Interview with famous tennis coaches and players

[Ash_Smith]

Originally Posted by ClarkC

The way you win is by thinking about details like footwork, preparation, getting to the ball early, seeing the ball come off the strings, etc., not by thinking about winning. You have to see the trees (technique, tactics), not the forest (winning or losing).

Actually, the way you win is not thinking about details at all! If you think about details during play - you're going to be in trouble!

[andfor]

Originally Posted by tennisconsultcom

There is a excerpt from Allen Fox new book “Tennis: Winning the Mental Match”."Points tend to be won and lost in streaks. This happens because the players winning them start to feel good and play better while the players losing them start to feel bad and play worse". You will read more on http://wp.me/p2iyrR-77

Great stuff. I love it. Easily the most negelcted part of the game. Playing with a purpose, controling the pace of the match, playing steady when needed and aggressive when ahead, emotion control. Many players don't even realize this is the single area of their game with the greatest upside for improvement.

[andfor]

Originally Posted by Ash_Smith

Actually, the way you win is not thinking about details at all! If you think about details during play - you're going to be in trouble!

Correct. Clark is on the right track just a little off. I'm sure he'll take offense to my comment but none is intended. I'll try to reword it for him.

The way you win is by focusing on details like effort, attitude, executing a game plan, playing each point with a purpose, emotion control, etc., not by thinking about winning. You have to see the trees/journey (strategy, tactics, effort and attitude), not the forest/finish-line (winning or losing).

The best time for thinking about technique is during practice. If a shot is off during a match or you miss a few ball with a certain shot you may want to shadow a few strokes (don't over do this) or recall a certain tip. But don't make it obvious to your opponent you are having an issue with a certain stroke.

When analyzing post match results it's easy to simply say you won good, you lost bad. That's counterproductive to continued growth, improvement and to long term enthusiasm for the game. The focus post-match and even post-practice should be measuring effort and attitude point over point, each game and set by set. Did I execute my game plan? Did I play each point with a purpose? When I lost important points when the score dictated playing consistent/a long point what happened? Did the player have an unforced error on a routine shot, hit a winner or did the opponent hit a winner or unforced error? What was the mindset before that important point started? Was controlled agression used when ahead in the game or when I was up a break. Did the player have proper emotion control during the match? Was positive emotion used at the right times after winning important points? When negative emotion was displayed was it at the right time (i.e. after a routine shot), was it calculated and was the focus then quickly reset for the next point? Did the player embrace the battle and enjoy engaging in it? Did the player display a good attitude and was he a good sport? Was confident and strong body language displayed throughout? Did I identify my opponents 2 strengths and weaknesses and how did I match my strength up to exploit his weaknesses? Was any mid-match adjustments necessary, what where they and what changes did I make? How'd that work for me? I could go on. Most importantly, what did the player learn about his game, his opponents and what can the player do in the next practice to improve in areas that were identified as deficient?

There's more detail behind some of my points but I've tried to cover the important areas. For the most part maximum effort and good attitude need to be the focus.

[tennisconsultcom]

Discussing great tennis players and upcoming US Open 2012 with a tennis coach. http://wp.me/p2iyrR-bP

"...Maria Sharapova is just one of half a dozen players who can be ranked #1 if Serena Williams doesn’t play enough tournaments. Regardless of the ranking system, if you asked ten knowledgeable people who the best woman player in the world is, at least nine will say Serena Williams..."

[Harry_Wild]

Originally Posted by tennisconsultcom

Any suggestions about a new interview? Whom from tennis coaches do you want to hear? Ask your questions for them.

Ivan Lendl would be a hoot!
Brad Glibert would be interesting!
Richard Williams if you can get him - would be unbelievable (William Sisters) Coach!

[Harry_Wild]

Originally Posted by Ash_Smith

Actually, the way you win is not thinking about details at all! If you think about details during play - you're going to be in trouble!

Agree! It just flows! Especially at the higher levels of play 5.0 and above; balls just come back too fast and at angles! Serves, returns, groundstrokes. You are running around all the time!

[coaching32yrs]

Originally Posted by Harry_Wild

Agree! It just flows! Especially at the higher levels of play 5.0 and above; balls just come back too fast and at angles! Serves, returns, groundstrokes. You are running around all the time!

Here was the conversation between 2 players with combined 50+ years play in deciding match at USTA senior sectionals, up 9-8 in super tie break.
Partner: Are you going for your big 1st serve?
Server: I dunno. Think I should.
Partner: If you're feeling it, yes. If not, no.
Server: OK

[ga tennis]

Originally Posted by Harry_Wild

Ivan Lendl would be a hoot!
Brad Glibert would be interesting!
Richard Williams if you can get him - would be unbelievable (William Sisters) Coach!

Interview Heath Waters and you will do the tennis world a big favor.

[tennisconsultcom]

Originally Posted by ga tennis

Interview Heath Waters and you will do the tennis world a big favor.

Give me your questions. I will make the interview soon.

[tennisconsultcom]

I prepare questions for an interview with Heath Waters. I need your help guys.

[tennisconsultcom]

Nick Saviano said that "... If you don’t enjoy your time on the tennis court, whether it’s in practice or in competition, you might as well kiss success good-bye..." Do you agree with that? I just posted his opinion about having fun and be successful on the court. http://wp.me/p2iyrR-c9

[ga tennis]

Originally Posted by tennisconsultcom

I prepare questions for an interview with Heath Waters. I need your help guys.

What kind of help do you need?

[Misterbill]

Originally Posted by ga tennis

What kind of help do you need?

Why do you want to ask Heath Waters that question?

[ga tennis]

I was just asking tennisconsultcom how can i help him.

[TCF]

================================================== ==

[Misterbill]

Originally Posted by ga tennis

I was just asking tennisconsultcom how can i help him.

He is asking for help in preparing questions.

[ga tennis]

Originally Posted by Misterbill

He is asking for help in preparing questions.

I see now. Ask him what it takes to develop a world class player. Ask him what would he do if he was in charge of player development for the usta. Ask him about coaching players on the WTA. Ask him about the ACE system. Ask him what makes a successful coach on every level.

[tennisconsultcom]

Originally Posted by ga tennis

I see now. Ask him what it takes to develop a world class player. Ask him what would he do if he was in charge of player development for the usta. Ask him about coaching players on the WTA. Ask him about the ACE system. Ask him what makes a successful coach on every level.

I already sent him my questions. But I will try to ask these questions too.

[ga tennis]

Originally Posted by tennisconsultcom

I already sent him my questions. But I will try to ask these questions too.

Awesome!!!! He is AMAZING!!!!

[tennis5]

Originally Posted by TCF

Kind of, sort of....but a generalization. Serena says many times as a kid she hated practice, Agassi's opinion is well noted.

Many kids would rather do lots of things rather then practice tennis, swimming, gymnastics, etc. To become good there are times of discomfort. I can not imagine that every D-1 and pro player enjoyed practicing as a kid and would have rather done so than anything else.

Some kids are motivated to beat someone else, or are perfectionists, or are given a choice of several sports and pick tennis. They may not be doing it for sheer enjoyment, but some become very good.

In a perfect world, yes, each kid would have fun all the time on the court. But that is not reality.

Hi TCF,

That is interesting question or thought about enjoying practice and/or tournaments.

My kid LOVES to practice, and I use it as an incentive to get him to do his schoolwork.
And if he can't play tennis, he has a pretend game for hours with a ball against the wall of the house.
Or watching portions of old college matches on youtube.

But, he doesn't love tournaments and for him it is the pressure of playing against a kid a little bit weaker than him,
and I tend to think for most kids it is the opposite - lukewarm about practice and love the tournaments.

Yes, I am pulling the thread off topic.... Wondering what it is like for other kids?