By the end of the month, the vegetable garden remained undisturbed. The backhand was crisp, the footwork was sharp, and Arthur had saved a fortune by going used. The machine was still loud, but to Arthur, that jet-engine roar was the sound of progress. Tennis Ball Machines Used(882) - Alibaba.com

: He paused for 20 seconds between rounds to reset.

Back at the local courts, Arthur learned his first lesson: . Instead of just sticking it in the middle of the baseline, he placed the machine where a real opponent’s shot would come from to simulate a cross-court rally.

The problem was that a brand-new, high-end machine cost about as much as a used hatchback. So, Arthur turned to the digital classifieds. Between the listings for "slightly chewed" dog toys and vintage lawnmowers, he found it: a . The description was brief: "Runs well. Loud. Local pickup only."

: He hit only 10-12 balls per sequence to maintain his form.

He also discovered that a used machine has "personality." The Lob-Master 3000 didn't just throw balls; it launched them with a vengeful spirit. To avoid burning out, he followed the expert "Plan of Attack" :

: He made sure to move into position for every shot rather than standing still like a statue.