tennis tom
Legend
Do you play with Kellogg?I have improved so much that you may not even recognize me.
Do you play with Kellogg?I have improved so much that you may not even recognize me.
When chicks wanted to sleep with me for access to my stroke production.When was the day your had "arrived" as a tennis player ?
Bill? No, I just work for him in tournaments at his club. He usually plays doubles with the head pro, Conan.Do you play with Kellogg?
Are they geriatric-care nurses?When chicks wanted to sleep with me for access to my stroke production.
I don't get strokes--I give them.Are they geriatric-care nurses?
Learn More About TENNIS Stroke Warning Signs and Symptoms
- Sudden NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech.
- Sudden TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eyes.
- Sudden TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
- Sudden SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause.
To what?No.
Gender reassignment surgery.
Injuries ?I got near "arriving" 2 years ago, started to come close to beating some very good players, and i was able to pull myself up to get just a glimpse of the next level up, but its been all downhill since then. Can barely rally, can't beat anyone, can barely even get a serve in.
I have had a shocking injury run actually but i think its mostly in my head. Carrying my work/life stress onto court, slowly but surely losing all clarity out there.Injuries ?
Hah! Not likely. Maybe golf.Yes, that must be hard, but we accept decline in all facets of life, and adapt.
Pickleball?
Dude, golf sucks even compared to pickleball... golf is more expensive per hour of play than tennis... less accessible on the average... and even more technically difficult than tennis (though not as athletically difficult - if that makes sense). Looking back, I wish that I had taken up tennis in my 20s instead of the thousands of dollars and hours I wasted on a golf game that never got any better than a 25+ handicap. If I had found tennis in my 20s, after I stopped playing college baseball, there's a very good chance that I would be lamenting my decline from the ranks of 4.5, now 5 months from age 50, rather than wondering if I'll ever reach 4.0... screw golf... play pickleball. All your tennis pals will eventually be there, and I am sure I'll probably play it once my knees tell me to quit tennis - either that or I'll get back into fishing...Hah! Not likely. Maybe golf.
I agree on the wish that I had taken up tennis seriously in my 20s .... post college-soccer. Instead I went into taekwondo and got myself really banged up with some permanent injuries competing in black belt tournaments for 15+ years. If I am knocking on 4.0 after 3 years back at 50yo ... imagine I would be currently fighting to maintain 4.5 now instead.Dude, golf sucks even compared to pickleball... golf is more expensive per hour of play than tennis... less accessible on the average... and even more technically difficult than tennis (though not as athletically difficult - if that makes sense). Looking back, I wish that I had taken up tennis in my 20s instead of the thousands of dollars and hours I wasted on a golf game that never got any better than a 25+ handicap. If I had found tennis in my 20s, after I stopped playing college baseball, there's a very good chance that I would be lamenting my decline from the ranks of 4.5, now 5 months from age 50, rather than wondering if I'll ever reach 4.0... screw golf... play pickleball. All your tennis pals will eventually be there, and I am sure I'll probably play it once my knees tell me to quit tennis - either that or I'll get back into fishing...
I see what you are getting at, but though I want to be on the court like the tennis elders you talk about, I do NOT want to become like them. I want to be constantly challenged by a younger crowd and continue playing singles and not turn into cynical people with the same old jokes and grievances.I agree on the wish that I had taken up tennis seriously in my 20s .... post college-soccer. Instead I went into taekwondo and got myself really banged up with some permanent injuries competing in black belt tournaments for 15+ years. If I am knocking on 4.0 after 3 years back at 50yo ... imagine I would be currently fighting to maintain 4.5 now instead.
HOWEVER, in terms of aging as I am about a year ahead of you .... I want to be part of the group I see at the club every day. All in their 70s, 80s or 90s ... they play every single day ... the level of play is no longer that great, but they are playing and laughing and then grabbing coffee or a bite afterwards. Every.Single.Day. I want to be them in 20-30 years.
Haha, OK, fair point - I don't know if I'll want to do this in 20 years, but it's as safe a bet as any - I sure as hell won't be golfing though...HOWEVER, in terms of aging as I am about a year ahead of you .... I want to be part of the group I see at the club every day. All in their 70s, 80s or 90s ... they play every single day ... the level of play is no longer that great, but they are playing and laughing and then grabbing coffee or a bite afterwards. Every.Single.Day. I want to be them in 20-30 years.
Why are they cynical with old jokes and complaints? I didn't say that, have no reason to know it could possibly be true.I see what you are getting at, but though I want to be on the court like the tennis elders you talk about, I do NOT want to become like them. I want to be constantly challenged by a younger crowd and continue playing singles and not turn into cynical people with the same old jokes and grievances.
Reality is that you have to find people who will want to play with you. It is not only about skills. Bob (real name) at my club who is 80+ told me nobody wants to play with him once they know his age (even though he looks younger, some remarks can trip him up). I told him not to think that way and drove him to a public court one day to play with him because he was not willing to come to the club as too many memories of his younger days were there. We played, and I convinced him to get back and he is showing up again. Don't assume that players will be willing to play with you when you are older, even those your age. For example, I prefer to play with younger folks as they are fun to be with.Why are they cynical with old jokes and complaints? I didn't say that, have no reason to know it could possibly be true.
Although I would like to think that I can still play at a decent level and still play singles deep into my 80s .... I would like to simply still be able to play ... that would be lovely.
Golf is levels easier than tennis.Dude, golf sucks even compared to pickleball... golf is more expensive per hour of play than tennis... less accessible on the average... and even more technically difficult than tennis (though not as athletically difficult - if that makes sense). Looking back, I wish that I had taken up tennis in my 20s instead of the thousands of dollars and hours I wasted on a golf game that never got any better than a 25+ handicap. If I had found tennis in my 20s, after I stopped playing college baseball, there's a very good chance that I would be lamenting my decline from the ranks of 4.5, now 5 months from age 50, rather than wondering if I'll ever reach 4.0... screw golf... play pickleball. All your tennis pals will eventually be there, and I am sure I'll probably play it once my knees tell me to quit tennis - either that or I'll get back into fishing...
Oh man you and I are just going to have to agree to disagree on that one I think... for me, golf was MUCH more technically difficult to get a handle on than tennis has been. The athletic requirements of golf, I found to be a pittance compared to the athletic requirements of tennis, but the technical skill components of hitthg a golf ball straight with reasonable power are much harder for me to manage than hitting a tennis ball where I want to with power - even though the golf ball is stationary.Golf is levels easier than tennis.
It is not even a comparison.
You can get to a +10 within a few summers. (mid 80s, which is like 4.0 tennis)
Which is like one or two years of tennis.
Takes most people 10 years to get to 4.0 in tennis
Golf = checkers
Tennis = chess
Well, opinions regarding posts are also subjective. So, you're welcome!"arrive" is subjective.
Thanks for adding zero to this thread though
Your attitude toward older people sounds very cynical.I see what you are getting at, but though I want to be on the court like the tennis elders you talk about, I do NOT want to become like them. I want to be constantly challenged by a younger crowd and continue playing singles and not turn into cynical people with the same old jokes and grievances.
There you go again, derailing another thread with your AGEIST bombs. Maybe the elders you refer to are not "cynical" but wiser. You're very hung up on "youthism"--but then again you live in kali, where it's against the law to grow old. You needn't worry about becoming an "old fart" as you refer to seniors in in your previous post, since in ten years **** sapiens won't exist due to climate change, according to the iminent weather forecaster AOC--I'm sure she has a lot of background in her field studying tree ring dating and glacial recessions and progressions over the millenia. BTW, senior age group tennis begins at 35, so Roger is a senior. They should change the term for Senior Age Group tennis to "Masters Tennis", like swimming and running name the five year age brackets-- maybe that term will make it more palatable for those who are ageing adverse. Ever consider the juniors, since so many once-men are competing and winning against women these days--why not crash the junior tournies?--you're as young as you feel after all.I see what you are getting at, but though I want to be on the court like the tennis elders you talk about, I do NOT want to become like them. I want to be constantly challenged by a younger crowd and continue playing singles and not turn into cynical people with the same old jokes and grievances.
Worst is when they crack dirty jokes and then accuse each other of being dirty old men.There you go again, derailing another thread with your AGEIST bombs. Maybe the elders you refer to are not "cynical" but wiser. You're very hung up on "youthism"--but then again you live in kali, where it's against the law to grow old. You needn't worry about becoming an "old fart" as you refer to seniors in in your previous post, since in ten years **** sapiens won't exist due to climate change, according to the iminent weather forecaster AOC--I'm sure she has a lot of background in her field studying tree ring dating and glacial recessions and progressions over the millenia. BTW, senior age group tennis begins at 35, so Roger is a senior. They should change the term for Senior Age Group tennis to "Masters Tennis", like swimming and running name the five year age brackets-- maybe that term will make it more palatable for those who are ageing adverse. Ever consider the juniors, since so many once-men are competing and winning against women these days--why not crash the junior tournies?--you're as young as you feel after all.
Stagnation is a big issue. That is why I like to have a variety of partners to play with.Suresh has a point. Very few older people develop their game. In fact, I've never seen an older male taking a lesson. And they mostly play doubles with the same 3 guys. And he's right, they recycle the same jokes and stuff. They are the definition of stagnant mediocrity. The worst is the old guy who is hyper competitive, yet does not have the strokes to back it up. Decades of playing tennis and you still have 3.0 strokes? They just look foolish to me.
I am only doing the clenched fist knuckle touching these days at the end of the match. I don't like to shake sweaty unhygienic palms.Sureshi needs to sign up for a Senior Age Group tournament in his age category and test his mettle against his peers, like the one he volunteered at LGBTC, instead of denigrating "old farts" and idolizing his juniors. There won't be much talking--if any--just a handshake at the end.
You know your opponent's "sweaty unhygienic palms" are handling those fuzzy little balls that YOU are handling and storing in your pockets?--maybe you need to open a new can of balls before each of your serves.I am only doing the clenched fist knuckle touching these days at the end of the match. I don't like to shake sweaty unhygienic palms.
BTW, do you know where women put those spare balls?You know your opponent's "sweaty unhygienic palms" are handling those fuzzy little balls that YOU are handling and storing in your pockets?--maybe you need to open a new can of balls before each of your serves.
If you don't it might be time for your annual eye exam. I do know a woman who stores them between her ample cleavage--warm balls travel faster.BTW, do you know where women put those spare balls?
I knew two women like that.If you don't it might be time for your annual eye exam. I do know a woman who stores them between her ample cleavage--warm balls travel faster.
When you play against a hard hitter, it makes both players look good.Recently, I was playing a 4.5 basher. He played D2 college. He can be confused for a professional by the unsophisticated. His serve is so hard that you just try to stick your racket out. On this day, I stayed toe to toe with him for an entire set. I just took it one game at a time, and was marveling that we stayed on serve for another pair of games, and another, and another. It was the best I've ever done against him. Eventually, I lost in a tie break 7-6.
There were people playing geezer doubles on adjacent courts, so we stuck out like a sore thumb. We were literally a spectacle. Like we were putting on a show. People from other courts stopped in their tracks to watch us hit. It was almost like ATP players came to hit on the courts with the public. I was eventually thinking to myself, LOL, this is definitely a milestone. A little while later, I got the ultimate compliment one can get in tennis. "Did you guys play in college?" GUYS. Plural. Boom, I had arrived. 2 long years of hard work.
Then we played 2 tie breaks after the set. I won the second one. Perfect end to a milestone day.
The next day, I lost badly to a pusher with a dink serve.
All I can say is.....TENNIS !!!!
When was the day your had "arrived" as a tennis player ?
When you look like a college level player against a player like that, THEN you’ve arrivedNo way.
The dink server guy makes me look like I've ever played tennis before.
Junking is king.
See post #22When you look like a college level player against a player like that, THEN you’ve arrived
I can't resist. I'm a high 4.0 low 4.5 and these comments make me laugh. Tennis and all sports for that matter are about finding your opponents weakness and exploiting them. You seem like a lot of players I face, they love pace but once you throw in a slice, change the pace they break down. A hard low level serve? Num num. I'll just absorb your pace and put it somewhere randomly each time keeping you off balance. I've played many guys work harder strokes, serves, etc. and beat them. I remember playing a guy in usta years ago. Beautiful 1hbh. Looked just so pretty. I beat him 2 and 3. I was just a scrappy kid who got everything back. We shook hands and then he proceeded to obliterate his expensive racket against the net post. I applaud your confidence but even I know I can't beat everyone and that none of them will give a crap about how my strokes look.I said the very same thing to myself last week !
I realized there is not a single 4.0 on the planet I am afraid to face
I often hit harder and serve bigger than the opponent.
(and 4.5 is actually easier to play against, since fewer junker/pushers)
Granted, I may get crushed, but no one will be complaining about my game style.
I will get my fair share of winners, and 9 of 10 times, the opponent wants to hit again.
It was a fun match. Thanks for the effort to meet up.I thought I arrived as a player when instead of writing tomes on how much I had improved, I mustered enough courage to accept @rogerroger917 challenge to play him. I did get bageled. So I am not sure anymore though.
What happened ?I got near "arriving" 2 years ago, started to come close to beating some very good players, and i was able to pull myself up to get just a glimpse of the next level up, but its been all downhill since then. Can barely rally, can't beat anyone, can barely even get a serve in.
You are playing the wrong one hand backhand players. Please don’t throw me in that there pick on my BH briar patch!Great post, but not sure of your point.
Yup, I play with several 4.0 junkers and I love their style.
Best players out there. Pushing is king.
I have added lots of junk into my game, and love it.
I love playing against junk and slice, and I have worked a ton on slices and drop shots.
Give me a weak floater ball, however, and I will take control of the point.
Most adult rec players should not use advanced strokes and are better off pushing.
However, if you play every day, and maintain good fitness, big strokes are the way to go.
I would love to see a video of yours.
A low 4.5 pusher/junker is a seriously talented player.
The only downside to your game is that you've never played high level tennis.
A pusher only experiences half of tennis and never constructing points and playing offense.
I played a 4.0 pusher recently, and steamrolled him 2 and 3.
I was on offense on every point. Hitting him wide, attacking approach balls, and volleying at the net.
I play tennis to play high level tennis, not to win. That said, winning is a by-product of high level tennis.
Someone with offense can hang with a 4.5, while a pusher will be crushed by a real 4.5
For example, pusher will never make the progression this guy made
3 years of work and he's past 99% of rec hackers who never learn to hit hard and play advanced tennis
And 1HBH is ugly. Such a weak stroke. No clue why anyone would use it.
When I face 1HBH, I crush balls to the BH side, and they rarely ever come back. 1HBH is a massive liability