Kids Tennis Game

I thought I would share you this warm up or wind down game for younger juniors.I call this game lost sheep ,its a court awareness game teaching the juniors the names of the lines of the tennis court.As you can see watching the video as many kids get "lost" in their search for the correct line, hence the name
LOST SHEEP.

Novak does it again.

Novak Djokovic proved again he is the best tennis player in the World by defeating a gallant Rafael Nadal.The Djoker was always talented now he has been able to focus and control his skills.Mentally he matched it with Nadal and in the end he broke the Spaniard by repelling a Nadal comeback taking the 4th set and the match 6-1.Nadal now knows what Federer felt like when Nadal stopped him successive grandslam finals.Nadal is competitive and it will be interesting to see how Nadal sets out to combat and defeat this new and improved player. In yesterday's post I summed up pretty well the danger for Nadal and his serve was going to be a key part.Here is a section of his post match interview.

Q. That long game in the second set, I think game three, how deflating was that on your serve to not come out of that when you put the overhead in the net?


RAFAEL NADAL: I keep fighting. I fighted a lot to come back in the second. I was ready to accept the challenges and to accept the problems. The problem is, I told you, I didn’t have free points. The serve didn’t help me. I didn’t start the points with an advantage tonight with my serve. That’s a lot. So I don’t think I need an ace or a winner serve, because I think I have enough good forehand later to have the control of the point. But a lot of times I started the point in the worst position than him when I was serving. So that’s tough.


Nadal will be striving to improve his game , and the serve is going to be a key, if he is to ever beat Novak again.Can Novak maintain his focus ,Im tipping him to continue his dominance, he has raised the bar , its up to the rest and Nadal to raise theirs also.

Stosur comes of age!

What a win for Aussie Sam Stosur today over Serena Williams in the US Open Ladies singles final.Who tipped that? certainly not me and before I write more I have to say I am eating a large slice of Humble pie , well make it the whole pie!I never thought Stosur would lift the silver ware at a grandslam, her game today was outstanding she had to play at her best to win and she did , she surpassed her best she was incredible.As I have written previous I do not think Stosur's backhand was Grandslam material today it was brilliant and a key to her win.When she had to defend she used her slice backhand,executing the short dropshot and angle forcing Serena to come in and then passing her with her forehand.She served extremely well today and was aggressive on Serena's second serve.Congratulations Sam Stosur you proved your critics wrong including me! A huge boost for tennis in Australia.

I am looking forward to the Men's Final Between Nadal and Djokovic.One would say on previous encounters this year Djokovic is favorite.Nadal must be strong mentally he can not afford to let the Djokovic game get to him, he must go in with a game plan.If he hits to short the Djoker will make him pay, can he afford to run around his backhand for his favorite forehand?  he has tried this and Djoker has nailed him to the open court.Nadal has to serve well , he is always going to have to scrap more on his service games as unlike Djokovic there wont be as many free points on his service game, Novak has the bigger serve.Nadal to tame his Demons (Djokovic) and I am tipping him to take the title yet again.

I followed with interest the Junior singles,The Girls won by Grace Min USA who in fact was unseeded , I feel sorry for the second seed who Min beat first round.Min is only 5'4 and did not drop a set the whole tournament.As I said before ITF points and ranking are no clear indication where you really sit amongst your peers.Min has been playing more Challenger Woman's tourney's than junior events recently.Madison Keys from the USA and 12th seed bombed out early after good results in the Open section, an indication how far she was going to go in the girls event was a struggling first round win over Fanning from New Zealand.The boys was won by British Junior Oliver Golding who was the 13th seed over top seed Jiri Vesley CZE.The brits junior program is looking good with some great talent both Boys and Girls!

The Serve

In the blur of the serve,there can seem to be a variety of techniques used, but the worlds best players,the essential components are the same.


Here is a link to a fantastic article by the New York Post.
CLICK HERE

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Gone With The Wind -Federer and Nadal

Hi All sorry for the lack of posts recently! Back in action again.Found this picture on the net,with the US Hard court season in full swing could this Old movie poster be a sign of the times for former World No 1s Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.............are they indeed Gone with the Wind?

Davis Cup Live streaming Nz

Well done to the organizers that made the Live Streaming possible for the Davis Cup tie New Zealand vs Philippine's which New Zealand won 5-0.I guess for the visitors it proved one thing that former World No 72 Cecil Mamiit should  retire and let the youth develop.Mamiit is best known as Sharapova's hitting partner.For New Zealand it was a result they should of won Mamiit is 35 and well past his best and the rest of the Philippine's team hardly scare anyone. Over the weekend thanks to the internet I have manged to watch some of France vs Germany,USA vs Spain.Just post here in the comments section if you want to see matches that are not shown on Local TV but are available on the net.

Murray Fashion Statement

Andy Murray has hit back at former Davis Cup captain David Lloyd for saying that the world No. 4  needs to improve his once court appearance and shave more frequently.

"I don't think it makes any difference, guys like [Bjorn] Borg didn't shave for weeks and months until they lost," Murray said at a Davis Cup press conference in Glasgow. "I heard what he said yesterday and I used to actually practice at one of his clubs, in Renfrew, I think. He's entitled to whatever his opinion is, but I think he should stick to what he does best and that's building leisure clubs. It doesn't make a difference, it's whoever works the hardest, whoever plays the best wins the matches and that's all that's important."

My top 10 ramblings for Wimbledon 2011


1. Novak Djokovic proved he is the Worlds Best Tennis Player.


2. Nadal proved he is human admitting the previous beatings by Djoker played on his mind before the final


3. Petra Kvitova a breath of fresh air in Women's tennis without the glamour fuss associated with Grandslam pretenders.


4. Was it Luck or did the Aussies really have a good Wimbledon.High hopes for Barty girls winner.Saville did not look special.


5. Ladies doubles was like water torture


6. Federer's on the decline


7. Nadal's father was really letting loose in the players box during the final...he did not look happy.


8. Sam Stosur proved again that for someone who is touted as having one of the best serves in women's tennis ,loses her serve to easily.


9. Serena and Venus made a guest appearance.


10. Bring on the US OPEN

Wimbledon Mens Final Preview.

The two best players in the world battle for the Men's Singles Wimbledon crown.This will be a battle,won with the heart and the mind and the will.Both are fantastic tennis players and athletes the last time they played Djokovic moved the better of the two ,both had outstanding semi final form. Djokovic will hurt Nadal if Nadal is not serving well, Nadal has to get a lot of first serves into play, on grass he gets a little more zip than the clay on which they last played, Nadal needs this to get control of the rally,Djokovic has the ability to win more free points on first serves and this could be crucial if the match is tight.Also a weapon is Djoker's backhand down the line that hurts Nadal big time if its firing.Nadal's forehand against Murray was back to its brutal best and this allowed Nadal to dictate, Djoker has a few more weapons to counter this.For me it comes down to who best keeps their mental game together.Nadal is relentless he wont give in,for me this will be the deciding factor and that he is playing his 5th Wimbledon final.Nadal to win.


Australian Luke Saville took out he boys title.Saville is the first Australian junior to win here since Todd Reid in 2002.I have to say however "what happened to Todd Reid".The transition to the Men's game is huge,but with Tomic reaching the quarters of the Maindraw there is light at the end of the tunnel.Promising news on the Junior girls front is 15 year old Ashleigh Barty from Ipswich. Barty will face Russia's third seed Irini Khromacheva in tonight's final.Barty conceded height, age and experience to Indy de Vroome - but nothing else - in a fabulous 6-4 6-1 semi-final victory.So great results with Aussie Juniors and if you follow the eye , I made mention of Barty's potential some posts ago.I had to ponder when I saw a local top ranked New Zealand junior girl last week practicing locally the gap between the top and the pretenders are immense and so are the correct tournament pathways.

If Barty wins tonight I am pretty sure that it could be a first ever that both Junior winners are from Australia.Finally wasn't it great to see another Left hander lift the Ladies Silverware ,Petra Kvitova defeated Maria Sharapova to win the Ladies title.We will be hearing a lot more of this "lefty" in the future.The 21-year-old No.8 seed became only the third Czech woman to triumph at Wimbledon after nine-time champion Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna, who were both in centre court's royal box to witness the victory.Packed with emotion its great to see a New Champion fulfill their dreams after all the hard work highs and lows and tears that go together to make a top tennis player.The tears today were tears of happiness and joy . Well done to all her team.Watch out for my future article why do Adult players hate to lose to Juniors!

This is a great story from The Telegraph a little more background on Kvitova and her colorful father.LINK

Wimbledon Semi Finals - Mens

Rafael Nadal Vs Andy Murray


What a match up this promises to be! Centre Court Crowd will be supporting Murray and should the match get close it could be a huge factor!Nadal must be fit to beat Murray, if his foot hampers his movement he will not win.He needs to be at his mobile best.Murray will have to serve extremely well ie first serve percentage must be Tsonga like from his match with Federer.


They are saying Murray has been strong mentally this past fortnight, he has not been tested really ,Nadal is relentless and should Murray start screaming at his box then he will suffer the same fate as last match.


This will be close.My predication Nadal.


Novak Djokovic Vs Joe Wilfred Tsonga


I hope Tsonga can reproduce his Federer form, I can't say Djokovic has looked comfortable on grass .If Tsonga can serve well he has the ability to win this match .As I said before he has to back up here, Novak will be different and if he leads Jo Wilfred by 2 sets to love then he wont allow him back as Federer did. My Predication Jo Wilfred Tsonga.

Wimbledon Day 9 Tips

Roger Federer Vs Jo Wilfred Tsonga


Who would bet against Fed , I think this is a danger match and if Tsonga gets on a role and has his adrenalin flowing  , he is younger and stronger.


Andy Murray vs Feliciano Lopez


Pretty Boy Vs not so pretty Boy! You can guess which is which.Murray to win.


Novak Djokovic Vs Bernard Tomic


Tomic's run to finally end , what a great draw for the Djoker


Rafael Nadal Vs Mardy Fish


The last of the Americans , and it will be the battle of Little Bighorn and same result.

Day 7 Wimbledon Tips

What a line up tonight, lucky for the internet streams as I will be able to watch most of the great matches.Below are my tips but expect a few upsets as usual.I have tipped against Wozniacki just because she normally falters in the second week of a Slam.I hope Petrova puts out the shrieking Azarenka!!Nadal and Del Potro should be a beauty and can Murray keep the British hopes alive against Gasquet...he is still whinging and carrying on to his support crew, come on Andy its time to stop it.

Centre Court
13:00
Gentlemen’s Singles – 4th Round
Andy Murray(GBR)[4] vs. Richard Gasquet(FRA)[17]

Ladies’ Singles – 4th Round
Venus Williams(USA)[23] vs. Tsvetana Pironkova(BUL)[32]

Gentlemen’s Singles – 4th Round
Rafael Nadal(ESP)[1] vs. Juan Martin Del Potro(ARG)[24]

No. 1 Court
13:00
Ladies’ Singles – 4th Round
Marion Bartoli(FRA)[9] vs. Serena Williams(USA)[7]

Gentlemen’s Singles – 4th Round
Michael Llodra(FRA)[19] vs. Novak Djokovic(SRB)[2]

Gentlemen’s Singles – 4th Round
Mikhail Youzhny(RUS)[18] vs. Roger Federer(SUI)[3]

No. 2 Court
12:00
Ladies’ Singles – 4th Round
Shuai Peng(CHN)[20] vs. Maria Sharapova(RUS)[5]

Ladies’ Singles – 4th Round
Caroline Wozniacki(DEN)[1] vs. Dominika Cibulkova(SVK)[24]

Gentlemen’s Singles – 4th Round
Mardy Fish(USA)[10] vs. Tomas Berdych(CZE)[6]

No. 3 Court
12:00
Ladies’ Singles – 4th Round
Nadia Petrova(RUS) vs. Victoria Azarenka(BLR)[4]

Gentlemen’s Singles – 4th Round
Lukasz Kubot(POL) vs. Feliciano Lopez(ESP)

Gentlemen’s Singles – 4th Round
David Ferrer(ESP)[7] vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga(FRA)[12]

Court 12
12:00
Ladies’ Singles – 4th Round
Sabine Lisicki(GER) vs. Petra Cetkovska(CZE)

Ladies’ Singles – 4th Round
Petra Kvitova(CZE)[8] vs. Yanina Wickmayer(BEL)[19]

Court 14
12:00
Ladies’ Singles – 4th Round
Tamira Paszek(AUT) vs. Ksenia Pervak(RUS)

Court 18
12:00
Gentlemen’s Singles – 4th Round
Bernard Tomic(AUS) vs. Xavier Malisse(BEL)

Wimbledon Day 6 Picks

Centre Court - 13:00

Ladies' Singles - 3rd Round

Caroline Wozniacki(DEN)[1] vs. Jarmila Gajdosova(AUS)[27]

Gentlemen's Singles - 3rd Round

David Nalbandian(ARG)[28] vs. Roger Federer(SUI)[3]

Gentlemen's Singles - 3rd Round

Marcos Baghdatis(CYP)[32] vs. Novak Djokovic(SRB)[2]

No. 1 Court

13:00

Gentlemen's Singles - 3rd Round

Rafael Nadal(ESP)[1] vs Gilles Muller(LUX)

To Finish 7-6(6)

Ladies' Singles - 3rd Round

Maria Kirilenko(RUS)[26] vs. Serena Williams(USA)[7]

Gentlemen's Singles - 3rd Round

Robin Soderling(SWE)[5] vs. Bernard Tomic(AUS)

No. 2 Court

12:00

Ladies' Singles - 3rd Round

Klara Zakopalova(CZE) vs. Maria Sharapova(RUS)[5]

Gentlemen's Singles - 3rd Round

Juan Martin Del Potro(ARG)[24] vs Gilles Simon(FRA)[15]

To Finish 7-6(8) 2-4

Gentlemen's Singles - 3rd Round

Fernando Gonzalez(CHI) vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga(FRA)[12]

No. 3 Court

12:00

Ladies' Singles - 3rd Round

Dominika Cibulkova(SVK)[24] vs. Julia Goerges(GER)[16]

Gentlemen's Singles - 3rd Round

Gael Monfils(FRA)[9] vs Lukasz Kubot(POL)

To Finish 3-6 6-3 3-3

Gentlemen's Singles - 3rd Round

David Ferrer(ESP)[7] vs. Karol Beck(SVK)

Court 12

12:00

Ladies' Singles - 3rd Round

Marion Bartoli(FRA)[9] vs. Flavia Pennetta(ITA)[21]

Ladies' Singles - 3rd Round

Tamira Paszek(AUT) vs Francesca Schiavone(ITA)[6]

To Finish 3-6 6-4 3-2

Gentlemen's Singles - 3rd Round

Xavier Malisse(BEL) vs. Jurgen Melzer(AUT)[11]

Court 14

12:00

Gentlemen's Singles - 3rd Round

Mardy Fish(USA)[10] vs. Robin Haase(NED)

Ladies' Singles - 3rd Round

Sabine Lisicki(GER) vs. Misaki Doi(JPN)

Gentlemen's Singles - 3rd Round

Yen-Hsun Lu(TPE) vs. Michael Llodra(FRA)[19]

Court 18

12:00

Ladies' Singles - 3rd Round

Melinda Czink(HUN) vs. Shuai Peng(CHN)[20]

Gentlemen's Singles - 3rd Round

Tomas Berdych(CZE)[6] vs Alex Bogomolov Jr.(USA)

To Finish 6-2 6-4 4-3

Ladies' Singles - 3rd Round

Ana Ivanovic(SRB)[18] vs. Petra Cetkovska(CZE)

Gentlemen's Singles - 3rd Round

Nicolas Almagro(ESP)[16] vs. Mikhail Youzhny(RUS)[18]

Wimbledon Day 5 Tips

Centre Court
13:00
Gentlemen’s Singles – 3rd Round
Feliciano Lopez(ESP) vs. Andy Roddick(USA)[8]

Ladies’ Singles – 3rd Round
Daniela Hantuchova(SVK)[25] vs. Victoria Azarenka(BLR)[4]

Gentlemen’s Singles – 3rd Round
Andy Murray(GBR)[4] vs. Ivan Ljubicic(CRO)

No. 1 Court
13:00
Ladies’ Singles – 2nd Round
Laura Robson(GBR) vs. Maria Sharapova(RUS)[5]

Ladies’ Singles – 3rd Round
Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez(ESP) vs. Venus Williams(USA)[23]

Gentlemen’s Singles – 3rd Round
Rafael Nadal(ESP)[1] vs. Gilles Muller(LUX)

No. 2 Court
12:00
Ladies’ Singles – 2nd Round
Caroline Wozniacki(DEN)[1] vs. Virginie Razzano(FRA)

Gentlemen’s Singles – 2nd Round
David Ferrer(ESP)[7] vs Ryan Harrison(USA)

To Finish 6-7(6) 6-1 4-6 4-2

Ladies’ Singles – 3rd Round
Tsvetana Pironkova(BUL)[32] vs. Vera Zvonareva(RUS)[2]

Gentlemen’s Singles – 3rd Round
Juan Martin Del Potro(ARG)[24] vs. Gilles Simon(FRA)[15]

No. 3 Court
12:00
Ladies’ Singles – 2nd Round
Marion Bartoli(FRA)[9] vs. Lourdes Dominguez Lino(ESP)

Gentlemen’s Singles – 2nd Round
Igor Andreev(RUS) vs Bernard Tomic(AUS)

To Finish 6-4 7-5 3-6

Gentlemen’s Singles – 3rd Round
Gael Monfils(FRA)[9] vs. Lukasz Kubot(POL)

Court 12
12:00
Ladies’ Singles – 3rd Round
Yanina Wickmayer(BEL)[19] vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova(RUS)[12]

Gentlemen’s Singles – 2nd Round
Jurgen Melzer(AUT)[11] vs Dmitry Tursunov(RUS)

To Finish 6-3 2-6 7-6(5) 1-1

Ladies’ Singles – 3rd Round
Francesca Schiavone(ITA)[6] vs. Tamira Paszek(AUT)

Gentlemen’s Singles – 3rd Round
Mardy Fish(USA)[10] vs. Robin Haase(NED)

Court 14
12:00
Ladies’ Singles – 3rd Round
Nadia Petrova(RUS) vs. Kateryna Bondarenko(UKR)

Ladies’ Singles – 3rd Round
Ksenia Pervak(RUS) vs. Andrea Petkovic(GER)[11]

Gentlemen’s Singles – 3rd Round
Richard Gasquet(FRA)[17] vs. Simone Bolelli(ITA)

Court 18
12:00
Ladies’ Singles – 2nd Round
Elena Baltacha(GBR) vs. Shuai Peng(CHN)[20]

Ladies’ Singles – 3rd Round
Petra Kvitova(CZE)[8] vs. Roberta Vinci(ITA)[29]

Gentlemen’s Singles – 3rd Round
Alex Bogomolov Jr.(USA) vs. Tomas Berdych(CZE)[6]