i've definitely lost... but i presumed it was due to self-sabotage (eg. eating too much, not doing sprints, etc...) but no point in comparing... my speed is what is, gotta firgure out how to make do with what i got....
Guessing from posters here ... you, @travlerajm, @nyta2, @navigator ... have not lost enough speed and movement where it's a major determining factor in your singles ranking. Once a player reaches a certain "slow as ***" threshold ... why measure it?
...
Seniors lounge (over 50) come on in.
- Thread starter Vanhalen
- Start date
i call bullsh*t... i definitely saw a post from you on this forum back in 1935..
something along the lines of... "hi i was just born, how long will it take for me to become a 6.5 player"...
so, at best you're 85.
nice job getting to 6.5 though.. finally.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
Age is self-sabotage. "Still fast" 60 year old tennis players ... rare as @J011yroger moments of ttw humility.
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
Jake Speeed
Professional
Wait is that speed or footwork?
If you don't have the speed or legs you used to have, try this.
Give your opponent the least possible angle of returns. This means to hit the ball to the center of the his baseline as deep as possible, no matter where you are on your side of the court. Over and over. No, it only sounds easy.
Hit the ball slow and avoid excessive topspin, Flat is great if you can do this and clear the net by 5 to 10 feet each and every time.
Learn to do this by doing this and don't do anything else. Do just this! Sure, you might loose a bit but at least you're learning something that will help you win later on. A good thing.
Don't let your opponent know what you're up to. If you get a point or 2 ahead you can drop shot to his backhand side. Brake up the rhythm, If he returns that shot well don't kill yourself going after it. "Great shot." Move on.
Your opponent won't like this style of play once you master it, by doing it. Most likely he'll start hitting harder and come to net more often. If he hits harder he'll eventually hit the ball out or into the net. Unless he's really good.
When you lob the guy, hit the lob twice as high as you normally do. If lucky, it will carry to the base line, your opponent will be forced to hit it on the bounce just like a serve.
Discipline is important! Learn this! It'll take some time and you'll loose many matches. Learn this simple advanced technique and eventually you'll have confidence in playing this way.
Then you will have no trouble controlling the court play and you will win many matches from players you lost to before.
I spent some time writing this so I hope you do this. This training will make you a better player and you can still play as many matches as you like. Then, I'll instruct you where to go from here. If you like?
Oh, and once you master this, remember to turn your back to your opponent if you need to laugh.
J
S&V-not_dead_yet
Talk Tennis Guru
Just thumbed through the UTR ratings of the top names in the 75's. Nothing higher than a 7 - which would be an NTRP 4.5.
Which reminds me, one of them is Jimmy Parker, who is president of the relatively new NSMTA - National Senior Men’s Tennis Association. Got a call the other night encouraging me to help promote the group, so here goes. https://nsmta.net/become-a-member
Hasn't Parker won something like 40 National Championships?
S&V-not_dead_yet
Talk Tennis Guru
Did he also post as 2good4u or something like that?
graycrait
Legend
I'm a month off of 66. I have had a few hits with this kid of 61. He plays with a beat up iRad 98 18x20 that I string with GOGSM 16 at 43lbs because he likes it that way. He backhand slices like Steffi Graff. From anywhere to anywhere. He has been killing me. Serve is OK but nothing to worry about. But those penetrating low slices were killing me. 58 yr old TT member, BounceHitBounceHit, told to me find what he doesn't like and feed him a steady diet of it. I just served wide to his forehand, every groundie I could to his forehand and chipped low and short to his backhand when I had to go that way. Eureka! But in the end I missed seeing those fabulous backhand slices so spread the ball out equitably and took what came at me. Its a game, I like to laugh when I play it.
Jake Speeed
Professional
I'm used to lies caused by jealously and inability.
Become more and you won't be bothered by guys like me. In fact, you'll learn to appreciate my honestly and teaching abilities.
All without the internet.
Everyone has something to offer. Well, there are exceptions.
The "internet." Anyone can become a scholar?
J
S&V-not_dead_yet
Talk Tennis Guru
I'm used to lies caused by jealously and inability.
Become more and you won't be bothered by guys like me. In fact, you'll learn to appreciate my honestly and teaching abilities.
All without the internet.
Everyone has something to offer. Well, there are exceptions.
The "internet." Anyone can become a scholar?
J
Time [and experience] will tell, no?
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
Most are all drug testing ... pain pills
mntlblok
Hall of Fame
Bad bedside manner??There is an art to bad bedside manner and yet still be loved. One loveable ttw pirate comes to mind.
mntlblok
Hall of Fame
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
One month of these posts and you are granted a year of rudeness.
Finally a reason for young guys to visit the senior lounge.
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
Become more and you won't be bothered by guys like me. In fact, you'll learn to appreciate my honestly and teaching abilities.
All without the internet.
Everyone has something to offer. Well, there are exceptions.
Meh. You certainly don't bother me J.
Comment wise, there wasn't too much there for me. But hey, I'll entertain the trolling for one post...Jake...J...
I actually need more match play than practice. Been talking about that for a while now.
In the match there were plenty of angles and drop shots did not work against this younger players - on serve or in point play. He was quicker than my drop shots were good. As far as how hard I hit, I have been working to hit more consistently at less power and working on different placement. I don't hit as hard as the college kids or high rec players, but pace has never been an issue as much as consistency. Spin wise, probably the only point I think has solid merit, with some being the Blade V7 and more being I have been trying to flatten out balls more in points. But in match play I need better margin for error for sure. Serve pronation is kinda moot right now since I have decent consistency, pace, and pressure players enough. No need for 100+ mph.
Not sure why you assume I don't train or try to improve.
I'll most likely never compete at 5.5, so that is ridiculous, but you don't sound like a player that would be of good fit for me to play anyway so no worries mate.
Cheers and good luck.
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
Most likely rum.
Grinch
Rookie
I think it was a cheap 1.5L bottle of whine.
Jake Speeed
Professional
Digital Atheist
Hall of Fame
That's because you're a d*ck. Sorry, and I know you don't care, but I've tried to be nice in the hope that your "holier than thou" narcissistic god complex would taper off and be less apparent in your posting. Clearly that isn't going to happen, so good luck educating all these fools on here, since it is painfully obvious you're the only one on these forums that knows *anything* about tennis.
I could tell you what you have to/need to do, but you wouldn't listen either.
Digital Atheist
Hall of Fame
That's not the problem and you know it. Logical fallacy 101. No one ever said you couldn't play or might know a thing or two (I would say you do). But you don't know it all - yeah, I know that might surprise you - and have you considered the possibility there are some others here who also have a clue? Doesn't seem like it, because the way you address EVERYONE else here is as if we are all children and you are the only adult. THAT is the problem.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
So you clearly need to change you moniker to Saint Jake.
Haven't lived until you've had a 10 year old Bordeux with a nice medium rare Ribeye. One of life's truly great pleasures.
I wonder how many 90 year old guys in the nursing home are wandering around saying "I'm sure glad i never tried wine my whole life. I might have missed out on all this 90 year old fun."
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
The first rule of Geezer Fight Club is:
Stretch a lot first
Jake Speeed
Professional
You see it that way not me.
Jake Speeed
Professional
Get bitter, I don't care. I tell it like it is.
You're missing something or we would be in agreement.
Go find what your missing and it will create the spirit you're lacking.
No one has to bully Jake, I'll talk with anyone.
J
Jake Speeed
Professional
I'm not being condescending. I'm not doing anything different than anyone else, just replying. You have a "click", friends I'm sure and I'm new.
Like Rambo, you guys drew first blood and I expect there will be more.
So, be condescending, there's nothing I can do about it. You can be nice but choose not to.
You cannot have the life of tennis I had, different ages and different times. I started in 1953 and I'm still at it.
Make the best of what you had and the best of where you're going.
Unless, of course, you're stagnated. And this happens to many with all sports not just tennis.
I do reply and offer solid advice, tested over many years with many players.
Bullying Jake serves nothing positive.
J
D
Deleted member 765152
Guest
Do not feed the jake. Let's keep it mature, informative and helpful in here.
Happi
Hall of Fame
Jake, Jake, Jake - man take it easy now. This ia an over 50 lounge, and you sund like a teenager. Be kind and be positive, and everything will change for you. Give your advice in a positive manner, try not to be condescending. People here at this forum are in my experience genuine and kind people who are passionate about tennis and want to share their knowledge. Go with that spirit and let it go.
Yes I absolutely agree.
Cheers, H
Digital Atheist
Hall of Fame
One thing I'd like to do is apologise to the other forum members in this thread. That's the first time I've deliberately insulted anyone here, but I like to call it how it is too (that's not a retraction, since the evidence is overwhelming IMO, but it was unnecessary). I have addressed the temptation, and it won't happen again.
Jake Speeed
Professional
Tell you what. Show a Post of mine that's condescending? Start with that.
I believe you cannot. Replying to bullying is one thing, and I do this with kindness, just like this reply. However, I have no idea if your being forthright? Fake News and all.
Hey! What's wrong with still having the spirit of a teenager? Teenagers were my best students.
Look, I'm here to help anyone who takes it upon themselves to use my advice. And my advice is rock solid.
I'm not here to play word ping pong with a few individuals who, for some demented reason, cannot "read" the honesty in my Posts.
I'll say this again, the unkindness was started towards Jake Speeed, I didn't start this. I shouldn't have to make any changes to prevent more of it. And I wont.
You guys need to reexamine the way you read what I say, or don't read it. I have someone Blocked. Simply Block me. Bullying makes you look terrible and it actually comes from jealously. I know all about jealously. Remember, I taught the game of tennis.
I'm guessing, when I said the Internet has issues, and explained why, or saying some just Parrot advice they see on the IT, this truth, although many probably know it's true, didn't go over so well? I cannot help this. I will not tell lies or engage in a fake conversation to address someone's tennis issue with anything but sound advice.
J
Happi
Hall of Fame
@Jake Speeed my write to you was just a friendly post, trying to tell you if you want people of your back, you should not look at them but look in the mirror.
sometimes things can be very simple.
sometimes things can be very simple.
Jake Speeed
Professional
I've been involved with tennis longer than you are old, that's my guess? I've see behavior also and understand it well.
As I said. Look up my Posts, the early ones and show me where I'm being different than others in my replies?
Sure, I really know tennis and instruction and I don't Parrot the internet. This alone will be offensive to many.
Nothing I can do about this. A simple thing to understand.
I'll be waiting for you to show me those Posts?
J
Jake Speeed
Professional
Grinch
Rookie
Have you played PT280s and/or 630s? if so, can the 690 be a “senior“, easier version of the 630? Are your 690s 16x19 or 18x20 or other? I’m looking for a 690 on flea bay now. I have spent the last few years looking for something to replace my small collection of PT280/630s ... since so many people say as I have entered my 60s, I need to get a bigger head (literally, not figuratively) and more user friendly for waning vision, heavier legs, slower reactions, etc. But the only new rackets I have demoed with some enjoyment are the 97/98” head, 18x20, softish RA. I bought a PT2.0 and like it but not as much as my favorite old MIA 280. So why not stick to my PTs then, especially since my playing partners all say I play (surprisingly) well with the old sticks. But maybe there’s a magic stick out there that will make me feel like I’m playing with a 280, but in actuality it’s compensating for my aging body. I believe in magic enough to have bought a Phantom100, YonexVCore98, and a Clash Tour ... and they are all collecting dust. I bring them out to play singles every so often, just so they don’t get moldy. But I don’t trust them for doubles - I’ve tried, but I usually go back to my PTs in the second set and play better, where “playing better“ at my level means winning more points by keeping balls within the lines and letting other guys go for winners which usually means “OUT!”. So, after my long-winded whining here, do I really need a bigger, lighter racket as I age into my 60s and beyond? I won’t go Weed yet, but Phantom 107 may be my next demo if I can’t find a PT690.I`m 63 and I play Head Pro Tour 690.(have 10 of them),I hope it is enough for the rest of my tennis carrier
Mains with Klip Legend natural gut 48 Pounds, cross strings Yonex Poly Tour Pro 48 Pounds
Jake Speeed
Professional
IMHO, I would suggest a racket your comfortable with. It's that simple.
I have always played a head heavy racket and, in the past, generally balance all of them. I would drill holes in the handle to make a racket head heavy. I never added weight to the head. I've been playing a head heavy racket since the early 70's.
How you play with any given racket is extremely important.
I know players who change their rackets every time a newer one is available, with no improvement in their game.
Play the racket you earn points with and like. Sometimes it's best to do what you feel.
J
I started in the early 70 s with Duniop max play. 1980 Prince came out with the Woody which I played until I switched too the Graphite . Then I played Prince Boron until the beginning of the 90s.
Then Head came out with there 1. Oversized racket, I then thought after 10 years Price maybe a change would be fun to try.
Ok Head was not a 110 but 107.
So tried the Bumblebee and I noticed a big difference in feel although I always played natural gut.
1995 I moved to the Head Pro Tour 690 got stuck with it.
2014 I tried the Babolat 107 - terrible
For me Head is the best racket I played- I always know what the racket does.
When I started too play tennis I played a one hand backhand and a drive forehand the way it was taught in those days. When I turned 40 I started to play the 2handed backhand and forehand Topspin with western grip.
I then changed my strings from complete natural gut to hybrid string Ed. That was also a perfect game change for my tennis.
Because my game changed I had too change my grip size from 4 too size 1.
Then Head came out with there 1. Oversized racket, I then thought after 10 years Price maybe a change would be fun to try.
Ok Head was not a 110 but 107.
So tried the Bumblebee and I noticed a big difference in feel although I always played natural gut.
1995 I moved to the Head Pro Tour 690 got stuck with it.
2014 I tried the Babolat 107 - terrible
For me Head is the best racket I played- I always know what the racket does.
When I started too play tennis I played a one hand backhand and a drive forehand the way it was taught in those days. When I turned 40 I started to play the 2handed backhand and forehand Topspin with western grip.
I then changed my strings from complete natural gut to hybrid string Ed. That was also a perfect game change for my tennis.
Because my game changed I had too change my grip size from 4 too size 1.
mntlblok
Hall of Fame
Been fiddling with video, again, in an attempt to get back to some kind of competitive level of play. Happened to throw in a little overhead practice whilst the video was still rolling. In *spite* of being prepared for seeing "other" than what I expected to see in these outings, was *shocked* to learn that my scissors-kicking overhead had transformed into a "tweezers".
Grinch
Rookie
I can appreciate your racket journey. I can only find one used 690 that isn’t ridiculously expensive, shipping from Japan to USA so not sure how long that will take during holidays here. The more I think about it, I should really buy new rackets if I’m going to find something more user age-friendly than my 20 year old, 95sq” PTs. So I will dive into the TT sites to look for a tweener oversize (bigger head, but lower the SW a bit, and keep a thinner softer beam). I started reading Dart’s phantom107 raves on another thread so I am tempted to try that 107. Blade104v7 and HeadMGOS seem to be worth a look based on specs.
Grinch
Rookie
Agree. Good advice. I will keep playing with my 20-year-old rackets that feel comfortable ... but only as long as that comfort still keeps me competitive with most everyone in my circle who have moved on to bigger Babs, Clashes, Weeds, etc. That’s why I’m still on the lookout for a newer easier racket that still is in my older comfort zone.
Jake Speeed
Professional
Could always change your game a bit also. Doing this could offer a few advantages and possibly make wins easier. Possibly?
A quick note. I know a composite guy, Aerospace. There has been no new racket materials invented for consumer use in over 10 years. Epoxies, Carbon Fiber, Graphite and the like. So don't be fooled by advertisement which is designed to fool.
Just so I don't get called on or bullied,
I'm getting a bunch of that, I'm well aware of the manufacturing process for tennis rackets all made in your friendly Chi-na.Tennis is winning points and knowing how to win them. It's not tennis racket graphics or a racket autographed by a world player. Hardly.
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Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
I know people that keep the racket they've had for 20 years with no improvement in their game. Equipment is by far the least important component in determining one's tennis performance.
Keep the racket you enjoy hitting with and won't hurt your arm. You can match to your play style but I'm not sure even that makes a difference. People get better by practicing whether it's with one frame or 100.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
Yes there is a fact of life that our speed, vision and reflexes deteriorate with age and eventually we all need more forgiveness to compete as we just don't hit the sweet spot as reliably anymore.
I've moved on to players OS frames myself at age 56. One day I'll likely move on to seniors OS frames. When I need a Weed, I'll hopefully be still playing at 87.
If you want a suggestion for a "getting older but still want a thin beam control stick", the Phantom 107G is a pretty nice modern update to the POG and Radical OS frames. Worth a try. I'm playing some pretty solid tennis with it largely because of the added forgiveness. My shot tolerance has shot back up considerably.
Grinch
Rookie
Possibly. I’d rather change the group of players I
Definitely I‘m reading that 107 thread with a lot of your Ph107 reviews. switch to that thread and you’ll see that the TW review for your racket came out.
Grinch
Rookie
If I keep my current company of players, then changing my game to compete means 4x as many lobs and 3x as many drops shots. And I’d have to learn how to hit a 15mph serve. But when I play with the 30-40 somethings, I can stay competitive but usually lose later games simply due to age factors. I can beat 30 somethings usually when I get out to early big lead and they get frustrated getting behind to old dude. They then lose the mental game. But against mentally strong guys 20 or more years younger than me, they usually win any match lasting 1.5 hour or more. So I feel like I’m in that tweener age of 60, where I don’t enjoy playing senior tennis (among the seniors I can find), but I can’t win playing with the middle age crowd, even though the losing competitive matches seems more fun. I need to find better, and better fit, seniors.
Jake Speeed
Professional
Keep in mind, every time you hit an angled shot you give your opponent more opportunities. I find myself hitting more balls down the middle these days allowing for less running around. I junk "hot shots" extremely well and can hit flat. Flat balls don't come up all that high. Tall guys hate flat and slice strokes. Well, unless they're really accomplished players.
J
