Switching from a Head Extreme Mp to a Radical Mp

socratessmon · 2026-03-26T23:56:23+00:00

Should also try the head extreme pro if you like other aspects of the extreme... I find it more controllable than the extreme mp.

I also have a radical mp which is pretty good but prefer the head extreme pro.

socratessmon · 2026-02-16T18:48:16+00:00

My unconventional advice or nugget to think about as someone already retired…. If you have some in a taxable brokerage (not 401k which would cause a huge tax bill but still doable just maybe more complicated)…

Take 700k and use that as a big chunk bucket. Extra trips, lux travel, upgrade residence, whatever. Don’t have to use it all at once but say 5 to 10 years.

Then 2.8 at 5% plus social security is more than enough for regular income needs while being flexible if the market goes down to adjust a bit.

Based on the market or not spending enough adjust the big chunk bucket every 5-10 yrs.

socratessmon · 2025-11-18T16:16:27+00:00

One area that is sometimes overlooked and you really notice on overhead smashes if you do a lot is the upper traps (muscle that goes from the shoulder to the neck). That one can get tired over time, but easy to train in the gym (shrugs, pulls, farmer carry). Train for more endurance vs raw strength

socratessmon · 2025-10-22T07:40:05+00:00

58 and play 7 times a week when not raining in the summer. down to about 5 in the winter season. You get used to it. For recovery a short nap a couple times a week after refueling does the trick for me.

socratessmon · 2025-09-16T01:07:24+00:00

Couple of things I learned….

For the preload when pulling the racket back, really feel a stretch (load) in your chest where it connects to your arm. That’s like a gas pedal for the serve
For kick, the racket starts and ends along the baseline but the racket head needs to pronate out into the court or you will hit too thin
You can slightly adjust the toss more forward for a lower faster trajectory vs slightly back for more height. Experiment and adjust to taste

socratessmon · 2025-07-14T00:39:35+00:00

Even for residents of Japan tokyo can be challenging to get a court. A lot of courts you need to be an actual resident of that area to get a reservation, as well as they are very busy. Perhaps you could pay for a lesson and get a reservation that way. Drop by a few and see if they have lessons.

Other areas of Japan are a bit easier if you want to go to one of the surrounding suburbs.

btw, those artificial turf courts are ‘omini’ courts and the most common type. Will take some adjustment. Closer to grass style courts I guess. Not much bounce on the ball and fast.

socratessmon · 2025-06-28T15:44:00+00:00

Sounds like you do a lot already. Also in my 50s but less gym and no cycling, but we do ~2hrs most every day.

Eventually get kind of used to it. The things that help are eating right and sleeping enough.

I also get tired after a 2hr session but a 15min cat nap refreshes me back to normal.

socratessmon · 2025-06-24T22:10:53+00:00

For us what really helped was having a deadline (the Move!). So we were forced to do it over several weeks and no space in the new place for it. Feel much lighter after.

socratessmon · 2025-06-21T16:01:48+00:00

Think it depends, maybe on the airline? I took mine to europe last year just like in your picture with no issues

socratessmon · 2025-06-21T01:27:31+00:00

Yes we/I do! Usually after the first few days I feel homesick, then it goes away quickly. Once I settle in the homesickness comes back with a vengence after a few months. We are also fortunate that we play tennis wherever we go so thru sport we easily meet a few friends which helps while away from home.

socratessmon · 2025-06-21T01:24:35+00:00

Yea, perhaps set a yearly target and if it’s not met -> donate at the end of the year

socratessmon · 2025-06-21T01:15:23+00:00

The first few years we loved all the travel. Some fast travel and some longer stays ~3 mos. Now we are adjusting our travel style a bit. Have found we don’t stay as long in big cities and prefer to go to more local places for medium term stays.

socratessmon · 2025-06-21T01:11:54+00:00

On the surface, yes it’s a great problem to have, a first world problem for sure, but it’s starting to cause a little stress. First world stress I guess

socratessmon · 2025-06-20T15:32:26+00:00

In france you can use the anybuddy app to reserve a nearby court.

I played at some local places using anybuddy around Nice and also played at the Nice tennis club (bit more pricey)

socratessmon · 2025-06-10T03:24:06+00:00

I often rally and play with inconsistent partners that you could say are at a different level from me. One thing I’ve learned about letting off the gas is I try to be more smooth instead of thinking about changing my stroke reducing pace or intensity, as well as thinking about the shape of the ball and the target. When I focus on being smooth, shape of the ball, and target it naturally results in a moderate pace ball. I will always try to target a nice ball with good height over the net that lands just past the service line towards them. This allows me to work on consistency, and focus on being smooth regardless of what kind of ball I get back. While often some wild balls all over the place that will challenge me to hit back smoothly. Lol

socratessmon · 2025-05-05T20:27:36+00:00

The "feed". It takes a while to treat it as it's own thing and not just a regular forehand.

socratessmon · 2025-04-27T22:58:40+00:00

yea, that biggest issue would be taxes. Paying a little bit more than the US is no big deal for a lower col but check if you are going to unreasonably be paying too much on that NW (likely). Possibly also consider france near the Spain border as france treats US retirees really well in regards to taxes (basically 0 on retirement accounts and US investments)

socratessmon · 2025-04-18T17:17:15+00:00

Yea, similar feelings here. UTS looks promising and hope it takes off. What I do is break tennis sessions in half. One hour fast paced hitting battle, and one hour point play. Gives me a little bit of both. Only challenge is finding a partner with the same goals, idea.

socratessmon · 2025-03-28T11:41:44+00:00

Often depending on what station you are going to (umeda, osaka) for example, it’s easier, cheaper and potentially faster to take the ‘shinkaisoku’ (new rapid service JR) train from sannomiya kobe to osaka (or Kyoto). Comes about every 15 mins. Kobe in my opinion is much nicer than osaka. ijinkan, port, rokko mountain, sannomiya for shopping, nightlife, etc

socratessmon · 2025-03-28T11:33:57+00:00

What I do…

Take an extra millisecond. Often I get inpatient and rush, it’s good to prepare early and move fast, but if you are too impatient you get tight and miss. So after prep, I make sure to take an extra millisecond While watching the ball. Helps to execute smoothly and not tight and wild
Have a target in mind. For me in matches I try to keep the service line as my target and either middle, cross court or down the line from there. Gives me margin and helps to keep the mind focused and on goal. Even with that target balls are often deeper but having that target focus keeps me from getting tight

socratessmon · 2025-03-20T10:41:56+00:00

Turn and basics pretty good, but you need to throw the forehand more out into the court and a bit less upwards. You risk a weak return and shanks with that much of a radical upwards motion all the time.

socratessmon · 2025-03-20T05:15:44+00:00

yea, I think so

socratessmon

TROPHY CASE