It is hard to watch this at times but age catches up with everyone.
Fed Loses to another player he shouldn't have lost to.
Fed has a hard day in Hamburg
Can a new racket cause you to lose. Fed doesn't use it as an excuse.
Anyone with considerable skill knows that a racket can change your manner of play or results if you try to maintain your style. The stiffness, balance, weight, and head size are variables on a tennis racket that can alter your game for the positive or negative. I'd give it some time to see if the move to the larger racket head works for Federer. It should give him more power for less work and as he ages that is a good thing. I never thought I'd see Fed with a granny stick.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Ektelon Stringing Machine Upgrade Kit Review
I have had an original Model C Ekteleon stringing machine for over 30 years with no upgrades. I somehow got by stringing my own rackets but avoided stringing rackets for friends based on the limitations of the old design meant for much smaller wood rackets.
I finally decided to get an upgrade kit for my machine so I could make it an easier job of stringing my own Head Radical OS frames. I have enough floating clamps/speed clamps to accompany my fixed clamps so I didn't go for the clamp upgrade kit yet, though after trying the two point mount upgrade kit and seeing how well it works I may try that as well.
I received the 2 point mount kit today and found the installation very easy and quick. I got it done in less than 30 minutes without stress or aggravation.
Once complete I went right to stringing my Head Racket and found it was now possible to pull tension on all of the center strings where before I was forced to pull two strings at once on the first four strings making the job less than ideal, and thus I only would string my own frames. Some frames may still require a two string pull but the added frame support still makes this upgrade a good move.
It works very well and is clearly a very high quality product that is well thought out. The much wider mounts also are more secure which should reduce stress on oversized frames. If you have an old Ektelon I think this is a great investment especially when compared to buying a new machine.
Here is the link for the upgrade two point mount kit I purchased and it is designed to work with C,D, and DE models made by Ektelon.
2 point mount upgrade kit.
Another important thing to know is that the seller is very professional and handles the order promptly with tracking information sent once the items are shipped.
****** 5 Star Rating for Quality and Performance
Here is a video on stringing machine adjustments that will give you some general methods of maintaining your old stringing machine. I didn't create this Youtube video but found it useful.
I finally decided to get an upgrade kit for my machine so I could make it an easier job of stringing my own Head Radical OS frames. I have enough floating clamps/speed clamps to accompany my fixed clamps so I didn't go for the clamp upgrade kit yet, though after trying the two point mount upgrade kit and seeing how well it works I may try that as well.
I received the 2 point mount kit today and found the installation very easy and quick. I got it done in less than 30 minutes without stress or aggravation.
Once complete I went right to stringing my Head Racket and found it was now possible to pull tension on all of the center strings where before I was forced to pull two strings at once on the first four strings making the job less than ideal, and thus I only would string my own frames. Some frames may still require a two string pull but the added frame support still makes this upgrade a good move.
It works very well and is clearly a very high quality product that is well thought out. The much wider mounts also are more secure which should reduce stress on oversized frames. If you have an old Ektelon I think this is a great investment especially when compared to buying a new machine.
Here is the link for the upgrade two point mount kit I purchased and it is designed to work with C,D, and DE models made by Ektelon.
2 point mount upgrade kit.
Another important thing to know is that the seller is very professional and handles the order promptly with tracking information sent once the items are shipped.
****** 5 Star Rating for Quality and Performance
Here is a video on stringing machine adjustments that will give you some general methods of maintaining your old stringing machine. I didn't create this Youtube video but found it useful.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Watch Your Facebook Posts
Michael Russell walks back a Facebook post.
I hope Michael has learned to never give anyone authority or access to post on his page under his name if that is what happened.
I hope Michael has learned to never give anyone authority or access to post on his page under his name if that is what happened.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Tennis is a Sport for Life
79 Year Old Says You Can Play Into Your 90's Easily
I love these stories and I can remember few of my own that I've witnessed. I had a friend named Rufus who played tennis into his 90's. One day I didn't see him on the court any longer and I knew he was gone because there was simply no way he would stop playing otherwise.
The USTA Tournament Categories go up to age 90 and over.
It is almost never to late to get into the game. I've had students in their 70's and a few in the 80's. I've got one right now that is 87 years old.
Get started.
I love these stories and I can remember few of my own that I've witnessed. I had a friend named Rufus who played tennis into his 90's. One day I didn't see him on the court any longer and I knew he was gone because there was simply no way he would stop playing otherwise.
The USTA Tournament Categories go up to age 90 and over.
It is almost never to late to get into the game. I've had students in their 70's and a few in the 80's. I've got one right now that is 87 years old.
Get started.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Andy Murray Earned It
I have to say that he earned this one. This was a struggle and the last game was fantastic.
Murray Wins
The 77 year drought has come to an end.
Murray Wins Title
Murray in Blur
Hardest moment in his life
Tennis fans fired up over Murray
Andy Murray on Video
Murray Wins
The 77 year drought has come to an end.
Murray Wins Title
Murray in Blur
Hardest moment in his life
Tennis fans fired up over Murray
Andy Murray on Video
Wimbledon Men's FInal 2013
Murray vs Djokovic
If Murray is ever to win this this should be his year. The stars are aligned for him in terms of momentum. Djokovic had a tough 5 setter against Del Potro and this should be a help for Murray.
2 All Games
9:43 Murray has to step it up and be aggressive.
9:45 Djokovic up 3 to 2 - Murray tentative.
9:49 3 All - Murray holds serve by serving well and taking the initiative.
9:53 Murray breaks Djokovic serve at love. Djokovic temporarily rattled.
9:56 Murray double faults love 30, it goes to deuce, bad line call,
10:05 Long game and Murray saves a break and now goes to AD and takes game on a Djokovic error.
10:06 Djokovic serving make weak angled volley that was telegraphed to Murray who runs it down and angles it past him. Novak double faults to love 30 and Murray loses a chance to be up 40 in the game. A bad net shot gives Novak the edge but a slip on the court coming up to the net to volley brings it back to deuce. Novak holds. Murray up and serving 5 to 4 first set.
10:15 Murray wins final serve game of the first set at love. If Djokovic stays at this level and Murray does as well it may be a win for Murray. Djokovic has to raise his level.
It is easier to type Novak than Djokovic so from now forward I will type a first name for this.
Murray Wins The First Set 6 to 4
10:40 Novak breaks and is up 3 to 1 second set. Novak up 4 to 1.
11:24 Murray breaks back and wins the second set. Sorry I was enthralled by the points and couldn't spend time writing about the match and each point.
11:25 Murray Wins the Second Set 7 to 5
12:11 Murray bring it to 5 to 4 all with a serve break. He will serve for the match. Amazing. I think he earned it if it goes his way.
12:12 Murray serves for the match.
First point Novak hits a shot long.
Murray 1st serve fault. Murray wins point on a Novak drop shot.
30 Love Murray Serving
Novak Returns long on a first serve
40 Love Murray - Triple Match Point
Novak wins a point at the net and Murray ran down two near unreachable shots.
40 to 15
1st serve long. Novak hits a winner on the 2nd serve return
40 to 30
Murray hits it long - this is painful
Deuce - Novak saved 3 championship points.
Ad Out - Murray nets a ball. Not good.
Good first serve - Novak hits it long
Deuce Again
Novak gets a net ball winner, bad luck for Murray, great luck for Novak
Ad Out
Murray hits an angled winner after a ball hits the line and Novak thinks it was long
Deuce
Novak hits a perfect angled pass from a Murray drop shot
Ad Out
3r break chance
Murray hits angled volley winner for back to Deuce
Deuce 12:23
Murray wins a point running down a short volley from a Novak cover of a great Murray passing shot.
Ad In - Match point
Novak returns good and hits a long ball after an exchange.
Match to Murray
Congratulations Andy Murray 12:25
If Murray is ever to win this this should be his year. The stars are aligned for him in terms of momentum. Djokovic had a tough 5 setter against Del Potro and this should be a help for Murray.
2 All Games
9:43 Murray has to step it up and be aggressive.
9:45 Djokovic up 3 to 2 - Murray tentative.
9:49 3 All - Murray holds serve by serving well and taking the initiative.
9:53 Murray breaks Djokovic serve at love. Djokovic temporarily rattled.
9:56 Murray double faults love 30, it goes to deuce, bad line call,
10:05 Long game and Murray saves a break and now goes to AD and takes game on a Djokovic error.
10:06 Djokovic serving make weak angled volley that was telegraphed to Murray who runs it down and angles it past him. Novak double faults to love 30 and Murray loses a chance to be up 40 in the game. A bad net shot gives Novak the edge but a slip on the court coming up to the net to volley brings it back to deuce. Novak holds. Murray up and serving 5 to 4 first set.
10:15 Murray wins final serve game of the first set at love. If Djokovic stays at this level and Murray does as well it may be a win for Murray. Djokovic has to raise his level.
It is easier to type Novak than Djokovic so from now forward I will type a first name for this.
Murray Wins The First Set 6 to 4
10:40 Novak breaks and is up 3 to 1 second set. Novak up 4 to 1.
11:24 Murray breaks back and wins the second set. Sorry I was enthralled by the points and couldn't spend time writing about the match and each point.
11:25 Murray Wins the Second Set 7 to 5
12:11 Murray bring it to 5 to 4 all with a serve break. He will serve for the match. Amazing. I think he earned it if it goes his way.
12:12 Murray serves for the match.
First point Novak hits a shot long.
Murray 1st serve fault. Murray wins point on a Novak drop shot.
30 Love Murray Serving
Novak Returns long on a first serve
40 Love Murray - Triple Match Point
Novak wins a point at the net and Murray ran down two near unreachable shots.
40 to 15
1st serve long. Novak hits a winner on the 2nd serve return
40 to 30
Murray hits it long - this is painful
Deuce - Novak saved 3 championship points.
Ad Out - Murray nets a ball. Not good.
Good first serve - Novak hits it long
Deuce Again
Novak gets a net ball winner, bad luck for Murray, great luck for Novak
Ad Out
Murray hits an angled winner after a ball hits the line and Novak thinks it was long
Deuce
Novak hits a perfect angled pass from a Murray drop shot
Ad Out
3r break chance
Murray hits angled volley winner for back to Deuce
Deuce 12:23
Murray wins a point running down a short volley from a Novak cover of a great Murray passing shot.
Ad In - Match point
Novak returns good and hits a long ball after an exchange.
Match to Murray
Congratulations Andy Murray 12:25
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Wimbledon 2013
Wow. What a week this was to see so many great players go down from either injury or defeat.
Update: Bartoli Wins Against Lisicki- No Surprise after her demonstration against Flipkens.
Saturday 9am Lisicki vs Bartoli
Lisicki Beats Radwanska to get in final and for a time it looked like she didn't want to win it.
Bartoli beat Flipkens in a pure demonstration of power and will.
Sunday 9am Djokovic vs Murray
If Murray is ever going to win this it will be this year. I think he deserves one but Novak is still an amazing power on the courts. Murray has the foot speed to match Djokovic but we will see if he can match Novak in weaponry on the court.
I have a personal nickname for Novak after watching him stretch at the U.S. Open. 2 years ago. He reminded me of Gumby and he stretches like him. I just ran a search to see if anyone else came up with this and this is not just me thinking this. I hear he doesn't like it though. One thing is certain is that his flexibility is one of his biggest assets in play. It is amazing to see him contort and stretch to retrieve shots and attack from these positions where most would be simply defending. No one can match him on the men's side for this. He is like Gumby.
Murray has improved his demeanor on the court and that has made me more respectful of his talents and his acquisition of Lendl as a coach has helped make him a much more dominant player than he ever was. I still remember Lendl crushing his flat forehands for winners and deep punishing groundstrokes when I went to see him play at the Washington Star Tournament in D.C. back in the 80's.
Nadal in Stunning Exit
Nadal went down to defeat but shows his supreme character by maintaining his gentlemanly approach to interviews after the match
Dutch Player continues to a 17 match losing streak in main draw of tournaments
Azarenka and Darcis out of Wimbledon by Injury
Ivanovic out
Federer out but plans to come back again.
The field is changed with relatively unknown faces taking down many of the regulars
Lisicki downs Williams
Djokovic and Murray reach quarter finals
Radwanska bests Li Na
The Polish Wimbledon
Murray Stages Comeback against Verdasco
Irish tennis hard to find at Wimbledon
Mac pleases crowd at senior invitational
China and Taiwan Team Up at Wimbledon
Update: Bartoli Wins Against Lisicki- No Surprise after her demonstration against Flipkens.
Saturday 9am Lisicki vs Bartoli
Lisicki Beats Radwanska to get in final and for a time it looked like she didn't want to win it.
Bartoli beat Flipkens in a pure demonstration of power and will.
Sunday 9am Djokovic vs Murray
If Murray is ever going to win this it will be this year. I think he deserves one but Novak is still an amazing power on the courts. Murray has the foot speed to match Djokovic but we will see if he can match Novak in weaponry on the court.
I have a personal nickname for Novak after watching him stretch at the U.S. Open. 2 years ago. He reminded me of Gumby and he stretches like him. I just ran a search to see if anyone else came up with this and this is not just me thinking this. I hear he doesn't like it though. One thing is certain is that his flexibility is one of his biggest assets in play. It is amazing to see him contort and stretch to retrieve shots and attack from these positions where most would be simply defending. No one can match him on the men's side for this. He is like Gumby.
Murray has improved his demeanor on the court and that has made me more respectful of his talents and his acquisition of Lendl as a coach has helped make him a much more dominant player than he ever was. I still remember Lendl crushing his flat forehands for winners and deep punishing groundstrokes when I went to see him play at the Washington Star Tournament in D.C. back in the 80's.
Nadal in Stunning Exit
Nadal went down to defeat but shows his supreme character by maintaining his gentlemanly approach to interviews after the match
Dutch Player continues to a 17 match losing streak in main draw of tournaments
Azarenka and Darcis out of Wimbledon by Injury
Ivanovic out
Federer out but plans to come back again.
The field is changed with relatively unknown faces taking down many of the regulars
Lisicki downs Williams
Djokovic and Murray reach quarter finals
Radwanska bests Li Na
The Polish Wimbledon
Murray Stages Comeback against Verdasco
Irish tennis hard to find at Wimbledon
Mac pleases crowd at senior invitational
China and Taiwan Team Up at Wimbledon
Head Youtek Radical Pro OS
This is a great racket for someone who wants a flexible frame (56-57) stiffness rating, and yet still can deliver power on serves and overheads.
I tried a demo with the new IG designation and honesty can't tell any difference in the frames other than the color scheme. So if you are worried that they stopped making them I think you're in good shape as both the old and new are available. I think the original one is selling for less so I'd opt for that one if you intend to go with this frame. You can get a Demo for $6.95 from Midwestsports.com
Here is the old model on Amazon.
I tried a demo with the new IG designation and honesty can't tell any difference in the frames other than the color scheme. So if you are worried that they stopped making them I think you're in good shape as both the old and new are available. I think the original one is selling for less so I'd opt for that one if you intend to go with this frame. You can get a Demo for $6.95 from Midwestsports.com
Here is the old model on Amazon.
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