The problem Murray faces is that, like Henman, the expectations placed upon him are unrealistic. Henman unfairly earned the tag of a ‘choker’ due to his numerous long runs at Wimbledon that never brought an appearance in a final (in fact his four semi final appearances matched his seeding; he was never seeded in the top two and so reaching the last four at least matched the realistic ranking-based expectations placed on him.)

It is early days for Murray. He is 21 years old and has a long future in the upper echelons of the game ahead of him. He is currently ranked 11th in the world and has already reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the US Open. Men’s tennis is dominated by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, two supremely talented players who rarely fail to reach the last four of the grand slams. It is clearly a tough task for Murray to beat these superstars in the biggest tournaments, but this will not suppress the expectations that he will.

Hopes will be particularly high at Wimbledon. Two good previous performances (Murray reached the third round in 2005 and the fourth a year later) suggest he can succeed in his ‘home’ grand slam and he will be eager to make an impression on the latter stages after missing out through a wrist injury last year.

Henman received hysterical support at SW19 that reduced his chances of producing a relaxed performance - his most notable grand slam achievement was achieved overseas, when he reached the French Open semi finals in 2004, his least favoured surface - and Scot Murray might not play in quite the same pressurised environment, especially if his petulant and morose on-court behaviour continues.

Murray has a potentially better all-round game than Henman, although he too is least comfortable on clay and will see progess into the second week at the French Open as a success. Another first round defeat to go alongside that suffered in January’s Australian Open would see Murray feeling the weight of expectation for the rest of the year’s tournaments

Racquet technology is the parent of the modern game. Watch any old footage and you will see the enormous differences in the game; play with an old wooden racquet and you will appreciate why the game was so much slower and played with such a different style.

Today’s racquets are still improving - and are the result of truly “space age” technology. You can purchase a lightweight, comfortable racquet that will deliver you power, spin and control that was unthinkable 20 years ago. Generally speaking there are three types of frame you can purchase - the key is selecting one to suit your game.

Traditional Frame

The traditional frame is characterized by:-

-A thin beam

- A small head (around 90cm²)

- Even balance

- A heavy feel (>300 grams) and

- A tight string pattern with 18 main strings

Its weight and head size make it unsuitable for most social players, but, the feeling of hitting the ball out of the sweet spot of these racquets is unmatched.

The Wilson 6.1 is the most famous of this type of racquet - made famous by Pete Sampras and Stefan Edberg, it is now the weapon of choice for Roger Federer in the modern game. The Head Prestige (Marat Safin) and Dunlop Aero Gel 200 (Thomas Berdych) are other similar racquets that are popular amongst tour players.

You will notice that many of the players who use the traditional frame will have classic techniques. No extreme grips and they can move to the net effectively. If this style sounds like you a traditional frame may be the one for you.

The traditional frame is really only suitable for players who train and play several times each week. They are very demanding racquets with small sweet spots and their weight can cause arm soreness. If you cannot commit to a full training schedule, but like the feel of the traditional frame, consider a racquet such as the Head Radical (Amelie Mauresmo). It has similar playing characteristics to the traditional frame but is a more comfortable, user friendly racquet.

Performance Enhancing Racquet

While the Traditional Frame has been the most popular type of racquet on the pro tour in the past - the performance enhancing racquet is used by a higher percentage of players in the modern game.

Compared to the traditional frame they:-

- A thicker beam

- A larger head (around 95cm²)

- A bigger sweet spot

- A lighter feel (<300 grams) and

- A more open string pattern with 16 main strings

They deliver more power and when combined with the right strings (poly, or a poly blend) they can deliver tremendous spin and control also.

The Babolat Pure Drive used by Andy Roddick and Kim Clijters is the most popular racquet of this type and was almost a revolutionary force on the pro tour when it first arrived. The Head Extreme (used by players such as Richard Gasquet) and Prince O³ White (Maria Sharopova) of racquet offer similar features to the Pure Drive.

Players who favour this type of racquet typically favour fairly extreme grips and like to generate enormous pace and spin from the baseline. Think Rafael Nadal (Babolat Aero Drive) for the type of player this racquet suits. The great thing about these racquets is their versatility and they have great “feel” at the net also. They are highly recommended for developing players (12 years old +) - they are light enough to handle and deliver good control. They will make the player generate their own power through technique and swing speed, but give them the extra “pop” they will need.

Power Racquets

Power racquets are the least used of the pro circuit, although Martina Hingis used the Yonex RQS 11 during her comeback in 2006 - 07 in an attempt to match the modern power players.

Power Racquets are:-

- Light weight

- Have over sized head (> 100 cm²)

- A very large sweet spot

- A lighter feel (<300 grams) and

- A more open string pattern with 16 main strings

These racquets are extremely comfortable and allow the social player to develop a surprising amount of power with limited technique and swing speed. All companies have a range of these Power Racquet’s including the Head Metalix Range, the Wilson KFour and Prince O³ Shark.

The emergence of the performance enhancing racquet is significant as it delivers the best of both worlds. In the past racquets have either provided great feel and control; or increased power. By giving the user good dose of power, control and feel the performance enhancing frame is a great option for all players - get down to your local club or pro shop to try one - it could send your game into hyper drive.

Rufus Keown is a leading Australian Tennis Coach who is co-founder of Global Sports Coaching which is the Ultimate Tennis Web site! You can receive Free tennis ebooks and tennis coaching articles at Global Sports Coaching

I recently delved into some research about a 2-day certification course I will be attending that helps high school level and junior athletes discover what it is they really want to get out of the sports they are playing, and how to help them train to attain the goals that they set for themselves. One of the trainers said, “The problem that most of our students have in sticking to a training program is that they focus on the process instead of the reward.”

I had written an article on this very subject two years earlier, and found it fascinating that the same exact ‘truth’ would rear it’s head again. (That’s the way it goes with the truth - it will always cut through and define problems and point to solutions with extreme clarity.) Anyway, I would like to give you an example of what this trainer was talking about and how it applies to your tennis training. Here’s the Scenario:

Meet Jessica. Jessica is a nationally ranked junior tennis player and is getting ready to graduate high school and accept a scholarship to a NCAA Div. 1 university next year. While she has done well, she really wants to improve and possibly play pro tennis someday. She, along with her coach, agreed that in order to do this, she must spend an additional 5 hours a week on the courts working solely on the areas of her game that they both agreed need improvement. This is in addition to the 12 hrs a week she is putting in on the courts just to maintain her game at its current level. She’s been doing it for two weeks now, and doesn’t really know if she’s making any ‘progress’ on those weak areas of hers, but she tells herself she’s going to keep slugging it out.

The alarm goes off at 5:00 am, and Jessica does not feel like going to the courts today. She thinks about it, and realizes that it’s raining, it’s cold, and she has to fight a ton of traffic just to get to the courts. Then, she’ll have to do her warm-up work, stretch and do the dreaded drills that have not been going so well for her over the last couple of weeks. On top of it all she got to bed late the night before anyway and has homework she didn’t finish. Jessica hits the snooze button, pulls the covers back up, and drifts back to sleep…

Meet Sarah. Sarah is a varsity level high school player and has never even thought about going on the pro tour. However, several colleges have been watching her and if she can make it to the State Tournament this year, her coach has told her that at least a partial college scholarship is all but certain. Sarah has thought long and hard about this, because her parents are not wealthy and she really wants to get an education. Sarah’s been working on improving her weaknesses for two weeks. She slowly, but surely, has been seeing some improvement.

Her alarm goes off, and Sarah does not want to go to the courts. It’s raining, it’s cold and she’s facing all the same challenges that Jessica is in regards to getting her morning training done. Sarah reaches over, turns the buzzer off on her alarm clock and…goes to the courts and gets in her morning training.

Now in this example…what’s the difference? What is the magical ingredient that courses through Sarah’s veins that makes her get to the courts? Sarah is not the nationally ranked top junior player that Jessica is. What makes Sarah go to the courts and what makes Jessica stay home? The answer may not be what you think. Believe it or not, these two girls are very focused, but in opposite ways. Remember what the trainer I heard said? “The problem that most of our students have in sticking to a training program is that they focus on the process instead of the reward.” I have come to the conclusion that this trainer got it about 50% right.

Both these girls were focused on the process and the reward, but in different ways. The reason that Jessica hits the snooze button is precisely as follows:

Jessica, the girl who slept in, was focused emotionally on the process, and logically on the reward. In other words, Jessica was focusing her emotions on how difficult it was going to be to get the workout in, the weather, the traffic…and focusing her logic on the reward (i.e. “Yeah, so I may make it to the pros someday, but is doing all this really worth it?”)

Sarah, on the other hand, focused on the process logically and the reward emotionally. (i.e. “Well, I might as well get in there and get this workout done…I just know it’s going to feel so great to make it to the State Tournament and start getting scholarship offers!”)

The lesson for you here is this: Focus your emotions on the reward, and focus on the process logically. Sarah has (perhaps unknowingly) figured out one of the secrets to getting what she wants from the game of tennis - and so have you!

To Your Massive Tennis Success,

Coach Kyril

Kyril Popoff is a former NCAA Div1 All-Conference Tennis Player, Instructor, Coach and Author.

His books include THE TEN LAWS OF TENNIS SUCCESS and FOCUS & WIN: WHY YOUR TENNIS GAME ISN’T WHERE YOU WANT IT TO BE, & WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT!

You can sign up for Coach Kyril’s Tennis Lessons, Tips & Tricks newsletter at:
http://www.coachkyriltennis.com

I recently delved into some research about a 2-day certification course I will be attending that helps high school level and junior athletes discover what it is they really want to get out of the sports they are playing, and how to help them train to attain the goals that they set for themselves. One of the trainers said, “The problem that most of our students have in sticking to a training program is that they focus on the process instead of the reward.”

I had written an article on this very subject two years earlier, and found it fascinating that the same exact ‘truth’ would rear it’s head again. (That’s the way it goes with the truth - it will always cut through and define problems and point to solutions with extreme clarity.) Anyway, I would like to give you an example of what this trainer was talking about and how it applies to your tennis training. Here’s the Scenario:

Meet Jessica. Jessica is a nationally ranked junior tennis player and is getting ready to graduate high school and accept a scholarship to a NCAA Div. 1 university next year. While she has done well, she really wants to improve and possibly play pro tennis someday. She, along with her coach, agreed that in order to do this, she must spend an additional 5 hours a week on the courts working solely on the areas of her game that they both agreed need improvement. This is in addition to the 12 hrs a week she is putting in on the courts just to maintain her game at its current level. She’s been doing it for two weeks now, and doesn’t really know if she’s making any ‘progress’ on those weak areas of hers, but she tells herself she’s going to keep slugging it out.

The alarm goes off at 5:00 am, and Jessica does not feel like going to the courts today. She thinks about it, and realizes that it’s raining, it’s cold, and she has to fight a ton of traffic just to get to the courts. Then, she’ll have to do her warm-up work, stretch and do the dreaded drills that have not been going so well for her over the last couple of weeks. On top of it all she got to bed late the night before anyway and has homework she didn’t finish. Jessica hits the snooze button, pulls the covers back up, and drifts back to sleep…

Meet Sarah. Sarah is a varsity level high school player and has never even thought about going on the pro tour. However, several colleges have been watching her and if she can make it to the State Tournament this year, her coach has told her that at least a partial college scholarship is all but certain. Sarah has thought long and hard about this, because her parents are not wealthy and she really wants to get an education. Sarah’s been working on improving her weaknesses for two weeks. She slowly, but surely, has been seeing some improvement.

Her alarm goes off, and Sarah does not want to go to the courts. It’s raining, it’s cold and she’s facing all the same challenges that Jessica is in regards to getting her morning training done. Sarah reaches over, turns the buzzer off on her alarm clock and…goes to the courts and gets in her morning training.

Now in this example…what’s the difference? What is the magical ingredient that courses through Sarah’s veins that makes her get to the courts? Sarah is not the nationally ranked top junior player that Jessica is. What makes Sarah go to the courts and what makes Jessica stay home? The answer may not be what you think. Believe it or not, these two girls are very focused, but in opposite ways. Remember what the trainer I heard said? “The problem that most of our students have in sticking to a training program is that they focus on the process instead of the reward.” I have come to the conclusion that this trainer got it about 50% right.

Both these girls were focused on the process and the reward, but in different ways. The reason that Jessica hits the snooze button is precisely as follows:

Jessica, the girl who slept in, was focused emotionally on the process, and logically on the reward. In other words, Jessica was focusing her emotions on how difficult it was going to be to get the workout in, the weather, the traffic…and focusing her logic on the reward (i.e. “Yeah, so I may make it to the pros someday, but is doing all this really worth it?”)

Sarah, on the other hand, focused on the process logically and the reward emotionally. (i.e. “Well, I might as well get in there and get this workout done…I just know it’s going to feel so great to make it to the State Tournament and start getting scholarship offers!”)

The lesson for you here is this: Focus your emotions on the reward, and focus on the process logically. Sarah has (perhaps unknowingly) figured out one of the secrets to getting what she wants from the game of tennis - and so have you!

To Your Massive Tennis Success,

Coach Kyril

Kyril Popoff is a former NCAA Div1 All-Conference Tennis Player, Instructor, Coach and Author.

His books include THE TEN LAWS OF TENNIS SUCCESS and FOCUS & WIN: WHY YOUR TENNIS GAME ISN’T WHERE YOU WANT IT TO BE, & WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT!

You can sign up for Coach Kyril’s Tennis Lessons, Tips & Tricks newsletter at:
http://www.coachkyriltennis.com

Zeropoint quantum physics claims to create a shield around the body protecting it from electromagnetic frequency (EMF). The National Council on Radiation Protection declared two miligauss is the maximum amount of EMF that the human body can safely handle at any one exposure. Computers emit about 5 mg., hair dryers about 25 mg., airplanes about 50 mg., appliances about 100 mg., and blenders about 220 mg.

The zeropoint quantum physics technology brings the body into balance physically and emotionally. Another advantage is that it increases the range of motion by several inches. This helps the tennis swings improve. Wearing the pendent keeps the technology available 24/7. The range of motion test before applying the technology and after demonstrates this effect.

The increased physical balance using the technology further enhances the tennis game. This can be demonstrated using the toy soldier demonstration, which shows the improvement in physical balance.

Lasering food and drink increases the frequency in the body to further enhance the frequency. It also detoxifies food from bacteria, mold and fungus keeping the immune system stronger. This further increases energy, while playing tennis.

Sleeping with the coaster or plate helps with a more restful sleep. Some people need to remove the pendent while sleeping because it may cause too much dream activity. It is good to experiment with the technology.

It has been reported that the quantum physics technology helps people to follow a better diet and drink more fluids for optimum health. Additionally food stays fresher in the refrigerator longer and keeps nutrients better.

These comments have not been confirmed by the FDA.

Donna Forman is a hypnotist, Reiki Master, Long Term Care insurance agent, and independent wellness consultant for zeropointglobal. Her expertise has been mostly with the senior population using all these modalities. She is excited about the technology of zeropointglobal, which she sees naturally helping many people, of all ages, effortlessly with physical, emotional balance, and stress reduction, and range of motion. For further information, check her website at http://zeropointglobal.com

Today players are hitting more feeds and drills then ever before. Back in the day you went to a local park with a friend with a couple of tennis balls and stayed there until it was dark playing baseline games and practice sets. But now it seems that the game has evolved and players are now more fit, there strokes are finely tuned and they just don’t miss. Even the upcoming juniors these days are extremely solid from the baseline. So why not purchase a ball machine?

Young top juniors and professional tennis players have reached their peak through endless amounts of feeds and drills over and over again. It’s not the most glamorous way to become a top junior or rise in the professional ranks. But these players are determined to make it on the tour, and have the do whatever it takes mentality. I started playing tennis at a very late age and had to do something to catch up with the group that had been training since they started walking. Well lucky for me I had a brother who started out about the same age as me and so we were able to practice and push each other to become better.

Well what do you do if you have the determination, motivation and talent but just lack of players to practice with and a limit of time with a coach? Here’s my answer, purchase a new or used ball machine. They have been around for ages and they work like a charm. There better then feeding out of the basket because they can emulate an actual ground stroke. I’m not going to lie it doesn’t beat playing with another teammate or neighbor but when it comes down to it a ball machine will teach you to groove your strokes and fix bad habits in no time. It is all about repetitions in becoming a great tennis player. You must fix the habits you have created and turn those bad habits in to 30 day mind-body connections. You might have heard your parents or teacher tell you it takes 30 days to break a bad habit. Well it’s true and it’s the continuous repetitions of practicing each type of shot.

Now these days ball machines like the lobster ball machine and the tower ball machine come with features that allow you create different types of spins and pace to create the specific ball you continue to struggle with day in and day out on the court. Now I am a college tennis player and have been playing for years. But when I practice at school I do a couple things everyday to make sure I continue to get better. First I always try and match my intensity the day before. If I come out to practice each day to get better then I will. Next I focus as much as I can in each drill, set or game we play that day, trying to put myself in a match like situation. Lastly I finish the day hitting feeds on specific types of balls I struggled with or felt I needed to tune up.

This is where a ball machine will come in very handy. No matter if you have someone to hit with or not I suggest hitting with a tennis ball machine 1 once a day to keep your strokes grooved as well as training your mind for on court match play. Try and emulate yourself in a match like situation as you hit balls from the ball machine. I guarantee any player no matter what level can improve there game with a tennis ball machine. I suggest you look in to a ball machine because it may make the difference in your tennis game.

By Travis Helgeson

If you are serious about your tennis come visit The Tennis Site for all your tennis equipment, apparel and ball machines.

Check out my Tennis Blog

Not since the Borg vs McEnroe first final of 1980 has there been such excitement generated at Wimbledon. It started late, had two rain intervals and yet still the players maintained their focus, neither one prepared to give anything away cheaply to the other. Federer had all but the ‘kitchen sink’ thrown at him, but he continued to pummel back often giving better than he was receiving. His back was against the wall at the start, losing the first two sets and then coming back to win the tie breaks in the next two. Nadal got to the very brink of victory with two match points in the 4th set, but Federer denied him and fought back, as true Champions do. The breathtaking final could have gone either way at any time, but the two best players in the world remained stubborn on their serve and it was not until the 16th game of the final set that Nadal finally won through. Wimbledon had got themselves a new King. It was Nadal’s 12th victory over Federer in 18 matches, but his first on grass.

Nadal became the first man since Bjorn Borg to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same season and now holds two of the four Grand Slam titles, while Federer is now down to only one, the US Open, which he will be defending next month in New York. He lost his Australian crown at the beginning of the year, when he was knocked out in the semi-final by a potential new king of the future, Novak Djokovic, who went on to win the title.

The three of them now go to Flushing Meadows in New York to fight it out once again. Nadal, who after his Wimbledon victory is probably the unofficial number one player in the world but he has never performed well on the harder courts of the US and Australian Open and it is a Tournament that Federer has won four times in a row. Djokovic, runner-up last year could be the one to deprive Federer of his last remaining crown. All good things come to an end, and although Federer still has the class, the game, the panache to win Grand Slam, perhaps his very best days are gone and he could have to play second or third fiddle in the US Open tennis dominated by Nadal and perhaps Djokovic.

Rod Rowley is a tennis and golf journalist who has worked for many large UK media publications.