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March 2010
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  • Bolt beats Messi, Federer to top award - TVNZ
    Telegraph.co.ukBolt beats Messi, Federer to top awardTVNZWilliams won the sportswoman of the year award after reclaiming top sport in the world tennis rankings as well as winning Wimbledon and the Australian Open. ...Bolt retains Laureus Sportsman awardCNN InternationalBolt, Williams win Sportsman, Sportswoman awards for 2009AFPJamaica's Bolt, Serena Wi […]
  • Pali Tennis Fifth at California Classic - Palisadian-Post
    Pali Tennis Fifth at California ClassicPalisadian-Post... had gone Palisades' way the Dolphins might have returned home from last weekend's California Classic Tennis Tournament with the first-place trophy. ...and more » […]
  • Davis Cup in World of Trouble - FanHouse
    The Nation, PakistanDavis Cup in World of TroubleFanHouseThe International Tennis Federation, which oversees the Davis Cup, is in a feud with the top players, and it's not going to end well for the ITF. ...Tennis NZ await Davis Cup decisionStuff.co.nzOfficials demand NZ play in PakistanSydney Morning HeraldSaeed Hai wants fairplay from ITFAssociated Pre […]
  • The Laureus awards and Brett Favre - Universal Sports (blog)
    Stuff.co.nzThe Laureus awards and Brett FavreUniversal Sports (blog)Tennis star Kim Clijsters, the 2009 US Open winner after taking two years off and becoming a mom, winner Wednesday of the 2009 Laureus comeback award, ...Grand Slam Queen Serena Williams Wins Record Third Laureus World Sports AwardAround the Rings (subscription)Monica Seles recalls pain of b […]
  • BNP Paribas Open Sponsors Tennis Ball Recycling Program - MarketWatch (press release)
    Yahoo! EurosportBNP Paribas Open Sponsors Tennis Ball Recycling ProgramMarketWatch (press release)BNP Paribas is encouraging tennis players everywhere to bring their old tennis balls to the BNP Paribas Open and recycle them to keep old balls out of ...Larry Ellison a hero for Indian Wells tennisLos Angeles TimesLarry Ellison's Other Sporting Passion: Te […]
  • Blake remains interesting case study in tennis expectations - SI.com
    Blake remains interesting case study in tennis expectationsSI.comRegarding Wednesday's question about famous parent-child tennis tandems, how could you forget Vera and Helena Sukova? Both Grand Slam singles finalists and ...and more » […]
  • Questions surround Newton North tennis courts - Boston Globe
    Questions surround Newton North tennis courtsBoston GlobeNewton Mayor Setti Warren said his office has not been able to solve the mystery of why the Newton North tennis courts ...Who moved the Newton North tennis courts?Wicked Local (blog)Who moved Newton North?Newton TABNewton North moved closer to abutters without public processNewton TABNewton TABall 5 ne […]
  • Is Elena Dementieva's window closing? - ESPN (blog)
    Jakarta GlobeIs Elena Dementieva's window closing?ESPN (blog)We all know that without the Williams sisters, the women's draw at the BNP Paribas Open is wide open. Kim Clijsters and Justine ...Weekly net post: Tennis serves up its March madnessUSA TodayTennis, Economic, or Player Recession?Sports CentralClijsters balancing work and family life prett […]
  • Deep pockets, field at Indian Wells tourney - San Diego Union Tribune
    Globe and MailDeep pockets, field at Indian Wells tourneySan Diego Union TribuneINDIAN WELLS — In an atmosphere of affluence that would seem to fit tennis, perhaps the most patrician of ...Henin ready at Indian WellsGlobe and MailRafael Nadal feeling strong going into Indian Wellslive-tennis.comIndian Wells: Rafael Nadal's foot soldiers vs. Roger Federe […]
  • Women's tennis hit by sponsor's strategy change - Wall Street Journal
    Reuters South AfricaWomen's tennis hit by sponsor's strategy changeWall Street Journal... in strategy was behind a decision to drop its title sponsorship of the WTA Tour as part of a new, reduced deal with the Women's Tennis Assocation. ...Return stroke: Sony Ericsson dealFinancial Timesall 98 news articles » […]

Little Known Ways To Stay Cool While Playing Tennis

Wednesday, March 10, 2010
posted by Tennis-Anyone 12:49 PM

In this post were going to give some little known ways to stay cool while playing tennis.  In the summer time if you play tennis outside you know the importance of keeping cool.  Here are a couple of suggestions that you can use.

  • Wearing clothing that’s made with fabric that will help  absorb the moisture that your body puts out.  Every player in the sun is destined to sweat.  Getting clothes that can help  take this sweat away will help keep the body cool.  A example would be a mens tennis shirt.   Today  these shirts are made with moisture-wicking microfiber that will take the sweat of your body and absorb it in the fiber of the shirt.
  • Head bands are a great way to keep the sweat out of your eyes.  Also you can get special headbands that you can put dip in cool water before putting the headband on to keep your head cooler.  This method is important because if the head overheats then its very hard to concentrate on playing tennis.
  • Choosing clothing that is lighter in color helps keep the sun away.  Wearing white t-shirts and white shorts can help protect against the suns full force.  If you were to wear the color black this will draw more of the suns rays towards you.  Darker colors are like magnets for the sun.

The Secrets of the Wilson K Factor Racquet

Tuesday, March 9, 2010
posted by Tennis-Anyone 12:50 PM

The Secrets of the Wilson K Factor Raquet has to do with the design and function of this popular type of tennis raquet.  Back when Wilson started making tennis raquets they were made with oak, ash and maple because of the stiffness that these woods would allow to form a raquet like structure.  In the 1980’s Wilson came out with the Hammer which was designed with graphite to allow the raquet to be lighter and easier to use for any type of player.

Fast forward to today and Wilson has upgraded to whats called the k factor.  These Wilson Tennis Racquets are made with titanium and graphite like materials to replace the hammer models.  The easy handling plus the durability makes this raquet above all the rest.  Since its light weight the ability to move with ease is the secret of why this Wilson racquet is great.  Having a strong structure that is light weight so you can react is what any great tennis player needs.  I am sure past players using the wood tennis racquets would be have loved to have the K factor racquets.

So Wilson went from making tennis racquets with wood to upgrading to graphite and now using new technology are making tennis racquets with titanium and graphite.  Tennis racquets just like everything in life gets better with time as new ways of making stuff comes out.

How To Play Tennis, Self-Analysis

Tuesday, March 9, 2010
posted by Rdgventure 11:39 AM

I think that in order to improve your tennis game, you must be able to accept criticism not only from your peers, but from yourself, as well.  Tennis professionals games are analyzed every time they step out on the court.  There are even some tennis players who keep notes while they are playing their match.  During a changeover, they will check their personal notes to see if they are executing their shots in a positive manner.

Recreational tennis players should try to learn how to analyze their tennis game after they play their match.  You will learn how to play tennis more efficiently if you are able to learn from your mistakes.  You should start your mental analysis at least one hour after you play.  Self-analysis should include your outlook before you started playing and consider how that might have affected your play.

You should devise a self-rating system for yourself.  If you are able to analyze your own matches, you will be that much further along to success on how to play tennis.

Tennis Equipment for the Serious Tennis Player

Monday, March 8, 2010
posted by Rdgventure 1:42 PM

It is that time of year for tennis players to start thinking about summer league tennis.  March is usually the month when tennis players start getting ready for summer league tennis season, even though indoor season is still going strong.  As much as I enjoy playing indoors, I really enjoy playing outdoor tennis, more.

In order to play outdoor tennis, you should equip yourself with the best tennis equipment available.  If you are a serious tennis player or a tennis coach, you  may want to look into buying some tennis equipment like the Gamma EZ Travel Cart.

One of the things that I like about the EZ Travel Cart is that it is designed for the serious tennis player.  A serious tennis player is a player who is willing to invest their time, money and interest in their sport.

A serious tennis player will not complain about the amount of time that you have to put in to develop a good tennis game.  A serious tennis player will invest some of their money into buying tennis equipment that will benefit themselves and their friends.

A serious tennis player will prove that they are interested in the sport by keeping up with tennis by actively participating and enjoying the game of tennis.

Princes T10 Tennis Shoe for Men

Saturday, March 6, 2010
posted by Tennis-Anyone 1:32 PM

For men that like to look good on the court the first thing that stands out about the Men’s Prince T10 tennis shoe is the look and design of it.  The black and white plus a little gray color coordination is done very well.  The main purpose of a tennis shoe is to feel comfortable so that you can move around easy, but just on the look of these prince mens tennis shoes I would wear even if they felt uncomfortable because they look cool.  Actually when they designed this particular tennis shoe Prince made it for players who have narrow or medium sized feet so that the shoe would be more durable in places that those particular feet styles get the most wear and tear.

The moisture-wicking fabric that was installed in the T10 is key for players who sweat in the foot area. Trying to play with sweaty feet after a while can get on any players nerves.  The 4foot Wrap was designed in the shoe to help tennis players foot stability so that you can cut quick when trying to get those harder shots. On the Prince T10 shoe description that the company came out with for this shoe explained that the 4foot wrap makes the shoe feel like a glove like substance on your feet.  This particular feature is important for Tennis players who play at a high level because the ball is coming back to you faster and you must react quick  to return the shot. The prince men’s tennis shoes that are on the market this one stands out to me because of the design, but also does the job of keeping your feet durable and stable while playing.  Those 2 concepts are what you want in a good tennis shoe.

What To Keep In Mind When Wearing Tennis Hats

Friday, March 5, 2010
posted by Tennis-Anyone 1:02 PM

Choosing a hat to wear when playing tennis you must keep a few things in mind.  The most important thing to look at when choosing a tennis hat is how protective that hat will be against the sun.  That’s the main reason for wearing a tennis hat is so the sun does not distract you and your ability to see the ball. You can wear the more traditional style of tennis hats or many  players like to sport a visor that acts in the same way as traditional hat.  I personally enjoy wearing a visor because it looks more sporty and your head can release the heat that you create from playing sports. Some tennis hats offer more then just being able to block the sun from your eyes.  Many of them have material that will absorb the sweat you create from playing.  That way the sweat will not get into your eyes and you do not have to wipe your eyes to remove the sweat that most players create when playing tennis.

Now depending on where you play tennis the way you dress says something about you and your tennis game.  If you play at a tennis club where there are lots of people you always want to keep in mind that your tennis outfit should color coordinate from your shoes all the way to your tennis hat.  If your in a business where you use tennis to entertain clients you want to give a good impression about you and your company.   Having good tennis fashion can do a lot for your actual tennis game plus when the visibility is high the way you dress says something about you the person.  Choosing a good tennis hat that fits your outfit is very important when wanting to make a good impression.

Tennis Video Instruction

Thursday, March 4, 2010
posted by Rdgventure 12:02 PM

There are tons of people that are wanting to learn how to play tennis but just do not know where to start. If you are like me, you are just trying to copy people that you see playing, but it is a lot harder that it looks.

I am going to tell you how you can learn how to play tennis without spending tons of money on a trainer, learn the correct way to play tennis from the beginning, and best of all, learn how to play tennis quickly without the frustration just about all beginners go through.

There are tons of methods and programs available that you can use that is designed to teach you how to play tennis. You have the option of trying to learn how to play tennis on your own with no guidance, learning by a personal trainer, or learning with a video guide designed just for the beginner.

The first option of learning on your own is just out of the question if you are really wanting to learn how to play tennis. You will not be able to learn the strokes the right way so that you will be able to become an advanced player down the road. Take it from experience. You will not be able to achieve any success if you try to learn how to play tennis on your own without any kind of instruction from a professional.

The second options is great if you have the money for it. Hiring a personal trainer for tennis lessons can get to be really expensive especially if you plan on learning everything the correct way. I would love to have a personal trainer teach me how to play tennis, but I just don’t have that kind of money.

The third option, using a step-by-step online video instruction guide seems to me to be the best option of the three available. You are able to watch the videos and take them to the court for practice on your time and at your own pace. You just need to make sure that the program you choose offers a true system to get you started playing tennis as a beginner and a program that will teach you the correct way.

There are many programs on the Internet that claim that you will learn how to play tennis with their program, but most of the stuff online are just articles that describe all of the strokes to you and how you should execute them. What good is that going to do you if you don’t have the videos to actually show you how to do these things?

If you are serious and want to learn how to play tennis, I highly recommend getting a program that will teach you step-by-step from day one how to play the right way. It also needs to be a complete guide that will not leave you in the dark and leave you frustrated.

Kids Tennis Racquets, Choose the Right Size

Wednesday, March 3, 2010
posted by Rdgventure 12:02 PM

The tennis club that I belong to, Evergreen Racquet and Fitness, located in Evergreen Park, Illinois has a Quickstart Tennis program for kids under the age of ten, which is sponsored by the Love To Serve Tennis and Education Foundation.  The mission of Love To Serve is to provide an affordable tennis program and academic enrichment to urban youth of all racial and socio-economic backgrounds in the greater Chicagoland area.

Love To Serve was founded by its Chairman and CEO, L. Lamont Bryant, a tennis professional and former school teacher.  The goal of Mr. Bryant’s organization is to keep impressionable inner city youth off the streets.  In light of all the cuts in school funding around the country, organizations like Love To Serve continue to put tennis on the forefront.

If you enroll your child into a tennis program; supply them with the right equipment.  The tennis racquets for kids are different than the tennis racquets for adults.  For a child under the age of 8, the racquet should be 19″, 21″, or 23″ and for 10 and under, the racquet should be 23″ or 25″.

Enrolling your child into a tennis program will greatly enhance their physical and mental outlook.  Tennis is truly a game for life.

How To Play Tennis, A Few Helpful Tips

Tuesday, March 2, 2010
posted by Rdgventure 8:00 AM

One of my teammates on my team recently sent me and my fellow teammates some very good advice on how to stay focus.  These tips will provide you with the tools that you need to have in order to learn how to play tennis.

Fearless Tennis Top 15 Tips

1.         Place results on the shelf and focus on the joy of competing

2.         Focus on playing one point/one shot at a time.

3.         Train yourself to be present by using relaxed breathing.

4.         Use pre-shot routines before serving and receiving.

5.         Use your eyes like a camera, fluctuating from a close up when you are playing a point to wide angle and noticing nature to relax under pressure.

6.         Act like you belong.

7.         Use a windshield wiper in your mind to clear away the distractions

8.         Make a commitment to go for your shots when playing tentatively.

9.         Remember that momentum swings are only a thought in the mind.

10.       Don’t worry about the score and focus on the ball, strategy and breath.

11.       Play for fun and seek your potential, avoid protecting your self image.

12.       Separate who you are from hitting the ball, be grateful for every moment.

13.       Visualize where you are serving and stay present when closing out a lead.

14.       When playing poorly, step back, smile, and decide to let it go.

15.       Train yourself to stay in the present off the court, taste your food, feel water   on your body while showering, and become aware of your negative thoughts             as often as possible.  

Tennis Training for Better Health

Monday, March 1, 2010
posted by Rdgventure 11:50 AM

There are very few sports that give you the type of physical and mental exercise that will help you become physically and mentally sharp.  This article written by Emily J. Pierce is the reason why I think that tennis training is great for your health.

Every tennis enthusiast knows that tennis is a mental game and one too many mistakes can put any player over the edge. How does this relate to fitness though? It is often said that a strong body starts with a strong mind and this is a philosophy that can carry you far, especially in the game of tennis. Once you are into the match and start feeling those muscles burn, the first thing to go is your mind and as we all know, the key to winning a match very often comes down to the strength in mind. Whether your playing for fun or for the title of Wimbledon, the goal of this article is to help you keep your body strong so that your mind can stay focused on that big game winning smash.

In an average match time on the court can vary from 30 minutes to three hours meaning you need to be prepared for any situation. Tennis is a unique sport that involves short bursts of energy as well as the endurance and strength to last the length of the match. This article is focusing on sprinting and cardiovascular training. Below are examples of some exercises to improve these areas.

Shuttle Sprints: from baseline to serving box and back, then up to the net and back. You can repeat this with either no rest or short rest. This will improve your pivoting and short distance bursts. Compete with a partner to push yourself even further. Try sets of five at first and improve each session by two sets.

Ball Retrieval: Place a number of balls across the court, sprint to each one pick it up, return it to the baseline and continue until all balls are recovered. Try timing yourself. This is a good exercise to do as a coach as well.

Figure 8: Start at one corner of the baseline and sprint to the net along the sideline. Once you reach the net, shuffle across the net until you reach the opposite sideline. Shuffle around the net going back towards the sideline you originally sprinted down. Proceed to sprint towards the baseline and shuffle across it, sprint down the other sideline and shuffle across the net as you did before toward the starting baseline. Once your reach the baseline, shuffle across it to the same corner that you started in to form a square version of a “figure 8″.

Now that you have a some base knowledge of how to get into shape, the hardest part will be to go out and work! Find a partner to work out with so you can stay motivated and don’t be afraid to start small when it comes to sprinting. Time yourself in order to track improvement as well. Do these sprints 3-4 times per week rotated with weight training sessions. Remember that the key to becoming a good player lies in the link between physical fitness and strength in mind.