Huge respect Sean! And reading the comments you’ve done the right thing and taken some learning points. Try not to be so hard on yourself mate. Looking forward to the other MEP matches - really hoping the editing is tighter though @REALTENNIS as your excellent commentary was ahead of the point and spoiling every winner/error. Big love, keep it coming ❤
Ben is playing some really good tennis and his tactics are very impressive. I find it’s easier to play a slice back with a slice, I have also noticed playing my friend Herdon which runs in marathons and is in amazing shape, he gets every single ball back and he plays with a lot of slice, so I noticed when I started hitting huge moon balls to his one handed backhand it’s a little bit difficult for him to hit the ball back deep back to me, and I am able to get into the net and get a few easier volleys, but if I don’t hit a good volley I get a lob and I have to run it down and start the point all over, I am seeing Ben playing much better than before and is really putting some massive spin on his shots, and Sean hasn’t really adjusted his game and is trying to make shots off a massive slice, which is causing him to hit the ball into the net. I really appreciate you fellas featuring Ben, he is a prime example of how to play tennis and is a complete gentleman on the Court, and even gives his opponent serves that are 3 feet out! It’s funny to me that some players are spending thousands of dollars on tennis lessons to hit perfect shots and someone like Ben will just eat them up! If I was coaching again I would have my players watch Ben and I would have them write down strategies that would try to use to win points off him. Because I seen a few people on YT telling their students that hacking isn’t proper tennis and is bad for their game, and I replied to them let’s see you play tennis against Ben and let’s see how you would adjust to his style! When I was out of tennis for 24 years and I started playing again last year I never realized how much I loved tennis and the sport, and I love playing against all types of players, and I really enjoy just being out on the courts and I laugh and joke around and play hard and I noticed that people like playing tennis with me and especially doubles because I am very competitive and but I never criticize my opponents or partner when they make a mistake and I never get stressed out over the score, I just play the game and I try to have as much fun as I can, and I try to create a fun environment for everyone. Ben is a pleasant person to watch play and I love the way he carries himself, Ian and Scott are very similar to Ben on the tennis court because Ian jokes around and never criticizes his opponents or his partner, and Scott is a extremely polite person towards his opponents and he always puts his partner in a mood that makes his partner relaxed and he is able to make his partners better by his attitude, and I really like the way Scott and Ian play the game of tennis, I like Marc also but he eats too much Taco Bell before his match. Hahe you guys are awesome and when I visit my friends in Wisconsin, I want to meet you fellas and play a little ball and have a beer with you fellas, I don’t drink because of the diabetes, but I will make a exception for you fellas. Plus I still have to play Trey which is playing some really good tennis and I think it will be awesome to have a generation match and bring people together to play the game of tennis. Thank you for posting this video my dudes, and thank you for everything you fellas are doing to bring people out to play the game of tennis. Big Ben is giving me the motivation to get my knee back into shape, and I am doing the stretch’s Marc suggested to me, and it’s helping me out. Much appreciated! Thanks again fellas!
Hang in there Sean. Everyone gets a double bagelled once in their life but it's tough when it's on youtube for all to see. And playing up vs a 4.5 player, most 4.0s are going to lose pretty big margins.
can't wait to see the rest of the matches uploaded; caught live stream, it was so exhilaratingly fun! be prepared for Ira in the commentary booth and his knowledge base about racetrack horses' bowel movement patterns :) :)
Playing in ATL, I can see MEP winning at 4.0/ 4.5, but It’s really hard to accept Sean playing at a 4.0 level. Sean’s pancake-style serve and ground strokes with very little pace and consistency all point towards a 3.0/ 3.5 level IMO. Don’t want to bash the guy or anything, just curious if my take is too narrow and I just don’t have enough experience playing with people at a 4.0 level
I was thinking the same thing, or at the very most that he's at the lower level of 4.0. What we're not seeing is what he can do when he doesn't have to create all of his own pace but instead engages in traditional baseline topspin ball-bashing rallies. I personally play at the high 3.5/low 4.0 level and struggle far more against "pushers" than I do against more-skilled players willing to trade groundstrokes with me - and Ben falls into that special category of "skilled pushers" where I doubt I'd do any better than Sean here. And really, goose eggs is not unexpected in a solid 4.5 vs. low 4.0 match.
First time on camera, playing a lefty and indoors we're all new to me as well. I felt my timing was off so I didn't try to hit too hard and knew my cardio wasn't great so footwork was bad. I like that my flaws were put out there so I can work on them.
Just echoing your commentary, but Ben has improved so many facets of his game! And of course, he just seems like a sincerely nice person. Great match Ben, I hope to never play you 😆
That's one thing that really stands out. Ben always shows fantastic sportsmanship, and I have to say that most "pushers" I've known in the past (at least the ones playing competitively) were also the type to make questionable line calls and think they're far better than they really are.
Sean is simply overmatched. He might be able win a game here and there, but not consistently. MEP has the definite advantage from the baseline hitting corners whenever he wants and is able to force Sean to hit his weaker backhand repeatedly. With that situation, the natural thing to do is come to the net when there is an opportunity and finish the point, but Sean just pops volleys up too much which gives MEP the freedom to play his lob game or hit passing shots, if he wants. I have trouble playing pushers who expose my inconsistencies and my attitude gets sour pretty quickly, so I sympathize with Sean, for sure! But, MEP has, like Ian said, upped his game so it is like playing a pusher who also has actual good strokes and strategy, even if the strokes seem a bit wonky! MEP's game is quite effective! Sean has some good bursts of speed at times, but all it seems to do is wear him out more because MEP is going to keep those balls coming back with placement! I don't even have a clue what to tell Sean to do as a strategy... Let's hope that Sean gets some good luck in the third set... After thinking about it, maybe the only strategy that might help is to literally try to get every ball back in the court, whatever it takes, rather than trying to hit any sort of heroic shots and try to let MEP makes the mistakes. Yes, it is kind of MEP's game, but he is playing a slightly higher risk game than he used to. It can't get worse, right?? Consistency is the bedrock of good players...
Kind of a mismatch. Honestly, I feel like it's a bit of lack of respect for MEP... since he is rated a 4.5 and has beaten 4.5 USTA players. He should be matched against his level. No offense to Sean. He probably would have done very well against a 4.0 player, but he was outmatched.
He didn't seem to have a great first step or wasn't able to read the ball very well. But, USTA ratings are based on winning and losing, not on style and form so he probably is a 4.0C. And it was his first time playing in front of a camera, which could have affected his nerves.
Huge respect Sean! And reading the comments you’ve done the right thing and taken some learning points. Try not to be so hard on yourself mate.
Looking forward to the other MEP matches - really hoping the editing is tighter though @REALTENNIS as your excellent commentary was ahead of the point and spoiling every winner/error. Big love, keep it coming ❤
Wow...hmm...this must be a record of some kind for Ben...I won't spoil it for everyone else...and there is more...Love it.
Thank you RT. Legendary.
M
Much, much more on the way!
Ben is playing some really good tennis and his tactics are very impressive. I find it’s easier to play a slice back with a slice, I have also noticed playing my friend Herdon which runs in marathons and is in amazing shape, he gets every single ball back and he plays with a lot of slice, so I noticed when I started hitting huge moon balls to his one handed backhand it’s a little bit difficult for him to hit the ball back deep back to me, and I am able to get into the net and get a few easier volleys, but if I don’t hit a good volley I get a lob and I have to run it down and start the point all over, I am seeing Ben playing much better than before and is really putting some massive spin on his shots, and Sean hasn’t really adjusted his game and is trying to make shots off a massive slice, which is causing him to hit the ball into the net. I really appreciate you fellas featuring Ben, he is a prime example of how to play tennis and is a complete gentleman on the Court, and even gives his opponent serves that are 3 feet out! It’s funny to me that some players are spending thousands of dollars on tennis lessons to hit perfect shots and someone like Ben will just eat them up! If I was coaching again I would have my players watch Ben and I would have them write down strategies that would try to use to win points off him. Because I seen a few people on YT telling their students that hacking isn’t proper tennis and is bad for their game, and I replied to them let’s see you play tennis against Ben and let’s see how you would adjust to his style! When I was out of tennis for 24 years and I started playing again last year I never realized how much I loved tennis and the sport, and I love playing against all types of players, and I really enjoy just being out on the courts and I laugh and joke around and play hard and I noticed that people like playing tennis with me and especially doubles because I am very competitive and but I never criticize my opponents or partner when they make a mistake and I never get stressed out over the score, I just play the game and I try to have as much fun as I can, and I try to create a fun environment for everyone. Ben is a pleasant person to watch play and I love the way he carries himself, Ian and Scott are very similar to Ben on the tennis court because Ian jokes around and never criticizes his opponents or his partner, and Scott is a extremely polite person towards his opponents and he always puts his partner in a mood that makes his partner relaxed and he is able to make his partners better by his attitude, and I really like the way Scott and Ian play the game of tennis, I like Marc also but he eats too much Taco Bell before his match. Hahe you guys are awesome and when I visit my friends in Wisconsin, I want to meet you fellas and play a little ball and have a beer with you fellas, I don’t drink because of the diabetes, but I will make a exception for you fellas. Plus I still have to play Trey which is playing some really good tennis and I think it will be awesome to have a generation match and bring people together to play the game of tennis. Thank you for posting this video my dudes, and thank you for everything you fellas are doing to bring people out to play the game of tennis. Big Ben is giving me the motivation to get my knee back into shape, and I am doing the stretch’s Marc suggested to me, and it’s helping me out. Much appreciated! Thanks again fellas!
When you guys were getting a player named Sean, I thought it was the guy from Illinois that played MEP 3 years ago.
Hang in there Sean. Everyone gets a double bagelled once in their life but it's tough when it's on youtube for all to see. And playing up vs a 4.5 player, most 4.0s are going to lose pretty big margins.
Whenever I play someone with less than 10% body fat, I know I’m in trouble.
the guy is super fit
Love these matches and commentary and how you all work together on things. You should all come to North Wales for a week and play with us!
can't wait to see the rest of the matches uploaded; caught live stream, it was so exhilaratingly fun! be prepared for Ira in the commentary booth and his knowledge base about racetrack horses' bowel movement patterns :) :)
That warmup comment is so on point. Once the match starts all sorts of craziness happens.
i thought someone was snoring during the video. Took me a couple of serves from Ben to realize LOL
Kevin McAllister voice: I'll save these for later (work downtime on a big screen)
Playing in ATL, I can see MEP winning at 4.0/ 4.5, but It’s really hard to accept Sean playing at a 4.0 level. Sean’s pancake-style serve and ground strokes with very little pace and consistency all point towards a 3.0/ 3.5 level IMO. Don’t want to bash the guy or anything, just curious if my take is too narrow and I just don’t have enough experience playing with people at a 4.0 level
I might be a 2.5. I'm out of shape, can't volley, hit slow can barely run. 47 years old I need to find a new hobby
I was thinking the same thing, or at the very most that he's at the lower level of 4.0. What we're not seeing is what he can do when he doesn't have to create all of his own pace but instead engages in traditional baseline topspin ball-bashing rallies. I personally play at the high 3.5/low 4.0 level and struggle far more against "pushers" than I do against more-skilled players willing to trade groundstrokes with me - and Ben falls into that special category of "skilled pushers" where I doubt I'd do any better than Sean here. And really, goose eggs is not unexpected in a solid 4.5 vs. low 4.0 match.
Agree
@@seanbinder8316 The secret at our age is to find a good doubles group. Leave the singles to the kids.
First time on camera, playing a lefty and indoors we're all new to me as well. I felt my timing was off so I didn't try to hit too hard and knew my cardio wasn't great so footwork was bad. I like that my flaws were put out there so I can work on them.
Fair enough. So you are a self rated 4.0. That explains it. Regardless, props to you for putting yourself out there for this match.
Just echoing your commentary, but Ben has improved so many facets of his game! And of course, he just seems like a sincerely nice person. Great match Ben, I hope to never play you 😆
That's one thing that really stands out. Ben always shows fantastic sportsmanship, and I have to say that most "pushers" I've known in the past (at least the ones playing competitively) were also the type to make questionable line calls and think they're far better than they really are.
Sean is simply overmatched. He might be able win a game here and there, but not consistently.
MEP has the definite advantage from the baseline hitting corners whenever he wants and is able to force Sean to hit his weaker backhand repeatedly. With that situation, the natural thing to do is come to the net when there is an opportunity and finish the point, but Sean just pops volleys up too much which gives MEP the freedom to play his lob game or hit passing shots, if he wants.
I have trouble playing pushers who expose my inconsistencies and my attitude gets sour pretty quickly, so I sympathize with Sean, for sure! But, MEP has, like Ian said, upped his game so it is like playing a pusher who also has actual good strokes and strategy, even if the strokes seem a bit wonky! MEP's game is quite effective!
Sean has some good bursts of speed at times, but all it seems to do is wear him out more because MEP is going to keep those balls coming back with placement!
I don't even have a clue what to tell Sean to do as a strategy... Let's hope that Sean gets some good luck in the third set...
After thinking about it, maybe the only strategy that might help is to literally try to get every ball back in the court, whatever it takes, rather than trying to hit any sort of heroic shots and try to let MEP makes the mistakes. Yes, it is kind of MEP's game, but he is playing a slightly higher risk game than he used to. It can't get worse, right?? Consistency is the bedrock of good players...
Scott and Ian got a shift at the hospital after this?
😂😂😂😂😂
MEP's picture needs to be on the entrance of every tennis court in America not allowing him in! 🤣
😅
You gotta pick the balls up at 8:31. You are going to get an ankle injury... then you can't play.
Kind of a mismatch. Honestly, I feel like it's a bit of lack of respect for MEP... since he is rated a 4.5 and has beaten 4.5 USTA players. He should be matched against his level. No offense to Sean. He probably would have done very well against a 4.0 player, but he was outmatched.
Guy in the hat cannot be a 4.0, maybe he self -rated? Unreal really, more of a 3.5 at best. Speed does not translate to tennis skills!
He didn't seem to have a great first step or wasn't able to read the ball very well. But, USTA ratings are based on winning and losing, not on style and form so he probably is a 4.0C. And it was his first time playing in front of a camera, which could have affected his nerves.
@@PWfrom92807 I think he's recovering from a couple of surgeries as well.
My footwork was great in baseball I don't know what happened maybe I was conserving energy.