Wednesday 12^th March 2014

One win and one loss today saw the end of our tournament here in South Africa but there have been lots of learning points and Ben has developed well over the two weeks.

Under normal circumstances, as soon as one of the players has lost in the singles on one of my trips they treat the rest of the week as a training week alongside their doubles matches. That means that if they just had one doubles match in the day, they would train for at least an hour and a half on the court and also go through their normal strength and conditioning programme off the court. However, due to the injury that Ben has sustained to his arm it has not been possible for him to do a lot of training and it was important that he saved his arm for his doubles matches.

With that in mind Ben had a lie-in this morning while I got up early again to get another run completed at the gym. It was a hard one today; 15 miles on a running machine can never be classed as enjoyable but raising money to help very sick children helps to motivate me every day – please sponsor me – www.justgiving.com/robslondonmarathon2014.

I met Ben at 10.30am at the club and, as he had missed breakfast at the hotel, he wanted to have an early lunch to make up for it. We therefore headed over to Beef Boys Grill at 11.30am and had a good lunch of chicken breasts and baked potato before walking back to the club. We then warmed up at 1pm and went through some movement and speed work before we started hitting.

We then hit for around 25 minutes but due to the tightness and pain in Ben’s right forearm we had to make sure that the session remained light. When we were done Ben released the muscles in his forearm again and then iced it to try and reduce the inflammation. Up until that time in the day the weather had been really nice . . . but then the rain came down for the next 45 minutes!

Luckily there was quite a bit of wind today and the sun came out immediately after it stopped raining so by 4.30pm the courts were completely dry.

After warming up, Ben and David went on court at 4.45pm to conclude the match that they started on Monday and they didn’t waste any time in finishing the match off! They broke Michael straight away and then David held serve well to win the match 6-4, 6-1. Ben’s arm was a little sore on returning but fortunately he didn’t have to serve.

As Ben and David were already warm they decided to go straight into the next match which, like last week, had been changed to short sets up to 4 games due to the weather. This week in the ¼ finals they faced 3^rd seeds Lloyd Harris and Brandon Laubser from South Africa and before the match I was very confident that Ben and David would come through it with a win. However, from the opening game the South African’s played very well and Ben and David didn’t quite find the form they did last week. To all of our surprise in the second game of the match Brandon walked to the back of the court and then was violently sick all over the court! Due to the mess the boys had to change courts and when they restarted Ben and David broke back to level the set. Ben served in the next game and was also broken but Lloyd finally held serve first to give them a 3-1* lead. David then held serve after another close game and then Brandon, who had recovered extremely well from being sick, held to take the first set 4-2.

In the second set the South African’s continued to dominate and even though the first two games went against serve they went on to take the second set 4-1. Both Ben and David were very disappointed when they finished but Ben said that he was really struggling with his arm and that really affected his serve.

Once Ben had iced his arm, he cooled down and stretched out in the gym and then, as it was almost 7pm, we walked over to the restaurant for dinner.

After dinner we headed back to the hotel to change our flights and get ready to leave tomorrow.

It’s been a good two weeks of competing, learning, improving and dealing with difficult situations both in terms of the altitude / conditions and dealing with injuries. Overall Ben has worked hard and despite some difficult draws he has remained positive and got some good results in the doubles.

My next trip will be to the U18 ITF Grade 1 in Carson, USA at the end of March, so until then . . .

Tuesday 11^th March 2014

It was a hard fought match for Ben today and despite being a break up in both sets he unfortunately couldn’t convert his chances.

The later start time today meant that we could get the shuttle bus at 6.45am and have breakfast at the restaurant at 7am. We then walked over to the club and at 7.30am started to go through our own physical warm up so that we were ready to hit from 8 – 8.30am. As we watched Isa play yesterday, and played a practice set with him on Sunday, our warm up was based around what Ben would need to do to beat him. I mixed in a lot of higher balls as Isa has a very spinny forehand and also sliced a lot to Ben’s forehand as we knew that Isa rarely drives his backhand. After also warming up volleys, serves and returns Ben felt good and was ready for the match.

Due to  the courts being a little wet the match didn’t start until 9.45am but as soon as it did Ben played a good game to break Isa’s serve to take a *1-0 lead. Ben was broken straight back in the next game and even though the next 3 games went with serve I felt as though the tactics Ben was using were excellent. He was much more aggressive than in his previous 2 singles matches; hitting 5 winners in the first 4 games and he was also prepared to move up the court whenever he got the chance. However, at *2-3 Isa raised his level considerably and started to produce a lot more winners from the back of the court. In response to that, Ben tried to hit a little more aggressively but it lead to too many unforced errors and at the next change of ends Ben was 5-2* down.

The rain then started and play was suspended which gave me a chance to talk to Ben. I explained that tactically he was doing the right things and his hitting level was very good so neither of those things needed to change. What did need to change was his consistency at the level he was playing at and Ben totally agreed.

At just after 11am the courts started to dry out so Ben and I went on court to hit a few balls so that he was completely warm when the match restarted and then at 11.30am play resumed. Ben lost his serve in the next game to lose the first set 6-2 but we both knew that the score line didn’t reflect how close the set actually was.

In the second set Ben again had an early advantage when he broke Isa at 1-1* and at 2-2* but on both occasions he couldn’t hold on to his serve in the next game. From 3-3* until *5-6 the set went with serve and despite Ben having numerous break point opportunities we wasn’t able to convert any of them due to the high level that Isa produced on the big points. Ben showed a lot of character throughout that period and not only did he deal well with not being able to convert his break points but he also saved a match point when he was serving at *4-5. At *5-6 Ben had a service game that he will want to forget; first an unforced error from the back of the court and then 3 double faults in a row handed Isa the match 6-2, 7-5.

Even though it was the best match that Ben had played on the trip, both of us know that he has got a higher level within him and maybe the determining factor with all of Ben’s matches has been how well he has been able to deal with the balls and the altitude. Most of the other players have found it difficult to play their games but Ben has really struggled with his serve and also his forehand following his forearm injury.

Once we had eaten lunch we walked back to the club and literally as we entered the clubhouse a heavy downpour started. After about 30 minutes of continual heavy rain the referee decided that the courts would not dry out and so he cancelled play for the day at 3pm.

While most of the players raced to try and get the 3pm shuttle bus back to the hotel, Ben and I went straight into the gym to make the most of the time we had this afternoon. Ben went through a good strength session and then had a long stretch out while I did some intervals on the running machine to keep my marathon training up to date. We both then got the 5pm bus back to the hotel to relax before dinner.

I’d been looking forward to tonight’s dinner all day as I remembered how good the chicken pie was last week and we weren’t disappointed even though the pasta that accompanied the chicken pie was not the best!

Once we got back to the hotel both Ben and I tried to get some work done but once again the internet is not working! Normally it’s ok once all of the players have gone to bed so hopefully I’ll be able to get the Blog online then.

Schedule for tomorrow:

Ben Stride (GBR) & David Volfson (CAN) vs Hubert Badenhorst (RSA) & Michael Copeland (RSA) – To Finish (6-4, 4-1*), Not Before 1pm

Due the possibility of David having 2 singles matches tomorrow there is only 1 doubles match scheduled.

Monday 10^th March 2014

It was a very good day today as Ben won his first round singles and is currently a set and 4-1 up in the doubles when rain stopped play.

We had our earliest start of the trip this morning when Ben and I met for breakfast at 6.15am. Due to the early start we had to have breakfast at the hotel rather than at the restaurant as breakfast only started there at 7am and that wouldn’t have given us enough time to warm up. The hotel breakfast was still good and it meant that by 7am we were at the club warming up for our 7.30am practice session.

We only had a short training session on court as we didn’t want to aggravate Ben’s arm before he played his match. We still went through everything that Ben needed to and included some specific work on Ben’s groundstrokes. The only thing we really cut short was the amount of serving and returning we did as that was the area that caused Ben the most discomfort.

After talking through Ben’s goals and tactics for the match, he went on court at just after 8.30am to play lucky loser Hubert Badenhorst from South Africa. Ben’s tall opponent looked a little dangerous in the warm up but after the first 3 games went with serve, Ben got a break and then took control of the set. Ben was hitting well from the back of the court and anytime that Hubert came into the net Ben passed him with excellent accuracy. The only bad game that Ben played in the set was when he served for the match at *5-1 but he responded professionally and broke straight back to take the set 6-2.

The second set was a little closer but I always felt that Ben was in full control of the match. At *1-1 a few too many unforced errors cost Ben his serve again but he again responded well and took the next 4 games in a row to lead 5-2*. The games up until that stage had been quite close so it was no surprise when Hubert held serve and then went break point up on Ben’s serve in the next game. Having worked on Ben taking his time between points and ‘re-setting’ after unforced errors over the past week, I was really pleased to see him do that in a match and I think that helped him to save the break points and close out the match 6-2, 6-3.

Having only had 1 singles match last week it was good to get through the first round this week and I’m sure as the tournament progresses Ben’s performances will get better and better.

Following his singles match I did want to get Ben straight on the practice court to work on a few specific areas but his arm was a little sore so we thought it was best to see the physio instead. We then watched the majority of his next round opponent’s match which saw Isa Mammetgulyyev come through a very close match with 7^th seed Xander Veys from Belgium. We trained with Isa yesterday and the boys had a very close practice set so we’re feeling confident going into the match tomorrow.

After a good lunch of chicken wraps and salad, we went back to the tennis centre to get ready for Ben and David’s first round doubles match. Ben saw the physio again to get his arm warmed up and strapped and then we hit for about 10 minutes just to test it out – Ben was actually hitting a great ball and he said his arm felt much better.

At 1.30pm Ben and David went on to face Hubert Badenhorst (again!) and Michael Copeland from South Africa. Ben and David started unbelievably well and won the first 14 points in a row with some very good returning and very sharp volleying. They were in full control at *5-1 up but all of a sudden Ben was broken and then their opponents started to gain a bit of momentum. At 5-4* it looked as though Hubert and Michael were going to level the set but, for a third consecutive time, Ben and David won the sudden death deuce point to take the first set 6-4.

At the start of the second set the rain started to fall lightly but all four players were happy to continue so Ben and David didn’t waste any time in taking a 4-1 lead. They were back to playing like they did in the first five games of the first set but then the rain go a lot heavier and the referee stopped play.

As soon as the rain came down the referee announced that there would be no play before 4.30pm but soon after that the rain continued to get heavier so play was cancelled for the day. Rather than waste the afternoon, Ben and I went straight into the gym; I had a good run on the running machine while Ben did some light weights and then both of us had a long stretch out.

The rain was still pouring down as we waited for the 5pm bus back to the hotel but luckily we managed to get on the first bus back – it’s becoming a bit of a scrum-down to get on the shuttle buses this week but we seem to have our tactics sorted now!

At 6.15pm we headed off to dinner and even though neither of us was looking forward to chicken thighs and drumsticks, it was actually much nicer than last week – especially as we had some roast potatoes with it!

Schedule for tomorrow:

Isa Mammetgulyyev (TKM) (285) vs Ben Stride (GBR) (251) – 1^st match at 9am

Ben Stride (GBR) & David Volfson (CAN) vs Hubert Badenhorst (RSA) & Michael Copeland (RSA) – To Finish (6-4, 4-1*), Not Before 1pm

Winner of the Doubles to play either (3) Lloyd Harris (RSA) & Brandon Laubser (RSA) OR Tiago Cacao (POR) & Alessandro Ricci (CZE)

Sunday 9^th March 2014

It was the last day of training today before the main draw starts tomorrow and once again the hard work that Ben has been putting in on the practice court is showing in his performances.

To make sure Ben was fresh for tomorrow he had a lie-in this morning while I got up early to make sure we could book practice courts for the morning and the afternoon. Ben then met me at the club at 10.15am and after he had warmed up we went through a movement session for 15 minutes to make sure he was feeling sharp and ready to go for the training session. Jd Malan then joined us for the session which lasted just under an hour.

I always think that the player should dictate exactly what he / she does on the day before their match and after warming up, playing some points out of the hand and then finishing with a couple of service games each, Ben felt as though each area of his game was at the level he wanted it to be at.

Ben cooled down and stretched out after the session and then we headed over to Beef Boys Grill for our lunch. As hospitality didn’t start until this evening we were able to choose our lunch from the menu which we were both very happy about!

Our afternoon session started with a warm up at 2.40pm and then a very good point play session with Isa Mammetgulyyev from Turkmenistan at 3pm. Once the boys had warmed up they went straight into a set and even though Ben lost it 6-4 it was a very good throughout. His arm was a still feeling a slightly tight and so he was holding back on his serve a little bit but from the back of the court he was hitting very aggressively.

Once we were finished Ben saw the physio and then iced his arm before signing in for the main draw. We then cooled down and stretched out and, rather than waiting another hour for the next shuttle bus, we managed to get a lift back to the hotel with Dylan and his coach.

During the time we were at the hotel there was a massive thunderstorm that actually ended with huge hailstones coming down which set off car alarms in the car park! By the time we were ready to leave for dinner the car park outside the hotel and the main road was almost completely submerged in water!

Now that hospitality has started we’re back to not knowing what we will be served for dinner – tonight was beef stroganoff, I thought it was good but Ben wasn’t too keen!

When we arrived back at the hotel the draw had been done and the order of play was out but unfortunately the referee hasn’t sent it to me yet so I can’t upload it – here’s an unofficial copy!

Schedule for tomorrow:

Ben Stride (GBR) (251) vs (LL) Hubert Badenhorst (RSA) (895) – 1^st match at 8.30am

Doubles to follow in the afternoon after the draw has been made.

Saturday 8^th March 2014

It was a very good day of preparation today as Ben continues to improve and work hard on and off the court.

Over the last few days we’ve been up early each morning so, with the main draw only 2 days away, it was very important that Ben feels fresh and is well rested before he plays on Monday. With that in mind we decided that Ben would have a lie-in and would meet me at the courts after breakfast while I got up early and got in a good run for 1 hour 10 minutes.

At 10.30am we headed over to the school courts as all of the courts at the club were being used for qualifying. Ben then went through his physical warm up and then at 11am he went on court with his doubles partner, David Volfson, for a very good training session. The boys warmed up and then drilled for the first 25 minutes before going into a practice set to work on their games while playing under a bit of pressure.

Ben’s serving was very impressive throughout the set this morning; his 1^st serve averaged 71% while the double faults that haunted him last week were reduced to just 1 in 5 service games. Ben was also much more aggressive from the back of the court and was only 1 winner short of our target of 10. After the set was finished David’s coach, Bruno, and I took on Ben and David in a match tie-break for the forfeit of ‘butts-up’. Bruno and I dominated the tie-break but somehow David and Ben managed to squeeze out an 11-9 victory – luckily their serves were off target on the ‘butts-up’!

Just as we were about to leave for lunch the French team decided to challenge us at some tennis football but it was anything but easy as the ball that Ben bought was more like a beach ball rather than a football!

While walking to the restaurant for lunch the Heavens opened and a huge thunderstorm came down but luckily by the time we had finished lunch and returned to the club the courts were almost dry.

At 3.30pm Ben warmed up again and then went on court with Jd Malan from South Africa for his second on court session of the day. The aim of the session was to again work on the quality of Ben’s groundstrokes as well as focus a lot on his return of serve and he did exactly that. The boys drilled for around 15 minutes before going into some points from the back of the court. They then warmed up some serves and finished the session with 2 service games each which again helped both of them to work on all of the areas of their games under a bit of pressure.

By 4.30pm we were finished so Ben went off to see the physio to loosen up his arm while I had a good stretch out on court. We then headed back to the hotel to shower and change before it was back to Beef Boy’s Grill for a good steak dinner!