First Time Hitting in Months....

[@REALTENNIS]

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[@NippyNap2]

Elliot welcome to the channel! I like that you are putting in hours and work and your hustle is by far your strength. Two tips I would give. Stop warming up the volley standing only a foot beyond the net. This will not help your volleys as you should never miss from that distance. Rather take a few more steps back and work on coming forward and back. You see pros do this very well in their warmups so emulate their basics as much as you can. Second, figure out a better arch to your ground strokes. They loop a bit too much and I think you may be weakening the wrist on impact as your racquet tip is too dropped and spooning a bit. Part of that is better early more relaxed preparation. If it feels easier and smoother it is usually right. My two cents.

[@SeireaTennis]

I really enjoy watching consistent players beat the ball around.

[@seanbinder8316]

Let's go Elliot keep hustling. Looking forward to your comeback next year Ian.

[@yoshikay8787]

Bearded Ian is back!!!!! 👍🏾👍🏾

[@REALTENNIS]

😆

[@davidherbotte]

Elliot is a true athlete on the court! Always tough to face this type of opponent.

[@REALTENNIS]

💯

[@raphyyz]

Elliot is the kind of player that you think you bagel and ends up bageling you.

[@REALTENNIS]

💯

[@nicogoebel4071]

Rarely see an adult that has that kind of dedication to a hobby as elliott. Him against Topher could be a nice grind

[@REALTENNIS]

Yup, love his passion!

[@NippyNap2]

I have played well over 700 league USTA matches in my tennis career and I can count on one hand the amount of times I found someone who could warm up clean and properly. Two individuals to be exact. It is an art and they are unicorns. My favorite are the “win the warmup” players that think that does something….and their reaction once I bagel or breadstick them. If a guy comes out trying to hit winners I will immediately try to hit everything to the fence or wide out. Not interested in that behavior and it shows the improper fundamentals🎉.

[@REALTENNIS]

I've seen the same thing! Many players don't warm up properly!

[@stephenmurray5746]

Hey Ian, Im a fellow tennis player with shoulder problems (Tendonitis in the rotator cuff). Have you considered hitting the gym/weight lifting? I've gotten into that over the last coupe of months and notice an improvement in shoulder comfort. Hope your able to hit more!

[@REALTENNIS]

Yes, that would absolutely be the best thing for me to do. Maybe in the New Year.

[@ItMaker5000XL]

I feel like moving 10 ft behind the baseline on those moonballs is a big concession given the ball speed is pretty low. I feel like it'd be better to hold your ground and take it on the rise, but the timing is thinner of course. Elliot is one of those guys you lose to and curse his imperfect technique lol. He's definitely a gamer!

[@REALTENNIS]

It is a concession, no doubt about it.

[@soysauce10]

Those backhands are looking much better!

[@REALTENNIS]

Wow, thanks! I've hardly hit any of them this year. Just been really visualizing it a lot. At high speeds it would completely break down at the moment.

[@traderone9377]

Backhand is much improved!!

[@REALTENNIS]

Much easier at this tempo, wish I could do it vs a 5.0

[@markj6302]

feels like every video of you is "first time hitting in months" - we want to see your match play, Ian!

[@REALTENNIS]

Appreciate the support, Mark. Wish that was possible, work has made it tough, ironically 😆

[@lyndseyandandrew5771]

I'd love to have your hitting partner on my usta team Ian! You said exactly what I was thinking, his consistency and timing from playing as much as he does must be super solid.

[@REALTENNIS]

He is super solid!

[@jacksyyuen]

I am curious if Ian will give a try on 2HB.

[@frankojudoka]

I own an RF97 autographed edition.

[@norcalputters1027]

Great hitting!

[@speedymr]

Why don't you just use two two-handed backhand if you injured your shoulder?

[@TennisHacker]

I can't understand why he's having injuries playing 7 days per week 😳

[@biglenny8258]

Because he weighs 85 lbs

[@johnnylee8337]

Doesn't help with the fact that he's a lower 4.0 and playing with a RF Pro Staff 97 v13. He should be playing with a lighter racket if he's been hitting on and off tbh.

[@REALTENNIS]

That's how he's enjoying his tennis. Some adjustments could definitely lower his pain, however. People have to make their own decisions.

[@dougmilesmedia]

👍🎾

[@REALTENNIS]

Hey Doug!

[@lianghongtang]

not being mean or disrespectful, but Ian you are a better coach/instructor than a player.

[@REALTENNIS]

No disrespect, I agree! I spend way more time coaching than I do playing!

[@dustyroot4708]

That’s not uncommon. There’s a good Seinfeld episode that touches on this very topic.

[@biglenny8258]

Ian’s barely pushing 4.0 these days it’s unfortunate

[@bilbert6288]

Hardest cap ever

[@azimuthal1392]

we found Mark Sansait's alt fam

[@MarkSansait]

@@azimuthal1392 bro wheres ur fam? on a SUNDAY NIGHT?!

[@emdummy]

How is it possible to coach without hitting balls?

[@dustyroot4708]

Hand feeds and video analysis. Easiest money you’ll ever make. (Results not guaranteed)

[@REALTENNIS]

I hit balls frequently, with a continental grip to a 3.5 player trying to give them good rhythm/timing to train their own game. I don't know why people find that difference so difficult to understand 😆. It deteriorates my game instead of supporting it.

[@emdummy]

@@REALTENNIS I watch a lot of your content and enjoy it. However, as a 3.5 player who gets sporadic coaching, I expect to rally and for the coach to push me at my level by playing just a bit higher than me. Not just feed me balls.

[@Ramohog]

What business have you been doing? The moustache, the music, the grunting… 🤔

[@dayostical]

Boom chicka wow wow 🎶🎶

[@-Munditimum-]

So happy seeing Ian practicing, hitting nice, relaxed and most of all enjoying being on the court. Almost feels like he's not going to make any errors. Eliot is a super chill and great guy. Loved how he prioritised Ian's practice so respectfully for his first time on the channel. Mad respect. Loved this. Thank you RT. M

[@alanwong8418]

Eliot is a solid player. I actually think he would still be a better counterpuncher with more shoulder turn and more use of his legs to hit a heavier and more penetrating ball.

[@lyndseyandandrew5771]

Always appreciate you putting yourself out there in these return to hitting sessions!

[@REALTENNIS]

Thanks for watching!

[@dustyroot4708]

Ha ha. He’s always returning to hitting though.

[@lyndseyandandrew5771]

Hah! Exactly. One filmed hit every month or two

[@ericburness3116]

It's interesting to see Eliot use a Prostaff with his game style. I wonder how much he has experimented with other racquets.

[@REALTENNIS]

Not sure how much he has experimented!