It's been SIX years since my last singles tournament 🥲

[@simon2046]

Nice. You forehand serve. That’s classic.

[@danielr8920]

Eh Toby, I don't know why, but you inspired me with this video and the final's video. :D I'm still learning but I was always thinking on getting a good smash. Now, I feel your videos open my eyes to "chill" badminton. Please be my "chill" master ;) Cheers from Nova Scotia!

[@towbsss]

@@danielr8920 Smashing is just one way to win a rally! It's fun to win rallies in unconventional ways too 😏

[@zanzan13531]

i've been waiting to see this!

[@TheRealCoryKent]

Well for a 6-year gap, your fitness didn't seem to be an issue. I thought you also dictated the pace for the most part. After 6 years, I could get 5 points on you instead of 4. Also, backhand clears were the deciding factor in many rallies. At my level very few people could do them so opponents weren't expecting them and would inch their way towards the net a lot of the time. I remember when I played you, I didn't get caught off guard, but I couldn't do them myself anymore, and I still got tired of running back for your backhand clears and was wishing just for a few more drop shots. 🙂

[@towbsss]

Yes, the backhand clear definitely minimizes the fitness needed. If it was a tradeoff to get more fit, or learn a backhand clear, the choice for me is obvious 😂

[@shomurakamisan]

You are crazy 😂

[@towbsss]

🤪

[@chupengarfinkel9174]

I think you're losing because of the forehand serve. They get used to it and start smashing the service. Also, you start to aim deeper and deeper to prevent this until it goes out. It's just not worth it against men who are good enough imo.

[@towbsss]

But that's the trade off: I want them to smash, get tired, and make more mistakes as the game progresses. It's easier on my fitness to play defense as well, and my goal is to move less than my opponent. You are correct though, against true singles players, this strategy will not work. They can probably smash consistently through my defense, but why put in all that extra work? They would likely just clear me to death, make me want to smash, make me tired, and... that is exactly the strategy I am using here 🤣

[@chupengarfinkel9174]

@@towbsss It works yeah but I think if you mixed up short backhand serves with long underhand serves, it will throw off their timing and make them tired all the same.

[@towbsss]

@@chupengarfinkel9174 Yes, perhaps, but I can't serve as high with a backhand serve, compared to my forehand serve.

[@shomurakamisan]

@@chupengarfinkel9174 He can do anything he wants, he is a former Olympic player. We should just watch and learn from him😂

[@sackwhacker]

Toby's winning and by quite comfortable margins, so I don't think there's anything to complain about. Also, being a former Olympian, I think you and I are the last ones to give Toby pointers on what to do and not to do