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Looking for someone to hit with or play a set or 2 tomorrow or Friday (Vancouver) during the day.  It matters not whether you are single or attached, male or female.  As long as you can hit and are consistent ... I would be interested.  I'm in my 40's have been playing a long time (lost a few steps) but fairly consistent.  Easy going, not too competitive, just looking to hit, get some exercise, and have some fun.

Buying a new racquet on the internet? Here’s a bit of news that may surprise you.

Fake sports products, including tennis racquets, shoes, apparel, strings and other accessories have invaded many sites on the world-wide-web. Unfortunately, this is an epidemic that we all try to believe does not exist. That is, until it happens to you.

Authorized dealers can never be sure how much money they may be losing to sales of fake products since it is only when a racquet is placed on a…

In my previous blog entry I stated my plan for my return to competitive tennis. Well this is how it went down...

First Match:

My internet scouting did seem accurate as my opponent appeared to lack the consistency of a top level 3.5 player but he did have solid technique that would warrant a move up from 3.0. In the first set I extended…

I guess I’m speaking for everyone who has ever picked up a tennis racquet and for everyone who enjoys watching tennis live or on TV when I say, “I miss Rafa!”. Don’t we all.

Well, I’m sure his return is on the horizon. And like everyone, I’m wondering if his knees will allow him to mount a successful return competing for Grand Slams against the top guys – you know who they are.

There’s no doubt Nadal will have to work very hard to keep up with his peers. He knew that a couple…

Making my return to USTA competitive tennis tonight. I'm playing a 3.5 singles tournament. I've had little practice so I'm not expecting much in the tournament. I lucked out with my 1st opponent who appears to be a top level 3.0 who is starting to play up. My opponent played this event last year and ate a double bagel in his 1st match. I hope to keep that tradition going for him. If I beat him I meet the 4th seed who got a bye. Both matches will take place tonight.

The plan…

Recently I had one of those moments where I caught the suckers off guard.  Its a great idea to hit a completely unpredictable low percentage shot, just to make them think.   It was doubles, and I had been lobbed.  When lobbed 99% of the time I lob back.  My opponents began to drift forward cautiously so they could come to the net, but still be in position to hit an easy overhead if I did not lob perfectly.  I had looked over my shoulder to see them on my way back.  So I.... turned and ripped…

     Tennis has gone from winning points to conserving points. But that's what is to be expected with better racquets. To be able to stay in the point longer. Sampras used to win a quick easy points with a big serve, serve and volley, or down the line screamer with his running forehand.

     And Federer is partly of this school.…

On the November 10, 2012 edition of This Week in Tennis Phil is once again joined by Professional Photographer/Tennis Blogger Craig Doyle. Topics include the website Tennis Has a Steroid Problem, the ATP World Tour Finals and the winter exhibition circuit.

To listen to the program from the site please click the link provided below. To save this…

We hear often that the new mechanics in tennis is the "modern forehand". What makes for the "modern"? Then there is invariably the mention of angular momentum. How does this apply to tennis? 

There has been a change in how the forehand swing is shaped, and the top guys of today hit the forehand much differently from how the top forehand hitters did in the…

Check out this post I put on my personal blog shortly after getting a PRP injection for tennis elbow. A recurring tennis elbow that hadn't responded to other treatments - rest, accupuncture, graston, active release therapy, PT, you name it. PRP is much less invasive than elbow surgery and has a faster recovery time. 

I'm about six weeks out now and my arm is feeling a lot better. Still not cleared to return to the courts, but things are looking good.

Click here…

This does not happen for me too much, because I peaked at a 5.0 level during my playing days, but I was invited to play in a Pro-Am as a Pro, presumably with 3.5 players and lower.   Either way, serious training has commenced today!  Got out for some hits with a 3.5 lady I know who is friendly, available and always ready for a hit.  

I told the promoter of the event, that I would be a standby in case he could not find someone else, but I have to get ready just in case.  Tomorrow the…

Last Friday I worked as a volunteer driver for the latest Champions Series Tennis event in Boston.   A hectic rental car situation that morning resulted in me having to drive Jim Courier in my Honda Accord… coupe.  With this as my first duty of the day, I was quite nervous about his expectation/reaction to the situation (and also wishing I had vacuumed the interior of my car).  Upon relaying our mode…

On this edition of This Week in Tennis Professional Photographer/Tennis Blogger Craig Doyle joins Phil to attempt to answer the question “How Big A Problem are Steroids in Professional Tennis followed by their preview of Sundays battle between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins.

To listen to the program from the site please click the link provided below. To…

The notion that we should hit “through” the ball has been around for decades, but what does it really mean? Can we really hit through the ball? How long is contact? With lighter racquets and faster racquet head speeds, is this instruction still relevant? If you’re curious to see if this instruction should be sent to your recycle bin, read on.

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