So, while we're in Corona-ville, a little discussion topic for chit-chat, some focused direction if you will for my singles improvement ;-).
My aim is to compete in over- 45's County tennis in 3 years. I'm already decent enough at doubles I'd say, with a few improvements over the coming 3 years I think I'd be a good County doubles squad player at over 45. But, the singles requirement...not soo good ;-)
42 years old, 178cm tall, pretty heavy for a tennis player (205lbs right now. Was a fighting fit 175lbs in 2013....been enjoying myself. Am still quite fit and strong, but not great for singles play). Objective is to get back into shape, around the 175-180lbs mark will be my limit, no lower than that.
Lost motivation for tennis last 3 years. Played very little the last 6 months, probably once a month doubles tennis. Now that sport has been taken away from us, I've got the bug back. Weird how that happens!
So I want to get my singles back to a strong level. I'll list my strengths and weakness below, could you lovely lot chip in and offer your various advice on the priority order for developing a strong singles game .
Strengths for singles:
- Been playing since I was 10, and have played at UK 5.1 level or thereabouts between say 2008-2013 (30-35 years old)....when I was playing singles a lot.
- Very strong serve, has always been my strength, since I was a kid. Pacey, and I can place it where I want with flat, slice or topspin. Very comfortable there. Been timed at 110mph by our club coaches in 2013, tho I was really going for it! Obviously I'm older now, so the consistent pace I'm certain has dipped, but the skills are still there.
- Good touch and volley skills (I pretty much have played league doubles, good club std, since 2008. Regularly play, and compete well, against *current* UK 17/18/19/20 years old who have 3.1-5.1 ratings in singles. )
- Strong cross-the-body forehand
Weaknesses for singles:
- Speed around court. As I mentioned, currently 205lbs and only 178cm. I gym a lot, lift weights, and have always had a fairly broad frame. I can lose weight reasonably quickly if I watch my diet, but last 5-7 years, haven't really concerned myself with that. Have a background in Rugby so I was always doing heavier gym work than suits tennis.
- Inside out forehand. This is a poor shot of mine. I rarely choose to use it. I haven't trained it nearly enough.
- Backhand drive. I invariably choose to slice a lot, probably 85% of the time. I drive isn't actually that bad, but it's very flat and therefore inconsistent and I have little confidence. My grip is far too Continental. I'm working on changing it, but it's a work in progress, and gets lost in amongst the other things I try to improve ;-)
- Not played more than 2 singles matches a year since 2014 or so, that probably includes social singles.
Return of serve is solid enough. Not a strength of mine, but not really a weakness, I have variety on this shot.
So...if anyone has time to kill, hop on, give me a focus priority order ;-)
My aim is to compete in over- 45's County tennis in 3 years. I'm already decent enough at doubles I'd say, with a few improvements over the coming 3 years I think I'd be a good County doubles squad player at over 45. But, the singles requirement...not soo good ;-)
42 years old, 178cm tall, pretty heavy for a tennis player (205lbs right now. Was a fighting fit 175lbs in 2013....been enjoying myself. Am still quite fit and strong, but not great for singles play). Objective is to get back into shape, around the 175-180lbs mark will be my limit, no lower than that.
Lost motivation for tennis last 3 years. Played very little the last 6 months, probably once a month doubles tennis. Now that sport has been taken away from us, I've got the bug back. Weird how that happens!
So I want to get my singles back to a strong level. I'll list my strengths and weakness below, could you lovely lot chip in and offer your various advice on the priority order for developing a strong singles game .
Strengths for singles:
- Been playing since I was 10, and have played at UK 5.1 level or thereabouts between say 2008-2013 (30-35 years old)....when I was playing singles a lot.
- Very strong serve, has always been my strength, since I was a kid. Pacey, and I can place it where I want with flat, slice or topspin. Very comfortable there. Been timed at 110mph by our club coaches in 2013, tho I was really going for it! Obviously I'm older now, so the consistent pace I'm certain has dipped, but the skills are still there.
- Good touch and volley skills (I pretty much have played league doubles, good club std, since 2008. Regularly play, and compete well, against *current* UK 17/18/19/20 years old who have 3.1-5.1 ratings in singles. )
- Strong cross-the-body forehand
Weaknesses for singles:
- Speed around court. As I mentioned, currently 205lbs and only 178cm. I gym a lot, lift weights, and have always had a fairly broad frame. I can lose weight reasonably quickly if I watch my diet, but last 5-7 years, haven't really concerned myself with that. Have a background in Rugby so I was always doing heavier gym work than suits tennis.
- Inside out forehand. This is a poor shot of mine. I rarely choose to use it. I haven't trained it nearly enough.
- Backhand drive. I invariably choose to slice a lot, probably 85% of the time. I drive isn't actually that bad, but it's very flat and therefore inconsistent and I have little confidence. My grip is far too Continental. I'm working on changing it, but it's a work in progress, and gets lost in amongst the other things I try to improve ;-)
- Not played more than 2 singles matches a year since 2014 or so, that probably includes social singles.
Return of serve is solid enough. Not a strength of mine, but not really a weakness, I have variety on this shot.
So...if anyone has time to kill, hop on, give me a focus priority order ;-)