. But nevertheless I'm happy with my performance

 

[Bud]

Haven't read what others have said but if your doubles game is that much better that must mean you're good at net. I'd rush the net as much as possible.

At the 3.5 level you'll find so many players that can't hit a lob, passing shot or they'll just outright choke when they see you coming up to net. Since you're new to singles this is probably the best strategy you can employ because trying to hang from the baseline against players that are used to singles probably won't go well for you.

I don't know if I'd completely agree with you. My doubles game is much better than my singles game and I'm excellent at net... when I'm already at net

Singles is more about transitioning to net and then positioning well after an approach shot, in order to make a volley. It's a completely different animal, IMO. I'm very comfortable at net in doubles... not so much in singles.

 

[PinkTennisNinja]

and I'm excellent at net... when I'm already at net

Bahaha! you are right!

Singles is more about transitioning to net and then positioning well after an approach shot, in order to make a volley. It's a completely different animal, IMO. I'm very comfortable at net in doubles... not so much in singles.

I actually did very well at net though, I knew where she was going to hit it back to and was there.

 

[DavaiMarat]

Okay ladies and gentlemen,

Results are in........................


I lost

BUT it was clooooossseeee.

The score was 7-6 (lost the tiebreak), 5-7, 10-6 (ten pt tie instead of 3rd set)

I was doing REALLY well in the first, I was up 5-2 and either I got worse or she got better. She had zero pace, no special shots, an extremely slow serve and I still lost lol. All she did was get to the ball and hit it back. I came to the net A LOT and won most of those points she tried to lob once and it didn't work haha however every time she came in I lobbed and couldn't reach it I switched up my game and used different kinds of shots, deep flat loopy short slice spin everything and it worked pretty well but towards the end she just got lucky a few more times She had a pretty decent passing shot but only when it went to my backhand, I got to most of the shots on my forehand. Also I was on 3rd ct. and our team played straight up 1-2-3 and they played 3-2-1 so of course I had to play the number 1 player haha. But nevertheless I'm happy with my performance

Well played Ninja,

You lost but it sounds like you kept your head out there and executed. Probably got a little tight when you were up but that's naturally when your trying to close out a set. It takes some experience to calm to the adrenaline and learn to relax that those crucial junctures. Breathing is the key, if you learn to exhale deeply before the point begins and loosen your grip before the point begins, this can make a world of difference at tight spots in matches.

The important thing you went out and played your game and it sounds like you had some fun and remember this...you never as much from winning as you do from losing.

Kudos Ninja, I look forward to your next 3.5 adventure!

Cheers,

Mike

MY strokes:
http://vimeo.com/16698236

 

[PinkTennisNinja]

Well played Ninja,

You lost but it sounds like you kept your head out there and executed. Probably got a little tight when you were up but that's naturally when your trying to close out a set. It takes some experience to calm to the adrenaline and learn to relax that those crucial junctures. Breathing is the key, if you learn to exhale deeply before the point begins and loosen your grip before the point begins, this can make a world of difference at tight spots in matches.

The important thing you went out and played your game and it sounds like you had some fun and remember this...you never as much from winning as you do from losing.

Kudos Ninja, I look forward to your next 3.5 adventure!

Cheers,

Mike

MY strokes:
http://vimeo.com/16698236

I did keep my head which I normally do anyway but I was happy I did this time and boy did I get tight! When I was up in the first I thought "I'm gonna put some more power behind this shot" or "I'm gonna try this" when I clearly shouldn't have haha Not to take anything away from the other girl, as much as I say she didn't have any weapons she did still win. There were some winners that I hit that she got to and got back and I thought "How did she even get to that??" And I did learn A LOT about my game. I know one thing I seriously need to work on now. Hitting a backhand on the run is no. 1 And my next 3.5 adventure might be this weekend so I need to fix it by then LOL

 

[DavaiMarat]

Never change a winning game, always change a losing game.

Do you have a 2handed backhand?

If so, the trick is hitting it on the run is this. ONE EXTRA STEP. When people are pushed out wide on a 2HBH they end up reaching. It's crucial in a 2HBH that you keep your body as upright as possible and getting your core moving forward. Leyton Hewitt and Andy Murray are excel at this shot. Andy Roddick however does not. You'll often see him tilted when he's pushed out wide.

If your on the dead run and you can't plant your left foot (back foot). You have to pivot on your front foot and have your body come around when your hitting the shot. Here's a good example of Agassi doing it at :14s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiHIklJiM7U&feature=related

Last resort if a one-handed slice. Every player worth their salt has this shot in the their pocket. This is a shot you can hit on the dead run as well in the close stance. You should still try to take one more step with your left foot to get your body around even on this shot however.

I hope this helps and good luck!

Mike

 

[PinkTennisNinja]

Never change a winning game, always change a losing game.

Do you have a 2handed backhand?

If so, the trick is hitting it on the run is this. ONE EXTRA STEP. When people are pushed out wide on a 2HBH they end up reaching. It's crucial in a 2HBH that you keep your body as upright as possible and getting your core moving forward. Leyton Hewitt and Andy Murray are excel at this shot. Andy Roddick however does not. You'll often see him tilted when he's pushed out wide.

If your on the dead run and you can't plant your left foot (back foot). You have to pivot on your front foot and have your body come around when your hitting the shot. Here's a good example of Agassi doing it at :14s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiHIklJiM7U&feature=related

Last resort if a one-handed slice. Every player worth their salt has this shot in the their pocket. This is a shot you can hit on the dead run as well in the close stance. You should still try to take one more step with your left foot to get your body around even on this shot however.

I hope this helps and good luck!

Mike

I have a 1 handed bh I'm the only one handed backhander girl (that I know) in my whole section. I normally hit a pretty flat shot except on high bounces, I slice it back in. I love my slice and it seriously throws some people. But what this girl did a few times was pull me wide on the deuce side which I would I hit back down the line (which I realize wasn't the best place to hit it) then she would hit a back hand to the ad corner and I would have enough time to hold the racquet out and slice and it would land in the alley.

 

[athiker]

I have a 1 handed bh I'm the only one handed backhander girl (that I know) in my whole section. I normally hit a pretty flat shot except on high bounces, I slice it back in. I love my slice and it seriously throws some people. But what this girl did a few times was pull me wide on the deuce side which I would I hit back down the line (which I realize wasn't the best place to hit it) then she would hit a back hand to the ad corner and I would have enough time to hold the racquet out and slice and it would land in the alley.

If you do hit it DTL try to loop it some to give you a bit more time to recover. You are in a defensive position so don't go for a regular ground stroke that will only steal time from you.

Keep up the good net play; it really puts pressure on opponents IMHO. Even if you don't go in all the time every time they are in a defensive position they are wondering if you are coming in while they are hitting the shot. I play doubles and singles. When I play singles I get more comments from opponents, especially those with little or no doubles experience, about how my coming to the net was the decider more than any other comment. Just remember to split step as they hit the ball so you can move side-to-side...don't rush in out of control!

 

[PinkTennisNinja]

If you do hit it DTL try to loop it some to give you a bit more time to recover. You are in a defensive position so don't go for a regular ground stroke that will only steal time from you.

BOY did it!!

Keep up the good net play; it really puts pressure on opponents IMHO. Even if you don't go in all the time every time they are in a defensive position they are wondering if you are coming in while they are hitting the shot. I play doubles and singles. When I play singles I get more comments from opponents, especially those with little or no doubles experience, about how my coming to the net was the decider more than any other comment. Just remember to split step as they hit the ball so you can move side-to-side...don't rush in out of control!

I had enough time during most of the points that I wasn't just rushing in. And she was not used to having someone be at the net. Her passing shots weren't enough to pass me so that's always good. She had very good cross court shots but when I came to the net the pressure got to her and she either over hit or hit it right to me.

 

[Cindysphinx]

Quick question: Are you finding you like singles more now than you did before? Is it more fun than doubles?

I'm just curious because I'm going through the same thing. I am very much hoping that I will start liking singles more when I stop losing so much. . . .

 

[PinkTennisNinja]

Quick question: Are you finding you like singles more now than you did before? Is it more fun than doubles?

I'm just curious because I'm going through the same thing. I am very much hoping that I will start liking singles more when I stop losing so much. . . .

I don't like it at all haha but not because I lost. I much prefer to have fast paced points with lots of net play. I LOVE doubles and I don't believe I will ever love singles more haha. Most of the year is doubles play except for a little in spring and this new singles league in the fall. IMO there is just more thought to doubles than there is singles. You have to have quick hands and reflexes and you have a partner to work/gossip with on your side I'm surprisingly better at singles than I thought I would be but it's so lonely by yourself on that side :\ I had to resort to talking to my opponent and she just wasn't a talker haha

 

[user92626]

Pink,

You haven't met a good singles player who would give you a good run for ...your loss yet. It's a good thrill and sometimes annoying to get into a good rally war or a cat and mouse game.

I find that doubles is killing me with boredom these days. Sure, there are like 5-10 good doubles players around (but they mainly play exclusively with each other and pick partners and brag to each other to death). Most of the time I play with average players, when things get competitive, everyone just tap the ball to the weak players, and u just stand there getting ants crawling up your legs.

 

[DavaiMarat]

I don't like it at all haha but not because I lost. I much prefer to have fast paced points with lots of net play. I LOVE doubles and I don't believe I will ever love singles more haha. Most of the year is doubles play except for a little in spring and this new singles league in the fall. IMO there is just more thought to doubles than there is singles. You have to have quick hands and reflexes and you have a partner to work/gossip with on your side I'm surprisingly better at singles than I thought I would be but it's so lonely by yourself on that side :\ I had to resort to talking to my opponent and she just wasn't a talker haha

The more you play singles the more you'll appreciate it. Plus it's a much better work out and allows you to employ a larger variety of tactics and strokes.

There's something social about doubles which makes it fun but if you're looking for something that really tests your mettle physically and mentally you play singles.

There's something pure and intangible about singles that I don't get with doubles. You really get to learn about yourself as a player and person.

Well to each their own,

Mike

 

[PinkTennisNinja]

The more you play singles the more you'll appreciate it. Plus it's a much better work out and allows you to employ a larger variety of tactics and strokes.

There's something social about doubles which makes it fun but if you're looking for something that really tests your mettle physically and mentally you play singles.

There's something pure and intangible about singles that I don't get with doubles. You really get to learn about yourself as a player and person.

Well to each their own,

Mike

I agree with ya on two things. It is a much better work out and you really learn about your game when your playing singles. HOWEVER IMHO I think doubles is much more mentally challenging. Now if I was going pro I would see where it would be better to learn to appreciate singles. BUT since I just plan on doing USTA league (for probably the rest of my life hahaha) doubles will take up the majority of the year with only 1 season that gives you the opportunity to play singles and be used towards your rating and I plan on doing doubles that season however I'm not picking doubles because that's all there is, I'm picking it because I enjoy it. And you say there is a social aspect to it but during the match (where it counts towards your rating) these ladies are cut throat! (me included :twisted I'm not dogging singles but it just isn't for me, I don't have the patience


And as a side note, ever notice how doubles players can play singles, but singles players can play doubles?? Apparently it's more challenging than ya think

 

[PinkTennisNinja]

Pink,

You haven't met a good singles player who would give you a good run for ...your loss yet. It's a good thrill and sometimes annoying to get into a good rally war or a cat and mouse game.

I find that doubles is killing me with boredom these days. Sure, there are like 5-10 good doubles players around (but they mainly play exclusively with each other and pick partners and brag to each other to death). Most of the time I play with average players, when things get competitive, everyone just tap the ball to the weak players, and u just stand there getting ants crawling up your legs.

Your right, the girl I played singles against was boring as crap and not challenging. She used my pace to dink it back over to a little past the service line. I knew where she was hitting it 95% of the time and how hard she was going to hit it. There was no thrilling "powerful hitting baseline to baseline" rallies. BUT my friend played her the week before and said that is not the same person she played at all! She had girl she played had that powerful baseline hitting! But I know I hit harder and deeper than my friend so maybe she was on the defensive the whole time and I just didn't know OR maybe she took the pace off on purpose to mess me up (even though I don't think she was good enough for that). And see here is the difference between me and normal singles players. I hate baseline rallies but you get me at the net where all 4 players are up and your reflexes have to be quick, now that's a thrill. And we also have a ton more doubles players in my area than singles players. And most of the time there's not a much weaker player on the court. Your just playing with the wrong people

 

[DavaiMarat]

I understand ninja. All the summer leagues I play in are doubles. Yes there's definitely tactics, like picking on the weaker player or lobbing into the lights, I formation, fake poaches etc, everything to unbalance the other team.

However, there are certainly less variety. The court is much smaller and points faster. Less options and less opportunities to have a point develop. That's why singles is so much more captivating to watch on TV. You see the player's true personalities expressed by where and how they hit the ball.

Don't get me wrong, I like doubles too. Certainly more banter, trash talking and fast action. It's highly skilled as well. You have to split second decisions and you never can push the ball over or you'll get eaten alive. It just the points don't seem as compelling to me. Again, it's a personal thing. Perhaps it has to do with what you learned to play first.

W.r.t. your comment about singles players not being able to play doubles, I think the opposite applies. I can grind most doubles players into the ground because they can't sustain a point beyond 4-5 hits. Or they make so many unforced errors because they are usually just tuned to grip it and rip it. They are two very different games and require very different mentalities.

Maybe you'll see it my way one day. Keep playing!

 

[PinkTennisNinja]

I understand ninja. All the summer leagues I play in are doubles. Yes there's definitely tactics, like picking on the weaker player or lobbing into the lights, I formation, fake poaches etc, everything to unbalance the other team.

However, there are certainly less variety. The court is much smaller and points faster. Less options and less opportunities to have a point develop. That's why singles is so much more captivating to watch on TV. You see the player's true personalities expressed by where and how they hit the ball.

See I think the complete opposite, as much as I love watching pro singles I much prefer doubles. Professionals are just that, professionals. My points nor anyone else that I have ever watched play singles have been thrilling. And I prefer women's dubs to men's. I believe men's doubles is just a bunch of slams at the weaker player/net man. Whereas the women's doubles is all about touch, placement, reflexes. For example, US Open women's finals. Beautiful points through out the match. However watching mixed sucks haha. The men just slam the women and those points go entirely too quickly.

Don't get me wrong, I like doubles too. Certainly more banter, trash talking and fast action. It's highly skilled as well. You have to split second decisions and you never can push the ball over or you'll get eaten alive. It just the points don't seem as compelling to me. Again, it's a personal thing. Perhaps it has to do with what you learned to play first.

I learned doubles first, surprise surprise haha

W.r.t. your comment about singles players not being able to play doubles, I think the opposite applies. I can grind most doubles players into the ground because they can't sustain a point beyond 4-5 hits. Or they make so many unforced errors because they are usually just tuned to grip it and rip it. They are two very different games and require very different mentalities.

Maybe you'll see it my way one day. Keep playing!

I will never convert!! haha However it's great to hear a point of view that's so very different from my own! I must warn you, I have converted many singles players to doubles :twisted:

 

[user92626]

I agree that it could potentially very fun to play doubles. Again, you'd need 4 players around the same level in all aspects (baseline, volley, serves). What's the chance of that to happen? It's more unlikely than likely. So, next thing you know there's alot of frustration. Well, there's always frustration in a game, but now you have more people to point fingers to. It's just inevitable.

With singles, you don't need to be equal in all aspect. A good baseliner can go head to head with a good volleyer. Hard, short point striker can play against a grinder and so on. You never know. In doubles, good volleyers rule. Wrap up and go home

 

[PinkTennisNinja]

I agree that it could potentially very fun to play doubles. Again, you'd need 4 players around the same level in all aspects (baseline, volley, serves). What's the chance of that to happen? It's more unlikely than likely. So, next thing you know there's alot of frustration. Well, there's always frustration in a game, but now you have more people to point fingers to. It's just inevitable.

With singles, you don't need to be equal in all aspect. A good baseliner can go head to head with a good volleyer. Hard, short point striker can play against a grinder and so on. You never know. In doubles, good volleyers rule. Wrap up and go home

That must be why I like doubles, I'm a good volleyer Game, set, match :twisted:

 

[zacinnc78]

id say if your good at singles then doubles feels like your taking a break almost

my joints like it better when i play doubles but my personality likes singles better cause i dont feel like im letting anybody down and theres nobody there to feel like theyre letting me down....i can try stuff in singles that i wouldnt in doubs for fear of pi$$ing my partner off (low percentage shots that really need to be practiced too i thin

i feel like in doubles,the return is so much more important (especially if your partner has a weak serve)

 

[Cindysphinx]

See I think the complete opposite, as much as I love watching pro singles I much prefer doubles. Professionals are just that, professionals. My points nor anyone else that I have ever watched play singles have been thrilling.

Amen to that.

If there is anything more dull to watch than singles at 4.0 and below, I don't know what it is. Maybe it's fun to play these matches, but it is nowhere near as entertaining as the pros.

However watching mixed sucks haha. The men just slam the women and those points go entirely too quickly.

I think the most exciting doubles to watch for rec players is mixed doubles. The dynamic is so interesting. You have the woman trying hang with the guy's serve. You have the guy taking more chances than he otherwise would. You have the guy trying to serve differently to the guy than the gal. You have the gal trying to make the guy miss his return, at the same time he is trying to punish her serve. And when the woman can win a baseline rally against the guy . . . well, that's just awesome.

I will never convert!! haha However it's great to hear a point of view that's so very different from my own! I must warn you, I have converted many singles players to doubles :twisted:

You know, I can't think of many true conversions. When someone likes either doubles or singles, they tend not to change their mind and begin to prefer the other. The committed doubles players don't seem to convert to singles because they simply don't have the court coverage and so cannot win. The singles players can't volley and don't want to learn, so they stand waiting for the ball to come to them and they get bored.

I'm also transitioning to singles, but I highly doubt I will ever prefer singles to doubles.

 

[PinkTennisNinja]

Amen to that.

If there is anything more dull to watch than singles at 4.0 and below, I don't know what it is. Maybe it's fun to play these matches, but it is nowhere near as entertaining as the pros.

I just watched 3.0 singles tonight and believe me....BORING lol it was just hitting to keep it in. Hitting not to lose compared to hitting to win.

I think the most exciting doubles to watch for rec players is mixed doubles. The dynamic is so interesting. You have the woman trying hang with the guy's serve. You have the guy taking more chances than he otherwise would. You have the guy trying to serve differently to the guy than the gal. You have the gal trying to make the guy miss his return, at the same time he is trying to punish her serve. And when the woman can win a baseline rally against the guy . . . well, that's just awesome.

And I mean't watching professional mixed sucks. I freaking LOVE playing mixed. My favorite part is pegging the guys. At the level I have played (7.0) most guys don't believe I'm any good since I'm a 3.0 and the 3.5 girls think they can take me....wrong. I learned to play tennis from a hard hitting 6'4 guy. Hard hitting does not scare me. I like to go toe to toe with those guys. And my serve is soooo different that most guys can't kill a return back at me and the girls have to dink it over which my partner is waiting for :twisted:

You know, I can't think of many true conversions. When someone likes either doubles or singles, they tend not to change their mind and begin to prefer the other. The committed doubles players don't seem to convert to singles because they simply don't have the court coverage and so cannot win. The singles players can't volley and don't want to learn, so they stand waiting for the ball to come to them and they get bored.

I'm also transitioning to singles, but I highly doubt I will ever prefer singles to doubles.

Yeah I don't believe I will ever convert to singles. I just don't have the patience. I believe I could convert and become a singles player with a little practice but it just isn't fun IMO. And thank the lawd I'm not transitioning to singles I'm just wasting time until the spring doubles season rolls around