Breaking Boundaries: Coaching Pods Debut at the Australian Open

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Coaches will make history at this year’s Australian Open by joining players on court, a groundbreaking initiative that promises to inject new energy into the sport.
For the first time in a Grand Slam, coaching “pods” will be set up in two corners of each court. Each pod accommodates up to four members of a player’s performance team, giving coaches the option to sit courtside or remain in the stands. The pods are equipped with real-time data screens and a cooling system to enhance the coaching experience.
This innovation aligns with the newly implemented rule allowing coaches to communicate with players when they are on the same end of the court.
Coaches have already expressed enthusiasm for the setup, noting the advantage of observing players closely after every point and providing immediate feedback. Many see it as a game-changer in coaching dynamics.
Beyond enhancing strategy, the pods are expected to elevate the profile of coaches in the sport, creating new commercial opportunities. Allowing on-court coaching has been praised for enriching the narrative of the game and aligning tennis with other major sports.
Players like Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has faced penalties for past coaching infractions, welcomed the change despite initial discomfort. “It feels unusual seeing my team split between pods and the stands, but I’m confident it will grow on me. This change could transform matches by spotlighting the coach’s influence,” said Tsitsipas.
In addition to the new on-court setup, coaches will enjoy enhanced facilities at the tournament, including a dedicated concierge service, a larger lounge, medical and massage services, and access to advanced performance data. There are also calls for coaches to play a larger role in post-match media conferences, further recognizing their vital role in the sport.

The ACT 70 Ladies Shine at Adelaide: A Senior Tennis Experience

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What an incredible experience! Tennis Seniors hosted their annual teams event in Adelaide last week, drawing over 700 men and women players aged 35 to 80 from all states. Pam had the privilege of being invited to join the ACT Ladies 70s team captained by Betty Smith.
After a grueling seven rounds of team match play, the team achieved an impressive 4th place overall. The majority of matches were played on grass courts, adding a classic touch to the competition.
Playing senior tennis offers countless benefits beyond the thrill of competition. It provides a fantastic way to stay active and maintain physical health through regular exercise, which improves agility, endurance, and overall fitness.
Equally important are the social connections it fosters—meeting new people, strengthening friendships, and enjoying the camaraderie that tennis brings. It’s a sport that enriches both body and soul, proving that age is no barrier to the love of the game.
ACT 70s Ladies Team

Betty, Helen, Kay, Pam. Rouna, Merle

Fault Lines in Tennis: The Struggle for Balance Between Players, Governance, and the Game’s Future

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Professional tennis is at a crossroads, grappling with an array of challenges that threaten its harmony and future growth. From the grueling demands of an 11-month season to conflicts between players and governing bodies over scheduling and tournament structures, the sport finds itself in a constant state of tension. Here’s a concise summary of the key issues:
  1. Scheduling and Player Well-being: The extension of major tournaments (Masters 1000 events) to 12 days has raised concerns among players like Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas. They argue it leaves insufficient time for rest and preparation in an already taxing 11-month season.
  2. Organizational Disputes: Andrea Gaudenzi, the ATP Chairman, advocates maintaining the expanded schedule for its commercial benefits. However, many players and stakeholders disagree, creating a rift between administration and athletes.
  3. Player Fatigue: Players like Alexander Zverev emphasize the need for longer off-seasons to recover and prepare. The reality of the tennis calendar contrasts with other sports, which have significantly longer breaks.
  4. Proposed Solutions and Delays: Attempts to streamline the schedule into a “Premier Tour” combining Grand Slams and key tournaments stalled due to financial and logistical hurdles. Proposals from ATP and WTA countering this idea have also faced delays.
  5. Gender Disparities and Governance: Discrepancies in prize money and scheduling for women’s tennis add to the complexity. For instance, women’s matches are often sidelined in terms of prominence and venue, with ongoing struggles for equal representation.
  6. Saudi Influence and New Events: Proposals for new high-profile tournaments, like one in Saudi Arabia, further complicate matters, introducing logistical and ethical concerns.
  7. Inertia and Resistance to Change: The governance structure, with multiple bodies prioritizing their own interests, hampers decisive action. Issues such as anti-doping disputes and players’ earnings remain contentious.
The situation illustrates a cyclical struggle within tennis, as stakeholders attempt to balance commercial interests, player well-being, and the sport’s global accessibility. The absence of consensus perpetuates the fractured nature of professional tennis, with calls for reform growing louder but progress slow.
Source: The Athletic 2Jan25

Joao Fonseca Wins the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals

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Joao Fonseca, an 18-year-old Brazilian tennis prodigy, claimed his first ATP title by winning the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah. Fonseca defeated Learner Tien with a scoreline of 2-4, 4-3(8), 4-0, 4-2 in the final. The world No. 145, youngest in the tournament field, became the second-youngest winner of the event after Jannik Sinner in 2019. This milestone makes him the first Brazilian and the lowest-ranked player to win the title in the tournament’s history.
Fonseca overcame a slow start in the final but displayed composure, rallying back with a flawless finish, including an emphatic third set victory. Notable for his diverse court prowess, Fonseca also impressed on hard courts, countering perceptions of him as a clay-court specialist.
With Rafael Nadal in attendance, Fonseca reflected on the honor of joining a prestigious list of past winners, including Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, and expressed aspirations to emulate their success. His breakout year, highlighted by this triumph, signals a promising career ahead as he aims for further success in 2025 and beyond.

Joao Fonseca: Rising Tennis Star

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Joao Fonseca, an 18-year-old tennis prodigy from Brazil, is gaining recognition for his talent and adaptability, but struggles with homesickness. At 6’1″, Fonseca possesses an ideal build and a powerful 140 mph serve, reminiscent of top players like Jannik Sinner. He grew up idolizing Roger Federer, securing sponsorship with On, Federer’s endorsed brand, at 16. Fonseca is the youngest to qualify for the ATP Next Gen Finals in Jeddah, reflecting his rapid rise in professional tennis.
Despite his clay-court background in Brazil, Fonseca aims to excel on all surfaces, aspiring to triumph at Wimbledon. His coach highlights his ability to perform under pressure and adapt during matches, such as tactically altering rallies against rivals. Homesickness remains a challenge, requiring regular visits home between tournaments. Fonseca’s disciplined training regimen and mental strategies are shaping him into a versatile player capable of contending with the world’s best.
Source: New York Times 19Dec24

Bede Shines at State Masters Final!

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A huge congrats to MLTC member Bede K who placed runner up in the final of the U16 NSW and ACT State Masters Invitational Event 💪🏆

Bede was selected as one of the top 16 players across the State for this epic showdown based on his tournament results over the year.

The event was played at Penrith over the past 4 days in the scorching 35 degree heat, and Bede dug deep to win his first 4 matches, with 2 of them clocking over 3 hours on court!

Bede would like to thank his coach and mentor Rob Muir, and the Tuesday/Thursday ‘old guys’ crew for sharing their craft and good humour. Def helped!

 

 

Source: MLTC Facebook

Vale Neal Frazer

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Neale Fraser, who passed away at 91, was an iconic figure in Australian tennis, deeply associated with the Davis Cup. His career highlights include winning Wimbledon and the US Nationals in 1959 and 1960, becoming the world’s No.1 amateur, and capturing 16 major doubles and mixed doubles titles. Fraser’s devotion to the Davis Cup, both as a player and captain, defined his legacy. As a player, he won four Davis Cups under the legendary Harry Hopman, and later, as captain from 1970 for 24 years, he led Australia to four more victories.
Fraser was known for his aggressive left-handed serve and court presence, and his strategic mindset emphasized winning the first point of every game and maintaining “happy feet.” His playing career included an 11-1 record in singles and 7-2 in doubles in Davis Cup, and he famously won the ‘triple crown’ at the US Open twice. Despite his successes, Fraser never won the Australian singles title.
A man of deep character, Fraser was appreciated for his leadership style, fostering a strong sense of unity and pastoral care among his Davis Cup teams. His love for the game, particularly the Davis Cup, and his dedication to representing Australia, left a lasting and timeless impact on the sport.
Source: SMH 4Dec24

HOW THE PROS POLISH PADDLE POWER: SMH

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TABLE TENNIS
Jordan Baker, SMH 5Aug
If table tennis Olympian Nicholas Lum had used a backyard table and a store-bought racquet, he’d wouldn’t be in Paris. ‘‘ It’s like asking Mick Fanning to surf on an ironing board,’’ says his coach, Jens Lang.
A hand-carved racquet costs Lum more than $1000 and he buys special rubber for his bat at $100-plus a throw. He plays on meticulously measured tables.
He trains for nine months a year at a German academy akin to the champion factory that produced Andre Agassi. Australia might be big on pingpong , the casual version kids play in parks and tech bros put in offices , but it’s a laggard in table tennis, the serious form. It has none of the professional leagues common in Europe and Asia.
Still, Australians tend to think they’re great at it – and even better after a few beers. Lum’s a good sport about the chest-beating backyard warriors that talk a big game. ‘‘ We’re not offended,’’ he says, when they call it ping-pong .
Table tennis has had a celebrity moment in Paris after American basketballers Stephen Curry and Anthony Edwards struck up a friendship with the US team on the opening-ceremony boat when Edwards trash-talked them about his ping-pong prowess.
Lum’s been hit up for games at the Olympic village table by fellow Australian athletes, swimmers and sprinters among them. One runner, who gets annoyed when people ask her to race them, asked whether Lum gets irritated when people ask him for games. He doesn’t . ‘‘ For us, it’s fun,’’ says the 19-year-old . ‘‘ I mean, it’s not so much energy we’re putting into playing.’’ Normally, Lum and teammate Min Hyung Jee, 37, put a lot of energy into playing.
They train at the table for six hours a day over two sessions. They practise shots over and over, then some more. The ball is so fast, said Lang, that even a split-second reaction is too slow. ‘‘ You need to train so that your movements are automatic,’’ he says. ‘‘ A lot of repetition.’’
The players also train at the gym because a strong core is essential. ‘‘ Hand-eye coordination is very important,’’ he said. ‘‘ Athleticism, quick, explosive movements – that’s extremely important. Core strength. Stability.’’
Table tennis players have a long shelf life. Luxembourg’s Ni Xialian competed in her sixth Olympics at age 61. Chile’s Zeng Zhiying made her Olympic debut at 58, 40 years after narrowly missing selection for Los Angeles. But that doesn’t mean the rest of us can pick up a bat and aim for Brisbane 2032. ‘‘ Even if you start at 20 you’re not going to get anywhere in table tennis,’’ Lang says. ‘‘ If you want a medal at the Olympic Games you need to start at five or six. Table tennis is an unbelievably competitive sport at the international level.’’ China, Japan and France top the rankings (a 17-year-old Frenchman, Felix Lebrun, is the world No.5).
Lum’s father was a passionate table tennis player and he started early. Now he spends most of his time at the German academy, and will play overseas because even the best Australian players can’t make a living at home. Jee picked it up at nine years old. A coach spotted her natural talent and she’s been playing ever since. She doesn’t need a day job because there are professional leagues throughout Europe and Asia (she has played for a French team). Lang, who was semi-professional in his native Germany, is determined to get Australia serious about table tennis, to spot talent early and nurture it, and to increase the opportunities for people to play not just for fun but for success. ‘‘
There’s heaps of opportunities in the sport in Australia,’’ he says. Lum competes in the men’s team event today, and Jee in the women’s team on Tuesday.

Toughest Feat in Tennis

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Players often say that the toughest feat in tennis is to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year. Alcaraz has a shot at it this year.

It’s a monumental challenge, requiring players to dominate the grueling, high-bouncing clay of Roland Garros—basically the tennis equivalent of playing on quicksand—before swiftly adapting to the slick, fast grass courts of Wimbledon, where the ball skims just above the grass. Here’s a fun trivia question: How many men and women have managed to join this exclusive double club?

Rod Laver pulled it off once in the modern era of tennis, which kicked off in 1968. Bjorn Borg managed it three times. Rafael Nadal did it twice. Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have each done it once. That’s it for the men.

For the women, Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Billie Jean King, and Chris Evert each did it once. Martina Navratilova and Serena Williams both did it twice. Steffi Graf, though, achieved it four times. That’s the complete list.

Tiebreaks & Swiatek

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Iga Swiatek, currently the world’s top tennis player, just added an exhilarating chapter to her career. She now boasts 20 WTA Tour titles, including four Grand Slams, and has been the world’s top player for over 100 weeks. Recently, she conquered a new milestone—winning a deciding-set tiebreak.

In an epic final against Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 2, Swiatek saved three match points on her way to victory, pushing her head-to-head advantage to 7-3. This was only her third deciding set tiebreak in her professional career, having previously faced tough losses in such scenarios. But this time, in a Masters final no less, she showcased her resilience and tactical prowess.

Swiatek’s knack for turning a slight lead into an unassailable advantage is legendary. Yet, what stood out in this match was her capacity to thrive under intense pressure, a skill she’s had less need to display due to her dominant play style. This victory was a testament to the high caliber of women’s tennis in 2024, making it a phenomenal showcase for fans and a thrilling achievement for Swiatek herself. After the match, she reflected on the experience, noting, “It’s going to give me some wisdom,”—a statement that hints at even greater things to come from this formidable champion.

Swiatek Defeats Gauff in Straight Sets: A Teaching Moment in Overplaying

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Iga Swiatek triumphed over Coco Gauff in straight sets (6-2, 6-4) to secure her spot in her fourth French Open final. Gauff’s impressive run at Roland Garros ended once again at the hands of Swiatek, the world’s No. 1 player who is increasingly becoming the dominant force in women’s tennis, particularly on clay.

Swiatek played a solid game, capitalizing on Gauff’s errors and delivering powerful winners. Gauff attempted to change her tactics by playing more aggressively, similar to Naomi Osaka’s approach, but ended up overplaying, which led to numerous unforced errors. Despite her efforts to rush Swiatek and throw everything she had at her, Gauff couldn’t maintain the consistency needed to prevail.

After the match, Swiatek mentioned she had adjusted better to the court and atmosphere, which helped her overcome the challenges she faced earlier in the tournament. Gauff, despite her aggressive tactics, was unable to break Swiatek’s momentum, marking another day of frustration against a player who may continue to dominate for years to come.

French Open Umpires Use Head-Mounted Cameras for Unique Fan Perspective

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During a recent night match at the French Open, viewers saw something new: umpires wearing head-mounted cameras. Inspired by the movie *Challengers*, these cameras offer a unique angle, capturing the fast-paced action right from the court level. The French Tennis Federation introduced this innovation to bring fans closer to the game, showcasing the speed and skill of the players in a way traditional TV angles cannot.

Pascal Maria, the assistant referee, emphasized that umpires have the best view in the stadium, and this technology aims to share that perspective. Initially intended to provide dynamic footage of gameplay, the head cameras now focus on showing the ball marks during line call reviews. However, this hasn’t been as effective, as the footage is often too quick to be useful live.

Despite its mixed success, the head cameras provide an unfiltered look at interactions between players and umpires, offering insights into the emotional and intense exchanges that happen on court. While other Grand Slams are not yet adopting this technology, the French Open’s experiment has given fans a new way to experience the game, highlighting both the innovation and challenges of integrating new tech into sports.

Finding a Way: de Minaur Grinds Out Three-Hour Clay Battle in Rome

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Alex de Minaur just won a thrilling three-hour win on the clay at the Foro Italico, taking down the tough Felix Auger-Aliassime to make it to the last 16 in Rome.

After a rocky start and losing the first set in a tie-break, Alex turned things around big time to clinch the match 6-7 (2-7), 6-4, 6-4.

He faced some tense moments in the final set, even letting a 3-1 lead slip away, but he broke back in the ninth game and served out the match.

Alex shared after the match, “Felix is really tough on clay, and he came in riding high on confidence, so I’m stoked about how I kept my cool and stayed positive throughout. There were moments I could’ve sealed it earlier, but hey, I regrouped, and I’m super happy with how I handled it.”

This win against a top-20 player on clay is a big deal for Alex, marking only his second time pulling it off in 13 tries!

What’s the Origin of the Scoring System in Tennis

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Tim inquired about the origins of tennis’s unique scoring system.

Responding with expertise, Tony R, our knowledgeable historian and avid student of the game, shared his findings: “Greetings, Tim. After investigating your query regarding the tennis scoring system’s origins, it appears to stem from the 12th-century French sport ‘je de paume’ (handball), where the face of a clock was used for scoring—0, 15, 30, and 45. When rackets were introduced, the score of 45 was adjusted to 40, and the game eventually came to be known as tennis, or ‘tenez’ in French.
A classic example of the French making things overly complicated!”

Appreciation to Tony!

 

 

BADGE 2024 FACT SHEETS

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Sydney Badge League has published their Fact Sheets for 2024 Thursday Ladies & Saturday Men’s/Women’s Badge Leagues.

Click here for details on MLTC site