| Teachers, coaches and players sometimes have this | | | | In some of my articles I brought out to your attention |
| perfectionist idea that everything must be fixed at all | | | | NOT to copy or teach the extreme sideways tilt |
| times, which in some cases can lead to total disaster. I | | | | Roger Federer does on all shots. Do you think I would |
| am going to give you an example. | | | | have tried to change it when he was around 20 years |
| A few years ago I was working with a group of top | | | | old? Certainly not! I would have tried to help him when |
| ATP players and one of them was just going to play | | | | he was between the ages of 9 and 14 years old, yes I |
| the South African open in JOB (Johannesburg) in a | | | | would. And I would have been stretching it considering |
| couple of days. With my tournament experience and | | | | that some top youngsters at 14 are already close to |
| knowledge of the player, I was positive that he was | | | | futures and challenger ATP level. |
| ready and the practice point play and match play we | | | | Does this mean we should not correct anything after a |
| had undergone in the last week went excellent so | | | | certain age? No, it just means players and coaches |
| there was nothing to fix, but rather stimulate and | | | | have to be careful not to tinker with core elements of |
| reinforce confidence on the players self and he was | | | | the players game (therefore affecting the confidence) |
| ready to go! | | | | unless there is enough time between the correction |
| Nevertheless, I was wrong, a "big guru" we will call him | | | | and competition. Keep in mind that some changes can |
| Mr. D. (this was NOT Nick Bollittieri!) just the day before | | | | take anywhere from 4 weeks to 6 months. Changes |
| departure came onto the tennis court to watch the | | | | should be made preferably without official competition. |
| practice and out of the blue he decides that some | | | | So be cautious, if you and your coach are looking to |
| thing was wrong with the players ball toss (which in | | | | change anything (that is not working!) before you do it, |
| my honest opinion there was, but since the player was | | | | assess your ability to implement such change, consider |
| serving very well and that was a problem endemic to | | | | your short and long term goals and expected benefit in |
| probably 20 years and he was going to play ATP | | | | relation to your tournament performance and calendar. |
| competition soon, I did not touch it). Ok, a long session | | | | And...always remember, "if it is not broken do not fix it!" |
| on the toss until Mr. D. walked away satisfied with his | | | | Enjoy your tennis! |
| fix. | | | | Sérgio Cruz is an ex # 1 National Champion, Davis |
| Result, the player goes to JOB, loses first round and | | | | Cup Player from Portugal and former Coach Jim |
| produces 16 double faults! I do not need to tell you | | | | Courier ATP World Ranking # 1. |
| why! | | | | |