8/4/02
Just finished hitting with Brian for about an hour. It is now about 3 weeks since I started hitting left handed, and my backhand continues to improve. My forehand feels worse in many ways. I have a case of the “yips” (uncontrollable movement), and have tried several methods to groove the swing. I have started with hitting top spin volleys, then half volleys, then ground strokes. I am fairly comfortable hitting hard-paced low shots. I seemed quite easy and loose the first time I went out, and the imposition of structure has not worked well in some instances. I DO need structure in order to prevent injury. My left wrist gets sore in the exact same spots as the very damaged right wrist, so I am being very cautious. I think I need strength work (ball squeezing, etc.). I also need to focus on topspin. My mobility has also improved dramatically. If I had shots to bring to the ball, I am sure I would run even better. For now, I see a few things:
1-High slow balls are killer and awkward on the forehand
2-Volleys up the middle are difficult
3-Low volleys are easy on both sides
4-When running for forehands I easily over-run the ball
5-I need to be substantially more turned on the forehand, particularly
6-The use of the body to crank the strokes is a necessity now. I was so used to doing it on the right hand thoughtlessly.
7-I tend to get to the backhand wrong-footed. I think a hop to start will help that.
8/8/02
Hit again last night with Richard Ramer. My mobility and backhand continue to improve. My forehand is only slightly better, thanks to a hint from Ramer to hold my other hand on top of my left wrist. That allowed me to keep the forehand compact and more in control, and forced more body turn prior to hitting. I need to hit a LOT of balls with topspin for control and strengthening. I can really rip a forehand when it's low and in front. I need to put myself on video and take a look.
8/16/02
Triple digit heat has preempted any hitting. My back sucks big time. Going in for an MRI on Monday 819. If I can get the back good, I might be able to really do this.
8/19/02
Hit with Link yesterday at noon on a lovely overcast day. He suggested I take a long fixed wrist swing on my forehand, and that advice worked very well. It goes against my normal style of very little arm movement and a little wrist snap, but I just don't have the synapses in place right now to control that fine a timing. I “think it” easily as I've done it for almost 40 years with the right hand, but the nerves just aren't programmed yet on the left. So we had a very good workout (my right knee is sore today), I got a major sweat, and I was running much better, actually making shots when I got there, and the forehand now looks hopeful. The backhand needs work on changing the grip and getting a little more turn so I can hit more out front (and up). But I certainly have good touch even without the proper grip, and I can generate surprising power when I loosen the hand. So a very good day out there. Tried a few serves right-handed and the wrist is not so good. I probably could warm it up and make it work, but I'll do some lefty serving anyway. I also tried playing two backhands, which worked pretty well. Hard to say just what the final configuration of my game will be at this point.
8/25/02
Hit yesterday and today, and man, my legs are SOOOOO sore!!! Finally had the breakthrough on forehand control today. I'm beginning to feel connected to the forehand, feeling control of my movements, and now able to carry on extended rallies on that side. Larry is just great at keeping the ball in play, so that works well and gives me much-needed repetition. I am much more confident now. I tried serving, and within just a few minutes I ironed out the motion and the toss and hit some quite reasonable serves. I'm not getting killer power yet, but the serves are quite playable at this point. I was also quite content not to hit for power on the forehand today, just getting topspin on every ball, keeping it deep and in play. Most refreshing to have some control. Did a lot of running, worked up a major sweat, and the legs indicate I did a lot of work out there.
9/2/02
Hit yesterday with Link in 100+ temps. My footwork is good, although a little reluctant at times, and I have no sense of jumping on overheads. That may have something to do with the loss of the peroneal longus tendon on the left ankle, which prevents me from going up more than a half inch on that side. And, I have no experience whatsoever with that jumping move left-handed. In magnificent contrast, I saw Sampras go back and WAY up for an overhead today. Wow! The volleys are getting a bit better, but they are woeful in their lack of flexibility. I'm very good at the low forehand and backhand, but lack power on the high backhands. Did some practice with the “hammer” style backhand volley I'm so famous for on the right hand, and that helped. I'm basically hampered on the shots right at my body, whereas I used to have that magnificent backhand that could cover everything there. We'll work that. The forehand groundstroke is coming, and I'm much more consistent with topspin on almost every shot. Not driving it, just keeping it controlled. I'm very comfortable on the half volley forehand. I can drive the backhand when I set up right, which means more turn and hitting out front. Overall, I'm encouraged, and getting a clearer picture of the enormity of the task. We played several minutes of points, phantom-doubles style. That was good. My return is decent, and I'll concentrate on my usual stand in close approach, as more than ever, taking the ball low works much better for me. If I am to return to Rubin's to play dubs, that return and volley game is THE thing.
9/3/02
Hit again yesterday with Link, again in scorching temps. I am very encouraged by my increasingly mobile feet. I am much springier, and getting more jump and am more able to run around balls hit directly at me. The volleys are better, as I get more able to bend and lay back the wrist. Still gotta work that backhand sweeper volley across the body. I did get more turned on both wings, and that helps significantly with hitting in front and generating topspin.
9/10/02
Hit yesterday with Millie, and it was simply horrible. She does not have the crisp shots that I need to get me moving, so it was very tough on her (running a lot), and tough on me (running a lot). The high, floating balls are SO awkward.
Hit today with Larry for about 30 minutes, and hit GREAT. Big improvement on the forehand, making some of the little in-between shots that were the bread and butter of my right hand. At least I see I can do those. Getting stronger and more facile changing grips. It'll take about a year to have a good game in place. I'm trying to catch up on 40 years of very expert play. I am VERY sore in the legs and back (more on the back another time), and my left wrist is getting overused, for sure.
9/19/02
I hit twice over the last 2 weekends, and a couple of times since. I am MUCH better in many areas. The in-between stuff, shots at the body, volleys, etc. are improved. I am building some strength for the awkward backhand volleys which used to be my stock-in-trade(mark), and learning to lay the wrist back on the difficult forehand volleys hit at my shoulder. Larry and I had some very long ralleys off both sides tonight, so I am capable of getting in the groove. My wrist is sore. My legs are excruciatingly sore, particularly the left knee in the medial area where it was scraped during the arthroscopy. I am worried there is more tearing there. I'm going to have to let it rest for several days this time. Meanwhile, the forehand is quite improved, and I appear to be a player and not an MD rehab case trying to play tennis. Gives me a whole new respect for those unfortunate people suffering those kinds of disabilities. Larry and I played a lot of points tonight with me receiving. I hit some shocking forehand returns, and several per-usual half volley backhand returns as in days of old. So there is real hope here. But man, the body is SO screwed!! The back is bad, the left leg is quite bad. It'll be interesting to see what happens as I get back in therapy on my back these coming weeks. Muldower gave me a scrip for rehab, and I'll expand the routine on my own to include some other areas. I am going to buy a mountain bike this weekend to get back to some serious CV. It is incredible how little endurance I have out there. One reason, of course, is that my movements are far from the 4 decades-fluidity I had prior. And the still-sore legs don't help, either. But all in all, lots of improvement.
9/21/02
Hit with Link for about 40 minutes. An all out workout leaving me utterly exhausted. By choking up on the racket I was able to dramatically improve my volleys at close range. I used a heavier Prince graphite of Larry's (can't find my rackets---no good), so had some timing difficulties for a while. Again, some iMprovement, particularly in the volley and backhand. I am getting the body and feet moving on the backhand, so that I can get decent shots even without the proper grip and position. As reported before, the in-between and “little” stuff, which is not so little at all, are getting better. With the choke grip I was able to lay the forehand volley back better. Wow, I am so in need of conditioning. I also have great difficulty in moving back for left-handed overheads. Just don't have the heart yet to move back quickly.
9/23/02
Hit with Dan yesterday in 106 temps!! I'm getting better.
9/24/02
Got the tennis net today. Set it up wrong the first time. Pulled it all apart, redid it. Works fine using about half the springs. Need to make more room in the front yard to use it. Still triple digits heat out there.
9/25/02
Hit with Larry on a slightly cooler and overcast afternoon. More improvement: volleys getting much firmer and more pace. Forehands are more aggressive. The surprise limiting factor is what Larry forecast weeks ago: the knees. My left knee is really hurt. Gotta go back to Friedman and see what gives. May need another arthroscopic surgery.
9/26/02
Checked my biorhythm chart on line (first time in about 25 years) and found my physical curve was bottomed out. So that vibes perfectly with how I have been feeling-just way punked out all week. Hopefully I'll feel way better as the curve comes up in the next 2 weeks. Hit on the net for about 20 minutes. Made some dramatic improvements in the forehand. Nice to finally get a loose, smooth, easy rhythm. Discovered some excellent flow in the left wrist on that net. A real help in the process. I'll work it again tomorrow, and see how it translates when I get on the court with Larry this weekend.
9/30/02
Translated well, although not 100%. But perhaps 40%. My feet were moving well, the left knee was not a problem during the 25 minutes or so we hit. Still have no wind, still look (and weigh) pregnant, but the stroke is coming. Worked out some more with Dan on the net, and again today. Dan is ecstatic about hitting in the net, and is getting one for himself. I utterly LOVE the net, as it allows me to find the “old” rhythm, the ideal I always strive for. What a delicious relief from the struggle up to now. Gives me real hope doing this. I am able to experience clearning the racket, getting great conection in the hit, and feeling the groove, particularly on the forehand. It si great also on the backhand, as I am getting the hit out front more, on the rise, and with more topspin. Just a pleasure.
10/20/02
Had a LONG hit with Larry, perhaps an hour and half, while waiting for David Sider to show, which he did the minute we sat down. I moved even better, the forehand is still a little jerky, although better, serve was xlnt, particularly for no practice. We played some points both serving and receiving, and my return is OK. I could certainly play dubs right now, although I'm still grip-goofy under pressure at the net. When rallying at the net, I am good. The forehand volley is particularly improved, as I can lay the wrist back, something I'd been unable to do right-handed for 5 years. The wrist felt stronger, perhaps just less pain from meds, but whatever it was it was a better tool. So, quite encouraging. The down side is the left knee is very sore at the site of the medial problem, as before. I'm looking to get an MRI and see if there is another tear.
10/27/02
Checked my knee myself, and there is definitely something wrong. Played today, ran VERY well, all strokes were stronger, volleys were good. Serve was a little goofy. Played some points, and I did well coming in and handling the volleys. I am most surprised at my mobility. While certainly not fast, compared to Brian or Rubin, I am quite quick compared to what I was before the surgery. Hit some hard forehands, and while still spraying them now and then, overall the stroke is better. So, measurable progress, and measurable hope. As I have now gotten the insurance company on line again, I will make an appointment for an MRI and get going on this left knee thing. Back has been holding its own, and was no issue today. Gonna get a physical therapy schedule going hopefully this week for the back.
11/4/02
Hit with Brian yesterday, and it was excellent. My backhand was really on and aggressive. Movng well on the court, and forehand was improved. Ditto for volleys. I need some variety of hitting at this point, and Brian was a perfect mate, particularly since he can run down some errant shots. He stated he was astonished.
12/15/02
Played for the first time in a doubles game with Millie and her friends earlier this week.
This was a double-edged experience. On the one hand (the left), I was able to carry on a modicum of competitiveness, had one amazing point, and at least exposed my game to the world. The other side of it is that on the court right next to us were three women and a man playing the 5.5 level play that I WAS playing. I just wanted to scream out from my pregnant-like 220# flailing body that I want to do that!! A rather sobering and perspective-settling moment, may I say. I hit yesterday with Larry and spent the second half of the one hour and fifteen minute session pounding the ball with his son Gerred. This lefty kid hits the ball about as hard as it's humanly possible, and I managed to get on to those zingers after a couple of minutes. I'm moving well, dramatically better than a year ago, and see now my huge weight (a lithe 216 this morning) is really what is holding back my on-court mobility. I am really quite pleased with my level of play at this point, just annoyed at the discrepancy between my mind's picture and my body's performance. I need to hit with a variety of people, get a lot of pace hit at me (Gerred was PERFECT), and work on the awkward at-the-body shots at the net. I need a little more change of grip on the forehand ground stroke, as most are sailing about a foot out. I need also to simplify it a bit, although I wish to continue to indulge its looseness. The backhand is OK, and I can use more looseness, hit more in front, and get a bit more consistent grip change to generate more power. I am using my right hand for some shots, like high backhand baseline shots and high backhand volleys, and for overheads. Hey, whatever gets the job done. I'm attempting to get Bill Rouse out for a hit, to get back into some of the old timing. My inconsistent play may actually have a benefit: it keeps my opponent from getting into a groove (junk ball).
12/20/02
Didn't get to hit, but did take a hit today. Slipped on some muddy steps on a hillside retaining wall bid, and really flexed the knee (it doesn't like that), as well as just plain banging it. I am sore in both knees, a little in the back. Nonetheless, I am anxious to get out there during this xmas vacation with Larry.
12/23/02
Hit yesterday with Larry, who was moving extremely well, and hitting wonderful topspin on his backhand. He credits CV workouts for his increased mobility. I, on the other hand (pun intended), felt like crap. I was hugely sore in the knees, particularly the left, to the degree that I was hot-walking like I used to on the right knee. I was sore in the wrist, it took 3/4 of the hitting session before I relaxed my grip and cut my motion down about 70%. Funny how it takes so long sometimes to click in the easy way. I was mis-hitting up until then, and once I got loose in the grip the power came up and I had to cut way down on the motion to keep it in, or change grips dramatically. I have been feeling very lousy all week, between the fall and the headaches and the stopping of all the pain meds. Yeow!! With clear skies forecast all week, I will get out tomorrow and do something of an aerobic nature, either bike or treadmill or tennis or whatever. I hereby remind myself to start using the power-rider, treadmill, weight bench, mt. bike, etc.
12/30/02
Well, a week elapsed before I finally got out to do a bike ride yesterday with Baida (THANK YOU). He called up and demanded we get outside (gorgeous day). I was pounding out a bid on the computer, so it was excellent of him to call. We went to Chesebro Canyon , and rode up the backside. Not a steep ride, but all uphill going out. We rode about 75 minutes, which was WAY plenty. He was sore, I was a bit, today I'm good. I'd ridden there two years ago with Brian and Mike, but we had come from Las Virgennes just to get there, and had to ride back from there.
Started the GAIT study today at Cedars-Sinai. It is a double blind study, so neither I nor the staff know what I'm getting. I do know I have a little headache now.
We'll see how I feel in the weeks to come. That is the whole point of the study. I can be receiving Celebrex or a placebo, and also another placebo, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, or both substances.
1/3/03
Hit with Larry again today, after hitting a couple of days ago. Last time i hit about half the time right-handed. Today, I hit almost entirely righty, and it worked great. I can't explain why my wrist can suddenly handle it better. It may be the GAIT program I'm on, taking (possibly) supplements which are helping. In any event, it was helpful to play both ways. I got a rhythm with the right, and switching to left was easy and natural. I have to be VERY careful how I swing the racket, being tremendously free, loose-gripped (to the point of dropping the racket several times) in order to avoid crushing pressures on the right wrist. It is a great (forced) way to make me swing better. I have always taught that isolating the strength out of the stroke and timing equation was the path to improvement and perfection.
Well, here it is, working wondrously! So I may just have a shot at playing again soon. I am still woefully heavy, and my left knee is really bad, dwarfing any right knee pain. Given my right side play, the limiting factor is now the legs again. I feel, overall, terrible in terms of sports health. I can walk, climb stairs, but I can't run worth a crap now, compared to a month or two ago when my mobility was better. Oh, still better than before the operation, but the left knee has regressed dramatically. The right is sore and feels as if it needs more work and strengthening, but the left is just plain screwed on the medial side, right where it was hurt prior to the arthroscopic “repair”.
1/6/03
Somehow my right wrist is better, while the left knee is worse. Like golf, can't seems to have it all working at the same time. Had to load up on the meds on Sunday, and felt better, played again with the right hand. Mobility is the limiting factor now, whereas a while ago it was the left handed forehand. The lefty backhand is still wondrous, but I feel so much more relaxed playing righty. Everything just flows, so familiar. Duh!!!! The back is utter trash.
1/18/03
Have not managed to do any exercise other than two very short bike rides with Baida. Going to a hypnotherapist this morning to assist me in my resolutions on exercise and (not) eating. Had to go to the meds this morning again. My body is overall sore, which is troubling, much like I felt in 84 when I was massively toxic from my about-to-rupture appendix (it did). The relief of all that “oldness” after the surgery was incredible. Though not long-lived. I'm scheduled to hit with Dan this morning at noon . Look forward to that.
1/20/03
Hit the last two days, and the meds definitely make it WAY better. Ran great today, played righty, and got my grip better. The forehand demands a really turned grip to be able to drive the ball and avoid flipping the wrist (utter death). Perhaps I just need to get the right leg a lot stronger. Of course, dropping 30 pounds would have the same effect. Quite encouraging, really.
4/6/03
The lapse in dates indicates not much tennis here. I am approaching a year on the knee, and overall it feels fine. Went skiing with Brian for two days. My quads were utter crap. The knees were fine, no problem at all there. But the back and quads just sucked major death. I was SOOOOOO sore the first night, notwithstanding three triple cocktails that first day and along Jacuzzi. Had a major couple of spats with Link during this period, so we are not calling each other to hit, certainly not for a while. I have finally, after 27 years, had enough of his pettiness and neurotic behavior. While very nice to hit with, and pleasant at times to be with, on balance it is just not worth the silliness. I will use the court as allowed, hit with others, like Millie. Did some bike riding in this period, although way too infrequently. But did finally get out today for a nice 90 minutes or so. Great workout. So it appears that my real need is to get the quads in shape and lose weight. I have dropped about 8 pounds in only a week by dramatically changing my eating habits. Having a smoothie in the AM, and eating high protein the remainder of the day. I really notice a difference NOT stuffing myself. I breathe more easily, too. Had the critical mass catharsis the other night watching Ron Kerrington on local access TV talking in a most sincere way about eating and working out.
7/18/03
Now some 4 months down the line on high protein, I have lost almost 25#, had kidney stones, have some energy losses, but am MUCH thinner. I can move more easily on the court, although the knees and back still hurt, The wrist is terrible, although more able now than before. I am back fully to right handed play, can hit overhead (carefully), can volley WAY better than a few months ago, and have by pure accident switched to a racket which absorbs most of the shock. While I love the Hypercarbon Wilsons I have, they just transmit too much shock to my wrist. A fellow at Millie's club threw away a perfectly good head S-series racket (S is for short, lighter in the head, versus L series, heavier in the head for longer swings). The racket is strung quite loosely, and it works brilliantly to relive shock on my wrist.
9/8/03
I have since tried some other rackets, 4 or 5 in fact. The best ride so far is the I-series Head racket, the Radical. I hit with 4 different people in two days over the Labor Day weekend, finishing with Tony Michelman on Monday, and I was a little soggy. I hit again with Link on Sunday, and it was fine. The dramatic 25-pound weight loss of the last 5 months helps hugely. I need to get some strength back in some areas, build up some cardio, and of course get some leg strength, but overall I am quite capable of hitting.
I hit with Rubin about a month ago, and while I frankly was more consistent than he, I have not received an invite back. So it appears the play is more important than the players. This is immensely disappointing, as I would NEVER do that to him. To just give me a shot in the lineup here or there to check my progress I think would have been hardly a sacrifice. Whatever, I will hit all around him until the time is right for him. I have met a fellow named Andy Bozcan through buddy Richard Ramer. Andy is a very fit 55 year-old, retired, and rabidly staying in shape after some severe health challenges. Wonderful guy, good to hit with.
9/21/03
Hit twice yesterday with Andy and Ramer. Tried out some Wilson Triad racquets, and found the 4.0 blue model the softest on the wrist. Very powerful, perhaps too much so, VERY different from the thinner and more conventional frames of the Head Radical and Volkl models. No final decision yet on which I'll go with. Gonna hit again with Andy on Wednesday and try his VERY large headed Head racquet, which he claims is a VERY quiet ride. Whatever keeps the wrist going is what I'll use. I can adapt to pretty much any playing characteristics of a particular racquet. Ramer and Andy both remarked, along with Tony previously, how much better I'm moving on the court, how much stronger I am playing. Very nice to hear that. The biking is most likely responsible, along with some serious labor on the jobs for the last few weeks. With continuous use of Voltaren and Darvocette, I can move pretty well. Had another GREAT ride with Baida today at Malibu Creek Park . Two hours of SERIOUS output. We're both much stronger this week. Gonna hit with Tony perhaps Tuesday, so next week should be a busy tennis schedule. Good.
9/24/03
Hit again with Tony yesterday, and I got better as the session wore on. The wrist was quite dicey, but got firmer as I hit more. My volleys are good, under control. I can take the pace off Tony's rocket-like groundies and just poof it back to him for another swing, endlessly. I am also diving and making the “old Dick” shots from time to time. I'm moving OK, not real great to the right, quite nicely to the left. Found another serving ode with some topspin and a slight backhand grip shift that is not killing, and allows for a looser swing. Gonna pick up a refill on the meds, except for the Robaxin, today. I wil also pursue an appointment with the back doctor, Muldower, to see if I can get a surgery scheduled. If he demurs, I'll go to Brian Grossman.
9/29/03
Hit today with Andy, and we played 21 points in phantom doubles. Then, we played 4 games of standard singles. I can move, although much better to my left. I am serving better, as I am forced to release all tension at the racket in order to save my wrist from excruciating pain. Link even commented about how I was able to serve like that, the very serve he claims he wanted me to do 15 years ago. As time goes on during the sessions, my wrist tolerates more snap, and I can go to a spin serve. Andy felt I moved well, and rebuffed my thanks for tolerating me. He is a tough cookie to play, as EVERYTHING comes back. Real good for me, as it keeps me moving. Did my twice-weekly ride on Sunday with Baida, about an hour and 45 minutes, and we are both getting stronger. My breathing is better as well. My legs are getting stronger, although they do hurt on the court, but no in the hills. I MAY try some running just for the heck of it soon. I took a long tub this morning, then weighed in at 194. This is great, particularly since I am eating virtually whatever I want right now. I seem to have reset my set point. This is precisely what happened two years ago when I did the high-protein regime and bike riding, and it stayed off for a year, until I stopped riding and playing tennis.
10/17/03
Well, this is not an unlimited carb ticket here. I've had to go back on a mostly carb-free regime, picking my treats, but the weight is staying at 194-195, a good thing. Hit with Tony Michelman today, a very frisky and extended workout, including cross-court points, both serving and receiving. I played well, and Tony reports I'm moving the best so far, handling his biggest pace with no problem. I still amp up with an ephedra and some Starbucks mocha, and a diet coke, but that's what it takes. I am looking to get some other doubles matches going to get my match timing back. Who knows, perhaps in another year I might get a call from Rubin. Meanwhile, tennis will be fun on my terms, and not rely on some skittish validation from Rubin's court (pun intended). I am planning on having my renewed prowess come back to him through exterior channels until he sees the light, if ever. Moved well today, hitting and reaching well for volleys, and moving quite well to my backhand. Still am slower and more awkward to the right, probably having to do with some pain the left knee and not having a secure and easy stroke waiting at the end of the run. I did find that pointing my racket at the oncoming ball REALLY simplifies my forehand, sets my timing, and encourages my body to position much more effectively. So that technique will stay as a permanent fix. It's OK on the backhand, but it makes me a little late and shortens up my swing a bit too much, so I pull the racket back sooner on the left side. The serve motion is loose but I was having trouble getting the toss in the zone, a real necessity for good play. I will henceforth just continue to swing freely and let the toss find the place. An awareness gained on the golf range is helping: I leave my arms and hands free at the backswing, and let the body drive first, letting the hands find the ball and not guiding them. Same will work on the serve (always has), and helps the forehand, too.
10/21/03
So this is becoming an all-conditioning report as much as about tennis per se. Did a 25-mile ride along the beach from Venice to Manhattan and back on Sunday with Anthony and Baida. Great ride, hard on the hiney, great on the eyes.
11/13/03
Played my first singles in three years, with Bill Haas. He trounced me the first set 6-0, and I came back into the game in the second, but lost a close one 6-7.
Played again today with Tony Michelman and I hit the ball harder on my forehand than I have in three years. Just teeing off, hitting it forward. Interestingly, I was able to use the Hyercarbon racket.
1/1/04
Had the utter best hit of the last three years with Michelman about 10 days ago. Right after that Bill Rouse called and asked if I would lay dubs with him at Rubin's the morning after Christmas.
Bill and I beat Rubin and Scott Ames 4 and 3, and Bill had to leave at 5-5 in the third. They were astonished, and all but Rubin commented on how it was nice to have me back. I made no agreement about being back, just thanked them for the chance to play at that level again for a day. Rubin has since asked me back for Saturday the 3 rd of January. SO it APEARS I may be back in the lineup. If I can maintain my foot speed (low pain day), I can be very competitive. As it was, while I missed a few volleys, my quick hands and half volley returns just freaked them out. I was happily surprised to see I can grab the timing back after two years away from it.
1/3/04
Played again this morning ina tough two-setter with Bill against Ken and Rubin. Bill and I prevailed 6-4, 9-7. XLNT tennis, my hands were VERY fast, made some really good backhand volleys late in the match. Serve is quite workable. I appear to be back in the rotation.
1/7/04
Hit with Tony today. Kinda slow start, got warm and running VERY well. Forehand was totally goofy. No grip change, no positioning, late, crowding, not turning. Need to work it big time. Otherwise, serving well, volleying great.
2/1/04
I've been invited to Rubin's 4 times now. I have lost only one set in doubles the whole time. My dubs play is quite good. Been hitting with Tony about once a week, and Larry also about once a week. After a great bike ride this morning, hit with Larry for about 20 minutes, until my right knee cap felt bad on one shot. I also had a similar problem at Rubin's last week, although I played through it. Meanwhile, the forehand is coming along, and Link's suggestion in the latter part of today's session to take a longer forehand backswing was helpful. My serve has been surprisingly strong, enough to get accolades from Rubin. I am not an every weekend invitee back at Rubin's as yet, but it appears like every other weekend. That's fine. I have received universal praise for my play every time there, which is extremely rewarding. I am intending to toughen my game up with some more weight loss, improved technique, and more practice and play away from Rubin's venue. The forehand volley has dramatically improved as I now have enough strength and pain reduction to hit it flatter and more in front, generating lotsa sting. I will be starting to play dubs with Brian in preparation for the Westlake Tennis and Swim Club championships around June. Tony and I are looking to put some dubs together with Brian and Larry soon.
3/9/04
Brian and I got NO prep in at all. In the match, I noticed the same thing I had noticed years ago when I played there: I don't pick up the ball well, the light is odd, the winds are off-putting, the court surface is way fast, and the spin off the opponents is new. It took me most of the first set to get with it, then I played well. We were right in it in the second set, but Brian double faulted on game point, and we couldn't break the monster serve of our opponent. Had I made a few more shots, we'd have likely won the round. As it is, it was WAY wonderful to compete at that level, and see that I still have it. I will be playing out there soon with Ken Devore to get more acclimated to those environs, and deliver a more competitive game in the future. I also saw I was out of shape, having not ridden with Baida in the mountains for several months because of the rains and work schedules. We've already gotten back on the trails, and will do so again tomorrow.
I was able to POUND some serves up the middle against Chris Miller for several aces, draw some errors from Brian Leichert, and generally volleyed well. It was just great to be out there.
4/22/04
The left knee is getting nastier by the week. I am hitting way better, and turning more on the backhand, allowing me to hit UP on the ball (always a good thing). The forehand remains oddball. I have gone to a continental grip, forcing me to hit much later, but allowing me to also lift the ball very late with good control. I just can't bang it with a lot of speed unless it is REAL low. I keep trying to switch over to more Western grip hitting, but my body just doesn't seem to like it. I tend to crowd the ball and flip my hips open with the closed grip on the forehand. I'm hitting well, but my backhand is way more fundamentally correct. I am turning much more on the forehand, and that helps a LOT.
The serve still has good speed, and if I were to spend any time at all practicing it, could probably get it back to being a weapon.
The body just hurts, particularly the knees, so it's tough to move well, and that just kills the overall level. Less weight and more strength will undoubtedly help.
5/4/04
Played a LOT of tennis last week, like 4 or 5 times! And in 100+ degree temps. Link put him, Tony, and me on tape, and I look very economical (kindly worded) in my movements. I just don't move unless needed. I could use more positioning. The above comments on conditioning are really at the heart of any improvements from hereon out. Upping the dosage on Voltaren helps a lot, adding a Vicodin is also real good. The pattern is clear: surgery is needed on several body parts: prostate (so I can sleep without meds), left knee (so I can play without meds), back (so I can move without meds). Got the picture? No hope without dope or surgery. My serve is QUITE fast now, and it can again be a weapon. But mobility is the SINGLE largest factor in playing better (or just at all). More biking, more workouts for strength, and a LONG overdue visit to the knee surgeon for some opinions.
5/22/04
Got a call from Rubin yesterday. I have gone from being his #1 choice to his #1 replacement choice. Ah well…
I have been hitting quite well, and given enough meds and adrenaline I should do well tomorrow. I felt good all day, and then the back just went away about 7 PM, after an entire day from 8:30 AM to 7 PM on my feet faux finishing the house moldings. I'm loading up on Voltaren, taking a sleeping pill and a hot tub, and going to be relatively early. Tony Michelman has injured his back (during a tournament last weekend), so is probably now where I start every day.
6/3/04
Just returned from SCOI and Dr. Friedman. He looked at my knee x-rays and quickly quipped: “Bone on bone, so you want a matching pair?”
That pretty much settled the issue about my left knee. All else now is just postponing the second knee replacement. It so happens that my left rear (lateral) area (NOT the bone on bone portion which is medial) is KILLING me. I can barely walk, can almost not bend the knee. In addition, my left thumb joint is like a knife ahas been inserted. This all makes me VERY suspicious that something I'm eating or taking (or not taking, or am unbalanced with) is causing me to have an arthritic episode of major proportions.
I played tennis at Rubin's last Sunday after having this same left knee condition on Friday, and just loaded up on Voltaren, and caffeined up. I got through. But here we are again. Crap!!!
6/16/04
After an insurance boondoggle and one week delay (they did not have me registered), I came back to SCOI and had my first of 5 Hyalgan injections in my left knee. There is a 60% chance it will offer some improvement. He procedure was altogether bearable. No tennis for 48 hours. No real explanation from the injector (Brian) as to why my tendons hurt.
7/21/04
After 5 weeks of Hyalgan injections in the left knee, it is feeling better. I had a really tough hit with Link last weekend for 90 minutes, and I was moving quite well, and felt utterly comfortable the rest of the day sitting in the sun at the tennis finals at UCLA. I will hit tomorrow morning with Tony Michelman for the first time in several months.
I have been evaluated for my back problem at SCOI rehab, and Frank found I was stronger than all but 30% of the population (one standard deviation from normal). So I am VERY strong in the back, except at the most forward (flexed). There is no rehab for that position. So I need general stretching and stomach strengthening, and I have a written program for that. I shall commence later today.
8/31/04
Played tennis 4 days in a row, and was the quickest I have been in 4 years at Rubin's last Sunday. Losing 15 pounds has certainly made that happen. I am committed to losing another 10, with an ultimate goal of high 180's. My serve is very strong, but I am generating so much power that it is hard to control, so the toss is at a premium. I need to be perfectly balanced on both feet, have both arms come up symmetrically, and get more spin on the serve. Oh, and swing more easily.
It is just wonderful to be playing at this level considering two years ago I had to hit left-handed.
9/12/04
Got invited back for another weekend at Rubin's. I played perhaps the best set in memory, and we cleaned them 6-2. They battled back and nipped us 705 in the second by elevating their game. It wa a tight third set, with us losing 6-3. By taking some off the serve and just going for it, I did better. My volleys and returns were insane. I moved very well. This is VERy gratifying after the last two years.
10/16/04
HUGE milestone: played first round singles at WTSC against Dick Cook (51 years old), lost 4-6 in the third. He exclaimed he hopes to be in half the condition I am when he's 60. Good match, no regrets, went every bit as well as I could have hoped. More match experience lacking than bad shot-making or bad conditioning. Certainly better conditioning, less weight would help, but I reacted calmly, missed some easy stuff, made some very nice shots, served well on the whole, and had a good time. I'll hit with him at Link's in the future. He and his wife Susie are long time friends of Link.
10/25/04
Played with Tony today, and went out with not much energy, and general whole-body malaise from no Voltaren (although on Bextra). It's amazing how it just takes away the energy when so much hurts, sort of like a fever. Anyway, ramped it up and played rather well. Still working on improving the forehand. I am hitting with the changed grip, very short stroke, no loop, much more like the backhand. But I need more body turn and to STAY turned when striking the ball. If I open the hips I flip, and catch the ball late, coming across and not up. That all equals a long shot. So getting the racket handle pointing at the ball early, getting turned, and staying sideways REALLY helps the shot. On the backhand volley I just set the racket, and it is an eggshell grip, no effort, crushing impact, all timing. That is where I'm heading on the forehand. My serve is better, and when I draw a high return, I take the point on the volley. I can handle low and wide returns as well, a VERY nice change. So overall, I'm getting way tougher.
10/31/04
Hit with Link today, and hit very well. The forehand is really coming around, literally. I am getting turned more, getting a little more roll on the ball. Still a little late getting the snap (really a “letting-it-go” move), but on balance it is quite improved. I have noticed that for as good as backhand is, I hit it in a lazy way, not positioning, not setting up to pound it. So that is improving. My volleys are very good, and the forehand volley is quite improved. My serve is also very good. I switched to the Head racquet which, while softer and more comfy, has less power than the carbon fiber Wilson monster. I play fine with both, but my serve is tougher with the Wilson , providing I get it in. I am really enjoying getting some ease and timing on the forehand, after 40 years!!
11/6/04
Had a few hits with Tony, and my serve is just awesome! I have smoothed out the motion, which while extremely free, had too much snap, and hence no control. I have paced it a bit, and I'm still crunching the serves. I need now to work on some spin to make it more consistent, particularly on second serves. I did play Rubin last night in the near-dark, and I got him the first set 6-4, he tore me up the second set 6-1. But I can play singles, a true miracle. The still most important aspect is getting better conditioning in the legs and lungs. With the utterly beautiful fall cool temps, I will be getting back on the bike this coming week. I'm on for the dubs at Rubin's tomorrow, and he is vociferous in his praise for my game. He is playing WAY tough, utterly amazing for a 67-year-young munchkin.
11/13/04
Played on Thursday with Ken Devore, former Westlake Tennis and Swim Club champion, who has played in my stead at Rubin's. We hit for about two hours on court #1 at the club, and finished by playing a first-to-ten tiebreak, which he won, passing up my 5-1 lead to take me 10-8. That I can be competitive against a player of this caliber is thrilling. I found out today that Rubin went out there and hit with Ken today. RT must be REAL hungry for tennis. He apparently drove over from Malibu , which was fairly close for him. Given no rain, I'll be playing dubs at RT's tomorrow ( Sunday 11/14/04 ).
12/14/04
Hit with Tony today, after a sensational match Sunday at Rubin's. Everyone continued to exclaim to each other about the extreme quality of the play. There weren't errors, just winners upon winners. Tony and I had a great hit, and my strokes are getting better still. I'm covering a LOT of ground, and hitting more and more winners on the run. Tony's volley is quieter and simpler (it's real good right now), as I hone his motion and timing use the Effortless Tennis system. I am improving my own tracking of the ball from ground to racket (and back out), and this is paying large dividends in consistency and good contact. I need to put a little more stooch on my forehand, and a slight loop into the motion is helping. But basically, I am keeping the racket handle pointing at the ball, holding it there at the bounce, and tracking with my eyes, letting the hand do its thing.
12/20/04
Went to Krieger's tennis and demoed two rackets, one literally. I broke it on an overhead, in exactly the same place my other two rackets have failed.
So that one is out of the picture.
12/26/04
I bought a $264 NEW Wilson N3 wide body Hammer-type. Nice racket, but I can't find my serve with it. I tried it for a few days, and then went back to my soft Head I-series softie. Perfection, and my serves go in! I literally switched back in the middle of the match and we went from 0-6 in the first set to 6-1 in the second. So I'll cut my losses on the Wilson , have Dennis sell it, and stick with the Head until it caves in. My came is GOOD, and with Glucosamine, Chondrotin, Diclofenac, and Naproxyn I manage to move well.
2/6/05
Played at Rubin's today, after a double workout yesterday with Gino and Link. I worked by service with a new Wilson N3 racket, and by going to a backhand grip and tossing it a little left I'm able to spin it in. Oddly, with a softer racquet I can just blast it in flat. Otherwise, the N3 is a great ground stroke and volley racket for me. I was running better than anytime in 5 years, and POUNDING the volleys today. David Weiss did not show up, so Rubin and Tony and I worked out non-stop. I continued with Tony for a while longer, until it started raining. A GREAT workout. It is encouraging to see this kind of hitting-it shows it's possible. I am struggling with a LEFT shoulder rotator cuff injury, which makes sleeping tough at times, otherwise it is fairly inert if I don't push it. I had a MISERABLE hour in the MRI machine (agony). I'm presuming some cortisone will be the approach here. Tony thought I was hitting the best he had ever seen.
I asked Dr. Todd Molnar about Hyalgan for my wrist, and he will inquire with Auerbach about it.
I desperately need to get in better CV shape. It's really just weight and breath that are holding me back from better tennis. Mind you, I'm playing GREAT compared to what I EVER thought I'd do after the knee replacement. But I can be better if I can move better.
3/23/05
It appears the Hyalgan is wearing thin in my left knee, so I might be needing another 5-shot series. Getting some weight off will undoubtedly help. The relentless rains have made getting up on the hill with the bike tough, and I have not exercised sufficient initiative and discipline to just get out and ride the streets. I am hitting very well, worked on my serve a few days ago with Peter Chew, and worked on HIS serve as well. EVERYONE tries to fix his serve, but I feel that I am the ONLY one who has narrowed his problem to its real essence. We'll see if he feels the same. Not my problem.
5/8/05
All his friends are telling me how amazingly improved Peter's serve is. I think they are grateful not to be waiting the 20 or so seconds for each serve as before. I know I am. I put it this way: it was self-serving, I get three times as many balls to hit now!
My own serve has steadied up. I worked it quite a bit, even using the other Carbon Fiber prior rackets whilst mine had a broken string. I serve a little more consistently with the carbons, but they are lighter, one is broken, the other is good. I get more power from the N3, and hence I must swing more slowly. Always tough to slow down the serve motion. I did very well today for the first two sets, got a little squirrely in the third, but reeled it back in. My hands were just ludicrously good. I made three off-balance-behind-me-moving-the-other–way volleys in a row in one point today that rank right at the top of all time volleys. My three cohorts were just dumfounded, and reminded me several times of it. And, we won the point to boot. I'm amazed at my mobility, and for the umpteenth time see clearly the path to better tennis is losing a LOT of weight. I'd consider a stomach stapling to get me into the 170 range.
The weather has still been intermittently rainy, and Baida and I have not made it out biking, not have I gotten the equipment set up in front of the TV. Millie, however, did bring the bike in from the gym and put it in the front room, and is anxiously awaiting my connection of her closed caption box to my TV. She has all that on hers, and the same channels. Never question a woman's logic. To her credit, she has put some time into the treadmill in front of her TV. I did get some serious exercise on the job the other day, shoveling all day, be VERY physical. The back reminded me later in major steel-like tension, requiring 5 minutes of Randy's elbow while I was draped over the trunk of the Regal. That REALLY helped. I am getting weekly massages (and giving Millie the gift of Melissa as well).
The left knee is working well when needed, really an amazing thing.
5/15/05
Played surprisingly well with Tony, despite a fall-away left leg. I decided to play through it, and did spectacularly. I found a new way to return his serve, abandoning the step in and half volley approach, which left me in the middle of the court and vulnerable unless I hit a clean winner. Instead, I took a step back, chipped my backhand down the line in the ad court, up the line in the deuce court, and just pushed my forehand in the deuce court up the lien as possible, with an occasional crosscourt ship. This forced I to hit up on his volleys from very wide angles, and allowed me to close in tighter and stretch for volley winner.
My serve has loosened a bit, and I hit some world-class aces and angles. Overall, I continue to be utterly amazed at what I'm able to do. The major and obvious solution to be better tennis is losing 30 pounds. Get down to 177 would be miraculous on two fronts: first it would put me at my dream weight, and secondly it would make me killer on the court while taking enormous pressures off my back and knees. The notion is there, the commitment is developing, and I'm SERIOUSLY investigating a stomach staple procedure. Not kidding here. I want this.
The more I play the better my body gets. Also time for serious biking, etc. Melissa Cotter, our massage therapist, gave me a gift of a mini-stair climber. You know, just a job in place machine. Good idea, and I'll start using it in front of the TV.
5/23/05
Well, Melissa Cotter gave mea stepper, and I have yet to use it. I was SOOOOO shipped yesterday after tennis that I lay around all day, just blitzed. I did a little further research into the stomach stapling scenario, and my buddy actually had his bypassed, the most radical of all those procedures. He mentioned that he did not tolerate fatty foods like hamburgers well at all, and was limited to a single slice of pizza, etc. I noted that all of that added up to him loving being thin, and he agreed.
I'll put on a major push of exercise and see how it goes, but I definitely have to get down the weight by about 20 pounds at least to see the real benefits. Granted I'm down 15 from my all-time high, but getting real, I need to be REAL lean at this point in my life to make the parts work. My tennis is spectacular, my game is tough, I am moving better and better, the serve has come around, and I'm a net monster, but I'm just struggling with the joints and body parts compounded by too much weight.
5/29/05
Watched Brian get trounced by Andrew Stanley today, and sent Brian a detailed email on how to modify his game to beat Andrew. Meanwhile, I am improving my forehand with yet more grip change (little by little to find out how to do it without pain), and listening to the lessons of the ball-string. There is still much to be learned and practiced from that fascinating little thing. Doing it string-like makes my backhand even better, and certainly smooths out the forehand. Plus, it makes my movements far less effortful, a MAJOR plus. Effortless, not no effort, but a LOT less.
6/21/05
Gave a friend, chiropractor Bob Patterson, a two-hour effortless tennis lesson last week. A little has rubbed off on me as well. However today I was barely able to stand up as my original equipment left knee and calf were KILLING me. I doubled up on my Voltaren at noon , and it just put me under the unbearable threshhold, allowing me to play doubles this afternoon with Tony. All said, I played OK, and am hitting my forcing shots off short balls much more aggressively. My serve was quite reliable, a nice change, although not crushing, more spin into play. Aside from some just plain dumb misses, probably due to lousy back and knees, I played quite nicely. Tomorrow I start a new series of Hyalgan injections. It turns out I did the first series in July of last year, so I got almost a year out the 5 shots. Man, that is fabulous. I will not wait so long next time, as I've been gutting it for about two months now. I hope I can do these yearly tune-ups for many years to come and avoid the knee replacement for, oh, ten years?
Whatever, it's all good. My main focus now is getting much lighter. I need to incorporate biking at least twice a week, some step machine work, and any form of legwork for almost an hour a day. I need a 400-calorie shift in my daily output to drop 28 pounds. This is totally doable.
I practiced a LOT of serves the other day with Peter Chew, and it showed today. I'll do some more with him or Gus (a very fine 50-year old local player). Tony and I lost in two sets 4-6, 6-7. Tony lost his serve three times in the first set, a major milestone of ineptitude for him. We played better in the second, but both of us missed some key points, just enough to lose in the tiebreaker.
The National 45's start next week on June 29 th at WTSC, and I hope we'll make a respectable showing.