"Real Tennis" Youtube Channel

This is a really high quality amature matchplay channel I came across. This whole video experiance is top notch, complete with commentators, mics, and post match interveiws. I honestly enjoy watching this more that most pro matches. Check it out.
I was about to click on it watch but then I saw that it has Ian commentating the whole time on the match.

Would rather watch @sureshs or @LeeD
 
For the record, I have not watched all of the videos on Ian's channel. I am just not a fan of the way he delivers his teachings and information using excessive (to me) verbiage. Different stroks for different folks.

I am also not a fan of Michael Bolton or Kenny G, but clearly they both have a large following.
 
yeah Ian for a bonafide 4.5. I have no idea where this barely 4.0 crap came from.
Everyone has a mental picture of what a good tennis player looks like. Mostly from watching professional tennis on TV (and most people think they look "something" like that when they play). So when Ian puts himself out there, it's pretty easy to criticize him.

It tells more about the person making the comment than anything about Ian.
 
yeah Ian for a bonafide 4.5. I have no idea where this barely 4.0 crap came from.
Ian has an ugly looking game. Strokes look terrible on video. Having said that, we all know guys whos strokes are not orthodox, but play well above the level that they appear. I've been beaten many times by guys who don't hit clean or have strokes that aren't aesthetic. If he's a 4.5C, then he's a 4.5. There's no arguing that. He's a lefty, can volley OK and can hit and OK overhead, so I could see him beating some guys that you wouldn't expect him to beat. And, as has been mentioned over and over, but remains true, video makes everyone look worse than they are.
 
Ian has an ugly looking game. Strokes look terrible on video. Having said that, we all know guys whos strokes are not orthodox, but play well above the level that they appear. I've been beaten many times by guys who don't hit clean or have strokes that aren't aesthetic. If he's a 4.5C, then he's a 4.5. There's no arguing that. He's a lefty, can volley OK and can hit and OK overhead, so I could see him beating some guys that you wouldn't expect him to beat. And, as has been mentioned over and over, but remains true, video makes everyone look worse than they are.
I'm sure most people would probably rate MEP (Ben) as a 3.5 at best based on how he looks. But the guy typically has a winning record at 4.5

 
Is this sarcasm? Because the Mark in the videos is the same Mark Sansait who is a 5.0. Real Tennis has some really solid players, with widely divergent styles. I think the content is fun to watch, and it's engaging because the group is small enough that you get to know the players a bit.
Yeah they regularly feature players from UW-Whitewater (a stronger D3 tennis program) on their channel. Typically the guys are 4.5 level or above.
 
From the perspective of a content creator, I personally find Real Tennis to be quite inspiring and motivating. I think the whole thing borders perfection when it comes to amateur match play.
yes. I 100% agree. I'm shocked at how few veiws and subscribers it has. Those videos on "All things Tennis" a ten point tibreaker with someone shouting incomprehensible nonsense at the camera the whole time have like 100k+
 
Is this sarcasm? Because the Mark in the videos is the same Mark Sansait who is a 5.0. Real Tennis has some really solid players, with widely divergent styles. I think the content is fun to watch, and it's engaging because the group is small enough that you get to know the players a bit.
yes, well not sarcasm, more like sillyness.
 
I love that channel. I found it years ago under the name Essential Tennis. Finding that channel actually convinced me to pick up a racket and start training again at 36. Best decision I've made in decades. Something about seeing average guys competing in matches with commentary and testimonials really satisfies a certain spot when it comes to content.

I too am very confused by the miniscule views and subs. They rebranded under Real Tennis but the sub count still struggles. It's a mystery. The editing is also really good.

My favorite on the channel is the Angry Old Man Scott Broady. Really like his power game.

I've probably watched every match on the two channels, which led me to Dill Plays, and Mark Sansait's channel. Really nice corner of the internet.
 
Yeah they regularly feature players from UW-Whitewater (a stronger D3 tennis program) on their channel. Typically the guys are 4.5 level or above.

True story - one of Bjorn Borg's sons played there in either late 90s or early 2000s.
 
True story - one of Bjorn Borg's sons played there in either late 90s or early 2000s.
Yeah I knew that. We played UW-Whitewater in the mid 90's when I played at UW-River Falls. At that time they did not have a strong program and were one of the weaker teams in the conference.

I believe Robin Borg played for them around 2007.
 
From the perspective of a content creator, I personally find Real Tennis to be quite inspiring and motivating. I think the whole thing borders perfection when it comes to amateur match play.

Without the snark and attitude as well. ET started getting little full of themselves to me, at least in content, when they tried to justify foot faults and tell everyone they were dumb for thinking otherwise. I don't know any of them, but did meet and sit with Mark S to watch some matches here in AZ. He was about as genuine and nice a guy as you could meet, so I am willing to bet all the boys are the same behind the scenes. I just prefer Winston's "just a dude" kinda style anymore, and he is certainly respectful af all players no matter age, gender or such.

I think the last few matches on RT have been solid though with less drama, so maybe getting back to, well...real tennis.
 
I'm sure most people would probably rate MEP (Ben) as a 3.5 at best based on how he looks. But the guy typically has a winning record at 4.5

I actually just played in a tournament with a guy that has played on that channel a few times. He was in the open division and he played a dude that was like a polished MEP.

He always beats me when we play but one time I was pretty close to taking a set a couple times. He plays 4.0 here but if he played USTA and stuff he'd definitely be a 4.5 or get bumped in short order but this dude just sliced and diced him up like a hibachi chef. It was very impressive and nightmare fuel at the same time.

Dude would be a complete pain in the ass to play against.
 
Yeah they regularly feature players from UW-Whitewater (a stronger D3 tennis program) on their channel. Typically the guys are 4.5 level or above.

Their coach isn't marching any 4.5+ players out there now especially with the foreign kids he brings in. Comparing UTRs to the USTA 5.0 champs from last year perhaps their 6s is a 4.5 at least but probably a 5.0 too. D3 tennis has changed a great deal over the past few years. You aren't making the NCAAs or wining a round with 4.5s.

My son is a 5.0+ known for his technique and athleticism and his team played Whitewater the past few years and the guy he played had technique the same as my son, athleticism the same as my son, but is a foot taller. The guy beat my kid in a tight match.

Yeah I just checked their roster on universal tennis there are no 4.5's hanging around that starting lineup.

It is funny when my son was selecting schools and we met with their coach he had a Borg signed Donnay pro in his office and told us about his kid playing there.

It's a great school by the way for athletics and facilities and we like the coach who we chat with when the teams play. It was a bit far for us to get back and forth to campus if my son chose that school.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top