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FoxTenn Permanent Fixture Considerations

Last week I wrote about an unusual point where a ball in play bounced off one of the sensors used by the FoxTenn line calling system. It happened at Estoril during the semifinal match between Sebastian Korda and Francis Tiafoe. After a week of overthinking that occurrence, I want to revisit this rules interpretation and implications. Additionally, the Estoril tournament posted a video of it in the interim and this gives me the perfect chance to share out that clip.

Bosu Balance Trainer

Balance is critical for playing tennis well. It is increasingly important for tennis players as they age, as a poor sense of balance can directly lead to falls and injuries. When I built out my personal home gym, the very first piece of equipment I purchased was a commercial grade Bosu ball. It is a versatile device that magnifies the effects of static gym exercises for tennis functional training.

Tennis News: May 9, 2022

May is #NationalTennisMonth and the perfect time to get out onto the courts and enjoy great tennis. Alternatively you might consider catching NCAA Super Regional action via live streaming or a venue near you. Remembering when Serena Williams called the men “weenies” over complaints about blue clay ten years ago.

Why (Tennis) Books

I suspect that many tennis players frequently use search engines to locate the answers to their tennis questions. I have to admit that it is always going to be faster to consult the internet for tennis information as opposed to reading a book. That statement is true even when there is an ebook available for instant download. However, I firmly believe that tennis players who never read books about the sport are stunting their own tennis development.

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The Gift of Tennis Books

Heading into New Year’s Eve last year, I shared 12 “Gifts” that people can give themselves to improve the quality of their tennis life. Each of these items is a tennis related life hack shamelessly adapted from a career development webinar gave a while back for cybersecurity professionals. In 2022, I am taking an in-depth look at each one of those items on first Friday of each month. The “Gift” for May is to read a new tennis book.

Essential Tennis

I am guessing that most recreational tennis players are already familiar with Ian Westerman through his online site, Essential Tennis. He is a prolific producer of instructional videos, blog posts, and podcasts. Soon there will be another offering to add to the list. I recently received an advance copy of Essential Tennis: Improve Faster, Play Smarter, and Win More Matches. Based on that first look it may be the best packaging of Westerman’s message yet.

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Ball Strikes FoxTenn Sensor

Last weekend in a semi-final match in Estoril, a ball struck one of the on-court sensors used by the FoxTenn line calling system. Sebastian Korda hit a ball that tipped the net cord and went almost straight up. Before the ball struck the ground it came into contact with one of the black boxes installed at the bottom of the net that houses the sensors/cameras. That unlikely occurrence presents an interesting case study of the rules.

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Ice Massage

I’m not going to lie. My life was better before ice massage became an essential part of my daily routine. Between the injury to my foot and chronic tenderness in my elbow, I am starting to develop personal preferences and opinions in the best form factors to use for ice massage. This is what my life has come to.