Missile Defense System

After watching the Indian Wells final this past Sunday, I realized that the ATP tour has one of the world's greatest missile defense systems:



In the final,Roger Federer did an amazing job neutralizing the cruise missile serve that John Isner has. This ability is something I think gets overlooked in his game a lot of the time. Yes, Djokovic is an amazing returner and can turn his return into an offensive shot in the blink of an eye (see 2011 U.S. Open semi for example), but Federer has a great ability to neutralize something that is often times the biggest weapon his opponent has. Think back to when Andy Roddick was essentially serving people off the court around 10 years ago. Federer was the one guy he could never do that to. His ability to redirect a serve regardless of the pace is amazing. He did the same thing to Milos Raonic earlier in the Indian Wells tournament as well. I personally would huddle in the corner and cry if I had to attempt to return a 140+ mph serve. For Federer, it is just another skill that he makes look so easy, you hardly even notice it. His win at Indian Wells makes me curious to see if he can make a run at the #1 ranking this year (amazingly it is mathmatically possible, even after Djokovic's 2011). This is shaping up to be an interesting season on the ATP tour....

"I fear no one, but respect everyone." - Roger Federer 

Kids in the Kitchen

I just wanted to let everybody know that tomorrow, March 10th, I will be down at the West Boise YMCA as part of the Kids in the Kitchen event. It's a totally free event all about kids nutrition and fitness. So bring your kids and come play some tennis with the staff from Idaho Tennis Association. Here are all of the details:

T The Junior League of Boise and the Treasure Valley Family YMCA are hosting the 6th annual education initiative on childhood obesity and nutrition, Kids in the Kitchen (KITK). The event is FREE and open to the public on Saturday, March 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the WEST YMCA, 5959 North Discovery Way, Boise. KITK is an interactive and entertaining event aimed at empowering youth to make healthy lifestyle and nutrition choices. Participants can visit booths, enjoy demonstrations, sample healthy foods and try new exercises and games. COME JOIN US!

Chaparral Elementary loves TiE!

I just wanted to spend a quick minute giving a big congratulations to Chaparral Elementary in Meridian. It took them just 6 days to completely fill their upcoming Tennis is Elementary session!! The excitement level is so big, I have already had to get a waiting list started. Congratulations Chaparral Trailblazers! We are going to have so much fun when we get started on April 10th!

For a complete list of schools offering Tennis is Elementary so far, visit http://www.idtennis.com/ and click on the Tennis is Elementary tab. Don't see your school? Call me, email me, leave a blog comment and let me know that you want TiE at your school!!