Hi again everyone and sorry I've not been around for a while - don't worry I've not been incarcerated in Wormwood Scrubs or Barlinnie - just busy! Everyone is busy nowadays, it's that sort of world, and certainly "we have no time to stand and stare" as the poet said.
Anyhow, I was driving innocently down Morningside Road (posh part of Edinburgh) when a young lady walked straight out in front of me - and yes you've got it right - she was staring at her mobile, and in another world. What was more worrying was that she still didn't see me, despite my Waitrose bags all being catapulted off the back seat. (I shop in other shops by the way).
She was distracted of course, just like all these senseless motorists who think they can drive and talk on their phones (or worse still text!) Ok that's me getting on my hobbyhorse .......
Back to tennis, and how often have you been distracted by something during a match - it might be a bad line call, or a ball running onto your court, or perhaps something your opponent said at changeover. Or it could be something in your private life, which keeps popping up in your mind, and affects your concentration. Even the top pros can let a distraction affect them, to the point of losing a match.
I remember Gary Player talking about missed putts - the ones that are normally 'gimmies' - and how he was able to move on to the next hole and forget what had gone before. That's so wise but how many of us can achieve that. A coach I know well talks about 'flushing' in his book "You Can Be Serious" (this is really worth a read). Basically, when you make a silly mistake or you are distracted, just flush it down the loo, and get on with the game. Or as Demi Lovato (hope i've got that right) suggested "Let it go"!
I am off to Portugal next week to play a bit of tennis. Last year, it poured down - now that was a major distraction! Here's to a good week, whatever the weather!!
Wednesday, 26 October 2016
Tuesday, 10 November 2015
Raindrops Keep Falling ......
Just back from a week's tennis in the Algarve and, yes you're right, we got lots of the wet stuff. First indication was when we landed at (or aquaplaned into) Faro Airport, then the taxi man said "I'll try to get you there", referring to my destination at Praia Da Luz. That was a bit disconcerting but he got me there, average speed around 80 mph, then I had to 'wade' to my apartment with my suitcase floating behind me.
So it set the scene for most of the week but being British we played on - and by Friday the sun was splitting the skies, as it was on Saturday when I had to come home.
I managed to hide my coaching credentials for most of the week - the benefit being that I could play bad shots without people thinking "good gawd how did he become a coach."
We had 5 Portuguese coaches, all equally good looking, and I wonder if I would have turned out good looking if I'd spent my life in the Mediterranean. There's a thought!
Anyhow I learnt a lot which hopefully I can pass on to my adult pupils, and perhaps improve my own tennis as well.
There's a belief amongst many players as they get older that they can't improve. Well I don't subscribe to that and so often I see 'mature' people outplaying people half their age. Apart from technical skills and experience, it's all about anticipation and being in the right place on the court - so you don't have to scurry around like a madman.
Anyhow, on retrospect, I really enjoyed my week and met some lovely people, which makes it all worthwhile.
Next thing on the horizon - the Aussi Open in January. No rain there I bet - famous last words!!
So it set the scene for most of the week but being British we played on - and by Friday the sun was splitting the skies, as it was on Saturday when I had to come home.
I managed to hide my coaching credentials for most of the week - the benefit being that I could play bad shots without people thinking "good gawd how did he become a coach."
We had 5 Portuguese coaches, all equally good looking, and I wonder if I would have turned out good looking if I'd spent my life in the Mediterranean. There's a thought!
Anyhow I learnt a lot which hopefully I can pass on to my adult pupils, and perhaps improve my own tennis as well.
There's a belief amongst many players as they get older that they can't improve. Well I don't subscribe to that and so often I see 'mature' people outplaying people half their age. Apart from technical skills and experience, it's all about anticipation and being in the right place on the court - so you don't have to scurry around like a madman.
Anyhow, on retrospect, I really enjoyed my week and met some lovely people, which makes it all worthwhile.
Next thing on the horizon - the Aussi Open in January. No rain there I bet - famous last words!!
Saturday, 10 January 2015
Man Flu
Now this is of no interest whatsoever to my female friends - because you'll never get it!
Anyhow on Wednesday afternoon I was innocently going about my business when I was hit by something from another planet. All of a sudden my throat felt as if I'd been grabbed from behind, my eyes started to water and I gave three almighty 'whooooshes', that nearly knocked me off my feet.
Mr Darcy immediately ran for cover, thinking I was having a major wobbly.
Now I didn't have a medical encyclopedia handy, but I suspected it could be man flu (if any females are still reading it's similar to child birth)
I headed straight for the medicine cabinet and found a box of Max Strength Super Hot Lemon and Glycerine powders by Beecham, designed to have you right as rain before night-fall. I was about to pour one down my throat when I noticed the expiry date - 04/09. I never pay too much attention so use by /sell by / throw out by dates so I knocked it back with a hefty G & T to water it down.
I can't say I'm cured but at least by the expiry date I'm confident that Man Flu will only come knocking on my door every 5 years.
As a little aside, and I wish I could get this on You Tube, when I sneeze, Mr Darcy sneezes. He doesn't do it every time, and sometimes there's a delay, but it does happen. I guess that's a pet phenomenon, or perhaps sympathy/ empathy, or maybe he's just taking the p..s.
Anyhow I will be on court tomorrow, with my Man Flu Lozzers an abundant supply of super man size nose wipers, and doped up with paracetemol or anything else within 5 years of it's use date.
I won't be playing my best - but my view on life is it's best to keep going if you can....
Happy New Year everyone!
ps if you've got the real flu, and you will know if you do, don't play. But you knew that anyhow!
Anyhow on Wednesday afternoon I was innocently going about my business when I was hit by something from another planet. All of a sudden my throat felt as if I'd been grabbed from behind, my eyes started to water and I gave three almighty 'whooooshes', that nearly knocked me off my feet.
Mr Darcy immediately ran for cover, thinking I was having a major wobbly.
Now I didn't have a medical encyclopedia handy, but I suspected it could be man flu (if any females are still reading it's similar to child birth)
I headed straight for the medicine cabinet and found a box of Max Strength Super Hot Lemon and Glycerine powders by Beecham, designed to have you right as rain before night-fall. I was about to pour one down my throat when I noticed the expiry date - 04/09. I never pay too much attention so use by /sell by / throw out by dates so I knocked it back with a hefty G & T to water it down.
I can't say I'm cured but at least by the expiry date I'm confident that Man Flu will only come knocking on my door every 5 years.
As a little aside, and I wish I could get this on You Tube, when I sneeze, Mr Darcy sneezes. He doesn't do it every time, and sometimes there's a delay, but it does happen. I guess that's a pet phenomenon, or perhaps sympathy/ empathy, or maybe he's just taking the p..s.
Anyhow I will be on court tomorrow, with my Man Flu Lozzers an abundant supply of super man size nose wipers, and doped up with paracetemol or anything else within 5 years of it's use date.
I won't be playing my best - but my view on life is it's best to keep going if you can....
Happy New Year everyone!
ps if you've got the real flu, and you will know if you do, don't play. But you knew that anyhow!
Friday, 19 December 2014
Forgot to mention .......
I forgot to mention something in my last post - and I don't have a scooby doo how to do an edit - so here's a post in memory of my wife Susan.......
Every Christmas Eve we went to the watch-night service in Roslin, then Susan, being Susan, invited everyone she could think of back to the house here - and me being me would be on mince-pie (and whisky) duty - an odd combination I know but seemed to do the trick.
Now there were a few waifs and strays and 'gate-crashers' turned up but of course were made very welcome. Perhaps this is what Christmas should be all about .....
So here's a toast to Susan, who I will miss this Christmas, and have done every Christmas for the past 16 years .........
Every Christmas Eve we went to the watch-night service in Roslin, then Susan, being Susan, invited everyone she could think of back to the house here - and me being me would be on mince-pie (and whisky) duty - an odd combination I know but seemed to do the trick.
Now there were a few waifs and strays and 'gate-crashers' turned up but of course were made very welcome. Perhaps this is what Christmas should be all about .....
So here's a toast to Susan, who I will miss this Christmas, and have done every Christmas for the past 16 years .........
All I Want For Christmas ..........
A couple of times recently I've asked friends what they're doing for Christmas and they've said with remorse "There will just be the two of us".
Now I can understand their sadness, especially when children have 'flown the nest', and they feel an emptiness on Christmas Day. However people in my circumstances would dearly love to be a 'twosome' on a day which can be extremely painful to be on your own. In fact, they reckon a quarter of million people will be lonely this Christmas - of all ages too. What a sad reflection on society and family values, although in truth many families, like mine, are scattered throughout the world.
On the other hand I can understand if you don't get on with the person sitting on the other side of the turkey - then Christmas can also be very lonely.
Which brings me on to partnerships on the tennis court, or as commonly known - 'doubles'. Now I don't know if I'm too keen on all the 'touchy feely' stuff you get nowadays, especially after your partner has just dumped an easy volley into the net. However I recall a renowned doubles coach emphasizing that you should never get angry with your partner. As he said, " it can destroy their confidence, trust and understanding and can lead to a breakdown in the partnership". It certainly applies to me - I don't respond too well to criticism on the tennis court.
So here's an idea if you feel there's a 'gulf' between the two of you on Christmas Day. What about a little touch of the hand across the table (but perhaps not when you're doing the carving!). Also go easy on the chest bumps - they don't go well with Brussels sprouts!
My warmest wishes to you all at Christmas and here's to a good 2015!
Now I can understand their sadness, especially when children have 'flown the nest', and they feel an emptiness on Christmas Day. However people in my circumstances would dearly love to be a 'twosome' on a day which can be extremely painful to be on your own. In fact, they reckon a quarter of million people will be lonely this Christmas - of all ages too. What a sad reflection on society and family values, although in truth many families, like mine, are scattered throughout the world.
On the other hand I can understand if you don't get on with the person sitting on the other side of the turkey - then Christmas can also be very lonely.
Which brings me on to partnerships on the tennis court, or as commonly known - 'doubles'. Now I don't know if I'm too keen on all the 'touchy feely' stuff you get nowadays, especially after your partner has just dumped an easy volley into the net. However I recall a renowned doubles coach emphasizing that you should never get angry with your partner. As he said, " it can destroy their confidence, trust and understanding and can lead to a breakdown in the partnership". It certainly applies to me - I don't respond too well to criticism on the tennis court.
So here's an idea if you feel there's a 'gulf' between the two of you on Christmas Day. What about a little touch of the hand across the table (but perhaps not when you're doing the carving!). Also go easy on the chest bumps - they don't go well with Brussels sprouts!
My warmest wishes to you all at Christmas and here's to a good 2015!
Friday, 5 December 2014
Double Whammy
A little sad thing in my life is that the vast majority of phone calls I get, or callers at the door, are either trying to sell me something, or after my money. Perhaps this is just a reflection on modern society.
Anyhow a couple of days ago the doorbell rang and I went to answer, with Mr Darcy hot on my heels leaping around with excitement (he can't tell the difference between friend or 'foe'). This time it was a man from Yodel (no not Roger F) who said "Mr Harper?" and handed me a box. I said "Yes thank-you", signed on the 'dotted line', and said good-bye to the man from Yodel.
I opened up the box and was delighted to find it was filled with bottles of beer.
Five minutes later, the doorbell rang again. I went to answer, with Mr Darcy hot on my heels, once again leaping around with excitement. And once again it was the man from Yodel who said "Mr Harper?" and handed me another box. I said "Yes thank-you", signed on another 'dotted line' and said goodbye to the man from Yodel.
I opened up the box and once again was delighted to find it was filled with bottles of beer.
There was a birthday card in each box - exactly the same card - and both from my daughter and family in USA.
Now obviously there has been a mistake - may I add the best mistake for a long time - and I'm not answering the door until the New Year, just in case it's the man from Yodel wanting his beer back.....
This leads me on to another double whammy - the dreaded double fault in tennis. Now I no longer double fault, or seldom do, because I read something in a coaches magazine that really does work. Here we go - this is the secret. When you are about to hit your second serve, take a few deep breaths, visualize the ball travelling over the net and into the service box - and say to yourself "my second serve always goes in". This works, it really does - it's a piece of magic.
Its my birthday tomorrow and you know how i'm celebrating ..........
Anyhow a couple of days ago the doorbell rang and I went to answer, with Mr Darcy hot on my heels leaping around with excitement (he can't tell the difference between friend or 'foe'). This time it was a man from Yodel (no not Roger F) who said "Mr Harper?" and handed me a box. I said "Yes thank-you", signed on the 'dotted line', and said good-bye to the man from Yodel.
I opened up the box and was delighted to find it was filled with bottles of beer.
Five minutes later, the doorbell rang again. I went to answer, with Mr Darcy hot on my heels, once again leaping around with excitement. And once again it was the man from Yodel who said "Mr Harper?" and handed me another box. I said "Yes thank-you", signed on another 'dotted line' and said goodbye to the man from Yodel.
I opened up the box and once again was delighted to find it was filled with bottles of beer.
There was a birthday card in each box - exactly the same card - and both from my daughter and family in USA.
Now obviously there has been a mistake - may I add the best mistake for a long time - and I'm not answering the door until the New Year, just in case it's the man from Yodel wanting his beer back.....
This leads me on to another double whammy - the dreaded double fault in tennis. Now I no longer double fault, or seldom do, because I read something in a coaches magazine that really does work. Here we go - this is the secret. When you are about to hit your second serve, take a few deep breaths, visualize the ball travelling over the net and into the service box - and say to yourself "my second serve always goes in". This works, it really does - it's a piece of magic.
Its my birthday tomorrow and you know how i'm celebrating ..........
Saturday, 29 November 2014
Moet and Chandon
Next Saturday I will be celebrating another birthday - they keep coming and always at this time of year!
I wont be buying a bottle of Moet and Chandon, at the best Sainsbury's own brand, more likely a bottle of Ossian Ale. The label matters not to me - but it's still good to celebrate.
There was a double pager in the Times this morning, devoted to Roger Federer, and headlined "Success Is A Matter of Style" Well I don't know if I agree with that but Roger certainly has plenty of style - and he doesn't hide it from us, whether it be with Champagne, Rolex watches or gold plating on his tennis shoes. I do admire his 'style' on the tennis court nonetheless.
It's easy to be a Roger Federer fan or a Chelsea supporter, even Lewis Hamilton - because they keep on winning. It's not so easy to support Macclesfield Town or Brechin City or even Andy Murray because they're anything but perfect and have the habit of losing when we want them to win.
It's interesting that people with frailties are often very popular - Princess Diane is a classic example and also sports stars like George Best - everyone wanted to him a drink and perhaps that was his downfall.
A tennis friend of mine sadly died a couple of weeks ago. He was larger than life character, great company, and always pleased to meet you. He had no airs and graces, totally unpretentious and had his imperfections (I know the feeling!) but, judging by the numbers at his funeral, was immensely popular.
I think he was also an illustration of success - but perhaps more appealing than those who have everything!
I got a box of Maltesers in the post this morning, addressed to BouncebackTennis (that's me!). That's far better than a bottle of over priced fizz - and to whoever sent them thanks and I love you .....
PS Congrats to Andy - down on one knee at long last. Hope I get an invite .....!
I wont be buying a bottle of Moet and Chandon, at the best Sainsbury's own brand, more likely a bottle of Ossian Ale. The label matters not to me - but it's still good to celebrate.
There was a double pager in the Times this morning, devoted to Roger Federer, and headlined "Success Is A Matter of Style" Well I don't know if I agree with that but Roger certainly has plenty of style - and he doesn't hide it from us, whether it be with Champagne, Rolex watches or gold plating on his tennis shoes. I do admire his 'style' on the tennis court nonetheless.
It's easy to be a Roger Federer fan or a Chelsea supporter, even Lewis Hamilton - because they keep on winning. It's not so easy to support Macclesfield Town or Brechin City or even Andy Murray because they're anything but perfect and have the habit of losing when we want them to win.
It's interesting that people with frailties are often very popular - Princess Diane is a classic example and also sports stars like George Best - everyone wanted to him a drink and perhaps that was his downfall.
A tennis friend of mine sadly died a couple of weeks ago. He was larger than life character, great company, and always pleased to meet you. He had no airs and graces, totally unpretentious and had his imperfections (I know the feeling!) but, judging by the numbers at his funeral, was immensely popular.
I think he was also an illustration of success - but perhaps more appealing than those who have everything!
I got a box of Maltesers in the post this morning, addressed to BouncebackTennis (that's me!). That's far better than a bottle of over priced fizz - and to whoever sent them thanks and I love you .....
PS Congrats to Andy - down on one knee at long last. Hope I get an invite .....!
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