Most all club players never use singles sticks when they play non-tournament singles matches; but face them when playing tournaments. A reader asks, are they obsolete or traditional? Continue reading
What’s the Ruling?
After losing the first set in doubles, you and your partner decide to “change a losing game” and switch deuce/ad returning sides. But during the next set, you forget and go to the wrong return side to play a point. What is the ruling? Continue reading
Chip and Charge
(Gary Larson Far Side)
You are returning serve against a slow or a kick server and want to take the ball early and then move to the net. But your timing is all off. The reason? You put your shoes on before your pants! Continue reading
Ralph Grieco
It was reported to me that veteran senior tournament player (and super photographer) Ralph Grieco of Roswell, GA died Wednesday of a heart attack. Continue reading
Second Serve Practice
John Newcombe (Munson photo)
We all know players who CRUSH their first serve (and usually don’t get it in) and then they poke their second serve in at half that speed. Those players need to practice improving their second serve; and here is a drill from John Newcombe to do just that. Continue reading
Beat the Clock
Some of us are old enough to remember the 1950’s game show “Beat the Clock” … but how are today’s tennis pros doing in beating the new shot clock? Continue reading
Defending vs. Australian
RP= Returner’s Partner
Using the “Australian formation” (having the server’s net man stand on the same side of the court as the server) is a great tactic to break up the returner’s strong cross court game. But, what do you do if you are the receiving doubles team? Continue reading
Learning From a 9-Year-Old
Bob Wilkie and I were having one of our regular New Hampshire practice sessions and I was hitting overheads, when he commented, “I don’t think I have ever seen you hit a better series of solid overheads than just now!” And it was thanks to my 9-year-old grandson Jayson. Continue reading
“Net” vs. “Let”?
On a serve, is there a difference between calling out “Net” vs. calling “Let” … and who can make those calls? Continue reading
Serve or Receive?
Hank Irvine serving (Crootof pic)
TV coverage rarely comments on it, but the coin/racquet toss choice can impact the start and structure of a tennis match. This reader question focuses the issue … Continue reading
Atlantic Coast Cup
Anderson, Whitlock, me, Beatty, Lynch, Swanny, Underwood, Cpt. Brodeur
The last couple of days, I had the pleasure and honor to join the New England 75s team playing in the annual Atlantic Coast Cup, this year at the fantastic Kenwood Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. Continue reading
What is Acceptable?
Is it fair play to drop shot off someone’s serve? That moral question comes from a reader. But it relates to a host of other questionable tactics. Continue reading
vs. Wilting Weather + Wilkie
Me, Bob H, Bob W, Scott
Despite the oppressive 100+ “feels like” temperatures, we ventured out onto the courts this weekend for the annual New Hampshire summer tournament … WITHOUT my regular partner, strong lefty Bob Wilkie. Continue reading
Ball on the Court
If there is a ball on the court from a missed first serve that eventually rolls into the play area, whose responsibility is it to call a Let … The player on that side? The opponents? A fan? Continue reading
Riskey Business
What is the ruling when a player doesn’t hit an errant service toss but catches the ball on their racquet? And, should catching a toss be allowed at all? Continue reading