Played my 1st league match yesterday 4.0-4.5

[letplaytennis]

I've been wanting to play more competitive tennis and since I'll be playing in a USTA team in the fall, I thought I'd join the local tennis club league. I'm a 4.0-4.5 with a rocket for a serve, 1 HBH & a fast forehand with both having plenty of topspin.

My opponent was maybe in his early 50's and had no serve, just a flat ball that just stayed low after hitting my side of the court. I could NOT take a single full swing at it nor could I get under the ball. And every return from my opponent was just a slice from side to side or a flat ball once again with the occasional lob if I was at the net.

We did not have 1 good rally that lasted more than 2 or 3 returns. I had to adjust my game completely but treated the rest of the match as serve & volley practice.

Just venting a little as I was looking for a more challenging level of play from my opponent, meaning kick serves, fast full swing returns from serve returns to mention a couple.

In the end he was the victor so he got one in the W column. Hopefully the rest of the league and the 2nd league I signed up for, 3.5-4.0 will be more enjoyable. Just venting a little here.

 

[wings56]

I've been wanting to play more competitive tennis and since I'll be playing in a USTA team in the fall, I thought I'd join the local tennis club league. I'm a 4.0-4.5 with a rocket for a serve, 1 HBH & a fast forehand with both having plenty of topspin.

My opponent was maybe in his early 50's and had no serve, just a flat ball that just stayed low after hitting my side of the court. I could NOT take a single full swing at it nor could I get under the ball. And every return from my opponent was just a slice from side to side or a flat ball once again with the occasional lob if I was at the net.

We did not have 1 good rally that lasted more than 2 or 3 returns. I had to adjust my game completely but treated the rest of the match as serve & volley practice.

Just venting a little as I was looking for a more challenging level of play from my opponent, meaning kick serves, fast full swing returns from serve returns to mention a couple.

In the end he was the victor so he got one in the W column. Hopefully the rest of the league and the 2nd league I signed up for, 3.5-4.0 will be more enjoyable. Just venting a little here.

Sounds like it was pretty challenging considering you didn't win the match

 

[shazbot]

Just venting a little as I was looking for a more challenging level of play from my opponent, meaning kick serves, fast full swing returns from serve returns to mention a couple.

So you lost, yet you are looking for a more challenging level of play? Nice dude, you almost sound like a reasonable person.

There are all different types of players in tennis, that's what makes it challenging. You failed your first challenge.

Job well done mate.

 

[J011yroger]

Subscribed.

J

 

[letplaytennis]

Yup, I lost because I couldn't adjust to his serve & returns. I'm more accustomed to playing long fast rallies with quick serves as opposed to just plinking the ball over the net in a very sensitive fashion treating the ball with respect.

Definitely a learning experience.

 

[amlemus]

Yup, I lost because I couldn't adjust to his serve & returns. I'm more accustomed to playing long fast rallies with quick serves as opposed to just plinking the ball over the net in a very sensitive fashion treating the ball with respect.

Definitely a learning experience.

I'd say if you're getting opponents that are dinking the ball over, that should give you ample opportunity to practice putting away points. That way, when you're playing your long, fast rallies later on, you know how to capitalize on a mishit or mistake. Same thing happened to me on my first match where I would try to force the way I wanted to play instead of adapting and taking what my opponent was giving me. Every match is an opportunity to learn and grow!

 

[toby55555]

play inside the baseline, come to the net whenever possible and out away the overheads.

 

[Booger]

lol just wait until you play your first really good pusher. I'm talking about a guy who has no problem with 50 ball rallies and 3 hour matches, and the second you go to the net, he sends passing shots perfectly down the line for winners.

 

[letplaytennis]

lol just wait until you play your first really good pusher. I'm talking about a guy who has no problem with 50 ball rallies and 3 hour matches, and the second you go to the net, he sends passing shots perfectly down the line for winners.

Exactly what I thought I'd be exposed to. Hopefully during USTA team play and tournaments it will be just like this.

 

[OnTheLine]

More proof as to why rankings are what is in the win/loss column not what the game "looks" like .. but what the score actually is.

Might not want to speak of his "just a slice" or "no serve" with such derision if that style of play beat your style of play.

 

[letplaytennis]

More proof as to why rankings are what is in the win/loss column not what the game "looks" like .. but what the score actually is.

Might not want to speak of his "just a slice" or "no serve" with such derision if that style of play beat your style of play.

Yup, lesson learned. I'll play him again in a few weeks in the other league and I'm certain the end result will be quite different.

 

[OnTheLine]

Yup, lesson learned. I'll play him again in a few weeks in the other league and I'm certain the end result will be quite different.

That's the spirit! Adaptability is what separates the winners from the losers!

 

[SretiCentV]

I struggled against this style for a long time. In the end it seems the problem was I was hitting those too far in front of me trying to get under the ball. I now try to get low as I can and let the ball come almost next to me and just do a big brush with a small amount of weight transfer. I find that I can get a deep shot with enough top spin that a good portion of the time enemy has to hit it on the rise. This makes it way tougher for them to slice and if your shot was very good you can follow it in since you already hit inside the baseline

 

[letplaytennis]

I struggled against this style for a long time. In the end it seems the problem was I was hitting those too far in front of me trying to get under the ball. I now try to get low as I can and let the ball come almost next to me and just do a big brush with a small amount of weight transfer. I find that I can get a deep shot with enough top spin that a good portion of the time enemy has to hit it on the rise. This makes it way tougher for them to slice and if your shot was very good you can follow it in since you already hit inside the baseline

I'll just have to return his serve with a slice and just go that route and hope that my shots land in the court more than his.

My problem started early when I was making a full swing that was early (ball too far in front) which resulted in the ball going into the net as I anticipated some sort of bounce on the ball combined with some top spin, but that was just not the case.

 

[willeric]

Ah, the 4.0 "pusher", the slicer! They keep the ball low by your ankles with great directional control. My solution is to generate more topspin and less pace. That that type of player is generally very good at using pace against you. They seem to have a hard time slicing a ball with "extreme" topspin meaning more than you would normally put on it.

 

[OnTheLine]

They seem to have a hard time slicing a ball with "extreme" topspin meaning more than you would normally put on it.

You are right ... when they get one of those balls, they send you back an evil sliced drop shot ... if you get it back, they then lob you and just start chuckling after winning the point!

 

[letplaytennis]

Ah, the 4.0 "pusher", the slicer! They keep the ball low by your ankles with great directional control. My solution is to generate more topspin and less pace. That that type of player is generally very good at using pace against you. They seem to have a hard time slicing a ball with "extreme" topspin meaning more than you would normally put on it.

I was thinking using this approach as well. He could place the ball relatively well with some great anticipation of where I would be next at the next. With every shot that I had top spin on it, it turned out to be a mishit on his part, out, or into the net. As mentioned before, I just need to adjust my game which I did not do this 1st time around in my league match.

 

[RyanRF]

TLDR "I'm better than him and his level of play wasn't challenging enough except for the fact that he beat me"

You gotta fix this mindset. Tennis ability is not what your shots looks like. Ability is who you can and can't beat.

 

[letplaytennis]

TLDR "I'm better than him and his level of play wasn't challenging enough except for the fact that he beat me"

You gotta fix this mindset. Tennis ability is not about what your shots looks like. Ability is based on who you can and can't beat.

Yes sir! It's already fixed. I thought I could dictate the game instead of making on court adjustments. I came into the match thinking of hitting forehand winners off of his serve and that being the end of that point.

 

[OrangePower]

I'll just have to return his serve with a slice and just go that route and hope that my shots land in the court more than his.

My problem started early when I was making a full swing that was early (ball too far in front) which resulted in the ball going into the net as I anticipated some sort of bounce on the ball combined with some top spin, but that was just not the case.

Yes sir! It's already fixed. I thought I could dictate the game instead of making on court adjustments. I came into the match thinking of hitting forehand winners off of his serve and that being the end of that point.

When your opponent has a weak short serve, you can still dictate and hit winners. You do not necessarily need to resort to slicing back.
If you are hitting the ball too far in front and thus hitting it into the net, it just means your return of serve positioning is bad, and/or your footwork is bad.
A short weak serve opens up the court for you to hit a mix of TS angle shots as well as deep hard returns to the server's feet. But it does require good footwork.

 

[r2473]

Yup, lesson learned. I'll play him again in a few weeks in the other league and I'm certain the end result will be quite different.

I'm certain it will too. You'll get beat even worse since he now knows exactly how to play you. And you basically haven't a clue how to beat him. How do I know this? If you did, you'd be talking about how you adjusted your game or even played a few points in a certain style that gave you a big advantage in the match. But there is nothing like that in any of your posts. All you have is a vague idea of some strategy you think might work (but it won't).

Get ready to get crushed and even more frustrated

 

[blip]

This is why tennis is so fun. Get beat and learn. Having another chance at him is a blessing. You get to fix what you did wrong the first time. Again, the hardest thing to do is beat someone you already put in your mind as someone you 'should' beat easily. Now that you have a plan, execute. You know his shots, so it's no surprise anymore.

A top old guy, and I mean old, 60+ maybe more, beat me many times. I could hit 1000000 winners in the match, but he has an unpredictable serve and won the points he needed. He let everything out of reach go. He hits low slice skidders and always to places I wasn't. I ran and ran and ran, all the while this old guy who couldn't run, got to everything easily. It's the low balls that hurt me so much. I forget to bend my knees and let it rip. Instead, I start just retrieving. So far he is better than me, but I drool at the chance to go at him again!

 

[eelhc]

I've been wanting to play more competitive tennis and since I'll be playing in a USTA team in the fall, I thought I'd join the local tennis club league. I'm a 4.0-4.5 with a rocket for a serve, 1 HBH & a fast forehand with both having plenty of topspin.

My opponent was maybe in his early 50's and had no serve, just a flat ball that just stayed low after hitting my side of the court. I could NOT take a single full swing at it nor could I get under the ball. And every return from my opponent was just a slice from side to side or a flat ball once again with the occasional lob if I was at the net.

We did not have 1 good rally that lasted more than 2 or 3 returns. I had to adjust my game completely but treated the rest of the match as serve & volley practice.

Just venting a little as I was looking for a more challenging level of play from my opponent, meaning kick serves, fast full swing returns from serve returns to mention a couple.

In the end he was the victor so he got one in the W column. Hopefully the rest of the league and the 2nd league I signed up for, 3.5-4.0 will be more enjoyable. Just venting a little here.

Hmmm... opponent in his early 50s playing 4.0-4.5 level singles. That right there tells me to watch out for this guy. Also keep in mind also that players from your opponents era know how to hit approach shots and volley.

You have a 1HBH and Forehand with plenty of topspin. Full western grip I assume? How'd that work against flat/slice shots that hardly bounce? Personally... I think hard flat shots and low slices are way underrated/overlooked.

 

[atp2015]

Well, he is trying to win and not feed you fast balls where you are (baseline I assume).
I guess, you need to fix your footwork and short ball technique to control the point.

 

[wings56]

I'm certain it will too. You'll get beat even worse since he now knows exactly how to play you. And you basically haven't a clue how to beat him. How do I know this? If you did, you'd be talking about how you adjusted your game or even played a few points in a certain style that gave you a big advantage in the match. But there is nothing like that in any of your posts. All you have is a vague idea of some strategy you think might work (but it won't).

Get ready to get crushed and even more frustrated

Cant wait for the report back on this one.

 

[norcal]

Am I the only one thinking this sounds exactly like...POMO v dgold?

 

[letplaytennis]

I'm certain it will too. You'll get beat even worse since he now knows exactly how to play you. And you basically haven't a clue how to beat him. How do I know this? If you did, you'd be talking about how you adjusted your game or even played a few points in a certain style that gave you a big advantage in the match. But there is nothing like that in any of your posts. All you have is a vague idea of some strategy you think might work (but it won't).

Get ready to get crushed and even more frustrated

Nah, won't happen, but it just may. I did break him a few sets only because I was playing aggressive and attacking the ball instead of falling back. When I play too conservatively, I tend to make mistakes, and the same goes for safe shots.

Hmmm... opponent in his early 50s playing 4.0-4.5 level singles. That right there tells me to watch out for this guy. Also keep in mind also that players from your opponents era know how to hit approach shots and volley.

You have a 1HBH and Forehand with plenty of topspin. Full western grip I assume? How'd that work against flat/slice shots that hardly bounce? Personally... I think hard flat shots and low slices are way underrated/overlooked.

Footwork may not be spot on, but I don't think this was the issue.

Grip is eastern/semi-western, hence the reason for the errors.

Well, he is trying to win and not feed you fast balls where you are (baseline I assume).
I guess, you need to fix your footwork and short ball technique to control the point.

I tend to serve/volley. There were a few points where I just took the ball out of the air while moving forward so as not to get trapped in the back court.

Again, next match should be interesting. Stay tuned.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

Lol. OP says he is 4.0-4.5. Well, which one are you? 4.0 or 4.5?

 

[letplaytennis]

Lol. OP says he is 4.0-4.5. Well, which one are you? 4.0 or 4.5?

Depends on the day you catch me on the court and which side of the bed I got out from.

But since you caught me, for arguments sake, let's assume I'm a 4.0. I've played singles in HS and some college before tennis took a back seat. Picked it up again about 8 months ago and just starting to get on the same level I was 15 years ago, and playing 5 times a week has really helped accelerate that progress.

My USTA team coach wants me to play at a lower level so I will go further in tournaments, and this seems quite new to me. I don't care to play someone at a 3.0 level and let's say win, with the only intention of the team play is to get as far as I can. That to me is like Michael Jordan playing in the minors in which my coach responded, "well, if Michael Jordan only wants a championship then that's what he will do." Isn't the term "sandbagging" the correct term here and a whole long thread dedicated just to this topic? Anyway, definitely not something I'm interested in, might as well show up at the local grade school and make myself feel better and beat all the kids there lol. I'd rather lose a good match.

QUICK MATCH UPDATE: Yesterday I contacted the guy I played on Monday if he'd like to hit and we did just that. Played a set and I beat him 6-2. What did I do differently? Just what I said above. I had the 'first league match' jitters perhaps on Monday and did not attack the ball and was completely unprepared for his type of play. On his slice returns while I'm at the baseline, I just got down lower for my 1 HBH and took the ball earlier. The same was done with the FH but with less power and more topspin to pick the ball up and over the net and drop it into the back court and to get him behind the baseline, which got him out of position for a put away volley.

See you on the courts!

 

[letplaytennis]

Got this from another thread and it appears that I played against a pusher. Who would've known?

In tennis, a pusher is a defensive player who "pushes" back any shot they can chase down, without deliberately hitting a winner. They can angle shots, aim deep, as well as produce effective lobs. Pushers are extremely quick and consistent, rarely making errors. This style of play, similar to a "human backboard", often tires and frustrates more offensive opponents. They will try to win games by eliciting unforced errors from the opponent, i.e. by waiting for them to make the first mistake and losing the point. Pushers love to "dink" balls back with sidespin or backspin, placing their shots at disadvantageous locations for their opponents. The pusher's strategy also tends to involve a fair amount of psychological warfare.

 

[samarai]

so u lost to a pusher/slicer/lobber and because u have better looking strokes u are mad. Seems like u need to take some lessons from the other poster on this website that is spending unlimited resources to be the greatest 4.0 player ever.

 

[letplaytennis]

so u lost to a pusher/slicer/lobber and because u have better looking strokes u are mad. Seems like u need to take some lessons from the other poster on this website that is spending unlimited resources to be the greatest 4.0 player ever.

Not mad brah. Just trying to contribute to the community on my experience with this thread.

But yes, I lost to a pusher/slicer/lobber. /thread

 

[ChaelAZ]

I've been wanting to play more competitive tennis and since I'll be playing in a USTA team in the fall, I thought I'd join the local tennis club league. I'm a 4.0-4.5 with a rocket for a serve, 1 HBH & a fast forehand with both having plenty of topspin.

My opponent was maybe in his early 50's and had no serve, just a flat ball that just stayed low after hitting my side of the court. I could NOT take a single full swing at it nor could I get under the ball. And every return from my opponent was just a slice from side to side or a flat ball once again with the occasional lob if I was at the net.

We did not have 1 good rally that lasted more than 2 or 3 returns. I had to adjust my game completely but treated the rest of the match as serve & volley practice.

Just venting a little as I was looking for a more challenging level of play from my opponent, meaning kick serves, fast full swing returns from serve returns to mention a couple.

In the end he was the victor so he got one in the W column. Hopefully the rest of the league and the 2nd league I signed up for, 3.5-4.0 will be more enjoyable. Just venting a little here.

You didn't get the practice you wanted, but you were challenged for sure, and that should be a good time to reflect on the opponents game and find how you can improve to win. I have sooooo many similar stories where the matches were different than expected, and in many cases, matches that I was supposed to win, but didn't because I couldn't adjust properly. One junior I play is a 5'3 15 year old that has exactly the game you mention where she hits so flat and low you cannot get under balls easy. Overall, I can say I am above her level, but if I cannot adjust and beat her that really is not the case. On the opposite end I play a guy who is 6'3 and hit very lob-esque topspin shots for everything, so I have to take almost everything quickly on the rise or above the should (head) often. He is another person by match record I should beat, but his shots are tough and I have to adjust or lose. I could mention other backboards, runners, skyballers, etc.

So I feel ya man. I get very frustrated when playing non-typical styles, but I keep reminding myself that I need to embrace the challenge and find the way to win.

Here's to a great season. Cheers.

 

[Carefree]

Just a different kind of challenge, man. There are the guys with great strokes and can hit hard and will push you off the court unless you dig in. This is a different kind of challenge. The match is on your racquet. It's there for you to win or lose the point. It's hard because there isn't a lot of rhythm to the points so it's hard to keep your focus. Have to be aggressive, but can't give away too many points, your opponent won't give you many in return.

There are so many aspects of tennis. Practice, training, mechanics, tactics, point play. There are lots of guys who have terrible mechanics, but they know how to win points. there are guys with really good looking strokes, but can't win 4 out of every 7 points.

It sounds like you're in the second camp (of which I'm a fellow member, welcome). It makes sense, you've practiced the other elements, and comparatively spent next to no time on this part of the game. Just like the rest of it, more practice and experience, and you'll get it up to spec. Keep going. Good luck out there.

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

Yup, I lost because I couldn't adjust to his serve & returns. I'm more accustomed to playing long fast rallies with quick serves as opposed to just plinking the ball over the net in a very sensitive fashion treating the ball with respect.

Definitely a learning experience.

No, it wasn't a learning experience.
It was a failure experience.

The learning part will be when you drill with a coach to figure out how to beat him.
THAT will be the learning experience!

Pushers! They bust all self-delusion!

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

I just read about the part where you beat him
WELL DONE! Way to conquer your foes!

 

[Jonboy]

Those old guys know how to play young base line bangers. They frustrate the crap out of you with Low balls, no pace and they can change it up. They also dont give charity.

That's the beauty of tennis, some players are very deceiving and under estimate them at your peril.

The way to beat the old goat is to be patient and make him move.

 

[g4driver]

Subscribed.

J

Hahaha.

Damn I needed that laugh this am. Damn Formosan termites eating my four alive and 35-40' tall River Birch trees in my back yard. I now have to pay $380 to kill the termites and $980 cut down my trees so they don't fall hitting my house. Expensive ? Yes. Barlett's Tree Experts Stamford, CT Company with trained Arborists. I have 58 trees at my house and about to lose four of my favorites. [emoji35][emoji35][emoji35]

Paying money to cut down four beautiful trees that are comprised by little bastards. [emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35]

So thanks Jolly.

 

[J011yroger]

Hahaha.

Damn I needed that laugh this am. Damn Formosan termites eating my four alive and 35-40' tall River Birch trees in my back yard. I now have to pay $380 to kill the termites and $980 cut down my trees so they don't fall hitting my house. Expensive ? Yes. Barlett's Tree Experts Stamford, CT Company with trained Arborists. I have 58 trees at my house and about to lose four of my favorites. [emoji35][emoji35][emoji35]

Paying money to cut down four beautiful trees that are comprised by little bastards. [emoji35][emoji35][emoji35][emoji35]

So thanks Jolly.

Hey, you aren't too far away if you ever want to hit!

J

 

[tennis tom]

Well, why should your opponent play any harder then he needs to, to win? Maybe he's saving his good stuff for the 4.5/5.0's. Sounds like this "3.5" is an excellent player.

 

[g4driver]

Hey, you aren't too far away if you ever want to hit!

J

I live in Charleston, SC but fly to NYC, and BDL Bradley (Springfield / Hartford CT).

But I am just a 4.0 without a big serve. I just block the ball back when facing 6'8" 4.5 guys who played college basketball then hit ever shot I can directly their size 15 feet. [emoji6]

Not sure I would be a challenge for you. Do you play at the USTA Flushing Meadows courts when the Open isn't going on ?

 

[J011yroger]

I live in Charleston, SC but fly to NYC, and BDL Bradley (Springfield / Hartford CT).

But I am just a 4.0 without a big serve. I just block the ball back when facing 6'8" 4.5 guys who played college basketball then hit ever shot I can directly their size 15 feet. [emoji6]

Not sure I would be a challenge for you. Do you play at the USTA Flushing Meadows courts when the Open isn't going on ?

Yup, I play with @nytennisaddict and @vsbabolat among others there.

J

 

[g4driver]

You guys are all 5.0 guys correct ?

I stay either in Manhattan or out by LGA depending on how much time I have in NY. I will hit you guys up. Will probably come up to the Open again this year depending on my Sept Schedule. But would love to hit on the courts after the Open is over.

 

[J011yroger]

You guys are all 5.0 guys correct ?

I stay either in Manhattan or out by LGA depending on how much time I have in NY. I will hit you guys up. Will probably come up to the Open again this year depending on my Sept Schedule. But would love to hit on the courts after the Open is over.

I think I could say that we range from good 4.5 to ok 5.0 without offending anyone.

J

 

[CosmosMpower]

lol just wait until you play your first really good pusher. I'm talking about a guy who has no problem with 50 ball rallies and 3 hour matches, and the second you go to the net, he sends passing shots perfectly down the line for winners.

I have nightmares about those players. I had to play 2 of them in the tournament last week, I won barely in tiebreaks in 2:45 mins and 3 hrs in 100F+ heat.

 

[J011yroger]

I have nightmares about those players. I had to play 2 of them in the tournament last week, I won barely in tiebreaks in 2:45 mins and 3 hrs in 100F+ heat.

Not to derail the thread but could you tell me a little about the TC95 18x20 70ra?

J

 

[CosmosMpower]

Not to derail the thread but could you tell me a little about the TC95 18x20 70ra?

J

I'll send you a PM