January 12, 2017
A high percentage of players are visual learners. Granted, this is the former #1 player in the world who covers the court like a blanket. Maybe you can mimic Andy’s dash to net the next time you play. Truly, he’s moving forward like his hair is on fire. The byproducts are that it’s the way […]
January 11, 2017
This player is wisely favoring his forehand and playing the ball up the middle. Here are five reasons you might mimic his shot selection. 1. The opponents could be confused regarding who should volley the ball. 2. The player has the full length of the court to work with. (78 ft.) 3. The net is […]
January 11, 2017
Carlos Goffi was one of John McEnroe’s coaches in the early days. He wrote a very good book entitled Tournament Tough. In the book, he used a word this young cowboy had never heard before…Penultimate. About the only time you’ll hear it now is on golf telecasts. The commentator might say that Jordan Spieth is […]
January 5, 2017
Sam Sumyk is a French tennis coach who currently coaches WTA world number three and 2016 French Open champion Garbiñe Muguruza. Muguruza started slowly today and has a history of being self critical and temperamental. Sumyk is allowed to coach on changeovers and obviously knows his player well. The court side microphone caught just a […]
January 5, 2017
Nick Kyrgios is readying himself for The Australian Open. Maybe not. Today, he was down a break in the first set against American Jack Sock. He crushed a forehand to the corner and sock floated a desperation forehand that was going twelve feet out. Absent minded Nick stood at the baseline and played a casual […]
January 5, 2017
The Tennis Channel is showing a match between Andy Murray and Nicholas Almagro from Spain. Murray wins the first set in a tiebreaker. Almagro is extremely talented but one wonders if he’s as mentally fit as Murray. I know, Murray continually talks negatively to himself and his coaches between points. But…when it’s point time, he’s […]
January 2, 2017
Lynette Federer was probably the most startled person on the planet. She and husband Robert had been flummoxed by twelve year old Roger’s fiery temper on the tennis court. Being the most gifted player ever can present challenges too…like the belief that perfection is a birthright and uncontrollable angst when you fall short. After one […]
January 2, 2017
Some might think it demeaning to refer to another as a ‘junk yard dog.’ David Ferrer hails from Spain and stands five foot eight inches tall. Call him the above name and he’d undoubtedly take it as the ultimate compliment. In tennis, it means that he fights for every point like Joltin Joe Frazier used […]
December 17, 2016
Here is Grand Slam winner and former number 1 ________ ____________, practicing with a friend. The opponent is about to split step to be able to move for the volley. The lefty is playing his forehand from an ________ stance using a universal or ______________grip. His brother ____________, was also an outstanding pro and captain […]
December 16, 2016
Daniela Hantchukova has been playing the WTA tour since her teenage years. Extremely tall like Maria Sharapova from Russia, she possesses a laser-like backhand that is scintillating in match play. What can you learn from this world class shot? 1. Outstanding shoulder turn like a power hitter in baseball. 2. Excellent grip with dominant hand […]
December 12, 2016
A very young cowboy had a chat with an old friend. He’s a skinny as a rail…active like a twelve year old…lucky to still be with us tennis coach. His name is brought up every week in my lessons with the footnote that he has more talent in his little finger than I possess in […]
December 4, 2016
What characteristics are shared by leopards and great doubles players? They are hungry, explosive, and always ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey or high volleys at the net. Of course, if a player spends most of their time in the backcourt, they effectively forfeit the pounce possibilities and become the other team’s prey.
November 22, 2016
What can you learn from this photo? He’s playing on what surface? His focus on the ball indicates he’s been coached to ‘Track it …..? You finish this phrase. He is six to eight feet behind the baseline so he is striving to play this ball four to eight feet above the net. It would […]
October 27, 2016
The Dream Team celebrated a terrific season with dinner at Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar last night. What a great group of young men and this very young cowboy was mighty blessed to have the chance to eradicate anesthesia feet forever. You rock gang and Jack was the all time best captain!
October 19, 2016
It was apparent at The 4A State Tennis Tournament last weekend that…the better the player, the more respect they have for conversion tennis. A conversion used to mean winning 3 points or 3 games in a row. The accepted wisdom was either would prove a player or team had captured significant momentum in the match. […]
September 7, 2016
Pat Dougherty is a tennis coach in Florida and is known as The Serve Doctor. In a number of his video lessons online, he reinforces the value of playing from your ‘athletic foundation.’ This photo of Rafael Nadal captures this idea perfectly. He is returning serve and has just completed his split step. He’s ready […]
September 1, 2016
The Kent Denver Varsity II team triumphed over arch rival Colorado Academy today. In the process, they came to appreciate a new word just added to their tennis vocabulary. Pachuuuunnngg…..The moment when the ball sizzles off your strings and you realize how much you love this game. Way to go, fellas! You made your parents,coach, […]
June 4, 2016
You have to be hungry in tennis. The best players hope the next ball is going to be hit to them. One more chance to shine.
April 16, 2016
Maybe someone in your world will find hope in the words below. Were it not for hope the heart would break. Thomas Fuller I have the greatest weapon…I have hope. Sophia Mendoza Ed Wright is an avid tennis player who, at age 77, teamed with son Jody in our Saturday morning doubles league. Last fall, […]
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