Each Sunday morning, I direct the Reebok Academy for The City Parks Foundation at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. This past Sunday, I was asked if Fernando Verdasco could use one of our courts. It was a request I couldn’t refuse. Up close, Verdasco is an imposing athlete; powerfully built, he looks more…
The USTA rules against coaching during matches are unambiguous; it’s not allowed except during breaks. Coaching is defined as: "Any communication between players and parents, coaches and spectators." How widespread is this illegal practice? USTA.com writes in the "Improve Your Game " section, "Maria Sharapova gets coached every match, not just semis and finals. In fairness…
If you plan on aging up in 2012 naionally, all I could say is "good luck." Points have been drastically reduced for all national level tournaments except for the quarterfinals on in SuperNationals.This includes national points distributed at USTA/Eastern Sectional Tournaments. Last year if you win, lose and lose at a Level 4 sectional, you got…
Long Island Tennis Magazine asked me in the November/December 2011 edition: At what age or level, if any, does home-schooling become necessary for a serious tennis player? I summarized by stating "While the tennis rewards of home schooling are undeniable, the educational compromise and risk engendered by this road make it all too often a…
Although I appreciate (and disagree with) the counterpoint to my last article about limiting junior tournaments to younger kids, I will respond to it in the future. When I heard that for the second time, there was going to be an attempt to blatently stack a lineup to gain a competitive advantage, I was shocked. Not shocked…
Hannah Camhi hasn’t quit school to play tennis, instead, she stays after class as she has done since eighth grade to lead the team. Hannah doesn’t see education as an obstacle to her goal of being a top ranked player, instead, she recognizes her tennis as a way to further her education. It has helped…
The Syosset Girls Varsity Tennis team has been declared 2011 Long Island Champions by default and justice has been served (no pun intended). I have little to add about this sorry event because Longislandtennismagazine.com has finally stopped snuggling in editorial Switzerland and projected a strong editorial voice in "Controversy Hits the 2011 LI High School…
If frequent tournament play is causing problems for your young player, then perhaps it’s time you reevaluate how this participation is managed. It’s true that children are often frustrated and bewildered by the tournament experience. Formal competition can produce tremendous anxiety, anger and frustration. Losing is seen as a failure to live up to other’s…
Different coaches teach different things and have different theories. The problem is, I’m the only one who is right. Just kidding of course (at least the obnoxious attitude.) One of the items I have debated with some other coaches over the last few years is the amount of tournaments kids younger than 11-years old should…
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…