my strokes (5.5) if interested

[TonLars]

Florida is a solid team, good luck tony!

Thanks, they were good, we lost 2-1 as a team and I won my singles match against that guy Olivier Lorin. He was better than I figured he would be, but I looked him up later and saw he got to the quarters of the senior world 45's championship: http://www.itftennis.com/seniors/players/activity.asp?player=10006274

Got to give props to the crafty veterans, he was tough. I can see how some of these older guys like Val Wilder or whoever can still be really good now, he frustrated the hell out of me first set. I was down 0-4 15-40 first set and couldnt figure him out, he simply wouldnt miss and kept everything so low and lots of backhand slices so I couldnt attack very well, and Indian wells has very slow courts. I stayed more patient and attacked when I could and ended up winning 7-5 6-1.

If we beat New England we will be 3-1, and we should make the playoffs on Sunday. Here are the standnings of our pool:
http://tennislink.usta.com/leagues/...evel=S&FlightID=&SubFlightID=42645&CYear=2009

 

[J011yroger]

Awesome results T.

Good luck!

J

 

[bad_call]

good playing TL. now go to your room for dissing the old guy...j/k.

 

[Knightmace]

Thanks, they were good, we lost 2-1 as a team and I won my singles match against that guy Olivier Lorin. He was better than I figured he would be, but I looked him up later and saw he got to the quarters of the senior world 45's championship: http://www.itftennis.com/seniors/players/activity.asp?player=10006274

Got to give props to the crafty veterans, he was tough. I can see how some of these older guys like Val Wilder or whoever can still be really good now, he frustrated the hell out of me first set. I was down 0-4 15-40 first set and couldnt figure him out, he simply wouldnt miss and kept everything so low and lots of backhand slices so I couldnt attack very well, and Indian wells has very slow courts. I stayed more patient and attacked when I could and ended up winning 7-5 6-1.

If we beat New England we will be 3-1, and we should make the playoffs on Sunday. Here are the standnings of our pool:
http://tennislink.usta.com/leagues/...evel=S&FlightID=&SubFlightID=42645&CYear=2009

That's awesome you managed to win, I had a similar match last week. I lost to a player that was 25 years older than me. Even had a match point I lost 7-5,5-7,0-6 heartbreaking loss had I won I would jumped up big.

Good luck for your next match Tony.

 

[Mike Cottrill]

At 5.0 nationals at Indian wells, really fun again and our team is 2-0 right now! I played real well in my match against Nor Cal and beat a guy who played in the middle of the lineup for USC a couple years ago 6-1 6-0.

Drakulie, we play Florida tomorrow. Im fairly certain I will be playing some guy named Olivier Lorin. I looked him up and he is 45, but looking at results he seems decent. Know anything about him or the rest of the Florida team?

Tony, Olivier had a high rank on ATP of 1045. You still feel Val has no game at 50 when he was ~100 and made it to the quarters at Newport?
Did Olivier play different spins keeping you off balance?

The older you get the smarter you play. We old farts have to do that otherwise we only get injured.

I can see how some of these older guys like Val Wilder or whoever can still be really good now, he frustrated the hell out of me first set.

A Val special is frustrating the opponent..

 

[drakulie]

Thanks, they were good, we lost 2-1 as a team and I won my singles match against that guy Olivier Lorin. He was better than I figured he would be, but I looked him up later and saw he got to the quarters of the senior world 45's championship: http://www.itftennis.com/seniors/players/activity.asp?player=10006274

Got to give props to the crafty veterans, he was tough. I can see how some of these older guys like Val Wilder or whoever can still be really good now, he frustrated the hell out of me first set. I was down 0-4 15-40 first set and couldnt figure him out, he simply wouldnt miss and kept everything so low and lots of backhand slices so I couldnt attack very well, and Indian wells has very slow courts. I stayed more patient and attacked when I could and ended up winning 7-5 6-1.

If we beat New England we will be 3-1, and we should make the playoffs on Sunday. Here are the standnings of our pool:
http://tennislink.usta.com/leagues/...evel=S&FlightID=&SubFlightID=42645&CYear=2009

Thanks for the update, Tonlars!! and congrats and grinding out that win. Shows that you have as much of the mental part of the game, as the physical. Good stuff.

 

[5263]

100% without question build consistency first, whatever pace that may be, so that you will basically be able to miss rarely, and then up the pace gradually as you continually improve the base consistency. This is what I did, and what most top players did.

I think Tony is right on here, even if some of the Agassi hype suggests otherwise.

 

[TonLars]

Tony, Olivier had a high rank on ATP of 1045. You still feel Val has no game at 50 when he was ~100 and made it to the quarters at Newport?
Did Olivier play different spins keeping you off balance?

The older you get the smarter you play. We old farts have to do that otherwise we only get injured.


A Val special is frustrating the opponent..

Olivier apparently didnt play on the tour really at all. If he had, he would have had a much higher rank. He is basically one of the best 10 in the world for 45 and over. Ive also played Richard Schmidt, Mickey Maule, Mehdi Benyebka and Adam Baranowski and Olivier is better than any of them. I never said Val wasnt any good, rather I was downplaying the over-rating he was receiving at one point in a thread. Im sure he is an excellent player still, especially for his age group.

 

[Mike Cottrill]

Youre posting this twice? Like I said in the other thread, Olivier was never active on the tour, theres plenty of guys like that, the #1 player at MN a while back was great but he never even played one futures i dont think, he is in law school. Olivier is definitely 5.5 or more. I never said Val "has no game" so what are you talking about?

I posted in to places because you posted in two places lol.. Okay, lets keep it in your thread.

Maybe saying he had no game was a little harsh, but you did say this:

Glenn is a relatively old (at least past 55 years) 5.0 type player who is on the decline and way past prime (sorry Glenn). He was an excellent player back in his day as well as Val. You can rate Val or anyone whatever you want I guess, but the point is once people get to that age, there is almost no way they are going to beat a "good" (5.5+) young college player that can run, and run them around all match long. Maybe some of these stories on here were from several years ago, but Im not going to believe anytime recently that Val has gone into good Open tournaments and trounced Division 1 college men. I wont post links to Glenn's results, but he will frequently take a beating of getting very few games against a decent 5.0.

Anyway, what about the other questions?
BTW, Val played challengers, ATP and Grand Slam tournaments, not futures.. Val was number #1 in the world for IFTs and USTA 40’s, 45’s. It is almost like you are saying Olivier is better when he made it to quarters of one tournament. Geee.. The post was not to be a pain in your backside, just checking to see if you have figured it out yet.

 

[TonLars]

I posted in to places because you posted in two places lol.. Okay, lets keep it in your thread.
Maybe saying he had no game was a little harsh, but you did say this:
Anyway, what about the other questions?
BTW, Val played challengers, ATP and Grand Slam tournaments, not futures.. Val was number #1 in the world for IFTs and USTA 40’s, 45’s. It is almost like you are saying Olivier is better when he made it to quarters of one tournament. Geee.. The post was not to be a pain in your backside, just checking to see if you have figured it out yet.

Yep, im sticking to what I said, because it is basically true. Not saying guys like this cant be competitive there, but its tough to beat good young players. Figured what out, and what other questions? Nobody is doubting how good Val was or what his rankings are. Olivier on the other hand has not played many tournaments, the world championship he played he made the quarters. He is a very good player, and probably almost as good as Val (right now).

 

[Fedace]

Hey,, lets not knock the age of 45.. JP Mcenroe was still playing competitive with Sampras at age 50

 

[Mike Cottrill]

and what other questions?
.

Did Olivier play different spins keeping you off balance?

Figured what out?

Unless there are injury issues, a 45-50yr old in shape 5.5+ player is not going to gas in two sets. Over a week sure, many matches per day, sure..

 

[Fedace]

Did Olivier play different spins keeping you off balance?



Unless there are injury issues, a 45-50yr old in shape 5.5+ player is not going to gas in two sets. Over a week sure, many matches per day, sure..

^I think it is more so that their Bodies fall apart. Like their Knees or shoulders can't take that kind of pounding if they play everyday for the week.

 

[TonLars]

Did Olivier play different spins keeping you off balance?
Unless there are injury issues, a 45-50yr old in shape 5.5+ player is not going to gas in two sets. Over a week sure, many matches per day, sure..

Yeah he did alot of spins and what some would call junk, he had a great slice backhand that he used almost exclusively, kind of like Graf. He had good touch at the net and even did a couple trick shots I hadnt seen before. The variety, consistency and most of all not being used to his style is what was difficult for me, especially at the beginning. Once I got used to it and knew I was going to have to be patient, I pretty much dominated the match from there. I totally respected his game and was amazed at how effective it was at his age, and made me feel like I should be able to play this game very well for a long time. I understand how experience and smart play can make up for loss in speed and strength. At the same time, it is tough to overcome a younger players big shotmaking and court coverage.

 

[bad_call]

... I understand how experience and smart play can make up for loss in speed and strength. At the same time, it is tough to overcome a younger players big shotmaking and court coverage.

you aren't kidding. :shock: old guys gotta be able to hurt them as well...or sit and watch.

 

[kevhen]

Tony,

Hey Tony, how is the tennis? Did you play Waterloo Open this year?

 

[Mike Cottrill]

Hey Tony, how is the tennis? Did you play Waterloo Open this year?

From the land of potatoes to Australia?

 

[kevhen]

From where corn is king to the land of oz and roos.

 

[goober]

From the land of potatoes to Australia?

Uh I think it was Iowa not Idaho.

 

[TonLars]

Hey Tony, how is the tennis? Did you play Waterloo Open this year?

Kevin! wow, was wondering what you were up to! Yeah its been like, 2.5 years since youve seen me play I believe, Ive gotten alot better since then and have done well at tournaments. I got 2nd at waterloo this year and lost to an old rival that is a touring pro now. Hoping to finally take it down next year. You enjoying Australia?

 

[kevhen]

Wow you were awesome a couple of years ago. Tennis is great here. Saw many good players here at the Brisbane Open last January. I play 2-3 times per week year round. Temps range from 50-95 so perfect for tennis since it is usually dry and not as humid as Iowa in the summer.

I think I am about the same level as before although I know my volley has gotten much better as I usually stick my first volley when I come to net now. I think I place my serve better and mix the spins up better now too. But I do feel a step slow but I am 39 now. So I just hang in there and still play with the 22 year olds still in uni and hopefully teach them they need to be more patient and will need to hit 4-5 balls in each point if they want to beat me.

Did you go to Bolliteri's again?

 

[SuperDuy]

Hey dude your lucky you get to play all year round man. ^

 

[kevhen]

yeah, the coldest is gets here is 5C (40F) and the hottest is 35C (95F) and it's usually dry so you don't sweat much which is nice. Typically the weather is between (16-24C) 60-75F when I play in the evening and not too windy either. The birds can be noisy when settling down. The kookaburras which are large and laugh like monkeys like to watch the tennis courts and sit on top of the fences and wait for moths and stuff but I never get bothered by bugs here. No mosquitoes or flies!

 

[SuperDuy]

Lucky, in wpg here theres alot of bugs. But temperature in the summer can hit 30s

 

[boojay]

Hey Tony, have you ever played against Rob Steckley? If so, how did you fare or how would you fare, if you haven't yet? I may have mentioned this a while back but he creamed our top junior here 6-1, 6-2 a year or two ago (who in turn would smoke me by the same score.....on a bad day for him and on a good day for me).

I saw vids on youtube of Steckley training with Fed and Nadal (and they would beat Steckley 6-0, 6-0, probably). Pretty sweet.

 

[doom]

Hey Tony have you played any Australian guys? Maybe some of the guys who come over to play college tennis?

 

[TonLars]

Hey Tony, have you ever played against Rob Steckley? If so, how did you fare or how would you fare, if you haven't yet? I may have mentioned this a while back but he creamed our top junior here 6-1, 6-2 a year or two ago (who in turn would smoke me by the same score.....on a bad day for him and on a good day for me).

I saw vids on youtube of Steckley training with Fed and Nadal (and they would beat Steckley 6-0, 6-0, probably). Pretty sweet.

Hey, yeah Rob is very good player, it would be a close match, but no I have not played him yet. He won a 3 set match against a player who is fairly even with me. He was really lucky to be able to hit with those guys, that would be really fun. Fed actually knows Rob a bit too from juniors.

 

[TonLars]

Hey Tony have you played any Australian guys? Maybe some of the guys who come over to play college tennis?

Hey there, yep Ive played some but maybe nobody youve heard of. Sam Fletcher, Christian Gerloff, Dalibor Pavic are some of the better ones that I can remember.

 

[boojay]

Hey, yeah Rob is very good player, it would be a close match, but no I have not played him yet. He won a 3 set match against a player who is fairly even with me. He was really lucky to be able to hit with those guys, that would be really fun. Fed actually knows Rob a bit too from juniors.

That's scary. These were the junior's exact words: "His slice backhand was bigger than my forehand's." And this junior has probably the best forehand in our province (and among the best in bordering provinces).

 

[lwto]

Thats actually a really accurate assessment, youre exactly right on both things. My forehand is different now than 2 years ago and im hitting it much more aggressively. Whats the grip- its pretty close to western, but probably not full.

Is it my imagination, perhaps i'm not seeing it correctly, but you seem to be falling back abit, like hitting off of your heels, instead of really driving in to the ball.

Just an off the top observation. Do you tend to hit high relative to the net?

Other wise looks pretty good!

 

[mawashi]

So, what exactly do you mean by your picture? The guy is basically one of the top 10 in the world for 45 and over ITF, so I consider it a pretty good win. He plays an unorthodox style (to me at least, with all the slice and "junk") though and thats what I was trying to describe. Can you be more specific or what exactly is your goal here?

Tony, there're tons of trolls here. Never know when one will pop it's ugly head up.

mawashi

 

[TonLars]

Is it my imagination, perhaps i'm not seeing it correctly, but you seem to be falling back abit, like hitting off of your heels, instead of really driving in to the ball.

Just an off the top observation. Do you tend to hit high relative to the net?

Other wise looks pretty good!

Thanks! And no you are right, several years ago when the older videos were shot I was hitting off the back foot too much on the forehand and just trying to stay consistent. I dont do that unnecessarily when playing now, and im almost always attacking with the forehand.

Tony, there're tons of trolls here. Never know when one will pop it's ugly head up.

mawashi

I guess youre right, his post was deleted, but I would have been interested in a response from BLX anyhow.

 

[Octavian]

your really good dude

 

[snoopy]

I seem to recall you saying that your backhand was your more dangerous side. After all the work you've done on your forehand do you still think that's true?

 

[mawashi]

Thanks! And no you are right, several years ago when the older videos were shot I was hitting off the back foot too much on the forehand and just trying to stay consistent. I dont do that unnecessarily when playing now, and im almost always attacking with the forehand.


I guess youre right, his post was deleted, but I would have been interested in a response from BLX anyhow.

Bullox to BLX. Just some kid or loser trying to impress himself... don't bother.

mawashi

 

[adista4]

No I think you are right actually, because this is two years ago and I used different string back then. The racquet is the old Head Ti Radical and used it for about 8 years. Now Ive been using the Flexpoint radical for about 2 years

Are you playing with an OS or a MP version of the radical?

 

[TonLars]

I seem to recall you saying that your backhand was your more dangerous side. After all the work you've done on your forehand do you still think that's true?

Forehand definitely better now, thats been a huge difference. Now I need a good first serve!

Are you playing with an OS or a MP version of the radical?

OS all the way, you me and Agassi!

 

[adista4]

Forehand definitely better now, thats been a huge difference. Now I need a good first serve!
OS all the way, you me and Agassi!

man I can't believe that a good player like you still uses the OS...you hit the ball incredibly crispy

 

[maverick66]

man I can't believe that a good player like you still uses the OS...you hit the ball incredibly crispy

that's a mistake people make about rackets. You use whats best for you. That might be a an over sized racket. Tony is a good player and a 90in frame probably wouldn't be ideal for his game. Could he use it probably but it wouldn't help him be a better player. Only on this board do you see people think frame size equals skill.

 

[adista4]

that's a mistake people make about rackets. You use whats best for you. That might be a an over sized racket. Tony is a good player and a 90in frame probably wouldn't be ideal for his game. Could he use it probably but it wouldn't help him be a better player. Only on this board do you see people think frame size equals skill.

Hey don't get me wrong...but I think there are few good players these days using OS's...AND besides, OS frames are considered beginner-intermediate level frames by most guys...I can't play with less than 100 sq inch headsize.

 

[adista4]

sorry maverick You've nailed it in your last line)))) I misread it

 

[maverick66]

No problem. People get to caught up in what racket or strings they use on this board or maybe just tennis in general. Its fine if your a tinker with your equipment but I think some try to force a racket because they think at there level thats what they should have. Or they think it will make them look cool. I used a 100in racket when i stopped playing. It was great for how i swung and if people said it was for bad players i didnt care.

 

[Andres]

man I can't believe that a good player like you still uses the OS...you hit the ball incredibly crispy

Agassi played like his whole career with an OS.

 

[TonLars]

Got to practice with Eric Butorac and Harsh Mankad today, was alot of fun! Eric is a great guy, real nice and not aloof like many top players. Hoping to practice with him a few more times this December. He is way, way better than me at doubles (obviously...) with his amazing volleys, size and good lefty serve. However if we played singles I would imagine I would have a good chance to win if I played well, which is what makes the difference between the two games kind of interesting. He is ranked about 30th for ATP doubles right now which is very impressive for someone coming out of Minnesota. Was a really fun experience to hit with such a successful player today.

 

[Mike Cottrill]

Tony,
Did you talk to him about getting that atp point and how you can pull it off finance part of it?

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Got to practice with Eric Butorac and Harsh Mankad today, was alot of fun! Eric is a great guy, real nice and not aloof like many top players. Hoping to practice with him a few more times this December. He is way, way better than me at doubles (obviously...) with his amazing volleys, size and good lefty serve. However if we played singles I would imagine I would have a good chance to win if I played well, which is what makes the difference between the two games kind of interesting. He is ranked about 30th for ATP doubles right now which is very impressive for someone coming out of Minnesota. Was a really fun experience to hit with such a successful player today.

Way cool Tony. Good for you. Those are the kind of players you belong amongst.

Hope you have a great holiday. BHBH

 

[BLX]

My most recent videos are posted at the top. They are the best representation of my hitting, both in terms of camera angle and how I hit the ball when I compete. After that are links I have of me hitting groundstrokes in about 2004 or so for a guy that does video analysis. I have gotten alot better since then in terms of hitting a much more aggressive ball and maintaining the consistency, but Im posting them nonetheless and maybe people will notice changes. The forehand form between 2004 and 2009 is a bit different and improved, and I try to hit very aggressive with it as one of my weapons now. The videos on top Im hitting at my regular match pace even though exia alot are inside out and you cant see me hit it. Below the hitting videos is a recent singles tournament video in 2007, and doubles video in 2008.

2009 groundstrokes practice, Im white shirt (thankyou SlapShot):
http://vimeo.com/3231428
http://vimeo.com/3231513

New-2009 stroke eval with slow motion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1xkW2a1y5I

2004 casual hitting for technique analysis:
backhands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGR1n0Xhvvk Disregard blank blue screen for first 10"
backhand flatter drives and some slices: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqbbYVl2Fqg
forehand short angles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvP_C7tBz1k

Aquatennial Singles Final 2007. Unfortunately you can usually only see one player from the camera angle, but you still get a good feel for the match and what my game is like.
1st set serving at 5-6 and tiebreaker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md9oNXUBJUo
3rd set match tiebreaker to 10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAhTCWMVpUY

Arby's Manitoba Open Doubles Final 2008
1st set serving at 3-3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fmLnL6FhwY
2nd set 4-5 down a break
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fHU90M0nuk

Comment if you like. As far as NTRP rating goes Im now like a 5.5 out of college and playing Open tournaments for prize money, and trying to do something in some Futures circuit tournaments when I get a chance to play them.

u are amazing

 

[TonLars]

I just got a new camera and tested it out with some hitting with a 4.0 friend of mine that I teach. It is a Sony and I uploaded using a"PMB" software program. I know really nothing about how to use this program for uploading or editing, seems way too complicated unless one takes a class or has someone directly teach you everything about it. Im having difficulties figuring out how to connect movie clips together for one movie (such as when I stop recording, and then start up again a few seconds later it is two movies) and uploading as HD. The quality doesnt seem to be too bad though.

Anyways, thought this video from right behind would show the forehand a little better than some others Ive posted in the past. This summer or sooner I will try to have a tournament match filmed, and hopefully from above the court sometime:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRRt8jXJ-is

 

[aimr75]

great vid tony.. really liked how compact your forehand is. Seems like very little can go wrong with it.. very powerful too

was wondering, at what height did you set the tripod at, and how far back would you say the camera is from the baseline? i struggle to get my body in the shot when i try filming from behind

by the way, in terms of video editing and saving in HD.. try and get a hold of a program like Sony Vegas Pro, can do all that and isnt too hard too use

 

[Zachol82]

My most recent videos are posted at the top. They are the best representation of my hitting, both in terms of camera angle and how I hit the ball when I compete. After that are links I have of me hitting groundstrokes in about 2004 or so for a guy that does video analysis. I have gotten alot better since then in terms of hitting a much more aggressive ball and maintaining the consistency, but Im posting them nonetheless and maybe people will notice changes. The forehand form between 2004 and 2009 is a bit different and improved, and I try to hit very aggressive with it as one of my weapons now. The videos on top Im hitting at my regular match pace even though alot are inside out and you cant see me hit it. Below the hitting videos is a recent singles tournament video in 2007, and doubles video in 2008.

New- 2010 hitting with a 4.0 friend and testing out the new camera (still not sure how to get these in HD or string together several "movies")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRRt8jXJ-is

Pretty good strokes and consistency on your end.

Oh, there is this one question that keeps popping up in my mind as I was watching this video...your friend you're hitting with in this video is a 4.0? It's a rally, you're practically hitting every shot to him...and yet he's still making that many unforced errors?