Las Vegas Tennis

Darling Tennis Center, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ekim Dawson wrote:

I had the opportunity to hit some at the Darling Tennis Center in Las Vegas on Saturday. The city run facility is the best public tennis center I have ever seen. The facility opened in 2005 and still looks brand new (I expect that is because the Darling Endowment provides $1 million a year for maintenance). Maybe someone could kick in a million a year for Randolph? There are 23 hard courts, a stadium court that seats 2,800 and several acres of grassy areas in the complex. Pro shop is a bit sparse, but carries the basics.

Attended a clinic Saturday “Stroke of the Day”. Well run clinic, though there were a few too many participants for the teaching pro, thus a bit too much waiting around. A highlight was a brief snow storm near the end of the session. Yes, I said snow, for about five minutes there was a drizzle mixed with snow/sleet. Skies cleared about ½ hour later, but I missed out on a chance to play a local as the center had a Cancer benefit tournament starting.

Ekim Dawson

Tennis in the Zone - The Final Frontier

Written by the first guest Blogger-- Knarf Walker.

At our level, we pretty much have all the shots: aces and service winners; crushing overheads; untouchable passing shots; angles Cuised to perfection. But what keeps us battling for 2nd place with the locals rather than moving to the next level is that we don't hit these shots when we really need them- in crucial points of the match, and not just at 1-all in the opening set. This is where the Mental Game, and playing in The Zone comes in.

I have lucid moments when I can hit the shots I'm capable of hitting for a few points or games, but I soon return to the ways of old. The last time I had an extended stay in the Zone was a few years back in a practice match with a former Whoopassium team member. With what seemed like little effort on my part, I triple-bageled him (he couldn't believe what had happened in the first two sets and insisted on a third). In that match, his side of the court seemed like a football field to me, and it was as easy for me to hit a winner or ace as not to.

It's unrealistic to expect to play like this for an entire match, so the important question is, how to get into this state more frequently, at the right time, in important matches? Three books I've read on this topic are The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey (what I'll call the Eastern approach), Winning Ugly by Brad Gilbert (the Western approach),
and Smart Tennis by John Murray (the scientific approach). Smart Tennis has been the most helpful to me (RR still has my copy- I hope to get it back some day). It includes a self-evaluation of your tennis mindset, and addresses things like emotional energy level management, visualization, focusing, goals, and choking. I like his concept of ACES: Actions, Cognitions (thoughts), Emotions, Sensations with regard to controlling your arousal levels (no Taylor, not that kind of arousal) in those different realms. It's useful for me to try to use his ideas to help me control my breathing, for example.
Now I want to hear what works for you. When do you get in the Zone? How do you get there, and how long do you stay? Weight in, because this is important information to help our righteous cause!

Frank

Rafa Nadal, Micheal Jordan And Hanes

Rafa digging in at Wimbledon.

So everyone laughs after the 100th time during a match that Rafa "adjusts" himself. Tennis commentators have said that it has to be a nervous twitch. "Adjusting" has become such a part of the beginning of each point that Rafa just can't stop. I don't think I can believe it. I wonder if anyone has had the guts to ask the question "WHY?" ...that wasn't in Rafa's inner circle.

Here is my suggestion:

Nike needs to setup a meeting between Rafa and Michael Jordan. Micheal has to say something like, "Rafa is it the Nike shorts? If so my Jumpman Nike spin off company will work with you to make you more comfy on the court. Cause man, when I watch you, I wonder where you are going sometimes. It creeps me out. If it ain't the Nike shorts, I know a great undergarment company that I just happen to work for. Hane's is the ticket. There is no tag in band which could be a plus for you. I have been playing basketball in Hane's undies since my days at UNC. Go Tarheels! I haven't picked down there for ....well really...I never have...but it might help you. (Snickering quietly)."



After saying that, Nadal is a great tennis player. No question. Real tennis fans like me will remember Nadal as fantastic Grand Slam Champion. However if I were him, I would not want the non-tennis fans remembering me, after a Hall of Fame career, as the guy that picked at his behind.

What do you think?

Rolyatgreen

Three Serves....

Three different styles, three different serves. Since most of us generally play more doubles than singles, the serve needs to be consistent and placed well. I would say these three serves are effective. The top and middle photos show serves that are placed very well. Most of the time the serves are to the opponents weaker side. The bottom picture shows a serve that allows the server to attack the net by hitting the ball in front of the baseline. But is the ball ever going to come back down(kidding)?

I think these are good examples of serves that work for the game of doubles. Double faults are a no-no. And being able to get to net quickly for that first volley. Placement of the serve to allow your partner to be aggressive at net to pick off a few easy points. Pace is not always needed. When you are out playing see who is holding serve the most. It probably will surprise you. Holding serve in doubles is a combo of a consistent serve and great net play.

Please if you have comments or want to add something please do!!

Rolyatgreen

first sketches of the T-Shirt

Hand Draw sketches 2003.

Update on Former Whoopassium Teammates

Mike was out at Bob Dobbs and ran in to a friend of Sanjai. Sanjai is married and has a job lined up at Cal Poly (He thinks - remember Mike was at a bar).

Also, Jeff Willbanks as you all know has moved to Las Vegas. He is took a new job at BLM. As you see below:

Jeff Wilbanks
Program Manager Park, Trail & Natural Area
Las Vegas District Office

I think his email is the same. So I think if you are in Vegas and want to play tennis give him a call/email. Mike and I have his number if you ever need it.

Here is a link to Ken Chang's design/ spin factory. www.kchangdesign.com
I will drop him a email and see what he is up to.

Here is a snip it:
Ken wrote : "Well, I'm still playing tennis here in the Bay Area, but not nearly as often as I used to in Tucson. Having kids has shifted my priorities quite a bit and I'm lucky if I get 2-3 matches in per month. The competition around here is a lot more fierce and there are a lot more high-caliber players, so I'm not winning as much as I did in Tucson. I also played in a 5.0 league for the first time this year, playing doubles, and even got a couple of wins, but to be honest, my partner carried me in those matches. Currently, I'm in a Combo 8.5 league, which is 3 doubles matches where the players are paired up 4.5 with a 4.0. I don't recommend it, and I probably won't play again. Being the stronger of the two players, you are avoided most of the time, which means I'm basically there to serve the ball when it's my turn and watch your partner mess up... a lot.

There isn't a sense of "team" like I had in Tucson. I miss that about our team at Ft. Lowell. Most of the players around here just show up to play matches. They come, they play, and they leave as soon as they're done. That said, the individual players take their matches just as, if not more, seriously than they do in Tucson. There are lots of on court disputes and complaints to the USTA. Luckily, I haven't been involved in any of those directly. "

Thanks Ken!

Rolyatgreen