[tennisbiz] Re: About Hopman and Mc Enroe

John McEnroe was ten years old when his family joined nearby Douglaston Club.
 The club pros saw his potential and recommended that it be developed. John
was then enrolled in the Port Washington Tennis Academy under Tony Palofax
and Harry Hopman where he remained for six years. Hopman became his coach. I
am not familiar with the term "permissions" but there are no requirements in
America for players to get permission to join tennis clubs and receive
lessons. Other future professionals at Port Washington included Vitas
Gerulitas, Bjorn Borg, Tracy Austin and Peter Fleming. At age 16 John was
disciplined by the academy with a six-month suspension. He left Port
Washington and joined the Cove Racquet Club where Palofax had moved. During
these years (age 10-16) he received both individual and group instruction.
Hopman's style of coaching was unique. He did not try to modify stroke
production as much as he tried to influence fitness, mental toughness, and
performance. Such a coaching style would ignore some things that other
coaches might try to inhibit. When you look at his success in both Aussie
Davis Cup and with younger players, you can appreciate such coaching style.

Joe Rill
HS10scoach_at_aol.com
 
Received on Tue Jan 14 2003 - 22:43:26 CST