Tennis anyone?...U S Open 2002
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: Tennis anyone?...U S Open 2002

Bigd

Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 08:55 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi, I'm a big tennis fan and wondered if there are more??

I was thrilled to see Corina Morariu play last night after her amazing come back from Lukemia. What a story!!! Even though she didn't win, she looked great, at least she made Serena work some!

I am hoping Pete Samprass will become a force this year, but as always, my fav is Agassi.

I would also like to see Martina Hingiss get back on her game and make a showing. She has such a fine "all court game" - I wish I had it.

Teatime

Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 09:32 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Bigd, your enthusiasm for the sport is inspiring! I hereby vow to watch a little and pay attention this year

It just so happens that I picked up a tennis racket this week for the first time in my life. (I am 40, and had never played) No lessons, but I found a couple of decent used racquets and I have access to some free courts. Just hubby and I learning together. We're having a ball!! We went out 4 days in the last 6, no injuries yet so I'm happy. Of course, mostly I am just walking over collecting missed balls along the fence line...hard to get tennis elbow doing that!

I look forward to following this thread. I am anxious to learn anything at all about this sport.

Bigd

Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 09:53 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Stay with it Teatime! That's exactly how my husband and I got started 6 years ago. We originally played golf, but found that too time consuming and so took up tennis. We took several lessons together in order to learn how to hit it TO EACH OTHER! which is the largest obstacle to overcome in the beginning. It gets to be tedious just retrieving balls. We began particpating in reduced fee "clinics", which is basically drilling with a pro with a small group of people at a greatly reduced fee. This can really bring your game along quickly. You can play tennis all your life so stay with it. I am a member of indoor club (I live in the north) and I sometimes play with a lady that is 82 and she makes me work my butt off! Long story short, in 6 years we have gone to knowing pratically nothing about the sport to competing at a 4.0/4.5 level. There is a rating system in organized tennis, it is
1.0 - This player is just starting to play tennis.
1.5 - This player has limited playing experience and is still working primarily on getting the ball over the net.
2.0 - This player may have had some lessons but needs on-court experience; has obvious stroke weaknesses but is beginning to feel comfortable with singles and doubles play.
2.5 - This player has more dependable strokes and is learning to judge where the ball is going; has weak court coverage or is often caught out of position, but is starting to keep the ball in play with other players of same ability.
3.0 - This player can place shots with moderate success; can sustain a rally of slow pace but is not comfortable with all strokes; lacks control when trying for power.
3.5 - This player has achieved stroke dependability and direction on shots within reach, including forehand and backhand volleys, but still lacks depth and variety; seldom double faults and occasionally forces errors on the serve.
4.0 - This player has dependable strokes on both forehand and backhand sides; has the ability to use a variety of shots including lobs, overheads, approach shots and volleys; can place the first serve and force some errors; is seldom out of position in a doubles game.
4.5 - This player has begun to master the use of power and spins; has sound footwork; can control depth of shots and is able to move opponent up and back; can hit first serve with power and accuracy and place the second serve; is able to rush the net with some success on serve in singles as well as doubles.
5.0 - This player has good shot anticipation; frequently has an outstanding shot or exceptional consistency around which a game may be structured; can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls; can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys and overhead smashes; has good depth and spin on most second serves.
5.5 - This player can execute all strokes offensively and defensively; can hit dependable shots under pressure; is able to analyze opponents' style and can employ patterns of play to assure the greatest possibility of winning points; can hit winners or force errors with both first and second serves. Return of serve can be an offensive weapon.
6.0 - This player has mastered all of the above skills; has developed power and/or consistency as a major weapon; can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation. This player typically has had inten- sive training for national competition at junior or collegiate levels.
6.5 - This player has mastered all of the above skills and is an experienced tournament competitor who regularly travels for competition and whose income may be partially derived from prize winnings.
7.0 - This is a world class player.

Aria

Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 01:42 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Wow Bigd that description of the levels is great! My husband & I took up casual tennis play this spring at the local outdoor courts. I played recreational tennis from the time I was 7 and all through high school. There was no competitive tennis where I grew up.

My game probably varies from a 2.5 to 3.5 on any given day. I would say that the excess baggage I am carring around doesn't help my quickness. My husband is a natural athelete and seems to excel at anything he tries so he plays down to my level. LOL!

I haven't had an opportunity yet to tune into the US Open but I will definately be watching some of it.

I don't really have any particular favorites, more some players that I am not overly fond of.

I'll definately be checking in here for more updates from you!

Teatime

Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 06:56 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Oh wow, Bigd, thanks for that information. I am printing off the levels right now and my husband is waiting to read it. We went out and played again tonight, it's not pretty but we have a lot of fun. I am usually laughing so hard I have to just stop for awhile to catch my breath. I hope I can be like your 82 year old friend and be out playing anything at that age!

I am looking forward to watching and learning from the "real players". I am clueless as to technique, but I can definitely tell when I've found the sweet spot on my racquet and when I've missed it. LOL

Bigd

Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 07:53 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
First off, let me say my girl came through the first round. She had a couple of rough spots and she didn't get allot of tv time, but she won and I'm sooooo glad (Martina Hingiss).

Second off, I am so pleased with all the come back stories. Gustavo Querten won today after coming back from debilitating surgery, same with Martina. Unfortunenatly Mark Philliposus re-injured his knee and he had to retire the match. I was watching when he hurt himself and it looked really painful. And that's a shame too...have you seen him. HE IS GORGEOUS! I mean easy to look at, I mean a pleasure to look at, it hurts to look away he's so good looking. I saw him in person at a match in Memphis. He was staying in my hotel and we rode the elevator together and I invited him to come to our table in the bar and have a drink and he did it. Let me tell you I love my husband, but I lusted after this boy.

Maesin

Saturday, September 07, 2002 - 01:59 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Okay, I am so excited right now. Just finished watching Agassi beat Hewitt, what a good game! I missed the Sampras match earlier but I did see him beat Roddick. I can't wait until tomorrow's match. It will totally mess up my sleeping schedule, but I don't care! I really enjoy watching Andre and Pete play against each other. I still don't know who I am going to root for!
I do like the guys that are coming up, but I am still an old school fan, I can't help it.
Anyone else as happy to see this match up as I am?

Bigd

Saturday, September 07, 2002 - 08:41 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I'm so torn! Is it go Andre or go Pete?????? Go both. Andre has always been my favorite, but I am so happy for Pete to be so strong. I really like Hewitt, but only if these two have already been eliminated. What a match, I can't wait.

The Williams sisters proved once again that they are not a marquee act together. They need to be playing someone other than each other to really shine.