Too Much Grass at Wimbledon: John McEnroe and the Honor System

By Steven Kaplan
John McEnroe wants to get rid of umpires in professional tennis. "It would be 30 percent more interesting," McEnroe claimed in a pre-Wimbledon press conference. He can't be serious and it would be sad if McEnroe, who is lauded for speaking his mind, has lost his filter with this high-minded but...Read more

The Numbers Game

By Steven Kaplan
Mark Twain once wrote, "There are liars, damn liars and statistics." If Mr. Twain had attended this year's Second Annual New York Tennis Expo, I think he would have some choice words for those who tout declining tennis participation numbers. Four-thousand people showed up for this grassroots event...Read more

Paris to New York

By Steven Kaplan
It's about 3,600 miles from Roland Garros to Flushing Meadows and on June 1, 2014, these two places were a little closer because they shared the distinction as being the center of the tennis universe. That's a bold statement, but I'll stand by it. With the French Open entering its second week,...Read more

French Open Dance Off

By Steven Kaplan
A rain delay in Paris prompted Gael Monfils and Laurent Lokoli to entertain the crowd by getting down and dirty on the red dirt at Roland Garros. When Monfils' tennis days are over, I'm sure "Dancing With the Stars" will be calling. Maybe The ITA should take notice since they are trying to make...Read more

The Novak Djokovic Diet

By Steven Kaplan
Do you even know what "gluten" is? I'm not totally sure myself, but I think it's some kind of protein. I've heard that if I eat too much of it, I could spontaneously combust, and like Novak Djokovic and Marty Fish, cutting it out of my diet will help me play better tennis … or not. It's big...Read more

Special Olympics at the Second Annual New York Tennis Expo

By Steven Kaplan
Let me preface this by saying that while I try to avoid shameless promotion in my blogs, I am sorry about this installnment. The New York Tennis Expo will be hosting the Unified Games at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on June 1. The Unified Games are a program I run at my club, in...Read more

Tennis Hacks: Choking

By Steven Kaplan
There has to be something wrong with you mentally if you choke, right? Wrong! While "choking," or that feeling of paralyzing performance nervousness, is often an overreaction, it could be based on something very real. Maybe your fears are rooted in the reality that you are unready? It's healthy to...Read more

New York Tennis Expo 2014

By Steven Kaplan
The First New York Tennis Expo was held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center almost one year ago and it was a amazing event, with nearly 3,000 enthusiastic attendees. Critics can talk all they want about how the participation numbers for tennis are weak because we don't have many...Read more

Tennis Hacks: Self Service

By Steven Kaplan
Do you serve great in practice, but break down in matches? Join the club. The most common serving practice mistake is to stand around watching your serve while failing to recover. You then get into point play and rush your serve in order to recover to play the point. Practice recovery on every...Read more

Tennis Hacks: Finding the Elusive Feeling of Consistency

By Steven Kaplan
Beginners and pros alike understand the importance of keeping the ball in play. A common complaint is that every shot feels like an adventure, even while demonstrating consistent play. An important goal is to FEEL consistent, because movement familiarity promotes supreme confidence. I've heard this...Read more

Tennis Hacks: Change Up Your "Live Ball" Practice Routine

By Steven Kaplan
One of the most widely played live ball practice games is commonly called "Sweeper." It's essentially a singles rally game started with a neutral feed from the baseline. Sweeper is a staple game of junior practice sessions everywhere, and a fun way to build a solid foundation for point construction...Read more

Tennis Hacks: Keep Warm and Dress for Outdoor Success

By Steven Kaplan
The calendar may say "Spring," but the thermometer says "Winter" and the wind chill says "Brrr!" You don't have to suffer and waste valuable energy shivering. Save your movement for the match by dressing wisely. Wear wool or synthetics instead of cotton. When cotton gets wet, it has negative...Read more
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