​Australian Open
There are obviously lots of great 1st round matches but here are a few of my favourite ones to keep an eye on.
The stand out match in the men's for me is Edinburgh's Jake Fearnley who will take on Mr Modesty himself, Nick Kyrgios. Jake has had a great run in the challenger events making his way to number 86 in the world and could be ready to take on Kyrgios who would appear to be injured, or is he? This match is at midnight (UK) on Sunday and definitely one to watch if you can have a long lie in on Monday?
No easy matches for anyone in the 1st round with the level of the men's game being so high. Sinner's opponent Jarry is very dangerous with such a big game and it will be interesting to see how Jannik handles all the Kyrgios chat re his possible ban. I'm sure he will cope well and remains the strong tournament favourite in my opinion.
Seeing how the relationship works between Murray and Djokovic would be my main reason for watching his 1st round match especially if it gets tight! His opponent is the young American 19 year old Basavareddy who has just left Stanford to give the pro tour "a go". Very talented, around the 100 mark and even if on paper it's a comfortable start for Novak, we know that in tennis you don't win on paper especially with unknown talented newcomers!
I'm always excited to watch Alcaraz play in any match and it will be interesting to see if his forehand is even bigger with the new heavier racquet? It will also be interesting to see the new serve they have been working on.
The other player I'll be very interested to see is the French player Mpetshi Perricard who has perhaps the best 2nd serve ever seen. (apart from Sampras of course). Looking forward to his 1st round too with Monfils who is a great defender.
Oh, and an outside bet to win the men's - Lehecka - watch out for this guy in 2025.
In the women's draw I am always hopeful that Raducanu will find some consistent form and more importantly remains injury free. It's a tough 1st round match against Alexandrova who may be too tough for Emma but here's hoping.....
The stand out match for me is Osaka v Garcia with 2 great ball strikers and they are the type of players who can both beat and lose to almost anyone, but are always exciting to watch.
2 slam winners in the 1st round with Sabalenka v Stephens is a tough one for both!
Ian
[email protected]
https://www.tuscantennis.com

Like a lot of people in the tennis world I was a bit surprised when the news of Andy becoming the new coach of Novak came out. We don't know the details obviously but just what can Andy do to help Novak?
Apart from Andy's familiarity with competing and winning slams I would think that the strategical element of how to beat Sinner or Alcaraz might be the main reason that Novak is looking for Andy's help. Murray has always been one of the greatest tacticians, finding ways to win when all would seem lost, especially in 5 set matches. That element of their relationship will be fascinating to see especially in the heat of the battle as Andy (like all coaches in 2025) will be allowed to coach during the match! Both of them have always had a fairly techy relationship with their box so it could make for great theatre if they come to verbal blows?
It will be fascinating to see the tactics employed if, for example, Novak plays Sinner or Alcaraz in a slam which would be at the very least in the quarters. The good news for Novak might be that Sinner will be banned from playing next year although this would be terrible news for the game, obviously.
Whatever happens I feel that the anticipation of them working together will be good for the game of tennis. The public on court relationship between coach/player will be very interesting to say the least and I'm very much looking forward to Andy's match analysis.
I wonder how the conversation went at home when Andy got the call from his old rival? Just how did Andy persuade Kim that this was a good idea for him to go back on tour? His diplomatic skills must have been tested to the limit. It may well only be for the slams or maybe the entire Murray clan will be in the box? Now, that would be a sight, seeing Judy giving Novak the fist pump and her famous come-ons ! Maybe too many personalities for the one box?
If you have any thoughts on this relationship please share here or email thanks.
Ian
[email protected]
https://www.tuscantennis.com

Jannik Sinner recently won the US Open and his coach Darren Cahil commented upon his champion mindset as follows:

"So, he's got this champion mindset that I think a lot of players don't have. Certain players do have it for sure. But, I believe he was born with it and he loves those situations and those moments."                                       

I would have to agree with Darren Cahill in that we are all born with certain personality traits that have an impact on the way we live our life and how we deal with stressful moments like a 2nd serve on break point down! Players like Sinner, Alcaraz, Federer, Nadal and Murray of recent times are aliens in my view as their ability to play well in the big moments separate them from the rest and don't resemble most tennis players mental fragilities.

So, should we all give up because we keep losing the big points or choke under pressure? Absolutely not! Leave apart the aliens of every era who are not entirely the norm. Look at the vast majority of competitive players who will at some point or other experience a terrible loss caused by choking. This is the norm but it doesn't mean that we don't keep trying to get better as after all that is the greatest challenge in tennis. Keeping your composure when feeling the score pressure which can be when winning, losing or just having a bad day!

Here are my top tips for dealing with pressure if you are not one of these aliens.

1. "Learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable" which is a great saying from Paul Annacone the ex coach of Federer & Tim Henman and currently helping Taylor Fritz. To achieve this the only way is playing lots of matches against different players and if a practice match then choose to play people that you really don't want to lose to. This is a real test when we can feel very uncomfortable, especially if losing!

2. "Accept the possibility of losing" is something I once heard Federer say which I think in the heat of the battle can be a great way to relax. It's a similar feel to when a player is losing badly which can allow you to swing freely as it looks like you are going to lose anyway. I would argue that if you accept this possibility earlier in the match your ego might not get in the way quite so much? It's not that you stop trying but you learn to try in a more relaxed way.

3. " Control the controllables" is a famous sports psyche saying that you will hear countless times on the telly but what exactly does it mean?

There are many areas that you can control including the following:
Physical preparation and good nutrition including hydration
Prioritise regular sleeping patterns
Try to reduce stress on the day of a match (if possible)
Pack your tennis bag the day before and have a list of everything you need in it!
Get your racquet restrung if necessary and check your grip quality
Prepare a tactical plan A, B & C for a particular opponent
Arrive early to warm up properly
If possible get a warm up hit and then shower before the match
Always warm down and recover both physically and with good nutrition
I'm sure that you could all add to this list if you get the idea? These are all things within our control which just might help us relax more on the court. "By failing to prepare you prepare to fail" as was once said by Benjamin Franklin and then repeated by many famous tennis players including Serena.

So.... There is hope for all of us humans who do not have the extra terrestrial qualities of the great ones but we need to work at it!

​How did Andy Murray achieve so much and what has been his impact on the game?
I suppose we can always wonder how a wee boy from Dunblane rose to become a giant on the world sporting stage, but perhaps the better question to ask ourselves is - why not? Why not Andy? Why not Serena and Venus, who came from the wrong side of the tracks in LA. It's not about where you come from, but it is about who you are? Do you have the desire and determination to achieve your goals? It's also about the people around you, and in Andy's case he was supported every step of the way by mum Judy, and had an older brother to constantly challenge him in many sports including tennis (Jamie, of course). The Williams sisters, of course had dad Richard.
Until Andy came on the scene, in my tennis lifetime, the only Scottish player who even got close to being famous was Ross Matheson.
When Ross made it into the mid 200's and beat Jacob Hlasek at Queen's (a top 10 player), I remember the feeling of excitement that someone I actually knew was getting close to greatness in the sport I loved. (Top 200 is amazing in my book!) But then Andy was the next level, inspiring a whole new generation of Scottish players, like Jamie Baker and Colin Fleming, to fulfill their potential.
So many of the young British players give credit to Andy for his generosity and support in helping them aspire to the highest levels in tennis. The impact he has had cannot be overestimated.
What Makes Andy Who He Is?
Perseverance
In my opinion his greatest quality is perseverance -
- when as a junior he asked to be sent to Spain to the Sanchez Academy
- when he had a terrible knee problem as a young teenager and couldn't play for several months
- when he lost so many grand slam finals
- when he trained so hard to build a stronger body more resistant to injuries
- when he worked so hard to come back with a metal hip
Perhaps his greatest demonstration of perseverance has been in actual tennis matches as he showed in the last 3 doubles recently at the Olympics. The one stat I would quote of the many I could for Andy is that he holds the record for the most number of 5 set matches won from 2 sets down, which is 11. The determination to keep fighting and never give in separates him from almost every other player in my view. We have witnessed it in so many of his matches and the fact that he was willing to put himself through so much pain after getting his new metal hip!
His ability to endure mental and physical pain both on and off court is quite inspirational and I've lost count of the number of matches I would watch where I might think he was definitely going to lose and he would turn it around. In more recent years I stopped writing him off and kept believing that he could it no matter the score. This has helped me as a coach to bore my pupils with my favourite saying of "just win the last point". Andy has taught us all that it's never over if you have enough desire and perseverance.
Judy
I had the good fortune to work with Judy many years ago and even though Andy was convinced that he would be a top player I'm not convinced that anyone close to him actually believed that he would. Certainly in my case that was probably my own lack of self belief as an aspiring (low level) Scottish tennis player. I seem to remember even Judy not truly believing until she witnessed him take a 2 set lead at Wimbledon against Nalbandian. Many parents these days think that their kid is going to make it after winning an under 12 event.
Both Andy and Jamie have had the very good fortune to have Judy as their mother, who has been their ever present and wise guide throughout all of their tennis years. Whilst I would never underestimate the importance of both brother's drive and determination, Judy's impact has been fundamental to their success in my view.
Humour
Andy's dry Scottish humour has got him into bother over the years with the media but I love him for it and right to the end he was in top form when he posted on X after his final match!
@andy_murray - Never even liked tennis anyway.
This is a classic Andy comment and possibly only something that other people with that dry sense of humour would appreciate or even understand.
His Character
There have been moments in his career when I have been exasperated with him, in particular his negativity towards his box, but in the main he has always been true to himself and has never changed. His kindness and generosity to all those close to him has never wavered and he can hold his head up high with the support he has given to women's tennis.
His Future
I would hope that the public and general media will leave him alone to get on with his life post competitive tennis, and let him enjoy time with his young family. Obviously he is in a position to do whatever he likes and I would say that he has earned that right with his great contribution to the game of tennis, not just as a great competitor, but also as a very decent and genuine human. If he decides to give back to the tennis world of his birth by being around and helping young folk develop a strong work ethic and belief systems then I would be delighted, but if he decides to live a quiet life away from the general public then good luck to him.
I would just say thanks for the pleasure, pride, excitement and joy that you have brought to my life over the past 20 years. A Scotsman winning Wimbledon, now who would have thought.....
What are your thoughts on Andy's amazing career to date? Ian
[email protected]

Errani & Paolini Win Olympic Gold! What Can We Learn From Their Doubles Strategy?
Italy's Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini have added to their incredibly successful year by adding the Olympic gold medal in Paris.
Just what is it that makes their doubles combo so successful?
They combine different skill sets to make quite a formidable pair. Both players are very consistent from the back of the court and when required they are also extremely competent at the net and able to play a variety of clever volleys. One shot that keeps them in almost every rally is Errani's ability to hit great defensive groundstrokes over the head of the net player from almost any position at the back of the court. This is a regular pattern of play usually finished by a Paolini volley interception.
Sara Errani is an absolute wall, with great tenacity and a fighting spirit which has been the driving force of her career. She truly understands the importance of winning the last point and never giving up. Paolini has made a huge breakthrough in singles but she puts some of that success down to her doubles wins which has given her more confidence. At Rome this year I remember watching them practice and just having so much fun. When the ball was in play it was serious, but at down times they were having a laugh most of the time. This aspect alone is something that all club players should try to emulate in practice and even on the match court. Being extremely competitive but having fun at the same time is a balance that can help you play better in what is a game of subtle hand skills, which can only be achieved if we are loose enough.
From a club player's perspective the key points we can learn from the Errani & Paolini doubles combination is as follows:
Have fun on the practice court and the match court too! This will help you to stay relaxed.
Try to be consistent with your baseline game and develop solid loopy shots to eliminate the net player. This can nullify the power opponents.
Never give up no matter how badly it may be going and remember you only have to win the last point! (Murray and Evans at the Olympics)
4. Always practice and try to improve various types of volley put-aways in every session.
This type of doubles is more relevant to the majority of club players than the crash, bang, wallop of eye formation men's top level doubles. Have you seen how slow Errani's serve is? This is not a criticism but shows you that there are other ways to win doubles matches even without a fast serve.
And if you forget everything when on the court in the heat of the battle just remember to smile as it's only a tennis match.
All comments below or [email protected]
https://www.tuscantennis.com
Photos - Jasmine Paolini at Roland Garros, Paris 2024 & Andy Murray/Dan Evans Olympics Paris 2024

​This debate started when David Goffin and Iga Swiatek both complained about some elements of the crowd at the current French Open in Paris and their behaviour. Tournament organiser, Amelie Mauresmo then decided to ban alcohol in the match arena but they can still drink in the grounds before coming in so may end up arriving much like a drunk football supporter. Good intentions from Mauresmo but maybe not the answer, if in fact an answer is required?
The powers that be in tennis have been for years trying to jazz up tennis for the fans and are in fact worried that the tennis environment can be a bit flat and boring. In Madrid recently, fans were allowed to move freely at certain parts of the arena for example.Not sure that this made much of a difference other than annoying the players.
Opinions have varied among the players but if you happen to be French in Paris or Italian in Rome, as a player, you will be delighted with the Davis Cup atmosphere it provides. The atmosphere I experienced in Rome as a spectator a few weeks ago was fantastic and 90% of the time didn't go over the line of decency which could have a negative impact on the "away" player.
Both Dan Evans and Novak Djokovic have expressed their view that they are in favour of a loud crowd who cheer for their home or favourite player as the French always do.
I suppose the question we should be asking is "Are the players here for the fans or the other way about? Without the fans the players wouldn't have a sport and a very good salary to boot. I do think that the vast majority of players appreciate this and respect the obvious partisanship that a particular crowd may display towards the home player. There is also the hugely influential cultural element which can play a part. The tennis crowd at the US Open in New York is very different from the Wimbledon crowd for example. (more on Wimbledon to come). A Davis Cup match held in Argentina or Mexico can be fairly high spirited to say the least with the crowds attempting to influence the outcome any way they can!
For me it's quite simple in that there is a line of acceptable behaviour and when that line is crossed (maybe twice), whenever possible, that person should be removed from the arena. This will be more difficult on the outside courts where players will just have to be ready for anything, but on the show courts I think that it should be possible to weed out the serious offenders. The culture in my view for the audience should be to show your support loudly in between points but during the point be quiet! Tennis is different to football, basketball, ice hockey etc as there is almost always a level of noise but when you play in a vacuum (the norm for the majority of tennis) then the slightest sound apart from a gasp of excitement from the entire crowd can affect the outcome of some very important points.
It has been said as part of this debate that Wimbledon is better in the sense that the crowd are well behaved but many of us will remember a number of years ago when we had "people's Sunday" when tickets were available on the day and the atmosphere was the best it had ever been. A fix here is tricky as it's generally the boring middle class tennis punters (like me) who are able to get tickets for Wimbledon.
And still on the Wimbledon theme, who will ever forget the atmosphere from the partisan crowd when Andy Murray beat Novak to win in the final? Admittedly, the line was rarely crossed but it was border line on many occasions and at the same time an incredible sporting experience helped by a great crowd. In a similar vein in the year of GB winning the Davis Cup I attended the important doubles tie of the Murray brothers v Hewitt and Groth in the east end of Glasgow and it was one of the best tennis atmospheres I've ever experienced with the Stirling University barmy army only occasionally going over the line.
So, what's the verdict? In my view if we take it that the players are there for the fans then the fans should be allowed to express their enthusiasm in line with their cultural norms and it's up to the organisers (at least on the show courts) to control consistent offenders who go over the line of acceptable behaviour for that particular part of the world. Like in most popular sports at the highest level the players who want to win will just have to learn how to deal with it all and take the rough with the smooth. One of the positives that came out of Covid was how much both sport performers and punters realised that without a crowd, and a lively one at that, the ability to find the motivation to compete or watch on TV was greatly reduced.
C'mon, Allez and Forza to all the rowdy crowds of the world with acceptable limitations during the point!
And I didn't even mention the Ryder Cup which has become one of the most watched sporting events in the world with wildly enthusiastic fans and players too! Just ask Rory McIlroy or Tiger Woods what event motivates them the most and if the crowd have an impact.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on such an important issue for tennis and it's future appeal?
Post below or email me at [email protected]
https://www.tuscantennis.com
 

​ What is padel tennis?
This is the fastest growing sport in the world and if you aren't sure what it's all about have a look at the short video link HERE.

Here are the key reasons why padel tennis has become so successful:

• Padel tennis is much easier to play than tennis allowing the vast majority of people to participate and enjoy the game immediately
• As the playing area is much smaller than a tennis court and generally doubles, there is a strong social aspect to the game with more communication creating a fun atmosphere.
• While you still get a good aerobic workout, it's much less stressful on the body than tennis or squash, so less chance of injuries.

So, if you've never played then why not give it a go in a beautiful setting? Our tennis/padel tennis aspect of our September trip to Sicily is now full but why not take part in the "padel tennis only" part of the week and discover why this game has become so popular throughout the world?

Click HERE for more info on our special hosted week in Trapani - 21st to 28th September.
Would you prefer to play clay court tennis in one of Italy's most beautiful clubs?
If the answer is yes then why not join us at what is considered to be one of the nicest tennis clubs in the whole of Italy!

This is an exclusive tennis club set in beautiful Tuscan countryside but only a short distance to the centre of Florence. While most of our clients will take part in our guided tour of this wonderful city we find that many tend to spend most of their time at the tennis club due it's wonderful facilities in an idyllic Tuscan setting.

We still have spaces on our hosted week in Florence from 31st August to 7th September - click HERE for full details.
​
Would you like to "Train Like A Pro" at our Florence tennis club from 12-19 October this year?
This trip is aimed at 12-16 year olds who like to play competitive tennis at all levels from club to county level. We have been doing these trips for keen, young players for more than 20 years which have proven to be extremely motivational and a great life experience at the same time.
If interested click HERE for details of the week.

​
​The clay court season begins
at Monte Carlo!
So far looks like the status quo with Sinner destroying everything in his path but it's early days and it will be interesting to see how Novak progresses and where he is at. His match with Alex de Minaur today will give us an indication of his level at the moment.
This tournament is only a warm up event (even though it's a pretty famous one) but it's too early to make any real predictions for Rome or the French open where it really matters.
My main hope is that Nadal is able to feature and play at a decent level before leaving the tennis stage for good. (and hopefully not too soon) 
The mental side of tennis
Tsitsipas looks like he has found his clay court mojo while Medvedev continues to be the Jekyll and Hyde of the tennis world with his excessive outbursts. I like him but he really needs therapy. In a similar vein, it's interesting that Rublev seems to have lost his mojo since his default in Dubai. Maybe he needs to continue being slightly unhinged like he was before? 
Tennis is such a complex individual game where players need to find their own way of competing and it's not always pretty (as Andy Murray said recently). The difference between winning and losing at anything like a similar level is usually between the ears and the methods used to find their IPS (ideal performance state) can be quite subtle and not always visible to the spectator. 
Anyone who competes at tennis at any level will have experienced the difficulties that this wonderful game presents and largely down to the ingenious scoring system. I have always believed that this method of scoring could have been invented by Edgar Allan Poe or someone with a similar understanding of madness.
"I do not suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it" is one of Poe's quotes perhaps appropriate for many tennis players like Medvedev, Rublev, Kyrgios and even Andy Murray or Novak. I sympathise with these players (to an extent), but I'm also very happy that the new top dogs Sinner & Alcaraz manage to find their IPS with a smile and an incredible level of sanity and humility.