Tennis strings and Winter Tennis

 As the winter season gets underway here are some factors to keep in mind:

• Temperature is dropping 
• Takes longer to warm up
• Cold and wet tennis balls
• More layers on you so can be harder to swing
• More prone to injury as muscles aren't as flexible

One thing that can help with all of these factors is a fresh set of strings.  All the factors above combine with the result being a decrease in power.

You cannot expect the same result from your racket and strings in the summer as in Winter, so to help your performance level stay the same drop your string tension a few pounds.  This drop in tension increases the sweet spot, gives the string-bed a greater trampoline effect resulting in more power and spin potential.

One important factor to note, strings that have lost tension over time are not the same as freshly installed strings at a lower tension.  Strings that have lost tension have done so because they have lost their elasticity.  When this happens you lose control, your spin potential drops and your risk of injury increases.

Second event on the IWTO Tour confirmed.

 Thrilled to announce that the next IWTO Tournament will be the Irish Close Championships to be held in Ireland’s oldest club: Rushbrooke Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Date to be confirmed soon ...

This will form part of a Wood Tennis program within the club to include Junior and Social events throughout 2021-22 .

Introducing IWTO

 

IWTO, what does it mean and what's it all about?  Well IWTO, as the logo above says, is International Wood Tennis Organisation.  It is an organisation founded by Irish tennis player, Steve O' Sullivan and the goal behind it is to get people playing tennis with wooden rackets again.

If you have grown up as part of the modern game you are probably wondering why you would want to play with wooden rackets.  Well let me start by saying, IWTO is not trying to replace or take on modern day tennis, it is offering it as an alternative, maybe a bit of nostalgia.  If you haven't played tennis with a wooden racket you should try it, it is an amazing experience. The craftsmanship that went into making these rackets is second to none.  Modern day tennis is played with, on average, a 100 sq. inch racket head size, wooden rackets are generally around 68 sq. inches.  The sweet spot is tiny, so hitting it in itself is a skill.  The touch and feel from wooden rackets will give you an appreciation of the talent of the players of days gone by.

The hope of the IWTO is that players and clubs from around the world will get involved and arrange tournaments like the one that just took place in Cork, Ireland this past weekend.  Douglas Lawn Tennis Club held the inaugural tournament for the IWTO, The Irish Open.  It was a great success and one which attracted players of the wooden era and some younger players who were keen to test their skills with these masterpieces.

Steve was absolutely delighted with the event and the standard of play on display.  The young men's and women's singles events were won by 2 well known players on the Munster circuit.  Congratulations to Mary Claire McCarthy of Sundays Well Tennis Club and Antoine Bercy of Douglas Lawn Tennis Club.

If you are interested in getting your club involved in the IWTO tour you can contact us, currently, through Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/International-Wood-Tennis-Organisation-112358487785843) and we will be happy to give you any details you may need.

Stringing service and advice available

One of the biggest issues I come across as a stringer is players using a string and not knowing why, or worse still using a string that is completely wrong for them on the advice of someone else.

Stringers have different goals when they start out, some string to save themselves money because they are breaking regularly or their kids are, others to make some extra money, more will want to string at Pro events and some of us want give the best service possible.  This means talking to your clients, and their coach if necessary, to find out more about their game style.  We want to give people the information needed for them to make their own informed choices by helping them understand the different types of strings and how they play.  Telling them about the different racket types and how they play and ultimately how the racket and string can work together for the best result or how a wrong choice can lead to poor performance or worse again, injury.

There should never be a situation where a stringer strings every racket with the same string and same tension, regardless of age, standard or racket yet I see this regularly.

I will gladly chat with anyone, with no obligation to get a restring from me, to help you better understand rackets and strings.

I am back in Cobh or the summer and can be contacted on 087-1528120.  You can also find information on my website www.racketrestringing.ie 

Hope to hear from you.

Official Stringer - Irish Junior Close Championships

Delighted to be the official stringer for the upcoming Irish Junior Close Championships at Rushbrooke Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club from the 18-24th of July.

This is a nationally ranked event so should attract some of the countries best players.

I will also be available if any of the club members or visitors to the club require a restring over the course of the week.  I will have a selection of strings with me and will gladly help you with your selection.

 

Lower Aghada welcomes Wheelchair tennis this weekend.

 

Singles, doubles and quads! These are the events that await wheelchair tennis players of the future! With the new division of Quads (quadriplegic) being played this year in Wimbledon, wheelchair tennis is looking more popular than ever.

 

Tennis Ireland's Enjoy tennis program will join forces with the Irish Wheelchair Association on July 3rd in the windy, picturesque setting of Lower Aghada tennis club. The East Cork base will welcome wheelchair users of all ages to come and give tennis a go! 

 

Munster representative for Enjoy Tennis, Aine Dunne was keen to see the program back up and running. Her son Ciarán had attended sessions in 2013 with the club's then Head Coach, Mike Lehane.

Ciaran was an avid tennis fan and having coached him myself in the past, I can tell you that tennis was a sport he was hugely enthusiastic about. 

 

The reintroduction of this amazingly difficult game has only positives for the people of Cork. With wheelchair tennis now being included in not only the Paralympics but also the four Grand slams, perhaps there's an Irish player out there just waiting to be discovered! For more information of the trial day please contact Kelly.mcgrory@iwa.ie

Getting to know the coaches of Cork - Martin Higgins

Next coach to share some details is Ballinlough's very popular coach, Martin Higgins.

                                                                         

                       Coaches Profile

Name: Martin Higgins	Club(s): Ballinlough TC
Level: 2

 

1. How long have you been coaching?	1.I’ve been coaching almost 20 years.  I started out helping out my coach when I was 15/16 and absolutely loved it, never looked back since.
2. What got you into coaching?	2.I love the thought of everyday being different.  When I started working with kids, I was having way too much fun (because I’m a bit of a child myself), I knew it was for me.
3. Who is your favourite coach?	3. Favourite coach is a tough one as I’ve been lucky to have had some great coaches and I feel they’ve all added something to my game and as a person. So thanks to Don Ahern , John o Rourke , Ger Flynn , Declan Bray.
4. What was your favourite tournament to play in growing up?	4. Loved every tournament to be honest but based on results I loved the Irish closed in Rushbrookealways had a good track record there.
5. Who is your favourite player now and all time (if they differ)?	5. Favourite player growing up was Marat Safin he was an absolute nut job but very entertaining and on his day he was unbelievable. Favourite player now is Federer tennis looks so easy and effortless to him.
6. What is your favourite Grand Slam?	6.   Favourite Grand Slam is definitely Wimbledon.
7. What are your strengths as a coach?	7. Strengths as a coach I think is my understanding of the different variables in tennis and then fitting in the possible solutions. I have a great connection with the kids and adult clients I work with. I’d also say I’m personable and very approachable.
8. What areas do you need to improve?	8. I hope to never stop learning and always open to improving. I’m not shy in asking other coaches for there views on something or running ideas pass them. I’ve no ego whatsoever so I’ll ask the questions if I think it’ll help me help my clients.
9. What has been your best moment in tennis so far as a coach?	9. I had loads of great moments of all different sorts as a coach, but one stands out. I won’t name the girl but this girls was a late starter to tennis her younger sister was a good player. Long story short she worked her backside off not being blessed with natural talent some 4 years later she’s playing in a B event in Ballinlough her first ever tournament. She wins this extremely tight match falls to her knees like she just won Wimbledon comes off court in tears of joy and hugs her mum. As a coach seeing this girl work so hard for that moment what a feeling being there to see her achieve it and how much it meant to her best feeling I’ve ever had as a coach.
10. What is the best advice you have received so far?	10. Best advice I’ve ever received was at a tennis clinic with Greg Rusedski said “you don’t need a hammer to break an egg” as a young fella I felt I had to hit every ball as hard as I could especially volleys.
11. What was your first racket was?	11. First proper racket to memory was a Fischer I remember going into Maher’s sports every week for a few months just to see this particular racket pick it up get a feel for it. On Christmas morning there it was for me under the tree I was thrilled.
12. What was the first tournament you played in?	12. First open I played in was the Rushbrookeopen I was under 11 and I played the number 1 seed under 12 Martin Black he beat me well on the day but I was hooked from that day on.

 

Cork Parks Tennis Camps

 

Guaranteed fun and a great way to spend your summer.

https://corkparkstennis.com/summer-tennis-camp/

Irish Tennis Updates podcast interview on Rackets and Strings

I had the pleasure of doing a podcast interview with Adam Wade of Irish Tennis Updates.  If you haven't come across these yet, check out Adam's Facebook page.  He has interviewed some of Irelands best players over the years but also talks to various people in the tennis industry in Ireland.  Some really very interesting interviews.

I really enjoyed my talk with Adam and I hope it is informative for you.

Tennis for the vision impaired - Cork Sports Partnership

🎉 New Tennis programme for players with a vision impairment commencing Tuesday 1st June 🎉

Cork Sports Partnership in partnership with Tennis Ireland, Enjoy Tennis Ireland and Vision Sports Ireland are delighted to announce a 4 week beginner tennis programme aimed at adults who are blind or have a vision impairment. 🎊

The weekly sessions will focus on introducing players to tennis in a fun and safe outdoor environment. 🥳

Details include: 

🎾 4 week programme, 1 session per week

🎾 Tuesday 12 - 1pm 

🎾 Ballinlough Tennis Club

🎾 Commences Tuesday 1st June 

🎾 Dates include: Tues 1st,  8th, 15th and 22nd June 

🎾 Cost: Free of Charge!

All equipment for the sessions will be provided to players i.e. racquets and balls. Limited space available! 🙌

ℹ️ To register visit: www.corksports.ie/vi_blind-tennis-

For more info, email kfeeney@corksports.ie 

#CorkSportsAbility #KeepCorkActive #KeepWell

Cork SportsAbility | CARA Centre | Sport Ireland | NCBI - Working for People with Sight Loss | ChildVision |

Getting to know the Coaches of Cork - Joanne Williamson

Next up with their profile is Joanne Williamson.  Joanne is a busy woman and coaches at Monkstown Lawn Tennis Club, St. Michaels Tennis Club and Ballinlough Tennis Club.

Coaches Profile

 

Name: Jo-Anne Williamson	Club(s): Monkstown, St. Michaels, Ballinlough. Co. Cork
Level: 2

 

1. How long have you been coaching?	1. I've been coaching for over 30 years! (I’m very old now!)
2.      What      got      you       into coaching?	2. Filling in for my coach who was injured & I knew it was for me and passed up my U.S scholarship to go into full time coaching
3. Who is your favourite coach?	3. I think home grown Paul Casey is one of my favourites! Such passion & intensity is rare when someone has been at the job for such a long length of time! Total respect !!
4. What was your favourite tournament to play in  growing up?	4. I always loved the Irish open in Fitzwilliam. I only made a final twice (& came 2nd )  but played plenty of semis.
5. Who is your favourite player now and all time (if they differ)?	5. One from the history books is Monica Seles, I played table tennis against her when I was in the Bolletteri  Academy and was hooked.  Irish player possibly Scott Barron, I trained with him a lot & his court manner & ability was always outstanding (plus he's so humble!)
6. What is your favourite Grand Slam?	6. I love the U.S open, I plan to get there & tie it in with some shopping !!!
7. What are your strengths as a coach?	7. I think patience and communication. I've always been told I'm a "people person" so I guess I'm approachable.
8. What areas do you need to improve?	8. Everything! Nobody knows it all & I'm happy to learn from those who can teach.
9. What has been your best moment in tennis so far as a coach?	9. I've worked with national players right down to schools tennis players and the best moments are always when a player, no matter their standard, says " I'm still playing tennis" that's what it's all about!
10. What is the best advice you have received so far?	10. Your volley is only as good as your approach! You can use this in life too! Set yourself up well with positivity around you and you'll succeed!  Very philosophical!
11.     What    was    your     first racket?	11. I was 9/10 years old when I started and remember a wooden Dunlop Maxiply (oh God just showed my age!)
12.     What     was     the      first tournament you played in?	12. A round Robin in my holiday home in  Rosslare! The first real recognised tournament though was The Barniville Babes held in Fitzwilliam in Dublin. I lost 0 & 0 the first year and won it the following year winning a years worth of sponsored coaching!

 

 

Great Honour for Cork coach Cian Blake.

 Cork coach and Performance Director of Munster Tennis, Cian Blake, has just being named co-captain of the Irish mens tennis team for the upcoming Davis Cup matches.  This is a great honour and recognition for all the hard work Cian has been putting into tennis for the last few years.

Below is the announcement that was made on the Tennis Ireland website.

Best of luck Cian, enjoy the event and I expect a detailed article for the blog on your return.

18 MAY TENNIS IRELAND ANNOUNCE DAVIS CUP TEAM FOR 2021

in Events, Feature, News

Ireland will compete in the Davis Cup Europe Group III event in Larnaca, Cyprus from 

16th to 19th June with the goal of qualifying for the Group II playoffs later in the year.

The official draw takes place on 15th June where two pools of teams will be decided.

Other nations in Europe Group III include Cyprus, Luxembourg, Monaco, Georgia, Iceland 

and Malta, with Liechtenstein having withdrawn from the event this year.

The team selected for 2021 is as follows:

Simon Carr

Julian Bradley

Osgar O’hOisin

David O’Hare

With Conor Niland unable to travel as Captain, Munster Performance Director Cian Blake 

and Ulster Performance Director, Carlos Miranda will be travelling in his place for 

the tie as Co-Captains.

Speaking of the tie, Conor Niland said:

“Due to current Covid travel quarantines being unfeasible with our full-time jobs, unfortunately 

both myself and the assistant coach are unable to travel to Cyprus in June for the Davis Cup 

Group 3 tournament.

Two of Tennis Ireland’s regional performance directors, Cian Blake and Carlos Miranda, will be 

standing in for us for the week. It is the first Davis Cup event that I have been unable to travel 

to since my debut as a player against Croatia 21 years ago, and I’m disappointed to be missing it.

I will be in regular contact with the team and deputy coaches throughout the tie and I have no 

doubt that the lads will perform well. I very much look forward to travelling with the team again 

later in the year, where we hope to be involved in a Group 2 play-off tie.”

Tennis Ireland National Performance Coordinator, Garrett Barry said “In what has been a very 

difficult year for sport, Tennis Ireland is delighted to be able to send our national team to the Davis 

Cup. A combined effort between our Captain, Conor Niland, the staff at Tennis Ireland, our 

colleagues in Sport Ireland, the ITF and our ever-willing players has led to the safe planning 

of our participation in Cyprus. I would like to say a particular thank you to Conor for all his 

assistance in preparation for the event. While he cannot make it to Cyprus in person, he has 

been a huge help to interim captains Cian and Carlos.”

Simon Carr added “It’s great to be back playing Davis Cup again after 2 years, we all definitely 

missed playing last year as it’s all of the guys favourite week of the year. I’m really looking 

forward to representing Ireland again and doing our best to gain promotion”.

Getting to know the coaches of Cork - Colin Laffan.

So I sent a questionnaire to the coaches at the various clubs around Cork, for a bit of fun and to help you get to know them.

Here is the first reply from Colin Laffan of Rushbrooke Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and Ballinlough Tennis Club.

             Coaches Profile

Name: Colin Laffan	Club(s): Rushbrooke Lawn tennis club/Ballinlough tennis club
Level: 2

 

1. How long have you been coaching?	1. 10 years
2. What got you into coaching?	2. It was my favourite hour of every week growing up I always thought my coach was so lucky to do it as a job. Day one of assisting him it was an easy call to make in my head.
3. Who is your favourite coach?	3. Nick Bollettieri. He was before my time and being honest It was Peter Farrell who suggested I look him up during a call. I can’t remember a week I havn’t watched him coaching to try and learn more off him. Patrick Mouratoglou would be my favorite also. You can tell how much he loves it from watching him.
4. What was your favourite tournament to play in growing up?	4. Rushbrooke. I wasn’t a confident player so needed all the support I could get, especially after Jamie Blake knocks you out of a tournament for the 500th time.
5. Who is your favourite player now and all time (if they differ)?	5. Fernando Gonzalez, best open stance forehand the sport will ever see.
6. What is your favourite Grand Slam?	6. Wimbledon. I can’t understand why but I just love the traditions and the old school part of it. I'm always glued to it for the 2 weeks.
7. What are your strengths as a coach?	7. I love technical work slow motion camera the small details most of all the serve. The work off the court is my biggest strength from top court subscription to the world tennis conference I'm constantly learning.
8. What areas do you need to improve?	8. I think if you attend the world tennis conference at the end of that 3 days you will always realise you need to improve on everything.
9. What has been your best moment in tennis so far as a coach?	9. Everytime you get that call on the phone from a child who has just won a tournament doesn’t matter if its under 8s a plate or a national title they always sound the same. At times adults sounding a lot like the seven-year-old with the excitement ring me after a win.
10. What is the best advice you have received so far?	10. Start early! I honestly believe if you’re a fulltime coach the latest you can start is 7am. The days of coaching up to 7pm and 8pm just isn't sustainable and a lot of clubs don’t allow it. If you have a strong consistent morning program the evening will fill itself once the kids get out of school.
11. What was your first racket was?	11. Pure control babolat same as Fernando’s. My poor parents spent a fortune so I could run around pretending I was him.
12. What was the first tournament you played in?	12. Can’t remember but I arrived, was terrified, cried and lost my temper. Luckily for my mom and dad I only continued this behaviour for another 10 years until 17.