I am an Andy Murray fan.
Can I say firstly that this is not a tribal thing. I was also a great admirer of Tim Henman.
I supported Tim through all the oohs, aahs, near misses, disappointments and tears. Throughout I appreciated his skill and how much he contributed to British tennis. In my opinion, it is travesty that he has never been knighted – or greater still won the Sports Personality of the Year Award.
But of course he has never won a major – or rode a horse!
Andy Murray will win a major. He has phenomenal talent. His reading of the game is second to none and he can destroy an opponent with subtle changes of pace and sheer brain power. No wonder no-one fancies playing him.
He also has a bit of attitude. Now I’ve heard him described as dour, sulky, scruffy, rude, arrogant, in need of a shave, even more in need of a haircut. Now that sounds a bit like me at that age – or maybe even you!
These things are irrelevant. Perfect manners, "jolly good try", and "better luck next time" doesn’t win championships. Winning at all costs does.
2008 could be Andy’s year! We all hope so.
My very best wishes to all my friends and colleagues out there – I hope 2008 is happy and successful for you too.
Monday, 31 December 2007
Monday, 24 December 2007
Ding Dong
Ok hands up - I've always been a 'beat behind the band' with new gadgets (still think blackberries are healthy things to go on your cereal)
But thanks to the wonders of technology in this here household - and in Connecticut USA - tomorrow I will see my grand children opening their Xmas pressies. This is all thanks to things called Skype and web cams - and to be honest I don't have a scooby do how it all works.
Having said that, I am a great believer in modern technology in relation to tennis equipment. So my advice to anyone out there who swears by their Lew Hoad racket (or green flash shoes) is to assign them to a museum. They just help you to get injured and play crap tennis.
Many of you will be aware that my washine machine broke down on Friday (if it had been the dishwasher there would have been major slashing of wrists). But thanks again to the wonders of technology (and the world's finest Hotpoint engineer), we are spinning once again!
Merry Christmas everyone
But thanks to the wonders of technology in this here household - and in Connecticut USA - tomorrow I will see my grand children opening their Xmas pressies. This is all thanks to things called Skype and web cams - and to be honest I don't have a scooby do how it all works.
Having said that, I am a great believer in modern technology in relation to tennis equipment. So my advice to anyone out there who swears by their Lew Hoad racket (or green flash shoes) is to assign them to a museum. They just help you to get injured and play crap tennis.
Many of you will be aware that my washine machine broke down on Friday (if it had been the dishwasher there would have been major slashing of wrists). But thanks again to the wonders of technology (and the world's finest Hotpoint engineer), we are spinning once again!
Merry Christmas everyone
Monday, 17 December 2007
Man Flu
I travelled down to Southampton at the week-end to meet up with John and Susan - and my 'La Manga' friends. It was a delight to see them and we had a lovely lunch together.
Can I outline at this juncture my phenomenal courage in attending this function. As I made everyone there realise, I was suffering from a severe dose of bubonic plague, exacerbated by the fact that it felt 10 degrees colder in Southampton compared with Edinburgh.
It begs the question - should you keep going when you have 'something', or should you rest up for six months and become a doughnut king / queen.
With tennis related injuries which force you to stop playing, the modern approach is to maintain your strength and cardiovascular conditioning by doing something else. Then getting back to playing will not be such a shock to the system. My personal belief is to get back on the court as soon as possible - but pay attention to your body's signals.
To stop you suing me, if in doubt always consult your GP, physio, trainer, mother-in-law or other medical expert.
You will be relieved to know that my bubonic plague has been downgraded to Man Flu.
Pass the Night Nurse!
Can I outline at this juncture my phenomenal courage in attending this function. As I made everyone there realise, I was suffering from a severe dose of bubonic plague, exacerbated by the fact that it felt 10 degrees colder in Southampton compared with Edinburgh.
It begs the question - should you keep going when you have 'something', or should you rest up for six months and become a doughnut king / queen.
With tennis related injuries which force you to stop playing, the modern approach is to maintain your strength and cardiovascular conditioning by doing something else. Then getting back to playing will not be such a shock to the system. My personal belief is to get back on the court as soon as possible - but pay attention to your body's signals.
To stop you suing me, if in doubt always consult your GP, physio, trainer, mother-in-law or other medical expert.
You will be relieved to know that my bubonic plague has been downgraded to Man Flu.
Pass the Night Nurse!
Saturday, 8 December 2007
Happy Birthday!
My mum is 95 today!
How do you survive 2 World Wars, 50 Prime Ministers, 100 Hearts managers, 2000 episodes of Coronation Street (the latter has included multiple murders, shootings, stabbings, rape, pillage, arson, countless affairs, and even more divorces)
I think she would put it down to meat and 2 veg, and a glass of sherry every day.
Contentment, and the right attitude to life, also helps.
Happy birthday mum
How do you survive 2 World Wars, 50 Prime Ministers, 100 Hearts managers, 2000 episodes of Coronation Street (the latter has included multiple murders, shootings, stabbings, rape, pillage, arson, countless affairs, and even more divorces)
I think she would put it down to meat and 2 veg, and a glass of sherry every day.
Contentment, and the right attitude to life, also helps.
Happy birthday mum
Wednesday, 5 December 2007
Opening Ceremony
Welcome everyone to the launch of Bouncebacktennis.com
A particular welcome to all my tennis friends and colleagues who have 'tuned in' from Craiglockhart Tennis Centre, Dalkeith tennis club and Colinton tennis club.
Ok enough of the bullshit.
Despite all the name / place dropping, I learnt my tennis trade at the school of hard knocks. In fact I've been back there a few times in my adult existence, honing my recovery skills in the face of adversity (more commonly referred to as 'picking yourself up and dusting yourself down')
My own tennis ranges from sensational to a little embarrassing - but I know all the answers!
So read on my friends - if you want to take your life, and tennis, less seriously - and become a winner!!
Oh by the way - thanks Carmen for helping to knock this thing together - you are a star!
A particular welcome to all my tennis friends and colleagues who have 'tuned in' from Craiglockhart Tennis Centre, Dalkeith tennis club and Colinton tennis club.
Ok enough of the bullshit.
Despite all the name / place dropping, I learnt my tennis trade at the school of hard knocks. In fact I've been back there a few times in my adult existence, honing my recovery skills in the face of adversity (more commonly referred to as 'picking yourself up and dusting yourself down')
My own tennis ranges from sensational to a little embarrassing - but I know all the answers!
So read on my friends - if you want to take your life, and tennis, less seriously - and become a winner!!
Oh by the way - thanks Carmen for helping to knock this thing together - you are a star!
Sunday, 25 November 2007
Hold On With Both Hands
Relax - everyone south of the border. This is not a dig at English goalkeepers. I was genuinely sorry to see them go out of Europe. But..............
Would you ride a bike with only one hand?
Would you push a shopping trolley with one hand?
(for the guys out there a shopping trolley is the metal thing with wheels you find outside Tescos)
In tennis, your spare hand (or non-dominant if you want me to get technical) should always be doing something - but not answering your mobile phone or scratching your bum (unless your name is Rafael Nadal!)
It's all about balance - and I'm told having the right balance also works in life in general.
So remember that next Saturday night!
Would you ride a bike with only one hand?
Would you push a shopping trolley with one hand?
(for the guys out there a shopping trolley is the metal thing with wheels you find outside Tescos)
In tennis, your spare hand (or non-dominant if you want me to get technical) should always be doing something - but not answering your mobile phone or scratching your bum (unless your name is Rafael Nadal!)
It's all about balance - and I'm told having the right balance also works in life in general.
So remember that next Saturday night!
Thursday, 22 November 2007
Tip For Any Day
Unless you have a drain-pipe fetish (or play tennis), this piece of advice will be of no interest to you whatsoever.
Does your ball toss go all over the shop when you're serving?
Imagine a drain-pipe descending down towards your head - then throw the ball up the pipe.
Scary - but it works.
Footnote: Do not confuse a 'ball toss' with a 'throw up'. The latter relates to Saturday night / lager / chicken curry etc
Does your ball toss go all over the shop when you're serving?
Imagine a drain-pipe descending down towards your head - then throw the ball up the pipe.
Scary - but it works.
Footnote: Do not confuse a 'ball toss' with a 'throw up'. The latter relates to Saturday night / lager / chicken curry etc
Gives a smile
Have you ever noticed how infectious a smile can be?
You can be walking down the street when an amusing thought comes into your head - then you find the person coming towards you is smiling too!!
I read somewhere that, to brighten your day, you should try smiling at a stranger.
I would go easy on this one. Pick and choose your 'victims' or you could end up with a sore nose or a friend you don't really want!
Ok, this is really just for tennis nuts - but do you remember Yvonne Goolagong. She smiled all the time - and won titles. Jelena Jankovic and Jamie Murray laughed and smiled their way to a Wimbledon title this summer.
One of the benefits of smiling when playing tennis (or any other sport) is that it helps you to relax. It also lets opponents know they're not getting under your shirt.
So give it a blast - it's worth a shot.
You can be walking down the street when an amusing thought comes into your head - then you find the person coming towards you is smiling too!!
I read somewhere that, to brighten your day, you should try smiling at a stranger.
I would go easy on this one. Pick and choose your 'victims' or you could end up with a sore nose or a friend you don't really want!
Ok, this is really just for tennis nuts - but do you remember Yvonne Goolagong. She smiled all the time - and won titles. Jelena Jankovic and Jamie Murray laughed and smiled their way to a Wimbledon title this summer.
One of the benefits of smiling when playing tennis (or any other sport) is that it helps you to relax. It also lets opponents know they're not getting under your shirt.
So give it a blast - it's worth a shot.
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