Too Much for Tomic – Please Dad, Can’t You See I’m Busy

I don’t know what has been going on with Bernard Tomic and his father/(coach I guess), but obviously Ward isn’t ready for the Beave to go it on his own yet.

Actually, this is a bad analogy, because Ward and June would allow Beaver to venture out into Mayfield and make his own mistakes. Eddie Haskell was usually his only obstacle. Of course Wally would save the day, but only if necessary.

Tennis and Fitness

Dainyell Fox
Tennis Pro and Personal Trainer

Tennis is a competitive sport and on most levels we are rewarded with the social aspects as well, yet, tennis is not a substitute for a complete form of physical health and the answer to all your fitness needs, even if you are a pro – ask them.

Tennis, recreationally or otherwise, requires much more from the human body and incorporates many  more movements (great stuff) and brings into play a variety of muscle groups, joints and associated tissues, than those required of most other sports (the studies have been done).

Moose League – Play that Money Ball

Many years ago, actually about 30 years ago, a man named Moose began a tennis league, well not a league actually, but soon was to be titled such.

Before I had ever heard of or met the commissioner of the league, I was introduced to his son with Moose’s Son attached to his name as if I was supposed to know who the heck they were speaking of. They could have said Son of Elk, Born of Buffalo or Offspring of Otter and it still wouldn’t have meant a damn thing to me. If it would have been Son of Sam I would have been a little concerned.

Looking Back, I Could Have Been in the Dog House

Many years ago, my mixed tennis partner, for whom I also shared a relationship off-court, had a very strong game and we would rarely wait to find another mixed team to stir up a match.

Often we would hit against two guys and usually did well and went undefeated as an 8.5 team a few seasons later.

Blinded by the Light (Court Orientation)

Until the earth axis shifts (tilts) more than it has done at such a sloth-like pace over millions and millions of years, the most playable tennis court orientation (end-to-end) seems to be north-to-south or a variation thereof, some degrees off, depending on the latitude location of the court.

There is probably a formula for most any geographical location to provide for maximum sunlight coverage on the court throughout the day and less facing sunlight during early hours in the morning and later in the day. Of course, what a court owner or builder chooses to do is affected by slope of the land and the density and type of current foliage and that expected to mature in height over time.

Grin and Bear It

I am certain most of us know someone whom has gone through or is going through a break-up in a relationship or marriage.

And then we know those whom tend to take these troubles out on most anyone at most anytime, for whatever or no reason, for months on end. Hey, it happens to the best of us.

As a member of a country club back in the ‘90s, where we had 11 courts, with only two being clay, most members cherished the opportunity to get a reservation for the clay.

The U.S. Open, in March?

The temperature here in South Carolina is already beginning to spike somewhere in the 80’s and the water traffic on this little cove is becoming more prevalent.

If it weren’t for the threat of pollen (the interior looked like one huge tennis ball last year when I left for three days last year and intentionally left five windows open – idiot), the doors would be open 24/7.

Okay, so we haven’t quite reached the heat and humidity here that we experience in late August, a time of year when I know the U.S. Open is soon to come, but it damn well feels like it, particularly after watching the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

The True Brush Stroke Top Spin Forehand

After reading Charly Rasheed’s book, Brain Alignment: The Art of Focus in Tennis, I imagine I began analyzing the mechanics of my swing a little more as I was trying to strike the ball earlier if I could. Check out Brain Alignment: The Art of Focus In Tennis

We all see the pro’s do it and it usually requires a western or extreme (if that be the proper term) western grip and coming more so up and upward through the ball than driving the ball forward with the racket, body and arm momentum.

Water You Talkin’ About

I don’t get too excited about water/sport/drink containers, but I can sure get pissed about them. Well not really, but enough to warrant attempting a 3-pointer toward the trash can.

When I say container, I don’t down mean coolers, jugs or thermoses. I am speaking of that basic in-a-single-hand bottle that you can chug from. The one (or two) you may carry to the courts in your bag to refill with the court-side available refreshment (that spouted water cooler you hope is cleaned and replenished often), the pro shop faucet or whatever.

Brain Alignment – The Art of Focus in Tennis

A few years ago a friend and I headed over to Wild Dunes, the wonderful resort in Charleston, SC, rated as one of the top ten tennis getaways in the country for the last many years.

We were to meet some friends, take in some tennis and enjoy Charleston in February.  Although I had lived their many times before year round and the end of summer can become somewhat tiring with all the beach and tourist traffic, February is not my favorite month in Charleston. By the way, I don’t hate tourists – I feel like I have been one most of my life.

The day of check-in we stop by the tennis pro shop, meet Charly Rasheed and some of his staff, and my friend makes it sound as if she just signed us up for a group clinic in the morning. I’m thinking, “Great, we can have fun and relax tonight and not have to worry about some grueling tennis in the morning.” I was wrong.

Up(s) a Daisy (Whoops-a-Daisy)

The phrase has several meanings, for the most part very similar in origin and somewhat the same in meaning - from surprise in someone else’s err, one’s response to one’s own fault, to how to respond to a child whom just fell down.

The Brit’s coined the phrase in most any fashion and it is where the more abbreviated whoops we know today, originated.

Bad Line Calls

Before I get started on this topic I want to tell everyone that I want some feedback – some true feedback and comments.

I don’t feel that bad line calls are the number one topic of tennis play overall on the local and league level, but it almost always seems the most prominent issue (other than one’s own lack of good play) for players walking off the court after a match, win or lose (usually lose).

Cats Don't Love Tennis

Okay. I don’t dislike cats. I have had four in my adult years, but they don’t take to tennis like dogs do.

Dogs almost innately get excited about any tennis ball in their vicinity. Of course, if the tennis ball is moving, it becomes quite a bit more interesting. Dogs seem to go well with tennis balls.

One may throw another round object near their favorite Labrador Retriever and he or she may simply glance up at you as if you thought you just discovered dirt. But, if you toss a tennis ball, then it is game on.

The Tennis Channel

There are about two days out of any given year that there is not a professional tennis tournament taking place - one is my birthday, which is a day I try to forget and give thanks that I am still alive and the other is February 29^th, which only occurs, well you know, once every four years in the U.S. I have no clue what other countries and cultures do with that extra day that somehow balances out our celestial calendar.

Johnny Mac

I have no idea how many tennis fans and players either grew up watching John McEnroe play tennis or were later influenced by his type of play and court conduct.

I assume the latter is not the case unless one were to study Johnny Mac for the reasons most of us abhorred him during his prolific times on the pro tour.

I simply wish to know how many of you out there believe he is an ambassador for the sport of tennis.

Because, if you believe he is not, then let me know why and I will prove you wrong in an article to come soon.

Guga Gets In

I’m sitting here watching (replay) Copa Claro, an ATP 250 Tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina (the country reminds me of a story for another time). Ferrer is playing Almagro in the finals and is about to take him in the third.

I love watching clay matches and I’m truly in to this match, but Ferrer reminds (by name) me of Juan Carlos Ferrero and I am curious as to what he is up to. In 2003, I had the good fortune of seeing Roddick defeat him at the U.S. Open and meeting Andy in Times Square the very next day – another story for another time.

Pole Position - This Ain’t NASCAR – It’s Nassau

Once upon a long while ago, I had the good fortune of chasing some sailfish (and some tennis balls) down to the warm and clear waters in the vicinity of Nassau, Bahamas before Freeport and other destinations became the new places to go.

Good rum was only $1.50 a quart, the beaches weren’t so crowded and most vacationers there felt oh so privileged, yet this was still one of the cheapest vacations outside of the continental United States.

Four-Ball Tennis Cans

Okay, so tennis is full of much tradition, as we all know, from court attire (for the most part) to courtesies and etiquette, and obviously the rules. So what the heck is up with four-ball tennis cans?

I truly couldn’t find much history on this so I imagine these came about as a marketing ploy by one of the manufacturers; there is a collective group of players out there who cannot prevent whaling balls over the fence frequently; we have too many people playing on courts without fences (something I haven’t seen yet); or there are enough courts out there surrounded by hazards such as swamps, highway traffic, cliffs, dangerous animals, quicksand or something warranting having that one extra ball. 

Southern Section Combo Championship – Day 3

March 4

The team’s match got moved up by an hour or so.

The wind is kicking, but of course, it is blowing on both sides of the court.

Shots are getting tricky and what may be out is in, what may be in is out and what is out is wayyyyyy out.

Southern Section Combo Championships - Day 2

March 3, 2012

It’s Saturday and the team is taking on Mississippi and Tennessee at the off-site facility and the winds are no less friendly than the day before.

Well, not much to report as today was somewhat of a repeat performance of the first round as only one match was taken from the opponents in both competitions.

The day ran late and little time was given to get ready for the player’s party at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.

Southern Section Combo Championships - Day 1

March 2, 2012

It’s a pretty day, temperature is in the 70’s, but the winds are steady and then gusty at times.

We arrive at the Mobile Tennis Center which is tucked away in a complex which includes a performing arts theatre, an art museum and other community services. A pond or lake is visible from most any view.

The tennis center, with 60 courts is quiet impressive. The courts and courtside facilities are busy, yet the event seems to be well organized.

The team, a wild card entry, takes to court and they weren’t waxed by any means, but were only able to take one out of three matches from their competitors from Alabama.

Southern Section Combo Championships - Travel Log

March 1, 2012

We left for Mobile, Alabama early in the morn and the first leg to Atlanta would normally be full of monotony if I were able to ignore the five women I am riding with in a Suburban packed to capacity with tennis bags, coolers, luggage and snack baskets.  No one is going to starve or die of thirst on this trip.  We could break down in the middle of nowhere and survive for days.