Topic: OSU Buckeye - Journal

[Tennis4you]

You cannot wait because the outcome will be good.  I feel sorry for your opponent.  Stay focused and give em hell!

[OSU Buckeye]

Played my 2cnd round in the tourney against M. Oliver and I got smacked 1-6, 2-6.   I was very tentative and not very comfortable on the court.  My footwork was raw ass, my focus not much better.  I couldn't even keep the ball in the court and I was not going for too much.  I tried different things and they all were off.  I came to the net and couldn't even volley anything.  My serve was very mediocre.  This could have been a fun, much closer, match but I didn't show up hardly at all!   

I really have no business playing in singles tournies if this is what I'll do.  This is how I used to play singles.........tentative, nervous, unfocused, no real game plan.  I gotta decide if I should try to rebound from this crap or place my singles game on hold for a while? 

[Tennis4you]

Well, I assume doubles will be your main focus for the rest of your tennis career.  Singles is for fun, so no sense giving it up.  Although I could be wrong, you could dump dubs all together and play only singles.  It would work better trying to get one person to play rather than 3 like we have to now.  Although you know I am always good, so we only need 2 people to play. 

Shake it off, you have been playing solid singles.  One match off is not worth shelving singles completely.  Although I have had matches like that in singles where I do not even know why I bothered to play, needed a week off to just get it all out of my head.

[OSU Buckeye]

Well singles is a much better work out and much more of a challenge for me...................and, sadly, these days it is of course much easier to put singles together than dubs.  It is a big choice to try to conquer the challenge of singles or play to my natural skillz with dubs.  I guess it depends on what I feel like doing.  The other decision is play tournies or play matches with friends?   This is a tough one as well as it seems more difficult to put together matches with friends anymore. 

[Tennis4you]

But it is easy to snag some pick up games too.  There are some guys at WP that you could always ask if they want to throw down some time at singles.  I have seen some guys that I would have asked for their contact info had I still been playing singles.

My body will not allow me to play singles much anymore.  Shoot, I only play once per 4 months on average.  I played 3 times this year and that is more than any year previous in the last 5.  I imagine singles will only get worse for me and my body over time.  But that is just me, you are not rolling with 7 injuries at all times. 

[OSU Buckeye]

But it is easy to snag some pick up games too.  There are some guys at WP that you could always ask if they want to throw down some time at singles.  I have seen some guys that I would have asked for their contact info had I still been playing singles.

My body will not allow me to play singles much anymore.  Shoot, I only play once per 4 months on average.  I played 3 times this year and that is more than any year previous in the last 5.  I imagine singles will only get worse for me and my body over time.  But that is just me, you are not rolling with 7 injuries at all times. 

You can play singles if you just get your body back used to playing it some.  I find it hard to believe that your body is so bad off that you can't play singles anymore with any regularity?  If that is the case then it is time for the replacements.............hip, shoulder, knee.        While you're at it, you might as well just order an upgrade...........Scott 2009!  The new and improved Scott that doesn't have 7 injuries. 

I am a firm believer in getting your body familiar with what you are asking it to do physically and then you can expect it to be able to handle what you are doing.  Don't play singles all year and then play 6 straight days of singles and expect the body to break down.  Ease into singles by playing 1 time per week and then over the next few weeks maybe upping it to singles 2 times or more per week and then your body will be able to hang.

I also like to try to think of injuries as serious (not going to be able to continue playing or going to make it worseby continuing) and not serious or more like nagging injuries (pains, mental crutches.......stuff that just needs a little rest or to be played through).   

[Tennis4you]

Ultimately it is the shoulder that cannot serve too much and that keeps me from singles.  That became an issue when I was still a singles player and use to playing singles.  I am usually quickly reminded of that after a singles match or two.  I have tried physical therapy and other shoulder strengthening exercises but it just makes it worse. 
I enjoy doubles more these days anyways although I have not completely given up on singles just yet.

[Jamesdster]

Played my 2cnd round in the tourney against M. Oliver and I got smacked 1-6, 2-6.   I was very tentative and not very comfortable on the court.  My footwork was raw ass, my focus not much better.  I couldn't even keep the ball in the court and I was not going for too much.  I tried different things and they all were off.  I came to the net and couldn't even volley anything.  My serve was very mediocre.  This could have been a fun, much closer, match but I didn't show up hardly at all!   

I really have no business playing in singles tournies if this is what I'll do.  This is how I used to play singles.........tentative, nervous, unfocused, no real game plan.  I gotta decide if I should try to rebound from this crap or place my singles game on hold for a while? 

When I was there for the first 5 games, you appeared to be playing his game more than yours.  But then again, you have similar games from the baseline, both of you solidly keeping the ball deep w/ some nice angles and not going for too many winners.  I think the way to beat that guy was to rally and wait for a good ball to attack and get to the net on.  You tried that a few times but your approach shots were not doing enough damage.  I think that was all you fell short on.  He had plenty of time to line his passes up.  So, if you play that guy again, you should work very hard on your approach shots in a good practce session leading up.  But don't let this derail your singles.  You have the game.  Keep positive.   

[OSU Buckeye]

Played a clay match today with Freebird against S. Miller and J. Capito.  It was a very fun match with good guys that made it nice all around.  The match went down kind of funky.  We got a break in the 1st set but lost it and then lost the tiebreak.   The 2cnd set was not too pretty for us.............they played a bit more solid for sure.  We lost in the end 6-7, 2-6!   I felt pretty good on the clay, but a bit tentative in spots and of course the usual mistake here and there that were unfortunate.

Freebird and I hit some after our match until 2 of our guys asked to play a set of dubs.  We played some games and ultimately played a TB to finish it at like 2-2 or 3-3.  We lost that TB also.  Then Freebird and I hit again until I asked him to play out some points.  Mistake on my part!  I was hitting the ball quite aggressively while just hitting but became very tentative while playing these points again.  That stuff is pissing me off as I did the same thing in my last singles tourney match.  I must get myself to a place of hitting out as much as possible in match situations rather than being tentative.  Good day overall!  Love hitting out on the ball on clay.   

[Jamesdster]

Played a clay match today with Freebird against S. Miller and J. Capito.  It was a very fun match with good guys that made it nice all around.  The match went down kind of funky.  We got a break in the 1st set but lost it and then lost the tiebreak.   The 2cnd set was not too pretty for us.............they played a bit more solid for sure.  We lost in the end 6-7, 2-6!   I felt pretty good on the clay, but a bit tentative in spots and of course the usual mistake here and there that were unfortunate.

Freebird and I hit some after our match until 2 of our guys asked to play a set of dubs.  We played some games and ultimately played a TB to finish it at like 2-2 or 3-3.  We lost that TB also.  Then Freebird and I hit again until I asked him to play out some points.  Mistake on my part!  I was hitting the ball quite aggressively while just hitting but became very tentative while playing these points again.  That stuff is pissing me off as I did the same thing in my last singles tourney match.  I must get myself to a place of hitting out as much as possible in match situations rather than being tentative.  Good day overall!  Love hitting out on the ball on clay.   

S Miller is a good player.

[OSU Buckeye]

Played a clay match today with Freebird against S. Miller and J. Capito.  It was a very fun match with good guys that made it nice all around.  The match went down kind of funky.  We got a break in the 1st set but lost it and then lost the tiebreak.   The 2cnd set was not too pretty for us.............they played a bit more solid for sure.  We lost in the end 6-7, 2-6!   I felt pretty good on the clay, but a bit tentative in spots and of course the usual mistake here and there that were unfortunate.

Freebird and I hit some after our match until 2 of our guys asked to play a set of dubs.  We played some games and ultimately played a TB to finish it at like 2-2 or 3-3.  We lost that TB also.  Then Freebird and I hit again until I asked him to play out some points.  Mistake on my part!  I was hitting the ball quite aggressively while just hitting but became very tentative while playing these points again.  That stuff is pissing me off as I did the same thing in my last singles tourney match.  I must get myself to a place of hitting out as much as possible in match situations rather than being tentative.  Good day overall!  Love hitting out on the ball on clay.   

S Miller is a good player.

And a Jeffro-sized nice guy!  Miller didn't play great today, was going too big with too much inconsistency, but came up with his usual clutch shots at times.  Those are always a bit rough too take. 

[OSU Buckeye]

Wow!  How long has it been since I have played tennis? 

Played golf monday night and shot a 51 which was better than the 53 I shot the week before.  These were the 1st 2 times out this season so some of the really dumb mistakes ought to start to disappear if I keep playing.  I should be shooting mid 40's I think.   

[Jamesdster]

Wow!  How long has it been since I have played tennis? 

Played golf monday night and shot a 51 which was better than the 53 I shot the week before.  These were the 1st 2 times out this season so some of the really dumb mistakes ought to start to disappear if I keep playing.  I should be shooting mid 40's I think.   

My tennis has been disappearing and not at a good time w/ some big events coming up (USTA tourney this weekend).  I played 6/4, 6/10, 6/13 and TONIGHT w/ big Bob's over 50 team.

[OSU Buckeye]

Played a match Saturday with Freebird and it was kind of ugly..............the scoreline at least.............we lost 2-6, 1-6 to Doug D. and Kevin McE.  It was a very odd match but unfortunately the thing I take away from it was that I drank too much the day before while playing golf in the horrible heat and humidity.  The match had strong winds which sucked for good tennis and then it sucked when the wind didn't blow because then you could feel just how hot and humid it actually was!    

[OSU Buckeye]

Played 9 holes of golf last night in my buddies league on the front 9.  I shot a nice 46 which was a steady improvement from my previous 53 and 51.  Interesting thing about my tennis compared to my golf right now............I have higher expectations in tennis because I have played it more than golf so tennis has been many let downs lately whereas golf has just been more fun.  Food for thought.   

[FreeBird]

Played a match Saturday with Freebird and it was kind of ugly..............the scoreline at least.............we lost 2-6, 1-6 to Doug D. and Kevin McE.  It was a very odd match but unfortunately the thing I take away from it was that I drank too much the day before while playing golf in the horrible heat and humidity.  The match had strong winds which sucked for good tennis and then it sucked when the wind didn't blow because then you could feel just how hot and humid it actually was!    

Ahhh, "drank too much" - makes it all clear   I wondered why you were talking about not having much energy from playing golf the day before - wasn't even going to make any fitness-related cracks, because I thought there was no way that just the golf would tire you out.  Now it all makes sense.  Next time do the sensible thing, and we'll knock down a few *after the tennis match*!!   

[OSU Buckeye]

Played a match Saturday with Freebird and it was kind of ugly..............the scoreline at least.............we lost 2-6, 1-6 to Doug D. and Kevin McE.  It was a very odd match but unfortunately the thing I take away from it was that I drank too much the day before while playing golf in the horrible heat and humidity.  The match had strong winds which sucked for good tennis and then it sucked when the wind didn't blow because then you could feel just how hot and humid it actually was!    

Ahhh, "drank too much" - makes it all clear   I wondered why you were talking about not having much energy from playing golf the day before - wasn't even going to make any fitness-related cracks, because I thought there was no way that just the golf would tire you out.  Now it all makes sense.  Next time do the sensible thing, and we'll knock down a few *after the tennis match*!!   

I thought I made it clear before as I said I had too many out golfing the day before with a co-worker, but anyway sorry for the confusion and lack of energy in that heat.  I basically can never drink that much the day before playing tennis in that kind of heat and humidity............makes me feel like I am going to collapse.  Yet, I never learn.............or rather get my priorities right.     

[monstertruck]

Schedule the tennis before the golf outing Fool!

[OSU Buckeye]

Schedule the tennis before the golf outing Fool!

     But you have to hit certain things when they present themselves. 

[OSU Buckeye]

Played last night with DW against Scott and VIC we lost in 3 sets but I had quite a bit of fun.  That was the best part for me since tennis has gotten a bit funky for me lately.  I used to love to call all the people to set up some tennis, and then I would show up way early to play.  Nowadays, I don't really care to call people at all to set up tennis and I usually get there just on time.  Anyway, I hit some really nice shots and we played some fun points which really reminded me of my love for the game.