Why play tennis?

Why play tennis? Parts 1 & 2 

A ladder match safely negotiated against Chris Dixon, a bouncy, fast moving player, of my age with an all court game. However, my play was boring and unsatisfying. While I was determined to win and not lose, I strangled my own attempts to be aggressive. An example being a short ball that could be spanked away, I wrestled over the net with far too much top spin, and no penetration in fear that I would ‘make a mistake’. Aaaaaah.

So after the match Chris agreed to my request that we play a couple more games. I resolved to hit through every forehand and backhand I got. My God !! The ball kept going in with an exhilarating amount of power and feel. This why I play tennis...to feel powerful! - Why do you play?

Why Play Tennis 2: Finding my true purpose on the court.

I decided to build on Part 1 in my next practice session, this time with Chazz. I resolved to hit through the ball as my default, instead of attempting aggressive top-spin every ball. From the word go Chazz had less time, and I felt more powerful, hitting through to a much better depth. My technique is good enough to automatically generate enough top most of the time. This was the most dynamic practice session I can remember, the purpose for both of us to hit through without fear. For me:

1.       Lower trajectory

2.       Relax and really let go as I hit through – especially on short balls

Daniel Coyle refers to starting to get something right as the beginning of a practice session. So this is the beginning.  

Rosewall or Ashe

In 1974, 21 year old Jimmy Connors took on the most elegant of players, 8 times grand slam winner Ken Rosewall (then aged 40), and dominated him in the Wimbledon final. Two years later Connors took on Arthur Ashe, then a mere 10 years his senior at 34, and this time the elder man triumphed in a tranquil display of flowing but determined tennis, never once letting Jimmy really get into his stride.

This was my challenge as I played 21 year old David England this evening. Against a very hard hitting 21 year old, could I find my own inner Arthur Ashe? My aim was to deny him rhythm and pace, but to stay positive, hit deep, vary the spin. With the expectation that I would have to work very hard. This worked well until 2-2 in the first set; he was out of sorts, making mistakes, and I felt absolutely in it. Then.......he hit his stride, and hit the ball 15% harder whilst cutting out most of his mistakes. I just couldn't live with his relentless hitting, lost my own depth and rhythm, and didn't win another game. He was just too good.

Reflections and learning?

• Youth will have its day. Especially when disciplined and skilled. 
• More practice against big hitters.
• Aim to regain some of the serving aggression and accuracy I had in the autumn. At the moment its accurate and relaxed, now to rebuild the zip.