Alright, so today I decided to really get down to it with this “m houkes tennis” style I’ve been seeing bits and pieces of. Easier said than done, let me tell you. I’d been putting it off, thinking, “Yeah, I can pick that up,” but it’s a whole different beast when you’re actually out there on the court trying to make it happen.
First off, I got to the courts early. Thought I’d have a clear head. Grabbed my oldest racket, the one that’s seen better days but feels like an extension of my arm. I figured if I was going to try something new and probably flail around a lot, might as well be comfortable, right? So, I started with the warm-up, trying to get loose. But in the back of my mind, all I could think about was that weird, almost jerky way Houkes sets up for the forehand.
So, I started trying to mimic that. Man, it felt awkward. My feet felt tangled. My timing was all over the place. For a good thirty minutes, balls were flying everywhere but where I wanted them to go. Some went into the net, a bunch sailed long, and a couple nearly took out a passing bird, I swear. It’s like Houkes has this rhythm that’s completely unnatural to me. It looks so smooth when they do it, but when I try, it’s like watching a robot try to dance.
Then I moved on to the serve. Houkes has this sneaky flat serve that just skids low. I spent ages just trying to get the toss right for it, a bit lower, a bit more in front. My shoulder started to ache a bit. I must have served two whole baskets of balls. A few, just a few, actually went in with something resembling the pace and trajectory I was aiming for. Those felt good, I won’t lie. Like a tiny lightbulb went on. But then the next ten would be garbage again. Classic.
I remember trying to copy a pro’s technique a few years back, some fancy one-handed backhand. I practiced it for weeks, ended up just giving myself a nasty case of tennis elbow and had to switch back. This “m houkes tennis” thing feels a bit like that – so specific, so many little parts you gotta get just right. It’s not just one shot; it’s the footwork leading up to it, the way you hold your breath, probably even the brand of shoelaces Houkes uses, who knows.
I think the main thing with this Houkes style is the unpredictability. One minute it’s all power, the next it’s a soft drop shot that barely clears the net. I tried a few of those drop shots today. Most of them either flopped into the net or sat up like a juicy invitation for my imaginary opponent to smash. But I did manage to get one or two that died perfectly. Victory! A small one, but I’ll take it.
By the end of the session, I was knackered. Sweaty, a bit frustrated, but also… kinda energized? It’s a tough nut to crack, this “m houkes tennis.” It’s not something you just pick up in an afternoon. But I think I made a tiny bit of progress. Or maybe I just got better at picking up balls. Either way, I’ll be back out there tomorrow, probably looking just as foolish, trying to nail that jerky forehand again. It’s a process, right? That’s what I keep telling myself anyway.
