Wow, I'll really miss this channel. This episode's commentary was spot on funny. And Ben singing a Meatloaf song between points. Priceless! Thanks for bringing this guys!
It's amazing how after all this time people still underestimate the impact of Ben's playing style on decent players. Chris has good speed but he does occasionally fail on volley and overhead. His biggest weakness is that he can only slice the backhand. Ben has seen that and will prey on it. Play to the backhand and feed off the slice with drop shots. It's going to be another MEP victory.
Most of Ben's TH-cam matches for a while have been odd ones - vs. the ranked 10-yo, vs. the MEP of Seattle, etc. It's like when boxers fight a karate guy or a sumo or a kangaroo - people are forgetting that he made his name (on TH-cam at least) badly beating some quality 4.5 players on the TennisTroll channel and proving his USTA rating.
I am also really sad that this is (supposedly) the last match. This is just superb, intense, emotional amateur tennis at its best. Thank you Ian and the crew for this impeccable entertainment.
The rewind at the end was perfect. Gotta get over to those TTW forums and watch them lose their shizzzz on this. All of them will tell you "all you need to do to beat Ben is....", and then Ben just says hold my beer. lol.
If you don't watch his game and realize how difficult an opponent he is, then you've never played a skilled pusher. There's a certain power in making no unforced errors and hitting with spins that players at this level simply aren't used to.
Unfortunately that's not a match. Mark's a legitimate 5.0 who could simply hit him off the court - this is the difference between "winning record in his region against mostly casual players" and "played in the USTA national championship match at the 4.5 level".
Great selection of players and commentators for the final match! So if your string breaks on the 1st serve you are officially not allowed to change rackets for the 2nd serve?
Scott seems to over-estimate how many players can actually do what he did. Recognize a short ball, move up to it accurately, track it as you swing, strike it cleanly, come to net, and then actually execute your volleys, and ESPECIALLY your overheads... yeah that's just not easy to do. Scott can do it, so he crushed MEP. Most 4.5s just can't.
Just amazing how styles can affect the matchup. Angry old man had no trouble with MEP’s style, dictating him with aggressive net play, meanwhile he struggled badly vs Chris’ loopy shots. And now MEP is dominating Chris with his slicy shots.
I would like to know the rule about the racket. So Chris decided to change the racket in the middle of the point. He changed it. Then he broke the string and changed back for the previous racket. What's not allow? change racket on the second serve? or he already change once the racket, he is not allowed to change again. So is he suppose to play with a broken string. I don't understand... What's the rule?
I’m just a few games in but surely the commentators’ predictions are just to get the comments section riled up. MEP vs. a Wisconsin 4.5? I’d pick Ben every time. Let’s see…
That is painful to watch. I feel Chris loopy top spin forehands really help Ben slice the ball forward. I'd definetly hit flatter shots, but then again when you are tight af you are tight af.
People just routinely underestimate the difficulty of taking almost all the risks against MEP... Unless you have the ability to hit solid shots off slowish, backspin shots consistently and the ability to finish off points when you have the advantage Ben will expose you...
That's why Ben lost to the nationally ranked 12-yo. That kid trains every day to put away balls sitting up at the service line. Your average 4.5 club player does not practice this shot and is more likely to mess it up.
The lesson to be learned for any future restart of this channel is that people want to be attached to a person/ story. I notice that I do look at the complete matches of players that I know already from before and bring some additional spunk/story to the video. If the players are unknown to the viewer (in my case) and they don't bring something funny or some other spunk to the match, then I don't finish watching the match. Just 2 dudes playing ok tennis, even good tennis is not enough. It is about the story and some interesting characters.
I want to play these people that MEP beat now my match doesn't look so bad against him. I can play better against a conventional player cause Ben is a magician. 😮
Why all the circus shots from Chris? Like the extreme topspin that he puts on his forehand. It's as though he's trying to see how much spin he can put on the ball just for the hell of it, at the expense of being able to maintain any kind of control over the direction, depth, speed or height of his shot. It looks like he's monomaniacally focused on topspin, to the exclusion of all other parameters that give a shot its trajectory. I see many people like that, who think that they get extra points for putting more topspin on their shots than Nadal puts on his typical forehands, while they get beaten off the court. News flash for people like that; there are no bonus points for putting more topspin on your shots. Look at the forehand return at 3:53 for example. That is a circus shot. The height over the net is completely excessive for the scenario. The depth is dreadful (akin to that of a dropshot) and the speed of the shot is very poor too considering how unremarkable the serve was. All because Chris seemed to be focused almost exclusively on putting as much topspin on the ball as was possible for his swing speed. It's no wonder that Ben had such an easy time forcing an error on the next ball. 6:27 is another one. 12:05 another. 19:32 another. Ben's topspin forehands strike a much better balance between the control over spin rate, height, direction, speed and depth.
Chris did not play like a typical 4.5 player in this match. Too many unforced errors in the net & going long. His opponent hacks away & wins points by his short slices & getting the ball back by blocking or guiding the ball. If MEP was having a bad day, his hitting style would embarrass him. Not impressed with the serve by either player either. I can’t believe MEP has that 3.5 push serve. C’mon man…you are too old not to know how to throw the ball up & pronate!
Mep is the great disrupter. He gives you nothing. You have to work for every point. He decides whether you really have solid technique, or your mostly a crafty counter puncher. In the latter case you get exposed when you have nothing to punch against.
Chris plays open stance too much. Quality of shot could be better if neutral stance and step in. Both topspin and slice are not lined up towards the direction of the shot. Also his preparation takes a lot of time, instead he should have a shorter preparation so he can have more time for his feet to get in position. He is often late to hit the ball because his preparation is so big. A lot of the men that lose to MEP seem to have the same issues.
He got the name when he played on the TennisTroll channel where they give everyone a nickname. Unfortunately that channel is not uploading much in recent times.
Was expecting more from other guy. Too many UEs for a 4.5. Also doesn’t really have a backhand. Think why views are low due to competition. If this was the final match think more effort should have been made to find a solid competitor. Either Ian or the old man. Thanks for content though
You have to keep in mind that he’s a Wisconsin 4.5. Based on what I’ve seen it seems like he’d probably be a 4.0 in Atlanta where Ben (and I) are based. And Ben will eat pretty much any Atlanta 4.0 alive.
Chris has beaten Old Man 6-0, Ian 6-1 and Mark Sansait so I think they were thinking he was more than enough match for Ben. Styles makes fights though, and Chris can't seem to volley
@@ViaticalTree I'm kinda skeptical of the region stuff. I've been a low 4.5 in DC, a low 4.5 in Austin, and a low 4.5 in Colorado. If it's not backed up by UTR, I'm not buying that there's all that much difference, region to region
Today is a sad day. From a tennis lover, thank you REAL TENNIS it was a blast.
Wow.....that was INCREDIBLY enjoyable to watch back 😂
You being giddy every time MEP won a point made it 10 times better.
Thanks for bringing this content. I'll miss it
Wow, I'll really miss this channel. This episode's commentary was spot on funny. And Ben singing a Meatloaf song between points. Priceless! Thanks for bringing this guys!
Couldn't have asked for a better last match for RT. Will miss this channel.
MEP Tennis Channel would be great. MEP traveling coast to coast shutting up the YT challengers.
Amazing fun. Brilliant Edit. Going out with a bang RT.
Looking forward to part 2.
M
Mep singing meatloaf is what we all needed.
My two favorite players to watch of all time Federer and MEP...you are a legend Ben ...way to represent The ATL baby
It's amazing how after all this time people still underestimate the impact of Ben's playing style on decent players. Chris has good speed but he does occasionally fail on volley and overhead. His biggest weakness is that he can only slice the backhand. Ben has seen that and will prey on it. Play to the backhand and feed off the slice with drop shots. It's going to be another MEP victory.
Most of Ben's TH-cam matches for a while have been odd ones - vs. the ranked 10-yo, vs. the MEP of Seattle, etc. It's like when boxers fight a karate guy or a sumo or a kangaroo - people are forgetting that he made his name (on TH-cam at least) badly beating some quality 4.5 players on the TennisTroll channel and proving his USTA rating.
I am also really sad that this is (supposedly) the last match. This is just superb, intense, emotional amateur tennis at its best. Thank you Ian and the crew for this impeccable entertainment.
ill miss this channel, this was a really great one
One of my favorite channels - going to miss it
The rewind at the end was perfect. Gotta get over to those TTW forums and watch them lose their shizzzz on this. All of them will tell you "all you need to do to beat Ben is....", and then Ben just says hold my beer. lol.
If you don't watch his game and realize how difficult an opponent he is, then you've never played a skilled pusher. There's a certain power in making no unforced errors and hitting with spins that players at this level simply aren't used to.
Ian's face from the "Rewind and Replay" section are priceless!
Oh my gosh!!! @20:48 was sooooo good! Whoever had the idea to edit and put that in... genius! 😆😅🤣
Fellas counted out MEP... Never count out MEP. 😄🤘🏻
Amazing channel thank you!
Don’t get too attached. This is the last match and then they are shutting down the channel.
You cannot stop the channel before getting Mark Sansait vs MEP. Please.
They should have played on Mark's channel when MEP was in town
Unfortunately that's not a match. Mark's a legitimate 5.0 who could simply hit him off the court - this is the difference between "winning record in his region against mostly casual players" and "played in the USTA national championship match at the 4.5 level".
@@HeavyTopspin Didn't mark lose to Chris in straight sets - the same Chris losing badly to MEP here?
Idea 💡 ...👍🏻
How about a few videos of Real Tennis 🎾 highlights ..
1.) Funny moments ..
2.) Crazy 🤪 shots...
3.) Insane points...
👍🏻 👍🏻 😃 😁 😎 ..
does he have a burrito.... hahah incredible commentary!
Really going to miss these matches. Maybe there’s a way to incorporate them over on the other channel? I sure hope so.
Gonna miss hearing from the regulars on commentary. How about a limited editing podcast or companion commentary for Grandslam matches?
So sad to see you guys, but man was it fun!
You guys are hilarious!
You can't stop the channel totally until we see someone beat MEP!!!!! 🤣🎾
This is only Part 1 :)
You can't do that...that would bankrupt Ian 😂
Ian beat him.
I know Ian beat him...it was a joke
that was then...the deck was stacked
Great selection of players and commentators for the final match!
So if your string breaks on the 1st serve you are officially not allowed to change rackets for the 2nd serve?
You can change
You can change racquets, but you’re not entitled to a first serve.
Scott seems to over-estimate how many players can actually do what he did. Recognize a short ball, move up to it accurately, track it as you swing, strike it cleanly, come to net, and then actually execute your volleys, and ESPECIALLY your overheads... yeah that's just not easy to do. Scott can do it, so he crushed MEP. Most 4.5s just can't.
So simple, right?
I get what you are saying, and I begrudgingly agree -it’s harder than it sounds.
@@scottbroady3159 It was fun to watch you dice up MEP, and you made it look easy, but it's definitely NOT easy.
i've had my fair share of losses and wins to players like these. having a match like this on camera takes bravery in itself.
MEP plays more strategic shots now. In the old days he would just bunt it back down the middle.
MEP is the Beast from the East!!!
RT never disappoints!
Just amazing how styles can affect the matchup. Angry old man had no trouble with MEP’s style, dictating him with aggressive net play, meanwhile he struggled badly vs Chris’ loopy shots. And now MEP is dominating Chris with his slicy shots.
This is not the same mep from 3 years ago however
Ben: Aces 0, Winners 7, Forced Errors 3, Unforced Errors 5, Double faults 0
Chris: Aces 0, Winners 8, Forced Errors 0, Unforced Errors 21, Doubles faults 1
Would have loved to see Ian play
I would like to know the rule about the racket. So Chris decided to change the racket in the middle of the point. He changed it. Then he broke the string and changed back for the previous racket. What's not allow? change racket on the second serve? or he already change once the racket, he is not allowed to change again. So is he suppose to play with a broken string. I don't understand... What's the rule?
I’m just a few games in but surely the commentators’ predictions are just to get the comments section riled up. MEP vs. a Wisconsin 4.5? I’d pick Ben every time. Let’s see…
Atlanta is definitely a different 4.5
@@connollyroach1755 for sure
Chris pulled his racquet back so late to prepare for the hit.
That is painful to watch. I feel Chris loopy top spin forehands really help Ben slice the ball forward. I'd definetly hit flatter shots, but then again when you are tight af you are tight af.
@@ssebleon THIS! Tons of spin but not heavy really where ben can just slice it back. Backhand non existent
Thanks!
Just bought the same Diadem shirt!
People just routinely underestimate the difficulty of taking almost all the risks against MEP... Unless you have the ability to hit solid shots off slowish, backspin shots consistently and the ability to finish off points when you have the advantage Ben will expose you...
That's why Ben lost to the nationally ranked 12-yo. That kid trains every day to put away balls sitting up at the service line. Your average 4.5 club player does not practice this shot and is more likely to mess it up.
MEP! i love yuo!
Hahahahahah! So awesome!!!!! Chant > M E P! M E P! M E P!
The lesson to be learned for any future restart of this channel is that people want to be attached to a person/ story. I notice that I do look at the complete matches of players that I know already from before and bring some additional spunk/story to the video. If the players are unknown to the viewer (in my case) and they don't bring something funny or some other spunk to the match, then I don't finish watching the match. Just 2 dudes playing ok tennis, even good tennis is not enough. It is about the story and some interesting characters.
I want to play these people that MEP beat now my match doesn't look so bad against him. I can play better against a conventional player cause Ben is a magician. 😮
Ben in 2?! Oh my..
Why all the circus shots from Chris? Like the extreme topspin that he puts on his forehand. It's as though he's trying to see how much spin he can put on the ball just for the hell of it, at the expense of being able to maintain any kind of control over the direction, depth, speed or height of his shot. It looks like he's monomaniacally focused on topspin, to the exclusion of all other parameters that give a shot its trajectory. I see many people like that, who think that they get extra points for putting more topspin on their shots than Nadal puts on his typical forehands, while they get beaten off the court. News flash for people like that; there are no bonus points for putting more topspin on your shots. Look at the forehand return at 3:53 for example. That is a circus shot. The height over the net is completely excessive for the scenario. The depth is dreadful (akin to that of a dropshot) and the speed of the shot is very poor too considering how unremarkable the serve was. All because Chris seemed to be focused almost exclusively on putting as much topspin on the ball as was possible for his swing speed. It's no wonder that Ben had such an easy time forcing an error on the next ball. 6:27 is another one. 12:05 another. 19:32 another. Ben's topspin forehands strike a much better balance between the control over spin rate, height, direction, speed and depth.
Yup, i think he gave too much time to mep with those shots. He should have hit more flat and aggressive wth him.
Chris did not play like a typical 4.5 player in this match. Too many unforced errors in the net & going long. His opponent hacks away & wins points by his short slices & getting the ball back by blocking or guiding the ball. If MEP was having a bad day, his hitting style would embarrass him. Not impressed with the serve by either player either. I can’t believe MEP has that 3.5 push serve. C’mon man…you are too old not to know how to throw the ball up & pronate!
hahaha what even is this? It's weird tennis but very entertaining
Mep is the great disrupter. He gives you nothing. You have to work for every point. He decides whether you really have solid technique, or your mostly a crafty counter puncher. In the latter case you get exposed when you have nothing to punch against.
Chris plays open stance too much. Quality of shot could be better if neutral stance and step in. Both topspin and slice are not lined up towards the direction of the shot. Also his preparation takes a lot of time, instead he should have a shorter preparation so he can have more time for his feet to get in position. He is often late to hit the ball because his preparation is so big. A lot of the men that lose to MEP seem to have the same issues.
Why is he called MEP?
Most Exhausting Player
@gab_ale TY
He got the name when he played on the TennisTroll channel where they give everyone a nickname. Unfortunately that channel is not uploading much in recent times.
@ericrothmuller8739 It's due to his counter puncher style of play and unorthodox shots that cause opponents to tire fast.
Very sad 😕
Just keep the channel like wtf. Maybe someday someone else volunteers to do it.
so many unforced errors by Chris...
Was expecting more from other guy. Too many UEs for a 4.5. Also doesn’t really have a backhand. Think why views are low due to competition. If this was the final match think more effort should have been made to find a solid competitor. Either Ian or the old man. Thanks for content though
Chris has played on the channel plenty in the past, he's a legit 4.5. Everyone has a bad set here and there
@@azimuthal1392 Everyone has a plan until they get hit with the MEP game!
You have to keep in mind that he’s a Wisconsin 4.5. Based on what I’ve seen it seems like he’d probably be a 4.0 in Atlanta where Ben (and I) are based. And Ben will eat pretty much any Atlanta 4.0 alive.
Chris has beaten Old Man 6-0, Ian 6-1 and Mark Sansait so I think they were thinking he was more than enough match for Ben. Styles makes fights though, and Chris can't seem to volley
@@ViaticalTree I'm kinda skeptical of the region stuff. I've been a low 4.5 in DC, a low 4.5 in Austin, and a low 4.5 in Colorado. If it's not backed up by UTR, I'm not buying that there's all that much difference, region to region
3.5 Tennis
2.5 comment
Thanks!