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Thread: Tennis Thread

  1. #16
    Pre-tty, pre-tty good!! MWM's Avatar
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    Re: Tennis Thread

    American John Isner knocks off Novak Djokovic. That's a massive upset. He now goes on to play Del Potro who he lost to in the finals at Citi 2 weeks ago. I watched that match. Isner had his way with Delpo the first set, but was dominated the last 2. Isner has really improved his game this year. Should be a good match.
    Grape works as a soda. Sort of as a gum. I wonder why it doesn't work as a pie. Grape pie? There's no grape pie. - Larry David


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  3. #17
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    Re: Tennis Thread

    Wow Isner won. Him and Raonic can be awfully difficult in a 3 set match if they are serving well....

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    Re: Tennis Thread

    This summer would haved marked 40 years of playing tennis, had I not gotten sick a few years ago and missed the last four years. Mostly played hard-court tennis in California, very aggressive game and the knees are now complaining about the abuse. LOL

    For the last 12 years or so, played out of Palisades Tennis Club in Newport Beach, CA. When I joined that club, there were 16 touring pros playing out of there, led by #1 Ranked Lindsay Davenport. A great facility and a lot of great people. www.palisadestennis.com if anyone wants a peek. Over the years, I've made more friends and put together more really fun dates through meeting people that I played tennis with than any time I spent hanging out in bars.

    When I was with Marriott, and we were looking for people to visit our time-share, tennis was a major part of our program. We worked at tournaments all over the U.S. My favorite was the Bank of the West Classic every year at Stanford University. Just a great setting and a beautiful campus. Good tournament , too. AS Roy Tucker said, it's nice to see the pros in restaurants and grocery stores. The first year that I worked the BOW Classic, I stopped in a Denny's for breakfast and, right after I was seated, the hostess brought 3 people over and sat them at the next table. It was Venus, Sareena and Richard Williams. I said hi but didn't want to interupt their timing. Richard, immediately jumped into a conversation. Very friendly guy. Later that day, he came by our booth to see what we did and say hi. I worked that tournament for almost 10 years and every year he would come by and say 'hi'. He has been blasted in some tennis circles but I have always found him very nice----I think he got a bad rap. He usually brought the girls by as well but I can't say I was as impressed by them. Venus was nice but Sareena, petulant and moody.

    Over the years with Marriott, I worked over 60 professional tourneys, sold a couple of players tours, worked Davis Cup (U.S. vs. Netherlands, in Newport Beach) and Fed Cup U.S. Germany in La Jolla, CA) tourneys and generally had a ball around this wonderful sport. For the Davis Cup match (played at Palisades in Newport) I was the Driver for the Dutch team and picked them up at their hotel and took them to practice, matches, dinner, etc. every day during the rubber. IIRC correctly, that was a match that either Aggassi or Courriour had to come back from 5-0 or 5-1 down in the third set to keep the Americans in the match. Just thrilling to be there. (Not so thrilling for the Dutch team going back to the hotel.

    I've just had so much fun on a tennis court! It's kept me young(ish), kept my weight down and provided me with plenty of exercise and mental challenges that I can't recommend this sport enough. There are a lot more stories but maybe that's for another time.

    Rem
    Last edited by remdog; 08-17-2013 at 10:59 AM.
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  6. #19
    Pre-tty, pre-tty good!! MWM's Avatar
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    Re: Tennis Thread

    Was nice to see Federer looking like the young Federer for a while last night. In the end, he looked gassed and just couldn't quite keep up in the 3rd set, although it was very close.
    Grape works as a soda. Sort of as a gum. I wonder why it doesn't work as a pie. Grape pie? There's no grape pie. - Larry David

  7. #20
    Member Redsfaithful's Avatar
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    Re: Tennis Thread

    Great stories Rem.

    I've been playing out of Olympic Indoor in Columbus the last two winters, really enjoy getting tennis in during miserable winters. It's a great break.

    Played in two singles leagues this summer at 3.5 and went 14-3. I play in the championships of one of the leagues tomorrow night.

    I've jumped up to 4.0 in a USTA flex league, and only played one match so far where I got my behind handed to me. I think it'll take a lot of losing to figure out the level, but I want to be challenged.

    I went to two sessions of the tournament in Cincinnati - Sunday qualifiers and Wednesday night. It's honestly one of the best events Cincinnati has, incredibly well run. The city is lucky to have it.
    Turning and turning in the widening gyre
    The falcon cannot hear the falconer;

  8. #21
    Pre-tty, pre-tty good!! MWM's Avatar
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    Re: Tennis Thread

    Tennis is one of the few sports I didn't really play at all when I was young. I wish I would have discovered it in my 20s instead of late 30s. I'm in the best shape I've been in in years mostly because of tennis.

    I played 5 or 6 times when I first moved here 3 years ago, but that was it until this year when I started playing a lot. I'm still learning the game and have been surprised how mental it is. I don't know why I didn't think it would be, but I had the perception it was all about the strokes. I was always a good athlete and took to things pretty easily when I was young, but once I started playing in matches instead of just hitting, I learned really quickly that I was very wrong. I'm really enjoying the competition, but I've had to accept the fact that it's going to take some time and patience. That's not easy for me.
    Grape works as a soda. Sort of as a gum. I wonder why it doesn't work as a pie. Grape pie? There's no grape pie. - Larry David

  9. #22
    Pre-tty, pre-tty good!! MWM's Avatar
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    Re: Tennis Thread

    If you didn't watch the women's final today, you really missed out on some incredibly high quality tennis. The 3rd set and tie break were awesome. How they can hit some of the shots they hit in the kind of pressure situations they play is beyond me.

    The only downside is I have to watch on mute whenever Azarenka is playing. I can handle that owl impression she does every shot for about 2 minutes. It's beyond annoying and I don't see how they allow her to do it. Must drive competitors crazy.....although Sharapova is just as bad.
    Grape works as a soda. Sort of as a gum. I wonder why it doesn't work as a pie. Grape pie? There's no grape pie. - Larry David

  10. #23
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    Re: Tennis Thread

    MWM, you might have read it already, but check out The Inner Game of Tennis.

    I really like Winning Ugly also. Inner Game is more famous, but I probably have personally used Winning Ugly a little bit more directly in my play. Tennis really is incredibly mental. I've seen quite a few mental meltdowns from rec players over the years, it can get a little ridiculous.
    Turning and turning in the widening gyre
    The falcon cannot hear the falconer;

  11. #24
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    Re: Tennis Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Redsfaithful View Post
    Great stories Rem.

    I've been playing out of Olympic Indoor in Columbus the last two winters, really enjoy getting tennis in during miserable winters. It's a great break.

    Played in two singles leagues this summer at 3.5 and went 14-3. I play in the championships of one of the leagues tomorrow night.

    I've jumped up to 4.0 in a USTA flex league, and only played one match so far where I got my behind handed to me. I think it'll take a lot of losing to figure out the level, but I want to be challenged.

    I went to two sessions of the tournament in Cincinnati - Sunday qualifiers and Wednesday night. It's honestly one of the best events Cincinnati has, incredibly well run. The city is lucky to have it.
    OK, Redsfaithful---go get 'em tomorrow night! We're all pulling for ya' here, it's always nice to have a champion in the house. Go with the shot(s) that you're comfortable with and play within yourself. Don't try to do things that you aren't capable of but stay aggressive. If you find a weakness in your opponent don't be afraid to go back to it until he can show you that he has fixed the problem. Personally, I've always preferred an aggressive game but that's just me. Play the game you're comfortable with. It's amazing how many points you can win just by keeping the ball in play. The other guy makes his share of mistakes, too. In fact, in many matches, more points are lost than won.

    Yes, I agree, Cincinnati is very lucky to have that tourney. It's a great event. I worked on it in the early years when it was out at Coney Island. Was in charge of 'kids day' but I haven't been out to it since it moved to Mason, however, it's one of only a handfull of tourneys where both the men and the women play during the same period---which is a big bonus as far as I'm concerned!

    I used to play in a 'semi-pro' type league in LA. About 15-20 years ago, I had my best year and won $5,000-$6,000 in cash and prizes, including an all-expense trip to Mazatlan, Mexico to play a tournament down there. I was feeling pretty good about myself that year until I got beat in one of the last tournaments of the year (in the semis) by a 12 year old kid! The only thing that made it feel better was 6-7 years later he was playing #1 for the UCLA Varsity.

    Over the years, I've come to rationalize it like this: if ya' loose early it just means you get to relax and watch the action and you get a better seat at the bar!

    Good luck to ya' tomorrow!

    Rem
    Last edited by remdog; 08-19-2013 at 12:19 AM.
    "For Reds fans, by Reds fans" Learn it, love it, live it.

  12. #25
    Pre-tty, pre-tty good!! MWM's Avatar
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    Re: Tennis Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by Redsfaithful View Post
    MWM, you might have read it already, but check out The Inner Game of Tennis.

    I really like Winning Ugly also. Inner Game is more famous, but I probably have personally used Winning Ugly a little bit more directly in my play. Tennis really is incredibly mental. I've seen quite a few mental meltdowns from rec players over the years, it can get a little ridiculous.
    Yeah, RFS has been trying to get me to read Inner Game for years now, even before I started playing tennis...said it would be good for golf as well. He mentioned it to me again a couple of weeks ago. I think I'll pick it up.
    Grape works as a soda. Sort of as a gum. I wonder why it doesn't work as a pie. Grape pie? There's no grape pie. - Larry David

  13. #26
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    Re: Tennis Thread

    Quote Originally Posted by remdog View Post
    OK, Redsfaithful---go get 'em tomorrow night! We're all pulling for ya' here, it's always nice to have a champion in the house. Go with the shot(s) that you're comfortable with and play within yourself. Don't try to do things that you aren't capable of but stay aggressive. If you find a weakness in your opponent don't be afraid to go back to it until he can show you that he has fixed the problem. Personally, I've always preferred an aggressive game but that's just me. Play the game you're comfortable with. It's amazing how many points you can win just by keeping the ball in play. The other guy makes his share of mistakes, too. In fact, in many matches, more points are lost than won.
    This is so true, especially at the 3.5 level. Guys usually will have at least one consistent weapon at this level, but unforced errors still make the difference.

    I agree on aggression. When I struggle I find it's usually because I'm not putting enough pressure on the opponent. Even if I'm not hitting winners, just cutting down their time to set up shots is big. And I try to make people run and move around as much as I can.

    The one match I played at 4.0 though that definitely wasn't enough, it felt like the guy could hit a winner from any spot on the court.

    Quote Originally Posted by remdog View Post
    I used to play in a 'semi-pro' type league in LA. About 15-20 years ago, I had my best year and won $5,000-$6,000 in cash and prizes, including an all-expense trip to Mazatlan, Mexico to play a tournament down there. I was feeling pretty good about myself that year until I got beat in one of the last tournaments of the year (in the semis) by a 12 year old kid! The only thing that made it feel better was 6-7 years later he was playing #1 for the UCLA Varsity.
    I see kids at Olympic that would blow me away for sure. One kid I saw last year was just knocking the snot out of the ball, huge topspin forehand, and I asked one of the pros where he played and it was Upper Arlington's third singles player. Blew my mind that he wasn't their #1 the way he was hitting, but they have a tough program.

    You must be extremely tough to have been winning cash! Did you mostly play open level at Palisades? You must have been at least 4.5-5.0, no?

    I managed to pull it out last night. Very tough match, took 2.5 hours for two sets, but I won 7-5, 7-6(8-6). My conditioning isn't the greatest right now, and if it had gone another set I'd have been in real trouble.

    The guy I was playing was about 6'5, which I always struggle with (I'm 5'8.) I have a relatively decent lob for 3.5, and I managed to hit a few really good ones early enough that thankfully it scared him away from the net for the most part. But it's not an easy thing to lob someone that huge. His court coverage was also ridiculous - it must be nice to be 3 steps from anywhere on the court! I found myself often having to win points 2-3 times because he'd stretch and just barely get to balls I thought were good enough.
    Turning and turning in the widening gyre
    The falcon cannot hear the falconer;

  14. #27
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    Re: Tennis Thread

    Congrats Redsfaithful!! WE HAVE A REDSZONE TENNIS CHAMPION IN THE HOUSE LADIES AND GENTS1 LET'S GIVE HIM A HAND! THAT'S A GREAT WIN!. Way to hang tough! When you win one by a score like that, it feels (b)really(/b) good! You should be proud of yourself!

    I played mostly 4.5 and 5.0 level. But I'm more of a doubles specialist, and my game was built around speed. It's amazing that if you can hit a big kicking serve, you can get in pretty deep behind it and I usually had enough speed to run down stuff that was lobbed over our heads.

    I'm 5'8" also and the thing I would try to do is chip the ball at tall guys' toes. A lot of times it's hard for them to half-volley the ball over the net, whereas, at 5'8" it's relatively easy for us to pick up that shot.

    Another thing I used to do was train to be able to run about an 8-minute mile. I knew that if we got into a lobbing scenario in a match and if I could run for 8 minutes, I could usually run longer than anybody on the other side. LOL

    Congratulations Redsfaithful!!

    Rem
    "For Reds fans, by Reds fans" Learn it, love it, live it.

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  16. #28
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    Re: Tennis Thread

    Any of you guys know who plays who on Day 1 of the US open? I've seen the draw but not sure if it's the top half or bottom half who play on day 1.

    Hoping it's the top half of the mens so i can see Llyeton Hewitt play.
    Melbourne to Cincinnati - September 1st - 12th 2013

  17. #29
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    Re: Tennis Thread

    Haven't seen any specific matches as yet but maybe this will help your viewing plans.


    TV Schedule
    All times listed are Eastern Standard Time.
    Friday, August 23 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm New Haven (W), Quarterfinal ESPN2[Live]
    Friday, August 23 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Winston-Salem (M), Semifinal ESPN2[Live]
    Friday, August 23 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm New Haven (W), Quarterfinal Tennis Channel[Live]
    Friday, August 23 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm Winston-Salem (M), Semifinal Tennis Channel[Live]
    Saturday, August 24 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm Winston-Salem (M), Final CBS[Live]
    Saturday, August 24 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm New Haven (W), Final ESPN2[Live]
    Monday, August 26 11:00 am - 7:00 pm US Open (M/W), First round Tennis Channel[Live]
    Monday, August 26 1:00 pm - 11:00 pm US Open (M/W), First round ESPN2[Live]
    Monday, August 26 11:00 pm - 10:30 am US Open (M/W), First round Tennis Channel[Repeat]
    Tuesday, August 27 11:00 am - 7:00 pm US Open (M/W), First round Tennis Channel[Live]
    Tuesday, August 27 1:00 pm - 11:00 pm US Open (M/W), First round ESPN2[Live]
    Tuesday, August 27 11:00 pm - 10:30 am US Open (M/W), First round Tennis Channel[Repeat]
    Wednesday, August 28 11:00 am - 7:00 pm US Open (M/W), First round/Second round Tennis Channel[Live]
    Wednesday, August 28 1:00 pm - 11:00 pm US Open (M/W), First round/Second round ESPN2[Live]
    Wednesday, August 28 11:00 pm - 10:30 am US Open (M/W), First/ Second round Tennis Channel[Repeat]
    Thursday, August 29 11:00 am - 7:00 pm US Open (M/W), Second round Tennis Channel[Live]
    Thursday, August 29 1:00 pm - 11:00 pm US Open (M/W), Second round ESPN2[Live]
    Thursday, August 29 11:00 pm - 10:30 am US Open (M/W), Second round Tennis Channel[Repeat]
    Friday, August 30 11:00 am - 7:00 pm US Open (M/W), Second round/Third round Tennis Channel[Live]
    Friday, August 30 1:00 pm - 11:00 pm US Open (M/W), Second round/Third round ESPN2[Live]
    Friday, August 30 11:00 pm - 11:00 am US Open (M/W), Second round/Third round Tennis Channel[Repeat]
    Saturday, August 31 11:00 am - 6:00 pm US Open (M/W), Third round CBS[Live]
    Saturday, August 31 11:00 am- 6:00 pm US Open (M/W), Third round CBS Sports Network[Live]
    Saturday, August 31 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm US Open (M/W), Third round Tennis Channel[Live]
    Saturday, August 31 11:00 pm - 11:00 am US Open (M/W), Third round Tennis Channel[Repeat]
    Sunday, September 1 11:00 am - 6:00 pm US Open (M/W), Third round/Fourth round CBS[Live]
    Sunday, September 1 11:00 am - 6:00 pm US Open (M/W), Third round/Fourth round CBS Sports Network[Live]
    Sunday, September 1 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm US Open (M/W), Third round/Fourth round Tennis Channel[Live]
    Sunday, September 1 11:00 pm - 11:00 am US Open (M/W), Third round/Fourth round Tennis Channel[Repeat]
    Monday, September 2 11:00 am - 6:00 pm US Open (M/W), Fourth round CBS[Live]
    Monday, September 2 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm US Open (M/W), Fourth round ESPN2[Live]
    Monday, September 2 11:00 pm - 10:30 am US Open (M/W), Fourth round Tennis Channel[Repeat]
    Tuesday, September 3 11:00 am - 7:00 pm US Open (M/W), Fourth round/Quarterfinals ESPN2[Live]
    Tuesday, September 3 11:00 am - 7:00 pm US Open (M/W), Fourth round Tennis Channel[Live]
    Tuesday, September 3 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm US Open (M/W), Fourth round/ Quarterfinals ESPN[Live]
    Tuesday, September 3 11:00 pm - 10:30 am US Open (M/W), Fourth round/Quarterfinals Tennis Channel[Repeat]
    Wednesday, September 4 12:00 pm - 11:00 pm US Open (M/W), Quarterfinals ESPN2[Live]
    Wednesday, September 4 11:00 pm - 10:30 am US Open (M/W), Quarterfinals Tennis Channel[Repeat]
    Thursday, September 5 12:00 am - 6:00 pm US Open (M/WD), Quarterfinals/Semifinals ESPN2[Live]
    Thursday, September 5 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm US Open M Quarterfinal (ESPN[Live)]
    Thursday, September 5 11:00
    m US Open (M), Quarterfinal Tennis Channel[Repeat]
    Friday, September 6 12:30 am - 6:00 pm US Open (XD/W), Final/Semifinals CBS[Live]
    Friday, September 6 7:00 pm - 11:00 am US Open (W), Semifinals Tennis Channel[Repeat]
    Saturday, September 7 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm US Open (M), Semifinals CBS[Live]
    Saturday, September 7 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm US Open (M), Semifinals Tennis Channel[Repeat]
    Saturday, September 7 9:30 pm - 3:30 am US Open (M), Semifinals Tennis Channel[Repeat]
    Sunday, September 8 6:30 am - 12:30 pm US Open (M), Semifinals Tennis Channel[Repeat]
    Sunday, September 8 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm US Open (MD), Final ESPN2[Live]
    Sunday, September 8 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm US Open W[Final (CBS)]
    Sunday, September 8 9:30 am - 1:30 pm US Open (W), Final Tennis Channel[Repeat]
    Monday, September 9 9:00 am - 5:00 pm US Open (M/W), Semifinal
    Monday, September 9 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm US Open (M), Final CBS[Live]
    Monday, September 9 9:00 pm - 3:00 am US Open (M), Final Tennis Channel[Repeat]

    Rem
    "For Reds fans, by Reds fans" Learn it, love it, live it.

  18. #30
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    Re: Tennis Thread

    Spent hours this week reading up on different string configurations as mine wasn't quite working for me anymore and it was time to get it restrung anyway. I was confident the one I chose would fit my particular game really well. Got it done today, then went and hit for a while. I could not believe how much difference it made. It was like butter....so smooth. I had much better feel and comfort, felt like I had more power, and even felt better control. It just really clicked with my game. I'm really excited about this. Getting the right equipment setup for your game can really change things. It was a bit on the expensive side, but hopefully will prove to be worth it.
    Grape works as a soda. Sort of as a gum. I wonder why it doesn't work as a pie. Grape pie? There's no grape pie. - Larry David

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