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Vic Braden’s Quick Fixes: Expert Cures for Common Tennis Problems The NTRP Championships Rules Get Weird Quadruped Alternating Toe Mobility Stretches Tennis Beyond the Headlines: February 24, 2025 For the Love of Competition Rankings Point-Chasers The Importance of Why

King Richard

On By Teresa Merklin

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.

Massage Ball on a String

On By Teresa Merklin

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 USTA Adult Competition Committee

On By Teresa Merklin

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.

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The Importance of Tournaments within the Tennis Ecosystem

On By Teresa Merklin

Tournaments are an essential and vital part of the tennis ecosystem. They are an effective engagement mechanism for both first time and returning players. Tournaments are also a vital outlet for players that have achieved a level of mastery above competitive players in their local area. This post outlines how tournaments are essential for building and sustaining tennis participation across the board.

The Road to Wimbledon by Alice Marble

On By Teresa Merklin

Alice Marble claimed that she wrote her first book in response to requests from her friends and fans to share her secrets of success. The more likely reality is that the motivation for the effort was rooted in the financial realities of the pre-open era in tennis. Writing books was one way that tennis players could monetize their tennis achievements without jeopardizing their amateur status.

Tiebreak Rules from the #NextGenATP Finals

On By Teresa Merklin

I have a complicated relationship with the Fast4 scoring system. I like it when playing UTR tournaments as the shortened format enables completion of a three match tournament in a single day. I don’t like it for competitions where a significant number of the competitors had to get on a plane to get there. This week how the tiebreak format is handled at the #NextGenATP Finals was added to the mix.

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