Rod Laver's Top 10 from Past and Present Players

Who do you think the great Rod Laver believes are the Top 10 Players of the Past and Present?

Here are his picks. (With his usual humility, he excludes himself, of course.)

Enjoy,
Gary

PAST
10. John Newcombe (AUS)
9. Jack Crawford (AUS)
8. Bobby Riggs (USA)
7. Ellsworth Vines (USA)
6. Ken Rosewall (AUS)
5. Fred Perry (GBR)
4. Don Budge (USA)
3. Pancho Gonzalez (USA)
2. Jack Kramer (USA)
1. Lew Hoad (AUS)

PRESENT (OPEN ERA)
10. Stefan Edberg (SWE)
9. Ivan Lendl (USA)
8. Jimmy Connors (USA)
7. Andre Agassi (USA)
6. Novak Djokovic (SER)
5. Rafael Nadal (ESP)
4. John McEnroe (USA)
3. Pete Sampras (USA)
2. Bjorn Borg (SWE)
1. Roger Federer (SUI)

Read more: Rod Laver's Top 10 Players from the Past and Present
Courtesy: The Australian Herald Sun

Video: Roger Federer and Rod Laver on ESPN

Tennis Quote of the Day: What Separates the World's Top 4 Men Players from the Rest?

Question: What Separates the World's Top 4 Men Players from the Rest?

Answer: "It's mental strength . . . to [consistently] hit the right shot at the right time."

Novak Djokovic, in his post-match interview with Jim Courier after his Round of 16 victory at the Australian Open 2012

Tennis Quote of the Day: On the Power of Correct Practice

"If I don't practice the way I should, then I won't play the way that I know I can."

Ivan Lendl, 8 time Grand Slam champion and current coach of World No. 4 Andy Murray. Lendl is widely considered to have helped usher in the modern era of "power tennis." His professional attitude and scientific training methods paved the way for today's training systems.

A few "Don'ts" in Doubles

Playing doubles?

Here are a few "Don'ts" in Doubles (what NOT to do when playing).

*Courtesy: Idle Hour Tennis Club (Est. 1911), Drexel Hill, PA USA

Best, Gary

1. Don't say, "I'm sorry," each time you miss. No apology is owed unless you denied a partner the opportunity to miss the same shot. Spare the drudgery - it's bad enough you ruined the point.

2. Don't remind your partner of the important next point. Most players immediately follow an insult with hitting the ball into the net.

3. When you miss an easy shot, don't say "Good Shot", "Good Serve" to your surprised opponent. Who do you think you are kidding?

4. Never demand an explanation. "Why didn't you lob?" It's just plain silly, because you may be wrong. Your partner may have been right, since a miss does not make his or her choice wrong. If your partner is stupid, why ask?

5. Be selective with yelling, "Yours." Yell when the ball is unreachable, then you can both laugh.

6. Use directions sparingly ("run up", "out", "stay" ). If the direction is not clear and correct, it is simply a nuisance.

7. Don't comment on every play. If compelled to analyze each point - go home and write a term paper or a book.

Tennis Quote of the Day on MLK Day 2012: Arthur Ashe in the Battle against Apartheid

"Power surrenders nothing without a struggle, progress can come only in unsatisfactorily small chunks, and even the tiniest crumb must be better than nothing at all."

Arthur Ashe quoting Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in Johannesburg 1973, after winning an invitation to play at the South African Open tournament, previously closed to all players of black origin. Ashe finished as a finalist, losing only to Jimmy Connors.

Arthur Ashe: A Video
By: RuqaiyahN

The Australian Open and Timeless Memories

Melbourne Park, Australia - The 2012 Australian Open begins here January 16, 2012, and concludes January 29, 2012.

The first Australian Open was held in 1905 in Melbourne at the old Warehouseman's Cricket Ground. Since then, 59 men's singles champions have been crowned.

This year, the 100th men's singles championship will be contested.

And the very best men, women and doubles players in the world will compete for all the glory and titles offered by the new tennis season's first "Grand Slam."

Enjoy this short video in which champions recall their best memories of the past.

Best,
Gary

Australian Open 2012
By: australianopentv

Reprise: Our recent Holiday Podcast on Tennis!

In case you missed our recent Holiday Podcast on Tennis topics for 2012, check it out!

We've had 200 people enjoy download of this Podcast discussion with me and Ron Miller of GottaPlayTennis.net!

Join them (and us), and enjoy!

(Or just listen again!)

Best,
Gary

Episode #83: GottaPlayTennis.net