Thoughts about Tennis Tradition...

[stotty]

Borg v Gerulaitis 1980

I like this clip:

Borg v Gerulaitis in the 1980 French Open final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGvgXpuSKaE

Vitas is no match for Borg on clay but some of the rallies are good. Vitas's forehand is interesting as the backswing varies in size depending on the shot he is playing. His backswing goes beyond the plane of the body whenever he tries to get increased topspin. But no matter how well Vitas plays there is no way through. Borg can rally forever and Vitas's game cannot stand up to it. Nevertheless this short clip is attractive to watch.

Borg was the forerunner to the modern game in so many ways. He had the forehand grip that produced topspin by default while few other players of that era had...the rest is history.

I just love the way Borg blankets the court. Correct me if I am wrong but has any player ever moved better?

[klacr]

Yes, this would certainly help. But since you can lead a horse to water but can't make it drink, it would be up to tennis teachers training young hopefuls to include some hours of theory in a classroom, showing videos of classic matches and pointing out what is relevant and what can be learned. Instill a sense of history for the game, instead of solely going out and whacking the felt off of the ball. Of course, the tennis teachers themselves must be instructed accordingly to teach "history classes", but unless there is a monetary payback somewhere, knowing the world as it is, ruled by the buck, idealistic endeavors will fail...

Phil,

There are several educational institutions that offer degrees with a tennis specific discipline. The Professional Tennis Management Programs at Ferris State University, Methodist University and very soon University of Central Florida, plus a Tennis Tech program at Tyler Junior College offer students a chance for a career in the tennis industry as teaching professionals, club directors, sales reps among other things. There are all interested in a history/research component. These academic programs I believe can be instrumental in keeping alive the historical perspective of sport. Students in these programs learn beginning and advanced teaching techniques, tournament administration, racquet stringing and customization, club programming and many other core requirements all while receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business, resort/hospitality management or recreation.

There are numerous other schools in the country that have requested about a PTM program on their campus. Their names I cannot disclose but I can tell you that these schools are major universities and the Professional Tennis management idea have the support of both the USPTA, USPTR, and the USTA.

Allowing these students a chance to learn the historical significance of the game as well as to dissect the technical adjustments over the years can be critical to understanding the game of tennis and all of its technical and tactical nuances. We don't need to go back to wooden racquets to play tennis and the Model T to transport us to the courts, but we do need to remember what it took to play and how we can improve tennis in the future. It's all about education.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[10splayer]

OK, keep calm, I will ignore all your threads and posts from now on, OK?

Oh don't do that...He is a very little, insecure man, that's quite obvious. Hold him to the fire and make him validate his weak, long winded posts. His idea of a forum, is for all of us to sit around in a circle, nod our heads in agreement, gushing over him, as he goes on, and on, and on..and on.

Not sure what he would be called back in the days of continental grips, but in the modern era, he's known as a tool..

[gzhpcu]

For fucking up my thread...jerk

OK, keep calm, I will ignore all your threads and posts from now on, OK?

[don_budge]

Thanks gzhpcu...

For fucking up my thread...jerk

[gzhpcu]

Come on don_budge, let's not hassle...

[don_budge]

The Choir...

I am entitled to my opinion, just as you are to yours.

If what you have is called an opinion...I prefer not to have one.

[gzhpcu]

I am entitled to my opinion, just as you are to yours.

[don_budge]

The Choir...

Actually don_budge, having another opinion is not "soiling a thread". It is conducive to formulating one's own ideas, by being challenged. If everyone just sings with the choir, there is no progress.

You are by nature a backup singer in that choir...just so you know. Just humming along...with the herd.

[gzhpcu]

Actually don_budge, having another opinion is not "soiling a thread". It is conducive to formulating one's own ideas, by being challenged. If everyone just sings with the choir, there is no progress.

P.S. Interesting: you deleted your post...

[gzhpcu]

IPads, IPods, Video Games. An electronic medium of sorts. Kids are only interested in a screen in front of their face. Is that what you are saying? Just a wild, crazy hypothetical idea. So what if we were able to create a video database of a hundred or so years of stroke archives? A complete history of stroke evolution There would be clearer detail on this but want to hear your thoughts and solutions to preserve this game and help educate future generations. I'm a solutions kind of guy. Let me know


Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Yes, this would certainly help. But since you can lead a horse to water but can't make it drink, it would be up to tennis teachers training young hopefuls to include some hours of theory in a classroom, showing videos of classic matches and pointing out what is relevant and what can be learned. Instill a sense of history for the game, instead of solely going out and whacking the felt off of the ball. Of course, the tennis teachers themselves must be instructed accordingly to teach "history classes", but unless there is a monetary payback somewhere, knowing the world as it is, ruled by the buck, idealistic endeavors will fail...

[GeoffWilliams]

The now boys only want winners now, not winners they can't relate to. Zerev, Dimitrov, Nishikori, Raonic. Tsonga outside edge. He will be the next slam winner outside the fearsome fantastic four. They don't respect their elders, they look down on them, including not practicing with me due to my 58 yrs., even though I can help/beat, out improve them. Not interested means no changing the dynamic. Data base would go unused other than by older guys. Most of them don't even know sampras. They don't watch the masters events. They only want now.

[tennis_chiro]

If...

IPads, IPods, Video Games. An electronic medium of sorts. Kids are only interested in a screen in front of their face. Is that what you are saying? Just a wild, crazy hypothetical idea. So what if we were able to create a video database of a hundred or so years of stroke archives? A complete history of stroke evolution There would be clearer detail on this but want to hear your thoughts and solutions to preserve this game and help educate future generations. I'm a solutions kind of guy. Let me know


Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

This is the kind of project that requires deep pockets like the USTA. Unfortunately, it requires a little foresight and wisdom as well. Can you imagine if the USTA took a little of the 100's of millions it is spending in Lake Nona and got together with the owners of the other Grand Slams to develop something incorporating the concept you are proposing. They own the necessary video from all the Grand Slam video archives.

Then maybe kids wouldn't look at me cross-eyed when I ask them if they have ever heard of Pancho Gonzales or Rod Laver, much less Don Budge. The grace of a Maria Bueno or the athleticism of Evonne Goolagong are almost completely forgotten.

If...

don

[klacr]

Friend, dream on. In this era of affluence, youngsters have iPods, play video games - an era of instant gratification. You think they are interested in tennis history?

More hits on YouTube on Laver than Nadal? What does that tell me? Considering the hundreds of millions using YouTube, a miniscule group is interested in tennis. And in this small, select group, lots are interested in historic videos. But put it into perspective: an average of 27 years of age is irrelevant here. It is a tiny amount of players and I bet most of those interested in the old times are the older generation.

IPads, IPods, Video Games. An electronic medium of sorts. Kids are only interested in a screen in front of their face. Is that what you are saying? Just a wild, crazy hypothetical idea. So what if we were able to create a video database of a hundred or so years of stroke archives? A complete history of stroke evolution There would be clearer detail on this but want to hear your thoughts and solutions to preserve this game and help educate future generations. I'm a solutions kind of guy. Let me know


Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[gzhpcu]

Phil this may be you talking and not the actual reality. Many of the old clips surpass more modern clips with the number of views they get on YouTube. Laver and Newcombe have way more views than the Berdych/Nadal Wimbledon final (sorry Klacr). Laver and Newcombe may be a grainy clip but many have taken the trouble to sit through it. Many more yet have sat though the Nastase/Ashe US Open clip.

In my neck of the woods most kids who play to any kind of level have heard of Laver, Sampras, Borg and McEnroe

The average YouTube viewer is 27 years old...so young...and ranges mostly from children to adults aged 34. People would seem curious to view tennis they haven't witnessed as opposed to what they have.

Friend, dream on. In this era of affluence, youngsters have iPods, play video games - an era of instant gratification. You think they are interested in tennis history?

More hits on YouTube on Laver than Nadal? What does that tell me? Considering the hundreds of millions using YouTube, a miniscule group is interested in tennis. And in this small, select group, lots are interested in historic videos. But put it into perspective: an average of 27 years of age is irrelevant here. It is a tiny amount of players and I bet most of those interested in the old times are the older generation.