Becoming a USTA 4.0 player in One Year

I am your average club tennis player, so take this advice with a grain of salt. This is my journey on becoming a better tennis player, hopefully you'll find a few tips and tricks along the way.
This was a big deal for me, because I had not touched a tennis racquet in 6 years, and I was able to compete and win 15 matches in a row.
#tennis #tennisrackets #tennisracquet #training #running #sprinting #practice #competition #USTA #tennisplayer

[@anacap007]

Mad respect for leveling up in a single year. What you've done many will never do in a lifetime or at best accomplish in 4-5 years. Believe it or not, the difference between 4.0 and 4.5 isn't much but it is significant: Speed and time. The speed of the game goes up and you will have less time to set up.

[@geepeeone]

4.0 to 4.5 is a matter of optimizing footwork efficiency. That is it!

[@pencilcheck]

props for trying to get better and post your training process to the world to see. this takes a lot of courage. I hope you improve and get over 4.5 in another one.

[@JakeOfAllTrades-Ginger]

Thanks for the comment! I appreciate your support! 💪

[@andrewpatterson9833]

Well done Jake, this is an awesome video. Hope to see you post some more of this content 🙌

[@Wes1128]

Great video. I'm currently a 3.0 and my goal is to play 4.0 tennis. I appreciate everything you've said in this video. I will add, if you're wanting to use a ball machine often, I would suggest just ripping the bandaid off and getting a slinger bag. It's about $800 but its worth it if you cant consistent reps that you cannot recreate with playing with a real person. It'll eventually pay for itself if you're paying $22/hr to rent one

[@caribuak]

Kudos Jake! Real commitment and new habits brings new and better results. My respect 🙌🏼 Love this game…

[@turbulenttennis]

Comprehensive and very nice tips! Thanks for sharing.

[@thewokestoic2432]

Coming from a coach, this it very possible. Takes drive, time commitment, and the RIGHT training. Athleticism can help as well. I had a student 2 years ago who was hitting most strokes like a 4.0/4.5 in just over a year (very impressive), but could not compete past 3.5 because of a lack of match play experience and consistent 2nd serve. Remember, both technique and match play experience are equally essential. Many players get stuck due to a lack of ONE OR THE OTHER! Best of luck everyone 😤🎾

[@ROSEMARY-gl7wx]

Hi coach, for rec player, do you suggest to play 3 full sets as well? Assuming wanting to go to 4.0

[@thewokestoic2432]

@@ROSEMARY-gl7wx Playing best of 3 is fine. Just stick with learning technique from a good coach & playing real matches and you’re set. There will be a lot of of non-competitive players at 3.0 & 3.5, I’d avoid them and play the serious ones!

[@rickalvarez4650]

Like your video. I too I'm trying to get from 3.5 to 4.0. I live in a small town in Mexico so sometimes getting some resources to improve is challenging. I play in palm springs at a tennis club about 4 times a year that's how judge my improvement. I played with 4.0 players a couple of weeks ago and held my own. Thanks for your video there are some real good nuggets in there.

[@BriceBriceBabyy]

Great video. As someone who got back into it after 12 years, I identified with this a lot, especially regarding taking care of your body, getting private lessons (if you can afford it), and to stop going to clinics you have outgrown. I will add: It looks like you used wilson kblade tours in highschool. So did I, so I would guess we probably like the same type of rackets or have a similar all-court playing style. When I started paying again, I demoed a ton of rackets to try and find something I liked as much as I liked that racket but couldn't. I even tried the pro staff and babolat pure strike vs (which it looks like you also tried). What I ended up with though that I absolutely love, is the 2023 Yonex Vcore 95. To make the weight more similar to the Wilson Kblade tour, I threw a leather grip on it and added a few grams of weight at the top of the hoop. If you are still on your racket journey I would recommend. Similar size/weight/balance specs but more spin friendly. Cheers!

[@203132]

Good for you Jake Thanks for sharing

[@phantomtroupe8430]

Wow amazing!!! As someone who has played tennis since I was 7 I never realized how hard it is to learn and perfect. I’m about 5.0-5.5 but I teach all skill levels and it takes a lot of patience and dedication to be a good player. Keep up the good work! Maybe you will surpass my level soon

[@brettkirkpatrick464]

Killer video and the point that I most related to was the financial side of tennis. Anyone can spend money, but very few will spend time. It takes dedication and actual effort to train and practice. If it were as easy as paying for pricey gear and lessons, everyone would be 5.0+. Over my time playing, I've made it a point to avoid the cost of tennis by doing free activities that get me closer to the game. Consider coaching a high school team, finding a wall to hit against or hitting with anyone. Consistent, intense workouts focusing on leg/core strength have worked for me. I have found that coaches/private instructors care more about the money than they do their students. Group lessons devolve into a friendly, unserious hitting session and are generally a waste of time and money. One technique that I've developed over the last few years is to buy older racquets with smaller head sizes to improve my swing accuracy and power. It looks like you are using about a 100 sq in head. Consider a 95 or a 90. These can be had for under $20 at your local thrift store and are usually both heavier and more flexible. I went from a light weight, stiff 107 head in high school and am down to a heavy, flexible 85 today. My swing is so much better because the racquet is much harder to use. I am forced to concentrate on my contact point and use my entire body to swing, not just my wrist/elbow. Perhaps the biggest benefit is mental. Hitting an amazing shot with a racquet everyone thinks is worthless is exhilarating. When I use my old racquet, I have at least twice the power. Good luck and keep up the great work!

[@kenx8833]

Well broken down and respect for the discipline and sharing.

[@egutzait]

This video is great, I'm also an ex-high school player getting back into it after a good 15 years. I have a similar goal of trying to eventually get up to 4.5/5.0 from probably a 3.5-ish base (might be unrealistic based on what I'm willing to give up) so this was a great showcase of the commitment and dedication it takes. Question though, are you part of a Tennis club? If so do you find it very valuable? I live in a place that you can't play outdoor year round so the prospect of indoor courts is attractive during the winter, but the monthly cost PLUS still paying to rent courts is a bit offputting for me.

[@gregmaier5151]

Dude. Awesome! 🎉

[@Elw00d28]

Very nice, I'm stuck at the 3.5 as well. As you said, need to practice more (ball machine would be great), raise fitness level, get a second serve and be more consistent with harder shots.

[@mrchuckles1022]

Great video. I am in a similar boat but much older. Like you mentioned, fitness, hydration, and warming up are super important. Btw, do you have a UTR goal? USTA ratings are kind of subjective and tournaments can have sandbaggers.

[@Alastairtheduke1]

One tip, when you're hitting with the ball machine, if you're going to move your feet between shots, continue moving them until split stepping vs move a little and then stop until the ball comes

[@reuelray]

Went from 3.5 to 4.0 at about age 50. I moved to a small town in Southern Tennessee. Ran into a solid 4.0 player who was just coming off of knee surgery. I started playing with other 4.0 players, 3.5 players who were just under 30; hit with high School players who were around 3.0; and players from a small NAIA School that attracted club players from Europe, other parts of the world, including top locals. I beat all of the 3.5s, all the high school players and started beating the 4.0s eight months later. I was told by the 4.0s my weight gain was holding me back and when I lost the weight; they couldn't get any balls past me. I was already vegan, used herbs instead of regular medicine, didn't smoke anyting, drink alcohol or used drugs. I also played basketball and hit the weight room. Yours is a great story and kind of reminded me of my journey. I am really glad you posted this video. It already has and will help a lot of people. Good work..👍👍

[@SamOnTheCourt]

Great video!! I can attest to Jake’s drive, we’ve played quite a bit over the past year or so 🫡

[@user-zz1pe7iv8z]

Great video, how about footwork, do you have that aspect of improvement in mine during your training?

[@andriesvasile6346]

Good points, just a small thing noticed you're hitting compact, try find balance and trust input on your shots, fell free and you'll fell better. I'm not expert to tell, but that's just my point. Love tennis 💪

[@MoonDoy2]

Awesome video. Looking to get to 4.0 as well. Did you face any major injuries?

[@platypusx11]

I feel the backhand comment on a personal level

[@jeffbrunswick5511]

I did a similar thing and tried to take tennis more seriously to improve. The thing was, I improved a lot, yet it hasn't translated into victories on the court yet, which is strange. I think I need to hit my ground strokes harder and run faster like what you are saying. I got beat by a guy last month that is a very similar player, but he is faster than me, which he used to out hustle me on several points. Getting the ball back into play neutralises your opponent's attack. You can see how effective it is with the likes of Nadal, Alcaraz and Djokovic.

[@harkirehal258]

The serve, man. Focus on the serve. It’s the only way to win free points in tennis. A bomb serve with shitty ground strokes still allows you to play toe to toe with your opponent. In addition, The intimidation factor of a big serve is not to be discounted. A big serve will rattle your opponent and they will make more mistakes. You also save precious stamina not having to run around. You are welcome

[@jeffbrunswick5511]

@@harkirehal258 Thanks for the tip. 🙂I already have a bomb serve and can even ace people with my second serve. The good players in my club can get most serves back into play, no matter how good the serve is. This is why I lose.

[@quadesaldana9042]

I would love to play this guy.

[@jean-pierreuys1554]

Well done! Wish I could use a ball machine. Our public courts dont allow it and the indoor tennis club I have to pay a $30-$40 fee every time I rent a court. Yikes.

[@nomaanhussain7158]

What grip do you use for forehand, eastern or semi western

[@Alastairtheduke1]

9:50 now I've seen everything

[@williamzhang8792]

For me, the situation is like ....If I quit my 70 h/week job, I can back to 4.5 from 3.5. I have nice pay to support my family. I can spend $200/month on the indoor tennis court membership. But sometimes I feel like I don't have much more choice. Anyway.. just enjoy the tennis no matter how.

[@caocaohehe]

I realize one of the biggest leaps is the net. The right time to get up there and finish.

[@abelsicat6097]

great video! lets hit sometime. where you located?

[@bujkoa]

Love this video. I picked up a racket for the first time less than a year ago (sept) and became obsessed. I’m competing at the top of a 3.5 league now and my goal is to be 4.0 by the end of 2024. Being in my late 20s and having something I can dedicate myself to improve at has had a tremendous impact on my life (mental/physical/social). Thanks for the tips!

[@dmmusicmusic]

And yo didn't have a stringer? ( if not you weren't really hitting that many balls); I used to go through 3 sets a week as a 5.0 when training. Also, in addition to ball machine you need a higher level player who can kick your butt to train w tyou at least 2-3x weekly.

[@spooky1304]

Everyone must have a coach.

[@lirenchan]

I think as shown in this video, you were already a 4.5 player, and your practice partner could be in the 5.0 group?

[@pencilcheck]

if you really played a 5.0, you will know what you just comment is sily. you can compare them to other 5.0 youtube tennis players and compare the average and you will see the difference.

[@lirenchan]

@@pencilcheck One is 4.5, but the other one could be stronger than a 4.5. I can't imagine a 5.0 player because my tennis skill will always be lower than the 4.5 tennis skill level.

[@KaptainOW]

@@lirenchan No he's pretty clearly 4.0. You might not realize it but the difference between 4.0 and 4.5 is huge, and even more so 4.5 to 5.0. The difference is insane.

[@platypusx11]

I do think tennis ratings can vary in different areas. 4.0 seems correct though.

[@Bb-yo6tr]

Invest in New Zealand grass fed liver pills, cod liver oil, Irish Sea moss ( all in grass fed milk smoothies with cocoa and cocoa nibs), ankle and shoulder physio therapy exercises , springing / explosive training , European old school coaching ( like djokovics trainers have free dozens of hours lessons in KZbin. But if you didn’t coaching / training on the smashing the window and wiper blades all that before 12, you don’t got much of a edge against the majority.

[@carlosriera-ruiz1151]

hey, I liked your video. I'm also trying to get to be a 4.0. Would you have some time to hit with me and give me some pointers? I live in Lincoln.

[@K4R3N]

Lots of solo serve practice. With targets.

[@zenpanda100]

For cramping, try pedialyte instead of a regular sports drink

[@Dasato123]

On the Physical category it’s nice that you do some weight lifting but you didn’t mention any running, sprinting or agility work. I’m sorry but only a tennis player believes you can get in shape in a area as small as a tennis court. You gotta get some roadwork in and field sprints in. Rec tennis players even those at the 4.5/5.0 level are some of the worst conditioned athletes I’ve ever seen. It doesn’t matter how good your technique gets, once you’re winded your ability to produce the good technique wanes rapidly. It doesn’t take money or brains to get in shape. It just takes a strong will and a true desire to be the best you can be.

[@sdfswords]

No need to buy a Roger Federer Wilson racket at $270, way too heavy for a 3.5 player, it'll wear you out and actually make you a worse player.

[@g.n.4046]

You need to watch some service videos on KZbin. Your form and action is horrible. The serve decides how you're going to be on your first ground stroke (behind, neutral, ahead)

[@vwmusicplaylist1935]

I've never set foot in a gym or used a ball machine and instead sit on the couch all day, eating potato chips, chocolate, and drinking soda and went from 3.5 to 4.0 in half the time you did.

[@jackiet9141]

Yep, except one is showing it on video, and the other is hiding behind a keyboard with no footage to show, can you upload some video?

[@williamsannuto8239]

Being a one on one sport it's a matter of competing harder.