Therapeutic Use Exempton - Murray calls for relase of info.

 Murray Calls for a release of this information.

Rublev adances and writes No War Please

 Rublev

Slice Backhands - Old School or Modern

 Why the Traditional Slice Backhand is messing you up - JeffSalzensteinTennis

He gives a good argument for variations of the slice backhand and the video is descriptive so I've included it. As a comment related to the video, here is my take on whether this is new or just used more often.  I think also that the changing equipment has added to this option in style.

 I learned the old-school slice backhand with a wood frame by watching Rosewall. I often used the "modern" style, as Jeff describes it for handling lower balls or choosing to add sidespin. Done to an extreme, I remember it as "peeling the orange, " and we'd use that on "body volleys" or an approach. I believe I've seen Rafa use that fairly often, while Fed used it for the same purpose among his many variations.

 

Here is a good demo that I found on Youtube if you want an example of a very smooth and effective looking slice backhand.

15 Points of Tennis

Ethics in Tennis. - A Strategy?

 Here is an interesting take on why ethics on the tennis court matter and how to approach it.

Brain Sports Dot Coach

This information rings true.   If you play tennis with a strong code of integrity and follow the rules of etiquette you'll likely find your career in tennis more enjoyable.

I always told my students that once we walk onto a tennis court, we choose to operate on a higher plane were we leave politics, personal drama, and our daily concerns outside the fence and focus on the joy of tennis.  Taking this approach and applying ethics to your conduct and behavior out there will leave you happier regardless of the outcome.  Plus as the video describes, you will "deserve to win."

Training Methods for strokes - Net Height and Spin

I have students target midway between the service line and baseline with moderate spin. The net clearance height becomes a function of the desired depth. I set guidelines of 3-6 feet above the net depending on the speed and spin. My only firm rule is to avoid net skimmers.

Novak Detractors Out in Force

 Propensity for Self Sabotage

They should re-title this article "Be a good boy and do as you're told."

Claiming that his delay in surgery is a character flaw ignores the possibility that elbow surgery can be a career-ending decision. Agassi is not a doctor, and his personal choices haven't always been the best either. He lost a season, but in the end, his choice on this matter turned out well. Judging the timing of when he chose to go with surgery is typical of those on the sidelines not facing the consequences of a bad decision.

His default at the U.S. Open is a one-time event for something that many pros have been given a pass on. Novak accepted the decision and shook the hands of his opponent and left for home. Is there something I missed about his poor character here? He made a mistake and accepted the consequences.

Further, his choice to forgo an experimental vaccine for a young and healthy athlete with no health issues seems like a rational approach that many other people have taken. He just happens to be the highest-profile player in tennis to make this personal medical decision. He has also stated that he accepts the consequences of it and isn't complaining. It seems more like the author of this article is conforming to the mainstream narrative that leaves no individual choice, despite the current evidence that the vax isn't even reliably stopping infection or transmission. The mention of vax injury risk never enters the discussion, since it is called conspiracy theory despite evidence to the contrary.

There are many defining qualities of a Champion, and one that seems to work the best for Novak is to rely on his own council and those few he trusts. So far, it has served him well enough to reach the pinnacle of a sport while retaining the respect of those that matter to him. Since this story isn't over yet, his choice may turn out again to be best. If not, he seems content with the outcome.

 Patrick Mac says chasing Fed and Rafa

Novak Djokovic Stands on Principle - No Vax

 "a deeply committed libertarian who believes strongly in individual autonomy."  

Novak decides against Vaccine

Those who call him names and judge him should question their own motives. If you believe the vax works, then his status shouldn't bother you. This all seems political, and he should have a right to choose. I respect his stand on principle, and the discipline he follows to achieve his goals. His playing record justifies his approach.

 Standing on Principle

Switching Countries to play for in the Olympics - bad or good idea?

First, I'm sure recruiting is involved. If you have to dump your citizenship at the same time, then I see a problem unless you have no allegiance for your current country of citizenship. Then, it's simply a transactional decision. 

  Of course, I believe that many use dual citizenship to solve that problem though I'm not up on the legal subtleties. I can't see a justification for doing it in Tennis, since there are so many other opportunities for competition. 

 But again, if you want to get into the Olympics and have the option, I guess it's a sponsorship paycheck if you win a medal and you weren't exceptional in professional play.  

We are looking at this situation because of the ice skater. Not winning, I wonder how she feels about it now? I'm interested in seeing the final outcome for her.  I didn't watch the Olympics but read about the skater in the news. I suppose it's about the USA vs China narrative in the media.

As for the bobsledder that switched from Canada to the USA,  I'll have to find out about that and see if that bobsledder had to renounce their citizenship or have a dual one.

There there was Naomi Osaka.  To me, that was clearly a marketing decision that earned her many millions more per year than playing for the USA.

I know very little about the rules in this. I had read that the skater renounced her US Citizenship to do that. It does sound more and more like sports team recruiting.

 

 

ATP Weeks at #1 - what decides that question?

 

ATP weeks at #1

Novak Djokovic 360

Roger Federer 310

Pete Sampras 286

Ivan Lendl 270

Jimmy Connors 268

Rafael Nadal 209

John McEnroe 170

Daniil Medvedev 0

 

If Novak loses his #1 position, who will have decided that outcome.   

 

My opinion is that it was the Australian government. 

 

Update:

Medvedev's may get a first-ever week at #1, but Novak can stop now with 360 weeks and be safe from getting surpassed for the next 6+ years from anyone unless Rafa takes #1 and stays there for 151+weeks since he's at 209 weeks now. I'm assuming Fed is out.  

Novak Playing Indian Wells?

This could become interesting if it's true. One obvious mistake in the article is that he didn't think that he had an exemption in Australia, he had one, and the court backed him up.

Indian Wells  

Fartlek Running workout - useful for tennis

 Check it out.

Fartlek - Swedish training method

"Let's move on, " says AO Director

 

 

 

 

Move On - Really 

Opelka discusses Tennis Media

 It is bad and most tennis coaches and good players know it.  The questions that the journalists ask tennis players are often beyond stupid.

 

 Here is a link to an interview with Reilly Opelka. 

It's a good interview and on point. Tennis media, in general, is bad news. I see many tennis journos praising their favorites, and they spend their remaining time attacking players that aren't.

How did denying Novak the chance to play in the 2022 AO change the outcome? Rock - Scissors - Paper

 Here is how I see it.

It reminds me of the Rock, Scissors, Paper game.

In the Big 3, before 2011 Fed could beat everyone except Rafa. When Novak hit stride in 2011 and forward, Rafa couldn't touch him on HC but Rafa can beat everyone including Fed. 

 Now, Med may become a problem for Novak as he has shown, but it has still been 9 years since Rafa has taken a set from Novak. So, if the draw had Novak facing Rafa anywhere in the draw, even the finals, the odds were his. 

How were the odds changed?

It moved Rafa's chance to win the whole thing from less than 20% to 50%.   And because of how games line up, it took Med's chance from say 40-50 % against Novak to 25% against Rafa.    Against Med, even. Knocking Novak out of it took him from a 50-70% depending on the draw, to Zero.  

 

Rafa or Novak to 22 first. Mac predics Rafa

 Mac Prediction

Novak to speak on AO Saga

 Novak to speak on AO Experience

Mac talks of Gloating from Aussies against Novak

Feeling envy and bitterness toward anyone whose presence reminds you that you aren't free is probably the outcome of being a captive in your own country for two years. It's not a good look for the AO or Australia. Many others in tennis have shown the same response and I wonder if it's for similar reasons.

 Tennis Legend accuses fans of Gloating over Djokovic Treatment

Is Tennis the New Pro Wrestling

  

 

I think this last AO was as politicized as a presidential debate where the partisan moderator joins one side, acting more like a member of a pro-wrestling tag team for one of the contestants. If you remember that happening here in the U.S., you'll get what I mean. 

 It's tough when you have the referee/umpire/judge, and in this case, government, working for the other side. 

 

 Maybe tennis will become the next pro-wrestling where we all know the outcome is fake.

If it weren't for Novak, we wouldn't be deported.