.........
FROM REVOLUTION TO EVOLUTION
20 YEARS OF OSCAR WEGNER’S MODERN TENNIS METHODOLOGY
2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the publication of Oscar’s first groundbreaking book, TENNIS IN 2 HOURS, which started a 20th Century Tennis Revolution around the world. In the past two decades his method has become widely practiced, and a gradual shift toward universal acceptance of Oscar Wegner’s Modern Tennis Methodology has emerged as the 21st Century Tennis Evolution.
PRESS RELEASE
February, 2009
20 Year Anniversary of the Most Controversial Tennis Book Ever Written
Tennis Magazine contemptuously called it learning to run before you learn to walk.
"Tennis Television Show" host Brad Holbrook praised the author as the "Father of Modern Tennis".
American coaches derided the techniques, calling them a scam.
Russian Moscow coaches adopted this book as their new ”Tennis Bible”, precipitating a development that would astound the world.
Overseas, the tennis world paid notice.
The USA ignored it.
Were there any consequences?
TENNIS IN 2 HOURS, first published in 1989 by former touring player and Beverly Hills celebrity coach Oscar Wegner, was not a blend of tennis coaching cultures, but very divisive. You either embraced "Modern Tennis" fully, or you would walk the plank.
Spain, personally tutored by Wegner in 1973 as Junior Davis Cup Captain and one of three National coaches, had obliged. A minute academy in Brazil, in the early 1980s, had a taste of Wegner's techniques and enthusiastically adopted the techniques and Wegner himself as family.
Spain, Russia and Brazil went on to amaze the world with results. Eastern Europe and China, where Wegner is also well known and popular, are now doing the same.
The smartest coach in the USA was Richard Williams, who adopted Wegner's techniques as soon as he viewed them on Prime Network (now Fox Sports). Venus and Serena Williams have combined to win 17 Grand Slams singles titles. In contrast, the great majority of US coaches still fear that Wegner makes tennis too easy to learn, impinging on their income.
And word is out that Carlos Rodriguez, the celebrated coach of Justine Henin, is versed on Wegner's techniques, including the remarkable fact that, even at the top pro level, you can count to five from the bounce to the hit.
Are we leaving you with a mystery? Go to www.tennisteacher.com and it will open for you, a new world.
A New Tennis Orthodoxy
Over the years Oscar’s concepts about how tennis should be taught challenged long-standing traditions, and many dismissed him or were intimidated by his revolutionary ideas. Some still are, but over the past two decades thousands and thousands of players and coaches around the world have joined the revolution and adopted his amazing method, making it their own. What was once highly controversial tennis teaching methodology has become mainstream in many parts of the world, including Spain, Russia, Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe. As Ron Waite, prolific author of Turbo Tennis, writes of Oscar’s second book:
“The aforementioned Oscar Wegner has written a wonderful book entitled, Play Better Tennis in 2 Hours. Although the claim made in this book's title is a bit difficult to believe, I assure you that Oscar has many examples to prove its veracity. Oscar is a most unconventional tennis teacher. Some doubt his methods and insights, but I would beg to differ. In many ways, I believe Oscar was the "forerunner" with respect to the modern game. His "unorthodox" doctrine has made him an outcast of sorts. But, his devotees will certainly support that he knows what he is doing. I am one. His unorthodox methods and techniques have in major measure become a new orthodoxy! Check this out for yourself.”
From John Carpenter
About Oscar’s influence on tennis John Carpenter, Director of Certification for Modern Tennis Methodology (MTM), writes:
“Depending on how you look at it, Oscar is in good company. Might not be good for USA Tennis that this analogy applies, but for Oscar I find it very applicable. Let 2009 be the year that the “Special Theory of Simplicity” finally be recognized for its power and its source.
20 years after the arrival of Oscar’s book, which was, as Bill Mountford said "light years ahead of most in our industry," emphasis on "simplicity" (one of Oscar’s original tenets) is now emerging in mainstream tennis discussions. This is analogous to what it must have been like when a young patent office worker wrote four papers in 1905 which were so far ahead of their time that they went virtually unnoticed for many years, yet would one day change the face of knowledge as we know it. From Wikipedia:
"All four papers are today recognized as tremendous achievements—and hence 1905 is known as Einstein's "Wonderful Year". At the time, however, they were not noticed by most physicists as being important, and many of those who did notice them rejected them outright. Some of this work—such as the theory of light quanta—remained controversial for years.[27][28
It is now accepted that Einstein was so far ahead of his time when he wrote those papers that for one paper, it would take nearly two decades before he could be proven correct by his colleagues for his Special Theory of Relativity because there were no other scientists smart enough to figure out he was right. When it comes to USA tennis, this is a perfect analogy.
1989 should be recognized as a wonderful year for tennis. That year, the final bridge to the Evolution of the Modern Tennis Game was published. 2009 should be recognized as the 20th anniversary of “the tennis revolution book that shook the world”.
It's time that the “Einstein of Tennis” be recognized for his “Special Theory of Simplicity” that is the core of all great tennis theory.“
May the Swing Be With You,
John Carpenter, MTCA Pro/PTR Pro
From a top coach: "If you have never seen these DVDs, you may be missing some of the most valuable information in tennis teaching today. These revolutionary DVDs and book show how the top pros play, with astounding results for your game."
Coaches and players of all levels tell their success with the Wegner Method!
A lot has been written about the modern forehand with its natural movements, open stance, windshield-wiper swing, and most importantly, tracking the ball and waiting before taking the racquet back. Much of this has been pioneered by Oscar Wegner, who has been teaching this method since 1968. Back then, this was very controversial, however, history has proved him right. TennisOne.com, May 2006 issue.
"Oscar is a great coach. In a few days he helped me regain my strokes and my feel for the ball." Bjorn Borg, 5 time Wimbledon Champion and 6 time French Open Champion.
"Wegner strips instruction of all those accepted phrases and directions that only clutter your mind and confuse.....I think you'll find it worthwhile to dump the past and join Oscar in your tennis future. In listening to him I've unlearned a few things myself that I long considered gospel....." Bud Collins, Boston Globe, NBC
"Oscar: We have not met, but I have long acknowledged that your teaching methods are light years ahead of those for most teaching professionals in our industry. I also happen to believe that our industry has complicated the learning process for so many players that they become discouraged and leave our sport too quickly. Your ideas simplify matters, and this is crucial." Bill Mountford, Director of Tennis, USTA National Tennis Center, site of the US Open, Flushing Meadows, N.Y., July, 2005.
Oscar is one of the best coaches I ever met. His techniques have helped me tremendously with my own game, as with all the players that I coach. Paul Pisani, fitness coach of Robert Ginepri, and former coach of Marissa Irwin and Justin Gimmelstob (August, 2005).
"Oscar has broken the mold in understanding the modern tennis stroke. In working with him and watching super slo-motion sequences of the top pros, I have seen the genius of Oscar's analysis of their dynamics and technique. He has translated that into effective teaching methodology that is easy and fun to learn from." Andy Rosenberg, Director for NBC Sports Wimbledon and French Open
"Oscar is a genius! His techniques and approach makes teaching tennis so simple and produces amazing results. The quality of our junior program has improved tremendously (from day one) since I started implementing the Wegner Method" Susan Nardi, USPTA/USPTR, Riviera Tennis Club, Southern California (August, 2005).
Oscar Wegner techniques speak true of what modern tennis is all about. We as tennis coaches didn’t see the forest through the trees. For too long we kept clinging to old, trite ideas that kill hand-eye coordination, not realizing that tennis is a very natural and simple game, and that people are far more able to play well than ever thought possible. John Carpenter, Tennis Pro, Dwight Davis Tennis Center (August 2005).
"Oscar's coaching and teaching methods redefine How Tennis should be taught and understood at any level, This is Light in a Sea Of Teaching Darkness that is truly being recognized world wide. I strongly believe this is cutting edge and most importantly will reach and touch the lives of people for generations to come. Our great sport has been enhanced dramatically because of Oscar's genius." Spencer S. Flint, Director Of Tennis, Ballymeade Country Club, Cape Cod.
"I recommend this method to other professionals. With this method we had positive results all over the world." Carlos Alves. Carlos took Oscar to Brazil, learned his methods, and together they developed Guga Kuerten until he was 14, and many other top juniors and young pros, including his daughter Nanda Alves, #1 in Brazil in 2005.
"This book (Tennis in Two Hours) describes to a "T" what I felt when I was at the top of my game. It is amazing that Oscar makes it so simple to learn." Martin Mulligan, Wimbledon finalist to Rod Laver in 1962 and three-time Italian Open winner.
Bob Ruzanic, a Pennsylvania tennis coach and former Chairman of the U.S. Davis Cup Committee, said: "this system is amazing, like planting 250 seeds and getting 250 trees. All of the children I teach at the summer camp keep coming back every year, all of them. They learn quickly and they love the sport."
"Oscar's techniques are incredible. Back in 1982 he was with me (coaching) in Germany and the students called him "the American who taught tennis in two hours". Over and over, he had total beginners rallying 40, 60 balls back and forth in just two hours of instruction. He also helped the Weiden Tennis Club have an undefeated junior tennis team that year and get our main team to the Bundesliga." Jurgen Fassbender, former #1 player in Germany and Top Ten player in the world.
"When my children were very young and just starting to play tennis, Oscar gave them drills that were fun to do. He generated an interest and eagerness for the game so that they wanted to play more, and as a result, they became motivated to play better. Oscar's relaxed style of teaching conveys a sense of comfort and confidence to his students so that they look forward to working with him and can enjoy the consistent improvements that result from his teachings." Vincent Spadea Sr, father of former #4 American and 19th ranked in the world Vince Spadea.
"My team has won three NCAA titles and I have been named NCAA "Coach of the Year" twice. I say this only as a reference point. I was very fascinated with your work and have thought a lot about it since. I plan to use your methodology in my classes. In my pursuit of coaching excellence I was with you on many concepts and yet found many of the things you emphasized quite eye opening." Bob Hansen, Univ. of California Santa Cruz.
"It only took one presentation from Oscar Wegner (at the 1995 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Coaches Convention) to understand that there was a better way to teach and play tennis. I should not even say better... this should be, and always should have been, the ONLY method! The idea of "conventional tennis" is greatly misunderstood. All great players - past and present - have played tennis using the mechanics that Oscar describes. Clearly Oscar understands these techniques, timing concepts, biomechanics and even the physics associated with hitting a tennis ball as well as anyone in the world. The great news is that with some focus and desire, any coach or player can also understand and implement these great methods. Over the past 11 years I have seen some of the most rapid development of collegiate level players take place largely through the application of these concepts and principals. Even players that have trained a different way for many years can adjust almost every stroke so that they are taking advantage of the methods Oscar teaches. More than anything else, it makes hitting a tennis ball feel great and become a very consistent, efficient and highly confident skill." - Mark Guilbeau - 2005 NCAA National Coach of the Year / Head Coach - Women's Tennis - University of Virginia.
Online Academy Members (click here)
Book About Oscar Videos Tips Schools USA Solutions Mission International
TennisOne.com Tennis-player.org Tennis-lessons.net Tennis-game.net Tennis-tips.net Tennis-videos.net
Links ATP WTA Wimbledon French Open Australian Open US Open ITF Davis Cup USTA ESPN Hall of Fame
BEGINNER COURSE ... INTERMEDIATE COURSE ... ADVANCED COURSE ... TEACHER/COACH COURSE
Find the truth behind psychiatry... visit the Citizens Commission on Human Rights http://cchr.org/
Learn the truth about the drugging of children www.psychsearch.net/teenscreen.html , www.teenscreentruth.com
© 1997-2009 Oscar Wegner. All Rights Reserved
Media:
Examples:
Listen to:
...............
