Hey Tennis Freaks,
The "D1 Lie"
When I was playing against D1 guys in my last year at SNHU, I used to walk off the court after a loss feeling completely confused.
If you stood on the sidelines and watched us warm up, you wouldn’t have seen a massive gap. I hit the ball just as hard. My serves were just as fast. My "peak" was just as high as theirs.
I used to think, "If I just get a little more power on my forehand or a better backhand down the line, I’ll close the gap."
That was the lie.
I was obsessing over my ceiling (how good my best shots were), while the players at the next level were obsessing over their floor (how good their worst shots were).
Match Results Against D1 Schools
Reliability vs. Firepower
As you can see, I was never blown off the court. If I’m being honest about making a comeback this year, I have to admit something: I don't need a more offensive game.
The difference between where you are and the level above you isn't firepower. It’s the ability to maintain your average quality for a longer duration.
I’ve seen matches where the "underdog" hits more winners, more "sick" returns, and more highlight-reel volleys... and they still lose 6-2, 6-2.
Why? Because the better player isn't trying to be a superhero. They are just hitting the same high-quality, "boring" shot over and over again until the other person panics and tries to do too much.
Raising the Level for 2026
If I go back to competing this year, my training isn't going to be about "getting crazy good." It’s going to be about Efficiency.
In my old D1 matches, the guys who beat me didn't necessarily hit the ball better—they just did it with less stress. They didn't "brick" the neutral ball at 30-30. They made me play one more shot every single time.
The Shift:
Stop aiming for the lines; start hitting the big targets with more "conviction”.
Stop trying to "rip" a 2nd server return winner; start making the server play a second ball every time.
Focus on hitting the same shot 10 times in a row without your stress levels rising.
The next level isn't about adding things to your game. It’s about subtracting the tragic misses.
The player who can stay "average" the longest is the one who wins.
See you on the court,
Cade (& Chris)
P.S. It’s much harder to hit a "boring, consistent" ball if you don't trust your equipment. If you’re fighting your strings just to keep the ball in, you’re going to tighten up. Get a setup that lets you swing freely. Use our codes.
Work On Your Next Level
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