Category: Tennis (網球)

Happy Tennis: 5th Year Anniversary (5週年紀念)

By admin, March 9, 2014 9:46 pm

過去一年裡最大的收穫是發球和上網有了比較明顯的進步。

發球方面已經可以輕易地開出比較刁轉的角度,尤其是反手大斜線。另外第一發的力度和旋轉也比之前”爆炸”了不少(因為學懂了如何放鬆身體),所以經常可以直接得分。第二發的Kick/Top Spin向前衝的力度仍然有待改善,還有就是發球雙失誤基本上已經沒有了。

上網方面進步更加明顯,我想應該歸功於每週一次的雙打訓練,因為雙打很多時候都需要在網前直接得分,所以左右Volley擺位也開始變得得心應手。當面對網前強勁抽擊的時候也沒了之前那種膽怯,人也變得更加淡定去迎接每一個截擊。

比賽的時候開始有了佈處Planning,經常長短球,如果看見對手站在底線很後的地方,那我就多數會放個Drop Shot。相反如果見他步步逼近,那麼就要把球打到貼近底線,不給他機會上來封網。

另外想提的是之前經常打失的Smash/Overhead也因為雙打的緣故變得輕鬆了不少,還有就是多了嘗試打兩邊小角而取得Winner。

最後就是再次強調網球是Play In Front的運動,Form改善了之後連擊球的速度和力量也大大增加了,當然腳步一定不能懶,要有充足的時間配合才能擊出致勝的一球!

Some interesting statistics:

Courts Booked: ~202場
Tennis Balls: 48罐
Restring: 5次

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80年代的網壇巨星…

By admin, January 9, 2014 4:12 pm

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想不到短短一個月內80年代的網壇巨星都成了新一代天王的教練,難道是去年Andy Murray溫網奪冠的啟示﹖最神奇的是Edberg和Becker同時幾乎宣佈成為世界頂尖球手的教練。

同樣的在2013年12月,張德培也成了日本一哥錦織圭的顧問教練,還有就是Goran Ivanisevic最近也成為了Marin Cilic的長期教練。看來這些昔日的巨星們再次找到其用武之地,希望通過新一代把過往的對壘從80年代一直延伸下去。

27 December 2013

Six-time Grand Slam winner Stefan Edberg has joined Roger Federer’s coaching team ahead of next month’s Australian Open in Melbourne.

The Swede was Wimbledon men’s singles champion in 1988 and 1990, and reached number one in the world rankings.

The last of 32-year-old Swiss Federer’s 17 Grand Slam titles was his 2012 Wimbledon triumph over Andy Murray.

“Stefan was my childhood hero, and I am really looking forward to spending time with, and learning from, him,” he said.

“I’m really excited to be part of Roger’s team and I hope together we can bring out his best tennis,” said 47-year-old Edberg.

The former Davis Cup winner will begin working with Federer ahead of 2014’s first major, which begins on 13 January.

World number two Novak Djokovic recently appointed Boris Becker, who faced Edberg in three consecutive Wimbledon finals, as his head coach.

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray began working with Ivan Lendl, who Edberg replaced as world number one in 1990, late in 2011 and went on to claim his first Grand Slam title at the US Open in the following year.

18 December 2013

World number two Novak Djokovic has appointed six-time Grand Slam winner Boris Becker as his head coach.

The 26-year old Serb, who has also won six major titles, will start work with Becker before the Australian Open, which starts on 13 January.

Djokovic’s long-time coach Marian Vajda will continue as part of his team.

“I am proud Novak invited me to become his head coach. I am sure we can achieve great things together,” said former Wimbledon champion Becker, 46.

Defending Australian Open champion Djokovic has been with Vajda since 2006 but other coaches have come and gone on a regular basis during that period.

“Boris brings a fresh approach and together with Vajda he will make a winning combination,” said Djokovic.

“Boris is a true legend, someone who has great tennis knowledge, and his experience will help me win new trophies, Grand Slams and other tournaments.

“He is a great person too, and I am sure he will fit in our team in the best possible way. The team is now strengthened and we hope for maximum results.

“My goal for 2014 is to play my best tennis and to get in shape for the grand slams and Masters 1000. These tournaments have the most weight in our sport, and I want to prove my worth at them.”

ecker first shot to prominence by winning Wimbledon as an unseeded 17-year-old in 1985.

During a 15-year professional career, the German won 64 ATP Tour titles, including three Wimbledon singles crowns.

Djokovic will be hoping to reclaim his world number one spot from Spain’s Rafael Nadal in 2014.

Vajda, who has worked with Djokovic since 2006, will attend events in Indian Wells, Madrid, Toronto and Beijing as part of his scaled-back role, but welcomed Becker’s arrival.

“I realised that Novak needed a new head coach in order for him to continue improving certain parts of the game,” said Vajda.

Hybrid新體驗3: Wilson Champions Choice Hybrid, Natural Gut 16g + ALU Power Rough 16g

By admin, December 20, 2013 11:31 pm

經朋友介紹今天穿了這副新的組合,聽說Wilson Champions Choice Hybrid也是Federer近期的選擇。

這次直穿55磅、橫穿53磅,感覺還真不錯! 尤其底線抽擊很得心應手,線床有彈力也比較軟,所以抽起來像在使用鞭子。但是因為16G比較粗的關係,所以手感沒之前17G的那些天然腸線舒服。

另外就是如同朋友所說,Wilson的這副混線因為材料特別,所以也特別耐用,打完兩個鐘頭後,的確發現線床沒什麼損耗,希望這次可以用上3個月。

It’s all in the name. Wilson Champions Choice is a hybrid of two of the most popular strings on tour: Wilson Natural Gut and Luxilon ALU Power Rough. Combining the ultimate playability of a high quality natural gut with the durability, spin and control of a textured polyester gives the player the best of both worlds. For durability and control, use the Luxilon ALU Power Rough in the mains. For a softer feel and playability, use the Wilson Natural Gut in the mains.

Gauge: Natural Gut 16 / 1.32mm
ALU Power Rough 16L / 1.25mm
Length: Both strings measure 20 feet (6.1 m)
Construction: Natural gut
ALU Power Rough: Co-polymer (nylon) + Fluocarbon resin + aluminum fibers
Color: Natural / Grey

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Update Aug 21, 2014:

The string finally broken today, amazingly it lasted for 8 months!!!


Update Sep 7, 2014:

The pro shop I went told me they are out of Wilson Champions, so I selected a closest combination Babolat VS Touch 16 (Main, 53lbs) and Luxilon ALU Power Rough 16L (50 lbs). Also just noticed 16L is a bit thinner than 16 (ie, 1.25mm vs 1.32mm), let’s see how long it will last this time.

Update Apr 24, 2015:

The string broke almost another 8 months, but the last 2 feels awful as I can tell the string bed was dead. So it’s better to change it every 6 months. Nonetheless, I can conclude that I’ve finally found a natural gut + poly combination that provides good hitting experience and most importantly economically sound.

Update May 3, 2015:

Almost got a Yonex VCORE Si 98 G, but give up at the end due to the spec. is almost identical to my Head Extreme Pro but stiffness is even higher (ie, too stiff). So I ended up restrung with the same combination, Babolat VS Touch 16 (Main, 57lbs) and Luxilon ALU Power Rough 16L (53 lbs). This time, it should be able to last till December at least.

Update July 12, 2015:

Strangely, the previous combination only lasted for just a little bit longer than 2 months, probably due to higher tension than usual. So this time, I went for Babolat VS Touch 16 (Main, 55lbs) and Luxilon 4G Rough 16L (53 lbs) to see if the new string (4G Rough) will produce a better touch and feel.

痛恨網球的阿加斯 (轉文)

By admin, September 21, 2013 9:25 am

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球星自傳的第一章,通常寫事業光輝一刻的心情,然後以倒序法回顧一生;或者直接一點,順序講從小時候如何發現自己天賦、遇上名師指點平步青雲等等。但阿加斯的《Open》,第一章叫人驚心動魄,因為描寫的是痛:他如何和傷患搏鬥多年,每晚睡到半夜,因為背痛要爬下床,躺在地上,起身一刻亦是煎熬,但為了延續網球生涯,要打類固醇針入脊髓減輕痛楚……因為,全書的主題,圍繞阿加斯如何痛恨網球。

嚴父地獄式催谷 壓力下成長

痛恨的主因,是自小受嚴父地獄式催谷。阿加斯父親是伊朗移民,有點運動細胞,曾是國家拳擊代表,移居美國後,輾轉落腳拉斯維加斯當賭場荷官。他同時是網球拍穿線專家,球星干納斯、波格等到賭城比賽時,必會幫襯他。他早已決定,一家人的出路,是把幾個孩子訓練成職業網球手。為了實現這夢想,他悉心安排,在偏僻的沙漠地方買下房子,為的是後園夠空間建私人網球場,他也改裝了一部網球發球機,孩子們從幾歲開始,每日幾小時對着這「惡龍」練習(阿加斯的成名接發球絕技,大概就是如此練成)。他會叫孩子逃學打波,甚至曾要阿加斯兩兄弟出賽前,服用可疑藥物。

幾個孩子中,阿加斯顯露的天份最高,於是受父親特別「關照」,完全沒有機會做個正常孩子。「用力點!不可落網!反手!練窩利!」阿加斯童年,就是在這幾句訓令中渡過。而且,父親從一開始,就劍指世界第一,贏冠軍是理所當然,輸波就大發雷霆;多年後他贏了溫布頓,父親也沒半句祝賀,劈頭便鬧:「不應該輸掉那第四局!」自小在壓力下成長,面對只有罰沒有賞的教育,阿加斯痛恨網球不難理解。許勝不許敗的負擔,亦漸轉化為怕輸的心理,成為他日後發展重大障礙。

阿加斯13歲那年,《六十分鐘時事雜誌》播出了一間佛羅里達州網球學堂的故事,將之描繪為「網球童工血汗工廠」。父親卻認定,這是阿加斯成材之路的下一站,把他送往寄宿練波,這就是後來鼎鼎大名,訓練出古利亞、莎莉絲、威廉絲姊妹、希姬絲和舒拉寶娃等球星的Bollettieri Academy。主持人Nick Bollettieri也很快看中阿加斯的過人天份,從此他踏上不歸路,16歲便成為職業球手。

我們普通人往往忽視,職業網球員面對的枯燥和孤獨,大概冠絕運動界。隊際運動員主場和作客出賽各佔一半,就算坐飛機多過坐車,起碼有一半時間是在「家」,而且出外都是在本洲以內、幾小時的航程;網球員則一年到晚,不停穿梭七大洲參加大小比賽,回家的時間絕無僅有。況且,隊際項目無論在場內場外,都有隊友互相支援,但網球員只有自己和隨員。女友和太太或可隨行,但有小朋友後就幾乎不可能。阿加斯和波姬小絲(本身也常為演戲飛來飛去)拍拖和結婚的幾年間,聚少離多,甚至要靠傳真談情(這是未有電郵的年代)。

傷患困擾 排名曾插至141位

痛恨網球,兼要過着這種非人生活,阿加斯何以成為史上其中最傑出(少數贏盡四大滿貫加奧運金牌球手)和最長壽(33歲成為史上年紀最大的世界第一)球手,比同輩頂級球手都「襟捱」?
據他自己說,幾次想過放棄,但整個童年都花在打波,身無其他技能,讀書不成(中三輟學),不打波又可以做甚麼?而更大的驅動力,來自他的好勝性格。他在自傳提及,小時候在一次少年組比賽決賽,遇上杜蘭高(Jeff Tarango,後來成為職業球手但成就平平,最出名鬧球證),決勝分被對手「出術」擊敗。他感到憤怒——不是恨對手,而是怪自己不早早把對手解決,留給他出術機會。他發現已不需父親從旁鞭策,自己的好勝和完美主義,足以驅使自己拼搏。

轉戰職業賽後,阿加斯立刻聲名鵲起,短短兩年便攀上世界第三,並兩度晉身大滿貫四強,前途似是一片光明之際,卻撞上「玻璃天花板」,三次打入大滿貫決賽落敗,包括敗於同期出道、但阿加斯從來看不起的森柏斯和古利亞,張德培也比他早贏大滿貫。他除了在被看淡下勝出1992年溫布頓,成績乏善足陳,後來甚至承認多次在沉重壓力下,萌生「不如輸掉」念頭。

阿加斯和經理人決定換教練以求突破,看上的人選,是球手事業進入暮年、亦沒有教練經驗的基爾拔(Brad Gilbert)。作為球手,基爾拔沒有甚麼殺手鐧,大滿貫最佳成績只是八強,但特色卻是穩定,和擅長打心理戰。他寫過一本分享打網球心得的書,叫《Winning Ugly》,言下之意是只要贏,打得漂亮與否並不重要,正是這本書吸引了阿加斯和經理人。初次見面,基爾拔老實不客氣指出:假如我有你的技術,早就橫掃球壇了!你的弱點是完美主義,每球都想成為精華片段,但博得太盡卻容易犯錯失分;要贏比賽,最重要反而是穩陣,只要減少犯錯,長遠來說必然是技高者勝。正如我在本欄寫過,網球比賽是純技術較量,運氣影響有限,只要每球有52%機會得分,取勝率便高達75%。有基爾拔協助消除心魔,阿加斯果然擺脫水準不穩和逢大賽腳軟毛病,登上世界第一寶座。

但成為一哥後,阿加斯的事業仍不是一帆風順。1997年他受傷患困擾成績下滑,意志消沉、吸毒(事後承認當時有自毀傾向),排名直插至141位,與波姬小絲的婚姻亦亮紅燈。就在全世界都認定他已完蛋之際,他卻突然醒悟重新振作,得到「第二春」,99年拿下法國公開賽冠軍,完成大滿貫,也重登世界第一。

表面不可一世 實際大情大性

阿加斯自傳好看,正是因為他是個有血有肉、大情大性的人,人生充滿矛盾和大起大落。他初出道時形像反叛,常向球證球迷講粗口,也最怕讀書,但之後卻為成立慈善學校,造福清貧家庭深感自豪。他年輕時比賽衣着標奇立異,但原來為了掩飾脫髮,多年戴假髮參賽,更自言為怕假髮走位而分心輸掉人生首個大滿貫決賽。他表面是個不可一世的「串友」,但全書大量篇幅都強調哥哥、健身教練、牧師朋友和太太嘉芙的愛護和支持。阿加斯多次在書中嘲笑宿敵森柏斯,生命中只有網球,是個機械人;的確,阿加斯在球壇成就稍不及森柏斯,但他的自傳《Open》,在阿瑪遜銷售榜排名,比森柏斯的高四萬幾位,更曾被不少雜誌和網站,選為最佳自傳類書籍之一,絕對值得推薦。

- 姚崢嶸

好抵買!

By admin, July 22, 2013 12:17 pm

每年夏季Uniqlo大減價都會買一兩件短袖運動T-Shirt當網球衫穿,因為發現除了價錢吸引外,質地也很不錯,透氣的來又夠輕盈,所以開始放棄A和N的兩大品牌了。

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第二對Nike Courtballistec 4.3

By admin, July 6, 2013 10:25 pm

終於等到了第八代Adidas Barricade的到來,結果還是期待越大、失望越大。除了價錢倍升外,就連以前吸引的外型也逐漸變得保守了,整體感覺更像一雙跑鞋。

去年11月中轉換陣營投奔Nike ,買了人生第一對Courtballistec 4.3,經過了近8個月的訓練,右腳鞋底前端已經開始出現嚴重磨損,看樣子再多兩個月就可以報廢了。

今天偶然遇見了運動店大減價,而且這個醒目的橙+白色更是心頭所好,所以就不加思索,立刻買了下來。

Nike Air Courtballistec 4.3 orange/White

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溫布頓2013最精彩的一場賽事

By admin, July 6, 2013 4:43 pm

今年的All-England Club溫布頓可謂爆冷連連,伴隨著排名頭幾位種子選手在前段時間的相繼出局,原以為精彩會由此止步。但是昨天的半決賽Djokovic對Del Potro的那場證明我又看錯了,這場對壘很可能是開賽以來最緊張刺激的一回。

作為頭號種子選手的Djokovic整場比賽面對Del Potro不停的猛烈抽擊幾乎招架不住,但在關鍵時刻他往往卻能打出超乎意料的致勝回球,再次證明了他的世界第一絕對是真材實料的。

倒是星期天的男單決賽,我希望贏得比賽的反而是那個脫胎換骨的英國人,因為Murray正是英國人自Fred Perry 1936年奪冠後77年來最大的希望和榮譽。 (Update: Congratulations Andy Murray!!! Finally!!!)

費天王後繼有人了 (轉文)

By admin, May 10, 2013 4:17 pm

馬德里網球大師賽第二輪,世界一哥祖高域(Djokovic)碰到保加利亞小將迪米特羅夫(Dimitrov),二比三敗陣出局。

半夜在電視裏看直播,本來以為很快打完,結果一打三個多小時,打到香港天亮方休。比賽後段,全場為迪米特羅夫打氣,這個二十一歲的小將打到最後一分的時候,用手指在胸前劃了個十字,結果拿下了祖高域。

迪 米特羅夫冒起得很快,現在世界排名二十三,相信很快就可以躋身前十名。看他打球最有趣的地方,是他的動作活脫脫就是一個費達拿。無論正手反手,還是發球削 球,如果離遠了看,就是費天王現身,連發球前拍球起板的動作都一模一樣。除了步法還欠些火候,其他技術已非常成熟,所以看他打球,就像看見八、九年前的費 達拿。

很少有運動員打球姿勢和動作如此相似的,可見費達拿一定是迪米特羅夫的偶像,但模仿得這麼相似而有實效,猶如費達拿上身,真是世所罕見。費達拿是網球界不世之才,如今看來有接班人了,真令人高興。
希望這次他可以在馬德里的紅土場上跟費達拿相遇,然後看兩個出手一模一樣的人比賽,那就簡直是《西遊記》裏「真假猴王」的意境,一定刺激,一定好看。

李純恩

My Experience Hosting a Happy Tennis Game

By admin, May 2, 2013 12:14 pm

I’ve been hosting tennis game for over 4 years now, touch wood…never been really a problem.

Simply divide the courts by number of ppl,  of course the key is not to over subscribe. (ie, if it’s double, then max 4 ppl., ) and you got to set some rules say for a 3 hours game, if you join late, then it would be still equally divided, but sometimes with less ppl, I will calculate for them down to hours which I am sure they don’t mind either.

Of course there are always exceptions, I always host single game on Friday  3-6pm (3 hrs), 6ppl on both courts, at least I can get some rest this way, so it also depends on the length of the game.

Finally, I did over subscribe when I first start to host tennis game 4 years ago without much experience, one worst scenario was 8 ppl on a court for double (2 hours).

Well everyone learns from their past experience, it just takes a bit of time and Happy Tennis is the key!

Tennis Racket Paint Job (轉文)

By admin, April 30, 2013 4:21 pm

Now, we are not talking about players that use the same thing as the off the shelf model available to us and add weight or a different grip shape like Pete Sampras used to.

For essentially his entire career, Sampras used the same ProStaff 6.0 Midsize racquet, although he did have a specific grip shape and size that he wanted, along with having it weighted to be much heavier and much more difficult to play with than the retail model.  One important note about his racquet is that Sampras would only play with racquets from the no longer operating St. Vincent factory.

The reason behind this is that Sampras was extremely sensitive to changes, and preferred the St. Vincent made racquets.  The quality control at the island factory was extremely high but more importantly, due to the humidity of the area, the molds became warped, resulting in a thicker 18mm beam than the standard 17mm from other factories.  Once the St. Vincent factory was shut down and only China made PS 6.0s were available, it wasn’t exactly the same racquet Sampras was playing on TV, but it wasn’t like we see today.

The question though, how similar the gear on the shelf to the ones the pros use?   Racquet manufacturers have gotten smarter in that from generation to generation, we are starting to see the same molds being used with updated technologies but essentially the same name.

For example, the Pure Drive that Carlos Moya used back in 2002 has many similarities to the Pure Drive GT of today.  So is it ok for a manufacturer to paint Kim Clijsters original Pure Drive to look like the new Pure Drive GT and sell the new model as her racquet?

Babolat, Wilson, and Head have been the most noted three companies customizign the pros’ gear.  For example, Andy Roddick still uses the same original Pure Drive + he did when he won the 2003 US Open, but now it is painted to look like Pure Drive + Roddick GT.

Rafael Nadal is still using the original black colored AeroPro Drive and the Cortex band is simply painted onto the racquet to look like the AeroPro Drive GT.

Wilson, of course, claims that Roger Federer switches racquets every two years, most recently to the BLX Six-One Tour.  Such small changes are made to the racquets between generations and Wilson is smart enough to implement internal only changes that it is not easily seen.

Other classic examples are Marat Safin who “changed” to the new racquet every generation but actually always used the predecessor.

While those examples are mainly differences in paint and a technology or two, what are the real differences?
When Novak Djokovic signed with Wilson years ago, Djokovic was using the Head Radical / Prestige / Pro Tour mold before, and Wilson developed the nBlade 98 in an attempt to mimic his previous frame.  Strangely enough, he never liked it enough to switch to it, and continued using the same mold he had been using.  Even when he won his first Australian Open supposedly using the 93″ KBlade Tour, a quick glance shows that both his nBlade 98 and KBlade Tour share the same 18×20 string pattern as his old (and current) Head racquets.

While both Wilson frames also have 18×20 patterns, they have a different drilling pattern and so it’s easily noticed that the positions of some of the strings are different.  Even now, Djokovic is listed as using the 100″ YouTek IG Speed MP 18×20, but continues to use the same PT57 mold.  Realistically, the closest racquet to what Novak is actually using would be an older Pro Tour 630 frame.  Compared to the approximately 11.6oz weight of the YouTek IG Speed, his racquet comes in about an ounce heavier in weight with more weight in the head.

Andy Murray claims that he is using the YouTek Radical Pro, but is he really? Check this out: Two indications jump out on this claim, the string pattern, and the grommets.  While the retail Radical Pro comes in a 100″ head with a 16×19 string pattern, Murray’s racquet does have a 16×19 string pattern, but different spacing, resulting in a different overall feel.  His racquet actually follows the string pattern of the Prestige Pro, which is a 98″ headsize.

As successful as Murray is, I honestly can’t imagine Head going to the effort of making a racquet with the same string pattern but different spacing, and making a mold and specially producing the CAP grommets that you see along the sides of his racquet when they have a 98″ mold already created.  The CAP system has most notably been seen on a majority of the Prestige models, and it’s no secret that Murray has been using the CAP grommets on his Radical frames even back to the days of his i.Radical.

A much more bizarre tactic of sales strategy involved Rafael Nadal up until about a year ago when he made the switch to Babolat RPM Blast.  While most will say that he is using the 16g version of the string, he is actually using a thicker version that is 1.35mm in diameter.  Up until that point though, Babolat was claiming that Nadal was using Pro Hurricane Tour, but was using the Duralast polyester.

There were actually two reasons for claiming that Rafa was using PHT instead of Duralast.  The first of course is that PHT is almost twice the cost and a newer string that they were trying to sell.  The second was because the Duralast string that Nadal was provided was yellow in color compared to the natural color available at retailers.

These are just a few examples of these marketing techniques, and plenty of other players customize as well.  Lleyton Hewitt, for example, used the SRD Tour 90 for a long time with various different paintjobs.  The most extreme instance that comes to mind was the short lived contract between Marat Safin and Dunlop.  At the time, Dunlop released the Muscle Weave 200G 90, which was never released in the US, to make it appear that Safin had switched.  It turns out that Safin never made the switch from his Head racquet though, and after having the Dunlop logo stencil put on the string, Head actually filed a lawsuit against Dunlop.

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