The Spring weather finally broke through and this past weekend was all about sun and 70 degree weather. I played Jack on Friday and then again on Sunday. On Saturday it was all family time for me.
I can’t explain the joy of playing in warm outdoor weather. It feels so different and natural.
Both sessions had similar outcome and for most part played out similarly. On Friday I won 6-3 and 6-2. My serve is yet to heat up and I barely got ball into play. What kept me going were the passing shots. JC tried to approach the net on few occasions and I managed to hit some good passing shots. Honestly I was surprised by some of those shots myself because they aren’t that easy to execute. There were lots of service breaks and it all boiled down to who can hold their serve. The second set was trickier as we had some wind factor. I tried to use wind to my advantage and I managed to pull through the set 6-2.
The score board doesn’t always tell the real story. JC was playing very well for the first few games and his vastly improved ground strokes were dictating the play. I had to change my game plan and made a tactical adjustment and the move immediately paid off.
On Sunday it was windy from the start though it went for worse as the match progressed. My serve is a little better though the wind didn’t help me. One side of the court , it is almost unplayable. Any amount of power or if you slightly float the ball, wind carries the ball out. So any chances of hitting the ball closer to the lines are out and its almost like one side of the court is smaller than other. On the other side , one can take really big cuts at the ball and the ball will still land in play- a factor I used successfully to break JC’s serve in the last game to win the second set when he was up 40-0.The final score was 6-4 and 6-2.
I have some positive take away. While my serve is long way off my backhand isn’t. I can now hit my backhand with power and I can go cross court as well as down the line. I need to be more consistent and also need to improve my range. I need to be more comfortable hitting the low and high balls on my backhand. Now that I have a ball machine (it arrived this AM) I can groove in on my shots and take my game one notch up. I also felt better that my level of play is improving as the match progressed and had little trouble in second sets.
This week is a busy week and I don’t think I can get any tennis action until Friday. I do have Badminton on Wednesday which I can skip (or reduce the time) which I am not planning on unless I am curious enough to take the ball machine out. I am also considering a 30 minute serving session on Wednesday.
I am also impressed by the fact that my team LosAngeles Lakers got the top seed in the crazy NBA western conference and won their first game against Denver Nuggets. I love to see Kobe Bryant win one or more NBA championship Rings.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Ball machine that nearly was…
On Friday I played with Jack Indoors. The weather outdoors was very cloudy and we thought it might rain and opted indoors though in the hindsight we could have easily played outdoors (if we ignored the occasional gusts).
We arrived late and hence started the match right away after an abbreviated warm up session. Jack ended up winning 7-5. I didn’t play badly but didn’t play good enough to win. Just about every game went to Deuce and I managed to hold my serve only once in 4 tries. Some of that may have to do with my opponent who moved me side –side and front – back. Little bit of chip and charge, few shots that skidded off lines, some Serve and Volley he did it all. My topspin shots lacked depth and ended up as sitters. My only take away is that I liked the way I played my backhand. I discovered a few interesting things I can do with it.
I definitely can use a practice session for my Serves. Probably sometime this week I am going to do that. I am not too worried about rest of my game ..Yet.
I went on the Big auction site and fell for a misrepresenting bid on a ball machine. This machine is selling almost 70-80$ cheaper than comparable ones and I though I am getting a great deal. The Bid was later on cancelled and meant nothing.
This frustrated me enough that I am almost willing to put money on a new machine. Having watched the used ball machine market for quite some time now, I can see that these machines hold their value for money. I can use this machine for a year and can still sell it for a 100$ or so less. The way I see it, 100$ is a fair price for a ball machine for 1 year. Probably within next few days I will decide.
This week except for Tuesday is looking good from weather and scheduling perspective. I am still planning to play Badminton on Wednesday. There are only 4 sessions left this season and I like to play them all.
We arrived late and hence started the match right away after an abbreviated warm up session. Jack ended up winning 7-5. I didn’t play badly but didn’t play good enough to win. Just about every game went to Deuce and I managed to hold my serve only once in 4 tries. Some of that may have to do with my opponent who moved me side –side and front – back. Little bit of chip and charge, few shots that skidded off lines, some Serve and Volley he did it all. My topspin shots lacked depth and ended up as sitters. My only take away is that I liked the way I played my backhand. I discovered a few interesting things I can do with it.
I definitely can use a practice session for my Serves. Probably sometime this week I am going to do that. I am not too worried about rest of my game ..Yet.
I went on the Big auction site and fell for a misrepresenting bid on a ball machine. This machine is selling almost 70-80$ cheaper than comparable ones and I though I am getting a great deal. The Bid was later on cancelled and meant nothing.
This frustrated me enough that I am almost willing to put money on a new machine. Having watched the used ball machine market for quite some time now, I can see that these machines hold their value for money. I can use this machine for a year and can still sell it for a 100$ or so less. The way I see it, 100$ is a fair price for a ball machine for 1 year. Probably within next few days I will decide.
This week except for Tuesday is looking good from weather and scheduling perspective. I am still planning to play Badminton on Wednesday. There are only 4 sessions left this season and I like to play them all.
Monday, April 7, 2008
River Race 2008
This weekend two colleagues of mine participated in the Kayak/Canoe race in the local river. I love all sports but only played a few. I went with my family to watch the race as we thought it might be fun. It’s a bit windy and cold but we did have fun. I got a better sense of appreciation for the participants. It is quite competitive and fun at the same time. Age wasn’t a factor as I have seen lot of people from different age groups compete. We saw them off the starting point and then we went to one of the vantage points to see the boats coming across the Rapids. It is really fun to watch the boats chase each other as well as maneuvering across the rapids.From the safety of the banks it looks very easy…just like Tennis. Once you start actually doing it, you realize how tough it is.
Both my friends did great in the race. One of them finished third (he did the doubles with his brother) and other one raced alone, finished in the Top 20 or so. If I ever participate (I and my wife did discuss the possibility of trying it next year) I will be glad just to finish it.
You can read about it here http://mangolds.blogspot.com
I got some photos from the race and I will post them soon once I obtain permission.
No On court tennis last weekend, my schedule didn’t allow on Saturday and weather didn’t cooperate on Sunday. I did catch up with the action in Sony Ericsson open at Miami, Florida.
I have officially moved out of the ladder. With the outdoor weather improving significantly I expect the outdoor tennis season to pick up steam real soon. My schedule will be a tough thing to mange though. Given my work and family commitments, I will be on a two week schedule with one week significantly busier than other. Still I am committed to playing as much tennis as possible. I want to play in the top most part of next year’s ladder and I want to do it by having a great forehand, great serve and decent back hand besides the intangibles.
Despite all the fitness, weight work I did, I still need to drop probably 1-1.5 pounds to have my BMI will be in the Normal category. Phew..
Both my friends did great in the race. One of them finished third (he did the doubles with his brother) and other one raced alone, finished in the Top 20 or so. If I ever participate (I and my wife did discuss the possibility of trying it next year) I will be glad just to finish it.
You can read about it here http://mangolds.blogspot.com
I got some photos from the race and I will post them soon once I obtain permission.
No On court tennis last weekend, my schedule didn’t allow on Saturday and weather didn’t cooperate on Sunday. I did catch up with the action in Sony Ericsson open at Miami, Florida.
I have officially moved out of the ladder. With the outdoor weather improving significantly I expect the outdoor tennis season to pick up steam real soon. My schedule will be a tough thing to mange though. Given my work and family commitments, I will be on a two week schedule with one week significantly busier than other. Still I am committed to playing as much tennis as possible. I want to play in the top most part of next year’s ladder and I want to do it by having a great forehand, great serve and decent back hand besides the intangibles.
Despite all the fitness, weight work I did, I still need to drop probably 1-1.5 pounds to have my BMI will be in the Normal category. Phew..
Friday, April 4, 2008
Let the Show begin - Tennis 2008
With the weather cooperating, we kicked off the 2008 Tennis season on Thursday (03 Apr). It is still cold as the temperature is probably around 50 with some wind chill. There was slight breeze which changed the flight and path of the ball.
After brief warm up (besides tinkering with Nets as they weren’t installed in some courts) we started off. I won the toss and elected to receive – no real reason. My serve takes a hit when the weather is cold and I wanted to warm up some more. I broke Jack twice and held my serve to quickly go up 4-0. Jack then held his serve twice and I finally served out the set for 6-2. I had trouble in the last game when I faced a break point. A good body serves and a kick serve into the back hand corner of the deuce court saw me pull through.
There wasn’t enough time for a complete second set but we played 6 tight games anyway. We stopped with me leading 4-2 having just broken Jack. We also broke each others serve in the first two games. He is much crisper and sharper in the second set and I could see the set heading to a tight finish. He hit some of the best serves including 3-4 aces (all of them wide to forehand corner on deuce court). I hung in there mostly by moving Jack side to side with some top spinners.
Overall a good start for the season. I liked my forehand and my movement. My serve is off but I am not too concerned. I did hit some good backhands to force the point. I didn’t feel any nerves or signs of fatigue (despite playing badminton on Wednesday night). Just to ice it off, I went home and did my normal workout minus weights. I need to be more Consistent but given this is the first game of the season –it is to be expected.
I may play on Sunday depending on availability of a fellow pro.
A quick word on Badminton. Finally after 3 weeks of really bad frustrating performance, I came up with better Badminton show this Wednesday (April 02). No, I wasn’t in a zone or something nor I won all my matches. I won most of my matches and I lost a few. However my performance all night has been steady and controlled. Before I started the evening I thought to myself? What changed so much that my game is downhill. I decided to use the ‘over the head’ forehand smash that made me popular in the early 2000’s.
For the past few weeks opponents have been pounding onto my backhand and reaping benefits as my tennis like one handed backhand was found wanting. However I stuck playing backhands as really that’s one of the few ways for me to learn it. Yesterday I hit several backhands back into play and some for winners. I think I got my forehand smash back and hit several winners.
There is probably 3-4 badminton sessions left before we call it a season. I won’t be playing next Wednesday as I have to stay home.
I am also planning on visiting my colleague’s race their Kayak’s at the Hockennum river this Sunday. It should be a fun event.
I don’t have any updates on ball machine. Nothing at the price I am willing to pay.
After brief warm up (besides tinkering with Nets as they weren’t installed in some courts) we started off. I won the toss and elected to receive – no real reason. My serve takes a hit when the weather is cold and I wanted to warm up some more. I broke Jack twice and held my serve to quickly go up 4-0. Jack then held his serve twice and I finally served out the set for 6-2. I had trouble in the last game when I faced a break point. A good body serves and a kick serve into the back hand corner of the deuce court saw me pull through.
There wasn’t enough time for a complete second set but we played 6 tight games anyway. We stopped with me leading 4-2 having just broken Jack. We also broke each others serve in the first two games. He is much crisper and sharper in the second set and I could see the set heading to a tight finish. He hit some of the best serves including 3-4 aces (all of them wide to forehand corner on deuce court). I hung in there mostly by moving Jack side to side with some top spinners.
Overall a good start for the season. I liked my forehand and my movement. My serve is off but I am not too concerned. I did hit some good backhands to force the point. I didn’t feel any nerves or signs of fatigue (despite playing badminton on Wednesday night). Just to ice it off, I went home and did my normal workout minus weights. I need to be more Consistent but given this is the first game of the season –it is to be expected.
I may play on Sunday depending on availability of a fellow pro.
A quick word on Badminton. Finally after 3 weeks of really bad frustrating performance, I came up with better Badminton show this Wednesday (April 02). No, I wasn’t in a zone or something nor I won all my matches. I won most of my matches and I lost a few. However my performance all night has been steady and controlled. Before I started the evening I thought to myself? What changed so much that my game is downhill. I decided to use the ‘over the head’ forehand smash that made me popular in the early 2000’s.
For the past few weeks opponents have been pounding onto my backhand and reaping benefits as my tennis like one handed backhand was found wanting. However I stuck playing backhands as really that’s one of the few ways for me to learn it. Yesterday I hit several backhands back into play and some for winners. I think I got my forehand smash back and hit several winners.
There is probably 3-4 badminton sessions left before we call it a season. I won’t be playing next Wednesday as I have to stay home.
I am also planning on visiting my colleague’s race their Kayak’s at the Hockennum river this Sunday. It should be a fun event.
I don’t have any updates on ball machine. Nothing at the price I am willing to pay.
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