Real Tennis Players - Like You! - Asking For, and Offering, Advice on the Sport They Love
Player to Player is USTA.com’s regular feature in which everyday tennis players are given a forum to ask advice on the sport they love – and their fellow players will dish out advice. We’ll post a number of the best responses we receive to our question of the week.
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Player to Player:
This week's question from Michael:
I am pretty new to coaching and struggle with teaching the correct grips. I would like to know how to easily learn the grips and when to use and when not to use certain grips. I don't want to mess with anyone's grip without knowing more. Any advice would be appreciated.
Please share your thoughts by e-mailing Player@USTA.com and include your name and hometown.
Got a question of your own? Send that along, too!
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READ OTHER PLAYERS' ADVICE
Last week's question from Brian
(Please note: There's no need to send additional responses to this question)
I am returning to tennis after being away for a while, and I find myself hitting anywhere from 3.5 to 4.0 based on NTRP definitions. I want to get better and return to a consistent and stronger level of play that I once had. I enjoy the competition, so I want to enter the tournaments again, but would it be better to play NTRP matches or the age bracket (in my case – Men’s 35)? I don’t mind losing if the age brackets are tougher and if it means I will improve. Suggestions?
Player Responses:
From Michael, Huron, S.D.:
I know exactly where you are coming from. I play anywhere from 4.0 to 4.5, depending on how hard I work and what I do during the offseason. I would actually recommend playing your skill level (3.5's or 4.0's) vs. your age, at least to start out. The 35's are one of the toughest age brackets to compete in! Instead, I would do a few things outside of tourneys to improve.
I play in a couple leagues that are very competitive during the summer and a doubles league during the winter to help play year-round as much as possible. Playing year-round will improve your game the fastest. When our small town got an indoor facility, my game went from 4.0 to 4.5 instantly!!! I want to peak for tournaments, so I play the most competitive league possible. Play a variety of people with different game styles, i.e., big servers, serve and volleyers, baseliners, hard hitters, pushers, etc.
The last thing I do to build up endurance is to push myself hard during practice. Run every ball down. I sometimes have a hitting partner move me around, and I try to return everything. Jogging is also good, and scheduling back-to-back matches with friends or opponents will help simulate a tournament format. I hope some of this helps!
From Rich, Dillwyn, Va.:
Brian's is the identical situation I faced when I returned to the sport three years ago after a 17-year break. The major difference was that I was 60 years old! My choices were to play against players with similar skill levels (3.5 NTRP) but who were (as it turned out) 25 years younger than me, or to play with "kids my own age" who play at the 4.0-4.5 level.
The first year back I played four tournaments -- one age division and three NTRP tournaments. Based upon my tournament results, I developed a five-year plan whereby I would exclusively play NTRP-level tournaments in order to get my game up to the 4.0 level, with the goal of playing competitively in Men's Age 65 singles two years from now. The acceptable trade off (for me) was that for the time being, I would be playing younger players with much better court mobility.
Since Brian is 35 or so, his competition in playing age division tournaments will be much tougher (4.5 - 5.0 level players). I would recommend that Brian start off by playing NTRP tournaments at the 3.5 level. If he finds out that he's winning handily at the 3.5 level, then he should move up (or get bumped up by the USTA) to the 4.0 level for the next season, and so on. I would play age division singles only after I felt confident that I could hang in there at that level.
From Coach Poppie, Palm Bay, Fla.:
Brian, while at Nick Bollettieri's a very long time ago, it was made very apparent that on any day in tennis there will be players you will always beat, players you'll play even with and players on your best day you can never beat. The NTRP is a guideline. In most cases, player skills will vary greatly, to say the least.
Try this before hitting the over-35 tournament trail: Find the USTA Team Tennis organization nearest you, and sign up as a 3.5 adult. Then you will start hitting with folks who also think they are at your level or choose to sandbag for the short term. Once you start playing regularly, you will find your place. You beat everybody on your team and in your league, and the USTA will move you up.
While playing team tennis, keep track of your results against men over 35. This will be a beginning checks and balances before hitting the 35 tournament trail. You see, playing age groups, you are opening yourself for perhaps some very unpleasant tennis. Guys that play at that level are playing to win, not to practice and get better. They work out and train on a regular basis and, in general, are true players. When a 3.5 /4.0 player gets matched up with an experienced player at this level, it's like giving him a bye.
Play team tennis. You will have more fun and make long-lasting tennis buddies whom you will be able to practice and compete with. Remember, after your team is top dogs in your area, you'll play other top teams until you reach the championship. Then you'll start again at the next level and try it again.
In closing, Brian, after a season in team tennis, you will be miles ahead and have current experience to set your compass by.
From Coach Leonard, Concord, Calif.:
Being a 3.5 to 4.0 player, I recommend playing NTRP tournaments. You can either play 3.5 for confidence or 4.0 to get tougher.
Playing the 35 age group can be frustrating for a 3.5 to 4.0 player. In fact, I know players in their 40s and 50s who are 4.5 to open level. Other than specific age, age-group tournaments do not have restrictions on NTRP ratings. At 35s, expect former college players, teaching pros and formerly ranked juniors.
A good option to consider is USTA League and Flex League play. With USTA League, you'll have a team to practice and compete with. Flex League is similar to tournaments but keeps opponents local and is all year round.
Be sure to put tennis instruction among your priorities. Remember, like a map, sometimes it takes getting right directions to get you to your destination.
From David, Jacksonville, Fla.:
I believe you need to play at your rating level rather than age level. Your goal should be to compete against those with commensurate experience. Glad you decided to start playing again.
From Robert, Honolulu:
Generally, strong 35s senior men players are higher ranked than a 4.0 NTRP. They could be anywhere from 4.0 to 6.0, depending on how tough your city, state, section and region are.
Maybe it would do you good to enter both 35s and a couple of 4.0 or 4.5 events and compare them after having played them. You might do an NTRP or two to try to work on some things, then take your "A" game to the Senior 35s.
Good luck, and have good, competitive fun.
From Eric, Santa Rosa, Calif.:
There is an old adage, "Play up, to go up." Find the best players who will consent to play often and do it.
You have a game that needs reawakening. Likely your body also could need some conditioning work. So do alternate workouts. One day, gym work on pulleys to replicate the exact range of motion of forehands, backhands, serves. Cardio work another day and lower-body squats, hamstrings, leg extensions and calf work on a third. Three days of specific workouts will do wonders to give you the stamina and strength to get better quicker.
Stretch after your muscles have been warmed. Many people irritate tendons by too vigorous stretching before their muscles have been given time to get the blood circulating.
The 35-and-over tourneys have always, in my experience, been consistently a tougher and better level of play than just 3.5-4.0 tourneys or leagues. That is your goal. It is not for prep work. Unless you just wanted a barometer reading of where your game needs work, it might be better to spend that entry fee on a lesson or two to tune up. Enjoy the journey.