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| Welcome to the June 2020 update from Tennis Server, http://www.tennisserver.com/
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Greetings,
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In his June column, John Mills talks about the advantages of moving your opponent to the outside of the court. See: Do you see the court as a Bowling Alley?
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In his June column in this newsletter below, Tennis Warrior Tom Veneziano explains why simple strategies in tennis are often the most productive. See: "Simple Tennis is Best"
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In an extraordinary act of stupidity, ignorance, selfishness, lack of leadership and utter disregard for the lives of others, the number one tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic, held an exhibition tennis event this month in Belgrade, Serbia. There was a virtually complete disregard for social distancing and mask wearing at the event, which was played to crowded stadiums, with players hugging and high-fiving each other, playing basketball and dancing together. They also shook hands with the umpire, while ball kids handed them their towels. They took selfies with fans afterwards, and signed autographs. Djokovic, his wife, along with many of the other players at the event subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. See: CNN - Novak Djokovic and the Adria Tour: the exhibition event that shocked tennis. We can, and should, expect much, much better from the leaders in our sport than occurred in this disgraceful episode.
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Live tennis, albeit without fans in attendance, is presently expected to again return this August with the Citi Open in Washington, DC followed by the US Open in Queens, New York.
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Please be careful out there. Before you and your family head out to the courts yourself, please be sure you do it in a manner than that is smarter than Novak Djokovic. The bar is set very low so it should not be difficult. Be sure to read this guide from the USTA: Playing Tennis Safely during the time of COVID-19: Player Tips and Recommendations.
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Have fun on the court!
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Cliff Kurtzman
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
Tennis Server
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The Tennis Warrior - Exclusive to Tennis Server Newsletter
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The Tennis Warrior is brought to you by Tom Veneziano (tom@tennisserver.com). Tom is a tennis pro teaching at the Piney Point Racquet Club in Houston, Texas. Tom has taught thousands of players to think like a pro with his Tennis Warrior System.
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June 2020 -- Simple Tennis is Best
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One of the most critical elements of learning and playing tennis is to remember to keep things simple. Players tend to think that the more sophisticated and difficult the strategy or technique, the better. As if the sophistication or difficulty in itself means that it is right. This backward thinking is one of the reasons why many players still fall for the style of learning that focuses on the excessive and overdone technique. They think, "Tennis is a difficult game, so it must require all of these exact, intricate techniques."
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I remember when Michael Chang won his first French Open title against the great serve and volley player Stefan Edberg. What was the complicated strategy that Michael employed to disengage his tough attacking opponent? His solution was to keep the ball lower when Edberg charged into the net. That's it! Michael won the French Open by keeping the ball down at Edberg's ankles.
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You too must learn and remember simple information and use it to win at tennis. Here is a simple strategy that most players forget. When returning a second serve, adjust your position and move in closer. Why? Because your opponent must get that second serve in or lose the point, so that second serve will be slower. Moving in closer allows you to hit the ball sooner, which in turn sends the ball back quicker and creates pressure on your opponent. Plus, the fact that you are standing closer will create even more pressure! Make sure to employ this tactic relentlessly the next time you play. By positioning yourself closer on all second serves, you are letting your opponent know that the pressure will come if he misses the first serve.
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Now, on the other hand, if you are the one serving, make sure you hit a high percentage (60 - 70%) of first serves in the court. Why? Because, as I just mentioned, your opponent can move up on second serves and create more pressure on you. There is enough pressure in tennis without creating your own by missing too many first serves. Getting your first serve in will stop the pressure you feel when your opponent moves in closer to return your second serve.
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On the surface, this is not an earth-shattering phenomenon. Yet all Tennis Warriors know that these simple concepts are not only earth shattering, but the reason why they win more often than other players. Tennis Warriors also know that not many players will make these simple concepts a priority. Do not be one of those players. Remember, keep it simple!
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Your Tennis Pro,
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Tom Veneziano
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Previous columns from Tom Veneziano are archived online in the Tennis Server's Tennis Warrior Archive six months after publication in this newsletter.
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In Tom Veneziano's book "The Truth about Winning!", tennis players learn in a step-by-step fashion the thinking the pros have mastered to win! Tom takes you Step-by-step from basic mental toughness to advanced mental toughness. All skill levels can learn from this unique book from beginner to professional. No need to change your strokes just your thinking. Also available at a discount as an E-Book.
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Audio CDs by Tom Veneziano:
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The Refocus Technique: Controlling Your Emotions in Tennis.
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Think Like a Pro -- 2 Audio CDs. Three minute free sample (real audio): http://www.tenniswarrior.com/audio/sample_audio.ram
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Training for Pressure Play -- Audio CD. Four minute free sample (real audio): http://www.tenniswarrior.com/audio/pressure-play-sample.ram
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See you on the courts,
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--Cliff Kurtzman for Tennis Server
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