Why a Tennis Ball Goes Flying when Bounced on a Basketball
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Palm Beach Tennis Court Dispute
Lawsuits Fly
Most of us don't have such problems and my normal suggestion is that you join a club or use public courts. Having your own court often brings troubles you might never expect including maintenance if clay, security worries as trespassers decide to use it as a skateboard park if a hard court, and having to pay taxes on it. Overall, unless you have lots of excess cash it's best to use the free ones or find a club that suits you.
Most of us don't have such problems and my normal suggestion is that you join a club or use public courts. Having your own court often brings troubles you might never expect including maintenance if clay, security worries as trespassers decide to use it as a skateboard park if a hard court, and having to pay taxes on it. Overall, unless you have lots of excess cash it's best to use the free ones or find a club that suits you.
Friday, September 28, 2018
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Monday, September 24, 2018
Exercise Improves Memory
10 Minutes a Day Improves Memory
Try it. It probably has to do with simply improving your circulation and clearing away stress.
Try it. It probably has to do with simply improving your circulation and clearing away stress.
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Federer Mulls Clay Court Return
Return To Clay?
It might be easier on his joints but the points are longer and for that reason might test his endurance more. I'd consider more indoor competitions since we now know he isn't playing his best in matches held at the U.S. Open and other Majors held in summer heat.
It might be easier on his joints but the points are longer and for that reason might test his endurance more. I'd consider more indoor competitions since we now know he isn't playing his best in matches held at the U.S. Open and other Majors held in summer heat.
Friday, September 21, 2018
Tennis News: Federer Reveals Best Moment, Australian Player 19 month ban for fixing, Dimitrov Rests
Federer Best Moments Revealed
Australian -Fixing Matches - 19 month ban
Dimitrov Rests and will it help him with future victories.
Let us hope so. He is the future of men's tennis among some other names.
Australian -Fixing Matches - 19 month ban
Dimitrov Rests and will it help him with future victories.
Let us hope so. He is the future of men's tennis among some other names.
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Longevity Study Confirms Tennis is the King
Play Tennis and Live Longer
On average this is likely true that just the exercise and regular social outlet that tennis provides confirms a reason that tennis players get extra years.
On average this is likely true that just the exercise and regular social outlet that tennis provides confirms a reason that tennis players get extra years.
Friday, September 14, 2018
Veteran San Diego Official blasts Serena Williams and Sport's Leadership, Officials are scared, Umpires are not the enemy here
Veteran San Diego Official
Scared and seething for following the rules and getting attacked for it
Three Former Umpires State their position on the match and the penalties.
Tennis Umpires Aren't the enemy here
Serena Fallout - male tennis players punished more than women
Scared and seething for following the rules and getting attacked for it
Three Former Umpires State their position on the match and the penalties.
Tennis Umpires Aren't the enemy here
Serena Fallout - male tennis players punished more than women
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Naomi Osaka Gets Nissan Contract: Nissan Ambassador,
Nissan Brand Ambassador
Nissan Cashes in on Osaka
It's a great deal for her and the company and she appears to be a very good role model for Tennis.
Nissan Cashes in on Osaka
It's a great deal for her and the company and she appears to be a very good role model for Tennis.
Tennis Tantrum Quiz - Serena is Not Alone
Tantrums
Almost all of them were punished for their behavior so Tennis does try to maintain a certain code of conduct despite complaints otherwise.
A day we'd like to forget.
Almost all of them were punished for their behavior so Tennis does try to maintain a certain code of conduct despite complaints otherwise.
A day we'd like to forget.
If you want to be a great tennis player don't let others hold you back - ask Kevin Smth
Kevin Smith on Letting Others Define You
This is a short and very clear example of why you shouldn't let others, be it a coach, friends, or family decide for you how far you might go in Tennis or any other aspect of life.
In this instance the challenge given by the mother who wrote him the note telling him he had no chance probably became a great motivator. Do the same for those who try to stop you or hold you back.
This is a short and very clear example of why you shouldn't let others, be it a coach, friends, or family decide for you how far you might go in Tennis or any other aspect of life.
In this instance the challenge given by the mother who wrote him the note telling him he had no chance probably became a great motivator. Do the same for those who try to stop you or hold you back.
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Fed Dethroned in Prize Money by Novak
Fed Dethroned in Prize Money by Novak
Somehow this seems unimportant relative to what the meaning of grand slam wins can mean. Fed probably still gets most of the money on endorsements.
Somehow this seems unimportant relative to what the meaning of grand slam wins can mean. Fed probably still gets most of the money on endorsements.
The U.S. Open Women's Final: Mistreatment of Naomi Osaka, Navratilova to Serena: Even if guys do, it's wrong.
Mistreatment of Naomi Osaka
She played beautifully and should have been treated better than just getting a trophy and backhanded praise.
Martina Navratilova to Serena
I think most players can agree with Martina on this point of the argument.
Serena Quadruple Fault
This is probably the most accurate description of what happened, the outcome, and the injustices caused on that day. In the end it is Naomi Osaka who was mistreated.
Umpire - Carlos Ramos Speaks Out
She played beautifully and should have been treated better than just getting a trophy and backhanded praise.
Martina Navratilova to Serena
I think most players can agree with Martina on this point of the argument.
Serena Quadruple Fault
This is probably the most accurate description of what happened, the outcome, and the injustices caused on that day. In the end it is Naomi Osaka who was mistreated.
Umpire - Carlos Ramos Speaks Out
Monday, September 10, 2018
Find Your Ikigai to feel success and fulfillment
Making Changes to Find Fulfillment
This is a great short essay that does a very nice job of explaining why you should find what you are good at and love and see if you can turn it into something that makes you enough money to live comfortably. Tennis has done that for me most of my life.
Since you're here at this blog I think it might give you some notion of where you can go to be happy and fulfilled in life by choosing tennis.
This is a great short essay that does a very nice job of explaining why you should find what you are good at and love and see if you can turn it into something that makes you enough money to live comfortably. Tennis has done that for me most of my life.
Since you're here at this blog I think it might give you some notion of where you can go to be happy and fulfilled in life by choosing tennis.
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Congratulations to Namoi Osaka - Champion of the 2018 U.S. Open
Naomi Osaka Strikes Gold at U.S. Open
Congratulations to Naomi Osaka. She played exceptionally well. She had to.
Congratulations to Naomi Osaka. She played exceptionally well. She had to.
Why You Should Keep Your Cool in Matches - Serena Williams U.S. Open 2018
I'll leave you to decide who is right or wrong in this outcome between a player and the Chair Umpire.
Serena at U.S. Open Final 2018
After reading the article I'd like you to also find the video of the exchange and see that no matter what else happened it is clear that once Serena lost her focus on play that she had no chance of winning. Naomi played superbly and it is very likely that she would have won anyway and that part of the issue was that Serena extends her unhappiness with losing to her behavior that often goes against the rules of tennis behavior in tournaments.
The question of her coach giving signals in the stands is hard to define as an infraction and I really wonder if it shouldn't be done away with altogether. I don't know from what I saw if the umpire made the right call on that or not.
From there though, racket abuse is clearly an infraction and once the first warning was given Serena had to know it might cost her a point which it did. That really set her off and rather than bearing down and going for a win she turned her ire toward the umpire which in my opinion was not only regrettable but cost her dearly. In modern sports and especially tennis there is nothing to gain from arguing and in this case abusing the chair umpire. He kept cool up there and after one harangue after another aimed at him he took a game from her and he is probably safe for having done it.
This match and the outcome is a clear example why learning to tame your emotions in a match and focusing on the task at hand is more important than acting out against perceived injustices. You have to realize that if an umpire is doing things against you that probably you can do nothing positive about it by raising a big fuss. It won't help you win unless somehow it distracts your opponent and then by actions you are using gamesmanship, something Nastase was a master of doing to help break down an opponent's concentration. He among others back in the annals of tennis history in the 70's is why these new rules for behavior are in place. We ended up here because of poor behavior from the past. It took away from the sport where tennis became secondary and the antics became what you remembered. So it was at the 2018 women's U.S. Open final.
Other players this year have acted out and have paid with lost points, games, matches, and fines. In the end you'll notice that the happiest and most successful players are the ones with fewer battles with officials.
Serena at U.S. Open Final 2018
After reading the article I'd like you to also find the video of the exchange and see that no matter what else happened it is clear that once Serena lost her focus on play that she had no chance of winning. Naomi played superbly and it is very likely that she would have won anyway and that part of the issue was that Serena extends her unhappiness with losing to her behavior that often goes against the rules of tennis behavior in tournaments.
The Chair Rules
The question of her coach giving signals in the stands is hard to define as an infraction and I really wonder if it shouldn't be done away with altogether. I don't know from what I saw if the umpire made the right call on that or not.
From there though, racket abuse is clearly an infraction and once the first warning was given Serena had to know it might cost her a point which it did. That really set her off and rather than bearing down and going for a win she turned her ire toward the umpire which in my opinion was not only regrettable but cost her dearly. In modern sports and especially tennis there is nothing to gain from arguing and in this case abusing the chair umpire. He kept cool up there and after one harangue after another aimed at him he took a game from her and he is probably safe for having done it.
Keep Your Cool
This match and the outcome is a clear example why learning to tame your emotions in a match and focusing on the task at hand is more important than acting out against perceived injustices. You have to realize that if an umpire is doing things against you that probably you can do nothing positive about it by raising a big fuss. It won't help you win unless somehow it distracts your opponent and then by actions you are using gamesmanship, something Nastase was a master of doing to help break down an opponent's concentration. He among others back in the annals of tennis history in the 70's is why these new rules for behavior are in place. We ended up here because of poor behavior from the past. It took away from the sport where tennis became secondary and the antics became what you remembered. So it was at the 2018 women's U.S. Open final.
Other players this year have acted out and have paid with lost points, games, matches, and fines. In the end you'll notice that the happiest and most successful players are the ones with fewer battles with officials.
Saturday, September 8, 2018
The Rafa Diet to stay Ripped
Rafa Diet
This information conforms to the best advice for dietary intake in general. He obviously knows what works for him but this diet can work for you if you are looking for health and weight control. Always watch the carbs as he suggests and olive oil and fish are safe forms of fat intake. Here is to hoping that Rafa lives to 100+ and finds a way to play tennis into his late 90's.
This information conforms to the best advice for dietary intake in general. He obviously knows what works for him but this diet can work for you if you are looking for health and weight control. Always watch the carbs as he suggests and olive oil and fish are safe forms of fat intake. Here is to hoping that Rafa lives to 100+ and finds a way to play tennis into his late 90's.
Final Prediction: Novak Djokovic over Del Potro in 4 Sets
That's my prediction for the men's final at the U.S. Open Tennis Championships.
Women's Final
For the Women's Final I expect Serena to win but can't predict what Osaka might do to get past her. If I were to give her advice I'd suggest not to outpower her but rather play cat and mouse with spins and off speed action. The big question is if she can get Serena's serve back and also whether she can add enough variation on her serve to prevent Serena from attacking as she always does. It rarely works to try out hitting Serena.
Women's Final
For the Women's Final I expect Serena to win but can't predict what Osaka might do to get past her. If I were to give her advice I'd suggest not to outpower her but rather play cat and mouse with spins and off speed action. The big question is if she can get Serena's serve back and also whether she can add enough variation on her serve to prevent Serena from attacking as she always does. It rarely works to try out hitting Serena.
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Handling the Heat in Tennis - Federer Struggles and Flounders
Federer
Wet Tennis
I sympathize with him. Anyone who actually put themselves outside and worked in the Northeast or Mid Atlantic in the last few weeks has felt the wrath of humidity and heat combined. It can be brutal and as we age our conditioning suffers just as a circulation drops off.
Be careful in this weather. In these 100 degree Fahrenheit heat index days it can be lethal and at least make you very weak and sick. I've made the mistake myself of submitting myself to this punishment and took days to recover.
Fed must hate day matches in NY in this kind of weather and even a night match is a grueling challenge with high humidity added to the heat.
Be careful and consider your age and conditioning since heat exhaustion and heat stroke are no laughing matter.
Wet Tennis
I sympathize with him. Anyone who actually put themselves outside and worked in the Northeast or Mid Atlantic in the last few weeks has felt the wrath of humidity and heat combined. It can be brutal and as we age our conditioning suffers just as a circulation drops off.
Be careful in this weather. In these 100 degree Fahrenheit heat index days it can be lethal and at least make you very weak and sick. I've made the mistake myself of submitting myself to this punishment and took days to recover.
Fed must hate day matches in NY in this kind of weather and even a night match is a grueling challenge with high humidity added to the heat.
Be careful and consider your age and conditioning since heat exhaustion and heat stroke are no laughing matter.
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Clay For healing
Clay that fights bacteria
Anything that can help battle bacteria may help slow the losing battle of antibiotic resistance.
Anything that can help battle bacteria may help slow the losing battle of antibiotic resistance.
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Health: Early Dinner For Weight Loss and Health, Fasting for Longer Life
Early Dinner
This somewhat agrees with the idea of a daily 13 hour fast that includes an early dinner and a late breakfast so that you can get in 13+ hours between dinner and breakfast the next day.
Fasting For Long Life
This somewhat agrees with the idea of a daily 13 hour fast that includes an early dinner and a late breakfast so that you can get in 13+ hours between dinner and breakfast the next day.
Fasting For Long Life
Hybrid Racket Stringing for Great Feel and Control - Gut and Synthetic Gut
I used to be a purist and either stayed with gut or high grade nylon but had never tried the mix. A few years ago after realizing that my gut breakage was getting out of control during the stringing process I decided to change things.
Getting Crossed Up
The problem was not on the mains. Running gut that way is easy but I am using heavy gauge gut for durability and savings. My choice is Babolat Tonic+ Natural Gut 15L. I kept breaking the string while doing the crosses because fishing two pieces of heavy gauge gut through a modern frame hole at one of the junctures required using an awl. I found that the hole size might be the same as the old wood frames, maybe, but there is no give like wood offered. So rather than creating some space in a wood hole the hard synthetic frame of a racket meant that I was just crushing string. I was breaking the gut on the mains while stringing or shortly after I began play because I was grooving and crushing the gut mains with the awl. Solution - Gut for mains and synthetic gut for crosses. It's easy to fish synthetic past a gut main in a juncture hole without the need for using an awl or at least not over-using it.
On my first attempt I used some 30 year old Prince Synthetic that I had plenty of from my days of outdoor teaching that required a great string not subject to moisture. This or a string like this is my normal cross string. It works. It holds tension well enough. I string the crosses a few pounds lighter than the mains because the stretching seems to be much less pronounced. Also, the working strings for me are the mains and they need to grab the ball for spin so I want some tension and less movement.
If you like playing with gut but not the price or misery of early breakage you might try a good hybrid combination. One concern is that your mains need to be in the 20' range to get two string jobs out of one set of gut. You can also buy half sets of Babolat gut that are 20' in length.
Regarding this Article
Getting Crossed Up
The problem was not on the mains. Running gut that way is easy but I am using heavy gauge gut for durability and savings. My choice is Babolat Tonic+ Natural Gut 15L. I kept breaking the string while doing the crosses because fishing two pieces of heavy gauge gut through a modern frame hole at one of the junctures required using an awl. I found that the hole size might be the same as the old wood frames, maybe, but there is no give like wood offered. So rather than creating some space in a wood hole the hard synthetic frame of a racket meant that I was just crushing string. I was breaking the gut on the mains while stringing or shortly after I began play because I was grooving and crushing the gut mains with the awl. Solution - Gut for mains and synthetic gut for crosses. It's easy to fish synthetic past a gut main in a juncture hole without the need for using an awl or at least not over-using it.
Focus on the Mains for Control
If you look at the frame and visualize how the ball strikes it and the path of your swing you'll see that the mains do the grabbing and the crosses act as the support like trampoline. The mains run opposite of the racket face across the ball and therefore present the frictional and rotational impediment to the ball and so impart the spin while the crosses run in the same direction as the racket face path across the ball.
The crosses simply hold the mains in place, though I'll admit if I used an abrasive string on the crosses as well it would also help with grabbing the ball for imparting spin but with gut on the mains my primary concern is not damaging the gut so I want relatively smooth crosses. This is telling when you have loose mains that move too much where the crosses rarely move. I want a string on the mains that has enough texture to allow me to get all the spin I'm entitled to without high tension.
So here is my solution that has worked out perfectly. String the mains with thick gauge gut at a tension that will initially seem taut but when the usual relaxation of tension comes with use and time it will drop right into the perfect control range. So if I like a 50lb feel I string it at 55 lbs and within a few weeks of mild use and sitting it works down to an ideal tension.The crosses simply hold the mains in place, though I'll admit if I used an abrasive string on the crosses as well it would also help with grabbing the ball for imparting spin but with gut on the mains my primary concern is not damaging the gut so I want relatively smooth crosses. This is telling when you have loose mains that move too much where the crosses rarely move. I want a string on the mains that has enough texture to allow me to get all the spin I'm entitled to without high tension.
What to use on the Crosses
The crosses are another question. I tend to use 16 gauge crosses with high grade synthetic gut to again maintain longevity and look toward a solid platform for the gut strings to do their magic.
Longevity as a side benefit
One more great benefit of a non-abrasive nylon cross string is that the wear of the gut strings at each crossover is almost non existent and instead the wear is focused on where the ball contacts the strings. I get a whole season out of a set of gut now where before I'd get a month or two.If you like playing with gut but not the price or misery of early breakage you might try a good hybrid combination. One concern is that your mains need to be in the 20' range to get two string jobs out of one set of gut. You can also buy half sets of Babolat gut that are 20' in length.
Regarding this Article
This is my own version of how things work and maybe you'll find a different take from the string masters out there though I have been stringing rackets since the 70's it's not my main effort and I haven't pretended to keep up on all of the new research into string interactions with the tennis balls. Based on my results and the fact that I am older and don't want a case of tennis elbow I think gut offers the spin and control options that might only be available in a hard on the arm synthetic strung at higher tensions. Therefore consider this advice as specific to solving those problems. If you come up with any other great solution please share it in the comment section.
Your Heart Age Predicts your Death
Heart Age - 4 in 5 adults risk early death
The exercise part is simple. Stay on the tennis court as long as you can. As for diet and vices you'll have to decide those by accepting the tradeoff of pleasure versus less time turf-side.
The exercise part is simple. Stay on the tennis court as long as you can. As for diet and vices you'll have to decide those by accepting the tradeoff of pleasure versus less time turf-side.
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