April 11, 2016
To hear my students tell the stories of their losses on the occasions that I couldn’t be there, you would think that somehow professional players sneaked their way into league matches. Routinely, their litanies included: “Every lob they hit grazed the back line.” “Their serves were so good we could rarely return them.” “Their service […]
March 18, 2016
What mindset can get you or your doubles team off to a quick start in every game? Try imagining that the score is love -30 when you toss the ball for the first point. Players often play as if it’s a ‘nice to have it’ point when they should be playing ‘gotta have it’ tennis. […]
March 5, 2016
It wasn’t The U S Open, just a small junior tennis tournament in Kansas City. Spencer was in his first final and could not get over the nervousness that seemed to follow him like a cloud. Maybe it would have been better if his father didn’t sit so close to the court and wear his […]
February 26, 2016
Sam Querrey has been playing some terrific tennis of late. Tonight he was stopped cold by the young Austrian Domimic Thiem. The match ended 6-2, 6-2 and the six foot seven Querrey felt like a high schooler. Keep your eye on Thiem in this year’s major tournaments. He is the real deal and should ‘school’ […]
February 7, 2016
Richard Gasquet is the number 10 ranked tennis player in the world. He is The defending champion of the Montpellier tournament in France. Today, he faced Dustin Brown who is ranked #133. Gasquet broke his racquet at O – 2 in the second set after losing the first set 1-6 in twenty-six minutes. At the […]
February 6, 2016
If you’re a tennis fan….and you like to laugh, jus Google Roger Federer Top Ten Tweeners. You will quickly understand why people will be talking about Mr. Federer fifty years from now.
January 31, 2016
Angelique Kerber is The 2016 Women’s Singles Champion for The Ystralian Open. Seeded seventh, she was a long shot to defeat number one seed Serena Williams. How did she do it? Kerber extended points with incredible hustle and wisdom. Stretched beyond the sidelines, she repeatedly put the ball back in play and frustrated the ultra […]
January 27, 2016
Joe Edles is a terrific Denver area tennis pro. Years ago he tried to convince a group of junior excellence players that consistency is the number one objective for every player. He chose two nationally ranked boys to play sixteen points in front of the group. Joe asked the observers to keep track of winner […]
January 24, 2016
Arthur Ashe was born in 1943 and was a remarkable tennis player. He was an underdog winner over Jimmy Connors at Wimbledon in 1975 and also won The US OPEN in 1968. In 1970, Ashe won The Australian Open singles title and also won two Grand Slam doubles titles. A superb athlete and one of […]
January 15, 2016
The Business End of The Set Four games all and what do you focus on to keep it simple and play your best? Make a high percentage of first serves. Play solid rather than spectacular returns. Get to net before your opponents. Leave the last point behind and focus on this point. A Tell Any […]
January 1, 2016
The first set was over in a hurry and your team feels out of sync. Here are seven things you can consider that honors that age old tennis maxim…..’never change a winning game but always change a losing one.’ 1. Talk on the changeover re: the pressure is actually on your opponents to finish the […]
December 27, 2015
Points to Ponder for Tennis 2016 Every day that includes tennis is a blessing. Technical innovation is transforming the game….maybe it’s time to demo a racquet. Brett Hobden’s advice never goes out of style….’Track it to the racquet.’ The ball is only in contact with your strings for four to seven one thousandths of a […]
December 25, 2015
Gale Sayers came out of college with the nickname of The Kansas Comet. He had extraordinary speed, agility, and an uncanny sense of vision where it appeared he had eyes in the back of his helmet. He needed just a tiny crack in the line to break through, mesmerize linebackers, and score a touchdown. You […]
December 20, 2015
Seven Ways to Win More Doubles Matches 1. Choose a partner that you jell with. Come together after each point to erase the last one and create a positive expectancy about the next one. 2. Be wise in the backcourt and ravenous at net. Poach when you are ahead. 3. Take coach Leslie Allen’s advice […]
December 13, 2015
Anna was taking a Saturday morning tennis lesson when a very young tennis pro called her to the net to talk. She brings such a positive energy to the court that the coach had an idea. ‘Anna, whadya say we invent a word that captures the essence….and the fun that players have on court?’ After […]
December 12, 2015
Vic Braden and Welby Van Horn passed away last year and left a huge void in the tennis teaching profession. Braden was a renowned researcher whose insights will live on for decades…..he was also the funniest coach ever if you exclude a fella named Dave Romberg who taught at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver […]
December 12, 2015
A group of super tennis players compete for ninety minutes of doubles every Friday. They race around the court with the excitement of third graders at recess. Frequently, spectators will hear Marcela exclaim, ‘C’mon!’ following a particularly great shot…..and marvel at Natasha’s speed and Marty’s shotmaking. What is refreshing to see is how appreciative all […]
November 26, 2015
Benjamin is aiming for Wimbledon in 2032. He awakes early and does wrist curls, heel raises, and has a two mile ride in his stroller. After lunch and a nap, he watches film (Sponge Bob and Bugs Bunny) and hits his two handed backhand in the garage with a ball suspended on a string. He […]
November 2, 2015
Roland was a successful real estate developer and part time tennis player. He played weekly matches against his neighbor and was routinely beaten by lopsided scores. Standing six foot five, this gentle giant had two tennis liabilities that gave his opponent a decided edge. Roland had extremely large feet and slow twitch muscles….not exactly conducive to conducive […]
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