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Tennis is Life

Tennis Lifestyle
This page is for you...the tennis nut! We have a potpourri of interesting items.
Please feel free to contribute your stories from Tennis Life

Tracking Performance
Did you ever think about keeping track of how you played in a match?
Here is an efficient way to Chart a Match
by author Paul Fein

f = forehand
b = backhand
s = serve
v = volley
o = overhead
l = lob

ps = passing shot
hv = half volley
dv = drop volley
ds = drop shot
ue = unforced error
fe = forced

a = ace
df = double fault
sw = service winner
ros = return of serve
cc = crosscourt (optional)

I use a large legal pad and divide it into left and right halves. I put
the serving player's initials on the top left or top right of his half of the
line in which I record all results for that game. After the score, I
describe succintly how the point was won or lost to get that score.

So it looks something like this:

PS -- 15-0 a (1), 15-15 feb, 30-15 fefps, 30-30 ueb,
40-30 uef, 40-40 df, 40-30 fw, holds vw 1-0

I put each player's game total in the middle on his half of the page
when each game ends. I draw a horizontal line at the end of each set and
circle the final set score. I try to leave enough space throughout for
occasional notes about strategy, changes in form, controversies, injuries,
crowd support, various strokes, etc. Sometimes I will include cumulative
totals, if relevant, at the end of each set, such as "PS 14 winners."

Coaches charting matches for their students would undoubtedly include
more notes about strokes and strategy and devote much more attention (viz.,
notes) to their student than his opponent.
I put the playing surface, temperature, date, head-to-head record of
players, name of tournament, ranking, players' ages, and other relevant
information at the very top of the chart.
I hope this is helpful.
Paul Fein,
member AIPS, NSSA, USTWA, SST, NSWTA, USPTA (Pro 1), USTA
author of "Tennis Confidential: Today's Greatest Players, Matches and Controversies

Tennis is Life
I'm sure you've heard this saying, the following is a short poem based on
"Tennis Tips on Life" by Pat, posted on Plantet Rafter

Find a PARTNER, don't fight life's battles alone!
It takes two to play tennis, and life
like tennis shouldn't be a one-person game.

Specialize in SERVICE, and lots of FOLLOW-THROUGH
Avoid HURRIED SHOTS

Life like tennis, is an art... the more you live it,
You find the more there is to learn
So PRACTICE, practice, PRACTICE
So you won't have DOUBLE-FAULT's

When you find yourself down or failing
Remember, go back to CENTRE COURT
Relax, Smile, Look up at the Sky, and stick to the BASICS.

When meeting life's problems...
Catch them ON THE RISE...with EYES ON THE BALL...and a FIRM GRIP

WIN or LOSE.... working hard and doing our best at life
Is after all, what the GREAT UMPIRE ask of us

And in LIFE, as in TENNIS, let LOVE be your beginning in all endeavors.

Letters
to Tennis Affinity

It's not over until...
Our 2.5 captain was annoyed that her team was packing up when they were down 1-5 in the 3rd set . She informed them that they better sit down because she and her partner were going to tie it up 5-5 just to keep them out longer in the 100 degree heat. They proceeded to tie it up and came back in the tiebreaker from 2-6 to win 8-6. this was the high point of their short tennis careers. Reiterating my favorite saying:
"ITS NOT OVER UNTIL THE FAT LADY SINGS OR
DOUBLE FAULTS AT MATCH POINT"!!!
We are a Junior Tennis Club just getting our adult program going after 5 years
in Chicago Illinois Suburbs. We are playing USTA tennis this summer. We have 2.5 , 3.0 3.5 Senior, 4.0 , 4.0 Senior , 4.5 , 4.5 Senior women . We are in the middle of our season. Our 3.0, 4.0 Senior and 4.5 Senior women are in 1st place.
Looking for some Support from fellow league players. Interested in any great stories from your teams.
Kathy Lee (Adult Coordinator) and Kelli Kubicki (Club Manager)

Dear "It's not over until..."
I must say our 3.0 league was also the most inspiring this year-- they have learned so much and worked so hard. One thing that you may try that has helped all our players is: We have practice every week with all the levels so the lower level players can learn from the better players. The better players look at it as a way to give back and
help build stronger players for the future.
Sandy (local league coordinator) Middle Illinois

"Guts, Ambition & Soul"
The leagues in our area are the greatest! We work hard on
our strokes. We love being a part of a group that loves
tennis. The ladies that play have a special passion for tennis,
sportsmanship, and all around fun. Our winter leagues are also very
good, but the real fun starts in spring with our USTA leagues.
Our group is growing because of the enthusiasm our girls
have for the game is contagious! Part of the fun is sharing our good food --
often after matches we will have a potluck to replenish our resources.
A cookbook even came out of these gatherings. We hope to have many
more years of play together.

Tennis Affinity