r/10s

TLDR: how good are 5.0 players. so I’m a self rated 3.0 playing in my first official tennis ladder in souther California, SGV area. Before that played for two years, pick up games, doubles with some seniors, some rally partners. I can move n got a nice serve. So, today had a match with a 3.5 guy(54yo) I’m 44 years old. But man this dude was just moving my ball almost wherever he wanted. And every now and then would hit it short and flat and I would hit the ball long. Fun game. Not complaining. My question is how good are 5.0’s Would like to get to that level gotta work on my follow thru amongst other things. Just really scratching my head at how good people can be.

Last sunday I played a 60yo (I'm 35, very fit) in a club tournament and he just had an incredible FH and an impressive touch. Not very mobile, but those hands, wow.

I lost, 5-7 4-6, but it probably was the most fun I've ever had playing tennis.

There was some kind of rhythm between me and him that made the exchanges challenging but extremely pleasant.

I was completely in the zone, striking with pace, intent and direction. Sounds of the ball on the strings was great, very good first serve percentage.

He was just too good. We both enjoyed it so much we exchanged contacts so we can play again.

Does anybody else have a favourite loss?

Players like Roger Federer and others who could disguise their serve well could hit flat, spin, and kick serves with the same toss, or basically the same toss to the point where it’s extremely hard or impossible to tell what type of serve they will hit. How can you learn to do this?

Versed everyone's favorable archetype- the pusher. Hit heavy and was met with "blocks and lobs". Dropped the first three games and was getting tired. He didn't do much, just blocked back and waited for my error. It was usually 30/40 or game point.

Decided to switch up gears, and see where he didn't punish me. Didn't punish me on serve or short balls. So I said ok- decided to stop doing all first serves and do primarily second serves, dinks, or underhand serves.

Every rally was basically moving side to side with minimal pace, junk, loopy spin, heavy spin, lobs, with the occasional winner blasted. We are talking about ceiling high lobs/topspin that makes you run to the back fence to get a hand on it.

Won 6-3 6-0. Towards the end, he gave up and tried to hit balls with pace, but I responded with moonballs and the above, flat, junk, loopy, heavy, drop, over and over.

It was an ugly win, but I feel like this is really the only way to play pushers. You beat them by beating them at their own game.

TLDR: the title, looking for a good, not crazy expensive poly that is good all around and has decent playability duration.

I have started stringing racquets for myself and a couple of others and, as a small autumn tournament is about to start (lasts over a month or so) I want to market myself a little bit more, get some same day stringing going, etc. I don’t have the budget for several reels, I currently have a reel of sensation and Prince syngut, either of which I’ve been selling to lower level players. But, better players in the 5 or so and up range (everyone’s unranked and not very serious, playing once a week for 2-3 hrs, rating guess made by a friend who plays a utr league) might want something a little better. Do you have any recommendations that are as close as possible to one size fits all? I’ve tried mach10 and loved it, would a reel of that work? Good spin, good power, on the softer side for those new to polys. Lots of people currently use alu power, as that is the primary string sold by the old fella who does strings currently. However, people keep those strings in for months or even years, playing until it breaks, so that’s where the bar is. That said, I don’t think I could convince people to restring way more frequently than they do now, so playability duration is important. Suggestions would be great 🙏

Hi everyone,

Im in an extreme slump with my tennis and trying to see if anyone else had the same experience (or if its in my head?)

Recently diagnosed in February with adult ADHD which I'm medicated 30mg XR ritalin daily. Obviously it has improved my working days (which was previously my biggest stressor due to lack of productivity) but I feel it has impacted my tennis immensely. I play mostly in the evenings but note when I'm on court that my "killer instinct" and general physicality isnt there compared to before medication. Almost like I'm too chilled out or have used my mental bandwidth during the day whilst on meds.

Ive tried exploring other possibilities (i.e. just general bad days/weeks/diet/sleep) but its been 2 months and these factors havent changed.

The first round robin of the league Im in had me winning 9/10 matches but I'm at 3/10 in the second round, losing to people with a bagel and breadsticks scoreline who I comfortably beat first time.

Some of the good shots are still there but it feels more "you're bound to hit one in" rather than the aggressive consistency i used to have. The slump lines up exactly with the time period where I started medication.

Bit of a rant but also would be nice to hear other people's way of managing this? Im almost thinking of not taking my meds on match days.

For the past couple years, say 4 or 5, I have been in a slump. For some context, I'm a NTRP 4.5 in my late 30s, was even 5.0 for a bit. I'm in decent shape, I hit well when I practice, but I just don't know how to win matches. It feels like I just can't win matches anymore. I feel slow on the court, whether it's my thinking, speed, or reflexes. I used to win quite a bit, but I'm unsure what happened, I slowly stopped winning.

Nowadays, whenever I'm about to play a match, I think if I'm going to lose again and prove that I'm a bad player, to everyone and to myself, again. I know this puts too much pressure on myself. I understand that nobody cares and it's just a hobby, but I don't know how to actually make myself to not care. I want to win and know that all the time I have spent practicing is not for nothing, and prove that I'm a decent player.

Again, I KNOW that I should relax, not think about winning or losing, have fun, all that, but how do I actually do it? How do I get out of this long time slump?

Just joined a club with tennis facilities and realizing that I need new clothes. The club mandates all white clothes every day except Saturdays and tournaments.

Here’s the catch. I’m chesty and every tennis dress has the stupid shelf bra sewn into it. The twins will not fit into their assigned seats.

The problem is that the rest of me is a size small-medium, so if I size up just for the bra, I’m sitting in an XXL+. My bra situation is locked down, and there is no way a shelf bra would accommodate my chest.

I don’t want to cut it out either. I’m not a fine motor skill girlie.

Where are we buying dresses and tennis shirts without the silly little bra in them. Bonus points if they come in white. I can do racer back or regular.

Bonus points if the arm holes aren’t gigantic.

Hi everyone, I want to pick up on tennis again some years. Did a couple games recently with friends again and really loved it. Right now I'm using a super old racket that my parents had laying around but it's awful. I'm looking into getting my own new (or second hand) racket but I'm overwhelmed by all the choices.

I'm looking for a budget-friendly beginner/intermediate racket that can handle some power without losing control. I'm 193cm and physically strong if that is of any use!

What are your recommendations for my specific case?

Hey all,

I’m in the market for a tennis racket and have landed on these two. I’m in the demo program but it’s difficult to tell which feels better due to different strings on them. I really like the isometric head shape and for sure want a yonex.

A little about me: 29M athletic and weightlifter. I’m relatively a beginner but am picking up everything real fast (lessons, a solid tennis community, and lots of practicing).

I wanted to get others opinions and perspective on which might suit me better. I’ve done extensive researching on both. I don’t necessarily have a play style yet but am confident in learning or adapting to any. I enjoy the play of being aggressive at the baseline.

Let me know what your thoughts are!