Do you know your Job Description for Doubles Positions as a Doubles Team?

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

It is difficult to perform well at work, home or play, when you are not knowledgeable or confident in your job description. Too often players and partners on a doubles team are not aware or confident in their job description.
Great teams like the Bryan brothers talk between points, keep each other pumped up and focused [...]

Ken’s Tournament Preparation Blog

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

It is tournament time again for me. As a tennis teaching professional, I seldom have time to really prepare for a tournament like the pros – of course, I don’t and never have played like them.
So when I planned to play in the USPTA Nationals on Marco Island, Florida this September I had a [...]

Present Yourself for the Win – Posture and Attitude

Monday, April 13th, 2009

Whenever we enter into a competition, our greatest opponent can be ourselves. We will misguide ourselves into thinking we are doing something we aren’t. For many, when faced with the realization that this is happening, will bridge the gap and improve greatly as an athlete and player. The one thing that is vital for finding [...]

Tribute to a Hall of Fame Teacher: Dennis Van der Meer

Thursday, February 19th, 2009

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 in a 10 day course [...]

3 Secrets to Winning Doubles, pt 2

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

This is the second post of three consecutive posts on the secrets to winning doubles in tennis.
Secret #2 “Tennis Dance” Where to move & when to move there!
Dance of the server’s partner:

Find the middle of the service box, half way between the net and the service line, the center service line and the [...]

3 Secrets to Winning Doubles, pt 1

Thursday, January 29th, 2009

This is the first post of three consecutive posts on the secrets to winning doubles in tennis.
Secret #1 “Tennis Talk” – What to say and when to say it!
Before the match:

Decide with your partner ahead of time if you want to serve first, receive first, and choose [...]