Weathering Windy Tennis Days

Wind Turbine (Photo credit: @PaulDCocker)

No doubt playing in the wind may be one of the most challenging aspects of the game of tennis.  The things many players often overlook is that it doesn't have to be as frustrating if you keep a few things in mind.

First, we have to remember that both sides of the court will be affected by wind.  Both players will be affected.  The wind could blow steady and consistently, or it can be intermittent.  Shots that would normally drop in could go sailing long. Shots that would normally sail long could easily drop in.  Being aware of the conditions at all times, while not letting these irregularities frustrate you is the key to becoming a better player int he wind.  We discuss a few other things you should keep in mind in this article. Please check it out and share it with your friends:

http://www.miamitennistips.com/weathering-wind/

Tennis For Kids(Or maybe Not)

Today I had a discussion with my assistant Tennis Pro Mike.  We're going to do an article on our Tennis website about why tennis is an awesome sport for kids.  Growing up, I played many of the team sports, football, basketball and baseball.   I took up tennis a lot later than most in my mid teens.


Tennis is so unique in that you really can play it your  entire life, much like Golf.  Young people and parents don't realize how awesome that can be.  Why not take up a sport you can play longer, and that will keep you healthier and vibrant in the interim?  Makes sense right?  That's what I'll be writing about athttp://MiamiTennisTips.com  


It's a shame that all kids see today on tv involves 3 major sports.  All I can say is I'm glad I started playing tennis young. Many middle aged people I know started late, and played the other sports, I know today they wish they could have started younger.


What's your opinion?  If you learned tennis in your middle aged years, do you wish you started playing as a kid, or would you still have preferred to play, baseball, football or basketball?

Legend,Legacy or the End of an Era?

Legends endure, they're often timeless  and remembered today as vividly as in the past, during their prime and peak.   Oak Grove has many living legends.  Players who in their day reached great heights, traveled many miles, and many days  of competitive success in this wonderful sport.

Our profile today is on Mike Ram, professional tennis coach, famed world traveler, part time ATP tour security guard, caterer, commissary truck driver and playboy talk show guest.   Recently there have been developments that have questioned one of Mikes most feared on-court weapons.   No, it's not the dink lob, or the often overused dink drop volley.  Surprisingly it is Mikes very  reliable forehand.   To fairly access Mikes stroke, I believe we have refer to Mikes own words, his own assessment of where he places his best shot in Oak Grove Tennis' storied history.

Mike Ram - "When I'm hitting my forehand, no forehand in Oak Grove can compare or compete with me"

I would tend to agree with this very bold statement.  There is a level of consistency and control Mike has with this stroke.  The heavy spin and simplicity of the stroke often presents problems for less consistent players at Oak Grove.  Most often it is the < 4.0  pork chips(chicharones)  that hack around the doubles courts with their funky self taught strokes.  I personally liked Mikes control with his legendary forehand.  The key word though in Mikes statement is "When"    "When" can easily be replaced with "If"    The beauty of this game of Tennis is it has more than one element during competition.  The tallest and strongest don't always win, the smartest don't always win either.    

The mental aspect of this game and players who can solve the mental puzzles are the ones who leave the court with the "W"  Mental doesn't always involve smarts, it involves execution and overcoming fear of mistakes.

The talk on the courts is if Mike's Big Shot will return to prominence.  To rise above your competition, you must have that one big shot that will not break down. Whether it's Federer or Nadals forehand,Djokers  or Murrays backhand returns, you almost live and die on whether your biggest shot is tested under pressure.

Stay tuned, remember that legends and legendary shots endure.  We'll just have to see if Mike's Forehand returns as a force or fades as just a passing memory.

Please visit or flag site at   http://MiamiTennisTips.com  we have some great tips and information that you can use on and off the court.