Ken DeHart and Jazz Playing Tennis Balls

Today was another great day and we finally had sunshine – yeah… I took the tram to Rod Laver and was able to get in straight away.

Met with the Tennis Australia group that ran the Australian Coaches Conference and thanked them for making it such a great experience. I went to the players tunnel and saw Roger Federer off to workout in the fitness room as well as Todd Martin, Del Potro and Justine.

I went out to the outback courts to watch some others play. Robin Sonderlin who would win the first two sets then drop the next 3 – 6-4, 6-4 and 6-1 to a Spainard in 4 hour match. Think we have all been there – done that, hate that feeling. Watched James Blake beat the Frenchman – Clement, 7-5, 7-5 & 6-1. Blake recently left Dunlop and went to Wilson’s Federer frame. I talked to Kelly Jones, his new coach about James and he is in his best condition and excited to play.

Talked to Melanie Oudin from Atlanta that did so well at the US Open. She was out practicing with her coach Brian DeVilliers and working on his serve before she plays today at 4:30. Met with 2 former Association Coaches from Holland – Frank and Canada – Louie and discussed the difference between a coach and instructor as well as what makes a good coach. Stopped to talk to Li Na the #1 player from China whom I met on the flight from Sydney to Melbourne.  Her match was postponed from today to tomorrow. We discussed how it affects her planning in preparing for the next match and her eating.

Went into Laver Arena to watch Roger Federer play Igor Andreev from Russia-he hits a really heavy ball (combination of spin and speed).  He beats Roger in the first set 6-4 but Roger wins 6-2 and is up 5-4 but loses his serve and must win it in a tie breaker.  Roger turns it up another level and wins 6-0.  Rogers forehand sometimes goes on vacation – without him.  He moves and you can’t hear him move, like a Ninja in daylight.

Tonight we will see Aussie Alicia Molik vs Julie Coin.  Alicia un-retired and is doing well.  She won the first set and the Aussies are going wild, she is up 5-2 and and and loses the set and the third.  We have all been there – done that.  The Monster of “I could win this” ate her up.  She got tight and the shots lost depth and speed.  Now we are watching Tsonga play in Hisense Arena against Stakhovsky from UKR.  Better leave, it is 12:31 and I have to pack to leave in the morning after and early morning workout.

P.S. Richard Gasguet, France, and Youzhny on Margaret Court.  Youzhny, #20 seed, wins from 2 sets down and cramping to win in 4 hours 40 minutes and 5 sets.

Earlier today I was at the Wilson booth when Justine Henin came by to sign autographs for Wilson – huge crowd of adults and kids.  She is very patient with everyone.  More camera crews there – could hardly see her.

Took the players transport back to the hotel earlier today and rode with famous Aussie player and coach, Tony Roche, and Sophie his player who lost in qualifying but is in main draw or doubles.  He will be back in the US in March at the Indian Wells Tournament.  He gave me his cell # and I may try to get him to come to San Jose for a PTR workshop and speak at the San Jose SRC.

Wayne Elerdon, the Canadian speaker and I walk up Russell St to Lygon St and find a good Italian Restaurant with sidewalk cafe style.  Lygon St is just like Willow Glen and Los Gatos downtown with trees, sidewalk cafes and shops.  It is next to Melbourne University which I had visited earlier in my trip.

Hope you have enjoyed my updates from Australia.

My next adventure is to North Carolina at the end of the month for an Enrichment Program put on by the USTA to update 20 of us on Quick Start Tennis for young players and working with Recreational Coaches.

After that we have our NorCal USPTA Conference where Mike Barrells of England who is here with me this week with speak on PTR for Kids and Jorge Capastany from Michigan and I will present on “Drills, Coaching, Player Development & Error Detection”, the first weekend of Feb.

Feb 10th Kameron and I leave for Hilton Head, SC.  He will be my hitting partner for the PTR Nationals and week long Symposium for teaching pros on every possible aspect of teaching and coaching with 800 pros from the US and 50 plus foreign countries.

See you soon, keep it dry – I am ready to get on the court.

Ken DeHart
SJSRC Director of Tennis
PTR & USPTA Master Professional

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