So, here we are. 2016 has entered with the New Year, and with it, we have a whole new, professional tennis year to enjoy. Soon, we will be treated with great matches from "down under" as the Australian Open is played. We who are north of the equator may envy the warmer weather that accompanies this grand slam event, and for some of us, we may be trapped indoors while snow falls outside.
 
Although most of us simply watch the great competition among the contestants, we can always learn from watching professionals on both tours executing their "trade." However, one has to make a concerted and conscious effort to truly learn things that one can apply to one's game.
 
Over the years, I have learned much by watching the best of best play this great game of ours. Indeed, I have "viewing" and VHS taped matches that go back to the 1990's in my tennis archives. Some of the matches that I have saved on video over the years have not involved the "name" players. Whenever there is a match from which I can benefit and learn, I make an effort to analyze it carefully, make copious viewing notes, and review the match on multiple occasions.
 
For me, the televised matches that are shown throughout the year (and the historic matches aired by outlets like the Tennis Channel), provide inspiration and practical knowledge in addition to simple entertainment.
 
So this month, I want to briefly explain how I watch a televised tennis match. There is always a method to my madness when I am viewing pros on either tour. This applies to tournaments that I cover as a photographer, but even more so, when it comes to televised matches. With the latter, I am truly able to view and review matches.
 
First, I encourage each reader to record each televised tennis match! Given the capacity of modern DVR (digital video recorders), it is not difficult to record and preserve (at least temporarily) many hours of competitive play. The only disadvantage to DVR's is that they sometimes do not allow for an easy external archiving of recorded matches. Once the internal disc drive of the DVR reaches its full capacity, these matches must either be externally preserved or deleted to allow for new program space. I have found that usually, matches recorded on a DVR can be transferred to external hard drives. I am certain that some providers may allow for "cloud" storage of this video material. It all depends on what specific DVR you may have, and what services your video provider may offer. Believe me. In the very near future, most if not all video services will provide a means to allow subscribers to upload material to a "cloud." For me, I save all the "key" matches that are important to me on very large external hard drives. My system of archiving permits me to play these saved matches on my big screen TV or on one of my computers.
 
The one advantage to the old VHS days is that all material was saved on tape cartridges. However, storing these VHS tapes took lots of physical space. I literally have over 100 matches in my VHS collection. As VHS faded away, I had to keep in my possession a player that would allow me to view these on a HD TV using a HDMI connection. I was fortunate to have purchased one before they went off the market. I have converted some of these to DVD format through a transfer that I perform on my own. But in truth, I have only done this type of transfer for the most important matches in my collection.
 
Whether you can archive your selected matches in an external manner is a question that only you can answer. However, storing matches on your DVR for as long as you can before deleting them can be useful. Truly, there are always new matches being broadcast that can be saved temporarily, analyzed and reviewed.
 
So, how do I watch televised matches? First and foremost, I watch each match without any commentary. When I am watching a live match or a match that I am seeing for the first time, I never listen to the commentators! I turn the sound off!!! I admit that this is disconcerting because I am not hearing the sound of the ball bounce or come off the players' strings. But, I want to watch the match without any interpretation. I want to come to my own insights and conclusions!!! Besides, I have viewed matches that have been televised while I was in Britain. I assure you that American tennis commentators "babble" far too much in comparison.
 
One of the things I always do when first watching a match on TV is to chart the match myself. There are quite a few apps available for iPhones. iPads and Android phones that permit accurate charting. Tennis Trakker, My Tennis Stats and e-Scorer are just a few of the more popular apps. All of these are affordable, and I do not recommend one over another.
 
Some years back, I developed a printed form that could be used for charting tennis matches. (Yes, this was back in the dark ages!!!) I have placed it below for you in case you don't want to secure an electronic app or program.
 
Charting matches keeps your "head" in the match. The problem with most charting programs in my opinion is that they do not "weigh" the type of error recorded. For example, hitting a ball into the net is much more egregious than missing a shot that is outside the baseline or sideline by a mere fraction of an inch. Yes, both are errors. But, missing by a little is very different than missing by a lot or hitting the net. So in the chart template below, you will note that I have errors and severe errors as separate categories.
 
You will see that I have sheets for Player One and for the Opponent. You keep track of each player's winner, errors, etc. Just check or circle each number as appropriate. For example if Player One has made 5 winners off the forehand wing, the first five numbers in the "Forehand Winners" category for Player One should be crossed off. If his or her Opponent has double faulted three times, the first three numbers in the "Double Faults" category should be checked off.
 
You have a "raw data" sheet for each player. Use separate sheets for each set played. So let's say that you are charting a best of five set match and it ends in three sets. You should have three sheets of raw data for each player (one for each set played).
 
At the end of the match you can tally up the totals for each set played and/or the entire match. Although the data is not converted into percentages, the raw data will give you an indication of what went right and what went wrong in each set
 
Feel free to amend my template in any manner that makes recording the raw data easier for you. In addition, you may want to include other categories. For example, you may want to record how many serve and volley points were attempted by a given player in each set.
 
In many ways, I enjoy the "old school" paper method of charting a tennis match. It reminds me of the days of my youth when I would go to professional baseball games and always keep score on my scorecard. In addition, you can save these paper charts and tally sheets in a binder for future reference.
 
Apart from using these to chart televised matches, I strongly encourage you to have someone chart your own tennis matches. You will invariably learn much about your game's strengths and weaknesses.
 
Finally, I like to make comments in the space provided in my template. For example, I may make a note that Player One was cramping in the third set. Or, I may make note that the Opponent called for the trainer to address a shoulder problem in the second set. Frequently, I make notes about anger outbursts from one or both of the two contestants. If there are challenges permitted in the match, I may make note of how many challenges the player used in a set and whether they were successful. Lastly, I may make a note to myself about tactical insights. For example, I may note that a given contestant tends to err more when he/she is forced to run. I may make note that the player tended to double fault under pressure. Really, the comment portion of my charting template is used for any insights that I have that may not be evident in the raw data and tallied results.
 

Player One's Name: _____________________

Opponent's Name: ______________________

MATCH TALLIES- PLAYER 1

(Name_________________)

MATCH TALLIES- OPPONENT

(Name_________________)