Social distancing with tennis

Kristianne Bontempo | Towpath Tennis Contributor

Tennis is ranked as a 2 on the COVID-19 risk scale.

"6 ft is good. 78 ft is better!" That has become the motto here at Towpath Tennis. While we are 4 months into this ‘new normal’ and have yet to see the light on the other side of the tunnel, we continue to work toward what we can control in what has been a grim situation. Covid-19 has taken its toll on small businesses and communities alike, but instead of allowing it to get the best of our physical and mental well-being, people are getting creative in figuring out how to still live an active life--just in a new way. For the tennis community, we are incredibly fortunate to have a safe place to do just that.

Tennis is a low risk sport that everyone can safely enjoy due to a number of factors, the most obvious being that players are 78 ft apart! According to the Texas Medical Association, on a scale of 1-10, tennis is ranked as a 2 and is considered low-risk during Covid-19. Activities were ranked by physicians from the TMA COVID-19 Task Force and the TMA Committee on Infectious Diseases. Whether you're figuring out how to 're-enter' the game or you're looking for something new to do for you and the family (where there's no-contact), tennis is for sure the social-distancing sport for you.

How to play tennis (and stay active) during a pandemic:

• Take your temperature before leaving the house.🤒 And for the love of, stay home if you're not feeling well.
• If playing inside, wear a mask (at least in the clubhouse).😷
• A tennis court measures 78 ft x 36 ft. Players hitting singles will have PLENTY of room to hit without any physical contact.🤗 Even when playing doubles, you can safely give yourself the 6-foot minimum distance between you and your partner (think of your arm + racket spaced between).💪 🎾
• Bring 2️ (or more) cans of tennis balls to play with. Depending on the number of players on the court, you can all have a designated can to serve with. Label them if you have to. For any tennis balls that aren’t yours, you can simply kick👟 or roll it back with your racket. 
• Don’t switch sides and bring your own water.💦
• Play outside.☀️  Even though we have carefully thought out a safe environment to play indoors (see our safety guidelines here), players can opt to use our outdoor courts instead. We do hold some clinics outside and players are welcome to request the outdoor courts for private lessons.
• Take a private lesson. Not sure you feel comfortable playing in a group drill session? Private lessons are available by appointment all day, every day!🙌
• Yes kids classes are running! I know you parents are dying to get the kids out of the house, and we're just as eager to see them out on the courts. There is 1 instructor/4 kids on every court. Markings on the ground keep the kids spaced out (and keep them from hitting each other).‍👧‍👦
•  Use the ball machine. You can still play tennis without a single person crowding your space.‍‍🙅🏽‍

We've been planning, testing and fine-tuning our safety practices for a couple of months now, because we care about our tennis community and their well-being. We want our players to feel they are in a safe environment where all they need to worry about is the next point. We've already received positive feedback. Players are just grateful to be able to live an active life while still staying socially-distant playing their favorite sport.  

What is MultiBall and why does my child need to try it?

Kristianne Bontempo | Towpath Tennis Contributor

Tired of your kids glued to their phones or spending way too many hours playing video games? We’ve got a solution to help get your kids up and exercising in no time, thanks to a little invention called MultiBall. A Munich-based company, Fun With Balls, has found a way to combine physical activity with gamification creating a fun atmosphere for those immersed in this culture of gaming and technology. More exciting, Towpath Tennis is the 2nd club in the country that is operating one of these systems!

What is MultiBall? 

The MultiBall wall at Towpath Tennis.

Imagine a backboard wall with projected games displayed on it to hit targets on. That’s it! Simple (yet very complex). This award-winning gaming console consists of a console and a sensor frame, which detects ball impacts. The Towpath Tennis staff actually created the wall itself to fit inside the frame and had to integrate and work with German technology to pull off this one-of-a-kind experience.

The drive for the Fun With Balls company was for them to quit fighting the technology takeover, but to combine it with sports to give it the cool and fun factor it deserves. MultiBall creates a playful space to enable kids (and people of all ages and skill levels) to exercise while focused on playing and interacting with digital games designed for their sport of choice…duh tennis!

To test out MultiBall, you can now reserve time in ½ hour increments for $25. Check out what’s in store for the future of tennis for our kids!

Best Practices with the Ball Machine

Kristianne Bontempo | Towpath Tennis Contributor

Have you heard of the phrase, “practice makes perfect?” How about, “perfect practice makes perfect?” If you're getting on court and hacking up some sloppy shots just because its a practice (guilty✋), then you're not making the practice perfect. Perfect practice is playing and executing shots as you would in a match setting. But I get it, some days when you're having a particularly bad day with say your backhand, it's difficult to work on it in the middle of a group lesson or drill. So instead, grab the perfect practice partner that will work tirelessly with you while happily putting up with all the junk you might hit—the ball machine! With the upcoming USTA season, we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to aid in your quest in perfecting your practice by creating a list for ‘Best Practices with the Ball Machine.'

Best Practices with the Ball Machine

• Make a plan before you get onto the court. Don’t just come out to hit and see what happens. Think about what you need to perfect; forehand, backhand, slice, top-spin, approach shot, overhead, volley, footwork—the ball machine will do it all.
•  Don’t do too much in one setting. For instance, make a list of your weakest shots and focus on 1 or 2 that are giving you the most trouble. Then practice and repeat, repeat, repeat! Practice until you can confidently hit the shot over a few times in a row. Muscle memory has higher success in retention when you’re able to focus on one shot at a time.
• Improve your timing. Once you’re able to hit the perfect shot comfortably, change up the pace. In a real match setting you might have someone popping floaters over or an opponent serving bullets. Adjust the speed on the ball machine to improve your rhythm and racquet preparation. Start slow-medium-fast, or fast-medium-slow and repeat.
• Have targets and/or consistency goals. Practicing targets can involve actual cones to aim for, or start simply by aiming for 5 shots in a row down the line, then do 5 in a row cross-court. For practicing consistency, make a goal of getting the ball in 10 times in a row then raise it up.  
• Work with a pro. Request to incorporate the ball machine in your next lesson. A pro can much better analyze and tweak problem shots when they can watch you hit from a different angle.
• Bring a buddy. One exercise that will keep your feet moving while hitting shots is practicing a little ‘ping pong’. For example, set up the shot for backhands only and rotate each shot between you and your buddy. You might be huffing and puffing but you’ll thank this heart-pumping practice in the next long match rally.
•  Leave time for serves. It’s not uncommon to see our members leave the last 10 minutes of their session or tag on another ½ hour just to practice serves. Think about it, when exactly do you practice serves? When it comes to a strong game, every shot matters. Remember perfect practice makes perfect.

If the ball machine seems intimidating, ask a Towpath staff member to show you how to use it and what you want to work on. Once you get going, you'll be a practice expert in no time!

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Why you need to try the Wilson Clash

Kristianne Bontempo | Towpath Tennis Contributor

Let's talk Clash! What is it? How is it different? Why do I need to play with? How can I get my hands on one?

Now available for purchase & demo at Towpath Tennis Center.

What is the Wilson Clash?
Short answer: Wilson's new revolutionary racquet. Long answer: The Clash is not only Wilson's new buzz-worthy racquet, but its pushing boundaries with its innovative technology making a racquet that has both ultimate power AND control.

How does the Wilson Clash compare to other racquets?
The current carbon fiber racquets on the market right now are either suited toward control or power. The Clash has both! Wilson has worked its majic in creating Freeflex and Stablesmart technologies making the Clash twice as flexible as other racquets. And why do I want a more flexible racquet you might ask? Because it allows for longer 'pocketing' of the ball, so the racquet bends with each stroke for maximum power and control.

Why are there two versions of the Wilson Clash?
The Wilson Clash 100 and Clash 100 Tour are designed with NO specs on the racquet. This was an intentional decision made to eliminate preconceived notions on a racquet before trying it. The main difference is in the weight, so make sure to demo both to find which works best with your game.

Who will want to play with the Wilson Clash?
Anyone looking for an arm-friendly racquet! If you didn't know comfort and speed could be combined in one racquet without too much shock on your arm, then you're in luck! The Clash offers significant feel compared to other leading racquets without compromising power. Also, the stability/flexibility features in this racquet are demonstrated nicely when adding a soft touch to a volley winner or cranking a groundstroke from the baseline. Compatible with all playing styles!

How can I play with the Wilson Clash?
Demo the Wilson Clash 100 or Wilson Clash 100 Tour for free at Towpath Tennis Center during your next lesson or clinic, or make court-time at our demo rate to see what everyone's talking about. Also, Wilson is now offering the Clash Confidence Guarantee if you buy a Wilson Clash by April 15. If you aren't 100% satisfied, return it within 2 months of purchase for a full refund that can be used toward other Wilson gear and equipment that better complement your game.

Tennis makes lifetime friends

Dallas Aleman | Towpath Tennis Owner

It has been an exciting year at Towpath! We also saw the end of an era after 50 years of our air structures came down. So many tennis friends have been shocked by not seeing the bubbles anymore. We are stepping into a whole new era as we are about to start our 51^st year of indoor tennis.

It hard to believe that 50 years ago I graduated from Akron Central in 1969. That was the year Apollo 11 landed on the moon, Woodstock took place, Nixon was president, the first ATM machine was introduced, and Rod Laver was number one in the world. In 1969, I entered the University of Akron, and joined the collegiate tennis team. Little did I know that all these years later, I could say that tennis has been my passion through it all. I’m so grateful for this game and all the acquaintances and friends I’ve made throughout those years from players across the country, and the world. Tennis is such a great sport for making lifetime friends. I want to share one story of this in the next generation of friendships.

Last month, I attended the induction of my son, Alex, into the Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy Athletic Hall of Fame. He was inducted with his life-long friend and doubles partner, Lou Konstan. The pictures say it all! The first picture was taken in 2001 at our annual Thanksgiving Tournament when the boys played against each other as young juniors in the 10s division. Lou and Alex are pictured with teaching professional Lois Bradford who also coached the boys during their high school tennis career.

What other sport can you meet for competition when you’re 7 years old, and still play at age 90? As we turn the page to 2019, I cannot encourage you enough to introduce a youngster or an adult to tennis, play more yourself, compete and make new friends.

Dunlop CV series racquet review

Keenen Lambert | Towpath Tennis Contributor | Copley High School Varsity Tennis Player

Dunlop Srixon Revo CV 3.0 Tennis Racquet
What a great racquet for today's players! This racquet combines the need for speed, spin, and power that is sought after by many players today. It's a great racquet for those who like to move around the court and play both baseline and net rallies. It's solid enough to allow you to produce great amounts of power by swinging through the ball, while maintaining excellent accuracy. The Srixon Revo CV 3.0 weighs 10.6 oz, offering a great medium for those looking for a racquet on the heavier side that you can still swing through the ball with great speed. The touch at the net is not something this racquet is known for, but it makes fairly good placement at all areas of the court. Also, the Srixon Revo CV 3.0 does a great job of letting you attack the ball easily, while generating spin.
Summary: If your looking for an all around racquet that will allow you to accelerate the racquet through your shot with ease, then the Dunlop Srixon Revo CV 3.0 is for you. 

Dunlop Srixon Revo CV 5.0 Tennis Racquet
Baseline players will love this racquet! The Srixon Revo CV 5.0 combines two different areas not often found in one racquet. The 9.9 oz frame is definitely head heavy, allowing you not only to hit with precision and speed, but also with the 102 sq. inches head size it provides a larger target zone on your strings giving you a decent shot on any off-centered connection. It has a solid swing-through with ease while letting you generate the power. The placement and control are good on all areas of the court, but the lighter weight of the racquet will come into effect when at the net, as the Srixon Revo CV 5.0 will give way easier on a volley. Swinging for power on serves is very easy, and the 16x19 string pattern allows for effortless spin generation. This racquet is very user-friendly and allows an advancing player to add spin and pace to their strokes.
Summary: If you're a competitive player who wants to have a little more room for error with immense amounts of spin, easily generated power, and accuracy then the Dunlop Srixon Revo CV 5.0 is for you. 

Dunlop Srixon Revo CV 3.0 F Tennis Racquet

Having trouble hitting the ball with power while on the run? The Srixon Revo CV 3.0 F allows you to hit the ball with spin and pace while still moving latterly on the court. Not as solid on the swing-through as other racquets, but it does allows you to swing faster. You'll expect quicker reactions on the return of serve as well as when rallying harder shots from the opponent. At 11.2 oz with a very headlight frame, the Srixon Revo CV 3.0 F is perfect for intermediate players. It has great touch and control at the net, and basic touch and control at the baseline. Because this feels like a lighter racquet when hitting lots of volleys from the net, the racquet will definitely give where your wrist will take some of the impact.
Summary: If you're looking for a racquet that helps you return serves with ease and produces great power and spin on the move, then the Dunlop Srixon Revo CV 3.0 F is for you.

Dunlop Srixon Revo CV 3.0 F LS Tennis Racquet
This racquet produces power! Just plain and simple, the Srixon Revo CV 3.0 F LS is for the rising player or intermediate player that wants to produce a ton of power when they can't produce it themselves. The 16x19 string pattern also creates easy production of spin. At 10.7 oz with the headlight frame, it is definitely the lightest of the 6 Dunlop racquet demos Towpath has to offer, but that light of a racquet might just give you the edge you need. Control is not bad, but the quickness that you get on the return of serve and on volleys is the signature feature of this racquet. Also, because of its light weight it will give at the net and allow you to swing through the ball faster. This quick action swinging will give a player quick action targeting to place the ball exactly where they want it on the court.
Summary: If you want a quicker reaction racquet with a lot of power then the Dunlop Srixon Revo CV 3.0 F LS is for you. 

Dunlop Srixon Revo CX 4.0 Tennis Racquet
The Srixon Revo CX 4.0 is exact and predictable. It allows most players to generate power while having accuracy, spin, and placement. Fairly firm from the baseline, while also holding firm at the net against even the toughest volleys. This 10 oz racquet is right in the middle of the spectrum, which allows for great control and a 'middle of the road' approach to a tennis racquet with a little bit of everything: spin, control, accuracy, power, stiffness, touch and placement. I would love to hit with this racquet at the net all day long. Its great for those players who especially love the net, but is also impressive for full-court players with available quickness when hitting on the run, while also staying controlled. The thick frame allows for a more solid feel for all your shots, whether its a ground-stroke from the baseline, a slice from mid-court, or a volley at the net, this racquet won't let you down!
Summary: If you're looking for an all-court racquet with literally anything you can think of as a player with solid strokes and available power, spin and accuracy, and control and touch, then the Dunlop Srixon Revo CX 4.0 is for you.

Dunlop Srixon Revo CX 2.0 LS Tennis Racquet

Control is the name of the game when you refer to this racquet. At 10.2 oz, the Srixon Revo CX 2.0 LS generates power for the intermediate player with fantastic touch and control. With this amount of control, you will have an incredible tool for a confident game. The lighter weight gives you an easy way to generate racquet speed, and the 16x19 string pattern allows for easy production of spin. Net play is remarkably easy! The Srixon Revo CX 2.0 LS is very maneuverable so you can never get caught off guard. Also, for a light-weight racquet, it still has a thick frame that allows players to easily redirect the shots of your opponent, and allows for generation of decent pace and a confident serve. A great performance racquet with easy placement.
Summary: If you want incredible placement and control on all areas of the court then the Dunlop Srixon Revo CX 2.0 LS is for you. 

The worst shots to get and how to hit them

Kristianne Bontempo | Towpath Tennis Contributor

Whether you're a seasoned USTA player or just playing recreational tennis, there's always that type of player or a particular shot that will drive you nutso, to the point of thinking you suck at tennis and should just quit. This isn't true. You just need a better plan of attack, so with these tips when that dreaded shot comes again your body will just react.

Heavy Topspin 

What you get - Shots that pop off the court with so much spin your straining to reach them or struggling to return the ball with the same amount of power.

What you do - Catch it early or back up. Have you ever noticed pros on TV standing behind the baseline when rallying with their opponent? Many a time players stay back with heavy topspin hitters to gauge the depth and direction of the ball. You don't want to catch the ball over and over at its high point--your shoulder will fall off. Another option is cutting the heavy topspin shot off while on the rise. I was taught this when struggling to return a heavy topspin serve, and not only did it work, but I got up to the net that much quicker!

Rafa Nadal races to scoop up a drop shot in the 2010 US
Open.

Drop Shot

What you get - A ball that drops short over the net, or worse a ball that dinks the top of the net onto your side of the court.

What you do - I have a love/hate relationship with this shot. If you're not hitting deep enough or have a few unlucky breaks, opponents love to throw in a good drop shot. I love them because I love the challenge of getting to the ball, but the reason why they are just the WORST to hit is because its an easy shot to blow. We either try to do too much with the shot or we rush into it while sprinting for the ball. If you can take just the slightest moment to slow down then you'll have control of the shot and can place it where you want (push it deep or lob). If you're rushing in or the ball is too close to the net, then your only option might be to scoop it back.

Slicey Dicey

What you get - You set up for your shot only to watch it veer away from you so instead of hitting a solid return, you're chasing down the ball or rimming it. Or, you ARE able to set up for the shot but because of the heavy backspin it 'dies' on your racquet.

What you do - I love to throw in a slice to throw off my opponent, but to be on the receiving end is not so fun. If there's a lot of spin, the ball will begin curving on its way over so you can anticipate where its going to land by split-stepping before you set up to hit. Split-stepping will give you that extra moment to prepare for a shot, so if you're not doing it already ask your coach to help you practice it. If the slice isn't as dicey (or you're at the net) then sometimes all you need to do is strongly push the ball back. When you return with something too fancy (or my fave--slice a slice), many a times it will end up a dud. Simple is best.

Justine Henin can only awkwardly block the shot in this
body jam.

Body Shot

What you get - A ball that comes right at your face, body or feet.

What you do - 1) You can get the hell out of the way--it might go out! 2) If you don't already have your racquet out in front of you in ready position, then its time to start doing so. But, how would you like to not only block the ball back, but block back a thoughtful shot (lob for instance). Next time you have your racquet up in ready position prep it for a backhand, because guess what? Your racquet is already in place for a defensive block and you won't feel as jammed up.

Floaters

What you get - Whether its a floater coming to you at the net or the baseline, a ball with no pace is just the worst! This is especially true when you suddenly get a floater in the midst of all these fast-paced shots, since you'll either go for the kill shot and blow it out, or panic and dump it in the net.

What you do - In case you haven't noticed, footwork counts for a lot. When you have a floater coming at you, you have more time to get your feet into position so take advantage of taking that extra step needed to attack the ball. Also, a ball with no pace will need that extra oomph in return so try brushing up on the ball more or slice it back.

Without a doubt, the most important skill-set in majority of these tricky shots is footwork, patience, fast hands and then practice, practice, practice. One thing is for sure, these shots might be among the worst to get but it'll feel pretty sweet when you're able to hit them effectively.

How to tune out on court distractions

Kristianne Bontempo | Towpath Tennis Contributor

Have you ever been in a match where you've been completely in-tuned, focused, and driven when suddenly some clown comes onto the court next to you and starts pulling the curtains and setting up the ball machine? Absolute mental chaos! What's really frustrating is so many of us are pretty good at tuning out silly distractions: music, arguments, players tumbling on the court--the works. So why is it that some external distractions throw us completely for a loop? And how do you manage to pull yourself together and stop the mental downward spiral?

A streaker prances across Centre Court before the men's 1996
Wimbledon final. Talk about a distraction!

On court distractions come in all forms; lessons next to you, viewer chatter, grunting, kids squealing, power outages, water leaks, rain, wardrobe malfunctions, bad string job, lights shattering overhead (yes, that happened), fist fights (also happened). I can go on and on and on--and on and on. The thing is its these distractions that test your mental strength on the court, which can be the difference between a win and loss. The real test is figuring out how to refocus quickly after one of these disruptions attempts to shatter your attention, so here are some quick tips on how to do just that!

• Drink water and stay hydrated. Being even a little dehydrated will make you feel tired and sluggish, which can make it possible to become easily distracted. 
• Get enough sleep the night before a match. Lack of sleep makes you tired, irritable and completely disrupts your ability to focus. 
• Be aware. Yes that person who's obnoxiously cheering for your opponent from the sidelines is annoying the crap out of you, but now that you've acknowledged it you can now regroup and focus back on the game. What tends to happen when we come onto the court without being aware of say darker lighting or that there's a cheering squad for your opponents, is you'll start to notice these things say while waiting on return of serve--you know, moments that really call for your full attention.  
• Use a cue word, "Calm. Focus. Strong. Control. Breathe." This is actually one of my favorite ways to regroup after a distraction. Of course it only works when you remember to use it, so this is something you'll want to continually repeat before points so that at moments when you really need to be alert, these cue words will eventually become a light-switch to tuning out all the static intruding your mind. 
• Plan ahead. When you make a game day plan/routine, you are actually organizing your thoughts which helps focus your attention to what's relevant to your game instead of distracting thoughts. 

Like in life, there are some things that are going to be out of your control. Sure, you can try to tell the club manager to cancel all other fitness classes and drills during your tennis match, but I'm not sure how much headway you'll get with that. Instead, redirect your attention to the things you CAN control. I love blaming a bad match on anything but me, but really I knew I should've gotten a better night sleep or I should've left for the match earlier rather than freak for being late. Hey, we're human. The point is have a plan of attack on how to avoid becoming a victim to the next distraction, whatever it may be. So next time you see that ball machine being rolled out onto the next court, you can just tell yourself, "bring it on!"

Become a Better Tennis Player Through Writing

Alex Millar | Towpath Tennis Member

Venus Williams states that, “Tennis is mostly mental. You win or lose the match before you even go out there.” After fifteen proud years at Towpath I have grown both professionally and personally. Creating a strong mental game on and off the court has allowed me the freedom to truly express myself as an athlete and person. As a lifelong tennis player, the most rewarding yet challenging aspect of the game is mentality. In life, its about trial and error and I find the greatest part of the sport lies in the individual challenges, whether on or off the court. In order to address the concerns I began journaling, and through that I achieved a strong and more proficient mentality. 

Longtime Towpath member
Alex Millar encourages play-
ers to strengthen their mental
game on court by journaling.

Journaling in many ways is like playing tennis. You are solely responsible for your performance mentally, physically, and emotionally. You leave your mark on the court and in this case, the page. While in tennis you trade shots with your opponent, journaling requires one to trade the racket for the pen. Rallying your thoughts back and forth between yourself and the page. Think of journaling as the practice match for the mental game of life.  

This is how I think, journaling daily is a mental practice of life and of tennis. My method is to find quotes that challenge, inspire, and motivate me to question, understand and relate them to everyday life. It has helped me become a more critical thinker, concise writer and more importantly a stronger tennis player. The greatest benefit of journaling is allowing me to self-reflect on the person I am. As a new father this is something I wanted to pass onto my children. I want them to have an understanding of what thoughts shaped their father, and an offering the same platform to develop the same skills I have instilled in myself. 

Available for purchase at
Amazon.

As my hand writing is notoriously poor, I found abandoning my journals was not an option. Instead I compiled a journal of my top quotes, the ones which influenced and impacted me the most. After that I created a journal quote book titled, Your Thoughts Through Their Words: Daily Quotation Guide Journaling. The best part of my book is each day for a year the reader is set with a quote and an engaging writers prompt. Allow this book to challenge your mind. Personally, I consider the quote as an analogy for a net, and the opponent is the quote/prompt or both if you feel like playing some Australian doubles.  

Towpath will remain my home for Tennis. As a contributor to the community I would like to extend an offer for all readers to access my journal for personal reflection and mental practice at Towpath. Remember to support the club that supports all in the game of tennis in and around Northeast Ohio. Copies are $15, or 2/$20 at Towpath Tennis Center. Another option is purchasing through Amazon though I recommend supporting the club that supports us all in our tennis, and is foundation for the Akron and Northeast Ohio community.

Alex with his wife, Yuriko, and
their 2 kids. 

My sincere hope is this journal can spur self-awareness, discussion, and give you the edge in your next match whether on or off the court. This journal is your court, and make sure you leave it all on it.

(Alex Millar is a father of 2 toddlers (Anna and Chris), and husband of 7 years to his wife Yuriko. He is a USPTA certified pro teaching all ages for the last 12 years. Alex came up the junior ranks at Towpath and went on to play collegiate tennis at John Carroll, as well as abroad in Japan. His next journal, On Court With Your Thoughts: Quote Guided Tennis Journaling, is slated for publication in 2018.)

The best age to start your child in tennis

Kristianne Bontempo | Towpath Tennis Contributor

The best age to start your child in tennis...obviously this is open to debate, but a very relevant topic in my household with young children as I'm sure in yours as well. As long as I can remember, I've had a racquet in my hand. I'm the youngest of 5 children that grew up in a tennis playing family. I never had a shortage of players to hit with, I had the option to play singles or doubles, I played against players better than me, someone was always there putting their two cents in how to improve my game (whether I wanted to hear it or not), and we had a tennis court at our house. I was incredibly fortunate to have that pathway as a child. To not play tennis never crossed my mind. But in most cases, families don't have that clear of a route. And now being a mother of 2, I'm now wondering when do I capture the "right moment" in starting hopefully a lifelong interest?

Kids ages 3-5 enjoy a day of Little Tennis.

You can ask friends, family members, teammates, coaches or check out when certain pros began playing tennis, and you will find a whole range of answers. U.S. Open Champion Sloane Stephens didn't start playing tennis until she was age 9 for crying out loud. So great news is my daughters can still be U.S. Open champions if they start later in childhood; bad news is I'd like to introduce them sooner, but how do I know when they're ready? With USTA's new youth tennis program, Net Generation, the guessing game has become a lot more clearer.

What is Net Generation?

In an effort to make the game more accessible to parents and kids, Net Generation has created a platform for parents and guardians to connect to local programs, as well as seek out all of the information about youth tennis around the country in one location. Designed for kids ages 5-18, you will find on their site certified teaching pros, facilities, instructional videos along with other "how-to's" about the game. This is the first time the sport has had one unified brand for kids interested in playing tennis, so whether kids are introduced by a parent, picking up a racquet at school, training with a coach, playing recreational tennis or competing at tournaments, Net Generation has created a development program with a singular pathway in which all children should follow.

The Pathway

As you grow, so will your racquet!

So often do we hear parents wondering, "Is my teenager going to have to take lessons with a 12 year old if they're the same level? How do I know when my child is ready for tournaments? What do I do if my child wants to play high school tennis but has never picked up a racquet before? What racquet size is needed for my child's age?" The great thing about a singular pathway, is you won't hear a range of answers. The Net Generation curriculum will spell out what skills and knowledge each player should have before moving on to the next color ball, court size and level of play. I remember playing a young boy half my size in high school, and while rolling my eyes at having to play somebody younger, he cleaned house! After that, I was more focused on how many games I could get off of this hot shot. To be the best, you have to play the best--no matter what age!

Certified Pros

What's great about Net Generation, is all tennis professionals who join the program are certified and have passed a background check. Safety is the #1 priority, so that parents can sit back and relax and trust that their kids are in good hands.

Progress Reports

One of the best parts about Net Generation is you'll be able to track your child's on-court progress! In 2018, parents will be able to create an account to check out the latest updates on how their child is doing during lessons. So for those times you won't be able to watch, it'll feel like you didn't miss a thing!

To answer the primary question, the best age to start tennis is when your child shows interest! Tennis is not an easy sport. Hand-eye coordination is key. Some kids will have a knack for it and will pick it up a little faster, but for many it'll take time and dedication to get a good grasp of the game. Therefore, the most important factor is and shall always be their interest level. If they're enjoying their lessons, which Net Generation has devoted it's philosophy to into motivating and inspiring kids by making the game enjoyable at all ages and levels, then your child without a doubt should have a healthy career in tennis.

Tennis Player Superstitions

Kristianne Bontempo | Towpath Tennis Contributor

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t believe in superstitions. This past summer season I played a particularly awesome 1^st match, so what did I do? Wear the same outfit (granted I wore a team uniform) along with the same earrings and the same socks. First it happened to be coincidental, but then I kept on wearing them. Hey, whatever it takes to win! I had a great season thanks to feeling like my exact same outfit was my lucky charm.

Rafa Nadal's water bottles have to be 

perfectly facing out.

You’ll see athletes from across all sports with their odd and outlandish quirks, like Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky who had a specific order of putting on his equipment and the order never changed, or baseball legend Babe Ruth always stepping on 2^nd base on his way out to the outfield, and even Ecuador’s national soccer team calling in a witch doctor to give them extra luck in the 2006 World Cup. Superstitions can be tricky. Sometimes they give you that extra boost in confidence on court, while other times it can be mentally exhausting and detrimental to your game. In tennis, you see this a lot amongst players. It’s not uncommon to see players avoiding stepping on the lines, stepping onto the court with their right foot only, or (like me) wearing the same outfit or certain jewelry for good luck. With the US Open starting, I thought it would be interesting to dive into what some of our favorite pros are superstitious of and see for ourselves if any of these are true. Can you guess which quirk belongs to which player?

No Undies – Realizing he forgot his underwear before his 1^st match at the 1999 French Open, Andre Agassi decided to go commando and won against an incredibly tough competitor. He then went on to win in his only French Open triumph and continued to play without undies for the rest of his career.

Lucky Beard – For several years in a row, Bjorn Borg started growing out his beard in the first round of each Wimbledon tournament. He went on to win each year that he did, (1976-1980).

Watching Teletubbies – Goran Ivanisevic made one of the sport's most unlikely title run in the 2001 Wimbledon Championships by depending on his routine. Not only did he reportedly dine at the same restaurant, sat at the same table, and ordered the same exact meal every night for the duration of the tourney, but he began each day by watching an episode of Teletubbies!

Pulling Eyebrows – I don't know if this was really a superstition or a nervous tick, but Ivan Lendl would be patchy and bald by the end of some tournaments.

Twirling on Court – Svetlana Kuznetsova would often spin 360 degrees on her way to returning serve.

King of Quirks – Rafa Nadal will 1) always walk on court with one racquet in his hand. 2) stay seated until his opponent has approached the umpire at the beginning of a match. 3) make sure his opponent crosses the net before he does on a changeover. 4) perfectly align his water bottles facing the court. 5) place his hair behind each ear and fiddles with his shorts (and butt) before every serve.

Dirty Socks – I’ve heard of a few quirks about the 23 Grand Slam Championista, like having to be the first to shake the umpires hand after a match, or requiring every member of her player box to sit in the exact same spot for every match. But, the most notorious/gross superstition from Serena Williams is reportedly wearing the same pair of (dirty) socks throughout her entire tournament run.

Power of 8 – He’s not perfect people! Roger Federer apparently has an obsession with the number 8. Keep a lookout for 8 towel-rubs after a set, 8 bottles of water (Evian only) and 8 rackets in his bag. P.S. He did just win his 8^th Wimbledon Championship.

Off the Social Grid – Andy Murray owed much of his success in tournaments by going dark on twitter. He went as far as to blame one particular loss of his because he tweeted before his match. 

No Calls Please - Kei Nishikori chooses not to call his parents until the end of tournaments for fear of jinxing his results.

3 Balls Each – Jack Sock becomes completely distracted if each ball handler on his side doesn’t have exactly three balls in hand.

Kissing Tennis Balls – Dominika Cibulkova appears to kiss new tennis balls before serving them, but really she’s smelling them. Cibulkova says she loves the smell, but does believe smelling will give them good luck.

Shower Story – Yes, Novak Djokovic is mainly known for his ball bouncing obsession (his highest number of bounces was 38 bounces), but because players will adamantly shower in the same stall during tournaments, Djokovic will not use the same shower twice.

Strict Serving Routine – 1) Turn back on opponents and focus on racquet strings. 2) Take balls to nominated corner of the court. 3) Walk to baseline, bounce on the spot. 4) Brush hair away from face. 5) Bounce ball twice, slowly. 6) Serve, repeat. You guessed it, Maria Sharapova stays true to her service routine EVERY TIME.

In-Betweener – John Isner doesn’t have an obsession over performing in-between the legs trick shots, but he does bounce the ball between his legs before each serve.

Lucky Ball – Richard Gasquet is known for demanding to serve with the same “lucky ball” after he wins a point.

Nixed Her Superstitions – Sam Stosur used to be controlled by her superstitions, until she kicked the habit. “I stopped being superstitious in 2009 after the (French Open),” she explained. “For the whole tournament (she reached the semifinals), I wore the same dress, the same socks, the same hat – it drove me crazy. Every night, I had to put it all in the wash. Everything had to be the same, even my hair. It was enough to drive you around the bend, so I stopped and now I don’t have any superstitions.”

With many of these players ready to get the ball rolling at this year's US Open, it'll be fun to watch their quirks in action. Also, feel free to share with us what kind of superstitions you follow or have been able to kick. Don't worry, you're not alone!

Playing Collegiate Club Tennis

Kristianne Bontempo with Gretchen Shisler | Towpath Tennis Contributor

While gearing up for classes for your very first (or returning) semester at your chosen university, many of you are also deciding on whether to get involved in one of the many organizations offered on campus and wondering what exactly they entail. Back when I was a freshman at Ohio University, among the half dozen other club activities I was interested in joining, one of them happened to be club tennis. So a few things: 

1) Ohio University does not have a Varsity team.

2) Even if they did have a Varsity team, I wasn't sure I wanted to commit full-time.

3) I might not make the Varsity team.

Obviously all good reasons why I should aim to play club tennis!

As naive as I was thinking I easily had a shot at walking on a club tennis team, little did I know that was definitely NOT the case. Another thing, joining any club is a commitment not a 'come as you please' activity. Long story short, playing club tennis wasn't in the cards for me. However, I still always wondered how everything worked: Do you have to travel? Is it co-ed? Do you play just a season like in high school? How often are practices? Now that I've had the opportunity to talk to somebody with first hand experience on playing collegiate club tennis, I can finally educate myself along with others who are debating on giving it a go!

Gretchen is going into her junior year at Ohio State, and on top of majoring in Marketing and minoring in Fashion Retail, she plays for her school's club Gray (B) tennis team. She played in high school but wanted to continue her experience after learning about the club tennis team during her summer orientation. Trying out on her own was intimidating, but now she can't imagine life on campus without tennis. Some clubs may abide by different procedures but for the most part this is what playing on a club team is generally like: 

Gretchen (far right) plays for OSU's Gray team.

• Most teams have tryouts in the fall. Many schools have more than one club team depending on how many tryout with varying levels or teams that travel while others don't. Previous members may even have to tryout every year.
• Members pay dues (generally most clubs do for one reason or another). Dues will typically cover travel costs as well as uniforms. 
• You are still playing competitive levels of tennis without the commitment of playing Varsity  (NCAA) college tennis. (ie. OSU Club tennis practices 2x/week, tournaments aren’t every weekend and not every player goes to every tournament. Varsity tennis plays and trains nearly everyday and usually has a busy tournament/match schedule during the fall/spring seasons.)
• Great option for players who want to play on a semi-regular basis, without sacrificing other social activities on campus (Gretchen is also a member of a business fraternity and works part-time).
• Teams are co-ed.
• Many universities require a minimum GPA and/or minimum credit hours to be an active club member.
• Teams are active in fund-raising events as well as giving back to their communities, such as volunteering to teach tennis lessons.
• Teams are invited to tournaments around the country by other teams’ captains or by the coordinator for USTA Tennis on campus. Normally, tournaments only last one weekend.
• Matches include (in this order):

                         -One Women’s Doubles

                         -One Men’s Doubles

                         -One Women’s Singles

                                           -One Men’s Singles

                         -One Mixed Doubles

• Each match consists of one set and teams win based on cumulative games, not sets won. (ie. The scorecard could say 30-17 instead of 5-0, etc.). So even if your team is down before the mixed doubles match, they can still tie up the game score forcing a super tiebreaker to determine the winner.
• Matches are no-ad scoring. The receiving team chooses which side will return at 40-40; for mixed doubles, the receiver of the deuce serve is the player of the same gender.
• Substitutions: A team can at any point substitute a player (same gender) into a set. Once a player is replaced, they cannot return in that set. If a substitution occurs in doubles, the remaining player cannot change the side on which he/she receives or the service order. Substitutions are allowed in overtime if a player has not already played in mixed doubles. 
• You will make friends! Not only will you be spending each week with your team, but many teams do social events together OFF the courts as well. Your team becomes like family.

When you hear somebody say, "My college years were the best time of my life," I doubt they're only referring to their coursework. When you're new to campus or just looking for something to do on your downtime, joining an organization like club tennis with others that share the same interest is really the best way to enrich your social life on campus while also staying fit (hello food court)!

How to prevent a mental breakdown on the tennis court

Kristianne Bontempo | Towpath Tennis Contributor

I read about mental breakdowns on the court, I've written about how to avoid them, so when I’m in the middle of a match and am flustered with the inability to hit a ball, I’m flabbergasted thinking, “How could I be having a mental breakdown??”

With certainty, no matter who I’m playing I’m probably the most mentally dominant person on the court…is what I would’ve told you 5+ years ago. With kids and more responsibilities on my plate, things have certainly changed. Yes, it’s hard to fit the same amount of play time in, however my strokes are still there, my footwork—ehh, could use some work but is still better than the average player, but what has been the hardest pill to swallow is accepting the fact that my once mentally confident game is deteriorating. So instead of beating myself up and vowing to quit (which I’ve done numerous times), I decided to drill down what was causing me to break and ask myself, “How do I diagnose a breakdown before it happens, and what do I do to combat it?”

Diagnosis of breakdown:

Social/Environmental  – It might not have been obvious at first, but the unfamiliarity of a new partner, a new tournament format, a new venue or even playing an opponent I have history with was a disruption of my game. You’re no longer playing just a match, you have other factors involved that are out of your comfort zone.

Physical – I've been fortunate to be free of injuries, but with little ones a good night sleep is always a gamble. At times, I play more relaxed when tired, however once I get to that 2^nd set mark I slowly feel the fatigue creeping in. With USTA season in full swing, most matches are in the evenings, so after a long day not only is your footwork shot, but also is your inability to make any smart strategical decisions (at least for me that's the case).

Mental – Pressure can come in all types of form whether you had a bad day at work, have any outside social tension, or for me, just feeling the pressure to win for the team’s sake. If you continue to let the pressure eat away at you, it's like being a deer in headlights where you are unable to move—the worst kind of breakdown.

Most of the time, I'm usually dealing with just one of the culprits above (the most common being fatigue), but I wanted to figure out how to pull myself out of a complete funk when I'm feeling like every aspect of my game is going down the drain. So after more reading and experimenting, here is a list of solutions that have worked for me and hopefully for you as well!

Treatment/Prevention of breakdown:

“Only the ball” – Are you looking at the ball? The first thing I notice when I'm in a downward spiral is my eyes are on everything BUT the ball (when you’re hitting a whole ton of rimmers, then that should be your first clue). Reciting the words, “bounce, hit”, as you are swinging away will help you focus on that fuzzy yellow ball. Another useful tip during 'down times' or when waiting to return a serve, is to look at your strings to stay focused or say "ballllllll" in your head as the server is tossing. Swear this works!

Continue playing your game – “I’m just not playing my game.” This has literally come out of my mouth numerous times over the past season. Something doesn’t work, so instead of trying the stroke or poaching again I’ll play it safe and just push it back—I despise that game! Not only do I feel like I've lost my edge, but my footwork is atrocious. Sports psychologists suggest continuing to try your shots with the correct motion (maybe even over-exaggerate it), since it will eventually come along. I know it won't help when you're in the middle of a match like I was, but really the best suggestion is to get out beforehand and hit some balls on a backboard or ball machine, or jump into a drill a day or so before.  

Be versatile – If you try and try but plan A isn’t working, then have a plan B…and C…and maybe a D. Changing your game up will actually work in your favor since your opponent will have to stay on their toes to keep up. Just be sure to start with plan A each time, since the less you use it the harder it’ll be to get it back.

It's all about body lingo – My sister back in the day had taught me the importance of looking the part of a positive, energetic and optimistic player even on the verge of defeat. That has definitely played a huge part in my playing style since forcing myself to laugh off my stupid shots has kept my mind from sinking into a dark hole. Stand up tall, smile, jump around, jog in place, shadow stroke, positive self-talk—these subtle cues will make a dramatic impression on your opponent. For me, fatigue has played a major role in affecting that positive/energetic role, so my solution—bring energy-infusing foods to your matches, like a banana or a granola bar. Makes all the difference!

Lastly Breatheeee! – Inhale. Exhale. Do this with purpose in between points to force yourself to take your time, and more importantly to relax your mind and body. 

Obviously, the way to prevent a mental breakdown is to recognize the possibility of one beforehand. If you pick up at the start of your match that you are uneasy about something (anything really), then mentally prepare yourself on a strategy that will help you focus throughout the match. Good luck and stay strong!