I took the ball machine and played for 90 to 120 minutes Wed, Thur, Fri Sat morning. I worked on hitting a western grip backhand like Kuerten. But then this morning I decided to just try an eastern backhand with my thumb up the handle like Budge. Late last night I was reading about stepping into the ball. So I decided to do that also. I don't even know if I had been!?!?! Well on the backhand, yes. But I think not really on the forehand.

And I decided my serving follow through should be like Sampras.

So I practiced a ton with the ball machine this week. Like I haven't done in forever I think. And then today, right before playing a match, I change the most basic thing about my forehand (making sure to step into the shot). And abandon the western backhand I just put 6 hours into and instead hit eastern with my thumb up the handle, which I have never practiced before.

So I previously had beaten this guy 6-0, 6-1. Though he's also beaten me previously. And of course I played not so great. Biggest issue was my forehand flying way long. And I guess that isn't surprising. But I was frustrated as I couldn't figure out what the issue was. Backhand wasn't very good. Though not terrible. Just missing tons of ROS forehands on very easy second serves.

To be expected as I suddenly was trying new things i hadn't practiced. Oh well.

Serve was really good though. Super high first serve percentage and hitting second about as hard. Got some aces and many service winners. And my opponent was an athletic guy with close to a 7 foot wingspan.

Oh well.

On the bright side I could put away deep no pace balls with stepping into them. Just got to figure out the ROS.

It's annoying as this guy has a terrible serve. I ought to be pouncing on it. Not hitting errors half the time and the rest just getting it back. Lost 6-1, 7-6, 6-3. Have my racquets weighted to 13.5 which is probably too high. But will give it a bit of time.