Davis Cup Play by Annie Keegan

I would like to introduce a new writer for us--Annie Keegan, from Long Island, who is an avid tennis player at the Falmouth Sports Center and a big fan of professional tennis. She is sharing this recent report of the American Davis Cup, which at one time was more popular than the major tennis events, particularly before the open era, which occurred in 1968. Thank you Annie Keegan......

Hi Folks! Kevin asked me to do a little blog of today’s Davis Cup action from Petco Park in San Diego.  It’s USA vs. Great Britain in the first round of the World Group.   We haven’t lost to the

Brits in Davis Cup since 1935 (our overall record against them in Davis Cup competition is 11-7).

This year we’re really going to feel the absence of Andy Roddick and James Blake. Both players were Davis Cup stalwarts and they’ve both retired.  John Isner, the highest ranked American player is injured.  So let’s just say we’re playing with our “B” team while Britain has Andy Murray playing all three days for them.  That being said, Davis Cup frequently brings out the best in players so let’s

hope for some great matches.

 

Team USA is represented by Sam Querrey (49), Donald Young (79) and Mike and Bob Bryan (1).

Obviously Captain Jim Courier is relying heavily on the Bryans to win the doubles on Saturday.

The host team chooses the venue and playing surface and I’m a bit baffled by the choice of outdoor

clay.  Clay may be Murray’s weakest surface but it isn’t a favorite of any of our guys either so that’s a bit of a head scratcher.

 

The first match (or “rubber” in Davis Cup-speak) is Donald Young facing Andy Murray. Young has been touted as having potential for greatness but he hasn’t delivered. He’s had some attitude problems and even a public squabble with the head of USTA player development, Patrick McEnroe.  He was passed over for a spot on last year’s Davis Cup squad and took to Twitter to express his unhappiness.  As I write this Murray has defeated Young in straight sets.

 

The second match of the day has Querrey facing James Ward (179). If that match follows rank, Querrey should win and we would go into tomorrow’s doubles even at 1-1.

 

As it turns out Ward upset Querrey which leaves the US in a must-win position going into Saturday’s

doubles round.

 

The beauty of Davis Cup is that it allows us to see the best players in the world play for their country

rather than themselves. Very few players pass up the opportunity.  Stan Wawrinka is playing for

Switzerland just days after winning the Australian Open. He and Roger Federer have put the Swiss

Team up 2-0 in their match against the Serbian powerhouse team (who are missing both Djokovic and Tipsaravic this round).  And the German team is leading Spain 2-0. The Spanish are playing without several of their best as well. Rafael Nadal, Fernando Verdasco and Tommy Robredo are all

injured.

 

On Saturday the Bryan brothers came through in their match against Dominic Inglot and Colin Fleming. They won in four sets.  For doubles fans, Davis Cup is the only competition other than the majors where the matches remain 3 out of 5 sets with standard scoring.  And the doubles round is often a make or break match for a team trying to stay alive in the tie. Today proved to be just such a

scenario for the US. 

 

The matches on Sunday will be the reverse of Friday’s match-ups.  First up will be Sam Querrey vs. Andy Murray.  If Querrey can pull off the win it would be one of the most important victories of his career.  I’d love to see him do it.

 

 

New Year's Tennis Resolutions

This time of year I tend to plan the upcoming year tennis goals. From experience I've found that being realistic with your goal setting and creative yields the best results. Make tennis as fun as you can for yourself.

The number one area for most players at the club level (and beyond) is fitness and play management. Taking time to workout in the gym for strength and cardio will improve your on court presence, balance, and reduce injuries. Anything in this department is better than nothing. That being said, once you get in the gym, things tend to move along nicely. On days you don't feel it, go easy, or maybe hold off a day. But the next day you may have double down on the workout.

Another way to improve your fitness on court is to practice proper footwork and agility on the court before you play. If you arrive to the court early you can: sidestep, carioca, side lunge, back step lunge,  run and swing racket with a recovery,  and stretch band exercise.  When you warm-up

in this fashion you are training as wll. You are establishing your movement patterns and warming up with a purpose.

In addition to fitness and movement you should have a play schedule roughed out for each season. It might include, a clinic or practice time set up with a coach or tennis friend, a doubles time (league, contract or team). Your calendar may allow for your club's events (socials, tournaments, and events).

The average club player plays two times per week. So if you play once per week or less you probably are not a member of a club. If you play three times you are a heavy user. If you play four times, you are a tennis nut.
Most injuries occur with players who over do it or play and condition too little.

Nutrition of course, is another area to improve upon. Lately, I hear more about "eating raw." Let's keep it simple: eat raw veggies and fruit, fish, and whole grains. Tough to do. My favorite food is pizza. Dang. Anything you try to improve upon here is a major tennis achievement. Carrying extra pounds is like having a barbell on your back.

So there you have it. Get tennis fit by, eating better, getting to the gym, working on footwork,  practicing once per week, playing once per week, and allowing time in your calendar for events that appeal to you. It sounds like a lot but if you do anything in those departments you will improve and enjoy the game with your friends.

Happy New Year

Kevin

Doubles Series III

Doubles Series III…………….The first challenge of the receiver is to return the ball away from the opposing net player. This can be extremely difficult to execute if the server challenges the receiver with a fast serve/spin serve that take the receiver out of their strike zone. The opposing net player is likely to put the ball away immediately that may float back. This net player should take the weak volley and place it toward the “short side.” That’s where the receiver’s partner is positioned when playing the typical one up, one back position. The receiver’s partner is in the “hot seat” where he/she must now try to volley back an angled ball, a ball with pace, or both. A good doubles player at the net can turn high balls to the short side with ease and is ready to stuff any other weak returns that may be coughed up. The net in club matches, the net player of the server often returns high balls back to the receiver and thereby gains no advantage. I’ll take a placed angle any day over trying to hit through someone. Difficult balls (often low or tough to manage volleys) should not be hit to the other net player because they are in position to take advantage. Those balls should be hit back to the back court player who must strike them off a bounce. Remember to try not to hit any ball up to a net player unless it is a good lob. The receiver who hits the up ball may feel as though they have failed, but, it is important to remember that easy balls are often missed and one should feel some consolation that at least the opponents’ were made to finish the point. Even the best pros miss an open lay-up from time to time. When the ball is returned to the net player (hopefully by accident), the server should immediately rush the net to help stuff any other balls that weakly return by the receiver’s partner. It can often happen that the server will become a spectator of their net partner’s shot. If the ball is returned weakly to their side, that server has missed a possible “up ball to put away and a free ride to the net.” This would be comparable to having a forward in basketball get underneath for a tip in or in hockey where a rebound on net occurs. In tennis, both team-mates should close the net when low balls are presented to their opponents.’ As Kenny Rogers sang, “You gotta know when to hold em’ (keep your opponent back or hold your serve, force your opponent to hit up), know when to fold em’ (concede to the fact your opponent made a great shot), know when to walk away (perhaps when your opponent makes a bad call, or you gather yourself for the next point by taking a little time), and know when to run” (when your opponent blasts a ball at your face, or when you have to get on horse and chase down a drop shot). To be continued……..

END

Falmouth Sports Center Tennis News: Dec 2013

The Falmouth Women’s Travel Team has been battling in third placed against Willy’s Gym and Mid-Cape Racquet Club in Cape League action. Players for Falmouth include: Elana Arnold, Barbara Allison, Carolyn Fournier, Priscilla Geraghty, Sherry Jackson, Nancy Polis Michelle Priestly, Ann Russell, Grace Simpkins, Cynthia Kelly, Joan White, Debra Walsh, Meredith Wilner, and Katy DePew.

In the Amity Two League, the team of Hillary Osborn, Linda Jarvis, Sandra Schofield, Linda Beetlestone, and Laura Welles are in first place going into the end of the season.

The Bionic League high scorers are Doug Rugh, Doug Azarian, Joe Lipka, Reed Christenson, Paul Skudder, Scott Muma, and Graham Davis.

The Women’s Step-Ladder Leaders are Margaret McCahill, Katie Propper, and Pam Alden. The Men’s Intrepid League Step-Ladder leaders are Reed Christenson, Don Fries, and Buddy Hampton.

Registration is now going on for all house league programs, group lessons, clinics, and conditioning/drill, junior program, high school training, and private coaching for the New Year at the Falmouth Sports Center. The Friday Round Robins will continue throughout the Holidays. The Tennis for Life Programs offered through the Falmouth Community School and the Kevin Pease School of Tennis will offer programs Monday through Saturday for all levels of players. Information will be available in the Falmouth Enterprise insert for FCS. There will be a junior tournament held over the holidays for all levels of play and there will be holiday camps for adults and juniors. Call 774-392-3666 for more information or stop in at the Sports Center main desk.

Thanksgiving Week Tennis Events

Hey everyone, KPST is open during the Thanksgiving break.


 We will be having a "Tennis Mixer" on Friday November 29, from 7pm to 9pm plus.
Register at 774-392-3666 or kpsotennis@gmail.com.

The Friday morning 9:30 to 11 am round-robin with Sean WILL happen.


On the  Saturdays' of  November 23 and November 30, we will be offering the "Junior Flex Camp" from 9am to 12 noon. This camp is for all levels of juniors. We design programs for you that morning. You may attend one to three hours at a cost of $20.00 per hour. Cape Cod Bagels are served. Train with Kevin Pease, Kara Pease, and Sarah Monteiro. Lots of fun.
Register at 774-392-3666 or kpsotennis@gmail.com.


Private Coaching. Sean, Kevin, and Kara are taking private lessons during the Thanksgiving break.
Work on your footwork using the "Etcheberry Technique." All of our pros are versed with tennis conditioning techniques, footwork drills, cutting edge stroke production and the motivating enthusiasm to push your game to the next level. For more information about this exciting training program used by world class pros check out-- http://etcheberryexperience.com/en/info/tennis_certification.
A true tennis player must be court conditioned, in shape, and mentally tough. Coach Kevin Pease is a certified Etcheberry Tennis Trainer. Take advantage.

Register at 774-392-3666 or kpsotennis@gmail.com.


Reminders: There will a be a tots on Monday 5 to 5:30pm on November 25 and there will be Challengers at 3:30 to 5pm and Tennis for Life at 7:30pm. There will be NO TUESDAY JUNIOR TENNIS GROUPS.





 

Doubles Fundamentals (Part 2)

Doubles Strategy Continued

 Last column I left you with the basic doubles warm-up and scoring. Now the match begins. The serving team, decided by a flip of the racket, begins play. The server should stand (for the most common doubles position) one half between the center of the baseline and the far doubles alley. This will allow the server to cover the cross court return. The server’s partner should stand at the net on the left side of the court, six feet from the net, ready to cover the receiver’s return down the alley, or poach (a diagonally forward move to the center net strap) the return cross court heading back to the server). If the server can locate serves and hit with power then the net player can move and put away returns. If the serves are weak then the net player plays a conservative (stay at home) position. It is more of an advantage to get the first serve in. The server’s partner can now play more aggressively on the return. Put that down in your doubles handbook—“get the first serve in.” The net player of the server stands near the middle of the left side of the court. That player follows the serve laterally, for example: if the net player’s partner serves wide to the left then the net player moves to the left, toward the alley, to cover the down the line alley shot; if the serve is hit down the middle of the court, then the net player positions slightly toward the middle. This gives the net player a bisected angle of return. The net player is a “goalie” that reduces the angle of possible return. In your doubles handbook put down, “follow the ball.” If the server locates a serve down the middle of the service box, the angle of return is reduced. This gives the net player a chance to “poach.” When a net player poaches, it is easier to score winning volleys (balls struck from the air). The next fundamental is a, “serve down the middle.” Serving wide is good to have as a change of direction to catch the returner off guard. The receiver may have a weaker “outside return.” If the receiver has a strong outside return, then the server should try to locate the serve to the body or down the middle. The net player is many times taken out of the point when the ball is served wide, for two reasons: one, the net player slides over to cover the alley shot, and two, the receiver  has angle and  returns cross court away from the net player. The receiver’s main job (next to getting the ball back in play) is to “avoid hitting up to the net player.”

 

To be continued.

 

 

Falmouth Sports Center/ Junior Open

The Cape Cod Junior Open was held at the Falmouth Sports Center this past weekend. Eight girls and eight boys competed in a total of four flights of four. These players are gearing for future USTA competition and High School Tennis programs.

In the Girls’ Flight One there was, Becky Perleman, Paige Meade, Kinsale Steedman, and Sarah Christa. Flight Two consisted of Jackie Perleman, Sanya Rajagopal, Taylor Rogers, and Julie Bridges.

In the Boy’s Flight One there was, EJ Harbilas, Noah Pring, Scott Lubofsky, and Noah Mendelsohn. In Boy’s Flight Two there was Max Carter, Ben Helfrich, Alex LaRuffa, and Max April.

Jackie Perleman placed first in the girl’s tournament with Sayna Rajagopal second, and Paige Meade third. The boy’s tournament winner was Max Carter, followed by Ben Helfrich, and Noah Mendelsohn.