Sunday, February 28, 2010

Shopping for Best Tennis Shoes

By Mark Stephen

Tennis shoes are the shoes that are meant for the sports that need heavy effort to play. These tennis shoes are known by different names like athletic shoes, gym shoes. In different countries they are known by different names like in Australia it is known as sand shoes, in U.K it is called as trainers and in the country of Canada it is called as the runner shoes.

Apart from the tennis players these tennis shoes are worn by the people who are interested in playing the games like jumping, basketball etc. this shoe is made of a flexible material and the sole is made of the rubber which is the only reason for its comfort level. You can purchase these tennis shoes of different sizes. They differ not only in sizes but also in their use. Custom made tennis shoes are perfect if you are not getting the tennis shoe of your size.

Purchasing a perfect tennis shoe is a difficult job. But if you follow some of the tips you can easily find the perfect tennis shoe for yourself. Always give importance to the quality of the shoes more important than the name of the brand of which it is made.

It is always suggested that always test the tennis shoe by wearing it before purchasing them. It will help in detecting their comfort level. For doing it you can wear it and walk for some time. If you feel that it is comfortable for your feet, then only purchase it.

Another important area that should need consideration is the heel box. It is a place where the heels of the toes are perfectly placed. It should be made of leather material. For checking the comfortable level of the heel, bend it. If the tennis shoe bends easily, then be sure that the tennis shoe is perfect.

You can get an idea about a perfect tennis shoe from you coach and doctor. If the tennis shoe that you are going to purchase bends easily it gives you the signal to go ahead with that particular tennis shoe that you have chosen. This process gives proof about the flexibility of the shoe.

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Friday, February 26, 2010

Rising Tennis Players For The Coming Months

By James Tanana

The Australian Open once again got the tennis year off to a great start and whetted out appetite for the forthcoming season. The master they call Roger Federer once again lifted that famous trophy, sending out a warning to all his opponents that he's still the man to beat.

There again, it's still very early in the season, and way too early to write anyone off yet. Look at the surprises last year threw up, a prime example being Juan Martin Del Potro winning the US Open title by beating Federer in the final.

Melanie Oudin, the 18 year old American, had a terrific 2009 and could really break through this year. Reaching the semi final in the US Open was the highlight of last year, who's to say she won't do even better this year?

With time on her side to improve even further and grow in strength and confidence, you can bet that her competitors are keeping an eye on her.

A young man with the aspirations to take Federer's crown is Marin Cilic. A top ten player at only 21, he has started this year with 15 wins and only 1 loss. Watch out for him this year to really rattle the top players. The depth of his game at this young age is staggering, and he can only get better.

Nikolay Davydenko is no newcomer, but at 28 seems to be finally getting the recognition he deserves as a great player. In their last three meetings he has beaten Federer twice, which will no doubt be a thorn in Federer's size.

The next player has been around for quite a while but is enjoying a great resurgence in his career. 28 year old Nikolay Davydenko is in the form of his life and has risen to #6 in the world.

Physically and mentally he has never been better, and expect some great results from him in 2010.

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Saturday, February 20, 2010

The Most Important Characteristics A Tennis Competitor Can Possess

By Laura Gross

As tennis continues to grow its fans and players will always be arguing on what determines a good player and which skills are the most important to have.

There are arguments that can be made for a handful of different elements of the sport, and while it may all boil down to a matter of opinion, it's still fun to look at the possibilities.

Here are the most important factors. Let's see which one you think matters most.

Looking back at top players in history such as John McEnroe, the question to ask is, is it volleying? All things considered, a regular game may be a danger for either opponent and end a point without trouble.

Is baseline play across the net favoured by modern games? A Lot of tennis experts would argue in favour. Andy Roddick would spend time playing the game from the net but he now prefers the baseline play. And take the example of Rafael Nadal who also takes control from the rear of the court.

On the other hand, maybe it is the serve that is important. A strong serve will give the player a distinct advantage over their opponent and if you consider the example of Roddick who will control the course of the match with his serve if he has made it difficult for his opponent to break them.

Players have a hard time winning points if their opponent is fast at reaching the ball. Players like Nadal manage to reach almost every ball coming their way. If your opponent has to play hard to get a point then you will be causing them to make unforced errors.

What I think is the most important aspect is the x-factor, as in the mental game. Rafael Nadal knows how to play a tough mental game and as a result has some of the toughest in the history of tennis.

During matches, he has the ability to remain composed and calm with a win attitude that seems to work for him.

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Friday, February 19, 2010

French Open Tennis

By Angela Jones

It is highly unlikely that you will not know of the French Open tennis championship, because it is a competition which is an annual topic of conversation. In French the name of the competition is 'Les Internationaux de France de Roland Garros' or 'Tournoi de Roland Garros'. This tournament, which lasts for roughly a fortnight is held in Paris at the Roland Garros Stadium, from which it got its name.

It is one of the most advertised and broadcast sports events throughout the entire world and many VIPs attend it. The attendees are fanatics who wait with baited breath on every stroke, especially when there is a tight struggle between two players, doing their best to win. Even TV viewers actually get a feeling of being there live.

The French Open tennis championship comes in second on the annual round of the Grand Slam tournaments and its history goes back to the year of 1891 when it was elevated to an international competition. In those days, it was named the 'International Championship of Tennis of France' or 'Championat de France International de Tennis' in French.

First of all, only players that were registered or licensed in France were permitted to participate in this competition, but things took a different turn in 1925, when the French open tennis tournament finally was accessible to foreign players. In 1912, the court the players used was made of red brick dust. Actually the crushed brick was formed into red clay that covered the ground, which until then would have been a green lawn.

The popularity of the French Open tennis tournament held at Roland Garros dates back to a competition between the Philadelphia Four (Rene Lacoste, Jean Borotra, Henri Cochet and Jacques Brugnon) who won the Davis Cup in 1927. It triggered the desire in the French to defend their cup in future competitions. This new tournament designed to bring back home the cup was held on a stadium named after the World War I pilot Roland Garros and since then the name has stuck.

The term 'open' was has been used from 1968, when the tournament allowed both amateurs and professionals alike who wanted to test their skills at tennis. Since then the French Open tennis tournament has also brought in some novel prizes.

Apart from the regular winners' prizes, they also give prizes called 'Prix Orange' for the most correct and press-friendly player, 'Prix Citron' for the player with the strongest personality and 'Prix Burgeon' for the one the best new-comer of the tennis year.

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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Which Weapon Means More Than Any Other In The Sport Of Tennis?

By Paige Seton

There are qualities which are vital to any great tennis player and as the world of tennis progresses on, these qualities are debated over by fans and players alike.

It can be fun considering the different perspectives and opinions of the many arguments that evolve from the different aspects of the game.

Here are the most important factors. Let's see which one you think matters most.

Is it volleying? After all, a well rounded net game can pose a threat to any opponent and easily end a point. Look at the past success of players like John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg, and even Pete Sampras to a degree.

What about baseline play, is that important? Many experts would say that it is the more modern approach as opposed to playing at the net. Take Rafael Nadal for example, he spends a lot of time hanging at the back of the court rather that up at the net. And other players such as Andy Roddick have changed tactics in favour of the baseline play.

On the other hand, maybe it is the serve that is important. A strong serve will give the player a distinct advantage over their opponent and if you consider the example of Roddick who will control the course of the match with his serve if he has made it difficult for his opponent to break them.

And what about the speed of the players? It obviously helps out a lot if the player can reach the ball every time and the opponent then has to work that bit harder to gain a point.

The last factor is the x-factor, and the one that I personally feel matters most. This is the mental game. The superstars like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have some of the toughest mental games in the history of the sport.

During matches, he has the ability to remain composed and calm with a win attitude that seems to work for him.

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Sunday, February 14, 2010

Martina Navratilova: A World Renowned Tennis Player

By Robert Smith

Martina Navratilova used to be the top female tennis player on Earth. Although she became a United States citizen in 1981, she was originally from Czechoslovakia where she was born in 1956 on October 18th. She was first introduced to tennis by her stepfather and coach, Miroslav Navratil. When she was only 15 years old, Martina became the national tennis champion of the Czech Republic. After competing in Orlando, Florida, she won her first title for the singles division when she was just seventeen. In 1975, she moved beyond being an amateur tennis player.

In 1975 she played and became a finalist in the Grand Slam singles tournament, although she was beaten by Evonne Goolagong Cawley in the Australian Open and by Chris Evert in the French Open that year. In addition, she lost the US open semi finals in 1975; however, that made her even more determined to obtain her green card. Fortunately, 1978 was a better year and after beating Chris Evert in the Grand Slam singles at Wimbleton, Martina obtained her worldwide championship title.

Navratilova took tennis to another level due to her immense strength and strong competitive spirit. Through hard work and dedication, she increased her fitness in order to become a great tennis player. Thanks to Nancy Lieberman, a basketball player, she got into shape. In order to get healthier, she had to push through intense workouts. She became a superior tennis player by trying a different method, playing with a tennis racquet made of graphite.

In 1981, she proved her prowess by beating Chris Evert for the second time in the Grand Slam singles of the Australian Open. The year after that, in 1982, Martina Navratilova won both the French Open and Wimbledon Open championships. Continuing in this fashion, in 1983, Martina won best three out of four of the Grand Slam Events.

No tennis player before her had a higher proportion of professional wins. Even though she lost the Grand Slam of the French Open in 1983, she came back with a vengeance in 1984 and won. Philippe Chatrier, the International Tennis Federation president, declared her miraculous feat the Grand Slam. Martina did not win six of her matches between 1982 and 1984.

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Saturday, February 13, 2010

How To Make The Most Of Your Match On Red Clay

By Ben Harrington

If you're an active tennis player and you've never played on red clay, this is a surface that you'll surely appreciate. There's a ton of history behind red clay, and playing on it is a truly magical experience.

Few things beat the experience of playing on this court style, as it's truly unique as far as game play is concerned, and a genuinely beautiful sight to behold.

I thought it would be useful to throw together a quick guide for people playing tennis on clay courts, pointing out the areas of strength and weakness that arise on this surface.

First of all, the most effective strategy on this surface has always been one from the baseline. Players traditionally rely on powerful ground strokes as a means of winning their matches.

If you're a serve and volleyer or a net player, the impact of your game will most likely take a hit. Unfortunately, players with this strategy don't seem to fare as well on clay.

Why is this the case? Well, it all has to do with the surface that the matches are being played on. You see, clay is a thick surface and one that slows the ball down as a result.

The strategy on clay is very different from that of other courts. This is because of the speed and manner in which the ball moves after it hits the ground.

The ball will bounce higher, giving opponents that much more time to get to the ball during the course of a point. As a result, some of the longest tennis matches in history have been matches played on clay.

Rallies are typically longer, and what you'd normally never be able to get to on a hard or grass court may be well within reach when it comes to clay.

As a result, anyone who moves quickly during the course of a match will definitely have an edge.

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Thursday, February 11, 2010

How To Take Advantage Of Hard Tennis Courts

By Eric Tisdale

I've been fortunate enough to have played on every surface of tennis court during my life, and I appreciate them all. Each of the types of courts has its differences, some of which are good and some of which may work against you as a player.

I'd like to write about the most popular surface in the world, and that is hard tennis courts. These are commonly used in both outdoor and indoor settings, and the fact that they're easier to maintain than any other kind is the reason for this.

Let's go into a few of the details about this type of court to see what makes it unique. If you've ever played on one, I'm sure you'll be able to relate to some of the things that I point out here.

The ball moves really quickly on hard courts, and you'll be in for a surprise if you typically play on clay courts. Those who excel in the serving department always enjoy the advantages of this surface, as fast serves will be even harder to hit back.

As far as baseline play goes, hard courts don't really work for or against people with this strategy. This is a good thing in many regards, as it won't ruin your chances of winning a match should you choose to stay back. Hard hitting can be an asset here.

If you're a fast runner, this never hurts in the sport of tennis, but it won't be something you can exploit, so to speak. Your speed will be a bigger asset on hard courts than it is on grass, but it won't let you get to as many balls as you can on clay courts.

Still, this isn't to say that your speed won't be an asset during a match, because it absolutely can and will. You're far better off as a fast runner playing here than you would be on grass, and a speedy player is certainly difficult to defeat if there are other weapons that player possesses as well.

If you enjoy volleying, you'll like the perks that come with volleying on hard courts. Since the surface is fast, some hard hit volleys to the corners of the court will be extremely difficult for your opponent to return.

These are the basics about hard courts. Hopefully you'll know what to do from here!

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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

The Exciting Story of A Professional Tennis Legend

By Jenny Pinter

Just a year and a half ago, Justine Henin ruled the WTA tennis tour, and many were calling her the best women's player of our generation. It seemed like no one could stop the diminutive but powerful Henin.

Many were calling her the Roger Federer of women's tennis, and deservedly so. She was simply unstoppable at her best. Why did she retire in 2008, then?

While all appeared to be going well on the outside, Henin was mentally exhausted. She was sick of the two decades that she had devoted entirely tennis, and needed to get away from the sport.

This would allow her to focus on both her charity work and her tennis school, as she took pride in training the many talented young kids who came to her school.

There was definitely a void in the world of women's tennis. The number ones of the world weren't truly the best in the minds of some fans, because they wondered if Henin would still be at the top of the ranks. Out of nowhere, some wishes were granted a few months ago when she said she'd return to the sport.

Still, there was doubt. Would she be able to play at the level she left off at? When someone goes nearly two years without playing a professional match, they can't be expected to be as good.

Boy, were they wrong. Justine Henin looked as if she never took a day off after easily beating Nadia Petrova in straight sets at Brisbane. The competitive fire still burns in this warrior. In fact, some people claimed that she looked as if she never even took a day off.

After seeing Kim Clijsters' triumphant return to the sport after her US Open win last year, nothing should be considered unrealistic for Justine Henin.

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