RVAtennisaddict
Professional
Despite my USTA dynamic rating of 3.14 I have for the last year been splitting singles matches in non-USTA matches with 4.0's and usually am competitive. I was finally asked to play on a 4.0 USTA team, played line 2 singles today. For my first outside match or play of the year, I did ok.
First set 4-6 second set 2-6. I definitely got a little gassed in the 2nd set, and the sun was murder for my serve. But it was a good match and to be honest so much more fun than the 3.5 league matches. Most of the games went to 40-40 and were close with several marathon multiple deus games and in general longer points with aggressive hitting/court positioning. The guy I played was 10 years younger and a lot fitter than me with a solid 4-0 record for the last 2 years.
My take away points:
1) Fitness
2) Focus. Surprisingly I have massive ADD on the court, get distracted easily and have trouble staying focused. In particular on split steps, movement (lots of little steps) and early racket prep.
3) Toss. I still stuggle wiht toss. I had moved it to the left and back to depower it/spin it up and just get it in. Am moving it forward and to the right, but struggle with my toss in general. Much worse with the sun- even with hat and sunglasses (which I always play in hat/glasses (sun or regular- only worn for tennis or shooting) just to be used to the set up for when there is sun).
Makes me wonder how the pro's do so well- no hat, no glasses (anymore, in the 80's i remember people wearing them during play).
Still discourage that i play better in non-USTA matches. Must be mental. Personal best atm is 3-8 vs legit/good 4.5 or a win vs 4.5 recently bumped to 4.0 *he is a year or two older and was a 4.5 for 15yrs.
First set 4-6 second set 2-6. I definitely got a little gassed in the 2nd set, and the sun was murder for my serve. But it was a good match and to be honest so much more fun than the 3.5 league matches. Most of the games went to 40-40 and were close with several marathon multiple deus games and in general longer points with aggressive hitting/court positioning. The guy I played was 10 years younger and a lot fitter than me with a solid 4-0 record for the last 2 years.
My take away points:
1) Fitness
2) Focus. Surprisingly I have massive ADD on the court, get distracted easily and have trouble staying focused. In particular on split steps, movement (lots of little steps) and early racket prep.
3) Toss. I still stuggle wiht toss. I had moved it to the left and back to depower it/spin it up and just get it in. Am moving it forward and to the right, but struggle with my toss in general. Much worse with the sun- even with hat and sunglasses (which I always play in hat/glasses (sun or regular- only worn for tennis or shooting) just to be used to the set up for when there is sun).
Makes me wonder how the pro's do so well- no hat, no glasses (anymore, in the 80's i remember people wearing them during play).
Still discourage that i play better in non-USTA matches. Must be mental. Personal best atm is 3-8 vs legit/good 4.5 or a win vs 4.5 recently bumped to 4.0 *he is a year or two older and was a 4.5 for 15yrs.
