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Meridian Tennis
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Winners Tennis Club
(our home base)
550 Via de la Valle
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Check out these recent photos
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Feedback. Comments. Suggestions. |
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We value your input. Please click on the link below to give us your feedback.
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Hello :
Spring is in the air! Can you feel it? It was fun to be entertained by the great tennis out in Indian Wells, the BNP Paribas Open. There were surprise winners all around! On the men's side, Ivan Ljubicic triumphed over Andy Roddick, becoming the second oldest player to win a main event at the age of 31 (Jimmy Connors was age 32). On the women's side, Jelena Jankovic managed to overtake Caroline Wozniaki. This win may help Jankovic get her career back on track as she had been struggling to put in consistent results. In the men's doubles, the wild card team of Rafael Nadal & Marc Lopez defeated the number 1 seeds Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic. Now, that was great doubles tennis! In the ladies doubles, Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik prevailed over the number 3 seeds Nadia Petrova and Samantha Stosur. What an exciting tournament!
Back in our world, Meridian's USTA Junior tennis teams are now in season. The girls U18 are currently 1-1. They had a tough first week losing to Westview, but they came back strong and took all the matches against Poway. Their next match will be against Coronado. The mixed U14 intermediates team is currently 0-1. They had a tough first match against Carmel Valley and their next match will be against club rivals Surf & Turf. After some first match jitters, all the players look to put in a good performance.
Many of you will remember the highly energetic and talented young twin boys who were coached by Matt last spring, Michael & Jayson Blando. They, along with their dad, Ernie, who is also their coach, were highlighted in the recent USPTA magazine. We've received permission from the USPTA to reprint the article in our newsletter. It's great to hear about their continued success! Read their story in our Guest Column (below).
Greetings from Matt 
What Does It Take to Get Good at Something?
It turns out that our teachers and coaches were right - "experts in just about any field are made, not born. The people who practice the most learn the most", Scientific American August 2006... (read more)
Greetings from Zac
 Attacking a Weak Second Serve
A great weapon to have in your arsenal is a solid service return. You can use the return to put your opponent on the defensive at the first strike of the ball...(read more)
Greetings from Craig
Guest Columnist
Jill Phipps, USPTA Staff Writer
Ernie Blando may be a dedicated parent-coach, but you wouldn't call him single-minded...(read more) |
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We look forward to seeing you on the courts!
Sincerely,
Matt . Zac . Craig
Meridian Tennis Group
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New Clinic Schedule
(as of 03/01/10)
Please call or go online to confirm
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. Adults . |
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Tues 6:30-8:00pm Adult workout
Thurs 8:30-10:00am Adult clinic
Fri 8:00-9:30am Adult clinic
Fri 8:30-10:00am Adult clinic
(modified schedule due to tennis leagues)
TBD Beginners clinics
Additional clinics can be added upon request!
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Note: Adult clinics will be theme-based, rotating from week to week with topics such as doubles strategy, mixed doubles clinic,
serve & volley training, etc.)
Minis . Juniors . High School . Tournament
Mon.Wed.Fri 3:30-4:30pm Minis
Mon.Wed.Fri 4:30-6:00pm Juniors
Tue.Thurs 4:00-5:30pm HS.Tournament
Sat 3:00-4:30pm HS.Tournament
Sun 10:00-11:00am Minis
Additional clinics can be added upon request!
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 Greetings from Matt
What Does It Take To Get Good at Something?
It turns out that our teachers and coaches were right - "experts in just about any field are made not born. The people who practice the most learn the most", Scientific American August 2006. Those who work hard at becoming experts in a particular area see similar situations come up again and again, and are able to quickly make small changes where needed. A tennis player's mind is likely to use this stored knowledge (repetition), when anticipating how far a ball will travel, where it will land, what is the rotation, what is the pace, what to do next. You begin to correctly guess what is likely to happen next and prepare for it. This can only happen through repetition and experience, in other words, time put in on the court. Of course, intense motivation, a strong work ethic, and the ability to focus deeply and immediately are also traits that experts have in common.
A tennis player must not only learn the techniques of the game, but the tactics and strategies encompassing the game. Over the last 20 years the game of tennis has developed to such a degree that it is almost impossible to succeed without being physically fit. This includes having a good cardiovascular base, being physically strong, mentally tough, and flexible to avoid injuries. Two professionals who exemplify these qualities are Kim Clijsters in the women's game and Rafael Nadal in the men's game.
One of the most important factors to doing anything really well is to really love what you are doing. If you can't have fun doing something the chances of learning go down significantly. Another factor is being open-minded. It is extremely critical for a player to continually learn new things; in fact, have a hunger for it. Once a player decides they know everything, they are more likely to become stagnant. A player may be exposed to different coaches (high school coach, training coach), and the player's ability to listen, digest, and sort through what is relevant will be important. It would be important for everyone involved, player and coaches, to have the same vision.
If you want to succeed, you must have a positive mental attitude. In Tim Gallwey's book, "The Game of Inner Tennis", he describes how the game is composed of two parts, an outer game and an inner game. The 'outer game' is played against opponents; the 'inner game' is played not against, but within the mind of the player. Gallwey's whole approach is to let the last shot go. Make sure you start every point clear of any negativity from a previous point.
So getting good a something like tennis and wanting to play at a high level takes a love of the game, being committed, a strong work ethic, having an open-mind, being a good listener, and staying positive at all times.
Thanks again for all your continued support.
Come by and say hi!
Matt Copland
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Greetings from Zac
Attacking a Weak Second Serve
A great weapon to have in your arsenal is a solid service return. You can use the return to put your opponent on the defensive at the first strike of the ball. If you receive a weak second serve, it gives you the opportunity to be aggressive and hit out on your return. Be careful though, as a soft ball is sometimes harder to control than one hit with some pace.
A weak second serve, or first serve for that matter, is one that doesn't have much pace or spin and lands in the middle of the service court, or shorter. It is one that you can easily step in and maneuver around to hit your favorite shot. Because the pace is slower, you should have time to get your racquet back early and prepare mentally to execute the stroke correctly. This is what gives you the advantage.
If you like to hit hard, and like to play big hitters, a weak second serve is something you should be able to take advantage of. Even if you don't hit particularly hard, you should still find it easy to handle a weak serve and return it deep into the court. This doesn't mean you have to hit it for a winner, as a solid return that goes deep will set up the next shot that you may have an opportunity to put away.
It is sometimes difficult to adjust your game to someone who doesn't put much pace on the ball, because you have to generate it all yourself. To be successful against this type of player, you will need to develop patience and put a bit more topspin on your returns. There's no reason why you can't blast the weak second serve back for a winner, but you may not always be in a position to do so. It's most important to keep the ball in play and return it deep, if possible. If you're not able to control the shot, add a bit more topspin and wait for a better opportunity.
Practice with a partner who hits slow or medium speed balls, and work on driving your return for consistency. When you can hit 7 of 10 deep in the court, go for a bit more power, and make sure you are always in control of your swing. Of course, practice makes perfect. You should allow yourself to "go for it" at certain times in a match, but should generally try to be ahead in the game when you do. If you miss the return, go back to just getting the ball in play until your timing improves.
Remember, just because your opponent is hitting a weak serve this doesn't automatically mean you can hit a winner off it. Learn to wait for the right shot.
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Greetings from Craig
On hiatus
Taking a leave to go back to Phoenix.
Look forward to seeing you on the courts!
~ Craig Johnson
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Guest Columnist
Jill Phipps, USPTA staff writer
(This article is reprinted with permission of the United States Professional Tennis Association and was originally published in the March 2010 issue of ADDvantage magazine.)
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Michael, Ernie and Jayson at San Diego's Tennis Fest in 2009.
Blando and sons: 'Reaching for the stars' - Doubles Style
March 2010 -- Ernie Blando may be a dedicated parent-coach, but you wouldn't call him single-minded. While he works with a purpose in coaching his two sons, this San Diego teaching pro keeps his focus on raising healthy, balanced kids. Blando has instructed his 8-year-old fraternal twins, Michael and Jayson, on and off the tennis court since they were in diapers. When they were 18 months old he began teaching them how to hold racquetball paddles and let them swat at balloons and soap bubbles. Mike and Jay, born four minutes apart, have been competing since the age of 5 and won their first tournament at 7. They played against each other in USTA 8-and-under singles two years ago and Jay beat Mike in three sets. But the brothers, who already have their sights set on Grand Slam victories, almost always play doubles together instead. "Their goals are to achieve a high ranking in the 10-and-under doubles, play in high school, get a college tennis scholarship, and reach for the stars," Blando said.
As preschoolers, the boys trained by playing running and hitting games during half-hour sessions on court. As they got older and started learning how to serve and volley, their practice time and skills development increased. The twins now train for two-and-a-half hours every day. This includes a half hour of warm-ups and fitness drills; one-and-a-half hours of tennis drills, stroke production techniques and match strategy; and a half-hour fun match in singles or doubles. The coach tries to vary practices every day to make it enjoyable. "One thing they love to do is practice to music because it gives them rhythm and they really get into it," he said. "I let them create their own fun workouts and drills. They see me do this with other kids and get creative.
They're home-schooled so I'm always with them." Blando said he doesn't mind if the boys want to skip a tennis practice. "In fact, it's healthy for them and me to hear them say, 'Dad, can we take a break today?' "I believe the cause of tennis burnout is when tennis parents push their kids at a young age, dropping them off to an instructor, not being there and pushing them to play too many tournaments too soon, traveling to various places. "Fortunately, I have avoided that trend," he said. "At first, I only entered them in novice tournaments once every two months so they could meet and compete with other kids (ages 4-5). They now just play local tournaments in both singles and doubles once a month. They would love to compete in more tournaments because of the motivation of winning trophies.
"To prevent burnouts there are always other constructive and fun activities already scheduled, and not just tennis training every day," Blando continued. "I created a daily schedule for the boys that includes their tennis workouts and is worth its weight in gold. A lot of their daily schedule becomes automatic, which makes it better for all of us." Mike and Jay's routine includes keyboard practice and homework time (after tennis). Also, they have joined little league baseball, love swimming and are currently in a basketball league, he said.
Blando himself has wide-ranging life experiences as a computer specialist, nurse, medical technologist and U.S. Army veteran. He earned a Master of Arts in Health Services Management and a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. Although he is their primary coach, Blando contracted with fellow USPTA Professional Matt Copland to train Mike and Jay for about six months. He did this to allow the boys to "hear a different voice and gain new and other fun techniques to improve their game." Blando said he chose Copland "because of his genuine ability to connect with kids in teaching the game, and they also had great fun with him. It's important that any coach you hire have that genuine 'fun factor' and enthusiasm."
In addition to their daily training, the 8-year-olds participate in a tennis clinic with players their age. They also help their Dad with his Saturday sessions, teaching other kids. Blando is an independent contractor, teaching primarily at local high schools and on weekends. He also is a member of a San Diego club, Rancho Penasquitos Tennis Center, where he has served as a board member and has done volunteer work by way of providing drills and lessons for kids. He and the twins are regular participants in the annual San Diego Tennis Fest. The spring event, organized by USPTA Professional Geoff Griffin, offers tennis instruction and play for beginner through advanced levels. More than 60 USPTA Professionals volunteer their time at the Balboa Tennis Club. Wayne Bryan, USPTA Professional, was the special guest at the 2009 Tennis Fest. Mike and Jay participated in a kids' clinic with Bryan at both that event and at the Los Angeles Tennis Open.
The twins also have met their heroes, the Bryan brothers, at several charity exhibitions in Southern California. "They're the perfect role models," Blando said. His sons even adopted the champs' celebratory chest bump after seeing them do it on the Tennis Channel and in person. It all started when Blando became fascinated with the Bryan brothers after Mike and Jay were born. He decided he wanted to groom his own sons in the same fashion as Wayne Bryan, and his wife, Kathy. Blando said he wrote to Kathy Bryan and asked her if she could share advice on how to help his children achieve their full potential. She responded by sending him a personal note and the book, "The Formula: Raising Your Child to be a Champion in Athletics, Arts and Academics," by Wayne Bryan with Woody Woodburn. "It's really a wholesome way of raising kids, basically - not just in tennis but academics, arts and athletics," Blando said.
He is interested in teaching his sons about fair play and good sportsmanship, both on and off the court. And, like the Bryans, Blando believes in sharing what he has learned with other tennis families. "For kids, the key ingredient to learning tennis is that they remember that being on the tennis court is fun!" he said, describing the "fun years" as ages 2 to 6. It's also important to keep the kids moving and toss balls that they can hit. "Parents are who their kids trust and love the most; so parents need to be involved with the kids, whether it's picking up balls, tossing balls, or just being there, even though a child may be reluctant to participate," Blando said. Children who do take part usually end up having fun, he added. "Once you as a parent, coach or instructor observe the 'fun' factor in kids, you will have an idea whether the child would like to pursue the game as a competitive sport or as a recreational, after-school activity.
"I believe the right time to introduce them to a USPTA Professional is when you see a focus in their eyes, they are able to listen and do simple tasks, and they display enthusiasm for the game," he said. Blando taught a course through a local school district's adult education program for parents who want their children to learn tennis, whether for competition or recreation. He also created a Web site (tennisthefirstyears.com) for enthusiastic parents who want to get their children started early in the game. Mike and Jay starred in a series of instructional videos on the site, targeting kids ages 2 to 7. As a USPTA Professional, Blando draws on member benefits to keep him updated on the latest teaching techniques. "I'm glad I have those resources, such as tennisplayer.net and tips of the day," he said.
Ernie Blando may be contacted by e-mail at tennisthefirstyears@san.rr.com or evlando@san.rr.com. |
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