Djokovic and Nadal Fight for French title

On June 6, 2014June 6, 2014 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

It promises to be an intriguing battle between the greatest counter puncher and clay court player of all time against one of the best returners in the history of the game!

Who is your money on?

**Can Novak Djokovic end Nadals record run?**

**Rafael Nadal destroyed Andy Murray in the semis!**

Djokovic is one the best returners in history of the game — **Djokovic is one the best returners in the history of the game**

STACEY EVANS GRADUATION – MAY, 2014

On May 14, 2014June 6, 2014 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

Congratulations to Stacey Evans on her Graduation! She joins her sister Nicola (Evans) Frazer and brother Gareth Evans as a university graduate. Well done, Stace!

The Graduation Ceremony at IUPUI, Indianapolis — **The Graduation Ceremony at Convention Center, Indianapolis**

**Over 6,500 students graduated on 11th May, 2014**

**Des with Stacey after the Graduation Ceremony**

**Nicola Evans with her son Deklyn at her Graduation in May, 2009**

**Stacey, Des and Brenda with Gareth Evans at his Graduation with an Indiana University degree in May, 2010**

COACHING WITH GINNY PURDY

On April 17, 2014May 1, 2014 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

Ginny Purdy is a former WTA professional and Wimbledon player who played for North Central and the University of Southern California. At North Central she was coached by my step-mother Sheila Evans

**Ginny Purdy playing a forehand with daughter Chloe at the net**

**Chloe plays an open stance forehand!**

MARIA’S FOREHAND TURN

On March 20, 2014April 17, 2014 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

Maria Sharapova – A classic turn and “timing point” with wrist cocked and hitting face turned out. Part of the preparation and loading phase on the run.

After turning the shoulders to the right, Maria pushes the face of the racquet out and back. — **After turning the shoulders to the right, Maria pushes the face of the racquet out and back with the left arm.**

ENTERTAINING EVENING AT THE FIELD HOUSE

On February 18, 2014February 18, 2014 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

Fun evening at Bankers Life Field House with the legendary pros

**Meeting USA Davis Cup captain Jim Courier**

Ivan Llendl played McEnroe in the semis — **Ivan Lendl played McEnroe in the semis**

**Mark Philippoussis about to serve in his semi against Jim Courier**

**Johnny Mac entertained the crowd as usual**

LI NA AND STAN WAWRINKA WIN AUSSIE OPEN TITLES

On January 26, 2014January 26, 2014 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

**Stan Wawrinka proudly holds his first Grand Slam trophy**

**Wawrinka upsets injured Nadal in final**

Stan Wawrinka stuns Raphael Nadal in the final to win his first Grand Slam title

NADAL TOO GOOD FOR FED!

On January 24, 2014January 24, 2014 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

Rafa was too good for Fed on the night of the semis – wins in straight sets. He will play Stan Wawrinka in the final of the Australian Open

**Rafa produced an awesome performance against Federer**

**Fed congratulates Rafa after being out-played by Nadal**

Roger Federer departs after encountering an on form Nadal — **Roger Federer departs after encountering an in form Nadal**

CAN FED PULL IT OFF!

On January 22, 2014January 22, 2014 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

Roger Federer beats Tsonga and Murray to earn semi place — **Roger Federer convincingly defeated Tsonga and Murray to earn semi place**

Fed faces his nemisus Raphael Nadal in the semis — **Fed faces his nemesis Raphael Nadal in the semis**

With new coach Stefan Edberg court-side, Roger Federer produced an awesome display of aggressive tennis – despite dropping a third set after having 2 match points in the tie-breaker. He is definitely fitter and stronger than he has been in the past 2 years and, in the style of Edberg, he ventured to the net on a regular basis. Can he overcome his nemesis Rafa in the semis of the Aussie Open?

Stan Wawrinka and Tomas Berdych fight it out in the other semi – Wawrinka having upset Novak Djokovic. I am hoping that Fed can capture one more Grand Slam title to take his total to 18 – the same number as Jack Nicklaus who is the leader in pro golf with 18 Majors.

BRANAMANS WIN NEW YEAR’S FAMILY CHALLENGE

On January 1, 2014January 3, 2014 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

Mark and Nathan Branaman win the New Year’s Family Challenge for the 2nd year in a row. 46 players participated in this year’s event at IRC

**Winners Nathan and Mark Branaman with host Des Evans**

EVANS HIGHLIGHTS OF 2013

On December 10, 2013December 10, 2013 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

**The Evans and Frazer families in Seattle for Christmas 2013**

Ella and Deklyn Frazer - Ella was born in January, 2013 — **Ella and Deklyn Frazer – Ella was born in January, 2013**

"Pappa" Des with gorgeous Ella — **“Pappa” Des with gorgeous Ella**

**Des with Stace at the Indy 500 in May**

Des with Dowdeswell and Kpti families in London — **Des with the Dowdeswell and Koti families in London**

**Des during a fantastic 3 days at Wimbledon in July**

Ant and Des had a fantastic time wit host Colin Dowdeswell at Wimbledon — **Ant and Des had a fantastic time with host Colin Dowdeswell at Wimbledon**

**Des had a great reunion with Ant Michell at Wimbledon and Knowle**

**Ant Michell with hosts Denise and Kev Evans in Knowle in July**

Des and Denise with Mart and Lorna during our visit to Durham in July — **Kev and Denise with Mart and Lorna during our visit to Durham in July**

**A wonderful reunion in Durham for Des, sister Lorna and brother Kev**

**A memorable reunion with Dale in Durham in July**

**Nicola and Sean and family visited Indy in August**

**Des with Stacey on her birthday in November**

In December in Seattle the Frazer family completed Deklyn's adoption. Congrats! — **In December in Seattle the Frazer family completed Deklyn’s adoption. Congrats!**

CREATING A WINNING CULTURE

On December 9, 2013December 9, 2013 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

The modern psychological approach for success in sport ( and in life) should be based on former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh’s philosophy :-

Think like a winner and train like a contender – nothing is gained and a winning pattern is not achieved without considerable hard work, sacrifices and commitment.

A BLAST FROM THE PAST!

On December 4, 2013December 5, 2013 By Des EvansIn Home Page2 Comments

Des, Ed Hough and Tony Marillier — **Des, Ed Hough and Tony Marillie**r

Hey, here they are today!!

Brooks Trophy - Umtali, 1968 — Brooks Trophy – Umtali, 1968 – including Pete Henesey-Smith, Ant Michell, Graham Birch, Barbara Hudson-Beck, Tony Fawcett, Eve Sladden, Des, Cheryl Sayer, Ed Hough, Jackie (Keefe) Lamb, Trevor Sayer, Stephen Fine, Mark Henesey-Smith, Colin Dowdeswell, Sally Hudson-Beck, Lorna (Evans) Benkenstein

DES EVANS TENNIS

On November 20, 2013November 28, 2013 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

Wimbledon is my favorite Slam although I have really enjoyed my 4 visits to the U.S. Open in New York. Believe it or not not, London and New York are my two favorite cities to visit!

Coach Des Evans

**London Skyline from the grounds at Wimbledon**

Enjoying the action from the Hill - "Murray Mound". — **Enjoying the action from the Hill – “Murray Mound”.**

Des in front of the board displaying the previous year's winners — **Des in front of the board displaying the previous year’s winners**

The "Big Screen" on the Hill — **The “Big Screen” on the Hill**

PATRICK McAULEY & WILL REIFEIS CAPTURE STATE DOUBLES TITLE

On October 28, 2013June 22, 2020 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

In addition to the team State title, North Central’s Patrick McAuley and Will Reifeis captured the State doubles title.

Congratulations to Patrick and Will!

**Patrick McAuley and Will Reifeis out of IRC won State doubles**

Patrick and Will celebrate their victory with Bryan-like chest bump — **Patrick and Will celebrate their victory with a Bryan-like chest bump**

INDIANA STATE TITLE FOR JJ KROOT & JT WYNNE

On October 21, 2013October 28, 2013 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

Congratulations to JJ Kroot and JT Wynne for capturing the Indiana State title for North Central in the final against Park Tudor this weekend. I am proud to have coached JJ during his early days as a promising junior and future champion. Well done too, to JT Wynne who has worked extremely hard with coach Hector Clavijo at IRC. Great job, JT and Hector!

Also my personal congratulations to Barry and Jane Kroot on JJ’s success. All the caring, perseverance and hard work over the years has paid off! Well done!

**Indiana State Champions JJ Kroot and JT Wynne proudly hold the IHSAA Trophy**

**Proud parents Jane and Barry Kroot with their State Champion son JJ**

IRC's JT Wynne, doubles winner Patrick McAuley with Max Freeman after their victory — **IRC’s JT Wynne and doubles winner Patrick McAuley with Max Freeman after their victory**

WIMBLEDON -2013

On August 20, 2013July 8, 2015 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

Hosted by his step-brother Colin Dowdeswell (former Wimbledon doubles finalist in 1975) Des watched 3 days of thrilling tennis at Wimbledon. He enjoyed exciting tennis at a world class tennis venue!

Des in front of front of Center Court — **Des standing in front of Center Court**

Des standing in front of Centre Court — **Des standing in front of Center Court**

Aggie Radwanska andSabine Lisciki playing in the Ladies Singles semi-final on the Wimbledon centre court. Lisciki won 9-7 in final set! — **Aggie Radwanska and Sabine Lisciki playing in the Ladies Singles semi-final on the Wimbledon centre court. Lisciki won 9-7 in final set!**

**Murray serving in the semi-final against Jerzy Janowicz from Poland**

The Centre Court had different turf this year for first time — **The Center Court had different turf this year for first time**

**A great reunion at Wimbledon. Ant Michell, Colin Dowdeswell and Des Evans**

Des at the new Wimbledon Court 2 stadium — **Des at the new Wimbledon Court 3 stadium**

SUMMER PROGRAM A BIG SUCCESS!

On August 4, 2013September 27, 2013 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

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**Many talented doubles players at his years summer program**

**Des demonstrates the backhand follow-through**

STACEY EVANS – FOREHAND LOADING & HITTING PHASES

On May 16, 2013May 16, 2013 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

Stacey Evans' preparation on forehand - the loading phase — **Stacey Evans’ preparation on forehand – the loading phase**

**Loading on the right foot for a semi-open stance forehand**

The semi-open stance in the hitting phase - the strike zone! — **The semi-open stance in the hitting phase – accelerating through the strike zone!**

POINTERS FOR VOLLEYS

On April 21, 2013April 27, 2013 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

If you have time - step in with opposite foot — If you have time – step in with opposite foot

Des Evans prepares for 2013 summer program

A Balanced Finish!

Point of contact - raquet almost parallel to net — Point of contact – racquet almost parallel to net

A Classic Volley! Cara Black - Zimbabwe — A Classic Volley! Cara Black – Zimbabwe

Coach Des demonstrates a forehand volley — Keep racquet head above wrist and lead with butt

A Short Punch! Finish above Contact Point

STACEY EVANS’ FOREHAND HITTING ZONE

On April 1, 2013June 30, 2013 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

Stacey visualizes hitting 3 balls when she accelerates the swing through the hitting zone

COACH DES EVANS

On March 14, 2013March 14, 2013 By Des EvansIn Home Page1 Comment

DES EVANS TENNIS

On January 31, 2013January 31, 2013 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

Des has coached at the Indianapolis Racquet Club for the past 13 years and is currently Director, Tournament Players Program. He also coached 9 summers at the Washington Township Tennis Program at the Barbara Wynne Tennis Center. He is certified to coach 10 and Under tennis, High Performance and Adult development programs.

AZARENKA BEATS LI NA TO LIFT AUSSIE TITLE

On January 27, 2013January 28, 2013 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

: Victoria Azarenka wins successive Aussie championships

Victoria Azarenka lifted her second successive Australian title with a 3 set victory over Li Na.

“Nole” Djokovic wins a 3rd successive title as Andy Murray struggles to play through blister discomfort and the irritation of a floating feather on court during the final!!

Coach Ivan Lendl - responsible for moody Murray's stronger mental fortitude — **Coach Ivan Lendl – responsible for moody Murray’s stronger mental fortitude**

e trophy presentation4 time champion Andre Agassi with "Nole" and Andy Murray at th — **4 time champion Andre Agassi with “Nole” and Andy Murray**

Advantage Novak Djokovic as Murray battles blisters!

I'm glad that Lindsey Siney thinks that "this is cool!" — **Victoria Azarenka with Redfoo of LMFAO**

DOWN TO BUSINESS END “DOWN UNDER”

On January 24, 2013January 28, 2013 By Des EvansIn Home PageLeave a comment

A nervous Vika Azarenka defends her title against Li Na.

A confident Murray has the edge over Federer – but I want “Fed” to win! He has a much more engaging personality and approach to the game.

The “Djoker” demolished the counter-punching David Ferrer and is in supreme form for the final.

Post Script:-

Andy Murray edges out Federer in 5 sets – served and returned more aggressively. Under the eagle eye of coach Ivan Lendl he showed improved emotional control under pressure. Still moody and irritable at times.