Coastal Breeze News

Without a doubt, talent is a necessity on the professional tennis tour. There are so many different examples of junior tennis stars that are unable to make a living at the next level. The primary reason: Lack of weapons or, in other words, a talent deficiency. However, as we delve into the real world, the typical tennis player took up the sport at a later age and has far more realistic goals. As we focus on this particular group of tennis players, it is vital to talk about all the components of winning CTA or USTA league matches. If we ... Read More »

As a long time tennis coach, I have viewed thousands of players who have succumbed to nervous pressure during a tense match. Here are some of my observations of anxious play: • Movement is greatly hindered • Players are unaware of their court placement • Doubles teams fail to execute a plan • Compact strokes verses long flowing endings • Too much lobbing • Failure to put the ball away As former great player and current Davis Cup Coach Jim Courier once stated, “No one is above a choke!” Simply put, if the best of the best readily admits that they feel ... Read More »

READ MY TIPS Doug Browne [email protected] Nothing was more apparent last week during the big tennis exhibition showdown at Hideaway Beach than when veteran Franco Mata continually made strategic changes to confuse his young opponent and dominate the second set. In particular, he altered his speeds and placements and thus disrupted his foe’s tempo. As we delve into future CTA/USTA league doubles matches, players must be ready to completely change their game plan if the first set goes awry. Clearly, one of my favorite doubles strategies is to change return of serve positions. Why? This radical modification is obvious to the ... Read More »

READ MY TIPS Doug Browne [email protected] Mark down this date and time: Thursday, December 27, at 4 PM on centre court at the beautiful Hideaway Beach Club. Matt Browne’s opponent is the highly-acclaimed Port Royal Head tennis professional Franco Matta. Matta is the former number one collegiate star from Florida Gulf Coast University and Naples City singles champion who is a proud member of the 5.0 USTA champions from our area. Just a few months ago, Matta and his southwest Florida teammates competed in the Nationals and finished in second place. With Franco’s immense experience, he will be a heavy favorite ... Read More »

By Danielle Dodder For 20 years, an informal group of about 40 locals and snowbirds gathered at the tennis courts at Tommie Barfield Elementary, to play pickup tennis games at the last free public access courts on the island. Earlier this month the courts were closed after the city determined that needed repairs would be too costly. The group suddenly found cohesion in becoming the squeaky wheel. Over the summer, the City Parks and Recreation Committee raised the issue of the courts’ future with Community Affairs Director Bryan Milk. The committee was aware of the courts’ public use and voted ... Read More »

By YMCA Staff History tells us that the Indians and the Pilgrims sat down peaceably to share their first thanksgiving. Not so at the Marco Y where the Indians beat up on the Pilgrims and the only Turkey around was the Pilgrim team of tennis players. Saturday November 24 was the day, 8:30 AM was the time and the Marco Y was the battleground. Thirty-two players signed up (this was a sellout) for this innovative contest invented by Raul Saad, the Y’s Tennis Director. The tourney was held only two days after Thanksgiving, hence the clever matchup of teams called ... Read More »

READ MY TIPS  Doug Browne  [email protected]  Do you remember when December used to be a great month as we were so excited for the holiday season? Now, December has a whole new meaning for thousands of USTA tennis players – - Did my rating change? To a certain degree, improving tennis players are excited to see their ranking or ratings improve; it’s exciting to move from 2.5 to 3.0 or 3.0 up to 3.5. However, if one moves up from 3.5 to 4.0 it can be a lonely place. Most of the tennis population plays at the 2.5 – 3.5 levels ... Read More »

READ MY TIPS  Doug Browne  [email protected] In most cases, it has only been a brief five or ten minute warm up and it’s time to make a critical decision! Who is going to serve, receive, or are we going to leave the decision to our opponents? Oddly enough, far too many people over-think this decision and find it compelling to not make a decision; better yet, we will trick our foes and have them make the all-important verdict. Without a doubt, this has to be the most ridiculous idea in the game of tennis. Just like in life, avoiding resolutions is ... Read More »

READ MY TIPS  Doug Browne  [email protected] Each May in Collier County, clubs offer the most comprehensive reciprocal plan to everyone so members may experience different golf courses throughout the area. Numerous members from north Naples travel south to play golf at Fiddler’s Creek and Hideaway Beach. Interestingly enough, this great and expansive program has nothing to do with tennis; golf layouts are so unique and avid players are riveted to learn the different nuisances at each facility. Unfortunately this exciting reciprocal program does not include tennis, After all, a rectangle is a rectangle! Therefore it is essential for all tennis professionals ... Read More »

Special Olympics Collier County needs assistant coaches for cycling, tennis, track & field and soccer for the 2013 season DATES: 5 January 2013 to 19 May 2013 DAYS OF PRACTICE AND TIMES: Every Saturday 9:30–11:00 am (There will be some Saturdays where there will be no practice due to holidays and other school commitments). LOCATION: Golden Gate High School, 2925 Titan Lane, Naples 34116. COMPETITION DATES: 2 March 2013 County Games at GGHS 8:00 am-2:00 pm. Coaches are expected to be at games. 6 April 2013 day trip to Charlotte County Area Games (Not all Asst. Coaches needed). 17-19 May 2013 Two night overnight trip to Disney World, State Games (Not all ... Read More »

Submitted  It was the beginning of a beautiful day. At 8:00 AM the sun was bright, the skies were clear ant the temperature was a cool 70 degrees. There was a slight breeze; it was a great day for tennis. The gathering of tennis players from all four tennis clubs on Marco Island showed this, as they gathered at the Marco YMCA for the final phase (phase IV) of this year’s island-wide tennis social program. The new Tennis Director of the Y, Raul Saad and his staff, Erin Olmes and Betty Neville were well prepared for the visitors. A continental ... Read More »

READ MY TIPS Doug Browne [email protected] Ok. I’m guilty. I’ve told my ladies teams hundreds of times to hit crosscourt. Yes, I even yelled, hit all of your returns crosscourt so you play the high percentages. And, this particular strategy works for all levels of play. However, I am offering a new plan. In no way am I suggesting that a conservative plan is a bad idea; today’s suggestions are another way to attack your doubles opponent. Whether the net player poaches or not, it can be wise to hit your return down the line instead of crosscourt. Why? Most recreational ... Read More »

READ MY TIPS  Doug Browne  [email protected]  Despite the changes in today’s modern game where groundstrokes rule the planet, every tennis player desires to have a big serve. In particular, when the match is closely contested, winning easy points is a premium and possessing a big serve will decide the match. To me, far too many tennis players toss poorly and do not have the necessary balance to be good servers. In order to achieve serving success, I like to put my students in big buckets or a big tennis case. The key is to make sure the server is comfortable ... Read More »

READ MY TIPS Doug Browne [email protected] I finally got a few predictions right! Andy Murray won both the Olympic Gold Medal and the US Open Men’s Singles Title! I figured, sooner or later, that he could get that proverbial monkey off his back and display his real ability and win some big championships. It clearly proves that, if a determined hard-working athlete sticks to the plan and is able to maintain his confidence, it is only a matter of time when his fortunes change. Does Murray’s recent success mean that he is the favorite to win the Australian Open in January? ... Read More »

READ MY TIPS Doug Browne [email protected] First, tennis fans had to absorb the retirement of Kim Clijsters; perhaps one of the most popular pro tennis players in the history of the game. Then, a few days later as he celebrated his thirtieth birthday, American tennis standout, Andy Roddick announced his retirement – effective at the end of the US Open tournament. In the age of declining American pro tennis stars, Roddick stood alone at the top for the better part of his entertaining career. During one stretch, he led the American Davis Cup team to a title as he went undefeated ... Read More »

Tennis Coordinator and Pro Raul will teach the following Tennis Classes at the Greater Marco Family YMCA: “Stroke of the Week” Clinic on Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Adult Tennis Clinic for Intermediate players 3.0 to 3.5 on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Adult Cardio Tennis on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Raul also will provide a racket re- stringing service to members and the general public Raul Saad resides in Naples, FL and is married to his wife Gabriela and has two children, Dylan and Micaela. Raul Saad, formerly the Director of Tennis ... Read More »

READ MY TIPS  Doug Browne  [email protected] In order to move to the next level in tennis, players have to be committed to outstanding practice sessions combined with tournament play. However, the vast majority of players often takes the safer route and only play “practice matches.” Unfortunately, when we practice with friends, most people still have a need to win and probably won’t try new things. But, if players desire to graduate to a higher level, they must be willing to radically change their practice sessions. If only two people are available to practice, the couple must focus on doubles drills and ... Read More »

READ MY TIPS  Doug Browne  [email protected] Okay, I’m either a real optimist or just a huge Andy Murray fan but I think he is due and will win the 2012 US Open men’s singles title. The problem with my latest prediction is that future Hall of Famer Roger Federer is once again, the top player in the world and he just knocked off Murray at this year’s Wimbledon Championships. The way I see it, Nadal, Djokovic and Federer have been trading places lately and it’s time for Murray to sneak in and nab his first Grand Slam title. Let’s just etch ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff  The very popular tennis social program that was started last summer kicked off this year’s program at Hideaway Beach Club. Summer Swing is a tennis social program that involves Hideaway Beach Club, The Island Club, the Racquet Center and the Marco Y. Eric Manring, Hideaway Tennis Director, hosted the first phase of this series on Friday, July 20. Tennis players from all four clubs filled the center to capacity in the warm and sunny weather. Eric organized a great program which matched all players with a different partner for each of the four game sets. ... Read More »

By Neli Nelz  The Marco Breakers of the Marco Island YMCA came in 1st Place for the Winter 3.0 night USTA league. The “Breakers” then had to compete against Pelican Bay Park “Costa” who were undefeated in the spring session. A “Play-off” match was held on June 2nd at the Naples YMCA. Marco YMCA won three courts out of five. The Marco YMCA “Breakers” would now represent the USTA 3.0 Collier county at the Regional Playoffs in Sarasota, July 13,14 and 15th. The “Breakers” went to Sarasota and had another elimination match against Lee/Charlotte County winners of “Paseo,” who were ... Read More »