That's because you're focused only on certain aspects of your game and not on your overall game. At USATT 1800, you still have enough holes in your game that you can still benefit by playing lower level people.

Can you beat them playing strictly fishing/lobbing?

Can you beat them strictly using your forehand?

Can you beat them without using offensive shots?

Can you beat them without hitting cross court shots and mainly hitting down the line?

Can you beat them on the third or fifth ball i.e. rallies never extending beyond the third/fifth balls?

Can you keep them under 6 points every single game?

There's tons of things you could work on that will improve your overall game that you don't need higher level players for. Stop focusing on just beating them and focus on improving techniques that you are not that strong at.

There are people several hundred points below me that I still enjoy playing with because they do certain things well enough that I get to work on things that I feel need improvement. They get to improve their technique and so do I. Win-Win.

Smashing rackets can make for great theatre.

That's true. Lobbing is the best example and that's how I play a lot of these guys since I don't know how to lob and need to learn.

But you've missed the context. This is all in reference to a crazy-tight bh stroke that comes out under tournament pressure. That isn't replicated playing easy matches at the club.

So you mean if you serve good backspin to people in your club who are rated 1400 and they push the ball to your backhand, you will consistently make the opener in the absence of pressure?

I suspect what you think is an opener is not what I think is an opener but in any case, I will take that up elsewhere in the absence of video.

Are we on for 7pm EST Sunday?

LTT62 is available on ttEDGE.com

I have a question about the whip forehand. I think that this kind of stroke is placing a hell of a stress on the shoulder joint. When I see Ben doing it in LTT62, it makes me cringe. Especially at the end of the stroke, when the arm moves very fast and suddenly stops. I feel like it is easy to get injured. Am I right? How to prevent shoulder injuries?

Much easier to see in this angle and with the ball. He is using a very straight arm and taking the ball very late, behind his body, to send it cross-court. I assume both those things are optional?

If he was set up closer to the ball and he wanted to place it down the line, he could do the same thing with a bent arm and take the ball earlier, and still get the benefit of starting his rotation forward as the backswing is finishing with no pause. Is that right?

I don't know if there is any more risk to this stroke than a stiff one driven by the arm and chest muscles. He is changing direction hard, but with a long follow through.