Won both singles and doubles yesterday and now into the round of 16 in the singles and quarters of the doubles.
It’s warming up. Literally. Supposed to hit almost 90 degrees today.
My boys and I from northern California are loving the heat after a winter of rain and cold, but be careful what you wish for, I felt the legs get a little rubbery yesterday despite being in control of my singles match.
A tough hombre today. Tom Bozarth. I’ll need to be organized mentally with not being distracted by anything outside of my court.
I find that if I literally key my visual world inside my court between points is a big key to maintaining concentration throughout the match.
As soon as I start looking around at the other matches I get myself into trouble.
It takes a lot of discipline and practice to be able to stay visually focused inside your court.
More tomorrow on visual stuff. For me, what’s the most important aspect of watching the ball?
The vital key is when to make sure you’re absolutely locked visually on the ball…
Brent
—————————
Here are the links to the draws.
Singles - Click here | Doubles - Click here
———————————–
What’s Your Feedback To This Post?
Let us all know what’s on your mind. Just leave your feedback below.
———————————–
Want To Sponsor 1 Or More Tips Here?
Send an email to AskBrent@WebTennis.net .
—————————
This Tip’s Sponsor
Many thanks to this tip’s sponsor, “TheStick”.
I use this fantastic massage roller on my legs, my lower back, my glutes, my hips, and even my arms on a daily basis, usually 3-4 times a day for about 2 minutes.
If you haven’t picked up your own Stick, watch my video recommendation over at:
http://webtennis.com/thestick/
—————————
This Tip’s Related Tennis Lessons by Brent
- Mental Skills For Competitive Tennis Players - Click here
- Tennis Serve Lesson - Click Here
—————————
Upcoming Tips
- The High Backhand Volley
—————————
Ask Brent
Do you have a question that would make a good tip topic? If so, just send an email over to Brent atAskBrent@WebTennis.net
—————————
Mention WebTennis To One Of Your Tennis Friends
Got a tennis friend who you think might enjoy WebTennis? Just send them an email and suggest they get signed up to receive future tips by going to http://www.WebTennis.net/Tips/
Thanks…! Brent
—————————
Are You A Competitive League Or Tournament Player?
How To Win More Points, Games, Sets, & Matches
Brent-
Good Luck today man. i love your site and all of your info. as a tennis professional myself, everything you have ever said is spot on. im looking forward to the next update. Stay Focused Bro.
Hi Brent,
Thanks for the updates and tips. Good luck on your upcoming matches.
I’m recently married and soon I will purchase a couple of your video series. You really do give up a lot of free stuff so that kind of generosity speaks volumes to me.
All the best…
Good post, Brent and keep up your seeding.
Perhaps an overlooked aspect of looking at other matches is that most of us decent players are good imitators. We could get thrown off by becoming fascinated with another player’s strokes. Reportedly Jack Nicklaus would not watch an opponent swing for fear of messing up his timing and groove.
Your posting was helpful as far as keeping your vision locked into your own court and not wandering onto other courts. However, I thought you were actually going to talk about what you should be looking at as your opponent is hitting the ball and the ball is coming to you in terms of what peripheral vision information might be useful to pay more attention to, while also, of course keeping your eye on the ball. As I improve my tennis, and play with more difficult opponents, I find that I need to pay attention to not just the ball, but the positioning of my opponent and trying to anticipate where he’s going to hit.
Any thoughts would be helpful.
keep it going, Brent!!…and when am i (we) going to see some video of your matches, so I (we) can learn from your success??
Brent,
I couldn’t agree with you more about maintaining visual focus and discipline during a tournament. For this reason, I am not a very good spectatoor of friends’ matches when I’m still “alive” in the draw. It encumbers my mind with too many images which are not of me hitting my shots in my unique way. And, of course, this holds doubly true DURING my matches. I, too, find that if I “look up” from my work and take a gander at what’s going on around me, I’ve broken the “spell” or train of coincentration and it takes several points to gain it back.
As for when to watch the ball… I believe that there are times when one shouldn’t watch the ball, but instead train one’s eyes on the opponent or on his racquet. The classic example, of course, is when playing doubles, the netman for the serving team should be looking at the receiver’s racquet face and overall body positioning to ascertain the best time to poach. But in singles, I think that one should keep one’s eyes trained on the contact point a few milliseconds after striking the ball, and then look at the opponent to see what kind of position he is in and whether the shot is causing him some difficulty. If it is, that may be a perfect opportunity to come forward.
By and large, I’d say one should look at the ball intently from the moment just before the opponewnt strikes it to when one strokes it. It’s what you focus on outside of those boundaries that can make a huge difference in shot execution and anticipation.
I just came back from playing the seniors worldchampionship.Great fun having the opportunity to play and watch those professionals. But completly out of my league and my age since I am supersénior(71:5)I did play well but they are just too good.I saw a U.S. head coach that I had to play using the” stick” before the game and of course I tougth about you.They where 38 countries represented. Keep the good work at your present tournament. Jorge