tennis, life and a few things in between

Volleys are always at the net, but swing volley is usually in the mid-court to service line area, off a high, slow ball (floater) from your opponent, aiming to hit it powerfully and aggressively into the open court, often crosscourt or down the line, using a compact, groundstroke-like motion with a contact point around shoulder height, to finish the point.

• ^2026.1.04 volleys & tossing
• lost my sreve but made many swing volleys

This isn’t the right place to hit but the Slinger is too close, so, I hit swing volleys, instead to move farther.

Two billionaires’ daughters, Emma Navarro (2001-; 2015, $3m) and Jessica Pegula (1994-; 2009, $16m) met at Garden Cup @ Madison Square Garden.

Both girls did well in 2024, are well liked and quiet.

Coach Cornelius is very chatty, saying good morning to every passerby. The first time I stopped —or he stopped me for a chat after my swim —it lasted 25 minutes.

Big Bruce from VL has said repeatedly that he helped his daughter improve her game. I’ve been taking lessons from him on an ongoing basis.

Unfortunately, he doesn’t like to do video analysis, which I find very helpful.

• ^2026.2.23 drop more
• ^2026.2.13 bevel 2 for backhand, scoop
• ^2025.10.31 f/b hands: western grip fh
• ^2025.5.10 serve steps: look up at the ball
• ^2024.2.28 waiter’s tray
• ²⁰²⁴ what??

Some tournements he ran:

• Vintage racket
• Todd
• Singles
• Love

… and the clinics

• return serves
• 6-4, 6-4
• waiting position
• point play
• serve demo

To improve my tennis, alongside the overhauling the serve, I also work on my overheads.

• 2025

A tennis overhead is a powerful, overhead smash used to finish points against lobs, involving tracking the ball, getting sideways, bringing the racket up (like a serve), extending to hit the ball in front of you with a pronating wrist for power and spin, and following through down and across your body, focusing on keeping your head up and eyes on the ball for maximum effectiveness.

Key steps to hitting an overhead smash:

1. Preparation & footwork:
2. Track the ball: Use your non-hitting hand (left for righties) to point at and track the ball overhead, keeping your eye on it.
3. Get sideways: Pivot your body so your shoulders, hips, and feet are turned sideways (like a serve) to get behind the ball.
4. Use crossover steps: For deep lobs, use crossover steps (front foot crosses over back foot) to move back quickly and get in position.

I seldom practice volley and overhead because I’m bad at it.

• ^1.04 volleys & tossing 
• ^2026.1.03 slow mo volleys
• ²⁰²⁶ many practices ^{Jan 02, 03, 04, 05}
• volley: fore & back