Hi Team Stony Tennis

I am thrilled to share some exciting news from Stony Stratford Tennis Club! This summer, we experienced our most successful tennis camps to date. With so many summer childcare options in Milton Keynes, our camps stood out for its unique focus on helping children develop through tennis.
We are proud to announce that we received exceptional ratings from parents, who praised our high-quality sessions for being structured, progressive, and fun. With 1347 session bookings and 47 children attending on our busiest day, this summer has been truly memorable for everyone involved.

Tennis is a fantastic sport for physical and life skills, so I am really pleased that we’ve been able to get more kids into the game, hopefully enjoying it for years to come. The kids have not only improved their tennis skills but have also formed wonderful friendships, which has been so sweet to see. Our excellent facilities, dedicated staff, and well-designed programs have created an environment that kids love, leading to many rebooking's and even some children cancelling other plans just to come back!”

What’s Next?

Following the incredible impact of this summer, we’re working hard to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to continue playing and developing their tennis skills with us. Remember, tennis is a year-round sport at Stony Stratford Tennis Club, with indoor courts available during the winter months. Our popular weekly coaching programs caters to all ages, from 3 years old to adults, and we’re offering a free trial session to anyone interested. To register, simply visit www.ssltc.co.uk/free-session.

Upcoming ‘Spooktacular’ Halloween Camp

As we move into autumn, we’re excited to announce our upcoming ‘Spooktacular’ camp in October Half Term! This Halloween-themed event will be packed with ghoulish games, scary costumes, and a frenzy of tennis development. We anticipate this camp will be very popular, and with limited spots available, we recommend booking soon. To sweeten the deal, we’re offering a special 20% discount for those who book by Saturday, 21st September. Don’t miss out—sign up today at www.ssltc.co.uk/holiday-camps.

We’re excited to continue this journey with all new and existing parents, helping the kids grow and thrive through tennis at Stony Stratford Tennis Club.

Happy tennising!

John Cavill
​
Director of Tennis

Hi Team Stony Tennis

On Monday it is the start of the 4th and final Grand Slam of the year at the US Open in New York. The US Open, one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world, has a rich history filled with fascinating facts. Here are some of my interesting insights about the US Open:

1. The US Open is the oldest of the four Grand Slam tournaments played on hard courts. It switched from grass to clay in 1975 and then to hard courts in 1978.

2. The main stadium, Arthur Ashe Stadium, is the largest tennis stadium in the world, with a seating capacity of over 23,000. It was named after Arthur Ashe, the first African American man to win the US Open in 1968.

3. The US Open was the first Grand Slam tournament to feature night matches, beginning in 1975. These night sessions are famous for their electric atmosphere, with many historic matches taking place under the lights.

4. The US Open was the first of the Grand Slam tournaments to offer equal prize money to men and women. This change was implemented in 1973, thanks in part to the advocacy of tennis legend Billie Jean King.

5. From 1984 to 2007, the US Open featured a "Super Saturday," where both men's semifinals and the women’s final were played on the same day. This was a unique and highly anticipated feature of the tournament.

6. Arthur Ashe Stadium became the first major tennis venue in the world to have a retractable roof in 2016. This addition allows matches to continue during rain, ensuring that the schedule stays on track.

7. The US Open is played on a hard court surface called DecoTurf, which is known for being relatively fast, offering a low bounce compared to other hard courts like the Australian Open's Plexicushion.

8. Serena Williams has won the US Open six times, tying with Chris Evert for the most titles in the Open Era (since 1968) among women.

9. The US Open was the first Grand Slam to introduce a tiebreaker at 6-6 in every set, including the final set, a rule that sets it apart from the other Grand Slam tournaments.

10. Billie Jean King, who won the US Open four times, famously competed in the "Battle of the Sexes" match against Bobby Riggs in 1973. This event played a significant role in promoting gender equality in sports, including in tennis.

11. The US Open is known for its vibrant New York City atmosphere, with fans enjoying diverse food options, including a famous dish called the "US Open Honey Deuce," a signature cocktail served during the tournament.

12. In 1977, the US Open became the first Grand Slam tournament to be broadcast in colours on TV. In 2006, it was the first to offer instant replay and the Hawk-Eye system for line calls.

These facts highlight the US Open’s legacy as a trailblazing and iconic tournament in the world of tennis.

Can Novak Djokovic take the title for the 5th time? Will Coco Gauff repeat her excellence from 2023? Let me know who you think will take the titles in 2024....there will be a special prize for everyone who is correct!

Happy tennising!

John Cavill
​
Director of Tennis

Hi Team Stony Tennis

Ever had problems with the serve? You’re not alone! For me, the serve is the most complex shot although it is the only one you have complete control over. To improve your serve in tennis requires a combination of technique, strength, and consistency. I would like to share with you a few drills and techniques that I use to help you enhance your serve:

1. Ball Toss and Contact Point Practice:

- Focus on tossing the ball consistently to the same spot. This helps in developing a reliable ball toss, which is crucial for a good serve. Getting the ball in the right place is 99% of people’s problems when either starting out or advancing their serve, so this is why it’s number 1 on my list.
- For more advanced players, practice hitting the ball in different places to improve your adaptability and ability to create different spins.

2. Shadow Swings:

- Stand on the baseline and perform serve motions without actually hitting the ball. This helps in refining your technique and muscle memory.

3. Service Targets:

- Place targets (like cones or markers) on the opposite service box. Aim to consistently hit these targets to improve accuracy and placement.

4. Consistency Drills:

- Aim to hit a certain number of serves in a row into the service box. Start with a comfortable number and gradually increase the challenge as you improve. For more advanced players you can create smaller areas to aim for with the use of cones.

5. Power and Speed:

- Incorporate exercises to strengthen your core, shoulders, and legs, as these muscles play a significant role in generating power for your serve.
- Practice explosive movements to increase your serve speed.

6. Variation Drills:

- Practice different types of serves, such as flat serves, slice serves, and kick serves. Each type has its own technique and benefits…mastering them can make you a more versatile server.

7. Video Analysis:

- Record your serves from different angles and analysis them to identify areas for improvement, such as toss consistency, racquet path, or contact point. It’s always good for people to see themselves as what they actually do isn’t always what they think they are doing.

8. Match Simulations:

- Incorporate serve practice into simulated match situations to replicate pressure and improve your ability to serve effectively under different circumstances. You can play matches where you are only allowed a first serve or if you double fault on a game-point, you lose the game.

9. Seek Feedback:

- Working with a coach who can provide feedback on your technique and help you adjust is always a great way to improve. A professional assessment can get to the cause of the problems quickly and help set some objectives to improve quicker.

10. Mindset and Relaxation:

- Stay relaxed and focused during your serve. Tension can affect your accuracy and power. Practice mindfulness or relaxation techniques to maintain composure, for example, take time in between points and focus on controlled breathing.

Consistent practice with these drills and techniques can lead to significant improvements in your serve over time. Tailor your training regimen to focus on your specific weaknesses and goals to maximize your progress.

If some of the information has been of help or if you have any specific service issues, then please let me know and I will be happy to offer some advice.

Happy tennising!

John Cavill
​
Director of Tennis

Hi Team Stony Tennis

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned player, playing tennis has a variety of positive neurological effects due to the sport's physical and cognitive demands. As everyone knows, I absolutely love this sport and one of the major areas I am drawn to is how we can use the sport to help people mentally function better.

Tennis requires strategic thinking, quick decision-making, and problem-solving, which can improve cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and processing speed. Players make thousands of decisions on a court in such a short time, so they are constantly honing their ability to think fast under pressure. The fast-paced nature of tennis also improves reflexes and reaction time, stimulating neural pathways associated with quick responses and agility.

Engaging in complex motor activities like tennis promotes neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This can enhance learning and adaptation, not just in tennis but in many areas of life. Tennis involves precise and coordinated movements, which improve fine and gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and overall motor function. Through tennis, players can develop a great base for physical skills and it’s no wonder that those who play tennis well are usually good at many other sports.

Regular physical activity, including tennis, has been associated with increased brain volume in regions such as the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory and learning. I am a big advocate of kids playing sports regularly even when they have studies and exams. Not only does it act as a relief from academic work but helps the brain recover from other mental tasks. While playing tennis the players stimulate the release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters that reduce stress and promote a sense of well-being, which can positively affect brain health.

Playing tennis can boost levels of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that regulate mood, leading to reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. We all have problems in our lives, and I have witnessed seeing many people dealing with their issues better when they have engaged in tennis or other sports.

Being a tennis player requires planning, focusing, switching tasks, and inhibitory control, which strengthen executive functions. Many good tennis players have a great ability to organize themselves well and this skill helps them very well when applying for jobs or executive roles in companies.

Everyone who comes to our club knows how important social interaction is. Tennis is a social sport that brings people together for many benefits, especially mental health and cognitive function. By bringing people together, we create support circles, friends for life and a great sense of community which engages the brain in social and emotional processing.

I am very proud of what Team Stony Tennis have created at the club. The combination of physical exercise, strategic thinking, and social interaction involved in playing tennis contributes to a variety of neurological benefits that support brain health and cognitive function.

I hope everyone is enjoying their coaching with us and if you have any questions, then please reply to this email and I will be happy to help. We offer a free session for anyone new to the programe, so please spread the word by sending people to www.ssltc.co.uk/free-session and hopefully we can help even more people through tennis.

Happy tennising!

John Cavill
​
Director of Tennis