Heat, Rain and Results in Miami

Well we are into the home stretch with 2 tournaments to go. I’m eager for us to drive hard to the very end with a good showing in both tournaments. The latest news from us is that the weather is on off rain yet still warm. The players went to the Miami Heat vs Toronto Raptors with Hampo and Jez on Monday and then myself, Hampo and Jez went as guests last night of a friend.

How different American Sports are from UK football matches. The basketball games and American Football games are social occasions with lots of different things going on all the time such as wrapped T-shirts like small sausages being shot into the crowd from shoulder missile throwers or being parachuted down from the rafters, cheerleader dances, bands playing for a time out (2-3 min), different seats chosen to try shoot a free throw to win a cruise and people basically coming and going from their seats all the time. Win or lose people are pretty chilled and you don’t get the opposition arriving with many fans if any at all so the stadium is almost totally home team support. Certainly the passion for their team is not on the same scale as European football and football fans would not leave their seats regularly during a half. The stadium is only full in the 4th quarter if it is close and an exciting end. Very different experience!

Anna won a money tournament and Oscar is playing a final today if it stops raining and Ilija continues his good form with a quarter-final of the Prince Cup as well. The MCTA is a concept that is new. It is about creating a travelling environment of consistent excellence. It is about a player learning in an environment that is challenging and supportive and being part of this team not identifying with a particular coach but rather with the MCTA way. This is powerful and therefore will succeed at the highest level and create an interesting alternative to the traditional academies and federations. I’m more than happy with current progress and proud of both the players and the team for the fantastic foundation we have laid for 2007. The 3 month road trip ends on Sunday and we are all looking forward to a short recovery period and time with family. The sacrifice for the team is enormous even though we love our jobs and this consistency is a powerful message to the world of tennis which will build over time.

To all our friends who take the time to visit our website and take an interest in our progress may I extend our best wishes for the Christmas holidays and New Year and thank you for your time.

All the best,