There is a believed bad call against a player and they just can’t seem to let it go. They carry on in their minds, or to the referee, or to the other player, or to their “team”… and they lose focus. Continue reading
Category Archives: General Tennis
Fastball/Curve Ball
In doubles, it is usually the smartest shot to hit up the middle; but you have to sometimes change that strategy to prevent your opponents from totally clogging the middle. So, what do you do? Continue reading
The Slice Forehand
If you watch films of the tennis legends, they all used the slice forehand – especially as an approach shot. But in today’s game of extreme forehand grips, that shot has almost disappeared. But should it be in your arsenal? Continue reading
The Tennis Servants
How would you like the “honor” of retrieving and catching Nadal’s sweaty towels? Tennis writer Stephen Tignor thinks it is time to release ball kids from their servitude. Continue reading
Whose Ball is It?
You are serving in a doubles match in the deuce court and the returner hits a ball over the middle that lands just beyond the tee on your side of the court. Should your net man have taken the shot … or is it the incoming server’s ball to take? (The incoming server is lower-right in the picture). Continue reading
Which Ball Next?
You ever notice how some players (both pros and club players) ask to have the same ball they just won the point with to hit next? Or, intentionally change balls after losing a point? Continue reading
Playing a Deaf Opponent
What role does hearing play in a tennis match? It can have an impact on you as a player if you can’t hear; but also if your opponent can’t hear. Continue reading
Break Point Puzzle
You work hard during a return game to finally get that critical break point … but then you blow it on a bad choice of shots. What should you really do instead? Continue reading
2019’s Tennis Goal
After our doubles victory at The Meadow’s tournament in February, I asked my partner Hank Irvine what was “the #1 thing I should work on” to further improve my tennis game. His answer was interesting. Continue reading
The Irvine Protocol
Is it “fun” to play a two- or three-hour tournament singles match? Is it healthy/wise to do that? I no longer think so. Continue reading
Accepting Errors
With Roy Emerson
If you never miss a return of serve, is that a good thing? Never double fault, a good thing? Maybe NOT. Continue reading
“It’s Not Prostate Cancer”
Jay, Barry and us
In today’s finals’ matches at The Meadows tournament, there was some predictable wins and some challenges. And a lesson about the importance of winning. Continue reading
Spoiler Alert
Most tennis fans do not get up at 3:30 in the morning to watch an event like the Australian Open. Instead, they record it to watch when they wake up in the morning; but TV (and friends) often conspire to thwart their enjoyment. Continue reading
Working the X’s and O’s
Some players don’t care to know anything about their upcoming opponents (usually the top players); but others – like me (and Brad Gilbert) – want to know as much as possible in order to plot a strategy of “X’s and O’s.” Continue reading
No Retreat?
I had the pleasure of teaming up for a practice doubles match with Larry Turville and, while I played “up” and we won, Mr. T and I had a strategy disagreement! Continue reading