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Is it just me? (1)
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by Donald 22 years ago
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The following message (subject: Is it just me?) was posted by Donald, on 11/1/2002 12:23:11 PM:
I've been away from the game for four years and just returned two weeks ago. I now must come to grips with the various changes which have taken place in the game. I am having some difficulty adjusting to the new 40mm ball. It seemed that all my loops from a pushed return (or any underspin for that matter) were going long. Apparently, one does not need to lift an underspon ball nearly as much as in the past with a 38mm ball. I just thought it was me and the rust in my game. I also noticed that when I was practicing counter looping from backcourt that the ball would simply lose momentum on about the third loop and not make it over the net. Again, I thought it was just me and my rust. I began to pay closer attention in order to pinpoint the problem because despite some adjustments, the same problems were occuring. There were times when I was in perfect position for the loop and I know that the form was decent.... so .... I'm left scratching me noggin. I watched the 2001 World Cup Video from Italy the other day. The top players in the world seemed to have the exact same problems! Would be long counter looping rallys cut short because the ball sort of lost momentum. Loops of pushed returns that went long. AHA! IT'S THAT NEW BALL! If you happen to watch that video, just count the number of times the players look at their rackets in wonderment that their shots landed somewhere other than where they intended. It's not the racket and it's not just me - it's the ball! Perhaps I should give it some more time but, hey, I just don't like the new 40mm ball and, judging from that video, it made some of the finest players in the world look mediocre at best. There was some truly outstanding play (Particularly from Samsonov in the Final against Liqin) but alot of the play just looked atrocious and I just think it is that new ball. Have any of you experienced any of these same problems with the new 40mm ball? Take care, Donald |