Q & A: What would you pay?

Given the state of the economy, gas prices, and overall price gouging by many companies, what would you be willing to pay for a tennis racket? Sneakers? Other tennis equipment?

Episode 41: Kids starting tennis? Parents are the key to their success.

How can parents make an informed decision about their child's beginning involvement in tennis? Let's take at look at some available options that fit your schedule and your wallet.

Episode 40: Wearing your forehand inside-out

You may have seen pros running around their backhand and hit a forehand groundstroke. You too can capitalize on today's power forehand with some knowledge, a sharp eye and the legs to back it up.

LISTEN TO DISCUSSION...Starting kids in tennis

Listen to a lively discussion between Ron Miller and Ian Westermann (of the ESSENTIAL TENNIS podcast) and callers from around the U.S. as they discuss the when, where and how of getting kids started in tennis (March 5th episode of Essential Tennis Live)

Episode 39: "Old School" not ready for retirement

So you've been criticized for being out-of-date with your approach to tennis. Perhaps we could all learn a thing or two from past tennis concepts before they are placed on a dusty shelf and left to be forgotten.

Episode 38: Warm up to tennis for better play

Walking onto the tennis court should begin as a warming experience. Let's discuss how to properly warm up according to Brad Gilbert, author of Winning Ugly (the first in a series of podcasts based on his book).

Episode 37: Healthy for a lifetime. Play tennis!

Tennis is proven to be effective against health problems and aging. Keep mentally sharp and physically agile. Play tennis!

LISTEN TO DISCUSSION...Tennis rackets past, present and future

Listen to a lively discussion between Ron Miller and Ian Westermann (of the ESSENTIAL TENNIS podcast) and callers from around the U.S. as they discuss rackets of the past, those currently in use, and what could be arriving in the future (February 4th episode of Essential Tennis Live accessed thru iTunes).

Episode 36: A Gripping Tale 2–the sequel

The long-awaited follow up to episode #2, this reveals the common terminology related to gripping the racket.

NOTE: Podcast correction

When referring to the Eastern Backhand, the correct

bevel number should be 8 and NOT 7 as recorded in the podcast. Sorry for the confusion.

LISTEN TO DISCUSSION...Tennis Statistics and the recreational player

Listen to a lively discussion between Ron Miller and Ian Westermann (of the ESSENTIAL TENNIS podcast) and callers from around the U.S. as they discuss how tennis statistics affect the pro game, how useful they are for the recreational player, and which stats are the most helpful or tell us the clearest story about a player's performance. (January 29th episode of Essential Tennis Live accessed thru iTunes)

Episode 35: Eyes as windows to your strokes

Why the phrase "watch the ball" isn't just a tennis instructors line

Episode 34: The Australian Open

The Grand Slam tournament from Down Under that provides a glimpse into the future and flashbacks from the past.

Episode 33: Review of Andre Agassi's book "OPEN"

How a talented kid from Las Vegas survived an overbearing father, opportunistic coach, and secret hatred of tennis to become one of the most successful and beloved players of all time.

REFLECTIONS...Tennis resolutions for 2010

What do you resolve to accomplish in your tennis game in 2010?

• What items are available in your current tennis tool belt?
  I have all the shots I need to be a successful recreational tennis player from both the ground and the air. But each shot can and should always be improved. Great shots are those that get the job done with just the right amount of effort produced. Not more, and not any less.
• Are you being realistic about what needs to be added or adjusted?
  I believe so. There are shots I would like to further develop for the sake of instruction, but my game has evolved over the years and will certainly continue to do so. I realize that more effort must be placed on my overhead swings of the serve and overhead to create better consistency.
• Have you given yourself credit for your strengths in 2009?
  Yes. I think my backhand swing is freer than it had been, and my court movement has definately been an asset. I'm thrilled to still have my feet mostly follow what my brain tells them.
• What is your PLAN OF ACTION for 2010?
  More drills. With a more powerful ball machine at my disposal, and armed with my digital video camera, tripod and netbook, I plan to review my movement and stroke production more frequently and use this technology to make adjustments.
  More deep thought. I will be doing more reading and research this year as I take advantage of what others can share.
  Plenty of writing. In addition to my blog, podcast, and forum posts, I plan to put more effort into the tennis book I have been writing.
• What sacrifices will be necessary to achieve your goals?
  Time. I will need to make more time for myself if I intend to make any significant strides. And I dare not be content with less than my very best on every occasion.

Episode 32: The Clash of Past and Present champions

A review of the 2008 NetJets Showdown match between current #1 Roger Federer and past #1 Pete Sampras at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York.

The Netjets Showdown: Pete Sampras vs. Roger Federer

LISTEN TO DISCUSSION...How has technology affected your tennis game?

Listen to a lively discussion between Ron Miller and Ian Westermann (of the ESSENTIAL TENNIS podcast) and callers from around the world as they discuss the effects of technology innovation on their tennis games (DEC. 17 episode of Essential Tennis Live accessed thru iTunes)

Q & A: Why is the U.S. in a six-year Grand Slam winner drought?

Tennis styles may be cyclical. The game has been maturing over the last 30 years or so and, thanks partly to technology changes, has grown up quite a bit. But perhaps it is time for the pendulum to swing back a few decades.

Stop by a tennis court today and watch our youth hit nothing but power topspin. They don't consider what kind of shot to hit. They just pound away and expect this cookie-cutter style to be good enough. Lets not dare use skillful control of the ball. Let's instead use tons of spin to make it fall within the court regardless of how bad we hit it. Here is a concept: if we slow the ball down a bit, and work more on better placement and keen strategy, the power might not be so necessary on every shot.

NOTE: from the book "OPEN", an autobiography of Andre Agassi, (Brad Gilbert, Agassi's coach comments) "Quit going for the knockout. Stop swinging for the fences. All you have to be is solid...just keep the ball moving. Back and forth. Nice and easy. Solid. Be like gravity man."

Since serves today are bigger than ever, why don't we see a return to serve and volley tennis? I watched a recent clip of McEnroe and Edberg in a 2008 tournament and marveled at how effective this style can still be even for those past their prime.

Maybe it is time to re-think a return to "style" in tennis instead of ball torture. We push critical thinking skills in school for students, but where is the critical thinking on the court when doing nothing more than hitting every ball in the same, predictable way? What if our up and coming players focused a little more on variety and good shot selection than increasing their topspin? Hey, could it make our American tennis record any worse in Grand Slams than it already is?

Where is the adrenaline-pumping tennis of a Connors? Maybe our US players are bored into mediocrity with the same-old repetitive shot that might be safer to hit but does little to inspire.

Episode 31: The 12 days of Tennis Christmas

A tennis slant on the well-known holiday classic

LISTEN TO DISCUSSION...Should we re-evalute the idolizing of sports stars

Listen to a lively discussion between Ron Miller and Ian Westermann (of the ESSENTIAL TENNIS podcast) and callers from around the US as they discuss the antics of our sports professionals and whether or not we should re-evaluate how we idolize them (DEC. 3 episode of Essential Tennis Live accessed thru iTunes)

Episode 30: Black Friday Tennis

How much alike are Black Friday shoppers and tennis players?