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whats the main difference between a good "club level" player an someone who's been at an elite level?
I recently played tennis against someone (a girl) who up until 15 was in the UK elite tennis programme - but she dropped out at abou that age... so she isnt a world ranked player or anything but up until 15 she was playing people (and sometimes beating) who are now top 100/top 200 players.
I half expected to be massacred, but I wasnt (althouh I did lose)...
The things I noticed were
I hit the ball harder
I served harder (although a lot less accurate)
She hit the ball with masses of spin, especially the serve
She got balls that I didnt think she would - without being especially quick she saw my drop shots as I shaped to play them rather than reacting to them
She didnt hit a lot more winners than me, but she retrieved shots that I hit that would be winners against anyone else
Now, Im not naive enough that I dont think that she wasnt probably going all out (and also she hasnt played a lot in the last few years) - but one thing Ive always been curious about is how hard a pro hits the ball - and she said compared to male players she trained with at 15/16 I serve and hit my forehand as hard as a pro would, but with a massive amount less control. The thing is when I go for my first serve with everything I get it in about 1/10 times, and when I do I dont really have any control of even whether it goes forehand or backhand side... but at least its fast! I dont have a backhand at all - just a block or an apologetic slice, but when the ball sits up nicely and I lace it I hit my forehand pretty hard cross court (but very clumsy playing down the line or inside out)
So... as a question for other people who play sport at a "good" level, have you ever played someone who is professional level, and if so what differences did you see?
I played youth football (ie soccer) at a decent level, but played at a very ordinary level as a senior - and so its hard for to comment about that.
I'd love to face an over from Brett Lee or Murali though, something like that, just to see what it was like...
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"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."
The Gospel of Thomas
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