https://blog.universaltennis.com/2016/10/19/a-conversation-with-darryl-cummings/

During the 2005 NCAA tournament I kept a diary while coaching Izak van der Merwe. Very interesting looking back to see Baylor’s Benjamin Becker was one of Izak’s opponents. Becker would be the player who defeated Andre Agassi in his last professional match at the 2006 US Open. Click the following link for the complete diary: http://cummingsathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2005-NCAA-Tennis-Diary.pdf. Izak is currently #115 in the ATP rankings.

The difference between the mannerisms of the beginner, intermediate, and advance tennis player having to do more with experience of play as opposed to level of play.

PICKING UP THE BALL: Beginner-Bends over and picks up the ball; Intermediate-Traps the ball against  their shoe then lifts the ball off the ground and grabs the ball on one bounce; Advanced-Picks the ball up by tapping the ball with the racket.

RETRIEVING THE BALL FROM ANOTHER COURT: Beginner-Just runs across other players court to retrieve their ball; Intermediate-Waits until the other players have a break in play and then runs across the other player’s court to get their ball; Advanced-Waits until the other players have a break in play and then asks the other players to return their ball.

STARTING OFF A RALLY: Beginner-Tosses the ball and hits it above their head with a frying pan grip; Intermediate-Drops the ball and hits it on the bounce; Advanced-Hits the ball out of the air with a forehand.

CALLING THE SCORE: Beginner-Provided they know how to keep score they will call it out 40-15 or 30-15; Intermediate-Will call the same score 45 or 35; Advanced-Will not call the score at all.

TENNIS BALL: Beginner-Thinks that tennis balls last a year; Intermediate-Thinks that a couple of cans will last a season; Advanced-Uses new balls every time they play and very rarely do they save the can to put the balls back in.

MAKING LINE CALLS: Beginner-Will call the ball good during the point; Intermediate-Will call the ball in or out by using the word “in” of “out” verbally; Advanced-Will use hand singles to make the calls such as giving their opponent the finger when the ball is out. Index finger of course…

CROSSING ANOTHER COURT DURING PLAY: Beginner-Will walk behind the court while people are playing; Intermediate-Will walk behind the court during a break in play; Advanced-Will wait to the take the quickest way to the other court during a break in play.

WARMING UP: Beginner-Will hit a few and then play; Intermediate-Will hit a few and then take some practice serves and then play; Advanced-Will hit groundstrokes, volleys, overheads, and serves then play.

CALLING A “LET” DURING THE POINT: Beginner– Never notices the ball roll on the court; Intermediate– Will call a “let” when they immediately see the ball; Advanced– Determines if they have the advantage or disadvantage in the point before the call a “let”.

In the U.S.A we pair up 14 year old players with other 14 year old players to expose them to competitive tennis.  Why not match them by level for competitive matches along with allowing them to get seasoned by incorporating adults?

Pete Sampras was a better player than Andre Agassi because he had a 20-14 record against him.  Who had the better career? I believe it would be Agassi because he has all four of the grand slam titles plus an Olympic Gold medal in singles. Pete is missing the French and the Olympic Gold medal.

Rafael Nadal is a better player than Roger Federer because he currently has a 17-8 record against him as of September 2010. Who has the better career as of September 2010? To me this is tougher than the Agassi – Sampras comparison because both Federer and Nadal have won all four grand slams and each have an Olympic Gold with Nadal winning the singles and Federer winning the doubles. At this point in their career I would have to go with Federer having the best career.

Darryl’s Career Rankings would be:

1.Roger Federer (16 majors, career grand slam, Olympic Gold Doubles)

2.Rafael Nadel (10 majors, career grand slam, Olympic Gold Singles, Davis Cup Champion)

3.Andre Agassi (8 majors, career grand slam, Olympic Gold Singles, Davis Cup Champion)

4.Peter Sampras (14 majors, Davis Cup Champion)

www.universaltennis.com has a very impressive rating system. Check out pros, college players, and top US juniors.