VICTORIA SPORT MINISTER “EXTREMELY CONFIDENT” OF 2021 AUSTRALIAN OPEN

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There are also transport and crowd plans to be assessed, with the tournament aiming to have between 25 and 50 percent spectators.

The Australian Open could still be a while away from getting government approval for its quarantine and safety protocols to hold the tournament next season.

Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley, speaking to AAP a few days ago, said the organization were getting to “crunch time” for such decisions. Players and their teams would begin arriving the the country and starting their two-week quarantine in around two months.

But the plans are still being looked at by government officials in Victoria, where the Australian Open is played.

“There’s a whole lot of work to do,” said Martin Pakula, the state’s Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events, speaking to the podcast Break Point.

Like Tiley, Pakula identified quarantine requirements as the top issue. Those arriving in Australia are required to stay in a hotel room for two weeks, but the tournament is requesting an exemption to allow them to stay together in a specified location and train on court.

“They don’t want to obviously sit in the hotel room for 14 days not able to move and do exercise and practice,” he said.

But there are also questions around arrangements for warm-up events in other states. The ATP Cup is played at Perth, Brisbane and Sydney, while there are WTA tournaments in Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart.

The regular ATP and WTA events in Auckland have been cancelled, in part because of delays involving government approval.


Getty Images

If the Australian warm-up events are played, then “a lot of players will quarantine in those cities rather than having to coming through Melbourne” noted the minister, and if not, “then everyone will probably be coming to Melbourne as their first stop.”

There are also transport and crowd plans to be assessed, with the tournament aiming to have between 25 and 50 percent spectators.

“We’ve got to work on travel bubbles, we’ve got to work on the issue of crowds,” he said.

There should be “some sort of crowds,” he added.

Victoria has been under lockdown for several weeks and there are travel restrictions within the country, but these appear likely to be at least partly lifted in the next few weeks.

Even with the details still not agreed, the minister pointed to the “cultural” and “sporting” importance of the Australian Open and indicated it was a priority.

“I’m extremely confident,” he said. “I’m determined that it will happen.”

The Australian Open has informed players of the initial requirements.

Source

Club Championships Week 2

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The Club Championships began in fine weather with some great tennis.

Results to date and the draw for next weekend are available below.

We are allowing an extra weekend to finish the matches due to the large number of entries.

The finals will now be played on November 7 followed by the Club’s AGM, a barbecue and presentation of trophies.

Match Scheduling: We are trying to schedule a lot of matches in limited court time. Too many members are wanting to change the times in their draws. If you CANNOT play at your designated time, please contact your opposition and arrange another time that works for everyone.  Even so, you MUST check with Denis if a court can be made available for the proposed time.  If your opposition disagrees, or a court is not available, then a forfeit will occur. Please contact Denis if you need to contact your opponent.

Draws for the second week of the Annual Club Championships are linked below:

MLTC2020-1-MOS-2

MLTC2020-2-MOD-2

MLTC2020-3-LOS-2

MLTC2020-4-LOD-2

MLTC2020-5-XOD-2

MLTC2020-6-AMS-2

MLTC2020-7-AMD-2

MLTC2020-8-ALS-2

MLTC2020-9-ALD-2

MLTC2020-10-AXD-2

NOTE:  PLEASE CHECK WEBSITE REGULARLY FOR ANY CHANGES TO DRAW PARTICULARLY MATCH TIMES.

Thank you to Dean Hodgson for preparing the draws!

Good luck to all competitors.

Denis Crowley
MLTC Club Captain
0407021624

Seniors Tournaments 2020 Schedule Updated

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CALENDAR – Program of EVENTS 2020 @ 19October

Whilst there has been significant easing of restrictions , please check with the Tournament Directors BEFORE making any bookings for Accommodation

DATES CLUB TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR Contact Details

  • October 16-18 Gosford District TC Chris Lees 0411 154 327

  • November 5-6 Hawks Nest Lisa Dale 0412 500 055

  • November 14-15 Bathurst Carillon City Andrew Mitton 0419 499 467

  • November 14-15 West Tamworth Brian Brooking 0417 614 054

  • December 4-6 “ Dave Matthews” Nelson Bay Stephen Taylor 0466 154 580

Source: TennisSeniors

Club Championships Draws Posted

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NOTE:  PLEASE CHECK WEBSITE REGULARLY FOR ANY CHANGES TO DRAW PARTICULARLY MATCH TIMES.

Draws for the Annual Club Championships:

MLTC2020-1-MOS

MLTC2020-2-MOD

MLTC2020-3-LOS

MLTC2020-4-LOD

MLTC2020-5-XOD

MLTC2020-6-AMS

MLTC2020-7-AMD

MLTC2020-8-ALS

MLTC2020-9-ALD

MLTC2020-10-AXD

Thank you to Dean Hodgson for preparing the draws!

Good luck to all competitors.

MLTC Annual Report 2020

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The 48thANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Manly Lawn Tennis Club Ltd are attached.

MLTC Annual Report 2020 final

MLTC Annual Report 2020 Financial Statements

Copies of the Financial Statements have been posted on the club’s notice board.

Virginia Longfellow
MLTC Secretary

 

 

MLTC Klub Komp Starts Thurs Oct 29

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Entries are now open for new 💥Thursday afternoon social comp starting October 29 for 5 weeks from 3.30 – 5pm.💥

We have two courts reserved, so we need 4 pairs to commit to 5 weeks on a Thursday afternoon at the above times. 

Players may enter as ladies doubles, mixed doubles or men’s double pairs.

Format: 3 set matches. Each set won earns you 2 points plus one point for the win. Total 7 points for a 3 set win. If sets are incomplete points will be allocated for sets won only. You will play each team twice with the  last week as play offs for places.🏆

Sign up below online by October 22. Draw will be available by October 27.

There are a very limited number of teams so sign up quickly as it is first in best dressed!!

Looking forward to a competitive Thursday afternoon.🎾😁

Regards 
Melinda Gray
Komp Captain

Relaxed Restrictions for Outdoor Dining from 16 Oct

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13 October 2020

The new restrictions will allow hospitality venues with outdoor areas and outdoor seated music performances to increase capacity in a COVID Safe way. 

The eased restrictions will start from Friday 16 October 2020. Under the new rules:

  • hospitality venues can allow one person for every two square metres for outdoor areas. This previously was one person per four square metres
  • up to 500 people can attend outdoor seated music performances and rehearsals for venues complying with the four square metre rule. This previously was a total of 20 people.

All businesses and venues must use electronic methods such as QR codes to record and keep contact details.

Restaurants, cafes and bars that have outdoor seating sections will be able to increase capacity in a COVID Safe way with the relaxed two square metre rule. 

Venues and organisers of outdoor music performances and rehearsals must have a COVID Safety Plan in place. 

Source: NSW Govn

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF MANLY LAWN TENNIS CLUB LIMITED ABN 59 001 063 074

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Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at the Clubhouse, corner of Raglan and Belgrave Streets, Manly on Saturday 7th November 2020 at 4pm.

AGENDA:

  1. To confirm and sign, as a correct record, the Minutes of the Extraordinary General Meeting held on Saturday 21st December, 2019.
  2. Business arising from the minutes.
  3. Presentation of Annual Report from the President.
  4. Secretary’s Report.
  5. Treasurer’s Report
  6. To receive and consider the Profit and Loss Accounts, the Balance Sheets and the Report of the Directors.
  7. To elect the Directors: President, two Vice – Presidents, Hon. Treasurer and Hon. Secretary.
  8. To elect the members of the Committee: Assistant Hon. Secretary/Treasurer, Social Secretary, Club Captain, Assistant Club Captain, and other Honorary positions in accordance with Clause 40. To elect Badge team selectors in accordance with Clause 46
  9. Life Membership – Ron Jeffs
  10. To confirm the appointment of Hall Jackson Pty Ltd as the company Auditors for the current financial year.
  11. Approval of annual honorariums for the Secretary, Club Captain, Bar Manager and Treasurer.
  12. To transact any other business which, under the Constitution of the Company, may be transacted at an Annual General Meeting.
  13. Any other business

How Swiatek’s sports psychologist honed her mental game

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WTA Insider speaks with sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz about the perils of professional tennis and the importance of training the mind as much as the body.

Daria Abramowicz can think of no better research lab for sports psychology than the high-stakes, high-stress world of Grand Slam tennis. The 33-year-old Warsaw native has served as Polish phenom Iga Swiatek’s sports psychologist for nearly two years, traveling with Swiatek’s team to big events to help address the challenges of playing on the tour.

The 19-year-old has been an unstoppable force in Paris, booking a spot in her first Slam final in just her second main draw appearance at Roland Garros. Unseeded and ranked No.54, Swiatek paved her own way over the fortnight, defeating last year’s finalist Marketa Vondrousova in the first, playing pitch-perfect tennis to oust top seed Simona Halep in a 6-1, 6-2 masterclass, in the Round of 16, and showing no signs of nerves or pressure as she played as the clear favorite to defeat Martina Trevisan in the quarterfinals and Nadia Podoroska in the semifinals. Swiatek is now the first Polish woman to make the Roland Garros in the Open and just the second all-time, following Jadwiga Jedrzejowska, who was a runner-up in 1939.

It is rare to see a young athlete not only employ a full-time sports psychologist but to also speak so openly about her struggles and successes in handling the psychological strains of being a professional athlete.

“I just believe that mental toughness is probably the most important thing in tennis right now because everybody can play on the highest level,” Swiatek told reporters after her fourth-round win. “But the ones that are tough and that can handle the pressure are the biggest ones.

“She just made me smarter. I know more about sports and I know more about psychology and I can understand my own feelings and I can say them out loud.”

“So I always wanted to develop in that way. I was working with some other psychologists, two probably when I was younger. But Daria was the best I could get because she just understands me very well and she knows me very well and she can kind of read my mind, which is weird.

“She was a sailor so she has experience in sports and she was a coach so she has the full package. She just made me smarter. I know more about sports and I know more about psychology and I can understand my own feelings and I can say them out loud.

“She just makes my confidence level higher.”

Read more –>

Serving Is Mental. So Stop Thinking So Much.

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Some of the best players in the world have struggled with one of the most basic shots in tennis at the French Open.

PARIS — Raffaella Reggi rose to 13th in the world in women’s tennis in the late 1980s despite a serve so balky she once recorded 28 double faults in a match in Rome. With the shrill voices of fans pleading with her to use an underhand motion still ringing in her ears, Reggi said she walked into the press room afterward and professed, “I have no idea how to serve.”

Watching a player repeatedly start points by hitting balls into the net or, in the German Alexander Zverev’s case, beyond the baseline, can be excruciating.

“I had some flashbacks,” Reggi said of Zverev’s double-fault-filled performance in his United States Open final defeat to Dominic Thiem.

It’s akin to actors forgetting their lines during a soliloquy. You sit there, helpless to assist, willing them to get back in the flow. If all the court’s a stage, double faults are a tennis player’s inner heckler lashing out.

Mary Carillo, the NBC analyst and former French Open doubles champion, said, “It’s almost always the same culprit: nerves.”

How the anxiety seeps into the technical execution varies. It can be a wandering ball toss that throws off one’s rhythm or a tightening of the limbs that makes it harder to bend the knees and execute the natural arm swing. The challenge for those struggling with their serves, Carillo said, is to fight the instinct to bend the ball into the box slowly and carefully and instead accelerate their racket head speed.

“More action at the point of contact gives more margin, not less,” she said.

The serve is the only stroke in the sport where the player exercises complete control of the moment. It is a stand-alone action, so when the moment goes awry, there is stand-alone accountability.

The 23-time major singles champion Serena Williams, who has one of the most potent serves in the game, said that on those rare occasions when her best weapon is misfiring, “My brain is like: ‘Oh, my God! I never miss this!’”

The embarrassment of being a professional unable to execute this elemental shot faithfully can be acute.

“I mean, in practice I make the serves,” said an exasperated Coco Gauff, who opened the French Open stalking the baseline between service points yelling, “Focus!” as she piled up 12 double faults in a victory against Johanna Konta.

In the next round, Gauff had 19 in a three-set loss to Martina Trevisan of Italy. The 16-year-old Gauff has averaged almost 15 doubles in her last four matches.

“It’s just confidence, just a mind thing,” said Gauff, who added: “I don’t really think it’s a technical thing. I mean, we talk to a lot of people. Sometimes I mess up and hit a bad toss. I mean, when I’m out there on the court, I know I double-fault a lot, but I try not to think of it.”

Read more —>

Whisperer Serving Tip: Lighten up on your grip to accelerate the racket head. Most players ‘choke the chicken under stress’ particularly on serve.

Are Underhand Serves Underhanded? Tennis Is Opening Up to the Crafty Tactic

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Players concede that the serve can be a good tactic against players who stand far, far back from the baseline. And they know when opponents are trying to show them up.

Neither the pioneer nor the present-day popularizer of the underhand serve has been in Paris this year during the French Open.

Michael Chang, who won the tournament with a clutch use of the serve in 1989, is back in the United States, spending time with his wife, Amber, and their three young children. Nick Kyrgios is back in Australia, spending time on social media as a freelance tennis critic, which should make for some testy conversations with his peers when he finally does return to the circuit in person.

But Chang’s and Kyrgios’s legacy has been on frequent display in the first week of the Grand Slam tournament.

Underhand serves, once broadly considered underhanded in the sport, have been popping up in the autumnal gloom like mushrooms in the French countryside.

Peak season may have been Wednesday. In the stretch of a couple of hours, you could watch Alexander Bublik hold serve with an underhander (it seems time for a punchy, one-word term), see Sara Errani save a match point with one and watch Mackenzie McDonald save nothing at all with a floating, sacrificial offering of an underhander that the 12-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal pounced on for a return winner en route to a 6-0, 6-1, 6-3 victory.

“If he’s winning, it’s a good tactic; if he’s losing, it’s a bad tactic,” Nadal said. He added that, for example, it was “not a good tactic” for Mackenzie. For Bublik, he said, “if that works,” it was “a good tactic.”

Unfortunately for Bublik, it did not work often enough. He lost his second-round match to Lorenzo Sonego in a duel that was also brimming with other tennis exotica, like serve-and-volley tactics and tweeners.

Read more —>

Saturday Social Court Captain Roster, Club Championships, Message from Paul, Reminders

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SATURDAY SOCIAL COURT CAPTAIN ROSTER

September 26 – December 19, 2020

Sept 26            Ron Jeffs                      Ian Bate

Oct 3               Denis Crowley             David Bowen

Oct 10             Julie Porteous             Michelle Stevens

Oct 17-31        Club Championships

Nov 7               Tony Hamilton            Des Tempany

Nov 14             Virginia Longfellow     Bob Hill

Nov 21             Peter Roberts             Narelle Kinsey

Nov 28             Milton da Rocha         Carl Brazendale

Dec 5               Craig Withell               Scott Anderson

Dec 12             Hugo Stegmann          Mark Flogel

Dec 19             Jon Corney                  Peter Butcher

Court Captains operate 1pm-4pm. Members playing before 1pm and after 4pm arrange their own sets.

Diary your allotted date now. Should you be unavailable on your rostered date, you must arrange your own replacement.

VISITORS: During COVID, visitors are NOT permitted. The exception is anyone trialling with the aim of joining the Club. $20 fee to be collected prior to playing.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS REMINDER

Members your fees are now due, to be eligible to play you must be a financial member.

MESSAGE FROM PAUL WIGNEY

Congratulations to the winners and well done to all the other teams for representing the club throughout the season. I was there in spirit. I am hoping that one day soon I can make a long awaited appearance at the old club. Best regards to all Paul.

REMINDER

A reminder there are two courts available for members’ use from 7am -9am on Wednesdays. You need to book through Manly Tennis Centre.