Down the T: #1 Chris Lewis Interview

[reddy]

Thanks to Chris and BB for the wonderful article. Chris, your articulate responses to the questions posed leads me to believe tennis isn't the ONLY activity you excel in.

Edit: Missed the word "ONLY", in the original post. Did not want any unintended interpretation.

 

[chrislewis]

Thanks to Chris and BB for the wonderful article. Chris, your articulate responses to the questions posed leads me believe tennis isn't the activity you excel in.

Thanks Reddy. I'm glad you liked BB's questions and my answers.

---

Hey Chris, great to have your insights here. I remember that 83 final run and it was special, you being unseeded and all.
I hope you stick around.

Thanks 1972Murat. I intend to.

 

[Mastoor]

Hi Chris, I so much enjoyed reading this. Thank you for writing it.

Do you coach in California? Any chance to come back to NZ?

Hi Mastoor,

Yes, aside from running Tennis Experts, I coach extensively in Irvine, Southern Cal at the Woodbridge Tennis Club. Chuck Brymer and I run a relatively small, but highly successful junior program supported by a very capable team of coaches. For instance, two weeks ago, two of my students, Gage Brymer (Chuck's son) and Mayo Hibi, respectively won the Boys and Girls 18's Easter Bowl singles. A week later Gage won the CIF Ojai Championships for the third straight time, the first player to achieve a triple win since Bobby Riggs in the thirties.

I'm passionate about the development of junior talent and still love being on court, so running the business and coaching are a perfect blend. I also have a family that keeps me busy every other spare second.

Re your second question, I spent 10 years in NZ prior to moving to SoCal in 2005. With my brother, Mark, I was also heavily involved in junior development in Auckland. After fighting a decade long war with Tennis NZ over their approach to junior development, I am not in a hurry to return to anything that's tennis related. Even though I consider myself 100 per cent a New Zealander, I couldn't be happier where I am at the moment.

Chris

Hi Chris,

Some time ago I read an interview with Marina Erakovic who said she was lucky to be taught tennis by you and I am happy to hear that you are still passionate about coaching. The reason i asked you about coming back to Auckland where I live, was also pragmatic. I've been trying to find a good tennis coach for my little one (any tips would be much appreciated). My son will be proud to hear that i chatted with you, because couple of months ago I told him about your final with McEnroe. We found some pictures at atp website too.

Cheers,
Mastoor

 

[Ricardo]

Here's a question for Chris.

Why do you think that a 2handed backhand necessarily implies that you can't volley well from the backhand side.

I can think of a number of counterexamples, even back in the golden era. In today's game, a player like Andy Murray volleys quite well, despite the 2hander.. A few years back, Santoro did as well.

Hi Haelflix,

I'm using as my standard the best volleyers of all time. Now, as I mentioned in my interview, it's all about context. Bear in mind that the players you are about to see are using racquets with a head size of 65 sq inches, weigh close to 14 ounces, and have a sweet spot the size of a small, undernourished pea.

http://youtu.be/FquHcwZByWE

It really is worth watching. Bear in mind this is almost 44 years ago. My contention is that there has never been a two handed volleyer who comes close to the backhand volleying ability of the two players in the video.

Kind regards,
Chris

Thanks for sharing Chris, absolutely amazing volleys. Last year i went to Indian Wells, and noticed an old gentleman who was having a hit with Sam Querry. He stood at the net, and Querry kept crashing the ball at him fast and low with tonnes of spin, i could hear the sound off Querry's racquet as he absolutely pounded it (no pressure so why not?). I spent a good 20 minutes there, and the guy didn't miss a single volley..... well not the ones he could get his hands on anyway. Nobody can volley like him in the modern game, and he is none other than Tony Roche himself - obviously Laver'd be at least as good. For the non-believers, i think they need to see it in person.... the ones who still practice with current pros, Johnny Mac is another great choice.

I remember that Fed also said himself that Tony volleys 'much better' than him, and he is considered one of the best volleyers in the game.

Hi Ricardo,

When it comes to the backhand volley, it's universally accepted that Tony Roche's was the best of all time. Ken Rosewall also had a magnificent backhand volley. Re watching Tony (who is in his sixties) volley at Indian Wells last year, can you imagine how good those volleys were when he was in his twenties?

Thanks for the story.

Chris

---

Chris, Great to see you joining the conversation. An invaluable insight for all of us. Enjoyed the Roche/Laver video - volleying at it's finest.

Britbox, it's great to be part of it. Just wish there were more hours in the day. Time's something there just isn't enough of.

---

Chris, he was definitely amazing in his prime. With that kind of volleying skills and the athleticism of youth he was a nightmare to face. It got me wondering again (a lot of people too i am sure), how would they play the game if they belong to this era? for whatever reason, the playing condition has been tweaked to suit players who stay at the baseline, and grind it out there instead of creating opportunities to come to the net. They've slowed the courts for years, use heavier balls and of course the strings make a difference as well, which all reward the defensive baseliners. Perhaps they'd re-adjust the balance and play a lot more at the baseline too?

 

[chrislewis]

Hi Chris, I so much enjoyed reading this. Thank you for writing it.

Do you coach in California? Any chance to come back to NZ?

Hi Mastoor,

Yes, aside from running Tennis Experts, I coach extensively in Irvine, Southern Cal at the Woodbridge Tennis Club. Chuck Brymer and I run a relatively small, but highly successful junior program supported by a very capable team of coaches. For instance, two weeks ago, two of my students, Gage Brymer (Chuck's son) and Mayo Hibi, respectively won the Boys and Girls 18's Easter Bowl singles. A week later Gage won the CIF Ojai Championships for the third straight time, the first player to achieve a triple win since Bobby Riggs in the thirties.

I'm passionate about the development of junior talent and still love being on court, so running the business and coaching are a perfect blend. I also have a family that keeps me busy every other spare second.

Re your second question, I spent 10 years in NZ prior to moving to SoCal in 2005. With my brother, Mark, I was also heavily involved in junior development in Auckland. After fighting a decade long war with Tennis NZ over their approach to junior development, I am not in a hurry to return to anything that's tennis related. Even though I consider myself 100 per cent a New Zealander, I couldn't be happier where I am at the moment.

Chris

Hi Chris,

Some time ago I read an interview with Marina Erakovic who said she was lucky to be taught tennis by you and I am happy to hear that you are still passionate about coaching. The reason i asked you about coming back to Auckland where I live, was also pragmatic. I've been trying to find a good tennis coach for my little one (any tips would be much appreciated). My son will be proud to hear that i chatted with you, because couple of months ago I told him about your final with McEnroe. We found some pictures at atp website too.

Cheers,
Mastoor

Hi Mastoor,

Thank you for your reply. I coached Marina for 9 years. Not one single bad day on the court. She was so receptive and such a hard worker. Her family were also an absolute pleasure to deal with.

As for the recommendation of a coach for your son, please call my brother, Mark, at Auckland Tennis. Tell him I directed you to him. And all the very best for your son's future.

 

[Mastoor]

Hi Chris, I so much enjoyed reading this. Thank you for writing it.

Do you coach in California? Any chance to come back to NZ?

Hi Mastoor,

Yes, aside from running Tennis Experts, I coach extensively in Irvine, Southern Cal at the Woodbridge Tennis Club. Chuck Brymer and I run a relatively small, but highly successful junior program supported by a very capable team of coaches. For instance, two weeks ago, two of my students, Gage Brymer (Chuck's son) and Mayo Hibi, respectively won the Boys and Girls 18's Easter Bowl singles. A week later Gage won the CIF Ojai Championships for the third straight time, the first player to achieve a triple win since Bobby Riggs in the thirties.

I'm passionate about the development of junior talent and still love being on court, so running the business and coaching are a perfect blend. I also have a family that keeps me busy every other spare second.

Re your second question, I spent 10 years in NZ prior to moving to SoCal in 2005. With my brother, Mark, I was also heavily involved in junior development in Auckland. After fighting a decade long war with Tennis NZ over their approach to junior development, I am not in a hurry to return to anything that's tennis related. Even though I consider myself 100 per cent a New Zealander, I couldn't be happier where I am at the moment.

Chris

Hi Chris,

Some time ago I read an interview with Marina Erakovic who said she was lucky to be taught tennis by you and I am happy to hear that you are still passionate about coaching. The reason i asked you about coming back to Auckland where I live, was also pragmatic. I've been trying to find a good tennis coach for my little one (any tips would be much appreciated). My son will be proud to hear that i chatted with you, because couple of months ago I told him about your final with McEnroe. We found some pictures at atp website too.

Cheers,
Mastoor

Hi Mastoor,

Thank you for your reply. I coached Marina for 9 years. Not one single bad day on the court. She was so receptive and such a hard worker. Her family were also an absolute pleasure to deal with.

As for the recommendation of a coach for your son, please call my brother, Mark, at Auckland Tennis. Tell him I directed you to him. And all the very best for your son's future.

Thank you very much Chris. I'll call Mark.

 

[chrislewis]

Here's a question for Chris.

Why do you think that a 2handed backhand necessarily implies that you can't volley well from the backhand side.

I can think of a number of counterexamples, even back in the golden era. In today's game, a player like Andy Murray volleys quite well, despite the 2hander.. A few years back, Santoro did as well.

Hi Haelflix,

I'm using as my standard the best volleyers of all time. Now, as I mentioned in my interview, it's all about context. Bear in mind that the players you are about to see are using racquets with a head size of 65 sq inches, weigh close to 14 ounces, and have a sweet spot the size of a small, undernourished pea.

http://youtu.be/FquHcwZByWE

It really is worth watching. Bear in mind this is almost 44 years ago. My contention is that there has never been a two handed volleyer who comes close to the backhand volleying ability of the two players in the video.

Kind regards,
Chris

Thanks for sharing Chris, absolutely amazing volleys. Last year i went to Indian Wells, and noticed an old gentleman who was having a hit with Sam Querry. He stood at the net, and Querry kept crashing the ball at him fast and low with tonnes of spin, i could hear the sound off Querry's racquet as he absolutely pounded it (no pressure so why not?). I spent a good 20 minutes there, and the guy didn't miss a single volley..... well not the ones he could get his hands on anyway. Nobody can volley like him in the modern game, and he is none other than Tony Roche himself - obviously Laver'd be at least as good. For the non-believers, i think they need to see it in person.... the ones who still practice with current pros, Johnny Mac is another great choice.

I remember that Fed also said himself that Tony volleys 'much better' than him, and he is considered one of the best volleyers in the game.

Hi Ricardo,

When it comes to the backhand volley, it's universally accepted that Tony Roche's was the best of all time. Ken Rosewall also had a magnificent backhand volley. Re watching Tony (who is in his sixties) volley at Indian Wells last year, can you imagine how good those volleys were when he was in his twenties?

Thanks for the story.

Chris

---

Chris, Great to see you joining the conversation. An invaluable insight for all of us. Enjoyed the Roche/Laver video - volleying at it's finest.

Britbox, it's great to be part of it. Just wish there were more hours in the day. Time's something there just isn't enough of.

---

Chris, he was definitely amazing in his prime. With that kind of volleying skills and the athleticism of youth he was a nightmare to face. It got me wondering again (a lot of people too i am sure), how would they play the game if they belong to this era? for whatever reason, the playing condition has been tweaked to suit players who stay at the baseline, and grind it out there instead of creating opportunities to come to the net. They've slowed the courts for years, use heavier balls and of course the strings make a difference as well, which all reward the defensive baseliners. Perhaps they'd re-adjust the balance and play a lot more at the baseline too?

---

Ricardo, today's conditions definitely favor the baseline game. However, if yesterday's players were to benefit from today's technology with the subsequent increase in pace and spin, I think they would do very well. For instance, I would love to see Sampras at his best playing against today's top players. With his serve, I think he would still be enormously successful.

---

Thanks to Chris and BB for the wonderful article. Chris, your articulate responses to the questions posed leads me to believe tennis isn't the ONLY activity you excel in.

Edit: Missed the word "ONLY", in the original post. Did not want any unintended interpretation.

Reddy, I'm glad you clarified that as you had me wondering whether it was a compliment or otherwise.

 

[britbox]

Chris, Did you have any matches with the following generation - Wilander, Edberg and Becker?