Sunday, February 17, 2013
Nadal Back on the Mend
We've been waiting for this. Nadal is now in the Sao Paulo finals against Nalbandian.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Drug Testing in Tennis
It seems that the time has come for more intensive testing in tennis now that the Armstrong saga has unfolded to prove that he did in fact use banned substances to help him win.
Federer has called for increased testing. I guess he thinks that there are some guys out there that might resort to such an edge, if indeed it does provide an edge.
Were I playing professionally and playing clean I guess I'd prefer to not lose to somebody that is doping, so I can see his point.
Federer has called for increased testing. I guess he thinks that there are some guys out there that might resort to such an edge, if indeed it does provide an edge.
Were I playing professionally and playing clean I guess I'd prefer to not lose to somebody that is doping, so I can see his point.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Winning in Tennis
Why does one player always beat another? Good question, and yet we have no answer beyond he won more points or at least more crucial points.
Here is an excellent analysis of how the game might shape up if the top four players right now were removed from the game. It would put the level of play back to where it was twenty years ago.
Here is an excellent analysis of how the game might shape up if the top four players right now were removed from the game. It would put the level of play back to where it was twenty years ago.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Gussie Moran
In memoriam to Gussie Moran who once graced the tennis courts of Forrest Hills and Wimbledon.
Wikipedia on Gussie Moran
UK Papers
Miami Herald
ABC News
News Observer
NY Daily News
LA Times
Washington Post
Wikipedia on Gussie Moran
UK Papers
Miami Herald
ABC News
News Observer
NY Daily News
LA Times
Washington Post
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Play Tennis With a War Club
Lendl used one. Kneissl White Star Masters 30 is a bludgeon weighing in at 12.1 ounces strung before any extra weight is added. Though Lendl played with a version with his name on it I suspect it was very similar to this model in weight and design. Mass is the critical element for generating depth on your shots and limiting shock to your arm. Where you put the mass on the frame will determine the balance and how much racket head speed you can get so many players add weight in the grip.
It is likely the Lendl kept his frames weighing in around 13 ounces much like the rest of the players on the tour during his time and even those currently playing. Few play with frames that are like the light weight granny sticks that you find on the shelves of sporting goods stores.
I picked this one up years ago to add to my collection representing Lendl during his prime. I know he played with many others but this is the one I remember as his before the big Sponsors like Adidas.
White Star Masters 30 - Grip Size 4 5/8, Weight 12.1 ounces.
I still miss watching him play. The last match I saw him in person was at the Washington Star Tournament in D.C. The good news is that he's back on the court even if just for some fun.
It is likely the Lendl kept his frames weighing in around 13 ounces much like the rest of the players on the tour during his time and even those currently playing. Few play with frames that are like the light weight granny sticks that you find on the shelves of sporting goods stores.
White Star Masters 30 - Grip Size 4 5/8, Weight 12.1 ounces.
I still miss watching him play. The last match I saw him in person was at the Washington Star Tournament in D.C. The good news is that he's back on the court even if just for some fun.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Monday, December 31, 2012
Tennis New Year Resolution
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.
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.
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