Episode 66: How important is the serve in tennis?

We all know it starts the point, but is the ability to hit a thunderous serve all that important? What principles need we pay attention to when developing this part of our game?

FAVORITE SITES: Timeless Tennis by Gary Bala

Posted: Friday, March 4, 2011

Playing tennis like the "wild thing" in D.H. Lawrence's poem

An interesting thing happened recently at a practice clinic. One of the players was definitely not playing very well. It was not her best tennis...read more

Episode 65: Portal into past greatness

I'll review Tennis Night in America at the BNP Paribas Showdown, glimpse at past greatness, and consider the future of kids tennis.

FAVORITE SITES: Timeless Tennis by Gary Bala

Posted: Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Is Jimmy Connors the greatest tennis player of all time?

Based on this study's "prestige scoring" ranking, Northwestern University statistical researcher Filippo Radicchi argued that Jimmy Connors might be considered the "greatest tennis player of all time"...read more

Episode 64: Are they Strategies or Tactics?

 Stratactics? Tactegy? 

What is the difference, if any, between strategies and tactics? Can one exist without the other, or is there a dependent relationship between the two? We'll discuss if and why we need them.

FAVORITE SITES: Timeless Tennis by Gary Bala

Posted: Sunday, February 6, 2011

The Three Golden Rules of Tennis

Are there any universal rules of tennis that will help lift all players to higher levels of success and growth?

Yes.Here are 3 interesting and pivotal concepts borrowed from some top coaches and writers...read more

Episode 63: Distance matters

How far away from the baseline you play tennis helps determine your offensive or defensive posture. And it can even help dictate wins or losses. Let's go the DISTANCE!

Ivan Lendl and the modern power game of tennis.

FAVORITE SITES: Timeless Tennis by Gary Bala

Posted: Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The New String Generation

Magazine Article Review

The Atlantic magazine this month has a very interesting article titled: "The New Physics of Tennis: Unlocking the Mysteries of Rafael Nadal's Killer Topspin" by Joshua M. Speckman. In it, Speckman dissects one of the principal reasons why pros today...read more

FAVORITE SITES: Timeless Tennis by Gary Bala

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Who was the last Aussie and "janitor" to win the Australian Open?

Mark "Superman" Edmondson

The media called him "janitor" because he had taken odd jobs cleaning windows to help pay for tennis expenses. The fans called him "Superman" for his heroics and rise from humble origins.

In 1976, Mark "Superman" Edmondson beat compatriot John Newcombe...read more

Episode 62: Tennis on the kitchen table

Want to have fun inside, on your kitchen or dining room table, playing tennis? Balderdash you say? Not when it comes to tennis BOARD GAMES that might be just the answer for cold, snowy, or rainy weather. So trade your controller and racket for some dice and hot chocolate.

FAVORITE SITES: Timeless Tennis by Gary Bala

Posted: Sunday, January 2, 2011

The Parallel Universes of Tennis

In the world of tennis, consider how many levels or "worlds" are at play in a match. Beyond strokes, footwork, technique, mental nerves, match conditions and the score, what other "universes" read more

FAVORITE SITES: Timeless Tennis by Gary Bala

Posted: Sunday, December 26, 2010

Geometry and the Art of Tennis

The great Greek mathematician Euclid (circa 300BC in Alexandria) is considered the "Father of Geometry". He may have found it interesting that the modern game of tennis is... read more

Episode 61: Time to see how WE did in 2010

Last year around this time I did a self-evaluation of my tennis skills and made commitments and projections for 2011. I hope you did as well. Let's see how we did.
NOTE:  this would be a perfect time to drop me a line and let me know about your accomplishments in 2010.

FAVORITE SITES: Timeless Tennis by Gary Bala

Posted: Wednesday, December 22, 2010

High Five for Kids: The Match for Africa

Over this holiday season, the world's two best tennis players (and friendly rivals) offered their time, talent and celebrity...read more

NEW CONTENT OF NOTE: Tennis lesson Gift Certificates

(For residents of the South Jersey area only)
Why not give The Gift of TENNIS to a friend, family member or another loved-one on your holiday shopping list. 

Purchase tennis lesson GIFT CERTIFICATES in denominations of 1 or more lessons.

(price discount applies when purchased in 3-lesson bundle)

for more details about Gift Certificates

NEW CONTENT OF NOTE: Help me celebrate the downloads!

When I began this website and podcast in April of 2009, I really had no idea where it would lead or if anyone could be bothered to listen. After all, who was I to think what I had to say mattered?

Just  hit 20,000 Downloads!

Apparently someone IS listening, and I cannot describe how excited I am that something I have to offer is appreciated by so many.

I look forward to continuing to grow my audience as I work diligently to discover and apply new and greater ways  to help you with your tennis activity in life. Please drop me a line with what you like, or dislike, about this podcast and website. As always, with two ears and one mouth, I am listening.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Episode 60: SPECIAL HOLIDAY PODCAST 2010

Remember last year's rendition of the 12 Days of Tennis Christmas? 

Well get set for another zany attempt at tennis humor in 2010.

Jingle Bells music by Billy Gorilly available on iTunes.

FAVORITE SITES: Timeless Tennis by Gary Bala

Posted: Sunday, December 5, 2010

Tennis Players' Performance May Affect Perception

The Los Angeles Times on December 02, 2010 reported that the journal Perception released a recent study of tennis players and their perception of ball speed and net height.

In this very interesting study, Purdue University researchers Jessica Witt and Mila Sugovic concluded that read more

FAVORITE SITES: Timeless Tennis by Gary Bala

Posted: Sunday, November 28, 2010
Who's "The Greatest"? History's best rivalries elevate the sport...

Federer and Nadal are widely regarded as two of the game's greatest players ever. And their rivalry has become...read more