Posts Tagged ‘Tennis’

Loving your Tennis (at The Boulders), Enjoying the Learning, Practicing and Playing

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

  

Director of Tennis, Dale Light

I would like to take this opportunity to set the table straight, at least from my vantage point of competitive play for many years, and coaching and teaching the past 33 years: why play if you are not loving it! Really, and I sincerely mean it, what is the point of taking the time, developing skills and physically committing to an activity that doesn’t bring deep joy and countless smiles to one’s life? 

If you saw the interview with Tiger Woods following this year’s Masters, this became even more apparent, even at the highest level of sport where often competition is only about one thing and one thing only, the result. Tiger even went so far as to say that you won’t see him smiling out there unless he is playing well; pathetic! I wonder what he is thankful for? 

The opportunity to play a lifetime sport like tennis or golf is such a blessing, much less to be able to make your living doing so. This is always a choice, even Andre Agassi who said he hated playing tennis, showed no class in deferring this blame to others. Why didn’t he walk away from the game where he was adorned with fame, fortune and countless opportunities, no one held a gun to his head? 

The truth is just like when we get about of bed in the morning, we can’t really foresee the day we will have, but we can shape it by our attitude about it. This is particularly powerful in sport because you really have total control over your attitude but very, very little control over the outcomes. Players who play with passion, such as Steve Nash, Rafael Nadal, Gustavo Kuerten, Martina Navratilova, don’t place blame, play with heart, smile more, and are truly more enjoyable to watch. What is it they know that so many others do not, perhaps that they are playing a game they love, why not truly enjoy the opportunity while it lasts?

Tennis at The Boulders

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Tennis at The Boulders means keeping the game fun, let me explain….. Over the years I have asked many players why they took up the game, why tennis? The answer almost always is about how much fun it is, the joy they feel while playing. Many of these players I taught or watched play, yet more often than not they looked like they were either tense, angry or in some way frustrated on the court, with few smiles or laughs.

This has become all too familiar a sight in all sports, not just tennis. Certainly everyone wants to enjoy their experience whether it be on the tennis court, golf course, playing field, office, etc. but few seem to do so. I believe one of the key factors this occurs is because the competitive spirit and drive take over, and winning, coming out on top, become the focus. Simply, results rather than the process now define the experience one is having. This often leads to disappointment and frustration because losing happens and not many are prepared to truly face it.

The key in the learning and teaching of the game is to focus on development and continued learning ,not the result. The teaching program at The Boulders is built around three main areas which support this:1. Learning through continuous education, a life long process, 2. Fun and enjoyment of the journey with the emphasis placed on doing your best regardless of outcome, and 3. Development of fitness and healthy habits for life.

I often say to the staff that it is not really about what you know, although that helps, but the important thing is your joy and passion for what you do, this radiates out to everyone. The saying “I don’t care what you know unto I know how much you care” is so true. We love what we do at The Tennis Garden, providing a tennis class tennis experience that is enriching to all.

In health and happiness,
Dale Light

All About Tennis At The Boulders

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Located in one of the most scenic spots in the Valley of the Sun is the home of the Boulders Tennis Garden. Surrounded by a beautiful Sonoran landscape and amazing boulder formations one can experience tennis in one of the most intimate and warm environments in the world.

Perhaps you may not be aware that The Boulders Tennis Program is rated one of the top ten tennis resorts in America by Tennis Magazine, as well as rated number four in the world for tennis resorts by TennisResortsonline.com. It is truly a place to have a world class tennis experience.

The Tennis Garden has eight player friendly soft surfaces(5 Premier Cushioned courts and three Classic Clay), a pro shop with the latest in tennis fashion and a 24 hour racquet stringing service. In addition they offer daily drills and specialty clinics, private and group instruction, round-robins, camps, ball machine rental, and match arrangement.

The staff prides itself on providing the most friendly environment to learn and play the game. The emphasis in the teaching program is to tailor the teaching to the needs of each student, and keep the game simple, healthy and above all enjoyable. Many students and teams travel from across the country and world to experience tennis training with a more holistic and softer approach that the pros emphasize at The Boulders Tennis Garden.