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How To Get Started With Tennis...

Posted by admin in Training on June 12, 2009 | No Comments

So you have seen Roger play Rafa at Wimbledon? You think you can make the same shots? How about playing for fun. Whatever the case, you’ve got to find a place to start. Roger may be an artist but he is better at making things look easy than actually playing tennis. You can’t just step on the court and hit those forehands nor can you make one decent shot without knowing how to grab a tennis racquet. And of course you are going to need some good equipments to get started.

Playing tennis as a hobby doesn’t have to be complicated, but you don’t want to go on the court without having the tools that not only help you play better but also protect you against injuries. With that in mind, here is a list of tools you need to get started successfully with tennis:

Training Videos
Training Courses:
  • How To Play Tennis: a set of instructional videos that teach you how to get started with tennis.
  • Tennis Mind Game: get a handle on the mental side of things when it comes to tennis.
Volkl BB Generation 25 Junior Tennis Racquet
Rackets
Covers & Bags

Strings / Machines
Grips

Grips may sound insignificant but they actually play a big part in your game. Here are a few you should try:

Balls & Ball Machines

Books
  1. The Inner Game of Tennis: learn what it takes to be a good tennis player.
  2. Talent Is Overrated: don’t believe it? Read this book.
  3. Winning Ugly: the world class book by a world class trainer, Brad Gilbert.
Training Equipment

Maxi Net System (EA)

Nets
Magazines

EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis

Wii Games & Add ons:

There you have it. Time to start training!

Federer Finally Wins The French Open...

Posted by admin in Results on June 7, 2009 | No Comments

We all thought it was never going to happen. Rafa was unbeatable on clay at the French Open until he meet the surprisingly improved Robin Soderling. And we still couldn’t believe Rafa would lose even after he was down a bunch of match points. Federer on the other hand had so many close matches. Almost lost to Haas. Dropped a set to Paul Henry Mathieu. Almost lost to Del Potro. But when Roger got his chance, he didn’t blink! He blitzed Robin Soderling in the final to win his first French Open and his 14th slam title. And maybe end the greatest of all time discussion!

Whatever Roger does from this point on is a big bonus for his fans. He has already tied the magical 14 slam mark, and he is probably going to win a couple more. And when he does that, there won’t be any discussions left! And no longer Roger has to look at the French Open as the only place he didn’t win as he has done it already. One may not be enough for him but it’s certainly good enough for his legacy.

And props to a game Soderling for being gracious and classy:

Nadal Vs. Soderling Post Match Interviews...

Posted by admin in Media on May 31, 2009 | No Comments

Talk about the shock of the century. Nadal going out at the Roland Garros and in the 4th round nonetheless. Here is what Soderling had to say:

Nadal was as gracious as always and surprisingly calm after the defeat:

Federer’s golden chance has come. And something tells me he won’t take advantage of it.

Federer’s Year? Nadal Loses At French Open!...

Posted by admin in Results on May 31, 2009 | No Comments

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You thought Lebron James losing last night was an upset? Think again. Rafael Nadal entered his match today knowing that he had owned Soderling just a few weeks ago on clay. And he had won 4 straight French Open titles and hadn’t lost a set since 2007! Soderling didn’t get the memo. In a performance that will go down as one of the best upset makers in the history, Soderling used his flat shots and powerful ace to dethrone Nadal in 4 sets and throw the French Open title race wide open. Murray and Federer are now the firm favorites to meet in the final in a rematch of their U.S. Open final.

The path may have become easier for Roger but much more so for Murray. He has no one he shouldn’t be able to beat. Their paths are still hard to navigate, but no one can help but wonder whether we will see Murray win his 1st Grand Slam at the French. How about Federer finally winning the French Open and becoming the best player of all time? The French Open has finally become exciting after 4 years of dominance by the mighty Nadal.

For Nadal, it’s time to recharge his batteries. This loss will hurt his confidence but he’ll get another shot at glory at Wimbledon. Can he defend his title against Murray, Federer, and Djokovic at Wimbledon? Yet another exciting story to follow.

Federer Beats Nadal, Finally!...

Posted by admin in Results on May 17, 2009 | No Comments

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How things can change quickly! Roger was a title-less has been who was struggling to win matches against the real top 3 players in the world. But after the beating he put down on Nadal on clay in Madrid, Roger must be in heaven. He has now won his first title of the year, and a big one in that. Federer has also halted Nadal’s streak on clay this year.

Roger truly impressed me today. He not only fought off break points like a real champion, he challenged Nadal’s serve and played more aggressive from behind. And that shaky backhand looked so solid. Rafa did look subdued and had his chances to break and level the match, but Roger served great and mixed up his game to beat Nadal in straight sets and pick up his 15th Masters title.

The chances are Nadal won’t play below his par in a French Open final. Federer has also shown that he is vulnerable against other players as well, so we may not see a Fedal final at the French Open. But it’s nice to see Roger finally beat Rafa and make it a closer rivalry again (13-7 for Rafa). Roger has now beaten Rafa twice on Rafa’s best surface. Can Nadal return the favor at Wimbledon?

Gasquet Shocks The World!...

Posted by admin in Thoughts on May 9, 2009 | No Comments

Gasquet in cocaine shock

He did indeed shock the world, but not by his performance. Rather, he has been busted for taking Cocaine and could face two years ban! That should be the beginning of the end for a promising youngster who never realized his full potential. Gasquet was expected to challenge for top honors just a few years ago, but not only he didn’t take that final step, he is not have to deal with the stigma of being busted for using drugs.

Maybe he will bounce back and come back a better player. But when he does come back, the world of tennis has moved on and new generation will be out in full force. Wonder how he will deal with it.

What’s your take? R.I.P Gaquet’s career?

Can Anyone Stop Nadal?...

Posted by admin in Results on April 20, 2009 | No Comments

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Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray gave Nadal everything they had. Their reward? 1 set won between the two of them. Andy Murray played his heart out against Nadal but Rafa just pounded on him. Novak put up a better fight against Rafa and could’ve technicall won in straight sets. He was up a break against Nadal in the first set and won the 2nd set comfortably. But as always Nadal saved a bunch of break points and won the last set 6-1 where it should’ve been closer.

Considering that Rafa plays two level above his current level at the French Open it’s hard to imagine who can stop him. He looks absolutely unbeatable on clay and only a fluke performance can deny him another Rome title. And I doubt anyone can take 3 sets off of him on clay. Roger came the closest a couple of years ago when he had 2 match points, but that’s all.

Can anyone beat Roger this year? It’s hard to tell. If Rafa somehow under-performs in early rounds and get tired, Murray and Djokovic may have a chance. Otherwise, we may as well skip the clay court season.

Your take: who can beat Rafa on clay?

Federer Finally Ties The Knot!...

Posted by admin in Media on April 11, 2009 | No Comments

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It was surprising. It was so sudden. But not unexpected. After all, Federer and Mirka are going to have a child soon, and it was only natural for Roger to try and tighten up his relationship with Mirka. Federer may be struggling on court, but he is doing a decent job off court. He is making a lot of money, and he is going to be a dad soon. Let’s not forget that he is now a husband as well!

Earlier today, in my hometown, surrounded by a small group of close friends and family, Mirka and I got married

Federer’s marriage could be a good or bad thing for Roger. It’s what he makes of it. He can become motivated and step up for the sake of his new child to win a couple of more majors. Or he could lose his motivation on court and focus on his kid. Agassi was someone who relished being a dad and a tennis player at the same time. He became better even as he aged. With Roger, you never know. His game is so much based on his focus and concentration that anything that disrupts it could have negative affects.

I personally thought that Federer should’ve gotten married earlier in his life. After all, these two folks seem perfect for each other. Did he avoid marriage as he knew it could affect his game? Nobody can tell. One thing is for certain. This is a great day for the Federer family. As much as Fed has struggled this year, one has to assume life couldn’t be better for him and Mirka.

Miami Masters: Nadal Gets Murray, Federer Gets Djo...

Posted by admin in Media on March 25, 2009 | No Comments

Miami Masters 2009 draw is out, and Federer can breathe easily again. He has finally avoided a clash with Murray in the semis, but he is grouped with Roddick and Djokovic. Let’s not forget that Roddick managed to beat Roger last year, so he’ll be dangerous. Murray has a tough draw this year. He has Nalbandian and Nadal on his way to the final. He has never beaten Nalbandian in a competitive match, and that will be a test for him.

Nadal will probably face Ivo Karlovic in the third round, and that will be mouth-watering. I doubt Ivo can beat Nadal, but when you have a serve like he does, you are never out of it. Overall, it will be a very exciting master series with a few fresh match-ups.

Don’t know where to watch Miami 2009? Here is a list of places you can watch Miami Masters live.

Federer Gets Murray, Nadal Faces Roddick...

Posted by admin in Previews on March 20, 2009 | No Comments

Talk about mouth-watering clashes. The 2009 edition of BNP Paribas Open has truly given us some amazing match-ups. But they don’t getting any better than the two semis that we have at hand.

Roger Federer will face a recent demon of his as he tries to beat Murray for the third time in 8 meetings. Federer has lost 3 straight times to Murray and has only beaten the Scot twice in the past 7 meetings. The odds may be against Murray as he is still trying to bounce back from his illness, but he is inside Roger’s head, and you can bet it will be a close match. I would still pick Murray over Roger in 3 tight sets.

Nadal has just improved dramatically this year and is with a real chance to complete the grand slam. He is going to face a leaner, meaner Roddick, but he should easily dispatch A-Rod for yet another shot at winning the Indian Wells. Roddick will as always give his best, and that’s what makes this match so intriguing.

Predictions:

Murray bts. Federer 7-5, 5-7, 6-3

Nadal bts. Roddick: 7-6, 6-3

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