USTA 5.0 vs Ex-ATP Pro!

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Hermont is back but this time against his biggest challenge yet! Today we have Hermont (UTR 11, USTA 5.0) playing Clay, who reached #408 in the ATP rankings and played #1 for UCLA. Will his win streak continue?!
Clay beat me when I had a 30-love lead in each game:
• USTA 4.5 vs Ex ATP Pro...
Leave some nice comments below for Hermont and Clay for playing this match on The Challenge Court!
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Clay - UTR 13+, Former ATP pro
Hermont - UTR 11, USTA 5.0
@hq_legaspi
@winstonddu
@thechallengecourt
Hermont's racket:
www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunl...
Hermont's strings:
www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunl...
Clay's racket:
www.tennis-warehouse.com/Tecn...
Clay's strings:
www.tennis-warehouse.com/Tecn...
Timestamps
0:00 - Intro
0:56 - Equipment
1:25 - Sigrun
2:17 - Set
10:12 - Outro
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#tennis #tennishighlights #ustatennis #tennismatch

[@howtostealamillion1]

karue v. clay would be a great matchup

[@taoyinghuang1439]

Karue should win

[@ElCapo07]

Make it happen Winston!

[@LTBlightthebeam]

That's Bruin on Bruin violence tho

[@spaceshido6124]

​@@taoyinghuang1439aint no way😅

[@odb233]

If they both have UCLA roots I am sure they have hit before.

[@jefferoni1984]

A big difference besides the obvious experience and savvy was just the sound of Clay’s feet. He was constantly taking little steps to stay balanced so he rarely looked rushed or out of position for balls. The general court sense was also great. Where to be on the court and recovering your court position after shots. Great for amateurs to watch.

[@ToiletCarnage]

both of these guys level of intensity is absolutely insane. listening to the feet alone is enough to tell you how good they are.

[@LTBlightthebeam]

This is a reminder to all us 4.5/5.0 players that we are worlds apart from playing remotely like a pro 😅

[@gab_ale]

I was a low 5.0 a long time ago. I had a 5.5 friend that I practiced with all the time. He was a whole different level. And I also played with a 6.0 a few times. It's freaking ridiculous how the levels increase. From outside the court you see them and think "yeah I can handle that, it doesn't look that different to what I can do". Yeah right.

[@nsebast]

I'm a 4.5. Even when playing a 5.0 on his good day he can bagel me, but an average game would be 6-2/6-3. 4.5 playing with pro is bagel for 100 set straight.

[@gab_ale]

@nsebast Right now you would smoke me haha.

[@MrFunkyko]

@thefedhd1580fact check

[@scissorsharp9032]

Not worlds, just 15lbs tension😉

[@spaceshido6124]

Clay is very humble guy 😊

[@fmtien]

Clay is the man! Great dude!

[@ShakaBrah3]

Clay kicked butt at UCLA (Go Bruins!), particularly in his senior year, 2013-14: Enjoyed one of the finest senior seasons in school history … ITA Singles All-American … ITA National Senior Player of the Year … First-Team All-Pac-12 selection … Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 Academic selection … Ranked No. 1 in the nation in singles from Jan. 2 until June 4, when he finished the year ranked No. 2 behind teammate Marcos Giron, who claimed the NCAA Singles Championship … Seeded No. 1 at the season-ending NCAA Championships, falling in the first round to South Florida's Roberto Cid, 6-4, 6-3 … Went 18-1 overall in singles during the fall, claiming the title at the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships in Flushing, N.Y. …Defeated Jared Hiltzik of Illinois 6-4, 7-5 in the final … Prior to winning the Indoors, Thompson took home the championship at the USTA/ITA Southwest Regional Championships in Malibu, downing teammate Mackenzie McDonald, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 … Also won the backdraw at the USTA/ITA Men's All-American Championships in Tulsa, Okla. (def. Daniil Proskura of Alabama, 6-4, 7-5) … During the dual-match season, played at either the No. 1 or No. 2 singles positions all season, going 10-3 at the top spot and 5-2 at No. 2 … Led the team in singles victories, going 37-8 overall on the year … Ranked second on the team in wins over ranked opponents with 17 … Went 18-14 overall in doubles play, teaming mostly with Joseph Di Giulio at the No. 2 spot.

[@ginoreynera5890]

props to Hermont for staying in it with a Pro!

[@Magic-id1bn]

Don’t spoil!!!!

[@nsebast]

Former pro. I would say Clay is 80% as good as pros playing on tour. Tour pros practice way more and would probably hit sharper in all aspects.

[@user-ld3si9iy6s]

@@Magic-id1bn why are you reading the comments before watching, that's on you brotha lol

[@ayokay123]

Clay is as he is....incredible. Hermont is just crazy good and I think he's considerably better than the average 5.0 player. I could watch these guys play over and over again.

[@joek5078]

A 12.5 UTR is generally a 5.5 or 6.0 - closer to 6.0. I think Hermont is either being modest or sandbagging.

[@shanecsontos-popko1329]

Love hearing the post match breakdowns from these guys! Clay always brings up stuff I would never think about as a recreational player. This alone has helped my game improve!

[@theintentionalist]

Love the strat of Clay kicking it out wide. Nice job to Hermont for hanging in there. The insights at the end were spot on. Keep up the good work Winston.

[@g8hejpuq637]

I was rooting for Hermont to the very end! Great game to the both of the players. Thanks for that, and already looking forward to the next one!

[@lisandrodelacruz4677]

Great content. This shows the real thought processes between a pro and a very good recreational player. A great insight on the mindset of tennis professional during a match.

[@rsmith02]

Beautiful play from Clay- loved how he used his wingspan to open up angles on the court and pounce on opportunities to get to net to finish points. I'm envious of the ability to hit angles on the serve with that height advantage.

[@ProdigyHighlights]

Amazing difference in levels between a great amateur and a pro. Really astounding. Congrats to Hermont for taking a few games. His serve is looking really good, gave Clay a few stutter steps.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

New subscriber Winston. I appreciate the post-game analysis with the players. Collegial and informative.

[@majesticaaa4131]

5:58 Best rally of this match That laser backhand slice from Clay though

[@tennisscrub8533]

It’s all about the serve above 11 UTR

[@ronberasa5868]

Yeah, 5.0 vs Pro - I'd like to see more. Nice gear. I'd like to hear more about how players tune their sticks, strings. That was the first time I've ever heard 30lb. string tension.

[@gab_ale]

Isn't Hermont 5.5?

[@missourimanful]

@gab1331 - Definitely 5.0 possibly 5.5. 7.0 is the professional level.

[@gab_ale]

@@missourimanful Based on his max UTR he was a very high 5.5 or even prob. a 6.0. He definitely looks like a good 5.5 to me.

[@dustyroot4708]

Clay said in a previous video that he puts a bunch of weight in the handle. It was like 15-20 grams if I remember correctly.

[@MrJohnnyblazed]

Hermount is a very high level for this channel... Clay is on "another channel" 😂

[@LiamApilado]

Nice match and analysis. Love ehat you're doing Winston

[@LiquidSnakeX11]

the matchup we all needed! I LOVE YOU HERMONT!

[@chuckersthenut2097]

This was a really cool video Winston. You keep coming up with new ideas.

[@nguyen925]

Geezus, Hermont isn't a push over by any means and didn't do badly today when he could work his way past Clay's serve but Clay's serve is insane. His kick serves height is nasty 😮

[@mikeybee98]

very fun video to watch. thanks winston!

[@yanmtb6081]

please still keep Hermont in your videos haha, what a great match!!

[@teddybearballer]

Been waiting for this type of match up against hermont, he didn't do too bad at all, props 👏

[@LegolasD]

Hermont has such a great serve but Clay has got a great serve and a lot of height. Hermont is used to getting so many free points on serve and I feel Clay got a lot of serves back that most don't. I don't remember Hermont hitting so many chip forehand returns before. Must be Clay's serve forcing him to

[@kleanish]

Yeah and in general Clays defense was so good too

[@fmtien]

Having been on the receiving end of Clay’s serve, it is huge!

[@bkatbamna]

Great match. Really enjoyed watching them play.

[@samackin6032]

High level match for sure. But Clay's serve was over the top. Big props to Hermont for competing out there. I'd love to see a rematch, Winston!

[@juniorbeasthawk4266]

Clay being kind and modest. He dominated hermont.

[@airborne13579]

Great match. Definitely on different levels. Even Clay's slices are so good. When you play against a lower level player, you may feel like you can go pro. 😀 I remembered an old friend of mine one time said to me after we played: 'I made you look good today".

[@alwaysprepared]

Seems like Winston was determined to find someone to beat Hermont! And it sounded like Clay had an actual strategy playing Hermont, as well. Clay is a tough opponent to beat, that's for sure!!

[@MarcoSolidx]

For a non-trained eye it was a close match but we can see now the difference between a pro with a great amateur. It’s the ability to make 1 or 2 more points consistently

[@jlgroovetek]

You can see at this level, having that height and serve really start to make a tangible difference that skill and wit can't overcome.

[@tchill3373]

Sheesh, really crazy points in there! Hermont beats 90+ percent of us, puts things into perspective!

[@mejartomlinson7065]

Hermont is still the legend

[@majesticaaa4131]

Yes

[@info781]

Lot of great backhand rallies in the match , enjoyed it.

[@awachsmann]

Outro was very insightful. Great set!

[@leslietennis]

Great video Winston

[@trollermonke]

Amazing video!

[@nguyen925]

That bucket hat tho! Dude that brand looks interesting 🤔 Yes a match up with Karue and Clay would be amazing! Throw in Winston and hermont, Maybe doubles?!

[@CortesAle]

Hey Wiston. Great channel, I like it a lot. Have you thought about tracking some stats for each match? It would be interesting the additional insights you can bring

[@jasonrowland1594]

Excellent match! It's amazing to me how Hermont can look almost unbeatable for many videos, but then runs into someone in Clay that is another level. I felt like Hermont was on the defensive the entire match and was feeling the weight of Clay's shots. No doubt Hermont is an awesome tennis player and probably better than 80-90% of players, but you could see the level difference so easy. Great video again Winston!

[@alexalex-mk9is]

hermont is more like top 0.5 % of player. He is close to being competitive in low level futures tournaments, if not already there

[@colossaltennis]

Nice match! Really tough serving from Clay. That's the biggest difference in this match.

[@thugzclub4070]

Wiston you keep on killing it outstanding content! How do we support you ?

[@ericwright7785]

Loved this matchup

[@draconis228]

super fun watch!

[@seancarr1595]

Great content, way for thenunderdog to fight. I would like to know Clays racquet specs as he mentioned he uses a heavier racquet. Also lastly we must see Clay play Karue!

[@GrantTDM]

Pro level serves are just different. Fun watch. Interesting to hear Clay's perspective.

[@jm7804]

That service motion is just fantastic. A lot of current pro do not have one so smooth.

[@toddhoyt4614]

Like the others said…. World of difference just between these two levels. As well as Hermont played and great shots, the pace and length and touch of Clay hard to compete with. Thanks for putting this match on.

[@jennym2276]

You are really trying to have someone defeat Hermont. Let's go! I am here for it.

[@JimArthurVanWyck]

I rally like these matches… at all levels

[@rmont2410]

those forth set serves from clay were crazy 4:55

[@meinsouza]

I tried to focus on the match but couldn't get Winston outfit out of my mind... That's quite the drip

[@bbrrwwnn]

I notice Clay’s Roland Garros towel. 👍🏼. I went for the first time this year and came back with six of those towels. 😂. Great play you guys

[@caioscofield]

Hermont did great tbh. Incredible it took a former pro to beat him since nobody else could haha

[@rtatennis86]

Great match between these two giants. Hermont did what he could. Clay have a lot going for him. Karue vs Clay next?

[@davebeery_youtube]

Crazy good skills!

[@michaelvonhaven105]

the levels are crazy!

[@-Munditimum-]

Stratospheric level of performance. Hermont and Clay, both super humble and extremely professional guys. 5.5 level is high, and then you get a higher level pro to compete against. I must say however that Clay would probably go much higher than his pro ranking previously. Just too solid. Hermont did a great job here as well. Would love to see this match up and even with Clay vs Karue as well. Thanks Winston! You're doing amazing with your channel. M

[@TS-er2jc]

This just shows you that you can get humbled in this sport at any level.

[@fosho8214]

Clay brought his game to play Hermont. Nice backhand, curios what Clay's swingweight is? Thanks for playing Hermont and Clay.

[@chenyanxiong]

The Sigrun outfit looks nice. Just shopped a bunch---thanks for the discount code!

[@grantdelmege2724]

Firstly, loved the match! Second, Hermont is a very good player and he did great to get two games against a former top 400 pro who can still play futures level tennis. But from my perspective, Clay is in a totally different league to Hermont and has lots of gears to go through if required. I dont mean that disrespectfully to Hermont as he's clearly very good but Clay is a former pro and his extra skills were clear to see. Would love to see Karue v Clay as that would be epic!

[@dougmacdougall2097]

This guy Clay.. wow… and to think there’s several levels above him is just insane.

[@dayostical]

Hermont did incredibly well to take a few games off a former pro but the gap between them was just too much, even for someone as good as him.

[@advocaterakesh]

The way there play is great

[@manishamishra600]

Yaah

[@Magic-id1bn]

Yaa

[@projectdevelopmentuploads6930]

Ya

[@tennis1690]

Props to Winston for wearing those threads 😂

[@LiamApilado]

Looking forward to ur serve lesson with Karue 👍

[@samster978]

More Clay on the channel please!

[@MantoWong]

holy crap the difference is huge, it looked like to me Hermont was playing around 70+ capacity for majority of the match. where as Clay was chilling at around 50ish and turned it up abit for a few games, especially on the last service game, he might've went 80ish. hence the 2 double faults. (hard to turn it up all of a sudden)

[@chinmong]

Very high quality

[@tsm7964]

I watch your shows pretty regularly. It's great to see a former UCLA Bruin, as I am one. LOL What happened to Jennifer Brady (she was #13 on WTA)? What about match between some older (60+) former pros or former college players?

[@dirknc]

wow good points, good rallies

[@alexanderdeits6547]

that first serve on ad side for the small guy was innnnnnn

[@MrJonOnTheRoad]

Whoa that’s independence park in Downey isn’t it? Sick

[@gabrielcazas7369]

Its really crazy how good can be a ex atp pro

[@spaceshido6124]

He is technically not an ex ...he continued to train everyday as he said he get better

[@samster978]

what do u mean? if he isnt on the pro tour anymore it would mean he is an ex pro, it doesnt mean he doesnt play tennis anymore

[@marketienne1160]

Hermont is phenomenal for only being rated a 5.0, he’s an excellent player. Like they said, the serve was a huge difference and clay’s game in general is so smooth. He was much more effective putting the ball away, which along with the serve was probably the biggest difference. Incredible performance by both by two outstanding players.

[@TLDel]

I enjoyed this. I'd like to see Clay take on Karue.

[@kianbajaj5797]

What camera and how do you mount it for these videos ?

[@AnasHarrit]

The higher the level the shorter the angles. Impressive stuff!

[@jeffkelley4055]

And Hermont finally goes down!

[@rickharris3454]

dude is for real!

[@psychosis345]

His defense in serve is super efficient and well timed. He has pro muscle memory. Taking full control of the set

[@radshet3830]

Winston mentioned clay has a lot of lead tape. Was wondering what the static weight and swingweight are? That being said at a mens open tournament the finalists were both playing unmodified frames so a high sw not necessary.

[@cozyslor]

Looks like Clay has been practicing a lot since his last video. He appears to be in better shape as well. Granted, this is just from watching a couple of vids.

[@mycomma]

Clay's serve is insane. But actually Hermont is also a huge server compare with his height

[@jeremi7214]

That clothing style is straight out of Gilligan’s island circa 1968

[@ionikW]

The legend “WE FIGHT WE FIGHT”

[@danielevans2980]

Serve at 7:04 looked wide?

[@albertsanchez5988]

Wow!!

[@yoshikay8787]

Clay Thompson huh? So this is what you do during the off-season!!! 😋😋😁

[@williamyeh6925]

Great match. Hermont was playing well, but Clay was just better.

[@tenniswithric]

Les vs Hermont would be a treat

[@TimTheMusicMan]

I string natural gut at 35 pounds and I use almost 2.5 ounces of lead on a WPS 85. Lower tension is the only way to go.

[@mskcrc]

Hermont played really well considering Clay's ability level. Even though he was fighting for points and staying in them, you can just see Clay's skill in the way he pressures Hermont and stays in rallies that other players would be worn down by.

[@tennnis498]

What strings does clay use?

[@mythcrab6047]

Soon you're going to need tiers for all the players you feature on the channel. Have you thought of doing a tournament with the players in your videos? Could get a small cash prize from the sponsors.

[@mattjensen736]

Clay is a beast🤘

[@kabob21]

Crazy how low tensions are for good players these days. Lowest I string is 50 lbs at the bottom of my racquet’s recommended tension range