Saddlebrook Tennis Hopman Academy Day 9 pm

It was an easy afternoon and I am a little surprised.  The camps reputation is to be one of the most strenuous camps out there.  And although my first few days it definitely lived up to this reputation.  My last few it did not.  The sessions although cvaluable and I am sure good for my game were anything but strenuous.  I have a couple of hours with a ball machine tonight something I would never have thought to do in my first five days here.  Maybe its the instructor or even my fellow campers who are keeping the level of intensity down, I am not sure.  I do not question the competency level of any of the instructors I have had, some though work you much harder than others.  I have been to alot of tennis camps and even an easy day here is tougher than a tough day elsewhere and the level of knowledge they transfer to the campers is at a very high level.  So nothing here is a dig on the academy, maybe more-so my impression of their reputation.  I have seen the juniors workout and I wish that level of intensity was throughout the adult section too.  I know that I am probably in the minority here, as alot of the adults are not in the shape necessary for this type of training, but some of us are.  I did ask Howard Moore the Director if he could have the intensity raised for tomorrow, my last day of tennis here.  He was very accommodating in the request and only tomorrow will really show how much they will actually have us do.  Personally, I do not really need to walk til Monday so anything besides absolute exhaustion would be disappointing.  I do not envy the job the pros have here.  So many different people, staying different amounts of time, all having different notions and desires around how they want to be taught.  tyhe job balancing all of this must be extremely difficult.

As for my game I feel the new forehand is really taking shape and my backhand has become pretty solid, although not a weapon.  My serve is a little shaky right now as they changed my tempo but when i begin to groove them…the difference is quite measurable so I am sure that with time the changes will be good.  Volleys I feel moderately comfortable with, although still struggling ot always be pushing out in front and towards the ball,  I realize when its not happening and can feel right.  Which by the way i feel is the most important thing to take away, the "feeling" of right.  I will not have the opportunity to have 5 hours of coaching when I return home so being able to self diagnose is very important.  I really hope all this translates into better tennis for me but it is hard to tell until I leave.  I feel good but we all know the proof is in the pudding.  Lets see how great I feel after matches on the 15th and 17th when I get back.

Ok well off to shower and eat then to hit a ton more balls..I will ramble more tomorrow

Saddlebrook Tennis Hopman Academy day 9 am

Here we are coming near to the end of my stay.  Its been real good and I am trying to really focus on getting as much out of this as I can.  The last few nights I hit some with some other campers and that felt good.  My court this am had another woman on it.  She is ok but it limits the three guys on the court to just consistency drills as she is not as fit nor can she play with the pace we can.   Dont get me wrong she is a very capable player, but one any of the guys on the court should beat fairly easily.  I am hoping to get the pace and the challenging drills to the level that John had us playing at early in my stay.  I have not seen him around in the last couple of days.  The forehand is coming along nice but I feel that I have neglected the backhand side and I want to get to hitting some and really pushing my backhand too.  The weather is great again and for all those who stay away in May, mistake.  There are no crowds, you can play pretty much whenever you like and the pros are much more likely to hit one on one since there arent hundreds out here.  I will ramble more later now its lunchtime