A New Dawn In Tennis ? An American Wins The French Juniors For The 1st Time Since John McEnroe in '77 And China's First Ever Grand Slam Champion

I've cut and pasted two articles I found on the web relative to the subject title above. Two historical events in the tennis world occurred to end the French Open this weekend in Paris. These two events had nothing to do with Roger and Rafa's renewal of their rivalry on a 'Grand Slam' stage, that said NBC's ratings for the men's championship were up 63% from last year. One event was aided by a young American named after Bjorn Borg, whom Rafa just moved past in the French Open record books with his 6th title, surpassing Borg's five.

Hopefully the impact of both these events snowballs into something bigger and better in the near future, wherein the growth of the sport here and in China will steadily rise. If tennis participation rises in both these immense countries, it will undoubtedly rise the world over.



'Barron Collier coach saw how good French Open junior champ Bjorn Fratangelo would be'

By ADAM FISHER

Naples Daily News -Posted June 6, 2011

NAPLES — It was early in the spring of 2009, and the Barron Collier boys tennis team was starting its season against state powerhouse Miami-Dr. Krop. Cougars coach Eric Manring was excited about the upcoming season, largely because of the arrival of a talented freshman who was expected to be the team's top player.

In the first match of the season, Manring saw just how talented his new No. 1 player was. Bjorn Fratangelo, the freshman, went head-to-head with Dr. Krop's top singles player, Billy Federhofer, a senior with the edge in experience and a scholarship to the University of Florida.

Fratangelo didn't flinch. The freshman beat Federhofer, and showed his coach a flash of his potential.“It was one of the best junior matches I've seen to this day,” Manring said. “I was sitting there in awe. It really blew me away. For him to win that match. … I could tell he was going to be something special.”

The rest of the world found out Sunday what Manring has known for more than two years. Fratangelo, 17, put himself on the international tennis map by winning the French Open boys singles titles. He is the first American to win the event since John McEnroe in 1977.

Fratangelo played just one year at Barron Collier. He moved to Naples with his family from the Pittsburgh area before his freshman year, and helped the Cougars win district and regional titles in 2009.

After concentrating on national junior tournaments rather than high school tennis, Fratangelo had some big victories the past two years. He won back-to-back titles at the USTA National Clay Courts Championships in 2009 and 2010, and won the championship at the prestigious Easter Bowl in 2010.

Fratangelo's biggest victory yet came Sunday. Unranked in the French Open field, he dropped his first set before coming back to beat Dominic Thiem of Austria, 3-6, 6-3, 8-6. The French Open is one of four major tournaments in tennis.



“It's pretty amazing,” Manring said. “I knew Bjorn is very talented, but to pull that off is quite a feat. It's unbelievable.”

Though he spends summers in Plum, Pa., Fratangelo lives in Naples the rest of the year. He his home-schooled and takes online courses while training with his father, Mario, a local professional who has worked with several Barron Collier players.

Manring said he sees Fratangelo from time to time at Barron Collier matches. The former Cougar is still good friends with many of his former teammates, including No. 1 singles player Brett Clark. Clark, who led the Cougars to their second straight state championship this season, still plays with Fratangelo.

The French Open is played on clay, which Manring said was to Fratangelo's advantage because most the courts in Naples are clay. Fratangelo's intense training schedule also helped, his former coach said.

“He's just a super, super consistent player,” Manring said. “He trains sick, disgusting hours on the court. He's definitely put in the work. He deserves it.”


Post-Match Interview - 2011 French Open Junior Champion Bjorn Fratangelo

'Tennis industry thanks Li Na'

By Liu Chang for the 'Global Times' - June 7, 2011

The umpire's cry of "Game, Set, Match, Li Na" in the French Open final on Saturday not only marked the first Grand Slam title for a Chinese player, but represented a watershed mark for tennis in China as courts, training centers, and sports shops braced for good business.

According to Xinhua, 95 million Chinese watched Li defeat Italy's Francesca Schiavone to become the nation's latest sports darling. Her official Weibo microblog saw her followers climb from 1.6 million to more than 2.1 million since her semifinal win over Maria Sharapova.

Li's name also became the latest buzzword for selling tennis products. On e-business platform Taobao, "Li Na" has become a synonym for tennis-related products. A search for the name will return thousands of tennis-related items, such as rackets and clothes. Some saw their tennis gear sales more than double during the weekend.

Aibo Sports, a popular tennis center in Hangzhou, received at least 100 calls from parents wanting to enroll their children for classes over the summer.
Tang Gengguo, director of the center, was quoted by the Hangzhou-based City Express as saying he expects to see more students over the summer than in all of last year.

The Nanjing-based Modern Express said that sales of Li Na's model of tennis racket were going through the roof and that tennis courts across the city were close to being fully booked.

In Shenyang, the situation is similar. According to a report by the Liaoshen Evening News, shops saw an uncommonly vast number of customers on Sunday, while the phone lines at the Shenyang Tennis Center were jammed with calls.

At the Kuaixue tennis center in Beijing, Su, the center's director, told the Global Times that he changed the tag on the center's website to "Powerful Li Na" before her semifinal, and had seen an increase of online visitors since.

"I am also receiving more calls about tennis training," Su said.

This new craze for the sport is not without similarities with the passion for snooker in 2005, after Ding Junhui won the World Snooker China Open and the UK Championship.

Despite being virtually unknown in China before Ding's rise to prominence, China now owns the world's largest snooker table and cue manufacturers, and has the sport's largest annual procurement value in the world. There are 60 million snooker players nationwide now, with about 300 professional players, according to City Express.

This clip is HILARIOUS & I kinda suspected from this moment seen above, where Na's skills on the tennis court were now truly known to the tennis world with her first grand slam final. That she was getting to show this bright personality with brilliant comedic timing and was coming of age in front of our eyes.  Well then she and being a first, was now just opening up the window and staring in on some rarefied air, and her ascent but actually her arrival there.  This special accomplishment, of one country's first person to be in a most prestigious world tennis tournament final match.    Na had all the chops and cool to handle.  I think when they do a 20yr retro-spec it will be amazing to see her influence over the direction of the sport in her country, and do not forget that in the present, her advertising and endorsement value was in that same air too - 2011 Australian Open Semi-Final On-Court Interview - Li Na

Tournaments That I'd LOVE all of you to play in this SUMMER

There is nothing that adds as much confidence to your game, win or lose, than to get invaluable match play experience in a tournament. These tennis tournaments are right in our backyard, at our Paul VI tennis courts. These are just darn good tournaments that fit the needs and experience levels that each and everyone of you at JV and varsity level may be at right now. Sincerely no one on the team should be afraid to sign-up and play in these tournaments. It is a very laid back environment compared to most tournaments. Which is what I love most about it. Remember 'TENNIS IS SUMMER & SUMMER IS TENNIS'

There is no time like the present to capitalize on your tennis skills, that are quite polished after 3 months of playing. I can't tell you how great it is that this type of tournament is offered to you and all area high school tennis players. You'll see members of the Collingswood, Cherokee and Haddon Heights boys and girls tennis teams.

You'll see adults who are 3.5 to 4.5 rated players. 'B' division would be a 3.5 player and 'Open' would be 4.0 and above. You'll see both 'Girls and Boys' divisions, with 16s & 18s and under draws. I highly recommend that you sign up and play one or more of the tourney dates. Our boys and girls varsity players may think of playing multiple divisions, and girls please don't worry if you don't feel your strokes are that polished right now. AND there are prizes, which is quite unique to say the least.

Just DOUBLE CLICK on any of the forms, and then print out the necessary one.




The boys 18's is filled up but if you contact coach mitch ASAP there is still a chance to sign-up for this coming weekend.

Two Short And Simple Mental Video Tips - Concentration, Leave Mental Baggage Off The Court

Tomorrow our friend the sun will reappear. Remember him from a blog post last year. We will be indoors but we will bring the sun in and we'll all bring our own sun ray and contribute it to a group concentration and success at River Winds. It is there where all our minds and eyes will see is the next point and the next successful shot we're going to hit to win that point. Your a ray of sun and all you see it what is in front of you, and RBC will be blinded by our collective energy.

Once you get on that court, as I've stated before, such a place is your cocoon and nothing is important but the next point you'll play. We will all succeed tomorrow, and those winning bus rides back to PVI, and how fun they were, well it is not more than 18 hours before it happens again. BUT!! We have to focus our ray's energy on the ball we are about to hit and only that ball, wherein the happy bus ride will just happen .. if we stay in the moment.

These mental vid tips go hand and hand with yesterday's piece. Leaving the past and not thinking into the future. BE IN THE NOW FOR TWO HOURS TOMORROW!

I have a fresh role of 'Tourna Grip,' and will gladly re-grip your racquets if you need such, just ask and I'll do it tomorrow on the bus.

I also just got back from Trader Joe's, and came to the conclusion that we should go back to the 'Pomegranate White Tea.' This same tea was with us in our first round match-up last year. This was the first Ice Tea we started with, and I am superstitious.



See you all tomorrow. I will be on the bus and ready to rock at 1050pm. See you all ASAP, as I know you get out at 11pm. I hope we'll have time for a short warm-up at River Winds, so be prepared.




Mental Tip



Mental Tip




And A Little Music To Accompany - Our Team On The Road, In The Bus, And On The Run To Victory - Wings

A Kind Of Common Opponent Of Red Bank Catholic Is Bishop Eustace ... Read Between The Box Scores

We play Red Bank Catholic on Thursday at noontime at River Winds Racquet Club in West Deptford. This time last season Bishop Eustace played them in the first round of the playoffs. There are two box scores below, one of that playoff match and a recent box score where RBC played Rumson a couple weeks ago. You'll see some different names in each but some are the same.

Tomorrow if it rains I'll have a short indoor practice for Terry, Frank, Mark, Nick, Marcos, John and Mitchel. We'll have it in the gym and it'll run 245-330.

All members of the tennis team are allowed to attend the playoff match on Thursday at River Winds. Please print out the permission slip below and have it signed by a parent. We will be dismissed at 11pm and the match will start at noontime.





I also put a Haddonfield v Pennsville box score, wherein a number of our team members have played both. Terry won against Pennsville's first and Mark lost in a close match to their 3rd singles.

I thought the recent Cherry Hill East/Shawnee match was interesting. We have played East, wherein Shawnee is ranked considerably higher than the Cougars, but played them close from 3 down and won both doubles positions. We were going to play Shawnee but as you know now that match was canceled.

The last one is fascinating. I see that a 6-11 Oakcrest team could beat St Augustine's 3rd singles, a fill-in, but not a JV fill-in, a member of their 2nd varsity doubles team. Christopher Polizzi has played about half of Prep's matches at 2nd doubles this season. The doubles matches were also quite competitive. The Prep drops off a cliff after 2nd singles, and we'll get another shot at them soon.

Red Bank Catholic 4, Bishop Eustace 1

The Star Ledger, May 13, 2010

1st Singles: Paul Sansone, Red Bank Catholic, def. Bill Celano 6-0, 6-0.

2nd Singles: Matt Rider, Red Bank Catholic, def. Jay Vatson 2-6, 6-2, 6-3.

3rd Singles: Tim Swenarton, Red Bank Catholic, def. Eric Mintz 6-2, 6-3.

1st Doubles: Stephen Baldo and Peter Glover, Red Bank Catholic, def. and Brian Miller 6-2, 6-1.

2nd Doubles: Matt Lieve and Steve Smith, Bishop Eustace, def. JV Mennie and TJ Schissler 7-6 (7-2), 6-0.


Records: Bishop Eustace 4-11. Red Bank Catholic 9-7.


5/5/2011

Red Bank Catholic 4 Rumson 1
(9-4-0) (6-9-1)

1st Matt Rider (Red Bank Catholic) d Simon Rubin (Rumson) 6-3, 6-2

2nd Ralph Primavera (Red Bank Catholic) def Drew Hitchner (Rumson) 6-3, 6-2

3rd Campbell Dickson (Rumson) def. Tim Swenarton (Red Bank Catholic) 1-6, 6-3, 6-2

1st Stephen Baldo & Peter Glover (Red Bank Catholic) def. Andrew Henderson & Mike Mahedy (Rumson) 6-2, 6-2

2nd Jimmy Glover & J.V. Mennie (Red Bank Catholic) def. George Ketterer & Anthony Leli (Rumson) 6-2, 6-2


OLYMPIC CONFERENCE 5/13/11

Shawnee 3, Cherry Hill East 2
Justin Kang, S, d Alfred Sebastian Gonzalez 6-0, 6-0; Tyler Arsenault, S, d Alex Feldman 6-1, 6-1; Kyle Sparkman, S, d Hank Davis 6-2, 4-6, 6-2; Jared Kaufman and Max Silverberg, CHE, d Dan Doyle and Tom Annin 6-1, 6-2; Jordan Elmowitz and CJ Smith, CHE, d Mike Cataldo and Joe Forelli 6-3, 7-6 (7-5).


Haddonfield 5, Pennsville 0 5/12/11
Max Oberholtzer d Cory Finlaw 6-1, 6-1; Luke Grabiak d Brett Lankenau 6-4, 6-2; Matt Godlewski d Matt Drummond 6-0, 6-7, 6-4; Isaac Anderson and Sean Campbell d Sam Stafford and Tyler Ascenzi 6-0, 6-1; Anthony Celenza and Max Prescott d Brandon Chambers and Josh Wyshinski 6-0, 6-1.

5/13/2011
St Augustine 4 (13-3) Oakcrest 1 (6-11)
Oakcrest, Mays Landing, NJ

Shane Monroe (St. Augustine) def.David Battistelli (Oakcrest) 6-0, 6-0
Matthew Monroe (St. Augustine) def. Mark Perkins (Oakcrest) 6-0, 6-0
Jimmy Smith (Oakcrest) def. Christopher Polizzi (St. Augustine) 6-1, 6-3

Doubles
Brian Balchiunas & Andrew Moffa (St. Augustine) def. Hamad Hasan & Nicky Race (Oakcrest) 6-2, 1-6, 6-4

Jason DelRe & Ryan Lim (St. Augustine) def. Joe McGarvey & Jerome Walker (Oakcrest)
7-6, 6-0

'Staying in the Moment,' by Brent Abel ... And A Couple Of Other Important Points And Sugestions

This was a great short piece I saw on a tennis website, wherein it is a point I have empathized since I began coaching here, 'Staying in the Moment,' by Brent Abel,' see it cut and pasted at the bottom of this post. 'point by point concentration,' 'don't let the frustration of a lost point lose you the next two points,' etc ... these are points I strongly believe in. PLEASE READ IT.

Hopefully you'll get to use it's information tomorrow, if we get to play Red Bank Catholic, but with 90% chance of rain I am worried. Mr Mitchel is attempting to have the match moved indoors, and I hope to have an answer to you all tomorrow ... or lets hope it doesn't rain ... but check your emails in the late morning for an update.

I also found out that the Philadelphia Freedoms, of World Team Tennis, are having ball boys tryouts. I've been a ball person at handful of tournaments, including the 'US Open' and 'Virgina Slims of Philadelphia,' back in the day at the old Philadelphia Civic Center. I think it is a great way to connect to the sport and see it in a whole different light.

To be on court level with the best in world, and to see the speed and control they exhibit, is truly amazing and inspiring. I highly recommend this experience, and here is your opportunity. I also recommend you go see some of the action if you get a chance. Check the website below for ticket information and their schedule. The person in charge of the ball boys is also listed.

Philly Freedoms (cut and pasted from 'Freedoms' website)
Freedoms are holding ball kid tryouts, June 4th 12-1pm. ages 10-16 outside the Macy's in the King Of Prussia Mall! Hope to see you there!!

Ballkids Coordinator - Philadelphia Freedoms
Rose Weinstein - 610.265.7440 - TennisRose@comcast.net
http://www.philadelphiafreedoms.com/teams/page.aspx?article_id=210

It seems Rob, who once held the 'Tennis Company Pro Shop' at the Cherry Hill Racquet Club is now at Green Valley, and strings racquets there from 10-7 daily. He can have your racquet re-strung within the same day. I just spoke to him and told him that I have a couple players who need re-stringing. I strongly recommend the RPM Blast.

Nick, Terry and Johnny use it, wherein I like the 17 gauge better because I get more feel. I just took my racquet to Dick's, with gift card, and I WILL NEVER do that again. Green Valley is less than a 1/4 mile from Paul VI. His information and phone number are pasted below. I love Steve and Everyone's Racquet, but we are pressed for time. I've been on a couple of you to take care of this.

New for the 2011 Summer Season...Green Valley Tennis Club welcomes The Tennis Company Pro Shop!

The Tennis Company Pro Shop
Green Valley Tennis Club
429 Crystal Lake Avenue
Haddon Twp., NJ 08033
www.thetennisco.com 856-869-3490
rcort928@yahoo.com

See the picture of over-wrap below. I've been using some cheaper Wilson over-wrap, but then I splurged the other day at Walmart and bought 'Tourna Grip' for $3.96 a 3 pack... and I felt like an idiot for ever going cheap on such. I've used the 'Tourna Grip' on and off for years... let's just say I'll never use anything but 'Tourna Grip' again. It is 'head over heels' the best over-grip on the market and the most popular one on either tour.

All our team members should over-grip their racquets at this point in the season, therein more frequently than I see they do ... DO THIS TO AVOID SLIPPAGE ON CONTACT THAT SWEAT AND DIRT BUILD-UP CAN CAUSE ... AND in light of starting the season with a new grip all together. Who read and followed that recommendation made here on the blog. It is suggested, by any major racquet manufacturer, to re-grip your racquet, from anywhere between three to six months, depending on how much you play.



A great shot I recently took with my camera, the other day at the Audubon laundromat. I'll call it 'A Tennis Coach Drying His Tennis Balls After A Rainy Session' .. enter laugh here!!!



The Hardest Thing To Do In Tennis
May 16, 2011 By Brent Abel

Learning stroke technique, the fundamentals of the swing, footwork, strategy, all of that, that’s the easy part.

The tough part about becoming a better competitive tennis player (which translates to simply winning more matches against players at your current skill level) is NOT thinking ahead into the future.

“Well, let’s see, if I win this point, then…”.



We get ahead of ourselves out there…

Between points we think about the consequences of winning and losing future points. We think about what our opponent might do with this shot we’re just about to play.

And during side changes, we think about what a great victory or a depressing loss this is going to be.

The thing that helped me become a better tennis player at the senior level was to find ways to fool myself into staying in the present.

Sounds so simple. But for me, and maybe also for you, the mental part of competing is way harder than improving my swing mechanics.

Here’s what I do in those 3 situations where we can get ahead of ourselves during a match.

* Between points – I go though my 4 part 20 second routine that I immediately start when a point is over.
* Side changes – I do a lot of singing to myself. Sounds goofy, but it helps me to not think into the future or dwell too much on the past. Towel, water, deep breaths, sing…
* Prior to making contact with the ball – This has far and away been the biggest challenge for me. Michael Wayman has helped me trust that I can stay in that moment of contact and not think the nano second of what if…
* And there’s actually a 4th situation which is before the match – I used to get all worked up about what if I lose to this guy or what if I get beat 0 and 0.

What’s worked for me is visualization off of the court.

I see those situations in my mind and act out how I want to be. I have to practice this regularly or else I tend to go back to living in the future when I play a match.

I have to fool myself sometimes especially between points after I’ve just blown an easy shot. Most of it is just acting a certain way.

But if I haven’t rehearsed how I want to act with the off court visualization, I usually don’t manage that time well.

So blah, blah, blah. Let’s get to work.

Take some dedicated time to rehearse exactly how you want to stay in the moment during those times we discussed above and NOT look out into the future.

How about you? What other times before or during a match do you tend to think into the future?

Right below in the Comments area, let us know. Thanks in advance…

Brent

Our Playoff Road .. We Got The Three Seed And A Home Match vs RBC - 2011 Boys Tennis Non-Public 'A' South Bracket

We did get the #3 seed but most importantly we got a home playoff match against the #6 seed Red Bank Catholic. I am thrilled that all our family members and PVI peers will get a chance to support our tennis team, without having to travel too long a distance. The match will be played on or before May 17th, wherein the RBC athletic director and Mr Mitchel will negotiate a date best for both schools. PULL THE MOUSE TO & DOUBLE CLICK EITHER PICTURE TO ENLARGE AND VIEW BETTER.



Below is last year's playoff bracket, wherein RBC was the #7 seed, so they have also improved. We should have a good match on our hands.

Cherry Hill East Was A Battle ... And We Had Some Good Moments - Pictures Of A Beautiful Day At The PVI Courts

Johnny and Mitch communicate quite well, and will never get down on themselves and show their opponents their frustrations. Don't want to give your opponents added confidence ...



The twins made it though a first set quick server. We've all played a quick server once or twice. They slowed it down, a great idea by Marcos.



Mark played our 2nd three set match of the year and really went at it with another Davis at 3rd singles for Cherry Hill East. There is always a Davis at 3rd singles at East.



Frank has amazing concentration on that ball, or coach might just have a good camera that catches such. Or could it be his skills with his camera are really starting to come together with repetition and practice. See the picture below that I put on the blog from the first match of the year against Seneca. I got a great shot of the rust on the fence, but not so good focus on the Seneca players. Practice makes perfect.





Terry played Omar's son and found some shot combinations that worked to win points against a very experienced opponent. Terry did a lot better than yesterday, and I hope his back is doing better. He'll have a tough opponent tomorrow in Dave Blystone of Cherokee. Dave was quite an emotional player when Terry played him last season. If Terry can be consistent and find a way to frustrate him, and then notice such and take advantage of the re-occurrence, I think he could win. You always have to watch and take advantage of the emotional downturns of your opponent(s) when they may be frustrated with their tennis game and show such in words and body language.