Omar Parker

The name Omar is not common in the U.S., and Greenwood’s Omar Parker is a very uncommon boy. Omar has been a member for close to two years and is currently ranked #10 in the Boys 12 and Under division. Omar is only 11 years old, and he started playing tennis at age five in La Jolla, California. “ He did a sports camp with lots of different sports like football and soccer, but when he came home, he said he only wanted to play tennis, “ his mom DeeDee says. Tennis is what Omar still concentrates on, and he attended every single tennis camp that Greenwood offered this summer.

Even more impressive is that Omar tried out for Team Colorado and made it the first time. According to Kavan, Greenwood tennis pro and Omar’s coach, making the team the first try is unusual.  “Team Colorado took the top 12-year olds in the state, and that places Omar among the top fifteen, probably.” This level of play will pit Omar and his teammates against the best players in Texas, Utah, and other states. But Omar isn’t easily intimidated. “He has a list of players he’d like to beat,” his mom laughs. “He just beat the boy who was at the top of the list, the #1 ranked Teller Hoskins, 6-0, 6-4, and he was very pleased.”

Kavan paints the same picture of a very dedicated and passionate player. “His best asset is his mental game; he’s very confident.” When asked if it was typical to see this level of assiduousness in junior players, Kavan says, “No, it’s very surprising. I’ve coached college players who have that kind of determination, the love of the game. But not an 11 year old.” Omar probably got his excellent footwork from his mother who was a dancer, but otherwise, his parents don’t play tennis. Omar has a strong forehand, but “he’ll need to develop more of a power game,” says Kavan. “Right now he’s more of a retriever.”

Still, Omar is sure he’ll be 6 feet tall. Kavan points out that Roger Federer is one of the slimmest men on the tour and has held the #1 spot for years. “Tennis is such a timing game; you don’t need to have big muscles.” In fact, Omar won the prize for attending more tennis camps than anyone else at Greenwood and got to take home a life-size, cardboard cut-out of Roger Federer. His mom says, “His real idol is Nadal, but I had to get this huge thing in the back of my car for him.” Kavan gives a knowing laugh. “Yeah, that’s Omar. He’s quite a character, always a joy.”

Why I Love Tennis By Juliet Hubbell

At one point, my husband said to me, “You’re playing WAY too much tennis.” It’s a little like being told you might have a drinking problem, but I reassured myself with all of the ways tennis has embellished my life.

I count the majority of my long-term friendships as tennis-originated ones. Doubles partners are as solid a friend as you can get. The expression, “I’m glad I’ve got you on my side of the court,” has great resonance for me because it is no longer the literal, green tennis court, but life’s more difficult, virtual one. Tennis friendships don’t exist just within the walls of the Greenwood Tennis Club, either. They transform themselves into baby showers, sick meals, job leads. Some of the best psychotherapy I’ve ever not had to pay for was conducted across the net, between sets, or after a long match.

Clearly, tennis is a physical activity; I don’t deny that. Billie Jean King once said, “Tennis is a perfect combination of violent action taking place in an atmosphere of total tranquility.” The ball machine is an example of what a great outlet tennis is. There are more times than I’d care to admit where I have rented the ball machine for no other reason than to bash the ball. If I hit the back curtain more than the inside of the baseline, it really didn’t matter. Tennis allows you room for that. There’s very little swearing, certainly few fisticuffs, and no one is the wiser if you are envisioning the person who cut you off on the highway that morning as you whack at the ball.

My more epicurean friends say, “Oh, no, the best thing about tennis is the food after the matches.” It is true that the exotic appetizers and gourmet desserts we bring trying to outdo one another is a plus. And the camaraderie upstairs on the observation deck is easy and natural after an evening of play.

Fashion maven friends say, “No, it’s that I get to buy cute tennis clothes,” or my ever practical male friends point out that “…it’s a game I can always improve at.” These are true as well. However, my protestation to the spousal “WAY too much tennis” remark is categorical and unwavering. It’s not about tennis at all. It’s about the people.

Juliet is a long time Greenwood member and wrote this article for the “Pulse” newsletter a couple of years ago. I thought it was outstanding and worth replaying here. Look for Juliet to be contributing more member perspective articles in the future.  

Happy Halloween!

   
A Typical “Spooktacular” Mixed Doubles Night!
Left to right are: Doug Matlock, Tanya Maierhofer, Rick Goebel, Peachy Goebel,
Cathy Stemper, Dan Washburn, Martin Nye, Susan Nye, Tim Radebaugh, Meg Satherlie,
Ken Woo, Jim Arneil, Fred Witsell and Judy Brand. Not Shown: Susan Brown and Kim Moorhead

3rd Place - State Tri-Level Playoffs

Left to right are: William Lew, Greg Jensen and Sam Lin

Greenwood 6.5 ITA Mixed Doubles District Playoff Team

From left to right are: Rose Desmond, William Lew, Joyce Lew, Charlie Hazlehurst, Joan Hazlehurst, Jim Scheper and Debbie Scheper. Not pictured: Gary Desmond.

The Importance of Good Technique…

Ever wonder why you’re wearing an elbow brace or rushing for a bag of ice after a good hitting session? I could summarize that answer best by stressing the importance of having good technique.  Some may argue that the game has fewer injuries today than ever due to conditioning and strength programs.  I would contend that although having a strong core helps, proper technique is the key to keeping club players enjoying tennis day in and day out without pain.  Roger Federer excels because of the amazing balance and timing that is based on a foundation of perfect technique.  You rarely hear of Federer pulling out of events due to injury, whereas Andy Roddick is falling off the map due to injury.  Think back to the last time that you saw Roddick vs. Federer and ask yourself who looked like they were working harder on the court.  Roddick, from the serve to his unreliable backhand, is putting in much more energy than the seemingly effortless Roger Federer.  From footwork to racquet preparation, Roger Federer is hands down the smoothest tennis player to ever play the game.  I didn’t say he was the best, but the smoothest, and it stems from good technique.  Next time you watch tennis, close your eyes and think of Jimmy Connors or John McEnroe and the way they took the racquet straight back and low, versus Federer and Nadal who take the racquet back more upright.   This is allowing players to hit the ball harder, with more spin and take more stress off your shoulder, elbow, and wrist.   If it has been a while since you have taken a tennis lesson and you are looking for ways to increase performance or decrease pain in your body, talk to one of your Greenwood Tennis Pros and let them help you enjoy the benefits of good technique. 
Thanks for listening,

Ryan Haith
Head Tennis Professional

DID THEY WIN OR DID YOU LOSE?

I know, I know, during normal every day life, at home or in the office you are a tower of mental strength. Nothing much bothers you, you are in total control. But when you step onto a tennis court, you barely know which end is up! Sound familiar? Trust me, you are not alone, and whoever said “Tennis is 90% mental” knew what they were talking about. I have several conversations every week with players who have just had a “Tennis Mental Break Down.” Although I wish I’d paid more attention during those psychology classes in college, I’ve become somewhat of an expert over the years by observing hundreds of tennis matches.

One of the most important lessons I have learned is that the outcome of a tennis match is generally determined one of two ways:

1) By overpowering your opponent with winners and forcing them to make errors.
2) Allowing your opponent to lose to you through unforced errors.

In most instances players enter a tennis match with strategy #1 as their primary plan of attack, but soon, one of the players realizes that their opponent is much better at that strategy than they are, and if they’re a savvy player, they change to plan #2. One of the most important mental steps a player can make is in understanding these two distinctions; learning to recognize which is happening to them and then how to counter.

By far the most depressed players I see following a tough match are good players who like to overpower their opponents but drop a match to the “please lose to me” player. This is when players talk about choking, having an off day, saying “I play better against stronger players” or complaining that their opponent was a “pusher”. The more accurate, technical explanation for this type of loss is simply that their opponent was more consistent. Big hitters don’t like to speak about consistency - it’s not in their vocabulary! But being consistent doesn’t mean that you have to be able to keep the ball in play for 100 shots . . . if you can make three shots in a row, you are adequately consistent. Most points don’t last more than four shots total. To develop more consistency, try these simple tips:

1) Choose a target for every shot; stroking toward a target leads to accuracy. Accuracy opens the door to consistency.
2) The smaller the target, the less consistent you’ll be. Choose a larger target to improve your chances of hitting it.
3) Increase your net clearance. Net errors are a common mistake of over-hitters, cut down your net errors and you are well on your way.
4) Shorten your swing. Compact strokes are naturally more consistent.
5) Make it your goal to hit three shots in a row every point. You can’t become a successful player by hitting one in a row.
6) Consistency is impossible if you are off balance. If you are off balance, hit the shot you know you can make.
7) Expect the ball to come back after you hit it. You know you’ve arrived when you’re a little disappointed when it doesn’t come back

Remember, “Tennis is 90% mental.” Seeing yourself as a consistent player is a huge step in becoming a consistent player and the first step in putting those bad losses behind you.

Ron Steege, USPTA