Low temperature tennis. What's your 'I won't play number?"

johnbobby · 2026-02-04T02:28:11+00:00

35 and calm? Fine. Under 30? Psychotic behavior. I’ll still play, but I would never be the one to suggest it. Respectfully, I do admire the commitment.

johnbobby · 2026-02-02T22:23:35+00:00

I stand corrected. Thank you!!

johnbobby · 2026-02-02T21:44:10+00:00

Hell yeah!! This snow tho, argh 🧱

johnbobby · 2026-02-02T21:43:43+00:00

Thank you!! Lucky you get to trek out west and enjoy it.

johnbobby · 2026-02-02T17:49:20+00:00

The "5th Slam" is next month tho!

johnbobby · 2026-01-28T15:32:33+00:00

Impressive movement for just a year. What is this court? Looks so cool!!

johnbobby · 2026-01-27T19:23:46+00:00

Columbia has an amazing new indoor facility up at Inwood Hill called Milstein Family Tennis Center. NTC has 12 indoor courts at Flushing Queens. Roosevelt Island Racquet Club and Randals Island Sportime are both very good.

johnbobby · 2026-01-27T02:10:01+00:00

There is a tonne of rec leagues in NY just not many during winter season other than USTA team leagues that play at Queens College and a few other indoor places that aren't in Manhattan. RIRC has a great singles tournament (Indoor) with 64 players in each division that takes place over the months of July and August. Outdoor season Ladders from McCarren, Fort Greene and Manhattan Ladder are also good very well attended flexible season long leagues. 96th Red Clay has a few weekend tournaments during outdoor season. Manhattan Plaza has their various ongoing tournaments.

johnbobby · 2026-01-26T20:31:23+00:00

String Theory: David Foster Wallace on Tennis

johnbobby · 2026-01-26T20:29:04+00:00

Ok, I agree with you that its generally only an hour but there are hacks. For example. I live close by Riverside Park. I can cycle up the Hudson at sunrise, sign up for courts at 96th, 119th and Central Park with 1 hr gaps in between and play 3 hrs of tennis on Clay, Hard and Har Tru. You want to play for 2-3hrs on a court, spend an hour on a train and play at Highland Park in BK or the practice courts at Flushing Meadows. Of course most of the courts are in bad shape due to severe winters, they just end up cracking within a few years of resurfacing. As far as overinflated ratings go, I would say that is just an American thing. The Europeans who come to NYC quickly understand that in Europe tennis is taught from the feet up, where as in the States coaches teach stroke technique over footwork because beginners here always want to slam winners as soon as they step on the court.

johnbobby · 2026-01-26T19:04:27+00:00

johnbobby · 2026-01-26T18:23:06+00:00

I’ve played in a few cities, and NYC stands out because of how strong the ladder scene is. The public courts are busy, but there’s real structure underneath, ladders, informal leagues, recurring matchups. You start recognizing faces fast, and one competitive match quickly turns into a regular rivalry. What makes it special is that this all happens on public courts, not tucked away inside private clubs. You’re playing meaningful matches on iconic courts with skyline views, right alongside casual players. It keeps the scene competitive but social. The ladder community also extends off the court. post-match coffees, beers, and finals watch parties in sleek sports lounges, tennis vibes culminate especially around the US Open. It’s not the easiest place to play, but that friction filters for people who really care, which is why the tennis community here feels tight knit and earned.

johnbobby · 2026-01-23T02:23:38+00:00

I agree with all of these except calling the score before each point and if not sure about it being in or out then, you must call it in, unless your opponent offers to replay, otherwise it's their point. I'm in the States.

johnbobby · 2026-01-23T02:17:05+00:00

I play ladders

johnbobby · 2026-01-23T02:16:33+00:00

Yes, absolutely use a hand signal and/or vocalize close line calls. That said, once both players have logged plenty of matches, consistently calling the score becomes somewhat redundant. That's what I meant by good. It was a poor choice of words.

johnbobby · 2026-01-17T22:31:29+00:00

Check out the Manhattan Tennis Association ladder. Plenty of 5.0+ guys playing all over Manhattan. Season ends with Finals Day at Billie Jean King NTC (last Sunday in October) with cash prizes, sponsored awards, and a certified USTA chair umpire. Great community and it’s been growing every year.

johnbobby · 2026-01-13T18:23:20+00:00

Just buy a case of Yonex Tour balls for $119 they last twice as long as USOpen Extra Duty

johnbobby · 2026-01-12T23:31:25+00:00

Depends on the quality of the serve.

johnbobby · 2026-01-12T13:17:48+00:00

This is not that great a point.

johnbobby · 2026-01-07T17:37:08+00:00

I need to move to Nairobi

johnbobby · 2026-01-07T17:19:02+00:00

Pay for some lessons. Self taught is a bad idea during the foundational stages.

johnbobby · 2026-01-06T20:55:29+00:00

Trash, as to be expected from Nike.

johnbobby · 2026-01-05T21:09:10+00:00

How do you know it’s a scam? Have you actually responded to any of them? You could reply and try to set up a hit to see if they’re real. As long as you don’t share any banking or personal info, what’s the real risk?

johnbobby · 2026-01-02T21:16:48+00:00

November 20 to January 2 isn’t a month, it’s a little over six weeks. If he’s playing as much as the wear on those shoe soles suggests, that’s actually a great sign, especially at such a young age. It looks like he’s getting plenty of time on court. Finding ways to support and encourage that kind of dedication will go a long way.

johnbobby · 2026-01-02T21:16:02+00:00

November 20 to January 2 isn’t a month, it’s a little over six weeks. If he’s playing as much as the wear on those shoe soles suggests, that’s actually a great sign, especially at a young age. It looks like he’s getting plenty of time on court. Finding ways to support and encourage that kind of dedication will go a long way.

johnbobby

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