White at Wimbledon
Racquet Bracket - Wimbledon
Wimbledon Men's Preview - Big Names
Fantasy Tennis Coming to Wimbledon
Fed's Next Match
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Health News: Pollution May Increase Risk of Diabetes
Pollution - diabetes risk
It's hard to avoid most pollution without relocation from the environment that has it. Instead, see if you can do the things necessary to nullify the bad effects. Exercise is the most important thing you can do for your health followed up by a good diet.
It's hard to avoid most pollution without relocation from the environment that has it. Instead, see if you can do the things necessary to nullify the bad effects. Exercise is the most important thing you can do for your health followed up by a good diet.
Thursday, June 28, 2018
5 Places You Should Visit Regularly if You're a Tennis Player
Humans are creatures of habit and if you start the tennis habit you'll find that your life and routine incorporates a number of places into your weekly schedule. If you notice that you aren't visiting these places or doing these things then you can admit you're not a committed tennis players.
Tennis Courts
Backboard
Weight Room
Stretching Mat
Tennis on TV or Online
People visit 25 places regularly - new study on HABITS
Make your habit tennis and you'll find that at least five of the places you visit have to do with the fact that you are a tennis player.
Tennis Courts
Backboard
Weight Room
Stretching Mat
Tennis on TV or Online
People visit 25 places regularly - new study on HABITS
Make your habit tennis and you'll find that at least five of the places you visit have to do with the fact that you are a tennis player.
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Monday, June 25, 2018
News: Bizarre Becker, Seeding Pregnancy U.S.Open, Novak, Nasty Kyrgios, Wimbledon 2018
Becker
Claims Immunity as a Diplomat
I hate to say it but he was a great tennis player but like many athletes his abilities were limited to that. I hope he finds a way to level off from this slide and just live a more balanced life. Use it as a lesson for yourself if you achieve success.
Seeding Pregnancy
Novak First Final Since Last July - Queen's Club
Nasty Kyrgios
He's exhibiting more and more of the Nastase curse where unbelievable talent is wasted in the form of unseemly behavior and very little self control. Add in the Rios hothead and ugliness and you have the formula for failure. In this one case unless Kyrgios changes his behavior I would rather see him fade away into obscurity as another wasted talent. He is no good for tennis as he is now. I don't even want to see him play based on the stories.
Bad Boys of Tennis - They missed Rios
1998 Most hated man in tennis - Rios
Wimbledon Guide 2018
Claims Immunity as a Diplomat
I hate to say it but he was a great tennis player but like many athletes his abilities were limited to that. I hope he finds a way to level off from this slide and just live a more balanced life. Use it as a lesson for yourself if you achieve success.
Seeding Pregnancy
Novak First Final Since Last July - Queen's Club
Nasty Kyrgios
He's exhibiting more and more of the Nastase curse where unbelievable talent is wasted in the form of unseemly behavior and very little self control. Add in the Rios hothead and ugliness and you have the formula for failure. In this one case unless Kyrgios changes his behavior I would rather see him fade away into obscurity as another wasted talent. He is no good for tennis as he is now. I don't even want to see him play based on the stories.
Bad Boys of Tennis - They missed Rios
1998 Most hated man in tennis - Rios
Wimbledon Guide 2018
Saturday, June 23, 2018
Friday, June 22, 2018
7 Players that could make it into the Top 4 of Men's Tennis
7 Players
If I had to pick it'll be Zverev and Thiem. Kyrgios has the skills but not the self control.
If I had to pick it'll be Zverev and Thiem. Kyrgios has the skills but not the self control.
Tennis Ball Risk to dogs
New Risk associated with Penn Tennis Balls - has something changed in manufacturing
If you have a dog this is something to worry about but it is the first time I have ever heard of problems with dogs and tennis balls. Just be aware.
I used to donate extra balls to animal shelters and still hit balls over the fence during lessons when I see a dog nearby. The owners always smile when I tell them it's for the dog and they can keep it. Usually it's an older ball so if there is any chemical residue it has probably long wore off.
If you have a dog this is something to worry about but it is the first time I have ever heard of problems with dogs and tennis balls. Just be aware.
I used to donate extra balls to animal shelters and still hit balls over the fence during lessons when I see a dog nearby. The owners always smile when I tell them it's for the dog and they can keep it. Usually it's an older ball so if there is any chemical residue it has probably long wore off.
Health: Coffee Protects the Heart, Heatstroke, Coffee to repair the heart
Coffee
Heatstroke
This is no joke and even heat exhaustion is a big concern. If you play tennis matches or teach outside you always must consider your level of hydration and overheating.
Coffee - heart repair
Heatstroke
This is no joke and even heat exhaustion is a big concern. If you play tennis matches or teach outside you always must consider your level of hydration and overheating.
Coffee - heart repair
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Mind-Body Connection: Loneliness can cause illness, Alzheimers - virus related
Loneliness
Yes, this has the ring of truth and much of it may be just the stress of feeling alone without community support, family, or even just friends that you can share intimacy. This is why it is best to seek out social groups whether in church, clubs, tennis clubs, or other sporting events.
Alzheimers
Yes, this has the ring of truth and much of it may be just the stress of feeling alone without community support, family, or even just friends that you can share intimacy. This is why it is best to seek out social groups whether in church, clubs, tennis clubs, or other sporting events.
Alzheimers
Tennis News: Fed wins Halle, Woz and Sloane D.C., Murray, Novak, Kicker Kicked, Fed or Rafa
Fed Extends Streak on Grass to 17 by Halle Win
More evidence that his decision to skip clay is the right one.
Wozniacki and Stephens to headline in D.C.
It will be worth seeing. I hope I can make it there and if I do I'll share some photos.
Murray loses to Kyrgios at Queens Club
Murray may not be finished but he is facing a long road back based on other major surgery competitors.
Tennis Goes Tech
Novak wins first round at Queen's Club
Kicker Kicked for match fixing
Fed on Centre Court or Rafa on Chartier
More evidence that his decision to skip clay is the right one.
Wozniacki and Stephens to headline in D.C.
It will be worth seeing. I hope I can make it there and if I do I'll share some photos.
Murray loses to Kyrgios at Queens Club
Murray may not be finished but he is facing a long road back based on other major surgery competitors.
Tennis Goes Tech
Novak wins first round at Queen's Club
Kicker Kicked for match fixing
Fed on Centre Court or Rafa on Chartier
Health: Your Feet, Chemicals in Water Threshold, Regrets - Mental health
Foot Health
This is a good article on keeping your feel in tone and strong for balance and safety. The article suggests it's even the secret to a long life but aren't so many things according to the experts. But we all have to walk so having your feet in tip top shape makes that happen.
Chemicals in Water Threshold Lowered for Safety
Life of Regret - how to avoid it.
This is great advice and what it ties into is your self image and what you expect of yourself. If you don't match up to what you dreamed of doing and being or at least working toward it then yes you might feel failure and regret. Relative to your dreams of a career in tennis many of us have had to make compromises. In my own case a matter of injuries, finances, and reality of my existing options led me to choose teaching tennis as a life career. Of course we all would love to play competitively for a living but I saw teaching as a way to stay with tennis throughout my life. The reality is that a majority, a very big majority of those who tried to make a living playing end up teaching anyway. Of course it does give you a leg up in terms of credentials to at least have played professionally even if not successfully enough to stay with it. Think of this when you plan your future on the court and consider that everything you do is eventually leading you toward sharing your skills and what you have learned with others. In the meantime enjoy every day on the court whether it's as a player or teacher.
This is a good article on keeping your feel in tone and strong for balance and safety. The article suggests it's even the secret to a long life but aren't so many things according to the experts. But we all have to walk so having your feet in tip top shape makes that happen.
Chemicals in Water Threshold Lowered for Safety
Life of Regret - how to avoid it.
This is great advice and what it ties into is your self image and what you expect of yourself. If you don't match up to what you dreamed of doing and being or at least working toward it then yes you might feel failure and regret. Relative to your dreams of a career in tennis many of us have had to make compromises. In my own case a matter of injuries, finances, and reality of my existing options led me to choose teaching tennis as a life career. Of course we all would love to play competitively for a living but I saw teaching as a way to stay with tennis throughout my life. The reality is that a majority, a very big majority of those who tried to make a living playing end up teaching anyway. Of course it does give you a leg up in terms of credentials to at least have played professionally even if not successfully enough to stay with it. Think of this when you plan your future on the court and consider that everything you do is eventually leading you toward sharing your skills and what you have learned with others. In the meantime enjoy every day on the court whether it's as a player or teacher.
AI Anyone? - Tech and Tennis Tantrums
Taming Tantrums?
It seems that people trust machines more than other humans so maybe it can work. How about a robot umpire.
It would actually be entertaining to see a hothead try to upset a robot in the chair by calling it names. I suggest they watch old episodes of Lost in Space to get some ideas from Doctor Smith who was famous for insulting the robot.
AI anyone?
It seems that people trust machines more than other humans so maybe it can work. How about a robot umpire.
It would actually be entertaining to see a hothead try to upset a robot in the chair by calling it names. I suggest they watch old episodes of Lost in Space to get some ideas from Doctor Smith who was famous for insulting the robot.
AI anyone?
Foot Health for Tennis
Most experienced players know that the health of their feet is a foundational necessity to surviving a grueling tennis competition. Injuries can take you off the court and cause you to lose matches by having to withdraw if the pain becomes unbearable or if you feel that you are risking permanent injury. Additionally, your safety is enhanced if as your movements require more athletic efforts that you have a stable platform to transport yourself around the court.
Keep in mind that some running style shoes offer less lateral support than is needed for competitive tennis so find a shoe that provides enough lateral movement protection that you won't easily turn an ankle. Purely dedicated running shoes tend to sit higher with all the added cushioning and depending on the shape of the shoe might lead to instability on sideways movements. I learned this the hard way myself but with a very wide shoe it seems less of a problem.
Disclaimer:
As with all things related to health I recommend that you should consult your health professional and since we're talking feet that would be a podiatrist. I just shared my experiences that might help you in the decision process. Use your own judgement and consider the ideas listed above as informational but please do your own research to find the safest and best solution.
Shoes
The first thing is to make sure you spend your money on very good tennis shoes. I've found ASICS to be one of the best though I currently use the Brooks Beast which is as much a running shoe as a tennis shoe. I ended up finding that shoe by going to a podiatrist to help alleviate back pain. With a wide platform for a 4EEE width and a high arch this particular shoe is the one recommended to me. It has served me well for a decade though they aren't inexpensive but they aren't cheaply made either. I haven't tried the ASICS in a long time but the reviews suggest they haven't lost their appeal.Keep in mind that some running style shoes offer less lateral support than is needed for competitive tennis so find a shoe that provides enough lateral movement protection that you won't easily turn an ankle. Purely dedicated running shoes tend to sit higher with all the added cushioning and depending on the shape of the shoe might lead to instability on sideways movements. I learned this the hard way myself but with a very wide shoe it seems less of a problem.
Socks
The second is to consider the quality of the socks you wear and even consider wearing two pairs if you want the extra padding and don't want to go for the high end tennis socks that are out there. My favorite is shown below. These are some of the best tennis socks available and the company has been around for decades. These are thick enough that wearing two pair probably won't suit you but another option is to get an ankle length sport sock and then wear a crew length sock over it. If they both have moderate or limited padding the combined width will still work. But if you go for the quality and price for top performance you might try the Thorlos.Gel Inserts
And finally we get to additional cushioning. I started using gel inserts because of the time spent on the court just took its toll and this is a good way to soften the feel on the court.
Final Note: If you do go with two pairs of socks or even a very thick sport sock and then add gel inserts you may have to go up in size on the shoe. That is what I have done though it may not be recommended by specialists. Since I don't play competition any longer and need joint and spine protection this is a good way to soften the shock of hard tennis courts on an old body. If you are young and spend a lot of time on soft courts then it may not be an issue for you.
As with all things related to health I recommend that you should consult your health professional and since we're talking feet that would be a podiatrist. I just shared my experiences that might help you in the decision process. Use your own judgement and consider the ideas listed above as informational but please do your own research to find the safest and best solution.
Visualization to Improve your Tennis Performance
Practicing mentally is an important component of sports performance. It is proven in scientific studies that imagining clearly the motions and actions you take in hitting a ball can actually improve your skills as much as going out on the court and doing so. This applies to golf, archery, and any other discipline that you can practice in your mind as well as on the field or court. Of course you can't bypass physical efforts completely or even the majority of your training, but adding a considerable amount of time using mental imaging will give you fast improvements.
The original theory for this approach to self improvement is a book titled Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz. It is well worth reading and using the knowledge you get from it to change many aspects of your life. In addition to working for your sports performance such as how you stroke the ball you should consider also imagining yourself winning against specific types of players or even specific players. Go through the mental steps of visualizing your strategy, how you hit the ball, the movements you make, and the shots that you take. All of these aspects of your game can benefit from imagining yourself doing something as an accompaniment to your on court efforts.
Here is the book that I suggest you read to understand fully the value of this added aspect of training for mastery.
If you're not into reading a tremendous amount or don't have the time consider an audio version of the book.
The original theory for this approach to self improvement is a book titled Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz. It is well worth reading and using the knowledge you get from it to change many aspects of your life. In addition to working for your sports performance such as how you stroke the ball you should consider also imagining yourself winning against specific types of players or even specific players. Go through the mental steps of visualizing your strategy, how you hit the ball, the movements you make, and the shots that you take. All of these aspects of your game can benefit from imagining yourself doing something as an accompaniment to your on court efforts.
Here is the book that I suggest you read to understand fully the value of this added aspect of training for mastery.
If you're not into reading a tremendous amount or don't have the time consider an audio version of the book.
Sunday, June 17, 2018
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Tomb of the Athlete: Roman Find
Tomb
In this day and time were you to choose some items to stay with you in the afterlife it might include a tennis racket, a case of tennis balls, stretch bands, sunglasses and a baseball cap. I'd add some sunscreen too.
In this day and time were you to choose some items to stay with you in the afterlife it might include a tennis racket, a case of tennis balls, stretch bands, sunglasses and a baseball cap. I'd add some sunscreen too.
Monday, June 11, 2018
Sunday, June 10, 2018
Arthur Ashe's Tennis Racket
Arthur Ashe's Tennis Racket
It's the story behind it that matters. Later he had one of his own that he used in play. It was a powerful racket made by Head of aluminum and fiberglass with minimal wind resistance and it was nearly indestructible.
It's the story behind it that matters. Later he had one of his own that he used in play. It was a powerful racket made by Head of aluminum and fiberglass with minimal wind resistance and it was nearly indestructible.
Nadal Wins French 2018
Nadal 11th french Open - King of Clay retains crown
Feats of Clay
Nadal Breezes past Thiem
This is expected. Nadal owns clay until his body can no longer handle the punishment or he chooses to stop. If you want to be a master of clay you should model yourself on his approach. It is physical but it fulfills all the requirements of an unbeatable method once mastered. This includes heavy topspin, depth of shots, and relentless tracking of every ball that comes back.
Feats of Clay
Nadal Breezes past Thiem
This is expected. Nadal owns clay until his body can no longer handle the punishment or he chooses to stop. If you want to be a master of clay you should model yourself on his approach. It is physical but it fulfills all the requirements of an unbeatable method once mastered. This includes heavy topspin, depth of shots, and relentless tracking of every ball that comes back.
Saturday, June 9, 2018
Becker to Sell Trohpies
Wimbledon Cups go on Sale
It's a sad story but maybe on balance he's finding a way to recover more from his tennis days. Imagine, he lives the life he wants to lead and can try to pay off the debts with some trophies from his past. Whomever pays for these will then protect them as well. Another Win from Becker.
It's a sad story but maybe on balance he's finding a way to recover more from his tennis days. Imagine, he lives the life he wants to lead and can try to pay off the debts with some trophies from his past. Whomever pays for these will then protect them as well. Another Win from Becker.
In Memoriam: Maria Bueno - elegant and graceful
June 8, 2018 - Maria Bueno Dies at age 78
She was a joy to watch with both aggressive serve and volley play and a smooth style. While she somewhat faded into obscurity to even many in the tennis community her name always brought to mind a singular passionate yet quiet soul with determination that took her from her home in Brazil to international tennis fame. She was a champion.
Buried in Hometown
Rest in Peace
Maria Bueno
She was a joy to watch with both aggressive serve and volley play and a smooth style. While she somewhat faded into obscurity to even many in the tennis community her name always brought to mind a singular passionate yet quiet soul with determination that took her from her home in Brazil to international tennis fame. She was a champion.
Buried in Hometown
Rest in Peace
Maria Bueno
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Risk Reduction: Exercise, Sleep, and a Sip of Alcohol, Walking Lengthens Life
Alzheimers
Even without this there are very good reasons to get exercise, good sleep, and if you like it a sip of wine.
Focus on the exercise and sleep since those two are proven beyond a doubt to increase your health and happiness.
Walking
A leisurely pace of just hitting drills it should count as a fast walk on the tennis court so you can accomplish two things at once.
Even without this there are very good reasons to get exercise, good sleep, and if you like it a sip of wine.
Focus on the exercise and sleep since those two are proven beyond a doubt to increase your health and happiness.
Walking
A leisurely pace of just hitting drills it should count as a fast walk on the tennis court so you can accomplish two things at once.
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Shrinking Attention Span - Should Matches be Shorter
Make Matches Shorter
It may be time to consider this. It is likely that a three set match is more advisable for both men and women now that equipment and training has made the sport more intense than it has ever been. Injury rates are a factor too.
Another option is to change the game format and keep the number of sets.
It may be time to consider this. It is likely that a three set match is more advisable for both men and women now that equipment and training has made the sport more intense than it has ever been. Injury rates are a factor too.
Another option is to change the game format and keep the number of sets.
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Saturday, June 2, 2018
French Open: Serena, Clothing Styles, Novak
Serena still Driven
Clothing Styles at the Open
It is nice to see that at least in France fashion is still important on the tennis court. These are some very nice clothing designs. I notice nothing at the U.S. Open to compare.
Novak Philosophical
Clothing Styles at the Open
It is nice to see that at least in France fashion is still important on the tennis court. These are some very nice clothing designs. I notice nothing at the U.S. Open to compare.
Novak Philosophical
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