Saddlebrook Tennis Hopman Academy day 7 pm

Today was an easy day overall.  The basic stance today was to be consistent so we were not pushed hard at all.  There is not alot of people here so getting the same level on every court seems to be getting tougher and tougher.  I did get the chance today though to help groove the stroke and hit alot of balls but there was far less instruction then I have been getting in days past.  I had to get two racquets restrung too, broken strings are very common here so I suggest coming down with no less than two racquets if you come down.  Also I brought two pairs of sneakers and have had no foot problems.  Most of those who are complaining of aching feet have brought just one pair.  As you can probably tell from this blog I see the two parts of each day as individual sessions not just one and I prepare that way.  Fresh clothes, shoes, overgrip are things I do during the midday break.  I am not much of a pool person but it is a big hit with the other campers.  I must say it is very big with heated and non heated sections.  i walked over to the Etcheberry Fitness area again today and saw some of the juniors who are in the academy full time training.  Wow this is no joke training and they were all being pushed real hard.  I guess to be at that level you need to have a drive to succeed and a great work ethic.  The junior program seems to be very well run here and you see the juniors around all the time.  I am vey impressed with it and would consider it, if such a time ever happens.  So three more days of lessons and I am still feeling real good.  Hopefully I will ge in some evening hits too so I can really concentrate on the things I have been working on.  I was reluctant to do this when I had alot of days left but now its time to put the pedal to the metal and push myself hard to gain whatever advantages I can from being here.  Today was the best day here weather wise I have seen.  70’s during the am and got to 86 as a high…this made the entire day extremely comfortable.  Well I am off to dinner so I will ramble more tomorrow

Saddlebrook Tennis Hopman Academy day 7 am

Today is Wednesday and John is off again, so I was on court with Mark.  Mark is very quiet, not as loud as alot of the other instructors and not as excitable either.  He is just as good correcting mistakes as the others just a different tempo.  I was much better than two of the guys on my court and slightly better than the third.  This made me attempt not to crush every shot and it threw off my timing.  During the drills if one of the weaker players were at net I tried for a consistent shot without pace.  I was not very good at these attempts.  For me bryond the technical physical part of the game I need work on the mental.  I need to be in every point and every shot of every point.  I ten d to get lazy and let my mind drift, not good for tennis.  A bit warmer today and I feel good so I am again looking forward to the afternoon.  I am in the back stretch of my stay and I am beginning to feel it coming to an end, I need to get the excitement up about how much better I have become rather than be melancholy over leaving…I will ramble more later