My lack of respect for the 'Facebook Tennis Coach' was quite possibly developed from my trip of a life time to Europe in 1991 to play a series of Money Tournaments. I travelled from Perth with Brett Patten and Peter Gerrans, two WA tennis champions who were a couple of years younger than me but were of a higher standard.
In saying that however I beat Brett comfortably in a practice session just before leaving (BP has forgotten the loss) and I also beat Pete in a practice set on arrival in Paris. Their tournament results though in Perth were outstanding, I think they were just trying to boost my confidence so I would be happy to travel with them as their 'father figure'.
Brett would go on to become the World's Number 1 ranked player for age 35 to 40 and Pete would become a successful tennis coach. The three of us had to get along in a foreign land where people spoke pidgin English and asking for a beer was at times hard work given that our French vocabulary was limited.
As a 21 year old I do not even know what possessed me to contest that series of events however I feel that I was at the cross road in my life. I didn't want to get a real job and I felt I had a reasonable enough game to help pay my way through Europe. Boy was I wrong ! I have stated at times on my blog that the European trip gave me a view on the game that I will always remember as 'realistic', a view that I take to coaching and one that I take with me in every match I still play as an 'old bloke'.
These views are the ones I wish that the 'Facebook Guru's' would also adopt because they are views that may just help them with their teaching in the future. If you have never seen the best of the rest play then you have a perception of the game that lacks a middle part. If all you have seen is the junior level and the pros then how can you gain a real idea on the progressive nature of the sport particularly if you are teaching it and offering it as a 'career' ?
The standard I witnessed in Europe in '91 was in a word 'intimidating' because the players were just so good, even the juniors. The touring squads from many different countries were inspirational to watch as they trained prior to tournaments. It's where I received many ideas on drills to give to my own students as I have never given drills from a text book.
My way of teaching tennis has always been basic without complication. If it happens in a match then we will practice it with the appropriate drills, simple. I learned a lot in Europe about standard required and perhaps some don't like my rather brutal assessment of certain players but I am glad I witnessed that level in Europe as it gave me a picture of the game that I believe to be clear; Don't glamourize the brutal nature of tennis, be honest even if you upset people with your assessment of it. That way you can never be accused of selling false hope. That's my motto.
The following is my initial view on Europe and the fun and games we all had from the outset. Reliving Europe '91 was a trip down memory lane and despite the many arguments and differences of opinion we all had a pretty good time. I was not treated with the 'respect' I felt I deserved for being the old bloke on the tour however at times I asserted my 'authority' as you will read. Good fun....
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