Submit your questions to Bill Mountford here
Q: My 13 year old son plays in tournaments where there are no "officials". What can he do when his opponent makes several questionable "out" calls? We had one who hit a ball that had double bounced and my son let him have the point. Afterwards I told him he had to hold his ground on such things.
Stacie - Ennis, TX
First of all, your son sounds like a gentleman. Choosing to not argue a judgment call indicates that he possess maturity and perspective. He may also feel a little shy or intimidated during tournament play, and this is normal (and will eventually subside).
My best advice on “bad calls” during tournaments is a three step process:
- On the fist questionable call, always give your opponent the benefit of doubt. (You, not he, could be wrong!)
- On the second questionable call, ask the opponent firmly but politely: “Are you sure?”
- If a third questionable call occurs and you feel cheated, stop the match and request a line judge.
If he is playing a tournament with NO available line judges or maybe an un-officiated high school match, then he needs to deal with the adversity of some missed calls. The way he reacts to questionable calls is almost always more crucial then the calls themselves.
- Bill
Q: I always see the pros bring their own drinks onto the courts. But they are not ordinary drinks. They're always these weird colors. There are coolers court-side with water bottles and sports drinks. So what is it that they need to bring themselves that isn't already on court?
Greg - Montgomery, NJ
Players have their favorite concoctions that they like to drink, and usually these contain electrolytes. Sometimes it may simply be that they are seeking a drink that is flavored to their tastes. A primary reason that they bring their own is that the drink companies that sponsor tournaments are not always in line with each player’s tastes. Professional athletes are certainly particular about what they put into their bodies.
- Bill
Q: I understand that on both the forehand and backhand or any shot in tennis for that matter you're supposed to turn your shoulders. However after that point are you depending on arm movement to hit the ball or should you use your hip and body as you hit though the ball?
Abe - Reno, NV
Ideally, you should never rely solely on your arm. There always should be a kinetic chain of movements that allows you to swing with the force you want while maintaining balance.
- Bill
Q: How do I hit cross court shots? What is the technique in hitting the ball to the left or to the right of the opponent's side? I have heard to point your foot in the direction of the corner you want to hit. But, that does not work. Any tips?
Duraid - San Francisco, CA
Consistent directional control is one of the final frontiers in becoming an accomplished player. Supposing that you are playing a right-handed forehand from the middle of the court (and that you are also playing against a righthander) and you want to hit the ball cross-court. To execute this plan, simply make contact a fraction earlier with the ball. To hit toward his backhand side (or down-the-line), you should hit the ball a fraction less early.
Adjusting your contact point is more effective than trying to time your step, and will also allow you to disguise the direction of the shot more effectively.
- Bill
Q: If a player on Team A hits the ball over the net and the ball hits the body of a player on Team B before the ball bounces, who gets the point?
Gina - Hendersonville, NC
Team A receives the point. As a matter of etiquette, Team B should always receive a cursory “Sorry” from the opponent who hit him/her.
- Bill
Q: Sometimes when I go to hit my one-hand backhand my racquet slightly tilts downward and I end up hitting the into the net is there a way to avoid making this mistake?
Bryan - Seattle, WA
It sounds like you might need a stronger grip on the racquet. It is ideal to hold on loosely, but not so loosely that the racquet twists at impact. Try to squeeze the handle a little more firmly with your ring and pinky fingers. Also, consider adjusting your grip so that your knuckles are more on top of the handle so that your hand is “behind” the racquet when you make contact.
- Bill
Additional thoughts for the week..
Congratulations to the all the players who competed in the 80th annual National Public Parks Tennis Championships last week at the USTA NTC. There was a record-setting nearly 1,200 entrants, and approximately the same number of matches scheduled, for the events. It was a great success. Next year’s tournament is scheduled for Fort Lauderdale, FL at the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center from July 28th- August 3rd, 2007.
More than any other tournament in 2006, Wimbledon will serve to determine the pecking order for the American men. Andy Roddick has enjoyed great success on the lawns of Wimbledon these past two years and has a lot to defend. If James Blake makes a deep run into the fortnight, then he will eclipse Roddick as the top-ranked Yank.