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MAy 2025 NEWSLETTER
The incredible historic three-peat from our U18 Boys!
The Cobham Experience: A light-hearted story about how tennis brings people together, written by myself and Mike Derks. Follow the link!
Smartphones and kids and adults - A different way to think about the endless debate!: At last summer's holiday camp, I had a group of kids aged 10-14. None were allowed to do anything on their phones, and every break period it was fascinating to see them devise and play various games with no outside input at all, and to be so engaged in what they were doing. It was clear to me that they were doing what kids are meant to do, immersed in enjoyment, and yet learning social and life skills at the same time. More on this later.
Whatever your age, you can put your love of your smart phone to the test (or strengthen your dislike of it) by trying this; Have you ever strongly considered how you would feel about your phone...... if it was another human being?
Stay with me here, and really picture and feel each of these scenarios!
If another person was endlessly distracting you as much as your phone does, how would you feel about that person? Would you want them hanging around you so much?
If you're talking to a friend or a colleague face-to-face and you're interrupted by another person randomly coming in and taking the attention of who you were talking to, how would you feel about that person?
If another person could fascinate, excite, entertain, and make you laugh as much as your phone can, how would your partner feel about them? Would they want them hanging around you all day every day?
If you're physically together with your family, but you're not saying anything to each other because other people are right there taking up everyone's individual attention, how would you feel about those people? Would you want them in your house every evening?
Finally, you've got a rare bit of free time to yourself, so you use it for something important like checking in with your wellbeing, thinking about your next big idea, or planning something nice for someone, but instead some idiot interrupts you to show you a photo of your friend's cat! Is that really ok?
Human beings naturally crave meaningful face-to-face social contact with other human beings, and benefit greatly from it, whilst we also benefit greatly from periods of time alone for self-reflection, and a bit of stillness. Smart phones are directly responsible for us missing out on so many opportunities for both of these valuable experiences, to the point that some people don't even recognise their value anymore.
Years ago, I tried to implement simple rules for squads, lessons, matchplays, and team tennis matches, where players had to switch their phone off by the time they entered the Hawker gates, and weren't allowed to switch them on again until they exited the same gates. I had to give it up as the players couldn't do it and it couldn't be enforced. Perhaps one day parents will come to me and ask if it's ok their child leaves their phone at home when they come to tennis. I'd gladly agree, and I still remember the days when kids having phones at tennis wasn't even a thing!
You know it's serious when older Gen Z's are now saying in their droves that they wish they had never been given smart phones as kids, something that no previous generation has ever said about the technology they grew up with.
I personally think it's a gift to give a child the space and freedom to manage a block of time without the distraction of a device that offers 100 different ways to disengage them from their current physical environment, and the people within it; a gift that anyone over the age of 35 (and every human being that ever lived before that) would have taken for granted during their own childhood, but a gift all the same. Thankfully schools are finally starting to give kids that gift during the school day, and the painfully slow process of society managing children and smart phones will hopefully keep gathering pace.
I'll end by giving you some free investment advice! One day smartphones will be totally banned for under 16's, I feel it's inevitable. So, if you want a good looking bet, then invest in manufacturer's of dumb phones now, because every child is going to have one in the future!
EXTRA: Here's a great summary of where we're at right now, from a short radio interview with Jonathon Haidt last month (author of bestselling The Anxious Generation) if you're interested.
An INSANE 3rd consecutive Surrey Team Trophy win!: Just yesterday, Aleks and Filip represented our U18 Boys in the Team Trophy final away at MDL, and secured a fairly comofrtable 3-0 win to land Hawker an unprescedented 3rd straight title in this competition! Tristan and Georgiy did it in 22/23, Nicho, Oli, and Aleks in 23/24, and now in 24/25 Aleks and Filip are our heroes! More soon...
To see the latest results, and read the latest reports, do check the Hawker Jets page!
Inspiring Tennis Success Stories!: Sienna has just turned 13, but has impressively won Grade 3 singles tournaments at U14, U16, and U18 level in recent months, and made the final of a Tennis Europe tournament last autumn!
She first came to Hawker a year ago to get video analysis done on her serve and groundstrokes, and also now benefits from being on TRICT, my mental/emotional training and support program. However, it's her dedication to her technical development that has enabled her to steadily rise up the rankings, and break new ground in tournaments. She makes sure to understand the finer details and then goes away and puts in the focused practice day in day out, a great example to other aspiring young juniors!
Also, check this out, Lucca saving a load of match points at the U16 National Championships last month, showing all his trademark fight and determination to win. This is a great example of calm, composure, belief, and mental strength all in one, and another great example for aspiring juniors! You can watch it here! Lucca trained at Hawker from age 11-15, and these days plays tennis just for fun and enjoyment.
Next, a couple of insane Hawker Jets performances to report! In the U11 Surrey Team Trophy semifinal, Aryan showed incredible belief and determination to win his singles 4-3 3-4 (10-8) to keep us in the tie, winning the last 6 points of the match including a 37 shot rally on match point! Unfortunately, we went on to lose the tie, but our U11 B team, captained by Paul, also made a great run to the other semi-final where they lost to Esher.
Finally, our U18 Boys had a total epic of a semi-final, taking a ridiculous 4h45m to finally beat Walton 11-9 in the deciding champions tiebreak of the deciding doubles! Great all round effort from Aleks and Filip as the matches kept swinging one way then the other. As you'll have seen above, the boys then got the win in the final!
RIP John Yandell: John was a visual tennis pioneer and a coaching genius. He created an online community that has had an enormous influence on the coach I am today. Finding Tennisplayer.net back in 2010 changed my life.
Despite working with John since 2015, I only met him for the first time in April last year at his home in San Francisco. It was so special to spend that time with him, it was literally like meeting a God for me! Now, I just feel so incredibly blessed to have had that opportunity.
I can't do justice in words to the coach and man that John Yandell was, but luckily a former Top 100 player who John worked with, has done a great job of this, so do check out what Jeff Salzenstein wrote.
When I saw John last year, his health was fine. He only started feeling unwell a few months before he died of cancer, aged 72, in February this year. We know life is precious, but we still take it for granted. Grab every day people, be nice to others, do your best, and enjoy being here!
The BEST tennis autobiography currently available!: The award winning 'The Racket' by Conor Niland, 2024.
Who, you might be asking, is Conor Niland? He's a retired Irish tennis player who reached a career high of 129, yet he still crossed paths with the Big 4 (Djokovic, Nadal, Federer, and Murray), and he went on the same dedicated intense junior tennis journey that so many go on.
What makes this book SO good, is that it gives an unprecedented understanding of the reality of the struggles involved with trying to break through the lower professional ranks. It's a real education, incredibly insightful, a beautiful human story, and it's also pretty funny!
My previous favourite tennis autobiography was former World No.4 James Blake with his book 'Breaking back', but that has been shunted into the No.2 spot by the awesome Conor Niland!
Team Hawker Squads: This is where our strongest and most committed junior players can be found. The emphasis as always, is on developing players as individuals, maximising their potential to perform in competition, and using tennis to boost all aspects of their wellbeing. The by product of that continues to be lots of on-court success! Squad sizes are maximum 8 players on 3 courts. There are a few spaces for high level players at U9, U10, U11, U14, and U16, and there are also B squad places currently available. Click the link for more info, and for new enquiries, please contact me directly to arrange a free assessment and chat.
Play PADEL at Hawker!: Our Padel Tennis court has been upgraded and is brand new once again! Bookings include free equipment hire if needed. For booking and more information, please visit: https://padelmates.se/club/playtimepadelclubkingstonlondon
Player progression pathway from beginner to national level: Check out how Paul and I manage the Hawker Tennis junior program, and see clearly how player's can progress through the stages of development.
Skills & Drills with Nick: Skills & Drills are established classes for players who are competent with serving and rallying with yellow balls, and aged 9+. We focus on key developmental skills, and use a vast array of fun drills to put these into practice. There are currently class options on Weds 6.30-7.30pm, Thurs 5.45-6.45pm, and Friday 4.30-5.30pm. No new players are being accepted at this time, but enrollment for September will open on July 1st. These classes are a great addition for higher standard players to add to their weekly training, and also a suitable session for competent players who can't commit to tennis, but still want to play each week.
Please contact Nick to enquire about Skills & Drills.
Matchplay (Sponsored by Richmond/Sheen Sports): Matchplay is a great opportunity for local juniors who wish to compete regularly and without having to travel too far to gain match experience, and it gives the chance to develop their skills in the match environment. It’s open to players from other venues as well as Hawker, and caters for all levels Yellow ball from age 9 upwards. Please follow the link for more info.
New courts: Our new courts are still looking and playing fantastically 3 years on, and are available to hire 3 days in advance through our Clubspark page.
PAST FEATURES OF THE NEWSLETTER THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST:
Chasing your dreams - How to do it the healthy way (January 2025)
Features from 2022-24: Including: Who should take the credit when a junior player wins a tennis tournament?, The 5 most powerful things that will fuel rapid progress, Why teenagers don't listen to their parents EXPLAINED, The secret of Carlos Alcaraz's success, the BEST book ever, and LOTS MORE!
The 10 key ingredients to help a junior get to national level (September 2023)
Richmond/Sheen Sports: You could go to an online retailer, or a budget superstore, and you may save a few pounds, but you won't get better overall value. Here's the best option, pay a visit to RichmondSports or SheenSports!
They are managed by enthusiastic and highly knowledgeable staff, equally passionate about sports as they are about the local community, where they support many local clubs and schools, including ours.
Your individual needs will be met in a way the bigger retailers can't match, in terms of better advice, a more personal service, and a genuine desire to fulfil your sporting needs whatever they may be.
Being part of Hawker Tennis also entitles you to 10% off, so you'll be getting excellent all-round value, whilst helping them to keep helping us and other local clubs.
YouTube channel: 60 videos, and though most date from the original Project 2015, they are still fun and relevant! The videos have received over 450,000 views between them! Videos Index
Tennisplayer.net: I'm an established contributor on this world leading coaching resource site, having written 2 lengthy series of articles, the first in 2016/17 on 1-2 Rhythm, and the latest on Marginal Gains in 2020. There is currently an offer of 30 days free trial to access the whole site!
Racism: Check the link for an ongoing blog which started after the death of George Floyd in May 2020.
Adult Tennis - Select 'Adult' filter to see all current courses
Feel free to get in touch about anything at all.
Warmest wishes
Nick
Remembering Joe Horner (it's all too easy to forget, so this memorial will remain on this page. I hope people continue to find enough time to reflect on the growing issue of mental health, especially in younger people): Joe was a regular face at Matchplay during many of his teenage years. He loved coming down to play, to mix with friends and enjoy the special atmosphere. His highlight was winning the 2009 Summer Tournament Doubles.
Sadly, Joe struggled with severe depression from his early 20's, and his mental health largely deteriorated during this time. He was very open about his problems, and had so much love from family and friends, but tragically in April 2019, he took his own life.
I have very fond memories of Joe, because he really understood what Hawker Tennis was all about, and fully appreicated being part of it even from a young age. He turned into a fine young man, so considerate of others, and always a pleasure to chat to.
After finishing education, Joe worked as a keeper at Chessington Zoo, and then moved on to ZSL at London Zoo. ZSL work worldwide on conservation to help save endangered species, something that was very close to Joe's heart.
For those who knew Joe, perhaps you would like to donate to this cause. through the link below, which is still live in 2025:
U18 Boys Surrey Team Trophy Champions for the 3rd year in a row!