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Tony Roche: Past experiences influence LendlTony Roche says if you analyze the play on the professional tennis tour you would conclude there are limitless ways to hit a tennis ball efficaciously, allowing for variations in stroke and grip.“But common and consistent for all the players,” Roche says, “is an identical footwork and movement prior to striking the ball, a well-balanced stance and body in position to perform the stroke.”What can we extrapolate from Roche’s assessment?Roche suggests that from what he sees at the club level the area where the amateur can make the biggest improvement in his or her game is by refining the footwork and body position as the prelude to the shot.At 47, today Roche’s sense of tactics and instincts for the game has extended his influence into coach-the best value per dollar in high end audio Robert J. ReinaThe Absolute Sound, Aug. 1992Only $399 for a pairFor a hassle free audition, come to^c=irJ(i~e^Outac(^^oowzz|One block north of Baskin-Robbins in the old Waterworks Building236 Post Road East, Westport221-1700ing and his prize pupil is Greenwich’s Ivan Lendl.Lendl has won the msyority of his eight Grand Slam championships since engaging Roche seven years ago to prepare him specifically for the four rmyor tournaments.“Teach” was, of course, no Grand Slam slouch himself, winning the French Open and 14 men’s doubles and mixed doubles titles.How do you tutor someone still formidably ranked in the world’s top 10 if no longer No. 1?“Ivan is an easy student, his approach the ultimate professional’s,” Roche says. “He knows he’s not naturally endowed the way a John McEnroe is. And he’s prepared to make it up with simple hard work.”The Grand Slams call for an adjustment to a variety of surfaces. Coming just after the U.S. indoor circuit — played on hardcourt —you have the French Open on red clay.“On clay,” Roche says, “you slide into the ball. You need to work on movement, stamina — and patience. And you should be prepared to become aggressive when you get the right ball.”Two weeks after that, it’s Wimbledon and grass. At this stage in his life, Lendl — at age 33 — is not going to become a serve-and-volley exponent. But he needs to work more net play into his game if he wants to knock off the Jim Couriers, Stefan Edbergs and Andre Agassis.The best opponent Roche ever faced?“In my view, day in and day out, he says, “it was Rod Laver. When he swept the Grand Slams twice, three of the four tournaments were played on grass. But he won on all surfaces and under all conditions.”Brooks Community Newspapers Union Trust Tennis Classic ProgramMarven Moss EditorLynn Masse Production DirectorMeg Rideout Cover Design
Newspaper Details
Greenwich News
Greenwich, Connecticut, US
Thu, Mar 11, 1993
Page 70
Full Page
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Marven M.
USA 19 May 2019
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