Tennis Anyone?

Tennis Trivia

2005-05-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

.

As the end of my Internet Marketing class nears, I thought it would be a neat idea to test your tennis knowledge. I found this tennis trivia website with quizzes about tennis history, players, strokes, and more. Take this particular quiz to see how much you really know about the big green court. Ciao!

Prevent Injuries

2005-05-11T17:19:00.000-07:00

I found this great tennis blog that offers some great exercises for preventing tennis injuries. Check it out.

Tip of the Week: How to Warm Up

2005-05-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

Tennis is a game of rules and etiquette. In competitive play, the first order of business after greeting your opponent is the warm-up. Many people mistake this for practice, but warming up is just as important as the actual match. This is the case with other sports as well.

A good warmup helps to:

Get your blood flowing. You'll be less prone to injury if you warm up your muscles and joints.
Adjust you to the court surface and try a range of strokes at different court positions.
Assess the potential strengths and weakness of an opponent.

Buying a Racquet

2005-05-08T10:54:00.000-07:00

Power vs. accuracy. Usually, buying a new racquet requires you to choose one characteristic over the other. But this season's best frames deliver a winning combination of both. Rather than attempting to build the biggest, longest, and widest--in other words, the most powerful--racquet, manufacturers altered the way frames are constructed and added new materials to improve control. New designs also provide expanded sweet spots. And some racquets have devices to enhance the way the strings respond to the ball, for more accuracy. Whether you're buying a racquet for the first time or want to try something new, check out this site to get some background info on the latest brands.

News: Clijsters injures knee

2005-05-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

Kim Clijsters strained ligaments in her right knee but still hopes to play in the French Open even though she will not be at full strength. The Belgian, once ranked No. 1, underwent an MRI scan after she injured the knee while chasing down a ball Thursday at the German Open, her Web site said Friday. For more information visit this site.

Find a Partner

2005-05-04T20:32:00.000-07:00

Whether you're a regular tennis player or want to pick up a racket for the first time, you must find a partner. Tennis TIP makes that possible with its free "Find a Partner" service. Visit this site to sign up and get started.

Buy Tickets to Tennis Tours

2005-05-03T09:36:00.000-07:00

Visit this website to find tickets to the US Open, Australian Open, Wimbledon and other renown tennis events: http://www.tennistours.com/

Book: The Rivals

2005-05-03T09:23:00.000-07:00

I’m hearing raves for Johnette Howard’s new book, The Rivals.

I haven’t read it yet, but word is that The Rivals, a twin-subject biography of tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova that’s rooted in their rivalry—is one of those delightful books that makes you rethink the familiar. Johnette, a soft-spoken, outdoorsy woman who grew up in Pennsylvania, is a friend as well as one of my favorite tennis writers. She’s a very open-minded person who thinks independently and has a great talent for spotting quirks and absurdities in people—and the situations they get themselves into.

“Together, match by match, final by final, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova changed women’s tennis forever. I watched their rivalry with awe and pride: two remarkable athletes, fierce competitors—and good friends. It’s hard to remember what it was like for women and women athletes in particular back then; Johnette Howard captures it all in vivid detail. The Rivals is must reading for anyone with a passion for tennis and for anyone curious about Evert and Navratilova’s utter transformation of the women’s side of the game.” —Billie Jean King

Tennis Around Delaware

2005-04-28T12:27:00.000-07:00

In response to Ben's post about where to play tennis locally, there are plenty of courts around the Newark area. On campus, there are tennis courts behind the Little Bob, at the main stadium, next to Perkins, and behind the Rodney dorms. Around Newark, there are tennis courts at Fairfield Crest Park on Lynn Drive, the George Wilson Center on New London Rd, and Folk Memorial Park on Welch Tract Road. You can locate other local tennis centers at this website: http://newark.de.us/docs/departments/parks_and_open_space.html

With regards to local tournaments, you can visit the US Tennis Association's homepage at www.usta.com to sign up and start playing competitively.

Worlds Top Tennis Stars at Burj Al Arab

2005-04-27T17:55:00.000-07:00

In preparation for the Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open, tennis legend, Andre Agassi and the world No. 1, Roger Federer, couldn’t resist the temptation to have a friendly knock about on the world’s highest tennis court, the helipad of Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel.

Both players are in Dubai to compete in the US$1 million Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open, which is the first round of the two-week Dubai Tennis Championships.

Check out thess AMAZING pictures! http://www.burj-al-arab.com/tennis/

Fire Up Your Game

2005-04-27T17:51:00.000-07:00

10 WAYS TO FIRE UP TENNIS

1. Bring back serving and volleying
2. Create informative and clear standings
3. Identify the players
4. Rev up tournament finals
5. Connect players and fans
6. Nickname Players
7. Dress like champs, not chumps
8. Stop the stalling
9. Resuscitate doubles
10. Fix the schedule

For the full article: http://www.tennisconfidential.com/articles7.htm

Vacation Tennis Style

2005-04-27T17:06:00.000-07:00

Need a break from the real world? Visit a tennis resort for the ultimate vacation experience. Tennis resorts provide great coaching staff, private and group lessons, and excellent pro shops for purchasing rackets and clothing. Not a tennis player? Not a problem. Most tennis resorts also have phenominal golf courses, as well as have swimming pools, fitness centers, spas, and fine dining.

Check out this website for tennis resorts located throughout the US: http://www.tennisresortsonline.com/

Tip of the Week: Watch Your Opponent

2005-04-18T16:59:00.000-07:00

Tennis players are told to "keep your eye on the ball" to track ball movement and ascertain depth in order to strike it. But these are the basics--theres much more you can do to prepare for your next shot.

If you respond only to a ball's flight and spin after it crosses to your side of the court, it's too late to make adjustments. So go one step beyond watching just the ball--watch your opponent hit. The player's overall motion should tell your feet where to go, and how hurried or cool you should be in your setup.

Advanced players take note of many details, including an opponent's arm movement before, during, and after the ball strike. These motions reveal the player's intent. Look for these characteristics when reading the ball and your opponent:

Type of spin: Quick, low-to-high motions place a forward spin on the ball (topspin), creating a faster bounce off the ground. A high-to-low motion places backspin on the ball (slice), forcing the ball to skid low off the court.
Length of stroke: Long backswings with an extended follow-through equals greater depth. The higher the follow-through, the higher the ball flight, so back up early before it bounces over your head. Short backswings signal little pace, but if you see a short backswing with a slice and a short follow-through, prepare to move in for a drop shot.
Speed of stroke: Slow swings give you time to react and think about your own shot. Fast swings pack more heat, so get that racquet back and get into position quickly.

News: Henin-Hardenne Wins Family Circle Cup

2005-04-18T16:00:00.000-07:00

4/17/2005

Belgium's Justine Henin-Hardenne earns her trophy Sunday, April 17, 2005, after winning the finals of the Family Circle Cup in Charleston SC. Henin-Hardenne defeated Russia's Elena Dementieva in straight sets 7-5, 6-4.

For more information on this tournament, visit: www.tennis.com

News: Nadal Wins Monte Carlo

2005-04-18T15:53:00.000-07:00

4/17/2005

Rafael Nadal of Spain defeats defending champion Argentina's Guillermo Coria in their final match of the Monte Carlo Open Tennis tournament in Monaco, Sunday, April 17, 2005. Nadal won 6-3, 6-1, 0-6, 7-5 .

For more information on this tournament, visit: www.tennis.com

Preparing for Spring Tennis

2005-04-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

Are you a little apprehensive about the upcoming tennis season? Maybe you spent too much time at work or on the couch this winter. Either way, if you're like most rec players, you'll shrug it off and say, "I'll just play for hours on end until my game returns." Why not try something different this year? The USTA get-in-shape program will have you in midseason form in just a month. It consists of: a mix of aerobic conditioning, strength training, and skill drills to help you regain both fitness and form.

Week 1 & 2: Preparation Phase

If you're feeling tired after a few minutes on the court, it's crucial to work on aerobic conditioning. To help you shape up for tennis, the longest part of the training program is devoted to this phase. It's important to have an aerobic base to work from since it's harder to get in shape quickly right before a big match. Spend the first two weeks of the plan concentrating on the following:

Raise your heart rate - Do 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic training three times a week.
Be strong - Add some weight-training to your workouts one to two days a week.
Try something new - Take this early opportunity to work with a pro once a week to focus on new parts of your game.

Week 3: Precompetitive Phase

At this point, your training should become more tennis-specific, with an increase in off-court intensity and a decrease in the amount of time you spend at the gym. Include the following:

Work in intervals - By incorporating periodic bursts of intensity followed by longer recovery periods, you'll closely mimic the action on the court.
Keep your strength up - To improve your muscular strength during your weight workouts, slightly increase the weight load while decreasing the number of repetitions.
Head in different directions - Add some multidirectional speed and agility drills to your court time once a week.
Get your game on - Begin simulating the stresses of match play by focusing on playing out points rather than full sets.

Week 4: Peak Phase

It's game time. After all the hard work, now you'll be playing matches and practicing your best shots. You won't need to do any additional aerobic training this week beyond playing tennis, but you might want to keep some tennis-specific strength moves in your schedule.

Get serious - Put some pressure on yourself and make yourself play to the best of your ability.
Stay healthy - To prevent injuries, train with light weights or resistance tubes.

News: Lindsay Davenport Wins Bausch & Lomb Champ

2005-04-11T15:17:00.000-07:00

4/11/05

Top-ranked Lindsay Davenport got off to another strong start on clay, beating Silvia Farina Elia 7-5, 7-5 Sunday to win the Bausch & Lomb Championships for a second consecutive year. Davenport joined Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf and Gabriela Sabatini as the event's only three-time winners.

Tip of the Week: Don't Wait for the Ball

2005-04-07T15:33:00.000-07:00

Foot work on the court is vital. If you're not in the right position to execute your shots, it will make it impossible to utilize your strokes. One way to improve your movement is to think like a soccer player.

In soccer, players always move aggressively toward the ball or attack the ball with their feet so the ball will not be stolen. In tennis, this means never letting the ball come to you. Attacking the ball with you feet and moving your body weight into the shot will put you in a better position to hit consistently. It also takes away your opponent's time to set up.

Attack with your feet and you'll rule the court.

News: Kournikova Stalker Ruled Mentally Ill

2005-04-07T15:28:00.000-07:00

4/6/05

Professional tennis player Anna Kournikova had a hearing Wednesday for charges against an alleged stalker. William Lepeska, who is accused of stalking Kournikova in person, by mail and on the Internet, was ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial by a judge. He was removed from the hearing due to repeated disruptions.

Rafael Nadal: The Emerging Athlete

2005-04-07T15:19:00.000-07:00

The 18 year old just played No. 1 ranked Federer in the finals of the Nasdaq-100, and almost won the match! His success over the past four months has stamped Nadal as a contender in Paris and other Grand Slam cities. He helped Spain beat the United States at the Davis Cup final in December and won consecutive clay-court titles in Brazil and Acapulco in February. Nadal has soared to 17th in this week's ATP Tour rankings from 51st at the start of the year. His strength helps him impart tremendous topspin, forcing opponents to meet the ball chest high. He's the highest-ranked left-hander and one of only three in the top 40, allowing him to hit shots at angles other players seldom see. Nadal just might be the next teen prodigy at the rate he's going.

Tip of the Week: Volley Down the Middle

2005-04-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

There’s no rule that says you have to be offensive with every volley or that you have to volley every shot. If you approach the net and aren’t in position to put the ball away, don’t force it because you could end up giving the point away. If you hit a decent volley you can still close in on the net, limit the passing angles, and have a much better chance of knocking off the next shot for a winner. Even if you just volley the ball deep and down the middle, you're still in a winning situation. Your positioning alone pressures your opponent to come up with a passing shot or lob which can easily be put away on the court. That’s why, statistically, the baseliner is at a disadvantage to the vollier.

News: NASDAQ-100 Men and Women's Finals

2005-04-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

4/2/05

Now that she's healthy again, Kim Clijsters may be better than ever.

The Belgian earned another title Saturday in her remarkable return from a career-threatening wrist injury, beating Maria Sharapova 6-3, 7-5 in the final of the Nasdaq-100 Open.

The tournament was just the third in Clijsters' latest comeback from the injury, which required surgery and forced her to miss much of last year. But she has won 14 consecutive matches, including the Indian Wells title two weeks ago, and beat six top-10 players in her last nine matches.

4/3/05

Taking on No. 1 ranked Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal showed up in a flashy outfit with only two sets show.

Twice two points from defeat, the top-ranked Federer rallied and won the Nasdaq-100 Open by beating the 18-year-old Nadal 2-6, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-1 Sunday for his fifth title of the year.

Federer trailed 4-2 in the third set and 5-3 in the ensuing tiebreaker, but his shots became more accurate and aggressive as he overtook a tiring Nadal in the 3-hour, 43-minute marathon.

Wearing white clamdiggers, an orange sleeveless shirt and a white bandanna, the No. 29-seeded Nadal appeared ready for a day at the beach, and made the match look like one for a while.

"I thought Roger was a little nervous in the beginning, and I took full advantage of that,'' Nadal said.

For more information on this tournament, visit: www.tennis.com

Tennis: Where Fun and Fitness Meet

2005-03-21T13:49:00.000-08:00

A great social outlet, not to mention an all-over workout burning an average 498 calories an hour, tennis is where fun and fitness meet. This is probably why so many adults are returning to the sport, or picking it up for the first time in their 20s, 30s and even 60s. And sticking with it.

Whether you play with your best friend once a week, in a weekend league or with your family, tennis provides a time-efficient, enjoyable way to get in shape and keep up with the people in your life and community.

There’s also no better activity to help you achieve core strength, a flat stomach, flexibility and heart health. Nobody knows more about the human heart than The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, home to some of the world’s leading cardiac physicians. Ranked No. 1 in America*, the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center recommends tennis as an excellent cardiovascular workout. To find out more about your heart and optimum heart conditioning, visit www.ClevelandClinic.org/heartcenter.

Lindsey's Love For the Green Court

2005-03-07T17:30:00.000-08:00

My name is Lindsey Edelman and I am a tennis player. Since the age of four I've had a racket in hand and don't plan on ever putting it down. I played various sports growing up but found tennis to be my favorite due to the physical, mental, and emotional benefits. In the summer, I played for 6 hours a day for a youth tennis league and during the winter for an advanced training program. I often found myself traveling throughout the tristate area for tournaments as well as to Florida for intensive practice and play.

By the age of fifteen, I was giving lessons to both children and adults to help improve their tennis skills. While I was a part of my high school varsity team, I did not want to pursue tennis in college. I no longer am concerned with my competitive game and focus more on playing for enjoymenet and exercise. I am currently enrolled in a tennis class at UD and plan on sharpening my skills for years to come. In my eyes tennis is the best way to stay in shape and release stress while enjoying yourself. Grab a racket, pick up some balls, and get your game on!

The Game of Tennis

2005-02-20T19:17:00.000-08:00

Real Tennis as it is called in Britain, Royal Tennis as it is called in Australia, Court Tennis as it is called in the States, Jeu de Paume as it is called in France or Tennis as it is properly known, is the oldest of all the racket games, and unlike most of the others, such as squash or lawn tennis, it is a product of evolution rather than pure invention.

Today, tennis is a world-class competitive sport captivating millions of players and fans all round the world. A constant programme of tournaments and events takes place throughout the year and top players have become sporting icons for a new generation. Something that was once the pastime of Kings has become a sport for all.