Let it Rain- Summer Tennis

Why I Hate Ladies Summer Night League

It's just too hot, during the day, to play tennis in the summer (I live in Orlando)…  So, I always think... "ok I'll play evening tennis."  Not a good idea.  I will NEVER and I mean NEVER, EVER, EVER sign up for summer evening tennis again.  It rains every Thursday evening in Orlando.  Not until about 6:00-6:30, or perhaps right at 7:00 just as you arrive to the courts.  It ruins my whole day.  Waiting all day, watching the weather, hoping it won't rain, can't get on with my evening either way.  Then as it gets closer just hoping it would hurry up and rain so I do not have to get dressed.  Then as soon as I change my clothes and head to my car…. IT RAINS!!!!!   ARGGGHHHHHH!!!  Or worse than that is when I'm half way to the courts and receive a text, (which I can't read cause I'm driving), saying…. rain out~ sorry ladies.  Which I already knew was going to happen, thanks to my radar app that I have been staring at since 3:30 pm.  DOUBLE  ARGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

Top 5 Things to Beat the Summer Tennis Rain Showers…..

1. Do not watch the weather~ just wait for the ridiculously late cancelation phone call.

2. Never get dressed before 6:15... perhaps even 6:30.

3. Plan your day as if you are NOT playing tennis that evening.

4. Make a great dinner for your family, odds are you will be joining them.

5. Have a glass of wine (or beer) at 5:30, either way it makes the entire evening better!

  

5 1/2.  If you already made it to the courts and it has started to rain… go ahead and have drinks with your friends~ enjoy the evening off !!!  

Bring on the Fall Season!!!

Sassy Girl Wine Reccomendation

2011 KIRKLAND SIGNATURE SONOMA CHARDONNAY 

I'm always looking for an affordable chardonnay that I can enjoy on a weekly/daily basis.  And certainly husband is always urging me to find something gentler on the wallet.  He is the butt of all my best buddies jokes... "another cheap chardonnay, really???"  But truly this one is really, really good.  This is a wonderful choice to serve for a large party, when you don't want to break the bank on wine. 

I do not typically like a fruity chardonnay. I prefer a much more buttery one.  The reason I like this one...must be in the finish.  My nose normally does not detect the pear, grapefruit lemon as stated in the Costco Wine Blog,  but me and my sassy friends are always colliding with that buttery finish.  Yum Yum and Cheap Cheap.   Happy husband and extremely happy me :)  Run out and buy a case~ I know I am.

http://costcowineblog.com/2013/04/30/2011-kirkland-signature-sonoma-chardonnay.

Review from... Costco Wine Blog

http://costcowineblog.com/ 

"A pretty middle of the road wine, but not a bad value at only $6.99, especially if you're looking for an everyday white to accompany dinner. It's been a while since we've reviewed one of these Kirkland Chardonnay (last vintage was 2008) and I was hoping for maybe a bit more.  But then again...$6.99...

This is more of a fruity Chardonnay, which I typically prefer, but it seemed a little caught in the middle of what it wanted to be.  The nose kicks off tropical fruit and glides you in with some pear, grapefruit and lemon, but towards the finish the fruit collides with a bit of vanilla, butter and oak and it didn't pull through for me.  

With the right meal, I can drink this no problem.  On its own, its flaws become more noticeable.  I'd pay a dollar or two more for a different bottle.

CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 85 Points
*KirklandWine*

Costco item number: 514007"

Sassy Girl Martina Hingis Wins Miami Doubles

Martina Hingis, Sassy Girl of the Month

 wins Miami doubles title with Sabine Lisicki

"Its very exciting" Hingis says after winning first title since 2007.  "When you convert the match point, you're like, 'Yes, we did it!'' It's amazing."  Hingis reflects after doubles match with Sabine Lisicki.  

I'm a super excited doubles fan, and it is super fun to watch 33 year old Hingis, who has officially retired from tennis twice – once in 2003 due to nagging hip and ankle injuries, and again in 2007, come back and play at such a high level.  That's why Sassy Girl Tennis has chosen Hingis a Sassy Girl Player of the Month.  Awesome.  woot woot.  ;)

We are hoping Hingis continues with her doubles play, she states "Two weeks ago if you asked me, it probably would be a completely different answer from today.

"Last week, I was not sure if I want to put myself out there like this and lose first, second round.

"Now, after this victory, definitely things change. I would be very happy to continue to play some more doubles."  Excited to see that happen.  

Sassy Girl Tennis has followed Hingis throughout her career and partnerships with Tonic.   Who created a comfortable, fashionable ladies line that can be intermixed with your everyday yoga wear as well.   All us Sassy girls out there need to look good and play well.  It's nice to see collections to help us incorporate pieces that do just that.  http://tennis-speak.blogspot.com/2013/03/martina-hingis-and-tonic-team-up-to.html

Excited to see what Hingis will do next.  

Maria Kirilenko~ Gisele's Sassy Tennis Girl of the Month

Gisele's Sassy Girl of the Month

Maria Kirilenko

It doesn't get any sassier than this... Maria Kirilenko posing for for Glamour Russia, wearing dresses by Alexander Terekhov and Chapurin and shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti Design and Gianvito Rossi. You can see the interview in Russian Glamour. www.glamour.ru/celebrity/glam_blog/581680/#1 

Maria tweets....

" Season is off, holidays begin!!! No rackets, no shoes, only heels and #glamour mag #happy #love"

You go girl!!  

Top 5 strategies to win with any partner.

Win With Any Partner

Don't be mad at your captain, isn't this team tennis?  The same old adage stands true today...  there is no "I" in team.  Don't get me wrong, I do understand the importance of a good established partnership.  But once someone is experienced enough at playing club doubles, shouldn't you know your own strengths and weakness?  Shouldn't you be able to figure out how to win with whom ever you are placed with for that day?  Some of my most favorite wins in ladies club doubles tennis comes from playing with someone who has completely taken me out of my comfort zone.  Being able to figure out what to do, not know ing what to expect and having to work it out gives me a full sense of accomplishment, probably even more than winning with my regular partner against a team we are expected to beat.   Of course, you are not going to win them all.  But a winning attitude and team spirit is what really matters.  

1. Know your Strengths!!!  It's good to know your own personal strengths before going into a match.  Really really really get to know your own game.  It's great to have a balanced tennis game, with little weakness but to own your strenghts and be able to compliment your partners game by knowing what those strengths are.  It's not just hey "I prefer the ad side."    It's knowing hey "I'm good at coming into the net"  Figure out a way with your new partner to get yourself to the net.  "Hey I prefer grounding it out from the back."  "I need someone to help me out at the net."  

2. Know your Weaknesses! 
Conversely, everyone needs to understand their weaknesses.  It could be you have no net game, or you have no strategy.  Or you have weak ground strokes.  Know this!  Tell your partner your weakness, find a way to compliment both players game.

3. Figure out partners strengths and weakness~ for all of the same reasons for numbers 1 and 2

4. Have FUN and stay Positive~   It is just a friendly match meant for exercise, camaraderie, competition in our forties and fifties.  Having a positive attitude not only help you play better it will also help your partner.  I've had days where I have had the worst negative attitude.  If I could turn it, it is likely that I turned my match around.  Body language says it all.

5. Play like you have nothing to lose.  There is no money to be won at the end of the day.  Maybe you have the medal key chain to add to your bag.  But really... go out swinging in every match.  It may not be your favorite person to play with, but I bet they love tennis.  And there is fun in that.  You just might win, any partnership is beatable at any time.  

Remember, playing with a different partner sometimes can be a new interesting challenge that helps develop your problem solving skills.  These skills can translate over to your regular partnership and make it even stronger.  

Bright is Best

Team Colors... why Bright is Best!!!  

My teams looks AWESOME this year!  I think we look the best!!!  Bright uniform colors just add a

pop of color to the court.  (Black, yellow, grey and white, something for everyone to choose from)

I particularly like the bright yellows and lime greens, it blends in with the ball! A strategic tacit as well as lively addition to any team.  Muted colors, I love to wear them every day, just not on the court.  You need to make a statement!  Draw attention to yourselves~ we are here to play, to kick your booty. Look the best, play the best~ our team moto!!!  :)

http://tennis-speak.blogspot.com/2013/04/getting-geared-upped-for-2013-2014.html

Just What's Inside Ladies tennis bags in London??

On my recent trip to London for Wimbledon I could help but notice all of the ladies waling around the Kensington/Chelsea, Holland Park area as they we sitting, lunching, having a smoke, drinking coffee, wine.  They look extremely simular to me and my tennis friends. (minus the cigarettes of course)
 The one major difference that I noticed is the size of their bags.  Seriously, I only saw one large tennis bag on my entire trip, and that was a man walking to the tube (smoking a cigarette).  Of course all the pros at Wimbledon had huge bags~ but no one else.  These ladies must not need as much stuff as we do here.  They literally just carried the bag that the racket was purchased in.  You know, that silly racket cover that is included with your purchase at Sports Authority.


I just found that incredibly hard to believe.  I know I live in the US where everything is bigger, our TVs, our yards, our refrigerators, our washer and dryers, but seriously don't women all over the world need all of the same stuff in their tennis bag like I do?  I mean what if you fall down and need some icy hot?  What if you need a drink of water from your water bottle?  How bout a change of clothes after a hot and sweaty match?  Well it was never quite warm in London during my visit, but come on ladies of London... what's your secret?  Don't you need a change of shoes after your match to protect your pedi?

http://tennis-speak.blogspot.com/2013/02/tennis-toe-yuck-how-to-protect-your.html

I know you have your toes done... saw many wonderful salons throughout London.  I just don't get it.  My friend, Claire, who happens to be on my tennis team, she sort of has a big bag (not as big as mine), and she's from London.  What's the deal? Do you only need big bags in America?  On second thought, Claire does not sweat that much and her hair always looks fabulous.  Maybe that's it, genetics, ladies from UK just don't need all of those products!!

 I DO~ I'm never giving up my huge bag or all of my products that go inside