In order to be a top tennis player in today’s day and age, it’s imperative that you have a well-rounded training regimen that goes beyond simply practicing on the court. With that in mind, the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) has begun hosting Sports Vision Workshops at its facilities, bringing in Dr. Anne Hanna…
I have been treating athletes for the last 20 years, and after all this time, I can conclude that their issues fall into one of the following two categories: They will fail either out of a fear of success or due growing self-doubt. In this article, let us explore the former issue, the so-called “Fear…
As USPTA tennis professionals, we are often asked questions about strategy. What shot should I use when this happens? When should I try this tactic? I have put together some tips to help singles players better understand how and when to use certain strokes in order to achieve the best tactical benefits. Each player…
Classic volleys are shots that have a specific spin and use short arm and hand movements paired with specific footwork. Spin amounts vary, racket work is short, contained and precise. Footwork is dancelike, using repetitive patterns which adapt to different tempos and situations. When racket work and footwork sync together, you’ll have an efficient,…
In part one of this two-part series, I discussed how coaches market themselves to appear qualified and why it’s so important to look past the “Humble Brag” and find leadership and mentorship in a coach. In part two, we will uncover the common traits and guiding philosophy of what the best coaches/mentors do to…
It is okay to stand in No Man’s Land in doubles! Players have been conditioned to stand all the way back or all the way up in doubles. While this is applicable in matches where players are skilled in placing the ball deep or hard, players who are challenged with mobility or power are…
In the last article I wrote in Long Island Tennis Magazine (September/October 2018 issue) on making a long-term development plan, the success of the plan was based on the accumulation of each individual session of practice and match play. In this article, I will focus on the efficiency and quality of each session of practice…
This story first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of Long Island Tennis Magazine. Click Here to see the full issue. The local tennis community has some of the sport’s finest facilities and some of the top coaches in the world. With this wealth of talent available, Long Island Tennis Magazine took the opportunity…
To become a champion, you must have talent, fitness, good coaching, money, supportive parents, access to courts, discipline and patience. The sport psychologist is usually called upon when a player is having trouble with anxiety, anger, confidence, focus or pain tolerance. Any coach and athlete will admit that the ability to stay focused, confident…
In my first book, Tennis Inside the Zone: Mental Training Workouts for Champions, I wrote a chapter entitled, “OMG, I’m Nervous …What Do I Do?” At the time I wrote that chapter, that was the top question tennis players brought to me. But there is another question tennis players experience and grapple with that…