14 Weeks of Basset Hound Bliss

My son Gregory wanted a basset hound, so when we finally made the decision to get one, we were over the moon. I brought home Molly when she was 12 weeks old. She was 20 pounds and adorable. The instant she set foot in the house, she made it her mission to explore EVERYTHING. Say goodbye to my favorite sneakers as she is here to chew her way into our hearts and closets.

Over the next 14 weeks, Molly has grown like a weed. She has gained a pound a week, and now that she is 26 weeks old, she is 75% of a full-grown basset hound. She’s 34 pounds of pure love and happiness, and I wouldn’t trade her for the world.

Raising a basset hound isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. They’re known for being stubborn and lazy, and Molly is no exception. She loves to sleep and she’s not very motivated to go for walks. But even though she can be a bit of a handful, I wouldn’t change a thing about her. Her social life is more happening than mine! She’s a big hit with my neighbors and their puppers. Molly has developed an obsession with socks, and she manages to snatch them from the laundry basket without leaving a trace. I’m beginning to think she’s on a secret mission to collect every sock in the world!

Here are some of the funny things I’ve learned about raising a basset hound:

• They have a long, low center of gravity, which means they’re prone to tipping over.  She runs up steps but doesn’t always clear the last one.
• They have a very strong sense of smell, which can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, they’re great at tracking down food. On the other hand, they’re also great at tracking down anything else that smells interesting, like garbage or dead animals.
• They’re very expressive dogs, and they always seem to be making a face. Molly’s favorite expression is “the hound dog face,” which is a combination of droopy eyes, a sad expression, and her chin pointed down.

Despite her majestic title as “hound,” Molly is a world-class cuddler. She might have grown to the size of a small elephant, but that doesn’t stop her from thinking she’s a lap dog. Raising a basset hound is definitely a challenge, but it’s also a lot of fun. They’re loving, loyal dogs, and she always make me laugh. Here’s to all the fellow Basset Hound parents out there, braving the journey with your four-legged comedians. Embrace the craziness, cherish the memories.  Until next time, wag on, my friends.

My Favorite Tennis Quotes of All Time!

Tennis is a sport that is known for its grace, athleticism, and unwavering passion. But beneath the intense rallies and thrilling matches, lies a treasure trove of hilarious and unforgettable quotes. Here are a few of my favorite tennis quotes. Get ready to giggle, chuckle, and maybe even gain some new insights!

• “Tennis is a sport for people who hate each other but don’t want to get their hands dirty.” – Jimmy Connors
• “You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.” – Serena Williams. She has always been an inspiration with her unwavering self-belief, reminding us to trust in our abilities even when the odds are against us.
• “The depressing thing about tennis is that no matter how good I get, I’ll never be as good as a wall.” – Mitch Hedberg
• “I’m not a tennis player, I’m a tennis terrorist.” – John McEnroe  This quote is funny because it’s so true. Tennis can be a very passionate sport, and it’s not uncommon for players to get really angry or frustrated during a match. But at the end of the day, it’s just a game, and it’s important to remember to have fun.
• “The ball is round, the game is long.” – Bjorn Borg. Leave it to Borg to state the obvious with such brevity.
• “I love playing in front of people. It’s nice to have someone clap for me when I hit a winner.” – Andy Roddick Ah, the humble joy of applause. Roddick perfectly captures the essence of the athlete’s ego with this gem of self-awareness. We all love a good pat on the back, don’t we?
• “I have a lot of respect for tough opponents. They keep me employed.” – Roger Federer
• “I’m like an octopus on roller skates. I’ve got a lot of directions to go.” – Martina Navratilova
• “You can’t be serious!” – John McEnroe No list of tennis quotes would be complete without the inclusion of the infamous outburst from McEnroe
• “I’m not a great tennis player, but I’m the best at looking like I’m about to win.” – John McEnroe
• “Tennis is a very simple game. Hit the ball over the net and keep it in the court.” – Steffi Graf
• “If your opponent hit the ball over the net 21 times, all you have to do to win the point is hit the ball over the net 22 times.” – Leo Scoda, legendary tennis coach from Phoenixville, PA.
• “Tennis is a game of love. And sometimes, it’s a game of hate.” – Serena Williams

Tennis is not just about incredible shots and intense battles. It’s also a source of endless laughter and amusing quotes. From unexpected sources to legendary players, quotes add a touch of humor to tennis. The next time you step onto the court, remember to swing your racket and don’t forget your sense of humor. In addition to being funny, these quotes also offer some valuable insights into the game of life, errr… tennis.

The importance of recreational tennis players tracking their match stats

Welcome to my blog post on the importance of recreational tennis players tracking their match stats! Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Why should I bother keeping track of my 1st serve percentage and return of serve percentage? I’m just playing for fun!” Well, my friend, let me tell you why.

First of all, keeping track of your stats is a great way to impress your friends. Imagine being at a dinner party and someone brings up tennis. You casually mention that you have a 72% 1st serve percentage and a 65% return of serve percentage. Suddenly, everyone is looking at you with a mix of awe and envy. You’re the most interesting person in the room.

But it’s not just about impressing people. Many tennis players will identify what they consider to be the problems that cause them to lose matches, but these are seldom the real reasons. They know their best strokes but they make the mistake of thinking that they never mess these up. As it often turns out, the very strengths they think they have actually cause them to make more errors than they may realize. Tracking your stats can help you improve your game. For example, let’s say you notice that your 1st serve percentage is consistently low. This tells you that you need to work on your serve. Maybe you need to practice your toss or maybe you need to focus on hitting more topspin. Whatever the issue is, tracking your stats can help you identify it and work on it.

On the other hand, let’s say you notice that your return of serve percentage is consistently high. This tells you that you’re doing something right! Maybe you have a great read on your opponent’s serve, or maybe you’re just really good at returning. Either way, knowing your strengths can help you play to them and win more matches.

Of course, tracking your stats isn’t always easy. Sometimes you’ll forget to write things down, or maybe you’ll lose track of the score. But don’t worry – there are plenty of apps and websites out there that can help you keep track of your stats. Some of them even have cool graphs and charts that show your progress over time. Smashpoint is a good app for this.

To be honest it is not the easiest thing to find someone to chart for you. For those playing on a school or college team, or those playing on a league team, this problem is usually fairly easy to address. A teammate can chart your game and you can chart theirs in return. You might consider asking your spouse or family members to fill this role. In most instances they are pleased to be part of the action on the court, rather than merely watching from the sidelines.

So, in conclusion, tracking your match stats as a recreational tennis player is important for two reasons: it makes you look cool, and it can help you improve your game. And let’s be real, looking cool is pretty important too. So, the next time you’re out on the court, grab a pen and paper (or your phone) and start tracking your stats. Your friends will thank you, and your game will too.

(Wearable Technology) The Future of Tennis is Here…and It’s Weird

Wearable technology has become increasingly popular in recent years, with people using it to track their fitness, sleep, and even their emotions. I love my Fitbit Versa 4, it’s wonderful and soon personal fitness data will be able to be combined with additional sources. And now, Wearable technology is starting to make its way into the world of professional sports, and tennis players are leading the way.

First up, we have smart clothing worn by some of the top players in the world. Yes, you read that right – clothing that is smarter than you. These high-tech garments are designed to monitor the body’s vital signs, such as heart rate, breathing rate, and even muscle activity. Not only does this give players a real-time understanding of their physical state, but it also provides coaches with valuable insights into their players’ overall health and fitness.

But wait, there’s more! Some smart clothing even comes with built-in sensors that can detect when a player is fatigued or at risk of injury. Imagine your shirt telling you to take a break because you’re overexerting yourself – it’s like having a personal cheerleader and a mother rolled into one!

But while wearable technology has the potential to improve tennis performance, it can also be a bit…weird. For example, some players are now wearing sensors that track their sweat rate (think Rafa Nadal) and even their breathing. This data can be helpful for coaches, but it can also be a bit of a distraction for players.

Of course, the fun doesn’t stop there. Tennis players can also use sensors to track their biomechanics and performance metrics. These tiny devices can be attached to the player’s racket or body, and they provide detailed data on everything from their swing speed to their footwork. It’s like having a virtual coach right there on the court with you – although, let’s be honest, it’s not quite the same as having John McEnroe yell at you in person.

So, what does the future hold for wearable technology in tennis? It’s hard to say for sure. But one thing is for sure: it’s going to be interesting to watch.

Here are some potential drawbacks of using wearable technology in tennis:

• Distraction: The data that wearable technology collects can be very helpful for coaches and trainers, but it can also be a distraction for players. If players are constantly checking their stats, they may not be able to focus on the game.
• Cost: Wearable technology can be expensive, and not all tennis players can afford it.
• Data privacy: Some people are concerned about the privacy of the data that wearable technology collects. They worry that this data could be used to track their movements or even to spy on them.

Despite these potential drawbacks, wearable technology has the potential to improve tennis performance. With the right data, combined with other relevant data, coaches and trainers can help players improve their game and become more successful.

Please feel free to leave a comment on what devices or clothing you have tried and/or like. The one thing I am sure if is that once all available data is able to be combined, analyzed, and leveraged – it will produce wonderful new insights and capabilities.

The impact of AI and ML on tennis coaching, player development & watching tennis

If you’re a tennis player or coach, you might be wondering how artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are changing the game. Well, let me tell you, it’s not just about analyzing stats and predicting outcomes anymore. AI has infiltrated the tennis world in ways you never thought possible.

One of the most obvious ways that AI is impacting tennis is through the use of data analytics. Tennis coaches are now able to collect and analyze vast amounts of data about their players, which can help them identify areas where their players need to improve. This data can also be used to track progress over time and make sure that players are on track to reach their goals.

And for players, AI coaches are the new normal. These virtual coaches analyze your every move and give you instant feedback. No more yelling at your coach for not seeing that your footwork is off, now the AI coach will be the one yelling at you. But hey, at least you don’t have to pay for their travel expenses. Check out Swing Vision.

And don’t forget about the AI-powered tennis racket. Yes, you read that right. Rackets now have sensors that analyze your swing and adjust the strings to maximize your shot. It’s like having a personal assistant on the court with you, except this one doesn’t talk back.

AI is also being used to create new ways to watch tennis. For example, there are now AI-powered apps that can provide real-time commentary on tennis matches. These apps can also track player stats and provide insights into the match strategy.

But with all this AI taking over, what’s next? Will we have AI players battling it out on the court? Or maybe AI umpires that never make a bad call? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure, the future of tennis is looking more and more like a sci-fi movie every day. Overall, AI is having a major impact on the world of tennis. These technologies are making it possible for players to train more effectively, coaches to provide better instruction, and fans to enjoy the sport in new ways.

Hone Your Team

Our culture, our economy, our technology and our workplaces are rapidly evolving. One constant is effective teams contributing to defined goals. Here’s ten best practices for leaders to develop and grow their teams.

1) Remember, you’re their example

When you’re the “boss,” that means team members will always be watching to see how you act, how you communicate, and what habits you maintain. Be mindful that you’re always being scrutinized. Be mindful of the types of activities you’d like your team members to form and exemplify them in your own day-to-day activities.

2) Recognize your team members’ strengths

Or, to put it differently, try not to do too many things on your own. Instead, seek employees to participate in each project. Be attentive to the ways in which each employee shines and invite that employee to use their unique strengths whenever possible. One of the best ways to help your employees develop effective leadership skills is to involve them in processes and give them confidence that they can contribute meaningfully.

3) Empower your employees to make decisions

Leaders are able to make meaningful decisions… so it stands to reason that if you want your team members to develop effective leadership skills, you need to put them into positions where they get to call the shots. Look for opportunities to allow your employees to exert some autonomy and to make good, informed decisions without you micromanaging them.

4) Give your team members some additional responsibilities

If you have team members who really seem like they are going above and beyond their written job descriptions, and who seem like they are eager to contribute to the team in additional ways, why not give them the opportunity? Ask them if they would like to take on some new responsibilities, along with some new forms of accountability. Make sure your employees realize that being a person of leadership, authority, and influence also means taking on additional duties!

5) Trust

Helping your team members develop effective leadership skills will require you to provide them with additional responsibilities, decision-making power, and chances to try new things. Sometimes, that’s going to mean that your employees fail. Nevertheless, it’s vital to show that you trust them and want to see them grow and develop as leaders. That means stepping back and avoiding micromanagement whenever possible.

6) Talk about the future

Another way you can help your employees cultivate effective leadership skills is to show them what paths are available to them. Do they have opportunities to grow into positions of greater influence and authority, whether at your company or elsewhere? What specific skills will they need to work on in order to progress their careers? Be willing to initiate some of these long-term, career-oriented discussions with your employees, showing them where effective leadership skills may take them.

7) Push people

Generally speaking, team members aren’t going to learn or grow or develop skills of any kind if they feel stagnant. Be on the lookout for employees who seem like they’re on auto-pilot and look for ways to push them beyond their typical, day-to-day comfort zones just a little.

8) Show some respect

One of the hallmarks of leaders is that they command the respect of colleagues and peers. You can help your team members feel like leaders, perhaps encouraging them to brush up on their skills and abilities, by treating them with respect. What do I mean by that specifically? Not yelling or screaming or belittling; but mostly, just being mindful to treat them the way you yourself would want to be treated.

9) Offer praise and affirmation

All of us like to be recognized for good work, and to have our achievements made known. When you see your team members accomplish something special, don’t hesitate to boast about it! Let them know you’re proud of them, or simply that you see their good efforts and are thankful for them. This can help motivate them to keep pushing, and it may also give them just the jolt of confidence they really need.

10) Discourage fearful thinking

Finally, I’d argue that the best way to develop new leaders is to inspire them. That means you shouldn’t lead from a position of fear. Your team members shouldn’t be afraid of what will happen if they propose an outside-the-box idea, or if they disagree with you about something. Instead, create an organizational culture where people feel free to speak their minds.

How technology is changing the way tennis is played and watched

Hello there, fellow tennis fans! Have you ever wondered how technology is changing the way we play and watch tennis? Well, look no further because today we’re going to talk about some hilarious ways technology is taking over the tennis world.

First up, we have Hawk-Eye, the technology that’s revolutionized the way line calls are made. The Hawk-Eye ball-tracking and challenge system, brought in by the grand slam tournaments in 2006 after a number of highly controversial line calls against the current women’s world No. 1 Serena Williams during the 2004 US Open, costs around $60,000 per court. Hawk-Eye is not infallible, but is advertised to be accurate to within 3.6 millimeters. No longer do we have to rely on the inevitable bad calls on critical points in majors. Now we have a technology that can tell us exactly where the ball landed. But let’s be real, as much as we love Hawk-Eye, it’s also created some hilarious moments. Remember when Rafael Nadal asked for a challenge on a ball that was so far out, it was practically in the stands? Or when a player challenges a call, and we all know it’s a lost cause, but they still make the gesture anyways? Hawk-Eye has given us some great comedic relief.

Next, we have electronic line calling. Gone are the days of players arguing with umpires over line calls. Now, we have cameras that can detect whether a ball is in or out with incredible precision. The out calls you hear are actually recordings of “Out” calls. But what happens when the technology fails? Remember when the electronic line calling failed during the 2020 US Open, and Novak Djokovic hit a ball that was clearly out, but the system called it in? The look on his face was priceless. Then of course the unfortunate time that the Joker hit the official with a ball and was DQ’ed. Having no officials on court certainly avoids horrible scenarios like that. It’s nice to see that the technology has proliferated to most of the pro tournaments including Indian Wells and Miami. There are also some local clubs that have a court or two with this technology.

Finally, we have player tracking data. This technology allows us to see exactly how fast a player is serving, how many steps they take during a match, and even how many calories they burn. But let’s be honest, the most entertaining use of this technology is watching players argue with the data. We’ve all seen it happen. A player looks at the stats and says, “There’s no way I hit that serve at 120 mph, I swear it was at least 130!” Additionally, there are a number of apps that will measure your speed on your iPhone and provide you with the speed of your groundstrokes, volleys and much more. There are also tennis rackets with built in sensors. My personal experience with these are that they are not that accurate (sound familiar?). With that said, it’s helpful to understand your tennis game and what you need to improve to compete at the next level.

In conclusion, while technology has certainly improved the way we play and watch tennis, it’s also given us some great comedic moments. So the next time you’re watching a match and something hilarious happens, just remember to thank technology for providing us with some much-needed entertainment and the peace of mind that the calls are accurate.

Nana – 18 months later

Nana is a special needs tennis student that I have been teaching for 18 months now.  His progress continues to amaze.  Last Sunday, in our weekly lesson Nana started pronating his wrist on his overheads and serve. The result was immediate power and consistency.  This combined with his ground strokes, short game and volleys and suddenly he’s much closer to actually competing in tennis.  To compete, he’ll need to make line calls on this side of the net and we haven’t addressed that yet. He’s a mostly non-verbal autistic but he always says “hi” and “bye” to me and he tells me to “have a good week Russell.”  My approach is to play simple games where we keep score to get us closer to our goal.

For Christmas, Nana with the help of his younger brother Quarby, wrote me a letter expressing his gratitude. It’s a precious letter that I have framed and hung in my office. It was the best present ever and it’s a source of inspiration to me as well as a reminder to focus on the important things in life.

Nana and I hit at Downingtown East High School weather permitting and November through April we are at Tennis Addiction in Exton.  Thank you so much to the owners and pros at Tennis Addiction for letting us use their teaching aids and facilities.  A few of the pros there have been exceptionally kind and helpful with Nana.  Nana’s enthusiasm and effort are the keys to his progress. This applies to so much more than tennis and it demonstrates that tnnis is replete with “life lessons.”  We still have a way to go but I am as confident he’ll eventually play tennis or at least we’ll come up with a solution that enables him to play. Please reach out to me with questions or comments. Check out our Instagram at russell.tennis. Here’s a link to a clip from one of our lessons.

Nana’s progress in spectacular.  From his inability to hit the ball to having 50 shot groundstroke baseline rallies is impressive.  I want to spread the word and share with the best practices we have developed.  I have heard so many comments like, “is that the same student you were working with last year?”  and “I can’t believe his progress!”  Also, his father has shared that his confidence is growing in areas outside of tennis.  Nana’s progress and skills at tennis are proof that he’s capable of anything if given the opportunity. Nana has demonstrated a consistently positive attitude and he’s always willing to learn and try new things.  It has been a wonderful journey for his family and me. I am certain that we can unlock vast hidden abilities in others too.

Tennis Clinic Etiquette

Most tennis clubs have clinics where a teaching pro runs a group of players through various drills and games for 1.5 hours. Some facilities with public clinics sort the players by skill level while others balance out the talent.  Some facilities have clinics with 3-6 people per court while others have 6-16 players on each court.  In general, the teaching pro running the clinic is the biggest factor in terms of how fun it is.  Prices range from $20 to $41 for clinics in my experience.  I have attended clinics at various facilities over the past 25 years. 

Here’s my list of best practices for clinics or what I consider “tennis clinic etiquette.”

#1  No winners off the feed.  When it’s your turn to start the point, hit a medium stroke to the person on the other side of the net to get the point going.  Some clinics have a rule, “no winners off the feed.”  This means that you’re not trying to win the point, instead you’re trying to get the point started.  So many players hit the ball as hard as they can in an effort to win the individual drill and as a result they are inconsistent.  Doing this is a lose – lose scenario.  If they hit a winner on the first point by overhitting then nobody returns the ball.  If they lose the point by hitting it out, nobody plays the point. 

#2  Safety first.  Always be clearing the balls.  Also, don’t hit hard shots at players in compromising positions like hitting a high ball at a player at the net.  It’s reckless and dangerous. Also, never hit balls not fed by the teaching pro. It’s potentially dangerous and delays the rest of the group from playing.

#4  Don’t crowd the net.  There is no scenario in a tennis match where you stand right at the net.  You are always a few feet back from the net as you’re not allowed to break the plane before you hit the ball and if you hit the net with your racket or body you lose the point.  At clinics, some players crowd the net and then easily hit balls that are often unreturnable when their opponents are at the baseline.  This is no way to start the drill by scoring an easy point.  I can understand the desire to win a point but this is not a way to ingratiate yourself with the other players. As Allen Iverson reminds us – it’s practice.

#5  Make generous line calls.  When you’re in a clinic your only objective should be to practice your strokes, focus on movement and footwork and improve your decision making.  Always give the benefit of the doubt with any line call which is no different than a match but especially so in clinic.  It’s silly to make questionable calls when your only goal is practice.  If there’s a ball going long and you hit it out of the air and start the point – the person who hit the ball will certainly appreciate it.

#6  Be quick to rotate.  Don’t stay in after your turn is over.  If you have any doubt if you’re still in, rotate.  It’s easy to forget if you should still be in but don’t be the person that stays in until the next person comes in.

#7 Keep it fun.  There are happy players and there are grumpy players.  I lean to the quiet side myself when playing but when in a clinic always keep it light and be helpful.  Most rec players lead busy lives so when playing tennis for a short respite from your week – have fun, make jokes, enjoy yourself and the others in your drill.  If you new to the area, clinics are a great way to meet people.

A special shout out to Ben Zink at RCW in Lancaster.  I did a drill led by Ben with 16 people including a few 5.0s and several 4.5s.  It was as fast paced and fun as any other smaller clinic.  Sensational and what clinics should be.

Personally, I like smaller clinics where the players are sorted by skill level.  It’s exponentially more fun this way. Balancing the players maybe good for weaker players trying to improve but it’s not fun for the better players.  When I play in clinics my only goal is steps (exercise).  Don’t take yourself too seriously and on the other side – don’t have an inferiority complex.  Players in public clinics should be good with all levels of participants.  I hope these best practices helps to make your time on court enjoyable for all!

Check out ChatGPT

ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) is a chatbot launched by OpenAI in November 2022. It is built on top of OpenAI’s GPT-3 family of large language models, and is fine-tuned (an approach to transfer learning) with both supervised and reinforcement learning techniques.  It’s free and the tool was created by ex-Google engineers. OpenAI last year received a cash infusion from Microsoft of $1 billion dollars. Microsoft has increased their support up to $10B and they have plans to incorporate the functionality into most of their products including search, Teams Premium and Office 365.

Here’s a link to a great post on LinkedIn by Jacqueline Holmes which discusses “Should We Be Worried About Being Replaced?”

Students are using ChatGPT to write their papers for them and this week in the Wall Street Journal I read about tools that can check to see if text is written by an AI tool.  There are a lot of false positives so it’s important to use a variety of methods to accurately determine the source of a document. 

ChatGPT won’t replace Google search just yet as it lacks capacity and is often inaccurate.  OpenAI claims the errors are simply an engineering challenge that they will overcome.  GooglE parent Alphabet has it’s own organization focused on this called DeepMind and it’s significantly investing in this technology. Google just announced it’s own tool Bard and it’s usefulness is to be determined as it’s brand new.

You can use this free service by going to https://chat.openai.com/chat.  All you need to do is register.   I entered “compose a funny blog post explaining what ChatGPT is using tennis as an example” and here’s what it produced in seconds. 

The possibilities are endless and this is a disruptive technology.  Check it out!

ChatGPT: The Grand Slam Champion of AI Conversations

Have you ever found yourself in a heated argument on the tennis court, only to wish you had a coach to help you hit the perfect serve? Well, look no further! Meet ChatGPT, the AI conversationalist who can serve up some hilarious jokes, insightful answers, and more, all with a smile.

Just like a tennis player, ChatGPT has been trained to perform at a high level. It has been fed vast amounts of data, including articles, books, and conversations, to prepare for any kind of challenge thrown its way. In the world of AI, this is known as “training a model.”

But, unlike a tennis player, ChatGPT doesn’t tire or get nervous. It’s always ready to jump into a conversation and provide quick and accurate responses. It’s like having a personal coach who never gets tired of helping you improve your game.

So, let’s say you’re playing a match against the best player in the world. You’re feeling the pressure and your mind is racing. That’s when ChatGPT steps in, giving you a joke or a fun fact to lighten the mood and calm your nerves.

Just like a good doubles partner, ChatGPT is always there to help you hit a winner. Whether you need to hit an ace to win the match or come up with a witty reply to impress your friends, ChatGPT has got you covered.

In conclusion, ChatGPT is like the Rafael Nadal of AI conversationalists. It’s always ready to perform at a high level and never fails to impress. So, the next time you need a partner to help you ace your conversations, just call on ChatGPT!