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Ultimate Stocking Stuffer List for Tennis Players (2024 Edition) Secrets of Winning Tennis The USTA Encourages Double Dipping The Speed Ladder Tennis Beyond the Headlines: November 18, 2024 A Balanced Diet: Healthy Tennis Engagements A Balanced Diet: Better Nutrition for Better Tennis

Nothing is as Important as it Seems

On By Teresa Merklin

I am suddenly and unexpectedly spending a lot of time in the house of the Umpire Who Gave Birth to me. She took a tumble shortly before Thanksgiving and has been in the hospital until yesterday. There is a whole lot more to the story. The trivial side effect of that development relevant to this blog is that I am finding all sorts of tennis artifacts in her house. In fact, I am probably going to be writing a lot in the future about some of these found objects.

Take Two: Captaining Multiple Teams

On By Teresa Merklin

A couple of months ago, I posted a series on “The Ethics of Captaining Multiple USTA League Teams.” That topic was prompted by a spirited discussion in the Facebook group of the Texas Tournament players about a proposed rule change in the Austin CTA to limit people from captaining two teams in the same league. That proposal had already been voted down twice.

Support Your Local Tennis Pro Shop

On By Teresa Merklin

Last weekend the Fiend at Court posted a series of articles with gift suggestions and considerations for tennis players. Mia Poorman submitted a comment to one of those posts with a reminder that people should also consider their local tennis pro shops as a source of valuable guidance when purchasing tennis equipment. Additionally, Mia’s comment serves as a reminder to us all that tennis pro shops are generally locally owned and operated businesses. She raises a valid point.

Shameless Strategies to Never Pick Up Your Share of Drill Balls Again

On By Teresa Merklin

It has been a very long time since I have been to a public live ball drill, primarily due to how the situation with COVID-19 has significantly altered my playing logistical patterns. I just had the realization that I am in a rare window of opportunity to rant about player behaviors that drive me nuts at tennis drills. For a limited time, I can comment publicly without anyone I have been around recently recognizing themselves and taking exception.

Great Technology Gifts for Tennis Players

On By Teresa Merklin

This weekend, the Fiend at Court has been exploring gift ideas for serious tennis players. Friday led off with the “Ultimate Stocking Stuffer List for Tennis Players.” Yesterday’s topic was the “Ultimate Tennis Equipment Gifts for Players.” Today I am wrapping up (see what I did there?) this three part series by writing about Technology gifts. These items are generally non-tennis specific gifts that are perfect in a tennis context.