Topic: SydneyGuru's 'starting out right' tennis journal

[sydneyguru]

I was encouraged to start a journal.  Since returning to the game just over a month ago after a 40 year absence, I was wondering what I would write.  ...  I still am....

Age: 62
Condition: healthy but physically weak -- haven't kept the body in sporting shape.
Tennis History: When I was playing, it was very recreational with NO training and NO coaching and NO knowledge. That was in the 1960's.
Game Sense:  I study the pros, watch the majors, and have learned strategies quite well.  I play a perfect game in my head (don't we all?).  My challenge is to transfer that onto the court.
Abilities: Serve: poor, only hit flat and first and second are hard to distinguish. Forehand: Shortened follow-through, and not much of a preparation. I tend to punch the ball.  Using a Semi-Western for its topspin.  Backhand: Surprisingly, the technique isn't that bad -- the execution needs work. Using the Full Eastern, again for its topspin. Net Play: This is probably the best part of my game -- love it at the net. Volley pretty well on the forehand side, backhand side is OK, depending on the shot I'm returning. Good sense of when to approach, and fairly good at volleying clean winners. Overheads are terrible (remember the serve?).  Placement and Power:  Poor and Worse.  I'm working on the placement aspect.  When I go for power, all h**l breaks loose! These will come with on-court experience.
Past month:  I played my first semi-real match (mixed doubles) with a formalized group on a Saturday afternoon around 6 weeks ago and found out just how bad I was!  Probably 1.0 was a stretch!  They allowed me to play the next week and noticed some improvement.  I had vowed to do whatever I could to get better.  I have found some work-mates to spar with.  Having a coach to guide me will have to wait for a while.  I'm continuing to study, learn, and practice in my virtual world.
Exercise:  I am doing cardiovascular and upper-body strength training.  I'm using grips to strengthen my hand(s).
Injuries:  Of course, I started too vigorously (I couldn't contain my enthusiasm) -- strained my right calf, and injured the tendons in my right arm (too much serve practice with very little preparation).  Both are healed, and I'm much more conscious of my body's limitations.
What's ahead:  I have an after-work session next Tuesday with three work-mates (mixed).  Depending on how I play, I may pay a return visit to the Saturday afternoon group.  That's where the real growth will be.
Challenges:  Overcoming the urge to 'win regardless of technique' and, instead, stick with learning how to grip the racquet, how to hit the ball, and working on purposeful placement. That will be easy with the after-work group because they know what my goals are and that I'm willing to sacrifice to get them.  It will be harder with the Saturday afternoon group because they expect a certain level of proficiency.  The objective is to make Tuesday count!!

Thanks for reading this, and for the comments.  There isn't much to talk about -- yet.  Next Tuesday will be an eye-opening time.  And, we'll see what happens on the Saturday following.

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[euroka1]

Hi,

Welcome! Great to read about your tennis experiences. If you page through my journal, you'll get some idea of my game. I've been around 8 more years than you and still play at least twice a week, more in summer. It is an important part of my social life. I found regular group classes, at the YMCA for example, very good both for the game and for the social contacts. Almost all of the latter at the present time came indirectly from there even though I don't go now. I'm engaged with four playing groups on a regular basis although two of them  are in hibernation until the snow clears from the outdoor courts. Until this winter, I was hitting regularly with an instructor for an hour once a week. That has stopped temporarily, partly because of winter weather, but the instructor moved away. I'll be looking for another in spring. I found that very good, not just for improving my game (even my overheads have become mostly acceptable) but it is a great workout hitting all those tennis balls. Instructors are very efficient at feeding you tennis balls and correcting bad hitting habits. More and more, these days I live and die according to how the serve is going in actual matches.

Physically, I don't play singles any more. It is too stressful on the body. After being out with a hamstring injury a couple of years ago, I am careful now to work hard on stretching and the like. It is irritating that as one gets older, injuries take much longer to mend so it is important to avoid them in the first place.

Recently, I have enjoyed going to pro tennis tournaments in summer. I go regularly to the Legg Mason here and  Cincinnati (both in August) and am planning a trip to the Australian Open next January.

Keep playing and keep in touch.

[Tennis4you]

Great post!  I am always excited to see new journals.

Keep us up to date, I am curious to see how your "probation" goes!

[sydneyguru]

Thanks euroka1 -- really appreciate your reply.  Well, it looks like I'm not the oldest around here.  I expect to have many good years ahead of me!  And, I understand about taking it easy -- that's good advice for a sextagenarian.   

Where I live the winters are mild by comparison, and I expect to play right throughout the year.  In due time, I'll find that coach and those tennis lessons.  With the Tuesday after-work group and the Saturday session, that will be twice a week, and, I believe that my body will need those intervening days to recover.

I appreciate what you wrote about not playing singles anymore.  I'll have to see how I go, endurance-wise and what the body can handle.  I love the singles game, but will respect my body's advice.  I enjoy doubles too, mostly for the net play.  The two games are quite different in strategies as well as the required stroke strengths.  And, doing both will help me develop a more well-rounded game.

My wife and I have talked about going to the Aussie Open for several years now.  Don't know if we'll make it this next time around, but, if we do, it would be nice to cross paths.

Thanks again for your reply.

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[sydneyguru]

Thank you, Mr. T4U.  I was a bit hesitant about posting, and about what to write.  That was a step out for me.  I will endeavor to add to this after each session -- obviously, that's when there will be something to add.

I, too, am curious about how my 'probation' goes.  I have been away from the Saturday group for 4 weeks and also have not been in touch with the lady who first talked to me.  So, no one knows what is going on with me.  I'll show up and the reaction will be interesting to say the least.  I want them to be impressed with the improvements which is why I'm waiting this long (also recovering from those injuries was a BIG factor).  I also want them to say, "you passed your probation".     (they aren't calling it probation, but a rose by any other name smells just the same).

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[Tennis4you]

Well, the best you can do for now and go out and have fun and try not to take it too seriously (easier said than done, especially for me) since you are just getting back into it.  Hopefully they let you stick around though as you will improve quicker playing better players.  If they say you failed, then just come back in 12 months, kick all their butts and then kindly tell them you will not be back as they do not prove to be enough competition.  OK, that might be kind of mean. 

[sydneyguru]

Ah, yes, taking myself too seriously.  That was evident BIG TIME in my first outing back in January.  I was moping around the court after a bad shot, being out of position, or thinking I wanted the shot, moved toward it and then offering it to my partner.  Shame on me!  And, when I was young, I was even worse than I am now.  Age does have its benefits!  So, I will change my attitude, brighten my spirits -- especially when I mess up, and enjoy the game!  Afterall, it's not my livelihood (thank goodness for that!).

As for me sticking around with them, I believe if I can begin to take proper ground strokes -- not just 'punching' the ball -- and begin to serve with more consistency, I think they'll let me join their group.  And, if they don't, well, I WILL find other players.  I know now that there is a wide community out there and I just have to keep asking, knocking on doors, and looking.

You know, T4U, if they don't let me play there, yes, it would be good to come back after some number of months, with a 3.5 or a 4.0 (now THAT's a stretch) and show them how I play.  I believe they have some 4.0 players.  Most of the ones I played against, I would say are 2.5 - 3.5.  It would be good for me to be above the average with them.  However, as was said before, I wouldn't want to play with people appreciably less capable than I, because that would not be a challenge (which is exactly why they are/were suspect of me -- I was apprecialy less capable than most of them).  This is all conjecture.  As the months tick by, we'll see how much I improve and whether or not I can achieve that 3.5.  I believe I'm mostly 2.0 - 2.5, so I have a ways to go.

I think I lost my mean streak when I was in my early 30's.  I'm mostly a nice guy these days.   

[sydneyguru]

Today's entry:

Started my day with some stretching and some aerobic exercise (rowing machine).  Went to dumbbells for arms and sholders.  Did a few lunges without weights.  I will soon be doing those with weights.

I was going to write some other stuff here, but I think that it would be appropriate in the Instructional Tennis area.  See you there.

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[Tennis4you]

I wish I had a row machine.  I hit up a gym that is 2 doors down from my office.  I love that gym, but they do not have a row machine there either.

[sydneyguru]

I did some online research not too many years ago and found a good selection there.  Prices I think were reasonable.  I've always been weak on the upper half, and after experiencing a rowing machine at a YMCA, I knew that it was something that would help.  When I was a youngster (loads of years ago), my uncle had a rowing machine -- nothing like what we see today.  As a boy of 10, 11, 12?, something in that range, I could barely move it.  I can still see it today.  The wood was worn, so I knew that my Uncle used it regularly.

I use it as my warm up and also my cardiovascular (not the only source of cardio).  I can tell that it's already helping.  That, and the weights and stretches will do me well on the court (me thinks!).   

I do need some work on my 'core'.  Don't fully understand that yet.  As I read, my 'core' is crucial to powerful serves and to protecting my limbs.  Comments?

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[Tennis4you]

Core strength is good.  I do no core strength training though.  I currently (last 8 years) live with a sport hernia but it is rare that it bothers me.   Too much tennis and I am quickly reminded it is there.  I think tennis is a core trainer itself, so keep that in mind.  If you can do any additional core strengthening though it will most likely help.

I need a row machine.  I remember being bummed when I checked out the gym to sign up and they did not have one. 

[sydneyguru]

I saw an exercise for core strength on the USTA website (in the Q&A section):  lying down, legs at an angle (feet flat on the floor), arms either crossed on chest or on back of head, bring head and shoulders up off the floor.  Repeat....

I have a magnetic rowing machine.  I just did a google search -- there are plenty, prices that I saw ranged from $399 to over $1,200.

My morning workout consists of rowing machine (either endurance or peak), weights (dumbbells) for shoulders and arms, grippers (unless I'm short on time), and core.

After injurying myself (right calf and right arm) last month, I'm very conscious now about avoiding the stupid things I was doing -- like too much enthusiasm (hard for me to curb) and not warming up properly (or stretching on the cool down). 

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[sydneyguru]

Played last Tuesday with my 'work' group (mixed doubles).  Was serving pretty well (mostly a flat serve and not much pace), and doing some good net play.  Ground strokes often have little preparation and no follow-through.  Sometimes I hit one that is formed pretty well, and, to my amazement, it goes in!

Right calf is fine.  Right arm is not.  And, the arm is not healing as well as it did the first time I injured it.  I had a brace on the upper arm, but it seemed that I didn't have it on right.  Next scheduled outing is next Wednesday.

I'm a bit concerned about the right arm.  I'm thinking of becoming a two-hander at the net and possibly on the ground strokes.  Need to find what will keep my arm from continual injury.  I'm doing some strength training (haven't since Tuesday), and am using an arm brace (velco-supported wrap).  I believe I need to pull it tighter around my arm.  I don't have a big serve, and my ground strokes are nothing to write home about.  Other than general arm weakness, I'm not sure what else could be aggravating the arm (aside from power strokes that I wack back at the net).

Regarding the arm, any suggestions as to what I can do more of, less of, do instead of, add to what I'm doing,....?

I've begun to analyze a spin serve and what I need to do to hit it.  It seems like the racquet face should be pointed to where I want the ball to go, and the path of the racquet head should be moving slightly to the right of the path of the ball (yes, I'm a rightie).  If I can add a slice serve to my arsenal, I'll begin to work on the speed of the first serve, both with a flat serve and that slice serve.

Thanks for any suggestions on the slice serve as well.

The return of serve is fairly good -- the biggest downfall is that I don't do much preparation (even for a serve return), and don't do any follow-through.  It's a poke or a punch.  When I return to the court next Wednesday, my goal is to begin to hit those ground-strokes and returns of serve with the proper form.  We'll see how that goes.

In terms of quality of the players, we were partnered 1/4 against 2/3.  It's probably obvious (and it's tough to admit) -- I'm the '4'.  We lost 7-5, 6-3.  I think I won one or two of my service games -- mostly on the strength of my partner, and some mobility issues that exist in the opponents.  So, if I can improve my ground strokes, it should be the other way around next week.

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[sydneyguru]

Time for another journal entry.

I am recovering sooner from the soreness of the game (no longer considered injuries) -- which is a very good thing!  Played on Wednesday this week, and the score was dismal.  It's 1 & 4 vs 2 & 3.  #1 was a bit off her game, and I was a bit better than the week before.  We lost 6-4 and 6-2, with a third set (just because we wanted to) at 5-1 when we had to vacate the court.

My serve was better this week -- the others complimented me on it.  I thought my ground strokes were better -- better preparation, more consistent hitting, still shortened stroke (where is that follow-through?).  Net game was better, got some overheads in.  #2 hit a blazing serve and I was able to return it.   

I want to slowly bring in the slice serve.  My 'mostly' flat server is doing ok, for a flat serve.  However, my second serve is usually much slower, so I need something with a bit more umph on it.

My backhand is still very much the weakest shot I have.  If I can take the time to prepare and THINK about it, it's ok.  If I'm in a rush, I usually poke or slice (not a good slice, just a wack).  I'm beginning to direct my shots a bit better.  Focusing on that is helping.

Next match is on Tuesday.  Can't wait!!

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[monstertruck]

It's exciting returning to the game and improving, isn't it!

As I mentioned in the other thread, the topspin serve is the answer to your slow swing speed on the 2nd serve.  Like Scotty(Mr. T4U) said, be careful learning this serve as it requires a different swing path than the flat serve due to the toss being more above/behind the head than the flat serve toss which is usually more out in front.  Nice to hear you are using the Continental grip!!!  This will help you immensely in developing proper form and technique.  Good luck and enjoy your time on court!

[sydneyguru]

The excitement I feel in getting on the court is overwhelming at times.  I didn't really realize how much I missed playing through all of these years.  And, the improvement, however small, is palpable!   

Let me tell you what I'm doing on my serve, and you tell me what serve I have, Ok?

I decided some weeks ago that in order to keep from netting my serves, I should toss the ball pretty much over my head (well, over my nose is probably more exact, not that I have THAT BIG a nose).  I reasoned, correctly or not, that a toss like that would keep the racquet face higher and give me a better chance at getting the ball into the court.  It is working. 

However, given what you wrote, I'm wondering if there isn't some degree of topspin in that serve already.  ?

As for the slice (sidespin) serve, should the toss be more to my right (yes, I'm a rightie)?  And, if my toss is more to the right and somewhat over my head (or behind my head in that plane), does that give my serve more of a kick?

I'm an analyst kind of person -- pretty obvious from my questions and babble, don't you think? 

Cheers,
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[monstertruck]

Sounds like you're getting the hang of it with that adjustment to your toss.
That combined with the Continental grips means you have to be getting some spin on the ball.
My theory on the serve/toss/variety is that I should be able to hit practically any serve (flat, top, slice) from the same toss.  This helps to minimize the chance that your opponent will be able to 'read' your serve.
Here is a link to some basic vids and explanations.  Hope it is helpful.
http://www.tennismindgame.com/serve-technique.html

[kingskid]

Nice.  I really enjoyed reading your journal and am glad to be able to follow you in your RElearning as I learn from the bottom up.

[sydneyguru]

kk,

You have the added advantage of being able to learn the game correctly from the start.  If possible, take advantage of all of the tutoring, training, coaching, online resources, and local resources that you can.  I'm having to do a lot of UNlearning of bad habits.  It's still fun to discover that there really is a game in me.  You'll enjoy that trip as well.

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