250 Aussie Coaches seated in Hisense Arena with the roof retracted and you get to present on the court that the top players in the world compete on…..  Great feeling. Looks like an invite back next year to speak again.  Sold all my DVD’s and had requests for more.

We listened to Bruce Elliott, top bio-mechanist in the world, speak for 3 hours on all aspects of how to serve, correct the serve and then watched him improve Melanie Oudin’s serve. She is the sweetheart from Atlanta who reached the Semi’s at the US Open.

Migel Crespo, ITF Research Officer, based in Spain talked about what to consider before you start feeding balls and how to make subtle adjustments when coaching – including learning not to talk too much.

Ray Ruffles, the famous Aussie Coach of Mark Woodbridge and Woodford, talked about the game today, where he sees it going and what he sees on the players today.

Off to the outback courts to see the players practice and some matches. 

Saw Venus hitting, spoke to the Bryan Bros, passed Andy Roddick in the hall in the players room and Djokovic walked by as well.  Dan Santorum and I were courtside to talk to Melanie Oudin and her coach, Brian DeVilliers one of our long time PTR friends.  Melanie is doing well and a very engaging young lady to talk to.

Special news as we were finishing the Coaches Conference from Craig Tiley.  Roger Federer had called him to say “We need to do something to help the people in Haiti.”

Sunday, in a never before done event on Rod Laver Arena,  Federer, Roddick, both the Williams sisters, Samantha Stosur will play exhibitions and the public will be invited to Rod Laver Arena to help raise money for the people in Haiti.  Kids will be free and adults will be charged $10.  The pros will match the monies raised by the spectators.

Watched Djokovic lose in an exhibition match to local 17 year old Aussie, Bernard Tomic in 3 sets and Verdasco defeat Tsonga at Kooyong which was the former site of the Australian Open. I was fortunate to visit the newly refurbished club last night for dinner and to admire the old time pictures of past winners and trophies.  The club started in 1879 -wow..
Did some sight seeing as well to the highest building in Melbourne and lots of local sites. Beautiful churches and very multi-cultural city – very friendly.

Later in the evening we had a speakers dinner at South Park, one of the largest malls in Aussie land. Thanks to Travis Atkinson, Manager of Coach Development and Tess.  Great time to talk business, what is new in tennis with 8 of the speakers at the conference.  Lots of topics including the newly proposed World Cup Tennis to replace Davis Cup.

Looking forward to seeing the exhibitions today and more of the city.  Will keep you posted.

It’s raining here today for first day matches – but with 2 main courts with roofs – no worries we will have tennis – unlike at the club with the rain you all are getting.

Guess I will go to the Stadium and hang with the players – tough life, but I got to do it.  Nice to have the special badge.

See you soon,

Ken DeHart

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My first visit to Australia was awesome.

I enjoyed speaking to the 250 participants in Hisense Arena and being on the Australian Open court.  Everyone seemed to like my presentation on the “20 Best Games for Strategy and Tatics” and I sold all my 70 plus DVD’s I took with me. I now have 7 different DVD’s out there and 2 more on the way.  I also gave my “Today” handout to most everyone and access to my website for additional free information.

I walked all over Melbourne – the University, tennis bookstores looking for more books to add to my 2,000 book collection, the sidewalk cafes for lunch and dinner, taking the trolleys or Trams to Rod Laver Arena, seeing the old stadium at Kooyong with 40 grass and 20 clay courts.  I enjoyed time with Dan, Wayne, Mike and Frank as we talked and ate our way thru the week.  Other speakers Miguel and Bruce Elliott were delightful as well.

Most of all I enjoyed the staff at the conference that were delightful – Tess, Travis,  Ryan, Patrick, Belinda, Rob and more.  Very delightful and made the Conference special as well as making us feel at home.

It was incredible being in the players area and standing next to Roger Federer,  Del Potro, Justine,  Melaine Oudin, Li Na, Baghdatis and all the coaches that I got to talk to just being in that area – Kelly Jones and Brian DeVilliers.

It was great just to roam around the grounds and see all the players up close as they competed – Sonderlin, Blake, Federer, Hewitt, Serena, Roddick and all the fans walking about.  First it was in the cold and rain the last two days in the sunshine of Australia.

All the best,

Ken

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