It’s raining and cold! The temperature is in the 50’s; so I am glad to have brought my long sleeve shirts and warm-up suit. After breakfast, our Wanker team had a meeting to meet each other and talk with our three coaches (Emmo, Marty Reissen and Brian Gottfried).
One point for further debate on this site will be the question I raised: if a doubles team is paired with a steadier player and a more aggressive player, which should play the deuce or add court? Emmo and Marty felt the steady guy should be in the deuce court to create the opportunities; while Brian (a fine doubles player in his own right) said he felt the steady guy should be the one in the add court.
We then waited our turn to go on the five indoor courts for a series of drills that we did for an hour and forty minutes. It was a time for us to work on ground stroke, approach, volley, and overheads. We were in our teams; so our coaches stood on the courts with us as the ranch hands fed us the balls. They were both evaluating each player for team position and giving us pointers on each of the strokes, as we practiced them.
Tip of the Day: One of my goals coming here was to get pointers on that ever-elusive high forehand volley. Emmo watched me mess up a few and took me to the side to say I needed to turn my shoulders, instead of volleying straight on. But more important for me, I was cocking my wrist; and therefore hitting it too wristy. So he told me to lower the racquet head and keep my wrist more in a straight line. I felt an immediate improvement!
After lunch, the rain had stopped and the courts were dry by mid afternoon; so our team went out at 3 p.m. for some doubles pairings. The coaches teamed me with Mike Rennels, a young and athletic guy from California; and against our #1 player, lefty Jimmy Miller with Glen Klages, from NY.
It was very, very windy (20-30 mph) and Mike and I were lucky enough to win 6-2. They then split us up, pairing me with the lefty. We went down a break (my serve, of course); but were able to pull it out 6-4. The best doubles team? Jimmy Miller and his partner. We shall see how the coaches pair us up for tomorrow’s first real match.
Another tip from Emmo: when trying to return a lefty’s spin serve, you must move in to cut it off. Don’t let the spin play you and take you wide.
Seems that Emmo’s hip is bothering him enough that he is not playing the camper fantasy doubles matches at the end of the day. So instead, he is holding a small clinic for anyone who wants to participate each day. After my shower, with bottle of beer in hand, I stumbled across them; so just stood and listened as the Grand Master gave a variety of pointers.
Dinner was barbeque style food and after dinner, there were the usual funny announcements/speeches; followed by a panel discussion with several of the Legends discussing the favorite tennis matches they have watched. Afterwards, while others went to the bar for more drink and talk, I went off to my room to try to get a decent night’s sleep before the team competition started on Tuesday.
You went from one extreme to another. At least you don’t have to worry about getting dehydrated. Go Red Sox!
Very nice article. It is very helpful. Thanks.