This is a comment that I hear routinely from my students and club level players when watching professional tennis on television or when attending tour matches. So, how is it that some players, particularly the world’s greatest, make those miraculous feats you see on the tennis court look so easy? There is no simple answer to this question. However, I will share with you my thoughts…
In all but the highest levels of professional tennis, for the most part, players keep the score and call the lines with no outside help. While most players perform this important task fairly and honorably, some competitors regrettably give in to temptation and cheat, because in the short run, cheating works and cheaters win. One simple solution to the problem of cheating in junior tennis…
Recently, the format of professional doubles in select tournaments has changed, ridding the game of advantage points and playing a tie-break to 10 if the first and second sets are split. This greatly changes the dynamics of the match, and in my opinion, makes doubles tennis more exciting to watch. At any level of tennis, a service break decides sets and ergo, matches. A set is…
The Ross School Tennis Center in East Hampton, N.Y. recently hosted a Tennis Family Weekend with tennis great, Patrick McEnroe. The weekend kicked off with a dinner at Race Lane Restaurant, honoring grandparents and special friends. Cocktails, dinner, dessert and a student art auction were all part of the evening that was headlined by entertainment…
“The Zone” is that mythical place where one can do no wrong. When you are in the zone, you play with ease and with confidence. The zone consists of five elements: â–ºConfidence â–ºFocus â–ºPleasure â–ºRelaxation â–ºExcitement When I prepare one of my players for a tennis tournament, we get them into the zone about a week before the opening round. Here…
If you play tennis to win, there is not a level of play that does not involve pressure. In tennis, someone will win and someone will lose. As a player, I felt my best when something was on the line. Money, trophies … pride! I liked playing tons of sets and if that was not an option, then tons of game-based drills. Victory was…
Many of us probably know the suffix “-logy” means “the study of.” For example, astrology is the study of stars, neurology is the study of the nervous system, and ideology is the study of ideas. So, what does this have to do with sports? I would like to introduce a new “-logy” into the world,…
Hello, it’s been a while since we “spoke.” So, I’m giving a lesson the other day and on the adjacent court is another pro (unnamed to protect the guilty) going through the motions … you know what I mean. His charge was a 10-year-old with little hand-eye skills, but even less enthusiasm! This exercise in…
Glen Head, N.Y.-based North Shore Country Club has announced the hiring of Spike Gurney as director of tennis. Gurney comes to North Shore with impressive credentials, having served as director of tennis at Palm Beach Country Club in Palm Beach, Fla. for the past 17 years and has also worked at Brae Burn Country Club…
Does it feel like winter has dragged on endlessly and spring will never arrive? Do you find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning and get yourself to the club? Are you making up excuses on your way home from work to avoid stopping at the gym? Rest assured, spring is here…