Love the point starting at 2:16. That's how you beat very consistent players. Move opponent around and follow up to net. Gotta be ready to play long points though to construct the point and wait for the right ball to come in with!
@@TennisTrollChannel I'm a big fan of your channel because it shows exactly what most of the players I coach look like. It's great to see the pros play but I believe that people learn more if they look at what might be just a little bit out of reach but achievable. Thanks for pinning the comment!
Excellent video stringing Wannabe Pro's racket. He was smart to give the rackets to you to string rather than me. I may have strung his racket at 20 pounds to give myself an edge the next time we play : ]
The captain is an interesting player, smart and experienced, with good shots, with an exhausting fast, flat, short with a classic grip (maybe continenthal) forehand (he should be very tall to achieve that(isn't he?)). Anyway, he started doing weird stuffs past the half of the second set The most interesting match against MEP so far
Captain started that first set really well. He was finding lots of open court and making easy shots for himself. The end of that second set was so different. The footwork was lazy (when it wasn't totally cement shoe style) so I just wonder what the difference was.
The video quality on this one is excellent! Love the lighting on these courts. Can already tell this is gonna be a battle. Captain has great hands at net. Did he get injured midway through the 2nd set? There seemed to be a huge drop in energy.
Good match so far. One thing about MEP, aka green shirt, he never beats himself. His opponent has to beat him, or they will be another victim of his, due to their unforced errors. Look forward to Part 2. Thanks for posting,
@@TennisTrollChannel I've just seen the first two games of third set. It is pretty clear to me that Captain just lost the second set on purpose. If he has a better explanation, this is the place to say it.
Yeah, it seems the Captain was going down with the ship in the last several games. I don't see any reason he would have thrown those last few games, but I could be wrong. Otherwise, he was out-MEPing MEP by hitting unpredictable shots and had a good net game (including serve and volleys!) to boot I'll be interested to see if he regains form or not. I'm guessing since Troll decided to not include the final set that maybe it's more competitive than I would have thought?
The reason I broke up the video is due to poor internet speed at the hotel I'm at. Took several days to upload this video on TH-cam. It would still be uploading if I posted the entire video as one video. I do find the third set interesting.
You can have the correct strategy/ tactics but they are useless if you can’t consistently hit the shots necessary to implement your plan. I coached for a long time and spent more time teaching and doing drills to teach technique and consistency. The difference between the first and second set also showed the need for fitness. When people play against this MEP style it will usually depend on their fitness and what tools they have in their tennis skill tool box.
maybe but the way Captain showed his tiredness was very particular, considering fitness or not, was about a mental thing (fitness leads to mental problems a lot)
Once AGAIN you have the score wrong at 11:07 in the video. It should read 6-3, 2-0. Not 6-3, 0-2. AGAIN, how hard is it to have someone watch this once and keep an eye on the scoring?
A beautiful first set by the Captain. This is the strategy I had recommended to play MEP: Junk the junker. If someone has a good forehand slice, be ready to counteract it with a forehand slice of your own...it's a very effective shot, and it's really hard to attack a low slice with a topspin forehand....especially a short ball. The Captain did something else very well: He didn't let MEP get away with that moon-ball forehand once he saw it a couple of times. Captain came inside the baseline and took the ball out of the air. That shot is one of MEPs weapons, against people who let it bounce. Captain also hit many beautifully placed and disguised volleys and overheads. He was very consistent at the net. And he attacked MEPs serve quite well. It will be fun to watch part two. Captain has to get rid of double faults and missed returns of serve. He should keep chipping and getting into the net. MEP should come into the net himself, and try to take that away form Captain...It's not MEPs favorite place, but he can't keep letting Captain get there first. I guess the wind makes lobbing tough, if it's swirling....
If you have a foreign friend who doesn't understand the difference between "relaxed" and "nonchalant" show him this video. The Captain, in the second set, stopped moving his feet and really concentrating. MEP, on the other hand, brought his hustling to a higher level, and dug the set out. The Captain has to get more patient, more aggressive, and more focused. Can't wait for Part 3.
I feel like the captain's fitness was really poor. These points don't require a ton of energy, but he seemed really lacking in the last few games. Maybe he had given up the set, but I really think his game plan for beating MEP was there. Odd that he lost his composure so fast. I can't imagine these two sets taking anymore than 2 hours.
@@TennisTrollChannel whether or not you think this match was long enough to warrant being this tired, there's really not much else to analyze when the captain was walking during points. He didn't play poorly, but once he started walking towards balls in the corner, he was done. If the third set comes directly after this video, then I don't give him much of a chance. I personally think that your fitness should be good enough to finish a long match, not just a regular one. But I understand not everyone thinks this way.
I don't think it was fitness. I think he just kind of gave up out of frustration. A set and a half at this level should not tire you out that much. Plus he plays regularly so I don't think it's that.
Either the Captain's fitness or mental game broke in the second set. Hitting shots like he didn't care when in the first set he was hitting with certainty. If it stays like this - could be a swift 6-0 for Ben in the 3rd.
He lost it because he got exhausted...and not physically. That is the hidden factor by MEP. Players get exhausted that rhythm doesn't really turn on...lol. In a way...the "W" was not the issue. It was the "beauty"...yet again.
People always talk about MEP's unorthodox style but really I think he wins through fitness. Captain had a really good strategy but you can see him getting tired and making errors in the 2nd. Lets see if he can get a second wind. Meanwhile MEP needs to up his game. He has more tape on him than most ATP players. Its just going to get harder for him.
Who ever is doing the scoring is all over the place particularly with the set score! I would first suggest using the standard "home and away" with the numbers not swapping around with the serves. I think at times the person posting the score even confused himself. Still fun to watch though!
@@TennisTrollChannel I can see that but it’s extra confusing when the score is wrong such as in early in the second set. I just constantly had to go back and rewatch the last point to see who actually won the game. Then the scores constantly flopping around and also with the text color indication it can be a bit too much to process.
Wow! It was satisfying to see someone FINALLY coming in and taking those MEP floater balls out of the air! Not to mention, hitting (some) winners off those easy, predictable serves. (It still seems odd to me that these are 4.5 players who hit drop shots and then stand at the baseline usually waiting to see if the opponent gets there. I feel like most 3.5s at the least know to come in on drop shots!)
@@TennisTrollChannel most times, yes, as most players adopt a "short to short"/"deep to deep" game. If I hit a drop shot, I follow it in almost every time. There are exceptions, of course, but generally yes, hitting a drop shot and then standing back on the baseline isn't very effective.
@@TennisTrollChannel by the way, I'm talking about actual drop shots here; you know, the ones that barely clear the net and drop close to the net. I wouldn't move in if my drop shot was bad landing near the service line; that would be suicide.
@@automaticsweetheart2009 agree. have to make sure it's a good shot. After hitting a good drop shot, I usually take a couple steps inside the baseline to anticipate a weak shot from opponent and then hit a passing shot. However, coming to the net after hitting a good drop shot may be another good strategy to use as the opponent is likely to pop up the ball which may allow for an easier volley winner. I"ll give it a try.
The Captain has all the tools to beat MEP, but he either lost focus or his fitness level is poor. The last few games of the 2nd set looked like throwaway games.
![Most Exhausting Player vs The Captain Part 2 [USTA 4.5]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wPEbpTbYd_I/mqdefault.jpg)
![Most Exhausting Player vs The Captain Part 2 [USTA 4.5]](/img/tr.png)
Love the point starting at 2:16. That's how you beat very consistent players. Move opponent around and follow up to net. Gotta be ready to play long points though to construct the point and wait for the right ball to come in with!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with all of us. Always excellent to receive advice from a pro tennis player.
@@TennisTrollChannel I'm a big fan of your channel because it shows exactly what most of the players I coach look like. It's great to see the pros play but I believe that people learn more if they look at what might be just a little bit out of reach but achievable. Thanks for pinning the comment!
@@MeikeBabelTennis Well said. I completely agree.
Captain really stopped giving a 💩 halfway thru the second set and tanked it beautifully. Lord Tomic would be proud.
Ah, the GOAT is set to harvest another soul to his collection.
Excellent video stringing Wannabe Pro's racket. He was smart to give the rackets to you to string rather than me. I may have strung his racket at 20 pounds to give myself an edge the next time we play : ]
I love watching him feed. Delicious life-blood nourishing and restoring the big man himself.
I wouldn't say all of that. MEP got three freebie games to win the second set, off of Captain's string of unforced errors.
Great to see you again, Ben!
Looking at how MEP returns soft serves, would a serve & volley strategy have worked?
The captain is an interesting player, smart and experienced, with good shots, with an exhausting fast, flat, short with a classic grip (maybe continenthal) forehand (he should be very tall to achieve that(isn't he?)). Anyway, he started doing weird stuffs past the half of the second set
The most interesting match against MEP so far
Vintage MEP point @13:46
Looks like the captain was tanking the second set for whatever reason.
Great quality video!
Thank you for letting me know - think we'll continue using these phones moving forward.
Captain started that first set really well. He was finding lots of open court and making easy shots for himself. The end of that second set was so different. The footwork was lazy (when it wasn't totally cement shoe style) so I just wonder what the difference was.
me too
maybe he got into MEP's game
Was this recorded earlier in the year? Prior to MEP playing at essential tennis?
Yes to both questions.
Hoping you post content more than 1X per week!
@@vintageoutboard1 used to post 2-3x a week. Will hopefully return to 2x in fall if it all works out. Thank you for the feedback.
The video quality on this one is excellent! Love the lighting on these courts. Can already tell this is gonna be a battle. Captain has great hands at net. Did he get injured midway through the 2nd set? There seemed to be a huge drop in energy.
Have to agree that he did indeed start to look kinda … exhausted.
Good match so far. One thing about MEP, aka green shirt, he never beats himself. His opponent has to beat him, or they will be another victim of his, due to their unforced errors. Look forward to Part 2. Thanks for posting,
Love the Captain's style. Very unique. Seems like he ran out of gas in second set.
Curious to see how he bounces back in the third set (if he bounces back). Shall see.
Beautiful half-volley @2:50
What happened to Captain in the las three games?
Not sure...curious to see how he starts the third set.
@@TennisTrollChannel I've just seen the first two games of third set. It is pretty clear to me that Captain just lost the second set on purpose. If he has a better explanation, this is the place to say it.
how is it cold in arizona in july?
I don't think it's cold in Arizona in July.
@@TennisTrollChannel i am so sorry for getting Atlanta and Arizona mixed up lol
was this filmed last fall/winter?
I think recently theres been lots of rain recently after the hot weather but i live in boston so idk
Early spring of this year. Before Essential Tennis match.
why is the fence so low? I believe if you go beyond the fence you will find many old treasures of tennis balls from years gone by
Yeah, it seems the Captain was going down with the ship in the last several games. I don't see any reason he would have thrown those last few games, but I could be wrong.
Otherwise, he was out-MEPing MEP by hitting unpredictable shots and had a good net game (including serve and volleys!) to boot I'll be interested to see if he regains form or not. I'm guessing since Troll decided to not include the final set that maybe it's more competitive than I would have thought?
The reason I broke up the video is due to poor internet speed at the hotel I'm at. Took several days to upload this video on TH-cam. It would still be uploading if I posted the entire video as one video. I do find the third set interesting.
You can have the correct strategy/ tactics but they are useless if you can’t consistently hit the shots necessary to implement your plan. I coached for a long time and spent more time teaching and doing drills to teach technique and consistency. The difference between the first and second set also showed the need for fitness. When people play against this MEP style it will usually depend on their fitness and what tools they have in their tennis skill tool box.
Fitness/endurance is MEP's strength in my opinion.
maybe but the way Captain showed his tiredness was very particular, considering fitness or not, was about a mental thing (fitness leads to mental problems a lot)
9:47 strange grip (semi-western at the net)
is this a late upload? looks like it was played early spring or winter. Not in june/july.
That is correct. Wanted to wait till ET’s videos of MEP were posted.
this match shows how important a forehand slice can be from the captain..mixed in with power and touch!
Once AGAIN you have the score wrong at 11:07 in the video. It should read 6-3, 2-0. Not 6-3, 0-2. AGAIN, how hard is it to have someone watch this once and keep an eye on the scoring?
Are you volunteering to be the new TennisTroll editor?
Hey where are you guys based? Would love to come play MEP
Atlanta
Did I miss something, or does Captain only get one serve?
In the past, we only showed the serve that went in. Now we show both first and second serves.
After playing with the MEP, you will play like the MEP and forgot all your shorts! It is contagious, LoL!!
Captsin has the right strategy...must be fitness that he lost the 2nd set?
A beautiful first set by the Captain. This is the strategy I had recommended to play MEP: Junk the junker. If someone has a good forehand slice, be ready to counteract it with a forehand slice of your own...it's a very effective shot, and it's really hard to attack a low slice with a topspin forehand....especially a short ball. The Captain did something else very well: He didn't let MEP get away with that moon-ball forehand once he saw it a couple of times. Captain came inside the baseline and took the ball out of the air. That shot is one of MEPs weapons, against people who let it bounce. Captain also hit many beautifully placed and disguised volleys and overheads. He was very consistent at the net. And he attacked MEPs serve quite well. It will be fun to watch part two. Captain has to get rid of double faults and missed returns of serve. He should keep chipping and getting into the net. MEP should come into the net himself, and try to take that away form Captain...It's not MEPs favorite place, but he can't keep letting Captain get there first. I guess the wind makes lobbing tough, if it's swirling....
If you have a foreign friend who doesn't understand the difference between "relaxed" and "nonchalant" show him this video. The Captain, in the second set, stopped moving his feet and really concentrating. MEP, on the other hand, brought his hustling to a higher level, and dug the set out. The Captain has to get more patient, more aggressive, and more focused. Can't wait for Part 3.
it's Fed-Lite in the other court?
He is - playing D1 Smooth. The video of that match has been posted.
I feel like the captain's fitness was really poor. These points don't require a ton of energy, but he seemed really lacking in the last few games. Maybe he had given up the set, but I really think his game plan for beating MEP was there. Odd that he lost his composure so fast. I can't imagine these two sets taking anymore than 2 hours.
if each set is an hour...3 hour match is a long match.
Yeah he looks to be struggling in the cardiovascular fitness department.
@@TennisTrollChannel whether or not you think this match was long enough to warrant being this tired, there's really not much else to analyze when the captain was walking during points. He didn't play poorly, but once he started walking towards balls in the corner, he was done. If the third set comes directly after this video, then I don't give him much of a chance.
I personally think that your fitness should be good enough to finish a long match, not just a regular one. But I understand not everyone thinks this way.
@@TrevorSquiresyou are correct- I agree that fitness is a must. The third set does come directly after second set. No rest break was taken.
I don't think it was fitness. I think he just kind of gave up out of frustration. A set and a half at this level should not tire you out that much. Plus he plays regularly so I don't think it's that.
Would be interesting seeing a match between D1Scrub and The Captain
I like this idea - thanks!
I wonder how MEP handles high bouncing loopy forehands with his Continental forehand...
Either the Captain's fitness or mental game broke in the second set. Hitting shots like he didn't care when in the first set he was hitting with certainty. If it stays like this - could be a swift 6-0 for Ben in the 3rd.
MEP is a much less girfted amatuer john McEnroe. Pronounced Mac-n-row for those who dont know him.
He lost it because he got exhausted...and not physically. That is the hidden factor by MEP. Players get exhausted that rhythm doesn't really turn on...lol. In a way...the "W" was not the issue. It was the "beauty"...yet again.
Not sure what the hell happened around the middle of the second set. It's like the Captain lost the will to live.
People always talk about MEP's unorthodox style but really I think he wins through fitness. Captain had a really good strategy but you can see him getting tired and making errors in the 2nd. Lets see if he can get a second wind. Meanwhile MEP needs to up his game. He has more tape on him than most ATP players. Its just going to get harder for him.
Who ever is doing the scoring is all over the place particularly with the set score! I would first suggest using the standard "home and away" with the numbers not swapping around with the serves. I think at times the person posting the score even confused himself. Still fun to watch though!
We post the server's score first and returner score second.
@@TennisTrollChannel I can see that but it’s extra confusing when the score is wrong such as in early in the second set. I just constantly had to go back and rewatch the last point to see who actually won the game. Then the scores constantly flopping around and also with the text color indication it can be a bit too much to process.
@@nguyen087 maybe the first time, the second time you see it you already got used to it and it's very clear
Captain literally just gave MEP three easy games because of unforced errors. He played really well in first set and dominated MEP.
Wow! It was satisfying to see someone FINALLY coming in and taking those MEP floater balls out of the air! Not to mention, hitting (some) winners off those easy, predictable serves. (It still seems odd to me that these are 4.5 players who hit drop shots and then stand at the baseline usually waiting to see if the opponent gets there. I feel like most 3.5s at the least know to come in on drop shots!)
Is it better for player who hit a drop shot to run to the net after hitting it?
@@TennisTrollChannel most times, yes, as most players adopt a "short to short"/"deep to deep" game. If I hit a drop shot, I follow it in almost every time. There are exceptions, of course, but generally yes, hitting a drop shot and then standing back on the baseline isn't very effective.
@@TennisTrollChannel by the way, I'm talking about actual drop shots here; you know, the ones that barely clear the net and drop close to the net. I wouldn't move in if my drop shot was bad landing near the service line; that would be suicide.
@@automaticsweetheart2009 I'lll try it next time. Thanks for sharing.
@@automaticsweetheart2009 agree. have to make sure it's a good shot. After hitting a good drop shot, I usually take a couple steps inside the baseline to anticipate a weak shot from opponent and then hit a passing shot. However, coming to the net after hitting a good drop shot may be another good strategy to use as the opponent is likely to pop up the ball which may allow for an easier volley winner. I"ll give it a try.
Solid play from the capn
The Captain has all the tools to beat MEP, but he either lost focus or his fitness level is poor. The last few games of the 2nd set looked like throwaway games.
Consider viewing Part 2 (third set) to see how it ends for them. It's interesting and both players touch on the subject of the second set at the end.
The Captain gave up on that 2nd set - channeled Bernie Tomic
Say what you want about MEP. Guarantee if you tried to copy him you wouldn’t be half as good.
Excellent point. it's like trying to copy Nadal.
do you win over him?
@@alvaromena7548 MEP? We played once in channel- it’s the original MEP video actually. Didn’t finish. It rained in the second set.
@@TennisTrollChannel my comment is not for you, it's a reply to the original comment of this section
pink serve is much better
he does have nice technique.
4.5 slicer is practicing serve and volley for fun against 3.5 pusher slicer.
Nice 3.5 gameplay 😂
There’s absolutely no way that the captain is 4.5
13-3 at 4.5
This is not 4.5; no way.....no, no......
Yes, yes