NTRP 5.0 Men's Singles - Andrew vs Juan-Camilo Gamboa (Former ATP Tour Player) 

ah yes, we can be friends! appreciate the kind words!

Baseline to baseline for the most part, not difficult to do. Serve and volley is most complex. Sweeping from low to high forehand is more of a beginner tennis swing. The women's game is the same baseline rallying, most 12-14 juniors hit the same. Foot faulting occurs too much. Modern tennis is more bash from the baseline and hope for a miss hit, lobs are not working very well. Its not the fault of the player, they are unfamiliar with real tennis players, they can keep a rally, but this is not real tennis, try watching late 70's and 80's serve and volleyer, McEnroe, Edberg, Borg.

Pretty ridiculous comment, players today are not even comparable to players of the 70's. The game has grown immensely in level to say that players today don't play real tennis is absurd no one in the top 100 today would even loose more than 3 or 4 games to anyone from the 70's. They are superior ball strikers, movers and in any aspect of the game. But hey keep using "real tennis" as an excuse...

@@TimTheMusicMan I guess Djokovic and Nadal don't play "real tennis"? How often does even Federer serve and volley? If McEnroe and Edberg were in their prime and playing with modern equipment, they would still get DEMOLISHED by Djokovic and Federer. Talk about one-trick ponies; those guys basically S&V'ed 90% of the time and had almost comically bad groundstrokes. There is a reason why no one S&V's anymore: because it doesn't work at the highest level. If it worked and was the most effective way to play, don't you think the pros would adopt that style of play? NBA players don't shoot 3s because it is the "most complex", but because it is the most effective winning strategy if one has the skill to execute it.

Annnnd you don't know tennis. Who rated these goofy players 5.0, a blind man? They're 3.0 at best. Waht a joke.

clay?? I was wondering what kind of surface is that, but come on, its not clay

​@@bilsonFPV It looks like it might be har-tru, which is a specific company that makes clay courts. It's also called green clay, and it IS different from red clay, it's made from (according to wikipedia) crushed metabasalt instead of crushed brick for red clay courts. I've probably played on clay courts less than 200 times, so I'm definitely not an expert, but as a non-aficionado, I enjoy both types of clay pretty similarly. Maybe I'd say I like red clay more, but that probably has more to do with it looking like the french open and whatnot than how it actually plays. Like the speed and bounce height are very similar, but if I remember correctly sliding is a little different. I think red clay slides a little more. But if you don't play on clay everyday as your default surface, red and green clay are going to seem pretty damn similar to you. Basically, I'm just trying to provide some information to say that it's kind of weird to be an elitist about clay.

I appreciate your support brother!

appreciate it homie! yea I'd say he was dictating from all angles haha

You can tell his level at the way he effortlessly whips his forehand. Doesn't give you much time to center and get ready.

Won at least one 10K Futures tournament in doubles.

He was a great opponent, I think he could still hang in ATP if there were more money in it for where he was. The prize money if your not winning big tournaments is a joke, not everybody can live out of a van.

He's good, but would probably struggle now to get out of the qualies in a 10K. The prize money really does suck, that's why the Salisbury Tournament draws a few world-ranked players now. Winners get nearly the same money for winning a 50K Challenger with a much easier draw.

that I know he played in a final, and in that tournament he was playing with a top-80 ATP player (Hadad), just to put it into perspective...

Say career high of 910. Looks like he mostly lost in the qualies of Futures. Never played any ATP events. A really good player. But if 910 was his best in his early 20's, not reason to think he would do even better today in his early 40's. He would struggle to win more than 2 rounds in some open tournaments in So Cal, which isn't a put down. It's just to say that even a really good player like this... man, there are levels to this tennis game.

He was great, I tried haha, thanks!

He was the best I've played yet. Nobody has had an easier time dropping me like that because I was so worried about his hard deep shot. As the match progressed I was getting more comfortable I need to try to find players to play matches against on his level consistently, it would do a lot for me.

Andrew, what racquet do you use by the way, and what string and tension? I noticed in earlier videos, you were playing with a yellow Babolat, now you've switched?

Indeed, since I was a 3.5 in 2008 I had been using the Babolat Pure Drive Tour Plus (that's extended 1/2 inch). I decided to play around with other racquets and I really like the Pure Aero (the yellow one) so I used that for half a year or so. It had a bit more control but less power, and ended up making my wrists a bit more sore than normal, so I switched back to the Pure Drive Tour Plus. For sting I'm using Volkl Cyclone Tour 17 Anthracite and it feels good. It's similar to RPM Blast but cheaper. I think I could get used to pretty much any racquet if I wanted to, I think ultimately injury prevention is the key and certain racquets work more naturally with swing types for certain people. The weight balance of the Pure Drive Tour Plus works really well with my swing.

Ah okay, very cool! So the 100 sq. in. head size works for you? I'm assuming you like the larger sweet spot? And I'll give the string a try, I used to run RPM, but it got too expensive as I was breaking a string every two weeks. What tension range would you recommend on the Cyclone Tour 17?

Yea, I can't tell a difference in sq. in., mainly the balance. I just get the normal range it recommends like 55'ish.

Certainly could be rated either. I think he could handle the 5.5. rated guy I played with no problem. My first serve he was not able to put me on the backfoot, but he was punishing the fact that I was not getting my first serve in frequently enough. The points where he was crushing my serve back was mostly second serves I was not having a great serving night.

He was actually rated 5.5 when he first arrived in Richmond, he was bumped down to 5.0 for some reason. Had solid results all the way to 5.0+ Nationals.

serve wise, i think starting more sideways and coiling more, twisted back and tilted back more would load up your kinetic chain to then untwist and tilt forward adding more "juice", spin and speed, to your serve. allowing you to hit it more powerfully with less effort. This worked well developing a solid and consistent second serve for a student of mine. and now he uses his second serve as a first serve more.

Wtf? I'm astounded every time I see someone write this bs. 5.5 more like 3.0 or 3.5. Sorry 5.0 players do not hit floaters, do not slice into the net on easy shots. Hit right back down the middle when they're 3 other shot selections. Damn I need to be rated by whatever dumbass rated you 5.0. what a fn joke.

Crf 271 lol crf you a bit salty. Please show us a video of you playing

Larry Cleveland, RDN, LD, LMT this is common... nearly every amateur player is pretty shocked when seeing himself on a recording. There is a huge gap between what we think we are doing and what we are actually doing

ducockk thanks I'll try it out in practice tomorrow.

I tred lightly on giving advice up the food chain, but I would agree with cockk: I have gotten some easy gains in speed and maintained consistency on serve with more "coil " at the toss (closing my back hip and rolling my serve shoulder back), then opening the back hip up (forward) when going up for the ball. Im 5'8" and I find this helps me explode to the ball better as well and makes my cut and kick a little heavier than usual. You have a pretty live shoulder and you get up for the ball, so it should be nice. Really enjoy your videos. Thanks bud, keep chopping

Good question. I think tennis (if you are somewhat close in level) is really mental so you have to try to place some doubt in your opponents mind. If they are 100% confident and certain of every shot you have no hope. You have to try to find any tiny weakness or set some doubt in their mind even if they are technically better. This guy had no easy weakness he was good from both sides and at the net. My hope was to make him hit as many balls as possible and keep steady pressure to force him to overhit and set a seed of doubt. There was a key moment he missed an easy overhead in the second set at the end of a long point which threw him for a few games, that was my chance but it was too late in the match. I very rarely hit with people on his level (he's close to 5.5 if not really) so it took most of the match to start seeing his shots clearly. He's a very solid opponent.

iRacer3 it's funny how you can watch the match and pick out different things, but when you're playing it's much more difficult to catch and react. He was definitely an all around solid player. He wasn't hitting winners at the net, or on his backhand. He had an awesome forehand when the balls were waist high, so I would have attacked his backhand more, and made him hit forehands head high.

Romeo Cal yes thanks need to inject more of those , confidence is required to tee on it will take time but I'll get it

your best assets are speed and stamina and decision to predominantly play on clay. you've oriented your game to take advantage of that - smart. your vulnerable: short shots and serving. the OP moved you around to setup a short ball (and sometimes he missed the short ball into the net. and he was gentle with you). you are losing power in your serve because you are allowing your right leg/hip and shoulders to rotate toward the net before impact (that "opening" bleeds power which could be used for greater ball speed or spin). hit up and out/away (clockwise) to put more spin on your serve. become more offensive and less pushy by not getting as deep behind the baseline when rallying (you are good enough now to not need that crutch). your wheels are awesome! your forehand is NICE: you could go for a bit more juice with it.

appreciate it, I'm currently having a leg issue preventing me from playing which is why I haven't posted anything lately. Once I am better I am open to friendly matches.

ok, cool...when you're healthy, hit me up.....take care....

Looks like my sweet Georgia

I dont think Gamboa has the level anymore to qualify to a futures and win a match on the main draw, there are too many strong players now playing qualies, but he scored a couple of ATP points back in 1997, although he was more losing on futures than winning (record: 2-8, when he was 19 years old). But if he plays on qualies I think he would lose now 61 62 or 62 62.

Running can get you to the top of the club game, in my experience.

Kevin Funk players ranked from 900-1000 are still really reaaaaaally good

🧐 Yeah, those forehands are strong and backup the 5.0 rating.. But both player's backhands are considerably weak. Two handed and can't do much with angles on the backhand strokes, making these guys look more like 4.0 to me. 🤔

@@TampaGigWorker You are delusional if you think this is 4.0. You're probably a 4.0 who thinks they play like this when you're actually averaging 2 DFs per service game

@MrPatrickbuit okay love you bro. I'm not allowed to say what I wanna see without being banned. So I love you

Jimd317 check out the description

Jimd317 thanks!

The ratings are so bogus. It seems people either say a person is 5.0 or less if they are not hitting like top pros, or 7.0 tour pros. Between 5.0 and 7.0 isn’t recognized much, but is a gap where skill can vary greatly. Too many people judging a persons rating too critical and harshly. 4.5 is like a club player, and 5.0 is supposed to be a player that is beginning to grasp a “players” game. Nowadays I see people commenting on players that are clearly 5.0 and above, but claiming they are only 3.5’s. Too much scrutiny.

appreciate it! might take some trail and error with the camera and settings at first, so be patient there. The editing takes some time, I use gopro studio and sony vegas for currently. All my gear is linked in the descriptions of the videos so you can try the gear and settings I'm using, but if money is not an option there is always better camera gear. I think it's great that other people have the same passion for sports as I do and I enjoy discussing it with people on the youtube platform.

iRacer3 for sure man. I think it’s great as well. Gotta keep growing the sport. Take it easy

Appreciate it, cheers!

What's up dude! Everybody's swing is going to be a bit different depending on their physiology so don't stress too much on making it look a particular way. A lot of the hitting a good shot is the preparation before the ball gets to you and making sure your body/feet are where they need to be. You want to have a good split step right when your opponent is hitting the ball and get to where you need to be with your racket back in plenty of time and your momentum ready to push forward through the ball. Then for me on the forehand, I am swinging from low to high with a closed grip (my racket facing towards the ground on contact) so that I can generate some spin to get plenty of height over the net with medium pace for consistency. It is also important to remember to swing through the ball for the most part, sometimes if you get tight you start doing abbreviated swings and not fully following through and you don't want that. On my forehand if I have plenty of time I like stepping in with my left foot to give a little more angle and drive cross court, if I am short on time an open stance is sufficient.

That is very helpful. Thanks for your detailed reply. I'll work on the parts i'm not doing so well. Especially with my stiffnes. Good luck in your next match, and thank you again!

It bounced pretty short though

Virginia

okay. I'm located in Va beach. I was just wondering if you ever played a tournament at the Virginia beach tennis country club.

I've been there to watch a friend but never played there, place is nice!

Yea we have a pretty good tennis community out here. If you're ever in the area we would love to play you.

Watch big husky tennis please

Xiao Jack Virginia. Any time man!

Ah my bad usually I only have the same 5 viewers watching this who recognize me haha, I am the dude in yellow.

Great match, good pace and consistency. Is there a way to put ur cam a bit up in future matches?

You have more than 5 viewers :D

i mean urs is pretty darn good as well :)

i guess young players they just have to listen federer how hard can that be

the ATP player was born in 1978, not exactly what I classify as 'young.' As for the taking it easy, did you do anymore than read the title? In case you didn't, there was zero 'taking it easy' during the points in the video.

5 10

And how old are you? I ask because I turned 34 this year and would rate myself around the 3.5 level (borderline 4.0). I read a comment somewhere saying that you started in 2008 as a 3.5. I really want to improve and curious to know how long it could possibly take me to reach the 5.0 level if I played/trained three to four times a week.

Hey Christian I'm 31, as for improving I think there are a few things that will help. 1. Focus on improving technique. Don't spend loads of time perfecting bad form if possible. You can learn a lot online and also talk to a pro if you know one. 2. Play against players that are better than you. That will push you to get better. 3. If you are playing weaker players, swing out on them and try harder shots that would help you improve that are more risky since the match will be easy anyways. Don't just play safe 100% of the time if you have a leg up on your opponent.

Thanks so much for responding Andrew... I'm really inspired by how far you've gotten... only found your channel yesterday... you've gained a new sub. And I appreciate the advice.

any time man cheers!