Self-taught tennis player improves from USTA 3.5 to USTA 4.5 in 3 years (Atlanta)

[@TennisTrollChannel]

If you would like to see a video on how blue shirt went from USTA 3.5 to 4.5 please click the video's Thumbs Up/Like button. Also consider viewing Essential Tennis’ videos on how Orange and Blue shirt can improve: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4HRmGB6p66epM0 and kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ2Qg4WbeNFpftE.

[@KrishnenduKes]

Yes we want to see.

[@logintech]

2:58 one of the craziest things I've seen on a tennis court. seriously though, from 3.5 to winning an open tournament in Atlanta, tennis capital USA? very impressive.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Agree! The ball hit the parking lot and bounced back...it should have bounced away. You is correct- 3.5 to an open tournament win in 3 years is impressive. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@danmeadowsmusic]

Good rallies. That blue shirt guy is so damn consistent I woulda been frustrated

[@TennisTrollChannel]

You have no idea : ]

[@PeterTamura]

Very nicely done. I see a lot of club players hit a plateau and then stay at the same level for years... That cross court forehand is fierce, good angle with winners and really opening up the court.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

He has a nice short angle cross court. Can hit it on the run which is impressive in my book. Everyone plateau eventually, but blue hasn't reached it yet in my opinion. Curious to see if he can continue building on his game.

[@jacklo325]

The guy in blue foot fault while serving, example, 2:14 & 2:21...left foot step into the court before the racquet made contact with the ball.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

correct - he has now fixed the foot faulting by keeping his foot still. As a result, he's also hitting his serve faster and more consistent by keeping his foot still.

[@Wannabe-Pro]

@1:00 you toy’ed with him on those slices, and he made you pay!

[@TennisTrollChannel]

One of many- the others didn’t make the cut for some reason : ]

[@ProjectsandReviewsZone]

To me, a pure self-taught player is someone who lived on a deserted island and only had one pro match on a 1980 VHS tape. They watched and learned all about tennis and practiced with coconuts for 10 years. The next day after being rescued he joined a USTA team and was told to sandbag his rating lol. This guys game is next to perfect as far as form and point development. Someone somewhere at sometime had to teach him something even if it's from video or reading a book.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

I’ll ask him for details. I assume he learned from observing others and then trying it on his own with the ball machine. He doesn’t have the big loops with groundstrokes or the jump in air the pros do. Simple, straight forward, solid mechanics as you said. Maybe he did use a VHS tape from the 80s as you said : ]

[@ProjectsandReviewsZone]

@@TennisTrollChannel Haha. Yeah I find it interesting how he got to 3.5 without a bad habit of a flawed stroke. Unless he only played players with good mechanics. Or he may be a freak lol.

[@Daniel-rk3vf]

Yeah I'd guess (could be wrong!) that here "self taught" means no coach, no lessons, no instruction... but there are good players to watch on courts, tons of instruction on KZbin, etc. Not to take anything away from Blue Shirt, he's really solid, but I bet if I looked on his KZbin history, there would be a lot of Daily Tennis Lesson, Top Tennis Training, etc. 👍🏻😂

[@Wannabe-Pro]

#bubbawatson

[@TennisTrollChannel]

@@Wannabe-Pro That's an unreal story. No lessons and he becomes #1 and wins Masters. Does he have a golf coach now or still going at it solo?

[@KrishnenduKes]

Your game has improved remarkably in the last two months

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Thank you. Wait till you Top 3's new video. He's a new player compared to the first two videos.

[@KrishnenduKes]

@@TennisTrollChannel Really? 😲😲 Despite the lockdown?

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Krishnendu Kes It appears he’s been improving his game through fitness and eating better. Whatever he’s doing, it’s working.

[@KrishnenduKes]

@@TennisTrollChannel Wow! That's interesting. 🤔🤔

[@Daniel-rk3vf]

Fun to watch. Blue Shirt has a lot to commend -- good mobility, good coverage, good hands at the net, hard flat shots, and really good use of angles. I noticed the foot faults, I don't think they're as common as people say, at least once you get to around 4.0, but that's a small thing and it's not like that's why he's winning points. Nice footage, thanks for posting. By the way, can I ask -- notice the orange and black a lot -- school colors? Favorite combo? Halloween fan?

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Blue appears to be athletic. I think it may be one reason he was able to improve quickly. Nice observation with his angles. With colors, I try to stay consistent - makes it easier for viewers to see who the featured tennis player is in each video. Plus it's rare another person we are videoing will wear orange also. Now I may have jinxed myself.

[@tennisrallies2505]

Looking good man! Nice to see you guys play. Some great shots!

[@TennisTrollChannel]

You have some awesome Federer videos. Did you come up with the Neo backhand?

[@tennisrallies2505]

Thanks man. Yes haha, I can’t quite believe how it’s spread 😅

[@TennisTrollChannel]

@@tennisrallies2505 That's awesome. It's famous. Congrats!

[@harkirehal258]

Man, I been playing for 10 years now. I managed to break into the 4.0 for a couple of years. Then fell back into 3.5 . Just so hard to unlearn bad habits. Kudos to blue shirt dude. He must have really worked hard.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Harki Rehal congrats on getting to 4.0- we hope you make it back to 4.0. Bad habits are a struggle- I think we all struggle with them. It’s tough.

[@jamespearsoniii914]

Just so relaxed! Only looked like he was “trying” to hit the ball on a winner here and there. That’s a big thing I’m still working on: just relax, follow through, and stop trying to over hit

[@TennisTrollChannel]

I agree - it's difficult to stay loose and hit.

[@PURETENNISsense]

Love that forehand follow-through at 1:42 and again at 2:00

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Interesting as the sound of the ball hitting the strings is louder with that finish. Thanks for pointing that out. Need to remember to continue to ‘cover’ the ball rather than brush upwards as you do in your tennis channel with the big topspin forehand.

[@PURETENNISsense]

@@TennisTrollChannel Thank you for the kind words.... That finish for the forehand is awesome as you got incredible whip and rebound on the ball. I think that's a great finish for you!!! Would like to see a new update with you and that finish. Especially from a side view in slow motion... Oh man, that would look awesome!! 👌👌 "First-class" - in my best desi voice.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

@@PURETENNISsense Your videos work.

[@PURETENNISsense]

@@TennisTrollChannel Thank you! I appreciate the support!

[@jaykraft9523]

like blue guy's angled forehands crosscourt (like last shot). not a shot I think to hit but some of the guys I play regularly hit it well. gotta practice that shot, like it

[@johncasas7972]

Really excellent play .. just loved the racket position on the forehand shots .. but gentleman in blue foot faults on every serve.. again impressive!!

[@TennisTrollChannel]

John Casas you is correct- great forehand. With foot faults, he didn’t know. Hard to tell when serving as you is looking up at the ball to hit it. It’s also how I knew he was self-taught. A coach would have pointed that out.

[@toocool5064]

Did the ball defy physics at 3:00? The ball should have bounced away from the court. It appears the ball did not land on the windshield of a parked car.

[@jemand8462]

It probably hit something angled towards the court like those deviders at car parking places in the US maybe? :D

[@thomasmargison8847]

The amount of foot faults from blue was insane

[@TennisTrollChannel]

It was his first time on video - he didn't realize he was foot faulting and now has fixed it and is actually serving better. Think he stopped moving his left leg which give him more drive.

[@chakchinalai827]

Wow - a clay court severe western topper with a rising ball hitting net rusher. It's like Brugeura vs Agassi in my youth (if Andre volleyed more). Good match both! 😊

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Chak Chinalai nice analogy- we’ll take it : ]

[@yoshikay8787]

Very good work bro!!! I haven’t seen a vid in a few months, but I have seen progress overtime.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Thank you for the compliment. If you have suggestions in future please share.

[@yoshikay8787]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4HRmGB6p66epM0 Well, I don’t think I need to. Ian just took care of it.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Yoshi Kay He’s correct and I agree. This is all new info for me. I didn’t know about positioning in this detail till now.

[@swalterstennis]

Both players are good USTA 4.5’s. Both players are UTR high 7’s. I’m UTR 9.23, formerly I was around 11.0-11.5. Solid players. Not 5.0 or Open but very good club tennis players. I’d have to play well to win.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Steve - your tennis game is looking good in your videos.

[@swalterstennis]

Thanks. Is that you in the orange?

[@TennisTrollChannel]

it is

[@TennisTrollChannel]

If you have suggestions in future, please share. Thanks!

[@rajaplayztennis9236]

hey random q: how often do u break strings and what strings do u use?

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Every third session. I use cheap polys- tourna big blue in main and msv hex soft in cross.

[@rajaplayztennis9236]

@@TennisTrollChannel nice

[@dailybarca77]

Thanks for uploading the videos. You have an amazing serve. Can you please post more your second serve also?

[@TennisTrollChannel]

We can post more matches. I'm not a coach so not sure how to critique : ]

[@djeeee911]

Is that a wilson prostaff ? Do you change ? What is your opinion on this racquet ?

[@leebr2010]

I think guy in blue is using PS97 or RF97A tuxedo like mine.

[@TheBusinessProfessor1]

It's a RF97A

[@williamb19]

great hitting, guys

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Thank you : ]

[@amosfong]

Player in blue is good. He'll need to drastically improve his serve technique though - it'll really hold him back from becoming even better.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

We all can improve our serves. I agree. If blue could win some free points on his serve, he'll be so good in my opinion.

[@amosfong]

@@TennisTrollChannel Yeah, definitely. The fact that he has such a strong game even with an incomplete serve shows his incredible talent. He'd be a monster if he could serve big as well.

[@tomsd8656]

That's definitely possible. It's about some innate ability and dedication. When it gets to the high level, that's a different story.

[@deenugent473]

He's good! I've been playing for years and I still suck 😜

[@TennisTrollChannel]

I doubt that. Most people who say that turn out to be really good.

[@deenugent473]

@@TennisTrollChannel - Thanks, you make me feel a lot better now 😉.

[@IamnotJohnFord]

Guy in blue has nice strokes and movement. But, the foot faults, once you see the first one, are all you can see as he plays. Luckily, that should be easy for him to fix.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Brad Smith true- now he knows he’ll be fine. I don’t think he knew as when you serve, you look up and not down at your feet. To me, that helped verify he is self-taught. A coach would’ve informed him.

[@addxyz]

should call him out on his foot faults. :P

[@TennisTrollChannel]

It's all good. As the server, it's hard to tell if you may be foot faulting. Remember when Serena was called for a foot fault? Second serve, 5-6 second set. Ouch. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX_alGqllJWGnck

[@tennist9456]

She ended up with a double fault from the foot fault, and then a point penalty on match point. Was hard to tell from replay if she did or did not.

[@ChaunceyDos]

I wonder how he would react if his opponent called foot faults.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

ChaunceyDos I myself wouldn’t be thrilled as it’s recreational tennis. Remember when Serena was called for foot fault as US Open? Cost her the match too.

[@PL-fh8cz]

Every friggin serve is a foot fault... And not by a little, he's well over the baseline into the court. I normally call it first as a warning, and if it continues I'd start calling a fault, 2nd serve please.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

@@PL-fh8cz It's recreational tennis. If he was serving and volleying, I get it. If he isn't, meh. My opinion only.

[@jemand8462]

@@TennisTrollChannel I agree, it doesn'T really matter at this level. We never call foot faults or even look for them.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Jemand I wish more people had your mindset.

[@jyp6655]

This guy said 💨🍃

[@Lonor77]

nice short corners on his forehand

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Agreed. Didn’t think he could sustain it but he kept hitting the short corner winners over and over.

[@alexandredeutsch5434]

I went from not playing a year and a half ago to being a ntrp 4.5

[@TennisTrollChannel]

That's amazing. Came naturally to you? lots of hard work?

[@alexandredeutsch5434]

@@TennisTrollChannel Yes lots of hard work. I played soccer my whole life but quit and tried out tennis as a joke between friends and turns out I love the sport.

[@alexandredeutsch5434]

@@TennisTrollChannel The sport did come naturally to me the problem is my body hates hit so I get injured quite a bit.

[@Eden_24_]

3:42 What you doing there mate xD Right side is wide open

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Good observation. As Shaq once said, “My knees got stuck.” I dunno why I didn’t move. Maybe I was admiring the return and then paid for it.

[@Mr.Asianman]

If you’re ever in the Charlotte area, would love to hit!

[@TennisTrollChannel]

I am on the road a lot (once covid is no longer a concern). When in Charlotte, I'll reach out. Feel free to contact me also: [e-mail]

[@rattata30]

.the blue was stepping on the service line...slot!lol

[@TennisTrollChannel]

True - that's how I was able to confirm he was self-taught. A coach would have told him. When serving, it's hard to tell if you step on line as you is looking up to hit the ball.

[@FunnyAsian00]

wait is the video of you playing or ru just managing youtube account?

[@TennisTrollChannel]

John K sometimes I play.

[@PURETENNISsense]

3:36 You could've gotten that one!!!

[@TennisTrollChannel]

I thought I had a nice passing shot. That’s what I get for admiring.

[@PURETENNISsense]

@@TennisTrollChannelhaha it's ok we all do it. Even Tiafoe.... But his was quite embarrassing 😂😂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/in-koIxvYsx1fNE

[@TennisTrollChannel]

​@@PURETENNISsense Ouch...that is bad and after all that running? Important point too.

[@PURETENNISsense]

@@TennisTrollChannel wish that guy wasn't so cocky.... He could be so much better if he let go of that ego. Not just from that point but in general.

[@DjokovicIsOurLordAndSaviour]

@@TennisTrollChannel Pahaha I wondered what happened. We've all been there though.

[@anneneville6255]

Do you think a 5.0 girl/ woman can beat 4.5 or 5.0 boy/ men?

[@TennisTrollChannel]

That is a good question. We are planning to video a similar match up - shall see.

[@franchutenis]

is this the warm up?

[@TennisTrollChannel]

It's the match...it was during a cold day in winter.

[@AiurMedia]

so good!

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Aiur Productions thank you.

[@monica012077]

I'm assuming you're the guy in orange. You have a good game but your opponent doesn't hit his returns with any depth or his groundstrokes. You seem to be one two punching him on rallies. I know video makes the game look different but he's lacking some pop. Still some nice footage. I'm also a self taught 4.5 player but I haven't played at all this year because of Covid-19.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Monica Matos I am in orange and thank you for the suggestion. It appears there were several points where I could have attacked more as you suggested. Congrats on making it to 4.5. That’s awesome in my book. To do it on your own is more impressive. If there’s an opportunity for you to show off your tennis skills, please do.

[@monica012077]

@@TennisTrollChannel Thank you! I have to upload a video of me practicing my serve. I do have one tennis practice video buried amongst all the train stuff lol

[@distinctdim]

Massive foot fault at 2:12

[@TennisTrollChannel]

How about massive forehand at 3:55.

[@ispeakasiplease]

it isn't that hard to go from 3.5-4.0 even if self-taught. For example, I jumped to 4.0 after two USTA 3.5 league seasons...I think the biggest difference between 3.5 and 4.0 is decision making (and I'm talking about a legit 3.5...not these "3.5" that are actually 3.0 6/7 days of the week.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Excellent to hear you was able to move up after 2 seasons. Moving up to a new level in 2 seasons at any USTA level is impressive in my opinion. Decision making is key.

[@ispeakasiplease]

TennisTroll Channel lol full disclosure. It wouldn’t have happened if I was in Atlanta. Hahaha where I live, 4.0 here is probably 3.5 in Atlanta 😆

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Maybe, but I disagree. From my experience, an average 4.5 player in one part of USA can compete with another average 4.5 player elsewhere. One player may be a little stronger as their region is stronger overall, but they will still have a good match in my opinion. I think you would have been bumped up no matter where you is located. Congrats on doing so. Well earned.

[@fireballdude7368]

Guarantee you you’re not self taught, you had to have been training with someone else probably

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Our definition of self-taught is no coaching. I'm sure he talked to his friends and looked at KZbin videos, but he didn't pay for lessons or join an academy.

[@TracyAWittenkeller]

The guy in blue foot faults every time he serves.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

That's one way we are able to verify he is self-taught. A coach would have told him that. When hitting a serve, players are looking up at the ball, now down at their feet. Hard for the server to know he is foot faulting unless someone tells him.

[@Ayanami0001]

way to foot fault every time

[@TennisTrollChannel]

True, but he’s self-taught. Hard to tell if foot-faulting when no one points it out to you.

[@Ayanami0001]

TennisTroll Channel I Not that hard.

[@metalheart2123]

This guy's foot faults and beanie are pissing me off!

[@TennisTrollChannel]

He's improved the foot faults after seeing himself on video. Most recreational players tend to foot fault as they are looking at the ball in the air and may not realize their foot moves too.

[@metalheart2123]

@@TennisTrollChannel You are way too easy on him. That beanie still pisses me off.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

@@metalheart2123 He's corrected it as you can see in his more recent videos.

[@edmondalkaslassy9605]

Guy in blue is good, but a human foot-fault machine.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

He's fixed it since. I don't think he knew until he saw himself play on video.

[@Eden_24_]

0:18 ; 1:48 ; 1:54 ; 4:54 ; 5:49 So freaking painful to watch .. dude you ain't playing for your life there you don't have to moonball like that .. I like the part from around 3:50 to 4:48 : Straight forward tennis , no unnecessary moonballing ( there are other ways to defend and/or neutralise )

[@TennisTrollChannel]

I like your comment. My strategy tends to use heavy moonballs early in March to wear out an opponents legs. Once opponent is a little tired, then it’s easier for me to hit out. That’s a good observation. I like your time stamps if the moon balls. That’s awesome : ]

[@Eden_24_]

@@TennisTrollChannel I can't deny the fact that that's super effective

[@xykij3803]

Wouldn't call them moonballs. Moonball IMO is a lob with no pace or spin. He is a very good player and is hitting those balls with heavy spin and depth.

[@tennist9456]

@@xykij3803 A high spiny ball is a nightmare to return consistently - especially on the backhand side.

[@vmmv402]

@TennisTrollChannel @MiniBomba1995 That's funny, I thought Orange's "moonballs" were textbook perfect examples of high deep safe rally balls. Nadal hits just like this. That is tennis 101. Those time stamps are a great example for anyone under 5.0 to know what a proper rally ball looks like. They will generate lots of short balls and errors.

[@jamesdo3841]

4.5 really? Too many moon balls. No volley. And foot fault.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

That’s interesting because the orange shirt player initiates the moon balls, never comes to net yet he is required to play in the 5.0 league for the past 16 years. Must be the moon balls- they still work : ]

[@PURETENNISsense]

@@TennisTrollChannel lol!