Grandson Deklyn, who is two and a half years old, loves to “play tennis.”
Author: Des Evans
Des was born in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) in 1951 and was educated at Prince Edward School and the University of Rhodesia (Zimbabwe.) He qualified as a Physical Education and English teacher in 1972. Des has 3 children – Nicola, Gareth and Stacey.
Des’ Dad, Bob Evans and his step-mother Sheila Evans (Dowdeswell) emigrated to the United States in 1980 and settled in Indianapolis. Sheila subsequently coached tennis at the Indianapolis Racquet Club for 26 years. Des emigrated to the States in February 2000 and he has been a certified tennis professional at the Indianapolis Racquet Club since then. Des became a US citizen in 2013.
Nicola, Gareth and Stacey have subsequently graduated from university at either Purdue or IUPUI in Indiana. Nicola played 4 years college tennis for the IUPUI Jaguars (Division 1) and all three children won Indiana State tennis titles with Carmel High School..
Des Coaching Deklyn Tennis at IRC
Deklyn with Des at his lesson!
Well Deserved Titles for Kim and Novak!
Radiant, lovely Kim displays her trophy at the beach in Melbourne! Joker Djokovic supremely confident! Very strong self belief – has matured and developed an all-round game after improving his service motion. Both Kim and Novak are worthy champions! Murray has a lot of work to do – especially on the mental and emotional aspects of his game.
Australian Open – 2011
Will this be the changing of the Guard? Novak takes out Fed! Murray to do battle with Ferrer!
Kim will play Li Na for the Title in the Championship match!
Des Evans Playing the Forehand Volley
RAISE racquet head to eye level by laying wrist back to right side
AVOID taking tip of racquet head back behind the right ear!
Shift weight to right foot – get your right shoulder behind ball
Make contact on right side of body – slightly in front
Latest Tennis Tip from Des – One Handed Backhand
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The topspin drive – not to be confused with backhand slice
Extreme Backhand Grip
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Use an eastern backhand grip
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Turn right shoulder with racquet head high
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Right hand is lower than with slice shot
Fed’s full extension and high follow-through
Des’ Latest Tennis Tip! – Double Handed Backhand
Double handed backhand provides strength on return of serve
Single handed backhand has a reach advantage
- Take back is intially high
- Take racquet back with shoulder turn
Murray and Roddick’s full extension with the left arm after contact
Nadal’s high follow through
Latest Tennis Tip from Des – Open Stance Forehand
Use the open stance for wide forehands – it facilitates early recovery
Load with the right side by pushing down with the right knee – just prior to contact
Point the hitting (face) strings backwards on take-back
Keep the wrist cocked (laid) back through the contact point
Swing should be one motion – smooth, fast and relaxed
Use ‘L’ shape with right elbow on inside to contact
Extend fully after contact
Use the ‘windshield wiper’ motion on follow through – finish with the left elbow high and with the wrist on the inside
On the forehand put-away – swing aggressively and finish below the left shoulder with a fast, relaxed flourish
Follow through is on same side of body
Tennis Tip from Des – Backhand Slice
- Use backhand slice to vary the pace of a rally and to lower the contact point of your opponent’s groundstrokes or volleys.
- Ensure that you use a Continental grip, prepare with a high take-back, lead with the bottom edge and open the face of your racquet. Make contact out in front – then follow through with your knuckles on top.
- You can also use floating slice to recover from a defensive position.
- Nadal – the hands separate on the backhand slice
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Use ‘skidding” slice to keep the ball low and out of your opponent’s strike zone
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Use a ‘soft’ hand to play a deliberate drop-shot – once you have opened the court first – by drawing your opponent wide or deep. This is a ‘touch’ shot which requires you to ‘feel’ the ball with your strings.
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Disguise the drop-shot by playing it as late as possible.
The take-back is high for more slice (under-spin)
- Finish with hitting face of racquet facing upwards
- The knuckles remain on top during the follow through
- The racquet head remains to the LEFT with the hitting strings facing up.
The Longest Match and Set in Grand Slam History!!
John Isner and Nicholas Mahut played for 11 hours and 5 minutes over 3 days – a total of 183 games! They served 215 aces between them, before Isner eventually won 70-68 in the 5th set – the longest set in Grand Slam tennis history – 8 hours and 11 minutes – 138 games!! The players hit a total of 490 winners!! The match was played in exemplary spirit by 2 young tennis warriors. What focus, courage, mental fortitude and stamina! What a great match! They deserve their place in tennis history!
Tip of the Week From Des- “Modified i” Formation
As a Doubles pair, you and your partner should communicate before every point – either verbally or by using hand signals. Vary your strategy by using the “modified i” formation – to take your opponents out of their ‘comfort zone’ when returning serve. The server’s partner should kneel slightly to the left (or right) of the center line – about 8 paces from the net. The server should generally aim the 1st serve down the middle ‘T’ when using this formation
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Tip of The Week From Des
Use a continental grip and drop racquet head before exploding upwards to contact the ball. Avoid ‘catching raindrops’ with your hitting face of the racquet – this is usually caused by the grip moving to ‘forehand’ during the swing phase. Try the ‘racquet drop’ on your serve!
DES EVANS TENNIS 
