25 years into the millennium and tennis responsibility
View(s):With this year, tennis too will complete its existence in the first quarter of this century. These 25 years did change the resemblance of the game, from the known. Authority, administration, projection, participatory base, popularity and availability subjected to the changes of our time. On court and off court changes are profound.
Changes affected the art of stroke-making, playing speed, tactical possibilities, player development, tournament structure, ranking, global approaches, participatory management and the identity as a health sport in our daily life. Strangely enough, the world needing a reminder, we began to hear tennis is good for longevity and health again. For that matter, all sporting pursuits are good health providers. Tennis coaches and sports promoters will have to catch up to these.
Changes in the game
Traditional strokes known better as orthodox produces a linear arm movement. No coach today teach linear strokes.
The angular movement is the genetic nature of man. Body assisted angular swing produces more power and control. Top spin and slices are more effective with angular movement, also permits sharp ankles. This is the domineering approach now. Angular movement needs less time in preparation and execution. Its fluency in time and space limitations is profound permitting better power transfer at all heights. This is the only technique used in professional realm. Last decade established it very firmly in tennis.
Old definitions not effective
Any tennis enthusiast wishes to indulge or remain in tennis must study its present status. Old routine training will show up unpleasant surprises. The practice of the game and competitions have changed a lot for recreation and otherwise.
Future officials and administrators will have to carry additional knowledge and responsibility to lead and to sustain tennis nationally and internationally. Many nations are going to fail here. Global competition in tennis is now with the professional bodies. Two thirds of the old tennis bastions of the game not represented here anymore.
Knowing the state of global tennis is a local administrator priority and responsibility. National tennis will demand this from administrators. Without these local programmes players are bound to a free fall, after their junior days as experienced extremely in Sri Lanka.
2025 profession, an anxiety
Crash-bang Australian Open begins on January 12. The other three Grand Slam events — French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open have up to six weeks of pre-run-up to adjust into their surface. Comparatively seen Australia is giving almost none as run-up time.
First of the ATP/WTA professional event in the competition of 2025 calendar began on December 27 of 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. Tennis is Singles and Doubles, orientation to the playing surface and Australian heat affects players. It is also the reason for the short run up to the Australian Open.
Performance Anxiety
This factor is not only for the amateurs, it affects every player. Competition experience, preparation and adequate exposure are the way out. In the early season all will experience it, the degree will differ.
With court surfaces getting faster and players’ delivering tremendous power, modern development emphasises stronger body and speed combination. Development must take this hint seriously.
All in the Top 10 of the WTA and ATP are angular stroke makers. Last year Italian newcomer Jasmini Paolini stormed into the Top 10 with a height of mere five feet with this stroke making advantage. Worthy development hint to our players in our island.
Physical build
Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams are classic examples of the contemporary tennis build. Even that did not suffice when it came to injuries. Both retired unable to cope with the physical breakdown.
For modern players, having a build to sustain their tennis, will remain to be a critical challenge. In 2024, Ons Jabeur of Tunisia, Emma Thompson and a few others with Simona Halep, stepped aside to recuperate. Return will not be easy even though they are veterans.
WTA and ATP
The last major shakeup tennis had was Covid-19. The professional had their share of issues travelling for events and playing in far apart geographic location. Taking all of professional activities, travel is still the critical one. The calendar of these two professional bodies have streamlined for minimal travel now. They have placed player comfort and convenience as their priority.
Men’s appealing evergreens
Grigor Dimitrov, the Bulgarian, and Novak Djokovic, a Serbian, are 34 and 37 years of age. Both in the Top 10 of ATP ranking. Both are eastern European weathering their political climate and culture. Their extremes are excusable. Homegrown influences are difficult to suppress.
Novak Djokovic
The strength of these two is in their personalities. Djokovic is more disturbing to the opponents, officials and demands partisan spectatorship. Often he takes it to a point of being un-sportive. He has paid few good fines, received boos from spectators and been on the verge of suspension. Following eastern European sport closely, former Yugoslavian breakaway states have an aggression related behaviour in their sport.
Grigor Dimitrov
Flamboyance is the first word that comes to describing Dimitrov. Very appealing style and a tactician with ability, endurance, variation and elegance. Describing his game, I will say he took on from where Federer left to keep tennis appealing. A full-fledged stroke-maker, comfortable in all positions of the court. Standing tall with appealing charisma to match, in private life his name often connected to tennis divas and others of the glamour world.
On court, Dimitrov’s tennis is a measure of its own, worthy spectacle regardless whether he wins or loses. He will be there in Australia.
— Wish all the very best in 2025 —
–George Paldano, European and Asian competition player;Coach German Tennis Federation; National coach Brunei and Sri Lanka; Davis Cup, Federation Cup coach, coached ATP, WTA and ITF ranked players in Europe and Asia; whatsapp +94775448880–