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Tennis Vernacular: Treeing

On By Teresa Merklin

To the best of my recollection, I never encountered the term “treeing” back in the 70’s and 80’s when I was playing junior tennis. I was first exposed to the word and its meaning through the junior playing career of the Umpire I Gave Birth To. Consequently, I regarded the word as a distinctly modern term. “Treeing” in tennis occurs when a player rises above their normal skill level on a temporary basis. The most common usage of the term when I encounter it in the wild refers to a single shot. Treeing can also be exhibited for an extended duration spanning a few games or possibly even a set.

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2018 AO Flashback: Fashion Hits and Misses

On By Teresa Merklin

The dawn of each Grand Slam tournament sparks a ritual in the Fiend at Court household. I say something along the lines of “It’s official. Nike has completely run out of attractive color combinations.” To which the Fiend at Court spousal unit replies “Please don’t buy me any of that.” Fun fact: Outside of league and tournament swag, almost the entirety of the Fiend at Court household’s tennis wardrobe has been gleaned from the clearance rack of one of the major online tennis retailers. We are experts in what is likely to eventually be offered at deep discount.

Zina: My Life in Women’s Tennis

On By Teresa Merklin

When mapping out books to cover during Black History month this year, Zina: My Life in Women’s Tennis was an immediate selection. Zina Garrison emerged from a public park’s program in Houston, which makes her book an obvious choice for a tennis blog sourced from Texas. Additionally, she was my Dad’s favorite player. It was a foregone conclusion that this book would come up pretty quickly in the rotation.

The Tennis Cone Game

On By Teresa Merklin

The “Cone Game” is one of my favorite tennis practice drills. In fact I carry a set of orange cones in my portable ball hopper at all times. Whenever a week passes when I don’t engage in this drill, I detect a perceptible drop in consistency during match play. The cone game may be the most essential drill that I perform on a regular basis.

The Organizational Dynamics of the “Original Nine”

On By Teresa Merklin

The tennis world very recently marked the 50 year anniversary of the “Original Nine” that signed $1 contracts that formed the basis of the women’s professional tennis tour. That seismic event does not occur without the visionary leadership and organizational savvy of Gladys Heldman. In the words of Billie Jean King, “Without Gladys Heldman, there wouldn’t be women’s professional tennis.”