My Tennis Week

Twitter

2011-10-23T17:28:00.000+02:00

I have become a better twitter user, the ATA twitter account - @atabyrichie - that was linked to the Facebook updates is now more "independent" and it works as as great tool to forward or "retweet" to all of you quotes, news, and links that I find interesting.So check out the links on the right side of this blog, follow me or the tweets i follow! The Echofon app makes it even easier if you have a smart phone.

Thanks Steve!

2011-10-07T11:20:00.000+02:00

Steve Jobs was one of the person's that inspired my life for the better. Back in 2009, when for the second time in Sundsvall I found my tennis coaching career in a dead end, I got a you tube link.. Steve Job's Stanford Commencement Speech. I had some ideas in mind until that point but Steve and a terrible accountant gave me the last push to yet another turning point in my life, on January the 19th 2009 I decided that it was time to quit my job and think outside the box. As Steve's put it best "don't get trapped by dogma, which is living with results of someone else's ideas" and ultimately that "the only way to do great work is to do what you love"The American Tennis Academy was born soon after that, and even though it is a been a very trying process with great emotional, personal and financial investments, I believe in what I do, I believe that in the future I will look back and be able to connect all the the dots, I believe that it is all worth it!Of course there are other sources of inspiration, but today I wanna just wanna say THANKS STEVE!

Coaches Education

2011-09-21T00:48:00.000+02:00

When I finished TK4 in 2006 - the last of the tennis coaches education in Sweden - I was unsatisfied. I liked the courses of course, but I felt like I needed MORE! - great news on the way!
The Swedish Tennis Federation has decided, about a year and a half ago, to radically change the direction of the Coaches Education program.
Henrik Ekersund, the Educational officer at the Tennis Federation has done a great job benchmarking the current educational system with the leading tennis nations; further, networking with Falun University and Linne University in Växjö in order to bring the coaches education to an academic level. The education will kick start this fall and I am most exited about it.
The correlation between an academic coaches education and the quality of players a country produces are positively correlated. Check out the Tennis Europe's study about the differences between European countries when it comes to education. Is it just chance that Spain and France - among others - are better tennis countries than we at the moment?

Comparision chart of the Coaches' Education systems in Europe - 2011

Rösta på tennisbragder

2011-09-16T02:23:00.002+02:00

Taken from the Swedish Tennis Federation's site:Tre radioreferat med tennisanknytning finns på radiosportens top 50-lista.Radiosporten firar femtio och har valt ut 50 referat från historien. Gå in och rösta på något av de tre referat som handlar om tennis. Våra tre världsettor har helt rätt nominerats bland klassikerna. Sista chansen denna fredag.Nr 15 Borg vinner Wimbledon 1980Nr 18 Wilander vinner Paris 1982Nr 24 Edberg vinner Wimbledon 88Gå in och lyssna här - och rösta!

US Open quotes..

2011-09-13T02:24:00.000+02:00

some quotes that caught my eye during this final:Facebook- ---Nadal, I'm not with you, but in attitude you are n 1. What a fighter!- ---What the heck is going on in this final!?- ---Is just to lay back and enjoy.- ---R we watching tennis or boxing? just slapping forehand and backhand, who is going to give up first..?- ---( Mats Wilander) Once again....if you are not watching the tennis...turn it on....immediately!Twitter:----Djokovic, please win the tiebreak, I wanna go to bed----Anyone else having trouble breathing?---- this is one of the sickest US Opens matches Ever.. this crowd is batship awesome!!---- wow I haven't seen a move like that since Nintendo's Racket Attack!Favorite part of the match: Nadal -during the 3th set tie break- running over to switch sides. Could not have send a clearer signal!Fav think I overheard Nadal (in Spanish) "bring it up man, I am here just to keep fighting"

Warming up for the final!

2011-09-12T12:33:00.002+02:00

a behind the scenes of SUPER SATURDAY @ US Open 2011and the question is: Will Nadal be able to reclaim the title from the the indestructible Nole?

Twitter, Nick, and I

2011-09-11T03:22:00.002+02:00

Twitter is awesome!Sure it is changing our language with all the # and the @ , but, still a great tool in it.Concise, to the point and not "pretend perfect" like Facebook posts tend to be.I like it most during the important tournaments!!Today's tweet that reflected my point of view the most came from the legendary Nick Bolletieri:"The loss has to be one of, if not the, most devastating losses in Federer's career."I guess we will only find out in year's to come when Fed writes his tell all book!

History repeats itself...

2011-09-11T03:13:00.003+02:00

Djokovic proved himself tonight as a Champion. McEnroe believes that turning the match point match against Fed @ the US Open last year gave Nole the mental advantage to start the year strong. Turning it around this year again was just Tennis at it's best!A great match to watch indeed!I had 3 news sources - simultaneously- and a chat open, all of them had given up on Nole and even criticized him for the way he was handling the crowd. But when we all called the match over, Nole used that champion's psych and made what only a few can!

Rain Rain go away...

2011-09-10T19:02:00.000+02:00

.. we wanna watch Fed take it away!!Everyone is looking forward to the 1st semi today. Experts, coaches, commentators, and the public in general are leaning towards Fed.. but not just necessarily because they wanna see him win, but mainly because we all want an epic match!

"I wanna be the best tennis player in the world"

2011-09-07T10:42:00.002+02:00

thanks to Ulrika for this link.Read this DN article about: *Lancelot Carnello, tio år och en av världens bästa tennisspelare i sin åldersgrupp, är sist ut i DN Söndags serie om tidstypiska barndomssomrar. Hans barndom utspelas i ett årtionde som fokuserar på leverans. Föräldrarna har gjort det till sin livsuppgift att hjälpa honom att prestera.To the Article

Play and Stay 2

2011-09-06T12:00:00.000+02:00

why is it better to work in the movement rather than the technique at early stages? by creating athletes rather than "pure tennis players" we work for the long run by making sure the kids have a movement memory that will help them learn the required technique easier, the kids will be able to solve situations abased on experience, avoid injuries in later years, and maybe even one day develop technique further.A great athlete is Monfils:

0901 CRISPY - Monfils shot

US Open Highlights

2011-09-06T11:02:00.001+02:00

Federer, Djokovic through in New York

A Champion's mindset

2011-09-04T04:05:00.001+02:00

Took this from a news site:

Nadal hoping for sunny conditions against Federer
Posted on Friday Jun 3rd at 7:00pm

If it rains during the Roland Garros men’s final, Rafael Nadal says it could favor his opponent, Roger Federer. The current forecast is for a 70 percent chance of light rain on Sunday.

"For me, I prefer the sunshine always, and higher bounces," said Nadal, who owns a 11-2 record against Federer on clay, but did fall to him in wet conditions in the 2007 Hamburg final, which ended his 81-match winning streak on dirt. "So for my game is better if the ball is fast and if the bounces are higher. If the rain is there and the day is cloudy, sometimes the ball stays lower. So that's a little bit an advantage for him.
But seriously, I don't have the power to control the weather, so if rain, I gonna think that is an advantage for me; if sunshine, gonna think is advantage for me. I have to think positive all the time because I cannot control that."

I'M A CHAMPION!

2011-08-30T11:43:00.002+02:00

A football inspirational speech that give she the chills every time..
you can find the text under

Today gentlemen, I am honored to coach you, more honored to take you onto the field of battle. There is another honor to be bestowed upon you, that is the answer that comes with that question
WHO AM I ? I'M A CHAMPION !
That's right and i need you to remember that all throughout this game, i will conquer what has not been conquered
defeat will not be in my creed. I will belive what others have doubted. I will always andevor the prestige honor, and respect of my team. I have trained my mind and my body will follow
WHO AM I ? I'M A CHAMPION !
I will acknowledge the fact that my opponents do not expect me to win, but i will never surrender. Weakness will not be in my heart. I will look to my comrades, to those who have brought me into this world and thoses ho have trained me and i will draw strenght from them
WHO AM I ? I'M A CHAMPION !
I will gladly go out into the field of battle, and i will move, groove and do everything thaht I can do, and I will reach my field of battle by ane means at my disposal. And when I get there, I will arrive violently. I will rip the heart from my enemy and leave it bleeding on the ground, beacause he cannot stop me.
WHO AM I ? I'M A CHAMPION !
To my side I have comrades, comrades that have been with me throught thick and thin, throught sacrifice, throught blood, through sweat, through tears. Nver will I let them fall. Never will I let them down and I will never leave an enemy behind, beacause our opponent does not know my heart.
WHO AM I ? I'M A CHAMPION !
No one will deny me, no one will defy me, and no one will tell me who and what I am and can be. Belivef wil change my world, it has moved continents and countries, and put man on the moon, and il will carry me through this battle.
WHO AM I ? I'M A CHAMPION !
Defeat, retreat those are not in my words, I don't understant those definitions, I don't understant when things go wrong, I don't understand mistakes, but I do understand this: I understand victory, and I undertsand never surrendering. NO matter how bad things go, my heart and my mind will carry my body when my linbs are too weak
WHO AM I ? I'M A CHAMPION !
Today will be that day, not tomorrow, not next week, but right now, right here, in your house, and in your home
WHO AM I ? I'M A CHAMPION !
History will remember me, and I will not have to worry about him being kind. I will define myself. I will write my own praises. And non one will tell me what I can and cannot be. I will never go home, not without giving everythiong I have got
COZ WHO AM I ? I'M A CHAMPION !
WHO AM I ? I'M A CHAMPION !!!
WHO AM I ? I'M A CHAMPION !!!!!

a funny Djokovic!

2011-08-25T02:45:00.002+02:00

I'd never believe that Djokovich's impression of Sharapova would make it as an Official Head add..

Tennis Play and Stay

2011-08-22T13:17:00.004+02:00

This past week the Swedish Tennis Federation launched officially it's Tennis Play and Stay program in Växjö. Even though the Play and Stay concept is not new worldwide nor in Sweden, there are still many clubs that have failed to implement it. I have been using the ideas behind this program for a while now and have totally adapted it to my trainings since about 2008 and I can see the difference that has made creating better players -when compared to the older traditional methods.
Being one of the key persons for the development of this program in the Region TENNIS NORR I will dedicate this month to blog about PLAY AND STAY so that players, coaches and parents get inspired.

Let's kickstart it with my favorite tennis couple ever: Andre Agassi and Steffi Graff.

The Future of Swedish Tennis

2011-04-02T17:31:00.002+02:00

This month's Tennis Europe Newsletter has an article about the Swedish Tennis Federation plans to improve the chances of new coming Swedish player to get into the tour.

an interesting part of the SvTF sportschef about training and it's effects:

2011-03-09T10:42:00.000+01:00

before you read this, understand that by "windows" the text refers to "Windows of opportunities" a term that was coined to determine at what ages are athletes most receptive to learn different sets of skills.
Using the Windows of Opportunities as base for the training sessions - as we do at the ATA- optimizes trainings by working specifically in what a player is most receptive at at that particular time.
När ger träningen bäst effekt?

Under Tennisförbundets nya Träningslära del 1 så har mycket av fokus legat mer på vikten av att träna vid rätt tillfälle och vad som skall tränas. Under åren har olika trender kommit och gått. En del av oss kommer ihåg 70-talets alla löp pass, 80-talet fokusering på stretching för att inte glömma 90-talets styrketräning. Nu pratar vi mycket om ”windows”, när ger träningen av alla de egenskaper en tennisspelare skall ha bäst effekt. Vi är helt säkert alla överens om att bäst effekt av teknikträning sker upp till pubertetens inträde. Betyder det då att vi inte skall träna de tekniska efter pubertetens inträde? Självklart inte. Detsamma gäller ocksp andra egenskaper. Att resultatet av aerob träning inte ger den effekt man önskar före puberteten är känt. Men, betyder det då att vi inte skall träna aerobt med våra 13-14 åringar. Självklart inte.

Ber att få citera ett exempel från American Academy of Pediatrics som tar upp aerob träning, dvs konditionsträning. Jag tar det på engelska så vi inte missar något:

The general concepts still apply—until puberty, there is a limited ability to improve aerobic capacity just by training alone. Once puberty is reached, improvements in your child’s ability to use oxygen occur rapidly and progressive gains can be made. Although it appears that there is a certain unseen upper limit to improve aerobic capacity before puberty, this does not reduce or lessen the need to train aerobically.

This is a very important distinction. There is strong evidence that young athletes with a good foundational base of aerobic exercise can have even better improvements in aerobic ability once they reach puberty than those who start aerobic training at a later age. For example, a swimmer or runner who has already had some years of moderate training before her growth spurt has a better aerobic base from which to improve once puberty arrives. Kids who train in aerobic sports also better their performance because of improved technique and efficiency of movement, advancing skill level, maturing coordination, and growing motivation.

Federer's footwork

2011-02-24T23:29:00.002+01:00

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/08/31/sports/tennis/20090831-roger-graphic.html

faster than you..

2011-02-21T23:47:00.001+01:00

Test

2011-02-06T23:33:00.001+01:00

Testing the blogger app for my iPhone.. On my way back to Sundsvall from Helsingborg. This weekend I listened to great lectures, brainstormed with colleagues and filmed Johanna Larsson's matches at the Fed Cup. Sweden ended up loosing against Ukraine 3-2. Sofia and Johanna were outplayed this weekend but I think I caught a lot on tape. I might have just discovered a little problem that causes lots of problems. Can't wait till I can Dartfish the clips and do some measurements.

Helsingborg just became my second favorite city in the country, snatched the place away from Gothenburg. Southerners in Bolivia and Sweden , sing rather than speak. Luv the accent!

a true athlete!

2011-01-29T11:22:00.003+01:00

It is seldom that one watches wheelchair tennis. Even in Sweden which is a dominant actor in the sport with world and olympic champions. I was lucky enough to stream parts of the match.. and it was impressive! The new AO champ is KUNIEDA (Korea)

The Golden Flower

2011-01-29T09:46:00.003+01:00

That how the chinese country man refer to the ever popular Li Na.
In a time when most are waiting for a WTA leader, Li Na's tennis is the hope of many!
We all like Wozniaki - but she hasn't won any major yet. Serena dominates - but she doesn't play enough.
and while the world rejoices on Clijsters coming back.. how long will it last?

I love to see new champions at the AO and this might just be just the right day for it!
But talk about pressure, it is estimated that there are more fans of just LI NA watching this match than there will be of the men's final combined!

AO 3

2011-01-24T06:23:00.002+01:00

Dolgopolov became number 1 at reading serves this night. Too bad for our Swedish hope, but then again, 2011 started better than 2010 for him - he lost in the first round :/

in the mean time, watch Caroline W tell about the terrible attack she had to endure!

Fashion and Tennis

2011-01-22T16:26:00.003+01:00

These 2 words are now inseparable - specially when it comes to woman's tennis.
Women's tennis is one of the biggest spectator sports in the world, and as such, players and their sponsors carefully mastermind their collections each season using the grand slam as a catwalk. Keep in mind that women's tennis is the 4th most watched sport in the world!

The play hasn't even started, but Maria Sharapova isalready made headlines by revealing her new Aussie collection...

and what remains to be seen is whether Venus will pull another fashion disaster this year.. remember?

Växjö 1

2011-01-17T17:25:00.002+01:00

This weekend will be remembered in history as the weekend when Swedish Tennis and the Academic World merged.

Henrik Ekersund, the Federations Education Officer, is bringing to sail a 10 year project. The launch of the new Coaches Education Program.

The SvTF aims to take Swedish Tennis into a new era. A new era illuminated and guided by scientific knowledge.

As the Education Officer for the Northern Region, I am more than exited about being an active part of this process, the new step that will make us a much stronger tennis nation. I have been asked to cooperate with the Stockholm Region when it comes to giving lectures, this will enrich my experiences and contacts further.

4 universities a sports academy, all 7 regions and several prominent coaches are involved in the process. The Federation is taking feedback from all important tennis profiles in the country to make of this project an inclusive one.

Let's hope that the winds of change pick up pace and race through all clubs across the nation so that we all understand the critical difference that scientific knowledge can make. Let's allow ourselves well educated coaches, let us understand the importance of investing in a tennis future!

Australian Open 2

2011-01-16T13:34:00.001+01:00

For most fans, Federer and Nadal are the absolute contenders to any title, including the first grand slam of the year - the Australian Open. The reason why I love the Aussie Open so much, besides the awesome TV sending times that fit my schedule perfectly, is the fact that it has been THE grandslam of the underdog. If fou wanna get more detailed info about the favorite contenders, check out Chris Skeltons blog post below:

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/blogs/2011-01-13/201101131294872829405.html

Australian Open 1

2011-01-13T17:37:00.005+01:00

During this Australian Open, Wilson TV is providing a great behind the scenes coverage..scroll down to be able to see older clips.

Enjoy!

http://www.ustream.tv/wilsontennis

Water Court!

2011-01-05T16:26:00.004+01:00

Yet another awesome way to promoite the start of the tennis year.. Fed & Nadal playing tennis in a water court!as fun as it looks like, I doubt water courts will catch on!

Player development

2011-01-03T17:37:00.002+01:00

Here is the link to what I'll be developing in Sweden in the next 5-10 years.

http://www.playerdevelopment.usta.com/players/
ta.com/players/

A database over players, shots, play and matches using the world's leading Bio- mechanics analysis software: Darthfish. Directly commissioned by the Tennis Swedish Federation, the position I'll be filling is: Dartfish Expert. A week in the UK and another in the US are already booked in the quest to gather as much knowledge and info about the program that revolutionized sports TV broadcasting and was soon adapted as a coaching tool.

ATC homepage + camp dates

2010-12-19T20:43:00.005+01:00

American Tennis Camp has a new homepage. Check it out!

The ATC has just released the 2011 camp dates:

http://www.americantenniscamp.com/

An ATA challenge!

2010-12-17T09:53:00.001+01:00

A can of balls to the first kid that can do this trick!

Little bloopers

2010-12-16T14:32:00.000+01:00

A game of adaptation part 2

2010-12-16T14:16:00.001+01:00

The forehand- Blake turn - inside out forehand combination drill.. One of my favorites!

When Dreams Come True - On Court with Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf

2010-12-15T07:30:00.000+01:00

Tennis: a game of adaptation..

2010-12-13T12:59:00.000+01:00

Tennis is a game of adaptation.. not ever, a player hits the same shot in a lifetime.
Start your monday with this in mind and think about the steps you as a player, parent and specially a coach t take in order to ensure you work, train and live your tennis life according to the adaptation concept..
DO YOU?

Richie i ST!

2010-12-13T12:39:00.004+01:00

Sundsvalls Tidning den femte december 2010

another great ATA weekend :D

2010-11-29T00:50:00.004+01:00

We did it :D
Today we won another Championship. The Norrlands Höst serien was played at Sköns TK and the ATA had 2 teams competing. Team A: Matilda Schulz, Anders Tellberg & Lukas Olofsson came in 3th place while team B: Carl Rehnstrand, Nadja Ydehall and Jack Ydehall took the 1 st place.
The ATA has now 2 Norrlands Champions!

This is a great push not only for the kids but also for us, the coaching team, who have been working hard to make sure the kids develop in the right way. What for a year ago seemed a crazy, risky and adventurous idea, opening a tennis academy, is now blooming. Let this be a source of inspiration for the coming months for us all!

the newspaper came earlier this week to talk to both teams about the meet:
http://st.nu/sport/traffen/1.2532093-ett-skont-stjarngang

A Great ATA Weekend!

2010-11-15T05:43:00.002+01:00

This weekend is going to the books as the most successful for the ATA players yet.
We won 3 out of 3 series in the most impressive manner. We started saturdays Maxi Tennis series with only one one player in the right age -11, the youngest being 7. After a long and nerve breaking meet, the ATA kids won over Hudiksvall by 1 match, 10-9. Later they had a somewhat easier time overcoming Kramfors, a victory that consolidated the number 1 spot.
The ATA Maxi Tennis B team won on sunday in a convincing manner displaying great play against Sundsvalls TK 15-3 & Öviks TK 16-2.

But what was THE most surpringsing victory of all- and the ultimate underdog story- was the Girls 13 win against Hudiksvalls TK & Öviks TK. Isabella Schulz and Nadja Ydehall started the match 1 girl short and were faced against no other option than to play flawless tennis.. and they did!!

I feel like a million dollars B)

The Girls 13 team that won the Series in Hudiksvall this weekend against Hudiksvalls TK & Öviks TK
Isabella Schulz & Nadja Ydehall

The Maxi Tennis Team that won this past Sunday the Series agaisnt Sundsvalls TK and Öviks TK.
Jack Ydehall, Nadja Ydehall and Carl Rehnstrand

The Maxi Tennis Tam that won this past saturday the series against Hudiksvalls TK and Kramfors TK.
Jack Ydehall, Lukas Olofsson, Matilda Schulz & Anders Tellberg

let RF inspire you!

2010-11-10T23:01:00.000+01:00

training smart..

2010-11-08T14:38:00.002+01:00

An article I got by mail just the other day..about children that should not train as small adults.

http://svt.se/2.21335/1.2224084/barn_kan_inte_tranas_som_sma_vuxna?lid=is_search527895&lpos=1&queryArt527895=Idrott&sortOrder527895=0&doneSearch=true&sd=47225&from=siteSearch&pageArt527895=0
Interesting indeed, specially when it comes to the general criticism that we have, unfortunately, too many clubs and coaches in the country that do train juniors as little adults. That is why, I am one of the most outspoken supporters of a National Tennis Coaches License.. so that only people with the right knowledge can train our kids, the future of Swedish Tennis!

Back in Business!!

2010-10-27T23:04:00.003+02:00

Back in business i say.. specially after last week's intense schedule for my part.
-Elit Training Camp in Sundsvall
-Coaches Conference - Bosön, Stockholm
-Biomechanics and Physiology University class - GIH, Stockholm
-American Tennis Camp owner's meeting
- Elit Training Camp in Piteå
a great week in my tennis career.. becoming the Tennis Director of the American Tennis Academy being the cherry on top of the cream. The rest, well I will be updating when the time comes, internationally ;)

Söderlings was not kidding last year..

2010-06-02T00:58:00.003+02:00

Soderling speech - 2009 Rolland Garros Final

A gracious and happy Soderling gave his speech in perfect English. Mentioning that Federer has given him a lesson in how to play, and that he is the greatest player in history who deserved the win. He entertainingly recounted: “My coach and I were ‘Yoking’ (lovely Swedish accent on ‘Joking’) that I could win this match because no one can beat me 10 times in a row” (Federer had already beaten him 9 times to date), “it seems we were wrong, but not 11!” A friendly challenge to the next time they meet on the court.
I’ve never seen anyone so happy to be the runner up, I think he was genuinely happy to be in the final and playing against Federer, and you don’t see that in many other sports. A true respect for sportsmanship and your opponent is a great thing to see.
----
Extracted from: French Open final interviews from Roger Federer and Robin Soderling
By: Tania Leach
http://www.examiner.com/x-7304-DC-Recreation-Examiner~y2009m6d7-French-Open-final-interviews-from-Roger-Federer-and-Robin-Soderling

RG pics

2010-06-01T13:28:00.009+02:00

Got some pics from a Russian colleague who has been at the RG for the past days. The RF one is from this morning.. gettiung ready for the match agaisnt our own Söderling. COME ON ROBIN!!!

My work as an actor..

2010-06-01T01:19:00.002+02:00

http://www.mymagnum.com/?gold=4c04429b39b31

WHAT!?

2010-05-07T13:20:00.001+02:00

Some people should be put on a raft and be kicked off the country:
http://mvt.se/sport/1.819721-tennisforbud-pa-kvallar-och-sondagar

2 different worlds

2010-05-01T00:25:00.005+02:00

Finally, our Flickr site is sync with the www, the blog, facebook and twitter pages :D
do check the pics and feel free to mail me any you would like to have there :)
---

2 weeks ago I coached a training camp in Övik with players from 6 clubs. A week after I received a very upset email from a player's dad and another one from his coach. None were the least positive to my hard and "unreasonable" rules.. because tennis should be fun and "kids should be kids." What were the rules that drove the coach and the dad over the edge?
NO CANDY, CHIPS or SODA during the camp.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry while reading the mail.
The no candy rule was the reason the parent was forced to drive 100km to pick up his kid from the training camp and drive him home on that saturday.

Funny enough, while I was coaching the SALK Open team 2 years ago, I shared the floor with 3 teenagers from the same city, around 16-17 years old, who had nothing but burgers, pizza, sodas, candy and chips during the whole competition, and the 3 days before their next tournament. guess again if they made a good job in any of those tournaments!

Meanwhile, 150 km away we have players as young as 6 years old that freely enforce this rules on themselves already 4 days before their Musse Pigg competitions...

SvTF following the trend..

2010-04-21T21:26:00.002+02:00

and Svensk Tennis has now a Facebook page.. finally!
I think it took just a little too long before they had once considering that it is a great tool to get all the kids out there to easily see what is going on, not to mention spread the word about out great Sport.

"times of change are coming" say the song, and certainly the same applies to the ATA.
3 new deals that are at the moment 99% from happening.. by Monday next week, I should know about all 3.
It is exiting times as the end of the spring approaches and the summer with the unlimited clay court times approach.

Anyhow, I know I am teasing, so to make things a little better I offer one of my favorite tennis pictures to all of you:

how to accelerate your forehand..

2010-03-11T02:14:00.002+01:00

3 check points to keep in mind...

Spring break

2010-03-10T19:30:00.003+01:00

While in the US Spring Break meant drive down to Florida for tennis and party, here it means mostly winter sports all over. In an effort to promote tennis during this week we offered a very flexible schedule... but it did not work so well for the smaller kids. We had way too few who bit the bate. However Tech Camp 1, which focused in technique analysis was a success. We had over 21 players from 4 clubs and since we did a lot of filming, we ended up having 3 camps!
Now the never ending job of editing the clips is to start... at a 1:6 film/editing time ratio, it'll be a couple of loooong days b4 I am done, but but with Next Generation last week, and "ATA goes up North" this weekend no time to sit around and chill. Next, match training in Piteå, Luleå and Skellefteå :)

My Iphone died today...

2010-03-02T15:34:00.001+01:00

My baby is broken, so if you need to get in touch, email me!

memories

2010-02-26T01:48:00.003+01:00

the best thing of facebook must be to reconnect with old friends.. this pic is the "picture of the year" winner in the old richie pics category, this is me and all of my 2nd year classmates :D
find me?
The teacher's name: Elsa Pacheco, whom I'll always remember,and still recognizes me when she sees me back home :))

a beautiful night

2010-02-11T23:23:00.004+01:00

So, according to the votes I came next best :) I gotta admit that I was so nervous last night while siting at the dinner table, and when they called out the winner, felt a sting in my gut. Like loosing a tennis match in fact, one that I really wanted to win!!
10 minutes after, when things calmed down and I felt OK again and could enjoy the rest of the lovely dinner. A great Gala it was!

I asked once a dear coach of mine to write a reference for my college scholarship application. Raul Cossio, who for many years was a second father to me, wrote: "Richie works extremely hard for his goals, he is the type of player that right after winning or loosing a match, takes a shower, puts a clean t-shirt on and gets back into the court to work on what didn't work well that day."
I woke up this morning took a shower and left to work. Some other day I'll win, in the mean time I'll keep working hard for my dream :)

back from the future..

2010-02-10T01:33:00.003+01:00

Fed won boringly easy, I was in Malmö at the SvTF conference where we discussed and proposed improvements of the new educational program, will soon be getting a DARTFISH license -world's leading technique analysis software - a great sponsorship that made my month :D
Tomorrow is the Medelpad's Sport Gala at the Södra Berget Hotel. I'm a finalist and I can feel the butterflies in my tummy ;) 33% chances, so i guess... will just wait and see. Haven't prepared a speech as not to jinx it, but I know how to celebrate if I win: a thick creamy piece of brie, salty crackers, chili marinated mushrooms, olives and garlic, and a pint of Sam Adams. If I dont win, all of the above plus a huge chocolate pie, and Bens & jerry's Cookie Dough ice cream B)

*My Brother's new movie just won the Best Director & Best Scrip at the Sundance Film Festival, and he has been named "Actor of the Year" in Bolivia, so either there it's been enough prices in the family this year already or there will be one more for mom and dad to brag about ;) *

Wednesday Matches

2010-01-20T22:43:00.001+01:00

Wednesday Day

Wednesday Night

AO Highlights..

2010-01-20T22:39:00.002+01:00

Tuesday NIght

Tuesday Day

Söderlings AO exit

2010-01-20T02:33:00.000+01:00

Australian Open - Tennis - Tennis - följ allt som händer på ATP- och WTA-touren - Video Eurosport

How to cheer up after Söderlings match..

2010-01-20T02:26:00.004+01:00

What does the middle east have that we dont?
Money Waste problems. The Lyxfällan TV show will be working overtime down there!
-What a better way to promote the Doha tournament than to get the 2 most expensive players in the world to get suspended 10 meters high and play minitennis in a flying magic carpet huh? Or maybe not, unfortunately this publicity trick was not popular at all. "Ridicolous" and " I rather see Roger and Rafa play chess.." were some of the criticism all over sport broadcasts!

This was not nearly as cool as the Agassi/Federer match on the helipad at the Burj-al hotel in Dubai couple of years ago:

Mondays Highlights

2010-01-20T02:18:00.001+01:00

DAY MATCHES

NIGHT MATCHES

behind the AO scenes...

2010-01-20T02:16:00.003+01:00

DONATE!

2010-01-17T21:03:00.000+01:00

Donate 50 kronor till Haiti. Det har vi råd med. Sms:a KATASTROF till 72950 (Rädda Barnen) eller SMS:a Haiti till 72900 (Unicef) eller SMS:a AKUT till 72900 ( Röda Korset). Tack!

LOL!

2010-01-07T23:41:00.003+01:00

hahaha, cant stop laughing at this threat I found on Facebook...
can anyone guess who was the driver?

Base Camp

2010-01-06T01:07:00.003+01:00

The Base Camp was really fin this past 2 days, we had players from 6 different clubs training hard both days. We had a great mix of coaches which was exiting and inspiring for the kids!
-Rikard Robbin, American Footbal star, impressed the kids with his abilities and charisma. As I'm looking for a physical coach for this semester, Rikard interest is
-Jocke Svedberg, from the Olympic Committee, had exiting exercises, advice and timing as he had the very last session. The kids got the spirits up and the camp end while at the top :)
-with 21 players, this was absolutely the largest camp we've had in town B) about 80% of the players were on top of their game both days, which is a little unusual for being the first training after the Christmas break,

-----
why is it that the players that constantly wanna train with better players cuz that is the "only way to develop" don't show what they are all about as soon as they get the chance? In my mind there are players that perform and players that don't, regardless whether they train with someone better or worse!

Happy New Year's B)

2009-12-31T13:19:00.001+01:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Feliz Navidad!!

2009-12-24T23:45:00.003+01:00

18

2009-12-12T14:21:00.002+01:00

Söderhamn this weekend, kids played Lucia Cupen!
Söderhamn is indeed one of my favorite places to bring the kids to, the club is always welcoming and cozy, a bigger variety of players as many southerners attend, the hostel is right next door, and the best reason of all, all ages compete during one weekend rather than the norm: 2 two weekends.
What made me glad?
-the girls were hitting the crap out of that yellow ball! .. so fun to see them applying what we've been training!
-all my players are playing more relaxed, that is, not under the constant pressure of thinking: I should not loose! The shift towards: "It is OK to loose" is, in my opinion, vital for a player's development -as it is only then that he/she will apply what we practice as well as develop his own tennis identity and tactic.
-from youngest to the oldest, all showed how well they take care of themselves, without their parents.
---
Niiice, As I write this, Rami has managed to turn around a 2-5 score, win the set and the match in 3 sets. She is in the final now. A great victory for our Rami :D
---
Rami got cramps 3 times during the final, her previous 3 hour battle took all her energy depot. Anyhow, very proud of you little girl!
---
Emilia time now, we gonna get the Christmas tree up, play a little tennis, her new favorite lacrosse and then build some puzzles. Tomorrow she has Lucia at her kindergarden :D

17

2009-12-11T12:20:00.002+01:00

As the end of the year gets closer, there are many things to look back to,
starting with my favorite in the tour level - all of the following from different sites i like:
- The success of the ATP World Tour Finals has been well documented: already recognised as the best- attended indoor tennis event in history, the ATP has confirmed that the event, which was screened in 180 countries, had the most ever traffic for an ATP tournament.
- Players that retire: Amèlie Mauresmo , two time Grand Slam champion, former ATP #1 Marat Safin (RUS), Fabrice Santoro (FRA), Frederic Niemeyer (CAN) and 35 year old Spanish former doubles #1 Virginia Ruano Pascual - doubles only.
- players coming back: Carlos Moyá, with a protected ranking of #50, Martina Hingis, and the all time favorite Justine Henin who said her main reason to come back was her desire to conquer Wimbledon :)
- The best excuse - if you need one- to just take it easy on new year's eve: Five of the world’s top ten players; Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Nikolay Davydenko, Robin Soderling and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, plus 20th-ranked Stanislas Wawrinka will begin their 2010 season at the Abu Dhabi Capitala World Tennis Championship exhibition - 31st December.
Now we know that Abu Dhabi aint cheap when it comes to player incentives or having a world class venue!
- Someone asked me how much money Söderling has made playing tennis.. the answer is 7.5 million. American dollars...just under 2009. 2010 should be as generous, specially since he is gonna start at Abu Dhabi!

16

2009-12-08T23:33:00.003+01:00

Just got back form the courts, I had the chance to play after coaching today. Hard training and a set to top it off. We went head to head not being able to break each other's serve until the tiebreak. I love this sport!!

A great weekend for my players..
I saw development, good spirits and the good sense of looking at a defeat from the big perspective.
Results are always the easiest way to notice that a players is improving, although it can also be a very deceiving way. In that matter, I am very proud of the boys and girls that played the SJCup this past weekend not only for the results but mostly for how they played, behaved, thought, spoke about their matches and even kept me informed at all times by text messages :)

Andreas Kibe made his comeback into the tournament life, a second place was a good incentive to keep him "coming for more"!

15 - mixed feelings

2009-12-06T03:16:00.004+01:00

4 semifinals tomorrow morning. kids have been playing so well this weekend! Even the ones that did not make it this far. I am so proud.. mainly because they have been playing as we have practiced, rather than their own way :)
whatever the results in the morning, this has been the ATA's best tournament this semester :D
----
3 am saturday/sunday night
"pst, man" .... "pst afro" .. I heard a voice on the distance as I walked home tonight. Experience told me: walk fast towards the taxi stop where there is always a crowd, unless you want 5 racist idiots jumping on your head. But I turned around, and what I saw hurt more than someone punching me hard.
One of my players selling hot dogs at 3am in the middle of the city. It was raining and he had been out for 5 hours in the same spot. Cold? Freaking freezing!!!
reality kicks in.
everything is relative.
I know all about picking up extra work as a kid to save cash for the next international tour or to get the new Nike Air Max, but never at 3am under the rain. !!!!??
:'(

14

2009-11-30T23:42:00.002+01:00

the P11 team that came 4th in the playoffs this weekend. the kids deserved a better placing, but they sure did a good job, had a fun weekend and above all, FAIR PLAY :)

13

2009-11-28T23:44:00.003+01:00

Saturday night glued to the screen watching the semis.. Söderling lost in the final tie break :/ it was a great day anyhow, my princess turned 2.5 :) I spend all afternoon with her, she sat on my lap and listen and sang her favorite songs for about 2 hours; had her favorite food, she poured milk all over me, called me her "sweet little daddy" and kissed me twice, once in the nose and once in my eye. I wish I could spend more time with her!

12

2009-11-28T22:15:00.000+01:00

the difference between Söderling & Del Potro is that Robin cant turn a defensive position into an offensive one... and Martin can. Damn well too!

10

2009-11-25T22:35:00.002+01:00

Master's week! Thank you Robin :)

I have been streaming some of the action on my MacBook and I can tell you, this is is a great investment.
-the commentators are the human version of google, also, they have been players, referees and ballboys at some point, experience!
-the technology blows my mind, or better , the way they use the technology!
slow motion and time warp plays mixed with all kinds of play and ball bounce analysis, and I mean ALL type of ball bounce analysis!! The game becomes so much more interesting, alive, and inspirational when one can see computerized images of where, statistically, the ball bounces: 1 & 2nd serve, crucial points and break points.
The height where the players hit the ball at different times of the match, early rise or late, behind or in front of the baseline.
----
off to cheer for Nadal, if he wins, Robin will surely pass on to the semis as number 1 of group B and meet Federer earliest on the finals...

8

2009-11-24T00:34:00.003+01:00

Robin Söderling showing that he deserved his place on the Masters Final.
a great day for Swedish tennis... do we dare to dream in a semifinal spot?
Vamos Robin!!!

and, secrets from a stringer..

7

2009-11-22T21:10:00.003+01:00

What a tennis weekend, a great one indeed.
Elin G came in 2n place after playing strong tennis.
Luise and Nadja came in 3 place both in the 11 class. Long and quite developing matches for the youngsters :)

The coaches education went well as always. It is so much fun to hold this seminars and help young coaches along in their development.. what it is even more giving is when the participants are eager about the subject and energetic to earn experience and develop their players.

6

2009-11-22T21:05:00.000+01:00

1500kr gets you a one day ticket to the Barclay's Masters in London. 200kr an unlimited pass to stream all of the matches live an even watch them on demand. For 500kr all of the Masters tournaments for a year. I know now what I'm gonna get myself for Christmas :)

Robin starts tomorrow, the odds for him into making the semifinals are agaisnt him, but a tennis party will take take this week regardless :)

5

2009-11-19T10:45:00.002+01:00

this match was doubtless one the most emotionally filled ones this year..
it gives me chiils just thinking about how it would feel to be in Monfils place, a finalist playing a homematch!

4

2009-11-17T00:44:00.012+01:00

hmmm... I was googling a little of everything - too keep my thoughts of my itching tattoo - when I came across this article about a colleague of mine who works in Vallentuna - where the ATA was gonna train under the Björn Borg weekend.
Crazy Board I say!!

3 back in business!!

2009-11-14T22:17:00.006+01:00

alright, was up half the night, not at Oscar's this time, but fixing the blog-which is finally up, NOT thanks to you Daniela :P
Best with the blog and the new settings is that now i can Iphone the entries and update all 3 accounts at once, Facebook, twitter and blogger. To the right you will find the twitter updates, which are most often news on coming up events, posts on what's going on, and tournaments pics.
enjoy :)

. The 11 year old team made us all proud yesterday at the seriespel sammandrag in Ljusdal. 22 wins out of 36 against 3 teams :) Joel Andreasson, Nadja and Jack Ydehall played great tennis!

. Halloween party at Sköns TK yesteday as well, busy weekend! We had a great time, Rami and the boys did a good job as always entertaining the kids and allowed me to just be a dad while at the club and spend some time with Emilia :)

2

2009-08-26T14:27:00.000+02:00

So what is The American Tennis Academy? It is not a club, but a business, and we are in the tennis business!

The ATA is a strategic tennis network that includes 4 national team coaches both in tennis and track and field, 4 well known national coaches, Sweden’s strongest man, 2 of the biggest and renown clubs in the country, 2 smaller clubs in the region and TennisNorr, the northern tennis federation.

Our main goal is to develop tennis in a smart way, not by reinventing the wheel all over or by trying to do everything ourselves. We are not interested into competing with other clubs in the area; we are interested into stating a system that will allow our northern players to reach higher development levels and be able to compete nationally.

Numero 1

2009-08-26T13:51:00.000+02:00

Hola! I decided to change my blog from "my tennis day to "my tennis week" so as to have a more realistic goal about how often to write. The main purpose with this blog is to express my ideas, frustrations and thoughts around my lifestyle: tennis.

In 5 days a very ambitious project is about to set sail, The American Tennis Academy …by Richie. The Academy started to take shape January the 17^th right after I met my former’s club accountant. It was on that day when I realized that there was not much I could do to affect the positive development of my tennis club. We had stagnated.