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Strokemaster

My Tennis Life

SEPTEMBER 2014 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE 23

STROKE MASTER

What do you see?The 37 Grand Slam singles titles between Boris Becker, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer highlight how a successful one handed backhand can help you to become world No.1. Here Stroke Master outlines the key fundamental components on how to hit an effective one handed backhand.

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PRESENTED BY

Unit turn with shouldersaligning to the oncoming ball.

Right arm is slightly bent.

Racquet stays on the sameside of the body.

Slight flexion in the left leg.

Grip is an eastern backhand grip.

Legs are at full extension after using the ground as a power base.

Arm remains slightly bent to ensure the swing is generated from the shoulder.

Racquet face remains vertical through the entire contact zone.

Contact is slightly above hip height and out in front of the body.

Left arm extends backwards to keep the body sideways and balanced.

Racquet and body drop below the ball to allow for a low to high forward swing.

SEPTEMBER 2014 AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE 59

C oaching is the only job I’ve ever had. I was trying to play full-time

and got injured, and was lucky enough to get involved with some talented professional players. My own tennis began when I started taking lessons at eight (years old), and playing competition at nine.

My most memorable moment as a player was our college team (Georgia Southern)qualifying for Nationals in my senior year, a big comeback win with great atmosphere.

I’ve worked with a number of professional players. This includes Rameez Junaid (who achieved a career high world No.293 singles ranking and is currently No.33 in doubles), Jarryd Maher (former No.684 in singles), Simon Stadler (former No.140 in singles), as well as many Australian and American junior players.

Work hard and SMART

As the only profession he’s known, coach Rohan Williams is determined to make the most of every experience in it.

MY TENNIS LIFE

Rohan WilliamsQUALIFICATIONS: Tennis Australia Club Professional Coach

CLUB/S: HE Parker Reserve TC, St Kevin’s Templestowe TC

OTHER: Tennis Australia Talent Development Coach

TAKING THE LEAD: Rohan Williams instills important lessons, but is always thrilled to see players take responsibility for their own development.

If you work hard and work smart, you can get the most out of yourself. This applies to anything in life.

(Being a role model) feels like a great responsibility. I do my best to consider all aspects of this and help my athletes with their choices.

I think we can learn from a lot of other sports and apply it to tennis. Footwork in soccer, throwing in baseball and nutrition in cycling are just some examples.

Juniors idolise a lot of different players. But I think everyone can admire and learn from how David Ferrer has gotten the most out of his game.

Communication with players and parents, outside of lesson time, is very important. I also try to put myself in the players’ shoes as much as I can.

I would like to coach a player who qualifies for a singles main draw at a Grand Slam. I try to lead by example. I love seeing improvement (in my players), no matter what the standard.

The biggest change at my club is that juniors now come down and practice by themselves. They work with

each other outside of lesson time. It’s something I love to see as a coach.

I was lucky enough to captain the Victorian boys’ team at the Super 10s Nationals. The future of Australian tennis looks bright and I am glad to be a part of it.

DANIELA TOLESKI

PROFESSIONAL APPROACH: David Ferrer provides a stunning example of how players can get the most from their game.