THE BEST OF THE BEST

Written by: Staff on 25th March 2013

THE BEST OF THE BEST |

As dolphin fins pierce the Pacific’s surface, the morning sunrise paints an array of colors upon the Malibu Racquet Club. A rock’s throw from the beach, the club’s main lobby now hosts some of tennis’ greatest characters, who hover around the breakfast buffet in anticipation of the day’s event.

Australian Open champion Brian Teacher is here, signing in with the soft hands that symbolized 1980’s serve and volley game. Thirty years after his appearance in the ATP top 10, attendee, Eliot Teltscher, sports grey hair and a physique svelte enough to hint he might be getting ready for the senior tour. Bill Scanlon and Gene Malin stand courtside in an animated discussion about Scanlon’s only golden set in ATP history. One of Mexico’s top 100 role models, coach Angel Lopez touches his fruit plate and engages in a deep conversation with Roger Federer’s coach, Paul Annacone, and former tour player, Jeff Tarango. Annacone’s former mentor, Don Brosseau is in attendance and now gesticulating to Doug King, one of the country’s foremost tennis teaching visionaries. And the list goes on.

Several weeks ago, Malibu coach Craig Cignarelli approached MRC manager Trey Waltke with an idea. “Let’s get the best of the best in Southern California together for a coaching education conference. Maybe we can alter the proprietary nature of our profession and get some of these industry leaders to share their wisdom.” Waltke loved the concept and began preparations to host over four-hundred years of tennis wisdom.

As the morning mist fades into another perfect Malibu morning, seventeen coaches hoist and tilt ballpoint pens while the conversation moves from tour level training to US player development. The coaches here have varied histories – former tour players, tour coaches, junior development specialists, industry innovators – and all come with strong opinions about how to help players reach their potential.

Over the next three hours, we hear presentations revolving around tennis strategy, serving technique and extension vs. rotation on the groundstrokes. In this group of tennis veterans, however, macroscopic issues dominate the conversation. What can we do to improve the nation’s tennis? What is the role of the USTA in the scheme of player development? Are qualifications too lax in the teaching profession?

These coaches are passionate about their sport and, given the opportunity, are prepared to act on behalf of American tennis. At present, there is a collective belief that the path to professionalism is varied and unpredictable, and that organizational assistance should be supplemental to the private coaching industry. In other words, there is no “one way” to develop a champion. Additionally, the group would like to see a better-educated national tableau of tennis coaches who can create a more solid foundation for the average player.

Disappointed by the game’s evolution into a homogenous baseline grind, these past masters believe today’s players require a more strategic approach to winning, one which includes mastering the sport’s many skills. “Kids watching television today don’t see serve and volley or chip and charge. They emulate the game’s great players, but since there is so little diversity in the game styles, I’m concerned that the next generation may not be developing a complete skill set,” says Annacone. He continues, “I love hearing from these guys who are in the trenches. When they provide these kids with the proper technical and strategic base, my job becomes easier. I’ve learned a lot here today.”

Bill Scanlon reviews some of his training with Lendl, remembering “every drill we need, we did it for score. You train your mind to compete by putting yourself in competitive mode everyday. We’d do twenty mile bike races and go as hard as we could, just to learn about our own limits.”

Halfway through the day, there is a discussion about strategy. Does one attempt to decipher an opponent’s weakness and exploit it, or does one impose one’s strengths and will upon the opponent? Rarely do coaches at this level agree, and the question produced some scholarly debate.

At lunch, coaches discuss the morning presentations as Waltke watches over the group. “The idea of putting this many quality tennis minds into one room had to produce some great insight into the game,” said Waltke, “ and I think we’ve succeeded in creating a template to build upon.”

As the afternoon shadows began to descend, members of the old-guard clasp calloused hands and pat aching backs. Agreeing the day was a success, they commit to come back and battle another day…just like old times.

Topics: American tennis news, Australian Open, Bill Scanlon, Brian Teacher, Craig Cignarelli, Gene Malin, Malibu Racquet Club, Malibu tennis, Paul Annacone, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Waltke