Informative Tennis Websites

Here are some informative tennis websites:

If you are in the market for a new racquet - try this website:

www.racquetrsearch.com - They have objective analysis and performance of all types of racquets using physics to rank hundreds of different models.

If you are in the market for a little online instruction - try these websites:

www.revolutionary-tennis.com - They have free instructional tennis guides with a fresh approach on the game.

www.tennisone.com - they have a large library of tennis instructional lessons from many different pros.

Tennis Ornaments

I found these tennis themed ornaments on the Midwest Sports website and they are only $5 each. I think that is a great deal. This would be a cute gift to give your tennis partner or coach.

Sorry!

Hi  Tetnnis Fans - I am sorry that I haven't been posting on a regular basis. I have some great ideas for this blog and I will posting on a regular basis in the next week! So keep checking back!

Easy Tennis Cookies

These cookies are super simple to make. You just need some plain chocolate covered store bought cookies and some yellow frosting in a pen.

I used Keebler chocolate covered graham crackers. Using a steady hand pipe the tennis balls in the middle of each cookie.

So easy and super fun to serve after practice or for dessert at a tennis match.

Tennis Chocolates

I made these super easy tennis chocolates which would look cute in a little box or  bag and absolutely darling on top of a cupcake.

I used a simple chocolate mold.

Then I melted some chocolate and placed a little into each mold and taped the mold gently on my counter to eliminate air bubbles. After about a half hour I had my mini tennis chocolates. I think these would also look cute in white chocolate.

Inspirations From Sports Heros

Dale Earnhart

You win some, you lose some, you wreck some.

Wayne Gretzky

You'll miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.

Chris Evert

You've got to take the initiative and play your game. In a decisive set confidence is the difference.

John Wooden

Don't let what you can not do interfere with what you can do.

Arnold Palmer

I've always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt like I didn't have a chance to win.

Tennis Ball Cupcakes

Okay - for our last tennis match I made tennis ball cupcakes. I think they came out super cute. This time I used large flake coconut - but I have also made them with sprinkles.

They were super cute and super yummy.

It's Hot Outside

Three Easy Rules to Follow:

Rule #1 Protect Your Skin with Sunscreen

Use a sunblock on your face, neck, chest and shoulders of at least SPF 45. You can use a spray sunscreen of at least SPF 30 on your arms and legs. Make sure that the sunscreen you use is waterproof and sweat proof and reapply often. I use Aveeno sunscreen products. They come in a wide range of SPF's . I keep the Aveeno  sunscreen lotions in my make-up drawer and the spray sunscreens in my tennis bag.


Rule #2 Protect Your Eyes

Find a comfortable baseball cap or visor. Also find a pair of sunglasses that feel good during a tennis match. They should not be too tight or too loose. Lately I have been wearing Nike visors with Kate Spade aviator glasses. They are both really comfortable.

The Nike visors have a velcro strap in the back so that you can adjust the visor to your head size and pony tail.


Rule #3 Stay Hydrated

Don't wait until you feel thirsty to take a water break. Strong thirst could be a sign that you are already dehydrated. And dehydration can decrease tour athletic performance. I alternate sips of water with Gatorade at every changeover.

Just a Thought

Quote From Mohammed Ali, Boxing Champion:

Champions aren't made in gyms.

Champions are made from something they have deep inside them

- a desire, a dream, a vision.

They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster,

they have to have the skill and the will.

But the will must be stronger than the skill.

Tennis Team Treats

This week I made treats for the PAC SUN team on Thursday and the USTA team on Friday.

For the PAC SUN team I mad a Fall themed trail mix with peanuts, candy corn, fall colored m&m's and yogurt covered pretzel balls. Yum!

For the USTA match I packaged a blueberry muffin and a small bag of pretzels.

I think these little treats came out super cute for everyone to put in their tennis bag - in case they have to play three sets and need a little something to get them through the match.

Sports Prayer

God,  let me play well but fairly.

Help me to learn something that matters once the game is over.

Let competition make me strong but never hostile.

Always let me help my opponent up.

Never catch me rejoicing in the adversity of others.

If I know victory, allow me to be happy; if I am denied keep me from envy.

Remind me that sports are just games.

If through athletics I set an example,

Let it be a good one.

Wimbledon White Nail Polish

Okay - I have tennis toe on my left foot - my big toenail has detached twice! The first time I really wigged out. However, the second time I just decided that it was a common sports injury and I was going to deal - so to accentuate my tennis toe (which I am not showing - no one really needs to see it) I had my nails painted Wimbledon white!

F.Y.I. when your toenail falls off there is a toenail growing underneath (gross, I know).

What To Keep In Your Tennis Bag

Today I cleaned out my tennis bag - yeah me! It has been awhile since I have cleaned out my tennis bag and it was sort of a mess.

This is a comprehensive list of what we should all have in our tennis bag:

* one new can of balls
* at least two cans of practice balls
* racquets
* one towel
* visor
* sunscreen
* granola bar(s), peanut butter crackers etc.
* bottle of water and/or Gateraide
* small first aid kit with Bandaids
* Advil
* Icy Hot
* wrist bands
* extra hairbands and barrettes
* mints
* feminine supplies
* pen and small notepad
* scorekeeper (for those who need it)
* lipgloss
* hand sanitizer
* braces for elbows, knees, ankles (for those who need it)

Okay - how to organize all of these items - find a make-up case that will fit the Advil, mints, hair bands, barrettes, feminine supplies and lipgloss.

Put your granola bars in a ziplock bag. Find side pockets and zippered compartments for the first aid kit, water bottle and sunscreen. Roll your towel so that it doesn't take up a lot of room. Velcro your visor around the handle of your tennis bag.

Now you are ready to play!

Inspiration

If you think you are beaten, you are.

If you think you dare not, you don't.

If you would like to win but think you can't,

It is almost certain that you won't.

Life's battles don't always go

To the stronger or faster person,

But sooner or later, the person who wins

Is the person who thinks they can.

Think about it!

Tennis Stickers

Sometimes it is hard to find tennis themed items. I found these super cute stickers at Michael's craft store.

I used them to seal envelopes and on gift wrap. Since I am the team captain - I like to bring my team little snacks and treats each week and I like to tie the treat with a fun ribbon/sticker etc. Once the tennis season starts - I will show some treat ideas.

Juicy Couture Tennis Necklace

Check out my cute Juicy Couture necklace - I wear it with t-shirts and jeans.

Check Out This Great Tennis Book

This is a book that I really love and I refer to it often. I recently bought a copy for Adriana's birthday present!

"The Best Tennis of Your Life" 50 Mental Strategies for fearless Performance by Jeff Greenwald

Some of the chapters that I love:

Chapter 1 "Find Pleasure in Pressure"

I used to feel a lot of pressure in a tight match - mostly because I always feel that my partner is better than me. However, I decided to put the comparisons aside. Now I love to serve for the match. I know a lot of players who crack under the pressure of a close match. But since reading this book I have learned to relax and raise my game under pressure.

Chapter 7 "Focus Your Attention on What Matters"

This chapter talks about wiping away distracting thoughts. Focus your attention on what you can control in the moment - your attitude, where you want to hit the ball and staying relaxed.  I have played matches at other clubs that were noisy and had a lot of traffic and I found myself highly distracted. What I learned  was that I just need to focus on my court and my opposition. I need to tune out everything else.This chapter reinforces the art of focus.

Chapter 19 "Establish Your Presence Before Serving"

This chapter has some great advice on not rushing your serve. It includes tips like bouncing the ball, deciding where you want to hit the ball, staying relaxed etc. I really hate to double fault. A double fault is giving away a free point. I play a lot of ladies with really great groundstrokes and volleys and the lamest serves ever! In fact when we are warming up I am thinking to myself  uh-oh then we start to practice our serves and I think okay - I am winning her service game.

Chapter 48 "Never Give Up"

This chapter talks about the tricks your mind can play on you when you are losing. While your mind starts to tell you that the gap is too large to mount a comeback you need to ignore it. The advice they give in this chapter is so simple "play one point at a time."  Dig deep and remind yourself of when you prevailed from a deficit in a match.

Recommended Tennis Movie "Wimbledon"

A great tennis movie is "Wimbledon" with Kristen Dunst and Paul Bettany. I love the white tennis clothes that they wear at Wimbleton they are so clean looking and elegant. Okay so Kristen Dunst plays a rising tennis star who falls for a long shot British contender Paul Bettany (a wildcard entry) who  decides to recapture his focus for tennis. The families of both players add a super fun side story.  I really wanted to see this movie in the theater, but we never were able to see it (I was so sad). So one day when I wasn't feeling well my husband bought me the DVD!

The story was inspired by Goran Ivanisevic, a Croatian tennis player who won Wimbledon  in 2001, becoming the only player to win men's singles at Wimbledon with a wildcard entry.

John McEnroe and Chris Evert have roles as court commentators. Pat Cash was the tennis advisor on set and trained the actors.

Some scenes were filmed during the championships in 2003 between matches. It is the only time in the history of the tournament that this has been allowed.

I have seen this movie in the $5.00 rack at Target - pick it up - you will enjoy!

Introduction

Hi - my name is Teresa and this is going to be a blog all about tennis.  Books and movies about tennis. Tennis fashions, tennis tips and websites and stories about my own tennis matches. Check in every few weeks - this is going to be a fun tennis blog!