Tennis Man

News, facts, history, and opinions about the sport

  • Desert Smash California: 3-4 March 2025

    Justin Bieber, Charlize Theron, Will Ferrell, and Kevin Hart in 2015

    Annual charity celebrity tennis event that blends the worlds of Hollywood and professional tennis. Here’s a breakdown of what it entails:

    • Charity Focus:
      • At its core, Desert Smash is a philanthropic event, raising funds for various charitable causes.
      • For example, the 2025 event will support the WTA Foundation’s Global Women’s Health Fund.
    • Celebrity and Pro Tennis Mix:
      • It brings together Hollywood stars, musicians, and professional tennis players for exhibition matches.
      • This creates a unique and entertaining experience for attendees.
    • Event Experience:
      • The event is held at the La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, California.
      • It offers a combination of competitive tennis, entertainment, and VIP experiences.
      • It also now includes a celebrity pickleball challenge.
    • Purpose:
      • Desert Smash aims to raise significant funds for charitable organisations while providing an engaging and high-profile event.

    In essence, Desert Smash is a star-studded event that uses the popularity of tennis and celebrities to support important causes.

  • The Tennis Superhero Championships

    • Visual Spectacle:
      • Imagine seeing Spider-Man serving a volley, or Wonder Woman hitting a backhand! The visual spectacle alone would be worth it.
      • It would provide fantastic photo and video opportunities, making it perfect for social media sharing.
    • Increased Participation:
      • The costume element could encourage people who might not normally participate in a tennis tournament to join in.
      • It creates a more relaxed and lighthearted atmosphere, reducing the pressure of competition.
    • Themed Possibilities:
      • There are endless possibilities for themed variations, such as:
        • A “Marvel vs. DC” tournament.
        • A tournament with specific superhero categories (e.g., flying superheroes, super-strong superheroes).
        • Having a best costume prize.
    • Current trends:
      • As shown by the information regarding the USTA and Marvel collaboration, the combination of superheroes and tennis is proving to be very popular.

    In conclusion, a superhero-themed tennis tournament has the potential to be a hugely successful and enjoyable event.

  • Breaking News: The Masked Vigilante Playing in Grand Slam Tournaments

    Is it a famous tennis player? Are they an unknown? What greater purpose does he/she serve?

  • Another Attractive Russian in Tennis.

    When Omega chose Anna Kournikova for a modelling contract, their justification centred on a combination of factors related to her image and appeal. Here’s a breakdown of the key reasons:

    • Image of Style and Fashion:
      • Omega emphasised that Kournikova was “a very fashionable, stylish person.” This aligned with their desire to promote their Ladies’ Constellation Carre collection as a premium, fashionable accessory.
    • Athletic Prowess and Recognition:
      • While she hadn’t won major titles, Kournikova was a highly recognisable tennis player. Her presence brought an association with athleticism and a high-profile lifestyle.
    • Global Appeal:
      • Kournikova had a significant international presence, making her a valuable asset for a global brand like Omega.
    • Marketing Strategy:
      • Omega aimed to reach a specific demographic, and Kournikova’s popularity among a younger, style-conscious audience was a key factor in their marketing strategy.

    In essence, Omega saw Kournikova as a figure who embodied a blend of athleticism, style, and global recognition, making her a perfect fit for their brand image.

  • What Makes the Athenian Greek-Russian Stefanos Tsitsipas Attractive to Women?

    Possesses a combination of qualities, attractive to women. Here are some of the key factors:

    • Physical Appearance:
      • He has a tall, athletic build, which is often considered attractive.
      • His facial features are also frequently mentioned in discussions about his attractiveness.
    • Charisma and Personality:
      • He often displays a passionate and expressive demeanour on the court, which can be captivating.
      • He is known for having a thoughtful and somewhat philosophical approach to life, which can be intriguing.
      • He has a very active social media presence, which allows fans to see more of his personality.
    • Athletic Prowess:
      • His skill as a top-ranked tennis player is a significant factor. Athletic achievement is often associated with desirability.
      • The grace and power he displays on the court is something that can be very appealing.
    • “Intangibles”:
      • He has a certain “European” flair, which some find appealing.
      • He is known to have interests outside of tennis, which can make him seem more well rounded.

    In essence, it’s a combination of his physical attributes, personality, and athletic success that contributes to his perceived attractiveness.

  • The Diary of Lady Mary of Wimbledon

    Chapter 5: When Mary met Renshaw the “Chihuahua”

    John “Heart Man” Hartley, finally met his match in 1881, when William Renshaw stepped onto Wimbledon’s tennis court. As the son of James, a flax spinner textile worker, he was determined to exploit Wimbledon to make a career from glamorous luxury clothing that could be associated with high society and athletic skill.

    My aggressive Renshaw chihuahua, with his superdog ability to rush across the court, combined with his take over the world strategic tendency, which was hard wired into the architectural plans of his soul, encouraged the victory favours the prepared instinct that was pumping through his manly body with industrial strength.

    William brought true dog fierceness to the traditionally sissy sport, as described by former 1878 Wimbledon champion Patrick Francis “The Mentalist” Hadow.

    The “Renshaw Rush” effect had penetrated my hypersexuality in the most potent advanced fighter jet prototype thrusting way fathomable, that my low level intelligence clearance had to accept the fate of my temptress temple of femininity, and pounce on him, with the power of the yet to be discovered Goliath Bird Eating Tarantula. It only took me 5 minutes to get my hands onto his long strong wooden cricket bat, and that’s the story of how I conceived my second child.

  • Who is Johanna Konta?

    Former professional tennis player. Here’s a summary of key information about her:

    • Nationality: She is British-Australian.
    • Career:
      • She played professional tennis.
      • She achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 4.
      • She won four singles titles on the WTA Tour.
      • She also won several titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit.
      • She retired from professional tennis in December 2021.
    • Grand Slam Performance:
      • She reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the French Open.

  • The Diary of Lady Wimbledon

    Chapter 4: When Mary met Intel Powered VW Beetle Herbie Lawford

    Heart Man was back on the court in 1880, up against Herbert Lawford, which went down in history as the tennis equivalent of the Battle of Salamis (480 BC), famous for depicting the smaller Greek force defeating the much larger Persian force.

    It was my much smaller Wolfsburg stockbroker macho moustache wearing human asset lover, Herbie, the ‘Greek-German’ of English heritage, that impressed my excruciatingly feminine over-qualified yet highly trained in the arts of subtle Mexican etiquette, sense of desire, the most.

    John Hartley the Persian may have won the Wimbledon Championships in 1880, but Herbie won my national Swiss cheese caseus helveticus award, reserved only for the most desirable of Fievel Goes West hunky mice strongest man contestants.

    Herbie’s Lawford forehand produced so much rotational topspin, that I fantasised about so many what ifs, that there was no hesitation in my mind… After Hartley gave my Herbie number 53 a good thrashing, I congratulated Heart Man, and then took Lawford by the hand, and expressed in the most physically symbolic way conceivably imaginable, how being number 2, can sometimes mean being the boss in the bed chamber of Lady Wimbledon’s Rose & Crown pub, conveniently located very near Marryat Road, the easiest route to take if you want to get to The All England Lawn Tennis Club from Wimbledon Village. It has a great view of London’s skyline too, as you descend Marryat’s hill.

  • The Different Types of Tennis Ball Spin

    Here’s a breakdown of the primary ways to hit a tennis ball to generate spin, focusing on the techniques involved:

    1. Topspin:

    Technique:

    This involves a low-to-high swing path, brushing up the back of the ball.

    The racquet face is often slightly closed.

    A “windshield wiper” motion of the wrist can enhance topspin.

    Effect:

    Forward rotation, resulting in a higher bounce and dipping trajectory.

    1. Backspin (Underspin/Slice):

    Technique:

    This is achieved by cutting across the back of the ball, often with an open racquet face.

    The swing path is typically high-to-low.

    Effect:

    Backward rotation, causing the ball to float and bounce lower.

    A “slice” shot commonly produces backspin.

    1. Sidespin:

    Technique:

    This involves hitting the side of the ball, imparting a horizontal rotation.

    This can be combined with topspin or backspin.

    Effect:

    Sideways curve in the ball’s trajectory.

    Key Factors Influencing Spin:

    Grip:

    Different grips facilitate different types of spin. For example, a western grip makes it easier to generate topspin.

    Racquet Face Angle:

    The angle of the racquet face at contact significantly affects the spin. An open face often produces backspin, while a closed face aids in topspin.

    Swing Path:

    The direction of the swing determines the type of spin. A low-to-high path produces topspin, and a high-to-low path produces backspin.

    Wrist Action:

    Wrist movement plays a crucial role in generating spin.

    In essence, producing spin involves a combination of racquet technique, grip, and swing mechanics.

  • Asics Gel Resolution 9

    High-performance tennis shoe designed with a focus on stability and durability, particularly for players who spend a lot of time on the baseline. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

    • Stability and Support:
      • The shoe incorporates technologies like DYNAWALL™ and DYNAWRAP™ to enhance stability during lateral movements and provide a secure, locked-in feel.
      • These features are crucial for players who make quick changes in direction and need reliable support.
    • Durability:
      • The Asics Gel Resolution 9 is built to withstand the wear and tear of intense tennis matches.
      • It often features durable outsole materials, such as AHAR (Asics High Abrasion Rubber), to extend the shoe’s lifespan.
    • Cushioning:
      • Asics’ signature GEL™ technology is used in the heel and forefoot to absorb shock and provide cushioning, enhancing comfort during prolonged play.
    • Design for Baseliner Players:
      • The shoe is designed to support the type of movement that baseline tennis players use.
    • Variations:
      • It’s important to note that Asics produces variations of this shoe, including models specifically designed for different court surfaces, such as clay courts.

    In essence, the Asics Gel Resolution 9 is a top-tier tennis shoe that prioritises stability, durability, and comfort, making it a popular choice among serious tennis players.