Great Friends Make for Great Teams 120
There is nothing better than playing doubles with someone that you love to spend time with.
tennis journals
Quick First and Second Round Matches 67
This morning I read that the great American runner, Steve Prefontaine, would have been 65 years old today. He had said: “Somebody may beat me, but they are going to have to bleed to do it.”
California, Here I Come 23
For those of you who have been following my tennis journey over the last 16 years , you are probably expecting to read about my annual ambivalence about putting in the work again.
Gold in the Louisiana Delta 21
I often write that I have redefined winning in a way that almost every match has wins. The sweetest of wins is when all that is important to me comes through in the big matches, the finals of the National Championships.
National Clay Court Championships: A Chance to Reboot My Game 193
Nearly two years since the last National. Now, I am two days away from the National Clay Championships. New Orleans Tennis Club founded in 1876, the oldest tennis club in the country. It will be great to be back in the mix. The first day buzz of seeing players who I have been competing with for over 30 years. First practice on the clay in the humid south tomorrow. Pumped for feeling the dirt under my tennis shoes.
The Most Special Two Weeks in Tennis: Grass Court Tennis at Wimbledon 18
The press and the fans have stories about every player. It is important that the player has a story going that will give them the best chance to ignite the highest end of their talent and skills. So that, win or lose the score, they can look in the mirror and say, “I have no regrets. I brought my best.”
Play Within Myself 238
So many years of competing. Lots of successful matches. More wins than I ever could have imagined.
And there is still that voice tucked away deep in the corner of my mind that has doubt.
Kaizen: My Mission as I Ramp Up for Competition 54
Who would have thought that at nearly 67 years old this dog could learn new tricks? Actually, I would have. With “kaizen” as my mission, each day takes me to a better version of myself on the court.
Federer: Lessons from 2014 19
I have been trying to write about Roger Federer since the US Open. Every time I started, though, my inner voice said to wait. Something amazing is yet to happen. I am glad I waited because this weekend Roger sealed the deal for me on me casting my vote that he is the greatest player I have ever witnessed.
Practice During a Match? 19
Won today 6-1, 6-0. The games were closer than the sets. My opponent had a good game. Experienced, good hands, strokes, serve and a deceptive drop shot. He had game point five times but I was able to find some strong focus to win four of them.