We as Americans are often quick to build up a champion then decide they have won too often, and that it is now time for them to lose.  How many times have you pulled for the underdog just because the other player has won enough in our minds?  That is one of the several reasons we become Dallas Cowboys or Los Angeles Dodgers haters.

What is great to see is not only the greatness of Roger Federer but people around the world still like for the guy to win.  Even the finalist at the French said he hoped Roger could win his Career Slam.  Seldom do you see someone continue to win, be on the verge of breaking records and the majority of people still pull for the champion instead of the underdog.  Did you see the amount of celebrities in attendance at the French Open from other sports?

Congratulations to Roger on his Career Slam (1 of 6 to achieve this title), winning the French Open, and being presented his trophy by another Career Slammer – Andre Agassi.  Most of all congratulations on being a winner that has earned the appreciation and respect of tennis fans around the world.  The action of the audience and tennis fans tells you what a true champion and person you are.  Their actions speak louder than words.

Photo Credits: y.caradec

• Australian Open Coaches Conference 2010 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.......
• Tribute to a Hall of Fame Teacher: Dennis Van der Meer Early in my career as a tennis teaching professional, I was living in Nashville, Tennessee and teaching tennis at the Sequoia Swim & Tennis Club. A friend of mine, Thay Butchee, the Director of Tennis at the Belle Meade Country Club talked me into driving to Sarasota, Florida to participate......
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• Davis Cup World Group Semifinals and Bell Challenge This week in Tennis featured the Davis Cup World Group Semifinals and Playoffs for Men, and the Bell Challenge for the women. The Bell Challenge was held in Quebec City, Canada while the Davis Cup was held in multiple locations. Both tournaments were the first tournaments held after the recent......
• Top-Ranked Federer, Williams Win Singles Trophies at Australian Open The top ranked players in both men's and women's tennis took home the trophies at the 2010 Australian Open. Roger Federer won the men's singles competition after losing there last year to Rafael Nadal, the number 2 ranked player who dropped out of the Aussie open this year because of......
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• Nadal Back to Number 2 with Madrid Masters Win Rafael Nadal, previously ranked 3rd in the world, has now earned the number 2 spot by defeating the number 1 player in the world and winning the Madrid Masters for the second time. Nadal beat Roger Federer on Sunday, 6-4, 7-6 (5) and took home 18th Masters win, breaking Andre......
• Federer Wins BNP Paribas Open Roger Federer defeated Victor Hanescu in round 2 of the BNP Paribas Open last weekend in Indian Wells, California. They finished 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1, with Hanescu offering much more challenge for Federer in the middle of the match and fading pretty quickly in the end. Hanescu, a Swiss......

Win the warm up.

1. Introduce yourselves to your opponents.
2. Spin the racquet before beginning the warm up so you will be on the correct side when warming up and know the serving order as to who will serve first, second and so on.
3. Immediately be the one who “spins” the racquet to decides who will have 1 of the 4 options (don’t spin the racquet on the ground as it often takes too long, scratches the end of the grip when it falls to the ground and depending upon how it is picked up the racquet you can control the be “up” or “down” call. Just spin the racquet in your hand with the butt of the racquet toward your waist until they make their call, “up” or “down” then show them the butt of the racquet to see who won the spin.
4. If the opponents win the “spin” and choose to serve, make them serve from the sunny side of the court first and prepare to lob them a lot during the first game of the match.
5. In the warm up, the first server for each team will take a lot of practice serves as they will begin the offense for their teams initially. The third and fourth servers will take a lot of overheads, a few serves and focus on returning the servers as the first two servers warm up. This is important as the third and fourth servers will play several games before serving and have opportunities to be warmed up before actually being called upon to serve. However they can play an important part of their teams success by focusing on returning well early in the match.

You and your partner need to have a plan before the match starts. This gives you confidence and a purpose for what happens early in the match.

Photo Credits: GeoNando

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• Tennis Glossary pt4 Pass - This means hitting a shot that goes beyond the opponent, typically when that opponent is either at or close to the net. Passing Shot - This is a shot that goes past the opponent in the court. Penalty Point - This is another word for point penalty. Pickup......