USTA 7.0 My Tennis HQ vs. USTA 4.5 Winston | Singles Tennis Set with Karue Sell (ATP  

Pleasure to meet you, Winston! We’ll link up again

I'm a 50 year old 4.0 player, but I regularly hit with a former 6.0 division I college player still in his 20s. When I first started playing with him, he constantly hit winners on me and we rarely had rallies longer than 4 shots. I kind of played like you in that I hit with a lot of topspin and the ball landed safely in the court with a lot of margin. It worked against players my own level, but it clearly wasn't working against someone far above me. I changed my game drastically in order to keep up with him. I started staying very close to the baseline and refused to get pushed back. That required me to learn how to hit the ball well on the rise. It took time away from him because if he had time, I was toast. I learned how to hit the ball deeper, even with heavy topspin. That reduced his ability to attack my shots. I made use of redirection a lot. He provided so much power, it didn't take much for me to change the direction of the ball with a short backswing and get him moving around the court. Lastly, I learned to flatten out my shots when the time was right. If you constantly use loopy topspin, it's really hard to hit winners or force errors against high level players, even if you are hitting the sidelines. Driving the ball at the right time can either produce winners or put them on their heels. It's not my natural shot, but it's something I had to develop. All of these changes went a long way to making him less comfortable and allowing me to dictate points way more often than before. Even though he's still the better player, things are way less lopsided now, and he definitely noticed. I think those adjustments would help against the high level players you play against. You're a higher rating than I am, so it should be well within your abilities.

I love how he stopped mid-game to give you advice on how to return serves, Karue is defo goated!

Karue’s technique is just so beautiful. Watching him you instantly see that he used to be a pro.

Karue looked like he was walking around the court during the points. So smooth it’s almost unfair.

On RU-vid you have Tennis instructors who can not hit a top spin backhand and giving instructions on how to hit a backhand. Karue is the real deal. Great player but also excellent on explaining the correct technigue and how to take your game to a higher level

As a high school player it’s so nice to watch high level tennis content like this. Karue is the definition of a goated tennis tuber and tennis player!

It was really cool to see the difference in pace. When I watch videos of Karue vs Marcos Giron, they are unfazed by the pace and its deceiving to the viewer just how fast balls are because they have good footwork and good at anticipating. This video you can clearly see the difference in the quality/pace of balls between pro and club level. Many of Winston's shots were defensive as he was fighting to stay alive.

Man you can see how much work and skill Karue put into refining his game. Every stroke and serve seemed like he was putting in 80% of his game. Looked pretty effortless. Reminded me of how my friend (who played on the Futures and pre at events) hit. So smooth and skillful! Winston you definitely held your own, keep going and you'll continue to get better bro!

Very nice of you putting Karue on the camera side. Pros move so efficiently even when you make good shots

Very cool of Karue to do this, and great playing considering the circumstances Winston. Why does even the sound of the racket hitting the ball have to be so much better from great players!?

it's an eye opener that at this high level of strokes, alot of them are still very safe shots, no crazy angles or down the line shots that are too risky.

the best match ive ever seen involved in rec player so far on youtube. you managed to bring your best tennis but karue is just too good. bravo

a very good rec player vs a tour lvl player. I really appreciate you made this happen.

Karue is an ATP/WTA Practice and hitting partner, & makes his living getting high-quality balls back! No way you/any of us are going to out-consistency him! He said it at the end, get balls back and the opponent will start going for broke out of frustration. Great video!

The rally ending at 8:45 is the best I've ever seen you play!

This is awesome! We need more collabs from different tennis influencers

The consistency of Karue is insane, so efortless putting the ball wherever he wants

Hi Winston, I’m so proud of you for putting this out there and for the effort you showed on the court. This was some high quality hitting by you and even when you were down, you didn’t resort to desperation tactics. The set point was epic and you should bottle that point construction up and use it for all your matches. My scouting advice for playing Karue: don’t hit the ball to his forehand or backhand. 😂

Fun and informative video with great concepts. I know Karue Sell as I had chaired his match where he won the $25k Heritage Banks Tennis Championships in Moraga, CA. He played exactly how he described. The same ideas he shared he used to defeat his opponents. Plus, if I am correct - he is Brasilero!! Good match.

First five seconds of watching and seeing Karue's form and positioning "oh s***, poor Winston." I love his economy of motion, so clean and efficient.

This is the colab we didn’t know we needed. I’m excited to watch this on my lunch break.

It's cute how he's moving his feet, shuffling slowly, hitting at about 50% pace. I could see this guy going beast mode during a real ATP game.

Despite what the score says, there were a lot of impressive rallies. Good job. I know I would be completely steamrolled 40-love every game by a pro-level player.

This is awesome.

Dude what the heck!? I clicked to see the 7.0 then was like Wait, Karue??? Geez looking forward to it. Thanks for doing it!

Hi, Winston's comment was spot on. I think the pressure comes from being out of your comfort zone. As a recreational player, it is very hard to improve and get comfortable unless one plays with advanced players more constantly. It would be nice if you both could consistently play/hit for 1-2 months and record a set again. I feel that Winston would feel more comfortable and be a more interesting match. Thanks!

Just watched Karue’s video from the other side of the court-his commentary is so on point, and the sit-down talk at the end was sharp. You hit a really nice ball when you guys played (that last point was a banger); it’s always an eye-opening experience to be across the net from a extremely high-level player. Thanks for your videos, Winston and Karue!

Karue technique is so solid that you can just tell every shot is going in. The ball always hits the sweet spot

Karue is poetry in motion.

That last rally was epic.

@0:27 as soon as you said trying to hit to his backhand, I died laughing 💀😂 I know karue was trying his best to keep a straight face 🤣

the humility of these players is amazing.

Thanks for posting this play. After watching it I believe it’s all about the return game.

Beautiful courts. 🌴☀️ Also have to note that was an amazing point to end this set on. Had a number of great rallies where you were able to hang with Karue for a bit. Awesome you two were able to network and link up. Was an interesting watch even despite the skill gap and wonderful advice from Karue.

Karue making the rounds with collabs, first tennis brothers and now Winston. Good to see. thanks for vid.

Thank you for posting! I was a 4.0 until 2008, and then took a long break lol

Karue rocks!! way too smooth for against amateur, I enjoyed watching this thanks to both for sharing. The set point was 29 shots rally. Awesome. more power to your channel also to MY Tennis HQ.👏👏👏

The end of match comments are very very insightful. Thanks.

Great job Winston to get Karue on your video. Very generous of him to appear. I'm also a subscriber of Karue's channel, he has many great contents there as well. Thank you both. 👍👏

This illustrates how a player of that level moves so well, and does not crush every ball. Good stuff....keep 'em coming!

Massive Respect Winston! I have seen a few of your videos and now have subscribed. Karue is tremendous and a really nice guy. Thanks for sharing this.

Hehe, yeah... Karue's backhand is his go-to shot. This was a great collab! Love the sharing of thoughts at the end. Big fan of both of your channels.

Winston, Karue, so dope you guys are supporting each other’s channels! Really neat to see how a pretty strong 4.5 player stands against a pro. Keep up the fun content Winston 🤘🏽

Wow!!! Two of me favorite tennis RU-vid guys duking it out! Kudos to Wilson for accepting this challenge.

Big respect to both of you, whenever I play a higher level player I always aim to take something from their game into mine. Thank you for th content homie.

Karue is a pro level player, who doesn't want to go the pro circuit threadmill. He is silky smooth, and smart strategically. Also articulate and willing to share his wisdom comprehensively. Content worth watching for all of us. Do more of like equipment reviews and sorts and casual games with known pros, former greats and current likeable pros and you could be the rick shiels of tennis, growing huge fan base.

Taking on somebody out of your league like this is one of the best ways to learn. Looked fun.

I love both your attitudes throughout the video, real insightful. Subscribed to both

Wow! Two of my fave tennis tubers in action! 🤩

You should totally play Mason Tran! Most of your video's are at the Racquet Club of Irvine and I believe he trains there so it would be fun to see you or anyone else play him there!

Last rally was amazing, great set Winston

It's really special when you get to play someone of his level. I remember when I first started playing tennis I got to hit with a girl who was ex pro and reached high 400's in the world. It was eye opening how good she was. Karue gave you great advice on the return serve.

Holy fg. This is the most epic vid here so far.

EPIC! The RU-vid tennis crossover we needed!! Can you get Karue to play a set vs. Coach Chase?

Good match Winston, you had some nice rallies going there. All the best with your channel.

Great collab fellas. Kudos to Winston putting himself out there and coming out with valuable learning gems for himself and all of us watching. Karue - depth + footwork + one purty looking dub backhand. Go Bruins. 🔥🔥🔥

Winston you had some great rallies! Great content and Karue is very good sport thanks for doing this.

I agree with Karue that consistency and footwork is the key when you are playing a player at higher level. Karue has a very polished game and has world class talent 👏! It was quite enjoyable to watch!

Hi Winston! Thanks a lot for this video! I love seeing RU-vidr facing each other. I have 2 ideas for videos: - have Karue facing any of the coaches you usually hit with - try to organize a small tournament among RU-vidrs. You could even invite your subscribers maybe

Winston played great. Karue is from another planet! I usually watch his groundstrokes before i have a match. his smoothness is amazing!

It is very nice to see side by side how a world class player is different from a top a recreational player. Especially, it was a pleasant surprise to see Karue who is one of my favorites here!

very impressive performance Wiston, staying on this kind of rallies against such a good player is very hard.. especially your forehand looks super solid

I thought you did extremely well in the groundstroke exchanges. Some very long rallies there. Karue wasn't trying too hard, going cross court with depth but you kept up with him. Eventually though the consistency broke the deal, and of course the serve was a major difference too.

He's hitting every ball right back to him. Very courteous.

Such a great video! It is so true that no matter the separation in rating the lower player always tries to do too much! I can tell you thatI am guilty of it for sure! I also loved the video because I think some of us wonder what it would feel like to play a pro! Well Winston, thanks for taking that one for us! Not in a hurry to try it!!

Karue looks just so chill the whole match. This is a great video

8:05>8:45 now that’s a rally! Superb tennis guys

Thanks for posting this! You really get a sense for the gap between Pros and a high quality club player.

Winston is the glue that brings the RU-vid tennis world together. Winston “Da Glue” Du.

Great stuff guys. Karue, appreciate this alot. Winston what a great experience for you.

What a pleasure to watch someone simply prepare early and hit the ball in front of them. He was always in control of his body. No over-swinging, slappy forehands, no running around backhands- just simple movement and very clean, deep, consistant strokes. Winston, I disagree with your assessment of yourself. I don't think you made more errors today. I think this was maybe the best I've seen you play. He was hitting to keep you in points and you responded very well. You should feel good about how you played. He's just way better and hit the ball deeper in the court and could ground it out longer than you. And, of course, he did what one is supposed to do with a serve by starting the point the way he wanted. He dictated you return. It was a pleasure watching him play the physical chess game which is tennis.

what an incredible place to play. gorgeous and 0 wind

What a rally @ 8:06! It was awesome seeing you getting used to the pace of the rally as the match progressed. I am sure you had a blast!

wow my two favorite tennis youtubers colab

Well said both, I enjoyed. TY much love

Beautiful set... Wonderful to watch for any club level player... Karue was spot on regarding the 'self imposed pressure' and importance of playing without the pressure... I think that just happened at the very last point with a 27 shot rally and finishing off with a winner. Great lesson to learn from this video. Kudos to both players... 😊👍🏽👍🏽👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

Epic. Love Karue. Awesome Winston! Cheers! MM

Great vid !!! Love both channels. Way to hang in there Winston. Thanks for putting this together 👍

Karue Sell is 1 of the coolest names I’ve ever seen. And a decent person as well.

What stands out to me first off is the relaxation in his strokes. (I appreciate the stakes are low, and that Karue might be more tense during an actual tournament). Then, of course, the serve. Super interesting to see that you were able to have a couple of decent rallies with him though. I'm somewhere around 4.5/5 level, thought that I'd have no chance in winning more than a point against an ex-pro, and that each rally would be 2/3 shots max. Thanks for the video!

Great content. Cool to see the footwork & movement patterns of Karue. He hit almost every ball out in front of him and moved to the ball so smoothly.

So much gratitude for this great content.

After a few videos, i subscribed to your channel today. Keep them good videos coming.

Just love the sound of the pop from Karue...

Really enjoyed this one, thanks gents!

Awesome! More video against people of this lvl please. It is fascinating the difference

Fascinating video....thanks for doing this! I think it's so intriguing to see matchups of significantly different styles and skill. Like a 12 y/o ranked stud vs a 45 y/o 4.5 pusher...or a highly ranked woman against a less skilled but maybe stronger/faster man. Nice stuff!

That's actually very nice to dispel some of the fear we have when playing someone even slightly better.

Karue's hittings are SOLID.

This was fun to watch Winston. Your opponent's split step was so on the point. Fantastic play.

This is awesome, thanks Winston and Karue.

Karue loves his backhand, so I was surprised to hear that your strat was to hit to his backhand 😂

Damn, Karue is a 7.0? God damn. Great crossover content. Love it.

Great video, really showcases the difference between pro and rec

I have not seen your YT channel is about a year but this is the best I have ever seen you play. I know the score says you got your butt kicked, but you rallied well. This was enjoyable to watch. The only minor criticism I have is that if you two had exchanged sides as is normal, it would have been interesting to see how Karues' shots look coming in, instead of just seeing them hit away. Overall, good job, Winston.

nooo way, props karue for doing this

Dude its so cool to see where you channel started and where it is now! keep it up!

Thank you! Great demonstration. Would be great to see it from the other end of the court - 4.5’s perspective. Great concept. Please make another video.

The last point was very good.