OOAK Table Tennis Forum

You don't see too many 40 or 50 something's play tennis at State Open Level.

They would be lucky to make the second grade--- from what I've seen from watching local Open Level tennis tournaments.

When you're a full yard or more slower than your opponent over 10 yards--- you have next to no chance of winning.

Never mind other differences like flexibility and stamina.

In table-tennis being competitive at open age level into your mid 40's or 50's is entirely possible.

I've played competition squash,tennis and table-tennis and the first two are a serious test of your lung capacity!

Table-tennis is a walk in the park by comparison.

If your fit enough to wash the dishes---- well you should be right.

It is possible to play table tennis successfully with lower physical output because table tennis has a very deep skills component to it. It is easier for a relatively nonathletic player to win based primarily on skills. It's harder/less likely for that to happen in tennis. But I've measured my heart rate playing matches and the monitor and software estimated that I burn calories at about 500 an hour in a typical match. That's pretty much on par with what the previously referenced chart shows for tennis. So much depends on your style of play.

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Jay Turberville
http://www.jayandwanda.com
Hardbat: Nittaku Resist & Dr. Evil

Table-tennis is very difficult in one area which is not easily matched by any other ball sport, i.e. the speed of rapid fire exchanges (not talking push-blocking style etc.), all within about 3 metres distance between two opponents. In that split second between exchanges, you need to process various parameters of speed, spin, opponents tactics, the equipment used by your opponent that will affect all of the above etc. etc.

A tennis player can use maximum power by using full stoke motion to their physical limits but in table-tennis, the stroke is more compact. Compact strokes is harder when you have to do it fast and with power, and you might have to do 2-3 of those in one second..

I always choose TT, because in lawn tennis you have to manage many things, TT is easy and you can adjust its table in your room, took me some time to understanding lawn tennis rackets but on the other hand, TT racquets are far easy to handle.

I'll have to say tennis EJ'ing is a lot more expensive than table tennis EJ'ing. Equipment tends to become unusable quicker - see this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=83&t=37186

You'll need two or three tubes of balls for a weekend of playing (they lose pressure and go flat just about when you've warmed up). Your very expensive gut strings will go bad if you leave your racket in the car, and will go bad in any case in a couple weeks or so of being strung. I suppose it's probably not as expensive as golf EJ'ing, though...

Iskandar

Heck, back in the 1980s and 90s the TOP player in Indiana (before Seemiller moved to the state) was Richard Hicks, rated in the high 2000s. He was a long pips chopper, must've been 40 or 50 at the time. The SECOND best player was Harry Deschamps.. he must've been pushing 70 back then. And he was a HARDBAT chopper. I think Danny Seemiller is still rated around 2500, that's good enough to be in the very top ranks in the state. He must be pretty old by now.

Iskandar