Just My Opinion

Hello Tennis Fans.  Hope you are enjoying a summer of great tennis!  Today I'm not showing a video about how to improve your game via a better serve, back hand, forehand, etc...  Today I'm going to ask a question about tennis commentators.  First of all let me just say I like tennis commentary particularly when the commentator has played at the pro level and can give constructive criticism as to the game being played, telling the viewer proper technique the player used during a point, how to best approach the net, and so forth.  Commentator's have helped me understand strategy, helped me improve my swing, and get over some of my fear on the court.  So what's my question you're probably thinking right now? if you care at all; well here it is:

Why do some tennis commentator's besmirch official calls during a match?  I'm not talking about obvious wrong calls or late calls, but calls that are correct but come at "key times" in the match.  I've never been an official of a match but I have to imagine it's not that simple.  First of all the chair umpire has the responsibility of an entire match - that means all the ball kids (or people), players, lines people, keeping track of points, and so on.  It's a pretty hefty job I would say - plus the official has to make sure that the rules are being followed by the lines people and players. 

Now that I've laid the frame work for my question, I'll give some examples that seem to bewilder talking heads during a match.  I've seen line calls made by either a lines person or an overrule by the chair on a line call during an intense part of a match usually in the final set of a very intense game where an out call will be called and the television personality will complain and say, that call shouldn't be made in such a critical part of play because it screws with the mind of the players (or something to that general affect).  So if out calls shouldn't be made at certain times of the game shouldn't the lines people get to take a break from the sun and go inside and take a coffee and bathroom break and leave the players to their own devices? let the players make their own calls since and official should just stay out of it. 

I was just watching the French Open the other day and the chair ruled that Nadal was taking too long to serve and McEnroe was upset that the chair stepped in and administered the more then 20 second warning...It apparently was unfair to enforce this rule at this juncture of the match.  I don't understand when rules should and shouldn't be applied.  I thought rules were relevant through the whole game and not just portions of it.  Maybe there should be a rule book about when rules apply and when they don't or maybe we should just change the rule book to be a suggestion book of possible applications when deemed necessary to the game.  I know that sounds stupid but I think some of the comments are goofy; or maybe commentators just have to say something even if it doesn't make sense.

Another complaint I always here about is the Let Call Machine.  The machine beeps during the match then the server  (and T.V. commentators) are upset that the chair called a let, because the ball clearly Did Not Touch The Net.  So I'm guessing if the chair decides not to call a let because he or she (again the chair person) saw that the ball didn't make contact with the net than the receiver would then be complaining that,  "the chair wasn't doing their job, that the Let Machine went off and even if the ball didn't touch the net the let machine caused a hinderance, So Why Wasn't A Let Called?" and the commentator's would than be saying, "...what was the chair thinking, didn't the chair hear the BEEP!?"  It just seems like the officials can't win for losing sometimes.

I'd be curious what those of you out there think.  Just let me know by Clicking Here.  You don't have to agree with me, maybe I'm just too closed minded.  Thanks for reading and maybe I'll hear from you soon.  - TennisFan

Improving your Serve and Power

I was watching this video from James Jensen and WOW it is very informative.  He breaks down the grip explaining what grip is best to use and why, he also shows you how the services motion is exactly like pitching a baseball.  James explains how to use your legs and a way to practice your service toss.  I don't believe you'll see a more step-by-step explanation than in this video.  He has some other videos I've found I'll add those later.  Let me know what you think by emailing me at stjoetennis@gmail.com; I'm just curious how people fill this video has or will help them.  Well enoy!

Keep Hydrated While Playing Tennis

Ready for a lot of tennis this Summer??? I hope so!  But keep in mind that as it gets warmer keep yourself well hydrated is important especially if you want to do better, feel better, and keep from getting sick or cramping on or off the court.  While trying to keep hydrated be careful of caffeinated drinks such as tea, and soda (or as we say in the mid-west pop), coffee will also dehydrate you because all these drinks act as a diuretic; alcohol also falls in this category but we won't even go there.

The best thing you can drink is water, which is of course a no-brainer.  But also keep in mind that you can drink too much water and shut down the hormone that tells your body when to urinate which is known as water-intoxication. I've found an article that might help you a little more in this area if you are interested so click here for more information.  This particular article also talks about getting too much sun and what you need to do about that as well.  Keep safe and have fun this summer.

 

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April 2013 Crossword Trivia

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Mental Toughness

Mental toughness, can be a dirty word in tennis.  How hard is it during a tennis match, or even a friendly game of tennis not to beat yourself up when things go wrong?  I've talked about this subject before but I think it's one of the most important things in tennis.  I know I really get on myself during a match, it seems I'm doing everything right except for some reason the ball seems to go a little long or in the net.  I know it can't be me. . . so what's the deal?

Do you find yourself questioning what the problem is and just beating yourself up more and more until you do something really stupid like screaming at the top for your lungs or worse, cracking your racket on the ground? you feel really foolish and sometimes a few dollars in the whole when you have to buy a new racket -  It just ain't worth it, is it??? 

May be this video will give you some suggestion to help keep it together.  If any of you have other issues you would like to see discussed let me know.  I'm learning from this blog as well and would like to hear from you stjoetennis@gmail.com.  Take care and enjoy.  

Fitness Tips

I think if us tennis enthusiast have learned anything from watching tennis and playing tennis is that you Have-To-Be-Inshape, if you plan on playing people that are better than you or even those who are just as good as you.  Nothing worse than being wiped out and not being able to finish the match.  So here are a couple of videos that might give you some ideas on a few good workouts.