What happens in matches, and what the numbers say can be very different.” – Andy Murray. Big data using quantitative and qualitative analysis to uncover tennis play patterns has become a big deal in the tennis world. Can these analytics really help us to develop and use better tactics and strategies? Of course we can…
One of the biggest reasons your kid may not be improving is that his or her practice is not optimal. There can be a lot of reasons why a player’s practice is not working to provide the necessary stimulus needed to develop quickly and efficiently. In this article, I will discuss five common reasons that…
The return of serve is arguably the second most important shot in tennis, after the serve, yet it is probably the most under practiced, underappreciated, and undervalued shot in the game. In my annual program at my academy, players can train 25 hours per week with me, and I’ve structured the day so that…
There is no doubt that navigating the junior journey in tennis is one of the most complicated tasks for any parent and coach to understand. Obviously doing what is best for the player is the top consideration however we need to also understand that various ages and stages allow for a slightly different focus from…
There are some tennis memories that are burned in my mind and they will never leave me. One for example, is watching a Bjorn Borg – John McEnroe Wimbledon final, one is saving up to buy my first second hand Donnay Borg Pro racquet. Another is the day that I learned that I was focusing…
Open any tennis book, and 90 percent of online technical videos, and you will find some amazing information on swing lines, impact points and grips. Much like Harry Potter can’t cast a spell without his wand we are obsessed with the role of the racket and shape of the stroke. It’s logical that when…
It’s an implied truth in coaching, and an inferred truth by many parents, that a coach with great students must be a great coach. I admit that I use the marketing tactic of, “Who I coach and have coached”, because it is a powerful sell, but here’s a dirty little secret: “Great player results…
Three years ago, right before my annual High School Coaches Clinic I sat on the couch at my club and listened to Nick Bollettieri as he told me the first thing he does with a new student: “I say nothing. I just listen and observe.” I’ve followed this principle with new students my entire…
Throughout my professional career, I have been fortunate enough to have worked closely with a variety of parents and junior tennis players who have been able to make tennis their profession. Furthermore, I have helped many players achieve academic success through scholarships by ushering them into the next level of their developmental play on…
Tennis is such a globalized sport which means many things for a growing tennis player. It might mean traveling away from home at a young age, living abroad or meeting new people weekly at tournaments, and therefore the most essential skill is that of being able to adjust constantly. Learning to accept being uncomfortable…