Year: 2011

  • Strike Zone

    Tennis News reports that top ATP touring professionals are giving serious consideration to a player’s strike. Top ATP players, including Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray had expected to meet with tour officials during the recent Shanghai Masters, but talks have broken down. Andy Murray has been particularly vocal in calling for the ATP to…

  • Early Exits

    I frequently read LongIslandTennisMagazine.com, and the article entitled "Todd Martin Named to USTA Board" caught my eye. Todd Martin is a great choice for USTA leadership. By all accounts, Mr. Martin is a very classy guy and a true tennis gentleman. He replaces Jeff Tarango who started his "two-year term as director-at-large in January 2011."…

  • “Everyone Says That”

    Things Coaches Say… "The kids in this area are soft" "The kids in this area have no talent" "The parents are the reason this child is not doing well." "My students need to play more." "Other programs in the area are horrible." "Rankings aren’t important at this age."   Things Kids Say… "I get bad…

  • Battle of the Sexes

    This year’s U.S. Open brings into clear focus that this is a golden age for men’s tennis. Novak Djokovic is having what John McEnroe calls, "The greatest year in men’s professional tennis history." This is strong praise coming from McEnroe since his 1984 season (where he was 82-3) is considered by many, the greatest season…

  • It Could Happen to You

    Five-time U.S. Open champion, Roger Federer was serving, up 5-3, 40-15 in the fifth, and lost to Novak Djokovic, 7-5, in the semifinals of the 2011 U.S. Open. If perhaps the greatest player of all-time could blow a lead, then so could you. Federer is renowned for his supreme confidence as evidenced by his statement after…

  • Mid-Open Thoughts

    Last blog, I discussed how the 32-seed format robbed everyone of an exciting first week.  I don’t think this week is any more exciting because there were less upsets last week.  I think this week will be exciting because there are a lot of Americans left. From the matches, I have watched, the mens’ match…

  • Back to the Future

    Serena Williams is back at the U.S. Open, and while two years have passed, some things have remained the same. In 2009, after threatening to shove a ball down a linepersons throat in a profane tirade, Serena was placed on a two-year probation at Grand Slam events. Serena could have said that she got carried away…