Manoj Godara, 21 Mar :Doug MacCurdy is probably one of the most revered international faces in the Tennis circuit today. The first director development ITF 1984-98 conducted a players’ development program at Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) courts recently in Chandigarh.He represents the honorable ITF-AITA collaboration for coaches’ education and players’ development program in India for 2009. The International Tennis Federation and Olympic Solidarity, the developmental arm of the International Olympic Committee, support this project. “Passion, super talent, burning desire to excel, intense love for the game, good professional schedule, exposure to play with the best, no. of international tournaments and above all right kind of attitude is what it takes to be a Grand slam champion,” said the professional sports consultant on what it takes to be a Grand slam champion.
“The camp was very good as everybody around got a lot of info from his experience.Around 55 trainees attended the camp which is excellent atttendance during exam days. The coaching programme of CLTA got a big boost during the practicum.” said Gajendra Singh, Chief Operating Officer CLTA.
“Doug has a lot to give to the world of tennis as he has extensive experience.The camp was an advantage not only for the players but the coaches too.Everyday he met the coaches after the practice sessions of the kids and discussed about technical asoects and group planning for the next session and chalked out individual practice and tournament schedules for them.” Declared Romen Singh, Senior Coach CLTA.
“The camp was hugely beneficial to us as players as the coach carries some sort of aura around him which mainly motivated to keep us more focussed and plan out what exactly we need to have to excel in our sport.” Chirp in Nakul singh, Rahat and Kabir Manrai.
Deliberating on the recent workshop and the tennis scenario in the country Doug says that the workshop was a success with enthusiastic players coming from diffeent parts of the country, the Rural Scheme CHART and NTA. The standard of coaching program has improved a lot with enthusiastic schedules that have been recently produced in the leadership of the new CLTA COO Gajender Singh.
“India should be proud of its accomplishments in Tennis as they have been making their presence felt in the international rankings every now and then. It is commendable to even rank in first three hundred out of more than three million players competing concurrently and there are more than 175 ITF countries vying for a modest standing as opposed to India’s favorite game Cricket where there are just around twenty three countries competing for the team championship.”
There is intense competition in Tennis and eighty percent of the players come from Europe in the Grand slams so it is self evident that there are more competitive opportunities available to compete with the best and this is the kind of exposure that a serious players actually needs along with his own super talent.
International Tennis Hall of Fame Educational Merit Award recipient adds that “though there are challenges for Asian players but it is not impossible to achieve the aim of winning Singles Grand slam championship. Good exposure, professional schedule adequate opportunities and funds are very vital along with the right kind of attitude.”
He pointed out that it was easier for the women players of Asia to make a mark because most of them were getting groomed on the hard courts.
“Indians are hugely talented but probably sports is not exactly what they focus on when it to comes to carrying forward their passions as is evident from the per capita medal winning records in all the sports taken together ” He added referring to India’s historical single gold Medal winning feat of Abhinav Bindra in Olympics 2008. He might have a point in there when he says that probably academics are still what the parents consider as a ‘safe option’.
Father of an eleven years old daughter Doug would never ever ask her to go for the game till the child develops a passion for tennis own her own. He says that it is extremely important that the child himself /herself falls in love with the game and not go as per the desires of others.
Winding up with a hopeful note of seeing the Master Professional again in April, here are some commandments for the players :
-Try to get rid of the weaknesses when young.
-Understand your vision, passion yourself and the game thoroughly.
-Focus in the right direction at the right with the right kind of attitude.
– Show incredible physical, mental and emotional fitness.
-Physiacal work should be of high intensity but not too long.The quality of training is more important than quantity on and off the court. 100% intensity is indispensable.
-A serious fifteen years of age player would be doing 25 hours of training a week, which means atleast two and a half hour of quality training a day.
-Even more than twenty five hours a week for top professsionals.
– it is always advantagious to introduce the child to the tennis at a young age but it is mostly about becoming a good athlete and basic tennis player.
Doug MacCurdy is currently working with the All India Tennis Association on coaches’ education and the development of players. The International Tennis Federation and Olympic Solidarity, the developmental arm of the International Olympic Committee, support this project. He is also a partner in Dynamic Sports Development, LLC, a company involved in leading the promotion of collegiate and junior sport. In 2003-2004, he served as the first varsity tennis coach at the College of Santa Fe.
Previously, MacCurdy was with the Chinese Tennis Association on the same project as in India currently. He was Director of USA Tennis Player Development from 1998 to 2001. In this capacity, he led the efforts of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to develop competitive tennis players. From 1984 through 1997, MacCurdy was Director of Development for the International Tennis Federation. He advised National Associations, implemented development programmes, educated coaches and trained players in over 160 countries. In 1995, MacCurdy was named General Manager of the ITF while continuing to serve as Director of Development.
MacCurdy is a Master Professional of the United States Professional Tennis Association and an International Master Professional of the Professional Tennis Registry. He received the International Tennis Hall of Fame Educational Merit Award in 1993 and the ITF Award for Services to the Game in 1998. He served as a television commentator for the French Open from 1986 to 1997. He has been the technical advisor and actor in various instructional and documentary films, and was co-author of the book Sports Illustrated Tennis.
I have a question–considering I am the top technical and production coach in the USA I have always wondered how and why we have been left out of the equation. It seems like Doug and his followers always hire the former tour players who have no expertise in the swing adjustment skills that takes years to acquire. Golf has it right–Can you imagine Tiger hiring an inexperienced former tour player to help hip with his 3 swing changes in 7 years—No Way!! he hires 45 year old experienced coaches that have swing analysis back ground. Worse yet, name a top tour player who has actually cured a swing flaw on tour—there is a reason—they hire the only people identified by the system—former tour players to help them–look at Roddick–he has gone through 5 coaches in 5 years and finally Stephanki has helped his poor backhand a little—I could have made that adjustment 9 years ago plus could give him a penetrating cross court forehand and not that inside out only spinney forehand. Check out my blog—it is very interesting!!!