So wish me luck as I lose.. sigh

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

Well, all I can say is that I will be showing nothing but respect to my opponent in the club championships this week..

In fact, I would rather have drawn just about anyone else.

He is in his 80s, Doesn't serve hard, has artificial hips and likes to slice and approach the net

So no threat to a modern crash and bash 5.0 like me, right?

Only he just got back from the ITF Senior Worlds in Austria where he, umm, won...

And I will probably have to play him on the court that has his name on it (as in 'The Joe Bloggs Court')

this is going to suck, isn't it?

respect? You bet!!!!

 

[NLBwell]

Let us know how it goes. The best 70's can play at a 5.0 level, but the human body starts breaking down pretty quickly in the 80's (you can look at senior track times). You might have a decent shot.

 

[Gut4Tennis]

drop shot and lob the old fart

 

[corbind]

As a 5.0 yourself, why are you playing an 80 year old champion?

 

[Gut4Tennis]

If you lose to John POWLESS then you're not a legit 5.0

No way a 81yr old is still a 5.0

lol

this is how they play http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-X3Ql3v2VY

video tape the match

woahhhh check out this 80yr old body builder. He could kick my behind, so maybe a 81 yr old world champion might still be a 5.0, but I doubt it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtizBPbDmF0

 

[Cindysphinx]

You can hit through him, man. Shock and awe with your power!!!

 

[spaceman_spiff]

You can hit through him, man. Shock and awe with your power!!!

It's way more effective to go with the torture method. Make him run side to side.

 

[Gut4Tennis]

Most all 70-85 yr old players play inside the baseline and volley anything deep. This is because it helps them with movement. Most of the people in those age groups hit slice and very little topspin. If you hit high heavy top it will force him out of his comfort zone. Do not get into a slice and dice rally with him as that is most likely his game. Heavy top from side to side or right up the middle, and if you back him up then drop shot

 

[Avles]

Wow, would love to see video of this match...

Edit: Found some video of international play in the 75+ age group:

http://youtu.be/1BoH4OTROaE?t=8m49s

Pretty inspiring stuff IMO.

 

[dcdoorknob]

It might not be fun to lose to them, but it is still pretty inspiring for sure. There's a 77 year old man I see often who comes out to the courts 3-4 times a week at least, and just clearly enjoys hitting the ball and playing the game. I can only hope I'm able to be out there when I'm that age still enjoying the game (and good health!).

 

[Sumo]

A few years ago, I played a guy who was top 50 nationally in the 75's and if I remember correctly top 25 in the 80's. This was a couple rounds into a 4.0 tourney, so he had already beaten a couple guys. Prior to our match, I watched him put an absolute beat down on a guy about 40 yrs younger by slicing and dicing him to death. It was really entertaining, especially seeing the younger guy realize he could do nothing to change the outcome and losing his mind.

Fortunately, I was 50 yrs younger and my forehand was on that day allowing me to overpowered him, but even at that age he would have been a difficult out in any 4.0 tourney.

I know ITF level will be very different from the national level, but getting guys that age moving is always a good strategy.....even better if it's into prolonged rallies.

 

[hoodjem]

Wait a second!

Everyone knows that today's players are vastly superior to those of the past--regardless of skill level.

Just play your modern, crash-and-bash power-game and win.:wink:

 

[Govnor]

sounds like a fun match! but....as others have said, a 5.0 has no business losing to someone in their 80's. So, no pressure...

 

[Moz]

Good luck - would love to see some video clips and look forward to the report.

The level of awkwardness may well depend on the surface you're on. Astroturf could be annoying!

 

[LeeD]

No matter how smart they are, they just can't cover alley to alley, and certainly not baseline to service line and back.
I see it as 2 and 2, for OP, if he doesn't make dumb mistakes.

 

[Fuji]

I love that you're playing him on his own court! Good Luck Timbo!

-Fuji

 

[beernutz]

Take some video!

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

I wish I had taken some video..

Anyway, I won 6-3 6-0, but that makes it sound easier than it was..

Just hit as hard as I could to the corners, it worked, but he makes some amazing shots...

Ye Leed, you're right, he would get the first one or two but then he was just too far away..

it was amazing though, he was S & V behind 60 mph serves and winning points!

 

[Gut4Tennis]

I wish I had taken some video..

Anyway, I won 6-3 6-0, but that makes it sound easier than it was..

Just hit as hard as I could to the corners, it worked, but he makes some amazing shots...

Ye Leed, you're right, he would get the first one two but then he was just too far away..

it was amazing though, he was S & V behind 60 mph serves and winning points!

well done. glad you took him to the wood shed

 

[LeeD]

Congrats !
Sorry I doubted your skills. I thought old fart would get 4 games.
His pace, from his shots to his prep between points, threw you off some.
His slow serve to your high backhand allowed him to get to service line, where he can actually volley pretty well. His few skidding volleys bothered your passing shots, but you adjusted, set feet, watched ball, stay turned, and passed him until he stayed back.
He could handle heaters he can reach, but he can't reach your wide slice serves.
He's got pretty good anticipation, but is very prone to starting early for you to hit behind him.
Believe me, I sympathize you had to adjust to play him.
But I knew you'd prevail.
Sometimes, I get to play against a 65 finalist here in Berkeley. He can outrun me by double the speed, but he hits at the slow pace with fantastic placement to humble me.

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

damn, you were there??

That's exactly how it played out, except he tired earlier than I thought he would (it was hot though)

 

[Fintft]

You can hit through him, man. Shock and awe with your power!!!

Lol that was the mistake I've made last season against a former junior champion of Canada, close to his 70 now!

Like Lee said, he could handle all the heat I've send close to him (and all that amazing stuff about staying inside the baseline and volleyin deep balls), but himself pointed out to me that all my DS and balls placed away from him worked
Oh well, I guess I'm only max a 3.5 so...

Congrats to the OP though!

 

[NLBwell]

Good job, TimboHS. You kept your wits about you and solved the puzzle very well. Being over 80 years old is just too big a stretch to beat a good 5.0 like you. I bet it would have been a really good match if he were 10 years younger. The difference is speed and court coverage between the 70's guys and the 80's guys is quite large.

 

[rufus_smith]

I just want o comment that anybody that is willing to play singles in a competitive tennis tournament when his age is 80 or more deserves tremendous respect and deserves a court named after him. There are only a few of these guys in the entire world.

 

[Cindysphinx]

I wish I had taken some video..

Anyway, I won 6-3 6-0, but that makes it sound easier than it was..

Just hit as hard as I could to the corners, it worked, but he makes some amazing shots...

Ye Leed, you're right, he would get the first one or two but then he was just too far away..

it was amazing though, he was S & V behind 60 mph serves and winning points!

You only won because you were footfaulting.



Congratulations!!

 

[Gut4Tennis]

I just want o comment that anybody that is willing to play singles in a competitive tennis tournament when his age is 80 or more deserves tremendous respect and deserves a court named after him. There are only a few of these guys in the entire world.

I agree

The whole tennis center was founded by this guy, so his name is on everything

 

[MauricioDias]

It's way more effective to go with the torture method. Make him run side to side.

I also think its the best way to win old players

 

[MauricioDias]

I wish I had taken some video..

Anyway, I won 6-3 6-0, but that makes it sound easier than it was..

Just hit as hard as I could to the corners, it worked, but he makes some amazing shots...

Ye Leed, you're right, he would get the first one or two but then he was just too far away..

it was amazing though, he was S & V behind 60 mph serves and winning points!

Congratulations this must have been a great game =)!

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

Thanks everyone!

lol @ Cindy

So I have seen the draw and my next opponent will be either a 32 year old coach who played on the tour for 3 years in the 600 - 800 ranking range or a 23 year old fitness trainer who played 4 years of College tennis in the states (South Dakota)

So, umm, ye, that's probably about it for winning the club championships!

(I am playing with the 32 yr old in the doubles though and I think we are a chance to win that..)

in case anyone was wondering about the format and why I was playing an octogenarian in the first place, our club has a championship tournament, but not held on one particular day. Anyone who wants to play enters, in several grades, and a draw is emailed out to everyone. It is then up to the players to schedule matches in a timely manner right through until the finals which are all played on the one day. I think my opponent always plays in the 'open' division and is just continuing on. (his name is on the winner's board an awful lot, but not for quite a while!)

 

[Moz]

Scout their match and report back.

We're expecting a win by the way.

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

Scout their match and report back.

We're expecting a win by the way.

Ha! Ye, I wouldn't put my house on it..

(actually, I wouldn't put my mailbox on it!)

 

[mmk]

If you lose to John POWLESS then you're not a legit 5.0...

I'm guessing not too many people on this forum play against someone with a wikipedia entry. I'd never heard of him, but he is impressive.

 

[EP1998]

I'm guessing not too many people on this forum play against someone with a wikipedia entry. I'd never heard of him, but he is impressive.

I have hit with John before. He is a very good player and a super nicer person too. I haven't seen him for a long time, but he is still out there playing and winning. He does a lot for the tennis community. He's always out there helping players and the sport in general and is a great asset!

 

[Gut4Tennis]

I'm guessing not too many people on this forum play against someone with a wikipedia entry. I'd never heard of him, but he is impressive.

I agree 100%

I can only hope i can be that good when I'm that age

 

[HackersRUs]

I hope Timbo doesn't mind, this was his opponent..

http://www.itftennis.com/seniors/players/player/profile.aspx?playerid=40007411

has lost one singles match all year in ITF competition....

 

[jussumman]

You gave a beat down on an 80 yr old senior? Have you no shame?



Jk. Good job!

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

You gave a beat down on an 80 yr old senior? Have you no shame?



Jk. Good job!

and proud of it!

 

[arche3]

That old dude is the worst nightmare for any club player. Random country club hack sees him thinks "oh great easy match" then gets beat 0 and 0 .

 

[TennisCJC]

I have a friend in his early 80s. Ranked nationally and played D1 collegiate tennis decades ago. About 2 or 3 times in each of the last few years we have practiced. Hit him a steady stream of rally balls down the middle and he misses about every other Tuesday. But, as cited above, hit side to side and his effectiveness goes way down. The old guys just don't have the legs to cover the entire court any longer.

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

So, I ended up losing in the semi finals to the eventual winner, a young coach with an annoying ability to retrieve anything and still hit winners..

(I beat the ex-college fitness trainer guy on a hideous day with grey skies and howling winds, it wasn't pretty on any level)

Lost in the first round of the doubles after all that confidence but ended up winning the feed-in plate, lol..

finals yesterday with quite a big crowd and a free lunch, yay!

 

[NLBwell]

Sounds like it was a great tournament. Congratulations. Hoping you win next year.

 

[corbind]

So, I ended up losing in the semi finals to the eventual winner, a young coach with an annoying ability to retrieve anything and still hit winners..

On an early changeover, shoulda whacked him in the shin to slow him down a bit. Joking of course. Was he a former D1?

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

On an early changeover, shoulda whacked him in the shin to slow him down a bit. Joking of course. Was he a former D1?

ye, he was..

too good for me

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

Sounds like it was a great tournament. Congratulations. Hoping you win next year.

thanks, but I'm afraid I'll be one year closer to fifty and they will all be one year closer to thirty..

 

[mrpeterman]

I saw a top 10 ranked 70 year old women play in a non sanctioned tournament. She won both singles and doubles and beat a lot of high school girls but these girls weren't very good. The better high school girl would crush her.

These older folks just can't move any more. I saw only one man who was about 70 and 6'4" who would still be considered advancement. It was clear that he played a lot of tennis in his life, He moved pretty good for his age but it was his placement and pace that would see him through.