Women Serve Tennis HOT

Sam Stosur Win At The French Tennis Open

2010-05-31T15:58:00.002-04:00

"Obviously beating Justine is going to give me lot and lots of confidence," said Stosur, seeded No. 7. "It's a great achievement for me, but it's not over yet. I'm just in the quarters and going to play the No. 1 player in the world next."

Stosur sidelined Henin 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the fourth round Monday, ending the four-time French Open Champion's streak of 24 consecutive victories at Roland Garros. Stosur's opponent in the quarterfinals will be top-ranked Serena Williams, who beat Shahar Peer 6-2, 6-2.

[ photo and story by AP-Steve Wine ]
[ read more at Yahoo!Sports ]

French Tennis Open Slide Show

2010-05-31T15:53:00.001-04:00

Check out the French Tennis Open slide show at Yahoo!Sports.

[ Goez It And Chek It Gurl! ]

Williams Sisters Changing Tennis Clothes or Keeping It Real

2010-05-31T15:41:00.004-04:00

Check out the many tennis clothing options of the Williams sisters.

? Question ? - Do you think it helps their game?

[ Check out the gallery here at FitSugar ]

Other related:
[ 5 Looks At Venus Williams Ass-(ets) ]

Coolest - Venus Williams and Tide Plus

2010-02-17T22:21:00.009-05:00

This is so COOL! Tide and Venus Williams has a design contest. Design a fresh look for Venus and qualify for a free sample of Tide plus Febreze Freshness Sport. You could score a trip to see Venus play tennis wearing your winning design. Grand prize wins $5,000 plus a trip for two to a major tennis tournament.

Go tennis gurls GO!

[ Tide Design The Tennis Look For Venus Williams ]

Please vote for me! Click here to do it!

*fun*fun!*

keeping TENNIS realz!

2010-02-09T18:42:00.005-05:00

Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki eyes the ball during her tennis match against Latvia's Anastasia Sevastova in the Fed Cup Europe/Africa group 1 third round match Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, in Oeiras, outside Lisbon. Wozniacki defeated Sevastova 6-2, 6-2.

[ Check out her own web space http://www.carolinewozniacki.dk/ ]
[ Caroline's Tennis Stats ]
photo kudos (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) (Oeiras, February 5. Image via AP)

Guest Tennis Advice : Hip-Pelvic Instability and Knee problems in Tennis players

2010-02-09T18:22:00.018-05:00

I'm lucky to have my PT write contribute an article---David Mesnick, Physical Therapist from Body Mechanics in Atlanta. After my hip recovery, and I just found out my niece has messed up her knee -soccer (re: acl injury), he was kind enough to share his thoughts.

It's interesting and something to keep in mind while aging and sporting ladiez! Get those hips in shape!

A biomechanical evaluation of the lower quarter (foot/ankle, knee, hip, and pelvis) by a skilled Physical Therapist can reveal functional deficits that maybe be contributing to traditionally diagnosed orthopedic problems in tennis players. Looking at the kinetic chain as a complex system of codependent joints, muscles, and ligaments can help to identify the factors that may be causing pain and inflammation that often present as chronic tennis injuries. If a particular structure is overloaded because of muscle weakness or joint instability than the tennis player is susceptible to injury and re-injury when performing sports.

One of the most common is collapse of the knee, secondary to either “flat feet” (over pronation) or hip instability (Trendelenberg position of the pelvis). A key factor in the lower-quarter kinetic-chain problem is gluteus medius weakness. Ireland, et al., have shown gluteus medius weakness is common in patients with knee pain. Additionally, a flat foot puts undue stress on the knee joint. Both of these examples demonstrate how other joints can affect another joint in the kinetic chain and lead to problems.

The female tennis player is at greater risk than the male for serious knee injuries (i.e. anterior cruciate ligament-ACL) because of the increased “L” shaped angle (valgus) at the knee and shorter duration of contraction of the gluteus medius during weight bearing and load-absorbing during a cutting maneuver.

Since biomechanical overload of the knee is so common, prevention is an important when initiating tennis.

Most Gluteus Medius weakness results from a mechanical lower back problem at L4-L5 or L5-S1, thus suggesting a link between back pain and knee/hip problems. When the Gluteus Medius is not performing properly other muscle compensate to allow for motion. These muscles include the Quadratus Lumborum which is located in the lower back and Iliotibial band which is located on the outside of the thigh. Both become tight and overactive which can lead to pain and trigger points in the muscle.

Over pronation or flat feet change the biomechanics of the lower quarter and can cause abnormal weight bearing at the knees, hips, and pelvis.

Manual corrections of the mechanical issues driving the muscle weakness is paramount to further strengthening and pain free exercising or participation in tennis. This should be done by a skilled clinician that has experience with manual therapy. Orthotic splinting may be necessary to correct foot overpronation.

When the body is biomechanically sound muscle strengthening and stretching can be initiated with the goal of symmetrical motion from side to side. Symmetrical motion and balance will allow the player to perform tennis at the most optimal level with less risk for injury.

In other words...work yor ass! :)

For additional questions on rehabilitation of your injuries please contact David Mesnick, Physical Therapist at dmesnick@bodymechanicsatl.com. Body Mechanics Physical Therapy, LLC, 550 Peachtree Street NE, suite 1760, Atlanta, GA 30308, 404-817-0734. Body Mechanics Blog

a-w-e-s-o-m-e TENNIS

2010-01-28T14:05:00.002-05:00

FROM YAHOO NEWS: Serena Williams of the United States celebrates a point won against Li Na of China in their Women's singles semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010.

More of Serena taking in the win here. Go gurl!!

(AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Sharapova, peacocks, tennis and fashion

2010-01-19T19:35:00.003-05:00

Well Nike calls it "Golden Set" Women's Tennis Dress the critics seem to think it's a mutation between a curtain and a peacock that drank blue powerade. Now it doesn't help that her performance was off on the court too. It was supposed to be her comeback which was not the case. Read more here at

[ Yahoo! Busted Racquet Blog : Down Under Daily: Sharapova upset, big-hitting Karlovic advances ]

The tennis girlz still love you Sharapova, even if your Nike dress is a bit, a bit...peacock-ery.

[ Yahoo! Busted Racquet Blog : Double dud: Maria Sharapova and her new dress flop in Australia ]

To buy it a Nike : [ "Golden Set" Women's Tennis Dress ]

Oh and give photo cred to Getty Images! yo!

Ralph Lauren tennis apparel --urm! total sweetness

2010-01-14T12:46:00.011-05:00

I LOVE that tennis clothing has become so stylish and technically sophisticated. I had no idea that Ralph Lauren had such awesome tennis wear.
[ Take a gander at their women's tennis clothing. ]

My fav is the RLX Tennis Court Pant - It's made of interloop fleece that blends cotton w/polyester and elastane for comfort, moisture management** and full ease of movement.
Colors: white, black.
Originally $145. It's now $45.
[ for a closer look at the tennis court pant click here ]

It's GOR-geous!

Here is the white version of this beautiful court pant:

I'm crushing hard on those pockets!

**after an hour of playing we know how important moisture management is! Can I get a high five?

And in the event you need fancy tennis balls that make a statement, RLX carries tennis balls with the pink logo---sooo CUTE! Of course they are titled : Pink Pony Tennis Balls - only $5.00

I love tennis because...

2010-01-13T11:22:00.004-05:00

...of mis-sizing-up the competition. Even though I try to control myself it is sooo difficult not to size up the competition. "She's heavy---this game will be quick" or "She's older than me---awesome, I'll run her around the court!"

Then my BEEhind gets handed to me on the "silver platter" that is the tennis court.

It serves me right of course but I get a perverse kick out of it. I really have to work at keeping myself in the present with tennis and not let my judgment take over.

Lovin' and learin' lessons at tennis!

Serving tennis...HOT!

2010-01-12T18:59:00.003-05:00

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 11: Sara Errani of Italy serves during her first round tennis match against Melanie Oudin of the USA during day four of the Moorilla Hobart Tennis International 2010 at Domain Tennis Centre on January 11, 2010 in Hobart, Australia.

(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Sara keepin it real, gurls!
Sara's stats

How do you find a tennis partner to practice your tennis game?

2010-01-08T22:06:00.005-05:00

Tennis players who want to move beyond their level must devote time to refining their skills. Your tennis skills will only improve with hours of practice and a commitment to improvement. The problem I always find is finding a partner who can play on a weekly schedule and/or a partner who can match my skill and can keep me challenged.

I tried finding tennis players on Craigslist but they wanted to just ACT like they wanted to practice but really wanted to PLAY a game---act like they have no skills then it turned bizarrely competitive. I'll share those gonzo experiences later...needless to say I don't do the Craigslist anymore.

So back to square one..how to find a consistent tennis practice partner. Here are some ideas I'm going to try, I'll you ladies up to date...OR feel free to share your experiences too.

Tennisopolis - Tennis Social Networking
Tennis Tour
Tennis Meet-Up
Tennis Mates

What are your thoughts ladiez?

Can yoga help your tennis game?

2010-01-06T10:42:00.043-05:00

It can't hurt! Flexibility is important in any sport and I would think especially tennis. And if your over 40 *cough*like-me* you realize recovery from playing is very important. I hate walking off the court feeling like I'm 90 years old---for realz. So, with that in mind, I subscribe to Women's Health Yoga Channel for their newsletter. It is a great newsletter for yoga poses, typically with themes n such.

But specifically to tennis I found this article on the Tennis Channel by Anastasia Dorohova who not only is a tennis player but also a certified yoga teacher---she must be one kick-ass gurl tennis player!

She states that yoga can help your tennis game in the following ways:

Flexibility
Power
Balance
Injury Prevention
Mind Control

Read more about how yoga helps your tennis game
>>> Tennis Channel : Yoga 4 Tennis

My fav is the mind control bit. I'm finding more and more that tennis becomes more of a mind sport that athletic sport.

She also has some books on yoga and one specifically for yoga & tennis. You can check it out below...

So tennis womenz---get your TEN-OGA....on...get it
tennis + yoga = TEN-OGA? *sigh*i thought it was funny. o_0*

DREAMY....a custom tennis racquet

2010-01-02T23:41:00.014-05:00

When your are on the court, no matter what level you are, do you feel your tennis racquet is

a) an part of your body as your play; and/or

b) your weapon of choice in the battle to win the most important tennis game of the century *cause really, aren't they all the most important game of the century? *get realz ladies!*

Okay, okay, it's a bit extreme. BUT! if your competitive *like moi* on the court you gotta get your mind and body into it...I know I do and I'm just a piddly 3.5-. But nerds! I WANT TO WIN and my tennis arsenal is important.

Well what seems to be getting popular among the tennis crowd is a custom tennis racquet. Catch this convo on the tennis talk blog---it's specifically about Vantage's custom racquet, but none the less the guy L-O-V-E-S his Vantage custom tennis racquet. I know there are other brands, but I've personally seen the Vantage and damn they do look and feel SA-weet! Another opinion here.

For just $239 you can design your own racquet...START DESIGNING [takes time to load in the browser]...

Must have that power! *snap out of it!* Well until I have a spare $239 I'll stick with my Prince racquet but look out...if I get a financial opportunity I'll be in the battle with a ~~custom sword~~....I mean custom tennis racquet.

*yummy* white custom tennis racquet *drool*

Tennis skort I'm crushing on now!

2010-01-01T22:50:00.011-05:00

fila-tennis-skort-womens

The File Heritage Tennis Skort for women looks awesome and I would say borderline HOT! A beautiful streamline skirt that looks comfortable and stylish. It features a built-in compression short and wide, stretch contrast waistband that deliver a perfect fit.

I'm soooo crushing on the look of this tennis skort/skirt!

You can find this bad gurl tennis skort at Sports Authority Fila Tennis Skort. Under $30.

297 Tennis Balls on hand? Re-purpose into a comfy chair, of course

2009-12-31T15:39:00.004-05:00

A comfy chair? *whut!?!?*

That's right it's made from re-purposed tennis balls, it's the kind of playful piece any ~~kid~~---er, I mean, tennis player--would appreciate.

Get the glue gun out and start gluing those old tennis balls!

Designed by designer and architect : Hugh Hayden : Tennis Ball Chair

I love tennis because...

2009-12-30T21:24:00.002-05:00

...of the competition. There is nothing like being on the court chanting to yourself---"I want this point", "I own this point", "This point is my bitch".

It's empowering! *nuff said*

Strong Hips Can Improve Your Tennis Footwork

2009-12-30T01:05:00.004-05:00

I find that when I'm consistent with my strength training it always helps my endurance and footwork during my tennis game, but after playing in USTA Winter singles my right hip has really been barking at me.

I’ve been trying to identify my weakness…my theory is somewhere in my glutes and/or obliques or just my overall core. It doesn’t help that I got off my strength training program due to the pain. Dag-nabit!

I can't be the only tennis player one that has painful hips, based on this article it's true >> Use Your Hips to be Square
John Steinbreder, TennisMD News. I've been trolling the web to find stretches and exercises to get me back into tennis playing shape. Here are some interesting articles I found about strengthen the hips.

Sports Fitness Advisor has a list of exercises that will help strengthen your core to improve your tennis game.
One leg-squat instructions.
Training the hips. The interesting thing about this article is they encourage you to do squats everyday. I’m going to try to do 20 ball squats, 20 reverse lunges, 20 lunges and 20 crab walks, 20 one leg squats….everyday…wish me luck
Slapping the glutes wakes them up, so when I work my glutes I can focus of using those muscles.
I found this stretch on FitSugar it's a perfect hip stretch for tennis.
And the perfect exercise for going cross court in tennis is what I call the “crab walk“.
Here is a list of hip work outs with videos and instructions sure to help your footwork in tennis.

Has anyone else have these issues with painful hips during or after tennis?

How did you strengthen your hips and improve your tennis game?