Okay, so I’ve been getting into tennis lately, and I saw this name, Michael Zhang, pop up a few times. I figured, why not try to do what he does and see how it goes? It’s never too late to start, right?
First things first, I had to get myself some gear. I’m no pro, so I didn’t go all out, but I got a decent racket, some balls, and the proper shoes. You gotta have the right shoes, man. Comfort is key when you’re running around the court.
Next up, I started watching some of Michael Zhang’s matches. This guy is good! I mean, really good. I tried to pick up on his technique, his serves, his footwork – everything. It looked so effortless when he did it, but let me tell you, it’s a whole different story when you’re the one on the court.
I started with some basic drills. Hitting the ball against a wall, practicing my serve, trying to get the ball over the net consistently. It was tough. My arms were sore, my legs were tired, and I was sweating buckets. But I kept at it. I figured if those Chinese table tennis players can train for seven hours a day, I could at least put in a couple of hours.
After a few weeks of solo practice, I decided to find a partner. It’s way more fun to play with someone else, and it’s a good way to test your skills. My buddy was also interested in learning, so we started playing together. We weren’t very good, but we had a blast. We were running around, hitting the ball, and laughing a lot. It was a good workout, and we were having fun, so it didn’t even feel like exercise.
Here are some things I tried to copy from watching Michael Zhang:
- The Serve: I watched how he tossed the ball, how he positioned his body, and how he swung his racket. I tried to mimic that, but my serves were all over the place. I need more practice on that, for sure.
- Footwork: This guy moves like a gazelle on the court. I tried to stay light on my feet and move quickly, but I felt more like an elephant. I definitely need to work on my agility.
- Strokes: He makes it look so easy, hitting the ball with power and precision. I tried to copy his forehand and backhand, but my shots were either too weak or they went flying out of bounds.
I’ve been playing for a few months now, and I’m still not very good. But I’m enjoying it. It’s a great way to stay active, and it’s a lot of fun. It was really hard to keep up with my practices at first, but now I feel like I’ve got the hang of it! I’m not going to be the next Michael Zhang, but maybe one day I’ll be able to hold my own in a decent game. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll even play in different countries like that one 72-year-old guy I read about! Now that’s a dream to live for!
I kept at it as best I could. Every day after work, I’d head to the court and hit balls for an hour or two. Some days were better than others. Some days I felt like I was getting it, and other days I felt like I was back to square one. But I didn’t give up. I even bought that book by Michael Kosta someone mentioned on the internet — 101 Tips for Winning More Tennis Matches. It’s pretty good, lots of helpful advice. I read a chapter every day before bed, hoping some of it will sink in.
I’m not sure if I’ll ever be as good as Michael Zhang, but I’m definitely going to keep trying. It’s a fun challenge, and it’s a great way to stay in shape. Plus, it’s always good to learn something new, right? Even if you’re not going to be a pro, it’s still a fun sport to play. And hey, at least I can say I tried!
