Oh Maria...

Apparently Maria Shriek-a-pova isn't a big reader of my blog. If she had looked over this post from February-- http://paul-ihearttennis.blogspot.com/2011/02/whats-worse-than-double-fault.html

-- about double faulting, maybe she wouldn't be back to making wedding plans with her LA Laker Lover instead of playing in the Roland Garros finals.

Of the 10 double faults she had in two sets, 2 were particularly troubling. One was on a break point against her at 4-3 in the second set and the other was on match point. That's right, Maria lost her Roland Garros semi-final match by double faulting on MATCH POINT. Here is what she had to say after the match: “At times, I didn’t serve well, and was rushing more than maybe I had to, and maybe—considering the conditions—maybe I was just trying to go for too big of second serves, especially.” Really Maria, ya think?

Granted, Li Na is an excellent returner, most of the women on the pro tour are. And look at Maria's serving speed average, 158 and 154Km per hr. For those of you who can't do the math in your head-- including me-- that's 2.54 MPH slower on her second serve. What are you thinking Maria? On a windy day when you have already been broken on a double fault, after 9 double faults, you go for too much on your serve on MATCH POINT?

But she's young, only 24. She'll have lots more time for weddings, and shrieks of delight and... frustration in her future.

And to you Li Na, you go girl!
(are people still saying that?=)

Using Our Tennis Brain

I am playing EPIC doubles yesterday with the guys. I double faulted - which is not my usual M.O. but you know, it happens. Then before my next serve I remembered my rule: GET THE NEXT SERVE IN. I did, but I watch lots of other players who after a double fault put a third serve OUT... then it's like a 50-50 with lots of players, half the time it's ANOTHER double fault or they get it in.

What tennis rules do you have for yourself? Don't overswing when trying to pass someone at the net? A well placed lob can be as good as a pass?

Our tennis brain can STORE this information but we need to retrieve it when needed and apply it. Make rules for yourself regarding your warm-up, second serve returns, or whatever has worked for you in the past that you think is important.

God gave us a brain not just so we can enjoy old Everybody Loves Raymond reruns, but also so we can learn from our mistakes and our successes. That's a good blue-print for tennis as well as life.

Learning From Others Mistakes

What a sight I saw yesterday!

Oh why didn't I take a picture! So you will have to use your imagination. Picture this: There is approximately18-20 feet between the baseline and the back fence. This guy (late teens or so) was on the court next to me using a ball machine to hit from. Of those 18 -20 feet behind the baseline, he camped out to hit forehands about 6 feet from the back fence, meaning he was a good Andy Roddick TWELVE to FOURTEEN feet behind the baseline to hit the ball! Apparently he as auditoning for the new "anti taking the ball early" tennis campaign that was all the rage in 1943.

If that wasn't bad enough it appeared he was trying to break his strings, his racquet, and/or his arm. He swung at every ball with every ounce of energy. I wouldn't want to be his arm today, especially considering at least 25% of the balls were flat and bounced twice before he hit them.

I applaud him ONLY for setting up the machine to roll heavy topspin deep into the court, kicking balls up shoulder high after landing within a foot or two of the baseline - we should ALL learn to hit those balls better. But his solution, to get back as far as humanly possible is probably the worst way to play that ball-- see an earlier post here- http://paul-ihearttennis.blogspot.com/2010/03/what-to-do-about-those-pesky.html for other suggestions on how to play these deep balls.

So we can learn from our own mistakes or the mistakes of others. Either way, it should lead to better, more consistent tennis.

Don't Assume...

I have played a few men in the last 2-3 weeks that are around 5'6" or 5'7". The assumption I have when playing someone a few inches shorter than I am is to stand closer to the baseline for a service return because hey, they aren't going to overpower me. WRONG DUNLOP BREATH! In the latest match with a smaller server I was continually late in swinging and couldn't switch my grip or make the adjustment until I went back to my usual return position, 6+ feet beyond the baseline.

This allowed me to "swing away" unless I wanted on occasion to creep inside the baseline to chip back a return to vary the pace.

So remember, don't assume and underestimate your opponent, they just might surprise you and surprises on the court by your opponent are not usually going to be in your favor.