The Tennis Docket: Tennis Postcards from the Edge
Details on how I approached the November challenge in the USTA Tennis Champions Program. Criticism mounts over the IOC’s handling of the Peng Shuai disappearance.
The 2021 Tech Gifts for Tennis Players
For tennis players that are committed to improving their technique, there is no better tool than video review. That means that devices to support and enhance video collection make terrific gifts for tennis players. This is a summary of my top recommendations for 2021.
The Gift of Tennis (Support Your Local Pro Shop)
The impact of the pandemic has raised the public consciousness on the importance of supporting small locally owned and operated businesses. The retail pro shop attached to clubs or tennis centers are firmly in that category. If you are considering giving someone the gift of tennis, the pro shop at your local tennis center is an obvious first start.
The 2021 Ultimate Stocking Stuffer List for Tennis Players
This year’s list has the most items ever carried on this annual traditional Black Friday Post. They are divided into categories for convenience.
2 responsesKing Richard
Happy Thanksgiving! In the United States the Thanksgiving tradition started with a colonial harvest feast that morphed into a tradition of family gatherings celebrated with a heart of gratitude. What could be more appropriate for this site today than a review of what is arguably the greatest tennis family movie ever made. It is the story of Richard Williams and his role in propelling his daughters Venus and Serena into two of the greatest tennis players in the history of the sport. It’s… not a traditional family story.
Calling The Lines: Court Officials
The chair umpire has the right to overrule a line umpire or a net umpire if the chair umpire is sure that a clear mistake has been made.
Massage Ball on a String
In 2019 I developed pain in my racquet arm that got so bad I couldn’t extend it across my body to hit a backhand. I went to my local Airrosti clinic for diagnosis and treatment. The source of the arm pain was traced to tightness in my shoulder. Part of the rehabilitation that was prescribed was use of a lacrosse ball for myofascial release of adhesions in the shoulder. It worked.
The Tennis Docket: #WhereIsPengShuai
Concern continues to mount in the tennis world as it is becoming increasingly apparent that WTA Tennis Star Peng Shuai has not been seen in public since raising allegations of sexual assault against a top official in China’s Communist Party. The WTA has signaled a willingness to walk away from doing business in China.
The USTA Adult Competition Committee
Most people who compete within the USTA system are blissfully unaware of the sheer magnitude of the USTA and the complex bureaucracy required to operate the organization. While the USTA has a number of full time paid staff positions, the organization is chiefly powered through committees largely of volunteers. Throughout the recent challenges with the new USTA tournament structure and digital platform, it has become apparent to me that a lot of USTA members don’t have even a passing familiarity with the USTA organizational hierarchy and where to lodge their… let’s call it feedback.
2 responsesPlayer Experience, Transparency, and Communication
If the request to the impacted tournament community is to continue to be patient, then open and honest information on the actual status and decisions that are being made should be extended to those people.