The Long Island tennis community has some of the sport’s best facilities, both indoor and outdoor, and best coaches in the world. With this wealth of talent available right in our own backyard, Long Island Tennis Magazine recently took the opportunity to pick the brains of some of these top coaches. What you will find…
In the past several articles, I have written that there is an underlying theme that resonates. There is so much more to tennis than just hitting a ball back and forth over the net. You also know that if you have been reading my articles that I am a huge proponent of the collateral benefits…
As a tennis professional, I always hear people use general terms and phrases to describe very specific actions. For example, you have probably read or heard the term “racket head speed.” This is just the common, quick reference to a very detailed and intricate action. One must understand the words mentally, physically and visually before…
The problem I recently had the chance to meet Taylor Stanton, head tennis pro at Cherry Valley Club, and asked him a simple question, “What is the most common psychological problem you encounter with your students?” He quickly answered, “Oh that’s an easy one. The biggest problem many have is when they lose one or…
Many tennis players spend a lot of time and money learning the tactical and technical skills of tennis. Few players invest the same energy in mastering the mental skills. Yet any competitive tennis player will tell you the mind is the one to conquer. Tina Greenbaum, LCSW, Sport Psychology Consultant and Fred Sperber, Prince Pro Staff…
A room full of tennis pros might argue on some points, but without question, they would all agree that the serve is the most difficult and most important shot in tennis. Simply put: (1) a player must hit a serve to start any point in match play and (2) it is the only shot in…
Robert Kendrick is director of tennis at Sportime Syosset and co-director of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy Annex at Bethpage. Robert joined the Sportime team in the fall of 2012 after a decade as a successful singles and doubles player on the ATP Tour. Robert was an All-American at both the University of Washington and…
I have been playing in USTA Adult Leagues for about seven years now, and not one season has passed where I can avoid an overwhelming amount of animosity at the age difference between myself and some of my opponents. This experience is not just an isolated one, but one that is common both inside and…
Professional coaches are receptive students and as eager to receive information, critique and criticism as they are to give it. They think independently, solve problems creatively, and assimilate and integrate information into a message that works best for each student. Great coaches are constantly learning and growing by questioning teachings of the past and uncovering…
Ask any athlete how important the mental game is and most would say it’s between 50 percent and 99 percent of competition. In individual sports like golf, running, swimming and tennis, the value always pushes the higher limits. In team sports like baseball, basketball, lacrosse and football, it has great relevance as well. Remember Yogi…