I’ve always believed that bullies continue behaving as bullies because the majority of people around them allow it. Spoiled children and adults embrace their petulance because it too is allowed. What I’ve learned in the past 3 1/2 years of playing tennis is that the same behaviors are often allowed on the courts. Does good sportsmanship mean we “nice” our opponents to death, or are we justified in a little truth?

Recently, I played a women’s doubles match in which one of the opponents was patronizing and annoying. She made two particularly obscene line calls between the irritating comments, causing my partner and I pretty high levels of angst. As the match continued, there were many opportunities for us to pull ahead, because we were the stronger team. There were numerous multiple deuce games and many long points. Both women on the other side had a maddening habit of hitting the balls that had rolled off the court high up in the air first to one side and then to the other without aim…causing the server to run back and forth along the back fence in between points. We actually discovered after the match that they had been doing this on purpose and were laughing as we ran.

In the second set, we were up 4-1 but continued to let our annoyance beat us. Each time we gave them a point through an unforced error, the more offensive of the two women would say, “Yes!” and pump her fist in the air…as if they had slammed down a putaway shot. Pumping your fist in Spring, Sunday afternoon recreational tennis at a mediocre skill level is overkill anyway.

Things went from bad to worse, and I flubbed the last shot of the match to give them the match win, my partner and I watched in disbelief as our opponents hugged each other without saying anything to us, walked casually to the back fence to pick up some balls and kept congratulating each other. We stood at the net and waited for them to remember they should shake our hands. We stood and waited some more. Finally, one of them noticed us, and they walked back toward the net.
Suddenly, something in me snapped. I have always striven to win graciously and lose with dignity. My partner and I just won the city finals in another league and waited until the other team had left the parking lot before squealing out our victory. I have been beaten more times than I care to count and have never said anything other than “nice match” to people I felt did not exhibit good sportsmanship. This time, though, I thought to myself that it was very likely no one had ever said anything to this woman either. She did not win graciously, and I mentally beat myself, because I didn’t even care about winning…I just wanted to get off the courts.

As she approached, we all shook hands. The woman said, “That was fun.” I said, “No, I really didn’t have fun.” She looked surprised and said, “Why not?” I said, “You’re one of the most annoying people I’ve ever played.” Her look of shock told me I was right in assuming no one had ever called her out on her behavior. She asked why I thought she was annoying, and I said, “I just found you extremely annoying. And you kept saying ‘Yes!’ when we missed the ball, which I thought was very unsportsmanlike.” Then I walked off the court.

Predictably, she told everyone on her team in shocked tones what I had said. Interestingly, no one but her glared at me. In fact, all of her teammates came over to chat one at a time until the entire day’s final match was over, especially her partner. When the woman left with her husband, no one said goodbye to her, and she simply faded off into the afternoon. Her teammates became even friendlier after she left. Maybe I’m way off base, but the entire experience told me that she was indeed one of those people who not many people enjoy, but no one has the social nerve to tell her.

I don’t think that means I should voice my personal opinion about everyone I meet. In this type of case, however, I do not feel an ounce of guilt or remorse. This woman was obnoxious and a poor sport, and in both categories, she was extreme. I didn’t curse at her or insult her or throw my racket. I think I simply said out loud what many people had probably been thinking. Maybe it didn’t do any good. Maybe she just blathered to everyone that I was just feeling sour grapes for losing. And maybe…just maybe…it made her stop and think.

Jackie Hamilton, Owner and Operator of CourtMeTennis.com, a social tennis league currently servicing five major US cities.

If you like tennis, you have to go to Madrid in September 2008! Spain will host the Davis Cup World Semifinals, Spain versus USA, (men). The match will take place at the city’s famous bullfighting arena, Las Ventas. At the same time the World Fed Cup Final, Spain versus Russia, (women), will be in September too as it had been celebrated for the last years

The Spaniards are at their very best on a slow clay surface, while the Americans are likely to benefit from the higher altitude speeding up play. Las Ventas will join thousands of tennis lovers in this beautiful city despite of the opinion of the Spanish tennis players, who will have preferred to play at sea level, considering that Madrid is at 600 meters from sea level. The last time the USA played in Spain was the 2004 final in Seville in front of 27,000 fans, an historic record attendance for any celebrated tennis event.

This time, Nadal and the Spanish team are the favourites. They will play in front of 25,000 people that probably will rise everyone emotions within the match. This will be the 5th confrontation between Spain and USA in the last nine years, with a balance of 2-2 in the last four eliminatory.

Up to the moment, the decisive factor in these matches has been the court. Therefore, everybody expects a Spanish victory, because it is the most powerful team on clay surface. The winner team will play with the winner from Argentina versus Russia. Do not miss the best Spanish players in action: Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer, Tommy Robredo, Feliciano López…

The Final Fed Cup matches will be disputed in a more classic tennis court: Club de Campo Villa Madrid, with a capacity of 4,000 spectators. Also it will be play on clay surface. The female Russian team plays with advantage, but the Spanish one will try to win with the total support from their fans. Anabel Medina -N. 26 in the world, Nuria Llagostera -N. 93, Virginia Ruano -N. 102, and Carla Suárez -N.51 make up the Spanish team, coached by de Miguel Margets. The Russians have won three of the last four editions of the Fed Cup in 2004, 2005 and 2007. They eliminated the Spanish team in the last edition by an overwhelming 5-0 in first round.

Come to the world capital of tennis in 2008. The city of Madrid and the accommodations in the town will get crowded for that dates, so it is recommended to get ready with the lodging in advanced. Take a look to these beautiful Apartments in Madrid and enjoy your stay!

Last weekend just before the beginning of the small clay event in Portugal known as the Estoril Open (a prep for the Master Series in Monte Carlo, Rome and Hamburg), the world number one player the Swiss Roger Federer announced his possible partnership with Spaniard Coach Jose Higueras who is an expert on the red surfaces and whose background include tennis players such: Pete Sampras, Michael Chang, Jelena Jankovic, and Anna Chakvetadze.

It is indeed great news to learn that Federer is looking to bring in additional force power to his game as he is trying to recover from his three and a half title less spell; a rare happening if you ask me. Both the Swiss and Higueras seem to be communicating and training together. It is a fact the business relationship will not solidify until Federer is put to the test when he meets long time friend Olivier Rochus of Belgium in the first round.

The 12-Grand Slam winner has had a rough year start and he is still recovering from mononucleosis. Federer is aware of his title needs to preserve the number one position in the ATP rankings as his rivals keep closing down the gap between them and the Swiss star.

Later on Tuesday evening Federer’s final score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 against opponent Oliver Rochus lighten up our hopes of a solid comeback on the clay surface, despite the imminent first set scare; Federer was able to turn the tables around; he admitted he had felt the pressure as this is the first time since 2003 (Munich) that he is part of a non-ATP Masters spring clay event.

His second game against the Romanian world #68 Victor Hanescu of 6-3, 6-2 opened the doors for the Swiss Master to Estoril quarterfinals despite a sudden weather change and a wet court.

Higueras proudly attended the match and watched most closely Federer’s single moves in order to evaluate his new student’s work. Additionally, Swiss Davis Cup Coach Severin Luethi was also a spectator as he is planning to talk to Federer to become once again part of the Swiss team to defend his country in the Davis Cup tournament.

The next match - a quarter final one against Frederico Gil was easily wrapped up by the right-handed Swiss in two sets 6-4, 6-1. This becomes Federer’s third consecutive win of the week and brightens up the possibility for Federer to hold soon his fist title of the 2008 season.

Nevertheless, Federer needs additional practice as well as to define whether to continue with Higueras by his side during the following months until the French Open at Roland Garros. Perhaps; the fact that he is in a tough position might be the push he required in order to win the only Grand Slam he has not been able to lay his hands on yet.

Another top ranking player who is among the last eight at Estoril is the Sony Ericsson winner Nicolay Davydekno who had an outstaying performance throughout the tournament back in Miami and who could end up being Federer’s rival in a possible final at Estoril.

Claudia Beckford provides outstanding Tennis Masters Series content as well as information in the sports betting industry.

Tennis Racquet Stringing Machines are vital tools for creating stringbeds for tennis racquets that can instantly transform a player’s game due to the added deflection power an effectively strung racquet can provide.

Due to this, it is no wonder that most players are spending thousands on buying tournament tennis racquets to get a powerful advantage. However, tennis racquet stringing may sound like a simple job, but there’s actually quite a few ways to string a racquet.

There are many tennis racquet stringing machines available and each type has different effects on the stringbed. There are a variety of machines available on the market and they all vary in cost. Electronic stringing machines are more expensive than manual manuals. The cost of an electronic machine is approximately £800 and over, whereas manual machines start at around £350.

The different types tennis racquet stringing machines available on the market are:
Tensioning systems - There are basically three methods of pulling tension, Drop weight, Spring tension and Electronic tensioning. Drop weight and Electronic are classified as being constant pull. Spring tension is referred to as a lockout machine.

Clamping systems. Like tensioning there are basically three methods, Flying or Floating clamps, Glide Bar clamps and 360 degree Rotational clamps.

Flying or Floating clamps: This type is not fixed to the machine bed, instead they rely on clamping over two strings at a time to hold tension. They have poor tension holding qualities, especially for Tennis as they tend to twist when the tension head is released.

Glide Bar clamps: Two sliding bars on which the string clamps are located, run back and forth in side grooves in the machine bed, the string clamps can be positioned and locked anywhere along the bar to give you bi-directional clamping in straight lines only. Only one glide bar and clamp is needed to install the crosses. It is positioned in the machine bed grooves 90deg to the angle of the main strings.

360 degree Rotational clamps: The bases run in slots in the machine bed and can be locked in place anywhere along it, they also swivel a full 360deg. The clamp shafts fit into tubes attached to the base and can also swivel 360deg, this gives multi-directional, multi-angle clamping.

The popular choice for many racquet stringers is the tensioning systems. In particular, the electronic tensioning machine. These stringing machines are more expensive, usually around £850 to £5000, but offer superior clamping and ease of mounting which can be a major advantage against manual machines.

Find out more about tennis racquet stringing machine at http://tennis-racquet-stringing-machine.blogspot.com

The twin Bob Bryan 6.4 ft, and his brother Mike Bryan with one inch shorter have been making a big impression in the ATP tournaments as a duo. At the French Open the Bryans had to face the couple of the yet taller Americans, Sam Querry of 6-6 ft and John Isner of 6-9 ft.

“That’s the largest team we’ve played,” Bob said. “It’s not comfortable playing those guys.”

The Bryan twins, who are the number one seeded, have a lot more experience, counting a Grand Slam history in doubles. The fact is that the twins prevailed with low shots and they defeated Querrey and Isner 7-6 and 6-2, accomplishing the quarterfinals at the Roland Garros.

“If you make them bend, you could see whenever they missed a first serve and you made a good return down at their feet, they’re pretty much almost out of the point,” Mike said. “When the big-hitting Isner served for the first set with a 5-3 lead, we were already looking forward to the second, we figured a break there would be awfully tough”, stated Mike.

In addition to make the strategy work, the twins won the point and with their hurting breaking serve, the Bryans twisted the match roughly and triumph by far at the end.

Now the twins prepare themselves to play against Luis Horna and Pablo Cuevas on Monday. (O lo deja como estaba, si va a agregar que ganaron el partido)

Bob and Mike won the French Open in 2003 and were finalists in the year 2005 and 2006. In contrast, Isner and Querrey are playing just their second tournament together as a team.

“They’re still pretty green on doubles,” Bob said. “They’re both young in their careers, and you could just see them being better and better as the match went on.”

On the other hand, Rafael Nadal will play on the single’s quarterfinal against his fellow countryman, Nicolas Almagro, who celebrated his qualification to the quarterfinals by shaving the head of some friends and family members. Almagro, who’s number 19th in the ATP world ranking, defeated Jeremy Chardy 7-6, 7-6, 7-5.

“I’m going to shave their heads. I’ll use the razor. I don’t know if I’ll shave just part of it. We’ll see,” Almagro said. “I don’t know how my father is going to react when I shave his head. I won’t do that to my mother, because this is the person who is the most important for me in my life.”

Additionally, triple champion Rafael Nadal scored his 25th win in 25 Roland Garros matches, defeating Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, the 22nd seed, with a 6-1, 6-0, 6-2 result.

Verdasco was broken three times in the first set and had to wait until the sixth game of the second set were he managed to cut out a break point, which Nadal comfortably saved. Fernando, had been beaten by Nadal in all five of their matches.

On Tuesday Nadal will face Nicolas Almagro, for a trip to the semis, where he most likely will meet No. 3 seed Novak Djokovic. The Nadal-Djokovic winner will play the final against Roger Federer.

Ally White is a top senior copy writer for the international tennis championships as well as the top ranking online bookmaker

http://www.instantactionsports.com/uk/

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2004 was a watershed year for Russian women’s tennis. At the French Open, Elena Dementieva and Anastasia Myskina met in the first all-Russian Grand Slam final, before Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Dementieva in the US Open final to become the third straight Russian Grand Slam winner.

In the same year, there were three Russians in the WTA Top 10 for the first time: Myskina (5), Dementieva (6) and Nadia Petrova (9).

There are now an incredible SEVEN Russian women in the Top 20:

No. 4 - Svetlana Kuznetsova

Kuznetsova, the top-ranked Russian women’s player, won her only Grand Slam at the 2004 US Open and finished runner-up in the 2007 US Open and 2006 French Open.

She recently finished runner-up to World No. 2 Ana Ivanovic , at the 2008 Pacific Life Open.

Did you know? Kuznetsova comes from a family of award-winning cyclists, her mother, Galina Tsareva, holds 20 world records and is a 6 time world champion in cycling, and her brother was a silver-medalist at the 1996 Olympic Games.

No. 5 - Maria Sharápova

Sharápova,, 20, has already won 18 career titles. She is ranked 5th and was World No. 1 in 2005 at just 19.

In 2004, Sharápova won Wimbledon at just 17, following this up with the 2006 US Open and 2008 Australian Open

By 2007 she was the world’s highest-paid female athlete.

Did you know? She was voted one of the top 50 most beautiful celebrities by People Magazine in 2005, and was voted hottest athlete by Maxim Magazine in 2006.

No. 6 - Anna Chakvetadze

World No. 6 Chakvetadze , reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at the 2007 US Open.

After winning her 7th career title last year, Chakvetadze remains unbeaten in tournament finals.

Did you know? She was tied up and robbed when her home was burgled in December 2007, her father was badly beaten, and the story made headlines in sports news around the world.

No. 11 - Elena Dementieva

Now 26, Dementieva has not reached a Grand Slam final since 2004, when she finished runner-up at the French and US Opens.

She was part of the first wave of Russian women to sweep tennis over 2003 and 2004, but last year, injury forced her out of the Top 10 for the first time in almost four years.

Did you know? After a shoulder injury in Australia, her serve has been often regarded as the worst in the history of the WTA Tour- she’s been noted to double-fault 19 times in 1 match.

No. 13 - Dinara Safina

Safina, 21, whose elder brother is former World No. 1 Marat Safin, reached two finals, two semifinals, and nine quarterfinals - including the French and US Opens - in 2006.

Safina achieved her career-best ranking of 9th in 2007.

Did you know? She surprisingly dismissed Maria Sharapova from the French Open 2008 by winning the final set 6-2.

No. 17 - Nadia Petrova

At the 2003 French Open, Petrova, , ranked 76th, reached the semifinals - the third lowest-ranking player to ever achieve this.

She reached the same stage in 2005, but has not progressed past the quarterfinals in any of the other Slams.

Petrova’s career-best ranking is 3rd.

Did you know? Both parents were top athletes in their time, her mother won a bronze medal at the Montreal Olympics in 1976 for 400m relay, and her father was a champion hammer thrower!

No. 20 - Vera Zvonareva

Zvonareva reached her career high ranking 9th in 2004 and her first Grand Slam quarterfinal came at the 2003 French Open.

She won the 2006 US Open women’s doubles , and the 2004 US Open and 2006 Wimbledon mixed doubles titles.

Did you know? She is known for her strange emotional breakdowns on the court

With the wave Russian winners in the WTA adding to the excitement of the French Open, the 2008 Wimbledon tennis betting guide provides a thorough break down of the odds and news feeds of the latest tournament action and analysis in preparation of Wimbledon 2008.