Mental Matchpoint--Editorial

The 'Creature' plagues tennis players

You have match point, you’re serving in what could be the biggest tennis upset of your career, and then it happens. You double fault, then at duce your opponent hits the net cord for a winner. You’re flustered and you powder-puff a serve, only to have it stuffed down your throat. You lose the game, the set and the match.

At one time or another, we do things we are trying hard not to like missing a shot. We want so hard to win when in fact we are playing not to lose. After a collapse, word spreads like wildfire from the tournament desk throughout the club after the fall, It’s an awkward moment, and an embarrassment. You take a few lessons and after a while you recover, but for a professional athlete, it can end a career.

Tom House, the pitching coach at USC and former major league pitcher calls it the ‘creature’ golfers call it the yips, on the court it’s simply choking. The choking reputation is the scarlet letter of tennis and can keep you from landing that coveted league team invitation. It destroys confidence and can ruin a season of league and tournament tennis.

Whatever the name, it once attacked Boston Red Sox first baseman and (Boise resident) Bill Buckner in game six of the 1986 World Series. The all-star first baseman was unable to field a routine ground ball that many think cost the Sox the Series against the Mets (I don’t).

Choking attacks the rest of us with the same ruthlessness: a sitter volley at the net, you tell yourself repeatedly not to miss it,of course you miss it, not by an inch but a mile, and alas another match slips away.

Daniel M. Wegner, a psychologist at Harvard wrote in Science magazine that when the pressure is on, the unconscious attempt to avoid errors causes even more mistakes. The same happens with words and thoughts as it does with physical actions. Tell someone, “Don’t choke” and they’ll choke like a chicken.

I was down recently in a singles match 3-0 in the second after winning the first set. It was tough spot and nothing was working when I complemented my opponet on the change over. "This is the best you have ever played, you havnt missed a serve in three games!

See, where I was going? Match over. The opponent fell apart and never got another first serve in. With a half dozen double faults he was mired in mental quick sand. While his mind went into overdrive, I was free to just hit the ball and took the second 6-3.

Under stress the problem worsens. Tell your partner you have to have this return, no way in hell will you get that return. Also tell a partner to forget about the easy shot just missed and that thought becomes all consuming.Wegner calls this “the ironic return of repressed thoughts.” Tennis players, and athletes suffering with the disorder, have other words for it

"It can become quite embarrassing, and not just on a baseball field or a tennis court. Experiments have shown that if you ask people to concentrate on suppressing prejudices like racism, sexism or homophobia, they blatantly express those biases despite — or perhaps because of — the effort to control them.

In one experiment, researchers put eye-tracking cameras on soccer players and instructed them to avoid a particular part of the goal in making a penalty kick. Guess which part of the goal their gazes most often fell?

Wegner suggested that the ‘creature’ is with us when we look over the edge of a high cliff — that queasy feeling is a symptom of trying hard to prevent a deadly fall.

How to avoid the ‘creature’? Wegner says there's no scientifically proven therapy, so any advice offered is unproven. But some players say that accepting choking, practicing with the creature rather than avoiding it helps because the problem gets worse under stress, they also say visualization and relaxation techniques greatly help.

Fred Robinson, played in the Senior Men’s 55 National Indoor Championship at the Boise Racquet and Swim Club last week, he told me to play the points the same, ‘you can only play one ball at a time, just play the ball in front of you, clear your mind.’ Whatever the treatment, scientists say the yip's will always find a way to creep into play. Studies show that peeople who choke very bright and simply care too much, and it's very common.

Players like Robinson say its better to play the problem out and practice with it every day so when you get in match situations that you can go into a pattern of play to cage the beast and avoid the scarlett letter.

Player Secrets to Success

Robinson: Play in the Moment

by Jake Putnam

On the court, in any championship, Fred Robinson plays tennis in the eye of a huricane. No mater what's going on around him, he's fixed on one thing: the ball. A tough mental game and legendary concentration has lifted the former Airborne Ranger to the number one ranking in Men's senior 55 division. Fellow players say he's the Roger Federer of the senior set because of that purpose and precision. I sat down with this remarkable athlete, the conversation went something like this:

What can average players do to play more competitive matches:
Obviously fitness is a very big part of it and being steady. Play your shots and learn some patterns. When you’re in position, most people will try to beat their way out of the paper bag, instead waiting for it to get wet and walk through it. When a good player is forced he tries to go for too much instead of keeping it simple like just hitting at the opponets feet. A shot like that is percentage and an excellent way of opening up an angle on the next shot, a shot that you can put away.

Are you playing to win, or playing to win the point?
I don’t really play to win the game, I just follow the ball. What difference does it make if its 5-0 or 0-5.? I still have to hit the ball in front of me and I'm not going to hit that next ball differently. It's best to play even, play all the points the same. If you're opponet hits a winner, he made a great shot; you move on.

How important is it to get off to a good start?
Its important how you start a match, but critical how you finnish. Even if you fall behind stay in there with your head, stay focused and just play the ball. I play every ball, but just a ball at a time. When a point is over, its over, I can't carry the weight of that point into the next ball, its too heavy. Carry enough failed points and the weight of that keeps you from swinging the racquet.

Do you think a few balls ahead?
No, I play the ball. I do look for patterns on players, I look for patterns they don’t like. I go after those patterns as much as possible.

Do you have a lot of thoughts, dialogues under your breath when you play?
I don’t think when Im on the court, I play on instincts, thinking is very slow, being analytical is slow, points go by fast. Analytical players are in the past, theyre always thinking after the point, what they should have done. That doesnt give you much time to play the ball in front of you. Instincts will let you drive forward of what you are supposed to be doing at that moment. If you are in the zone you are not thinking about anything, you are simply tracking the ball and making shots.

So the best players in tennis have the worst memory?
Yes. I just want to keep coming out, I imagine a blank slate. It doesn’t matter what the score is, if you miss the ball, as soon as you miss the ball, that’s past, its only exists in your mind as a memory. You see, it doesn’t exist anymore. Again, people will carry that forward for a few points and it affects play. So dropping a ball into the net, ‘Ill say heighth because Im trying to do hit higher next time. If you say something to yourself like 'don't hit the net' you will hit the net again.

So if you miss you are immediately adjusting, correcting and moving on?
Thats right, So if I hit that ball into the net Im saying immediately: height, to program in my mind to hit more height next time. Then I'll move into the next ball. No matter what happens if I make or miss, Im right back on the ball.

How do you play a 30-15 or 15-30 point?

I may play differently. If its 40-love I may serve and volley and something more offensive. Again, I don’t play to win the point, I don’t play to win the games, I don’t play to win the match, I don’t play to win the tournament, I just play the ball when it comes across the net. If you're doing those other things then you're on a rollercoaster with too many ups, and too many downs. I don’t want to ride with everyone on that rollercoaster. I just want to play every ball. I focus on trying to stroke the ball as well as I can everytime I hit that ball. I don’t think there's a big point is there?

All tennis balls are equal?
They're all the same, play every ball with the same focus and the same intensity. Its like if you're getting ready to hit a freethrow in basketball, if you miss, you lose the game. That ball is not going through the hoop, because its different to you and more importantly you're not in the present tense.

Where is the zone, where is optimal performance?
Most of the players I see are either in the future or in the past, they either hit the ball and they are thinking about for the next 5 minutes that they shot themselves in the foot with the ball. If I shoot myself in the foot with the ball, it doesn’t exist anymore. I got to play the next play. If I am up 4-1, I start thinking Im going to hold serve, Im not on the court in the present anymore. Im in the future, so the only time you are on the court in is in the present. Being in the Zone is being in the present, the zone is never in the past or future. Once you get that, you need to stay in the present as much as possible. I can close to the net and have a sitter and miss, but its physically imposible to affect the next shot.

Tournament Notes--Editorial

Senior Tennis: So Much More
By Jake Putnam

I spent noon hours at the USTA Men's 55 National Indoor Tennis Championship at the Boise Racquet and Swim Club. After a week of these 'tennis nooners' I came to realization that the senior tour is more interesting than the Pro tour. I think watching Nadal is depressing because A) I will never reach that level of athleticism, and B) I can't relate to that weird grip, all the topspin and besides Nadal can't hit a drop shot to save his life. When I watch the seniors I'm watching players like myself. Almost all the players on the tour got off to a late start in the game, Only a few played major college tennis, all had to go to work and make a living and left the dream of playing pro tennis behind. Anyway, here's my list why I enjoy the senior game:

1) The money. There's no money on the senior tour, these guys are here on their own dime. Outbreaks, hooked calls, boorish behavior are rare. These guys are here out of pure love of the game and each and every player is wonderfully approachable and gracious.

2) Better tennis. Yes, better tennis, these guys can't get by on just pretty ground strokes with a weird-grip forehand (See the Nadal comment above). They have to think to win...yes, strategy. Points are painfully earned with elaborate set ups and smooth pattern-play. The margin for error on any given point is smaller than a postage stamp.

3) Personalities. Every player on the Senior tour has a fascinating story and each is willing to share it with you. When was the last time you sat down with Nadal or Federer? Singles winner Sal Castillo gave away his first place gold ball to his ailing doubles partner who suffered a heart attack on the eve of the tournament. John Diaz of California and Kevin Oneil are about the funnest guys you could go out and have a beer with. Fred Robinson will bend your mind with theories on the mental aspect of the game. Many players never touched a racquet until their 20's like Joe Grimm from Salmon, Idaho. Grimm travels two hours to Montana just to practice.

4) Atmosphere. Go to any tournament and its automatically 'old home week.' The players are genuine friends, all share the passion and camaraderie that's lost in sport today. Chris Bennett calls the tour a fraternity, yet it's an accepting fraternity where fans are always welcome.

5) Knowledge. Want to know what to eat before a big match? Talk to Sal Castillo. He has a degree in nutrician. Questions about string tension at sea level? That's Chris Bennett. How to keep from choking on big points? That's Fred Robinson, or Rollin Rhone; Rhone is writing a book about playing in the Zone. Best restaurants and night spots on the road? That's Kevin Oneil. Nebraska football? That's Bruce Van Maanen, The perfect forehand or backhand?
Tom Smith. Finance? Tom Monahan. Hotel management? Harlan Hopchik.

The Men's 55 Senior Tour visit to Boise is always the highlight of the winter season at the Boise Racquet Club. Beside myself, there was a devoted bunch of 'nooners' like Dave Roberts who also loved showing up on their noon hours and having one of Mel's amazing lunches. Bill McGrath and Robert Sterk did an amazing job pulling of tournament logistics and keeping the players happy. Pete Peterson, Peggy Cooper, Scott Hatter, Nan Jacobsen,Sandra Sell shared their tireless efforts, along with the USTA referee crew.

Singles Final

Sal Castillo wins Indoor National Championship
Boise--Sal Castillo of San Antonio, Texas won a gold championship ball Saturday afternoon at the Boise Racquet and Swim Club. Castillo beat top seeded Fred Robinson of Charlotte, North Carolina 3-6, 7-5, 6-4. The clash of tennis titans was a hard fought battle that saw lead and momentum changes and with a service break in the final set that sealed the victory for the college tennis coach.

"I've played him before, so I know what he likes to do," said Castillo. "He played as good as I have seen him play, and I played as well as I can play and it was a quality match." There were very few unforced errors in the two-hour 55-minute battle. Castillo said that it was the type of match that you had to go for broke to win the long, drawn out points. At 5-4 in the third Castillo made a mental declaration to shut out the match. "I told myself that I had to go for it. I knew he wasn't going to give it to me, he's a warrior, I had to take it."

Fred Robinson never dropped his head in the match, even after corner to corner gut-wrenching rallies, the top-ranked US senior player was the picture of steadfast and calm, constantly looking for cracks in the Castillo armour, but finding forged steel. "I looked up on a couple of passing shots and missed," said Robinson. Both players agreed that was the difference in the third set.

One of the worst kept secrets on the tour was Castillo's rehabilitated knee. The four time World Cup Champion has a long history of wins, but after a freak on-court accident in a doubles match last year, Castillo wondered if he would ever play at this level again, but proved in Boise that he is back. The Texan ran down balls in a spectacular show of mobility athleticism.

"You have to pace yourself," said Castillo. You can run down every ball of every match, unless you are faced with defeat then you have to go for it, You have to know when to go for it or not to a certain degree. You play percentages if you're in command of the match, especially on the senior circuit, on the ATP tour you got to go for it on every ball, and that's why guys like Nadal get hurt, but in the finals you got to go for it."

Despite the hard fought match, Castillo will leave Boise without the gold championship ball, he sent it to San Diego. His doubles partner had a heart attack on the eve of the tournament. "I told him I thought I had a good shot of winning it," he said. "I told him that I was going to try and win this for him, because he couldn't make it." Castillo goes home empty handed back to San Antonio, but with a surprise National Title in the record books.

Doubles Final

Rhone and Stanley win National Indoor Championship

Boise--Rollin Rhone is writting a book on playing in the zone; today in front of an appreciative crowd at the Boise Racquet and Swim Club he found it. He and partner Andrew Stanley won their first Men's 55 Gold Ball in straight sets this afternoon over Leslie Curtis of Shaker Heights, Ohio and Bruce Van Maanen of Omaha, Nebraska.

The hard-hitting team from California got it done 6-3, 6-4 in a battle of serves, nerves and breaks. "I had a 15 year break, this is my 9th tournament back and just my third national tournament. The Indoor National was research for the book I'm writing on being in the zone and I had a blast, tennis is a phenominal game," said Rhone.

In singles, top seed Fred Robinson took out Carl Sechen 6-1, 6-1. Robinson was diabolically deliberate in each point, forcing Sechen into forced errors. In the other semi-final Sal Castillo overcome a sore knee to beat defending champion Chris Bennett. Castillo found relief for his healing knee in a deadly top spin forehand. The high looping ball bought the Texan time in long rallys and forced Bennett to change from a cross court-open court pattern. Castillo prevailed in a nail-bitting third set 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.

The Men's Singles final is scheduled this morning at 10-AM.

Player Profile

Joe Grimm of Salmon, Idaho plays the Men's 55 US Indoor Nationals in Boise, Idaho, Putnam Photo

Player Profile:

Joe Grimm,Salmon, Idaho

What’s your story?

I grew up in Southern California, attended Junior High and High School in Texas.

I took up tennis in my mid 20’s, I was self taught, no training, no lessons. I’ve played most of my tennis in Montana.

League tennis?

I have played in 27 sectionals; I’ve played a lot of tennis. I just got dropped to 4.0, I’m in the top 10, and in my age division, I'm ranked in the top 5. I've had national rankings last year I was ranked 87 in the US in men’s 55, singles.

You seem to be having the most fun at this tournament than anyone, why?

I like the Senior tennis because there is none of the worrying about NTRP ratings, the skill levels, you are playing guys that just enjoy playing the game, they are happy just to still be out there, to have legs and still be playing the game. Its just enjoyable.

Why is tennis so valuable in your life?

I think you need a reason to get up every day, either family, a wife, pets whatever it is, a job for us its tennis. You got to have goals that you want to achieve and have something to look forward to the next day, if you don’t you deteriorate very quickly. Ive seen it with my friends and family, you loose your livelihood and in a year you are dead. You have to have a reason to get up every day.

What’s the dynamic of these senior tournaments that’s so compelling?

There are a few players that are here for the glory and the gold championship balls, the rest of us are here to rub shoulders with them. This is the cream of the tennis crop, the best of the best. We can hit with them, they are gracious enough to hit with us, they respect us and the abilities that we have and its fun to test our abilities against them.

What’s it like playing in a Senior Grand Slam tournament?

I love doing it, three years about I had the chance to play for a bronze ball here at this tournament, I was so excited. It’s an unbelievable feeling. Even though I was lucky to get there it was an unbelievable feeling just having the chance to try and win one.

Player Profile

Louis Grajeda of San Diego in action in the US National Indoor Championships, Boise Idaho.

Louie Grajeda, Jamul, California

Louie Grajeda didn't start playing tennis until High School in the tennis-mad town of San Diego. Once he started playing he knew he was hooked for life. He started playing tournaments and has a long history of wins on the sun-baked courts of Southern California. Louie is a tour favorite, a friend to all and a game competitior.

How do you prepare for a National Tournament?

You go to Orbits, book a flight, get on a plane up here and show up.

Have you been practicing?

Yes, I practice at home, outdoors so these indoor courts are a little different for us. It’s really nice here; I like the facilities in Boise. I played here last year and at a lot of places, these are very nice courts.

Baby boomers are getting older, our opponents in tournaments getting younger Whats it like playing guys your own age?

“I think the thing that I like most about senior tennis is that it’s a level playing field, everyone is the same age. You get out and play the younger guys in tournaments, we’ve all lost a step or two but at this level everyone is still competitive, you have a chance, everyone has a chance. We can keep playing up until we are 90 and still be competitive within your group. This is really nice for us.

We all wanted to play on the pro tour when we were young, is this an extension of that dream?

“Yes in a way, and a lot of us started out really late in the game, but now we are competitive. A lot of the guys are playing for computer ranking points, tournaments like this do help and allow us to chase the dream.

Sal Castillo, Grand Slam Champion

Sal Castillo blazes a path into the semi-finals of the National Indoors on Thursday

Player Profile: Sal Castillo

Career Highlights
•#1 in 1991 in USA in 35 singles
•Represented the USA in the Italia Cup in 1993-1994
•Recognized by SPORTS ILLUSTRATED for winning Grand Slam in Doubles in National 35’s
•Formerly ranked #1 in the World in 45’s singles
•Was ranked #1 in the World in 50’s singles
•Won national 50’s Indoor and Hardcourt championships in 2007
•Currently living and coaching college tennis in San Antonio, Texas

Boise--Sal Castillo breezed into the USTA Men's 55 Indoor Championships at the Boise Racquet and Swim Club. The fit and youthful tennis player from San Antonio didn't start playing tennis until he was a sophomore in High School, yet he played College tennis at Southern Illinois and spent time on the ATP Challenger tour.

Castillo's ground strokes are flawless, his footwork unmatched by any of his peers, but most striking thing about Sal Castillo is a calm confidence that infects all that takes time to chat with him.

We had so many questions to ask:

You have an impressive tennis resume?

My first year of doubles in 35’s; I won all the doubles with four different partners; A Grand Slam, that had never been done before. I also won indoor singles that year, and I have been on 11 cup teams, four world championships.

Where did you play college tennis?

At Southern Illinois

That doesn’t conjure up images of a Tennis Powerhouse school?

We were top 20 but were not stellar. I had only been playing tennis three years; I didn’t start until I was a sophomore. Id played baseball and picked up tennis as an off season training sport and started to like it more and more, set some goals and decided to switch to tennis full time, and haven’t looked back since.

What was it about tennis that hooked you?

It was my personality that hooked me, baseball was something that I was brought into, I liked it, I was good at it, so anytime you are good at something, hit a ball, catch it, I could do all of that stuff naturally. The thing about baseball is that you have to wait nine turns to bat, wait for the ball to be hit to you. I don’t have that personality to sit and wait. I wanted to be batting all the time, I wanted to pitch, I wanted to be the one catching all the time; tennis afford you the opportunity to be hitting the ball all the time, you don’t have to sit and wait your turn in the dugout in total boredom.

Boredom?

In tennis you have no excuses; in baseball you’re dreading the thought of someone losing the game for you. If I lose, I lose no one to blame. Id rather be in charge of my own destiny and outcome.

How do you explain your sport?

In tennis you can play all your life. The key is finding people you enjoy playing with; the reason I play tournaments is to play against the best, that’s what I want to do. I’ve won my share and lost my share, what keeps me coming back is that I want to play with the best. It’s not to say that I don’t enjoy going and playing recreational tennis, I do and there’s a place for that. But again the competitor in me wants to play against the best; I enjoy that more than anything else. That said I don’t come out here just to win a tournament; I come out to play the best I can, that’s what I’m looking to do. If I win the tournament I win it, if I don’t, I don’t. You find the best players in the world at these tournaments. Of course you have to prepare yourself. It’s frustrating when you have an injury I have a bad knee, and Im trying to overcome that injury, that’s frustrating because I know I play better.

Is that the way it is on the Senior circuit?

To a certain degree everyone out here has some kind of injury. I think what’s nice about tennis is that you can still play and break through those barriers. I’m still playing but not at the level I had been playing my whole life because of the knee injury.

There’s a lot of frustration in the game, some quit if they’re not having enough success, do you see that in the Seniors?

I see that in junior tennis in the United States, it doesn’t take much to frustrate a player, they have the option of doing something else. They would rather not deal with the frustration and challenges of not winning right now. I coach college tennis and I try to teach the right attitude to have in any circumstance, whether it be tennis or anything else, they are doing the best they can. Like I said everyone out here has some kind of limitation, we are not as fast, we are not as strong, whatever, but the thing is that you go out there and do the best that you can, so we keep that frustration at bay and get overwhelmed to the point of quitting.

The more you play the less frustration you have?

You got to have a love of the game, a passion to keep going out there and its hard. I was losing to guys that couldn’t touch me and losing to them bad but in the back of my mind I know Im doing the best I can if I cant do it, I cant do it. My doubles partner recently suffered a massive heart attack, our time here is limited, go out and do the best you can.

What can we do to be better players

I think it’s having a good attitude, the things that you do to be successful at your level is what I have to do at my level. You have to follow the habits of a good athlete. You have to stay in shape, you have to watch what you eat and you have to get enough sleep, be reasonable with a balanced approach, go have a beer or two, but you cant be drinking every night during a tournament, You cant eat whatever you want during a tournament you got to approach it with a plan to compete well. You will enjoy tennis more if you get your share of wins. If you are playing leagues and tournaments, you’re an athlete, that’s the way I look at it.

National Indoor Championships Day 4 Results

2nd seeded and defending Champion Chris Bennett of Marlton, New Jersey makes the semi-finals

Upsets in Doubles Mark Day 4 of National Indoors

Boise--Put the greatest 55 year and older athletes together under one roof and something magical happens. Each and every athlete is out to win and that effort results in prolonged elevated play, "U.S. Senior tennis is has more talent and depth than ever before," said Tournament Director Robert Sterk, we are seeing a groundswell of that here."

Unseeded Rhone and Stanley upset the number two seeds Butorac and Rettenmaier 6-3,6-4 this afternoon in doubles. "Im in the finals, Im playing for a national champoinship," said an elated Rollin Rhone of Culver City, California. Rhone had to break in a new doubles partner for the tournament, the surprise change in partners payed off for the lanky Californian.

In the other Doubles semi-final number one seeds Fred Robinson and Tom Smith lost to unseeded Leslie Curtis of Shaker Heights, Ohio and Bruce Van Maanen of Nebraska in a tough three set match, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

In Singles play top seeded Fred Robinson won a straight set match over a very tough and inspired Brad Richison 6-2, 6-1 ending a great run by the unseeded, hard serving player from Oklahoma. Robinson will meet the 5th seeded Carl Seechen of Texas in the semi-finals at 10-am Friday morning.

In the other Quarter final action, senior tour veteran Sal Castillo of Texas beat Robert Chappell 6-4, 6-1, while Chris Bennett of New Jersey took out Miguel Phelps of Arizona in a crazy match of momentum changes 6-0, 4-6, 6-4. The Bennett and Castillo matchup is also scheduled for Friday morning.

National Indoor Championships Day 3 results

Fred Robinson of North Carolina wins his third round match at the USTA National Indoor Championships in Boise. Putnam photo

Top Seeds Advance in National Indoor Championships at BRSC

Boise--Top seeded Fred Robinson and second seed Chris Bennett advanced to the quarter-finals of the USTA Men's 55 National Indoor Championships at the Boise Racquet and Swim Club in Boise, Idaho.

Robinson struggled with a game Rollin Rhone of Culver City, California who gave the top-seed all he could handle in a tough three-set match. Rhone clawed and fought through the second set but Robinson found the zone in the third, cruizing to a 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 victory.

"Adversity, what adversity? I was playing the ball," said Robinson who was a study in concentration throughout the match. Rhone did his best to mix things up, but it was all lost on the nation's number one ranked player in Men's 55.

At the other end of the draw, Chris Bennett from Marlton, New Jersey played a quiet, efficient match. He hit an astonishing number of first serves, made just a few unforced errors on service return and racked up winners off both his forehand and backhand against the tough Mark Sullivan 6-2, 6-1.

Day 3 results:

Miguel Phelps d. (5) Andrew Standley 6-1, 4-6, 6-4

(4) Sal Castillo d. Troy Crabel 6-2, 6-2

(5)Robert Chappell d. Leslie Curtis 6-3, 6-4

Karl Sechen d. Kelly Davidson 6-1, 6-3

Ray Pascale d. Saeed Nowrasteh 7-6, 6-3

Brad Richison d. Eric Finkle 6-0, 7-5

Grant Upchurch from Meridian, Idaho put in another gritty performance in back-draw action losing a hard fought match with Brad Lowe, of Ogden, Utah 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. Roger Hazelwood had a walkover win in the backdraw and will play Thursday morning against John Diaz of Orange, California.

Senior Tour Profile

Hopchik: Blue collar pride on the Senior Tour

Boise--Harlan Hopchik is comfortable at the Boise Racquet and Swim Club, the jovial, likable player comes from a blue collar Philadelphia family and the homey clubhouse atmosphere at the BRSC suits him, despite that fact that he teaches tennis at the Anatole Club, one of the swankiest clubs in Dallas.

“So basically I started as self taught player out of Philadelphia, and I learned on the public courts. I was a football player, played baseball but wanted a lifetime sport so I gravitated for tennis.

Hopchik is a self professed over-achiever. After a successful junior college tennis career he walked on at Florida State and to the shock of the Philly tennis crowd, made the team. He was a grinder on the courts, getting by on speed and guts and that grit and passion carried over into his life.

“All the sudden I could see that I could play tennis, I became a teaching pro and I was good at it. I teach people from all over the world and juniors as well. I’m patient, a good communicator and I’m very good at footwork and point production. What made me a good tennis player made me a better pro, I wanted it badly, I wanted to excel at something on my own and I’ve done that,” said Hopchik.

The adopted Texan is a late-starter in life, but the late start in tennis and career actually worked to his advantage, it game him perspective and more importantly it brought a love to the sport but it also brought national rankings that validated what he knew all along, that he belonged on the tour.

“I’m ranked #4 in Texas in men’s 55,” Hopchik says with pride. “Im ranked #53 in the United States, 25^th doubles! I have been ranked as high as 13^th in the country in the Men’s 50’s, so for a guy that hasn’t played pro tennis, its remarkable what I have done. Yet Hopchik admits that the tour is a work in progress.“The best I have ever done in a National Tournament is the round of 16 in Savannah,Georgia. Other than that I usually get to the second round. But I love what I’m doing, I love the guys on the tour.

Hopchik says tennis is larger than life: “Its very important, it keeps you healthy, its good for your mind, it’s a great way of meeting people from all around the world and at the same time you are learning a craft/skill that you can play into your 80’s or 90’s.

Harlan Hopchik is what's right with the game, he plays with unbounded joy and he’s looking to get better with each match, that’s what keeps him young.

Indoor National Tournament Notes

Upchurch's and Specht Fall in Indoor Nationals

Boise--Grant Upchurch had accomplished a life-time goal: to win a match in a National tennis tournament, in fact he's done it twice! He won his first round match last year and this year in hard- fought gritty matches, but that luck ran out this morning when he lost to silky smooth 9th seed Miguel Phelps of Prescott, Arizona.

Phelps continually hit big first serves, dropped the ball on a dime, where ever he wanted, and ran Upchurch all over the court, leaving the gritty Boiseian no margin for error. When the dust cleared Phelps walked off the court with 6-1, 6-0 win. Upchurch put in an amazing match and showed grit today but Phelps was too much; nonetheless Upchurch was still the talk of the tourney.

Joel Specht played amazing tennis in this National Championship. His match yesterday was a triumph of will for the veteran tennis player. Today he was down early but caught fire and completely turned the match around and even dominated play winning the first set 7-6. But Specht met his match with Leslie Curtis of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Curtis dug in, continually changed strategy before securing a 6-4 victory in the third.

Chris Bennett, last years champ is not much different than any other player at the BRSC. He is modest and unassuming, not what you'd expect from one of the best seniors in the world. In between matches we chatted about tennis, equipment and fitness. I asked if he had any tricks of the trade in terms of Senior tennis survival.

"I don't think there are any tricks anymore, the internet pretty much took care of that, If I need to know anything I go there," he chuckled. "I'm aware of what I need to attend to," he says. Bennett says the pickle juice trick for cramps works. He says its important to keep hydrated and powered up for matches. We both complained about shoes and racquet's and how manufacturers continually change their lines. "I was playing with a racquet that went out of production five years ago, I finally found another that I could use," he says.

He says if you want an edge in tennis to work for it, he says working out, lifting weights and doing cardio will give you the edge needed to win matches, he explained it all about avoiding injuries. I asked about this jovial bunch of players in BRSC clubhouse. He says the camaraderie of the senior tour is one of the big draws for him. He says it's a big fraternity of good friends and good times.

Top Seeds Advance in Indoor Nationals

Putnam photo
Chris Bennett and Tom Smith were named to the ITF World Seniors Team, the players met in the Indoor Singles final last year, Bennett advanced in a straight set victory while Smith was upset in a tough match.

Defending Champ Bennett Advances to 3rd Round of Indoor Nationals

Boise--Defending USTA Men’s 55 Indoor champion Chris Bennett of Marlton, New Jersey advanced to the round of 16 with a quick 6-3, 6-0 win over Mark Massey of McLean, Virginia. Bennett arrived in Boise on Monday but he almost didn't make it. His trip to Boise was in jeopardy after nearly four feet of snow buried his South New Jersey home last week. “I came out here expecting even more snow, but when I landed in Boise the weather was real nice.” Bennett is tennis pro in Marlton, New Jersey and says a championship here would springboard him and his teamates into international competition.

Last month the USTA announced that Bennett, top seed Fred Robinson and Robinson's doubles partner, Tom Smith will represent the United States at the 30th ITF Seniors World Team Championships hosted by Federacion Mexicana de Tenis. The team championships feature the top senior tennis players in the world on March 29- April 3in Mexico City, Mexico.

The ITF Seniors/Super-Seniors World Team Championships is the most coveted team event on the ITF Seniors circuit. Since its inception in 1981, the number of worldclass senior competitors in this event continues to grow each year.

"My goal," he says started out as just making a National Team, I made the team at 50 and now the 55's. We have a chance to win the Cup and this tournament is a part of that goal."

Day 2, Second Round Results
2) Christopher Bennett d. Mark Massey 6-3, 6-0

Mark Sullivan d. (9) Dave Delancey 6-4, 6-4

(9)Miguel Phelps d. Grant Upchurch 6-0, 6-1

(5)Andrew Stanley d. Timothy Butorac 6-2, 6-1

(4)Sal Castillo d. Tom Rettenmaier 6-1, 6-7, 6-3

(9)Toby Crabel d. Tom Monahan 6-7, 1-0 (Ret, inj)

(9)Leslie Curtis d. Joel Specht 6-7, 6-2, 6-4

(5)Robert Chappell d. John Diaz 6-1, 6-0

(5)Carl Sechen d. Robert Levine 6-3,6-0, 6-4

(9)Kelly Davidson d. Mel Collazo 4-6, 6-4

(9) Saeed Nowrasteh d. Tom Lonergan 6-2, 6-4

Ray Pascale d. (3)Tom Smith 7-6, 6-4

(5)Eric Finkle d. James Nelson 6-1, 6-0

Brad Richison d. (9) Scott Rockwood

(9)Rollin Rhone d. Charles Cole 6-2,6-3

(1)Fred Robinson d. David Northney 6-1, 6-3

Men's 55 Indoors Underway

Grant Upchurch hits a cross-court forehand Monday morning at the USTA Men's 55 Indoor National Championship at the Boise Racquet and Swim Club in Boise Idaho. Upchurch won the match 7-5, 6-2.

USTA Men's55 Indoor Championships, Boise,Idaho: Monday Results

Boise--The United States Tennis Association's Men's 55 National Indoor Championships got underway this morning at the Boise Racquet and Swim Club. Idahoans fared well on the first day of competition with veteran Joel Spect of Boise beating Dennis Hiilsmeier of San Antonio, Texas, 6-1, 6-1. Spect used a flurry of deep penetrating drives and a tough first serve to pull out the win.

In the first upset of the day Grant Upchurch of Meridian, Idaho beat Louis Grajeda of San Diego 7-5, 6-2. Upchurch had a first round upset last year in the National tournament. "I returned and served well," said Upchurch, but I'll have to cut down on the unforced errors in the second round."

Bill McGrath of Boise got off to a slow start, but then found his game and played Mark Sullivan of Eastern Washington tight in a 6-1, 6-4 loss. Joe Grimm even in a convincing loss, got a lot of balls over the net and looked sharp at times against tour veteran Thomas Monahan of San Diego in a 6-1, 6-0 defeat.

First Round Results:
Mark Massey d. Russell Jilot 6-2; 6-0
Mark Sullivan d. Bill McGrath 6-1; 6-4
Grant Upchurch d. Louis Grajeda 7-5; 6-2
Tom Rettenmaier d. Bruce Van Maanen 6-3; 7-5
Thomas Monahan d. Joe Grimm 6-1; 6-0
Joel Specht d. Dennis Hiilsmeier 6-1; 6-1
Robert Levine d. Cecil Martin (wd inj)
Tom Lonergan d. John Donelan 6-7; 7-5; 7-6
James Nelson d. Douglas Parks 6-1; 6-3
Brad Richison d. Brad Lowe 6-0; 6-0
Charles Cole d. Kevin Oneil6-3; 6-3
David Northey d. Philip RoholtWd (emerg)

Volunteers Get Ready for the USTA Men's 55 National Indoor

Volunteer Bob Ewing fills swag bags at the Boise Raquet and Swim Club in Boise, Idaho
First Players Arrive, Get practices in

Boise--The first players started arriving at the Boise Raquet and Swim club on Sunday morning. They flew into Idaho's Capitol City from their snow-covered home towns and were amazed at how warm it was, and the lack of snow cover.

Tournament Director Robert Sterk greeted the Men's 55 players all day and helped arrange practice courts for competitors. Raquet Club General Manager Bill McGrath is not only playing the tournament but helping with tournament logistics, he was on hand to greet players all afternoon at the club.

Bob Ewing works in the Finance world by day and is an accomplished 50-something player in his own right, he spent Friday filling the competitor gift bags, he says that he can't wait for the tournament to start. " I like to come out and see these guys play, I'm never surprised, I just wanted to be a part of all this," he said.

The first match of the Men's 55 Indoors gets underway Monday at 9-am, a combined 110 singles and doubles matches are scheduled for play the BRSC when the tournament wraps up next Saturday morning.

Come to the National Indoors to see Champions!

HOW TO THINK LIKE A CHAMPION
By
Ed Tseng

1.Winners do what losers don’t feel like doing.


2.Winners look the same whether they’re winning or losing.

Losers act how they feel.


3.Winners loosen up and focus more when the pressure’s on.

Losers tighten up.


4.Losers are in their sport.

Winners are into their sport.


5.Winners focus on things they can control (effort, attitude, strategy, mindset, energy).

Losers focus on what they can’t control (weather, opponents, winning/losing, line calls).


6.Winners ask how. How can I make an adjustment?

Losers ask why. Why do I keep missing that shot?


7.Losers focus on the past and future.

Winners focus on the present moment.


8.Winners focus on the process (effort).

Losers focus on the product (winning/losing)


9.Winners learn from losses.

Losers don’t.


10.Winners go all out.

Losers hold back.

Ed Tseng is the author of the book Game, Set Life and a good friend. Check out his website: http://edtseng.com/

USTA Men's 55 Nationals Kicks off on Monday

NATIONAL INDOOR COULD FIELD BEST DRAW EVER

Boise-- The 55's National Indoor Tournament Director Robert Sterk can hardly hide his excitement over the USTA Men's 55 National Indoor tournament starting Monday at 9-am at the Boise Racquet and Swim Club.

For the next week some of the world's greatest senior tennis players will converge on the Boise Raquet Club, in hopes of a gold national championship ball and better yet the chance to win world ranking points.

Sterk explains that International Tennis Federation which sanctions the tournament is the world governing body of tennis, The indoor nationals is a level 1 tournament and that attracts the stars of the game. Guys go and play on the four surfaces, its like the grandslam, they play on clay, grass, indoors and hardcourts, Boise is the indoor part of that Senior Slam.

Fred Robinson of North Carolina, the nation's number 1 ranked player will start his quest for a senior grandslam on Tuesday, two weeks ago in Naples he beat former pro Roscoe Tanner 6-2, 6-1 on clay.

"Its very prestigious for Boise to have this tournament," said Sterk. "Its an honor and players love it. I think they love Boise, its special here, there's not a hassle, its a smaller town with close hotels. The players love it because its an easy, inexpensive tournament for them and they really enjoy the well rounded competition."

Sterk beams that the Gem State is well represented. "Bill McGrath, the general manager of the BRSC is playing along with veteran Joel Spect, who has been a top player in Boise for decades and has a chance to win a few rounds."

other local seniors like Grant Upchurch couldn't resist the chance to play in the big leagues, last year he won a first round upset match, and won national ranking points. "I feel Idaho is well represented, they are playing because they want to see what its like to play in a national tournament, just like when we were kids and wanted to see what its like to play in a major league baseball game."

"Come on out and watch these guys play, sure they don't have the speed of Federer, but these guys move well, they have power and spin and strategy, its amazing to watch these guys play," said Sterk.

The first players will start arriving on Sunday and will practice on the courts Sunday afternoon, a player meet and greet event is planned for Monday night.

National Indoors Get Underway this Weekend

Top Ranked Fred Robinson to Play National Indoors in Boise

Boise--The USTA Men's 55 National Indoor Tournament gets underway at the Boise Racquet and Swim Club February 15 - 20. The tournament is an ITF sanctioned grade 1 tournament and brings in elite players from throughout the country.

Fred Robinson of North Carolina, the nation's number 1 ranked player has committed to play in the National Indoors, how good is he? Two weeks ago in Naples, Florida Robinson beat former ATP touring pro and legend Roscoe Tanner 6-2, 6-1 on clay. The next day he beat the number 4 seed, Joaquim Rasgado 6-0, 6-1 for the National Clay Court title not to mention the doubles crown as well.

In his Web site, http://www.quantumawareness.com/, Fred affirms that "within each of us lies the ability for greatness. The capacity within which this greatness lies only needs to be important to you, it need not make sense to anyone else. However, to discover the seeds within that await nurturing and fertilization, one must harness their ability to be still and observe the inner voice that guides us."

Fred is a steady, focused player who engages fully during a match. "I just think about this stroke, right now, hitting this perfect forehand." Being in the NOW is extremely important to him, which allows him to beat his opponents under pressure. "I know that I will win the next point. I just know it." He considers the opponent has little influence on his precise execution of his strategy, which relies more on placement than power and speed. Here are some of the outstanding results that his approach has yielded over the years:

Fred Robinson is a 30-time World and US Medalist tennis champion, currently Ranked #1 in the United States 50's Singles Currently Ranked #1 in the United States 50's Doubles 2005 Three-Time U.S. National Champion

Outstanding Personal Awards - Robinson received the Gil Roberts National Sportsmanship Award, Best Senior Tournament of The Year - Florida Tennis Association, Player of the Year Men's Open Singles - Florida, Men's Adult Player of the Year - North Carolina Tennis Association, United States Professional Tennis Association Certified.

2005 Three-Time U.S. National Champion - Robinson won the US National Hard Court Championships Singles & Doubles, US National Grass Court Championships Singles, US National Category II Atlanta Pro Invitational, US National Category II Wheeling, US National Category II Bocage, Southern Senior Men's, Southern Closed

Representing The United States Internationally - Robinson represents the United States in the Potter Cup-South Africa, Dubler Cup-Luxembourg, Fred Perry Cup-Germany, Potter Cup-Spain(2 times) and is undefeated in European Singles Competition.