Three Timeless Mental Strategies to Help Yourself Win --- On and Off the Court

1. Tennis - Run for Everything! 

(Off Court - Never Give Up!) 

2. Tennis - Make the Opponent Hit the Extra Shot! 

(Off Court - Have an Answer for Any Challenge!)

3. Tennis - Play Within Yourself! 

(Off Court - Keep Yourself in the Game!) 

Courtesy and Credit to: Kevin Garlington,
Professional Instructor at TotalTennisDomination

Tennis Quotes for the Month

Who is the GOAT? Interactive Website Tool to Compare and Find Out . . . (Courtesy: Aneki.com)

Web: Who is the GOAT (Greatest of All Time)?

Courtesy: www.aneki.com

Tennis Quote of the Day: The Extra Mile

Tennis Quote of the Day: It's hard to beat a person . . .

Tennis Quote of the Day: The Will to Succeed

Tennis Quote of the Day: Self-Awareness

Tennis Topic of the Day: Keeping the Head Still Thru the Shot

**MENTAL: This is primarily a mental, not physical, challenge
**RELAX: Improves relaxation and promotes self-confidence
**TECHNIQUE: Keeps attention on shot technique, not the outcome or result
**CONTROL: Puts the spotlight on what you can control, not what you can't
**THE PRESENT: Drives the focus on the present moment, not what will happen or has happened 
**MESSAGE: Sends a subtle yet powerful message to opponent that you are in control

Best, 
Gary

Tennis Thought of the Day: Keep Going Until . . .

U.S. Open - Men's Quarterfinal

September 04, 2014, Five (5) Set Victory

Roger Federer (SUI) over Gael Monfils (FRA), 

4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2

Tennis Quote of the Day: Weakest Shot Limits Best Tennis

(Click Image to Enlarge)

A Day at the U.S. Open 2014

Friday, August 29, 2014 - Flushing Meadows, NY USA

I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to watch some world class pros at USO 2014 on Day 5! 

I saw most of the Feliciano Lopez - Tatsuma Ito singles match, which saw Lopez prevail in 4 sets. 

I also caught some of the David Goffin - Joao Sousa singles match, in which Goffin won in straight sets. I saw also Lucie Safarova defeat Alize Cornet in 3 sets.

I also spent time on the practice courts watching numerous pros warm up their strokes and routines. 

Defending U.S. Open Men's Doubles Champs Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek put on a dazzling and thorough warm up routine, offering blistering groundies and precision volleys. They went on to win their doubles match in straight sets over Yen Lu and Jiri Vesley.

I also spoke to or ran into several other tennis notables: Dominika Cibulkova, the Aussie Open 2014 finalist (I got her autograph); Brad Gilbert, tennis commentator and former pro; World Class Coach Nick Bollettieri; World No. 4 Petra Kvitova; and Jim Courier, former World No. 1.

All in all, it was a fantastic experience to take in some world class pros doing what they do best.

My takeaway for the rest of us tennis mortals?

What stood out for me immediately and constantly in observing the world class pro game are these 3 elements. 

**Crisp and energetic footwork - precise small "baby steps" and the ever-present "split-step-and-go"
**Complete, extended swings on all groundies, with "full follow-throughs"
**Early racket preparation, with the racket head being taken back as soon as the eyes can tell if it's forehand or backhand

Now can we players at lesser aspiring levels ever hope to play like the pros? Of course not.

But I think there is hope for one thing at least. We can all work to improve all 3 elements which I saw stand out.

And in my opinion, all of us, even rank beginners, can accomplish early racket preparation almost as good as the pros.

Why? I think It has more do with simple human reaction rather than complicated tennis technique or massive practice.

Early racket preparation = immediately better tennis.

Best,
Gary