Of course, I lost 7-5, after being down 1-4, then got it to 3-4 and eventually 5-5, but my serve deserted me on the 5-5 game. That was pathetic. I double-faulted TWICE in that game. And since we're old men in our late 20s, we totally half-ass it on the 2nd service because well, it's stupid to beat yourself when you don't have to.
My backhand, is easily my bread and butter, a skill I mastered from my hundred's of hours playing ping pong. The scouting report on moi: 6' 4", 176 lb, lefthanded, quick range, long legs and arms, refuses to give up games, medium-fast overhand serve, cut-throat backhand and **gulp** absolutely dreadfully appalling forehand. My success rate of using the forehand is about an 1 in 10 standing. I couldn't believe my forehand was so awful, especially it being the stronger arm and all. Balls would either go straight down or straight up. Turns out after the manner of the fact, is I was simply gripping my racquet the wrong way on the forehand. Apparently I was supposed to grip the handle with my thumb resting up like a thumb's up; as opposed to my thumb's down grip which I use on my backhand.
So there you have it. The big man will be deemed unstoppable once the forehand is mastered. Of course, I've never been coached and everything I've done was what I saw on TV. Well this old body has to take a rest for a few days before I head back out there. The following is a short reference list:
- Wear shoes made for tennis
- Wear a pair of socks on each foot (trust me)
- Full jug of ice cold water
- Towel
- Change of clothes w/ another pair of socks
- Hat / sunglasses
- Sun screen (ow)
- Restring racquet after a few years
- Always have at least 6 balls of the same number
- Widen grip on racquet
- Handshake grip on the forehand
- Eat high carb meal before playing