Friday 27 September 2013

Winners vs Errors

When the question is asked of young students learning the game of Tennis as to what it takes to win a match, the answers are generally the same - 'hit more winners than your opponent'. It's an answer that in most instances is incorrect, especially if you look at the past history of big matches on the Men's World Pro Tour.

In 1988 my idol Mats Wilander from Sweden took on the defending Champion Ivan Lendl in the US Open Final, and in just under 5 hours Wilander came away with a victory that took him to World Number 1 . Here are the statistics of that famous match:
Lendl hit just under 90 winners  but made almost as many errors, 83;
Wilander the Champion hit just 40 winners and 37 unforced errors.
The tactics of not over hitting were by far a safer way of playing.

The US Open Final in 2013 between Nadal and Djokovic was very similar in the way the statistics favoured the player who was prepared to wait for his opponent to miss:
Djokovic hit 46 winners but made 53 unforced errors;
Nadal the Champion hit just 27 winners and made only 20 unforced errors.
In 4 hours of Tennis at the highest level this statistic by Nadal is quite remarkable yet it proves two things:
Less errors will more often than not beat your opponent's higher winner count and being technically brilliant at a game such as Tennis will give you an edge in just about every match you play ..........

Wednesday 25 September 2013

A TENNIS COACH'S OBLIGATION'

When teaching a game as complex as Tennis it would be an understatement to say that the parents are just as important as the student in the whole process of tuition. It is an obligation on the Coach's behalf to do a number of things for both the parent and student but honesty would by far be the best policy.
A fair assessment of how the pupil is progressing should be a necessity however in my years on court this seems to be neglected by some Coaches. When Tournaments are on offer it should also be talked about amongst all concerned just as to whether or not the pupil is 'ready' to play at certain levels. Local Tournaments are never really an issue, however sending kids to Perth to play against the State's best if they are not at the required level technically or mentally can be a huge mistake.
The Coach also has to consider price. In my situation I do not rely on the game for a living so therefore my pricing may to most people seem rather low. I am however no less committed than full time Tennis Coaches to see my students progress, I simply make the game affordable to learn.
It's a game that in the years to come may just be out of the reach financially for many if the progression of prices over the years is anything to go by. It is not uncommon in Perth to pay up to $100 per hour with the State's best Coaches.
Here in Albany you can be sure that learning the technical  and tactical side of Tennis under my guidance will be both educational and affordable.....