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Non-Tennis Gifts for Tennis Players Great Christmas Gifts for Tennis Players (2024 Edition) 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

The Art of Doubles: Winning Tennis Strategies and Drills

On By Teresa Merklin

I own a lot of books about how to play tennis doubles. In a confession that will not surprise anyone who has ever played doubles with me, until this week… I had yet to read any of them from cover to cover. That just changed. Yesterday I finished reading “The Art of Doubles: Winning Tennis Strategies & Drills” by Pat Blaskower. This book led me to the revelation that I have essentially never drilled specifically for doubles. It blows my mind.

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How to Change the Rules of Tennis

On By Teresa Merklin

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has stewardship over the Rules of Tennis. There is a process for changing the rules and updates are made on a fairly regular basis. Did you know that until 1961 the player delivering the service had to keep one foot on the ground? The elimination of that requirement was a rule change that materially changed the play of the game. Sometimes updates to the rules emerge from technology advancements. The entire Player Analysis Technology is full of examples of recently added rules and restrictions.

The Lobster Ball Machine

On By Teresa Merklin

Tennis ball machines hold a special place in my heart. I personally own two full fledged ball machines as well as a toy that has been repurposed to effectively work as a ball machine. My local tennis club has a commercial grade ball machine that I also frequently use. I love them all. I have decided to write about them in order of acquisition which means that my Lobster Elite 2 which was purchased back in 2009 is the first out of the chute.

Reality TV Pitch: Cash Cab – Tennis Edition

On By Teresa Merklin

This weekend I have been pitching ideas for tennis themed reality shows into the ether. To round out weekend, I have one more proposal. The idea is pretty simple. Bring back the Reality TV quiz show “Cash Cab” picking up passengers from tennis tournaments and asking questions relating exclusively about tennis. It might not inspire anyone to pick up a racquet, but it would certainly be entertaining.

Reality TV Pitch: Billie Jean King coaches Nick Kyrgios

On By Teresa Merklin

This weekend the Fiend at Court is even more unplugged that usual for the weekend series. Stick with me. I have been brainstorming potential solutions to the most pressing problems in tennis. First, there is an urgent need to expand public spectator interest in the sport. Second, Nick Kyrgios needs a coach. For me, it is a short trip from the juxtaposition of those two problems and a genuinely inspired (and, well… crazy) idea.

Bill Tilden: Match Play and the Spin of the Ball

On By Teresa Merklin

Bill Tilden was arguably the first superstar of tennis. He was a dominant force in the early 1920s and his list of tennis accomplishments is littered with records and all-time firsts. Tilden was also an accomplished writer with editorials and columns on tennis popular in the print media. Until I came across a reference to Match Play and the Spin of the Ball in Ted Tinling’s book last week, I had no idea that he also authored a book on how to play tennis. I was delighted to discover that Tilden’s book has recently been digitized. Naturally I purchased a copy.

Renee Richards and Bobby Riggs

On By Teresa Merklin

Renee Richards was an American tennis player who participated on the women’s professional tour from 1997 until 1981. She is most commonly remembered as the only transgender person to compete successfully in professional tennis. Shortly after her gender reassignment surgery, and subsequent relocation to California to start a new life, Richards crossed paths with Bobby Riggs. Naturally Riggs roped her into his escapades. It is one of my favorite stories about the character that was Bobby Riggs.

Closing Out Wheelchair Tennis

On By Teresa Merklin

Where a wheelchair tennis player is playing with or against an able-bodied person in singles or doubles, the Rules of Wheelchair Tennis shall apply for the wheelchair player while the Rules of Tennis for able-bodied tennis shall apply for the able-bodied player. In this instance, the wheelchair player is allowed two bounces while the able-bodied player is allowed only one bounce.

Sharing the Spotlight: Caty McNally

On By Teresa Merklin

Arguably no player has benefitted more from the Coco Gauff effect than Caty McNally. Though she is currently ranked 110, she gets more tennis broadcast screen time than many other American women currently in the WTA top 100. The reason for that attention is quite simple. She is Coco Gauff’s doubles partner. One very positive side effect of Coco mania is that the tennis broadcasting industry has suddenly rediscovered that doubles is a thing.