• The grip should be only the Continental, not the Eastern; because you don’t have the wrist flexibility with the latter.
• Relax your hands and don’t grip tightly
• For the amateur golfers, the toughest shot is hitting out of the bunkers; but for the pros, it is one of their easiest. Same with the tennis overhead.
• You need to have good balance, with your body coming forward on the stroke.
• Don’t let your rear foot come forward on the stroke.
• Don’t let your rear shoulder dip… try to keep your shoulders level.
• When to let the lob bounce? On the high ones because it is more difficult to hit a ball coming straight down.
The Morning
The two teams not in contention (my Wankers and the Dunnies) played our morning matches; while the Newk Kangaroos and Davidson Musclemen contested for the championship.
I volunteered to “play down” at #2 doubles; so I could play with my friend Terry Long (and i figured my tired body could benefit from an easier match). But as it turned out we were matched vs. Tom Mackessy (Columbus, OH) and a 24-year old ranch pro. But we played a polite match and nobody got hurt.
Team Results
At the lunch break Newk’s Kangaroos were tied 9-9 with the Musclemen; but the skies opened up with torrential rains and they had to finish their matches after the dried the courts.
AFTERNOON DOUBLES
We also played our third/fourth playoff playing an 8-game pro set. I figured it would just be a fool-around fun match, until I discover Mark Wirth and I were matched against very strong serving, lefty Dave Kartzinel (Henderson, NV) and BRIAN GOTTFRIED!!
They of course beat us (8-3) and our Wanker team ended up tieing the Dunnies to manage a third place tie.
Newk’s/Willy’s/Rich T’s Kangaroos dominated the afternoon matches and won the championship (making Mr. Newcombe very happy – especially since it turned out he lost the beer drinking contest the night before).
Thursday Night
After Happy Hour that included fresh shrimp from the Gulf and dinner of salmon and chicken breast there was the Awards Ceremonies. As Steve Contardi said, “This will be the longest awards presentation you will ever see!”
There were thanks all around to the Legends who made our week wonderful, the great ranch staff of young pros and in the kitchen, and to Steve Contardi and his whole family who arranged it all. Then there were plaques and pictures for people who won all their singles (Willy), all their doubles, and all their singles AND doubles.
The official ending to a truly fantastic Fantasy Week of tennis with the Legends was Roy Emerson leading all the Aussies in their rendition of “Waltzing Matilda.”
Friday morning, most will play morning drills; but the “Naples four” (plus Tom Mackessy) will take a day of rest and fly AirBerry back to Pelican Bay (and I will rest to get ready for our regular doubles on Saturday morning!).
If you are not on my “new posting alert email list” and want to be (I promise, no other uses of your email address!), just drop me a note at George@seniortennisandfitness.com
My Book: and if you’d like to get a copy of “Senior Tennis”, just click on the link on the upper right of this web page.
Thank you for the daily updates. Makes me wish I was there.
Randy
Randy, and why aren’t you? george
George, my friend, it has been a pleasure playing with you and our other teammates on the Wankers this year. Safe travels home to you and all other campers and Legends.
Marty, always a pleasure to be with you and the other mates. thanks, george
Sounds like a fun week!
Chris, best of the year for tennis (family week in NH is better)
George………..really enjoyed all your interactions of the week with all the superstars. Good reading and I thank you for all the notes, tips, and otherwise. Hopefully, will see you in Naples in January………..Charlie Burns
Charlie, looking forward to it. George
Emmo’s advice for the overhead. Timeless, simple, clean … love it!
Brent, as is he! Thanks, george
Great updates George. Hope to see you all next year!
Howard, your big body was missed. Thanks, george
Thanks George for the coverage of another Legend’s event. I am sad the Wankers did not win, but the problem is that Emmo is a very loyal team captain, he takes all the returning Wankers, who are now 14 years older than when I attended the last time. I am very happy to have learned that Doc Eden is still telling jokes and I miss all of the fun I had for many years.
I hope everybody has a safe flight home and hopefully we all be around next year!
Rolf Jaeger
But Rolf, I am one of those aging Wankers. Thanks George
George,
Many thanks for your great reporting on Tennis Fantasy # 29! I do not get to read them until I get home but that allows me to prolong my Tennis Fantasy days! Another great week even though the Wankers could not pull out a win. I got great coaching and as you probably know was able to win both my singles and doubles. It was especially fun playing doubles with fleet-footed Jack Valenti – I love the man!
Thanks again for your great writing and support of the sport we love.
Larry
Larry, thanks and as i am sure you have heard many times, it is WE who appreciate all that you and your trainer crew do for us each year (and on my website). george