On 1/29/14, 12:47 PM, larry wrote:
> I just returned from the USTA Seniors Tournament at Missions Hills
> (Palm Springs), CA.
Was this the Asics category 2 tournament at Rancho Mirage and the
surrounding clubs?
> It was interesting to discern the primary difference between the top
> players and the others. First, Seniors DO NOT play driving
> groundstrokes like the tennis we see on TV. The best senior players
> take MOST balls out of the air, no bounce! After the service return,
> they only volley! They volley from everywhere, not just up near the
> net. They REFUSE to be driven back behind the baseline with high
> bouncing balls. Forget that, CUT IT OFF!
First, I don't think most of the top national players were there. and
you probably need to distinguish between the lower ages, like the 50's,
and the upper ages, like the 90's, where mobility is a real problem. The
top national players that I see, even in the Super Seniors, like Jimmy
Parker and Fred Drilling, play all-court games.
> So I am changing my tennis game accordingly. I will work to become
> comfortable with mostly backhand volleys from all over the court.
Ah. How old are you? I'm 67. I'd love to drive topspin balls at your
feet and watch you try to half-volley all day. 8;)
> AND, I will work to incorporate more wrist SNAP in my serve. I never
> want to give an opponent an approach shot with my serve!
That's a very good goal.
It would be great if you went back there for the husband-wife senior and
super-senior tournament in early March and reported!
-- Larry