How can you tie in your favorite game to the beginning of a new year. I can simply by saying that I'll find a way to spend more time on tennis even if it means writing about it, and less time on the world and the problems that exist out there. Will others think less of me. Maybe, but should I care as long as somehow by teaching others the way of the racket and how to get joy from this game I am somehow improving the world. I am on balance increasing happiness out there simply by teaching those things I have learned to make the game more enjoyable.
Speaking of resolutions, I like this article that mentions Jimmy Connors as the example of how to change and how to face up to your opponent which is in this case your resolutions and your failure to follow through on them. The writer mentions a number of Connors quotes and how he will use them to improve his tennis and life. The one thing he resolved is that he will try to chase down every ball.
Anybody that played tennis with me knows that was my approach learned from the great Laver learned from the great Hopman and probably learned by Hopman by someone lost in tennis history. Regardless, we can resolve that while the whole world may be coming apart in so many ways there is one place where you can find a respite. It exists on a higher plane and truthfully to me going out on the court is much like changing dimensions where as a parallel universe I know the others exist but here on the court this is all that matters when occupying that space. It is a way of communing with your existence outside of the normal boundaries and instead facing only those laws that govern tennis, those physical laws.
Find your own way to get more than exercise from a sport and for me I have found it even when practicing solo, I can work towards my own precision and in so doing separate myself from those things that take away from enjoyment of life.
Happy New Year to everyone I know and those of you that share my love of this game.
Here is my Facebook Tennis Resolution to all of my friends.
Happy New Year.
Resolution: Learn to hit two serves from one toss. This may take a while and I'm pretty sure it's not legal.
I did learn to hit a left handed slice serve last year when my right shoulder was out for a while. Three years ago I learned that I could serve with my eyes closed. That comes in really handy when playing in the dark or blindfolded. You never know.
Monday, December 31, 2012
American Men's Tennis in Doubt
Who will show up to represent American Tennis in the future. So far, though we have some potentials, none have shown the results that will put the USA in a dominant position in tennis in the near future.
It is amazing that so many small countries in Eastern Europe are able to put out so many champions yet we are here in a dry spell. Our main asset appears to be tall guys with big serves that don't seem to want to practice.
It is amazing that so many small countries in Eastern Europe are able to put out so many champions yet we are here in a dry spell. Our main asset appears to be tall guys with big serves that don't seem to want to practice.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Tennis News
Art Larson died on December 7th, 2012. He was the number one player in 1950 when he won the United States National Championship and he was a top 10 player in the U.S. until his scooter accident in 1956, thus ending his tennis career.
Rafa is still trying to recover from his injuries. Though men's tennis is doing well even with his absence it will be great to see him on the court again. I want more matches between him his main rivals Djoker and the Fed. Come back soon Rafa.
Nadal pulls out of Aussie Open due to stomach bug. His bad luck continues.
Wawrinka is looking for another at Chennai. Almost every player has the favorite tournament where they play their best. This is his.
Umpire reinstated after she is cleared in the case where she was charged with killing her husband.
Andrea Jaeger goes to Newtown to offer support.
Photos from the exhibition season.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Tennis Comedy Headed to Fox
Well, the story is out that tennis will actually have a sitcom. Greg Daniels is bringing this show to Fox and hopefully it will be as successful as his series The Office.
This ranks much better than the periodic movie on the subject or one with tennis in the background. I don't know if I'll be able to enjoy it based on the short description of the storyline where a tennis pro/failure comes home and finds himself actually envious of his brother the bar owner for his so called carefree lifestyle and somehow he must prove himself to The Girl. Poor X tennis pro. Please.
Wow, how many of us would have suffered endless indignities to spend time on the tour even as an also ran somewhere between 50 and 500 in ranking. Anywhere in there makes you an exceptional player and the opportunity to play for a living even at subsistence level would have been a dream for many of us but the option didn't exist.
Now, if this guy comes to his senses he'll settle down and become a teaching pro with a great resume. He could make a decent living and share his supposed love of the sport with his students along with many great stories. I knew many tennis bums from the past that had the chance to play satellite tournaments had some wonderful experiences.
Some of us bypassed the competition for various reasons including injuries and lack of financial ability to do so and just went right into teaching it for a living. For us it never seemed like a step down, but I suppose for those players that had tasted the life of professional play it always seemed like a downgrade. It is somewhere close to the old football star selling cars in terms of falling from grace. In this case, it is all in the mind. Some of us love teaching.
Since it is tennis, I'll have to check out the show anyway and I hope you do the same.
This ranks much better than the periodic movie on the subject or one with tennis in the background. I don't know if I'll be able to enjoy it based on the short description of the storyline where a tennis pro/failure comes home and finds himself actually envious of his brother the bar owner for his so called carefree lifestyle and somehow he must prove himself to The Girl. Poor X tennis pro. Please.
Wow, how many of us would have suffered endless indignities to spend time on the tour even as an also ran somewhere between 50 and 500 in ranking. Anywhere in there makes you an exceptional player and the opportunity to play for a living even at subsistence level would have been a dream for many of us but the option didn't exist.
Now, if this guy comes to his senses he'll settle down and become a teaching pro with a great resume. He could make a decent living and share his supposed love of the sport with his students along with many great stories. I knew many tennis bums from the past that had the chance to play satellite tournaments had some wonderful experiences.
Some of us bypassed the competition for various reasons including injuries and lack of financial ability to do so and just went right into teaching it for a living. For us it never seemed like a step down, but I suppose for those players that had tasted the life of professional play it always seemed like a downgrade. It is somewhere close to the old football star selling cars in terms of falling from grace. In this case, it is all in the mind. Some of us love teaching.
Since it is tennis, I'll have to check out the show anyway and I hope you do the same.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Murray and Good Coaching
A good coach can make the difference in the performance of a player. One of the best examples is how quickly Murray has moved into the top tier of competition once he began to change his game with the assistance of his Coach Ivan Lendl.
For years I've observed Murray and wondered when he would become more aggressive since his defensive approach to play never seemed to get him to the final. In transition with great coaching he did eventually reach the finals and unfortunately came up against some of the best players ever to hold a racket. His recent results show that he has made it and can stay there with the proper effort.
To cap this off, he has suggested that he wants to continue working with Lendl as his coach for the next five years.
I hope so too since he will add to the outstanding level of play currently produced on the men's tour.
For years I've observed Murray and wondered when he would become more aggressive since his defensive approach to play never seemed to get him to the final. In transition with great coaching he did eventually reach the finals and unfortunately came up against some of the best players ever to hold a racket. His recent results show that he has made it and can stay there with the proper effort.
To cap this off, he has suggested that he wants to continue working with Lendl as his coach for the next five years.
I hope so too since he will add to the outstanding level of play currently produced on the men's tour.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
US Open Smart Move
US Open Adds a day to the schedule in 2013
The women's final will be on Sunday and the men's final will be on Monday.
Adding a day to the schedule to allow a day of rest for the final matches makes so much sense it makes you wonder why they took so long. It should make for better finals.
Murray is delighted to hear this decision.
The women's final will be on Sunday and the men's final will be on Monday.
Adding a day to the schedule to allow a day of rest for the final matches makes so much sense it makes you wonder why they took so long. It should make for better finals.
Murray is delighted to hear this decision.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Clijsters Retires Again
This time is it probably for good but Kim Clijsters made the announcement after a exhibition match win over Venus Williams.
Sorry to see you go Kim but you always gave an excellent match display for fans. Best of luck.
Sorry to see you go Kim but you always gave an excellent match display for fans. Best of luck.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Kinesiology Tape and Wrist Protection
Anyone with a muscle or tendon strain that doesn't take proactive measures to limit or prevent injuries is not long for the tennis court. I notice as I get older that the injuries are more often and the locations have changed.
I never used to get wrist injuries but I suppose that overuse and probably a change in technique to accomodate less mobility has shown me some new wrist weaknesses I never had before. I now have a ritual. I use kinesiology tape on my dominant wrist before I go to the courts. I also add a wrist wrap to lend support. This has almost completely eliminated injuries in this area and as an added bonus if I ever took to going with the wrist on any shot, it limits the range which is usually very good for a tennis player. Possibly the only place this could be a detriment is when serving.
I have tried the high end tapes and the low end athletic tape.
My new preference is 3BTAPE as found on Amazon.com
I also like the McDavid Wrist Wrap as an overwrap after taping. It looks like a wrist band so you don't have students or opponents thinking you have an injury to protect. It offers great support washes easily.
I never used to get wrist injuries but I suppose that overuse and probably a change in technique to accomodate less mobility has shown me some new wrist weaknesses I never had before. I now have a ritual. I use kinesiology tape on my dominant wrist before I go to the courts. I also add a wrist wrap to lend support. This has almost completely eliminated injuries in this area and as an added bonus if I ever took to going with the wrist on any shot, it limits the range which is usually very good for a tennis player. Possibly the only place this could be a detriment is when serving.
I have tried the high end tapes and the low end athletic tape.
My new preference is 3BTAPE as found on Amazon.com
I also like the McDavid Wrist Wrap as an overwrap after taping. It looks like a wrist band so you don't have students or opponents thinking you have an injury to protect. It offers great support washes easily.
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