As a tennis coach, I've seen my fair share of "Helicopter Parents," who nurture relentlessly and hover over their child's every move. They carefully watch each lesson, practice and match. Some are reinforcing messages, adding their own opinions and even contradicting the coaches’ information. While such behavior is timeless and widespread, it has accelerated in…
For the last few years, I have had the pleasure of working as the injury prevention coach of professional Spanish tennis player Lara Arruabarrena, currently ranked No. 64 on the WTA circuit. In a sport like tennis, being a talented player is not enough to make it to the top. Dedication, perseverance, and hard work…
We all walk onto the court wanting to win. The reality is, tennis involves winning and losing. It’s no secret that unless you are in the top five in the world, you will probably lose as much as you win. Even if you are in the top three, you will probably lose 20 percent of…
It has been an incredible year so far on the ATP Tour. There are many great up and coming players and a lot to look forward to the rest of the year. Obviously, the biggest story thus far is that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are once again near the top of the rankings and…
As we roll into the heat of the summer of 2017, I thought I would address what separates all of us on the court: How we deal with the heat of pressure. From the first time we compete in any way, shape or form, even as children, it's the first time we realize we could…
At this year’s annual USTA Long Island Region Awards Dinner, Sportime’s Jared El Gayeh was presented with the 10-and-Under Tennis Award which is given to the region’s top coach for U10 programming. “That was a really amazing award to receive,” said El Gayeh. “But it doesn’t just go to me, it goes to my entire…
There is no shortage of high-quality tennis coaches on Long Island, and the area has helped grow some of the best players in the country. But few of those coaches carry the type of background and experience brought to the table by Andrea Retolaza. “Andrea has the combination of a professional background and the technical…
Becoming a better tennis player requires lots of practice. There are no real short cuts to improving your game other than to spend quality time working on your skills. Other than taking lessons and playing matches, practicing with a family member is another great way to improve your game. Growing up, I gained a lot…
The way we talk to ourselves greatly influences the way we feel about ourselves. Negative self-talk on the tennis court can be a big drain on your energy level. It can also be improved quickly with some awareness. As a tennis coach, I can shine a light on some of these issues and have a…
It’s a truism that the best way to play well in competition, you need to relax, have fun and play freely. The moment a player starts to worry about outcomes or overthink the serve, is when tightness sets in and you begin to play weakly. To win on the court, one must have a free…