I love watching you play. It reminds me of when I was a much younger lad playing tennis with my future father in law and his buddies. He was an upper level executive at Wilson Sporting Goods and intensely competitive. These “old guys”, which I am now one of them, had phenomenal touch. The angles, drop shots, and lobs they could hit were precise. I earned their respect on the court and ultimately when I ask for his approval to marry his daughter I think my time on court with him earned that approval! I just entered my first level 5 tournament. They didn’t have a 60-64 category so I entered the 4.5 level bracket. I’m ready to be humbled but view it as a learning experience. My first 60+ tourney will be in the fall. Thanks for so many lessons I learned from watching you play!
Thank You for watching and learning. Good luck in that M60's tourney. Remember that discipline leads to control...controls leads to confidence! Glad my play brings back good memories too!
@@MarkVines-SeniorTennisTraining So I competed in my first official USTA tennis tournament today as an old guy. They did not have any age categories. So I had to play to my skill level which is a 4.5. I got a bye in the first round and was able to scout out other 4.5 players that I might have to compete against. I kept asking myself where are the older dudes? Seemed like they were all young studs that hit hard and were in great shape. The guy I had to play this morning was 24, hit hard, fast as a cat, consistent, and a really nice guy. After he wore my ass out after just 3 games I knew I was in trouble. It didn’t take him long to whoop me 6-0 in the first set. I changed my strategy and frankly he lowered his intensity and I almost won the 2nd set but I was drained and couldn’t finish him off. I lost that set 7-5. I was totally drenched from sweating. I mean everything from hat, sweatbands, shirt, shorts, socks, were dripping wet. He barely broke a 😅 sweat. A humbling experience but a learning experience. My next tournament in the fall will have age categories. Clearly I can’t compete at the fitness level of a 20 or 30 year old. Drinking a glass of wine with my humble pie and icing my body now!
@@SummitSeeker546 Great effort and solid attitude toward playing someone so young. You will find that the NTRP system is not altogether fair. A 55 yr. old 4.5 NTRP can't compete vs a 25 yr. old 4.5 player...with very few exceptions. There are tournaments out there that have age divisions and then levels within those age categories. Once you finish your matches (all of them, every time) write down these three things: 1) what you did well 2) what were your weaknesses and 3) if you had to go play him again, what would you do differently? Keep that piece of paper for review later. Keep enough of them and you'll start to see patterns on how you win and lose matches. GOOD LUCK!
I am flattered that you want to learn things "old school"! I am sure guys your age don't play anything like what you are attempting. If you ever need help, just email me at MEVTENNIS@hotmail.com Also, I have an email blast send out about every 6-7 weeks with more tips, etc. Email me to get on my list to send out. Thanks
I saw Vines got hurt and withdrew last week at level 1 nationals at Minnesota. He exerts a ton of energy which may mean more susceptible to sprains. I'm as athletic as Vines but was injured for past few months so 8 completely understand. Likely about 40% of matches end in withdrawal due to injury,etc as cramping and other issues occur much easier to us old guys. I'm 63 in a couple months.
@@RobertMoylan In Minn. I pulled my high hamstring at the butt insertion for the 3rd time in 10 yrs. I've never had cramps on the court in my life. So, as long as stay injury free the chances of me winning are fairly high. I do hit with high efficiency and try not to expend more energy than my opponent... which is a key to winning (especially the longer matches). Hope you are back on the courts soon!
@@MarkVines-SeniorTennisTraining Thanks 👍 for sharing Mark. You remind me of Rod Laver out there. Great control of the whole mind body thing. I've watched most of all the elite senior tennis players and I find it remarkable to see the continued passion for a beautiful game. I will hopefully be playing the 65 group in 15 months. I struggle with shoulder and hip injuries. Trying to embrace the bad and do more stretching and use copper fit too. Keep up the great work 🥇
Yeah, sometimes I have to let go. My expectations of myself are high. However, sometimes I have low energy and focus, so getting a bit pissed is a way to get off my ass and force myself to perform at a higher level. Not proud of it, but bottling up emotions for too long will cause total implosion. I don't teach getting mad, but turning that energy into more focus or energy. Good Luck!
