Lessons from a Tennis Addict on a Quest to Become an NTRP 4.5 Player

Want more topspin? Think “hello/goodbye”

Want more topspin? Think “hello/goodbye”

"Give me more TOPSPIN!""Get under the ball!""Stop compressing the ball!""Turn the ball!""No, that's too flat!"For years, so many coaches barked out words like this to me over and over. I knew they were right, but every time I wanted to scream:"YES, I desperately WANT...

Serving in the Sandbox

Serving in the Sandbox

"The sandbox is a wonderful place To pass the time of day;Where imagination is limited only By the child who loves to play."--From "Sandbox", Author unknownBy P.J. SimmonsAnyone who's been along with me on the "Road" knows that my serve has been a major preoccupation...

When Your Coach Believes in You

When Your Coach Believes in You

By P.J. Simmons“A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could.” --Zig ZiglarI love spending time over holidays with my Dad and stepmother, two remarkable people who exude life-affirming, positive energy every...

“You Throw Like a Girl” (and You Serve Like One Too)

“You Throw Like a Girl” (and You Serve Like One Too)

By P.J. SimmonsIt was almost 4 decades ago, but I still remember the sting I felt when someone said it to me for the first time.I was only 9 years old, which in retrospect seems so young. But back then nine felt "big." And in the mini-society of 9 year old boys that I...

10 Tips for Better Doubles Strategy

10 Tips for Better Doubles Strategy

(Photo: I took this at the 2011 US Open - Austria's Jurgen Melzer and Germany's Philipp Petzschner in final set before winning their second Grand Slam doubles title)Coaches often say that playing doubles strengthens your singles game and vice versa. Having played a...

2 Must-Read Tennis Psychology Books that Changed My Game

2 Must-Read Tennis Psychology Books that Changed My Game

As summer was ending two years ago (August 2010), I was totally burned out from work. I had spent almost every night and weekend over the previous year writing a book on a tight deadline while also working a high-pressure full-time job. I knew I'd need a serious...

Schooled by a 12 Year Old at IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy

Schooled by a 12 Year Old at IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy

In February I took my first trip to the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton Florida, thanks to an invite from my friend Devin Tao who I'd met through NYC clinics. Devin was generous enough to invite me despite the fact that all the other guys in the group he...

4 Keys to a Stronger Two-Handed Backhand

4 Keys to a Stronger Two-Handed Backhand

Until January of this year I had a one-handed backhand that I wasn't too excited about. I had spent a lot of 2011 angsting over whether I should switch to a 2-hander. Clearly there were pros and cons to both. And the biggest advertisement for a 1-hander was Roger...

“Good things happen to players who bend their knees”

“Good things happen to players who bend their knees”

Last year I ordered one of Nick Bollettieri's instructional videos, "Bollistic Backhand," and something he said on it stuck with me: "Good things happen to tennis players who bend their knees." It's so true. Things go much much better when I actually execute on this...

Lessons from a First-Time USTA Team Captain

Lessons from a First-Time USTA Team Captain

This spring I was invited to co-captain a Men's 3.5 USTA team based out of my home club, Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club. I had just gotten back a few weeks earlier from Bollettieri's IMG Tennis Academy so I was seriously "fired up!" (as IMG coach Roger Blackburn is...

Look forward to hearing from fellow tennis fanatics! Please leave a comment at the end of any of my posts – I will reply as soon as I can.
Apologies if it takes a bit, my day job is super demanding so usually can only reply evenings and weekends.

(Note: your comment won’t show up immediately until I reply – that way I can keep track). Thanks! P.J.