MEP vs ET Players - Original TT Epic

Who wins?

  • Ian to dish out bagel and a stick

    Votes: 9 9.1%

  • Ian Wins

    Votes: 43 43.4%

  • Ian just manages to win

    Votes: 22 22.2%

  • Green shirt teaches Ian a lesson

    Votes: 6 6.1%

  • Green shirt wins

    Votes: 13 13.1%

  • Green shirt shocks the tennis world

    Votes: 6 6.1%
  • Total voters
    99
  • Poll closed .
Rubens

Rubens

Hall of Fame
Lol at the comments section of that video. People asking Ian whether the match has been played or not, and Ian avoiding to give a straight answer.

Some guy asked "Are you sure you didn't play this match yet?"
Ian's answer: "Maybe."

Let's just play along. His business went through tough times. He deserves to bounce back.
 
C

curly_2350

Rookie
Rubens said:
Let's just play along. His business went through tough times. He deserves to bounce back.
Click to expand...
I get what he's doing with American showman style hype/drama (he's not really lying! He's just player a character) thing, but I think it could backfire. As already mentioned humble bragging about being okay with losing and being the bigger man with regards to a future match that you've already played is quite a stretch. Youtube audience is a fickle thing. Trying to come across as relatable and honest while blatantly lying is not a good look imo.
 
S

sureshs

Bionic Poster
curly_2350 said:
I get what he's doing with American showman style hype/drama (he's not really lying! He's just player a character) thing, but I think it could backfire. As already mentioned humble bragging about being okay with losing and being the bigger man with regards to a future match that you've already played is quite a stretch. Youtube audience is a fickle thing. Trying to come across as relatable and honest while blatantly lying is not a good look imo.
Click to expand...

I think the trick might be working on Youtube judging by the comments. Since we have an insider perspective on the issue, we suspect that the video was released after the match. But most won't know that.

BTW, was it really made after the match? I still can't quite believe that. It would be really low.
 
Rubens

Rubens

Hall of Fame
Now that the match outcome is known to most, I'm afraid three weeks will be too long for the build up to generate much momentum, if not backfire. The cat is out of the bag now. Better switch to damage control mode and publish it earlier.
 
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sredna42

sredna42

Hall of Fame
Rubens said:
Lol at the comments section of that video. People asking Ian whether the match has been played or not, and Ian avoiding to give a straight answer.

Some guy asked "Are you sure you didn't play this match yet?"
Ian's answer: "Maybe."

Let's just play along. His business went through tough times. He deserves to bounce back.
Click to expand...

Don't you find it interesting that Ian hasn't answered questions about how he magically recovered from his life threatening ankle injury so fast?
I contacted WADA, and they said they hadn't heard from him, so clear proof that he is RUNNING from Wada, they don't even know who he IS he has been avoiding them that frantically.

I was suspicious from the beginning because of how bulked up Ian is looking lately, he looks huge
 
chazz

chazz

Rookie
If you look at things honestly and objectively. A 5.0 player with college experience(yes, Ian is a 5.0 level player) with a solid net game on a fast indoor court should have no problem defeating a self taught 4.5 player who avoids the net and who is used to playing on outdoor hardcourts. All this made up drama is very off putting to say the least. I have enjoyed the previous matches Ian has uploaded quite a bit but there truly is no need for all the overhype with some deception added in for this particular match. Also no offense to GSG because Atlanta is a hotbed for tennis and to win at the 4.5 level is truly impressive. I will continue to watch his matches on Trolls channel.
 
Rubens

Rubens

Hall of Fame
The hyping game was unfolding perfectly until today's video, when people in the comments section started to suspect that the match has already been played. That is when the ship started sinking.
 
T

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
Rubens said:
The hyping game was unfolding perfectly until today's video, when people in the comments section started to suspect that the match has already been played. That is when the ship started sinking.
Click to expand...
In fairness to Ian, the only usta matches he has played in the last decade have been at the 4.5 level. He is not understating his level in the video when he states that he’s a 4.5. That doesn’t mean he’s not the favorite to win (since 4.5 encompasses a broad range of skill, and he’s likely at the upper edge of 4.5).
 
FiddlerDog

FiddlerDog

Hall of Fame
Ian has been transparent about the scheduling of the match from day one.
There is a lead in to the match. First training matches, then drilling and practices, then the match. The match itself is part of a series.
Ian picked the most defensive player in his bullpen, and that is tomorrow's training match.
It's a narrative and a journey, so enjoy it, and quit the bratty whining entitled of I WANT IT NOW
When the GSG match was played does mean a darn thing.
 
Raul_SJ

Raul_SJ

G.O.A.T.
FiddlerDog said:
When the GSG match was played does mean a darn thing.
Click to expand...

Lets not pretend it takes three weeks to edit a match. That would be the Djoker Australian Open film documentary currently in progress.

We applaud Ian for his clever marketing ploy of stretching a two day job into three weeks.

Bravo! Don't forget to click like and subscribe.
 
Rubens

Rubens

Hall of Fame
If the time the match was played didn't mean a darn thing, Ian wouldn't be so evasive in his answers to today's questions in the feedback section of his video.

I have to say, I was starting to get bored about this overhyped match, but I have regained a new interest in it since today's video, albeit more in a "can't look away from the train wreck" kind of way.
Today's video is the first in which people started to question his transparency. And we're still three weeks away from the time he intends to publish the video of the match! How will the public opinion of him evolve over that time? Our friend is in hot water now. Can't wait to see what happens. At least he's kept me interested, haha!
 
FiddlerDog

FiddlerDog

Hall of Fame
Raul_SJ said:
Lets not pretend it takes three weeks to edit a match.
Click to expand...

No one said it takes 3 weeks to edit a match.

I love how Ian is truly taking us on the journey in how to prepare for a skilled slicer. That is why Ian is the best tennis teaching channel in the world. Every other channel has a 3 minute video that says "Just drop shot. 6-0 6-0" Ian is showing that it's a lot more complicated than that. That is why GSG is a strong 4.5, while most viewers will not reach that in several lifetimes.

It's called a "series". Things are released in order with intention. There is a lead in to the final showdown match. First there are strategy discussion. Then there are training matches. Then there is drilling and practices. Then the actual match. The GSG match itself is the crescendo of a series. You don't demand they release the season finale on day one, just because it is already filmed. It's a narrative and a journey, so enjoy it, and quit the bratty whining entitled of I WANT IT NOW. Enjoy tomorrow's training match against Adam!
 
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T

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
FiddlerDog said:
Ian has been transparent about the scheduling of the match from day one.
There is a lead in to the match. First training matches, then drilling and practices, then the match. The match itself is part of a series.
Ian picked the most defensive player in his bullpen, and that is tomorrow's training match.
It's a narrative and a journey, so enjoy it, and quit the bratty whining entitled of I WANT IT NOW
When the GSG match was played does mean a darn thing.
Click to expand...
For the impatient ones, MEP may be playing a match next week against another self-taught TT poster.
 
JackSockIsTheBest

JackSockIsTheBest

Professional
Keendog said:
Yes it does, plus transfers if you go see him in Milwaukee. Indian Wells and Hawaii are different things, they are destination clinics. Not all that much more than if you hired your local coach for a full 8 hours for one or two days. Which one do you think you'll get more value out of?
Click to expand...
Wait what he had a clinic here damn I should go if he comes back after the pandemic
 
chazz

chazz

Rookie
Kinda strange seeing Ian's tennis matches being compared to movie making and recording an album. He produces good content and props to him for coming up with the idea to mic up the players and have them do the "confessionals" at changeovers. However lets not fool ourselves. If he wanted to, he could have it all edited and finished in a few days. He knows there is much more demand for this match than any other videos he's working on. He's trying to extract every bit of hype he can out of it. Props to GSG guy because if it was me I would have insisted on Ian playing on my homecourt. It was gutsy of him to fly to Wisconsin to play on that ice skating rink Ian calls a tennis court.
 
S

sureshs

Bionic Poster
FiddlerDog said:
No one said it takes 3 weeks to edit a match.

I love how Ian is truly taking us on the journey in how to prepare for a skilled slicer. That is why Ian is the best tennis teaching channel in the world. Every other channel has a 3 minute video that says "Just drop shot. 6-0 6-0" Ian is showing that it's a lot more complicated than that. That is why GSG is a strong 4.5, while most viewers will not reach that in several lifetimes.

It's called a "series". Things are released in order with intention. There is a lead in to the final showdown match. First there are strategy discussion. Then there are training matches. Then there is drilling and practices. Then the actual match. The GSG match itself is the crescendo of a series. You don't demand they release the season finale on day one, just because it is already filmed. It's a narrative and a journey, so enjoy it, and quit the bratty whining entitled of I WANT IT NOW. Enjoy tomorrow's training match against Adam!
Click to expand...

it is actually a good thing. GSG is teachable textbook material. A must for adult players who always complain about pushers and lose to them. I can visualize the series being shown at various tennis retreats across the country (and yes they have started up again) with drills like "Play like GSG" when two players alternate at playing like GSG to experience both sides of the coin. It will drill into their heads that pros who play offensively had to beat many GSGs along the way before they acquired the ability to have one consistent dictating style to cover all aspects of the game (and those who did not ended up not becoming pros).
 
C

chic

Hall of Fame
chazz said:
Kinda strange seeing Ian's tennis matches being compared to movie making and recording an album. He produces good content and props to him for coming up with the idea to mic up the players and have them do the "confessionals" at changeovers. However lets not fool ourselves. If he wanted to, he could have it all edited and finished in a few days. He knows there is much more demand for this match than any other videos he's working on. He's trying to extract every bit of hype he can out of it. Props to GSG guy because if it was me I would have insisted on Ian playing on my homecourt. It was gutsy of him to fly to Wisconsin to play on that ice skating rink Ian calls a tennis court.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't be surprised if these had more breakdown of the play in then. If so then there will probably be more script for analysis
 
7

70sStrokes

Rookie
Slowtwitcher said:
All this time between the match and the video being released just makes you realize how pathetic it is that we're waiting to watch a march between two hacks. With all due respect to the human beings involved ;)
Click to expand...
Everybody on here is a hack, including myself. Only some have more hack than others. Lol
 
Z

zipplock

Hall of Fame
curly_2350 said:
I get what he's doing with American showman style hype/drama (he's not really lying! He's just player a character) thing, but I think it could backfire. As already mentioned humble bragging about being okay with losing and being the bigger man with regards to a future match that you've already played is quite a stretch. Youtube audience is a fickle thing. Trying to come across as relatable and honest while blatantly lying is not a good look imo.
Click to expand...
Feels like something one of those late night promotional advertisers would do, you know, the 30 minute infomercial.
 
Rubens

Rubens

Hall of Fame
"I'm more than happy to put myself on the line to help all of you."
"If I lose to Ben, [...] I'm ok with that."

Oh my. I love it. Great stuff, Ian. On a video posted after you won the match. Amazing. Give us more. We are your gullible audience.
 
D

Deleted member 780836

Guest
I am sitting in my chair pissed off about how Ian is milking this MEP match to the point where the udders are going to fall off. Time to get off the internet for now.
 
Raul_SJ

Raul_SJ

G.O.A.T.
colabby said:
am sitting in my chair pissed off about how Ian is milking this MEP match to the point where the udders are going to fall off.
Click to expand...

Nobody knows the result. Everybody signed a NDA. So you will have to read Ian's body language from today's live stream. The result will be written all over his face for those who know to read body language. Who is the TW body language expert.
:unsure:
 
G

GuyClinch

Legend
Ian is really overhyping this - I don't like it.

Truth is he is a big favorite and most of the guys he is bringing in to warm up to face MEP are superior to him. It's like a prize fight vs. Tommy Morrison or something. A teaching pro does not need months of prep to beat a guy who lost to among others - a 50 year old man who doesn't play tennis for a living and is not in great shape, and a female college recruit. Ian could beat either of those players (who beat MEP) handily. Ironically the only guy I would imagine could beat Ian (maybe) is tennis troll. Who IMHO is clearly superior to those other players that beat MEP. Poor tennis troll - hypes guys up and doesn't make hay on the benefits haha. Nice of MEP to recognize this and give to Troll's charity. Classy..

There is a difference between being great and being unusual..
 
S

sureshs

Bionic Poster
GuyClinch said:
Ian is really overhyping this - I don't like it.

Truth is he is a big favorite and most of the guys he is bringing in to warm up to face MEP are superior to him. It's like a prize fight vs. Tommy Morrison or something. A teaching pro does not need months of prep to beat a guy who lost to among others - a 50 year old man who doesn't play tennis for a living and is not in great shape, and a female college recruit. Ian could beat either of those players (who beat MEP) handily. Ironically the only guy I would imagine could beat Ian (maybe) is tennis troll. Who IMHO is clearly superior to those other players that beat MEP. Poor tennis troll - hypes guys up and doesn't make hay on the benefits haha. Nice of MEP to recognize this and give to Troll's charity. Classy..

There is a difference between being great and being unusual..
Click to expand...

Ian can beat a female college recruit? Sure about that? What division are we talking about?
 
time_fly

time_fly

Hall of Fame
I'll take Ian at his word that the match hasn't been played yet. But I did take him to task a bit for his practice match against Adam (first set posted today). He doesn't just want to win, but he wants to win by bashing ground stroke winners from the baseline like he's Ira. If he wants to play like someone he's not against MEP then he could lose.
 
S

sureshs

Bionic Poster
Rubens said:
They're beginning to suspect. They still have three weeks to realize what's happening. Word goes around fast on the internet. Let's see how they react.
Click to expand...

But are you sure the video was made after the match was over? What is the proof?
 
Clash Ah ah

Clash Ah ah

Rookie
All the “hype” is on this forum isn’t it? How many threads and comments have there been on Ian v Ben? Nobody is forcing anyone to comment or even watch any videos. That’s your choice.
 
FiddlerDog

FiddlerDog

Hall of Fame
Ian vs. Adam was not a proper warm up for GSG. Adam is a conventional player. You need to find another slicer to prepare for GSG. Ian played a terrible set today. I have never seen him make so many errors. If he plays like he did today, he will get rocked my GSG. Let's hope Ian recovers for the 2nd set. He was really off today.
 
time_fly

time_fly

Hall of Fame
FiddlerDog said:
Ian vs. Adam was not a proper warm up for GSG. Adam is a conventional player. You need to find another slicer to prepare for GSG. Ian played a terrible set today. I have never seen him make so many errors. If he plays like he did today, he will get rocked my GSG. Let's hope Ian recovers for the 2nd set. He was really off today.
Click to expand...

To some extent yes he played worse than usual, but he actually made a lot of forehand errors in some of his previous matches too. It looks to me like he tends to press for power and hit flatter under match pressure on the forehand. He and I went back and forth a bit in the YouTube comments. Summarizing his argument, he claims he could win easily by going to the net but he’s choosing to make the match challenging for training purposes by not using his strengths. There’s a time and place for working on your weaknesses, but prepping for a big match by intentionally not practicing your “real strategy” is not wise in my opinion.
 
G

GuyClinch

Legend
time_fly said:
To some extent yes he played worse than usual, but he actually made a lot of forehand errors in some of his previous matches too. It looks to me like he tends to press for power and hit flatter under match pressure on the forehand. He and I went back and forth a bit in the YouTube comments. Summarizing his argument, he claims he could win easily by going to the net but he’s choosing to make the match challenging for training purposes by not using his strengths. There’s a time and place for working on your weaknesses, but prepping for a big match by intentionally not practicing your “real strategy” is not wise in my opinion.
Click to expand...


Ian is the big favorite - with poor showings more people will think GSG has a very good chance. What good would it do Ian to go out and wax the 4.5s he is playing against. It would dilute the hype behind his match.

Ian chose GSG because of the hype. He could have picked any of half dozen other superior players to fly out to him from the tennis troll channel. But he chose GSG because he is a tennis celebrity. Ian is trying to make a living for his family..

You guys are acting like this is a serious thing for Ian. It's like professional wrestling. Who cares how Hulk Hogan was training for the match with the Undertaker.. But if Hulk was the big favorite - maybe he sprains his ankle - and loses to some other scrubs before the match even happens..! DRAMA!

This is why Ian is 'nervous' and so on. You want people to think that GSG should win. But IMHO you should not think that..:p Ian is just putting on a show.
 
FiddlerDog

FiddlerDog

Hall of Fame
sureshs said:
it is actually a good thing. GSG is teachable textbook material. A must for adult players who always complain about pushers and lose to them.
Click to expand...

This captures the mania that GSG has stirred up. Ian has been podcast discussing delusional pusher hate for many years long before GSG. Some people never get it, and just refuse to play guys like GSG. That is why they never get better. Ian can appreciate what GSG brings to the table since Ian was a tennis player with serious juniors and college NCAA experience. He knows that the rite of passage for all delusional players is to get crushed by the human wall with unorthodox strokes. Most content says "Beat pusher? Dropshot. 6-0 6-0" Ian takes a 4.5 seriously, and gives GSG the 4.5 respect he has earned. This is why this is the greatest tennis content ever made. People are more fired up for this than the Miami Open. Because it is as real as rec tennis gets.

If you don't like it, then don't watch it. Why waste your energy obsessing & complaining about free content you hate? Weird. Just turn it off and get on with your life. Surely, you have better things to do.
 
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