The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) will be experimenting with the practice of permitting coaching from the stands.  This is something that takes place regularly (for both men and women); but, is that a good idea?

Serena Starts It

Previously, we have talked about how to identify “the pigeon” in doubles – the player who is weaker than their partner or just having an off day; but how about playing when YOU are the pigeon?

Playing as the Pigeon

Most people like good chocolate chip cookies; but if you had 10 or 15 at one sitting, that would probably be too much (for MOST people).  This week was the fifth tournament in the Florida winter series (my fourth) being played at the new Lakewood National club … with the Pelican Bay Club doubles championships bracketing the week at each end!

Pelican Bay Round Robin

It’s a BIG moment in a BIG match … you tense up and bury the ball into the net.  Why does this happen and what can you do about it?

Brain Power

At the recent Longboat Key Cat II tournament, someone observed that more and more seniors are switching to the oversized/supersized tennis racquets. Why Go Big?

Big Dimensions

At Newk’s October camp, the Jensen brothers gave this piece of tennis doubles advice: “Look for the pigeon!”  If you can identify that one of your doubles opponents is weaker than the other – or just having a bad day – they advise to play your shots at them.

Not Being Nice?

Here is a question from a tennis player who is getting ready for his first knee replacement surgery in one month …

Stem Cells Help?

Today was semi finals day for the CAT II tournament at Sanchez/Casal (Naples Bath and Tennis); and for the second week in a row, Noble and I faced #1 seeded Hugh Thomson (former world #1 singles) and his partner Jerry Thomas (World 75 doubles runner up).

Last Week…

Many years ago, a long-haired, dungaree-clad Andre Agassi was criticized by his fellow pros for overtly complimenting his opponent on nice shots.  Is there something wrong with doing that?

Times They Are a Changin’

Yesterday ended a full week of tennis at the World Tennis Club and their superbly well run second tournament of the Florida season.  Many of the top senior tennis players in the country participated, with these results…

Playing in Good Company

It is bad enough you have to go through surgery to replace a knee, hip or shoulder … but what happens if you end up having to replace the replacement?

Reader Question …

“George, I have an upcoming replacement of the original knee replacement…I would be interested in what others who have been thru it have to say about success or not success.”

You may have seen the AT&T commercial where the patient asks the nurse about his surgeon and she says, “Oh, he’s OK.”  And the punch line is “OK is not good enough.”  That was the story of our semi-finals doubles match on Friday.

OK was not good enough …

This week is the first of EIGHT CONSECUTIVE weeks of senior tournaments in SW Florida.  It is the National Senior Men’s Tennis Association’s (NSMTA) Cat III doubles only event, held at the Sanchez/Casal (Naples Bath and Tennis) facility in Naples.

Doubles Round Robin

A new reader from Europe asks an interesting question: How does one best prepare for a lifetime of playing tennis?

His Question …

If you play tennis long enough, you will eventually get a pain on the outside of your elbow.  What causes it and what can you do about it?

The Mayo Clinic says …