Topic: Jeff's tennis journal

[jeffrx]

Nice matches.............sounds like you are keeping a steady schedule. 

Yep...been playing alot.   

Yesterday (Monday night), I played my regular league match, which I won 10-4.  I also got called to play as a substitute and won 6-0, 3-2 (time ran out).  The one I substituted was weird.....During warm-up, the guy was blasting winners all over the place and I'm thinking "damn, I should have stayed home."  I seriously thought I was going to be wiped off the court by this guy.  then, the match starts and the guy totally changes and starts hitting everything out.  It turns out, he is a great practice player, but not so great in a real match.  Maybe he does not like the pressure (although in reality there is no real pressure in a match like this)?

I was happy to play well in both matches (which were played in 2 different clubs from 7-8:30 and 9-10:30.  This morning I feel very tired...

There lots of stories similar to this.  I'll never forget a college match I played many years ago.  It was pretty much just as you described.  The guy never missed a ball in warmups, had smooth strokes and I remember thinking that I was soon to be toast.  Well the match started and the guy turned into a pumpkin.  The same thing then happened in a tourney when I first moved to Columbus.  Just goes to show you that you can't judge a player's ability by how he/she looks in warmups.

That's true.   I guess it's a mental thing.   

[euroka1]

Nice matches.............sounds like you are keeping a steady schedule. 

Yep...been playing alot.   

Yesterday (Monday night), I played my regular league match, which I won 10-4.  I also got called to play as a substitute and won 6-0, 3-2 (time ran out).  The one I substituted was weird.....During warm-up, the guy was blasting winners all over the place and I'm thinking "damn, I should have stayed home."  I seriously thought I was going to be wiped off the court by this guy.  then, the match starts and the guy totally changes and starts hitting everything out.  It turns out, he is a great practice player, but not so great in a real match.  Maybe he does not like the pressure (although in reality there is no real pressure in a match like this)?

I was happy to play well in both matches (which were played in 2 different clubs from 7-8:30 and 9-10:30.  This morning I feel very tired...

There lots of stories similar to this.  I'll never forget a college match I played many years ago.  It was pretty much just as you described.  The guy never missed a ball in warmups, had smooth strokes and I remember thinking that I was soon to be toast.  Well the match started and the guy turned into a pumpkin.  The same thing then happened in a tourney when I first moved to Columbus.  Just goes to show you that you can't judge a player's ability by how he/she looks in warmups.

That's true.   I guess it's a mental thing.   

I can almost always judge how MY game is going to go by the warmup. Sometimes I'd like to quit there and then.   

Yes, it's a mental thing for some of us. 

[jeffrx]

I can almost always judge how MY game is going to go by the warmup. Sometimes I'd like to quit there and then.   

Yes, it's a mental thing for some of us. 

I agree.  On the flip side, there are those rare occasions where you will feel crappy in warm-up, yet somewhere between then and a few games in, you click in to gear.  Then, you think "I'm glad I stayed."   

[monstertruck]

Very interesting discussion!
Do any of you warm up before the warm up to help the mind and body prepare for the coming task?

For instance, while driving to the courts, I usually sing along with a CD or the radio, or even by myself( )!
This helps me to relax and make the transition from the stresses of off-court life to the focus needed for tennis.

[jeffrx]

Very interesting discussion!
Do any of you warm up before the warm up to help the mind and body prepare for the coming task?

For instance, while driving to the courts, I usually sing along with a CD or the radio, or even by myself( )!
This helps me to relax and make the transition from the stresses of off-court life to the focus needed for tennis.

I also try the music thing....I seem to be the opposite of you, preferring heavy metal to get me more pumped up.  I'm not sure if this works though, but it at least helps to wake me up if is early in the morning.   

[monstertruck]

Very interesting discussion!
Do any of you warm up before the warm up to help the mind and body prepare for the coming task?

For instance, while driving to the courts, I usually sing along with a CD or the radio, or even by myself( )!
This helps me to relax and make the transition from the stresses of off-court life to the focus needed for tennis.

I also try the music thing....I seem to be the opposite of you, preferring heavy metal to get me more pumped up.  I'm not sure if this works though, but it at least helps to wake me up if is early in the morning.   

I am The Destroyer!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWdA1DKfbwo[/youtube]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWdA1DKfbwo

...or better yet, this symbolizes my mentality on the court
"No prisoners, no Mercy!!!"
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH0NYQcARks[/youtube]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH0NYQcARks

[jeffrx]

Monster is a madman!  You've got to love this guy.....

I played a good doubles match last night.  My insurance guy called me to fill in with his group.  They were very good doubles players...I play mostly singles, so it was good to get out there and finally get to play this strange game of doubles.  It was a split, we lost the first set 4-6, then took the second set 6-3.  I had fun, although I think I'll be sticking to singles as my main enjoyment of the game.  On a side note, I was very impressed with my insurance guy (who takes a large sum of my money every month, including auto, home, and life insurance!)...the guy was a beast outh there.  He must have hit about 10 overhead winners while moving backwards and deep of the service line.  i was impressed.

[monstertruck]

Monster is a madman!  You've got to love this guy.....

I played a good doubles match last night.  My insurance guy called me to fill in with his group.  They were very good doubles players...I play mostly singles, so it was good to get out there and finally get to play this strange game of doubles.  It was a split, we lost the first set 4-6, then took the second set 6-3.  I had fun, although I think I'll be sticking to singles as my main enjoyment of the game.  On a side note, I was very impressed with my insurance guy (who takes a large sum of my money every month, including auto, home, and life insurance!)...the guy was a beast outh there.  He must have hit about 10 overhead winners while moving backwards and deep of the service line.  i was impressed.

Hey, I earned this name on the tennis court!
After I charged the net in dubs and hit a swinging FH volley my buddy exclaimed he thought he was being run over by a Monster Truck!

[monstertruck]

Nice job giving dubs a fair shake!
It can be tons of fun with the right people!

[jeffrx]

Saturday indoor league - played one of the instructors, who is in our league.  Beat him, too (10 games to 8).  He was obviously a better player, skill-wise, than me, but I hung in there and stayed extremely focused on winning.  he said his shoulder was hurting, which I believed because his serve did seem to go down hill about half way through.  I played pretty well, but did not have a great service day.  I did break his serve enough to make up for it though.

Sunday - outdoors in the wind.  The ball was flying all over the place as I split sets (3-6, 6-1).  I had no interest in breaking the tie and elected to go home and watch football!   

More tennis to be played tonight.....

[OSU Buckeye]

Are you so busy that you post about your weekend tennis on Monday?  Good playin' dude! 

[jeffrx]

Damn, I'm on a roll lately.  last night I played a guy who had been bumped up to the "next level" (4.5) after last year.  He was substituting for the guy I was supposed to play.  I expected to get crushed, but I ended up playing the best match of my life and beat him 10-4 in total games before we ran out of time.  I know he was off, but....I was hitting FH winners on the run and my passing shots were the best they have ever been.  It was a great feeling.  I can only hope to play like that more often.

[OSU Buckeye]

Sounds like you are 4.5 dog.   

[Jamesdster]

You are beating 4.5 players 10-4?  Are you sure you aren't 5.0?

[OSU Buckeye]

You are beating 4.5 players 10-4?  Are you sure you aren't 5.0?

Leave the ratings up to people that aren't horribly misguided on the rating system!   

[Jamesdster]

You are beating 4.5 players 10-4?  Are you sure you aren't 5.0?

Leave the ratings up to people that aren't horribly misguided on the rating system!   

You know, I kinda hate you! 

[jeffrx]

Sounds like you are 4.5 dog.   

Nah....I think the guy had a really bad night and I had a great night.  I still stuggle against many 4.0 players.  I'm getting there though...

[jeffrx]

You are beating 4.5 players 10-4?  Are you sure you aren't 5.0?

I want to work my way to 4.5, but I don't see myself there yet!  Not even close.  If I do ever get there, I'll be trying to find a pathway to get back to 3.5!   

[Jamesdster]

You are beating 4.5 players 10-4?  Are you sure you aren't 5.0?

I want to work my way to 4.5, but I don't see myself there yet!  Not even close.  If I do ever get there, I'll be trying to find a pathway to get back to 3.5!   

Nahhh, it's better to take some lumps at 4.5 than be undefeated at 3.5.  Note to OSU and Scott -----DON'T SAY IT!!!!!!!!!!

[OSU Buckeye]

I agree with Jster on this one..............4.5 is an awesome level that will really challenge your shotmaking, consistency, and mentality on the court.  Every match is a wonderfull challenge.  Plus, many 4.0's are older guys that have perfected lobs and soft shots so you don't get to see the power shots as often..........4.5 has plenty of power play mixed with some very impressive touch shots.