Mentioned in Video: Tennis Mindset for Success 👉🏻 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nrmCrJRjq-Cwl40.html

I think one of the reasons people ask that is because deep inside they don’t want to accept that they were decades too late to master something. It’s a little bit sad when there’s something you really love doing later in life which you can’t take to the next level no matter how dedicated you are in your later years.

For me it's not about high level competition. It's about getting better. I'm 61 now and playing better than I ever have (started playing regularly in 2014). My serve is good with power, placement, and spins. My forehand is also pretty good. My backhand is ok, but not a weapon. My volleying has also now improved greatly. All of my game needs work of course and improvement only comes through practice to develop correct muscle memory and to then maintain it. A big key also is consistency. Hitting the ball using correct technique is crucial, but also, basic, yet difficult things like ball recognition, movement, where to position yourself on court, and shot selection and placement all combine to create a player opponents do not like to see on the other side of the net. I'm happy to say I have upped that factor significantly in the last two years. I still have miles and miles to go, but the journey is a joy. Intuitive Tennis is a big help. Thanks.

For me, at 79, it's about maximizing fitness to play at my best so my shots don't break down later in the match. Learning techniques that facilitate hitting the ball harder with less effort but better, more accurate results. Recently learned to hit my forehand with increased pace and accuracy with less effort. Working now on a topspin backhand. Improved my serve to the point that I hit more service winners and the occasional ace. For me, it's about improving technique, fitness and extending life. But you're 100% correct: there us a ceiling that I shouldn't expect to exceed .

28 yo male. I became a 4.0 at the end of last year. Decided to join a 4.5 league just for the sake of it, I was actually able to bring it to a third set tiebreak a couple of times with "low" 4.5 players that are barely hanging on to their 4.5 rating, but as soon as I played against like a mid 4.5 player (4.2ish dynamic rating), HOLY HELL I got decimated like 1-6 2-6. It's just making me realize how much of a solid combination of tenique, mindset, and brute physical fitness you need just to progress another 0.5 up. People say 3.5 to 4.0 is the toughest jump but honestly I feel like every 0.5 past 4.0 is even further away and far-fetched. I still would like to become a 4.5 though. Gave myself 2-3 years to do it. I used to only do strength training because "tennis is my cardio!" lol. But then I started to work on my core and mobility, and now I started running and training to run a 5k. I also used to be like 330 pounds when I was a 3.5 (I am 6'4 but still...), and then I lost almost 90 pounds(gained like 40 back, trying to lose again) in the past couple of years and only became a 4.0 this year. If ALL OF THESE are what's needed for me to even have a chance at becoming a 4.5 then just IMAGINE what it takes to become a 5.0 and above... I definitely got a little triggered as well when you were telling the story of your student saying she want to play against Serena 🤣

This is true of ANY sport/skill. There is an intuition you learn as a child that cannot be recreated later in life. The best goals that one can set, IMO, are to be better tomorrow than you were today as opposed to wanting to beat a pro, etc.

Becoming a professional in any sports is extremely difficult. The probability of achieving that is low, even if you started under the age of 10. However, you can always improve your current situation. That should be your outlook on life.

Hi, Nick, thanks a lot for this video! And I would like to suggest that you make a video demonstrating the levels' play, a serve and a point. Right beginning with level one proceeding to level 5. That would be a really interesting one video. Thanks a lot!

Thank you for the preaching. These contents are what differentiate your video from other tennis videos. It really comes from your experience of high level tennis and its not just tennis lessons its view into life as a tennis player, tennis fanatics

so true,,took the game up at 41,,quickly got to a 3.5 on athleticism only,,realized i needed technique,,learned some,,took time and got to a 4.0,,,it takes alot of work when your learning as an adult!!! great video bud

Good analogy! One problem with tennis is that when you watch the pros on TV, the ball appears to be traveling a lot slower than it actually is. Speaking as a 62 year old who picked tennis back up after a 25 year break to help raise my kids, I challenge folks who start up later in life to watch a 4.5/5.0 match in person. It’s not just the speed that they hit at, it’s also how they can move the ball around the court. If you are even “standing” for a moment, you’re going to get killed. If you believe you’ve hit an awesome lob or drop shot, they’re going to get to it and give you an even harder shot to get to.

I picked up tennis as a 5 year old on my own and I remember just hitting against the wall out in the country because I had no court or anyone to play with. Happiest moments of my life with my Miss Chris Wilson😊 Sadly even though I started young I quit for like 25 years but I’m so happy I picked up the racquet again 5 years ago👍❤️🎾

Thanks for the video.Totally agree with you. I am a recreational tennis player and a professional classical musician and many of the same things apply to both. We live in a society where people are taught they can do anything if they really want to....the cold hard reality is that this is simply not true. I am similarly insulted by how naive most people are about the time, dedication and sacrifice needed to perform at a professional level.

I started from a young age, and I can reach high level for sure. Nick, there's still young people watching you

I LOVE this video! And I love the way how you just lay it out there without sugar-coating anything. I agree, most people really don't know what it takes to even play an entry level challenger on either tour. It seems like I have to get my German/ grumpy side out a bit more when some of my students ask me what they're chances are for turning pro 🙂

I agree with this 100% - I tell my son when he asks about playing Football (Soccer) professionally that first he needs to be the best player in his team, then play in higher age groups and still be the best. Then be the best player in the County, then play nationally....and so on. It's not crushing dreams, it's being realistic and honest - focus on the first goal and when you achieve it move up to the next one.

I'm in my 70's having begun to learn tennis at 50 ... so to say there's a ceiling to my aspirations is an understatement. But among the reasons why I'm addicted to the game, beyond just the opportunity to engage in athletic activity, is the continued scope for learning and improvement. Psychologies differ, but I would recommend trying to draw enjoyment from the process of getting better - at least in some aspect or another of the game: I may not be a better player than I was 15 years ago, but, for example, my serve is better. That where I get my satisfaction ... not dreaming of getting to 5.0

Great topic for discussion, Nick! I enjoyed going through the comments to see where people stood on this discussion item. I agree with you.

I started to play tennis 20 years ago and never had any lesson. I learned from the book and now on KZfaq. My children paid 5 tennis lessons for me as Xmas gift last year. This nice local instructor corrected all my forehand, backhand, serve and footwork etc. At age of 65, I have so much to learn in tennis and I know I can improve my skill down the road. BTW, my skill on the smart phone is kindergarten level.😅

Wow, this video is great for so many reasons. Candid and to the point. Good analogy (although someone commented about learning a language that I think is another really great analogy). You don't waste time hedging your opinion to account for the one in a million that could exceed reasonable expectations. Thanks for the great content!

...and there it is: Nikola at his most brutally honest. :) I'd also add that if one masters tennis at a young age, it is always there. Akin to riding a bike. My son, who now rarely plays because he's studying his brains out, will come home after 6 months of not playing, play with his parents, and his strokes and footwork come back literally within minutes! It's simply amazing. Adult learners are like: "my game is crap, I haven't played in a week".

refreshingly honest and truthful......wonderful presentation that clarifies different tennis levels.

My goal when learning tennis has always been to eventually get to a level where strategy starts to become a more serious component. At the lowest levels, everyone is shanking the ball and serving improperly and it's really just about getting the ball over the net. But I think around 4.5 is when strategy comes into play and considerations for different styles. My goal is to get to a level of tennis where I construct points, rather than pray my opponent misses.

Wooohooo Love your content! I'm starting to get back into tennis more this summer, your videos help so much! thank you!

Simply love your short stories and overall honesty!!

I’ve always been super competitive in everything I’ve done. Grew up playing Rugby in the UK. Starting at age 9 until 16 played 6 times a week for 2-3 hours (rugby is tough on your body), was top point scorer for my club almost every season in my age group and even then I never even got close to high level Rugby. I definitely can understand how early you have to start and the hours you have to put in to to reach high level in tennis. Even so, starting tennis at 21 having played for a few years now I can’t switch off that tiny hope to play at high level tennis (sorry for the insult!). Going to be playing in my first summer league competition for a club this year. My ultimate aim is to take part in a good standard singles tournament. Long way to go, but hitting tennis balls fills me with a joy that’ll keep me coming back forever. Won’t stop till I drop.

It is hard, even at recreational level getting to 5.0 is super hard less than 2%. 4.5 is around 10% of overall players. But I am still dreaming about it 😉💪🏼

Thank God. Thanks so much. Finally a voice reason amongst all the online coaches who will promise you anything to get you to watch their videos and buy their lessons. Most good players are not going to make it to 5.0 either.

When I was a child I used to try and play like Aaron Krickstein and Andre Agassi. I loved Aaron’s heart and determination, and I loved how Andre attacked the serve. Little Joshua is 16 and he is amazing with that I phone. I have had an I phone for a few years now and I am still learning how this phone works. I started playing tennis at age 16 and we played every day. I found surfing to much harder than tennis, but tennis made me better at surfing and better at being more social and learn a lot of things about life. I was rated a 4.5 and before I stopped I was rated a 5.0. But after 24 year hiatus I still am able to hit every shot, and I just love playing tennis and learning more about the game. Great video Coach. Some people just have to learn the hard way! Pros are on an entirely different level than amateurs.

That's always a fascinating topic. Most people never experience high level athletes 1st hand. Till you experience it it's difficult to wrap your head around. Played D1 hockey in college. Occasionally skated against some pro's. Always a mind boggling experience

Totally agree.. I started at an older age even though I loved the game as a child but never got the opportunity. I started in mid 30's, am a 4.0 now at 44. I'm aiming for 4.5 hopefully in a next couple of years. 5.0 players are far and few at the rec level.

Nick, thanks for your explanation. I'm a recreation tennis player and don't know what is my rating but last few years I made great progress investing most of the time in my fitness. Especially in my body flexibilty.

Thanks for the video Nick. One kind request - please make videos for 3.5 to 4 development because that is considered the hardest barrier to cross. Some statistics note that most rec. players stay at a 3.5 level their whole life, if they started tennis as amateurs and adults.

I completely agree and I didn’t find the video insulting at all, I started when I was 13,My dad started playing tennis in high school and he played for a few years, but then he quit for a long time and then he didn’t start playing again until his late 40s.

This is really spot on and I get why that is insulting to you! The audacity. haha. Hopefully people will understand how much dedication and time go into becoming a high level tennis player (or high level anything) after watching this. I agree that it's much more satisfying to focus on small and attainable goals anyhow.

It would be nice to include UTR equivalences. For us abroad, it makes it easier to relate to / compare. Thanks for the great videos!

You are right on the money on this. I have a nephew who started tennis very young (thanks to me!) and was nationally ranked as a junior, as high as #23, and played D1 tennis. He was also a superb athlete. I started at age 12, still pretty serious about my game but I am 71 and sometimes my body does not cooperate. I did OK at 4.5 twenty years ago, although I think ratings were a bit inflated then. For any adult who is a true 5.0, they have to be quite talented and have to put in a lot of work. I am very impressed by any adult who can win 40-50% or more of their matches at 5.0. That is very high level.

Thanks for adjusting our expectations Nick haha! I honestly expected this answer

Excellent video. It is only when you start learning the sport properly you start to appreciate the golf between various levels of ability - from beginner to recreational to club level, county, national etc. And there are levels of ability within those. Tennis is one of those sports (like many others) that looks easier than it actually is. If we take your serve for example, looks so easy to do when you hit them on video, you just throw the ball up and you hit it…. right... but the reality is that it take years and years of practice. I play at a decent club level and play inter-club tournaments and I have friends (who last played tennis 10 years ago at a recreational level) legitimately think they can beat me and when we actually play are shocked they can barely maintain a rally of 1. Conversely I have a friend who played nationally up until he was 18, but plays little now, but I know I am lucky if I win 3 or 4 game a set. Do you think tennis gets the respect it deserves for the athleticism required to play at the elite level?

I love your response and don't see it as mean in the slightest. I grew up and played tennis in the mid-west, USA around the area Jack Sock played in High School. While he is quite younger than me, I constantly heard the rumblings of his domination in our area and have even played with a few people who went to high school with him. His high school record was I believe 80-0, most being pretty straight forward bagels. It's just a testament to how far the divide a pro level player is compared to the average recreational player( maybe a few 5.0's at some schools), and how important talent and dedication are. I'm just not sure why Jack stuck around here so long beating up on us mere mortals.

Appreciate your take here. I think a lot of people don’t realize how big a gap there is between 5.0 and e.g. an ATP Pro, not because they are cocky as much as because the pros make it seem easy. In reality, the level of fitness and skill is just on another level. I’m 38 and just started within the last year. I did play a little in high school and college (I’m talking super basic) but have played a lot of table tennis and other sports. That has helped in advancing now, but I’m realistic enough to know my limits. My current tennis school has 6 levels (I’m in Japan), and reaching even level 5 will be a big challenge! That is my goal, plus being able to competently participate in appropriate local tournaments. If I can do that, I’ll feel pretty happy with myself!

I just started 2 years ago and I am a 3.0 player. I would be thrilled if I could ever reach a 5.0 level in the future. I think it's amazing!

Hi @Intuitive Tennis nice video as always. Very well explained. I just have one question/ doubt when it comes to match strategy I would like to KNOW WHEN EXACTLY approach to the next. I end up losing points and energy since I don't know when it's best to go up and end the point with a volley. Perhaps you can upload a video showing the secrets behind this. I think it would be very much appreciated 👍

There are those things that are easy to do badly and hard to do badly. Playing the violin is hard to play badly. Few people are going to think they can become a concert violinist. Taking photos is easy to do badly, and there are many folks who think they can be a pro photographer will little effort. I think tennis is in between. It is not super easy to play badly, but with a few years of moderate practice most can play badly. For me to go from 4.0 to between 4.5-5.0 took two years of really hard work, a serious reworking of my game and lots of fitness improvements. Developing a 2HBH after a lifetime of a 1HBH and completely redoing how I move on the court almost broke my brain.

Hi nik, you are right and i am fully agree with your explaination. I am 45 years old, playing good in where we are now for me is more than enough.

There are some thoughts to this video: goal setting vs. dreams. I think it is important to dream. Any kid, regardless of sport dream of playing somewhere at some high level one day. If you look at other avenues in life, it is no different. However, the goals must be achievable but stretched and continue to stretch in order to get to “that” level. I don’t know if anyone should or could put a cap on a goal that could potentially crushed a dream. On the other hand, reality must also be a factor as well. Some kids are just not meant to play “that” sport or that “position”

The truth will set you free. I started in 2020 when I was 64. during the Covid. They closed the courts during my first year. I was a 2.0-2.5. Today I’m a 3.5 on a good day. On the way I’ve gone through back aches shoulder aches and hip aches that actually hurt. I love the game and play it all the time. But it’s not a game for sissies! My goal is to play like the 4.0s and 4.5 I play with on the court. To be competitive. It’s all two steps forward and one step back. Like the man says it takes time and practice. I think about reaching the top of the hill not the hundred hills I have to climb. That would be frustrating and no fun. But it’s nice reaching the top of the hill.

Thanks for the explanation! I used to strive for 5.5 as ultimate goal but 5.0 sounds good as well!

I grew up playing against the wall here in Brazil because I couldn't afford tennis classes and now that I have a job and my own money I want to push myself to my limit and get better to play tournaments in the future. But you are absolutely right, it's a race and I started 15 years later than everybody. There are some things that I will never not be able to do and it's fine, I just want to see how far I can go really.

While it might be "nice" to think about playing at the highest possible level, managing expectations is the absolute key to becoming better. I even like to set goals that are entirely under my control - for example, showing up to my training, playing a certain number of matches a month, etc. I aim for improving every day by focusing on specific details of my swings, and it takes as long as it takes. Of course, I want to achieve the highest level possible, but if I end up plateauing at the 3.5 level, so be it. As long as you always push yourself a little bit and never let your games and practice become routine, you'll proceed in your tennis journey.

What a great video Nic ! But I am very sad with my reality because I only started playing tennis when I was 30 years old. I'm kidding, even though I started so late, my goals are realistic. I'm outlining small goals that can be achieved and that for me are great victories and I'm very happy to be able to achieve them !

Having hope is good, it's what carried the human race through hard times. Instead of day dreaming, put in the work and chase after one small goal at a time. love the game regardless of the outcome!

Thank God, finally someone speaks for truth. Thanks so much. Finally a voice of reason in the wilderness of coaches who will promise you anything to get you to watch their videos and buy their lessons. A huge number of very good recreation players don't make 5.0. either.

Realistically the average person will only achieve a 3.5. I made it briefly to 4.0. While assisting at a tennis class at a small college, a girl told me when she finished the class, she was going to focus on her academics and then come back as a pro in 4 years. She got angry and hurt when I shut that conversation down. At that same school a 30-something 3.5 strong athletic teacher with a120 mph serve, entered some type of USTA tournament and got bounced very quickly. A 3.5 16-year-old who had only been playing about 2 years, asked me to help him get on his schools D1 college team roster. I told him it wasn't going to happen and to aim for the USTA on campus team in 4 years. We trained really hard. We would play eight game high school set matches and I always won. I reminded him over and over if he cannot win against a mid-60s 3.5 there is no chance to play higher. Really glad you made this video I hope it becomes viral.

So Nick, where can I buy one of these time machines?

Early 30s male & just completed beginner training (ground strokes, slice, serve, volleys) always trying to improve. My coach said I'm better than average beginner who usually takes 6-12 months to just rally properly. Kind of consistent ground strokes, serve & volleys with something like proper form after just 4 months of training. Playing 3-5 times a week & 2 times strength training with bodyweight or weights on top on tennis, so base fitness is ok. I grew up playing a lot of sports including faster sports like badminton & table tennis which helped to have better coordination, ball sense & timing. Love gaming too which helped to have better reflexes & hand eye coordination. You need both to play better as tennis is one of the hardest sport to learn. I believe anything can be learned, the phone example the more you use it the faster you get once you're familiar with your phone, & trying to be a better recreational player 😅 So if you learn the right techniques from the beginning with a good coach to prevent bad habits which takes longer to correct. Train with the right techniques & progressions multiple times a week & lift some weights too is ideal you'll improve pretty fast regardless of age, but some sports background helps quite a lot. You can be a good recreational player which is good enough for me. Just started as 2.0 GTN doubles with my bro first in Malaysia. But I kind of agree with his point, if you want to be as good as a pro, start as young as possible

I've watched so many of your videos, and I don't think I've seen you smile once.

what he said is true, it s even rare to see someone become 5.0 if they didnt start as a kid

I think its possible to achieve this on some very talented people. I started playing when I was 10 for 2 years(3x a week, 1hr/session, few months on, few months off cycle), I would say I was 3.5 that time when I stopped completely. After 14 years, I played for 1.5-2 months (1-3 times a week, and mostly just hitting with the wall) and people are saying Im a 4.0. Now, if I was able to do that, Im sure there are people out there who are way more talented, stronger, way more capable, and has more money/resources (its so expensive to train in tennis) than me that can improve in insanely short period of time.

True. I started playing tennis and soccer as a kid. Both of these sports feel natural to me and I have always had the confidence that I could improve with practice. I just didn't put in enough practice time so therefore I don't progress. But the confidence and the ease that I feel when hitting the tennis ball is there. But I learned to play basketball when I was already 14 or 15 and I was never comfortable with it. My movement was never as natural as the kids growing up playing basketball.

I appreciate Nick’s assessment of the possibility and rate of developing tennis skills as we age. I was fortunate to have started when I was in college and had extensive athletic experience playing basketball and baseball. I learned and was trained by a high level teaching professional who like Nick was a no nonsense coach who helped me build my game around strong consistent ground strokes. I already had the footwork, speed and an understanding of setting up points from basketball and the tactics of changing spin, placement and serving according to the score from pitching baseball. Getting lots of on court hitting and practice with good hitting partners is essential. Playing lots of league and tournaments over years is important. What really made a difference once I got to the start of that 4.5 level was more professional help to develop a strong net game to finish off points. Most players only stay with their baseline game because they are afraid to change so they stall and don’t advance. Having a strong all court game really makes a difference especially at the higher levels. I ended up coaching high school tennis and getting PTR certified. Nick reminds me of the two teaching professionals that helped me. I also have been fortunate to have attended many ATP tournaments. You can learn a lot watching guys like Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe from behind the baseline.

Love the iPhone analogy! I'd be happy to get to 4.0-4.5 range.

Harsh truth. As an enthusiastic man who started playing tennis at 33, I appreciate the reality check! 🙏

A good athlete in his 30s or 40s (former hs or college not tennis), can pick up tennis and rise to 4.0 rather quickly, maybe 2-3 years. However, they struggle to reach next level because it hasn’t been enough time to fine tune mechanics and match experience.

Tks Nik, great video. You mention hours pros put in. How about a video showing biggest difference between good recreational and pro. Is it pros hit ball harder, are fitter, more intense, better reactions. What's the biggest difference

Thank God. Someone speaking for truth. Thanks so much. Finally a voice in the wilderness amongst all the coaches who will promise you anything to get. you to watch their videos and buy their lessons. For the record, lots of very good recreation players won't make it to 5.0 either.

Great points Nic. I think of a 5.0 level player as being a solid 'entry' level (maybe playing 5 or 6 spot?) D1 college player. And that would be at a low tier D1 program. Is that about right? Put in that context, how many people think, after a few years of practice, they could play D1 baseball, or basketball or hockey or ..etc. NO CHANCE. There's sooo much more to tennis, as you mention, than being able to practice at a high level, or rally at a high level. Match play is an entirely different animal, the stress, the mental aspect, just learning how to play a game when there's something on the line. Heck, I start to sweat and my stomach is in knots when I play 4.0 level local tournaments - I can hardly fathom what this would be like at a high level. Good stuff Nik - love your channel.

I think part of the reason why someone might think they could play professionally without starting early is that TV doesn't do justice to the level of professional play. TV seems to slow the pace down tremendously. When I see matches in person I'm impressed with how much faster the balls pros hit than it appears on TV. I found even where you sit in the stands changes your perspective. I've sat in the row of seats that are on the grass along the sideline at Newport then moved to the stands behind the baseline. When sitting on the side I could see how fast the shots were but I was even more impressed by the spins the pros put on their shots when looking at them from behind. I've also hit with a 4.5 player at my club and was impressed how the pace and depth of his shots pushed me off balance. I could only imagine what it would be like to hit against a pro!

I wouldn't call it "Audacity". It's just not fully understanding what it takes to play that level of tennis. Discouraging ANY player from wanting to be the best, regardless of their age could be considered poor coaching. If they're willing to work, they will find out on their own some of what it takes to play at the pro level, and will probably adjust their expectations. I'm not advocating giving false hope, but laying out a training schedule and seeing what happens.

I think this is pretty accurate. I’m a 30 year old 5.0 player. I started playing at 13 (too late to reach the dreams I had for myself). I do think though if I developed a good serve and got much better footwork, I could be closer to a 5.5, but easier said than done of course. 5.5’s are no joke. Lol

It is true for almost everything in life. How often people think that they can outsmart Warren Buffett in the stock market or outdrive Lewis Hamilton on a freeway, etc., etc. Most of us have never worked our butts off and ended up thinking too highly of ourselves.

Time machine, good suggestion! 🤣👍

Personally I find it plenty hard work already trying to achieve a reasonable recreational level. Im just enjoying making small steady improvements over time through coaching lessons and playing more. But most importantly my immediate goal is to keep myself free from future injuries through working out in the gym and following the guidlines from my physio.

I have a question for you. I know I am not able to reach the elite level now with 28 years old. I am a recreational player I would say 4.0. The thing is that I learned tennis as a kid but I left it maybe with 12 years old because it never was something important for me. On the other hand I came back like one year ago and I am far from good but I improved quite fast taking in mind I just only play once or twice a week. I would say I went in less than a year from 3.0 to 4.0 and on the process I changed from two handes backhand to one handed. Do you think because I got this training from child is easyer for me to improve faster and able to reach maybe 5.0 or so much faster than someone who starts in my age?

Love how honest you are Nick. It is insulting, absolutely. Having coached high school state championship caliber players, it’s absolutely unbelievable how leveling works in tennis. These players I’ve coached can compete for a high school state championship, but they don’t even stand a chance at making it to a major D1 school. They are probably a 5.5 level, maybe slightly more, but they can’t even get to D1. And D1 players hardly ever make it to the pros. You are right- so insulting.

Nick, it’d be great if you had a 5.0 player play some points in one of your videos. We’d love to see visually your definition of a 5.0 player.

I’m just a hacker but I believe anybody taking up tennis should take lessons from a teaching pro to learn to hit the forehand, backhand, serve, and volleys. They should also find a practice partner that they can drill with and practice what they’ve learned. Play both doubles and singles in leagues. And stay in good shape. Drilling and practice really helps me. It’s also more fun when one knows how to hit the shots correctly.

Nice video! Because realistic! Very few exeptions in the world an adult has ever achieved master level in whatever discipline he or she was involved in.

What abt Jannik Sinner? Started tennis seriously at 13 and now is top 10? Would you say he started early enough to make it? Or his other skills brought him up?

Your student can get a realistic evaluation of her ability by signing up for a USTA Open level tournament. In CA and FL she'll get some tough competition with many ex college players and if she can win a few rounds then she may have some real talent.

I AM 26 and it is my first time grabbing tenni racquet, I was learning basketball by myself and i think i can get it at tennis too, doing a trained session coz i dont even own a racquet

4.5 to 5 is a big jump despite the 0.5 diff 😃

I m 66 and been playing for a year and a half. I would say I’m at the 3.0 level I’m getting better everyday but am very frustrated at the slow progress. Your assessment is exactly the same the pro at the club tells me. Just starting to play at 64 i can forget about hitting 125 mph serves. I’m playing with the regular club players but want to be good enough to play on the advanced level nights. I am highly competitive and in fairly good shape but age and the late start is killing me.

4.25 NTRP which is considered solid 4.5; BUT it's not a good spot to be in. Very few rec players get to 4.5; you'll find yourself incessantly playing down. Boredom sets in. Sweet spot is 3.75 - 4.0 NTRP to match favorably just a tad bit better against the biggest segment of the playing population. You can show up at the courts and expect to be challenged but never blown out of the match.

Hi Nick, just for curiousity, what means this 5.0 - Level compared to german-league-system ? Because now, we have already semi-pro´s playing in Verbandsliga, which sometimes still have a ATP ranking around 600-800. And lot´s of very talented young dutch players who wants to earn scorepoints...

Man, i watched this video twice. I understand where you are coming from and i understand where your student is coming from as well. I think i may have takin this the wrong way and got a bit upset by feeling that your saying but, not saying that i wont/cant ever get better then i am and i have set an unrealistic goal that i can never achieve. But again i get the video, it just made me question if i really want to even keep playing anymore. Good video and good fruit for thought that all the time and money i have put into the sport have been for no reason. Haha. Again good video just just made me question playing anymore.

4.5 with a STRONG athletics back ground with minimal lessons and constantly practicing up. I watched a 28y.o ex divII scholarship point guard jump from 3.0 learner to mid 4.0 in two summers, scary stuff. The guy was crazy focused with lighting speed/reaction.

What if you're 5.0 and want to move higher to 5.5?

Shoooot 5.0 is pretty good! I’d be happy at that

It also seems to me that up to the 5.0 level, tennis is fun, the higher you get though, the more work it becomes. You likely have to optimize your diet and off-court workouts, have a clean sleep schedule and spend more than just two hours of playing every day. You need to pay a serious coach. You need to travel to tournaments a lot. You might injure yourself because your joints aren't quite as flexible anymore than 20 years ago. So even if you are that one in a million miracle adult player that makes it to the pro-level, is that really something that you want? And if you really really do want it, you probably wouldn't just casually wonder whether you can get to the 5.5+ level, you'd be training like a maniac every day.

How about for soeone who was playing at the 4.0 level at the end of high school and beginning of college but took a lot of time off (about 10 years) and is getting back into it in their late 30s or when they are 40? Would this be different than someone coming in completely new in their late 30s or would taking a lot of time off essentially mean starting over from scratch?

Hi there, as an addition to this question, is there a difference between a 5.0 who, for example, was a good junior and played college tennis before playing at a 5.0 level in their adult life, when compared to a 5.0 that started later in life?

Would you say 23 years old is still too old? Motor skills etc taken into account?

Junior player here in highschool. This question has been bugging me for a few years. What are you thinking while competing/playing in a match (preferably singles)? When I play, I get confused because I just shut down my thinking and just play, no strategy. It works but it's not always the case or qt least that's how I feel.

i'll be satisfied with 4.5 level.

thanks for the reality check boss, now back to work

It would be interesting if you made a video that tangibly shows the differences between a 2.5-5.0 player.

Another anology it is like playing piano. But in the piano if you start at 30 you can have a good level at 50 your hands can still handle it but in tennis the more you age the less your body can handle training and matches..

Hey Nikola, I was improving and beginning to integrate the small motor skills needed for a high level forehand, ie proper racket drop and allowing my wrist to fall back but I got injured soon after because of my heavy training regimen. How long do you think it will be to get back to where I was, in your experience if you faced something similar?

Started playing at around 23 , never had a coach, and i reached the 4.5 level at about 28.. Im 33 now, and unfortunately I just can’t get better than that, doesn’t matter how hard and often I practice. Its kinda frustrating to be stuck at 4.5, I would really wand to get to 5.0 somehow. I believe it might be impossible without a coach..