My sophomore year at Stanford I was taking a class on 19th century American history. This is a topic that I found really, really interesting. For the first time that I could remember, I found myself at class listening, concentrating and trying to follow what my teacher had to say. I found this class very easy. …
People often say to me "You Must Have Loved Tennis As a Kid." Truth is, as a kid, I never specifically loved tennis. I loved sports. And still do. As a 12-year old, I played soccer, baseball, basketball and tennis. Unbeknowst to me, my parents saw me as what I was, a go-with-the flow kid…
As your watching the French Open, try and help your own game by learning from the pro’s. During the next 2 weeks at Roland Garros expect to see longer points on the red clay. Its always interesting for me to watch how players construct each point. With longer points being played you will start to…
I swore that I would never buy the Agassi book "Open". In the interest of full disclosure, my two experiences with him with both somewhat less than extraordinary. Firstly, he mocked my college teammate/friend ON-COURT after they played in the first round of the Sybase Open in San Jose. After beating my friend 2 &…
True Story: Years ago when I was in college, I was talking to a couple at length. They were telling me how they were starting to get their two children into tennis and they were really excited about their younger child (I’ll call him Tommy.) They explained that Tommy (age 7) had grace and fluidity…
Players used to be obsessed with their USTA ranking, and I really didn’t think I would see the day when this would no longer be true, but it seems to be so. Juniors have found a new focus, and are now preoccupied with their standing on Tennisrecruiting.net or in tennis speak, "TR." This, by the…
Who do YOU think will record the best singles results in the clay court season – Melanie Oudin, Sam Querrey or John Isner? The American trio has achieved career best rankings on the Pro Tours in 2010 and they are all rising into the upper echelons of the game. All 3 players continue to achieve…
Today a student of mine was bragging about how hard he works off the court. He told me that he has been running a few miles a day. Problem is..and he has heard this before, running long-distance is no good for tennis unless you are trying to lose weight or master the 7-minute mile stride that…
As a counselor of college-bound tennis players, as well as people who are looking to get an objective opinion on how to get their child into tennis, I often get asked, "How much tennis should my child play?" or even better is the question, "How many lessons/drills a week does my child need to take…
As the proud father of my third daughter last week, I have been thinking a lot about parenthood. As a tennis coach and college tennis advisor for junior tennis players, I always think about tennis. If my kids play tennis, am I going to become a tennis parent? Am I going to be so nervous…