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| Welcome to the November 2021 update from Tennis Server, http://www.tennisserver.com/
Greetings,
After former world number #1 ranked Tennis player Peng Shuai went on social media and accused a Chinese Vice Premier of rape, she disappeared. Then after world-wide outrage over her disappearance, including many calls for the USA to withdraw from the upcoming Winter Olympics in China, she re-emerged on November 21... sorta, kinda. As described by CNN (See: Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has finally appeared in public. But here's why the worries aren't going away):
"Since Friday evening, a steady stream of photos and videos purporting to show a smiling Peng going about her life in Beijing have surfaced on Twitter -- all posted by individuals working for Chinese government-controlled media and the state sport system, on a platform blocked in China.
The apparent propaganda push was followed Sunday by a video call between Peng and International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach, during which the three-time Olympian insisted she is "safe and well, living at her home in Beijing" and "would like to have her privacy respected," according to a statement from the IOC."
and
""It was good to see Peng Shuai in recent videos, but they don't alleviate or address the WTA's concern about her well-being and ability to communicate without censorship or coercion," a spokesperson for the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) told CNN in a statement, following Peng's call with the IOC."
and
""The IOC call hardly alleviates our concerns for Peng's well-being or safety," said Wang from the HRW [Human Rights Watch].
"In fact, it begs the question of why the IOC appears to be participating in what is essentially a state-controlled narrative, as only the government and its affiliated media have been allowed to tell Peng's story.""
The Tennis Server applauds the strong stance that was and still is being taken by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) against the way Peng Shuai has been and is still being treated by China, even in the face of grave potential financial repercussions (See: WTA Stands Alone in Peng Shuai China Standoff As Olympics Near). However, we don't have remotely the same praise for the International Olympic Committee, which seemed to accept a "hostage-video-call" from Peng as validation that she was okay, and without adequate steps being taken to assure she was not acting under duress.
In his November column, John Mills reminds us how to celebrate the fun in enjoying the game of tennis. See: "Just Fun".
In his reprised column in this newsletter below, Tennis Warrior Tom Veneziano explains how a consistency-focused mindset can improve your game at the net. See: "A Mental Technique To Improve Your Volleys" below.
Please be careful out there. Be sure to do your part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated, and read this guide from the USTA: Playing Tennis Safely during the time of COVID-19: Player Tips and Recommendations.
Have fun on the court!
Cliff Kurtzman
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
Tennis Server
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The Tennis Warrior by Tom Veneziano
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.
A Mental Technique To Improve Your Volleys
Many times when teaching I can adjust the thinking of students and thereby affect their stroke production. This quick tip on volleying can improve your volleys without making any major changes in your stroke.
Would you like to improve your volley without consciously changing any technical skill? The next time you volley, do not think in terms of hitting a winner. Instead, think in terms of consistency and control. Simple, isn't it? It may be, but do not assume you think correctly when hitting volleys. I have been teaching a long time and just about every player tries to go for too much pressure on every volley they hit. I call it playing in the "hit-winners" mindset. Subconsciously they think they should win the point NOW every time they touch the volley.
Most players at the net are so filled with anxiety they overplay everything. The next time you are volleying use a "consistent" mindset and watch the difference. Think in terms of just getting the ball back, moving it around, and not necessarily hitting a winner. Of course, when you have a high short ball you can go for a winner, but relax, slow it down, and you will be surprised how much more consistently you will play, even when hitting winners!!!
Winners do not win matches - CONSISTENCY AND CONTROL DO!
What effect does this type of thinking have on the technical strokes? Simple, when you try to play with a "consistent" mindset not a "hit-winners" mindset, you stop swinging the racket. This will automatically begin improving your block volleys. Most players over-swing at the net. This is an excellent mental technique to help you learn a block volley and surprise your friends with the quick improvement. Try it, you'll like it!
Your Tennis Pro,
Tom Veneziano
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.
Audio CDs by Tom Veneziano:
The Refocus Technique: Controlling Your Emotions in Tennis.
Think Like a Pro -- 2 Audio CDs. Three minute free sample (real audio): http://www.tenniswarrior.com/audio/sample_audio.ram
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,
--Cliff Kurtzman for Tennis Server
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