There are qualities which are vital to any great tennis player and as the world of tennis progresses on, these qualities are debated over by fans an...
There are qualities which are vital to any great tennis player and as the world of tennis progresses on, these qualities are debated over by fans and players alike.
It can be fun considering the different perspectives and opinions of the many arguments that evolve from the different aspects of the game.
Some very important aspects are listed. Are there any that you would find most important?
Is it volleying? After all, a well rounded net game can pose a threat to any opponent and easily end a point. Look at the past success of players like John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg, and even Pete Sampras to a degree.
Many tennis buffs would argue that the modern game favors baseline play over the net. After all, look at the dominance of Rafael Nadal from the back of the court. Even players like Andy Roddick, who once spent more time at the net, are recently favoring the baseline and opting for ground strokes.
Any player with a powerful serve can easily take control of the court if their opponent is unable to break them and this will give them an overall advantage. Take Roddick as a good example of a big serve.
How about speed though? Guys like Nadal can get to just about every ball, making it extremely difficult for their opponents to win points. The harder your opposition has to work for a point, the more unforced errors you’ll ultimately cause.
I think that the x-factor wins over all others. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have a mental attitude that goes with winning. The type of ‘no lose’ attitude which, I think gives them an edge over their opponents.
With the ability to rarely be rattled, their stoic composure and never say die attitude wins them so many more matches than the stats would indicate.
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There are qualities which are vital to any great tennis player and as the world of tennis progresses on, these qualities are debated over by fans and players alike.
It can be fun considering the different perspectives and opinions of the many arguments that evolve from the different aspects of the game.
Some very important aspects are listed. Are there any that you would find most important?
Is it volleying? After all, a well rounded net game can pose a threat to any opponent and easily end a point. Look at the past success of players like John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg, and even Pete Sampras to a degree.
What about baseline play, is that important? Many experts would say that it is the more modern approach as opposed to playing at the net. Take Rafael Nadal for example, he spends a lot of time hanging at the back of the court rather that up at the net. And other players such as Andy Roddick have changed tactics in favour of the baseline play.
Any player with a powerful serve can easily take control of the court if their opponent is unable to break them and this will give them an overall advantage. Take Roddick as a good example of a big serve.
Players have a hard time winning points if their opponent is fast at reaching the ball. Players like Nadal manage to reach almost every ball coming their way. If your opponent has to play hard to get a point then you will be causing them to make unforced errors.
What I think is the most important aspect is the x-factor, as in the mental game. Rafael Nadal knows how to play a tough mental game and as a result has some of the toughest in the history of tennis.
With the ability to rarely be rattled, their stoic composure and never say die attitude wins them so many more matches than the stats would indicate.
One of the more prestigious surfaces in the world of tennis is that of red clay. It’s right up there with grass when it comes to tradition and history, and it’s commonly used throughout Europe and South America today.
While these courts are common in other parts of the world, they’re far more rare in America. Still, they do exist, and you should consider yourself lucky if you have the opportunity to play a match on this surface.
If you’ve never played on red clay courts before, I’d like to share a few pieces of knowledge that you may find informative about them.
First of all, the most effective strategy on this surface has always been one from the baseline. Players traditionally rely on powerful ground strokes as a means of winning their matches.
Unfortunately, players with big serves and proficient net games simply won’t find as much success on clay courts. The impact of a hard hit serve or a quick rush to the net simply doesn’t have the same effectiveness.
You might be wondering why it would matter, but there’s a good reason for this. The makeup of the clay lends itself to a ball that bounces high and slowly off the ground, giving your opponent a lot of time to get to it.
Unlike hard courts, you’ll seldom see the ball skipping off the surface and bouncing up at an increased speed. In fact, you’ll see just the opposite.
On clay, your opponent will have more time to get to each shot that you hit. This is why the points and matches are generally longer on clay than they are in other settings.
This results in very long rallies, since balls that ordinarily couldn’t be returned are gotten to on this surface. This makes things interesting, but they’re also more challenging.
As a result, anyone who moves quickly during the course of a match will definitely have an edge.
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Tennis fans around the world are rejoicing as the grand slam season has kicked off. Things are most definitely exciting on both sides of the tour, leading many to speculate as to who will dominate the sport this year. Let’s take a look at the men of the sport.
Things will certainly be interesting in men’s tennis this year. It’s one of the first years in recent memory where fans legitimately believe that more than just two players have a chance at finishing on top.
Though Federer and Nadal occupy the top two spots in the world, there are a few players who could end up the year ranked at number one. Let’s take a look at the most likely finishers now.
No article like this would be proper without calling Federer the most likely person to rank atop the world. After all, he’s held a pretty firm grasp on the position for over eight years now. On the other hand, he’s getting older and others are catching up.
If Rafael Nadal can stay healthy, there’s no reason to believe that he can’t finish there. In fact, many believe that he would have finished there in 2009 had he not been forced to miss Wimbledon due to his knee injury.
On the rise is the young 20 year old Juan Martin Del Potro, whose incredible win at the US Open shocked many tennis fans. To knowledgeable ones, the Argentine’s emergence wasn’t such a surprise. The kid is incredibly talented and has what it takes to capture the world’s top ranking this year.
Then, there are two final players who will both have a go at the throne.
Novak Djokovic is one of those guys who everyone thought would be number one at some point, yet he hasn’t quite gotten there yet. He’s more mature at the age of 23, and could finally have both the physical and mental game to get there.
Then, there’s Andy Murray. At 22 years old, this British talent is on the rise and peaked as high as number two last year. With some big wins in 2010, he could be this year’s dark horse.
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Due to the Aussie Open marking the beginning of the new 2010 tennis year, the excitement is officially here again. There are several players making up a field that is now more up for grabs than it’s happened to be in quite a few years.
No longer are the days of Federer and Rafa Nadal dominating any tournament. There are some other players competing professionally with legitimate chances every instance a match commences.
Despite the fact that Federer and Rafa Nadal sit on the number one and two spots in the tour, there are two or three players that can potentially end up the year atop the field at number 1. Why don’t we get a look at the most likely heirs to the throne at this point.
Certainly, there is certainly Roger Federer. He may well at all times be considered the leading candidate to end up atop the the rankings, because he’s done this just about every season during the duration of the most recent decade. Nevertheless, his age of twenty nine reveals that he is getting up there in years.
If Rafa Nadal can stay in good health, there is no valid reason to that he can’t wind up there. In fact, plenty fans think that he may have ended up there in 2009 had he not been required to skip Wimbledon due to his knee condition.
Also in the mix is the burgeoning 20 year old Juan Martin Del Potro, whose incredible title at Flushing Meadows stunned lots of tennis devotees. To active ones, the young player’s win wasn’t such a shock. The kid is amazingly gifted and is good enough to seize the tour’s best ranking in 2010.
Finishing things off are a pair of additional possible men. Let’s take a glance at them both.
Novak Djokovic is among these guys who fans was sure might be the very best at some point, however he hasn’t exactly gotten there yet. He’s a bit more level headed at his age of 23, and may perhaps finally have both the physical and psychological game to get there.
Then, there’s Andy Murray. With youth on his side, this Scottish talent is still improving and found himself as high as the second spot in 2009. With a few big wins in 2010, he may well be 2010’s unexpected surprise.
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Just a year and a half ago, Justine Henin ruled the WTA tennis tour, and many were calling her the best women’s player of our generation. It seemed like no one could stop the diminutive but powerful Henin.
Many were calling her the Roger Federer of women’s tennis, and deservedly so. She was simply unstoppable at her best. Why did she retire in 2008, then?
Her retirement had everything to do with the fact that she simply grew tired of the lifestyle that comes with that of a professional athlete. The training and the grueling schedule had taken their toll on this champion.
There were personal initiatives that she preferred to focus on, including a camp for children where she’d teach them how to play tennis.
It wasn’t until a few months ago during the fall of 2009 in which Henin announced that she’d be planning a return to women’s professional tennis. Fans of the sport rejoiced, as her presence would certainly add an interesting element to the state of the female game.
Many wondered if Henin would be able to compete at the level she previously played at. After all, nearly two years away from the sport could leave her rusty and a bit older. Will she be able to return to the world’s number one ranking that she firmly occupied before she called it quits?
Boy, were they wrong. Justine Henin looked as if she never took a day off after easily beating Nadia Petrova in straight sets at Brisbane. The competitive fire still burns in this warrior. In fact, some people claimed that she looked as if she never even took a day off.
From here, there’s one thing on her mind, and no one’s doubting she can get there. Expect to see her back at the top in due time.
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There are a handful of different tennis court surfaces. Each one has its own unique set of attributes, adding an interesting element to this already exciting sport.
The most popular surface in the world at the moment is the hard court. This is typically a green or blue court with painted lines and a concrete surface. You’ve likely seen it at the US Open and many other events.
As each court type has its own unique traits, I’d like to discuss some of the nuances of hard courts and the right strategies to deploy when playing on this surface. Let’s take a look at some.
The ball moves really quickly on hard courts, and you’ll be in for a surprise if you typically play on clay courts. Those who excel in the serving department always enjoy the advantages of this surface, as fast serves will be even harder to hit back.
As far as baseline play goes, hard courts don’t really work for or against people with this strategy. This is a good thing in many regards, as it won’t ruin your chances of winning a match should you choose to stay back. Hard hitting can be an asset here.
If you’re a fast runner, this never hurts in the sport of tennis, but it won’t be something you can exploit, so to speak. Your speed will be a bigger asset on hard courts than it is on grass, but it won’t let you get to as many balls as you can on clay courts.
Still, this isn’t to say that your speed won’t be an asset during a match, because it absolutely can and will. You’re far better off as a fast runner playing here than you would be on grass, and a speedy player is certainly difficult to defeat if there are other weapons that player possesses as well.
As far as net play goes, some of the best volleyers in the world have had great success on hard courts. This is because of the fact that a serve and volley strategy is a terrific way to take full advantage of this surface.
In light of the above, develop a strategy on these courts that lends itself well to your game. Most of all, have some fun in the process.
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Rafa is the nick name of Rafael Nadal Parera, a young man who has the world of tennis wowed by his fast rise to success. After entering the professional tennis arena at the tender age of just 15 years he has enjoyed a magnificent run of wins. This short Rafael Nadal biography is a brief look at what he has achieved in the few years he has played this widely loved spectator sport.
Reaching the pinnacle of his success as the number two tennis player in the world seems to have come very easily to Rafael Nadal. His clay-court performance has seen sixty consecutive wins, which is a magnificent achievement.
Rafa was born in the town of Manacor on the Island of Mallorca, on the 3rd June 1986. He is no newcomer to sporting achievement as his family has another well known sporting personality in its midst. His uncle was a professional football player for FC Barcelona for many years and he was only 15 when he turned professional.
Our Rafael Nadal biography tells us he was only 15 when he won his first professional tennis match the ATP in Mallorca. In this tennis match he defeated Ramon Delgado and became the ninth player to be younger than 16, to win and ATP tennis championship. One year later he became ranked as one of the top 100 singles tennis players world-wide and was the 2nd youngest player to achieve this claim to fame.
He debuted at Wimbledon aged 16 and made his way into the 3rd round. Since Boris Becker also did this, Rafa was the youngest player to reach the 3rd round at Wimbledon. By the year 2005, Rafael Nadal was ranked the world’s 5th best singles tennis player and this also made him a “youngest” record.
He is perhaps best known for being the winner of the French Open on four consecutive occasions. Pete Sampras won the US Open aged 19 and Rafa was the first teenager to achieve this again. He is also the arch opponent of Roger Federer, fourth youngest Roland Garros champion, as well as the 7th player in the history of the Grand Slam era to win one of these competitions on their first appearance.
If you already play tennis, then I take for granted that you already appreciate what tennis players dress in, so this article is aimed at those people who would like to obtain tennis apparel for a loved one for a special occasion. After all, it is not as easy as it appears to obtain sports garments for the player of a sport you know nothing about.
There is a certain image we are inclined to associate with a tennis player: white Polo shirt with shorts or skirt and similar shoes. They are fashionable and stylish, comfortable and classic at the same time. Items of tennis kit often signify a great deal to people who are not just sports fans. If the person you shop for is a tennis aficionado, tennis clothing becomes a fantastic gift that could also prove pretty affordable in spite of the rumors that it costs a fortune.
In case tennis apparel is something unfamiliar to you, Google it over the Internet and you will be astonished to see how much information there is available. Very many forums will tactfully inform you about prices and discounts going on at an assortment of retail stores and online dealers.
They will also provide you with information as to which marques are considered the best, which are considered the least hard-wearing and reliable, which are affordable and which more than usually dear .
What many tennis clothes users suggest is that you procure the sort of top or shirt that would make you feel most comfortable and that will permit the very wide angled movements that are peculiar to the performance of this sport. For instance, the shorter the sleeves of your tennis kit, the freer the swing during the game. Some purchase tennis attire also according to the season in which they intend to play. Still others go for the materials that can be worn in both warm and cold seasons.
They firmly believe that the tennis clothing must keep them both warm and cool at the same time. As far as the t-shirts for men are concerned, you ought to know that most players speak of Polo shirts in very high terms, as the collar offers you some neck protection from the sun’s rays.
Advice about tennis clothes like that above are to be had on very many web sites. If you are not quite sure what to go for when purchasing your friend a gift, then you can always inveigle him or her to have a discussion about his or her favourite sport. Using a little guile, you will surely be able to direct the conversation to a connected topic that interests you, i.e. tennis clothes. Making it all look like idle conversation will not make him or her guess what you have in mind for the special occasion.
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Women’s tennis has evolved very much so over the course of the last 30 years or so. It continues to develop into an extremely competitive sport and the bar has been raised some more with each decade.
Women are faster, stronger, and harder working in the world of professional tennis and we’ve been lucky enough to see some absolutely great players. Here are the 7 best since 1980, in my opinion.
Venus Williams has been one of the best players in modern tennis, and it’s crazy to think about the fact that she finds herself at #7 here. With 10 grand slam wins, her career has been wildly successful. Perhaps the most impressive stat is her four Wimbledon titles.
After Venus is Justine Henin-Hardenne. I put her ahead of Venus because she was simply better, and won more slams in a shorter span. While she cut her career short, she’s on the way back up now as she’s returned to the sport.
The next player on my list is one who I do believe should have been ranked higher, if not for a very unfortunate event. Monica Seles was the best woman in the world in her young prime, even beating the likes of Steffi Graf with ease. Unfortunately, a fanatical lunatic decided to stab her during a match, which effectively ruined her career.
4. Chris Evert. She ruled the 1970s and part of the 1980s, and had a long, successful career. 18 grand slams says it all.
After Seles is the other Williams sister, as Serena now has more grand slams, not to mention the fact that she’s younger than Venus. The last few years have been dominated by Serena ever since Henin retired, and she still has a handful of good years ahead of her.
2. Martina Navratilova. What an outstanding career she had, and she just never seemed to go away. 18 grand slams and a shining career.
1. Steffi Graf. The queen of women’s tennis, she was the Roger Federer of the women’s game. 22 grand slams.
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