This a quote from my book, THE LITTLE GREEN BOOK of TENNIS.
Recently my Son questioned the reasoning behind this “principle “! (It is more difficult to “angle” low volleys. Wait for a ball you can volley down for the winner. )
His response made a lot of sense . ” If you volley it deep the players today can get to it and hit the closer ball by you at the net. Additionally, net players now CAN angle many low volleys, some soft and with almost the same effect as a dropshot. Thus creating a much larger distance to cover to make the passing shot.
Tommy Paul’s angled low forehand volley is a good model.
But I’m trying…I’m trying real hard to be a shepherd. –Jules to Ringo, “Pulp Fiction”
My two sons work in technology. They have made me aware of the “cloud”. Summing up my understanding, the cloud is a modern, idealistic, even utopian way to gain free access to information. Sort of the internet on steroids. Or, for those of us on the other side of the “digital divide,” a giant free library in space.
There is an article on my blog entitled “Mentors”. It describes how one with a thirst for knowledge in any arena might best learn.
. Hope someone out there has the “thirst.”
“Sometimes people don’t want what you have got. Sometimes you can’t give it away”–Bob Dylan from “Floater”***Author’s note: The comments above are from a blog written in 2012. Since then I have made anything I have written free. Any charges now are to cover expenses.
The blog on “The Circle stinger” received more hits than any tennis advice I have written. I certainly didn’t design the strategy itself (see Mr. Nadal )!
As stated in the article, it’s real effect has been to change the first choice of getting to the net from serving and volleying, or attacking the short ball down the line.
It also provided the tactic to make the “swinging volley” a better first choice.
The complete play that has evolved so effectively follows:
Identify the ball to come in on. Nadal’s lefty stinger crosscourt to the “weaker” backhand pass is so far the best approach.
Any weak, short or floating return is now a common place for talented, new pros to attack with a full bore swinging volley. Directed away from the opponent.
***3. I caution teachers and coaches to remember there are levels of ability throughout the whole process. Beginners of average ability, most high school players, average club and recreational level players should first perfect the standard volley fundamentals, adding the swinger when level and talent make it an advanced, effective tool.
Even at the highest level of pro doubles, classic volleys are most often best.
Recently I was described as “ passionate” about tennis. A real compliment. Immediately I thought of John Ormsby who wrote a quite thorough history of Six Man Football in North Carolina. I asked John where the drive to do this project came from? He replied, “…I wanted to know more about one subject than anyone alive!”
Life without passion and drive is unappealing to me. Certainly our children deserve no less.
One of my Sons made me aware of technology’s “cloud”. “Dad, anyone can easily make special knowledge available to all now.”
Being a coach often makes you almost surrogate fathers. Certainly you care about your players. My passion is care for American junior tennis players and their access to a fair share of our college and university tennis scholarships. I believe there is a direct link between awarding so many of our scholarships to internationals that we have run our own kids out of tennis, and other American sports as well.
Is this patriotic or xenophobic? Is it illegal to reserve state tax money for our state’s youngsters. Where is the fair “fine line” we can expect?
Passion number two: The model for successful American juniors has been the FAMILY not the ACADEMY model. No ones cares like the parents. Proper parental guidance, local teaching pros, community tennis “angels’, junior tournaments, high school team play, and on to college tennis. Examine our golden era of pros (Evert, Connors, McEnroes, Sampras, etc).
Academies are often filled by throw away kids, limited rich kids, and a selected few who get all the attention. More importantly it is questionable academically and personally.
The work to follow is also a summary of my efforts to provide a guide for high school tennis teams, coaches and players (THE LITTLE GREEN BOOK of TENNIS). Is a unique aid for many who know little about team tennis. Through cooperation with THE NORTH CAROLINA TENNIS FOUNDATION the print book was given free to all seven hundred and eleven high school boys and girls coaches in North Carolina. Now, we have designed a program to further make available this valuable aid to our teams, every one of North Carolina’s four thousand boys and girls players, and the coaches, yearly.
The final product works much like an education model: 1. A good book for the teacher (coach) 2. Inexpensive E-Books for the students (the players) and 3. The “library” or resource center. This was designed by the NCTA staff. We can use these tools to communicate, instruct, guide, and make information easily accessible.
America loves teams. And teamwork. My Father played team tennis for Wake Forest college in 1928. I played on any team that would give me a uniform. Both sons played high school and college team tennis. My grandson played #1 for Boulder High School as a freshman.
I am passionate about teams, and North Carolina. Later I will examine where this comes from. And how organizations, and “worker bees” and “tennis angels” can make things better.
There are great organizations alrready functioning. The North Carolina High School Athletics Association (NCHSAA ) sponsors the North Carolina High School Tennis Coaches (NCHSTCA). Later we will provide access to national groups.
A part of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), NCTA houses any number of tennis programs. From youngsters to seniors, to referees, to wheelchair competition. All worthy of support. One relatively new group has been the growth of league play. One could conclude the leagues growth was a savior, nationally and in our state as well. Coupled with Title IX and some altered attitudes , Women provided leadership , volunteering with impressive results.
While high scool tennis is only one of our causes, it is the one I feel most inclined to help. In 2015 we provided 700 boys and girls THE LITTLE GREEN BOOK OF TENNIS . Then we made it freely available to over 4,000 varsity boys and girls.
VISION, PLANNING,AND GOALS for growing NC high school tennis teams, coaches, and players.
To put together a non-profit group of our talented tennis people who embrace high school tennis in our state. Perhaps, like the league play leaders, they will function in perpetituity any number of ways to help the cause. The game changes. There is rapid turnover. The league players and coaches have the experience now to help coach, assist, advise referee, etc.
As mentioned , there are already organizations in place and eager to help. We can make all this aid more accessible. Video selection, books, clinics. Some of the coaches are simply appointed, with NO tennis background. My experience is many are good people who do care about the kids. They need help ( see earlier articles) :
WAYS TO HELP—
HOW?
Much is already being done. The NCTA , The USTA, The NCHSAA, The North Carolina High School’s Coaches Association are trying hard to help. Where help is needed comes from several sources:
**** Pay for these jobs is meager compared to what is asked and expected. ****The pay will not attract top notch tennis coaches in most instances. Most of the very good ones are volunteers, or close. *** The typical “assigned” staffer is often a football coach, one who knows nothing about tennis. Or some similar scenario. ****More and more are “adjunct”, or part time coaches, who don’t have even the academic background that teacher/coaches have.
WHAT CAN HELP? One way to start is a “THINK TANK” or committee to examine what is possible. We have a tremendous group of fine players throughout the state. We have in place an organization of teaching professionals in NC. Many times the best source is a “tennis angel” who silently plays with youngsters. No one gives more than parents. The club pro benefits from high school families.
There is another largely untapped source in our state. The NC TENNIS HALL OF FAME members. There seems to me to be a group of old pros and young turks in our select group who could also help the coaches in their area. Many of the hall of famers and pros are the same people. Many already give or have given to tennis in many ways. There are so many ways these people could enhance the knowledge, confidence, and performance of particularly the beginning coaches. I can’t list them all. Believe me, you can help.
I would also suggest to these coaches to look for the local angels. My experience is these are great people who only need to be asked. It may be one afternoon a week, It may be a helpful phone call. Showing a drill, filling in for an emergency, play an exhibition, take them to a college match, gift of equipment—old or new, simply attend matches, etc.
I think a good place to start “thinking” would be the coaches, the Pros, the angels ,and the organizations to brain storm the how. The why is obvious. And I think there is ample evidence that this help is available. And I am convinced the link between high school and juniors and parents and these volunteers can thrive. The first place to start is knowledge plus need. Our hall of famers and our professional tennis teachers are where to start.
Some years back I watched a clinic foe NC high school coaches and concluded “…there is a lot more CARE in that group than knowledge. Granted several of the coaches demonstrated good skill on the court. I have said all along that a high school coach who cares and drives the van properly is all parents can hope for. Now I think it time to help them. They , by virtue of their attendance and willingness to coach our children, have earned our assistance.
COLLEGE, KIDS. QUESTIONS
Consider these: 1. Teaching Pros can be helpful to these high school coaches, players and teams. Very often the pros are much more knowledgeable and specialized in tennis. High schoolers and younger are a great source for the pro’s business. A nurturing of this relationship is mutually beneficial. 2. High school sports are more and more selective. Basketball and football are sports not all are fitted for. Youngsters will look more and more for alternatives. More and more teams means more coaches are needed. In North Carolina more than half of the players are girls . Hasn’t the LEAGUE EXPERIENCE created a large group that now have the ability to help in any number of these programs? Some stellar athletes might consider tennis because there is now a good coach. 3. Many won’t. 4. Why? Since the early 70’s more and more tennis scholarships have gone to internationals. We are in the third generation of this reality. The skyrocketing of college costs has paralleled the number of internationals. And the number of grants for Americans have declined in a similar staggering proportion. Families invest tremendous amounts of money into their children’s tennis. It can be rewarded only two ways: 1.The extremely rare route of becoming a professional player and 2. College scholarships. And the scholarships grow more and more important annually. 5. One significant reason people are opting for sports other than tennis is that this third generation of parents and players have seen the scholarships shipped overseas. 6. This also manifests itself in the dearth of top pro players in America today. The obvious graph-like decline in quality of players in America coupled with the elimination of Americans selected for college scholarships should be grounds for new ideas. 7. Here is one. Is it not time to seriously study how to restore these opportunities and scholarships to our own? 8. Wouldn’t this benefit the hopeful high school or junior player in terms of motivation.
9. Much has been written about internationals in American college.
10. One last suggestion to high school coaches and tennis pros: Coach–talented players are protective of their games and practices. Work with the players and pros to allow meaningful practices, and still maintain team sacrifices. Meet and set up a plan; the kid misses high school practice for pro lessons or a match with a high level opponent and yet gives back to the team by helping less talented teammates. Both interact in the long run. PROS- encourage why team play may teach more than individual success. I wondered if a “prima donna “wouldn’t play for his/her high school , would they sacrifice as needed to be a good college teammate?
From Elie Wiesel:
“First I am a teacher.”
“If I am a witness (and your teacher ), you are a witness too.”
“Memory is the one thing that can save humanity.”
Student’s question : How do I help? Dr. Wiesel–“Start now! What do you see? What do you know?”
FINAL EDITION
The link at the bottom is to third edition of THE LITTLE GREEN BOOK of TENNIS. It is available to all, freely.
Several have asked why?
Upon retirement I asked my wife what’ s next ? ” I want to move to the beach!” Emerald Isle, NC for 17 years so far.
DIE BROKE by Stephen Pollan has four recommendations for retirees. Number 2 says DON’T RETIRE!: Meaning you should
have other meaningful plans.
In the off season at the beach you need that plan. Over time my plan evolved into “hobby writing”.
Motivation for this tennis book came several sources:
(Son, Dan Parham ) ” Dad–you know a lot about coaching tennis. You can put that stuff in the cloud, for everybody.
(Dr. Mildred Hartsock, late English Department Chair at alma mata , Atlantic Christian College .) ” You have some writing ability. You should major in English.”
( Jim Verdieck, late, great Redlands Tennis Coach). On my asking what happens to his tremendous knowledge? “When I die, it dies”. I told him I would try to prevent that.
(Jim Leighton, late, great Wake Forest Univesity Tennis Coach. ). Coach Leighton was the source of most of my knowledge of tennis. I took notes after our many sessions. He read a first draft of those attempts. “Tom, you have captured much of what we have covered. You can make a good book out of this, and if you do it will do more for tennis than all those National Championsships you have won.”
(Harvey Penick—THE LITTLE RED BOOK of GOLF author). “If you read this book you are my pupil. If you play golf you are my friend. “
( Jim Toney, late Economics Professor at Elon University and tennis angel )… A fine player and promoter of tennis, Mr. Toney and I zeroed in on High School tennis court construction. Later in his life he developed Parkinson’s. During our last conversation I told how much I appreciated the work he had done for tennis. He leaned forward, peering at me with those steely eyes, and said ” Don’t you quit.”)
A Carolina (UNC CHAPEL HILL) football coach, commenting on my book THE LITTLE GREEN BOOK of TENNIS, suggested “…this is not just a tennis coaching aid, but for all coaches. ” High praise. I then realized I had mostly taken the methods of others, and the praise was theirs. What I also feel is these people showed us something even bigger than specialized coaching ; the whole process of teaching anything.
My Son, Dan, introduced the CLOUD’S possibilites.
Technology made my efforts possible. I hadn’t typed in fifty plus years. Never had cut a computer on. Wasn’t aware of self-publishing.
Looking back I am grateful there were so many good people and places to learn from. Looking forward I see many who could do similar sharing. So many have unique talent, backgrounds, and experience that could help others.
Information shared, data, truth.
PARTING SHOTS—1-2-3. Or North Carolina High School Tennis——The International “Issue”—-Pickleball.
NO BRAINERS 0N 1. INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE TENNIS PLAYERS. 2. HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS. 3. PICKLEBALL
*** This is a collection of 100 articles on the growth of international athletes in American College and University athletic programs. Emphasis on college tennis.
The obvious possibilities that technology provides applies to these efforts . One initial idea was an effort we called SHOT DOCTORS. ??????? glitch to simple good thing. ***High school volunteers to be ambassdors or liasons –aiding communication between shot-doctors and nc high school coaches and their support systems. Perhaps a gift to these volunteers ( $, gift, Stipend for their team or choice to help worthy. needy team.
THE USTA OR UNITED STATES TENNIS ASSOCIATION (TONS OF INFO–ONE ON TIPS FOR PLAYERS, ONE ON GUIDELINES FOR COACHES )
UNITED STATES TENNIS PROFESIONALS ASSOCIATION (USPTA) ?????
ALSO –THE PTR OR PROFESSIONAL TENNIS REGISTRY
, PAY/GIFT HIGH SCHOOL “AMBASSADORS. SMARR/ TP ADOPT A TEAM, “FACILLATATORS”
***USPTA TIPS (EXAMPLES) REMEMBER USPTA “COACHING RESOURCES! YOU TUBE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS, KEITH RICHARDSON AND HIGH SCHOOL COACH
5. HELPING —*****FAULTY ON FREE FALLING ORIGINAL can find on FINDER. PLUS HELPING BOOK 2 on internationals here (KM_554e-20161021154500 )
6. THANKSGIVING (TOUGH LOVE AND BEACH LIFE)
7. NEARLY FIFTY (DUCK HUNTING AND PUSSYCAT POKER )
******PICTURE OF BOOKS on back of em ole coaches
ROAD MAPS TO GPS (Cy King –another email from tom parham 3 examples – internationals, using picklebal, high school tennis. either/or print or internet–
“I asked for religion and they gave me an overdose.” Bob Dylan
VISION–SUGESSTIONS–ASSIGNMENTS
KEITH –YOU TUBES, RON—TIP OF WEEK–, JW–BACKBOARDS,—LANE , HELP/ ORGANIZE SPECIFIC AID POSSIBILITIES FROM USPTA, USTA, PTR, NCHSTCA, , TP–DIRECTIONS TO SOLUTIONS IN LITTLE GREEN BOOK of TENNIS, NC HALLOF FAMERS ?
Upon retiring I wondered what I would fill my time with. “Hobby writing ” snuck up on me. At the same time technolgy offered some advances that erased road blocks. Six books and 500 plus blog articles followed. Every thing from Pickleball to cremation.
Acknowledging my novice bacground, I tried to comment on common sense observations. Entering my 83rd year I have taken a recent look back .
Here are some excerpts from a few chosen :
ON TENNIS
Tennis and Safety
Next Sunday concludes the 2023 season of tennis grand slams. TV tennis (save Disney vs Spectrum ) provides many viewing possibilities. Particularly THE TENNIS CHANNEL. Here are a few observations, plus this reminder: There many LEVELS to the game ( The pros are are many levels beyond beginners. They too break through barriers one at a time.) : There is a CLASSIC METHOD of Tennis instruction . A method that is best for most people. Viariations that work are ok ( “… if a flaw works, don’t change it !”)
GOOD NEWS
All kinds of improved play on the home front. Men and Women.
Vindication of College Tennis as a valid developmental pathway .
Tremendous high levels of African/American play by many.
There were so many comments like “… for the first time since—–” , it was almost routine. Not quite.
There were 25 plus players in the men and women’s singles draws that were involved, at some point, college players. The same was true of the 2023 French Open and Wimbledon. Many Americans, but also many internationals. Humans attain maximum physical ability at about 27 years of age. Think football and “red-shirting” for the worth of an extra year (one year ! ) of growth.
GIANT STEPS!
CoCo Rocks!!! Semi finalists Madison, Ben –Big Foe in quarters. Sloane Stephens, Chris Eubanks, Michael Mmoh, On Arthur’s court ! Yeah Serena, Venus and Richard Williams and to the black families that paid a big price in a difficult arena. And yet– how many atypical superstars could have made the leap with a college scholarship awarded to an international?
Former college tennis players Jack Kramer, Arthur Ashe, Stan Smith, John McEnroe, Bob and Mike Bryant, Jim Courier, Brad Gilbert, Bill Tilden, Roscoe Tanner, Jimmy Connors, Dennis Ralston, Dick Stockton, Vitas Gerulaitis, Michael Chang, Malavai Washington, Todd Martin, Bob Lutz, Bill Talbert, Tony Trabert,, Vince Spadea, John Isner, Steve Johnson, MANY MORE.
P.S. The ACADEMY pathway may well be best for early blooming world class players. Academy programs house them, feed them. and hopefully provide education , and teach them tennis. Actually good colleges do the same thing–and maybe more wisely at a more mature age..
Why not empasize high school tennis as it is the only place an average kid can get inexpensive, invaluable , match play experience? Can’t we find good coaches for our kids?
Technology in coaching! Heard of SWING/VISION?
TROUBLE
Medvedev d. Rublev 6/4, 6/3, 6/4. 29 games. Had they played the max or 5 sets of 7/6 (12 games times 5 =60 games—– plus 5 seven point tiebreakers. At a minimum, that would be 65 games. If Russians could survive that we do need to fear them!
HEAD, HEAT, HEART–the real dangers in sports. US OPEN casts spotlight on hotter weather!
Heat illnesses vary in danger. HEAT CRAMPS ( SYMPTOMS ARE OBVIOUS ), HEAT EXHAUSTION (SWEATTY, PALE SKIN , SICK AND WEAK ), HEAT STROKE ( HOT, RED, DRY SKIN AND POTENTIAL KILLER ).
The weather dictates change (s). Shorter formats, longer breaks, air condtioned venues, etc, “Tme for a cool change.” Spectators are avoiding 95degrees on aluminum bleachers. SAW = SALT (ELECTROLYTES ), ACCLIMITIZATION, AND WATER. PS –Ice is the best tool you have.
Lots of tools to fight heat problems. Learn them , have them , use them.
*Parity dictates change too. There are few pushover matches now, Intense points cause injury. Fatique, back to back 7/6 in the fifth, demand study. Tennis has to protect the health of it’s product. Chris Evert won 90 plus tour matches in a row on clay courts. Rarely did she have to play a deuce set until the semis.
My advice to young coaches is to recruit good kids who are good players who can function academically and be happy in your school.
Perhaps the two biggest errors I see the “young ones” (coaches) make are (1) They insist on recruiting some borderline jerk who is talented. Eventually that star throws the team and the coach “under the bus.” Don’t bet on that guy, Coach! Get you some good people. You’ll win your share and have a fair chance of staying sane in the crazy world of athletics. Secondly, I see the young coaches work the kids too much. Your players are not employees, or machines, and you can run them in the ground. Perhaps the biggest criticism I heard of my teams was that we didn’t work hard enough. But, at tournament time we were fresh, eager and goal oriented. Very often we waxed the “hard workers” whose coach had worn them beyond caring much.
I never had a team that wasn’t ready to put away the racket for a while at the end of the season. It’s call “periodization.”
Twenty years ago I received one of a few “hate letters”. I was published in a major tennis magazine suggesting a shortened format for college tennis. The response was a very strong suggestion that I had no idea what I was talking about. In fairness the staff writer thought I was talking about professional tennis, whose crowds were setting records.
In the next twenty years college tennis made major changes to shorten the matches, individual and team. Doubles first, pro-sets for doubles points, then standard sets only. Tiebreakers instead of third sets in singles, and others. The Australian open, a pro event, shortened its format this year. Touche!
REVISITING
On two occasions (2007 and 2015) I tried to make note of the current changes or additions in the game of tennis.
“THINGS HAVE CHANGED “( B. DYLAN )
Time moves on. What has changed from the 1980’s up until now in the tennis world? Certainly some “physical” improvements have affected rackets. So much power generated with such ease.
There’s more night play. Lights are better, courts are better, and surfaces are improved.
Television continues to “spread the game.” Instruction is better. College coaches are now better paid and better informed.
Prize money, and more scholarships for Americans and internationals, has recruited athletes who now “pick tennis first.” These people are not people who “…couldn’t play anything else.”
And they are bigger, stronger faster. They train, their diets are better, weights are commonly used, etc.
A very positive change in governance of matches. The point penalty system cleaned up behavior problems.
College refereeing is better and they use more refs. Still two people can’t officiate six (or more contests).
Pro players are less likely to drink to excess now. “Rounders” or “tennis bums” have been “weeded out.”
Indoor facilities have leveled the playing field. Now many people, particularly young people, can play even year round, not just in the “weather-blessed” areas. When you don’t stop all year long, your “tennis education” grows expontentially (no re-learning” time needed, or wasted.)
One contrast with football and basketball is related to size. Soon there will be a 400lb, 6’9” football left tackle who is also quick (Read The Blind Side) or a basketball player who can dunk himself. Tennis and golf professionals still haven’t produced a dominating 6’7” superstar. Perhaps height produces more possibility for error in “lengthy shots.” Who knows, but “average sized” people still have a chance in championship tennis. (You do need a “big heart”)
The effectiveness of western grip forehands, like two-handed backhands, has been truly “certified” by numerous players. I would still encourage young players to add (“I didn’t change anything, I gave you a new one” – Jim Verdieck) a back-
hand under spin ball. It is a “tool” worthy of learning this grip change from Western to Continental, needed to hit this valuable shot.
If there were one other obvious suggestion it would be to observe how many forehands are now hit with “open” stances. Many “purists” of my day would straighten up that front lead foot. I think the rackets aid young players here, but the “western gripped – open stance- sling-shot forehand” stands on it’s own feet (one quite “open”).
All players now have access to what the great players of the later twentieth century taught tennis. Here are some examples (in addition to two handed back hands, and open stance forehands):
Bjorn Borg. I think Borg taught the world to “hit is as hard as you can.” And he hit it in! It could be done. Topspin helped! (“I may hit long, I may hit wide, but I won’t hit into the net”)
Pete Sampras: Serve and volley with the same philosophy as Borg’s ground- strokes attitude.
If you hit it as hard as you can you eliminate a lot of judgment errors, based on “how hard to hit when?” (“Grip it and rip it” – John Daly)
Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King: Women can play the all court game. All things being equal groundstroke – wise, those who can attack also, will win.
There were at least two other contributions that are “must mentions.”
Andre Agassi: Took ground strokes and the value of conditioning to a whole new level late in his career. Becoming extremely fit, Agassi had a period of time he ruled tennis by running opponents into oblivion with the simplest of strategies: Hit it hard as hell into alternate corners (with few errors) until the other guy was “spent” physically. That truly was impressive. No one had done this as well as Andre.
All made contributions, but none more so than the overall ability of Roger Federer and the ease with which he executes all of it. Perhaps no other player has had more “total” ability than Federer. His talent is staggering.
Would he be the same were it not for the lessons of Borg, Sampras, Laver, Agassi, Martina, and Evert? Is he the best ever? I can’t say.
What I suspect is there are youngsters watching, learning, and practicing to take it all to a new, and perhaps unknown “new level.”
Watching tennis is going to continue to be exciting. Bet on it!
The one constant is that “…things change!” What’s new in 20014-15?
I do believe that Chet Murphy was right in concluding that the “old timers” (myself included) were right about most of the “classic” teaching methods.
One negative with racket technology is that the added pace they yield causes the player to have to move more rapidly, more often, more awkwardly; thus causing more injury. Therefore the role of conditioning and the necessity for good trainers and rehab have exploded.
Much changes, much stays the same. Please keep the learning going. Be adaptable, but again———-don’t neglect history and the fine teachers like Harvey Penick, Jm Leighton and Jim Verdieck.
A US OPEN ” HACKALOOSKI”
Daniil Medvedev played Chris Eubanks in the Wimbledon July tournament I had a deja vu moment watching the match on TV ( See PASSING SHOTS ) from THE LITTLE GREEN BOOK of Tennis.) I remembered watching Henry Logan, our league’s first black basketball player ( 1965 ). Henry scored 60 points, 42 in the second half. At 5′ 10″ tall he dunked nine shots.
With due respect, Medvedev had the same look on his face as we did watching Henry. (” Where the hell did this guy come from? And what the hell do I do with this level of serve and volley play ?)
As he received serve from near the back stands. To , stunningly no avail.
I found myself blurting out for him to move in on the return. Mid- set in the fourth , Medvedev moved up! The end of the match looked much like the college match in 1999.
Now here is the Hackalooski—In the US OPEN Finals, the match played at an unbelievable level and equal score, a pattern emerged. Serving from the deuce court at the wide forehand corner, with Medvedev receiving way back, the Joker ran off serve and volley points at will. Pretty soon John McEnroe joined my advice. John’s advice built on a career as one of the all time best serve and volley players, serving and receiving. Me having watched the small college match mentioned below. Often crucial points, this “ace in the hole” cracked the match.
I’ve got to ask—Why didn’t you at least try moving in on the return, Daniil ?
Passing Shots
Dominic Moerstedt played on my first Elon team. A fine player, Moerstedt had grown up in a German academy that had also housed Boris Becker and Steffi Graff. Extremely talented, Moerstedt liked to try “big bombs” for passing shots, hit from way back at the fence. I told him about an earlier player, passing on the rise, moving in on service returns, etc. Still “boom—from way back.” The first match my team played without me there (25 years’ perfect attendance!) came Dominic’s senior year. My wife had to have a surgical procedure (kidney stones—ouch!), and I sent Dr. Alan White as an able substitute coach. He still brags about his tennis coaching. We both were lucky. After the first day of the tournament, my number one player jumped into an indoor pickup soccer game in our gym. Pop! Leg injury. No number one for the finals. I returned to a hobbled team plus another problem. Dominic was playing Alex Evans, an excellent Australian player from my old school Atlantic Christian. Evans “owned” Moerstedt. In several previous matches Moerstedt had never gotten more than two games a set off the talented serve and volleyer Evans. This match was for the tournament. My advice to Dominic went like this: “Dominic, we’ve tried it your way to no avail. Please at least move in aggressively on your service return and passing shots.” We had practiced this a lot recently, in all fairness, and Dominic had the kind of talent to pull it off. It shocked everyone—Evans, Moerstedt, our team members and me: 6–2, 6–2, Moerstedt, and Elon was Conference Champs. What really surprised me is why the strategy worked. By hitting the passing shots quicker I’d hoped that Dominic could make Evans volley from an unstable, unusual position. What actually happened is that Alex tried to get in quicker and it disrupted his ordinarily dependable serve. Confused by a different rhythm, he lost a lot of confidence.
College Doubles
The most fun in tennis is playing for your school team. The doubles point often dictates the team winner. American college coaches. all things equal, recruit players who are good at both singles and doubles.
I believe college women will find great pro possibilities in doubles because of the unique efforts in developing doubles teams.
One flaw in American Junior development is the emphasis on singles ranking only. Doubles play is considered a detriment to singles rank. What if players were ranked on singles and doubles combined. Or simply a combnation ranking?
RANDOM
Conclusion: The only revenue of sizable amount from non-revenue college sports is when an American parent writes that check to the schools.
What happens if internationals usurp collegiate basketball scholarships?
From the 1970’s until today, the number of scholarships awarded to internationals has spriraled upwards, as grants for Americans declined in response.
Within this same time period Americans among the upper tier of professional tennis has declined to the point of alarm. Obviously the two are connected.
In Division 11 Men’s College Tennis (2017) the top five combined team’s rosters housed 63 total players. Sixty-two were international.
HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
Few good Americans develop without high school tennis.
Girls high school teams and girls of limited ability are the most neglected learners and often the most receptive.
The maturing of our women’s league players, coaches, and administrators is a gold mine of help for high school girls teams. Boys too.
There are a lot of different ways to help our high school teams and coaches.
The two toughest teaching spots are developing a working one hand backhand grip for 1. the slice and 2. the advanced serve.
Next Sunday concludes the 2023 season of tennis grand slams. TV tennis (save Disney vs Spectrum ) provides many viewing possibilities. Particularly THE TENNIS CHANNEL. Here are a few observations, plus this reminder: There many LEVELS to the game ( The pros are are many levels beyond beginners. They too break through barriers one at a time.) : There is a CLASSIC METHOD of Tennis instruction . A method that is best for most people. Viariations that work are ok ( “… if a flaw works, don’t change it !”)
???????
—- “People get all caught up in the coaching and all that stuff. Its Dudes ! You’ve got to have players, and these Dudes put in the work !” Kansas State Coach, Jerome Tang.
PS–Tennis elite players seem to come in small groups. The latest and greatest ( Roger, Rafa, and the Joker ).
While Novak defies injury, et.al. , Andy Murray gets the courage award. . He was just born in the wrong group! My guess is the upcoming groups will have shorter injury free careers. Unless some changes are made.
THE LITTLE RED BOOK of GOLF
THE LITTLE GREEN BBOOK of TENNIS
REMEMBERING MR. PENICK AND COACH LEIGHTON:
What struck me immediately was the common-sense approach, yielding succinct lessons. Lessons Coach Penick describes as proven help. I doubt if anyone could make me much of a golfer. But more than golf was the realization that this man knows how to teach and coach. And he was the same kind of professional gentleman as my mentor, Mr. Jim Leighton. Coach Leighton was Harvey-in-tennis. Perhaps not as well-known, but he had the same kind of effective teaching techniques. And, as I read Coach Penick’s book, I was stunned by the similarities with Coach Leighton and the career experiences I had gathered over 50 years of teaching and coaching.
And, historically , the FAMILY METHOD produced a large portion of elite American players.
*******************
College Choices
I don’t remember the specific conversation with Damien, but it was one of fifty I’d had with basketball players. It went like this: Are you the first from your family to go to college? Often the answer was yes. You’re not going to make $100,000 playing pro ball, you understand? You can get your degree and get a good job. People are looking for athletic people with degrees. Your job is to elevate your family and its expectations one generation. Put your money in compound interest, and expect your children to go to college.
Pickleball
PICKLEBALL
Let me make sure I’ve got this right:
I’m watching Jack Sock playing Pickleball, with a full audience in my homestate of North Carolina , on the Tennis Channel ? Am I dreaming or weren’t McEnroe, Aggassi, Roddick, Michael Chang and Steffi Graff on the same channel playing the same game earlier this month ?
Misprint ? My old home town (Wilson, NC) is building a 4 million $ facility with 12 pickleball courts, plus a tournament capable viewing stadium.
Nearby Raleigh NC , the same with about 30 pickleball, 30 tennis. And PADL ball?
Good news—both facilities include a sizable number of new tennis courts too!
FLASHBACK TEN YEARS : “USTA–Buy Pickleball !”
Good News 2—The pressure from Pickleball enthusiam will build more tennis courts the next 10 years than tennis only facilities! NOTE : School facilities were built for 6 singles matches. Boy’s !. There were no girls teams. Admnistrators, school boards, athletic directors—build a minimum battery of eight courts. Line them for pickleball too. Teach pickleball the first half of the semester, tennis the second.
HINT,HINT–The two games are not mutually exclusive.
Bad news for USTA tennis leagues. The audience on TV ,reflected almost totally “Senior” fandom. A considerable % of your base.
PIGGY BACK
Every time I look there is pickleball. New courts, exhibition courts , dual use lines, etc.
Among those benefitted—Tennis !
My guess is the demand for pickleball has created more court construction than any recent variable.
Every time I look there is pickleball. New courts, exhibition courts , dual use lines, etc.
Among those benefitted—Tennis !
My guess is the demand for pickleball has created more court construction than any recent variable.
Pickleball could be an obvious first choice as the best lead-up game for our junior tennis programs. The mass of people are unaware of our current programs to address junior participation. Awareness of pickleball popularity grows daily.
* Unfortunately pickleball also adapted a scoring system much like badminton. And, while this idea can be applied to colleges, I would go ahead and grant a degree to any college student who can master the scoring.
Fun is the HOOK. ***Don’t some Pilot programs merit a try? This is bigger than tennis or pickleball. Obesity, health, video games, mental health, and again–fun. Rather than fight the “tsunami” and be overrun, why not ride the wave? USTA AND PICKLEBALL leaders should join forces. The Outcome? In the long run what are the possibilities? 1. Both games will benefit 2. Each will have their own people. 3. Both games will benefit the players. 4. Some people who would not have played either will have some fun.
SPORTS (4)
Spearing /Football
How many over matched youngsters get hurt in these games? One player said “…our coach would give OUR lives for the school!”
PRESCIENT 2 1976 James Michener wrote SPORTS IN AMERICA. He made the statement then “…I might allow my child to play football, but I wouldn’t encourage him to play.” I asked this fall on this blog, won’t this be a critical year in football history? (FOOTBALL AT THE CROSSROADS). Seems like the year proved the point…Continued head injuries, lawsuits, dementia, suicides, pretty brutal stuff.. The game is brutal. Still many love the “lions vs the Christians”.
E = 1/2 m xV squared
In the late 1960’s an orthopedic doctor, concerned about the health of his football playing sons, wrote his observations. Dr. O. Charles Olsen’s book, “The Prevention of Football Injuries”, made note of the adverse and pronounced effects of “spearing” or head gear to chest tackling. While this technique was effective and caught on quickly, the number of deaths and severe injuries rose as a rapid level never before witnessed before in football.
Dr. Olsen concluded that energy equaled one half of the mass times velocity squared. (e=1/2m x v squared). The bigger, stronger, faster players were creating a force that couldn’t withstand head gear to head gear, or head gear to knee contact.
The consolidation of schools eliminated many of the smaller players. African American footballers were added to the talent pool, along with weight programs, better diets, and better coaching, and in many instances steroids. Tremendous contact ensued.
And, while efforts have been made to control this violent hitting, football is at a crossroads.
And while college and professional football are in the crosshairs of violence, perhaps high school footballers are even more vulnerable. And here is why: the weak and small and slow are eliminated at the college level. But in many high schools small youngsters, who are very limited players, may face tremendous opponents that wouldn’t be admitted to college. These guys hitting the “canon fodder” can create catastrophe.
The question of the long term effects of head contacts have forced the questions of (1) are we dealing with concussions properly,(2) are we legally liable if we turn our backs on the problem (3) are the linemen more vulnerable than we thought and (4) can you “take the head out of football?” and on and on. These questions have been around. Perhaps no one has done more research than UNC Chapel Hill. Dr. Carl Blyth and Dr. Fred Mueller have done yeoman’s work in an attempt to protect our young players.
This effort was begun a long time ago. Dr. Mueller still pursues the data (see “National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research”).
ON INJURY 2023
I was assigned to teach a college course beginning in the fall of 1965: THE PREVENTION OF INJURIES TO ATHLETES. And once a semester through 1985. I served as a trainer to my own teams and many others for forty years, learning as I went.
There were milestones in my self education. My core discovery was Dr. Don O’Donoghue and his book on the same topic. It for decades was the Bible of Sports Medicine.
***********CONTINUED **********
When I spied ON ANY GIVEN MONDAY by Dr. James Andrews I compared some content with O’Donoghue. One of the best discoveries of an old teacher is the confirmation that what you taught holds up over time. Much of this “new” book has origins from the last century.
This new book should be read in total. I have “cherry picked” some comments and summarized some information I found interesting:
*50 % of all sports are related to overuse. 60% are preventable by common sense”.
*Youth sports injuries cost 2.5 to 3 billion dollars annually.”
*Odds of a football player making a pro roster are 6,000 to 1.”
*27% of all insurance monies for sports injuries are for cheerleading. While 57% goes for football, there are ten times as many football players.”
There is a fine line between beneficial training and that that is ultimately detrimental.”
*MYTH: No pain no gain.” Young ones don’t need to hurt big time.
*During the 26 years between1982 and2008, there have been 72 catastrophic injuries reported in cheerleading, with two deaths. Gymnastics, which incorporates many of the same tumbling passes and boasts similar numbers of participants , had a total number of nine catastrophic injuries during the same period. That is a pretty drastic difference. Clearly, something needs to be done to protect cheerleaders from increasingly common and increasingly serious injuries. Football, too, deserves a critical examination. In 2007 there were 920,000 players under the age of eighteen treated in emergency rooms for injuries.”
Dr. Andrews cites parents looking for an agent for a tennis playing child, age 6.
Portals Potholes
PORTALS AND POTHOLES
Was it Southern California that recruited twenty plus PORTAL footballers? Does that equate to that many legit freshmen who didn’t get that scholarship/ opportunity? How many times did this happen in all football programs combined? All sports? How many closed doors to the high school class of 2024?
For years football coaches have often recruited unhappy players from other teams. Or those who can legally transfer and play at a different school. The new NCAA “Portals Rule ” has jetstreamed this strategy. One of the sad side effects of “Portals ” is that high school seniors are overlooked for older and seasoned upperclass college kids.
My guess is that this avenue will adopted to American college tennis. And it will undoubtedly involve international players who can now easily move to “greener pastures.” American high school aspirants will be moved down the prospects list, or be dismissed even quicker.
Even the pros have a salary cap.
NCAA FUBAR ? Proximity ? Anyone ? Beuller?
Dream on ; College football schedule requirring no flights: Carolina, State, Duke, Wake Forest, East Carolina, Appalachain , UNC Charlotte, Western Carolina, ? Elon and UNC Pembroke for some?
COLLEGE ATHLETICS FUBAR ?
Between Portal/Nil issues and the recent Supreme Court ruling on college admission, the NCAA doesn’t know whether to punt or bunt. Nor does anyone it seems. Very few venture solutions.
The link below dares to take a shot. If nothing else it exposes the range of different opinions.
Radical ideal?–Carolina, State, Duke, Wake Forest, Appachian, and East Carolina all play each other? ps-UNC Charlotte will be ready soon. Western Carolina Univ. No flying required, football or women’s volleyball.
THE MYSTIC AND STEPHEN CURRY
How does this guy leave teams and players this good (and they ARE very good), standing around in the fourth quarter with a look of puzzlement and blame shifting on their stunned faces? Is it mystical, or fundamental basketball? Me thinks it is some of both.
TITLE IX
World Cup soccer competition began in 1930. The United States men have never won it. Soccer is more widely played world-wide than any sport. Title IX was implemented in 1970. The World Cup for women began in 1991. Our women have won twice. No other country has a “Title IX”. Sports and sociology go hand in hand.
David Epstein’s book, THE SPORT GENE, is truly informative. True research on nature vs. nurture in the development of elite athletes. I recommend it to anyone interested in sports and related research.
I buy any copy of DAYS OF GRACE by Arthur Ashe I can find. Eventually I find a young African American to give it to.
Malcom Gladwell says reading lovingly to every child is indispensable. Without this parental effort failure is imminent.
A fellow coach once suggested, “…the NCAA should be limited to 10 rules, and if they add one they have to eliminate one.”
3. Before football facemasks were required, 1 player is 3 suffered a dental injury. After facemasks rule? 1 in 3800. Good rule for eaters.
4. Football has got to change the frequency of concussions. Or lawyers will break anyone who charges to see the game.
5. Women’s and girl’s soccer must create rules and training that drastically reduce anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injuries.
Pat Conroy from MY READING LIFE: “…if anyone knows a more important profession than teaching i wish they would let me know what it is before I die.”
When annual college/university costs exceed $70,000 per year, what sense does a “liberal arts” degree make?
Every time an Incorrigible is recruited, selected, hired, etc., a good kid will be eliminated, or cut, or not given a chance. Same for coaches, administrators, owners, all the way up and down.
DRUGS
If the top (pro sports) demands usuage, the news will flow to the bottom (even children’s sports). Hopefully parents will guard their kids, but some have turned the blind eye or even encouraged the madness. Sanity is the only hope…
2019
Ask any old-timer about stipends for athletics. They’ll say, “No, they are getting a scholarship.” But how much is Johnny Football worth to Texas A&M? How about Cam Newton and Auburn. The stipend ($2000) was voted in by the NCAA. Then voted out. Would it not escalate to $20,000 soon and thus be affordable to the much discussed “Super 60” only?
Ask Campbell University’s coaches, who just “came in from the cold!” They were in a league with teams in 11 different states! How is that a reasonable conference? Maybe it’s just me, but I loved the “southerness” of the Southern Conference. No need to fly anywhere. Believe me, with no TV revenue, and travel out the wazoo, these programs and people take big blows.
3. Vans, buses, and planes with loads of college kids are dangerous enough. Add severe weather often experienced due north, to inexperienced, or young, or ambitious coaches and players, and a recipe for tragedy looms.
Daniil Medvedev played Chris Eubanks in the Wimbledon July tournament I had a deja vu moment watching the match on TV (see excerpt below from THE LITTLE GREEN BOOK of Tennis.) I remembered watching Henry Logan, our league’s first black basketball player ( 1965 ). Henry scored 60 points, 42 in the second half. At 5′ 10″ tall he dunked nine shots.
With due respect, Medvedev had the same look on his face as we did watching Henry. (” Where the hell did this guy come from? And what the hell do I do with this level of serve and volley play ?)
As he received serve from near the back stands. To , stunningly no avail.
I found myself blurting out for him to move in on the return. Mid- set in the fourth , Medvedev moved up! The end of the match looked much like the college match in 1999.
Now here is the Hackalooski—In the US OPEN Finals, the match played at an unbelievable level and equal score, a pattern emerged. Serving from the deuce court at the wide forehand corner, with Medvedev receiving way back, the Joker ran off serve and volley points at will. Pretty soon John McEnroe joined my advice. John’s advice built on a career as one of the all time best serve and volley players, serving and receiving. Me having watched the small college match mentioned below. Often crucial points, this “ace in the hole” cracked the match.
I’ve got to ask—Why didn’t you at least try moving in on the return, Daniil ?
Passing Shots
Dominic Moerstedt played on my first Elon team. A fine player, Moerstedt had grown up in a German academy that had also housed Boris Becker and Steffi Graff. Extremely talented, Moerstedt liked to try “big bombs” for passing shots, hit from way back at the fence. I told him about an earlier player, passing on the rise, moving in on service returns, etc. Still “boom—from way back.” The first match my team played without me there (25 years’ perfect attendance!) came Dominic’s senior year. My wife had to have a surgical procedure (kidney stones—ouch!), and I sent Dr. Alan White as an able substitute coach. He still brags about his tennis coaching. We both were lucky. After the first day of the tournament, my number one player jumped into an indoor pickup soccer game in our gym. Pop! Leg injury. No number one for the finals. I returned to a hobbled team plus another problem. Dominic was playing Alex Evans, an excellent Australian player from my old school Atlantic Christian. Evans “owned” Moerstedt. In several previous matches Moerstedt had never gotten more than two games a set off the talented serve and volleyer Evans. This match was for the tournament. My advice to Dominic went like this: “Dominic, we’ve tried it your way to no avail. Please at least move in aggressively on your service return and passing shots.” We had practiced this a lot recently, in all fairness, and Dominic had the kind of talent to pull it off. It shocked everyone—Evans, Moerstedt, our team members and me: 6–2, 6–2, Moerstedt, and Elon was Conference Champs. What really surprised me is why the strategy worked. By hitting the passing shots quicker I’d hoped that Dominic could make Evans volley from an unstable, unusual position. What actually happened is that Alex tried to get in quicker and it disrupted his ordinarily dependable serve. Confused by a different rhythm, he lost a lot of confidence.
Next Sunday concludes the 2023 season of tennis grand slams. TV tennis (save Disney vs Spectrum ) provides many viewing possibilities. Particularly THE TENNIS CHANNEL. Here are a few observations, plus this reminder: There many LEVELS to the game ( The pros are are many levels beyond beginners. They too break through barriers one at a time.) : There is a CLASSIC METHOD of Tennis instruction . A method that is best for most people. Viariations that work are ok ( “… if a flaw works, don’t change it !”)
GOOD NEWS
All kinds of improved play on the home front. Men and Women.
Vindication of College Tennis as a valid developmental pathway .
Tremendous high levels of African/American play by many.
There were so many comments like “… for the first time since—–” , it was almost routine. Not quite.
There were 25 plus players in the men and women’s singles draws that were involved, at some point, college players. The same was true of the 2023 French Open and Wimbledon. Many Americans, but also many internationals. Humans attain maximum physical ability at about 27 years of age. Think football and “red-shirting” for the worth of an extra year (one year ! ) of growth.
GIANT STEPS!
: CoCo ROCKS ! Semi finalistsMadison, Ben –Big Foe in quarters. Sloane Stephens, Chris Eubanks, Michael Mmoh, On Arthur’s court ! Yeah Serena, Venus and Richard Williams and to the black families that paid a big price in a difficult arena. And yet– how many atypical superstars could have made the leap with a college scholarship awarded to an international?
P.S. The ACADEMY pathway may well be best for early blooming world class players. Academy programs house them, feed them. and hopefully provide education , and teach them tennis. Actually good colleges do the same thing–and maybe more wisely at a more mature age..
Why not empasize high school tennis as it is the only place an average kid can get inexpensive, invaluable , match play experience? Can’t we find good coaches for our kids?
Technology in coaching! Heard of SWING/VISION?
TROUBLE
Medvedev d. Rublev 6/4, 6/3, 6/4. 29 games. Had they played the max or 5 sets of 7/6 (12 games times 5 =60 games—– plus 5 seven point tiebreakers. At a minimum, that would be 65 games. If Russians could survive that we do need to fear them!
HEAD, HEAT, HEART–the real dangers in sports. US OPEN casts spotlight on hotter weather!
Heat illnesses vary in danger. HEAT CRAMPS ( SYMPTOMS ARE OBVIOUS ), HEAT EXHAUSTION (SWEATTY, PALE SKIN , SICK AND WEAK ), HEAT STROKE ( HOT, RED, DRY SKIN AND POTENTIAL KILLER ).
The weather dictates change (s). Shorter formats, longer breaks, air condtioned venues, etc, “Tme for a cool change.” Spectators are avoiding 95degrees on aluminum bleachers. SAW = SALT (ELECTROLYTES ), ACCLIMITIZATION, AND WATER. PS –Ice is the best tool you have.
Lots of tools to fight heat problems. Learn them , have them , use them.
*Parity dictates change too. There are few pushover matches now, Intense points cause injury. Fatique, back to back 7/6 in the fifth, demand study. Tennis has to protect the health of it’s product. Chris Evert won 90 plus tour matches in a row on clay courts. Rarely did she have to play a deuce set until the semis.
“THINGS HAVE CHANGED “( B. DYLAN )
HACKALOOSKIS, POSSIBILES, AND QUESTIONS .
A HACKALOOSKI IS A BAD PLAYER TELLING A GOOD PLAYER HOW TO PLAY.
I asked Coach Roland Thornqvist , University of Florida’s Women’s Tennis, what he emphasized ? ” Hit it hard and run fast!”
I found magic in coaching college players to know how to play when ahead. Special moments are points 30-0 and 40-15. Up a service break ?—get a second break. I watched even Roger Federrer thinking he could benefit from that advice . ( The ultimate hackalooski ).
How to beat Serena ? Serena with a drop shot! How to beat Serena with a dropshot ? Serena with a drop shot and solid defensive technique against a dropshot.
THE TALENT CODE by Daniel Coyle says myelin is the answer. Or “deep practice” ( 10,000 hours ), plus ‘Ignition ” or the HSE (“holy shit effect “) when one committs to an arena. And find a good coach.
An example : There are 4, not 2, corners on your side of the net. The resurrection of the dropshot has pointed out the two corners up at the net! However, many don’t like to practice developing the different footwork, shots , defense against the drop shot, and volleying that crosscourt “dink” that most good players have perfected as the best choice responding. You have to establish myelin or motor memory, or entrenched synapses to master these different ploys.
You can’t drop shot on a hard court? Tell Carlito. You can’t lob a pro ? Here again another old ability, the topspin lob, is proven that “wrongy, dongy”. Hint: Refer back to practicing all these shots.
Again–levels of play : While even at a high level, crosscourt is the tactic of choice, As is the admonition “Don’t change the line of the ball ” ( or “don’t change from crosscourt to down the line “.) At least not until you are sure you can make the shot. Hit one more dependable crosscourt until then.
The problem with this advice at the top levels is you have to be able to hit these shots. And they can. Nine of 10 players are right handed. This demands concentrated crosscourt practice. Again the modern pro often defends 2/3 of the court with the forehand. It is common now that in certain situations pros will move to the exteme backhand corner , not only returning the crosscourt shot with a forehand–but creating a new and more exteme angle and a new winner.
Even great players have weaknesses. This year a rehabilitated Zverev looks like he corrected his 2nd serve dilema. I’m not sure about Sabalenka. The weakest link in tennis is the second serve. Teach a reliable second serve first. Hell is sitting blind folded and hearing the sound of a second serve hitting the net.
Hackalooski #2 —Tommy Paul ! Perfect the offensive and defensive intracacies of the drop shot and the topspin lob . P. S. North Carolina loves you.
Chris Eubanks Questions: I spent a lot of the early spring watching you with interest. Eariy on, your backhand looked suspect. Then I watched with amazement the shift to a great one hand top spin bomb. How did that happen so fast? Between you and me , when Medvedev finally moved up on the service return, did that cause you problems with the return volley? Or did that rush you on the serve?
You are capable of restoring the serve and volley as a big time advantage. Work on the time and technique between the serve and the first volley. ” Balance is the clue to good tennis and footwork is the clue to good balance.” ( Welby Van Horn ). *
This was Hackalooski #3. And p.s. we love you too, Chris!
2022 offered some silver linings in the American efforts in elite player development. 2023 ( French Open starts the rock throwing again : No Americans in the running! )
Forgive the pilvering: I can’t find the true author of a recent attempt to identify American shortcomings and causes in player development. Several systemic flaws listed are capsuled : Inadequate care of player’s injuries—lack of parental involvement—motivation and mental toughness—lower birthrate—lots of other attractive sports.
The first and main problem listed is described this way:
“… if you don’t start out with a trust fund, you’re stuck, especially for a sport like tennis that requires years of youth investment. This is a major, fatal disadvantage for American tennis. In Europe, South America and lately in Asia, kids from all social classes have a shot at a tennis career. If they show sufficient talent and motivation, there are numerous community organizations, government programs and general social assistance systems to help build up their careers, in part because these other societies strongly support investment in their youth. “
My inclination is to cite #1 as the core flaw to be dealt with.
“After all is said and done, more is said than done~” a.k.a. –What can we do?
Here are two starting suggestions:
Reserve a large portion (50 % ? ) of college tennis scholarship aid for Americans.
2. Support Hgh School boys and girls varsity teams.
High School teams are one place that participation is relatively inexpensive,
The coach is the key.
Team play adds a whole new element to the process. And teammates share the pressure.
A tremendous wealth of knowledgable people could help the coaches. players, teams, and parents.
This is not going to be easy. Money, Time, and effort are “musts”.
There have been a couple of documentaries lately about LITTLE RICHARD. He was a leader in the Rock and Roll “Boom” in the mid to late 50’s . Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, LaVern Baker, Marvin Gaye. Many other “greats”. I think Little Richard was the first to claim he was The King of Rock and Roll, but others entered the show by wearing a king’s crown and dancing down the aisle once the red carpet was laid down for this “king”.
About ten years later (1968 )there was another BOOM—-“Open Tennis ! The professionals could now enter the tournaments. The timing could not have been better. One reason was television. Tennis fit the screen perfectly. The Australians led the way, Borg and the Swedes, Spaniards. Connors, McEnroe, Sampras, Agassi, Evert, Austin’. Tons of Americans fueled the craze, Craze ? Boom? You Bet!
And it wasn’t just the players . A whole new market developed. Sure enough everyone needed some lessons and a green Yonex. When the USTA hosted a coaches clinic along with the USOPEN, would be “Kings of Tennis Teaching” cropped up from everywhere with “the way, the truth and the light ! From Elmer Gantry to Dennis Van Der Meer. Spreading like Kudzu or Pickleball.
So—1968 until 2023 —Who is the King ( or Queen ) of Tennis Coaching/Teaching ?
Good News: By and large the boom created an intense ,competitive, effort to learn, to earn, to win.
One high school coach proclaimed “…I can earn more teaching tennis in the summer than painting the classrooms or teaching Driver’s Ed”.
The surge of interest caught the attention of science, particularly sports
oriented scientists. Diet, psychology, —-all of a sudden winners thanked “my team “
Technology is about to radically improve the game.
Still there is BAD NEWS.
Where did you go Joe Dimaggio?
French Open 2023 (last week) ROUND OF 16 WOMEN- American Women ? One —CoCo.
American Men ? zip, zero , nada.
With the exceptions of Venus and Serena there has been no USA in “winning “ for decades.
As the old saying goes “… if we so smart, why ain’t we rich? “
Where did we go wrong? What can be done about it? What can I do about it ?
Last year several American men gave us a glimmer of hope. Tommy Paul, Francis Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz , Sebastian Korda provided impressive “shining moments”. Their training included the THE ACADEMY method of living, lodging, and practicing with master teachers. The latest French Open Draws had 11 men and 6 women in singles who played some college tennis. The COLLEGE method is strikingly like an academy that houses, feeds, finances, with professional coaches and hopefully education too boot. Even one season of college play affords an often needed extra year to develop one’s game. Think “redshirting”.
John Isner Is a North Carolina product of the FAMILY METHOD. John stayed at home, played high school, then college team tennis. Scholarshipped to the University of Georgia, John is quick to credit those 4 years as gateway to our finest player’s success.
And, historically , the FAMILY METHOD produced a large portion of elite American players.
There is no limit on the number of internationals playing college tennis.
And the number of and percentage of internationals awarded scholarships is staggering. We have paid for their training, while abandoning our own. And quite often at tax-payer’s expense. Many of these go from college play to the pro circuit.
My guess is that some form of this conversation has repeated itself between internationals: Player 1—“My country would not scholarship non-citizens like America!” Player 2. “Mine either. Can you believe how they simply gave college tennis to us?”
What should we do? One suggestion is to reserve at least half of our scholarship money for our kids.
Player development is expensive. Profitable playing careers are truly rare. Scholarship aid is the only reasonable way to recoup expense.
What can I do?
Having quit a job that I wasn’t suited for, I was advised to “ Do what you can do!”
I payed on every team that would give me a uniform. Little league, high school, two varsity college teams. Coached basketball and 40 years of small college tennis.
Along the way there were tons of hours on the court. And most with fine college players. Yet camps, recreation classes , club pro and public tennis, yielded a laboratory for all levels of players.
A lifelong North Carolinian, retired at the beach, The “what can I do “question was answered by —-HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS.
I believe in TEAMS. Team play. Sacrifice for my mates. Playing for my school.
I know that the coaches need help that we can give. Some schools can’t find anyone to coach teams. THE ARE MORE GIRLS PLAYING HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS THAN BOYS—yet finding girls teams a good coach is particularly tough. “The route to the most improvement is through coaching the coaches”.
I dream we will scholarship our kids first.
I suspect scholarships are the best bet to motivate our people to invest what is needed to
The Little Green Book of Tennis 