Game 5: 15th January

Score : 2 sets (6-2) and (6-3)


Rating: Flow State


Venue: The Local - 60mins Covered but low sun giving problems


Report: 

Playing with usual partner at usual place with work folks in "El Classico".

It's called that as we had some great matches every 2 weeks or so during 2025. Unfortunately, this time one of the other opponents couldn't play but he arranged a capable stand in.

Game was closer than the scores suggest but we weren't really troubled, both our opponents tended to trend towards an unforced error which absolutely suited my "1-0 to the Arsenal" current style. They also play Padel as tennis so lots of topspin forehands from the baseline which I can deal with now.

My serving was great all match, left them tangled up in knots next to the glass and came in clutch in a few games where we were love-30 down before 2 or 3 cracking serves brought it back.

Attacking still felt tepid but I had some lovely blocks at the net for their tennis forehands. Very few lobs played against us so little chance to practice overheads.

Oh partner and I have settled into our new sides now. Have to say it fits out on court personas very well, I can set up the points for him to finish.

Final thought is I need to work on my conditioning. The player that stood in is very fit and you could see the positive impact this had on his ability to keep points alive.

Plus points:

Serving - consistent and good platform for winning the point

Dem Lobs again

Mentality and tactics, we got broken in 2nd game to make it 1-1 but didn't stress and adjusted to play softer and to not get drawn into a tennis match

Things to work on

Conditioning

Finishing moves - need some finishers and tactics to close out a point. It's too ad-hoc at present.

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