Q: My backhand is generally pretty solid. On return of serve, to my backhand, when the ball is above my waist, I have trouble hitting with pace or directing the return. Sometimes I chop the return, but I don't like the “fung shway” of that. Do you have any suggestions to help my backhand return of serve?
Ben - Columbus, GA
This particular shot troubles a lot of players, including Roger Federer (witness the 2006 Roland Garros final). If you have time, then move forward and play the shot earlier BEFORE it gets too high to handle comfortably. If this is impractical, then resign yourself to playing the shot defensively and look to win (or allow your opponent to lose) later in the point. No matter how good you become, there ARE always situations that require clever defensive tactics and during-the-match adjustments.
- Bill
Q: Really hoping you can give me some advice. A well-respected coach/prior pro player recently pointed out that my 10 y/o daughter's grips are all wrong--extreme Western on the forehand, Eastern on the serve, and the backhand off as well. She's had her current coach for over a year. Shouldn't he have corrected this by now? Do we consider changing coaches?
Mae - Los Angeles, CA
It would depend on the “grand plan” that her current coach has for the progress of her game. In fact, request that he share his development plan for your daughter. If he has not done this, then cooperate with him while it is completed.
If the current coach does not have any long-term (or mid-range) vision, then you SHOULD find another coach with more experience or, at least, more initiative.
To be fair, it could be that your current coach is reluctant to switch grips and certain techniques at this stage of your daughter’s development because he realizes that she may not be ready just yet (how physically strong is she?) OR that it would disrupt the enthusiasm that she has (which may ultimately be MORE important than ideal technique).
- Bill
Q: There is a highly ranked player in our area who is well known for "hooking" 4-5 critical points per match, while the rest of the time calling them as "The Code" intended. It also appears to be a family trait (little brother follows big sister’s example). We (multiple players, parents and coaches) have asked tournament officials how to handle this situation. Without mentioning the player's name they know who we're talking about and are sympathetic of the situation; but their suggestion "get a line judge" does not address the fact that a critical game / set is already lost. Do you have any suggestions on how her opponents should handle this situation?
Tom - Atlanta, GA
Be prepared. The “players, parents, and coaches” that you write about are probably psyched out by this pattern of cheating. If getting a line judge does not seem to address the issue (or addresses it too late), then make sure that the player has a clear plan of action so that being “hooked” on a crucial point does not send your player into a tailspin. Excuses are easy to find out there; instead teach him how to overcome adversity.
Frankly, the REACTION to being cheated does more damage than the actual cheating (of one or a few points) over the course of a match. Rise above this nonsense! I hate to read about scenarios like this. However, if the cheating is inevitable (as you write), then determine- in advance- how to overcome this treachery.
- Bill
Q: My daughter is soon to be 10 and has been playing in 10-under tournaments in our area for just about a year. We have noticed that she has a hard time keeping focused on the court, for example while waiting to receive serve, she watches the game next to her rather than paying attention to her game. Her coach says this is just an age issue and will pass (based on her experience with her own daughter now grown). My husband makes fun of her and doesn't stay positive about her game because of this. What should I do? I am stuck in the middle as a Mom.
Carol - Bay Village, OH
Did you write that she is ten years old? Well, very rare is the 4th/5th grader whose mind does not wander!
Create some games in practice where she is rewarded for maintaining focus. You might talk to young students until you’re blue about concentration, but ultimately the player will need to mostly learn this process through experience.
And… do not become “stuck in the middle.” Instead, be incredibly positive. Tennis is a damn fun way of spending time and there is NOTHING like negativity from a parent or a coach that will turn promising talents away from our game.
- Bill
Q: What does it take to become a top nationally ranked 65 and older tennis player?
James - Cheyenne, WY
Enter tournaments, James. That is a sure-fire way to learn how well you stack up against the best players in your age group. Here's a link to the USTA National Championships for age-group players, but you can also compete locally and in Sectional tournaments. Good luck as you begin to “climb the ladder!”
- Bill
Q: On the second point of the French Open Women's final, Justine Henin-Hardenne complained to the umpire that the ball was defective. Upon review of the ball, the umpire agreed and ordered the point replayed. I thought that all points played in good faith stand. Since both women hit the ball several times so both were at the same disadvantage, why was the point replayed?
Sheila - Osprey, FL
If the ball “pops” during a point (and thus loses compression), the rule is that the point should be re-played. It seemed that Svetlana Kuznetsova, after winning the point, was the one who brought it to the attention of the chair umpire. She was none too happy when told that they were to play a “let.” A rule is a rule though.
- Bill
Additional thoughts for the week...
- When Roger Federer played that remarkable point at 30-30 in the tenth game of the fourth set, when Rafael Nadal was serving for the match, and then broke serve on the next point when Rafa missed a routine (for him) shot, it looked for all the world like it was going to be a five-set classic. Nadal would have none of it though. He is one tough hombre.
- It was nice to see NBC televise (although as taped filler) the men’s doubles final. Reportedly, there were less than 1000 people in attendance. That is discouraging. Here’s hoping that the Bryan Brothers win their first Wimbledon title in a few weeks, completing their career Grand Slam. At the Big W, the crowds are always pretty enthusiastic about anything on-court and especially doubles.
- Somewhere in Southern California there is a quiet former champion who might have smiled knowingly on Sunday. While many are eager to anoint Roger Federer as the “best ever,” he has a long way to go before he matches Pete Sampras’ records of six straight year-end #1 finishes, seven Wimbledon’s and five US Opens (and 14 major titles in all). There have been other all-time greats who have not won Roland Garros, and Federer will be hard-pressed to garner this elusive crown.