Senior Tennis and Fitness

Déjà vu all over again? On Thursday, Tom and I had a rematch with #4 seeded Larry Albritton and Mike Melnik, who we played two years ago. (Continue reading…)

The third Florida Super Senior Grand Prix tournament is finally in Naples this week at the Sterling Oaks tennis courts; and

Tom McCune

With my singles being over (other good matches still being played), Tom and I turned our attention to the doubles at Cape

Gordon Hammes

Let’s try to help change the tennis culture. When you see someone who just played a match (tournament or friendly), don’t ask them “Did you win?” or “How’d you do?” Instead, ask them “How did you play today?” (Continue reading…)

Which is more difficult: playing a highly seeded opponent and still going for your shots with aggression; or playing someone “you should beat” and maintaining your focus and shot-making throughout the match? (Continue reading…)

What do you do when your opponents are playing great and you are playing like crap? (Continue reading…)

Most people set their tennis goals in terms of their RESULTS… winning a match against a lesser opponent, “not getting

Jeff Greenwald

The first two rounds of singles are completed at the USTA Colonial Senior Grand Prix event, with some interesting results and some lessons.

60’s – New Hampshire and Florida friend Bob Wilkie playing in only his second-ever USTA tournament, won his first round match 6-0, 6-0 on Tuesday. Then today, he played the #5 seed, John Zachary from Sarasota, and won 6-3, 6-2.

65’s –
1 Seed, Don Long beat Paul Veltman (Pelican Landing) 6-3, 6-1
2 Seed, Larry Albritton won in straight sets over Chris Uzzi
4 Seed, Dave Spilseth (MN) was upset by a “new guy,” William MacArthur (NY)

In my match as one of the four number 5 seeds, I played Dan Garrick, who won his first round match Tuesday, 7-5, 6-3. Dan is a tall and rangey played, who has a “chop” serve and slice forehands and backhands. As Jack Lease said from the sidelines, “there is no easy way to play a guy like that.”

In the first set, I was able to control the points, mostly with my topspin forehand; and won easily, 6-2. The second set was another story… Dan took control of the points and was running ME side to side. So at 1-4, I asked myself, “What is happening here and what should I do about it?”

The answer was: force the play with aggressive shots that got him out of the center of the court and back on the run. I held and broke to get back on serve at 3-4… but found myself down 15-40, when I hit a backhand cross-court near the sideline. He walked over to it, studied the mark, and said, “Touches the line.” I thanked him for his honesty and came back to win that game and tie it at 4-4.

The running had worn him down, so he tried serving and coming to the net and going for winners to end the points earlier. I was able to break and hold, which meant a sweep of the last five games and a 6-2, 6-4 (one and a half hour) victory.

Tom McCune had won his first round match on Tuesday, vs. J. Webb Horton, 6-2, 6-0; and then had an even better comeback against one of the other #5 seeds, Gary Wilson. Tom, was on the court next to me, and lost the first set very quickly 6-2. He righted the ship in the second set to squeak out a 6-4 win. After a ten minute break, Tom (even though he is sick) had the energy and momentum to win the third set.

Tomorrow, Tom plays “the new guy” who beat Spilseth; while I take on the #1 seed Don Long.

In the 70’s – #1 seed Fred Drilling had a slight scare, but went onto victory.

#2 Seed Bill Simonton had won his first round match 0 and 0; but today split sets and was down 1-5, when his opponent “retired” (because he had a previous commitment to attend to on Thursday).

In the 75’s – #1 Seed Gordon Hammes cruised to victory.

And Jack Lease played an excellent match, losing 6-2, 7-6. As the-glass-is-always-half-full Jack says, “One of these days, I am going to win one of these matches.”

That’s my Man, Jack.

Now that it is time to begin the January USTA Super Senior Tournaments, it is a good time to re-ask the question: In that rare case when your opponent is making bad calls (and has a reputation of regularly doing that), what do you do? (Continue reading…)

You think crossing on a second serve against a strong returner is suicide? Think again. (Continue reading…)

The short tennis “off season” is over and the top pros are now returning to play, with an exhibition this weekend, Hopman Cup starting Monday, and a tournament next week. (Continue reading…)

If you want to improve your game, you MUST practice. Playing matches and even playing tournaments will help; but if you want to change or improve a stroke, you just cannot do it when the score counts. (Continue reading…)

Last Saturday, we had some great doubles! With all the holiday travels going on, I put together four of us who were about equal; but had never played together. And the results were very surprising. (Continue reading…)