I see so many talented players play like pros on the practice courts and fall apart during matches. It doesn't matter what level of play, I find the transition from practice to match player sometimes is the toughest hurdle to overcome. For example, a player once had a double fault and a toss issue. So,…
The New York metro tennis community has some of the sport’s best facilities, both indoor and outdoor, and best coaches in the world. With this wealth of talent available right in our own backyard, New York Tennis Magazine recently took the opportunity to pick the brains of some of these top coaches. What you will…
I grew up playing tennis in the early 1970s where everyone played with wooden racquets and the majority of good players played with a Continental Grip. I was taught the Continental Grip for every stroke, including the forehand. World class champions who that use the Continental Grip include Ilie Nastase, John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Stefan…
Denise Starr and Robert Levine, two elite players who reside in the New York City area, spent this past summer training at Gotham Tennis Academy/Stadium Tennis Center. While their opinions are unique, their perspectives are universal. Recently, they fielded questions from campers, as well as from parents of aspiring young players. Denise Starr is a…
Athletes generally perform at their best when they are playing with confidence. Tennis is no exception. Players with confidence believe they will succeed, while those lacking confidence don't, causing their shots, decision-making and overall game to suffer. Anyone can go through rough stretches on the court where confidence is in short supply. So how do…
In the July/August 2014 issue of Long Island Tennis Magazine, I published “The Pink Elephant on the Court.” Since it appeared in the pages of this magazine, I have received an overflow of comments from kids who said “OMG, how did you know what I was thinking? This is exactly what I want to tell…
A long battle of short battles Out of all the sports out there, tennis has one of the most complicated scoring systems. We have games counted as 1, 2, 3, etc., and we have points counted as 15, 30, 40. Every game can end with a very frequent "deuce" and "advantage" and deuce and advantage…
I believe Roger Federer will go down as so much more than a great tennis player. He was a transitional player in many aspects. Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi handed him the torch to improve upon the state of the game. Up to that point, the pro Tour was dominated by Americans. Federer and his…
So the U.S. Open is wrapping up in Flushing Meadows, and if you are reading this, it is a safe bet that you love tennis and you are conflicted as to whether you are going out tonight or staying in and watching the matches on TV. Do you have tickets? Then off to Flushing Meadows…
As a tennis instructor, I see myself, first and foremost, as an educator. Since the vast majority of my students are junior players, I have a role in their life which is bigger than just showing them how to hit the ball or telling them how to move their feet. When I was a kid,…