It is Billie Jeans early-developed ability to play an all-round game that has brought her to this peak, plus the sheer speed of a well-tuned body. Youre going to be good some day, he said, but how come you use a nylon racket? Billie Jean admitted she couldnt afford gut, so he sent her some and has continued as her coach and adviser to this day. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. He was also a two-time all-conference honoree at Foothill Junior College, where he led the team to a semifinal appearance in the state championships in 1991 and a runner-up finish in 1992. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. He has coached under Tony Palafox, who was John McEnroe's former coach, and Frank Brennan former Stanford University Coach who won 10 national titles. Her strongest shot is her volley at the net. Since joining the staff in 1997, Brennan has enhanced Stanford's reputation as the country's top program by helping guide the Cardinal to a 640-63overall record, 12NCAA championships and 19conference titles. View my . "My Longtime coach Frank Brennan told me to just go out and play my game." --Billie Jean King after defeating Bobby Riggs in the 'Battle of the Sexes', 1973 . For example I have a course that features 4 Hall of Famers Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Fred Stolle and John Newcombe. In his final season, Brennan led Stanford to a 30-1 record and a second-place finish in the NCAA Tournament. This is fun, whatever Im doing. He said, You get back in the backcourt and learn those groundstrokes first! , Billie Jeans groundstrokes, relatively speaking, remain the weak point of her game, but she feels that she now profits from the flexibility she learned at that early age. At the present she has focused her eyes on one goal: winning the grand slam. She now uses a new steelframe racket which she claims is faster and whippier than the old wooden ones. Learning a whole new game did not come easy for Billie Jean. He was also nominated for the Foothill College Male Athlete of the Year. Nike is the title sponsor of the camps and has no control over the operation of the camps or the acts or omissions of US Sports Camps. It began with Frank Brennan, Sr., who coached the legendary Billie Jean King in her youth. In an attempt to improve her consistency, Rose shortened all her strokes, which immediately affected her timing. Brennan steps away from the Cardinal after compiling a 510-50 (.911) record, 10 NCAA championships and 13 consecutive Pac-10 championships in a span of 21 years. Frankie Brennan completed his 26thyear on The Farm overall in 2021-22, serving in his 11thseason as the program's associate head coach following 15 seasons as an assistant coach. Brennan also played a few years on the satellite circuit. Thank you for reading! In 1991, Brennan was voted as The Times Tribune Athlete of the week twice, named MVP of the tennis team and nominated as The Times Tribune Athlete of the Year. Brennan has also been a hitting partner for Venus Williams and other top professionals at the Bank of the West Classic. The difference between tennis played on clay and on grass courts is subtle but simple: the ball bounces higher and slower on clay than on grass. A strong first serve is less important, and the effectiveness of the volley from the net is somewhat muted. Nicole Gibbs repeated as the NCAA singles champion in 2013, following a historic 2012 campaign that culminated with Gibbs defeating Mallory Burdette in an all-Stanford singles final before pairing up one hour later to claim the doubles crown. A third generation coach, Brennan and his family have been involved with coaching tennis for years. According to Jack Kramer: I dont think shes reached the caliber of the real best of the Americans Ive seen such as Helen Wills Moody, or Alice Marble, or Maureen Connolly, or Pauline Betz and I think that Margaret Smith and Maria Bueno at their top would have an edge. Brennan, son of legendary former Stanford head coach Frank Brennan, Jr., was a two-time all-conference player for the University of Redlands, where he helped the team to a Final Four appearance in 1993 and a fifth-place national finish in 1994. Brennan resides in San Carlos, Calif., with his daughters, Madeline and Francesca. The staffs vocal and inspirational leader, Brennan's coaching acumen was on full display in 2018, asStanford captured its 20th national championship (19 NCAA, 1 AIAW) while matching its 2016 run as the lowest-seeded squad at No. Designated in the fall season as the primary coach for Barte and Burdette, Stanford's top duo flourished under Brennan's tutelage, finishing 42-6 overall and winning three doubles titles in addition to the national championship. During his tenure, Brennan has mentored 35All-Americans. Brennan prepped at St. Francis and Los Altos High schools, where he was a four-year letterwinner in both tennis and football. You know I love softball, but Id still like to be in a sport where you could be considered a lady. My parents, especially Dad, suggested I play tennis, and I said, Whats tennis? . In the National Clay Court Championships in Milwaukee Billie Jean lost in straight sets in the semi-finals to Rosemary Casals, seemingly unable to control either her serves or returns. 1 singles. Brennan, son of legendary former Stanford head coach Frank Brennan, Jr., was a two-time all-conference player for the University of Redlands, where he helped the team to a Final Four appearance in 1993 and a fifth-place national finish in 1994. . I was very erratic when I started playing tournaments, she says. "He has provided Stanford University with not only a great tradition of championships, but he has led his program with integrity and a commitment to student-athletes. Significantly, however, three of the four tournaments Billie Jean will need to win to achieve the grand slam (Australia, Wimbledon and Forest Hills) are played on grass, and the fourth (France) is played on a bouncier clay surface that she likes better than the clay in America. Nicole Gibbs repeated as the NCAA singles champion in 2013, following a historic 2012 campaign that culminated with Gibbs defeating Mallory Burdette in an all-Stanford singles final before pairing up one hour later to claim the doubles crown. But I felt in the long run if I really wanted to achieve my goals I would have to lose., In 1958 Billie Jean won the Southern California championship in her age group, so a number of tennis fans from Long Beach raised money to send her and her mother (as chaperon) to the National Girls 15 and Under Championships in Middletown, Ohio. For a while she walked three-and-a-half miles to school each day to strengthen her legs. Partly to aid her concentration, Larry taught his wife to play bridge and in her first duplicate bridge tournament they finished fourth. Furthermore, the lower half of the singles lineup (Nos. He won 10 NCAA team national championships in that time, including six in a row from 1986 to 1991, and posted four undefeated seasons. How much did Frank Barnes weigh when playing? Subscribers keep our independent community news in business. I have been named a USTA Georgia Pro of the Year, and I am a USPTA Elite Teaching Professional. Brennan opened one of the first indoor tennis clubs in America in Upper Saddle River, N.J. essentially transforming tennis into a year-round sport. In 1960 Billie Jean reached the finals of the National Girls 18 and Under Championships, losing to Karen Hantze. He has made instructional tips with Brian Gottfried, Murphy Jensen, Charlie Pasarel, and Rick Leach. Mit unserem einfachen Abonnement erhalten Sie Zugriff auf die besten Inhalte von Getty Images. Brennan was head coach of the women's tennis team at the University of Redlands in 1995 before coming to work for his father in 1996. He has also worked for the United States Tennis. Brennan was a state high school champion, then New Jersey's Amature Champ in 1937 and turned pro a year later. In May of 2002, Inside Tennis named the "Brennan Clan," Frank Sr., Jr. and III, to their top-10 list of "Guys Who Have Lent A Hand" to women's tennis. Frankie Brennan completed his 26th year on The Farm overall in 2021-22, serving in his 11th season as the program's associate head coach following 15 seasons as Since joining the staff, Brennan has enhanced Stanford's reputation as the country's top women's tennis program by helping guide the Cardinal to a 508-40 overall record, nine national championships and 16 conference titles. His grandfather was Billie Jean King's coach for 18 years, as well as the personal instructor to former president Jimmy Carter and his family while he was in the White House. 1942) established a hallmark in women's collegiate tennis that may never be surpassed. Over a decadeago, Brennan's contributions were highlighted with Hilary Barte and Lindsay Burdette capturing Stanford's 13th overall collegiate doubles title and first since 2005. Horoscope for Saturday, 3/04/23 by Christopher Renstrom, Snowboarder dies at Tahoe ski resort following historic blizzard, West I-80 closed near Tahoe due to snow and 'multiple spinouts', Wife of Jeffrey Vandergrift issues somber update, Even Salesforces tower HQ isnt safe from office cuts, Horoscope for Friday, 3/03/23 by Christopher Renstrom, Inside Harry and Meghans favorite In-N-Out, Massive Lake Tahoe waterfront compound slashes price by $20M, Mochi muffin bakery closes SF cafe after just 4 months, This beloved East Bay hybrid cafe and bike shop is closing, NCAA and Intercollegiate Tennis Association, How to get tickets for Depeche Mode's new tour dates, HOKA dropped a brand new version of their most popular shoe, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). Since Brennan was elevated to associate head coach, Stanford has also claimed five individual national titles. Frank Barnes played 3 seasons. Brennan resides in San Carlos, Calif., with his daughters, Madeline and Francesca. Billie Jean returned to Wimbledon in 1962 and startled the tennis world by defeating top-seeded Margaret Smith in the opening round, the first time a first-ranked player had lost that early. Brennan prepped at St. Francis and Los Altos High schools, where he was a four-year letterwinner in both tennis and football. 15 to win it all. During his tenure, Brennan has tutored numerous student-athletes to All-America and conference accolades. When we arrived home in Long Beach my mother had only a few dollars in her purse.. Look at the record, she snaps, then ticks off on her well-manicured fingers the high-ranked opponents she has defeated on clay. I know you dont practice. But Billie Jean wasnt yet ready to give it a go. Where was Frank Barnes born? His grandfather was Billie Jean King's coach for 18 years, as well as the personal instructor to former president Jimmy Carter and his family while he was in the White House. The Patterson native coached Billie Jean King, Rosie Casals, Martina Navratilova, Clark and Carol Graebner as well as actor Robert Duval, and singer Ed Ames. 8 in 2010. Thus, the tennis player has more time to reach balls hit away from him, and aces come less frequently. Whenever the Fire Department had a picnic, says her father, the men would always want Billie Jean to play shortstop or third base. Plays Tennis Like a Man, Speaks Out Like Billie Jean King, https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/25/magazine/plays-tennis-like-a-man-speaks-out-like-billie-jean-king.html. Seated in the clubhouse of the Town Club, she speculated on her future: Its really hard to commit yourself to win the grand slam. Meanwhile, Billie Jean figures that she has another two or three years of highly competitive tennis before time comes to settle down and raise a family. The following year Billie Jean played in the Eastern Grass Court Championships against 1959 Wimbledon champion Maria Bueno. Did you know many online instructors are not even certified to teach tennis and dont teach any on court students? He finished his senior year on the East Coast at Mt. Frankie Brennan - Women's Tennis Coach - Stanford University Athletics Skip to Main Content Pause All Rotators Stanford Athletics Main Navigation Menu Opens in new window Men's Sports Baseball Basketball Cross Country Fencing Football Golf Gymnastics Rowing Sailing Soccer Swimming and Diving Tennis Track and Field Volleyball Water Polo Wrestling He was also nominated for the Foothill College Male Athlete of the Year. Designated in the fall season as the primary coach for Barte and Burdette, Stanford's top duo flourished under Brennan's tutelage, finishing 42-6 overall and winning three doubles titles in addition to the national championship. Over a decadeago, Brennan's contributions were highlighted with Hilary Barte and Lindsay Burdette capturing Stanford's 13th overall collegiate doubles title and first since 2005. During his tenure, Brennan has mentored 35All-Americans. That game will air on ESPN+. 15 to win it all. 4-6) proved to be an area of strength for Stanford, with the group combining for a 65-11 record while Brennan patrolled the back courts. Jake Putnam . The browser you are using is not supported. In truth, Brennan concluded the 47-year-old McManus, despite no head coaching experience, was the right person to succeed Rollinson. Since his hiring, he has helped lead both teams to unprecedented success during his tenure at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He finished his senior year on the East Coast at Mt. One long success story for tennis legend, LA resident Frank Brennan. Brennan also played a few years on the satellite circuit. STANFORD - Longtime associate coach Lele Forood will take over for Stanford women's head tennis coach Frank Brennan when he retires from the program effective Sept. 1. He finished his senior year on the East Coast at Mt. She likes to read, particularly books on psychology, and eventually hopes to complete her college degree in that subject. The USPTA is the largest and oldest coaching organization in the world. But as long as you try your hardest, thats all you can do. Keine kommerzielle Verwendung ohne Genehmigung. In May of 2002, Inside Tennis named the "Brennan Clan," Frank Sr., Jr. and III, to their top-10 list of "Guys Who Have Lent A Hand" to women's tennis.