Sunday Nov 1, 2009
We're here now in Perth, have had a couple of days of practice on Tiger Turf, the artificial grass courts we'll be playing on for the team event this next week and then the following week for the indivdual world tournament.
It plays a lot like grass but has much better footing.
The real challenge so far has been the never ending strong wind from the south that makes you feel like the best player in the world on the south side of the court when the wind's at your back and the weakest when you're on the north side.
So, we're all getting prepared for the mental challenege of managing our matches with windy conditions.
Tiger Turf - A little sand thrown in, not much, plays like grass, but so far with a little better foooting.
Also, since these courts do play a lot like grass, and the need to bend the knees is much more than hardcourts, I’m feeling muscles and body parts that are giving me some interesting feedback.
As in, tweak here, tweak there, so I’m working through a few minor issues with my calves and hips. Nothing to be overly concerned about at this stage.
My teammates, Brian Cheney, Armistead Neely, and our team captain Hugh Thomson, are all veterans of the team event having represented the USA several times in the past, and me a wide eyed rookie, they’ve been a tremendous resource to me for what to expect and how to play on this surface.
2009 USA 60s Von Cramm Cup Team: L to R - Armistead Neely, Hugh Thomson (Captain), moi, Brian Cheney
An internet connection, simple wifi, has been a real challenge so far once we landed in Sydney a few days ago. Sitting here in the Positano Restaurant in the Northbridge district of Perth.
Lots of practice sessions so far. A real treat for me as I get to work out with 3 of the world’s top senior 60s players.
Opening ceremonies tonight at 5pm. Mai will be videotaping and taking pics. I’ll post those tomorrow.
What have I learned so far? My game is way too one dimensional as a pure hardcourt player. I need a lot more play on clay especially.
Brent
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Forgot to look for you flying over Adelaide. Good luck and hope it doesn’t get too hot for you and your team mates. It was 36 deg celcius here yesterday and it’s still only spring!
Brent:
Best of luck to you and glad to hear your are in Australia and participating in this great even. Enjoy it all.
HWand
I remember being the rookie on a team with Cheney, Bronson and Geoff Moore. I was in such distortion about them being so much better than me that, when I saw a picture of us all I couldn’t believe that I was not the shortest guy on the team. I actually was taller than two other guys. Self perception…wild.
Have a great time. Hope your first match went well.
Say hi to the guys for me.
GOOD LUCK ,G-DS SPEED
THAT SURFACE IS THE WORST. LIKE PLAYING ON A RUG,,,
Hi Brent, and it looks like you are having a good time !!, I wish I had the weather to do this, at this time of the year, even with locals. Our nets have been down now for about 3 weeks, and the snow is just around the corner.
It’s too bad those images you posted aren’t click able, they are so small, and you can’t see much.
Glad you are making this world a better place with your love of tennis, and passing it along to others.
Frosty.
That is *so* cool! What an honor! I remember watching Armistead Nealy beating up on everybody here at the National 40′s Clay Courts a couple of decades ago. And, as I’ve told you before, Hugh Thomson (newly wed) is my tennis hero. Grab some drop shot tips for me while yer with him.
Good luck to you guys. Sounds like a blast!
Kevin Bryant
Savannah
Have a good one Brent, I know you can do it. Be agresive and go for the emptiness move to the ball,serve to the body and with good pronation, and you will get another trophy. Sleep well. Jorge
Thanks for the update. It was windy in New Zealand when I was there three years ago. I loved the Tiger Turf once I got used to sliding!!!!!
Good luck, Karen
Hey Brent!
Just wanted to wish you all the best for your upcoming matches! You gonna do great
I think I may say I speak for a lot of friends from WebTennis when I say that we all got your back and maybe can give a little bit of of what you did and still do for us back to you with our full support
Go out and win!
best wishes,
Tobi
B! I really enjoy hearing all about your great tennis news and results! Congrats so far and I know you’ll have a great time in Perth; I have relatives there and I’ve been there myself. Hear from you soon!
Brent, want to wish you good luck. I know you’ll represent us — USA — well. Take care, Jack Doo
Greetings!
And good luck to you and your team. Enjoy the moment…breathe…relax…spank that fuzzy yellow ball.Oh yeah, read the wind, it plays havoc with the ball-have fun.
George
Congratulations on being selected to represent your country Brent.
As usual your analysis of the aspects of the game you need to consider (surface, technique, your body feedback etc) is insightful and pragmatic.
I wish you all the best in your round robin matches & I look forward to watching the rsults.
Stephen
What strings and string tensions are you using on that surface and the windy conditions?
Good luck and use your skills, Brent. I am excited for you and will follow your progress.
Hi Brent,
Wow! What a wonderful experience/adventure. I will be following with great interest
Hi Brent
Good luck to you and your teamates in the tournament.
Hey! I am really enjoying the CDs and the DVDs about the
tennis lessons. Once again good luck.
Thanks for the e-mail.
Roy
Hi Brent
I forgot to mention that it must nice to play a tournament in Perth Australia at this time of year. I am sure you guys can cope with the wind problem, I know that it would not be a problem with me being down there.
Good luck… Roy
Hi Brent:
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and the rest of the US team the best of luck in the tournament.
Regards,
Jeff
GO! GO! GO! guys. Win that tourney.
God bless you all. don’t worry you have a “prayer warrior” in me.
Alfredo
Dear Mr Brent
Wish u andd your teammates good luck and a happy memorable tournament at Australia.
regards
Subramanian
Good luck………………..
Come back a winner////////////////
No open house today……………………..
thanks for the update, Brent…good luck!! play well and have fun…can’t wait to see some pics…matt
Hi Brent – I think I wrote a rather long email to you in this little box but it seems to have disappeared. If you got it, great. If not….just remember 7th and 8th grades I think. Dart Tinkham, Willard, parties…Cal games..
Cici and I are still exactly the same…no change…like you!! Ha, I wish!…Hey, great luck in your matches – I will be following along with your fans! Keep your 3 Maginc Moves in mind!!!
Fondly, Mandy
Hope you win and learn tons more…but, have even more fun!
Make up proud! Good luck and I love the Play by Play! Go USA I refuse to say Go Seniors!
I will look forward to you giving your thoughts on what we should do to improve our Clay Game!
Best of luck Brent, i’ve been receiving your advice through the mail for sometime now, and my game has really improved a lot.
Watch for the wind and take proper care of your body, i’ll be cheering from Chile.
You go get ‘em!!!
Hey Brent,
I hope that the racquets work well for you. GOOD LUCK.
Leonard Cooper
Whzat a treat and honor!!! Keep focused and get in that zone. Are you playing singles,doubles or both?Who is your partner? GOOD LUCK!!! Al
Make sure you remember to have some fun. Good luck.
Hi Brent. Did you get that racket you were looking for?
I tried unsuccessfully to find it here in Neuquén-Argentina.
Good moves, and a bit of luck!
Diego
Dear Brent,
Nice to see you in the bunch of experts. I am hoping and praying that you will win the tournament. Just in case you wont, you are still a champion team in my heart.
God bless your team!
Good luck to all of you. I watch Hugh and Armistead practice over at Bitsy Grant where I play just before leaving for Perth. I’ve seen Brian play a few times in the clay court championships here in Atlanta. You are definitely in good company. Those guys are amazing players and have great endurance. Edwin
Brent,
Have fun!!!!
I just finished women’s senior 3.0 USTA Nationals in Tucson. We did not make it to final round, but our men’s team finished 4th. Can’t believe how much fun these tournaments are!!!! Go for it!!!!
Am still sharing your video on tennis elbow with others. It was the most helpful procedure I have ever found and I still go through the routines after I play.
What do you mean? You are an all court player that just comes in. Play your game. Let the others worry about you!
Good luck in the championships, Brent. I would have thought synthetic grass would suit your all-court game very well. I wish some Aussies would export it to Thailand to spare my aging body from the rigours of these PlexiPave surfaces.
Brent = Have enjoyed your website. Good luck!
Good Luck Brent,
Thanks for keeping us posted.
Just remember, “Have Fun” and Enjoy
Larry
Pompano Beach, FL
Great to hear that you are enjoying the truer aussie feeling which I believe exists more on the west coast than the east. I’ve spent my last five days at the World wide Coaches Conference in Valencia Spain, boy I learnt so much again from some of the greatest coaches in the world presenting their stuff. One point that was mentioned by all the spanish pro’s including Francis Roig and Alberto Costa which sticks in my mind is that hitting lots of balls even just through the middle of the court is super important to groove your game. So what I suggest is get out there and hit as much as you can so you can get the best feel possible for this unknown surface. Good luck and I hope that you get to see the beautiful beaches surrounding that amazing country also. Pablo
Best of luck, Brett. I’ve benefited greatly from your tips, especially on the serve. I have been a Super Senior competitor for several years now and, starting in January, will enter the 70s. We regard you guys as our Federer, Nadals, and Roddicks, and your success on the International stage makes all of us smaller fish proud. GO FOR IT!! And remember the Power of Calm.
Congrats on your play!
Say hello to your teammates and to Martha, Ken and my brother.
hi Brent,
good luck
i wish i was there to watch
richs