Body type: ectomorph. At six one and a hundred and sixty pounds in my prime, my physique is ideal for tennis: tall and wiry with sturdy legs, and deceptively strong from the waist down. Excellent hand eye coordination. Good ball sense from all those childhood hours on the softball field and the basketball court.
I've also got decent quickness. Nevertheless, my anticipation can be spotty; and my overall court coverage leave something to be desired, especially in singles. Which is why I've evolved into a doubles specialist, with mixed doubles as a subspecialty.
The Tennis Playing Mantis is a stalk and pounce predator. Best exemplified by my characteristic stance at the baseline when receiving serve; the stance, in fact, from which my name derives.
Ideally I'm receiving serve in the ad court. I usually set up from two to four feet behind the baseline for the first serve. I'll only be there until the server's toss goes up in the air; at that point I go into read-option mode - but I'm jumping ahead in the sequence.
First I assume the stance. Feet no more than a shoulder's width apart. Knees flexed. Leaning forward a little at the waist - the mantis gangsta lean. The better to lock on to the server's toss as it goes up. And the better to track the serve from impact, along its trajectory, tracking the ball right up to its moment of impact with the strings of my own racket. But again, I'm jumping ahead in the sequence.
Still assuming the stance, I'm rocking back and forth on the balls of my feet in anticipation. My arms are extended, but cocked at the elbow, with my forearms in the upward, praying position. I'm playing, not praying. But I'm ready to prey on your serve.
Completing the distinctive silhouette of the Tennis Playing Mantis is the way I hold the racket. In a two-handed grip, as if presenting it as an offering. At the same time dipping the racket head down in front of me like the racket is a divining rod and I'm dowsing for water...
