"Everyone Says That"

By Ricky Becker
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...Read more

New Year's Resolutions

By Steven Kaplan
You don't have to be Jewish to think of September as the start of the new year. It is also, in many ways, the start of the new tennis year. Internationally, the Grand Slam season has ended. More locally, the summer outdoor season is giving way to the indoor season on Long Island and kids have...Read more

Final Wrap-Up From This Year's Open

By Ricky Becker
1. Djokovic deserves a lot of credit and respect. While I personally find him hard to root for he does have the heart of a lion. To be #1 with Nadal #2 and Federer #3 is pretty cool. This may be the best top-three in the history of tennis. 2. The weather is killing the U.S. Open. Actually, let's...Read more

Battle of the Sexes

By Steven Kaplan
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...Read more

It Could Happen to You

By Steven Kaplan
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...Read more

Mid-Open Thoughts

By Ricky Becker
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'...Read more

My Early Thoughts on The Open From A Fan Perspective

By Ricky Becker
I yearn for the days of when there were only 16 seeds. Granted there were more upsets the first week and the top players didn't always play each other in the second week, but it was so much more exciting. There would be a night match of 3 vs. 21 or something during the first week and there would be...Read more

Back to the Future

By Steven Kaplan
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...Read more

Looking Forward To The Best Sports Weekend of The Year

By Ricky Becker
By far, my favorite time of year is coming up. August/September brings beautiful temperatures, end of summer barbeques, the opening of football/hockey season and of course the US Open. I love being a couch potato the Sunday after Labor Day when it is the first weekend of the football season and the...Read more

Athletic DNA

By Steven Kaplan
When James D. Watson of the Cold Spring Harbor Lab (who is an avid tennis player) and Francis Crick presented their molecular modeling analysis of DNA, they suggested that its structure was a double-helix. This was a ground-breaking discovery. Slightly less significant to the world, but equally...Read more

How the New USTA Tournament Cut-Off System Has Hurt the Game

By Steven Kaplan
Back in January, I criticized the USTA Tournament system because it was in direct conflict with their stated mission which is "To promote and develop the game of tennis." I believed that national junior tournament participation would be reduced by the new USTA tournament cut off system. Thanks to...Read more

How Has The New USTA Tournament System Affected Tournament Cut-Offs?

By Ricky Becker
Back In January, I defended the new USTA Tournament system for the most part because it prevented point chasing. For my college consulting work, I have followed national tournament cut-offs (shameless plug: the unofficial tournament lists can be purchased at www.juniortennisconsulting.com ). Here...Read more
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