New York Tennis Magazine July / August 2019 by United Sports Publications

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

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MAGAZINE

New York Tennis Magazine 1220 Wantagh Avenue • Wantagh, NY 11793-2202 Phone: (516) 409-4444 • Fax: (516) 409-4600 Web site: www.nytennismag.com

Staff David Sickmen Publisher (516) 409-4444, ext. 309 • david@usptennis.com Joel M. Berman President (516) 409-4444, ext. 310 • joel@usptennis.com Eric C. Peck Editor-in-Chief (516) 409-4444, ext. 312 • eric@usptennis.com Brian Coleman Senior Editor (516) 409-4444, ext. 326 • brianc@usptennis.com Joey Arendt Managing Art Director Francine Miller Advertising Coordinator (516) 409-4444, ext. 301 • francinem@usptennis.com Emilie Katz Assistant Marketing Coordinator Scott Koondel VP of Operations (516) 409-4444, ext. 324

Table Of Contents

Even Stephens By Brian Coleman

Top-ranked American Sloane Stephens arrives in New York City for her first season of NY Empire action for the summer 2019 World TeamTennis season. See page 16

6 20 22 30 36 52

8 10 12 27 35 39 40

Allison Butler Senior Intern

Stefen Rosner Senior Intern

Caroline Lee Intern

Sophia Remnek Intern

Sarah Schwartz Intern

Phoebe Warshauer Intern

42 43

Angelina Remnek Intern

Rena Zervakos Intern

Subscriptions To receive subscription information, contact (516) 409-4444 or e-mail info@usptennis.com or check out our Web site: www.nytennismag.com. Fax subscription changes to (516) 409-1600. Statements of fact and opinion in New York Tennis Magazine are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of United Sports Publications Ltd. New York Tennis Magazine reserves the right to edit, reject and/or postpone the publication of any articles, information or data.

Junior Player Spotlight: Stephanie Yakoff, CourtSense By Brian Coleman 2019 New York Empire Preview By Brian Coleman Beyond the Baseline: Roosevelt Island Racquet Club 2019 New York City Boys High School Recap Your 2019 Guide to Sports Medicine Castellano & Zampieri Take Home Pro Division Title

Features

Lee Seidner Staff Photographer

Article Submissions/Press Releases To submit any material, including articles and press releases, please call (516) 409-4444 or e-mail info@usptennis.com. The deadline for submissions is the first of the month preceding the target issue.

Photo credit: USTA/Pete Staples

Highlights

Sidney Beal III Staff Photographer

Advertising To receive any information regarding advertising rates, deadlines, and requirements, call (516) 409-4444 or e-mail info@usptennis.com.

JUL/AUG 2019 • Vol 9, No 4

44 46 47 48 51 54 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 64 68 70

The Jensen Zone: Setting Goals and Following Through By Luke Jensen Cary Leeds, NYJTL Host 31st Annual Mayor’s Cup Managing Concussions With Supplements and Vitamins By Dr. Rob Silverman More Than 100 Players Featured at JMTA College Combine Cary Leeds Center to Host WTA Tournament in August My Tennis Journey By Spencer Aste Ancient and Futuristic Methods Merge to Mend Shoulder Pain By Dr. Loren Fishman Technology Is Changing Tennis: Here’s How Facilities Can Take Advantage of It Har-Tru’s HyQ Court Provides Cutting-Edge Technology Queens DA and National Tennis Center Host Annual “Say Yes to Tennis” Event Court Six: New York Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column By Emilie Katz Tennis Bubbles: A Grand Slam Victory Over the Elements Billie Jean King to Headline 2019 WTCA Conference in NYC By Kylie Klotzbach Addition by Subtraction By Rob Polishook Taking Your Game to Another Level By Eric Faro Instruction vs. Coaching By Lonnie Mitchel Sports Made Easy Connecting the Tennis World Teaching Technique By Stefan Ilic Underhand Serve: An Effective Alternative By Gino Fava What Is Your “Why?” By Mark Santucci It’s Not About the Score, Madison By Barbara Wyatt He Is Talented But Lazy ... By Gilad Bloom The Secret to Finishing Off Matches and Never Giving Up Leads By Dr. Tom Ferraro Height in Tennis: How Much Does it Matter? By Robbie Werdiger The Intangible Element to a Competitive Tennis Player By Ben Mullis “Little Mo” Circuit Returns This Summer, Highlighted by Internationals in Forest Hills

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Across Metro Ne Nikolovski Takes Singles Title at National Showcase in Cornell Ivan Nikolovski, who plays out of CourtSense Training Center, captured the title at the L1 Reis Tennis Center TennisRecruiting.net National Showcase Championships at Cornell University in the Boys 14s Division. The top seed, Nikolovski defeated second-seeded Adam Bojkovic in three-sets in the championship match to claim the trophy.

MatchPoint Hosts Girls Red Ball Tournament

Centercourt Players Visit Nadal’s Tennis Academy

Some players from Centercourt Tennis Academy had the opportunity to spend their summer camp abroad, as they visited the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy in Mallorca, Spain. The campers, coaches and parents were able to have a fun and enriching global and cultural tennis experience while connecting with the coaches and players in Spain.

Ross School’s Weiner Wins Quogue Tournament Alexander Weiner, a player at the Ross School Tennis Academy, took home the title at the L1B SPORTIME Quogue Summer Kick Off. Weiner, a Southampton native, won all three of his matches to win his third tournament title since the beginning of April.

MatchPoint NYC in Brooklyn continued to host junior tournaments for its members and players as it put on Girls Red Ball tournaments for some of its youngest competitors. There were two separate tournaments held on the 36-foot court, with the results below: l First Champion: Gabi Dekhtyarev l Second: Nicole Scis l Third: Victoria Morris l Fourth: Chloe Walsh l Second Champion: Anna Spirin l Second: Valerie Sizova l Third: Alisa Tkachenko l Fourth: Estella Libo 4

Cary Leeds Coach, Players Head to Orlando for Camp

Ahsha Rolle, a coach at The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning recently took a couple of junior players from the pro-

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

New York

… News and notes from across the New York Metro tennis community

gram down to the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla. to compete in the Fourth Annual National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) Wild Card Playoff Camp.

Roosevelt Island Racquet Club Hosts Monthly Round Robin

West Side Tennis Club Hosts Rose Garden Opening Party

The West Side Tennis Club kicked off its summer season in style, hosting an Opening Day Party in its Rose Garden. Members came out in droves to enjoy the beautiful weather and delicious food and drinks as they officially welcomed in another summer of tennis in Forest Hills.

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Each month, Roosevelt Island Racquet Club (RIRC) hosts a Ladies Round Robin tournament, which has continued to grow with each passing month. Most recently, the winners were Shubha Chandra in singles, and Leigh Flayton & Sharon Fischman in doubles at the monthly RIRC event.

JMTA Players Announce College Commitments The John McEnroe Tennis Academy’s Long Island Annex, SPORTIME Syosset, hosted a College Signing Day for its impending graduates who are moving on to play at the collegiate level next year. Pictured left are Kyra Bergman (SUNY Binghamton), Matt Cashin (Tufts University), Gabriela Sciarrotta (Queens College), Francesca Karman (Fairfield University), Denise Lai (University of Connecticut) and Calista Sha (Amherst College).

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

NEW YORK TENNIS MAGAZINE’S

J U N I O R P L AY E R S P O T L I G H T BY BRIAN COLEMAN

S T E P H A N I E YA K O F F

round the age of fouryears-old, Stephanie Yakoff can recall getting her first tennis racket from her older brother Stan. “I thought that this may be something that I’d like to try,” said Yakoff. “And that’s really when I first started getting into tennis.” Yakoff immediately took to the sport and had a clear and natural talent for it, and that was evident once she began competing in tournaments. “I realized that tennis was something I had a talent for,” said Yakoff. “I enjoyed the rush; I loved competing.” Growing up, she did a little bit of swimming and ballet, both of which she says have helped improve her footwork and fitness as she decided to focus solely on tennis. Fast-forward and the Fort Lee, N.J. native has turned into one of the top young tennis players in the country. She will be entering her freshman year at Fort Lee High School this fall, where she plans to play for the school team. A blue-

chip recruit, she currently sits as the seventh-ranked player in the nation for players in the Class of 2023, and the top-ranked girl in New Jersey and second-ranked in

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

the Mid-Atlantic Region. Her tournament exploits are the primary reason for those high rankings, as Yakoff has already racked up wins at some of the nation’s most prestigious junior events. A key win early in her career came at the “Little Mo” Internationals in Forest Hills, N.Y., as she captured both the singles and doubles titles back in 2014. Last year, she won the singles and doubles titles at the USTA Girls 12s Winter National Championships in Tucson, Ariz., earning her first two Gold Balls. What made those victories all the more impressive was the injury she had to overcome in the months leading up to the tournament, which demonstrates her resiliency and ability to bounce back. “Before that tournament I had golfer and tennis elbow for about three months,” said Yakoff. “That was so difficult. I spent a lot of time away from tennis, and when I started again I had to almost start from scratch.” But as she recovered from the injury,

Yakoff’s work ethic allowed her to return to form, which was on display during her dominant week in Arizona. That determination and dedication is evident in her training as she spends time at both CourtSense Training Center in New Jersey as well as the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. “The coaches have been great at both places, both technically and tactically,” Yakoff said. Yakoff spends a majority of her time at CourtSense, where she has been since around the age of nine. She began by just taking private lessons from the facility’s coaches, and after a year, she became a member and has become one of the academy’s top players. An indication of that is some of the outstanding results she has compiled at some of the country’s top tournaments, including reaching the singles semifinals at the Easter Bowl back in March, and earning a Bronze Ball while playing up in age at the USTA Girls 14s National Championships in Rome, Ga. “The game is starting to become more physical, and I’m starting to play more against older kids in higher divisions,” said Yakoff. “So I definitely need to keep getting stronger and faster, and continue working on my hand-eye coordination.” Most recently, Yakoff powered her way to the title at the TennisRecruiting.Net National Showcase Championships at Cornell University. Competing against girls a few years older than her in the Girls 18s draw, she won four matches including coming from a set down to win the championship. “She is a very strong person and she has an arsenal of weapons,” said Saul Salazar, Director of High Performance of CourtSense at Bogota Racquet Club, and Yakoff’s coach. “She can really do anything she wants with the ball and has a lot of variety; can hit angles, drop shots, winners, etc. She’s a very smart player and can build points quite easily.

Her mental strength is what makes her stand out as a player, and she is able to play against any type of player which makes her a very adaptable competitor.” While tennis is often an individual sport, Yakoff has also been very successful in helping lead teams to victories. In 2018, she was integral in leading Team Eastern to a win at the Boys and Girls 14s USTA Zone Team Championships (Zonals) in Kalamazoo, Mich. At the Big Apple International Cup, she helped lead the 12U team to a win last year in the competition that, in addition to the United States, featured teams from Canada, Spain and Mexico. This past year, she was named the MVP of the tournament as she led the United States’ 14U team to the title, as the competition added teams from Brazil and Israel. In the last couple of years, Yakoff says she has really added balance to her game which has created a more wellrounded attack for her, and has helped her in being able to compete with older girls in more top-level tournaments and divisions. “As I’ve gotten stronger and faster, I’ve started attacking the ball more than I did when I was younger,” said Yakoff. “I like transitioning, especially going to the net and utilizing more approach shots.” Yakoff isn’t just well-rounded on the court, but also off the court, as she takes

her academics very serious. In her last two years at Lewis F. Cole Middle School in Fort Lee, she was honored by the President’s Education Awards Program for her Outstanding Academic Achievement. Being able to succeed both on and off the court is not something easily done, and no high-level junior athlete can accomplish things all on their own. Yakoff has had a solid foundation and support system behind her which has helped her along the way. She is fully sponsored by both Fila and Head, and has been since her run to both the singles and doubles finals of last year’s Easter Bowl. “I love the support from Fila and Head. It’s been incredible,” she said. “And my family, relatives and all of my coaches who are helping throughout my journey to hopefully being a professional one day. I’ve had so many people help me.” Yakoff is equal parts talented and humble, which is an important combination when navigating a road that oftentimes is filled with speed bumps along the way. She has goals of playing college tennis. Until then, Yakoff will continue to use the work ethic that has carried her this far to keep growing as a player and person. Brian Coleman is senior editor of New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached at BrianC@USPTennis.com.

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

Setting Goals and Following Through By Luke Jensen Rip that return, tennis fans! I hope this finds you going for the lines with more confidence than ever before. How much tennis have you been taking in this season, whether it is playing yourself or watching your favorite global tennis stars playing amazing tennis at the French Open and Wimbledon. It all leads us into the fast-paced U.S. Open series! From my New York apartment, I have the greatest tennis view! I’m able to see the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and the massive Arthur Ashe Stadium. I have seen the various crews preparing for the 2019 U.S. Open, and it’s

really cool to see the process and progress. Just like the tournament organizers, the most elite tennis stars in the world are preparing for the 2019 U.S. Open. The way they prepare to compete is something you can incorporate into the way you prepare for your own tennis matches. Sure, you may not be playing for the near $4 million prize that is awarded to the U.S. Open singles winners, but the passion and objectives are the same: To win! Something very special is created when a tennis professional applies the core principles of smart preparation, tactical improvement and mental toughness training, and mixes it all in with a laserlike focus of dedicated, passionate and

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

old-fashioned hard work. Even if this doesn’t create the outcome you set out to accomplish, I can guarantee you that if you apply these traits, you will be a better player than from your starting point. I always use long-term and shortterm goals to achieve my desired outcome. What is the overall goal? When I played, this was always very straight forward. My overall goal was what I wanted to see after the season was over at the ATP World Championships. I was always shooting for number one in the world. I knew that if I could win at least two Grand Slams, and sprinkle in a couple of ATP 1,000 Masters titles, I would be right in the mix for the ATP Tour year-end top ranking. So now for the tough part: Shortterm goal-planning. I like to use twoweek segments to stay the course and re-evaluate where I am after that point. I played a lot of tennis back in the day. Most ATP seasons, I was playing 35 to 45 weeks out of the year. I was the type of player who needed to play constantly to feel the game and its rhythms. I never needed much time off the ATP Tour, and I knew the very best training for me was around the tournament locker rooms. How much time do you spend playing outside of your core group of tennis buddies? One of the things I felt I did very well was actively finding new pros to train with. If I didn’t play them that week, I knew I would most likely face them down the road. On the tour, play-

ers keep close to an inner circle that they grew up with in juniors, or share common cultural similarities. In any locker room on the pro tour, you will see the Americans hanging out in one section, and the Spanish and Aussies in another. The South Africans are in another corner. You will have the big time players with their “teams” of their families, nannie’s, trainers, coaches, hitting partners and agents. Those small armies were not around as much when I played, but the money is so much bigger now that it has become more common for more players. No matter what, players are the only ones who understand players. Unless you were out there down 15-30, 4-5 in the third or fifth set hitting a second serve to stay in the match for your financial life, you have no idea what it takes. There have been loads of parent/coaches or minor league pro players that coach great players, but it’s easy to coach an Andre Agassi or a Serena Williams. Those stars have such massive separation of talent from the rest of the galaxy that as long as they have the right head space, they will win. I was with Agassi during our U.S. Davis Cup years together in 1991-1992. The guy could make the ball TALK, and at times, even HURT. He was such a clean striker of the ball and when the “ATrain” was locked in mentally, it was LIGHTS OUT for the opposition.

I know what you are thinking … we aren’t Agassi or Serena, but we can still set up winning formulas for our development. Setting up games and practice sessions came easy to me. I would track down various styles of players that would challenge me. My focus and intensity in practice was the same as in a match, so I used every opportunity to build up my game. I tried to play as many sets as possible, but players didn’t want to do that all the time. I learned their training approaches by being on the court with them. For example, Jim Courier was a grinder and if you were with him on the practice court, you were only going to go one session that day because he used you like a heavyweight heavy bag and would Rocky Balboa you into a massage room. Sampras was much easier and just liked to find a groove to find his ideal balance. Sampras served so big that it wasn’t worth hitting his massive serve all the time, so we would play sets and he would work on his second serves and I could get those back! Agassi was like a sharp-shooter looking to hit a few specific targets and he was done. Sometimes, he wouldn’t take serves or volleys. I warmed up Steffi Graf before the 1992 Wimbledon final and she was ALL business. Very nice, but only focused on locking into

her best tennis. No real warm up … just right into ripping forehands. Countless practice opportunities that I called “Learning Sessions” constantly shaped the player I would become. Like Roger Federer and the modern players, they are constantly looking to improve areas of their game. Did you notice Federer playing the clay court season this year? He knows that those important matches builds his game that didn’t happen when he skipped the clay season the year before with disappointing collapses at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. So go out and look for some now sparring partners to build your game. Short two week goal approaches can help you change an approach if you are not improving the way you want. Become a life-long learner and a lifelong improver! Raised in Ludington, Mich., Luke Jensen’s resume includes 10 ATP Tour doubles titles. He was also a member of the U.S. Davis Cup teams that reached the finals in 1991 and won in 1992. His ambidextrous play, including his ability to serve the ball with either hand at 130 mph, earned him the nickname “Dual Hand Luke.” Luke is currently director of racket sports at West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, N.Y. He may be reached by phone at (315) 403-0752 or e-mail LukeJensen84@yahoo.com.

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www.totalserve.com Lisa Dodson lisa@thetotalserve.com NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

Cary Leeds, NYJTL Host 31st Annual Mayor’s Cup Credit all photos to: Brian Coleman

Na Ma Beacon High School was crowned 2019 Mayor’s Cup Boys Varsity Team Champions

2019 Mayor’s Cup Boys Varsity Doubles champs Jace Alexander & Benjamin Ebanks celebrate their victory

In the Girls Varsity Doubles Division, it was the duo of Celina Liu & Talia Kahan who prevailed at the 2019 Mayor’s Cup

he 31st annual Mayor’s Cup brought the top tennis players from across New York City to The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the Bronx, for another great week of championships in divisions ranging from elementary school through varsity. Hundreds of participants from New York City’s public, private and parochial schools competed against one another in the country’s largest interscholastic tennis tournament. The Girls Varsity Singles final took place on Victor Kiam Stadium Court, where Natalie Eordekian notched a 6-2, 6-3 win over defending champion Deliala Friedman. “It feels great,” Eordekian said of being crowned 2019 Mayor’s Cup Champion. “I wanted to hit heavy to her backhand, and just be consistent and make shots. I tried to mix it up, hit some short slices and try to move her around.” 10

Earlier in the day, Celina Liu & Talia Kahan came back from a set down to beat Naysa Joseph-Gabriel & Oralie Joseph-Gabriel 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 to win the Girls Varsity Doubles title. It’s Liu’s second straight year winning the Mayor’s Cup title, as she paired with Jennifer Yu to win last year. “We were a little nervous heading into that first set,” said Liu. “But after we lost the set, we realized the things we were doing well and the things we were doing poorly, and we tried to capitalize on exactly what we were doing well, which allowed us to secure the second and third sets.” Kahan added: “The communication between us was key. We were made sure we were loud on court talking to each other, and it worked out in the end.” Jace Alexander & Benjamin Ebanks came through in the Boys Varsity Doubles draw, capturing the title with a

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

Mayor’s Cup 2019 Girls Middle School Doubles Division champs, the team of Calista Finklestein & Daria Gural

6-2, 6-0 win over Seth Carlson & Dylan Lachmanen in the finals. The duo hadn’t played much doubles together before the tournament began, but developed strong chemistry throughout the week. “We just tried executing different shots and it worked out,” said Alexander. “Coming home with the championship is awesome, and being able to have your name on the Mayor’s Cup means a lot.” The boys from Beacon continued their dominant run in New York City tennis. Shortly after it captured its 12th consecutive PSAL Championship, it defeated Riverdale Country School 4-0 to win the Mayor’s Cup title for the eighth time in nine years. Beacon got wins from the team of Marcos Lee & Donovan Brown at first doubles, and singles wins from Joseph Wilkanowski, Sebastian Sec and Noah Edelman to secure the victory.

Natalie Eordekian was crowned winner in the Mayor’s Cup Girls Varsity Singles Division Below are the full list winners from the 31st Annual Mayor’s Cup: l Boys Elementary School Green Ball Singles: Abel Jackson l Boys Elementary School Yellow Ball Singles: David Clarke l Girls Elementary School Green Ball Singles: Emma Palacio l Girls Elementary School Yellow Ball

Caitlin Bui en route to capturing the Mayor’s Cup Girls Middle School Singles title

l l l l l

Singles: Jessica Eudovic Boys Middle School Singles: Hudson Chris Girls Middle School Singles: Caitlin Bui Girls Middle School Doubles: Calista Finklestein & Daria Gural Boys Middle School Doubles: Erik Johansson & Zachary Kimmelman Girls Varsity Singles: Natalie Eordekian

Jessica Eudovic, winner of the Mayor’s Cup Girls Elementary School Yellow Ball Singles Championship l Girls Varsity Doubles: Celina Liu & Talia Kahan l Boys Varsity Singles: Sacha Maes l Boys Varsity Doubles: Jace Alexander & Benjamin Ebanks l Boys Middle School Team Championship: Hunter l Boys Varsity Team Championship: Beacon High School

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

Managing Concussions With Supplements and Vitamins By Dr. Rob Silverman The brain serves as the command center of the human body, managing the nervous system, sending signals to the body’s muscles, and receiving messages from the body’s sensory organs. The brain’s white matter (the axons and dendrites of the nerve fibers) acts as the subway system of the brain, connecting different regions of grey matter and carrying nerve impulses between neurons. Concussions are traumatic brain injuries caused by any sufficiently hard blow to the head. The rapid movement of the brain can cause the neurons to tear and brain tissues to change shape, which can damage brain cells. Concussions can also cause changes to the metabolic and chemical makeup of the brain, which can affect the cells’ ability to communicate and even to function normally. This can lead to apoptosis (cell death), mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and ultimately, cognitive impairment. The side effects of a concussion While concussions can cause immediate symptoms, such as a temporary loss of consciousness, headaches, dizziness and more, some effects can continue days or even weeks after the event, including insomnia, blurred vision or difficulty concentrating. This is called post-concussive syndrome and those are just some of the many side effects. 12

Natural remedies for a concussion The brain is highly dependent on nutrients and energy. It is also extremely vulnerable to toxins and stress. Nutrition has an impact on brain health, but a concussion can disrupt the brain-gut connection. Proper nutrition can improve not only concussion health, but also help manage concussion pain relief. Feeding your concussion the right way can mitigate many, if not all, of the above symptoms. These two primary goals for post-concussion nutrition—healing the structural damage from the concussion while managing the pain to prevent long-term damage—can be achieved through natural remedies, including taking vitamins and supplements. Through treating patients in my clinical practice, I’ve found that taking supplements of the right vitamins and nutrients—in addition to eating the right foods—can go a long way towards improving your overall brain health and speeding up the recovery from the concussion. Concussion management with a proper diet To start, a ketogenic diet is recommended to support post-concussion syndrome, as ketones have been found to prevent neuron (cell) death. On a keto diet, a person eats a diet comprised of about 75 percent healthy fats, plus high-quality protein in moderation and restricts carbohydrates to less than 50 grams per day. It is recommended to sup-

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

plement a keto diet with the following: l Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs): A type of fat molecule found in coconut oil, MCTs are extremely beneficial for energy and fat-burning. The shorter chain length, compared to fatty acids, makes for a “quicker” pathway when metabolized, converting MCTs to ketones used for fuel. They also enhance ketone production. l Exogenous ketone salts: Ketone bodies, ingested in either mineral or ester forms, lead to elevated circulatory ketone levels. Beta-hydroxybutyrate, when bound to a salt to improve absorption, increases circulating ketone levels for at least one hour, acutely induces ketosis within 15 minutes, and signals cells to release glutathione—a master antioxidant which positively impacts the brain. Creatine Creatine has multiple benefits. It maintains the health of the mitochondria in the brain and improves the blood flow within the brain, improving both the short- and long-term effects of the concussion. Creatine gives the brain an immediate boost of energy that it needs to heal its cells, and is especially known to improve post-concussion amnesia. Creatine can be found in foods such as seafood and red meat. Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-3 fatty acids help with cell membrane

health and act as a neuroprotective agent. They improve the integrity of the brain’s white matter and increase the volume of grey matter in the frontal temporal, parietal and limbic areas of the brain, improving brain structure and function, especially in older adults. Omega-3s also increase the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)—a protein related to nerve growth—and decrease peripheral fasting insulin. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in foods such as fish, nuts (walnuts especially), vegetable oils, leafy vegetables, flax seeds and flaxseed oil. Fish oil is a particularly good supplement for concussions. It’s been shown to support the resolution of post-concussion symptoms and supports the decreased incidence of repeat concussions. Fish oil can support the survival of existing brain cells and can even promote the growth of new neurons and synapses. DHA, or Docosahexaenoic Acid, is a type of Omega-3 fatty acid that is an integral part of the structure of the brain, especially the cerebral cortex. Supplementing DHA can reduce axonal and neuronal damage, apoptosis, oxidative stress, cognitive impairment and neurotransmitter decline.

Resveratrol Resveratrol is an antioxidant plant compound that can be found in grapes, berries, red wine and peanuts. It increases blood flow in the brain, crosses the blood-brain barrier, reduces inflammation and post-traumatic neuronal loss, and improves the behavioral measures of locomotion, anxiety, object recognition and memory. Boswellia Boswellia is an herbal extract commonly used in traditional Asian and African medicine. It’s particularly beneficial for concussion patients who have a Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI). It reduces inflammation and enhances cognitive functions. Curcumin Curcumin is the active ingredient in the spice turmeric, which is also called Indian saffron because of its common usage in Indian cuisine and its yellow color. Curcumin can improve cognitive function, boost BDNF, increase blood flow to the brain, changes the release of serotonin and dopamine (which are neurotransmitters responsible for keep-

ing the mind at ease). It also supports the inflammation pathways to the brain. Curcumin is also a powerful antioxidant and thus supports cognitive processes, enhances the naturally available DHA in the brain, protects the brain from neurodegeneration and helps regenerate brain stem cells. Choline Choline is an essential nutrient that can be found in meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy products. It protects and repairs damaged brain cells, especially glycerophosphocholine. It’s been shown in studies to significantly improve the mental faculties of patients with TBI. Vitamin D Vitamin D helps maintain neuron integrity, has anti-inflammatory effects, and supports brain cell survival. It also decreases cerebral edema, which is brain swelling that is caused by the presence of excess fluid. Vitamin D can be found in foods such as fish, fortified dairy and grain products, and egg yolks, but continued on page 14

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www.hartru.com NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

managing concussions continued from page 13 can also be obtained through exposure to sunlight. Zinc Zinc decreases oxidative stress and increases wound healing. It also increases the brain’s resilience to traumatic brain injury. Zinc can be found in poultry, fish and red meat. Acetyl L-carnitine Acetyl L-carnitine energizes the brain, increases the neurotransmitter levels needed for memory, focus, and learning, repairs damage to brain cells, and relieves depression. It’s naturally produced by the human body, but is often taken as a supplement to increase its effects. Magnesium Magnesium, especially L-threonate, can significantly enhance the density and plasticity of synapses, as well as prevent memory decline. Magnesium plays a critical role in learn-

ing and in memory by increasing the durability of synapses and enabling the brain to make new connections. It also increases the bioavailability of magnesium in the brain and in cerebrospinal fluid. Alpha Lipoic Acid Alpha Lipoic Acid lowers oxidative stress at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and is a good source of antioxidants. It can be found in foods such as yeast, kidneys, liver, spinach, potatoes and broccoli. Knowing what you can do to optimize your health while dealing with a concussion can help you get back to normal, healthier! Together with foods rich in fat and protein, these supplements can help heal post-concussion syndrome quicker. In particular, BDNF can be enhanced through exercise, turmeric, taurine, DHA, Alpha-lipoic Acid, strain-specific probiotics, prebiotics, and ketones. Inflammation can be reduced by taking DHA, Boswellia,

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

quercetin, ginger, pro-resolving mediators, turmeric, resveratrol, and grape seed extract. Blood flow can be improved with antioxidants, resveratrol, and gingko. The strong and undeniable link of the gut to the brain makes it essential that you optimize their nutrition to optimize your brain health. Eating the right foods and taking the right supplements not only speed up the recovery time but also limit the damage the injury can cause. Dr. Robert G. Silverman is a White Plains, N.Y.-based sports chiropractor and certified clinical nutritionist, specializing in functional medicine and the treatment of joint pain with innovative, science-based, nonsurgical approaches. He is also on the advisory board for the Functional Medicine University and a health contributor to various major TV networks. He is the author of Amazon’s Number One Best-Seller, Inside-Out Health. In 2015, he was honored with the prestigious Sports Chiropractor of the Year award by the ACA Sports Council. He can be reached by phone at (914) 287-6464, e-mail Info@DrRobertSilverman.com or visit DrRobertSilverman.com.

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

Even Stephens Top-ranked American arrives in NYC for World TeamTennis By Brian Coleman

Two years ago, New York City served as the setting for the signature moment of Sloane Stephens’ career. Standing on the biggest stage in professional tennis and at the pinnacle of the sport, Stephens captured the U.S. Open Women’s Singles title after a straight-sets win over fellow American Madison Keys. Stephens now returns to the Big Apple two years later to compete for World TeamTennis’ New York Empire. Despite it being a different borough, the City is ready to embrace Stephens as one of their own when she plays for the Empire at The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the Bronx on Thursday, July 18 against the Orange County Breakers. “New York City holds such a special place in my heart after winning the 2017 U.S. Open here,” said Stephens. “I love the unique and exciting format of World TeamTennis, and I cannot wait to come back to NYC this summer and help the Empire get a win in front of the hometown fans.” Stephens has a personality and attitude perfectly designed to play in front of a New York City crowd, and that was on display during her run to the U.S. Open title a couple of years ago. Born in Plantation, Fla. to two athletic parents, her mother was an All-American swimmer at Boston University, and her father was a Pro Bowl running back for the New England Patriots of the NFL. Stephens had the DNA to become a top-level athlete from the start. And that showed early in her life and in her junior tennis career. After playing tennis for a couple of years, she began training at Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, and at the Nick Saviano High Performance Academy, spending time between both Florida and her mother’s hometown of Fresno, Calif. through much of her young life. She first began playing professional tournaments on the ITF Women’s Circuit when she was just 14-years-old, and would win her first pro event the following year at the ITF 10K event in Wichita, Kan. where she partnered with Christina McHale to win the doubles title. The following year, she officially turned pro. Stephens was often hyped, and for good reason, and after a few years competing professionally, she hit her breakthrough at the ripe age of 19. To kick off 2013, she reached the Brisbane quarterfinals and then powered her way into the Australian Open semifinals after a stunning upset over Serena Williams. “I don’t know how I feel. It’s still strange,” she said after the win. “I talked to my grandparents after. My grandma was just like, ‘Oh, good job.’ They want to talk about my coach more than they want to talk about the actual match. I listened to them and they calmed down a little bit.” The fact that her immediate notion was to talk about her family, and her grandparents, was a good reminder that Stephens was still just a teenager, a kid thrust onto a stage under a glaring spotlight. She would lose to eventual champion Victoria Azarenka in the ensuing semifinals, but Stephens was an overnight star in the sports world. With that comes increased expectations and pressure, whether fair or not, which can have an adverse effect on an athlete, especially one as young as Stephens was. continued on page 18 16

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

even stephens continued from page 16 Over the next few years, she would face some struggles on the court, because of both losses and injuries. Her ranking would fall to as low as 957th in the world in the middle of 2017 thanks to a dreadful foot injury that sidelined her for nearly a year. This was supposed to be the prime of her career, yet she had nearly slipped outside of the Top 1,000. She made her return at Wimbledon that year, and would drop her first two matches back, at Wimbledon and Washington, D.C. But the return back to the top began in Toronto where she reached the semifinals of the Rogers Cup, and Stephens followed that up with a semifinal showing at the Cincinnati Masters. Using a protected ranking, she made it into the U.S. Open main draw, where she kept things rolling. “After not playing for 11 months, I’ve had some great results,” said Stephens. “Obviously a lot of hard work went into it, a lot of adversity, a lot of ups and downs. A lot of emotions, like, you know, am I ever going to be the same? Am I ever going to play again at a high level? There were so many things that went into it. And I think now I’ve 18

kind of matured a little bit and have recognized the opportunities when they have been presented.” That mentality was crucial in her dominating run through the U.S. Open draw, and the winning of her maiden Grand Slam title after defeating fellow American Madison Keys. “I mean, there are no words to describe how I got here—the process it took or anything like that,” she said after winning. “Because if you told someone this story, they’d be like, ‘that’s insane.’” That maturity has been a huge factor in Stephens crossing the bridge from the beginning of her career to where she is now. It fed into a successful 2018 for her as she won the Miami Open title, and reached the finals at both the French Open and end-ofyear WTA Finals in Singapore. She is currently in the Top 10 in the world rankings and is the highest-ranked American. While she put in an absorbent amount of hard-work and dedication in order to regain her spot at the top of the game, she credits those who were in her corner as well.

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

At the core of that is longtime boyfriend Jozy Altidore, a professional soccer player who also plays for the United States National Team. “I don’t think there’s been a more positive person in my corner that I’ve had,” said Stephens. “When I suffered a foot injury, I was with him and I would always make fun of myself and he’d make fun of me. But he kept it really light for me, so I was never too sad.” The title of “boyfriend” has been upgraded to “fiancé,” as Altidore and Stephens announced their engagement on social media earlier this spring. It has been an exciting and successful time both on and off the court for Stephens, and she prepares to continue that this summer when she competes in World TeamTennis for the fifth time. The last two years, she was a member of the Philadelphia Freedoms, and she competed for the New York Buzz in her rookie season a decade ago. This summer, she will debut with the New York Empire, as she pushes for a solid run to close out her 2019 season. Brian Coleman is senior editor for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached by email at BrianC@USPTennis.com.

COMING IN AUGUST 2019

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This 2019 U.S. Open edition will feature: • 2019 U.S. Open Preview • Guide to the Top New York/Metropolitan Area Tennis Clubs & Programs • Girls High School Season Preview

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2019 New York E

World TeamTennis returns to Big Appl

Luke Jensen to lead NY Empire into 2019 WTT season

New York Tennis Magazine sat down with the new head coach of the New York Empire, Luke Jensen, to discuss how he approached the roster, his rivalry with his brother, what New York fans can expect this summer at the Empire’s new home venue—The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning—and much more. How excited are you to begin your reign as the head coach of the New York Empire? Luke Jensen: I’m really excited! I’ve had

such an amazing ride with World TeamTennis as a fan growing up, watching stars like Bjorn Borg, Chris Evert, Rod Laver and Billie Jean King playing against some of the greats including the McEnroe Brothers, Jimmy Connors, Martina Navratilova and many more. I’ve been doing television work for them on many levels, and I really wanted a chance at coaching in the league. To be honest, I was so thrilled to see my brother Murphy win six titles as a coach, but I was very jealous of him. It’s my turn now! What was the strategy/game plan heading into the World TeamTennis Draft, and how would you evaluate the success of that in terms of the roster you’ve built? Luke Jensen: I was absolutely locked into getting elite veteran talent. We opened with John Isner. Roll in U.S. Open Champion Sloane Stephens, U.S. Davis Cup Captain Mardy Fish, coupled with front line tour aces like

Kirsten Flipkens, Neal Skupski, Maria Sanchez and a young flamethrower like Ulises Blanch. These are high character people and premier competitors. We have all been watching each other’s successes and I hope they haven’t peaked too early in the season. Why should New Yorkers and tennis fans come out to see the New York Empire this summer? What should they know about this team and WTT? Luke Jensen: First, I’m working on the greatest entrance in tennis history! I’ve always wanted to do this, and finally, I get the chance! World TeamTennis let Murphy and I ride Harley-Davidson Motorcycles on the court in 1994 and now I’m taking it up a notch! And that’s just my introduction! Imagine what it will be like to watch greats like Venus Williams, John Isner and Sloane Stephens compete right here in New York City, to watch my brother Murphy and I lock horns in a Jensen Brothers coaching battle is worth it! I’ll make a deal: If the New York crowds show up, I will shave my head! How important is it for you to engage with the local community in order to establish the team’s presence here in New York City? Luke Jensen: It is mission critical that the New York Empire connect with New York tennis players of all ages and all levels. The Empire has to be our professional tennis team. I want New York to get out to Cary Leeds and to be LOUD and PROUD of the Empire; it’s OUR team, New York! The Empire strikes back! We will always go for the LINES! You can read the full Q&A with New York Empire Head Coach Luke Jensen by visiting NewYorkTennisMagazine.com.

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

Empire Preview

Apple with new coach and new venue

Isner, Stephens to Join NY Empire This Summer

Isner

Stephens

Fish

Flipkens

Tennis fans in New York City will have a special treat this summer, as top Americans John Isner and Sloane Stephens will help lead the New York Empire in different matches. Isner, a former Wimbledon semifinalist and owner of 14 career ATP titles, will open up the team’s campaign when it takes on the San Diego Aviators on Sunday, July 14 at their new home court, The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning, located at 1720 Crotona Avenue in The Bronx, N.Y. Stephens, the U.S. Open champion in 2017, joins the squad when it clashes with the Orange Country Breakers on Thursday, July 18. “New York City holds such a special place in my heart after winning the 2017 U.S. Open here,” said Stephens. “I love the unique and exciting format of World TeamTennis and I cannot wait to come back to NYC this summer and help the Empire get a win in front of the hometown fans.”

Sanchez

Skupski

Branch

New York Empire Head Coach Luke Jensen said, “I could not be more excited to work with Sloane this summer. She is one of the best players in the world and her addition to the roster will no doubt put us in a better position to reach our ultimate goal of lifting the King Trophy at the end of the season.” Some of the sport’s top stars visiting the Empire include 23-time Grand Slam champion (including doubles) Venus Williams, who will visit the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning on Friday, July 19 when the Empire take on the visiting Washington Kastles. Venus, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, is returning for her eighth season with the Kastles, who are coached by Murphy Jensen, brother of first-year Empire head coach Luke Jensen. In addition to Isner and Stephens, the 2019 New York Empire full roster also includes Mardy Fish, Kirsten Flipkens, Neil Skupski, Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and Ulises Branch.

2019 New York Empire Home Match Schedule All NY Empire home matches will be played at Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning, 1720 Crotona Avenue, The Bronx, N.Y. Date/Time

Opponent

Featured Players

Sunday, July 14 at 5:00 p.m.

San Diego Aviators

John Isner (Empire) & Ryan Harrison (Aviators)

Tuesday, July 16 at 6:30 p.m.

Vegas Rollers

Reilly Opelka (Rollers)

Thursday, July 18 at 6:30 p.m.

Orange County Breakers

Sloane Stephens (Empire)

Friday, July 19 at 6:30 p.m.

Washington Kastles

Venus Williams (Kastles)

Sunday, July 21 at 5:00 p.m.

Orlando Storm

Feliciano Lopez (Storm)

Monday, July 29 at 7:00 p.m.

Springfield Lasers

Mardy Fish (Empire)

Tuesday, July 30 at 6:30 p.m.

Philadelphia Freedoms

Mardy Fish(Empire)

For more information, visit NYEmpireTennis.com. NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

beyond the

baseline

the

Roosevelt Island Racquet Club By Brian Coleman Over the last few months, Roosevelt Island Racquet Club (RIRC) in Manhattan has undergone a makeover. The prominent 12court tennis facility, situated in the middle of the East River below the Queensborough Bridge, has recently implemented a series of upgrades and renovations. “The Club was built more than 25 years ago, and there was a specific time frame on how long everything would last,” said Steve O’Keefe, Roosevelt Island Racquet Club’s general manager. “So, we were at the point where it was due for an upgrade based upon that. With the environment that the Club is in, right near the bridge, there is a lot of salt water and bridge access, so it was time for a complete overhaul of the facilities.” That overhaul included a number of design and structural changes to the clubhouse building in order to bring it up-to-date with the changing landscape of Roosevelt Island itself. With modern construction taking place throughout the Island, including the newly-built Bloomberg Academic Center and the Graduate Hotel and the Verizon Conference Center currently under construction, elevating the architecture of the tennis club was a must. “Roosevelt Island, in the last five years, has been dramatically transformed from a sleepy bedroom village serving United Na22

tions, New York Presbyterian, Cornell Medical and Memorial Sloane Kettering employees, and many retired senior citizens, into a major destination for tourists and hi-tech geniuses,” said Skip Hartman, owner of Advantage Tennis Clubs, which Roosevelt Island Racquet Club is a part of. “Smack in the middle of all of this is the Racquet Club. Our business has been very good and is getting even better. We felt we owed it to both our neighbors and our customers to give them a modern, refurbished clubhouse with a look that would keep up with the times and do justice to the quality of their experience inside the Club.” As a part of that new design, the Club has

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

added a sleek exterior of Trespa panels to avoid rusting, a grander entry, new landscaping and a completely new infrastructure designed to last for the next half-century. But a quick exterior fix wasn’t all. The renovations also included enhancing the tennisplaying experience inside the Club, with a conversion to top-of-the line LED lighting over the courts, and an upgrade to the HVAC system to maintain that the courts and clubhouse remain comfortable throughout all seasons. “We put a large emphasis on upgrading our playing surface as well, and we wanted to focus on providing the best clay court surface in New York City,” said O’Keefe. “We spent a great deal of time and energy on the playing environment of the Club. It’s not just the infrastructure; it’s also making sure that our members have the best possible environment to play in.” The playing experience inside RIRC has always been at the heart of the success of the Club and the loyalty of its membership—from the junior program all the way through to the adult programming. O’Keefe, the current general manager, is a former college player who came to Roosevelt Island with more than two decades experience in the industry, and he has helped to foster a winning culture at the Club. The junior program is anchored by Xavier Luna, a leading tennis coach who runs the

Junior Tennis Programs at all three of the Advantage Tennis facilities, which also includes Manhattan Plaza and New York Tennis Club. Under Luna’s direction, the junior program has ballooned to more than 400 kids, and the adult program, directed by Mark Santucci, has upwards of 500 people in it on any given week. “We can attribute that to the fact that we’ve hired some great coaches in the last couple of years, and have a really strong continuing education program,” O’Keefe said. “We’ve made a concerted effort to continually improve our teaching program. That includes hiring the best staff we can, and constantly educating our coaches on a regular basis. That’s something that we feel is incredibly important to the growth of our program. And we’ve seen that growth in both the junior and adult programs.” Between the constantly-improving tennis experience inside the Club and the modernized renovations that have taken place over the last few years, Roosevelt Island Racquet Club is ready to continue growing into the next months, years and decades. It is one of the most unique tennis clubs in

a city full of its diversity, just a short walk from the F-Train, and is accessible both via the tram and the ferry, which allows it to pull members from Manhattan across the river, as well as Roosevelt Island and nearby Long Island City. “As Long Island City has grown, we’ve been drawing more and more from there. We draw from Manhattan, as well as Roosevelt Island of course,” said O’Keefe. “This allows us to be competitive with the nicest clubs in the City, and our goal is to stay relevant in the competitive New York City market. In fact, with the new Q train going to the Upper East Side, it’s easier to get to Roosevelt Island than ever before with all the different transportation options. Getting here is easier than it’s ever been.” And as Roosevelt Island consistently modernizes and improves, the tennis club that bears its name plans to as well. “Tourists and students flock to the Island

daily, mainly taking the tram, which has also been modernized with more weather protection at each station and reduced travel time,” said Hartman. “The Club has always done great work in game arranging, and running our junior and adult programs. The staff is first-rate, and truly cares about both our member and non-member customers alike. We are lucky to have them.” Brian Coleman is senior editor for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached by phone at (516) 409-4444, ext. 326 or e-mail BrianC@USPTennis.com.

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NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

USTA Metro Region

A Message From USTA Eastern Metro Region President Pablo Sierra Metro Region Hosts Stars and Stripes Event to Honor Veterans

e had the pleasure of hosting a “Stars and Stripes” Tennis Event to put a focus and emphasis on our veterans in the area. The event focused on the Manhattan VA, and took place on the tennis courts that sit along the East River Drive and Houston Street in the Lower Eastside of Manhattan. We had a lot of help from some dedicated volunteers, such as Mel, Ponty, Ali, Susan, Charlotte, Jonathan, all from the Manhattan VA. I had the pleasure of meeting a man named Mark who was a veteran. What a dynamic personality he had. He was funny and could strike up a conversation with anyone. Before the event ended, I felt as if I had known him forever. We shared a couple of our own stories from our time in the

service, and it was just the type of camaraderie I was hoping an event like this could create. Mark indicated to me that, and so many other veterans feel this way as well, that once his enlistment was up and he separated from the military, he felt lost and not well-prepared to transition to civilian life again. The Stars and Stripes event, and many others like it, will continue to move forward in hopes of helping smooth that transition, even if it is just for one nice afternoon on the tennis courts. The USTA Metro Region would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to all the veterans, active duty service members on deployment and their spouses and families for everything they’ve done, and what they continue to do.

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

USTA Metro Region Empire and USTA Metro Present Pop-Up Shop Tennis

arlier this spring, members of the USTA Metro Region joined the New York Empire to set up shop at the annual West Side Spring Festival. Tennis was brought to attendees of the festival, as nets were put up in the street to kick off the spring. It was the first of many community tennis events that the New

York Empire and its team members are conducting leading up to the start of the World TeamTennis season. The Empire set up popup shops at Queens College, Howard Bennett Playground and the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning to help spread the game of tennis to children of all socioeconomic backgrounds and skill levels.

Metro Flex Leagues Return

STA’s Flex League is designed for your schedule—allowing you to play when it’s convenient for you. Matches are arranged directly with your opponent at a mutually agreeable day, time and location. Each session is approximately two months long. Player can anticipate six to 10 matches during each session (the exact number is determined by the number of players in the flight). Once registration closes, you can access a list of opponents and suggested play-by dates. Once the match is played, the scores are recorded online. USTA membership is not required and Flex League matches do not affect, nor generate, a USTA rating.

To register for New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens), Hudson (New Jersey), Long Island, Rockland & Westchester Counties, go to USTA.com/en/Home/Play/Play-as-a-Member/Eastern/FlexLeagues.html. Once on the registration page: l Choose your division: Adult Men’s Singles or Adult Women’s Singles. l Select the state and then the county you wish to play in. l The registration fee is $35 ($25 for USTA members). For more information about Flex Leagues in the area, please email FlexLeague@Live.com.

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

USTA Metro Region Metro JTT Season Wraps Up

he Junior TeamTennis (JTT) season in the USTA Eastern Section saw hundreds of players from numerous tennis clubs and facilities across the area compete in a new and exciting team format. JTT is a junior program of the USTA that provides individual technical tennis skill and strategy development within a team-centered atmosphere. Facilitated by certified Net Generation coaches and volunteers, kids play with children of

similar skill level and can also enjoy opportunities to play at higher levels as their skills develop and evolve. JTT is available for boys and girls, ages six to 18; co-ed teams are organized by age, and give junior players a chance to engage in match play in spirited and supportive team-setting. The participants have grown with each passing tournament and league, and that trend will only continue moving forward.

Pablo Sierra is USTA Eastern Metro Region President. Pablo also serves as founder and president of the South Brooklyn Tennis Association (SBTA). 26

New York Tennis Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ July/August 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ NYTennisMag.com

More Than 100 Players Featured at JMTA College Combine Credit all photos to: Brian Coleman

ore than 100 top high school players from the area came out to SPORTIME Randall’s Island to take part in the Fourth Annual John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) College Recruiting Combine. The players worked out for approximately 60 coaches from all levels of college tennis, as they pursue the dream of playing collegiate tennis. “Players were able to compete on the court and in the gym for all coaches to evaluate,” said Jay Harris, director of the

SPORTIME/JMTA College Recruiting Combine, and a former head coach at Bowling Green University and Brown University. “The players were also able to benefit from the incredibly educational College Coaches’ Panel and the Sports Vision testing.” The two-day combine consisted of singles and doubles match-play, fitness and agility assessments, sports vision tests, as well as discussions and panels on how to navigate the recruiting process, and what coaches are looking

for in a potential recruit. In all, the coaches and players represented 18 different states and five different countries as the JMTA continues to build the event into a growing national and international showcase each year. “The JMTA continues to build itself into one of the country’s largest premier college placement companies,” said Harris. “And the combine has become widely known around the country as one of the best college exposure opportunities that college tennis prospects can take part in.”

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

Second Annual Big Apple Cup Brings International Flair to NTC By Brian Coleman he second annual Big Apple International Cup brought some of the best junior players in the world to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. as teams from Brazil, Canada, Israel, Mexico, Spain and the United States competed against one another. “The Big Apple Cup is a great way to see them compete against players from different countries, and most importantly, it’s a learning experience for them to play as a team,” said Francisco Barrientos, head coach of Team USA, which was comprised of players from the Eastern Section. “Overall, it’s a great opportunity for our players in the Eastern Section to experience and play against kids who grew up and trained in a different way.” The week-long event featured competitive matches across the various courts at the National Tennis Center as the players had the opportunity to play on the same grounds used by the professionals during the U.S. Open. The competition was played in a Team Tennis format, with the two top teams from the 12U and 14U Divisions advancing to the finals on the event’s final day. “It’s awesome,” said Cooper Williams, representing Team USA in the 14U Division. “It’s a team environment, and so once you finish your match, win or lose, your team can still win. It’s not completely dependent on you and you can cheer for other people. All of these kids are really good. It’s always great to play against players from different countries who may play a different way … it’s great for your game.” Members of Team USA in the 14U Division team included: Kaitlyn Carnicella, Ari Cotoulas, Alan Hua, Ariana Pursoo, Cooper Williams and Stephanie Yakoff. Members of Team USA in the 12U Division team included: Claire An, Andrew Ena, Braeden Gelletich, Mark Krupkin, Cristasha McNeil and Anika Paul. Kamil Pajkowski, head coach of Team Canada, discussed the impact this type of

Team USA was crowned champions in the 14U Division at the 2019 Big Apple International Cup

Members of Team Spain, 12U Division winners at the 2019 Big Apple International Cup

experience can have for his players. “It’s a great development opportunity,” Pajkowski said. “They get to come to New York and experience one of the best cities in the world, and get to play at the home of the U.S. Open. It’s like you’re living this little dream; this is what the future may have in store for them. It can be an inspirational thing. And they love the fact they come out here and meet new players. Some of these partnerships and relations that are formed can last for years. It’s an amazing experience that we think is so valuable for them, more valuable than any individual tournament they may go to.” “We are happy with the outcome of the second edition of the Big Apple Cup, we had a great week of tennis with top level and amazing camaraderie from all teams,”

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

said Gustavo Loza, tennis service representative for USTA Eastern’s Metro Region and creator of the Big Apple Cup. “It is in these types of events that the character and leadership skills from young players are created and developed. We are constantly looking to create opportunities for our Eastern players that can enhance their development. We certainly feel the Big Apple Cup serves that purpose and our hope is to do it even better in 2020.” Congratulations to Team Spain, 2019 Big Apple Cup Champions in the 12U Division and Team USA, crowned champs in the 14U Division. Brian Coleman is senior editor for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached by email at BrianC@USPTennis.com.

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

2019

BOY’S HIGH SCHOOL RECAP Written and compiled by Brian Coleman

Collegiate’s Nielsen Wins NYSAIS Singles Title Collegiate High School senior Alexander Nielsen defeated Friends Seminary freshman Nicholas Steiglehner 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 to win the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) Singles Championship. “It means a lot,” said Nielsen. “Being a senior this year, having it be my last event as a high school player, I definitely wanted to play it. Our team’s season didn’t go that well … so to be able to come out for this tournament, representing my school, it was amazing and was great to win.” In the quarterfinals, Nielsen ousted Rye Country Day School’s Gabe Smilovic 6-4, 6-3, before moving on to the semifinals to take on the top-seed and Smilovic’s teammate, Justin Mandel. “I know there are certain days where everything is clicking and I just play well, so I had the belief that I could do it,” said Nielsen. “When I have two matches in one day, I often play much better in the second match. I have a lot more feel in that second match. I served incredibly well [against Mandel]. I was at the top of my game and I felt very energetic.” He came back the following day for the championship match against Seminary High School freshman Nicholas Steiglehner, but did not get off to the start

he would have liked. Nielsen quickly found himself down 1-4 in the opening set, and despite trimming that lead down, Steiglehner would win the opening set 7-5. He responded with more convincing play in the second set and won it 6-2, forcing the final into a deciding third set. “Momentum swung a little bit, and eventually my level just went up,” he said. “I started to play the more aggressive game that I want to play instead of having to find my strokes. I started to feel good enough about my game to be able to take the ball early and play my game.” Nielsen jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the decider only to see Steiglehner win the next three games and even things at three-all, and even jump ahead 40-0 on Nielsen’s serve in the ensuing game. “I didn’t give up and just tried to focus on each point,” said Nielsen. “I ended up winning the next four points to hold and go up 4-3.” He secured the break of serve in the next game with a win on deuce point, and held serve at deuce at 5-3 to clinch the match and the NYSAIS title. “The final set score was 6-3, but it really came down to just a couple of points,” said Nielsen.

Collegiate High School’s Alexander Nielsen defeated Nicholas Steiglehner of Friends Seminary to win the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) Singles Championship

Nieslen wraps up his high school career on a high note, and is heading to Columbia University next year where he plans on trying out for the Lions’ tennis team.

Doubles Lead Truman Past Bard for NYC “B” Division Title It has been a long time coming, but the boys from Harry Truman High School finally captured the New York City PSAL “B” Division title this past season, defeating Bard 3-2 to claim the City title. “These young men dreamed about winning the title four years ago. They worked hard each season and each season they got closer to the championship,” said Harry Truman Head Coach Kevin Bui. “Going into this season, they knew that this was their last chance so the expectations were to work hard, but to also make those lasting memories.” Truman High School defeated Bard to win the PSAL “B” Division championship 30

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2019

BOY’S HIGH SCHOOL RECAP The senior-heavy Mustangs used their years of playoff experience to go on a convincing playoff run this past spring, which culminated with the championship. It was a back-and-forth matchup against Bard; as Steven Forte notched a 6-0, 6-1 win over Noah Rivera at first singles, but Bard responded by picking up the other two singles points thanks to Murray Sternberg and Zachary

Miodownik at second and third singles, respectively. But the two doubles tandems delivered for the Mustangs. Armani Martin & Haroune Bilal picked up a 6-2, 6-4 win over Jasper Curtis & Spencer Bernstein at second doubles, and Jhevauni James & Oscar Garcia came back from a set down to beat Gabriel Neuman & Matthew Griffin 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 at first doubles round out the 3-2 victory.

“They worked with each other to come up with a winning game plan. They practiced every day to sharpen their skills and they wanted to win,” Bui said. “We also knew that everyone was an important factor in winning, so we worked as a team to achieve success.” Truman finishes the season undefeated at 10-0, and will head into the 2020 season as defending city champions.

Beacon Wins 12th Straight New York City Championship

The Beacon Blue Demons captured their 12th consecutive New York City PSAL “A” Division Championship

or the 12th straight season, New York City high school tennis belongs to Beacon. The Blue Demons captured a remarkable 12th straight New York City Public School Athletic League (PSAL) “A” Division championship, defeating long-time rival and common foe, Bronx Science, 3-2 in the title match. Marcos Lee put Beacon ahead early with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Paul Elghouayel at third singles. Soon after, Solomon Brown & Tyler Kats notched a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Michael Mullner & Ryan Friedman at sec-

Marcos Lee put Beacon ahead early with a win at third singles en route to the New York City PSAL “A” Division Championship

ond doubles to bring their team within just one flight of the championship. The first doubles duo of Alexander Aney & Christian Bobko kept Bronx Science in it as they came back to win 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 over Donovan Brown & Noah Edelman. But Beacon would clinch the win thanks to the second singles court. Sebastian Sec outdueled Rod Rofougaran 6-4, 6-3 to seal the deal, and secure the 12th consecutive City title for Beacon. Bronx Science won the first singles court as the Wolverines’ Blake Frank and Beacon’s Joseph Wilkanowski were tied at

one-set-all before Wilkanowski was forced to retire. “The boys are proud of being part of a tradition with many great players,” said Bayard Faithfull, Beacon’s head coach. “Our captain, Marcos Lee, embodied the competitive spirit of the team. Our juniors, Donovan Brown, Noah Edelman and Joseph Wilkanowski stepped up and had big seasons. And our super sophomore, Sebastian Sec, continues to impress.” The Blue Demons’ success would continue just a week after as it won its eighth Mayor’s Cup team title in nine years.

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2019

BOY’S HIGH SCHOOL RECAP Cardozo Judges Sweep NYC Individual Championships The title of New York City Individual Champions in 2019 resides at Cardozo High School. The Judges won both the singles and doubles competitions, as Eric Dubilirer and the duo of Chris Tham & Kai Yuminaga, can now call themselves city champions. Dubilirer defeated Forest Hills’ Sabian Kosinov 6-2, 6-1 in the quarterfinals before ousting Staten Island Tech’s Anthony Cataldo 6-2, 6-3 in the semifinals, placing him in the championship match against Lafayette’s Aliaksei Bogdanets. After edging Bogdanets in a first-set tiebreaker, Dubilirer built a 2-0 lead in the second set, only to see Bogdanets earn the break back and bring the set to three-all. But Dubilirer would not be denied, winning the final three games to clinch the win and claim the city title with a 7-6(3), 6-3 victory. “A mentor told me winning this event would help me stand out on my college application, so I decided to make winning

the tournament and representing the PSAL at the Federation tournament my goal,” Dubilirer said. The team of Tham & Yuminaga, usually singles players, teamed up in doubles in the individual championships, and ran the table to claim the title. After ousting Myles Levine & Isaac Deane of Eleanor Roosevelt 6-1, 6-1 in the quarterfinals, and then the team of Francis Lewis’ Waley Chen & Tim Barefield 6-0, 6-1 in the semifinals. The duo advanced to the finals against the Beacon pairing of Donovan Brown & Tyler Kats, and once again notched a straight-sets victory, this time by the score of 6-2, 6-3. Following up on its PSAL victory, Tham & Yuminaga went on to win the New York State Federation Championship, which consists of the top doubles teams from the Independent School, Public School and PSAL Leagues.

The team of Chris Tham & Kai Yuminaga from Cardozo High School were crowned winners of the New York City Individual Championship

Rye Country Day School Wins Seventh Annual Jim San Marco Invitational

The Rye Country Day School Wildcats defeated Harrison 4-2 to become the 2019 Jim San Marco Boys Team Tennis Invitational Champions 32

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A number of the top high school tennis teams from the Long Island, New York City and Westchester areas came together to compete in the 2019 Jim San Marco Boys Team Tennis Invitational. The opening day of the tournament was hosted by Harrison High School, with the finals on the following day forced inside to the new indoor courts of Rye Country Day School due to the rain. After pool play was completed, the two teams left standing were Rye Country Day and Harrison, who squared off in the finals. The Wildcats of Rye Country Day School used the home courts to its advantage to defeat Harrison 4-2, and become the fourth different program, joining Beacon, Horace Greeley and the Trinity

2019

BOY’S HIGH SCHOOL RECAP School, to hoist the Jim San Marco Boys Team Tennis Invitational trophy. “Being able to play at home was a nice experience for our kids,” said Rye Country Day School Head Coach Tim Shea. “It was the first time our players had stepped on the courts so that was an equalizer, and we wanted to make sure we played the match despite the rain. It’s always great to be able to get the matches in as the season is somewhat cramped.” Justin Mandell was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, as he helped lead his Wildcats to the championship. “I think tournaments like the San Marco are great for high school tennis, and junior tennis as a whole,” said Shea. “It shows that high school tennis is a team sport, and it gives groups of kids an additional form of peer support that is not usually found in regular tournament play.”

Below are the full results from the 2019 Jim San Marco Boys Team Tennis Invitational: Round-Robin Play Pool A l Syosset 4, Horace Greeley 2 l Harrison 4, Horace Greeley 2 l Harrison 4, Syosset 2 Pool B l Trinity 6, Bronxville 0 l Rye Country Day School 6, Bronxville 0 l Rye Country Day School 4, Trinity 2 Finals l Rye Country Day School 4, Harrison 2 Past Jim San Marco Winners l 2013: Beacon l 2014: Beacon l 2015: Trinity l 2016: Trinity

l 2017: Horace Greeley l 2018: Beacon l 2019: Rye Country Day School “When we started the tournament, originally through a grant to honor Jim San Marco at Edgemont High School, the goal was to bring the top teams in New York (public, private and parochial) together for a high level of competition,” said Jeff Menaker, one of the original creators of the event. “We have used a format that fits programs of all sizes. Now that the tournament has crowned its seventh champion, I’m so pleased to see the coaches and players excited to participate. With new teams earning an invite from year to year, it’s fun for me to see the cross-pollination of schools from different leagues and different parts of the state experience matches that meet competitive threshold at the top level of scholastic tennis in New York.”

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

HJTEP Hosts Spring Gala Credit all photos to: Fred & Susan Mullane

Janice Huff, meteorologist with WNBC; former New York City Mayor David Dinkins; and International Tennis Hall of Famer Virginia Wade at the 47th Annual HJTEP Spring Gala

Former Women’s Sports Foundation CEO Deborah Larkin, recipient of the HJTEP Chairman’s Award (second from left), is congratulated by HJTEP Chairman James R. Kelly III; Olympic Champion Jackie JoynerKersee; and Katrina Adams, executive director of the HJTEP and immediate past president of the USTA

he Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program (HJTEP) celebrated nearly 50 years of promoting tennis, education and wellness as it hosted its annual Spring Gala at Gotham Hall in New York City. HJTEP’s Gala serves as the biggest fundraiser for the non-profit based in Manhattan, with proceeds from the event benefiting the organization, which provides scholarships, academic assistance and psychological services.

NBC News Reporter and Anchor Demarco Morgan emceed the evening for the second straight year, as many celebrities and former athletes, including Jackie Joyner Kersee, Vanessa Williams, Virginia Wade and former Mayor David Dinkins, were on hand to take part in the event and support the cause. HJTEP seniors Nicole Massa and Destiny Steward-Bowden addressed the crowd with speeches describing the impact the program has had on them throughout their lives, and

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as always, the event honored those who had made significant contributions to its success with awards, including: l Harlem Hero Award: Zack Davis, Harlem Tennis Pioneer & Coach l Shining Star Award: Chanda Rubin, former WTA professional and current tennis analyst l Chairman’s Award: Deborah Slaner Larkin, CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation

Cary Leeds Center to Host WTA Tournament in August

New York Junior Tennis & Learning will host the NYJTL Bronx Open, a WTA International level women’s professional tournament offering $250,000 in prize money at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the Bronx from Aug. 16-24, 2019. “We are thrilled to welcome women’s professional tennis back to the Bronx after a seven-year break during the construction of the Cary Leeds Center,” said NYJTL CEO George Guimaraes. “The WTA and the USTA have both stepped up to make this a world-class tournament to serve as the players’ final preparation for the U.S. Open which starts two days after our final.” The NYJTL Bronx Open will be the only WTA tournament during the week prior to the U.S. Open and will feature a 48-player singles qualifying draw and 30-player main draw, plus a 16-team doubles draw.

“We look forward to bringing the WTA Tour to the Bronx this season, providing our world class athletes the opportunity to compete at the new state of the art Cary Leeds Center,” said WTA CEO and Chairman Steve Simon. “The Bronx looks forward to the return of women’s professional tennis to our community,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “This tournament will inspire the next generation of future sports stars to pick up a racket and get out to play in the new Cary Leeds Center in Crotona Park. We are grateful to NYJTL for everything you do as a partner in the community, and we thank the WTA for bringing the world’s best players to the Bronx.” The NYJTL previously promoted one WTA Challenger and more than 15 USTA Pro Circuit professional tennis tournaments

in Crotona Park from 1993-2012, according to NYJTL Tournament Director Joe Ceriello. “While temporary facilities were constructed each year in the past, this year the $26.5-million Cary Leeds Center will provide a world-class facility with two stadium courts and access to a total of 20 additional courts,” Ceriello said. “The Cary Leeds Center also includes a two-story, 12,000square-foot clubhouse with classrooms, and the Victor Kiam Stadium and the Pershing Square Stadium create an up-close and intimate tennis viewing experience.” Liezel Huber, seven-time Grand Slam Champion and executive director of tennis at the Cary Leeds Center, said, “Introducing new people to the sport of tennis and opening up our doors to the community is our life’s work.”

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Dr. Tom Ferraro (516) 248-7189 DrTomFerraro.com DrTFerraro@aol.com Dr. Tom Ferraro is an internationally-known sport psychologist designated as one of “The nation’s top mental game gurus” by Golf Digest. He has a full-time sport psychology practice in Nassau County, working with elite and professional athletes, including top-ranked tennis players. He is also affiliated with the Winthrop University Hospital Psychiatry Department, where he teaches resident doctors about the history of psychotherapy. He has also worked with professional teams in the New York area as their team psychologist. Dr. Ferraro remains one of the few sport psychologists in the nation who is also a senior level, fully-credentialed psychoanalyst. This allows him to not only use standard behavioral techniques to help tennis players control emotions, but also enables him to diagnose accurately and fully treat underlying issues, such as depression, anxiety or attention deficit disorders that can plague an athlete’s career. He publishes columns and feature articles in the U.S., Asia and Europe, and has appeared on major television networks. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The London Times, Newsday, The Daily News and The New York Post. He can be reached by phone at (516) 248-7189, e-mail DrTFerraro@aol.com or visit DrTomFerraro.com. Dr. Ferraro’s office is located in Williston Park, N.Y.

Gold Coast Optometric Vision Performance 127 South Street Oyster Bay, N.Y. (516) 226-3991 Info@GCVisionPerformance.com GCoVisionPerformance.com Sports Vision Services: Better visual skills = More wins To excel in sports, considerable attention is paid to modifiable factors such as coaching, nutrition and fitness, but one key element often overlooked is VISION … 20/20 is not enough! Studies have shown that elite athletes have superior vision compared to other athletes. They see better, their peripheral vision is wider, their depth perception is better, they have an ability to change focus faster, their eye-hand/foot/body coordination is better, and they anticipate better. One thing is clear: Better vision = Better performance. Sports Vision Enhancement Sports Vision is performance-oriented, comprehensive vision care, used by many professional athletes, as well as U.S. Olympic athletes system-wide. It encompasses assessment, correction, protection and enhancement through vision training of the athlete, with the goal of improved performance on the court, in school and elsewhere! At Gold Coast Vision Performance, Dr. Hanna and her team provide these coveted services to players all over New York. Dr. Anne Hanna is a neuro-optometrist, fellowship-trained and board certified in neuro/developmental optometry and vision therapy and is the exclusive Sport Vision provider of The John McEnroe Tennis Academy. Professionally, she has worked with athletes of all ages and skill levels, with a particular focus on helping amateur athletes become elite players and continuing to further enhance the visual skills of athletes at the professional level.

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Manhattan Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 133 East 58th Street, Suite 811 New York, N.Y. (212) 472-0077 ManhattanPhysicalMedicine.com “To his many patients, Dr. Fishman is a miracle worker.”— Jane Brody, health columnist, NY Times “… a Thomas Edison of yoga therapy.”—Pulitzer-prize winning author William Broad. Loren Fishman, MD, (oxon.) is the author of 10 books, 90 medical journal articles, a past president of the New York Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a NY Magazine Best Doctor. He is a world-recognized specialist in shoulder injury, back pain, knee pain and other orthopedic problems. Overuse, overhead, asymmetrical. For tennis players with shoulder injuries, Dr. Fishman has a “Magic Bullet.” His peerreviewed, prize-winning cure for the pain and disability of rotator cuff problems immediately puts players back on the courts. Patients get complete relief in one office visit, without months of physical therapy or expensive surgery. The treatment, dubbed “Triangular Forearm Support,” can be done against a wall, in a chair or with pure yoga. It has been proven more than 90 percent effective. Dr. Fishman is an old-fashioned practitioner who gets to know his patients and spends as much time with them as they need. “Finding the diagnosis leads to the right treatment,” he says. “My husband participated—before treatment he could not lift arm above midline. Five minutes later, full range of motion and zero pain (RC tear, bursitis and A/C joint arthritis),” says Kim Kohler-Lovejoy. Says Ken Greenburg: “Rotator cuff treatment certainly worked for me and I recommend others for the process.”

Rob Polishook, MA, CPC Inside the Zone Sports Performance Group (973) 723-0314 Rob@InsideTheZone.com More than an athlete InsideTheZone.com Are you looking for a mental coach that “gets you?” Someone that doesn’t talk psycho-babble, but listens to what you have to say? Someone who recognizes you’re not a robot, but rather an individual person with a game and style different than others. Someone who will help you W.I.N. (What’s Important Now), compete better and focus on what you can control? Someone who values you as a person, and empowers you to bring your authentic heart, energy and spirit to the game. Someone who wants to know your big “Why” for playing, your inspirations, and your goals. In short, someone who cares about you as a person, not just an athlete. As a mental training coach, Rob Polishook works with competitive tennis players and athletes in all sports from teenage years to the professional level helping them to be their best on and off the court. Rob’s internationally-published book, Tennis Inside the Zone: 32 Mental Training Workouts for Champions (available on Amazon), is an interactive book which empowers the athlete to answer questions about real life challenging mental experiences all players face. Some tops include: Why can’t I play matches like I practice? How do I get the mental edge? How can I regain my focus, and how can I play in the present moment? Rob presents internationally and nationally at USTA, USPTA and ITA events. He has been quoted in the New York Times, Sports Illustrated, tennischannel.com and his work has been featured on ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary series. He is an author of two books and teaches at Seton Hall University.

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Dr. Robert G. Silverman Sports Performance Specialist 311 North Street, Suite G1 White Plains, N.Y. (914) 287-6464 DrRobSilvermanNY@gmail.com DrRobertSilverman.com Awarded the prestigious 2015 Sports Chiropractor of the Year from the ACA Sports Council, Dr. Robert G. Silverman, DC, MS, CCN, DACBN, CNS, CSCS, CIISN, CKTP, CES, DCBCN specializes in the treatment of sports injuries and joint pain with innovative, science-based, non-surgical approaches and functional medicine. To help injured athletes get back to play quickly, Dr. Silverman offers a wide range of proven treatment modalities, including Active Release Technique, flexion-distraction/decompression, Graston Technique and cold-laser therapy. He also works with patients to avoid future injuries using functional movement assessment, exercise functional rehabilitation, and personalized exercise programs. Proper nutrition is key to healing injuries, avoiding chronic pain, and getting back to normal activities and sports quickly. Dr. Silverman has extensive experience in helping his patients make simple dietary modifications for faster healing and optimizing overall health. He is an expert in designing personalized therapeutic lifestyle programs for peak athletic performance. Often called the doctor’s chiropractor, Dr. Silverman is a contributing writer for many professional and peer journals, including Integrative Practitioner, MindBodyGreen, and Muscle and Fitness. He is also on the advisory board for the Functional Medicine University, a health contributor to Fox News Radio, and has appeared on Fox & Friends, Fox 5, and CBS News as a health expert. He is the author of the best-selling book Inside-Out Health: A Revolutionary Approach to Your Body.

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Zwanger-Pesiri Over 30 locations on Long Island and in New York City (631) 444-5544 Info@ZPRad.com ZwangerPesiri.com For more than 65 years, Zwanger-Pesiri has been establishing the gold standard in radiology with an unmatched level of patient-centered care, research, education, and commitment to the community. Headed by Steven L. Mendelsohn, M.D. and Susan Zwanger-Mendelsohn, M.D., Zwanger-Pesiri has surpassed every hospital, every health system, every multi-specialty practice, and every outpatient radiology facility in virtually every facet of radiology, combining the latest in medical imaging, specialized radiologists, and a patient-centric experience. Zwanger-Pesiri combines the latest in medical imaging, specialized radiologists, and a patient-centric experience. The goal is to provide every patient with an overwhelmingly positive experience and do everything possible to make sure they do. The offices are decorated more like a hotel lobby than a doctor’s office; when they need to change, patients are given a modest, plush, white robe and a reusable shopping bag to keep their belongings in. After their exam, patients are given control of their healthcare by allowing them to view their results and images on the revolutionary patient portal. The radiologists are board certified, subspecialty trained physicians, including world-renowned experts in the field. Their specialties include women’s imaging, musculoskeletal imaging, neuroradiology, and more. Zwanger-Pesiri is built around core values of care, compassion and empathy. We keep the most caring people on our staff and the newest equipment in our offices. For eight straight years, Zwanger-Pesiri has been voted the Best Radiology/MRI on Long Island in the “Bethpage Best of Long Island” contest.

My Tennis Journey By Spencer Aste picked up my first tennis racket when I was nine-years-old and fell in love with the game. I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, and for years, I only played on hard courts, with a wooden racket, regular yellow tennis balls at an elevation of at least 4,000 feet. I played in tournaments and competed on tennis ladders, taking tennis lessons until graduating high school in 1983. As a junior from Utah, I’d compete in tournaments throughout the state and occasionally in tournaments in the Intermountain Region, which consists of players from Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. I’ll never forget playing in a tournament on a court right next to Andre Agassi. Throughout my teenage years, I also loved acting. I took drama classes and performed in school plays. I continued to learn about myself and the world around me by playing characters–some from different times and places I’d never been. One day as an 18-year-old, I was out hitting balls with a friend and stepped on a tennis ball and tore a ligament in my ankle. I continued to compete, but was never as good as I had been, and hung up my racket competitively for a long time. I continued to play, recreationally, but was off to college and graduate school and wouldn’t pick up a racket for quite some time. I received my Master of Fine Arts in Acting in Denver in the spring of 1991, and moved to Los Angeles, Calif. I was living in a city with a beautiful climate, and that hunger to pick up my racket and hit balls again was very present. So I did, and got a job teaching teenage kids tennis and

started playing almost every day again. A few years later, I moved to New York City to further my career as an actor. I played tennis recreationally, thinking the need for tennis pros in the Big Apple were few and far between and the competition for those jobs was fierce. But in May of 2015, I was hit by a car while riding my bicycle. I was in a coma for a week and hospitalized for a month. When I got back on the tennis court, playing was much more difficult. My hand-eye-ball coordination was way off and, at first, I wondered if I’d be able to play well again. But because of my love for the sport, I continued to play and I improved and realized how keeping myself active, both physically and mentally, was improving my health in amazing ways. When the U.S. Open rolled around, I’d post messages on social media looking for tickets, knowing that many of them go unused by corporations and businesses at the beginning of a tournament. After posting, friends I knew from the theater world responded. Carman Lacivita, who I knew through a theatre company we both worked with, reached out to me and asked if I had ever taught tennis. I said I had, but it had been years since I had, but I’d love to do it again. I was then introduced to a style of teaching I was unfamiliar with. Growing up, there was only one size tennis racket, regular yellow tennis balls, the same size net and the same court dimensions. For the first time, I had to learn the different types of balls, the different sizes of rackets, court dimensions, etc. It’s a way of teaching I strongly recommend to anybody teaching younger kids. I got certified with the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) in an area of New York where an old theater graduate school classmate of mine, Duane Boutte, lives. It

turns out he was good friends with Sloane Stephens’ mother and grandfather. I was given an amazing opportunity to speak with her, Dr. Noel Smith, and her kind uncle, Ronald Smith. I asked the two of them if there were any pearls of wisdom they would impart to young tennis players, and they said: “Life is a game and you should play to win. Learn the game and understand the game and never give up. Keep trying, keep learning and persevere.” Sloane’s mother, Sybil, was also an amazing athlete in her own right as a swimmer for Boston University. During an important match as a tennis player, nerves can really get in your way. Dr. Smith told me that when a huge point comes up, “Sloane puts on Sybil’s poker face.” Tennis and acting are similar in that way, and I’ve learned valuable lessons from both. On opening night of a play and I’m in in front of a live audience for the first time, nerves can get in the way. I’ll take Ronald and Dr. Smith’s words to heart: “Keep trying. Keep learning. Persevere. Don’t give up.” Tennis and acting … 90 percent mental, 10 percent physical. Today, I’m approaching 54-years-old with no kids of my own, but I teach tennis to kids five days a week at Midtown Tennis Club in Manhattan. Teaching kids this amazing sport is something that lifts me in amazing ways. Helping shape the minds and bodies of children teaches me how lucky I am to be a survivor, and how grateful I am to do something I truly love! Tennis, after all, does begin with love. Spencer Aste is a teaching professional with The Manhattan Tennis Academy and at Midtown Tennis Club in Manhattan. A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, he is a PTR-certified coach, and can be reached by e-mail at SpencerAste@gmail.com.

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

Ancient and Futuristic Methods Merge to Mend Shoulder Pain

By Dr. Loren Fishman My patient, a professional baseball player named Bob, could not lift his right arm to shake hands … never mind batting, catching or performing other athletic moves. He had trouble lifting his suitcase, using his arm and hand to open the door, couldn’t carry the groceries. His rotator cuff was torn, and ironically, he had not injured it on the playing field, but while roughhousing on the living room floor with his nine-year-old son. His shoulder hurt badly and over-the-counter pain-killers didn’t help. Surgery was an option. But not only did it cost between $10,000 and $15,000, but there were no guarantees that after the painful operation and three months of intensive physical therapy that his original and range of motion would return. Together, Bob and I decided on a course of treatment–a melding of ancient techniques (a yoga-like position) and a cuttingedge method (an injection of Platelet Rich Plasma [PRP]) that converge to provide a quicker fix than surgery or a long and possibly fruitless course of physical therapy. Yoga First, I taught him the Triangular Forearm Support (TFS), based on the yoga headstand. My modifications made it possible to perform the maneuver in a traditional 40

headstand, using a chair or against a wall. First, we tried the TFS on a chair, but Bob could not manage to pull his shoulder blades back and engage his subscapularis. We experimented together against a wall to achieve the position that worked. When he was able to hold the correct pose for the half-minute necessary, I asked him to lift his arms above his head. He did it and was amazed and delighted. He had successfully substituted his subscapularis for his torn supraspinatus, and once he did, there was no turning back. So, as far as I know, he never had pain in that shoulder again. While Bob achieved great results, my research has shown the supraspinatus rarely heals with this maneuver. The only side-effect I have discovered is that since the subscapularis moves the shoulder joint slightly differently, years later, some arthritis can develop in the joint. Bob and I waited about two weeks before going on to the second step in the process. I wanted the TFS to “take,” and stabilize, and for Bob to be able to go about his activities of daily living painlessly before working on that shoulder again. When both Bob and I felt secure, we went on to the PRP injection. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) I used a syringe to remove a small amount of blood from a vein in Bob’s arm, then swirled that blood in a centrifuge to con-

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

centrate the platelets. These tiny particles emit growth factor and other proteins and peptides that stimulate the tissue to heal. When the PRP was ready, I injected it into the torn fibres of Bob’s supraspinatus. This method is still somewhat controversial. Some say it works the same way as stem cell therapy, but it is simpler, and since the PRP comes from the patient, it is biologically identical. Anecdotally, I have seen the concentrated platelets stimulate the injured fibres to knit together and heal about 80 percent of the time. For Bob and many of my other patients, the old and the new worked synergistically to produce an overall cure. These patients are surprised, grateful and relieved when it happens. For me as a physician, this melding of ancient and cutting-edge techniques was also amazing and satisfying. Dr. Loren Fishman is medical director of Manhattan Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. In over two decades of practice, he has gained an international reputation as a back-pain specialist, a diagnostician and a pioneer in the treatment of many disorders, including piriformis syndrome and rotator cuff tears. He has authored more than 70 academic journal articles and six books. He is the past president of the New York Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and currently the assistant clinical professor at Columbia Medical School.

Technology Is Changing Tennis Here’s How Facilities Can Take Advantage of It verything today is going digital– from cars, to houses, to watches– and tennis is no exception. Players expect to be able to reserve courts with the same ease, convenience and mobile technology as booking a hotel. This can leave tennis facilities at a loss, wondering how they can adapt to a rapidlychanging sports landscape. Our answer? AceSpace. Founded in 2018, AceSpace is a court booking app that helps facilities streamline their reservation process using innovative management software. By implementing AceSpace software, tennis facilities can simplify their court reservation process, maximize their court usage and manage

their pros, while benefiting from features such as calendar management, program oversight, player outreach, and full point of sale (POS) capabilities. In addition to management software, the AceSpace platform connects players with tennis centers, allowing them to book their courts in seconds. Players can also reserve time with their favorite pro, check into programs, and eventually use the app to find local players looking for a hitting partner. AceSpace was founded by lifelong tennis players with a simple goal: To design a tennis-specific technology that helps bring as many players to the court as possible. The AceSpace team has been on both sides of the court, and understands what

facilities and players need from a tennis app. As technology changes and facilities’ challenges evolve, the dedicated AceSpace team will be there, rolling out updates and improving the app with new features. For tennis centers looking to simplify their reservation systems and meet players’ needs, AceSpace provides a crucial advantage. For more information, visit AceSpaceCourts.com to learn more about the free backend management system, or e-mail Info@AceSpaceCourts.com. Follow AceSpace on social media @AceSpaceCourts, and keep an eye out for the official rollout, coming this summer to a facility near you!

Get Your Game On AT ROSS SCHOOL TENNIS ACADEMY IN EAST HAMPTON • Summer program for advanced players

ages 6–18 (tryout required) • Private lessons and court rentals • Adult clinics for all levels

CALL TODAY! 631-907-5162 TENNISACADEMY@ROSS.ORG WWW.ROSS.ORG/RSTA

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

Har-Tru’s HyQ Court Provides Cutting-Edge Technology

ar-Tru LLC has introduced an exciting new product that makes it easier than ever to install and use subsurface irrigation. The HyQ Court is a cutting-edge, upgraded system that takes advantage of technology improvements for greater performance and results. The HyQ Court was built off the proven principle of maintaining a water level with a self-regulating system that is fully adjustable. What makes HyQ different is that the controls have been shifted to the back end of the system. The water that enters each cell is under pressure and it circulates 42

rapidly through the cell and then out to the control center. The result is a system that fills faster and responds to adjustments much more quickly. The beauty of the control center is that it is completely digital. Users will be able to fine-tune controls with a digital touch pad and make more responsive adjustments within a 10th of an inch, increasing both speed and precision. This is a vast improvement over the water fill valves found in traditional HydroCourts, as they can be inconsistent and manual adjustments are not easy to measure. The HyQ Court’s intelligent design is

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

highly augmentable and allows owners to optimize the amount of water in their court, which ultimately saves water usage and helps achieve desired playing conditions. In fact, users can even monitor the gallons of water used daily with preinstalled water meters on each cell. With HyQ, it’s easy to see and understand the entire sub-surface irrigation process at a glance, creating a better overall court experience for clubs and court owners. HyQ is not something that can be retrofitted, so it may be time to consider transitioning your courts, HydroCourts or other, to HyQ.

Queens DA and National Tennis Center Host Annual “Say Yes to Tennis” Event

Credit all photos to: Queens District Attorney’s Office

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows played host to the 22nd Annual “Say Yes to Tennis–No to Violence Day” as acting Queens District Attorney John M. Ryan teamed up with the USTA and New York Junior Tennis and Learning to put on the event. “More than 20 years ago, under the guidance of the late District Attorney Richard A. Brown, a small idea ballooned into a great program to promote positive youth development for youngsters in the furthest regions of Queens County,” said Ryan. “The goal was, from the beginning, to introduce teens and pre-teens to tennis—a game that incorporates important life lessons, such as fair play and self-control.” More than 600 students from nine public schools in Far Rockaway hit the courts of the National Tennis Center to play tennis as

a way to have healthy and positive life choices promoted to them. “It is my hope that each and every child has benefitted from this experience in a positive and productive way, and that the lessons learned will help them to have bright and successful futures,” Ryan added. The event is at the heart of the District Attorney’s STAR Track anti-violence program, which consists of assistant district attorneys and other members of the District Attorney’s Office, as well as members of the New York City Corporation Counsel’s Office and the Queens Legal Aid Society visiting schools from elementary through high school to talk to kids about the risks of guns, drugs and gangs, and encourage them to make smart choices. For a lot of kids, the “Say Yes to Tennis” event is the first time they have had tennis

introduced to them, and the hope is that they will stick to the sport, no matter the level of play they are able to attain. Each child walked away with a free t-shirt to commemorate the event. “As our mission is to ‘grow the game of tennis,’ this annual event presents itself as a unique opportunity for students from the Far Rockaway community to be exposed to new and exciting learning experiences,” said Marty Weinstein, who works in the office of tennis programs at the National Tennis Center. “The impact of this event is self-evident as witnessed by the wonder on their faces upon arriving at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and their joy while participating in a fun day of tennis. Our staff, and our partners at the Queens District Attorney’s Office, are to be acknowledged for their enthusiasm and continued commitment to this event.”

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

New York Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column By Emilie Katz Andy Murray Knighted Caroline Wozniacki at Buckingham Palace Marries David Lee in Tuscany Photo credit: Getty Images/cineuno

Andy Murray hasn’t made many headlines for his play on the tennis court recently, but has done so off the court. The three-time Grand Slam champion received his knighthood at famed Buckingham Palace for his services to tennis and charity. It took more than two years for him to receive the honor as he was officially granted knighthood back in 2016, but finally had his ceremony conducted by the Prince of Wales.

Photo credit: Twitter/@CaroWozniacki

Last year’s Australian Open champion and twotime U.S. Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki married longtime boyfriend and former NBA player David Lee at a ceremony in Tuscany. Among the celebs in attendance were Serena Williams (who served as Wozniacki’s bridesmaid) and her husband Alexis Ohanian; Angelique Kerber; Pau Gasol from the Milwaukee Bucks; Sacramento

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

Kings player Harrison Barnes; and former NFL player Jesse Palmer.

Nicole Gibbs Diagnosed With Rare Form of Cancer Photo credit: Twitter/@Gibbsyyyy

American Nicole Gibbs was forced to withdraw from the French Open and the remainder of the clay court season after a trip to the dentist

revealed she had a rare form of salivary gland cancer. “About a month ago, I went to the dentist and was alerted to a growth on the roof of my mouth,” Gibbs wrote on Twitter. “The biopsy came back positive for a rare cancer called mucoepidermoid carcinoma (salivary gland cancer). Fortunately, this form of cancer has a great prognosis and my surgeon is confident that surgery alone will be sufficient treatment. He even okayed me to play an extra couple of tournaments these past few weeks, which served as a nice distraction.” Gibbs had the cancerous growth removed in late May and just weeks later, returned to the practice courts, getting ready for the summer season.

Genie Bouchard Supports Her Raptors at NBA Finals

as her native country’s Toronto Raptors were crowned 2019 NBA Champions after their Finals win over the Golden State Warriors. Bouchard was spotted at Game Five of the Finals and like many others in attendance, was set to witness history, but the Raptors, leading 3-2 in the series looking to capture the title on home soil, fell 105-106 to Golden State, sending the series back to California where the Raptors claimed the title 114-110. Other celebs in attendance joining Bouchard at Scotiabank Arena rooting on the Raptors included rapper Drake, golfer Michelle Wie, entrepreneur Richard Branson, former Raptors players Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter, and PK Subban, Max and Tie Domi, and Wayne Gretzky from the National Hockey League (NHL).

Steffi Graf Turns 50

Photo credit: Getty Images/Appreciate

Photo credit: Twitter/@geniebouchard

Canadian Genie Bouchard is an avid NBA fan, and that exuberance was amped up

Steffi Graf celebrated her 50th birthday on June 14. She was born in Bruhl, Germany and introduced to the sport at the age of three by her father Peter. At the age of 13,

she made her debut in the WTA rankings, one of the youngest players ever to appear in the WTA rankings, reaching the Top 10 by the age of 16. Graf has the third-most career Grand Slam titles in tennis history with 22. She also amassed 377 career weeks as world number one. Since retiring in 1999, she started a family with her husband, Andre Agassi, having two children, as well as doing charity work with her foundation, “Children for Tomorrow,” which helps kids traumatized by war and other crises.

Sloane Stephens Get Engaged to Soccer Star Photo credit: Twitter/@SloaneStephens

The highest ranked American woman in the world Sloane Stephens recently announced her engagement to professional soccer player Jozy Altidore. Stephens made the announcement on social media, and thanked her fans for all the support that came in afterwards. “I wear it in the house for now, for comfort,” Stephens said of the ring during the French Open. “It’s very nice.”

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

Tennis Bubbles A Grand Slam Victory Over the Elements

rying to figure out a way to maintain your tennis training momentum throughout the offseason? Indoor tennis is a lot more viable than you might think. New York’s harsh winters make outdoor tennis strictly a seasonal sport—unless you can move it indoors. And while indoor tennis may seem like an expensive luxury, The Farley Group keeps the game going year-round by manufacturing, installing and maintaining tennis bubbles. Bubbles are the ideal solution for indoor tennis—both economically and practically. Tennis has always been a big deal in New York, which has driven the demand for indoor playing spaces for several decades now. With more than 20 bubbles in New York City and the Long Island area, Farley tennis bubbles have helped solidify New York as one of the top places to train and develop tennis talent. By providing a 46

way to train throughout the winter, tennis becomes much more accessible to those that don’t have the means or desire to travel south for the winter. Compared to other construction methods, bubbles have a relatively short history. Bubbles first made appearances in North America in the early 1970s, and have since evolved into a top solution for sports like tennis. Ralph Farley, founder of The Farley Group, saw how well the concept worked in Europe, and brought it back with him more than 40 years ago. Since then, The Farley Group has built dozens of tennis bubbles around the world. Stepping into a tennis bubble for the first time can be awe-inspiring. No other structure can provide as much space without any support beams or walls. It’s almost counter-intuitive at first sight: “What’s holding up the roof?” Intriguingly,

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

bubbles require nothing but air to do that. Fresh, filtered and conditioned air flows in, giving the bubble its rounded shape, protecting the playing surface and players underneath. A wonderful added benefit is that tennis bubbles can be either seasonal or permanent. Permanent bubbles have the advantage of full protection from the weather throughout the year—cold and snow during the winter, and rain or high winds in the summer—while seasonal domes can go up in the fall and come down in the spring. They represent the perfect solution for outdoor courts. And best of all? Tennis bubbles can be installed for a fraction of what other indoor tennis courts cost. To learn more about how Farley tennis bubbles can help your club members practice their swing 365 days a year, visit TheFarleyGroup.com or call (888) 445-3223.

Billie Jean King to Headline 2019 WTCA Conference NYC By Kylie Klotzbach Since its formation in 2015, one of the main pillars of the Women’s Tennis Coaching Association (WTCA) has been to be an advocate for the sport of women’s tennis. Within the sport, there is perhaps no bigger advocate than Billie Jean King, who transformed women’s tennis throughout the course of her playing career and beyond. Without Billie Jean King’s fight for gender equality, women’s tennis would certainly be in a much worse place than it is today. In fact, it would not be a stretch to say that some of the most prolific female players never would have had the chance to impact the game in the way they have in the 46 years that have passed since King’s win over Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes, which sparked the turning point for women in the sport across the globe. Despite the 39 Grand Slam titles she won throughout her career, her victory over Riggs was undoubtedly the most monumental victory, not only for King, but also for all women. In addition to winning the Battle of the Sexes, King also founded the WTA in 1973 after joining together with eight other progressive female players to form the “Original 9” in the fight for equal prize money. King had won the U.S. Open in 1972, yet received $15,000 less than Ilie Nastase, who won the men’s tournament. With the support of the other founding members of the WTA, King threatened not to play in the next U.S. Open if prize money was not equal for both men and women. Thus, the U.S. Open became the first major tournament to offer equal prize money, yet another monumental turning point for women within the sport. Beyond the formation of the WTA, King founded a number of other organizations dedicated to achieving gender equality, not only for female tennis players, but for women everywhere. She is the mastermind behind womenSports Magazine, the Women’s Sports Foundation and World TeamTennis,

the world’s first professional sports league to give equal weight to each male and female competing for their team. While we certainly still have a long way to go in terms of true equality within the sport of tennis, King’s impact has been felt around the world by young girls and female coaches who now have more opportunities to succeed at a high level and on a more equal playing field. In an effort to build on King’s fight for gender equality, one of the central components of the WTCA was to form a connected global community centered around advancing the education and level of coaching for female players across the sport. Now, over three years later, the WTCA has become a group of more than 62,000 who are dedicated to the mission of positively transforming tennis for both female players and female coaches. One of the key tools used by the WTCA to promote this continued education for coaches of female players are the conferences held throughout the year. The annual WTCA Conference NYC has presented hundreds of coaches the opportunity to connect with other community members in order to positively change the landscape of women’s tennis. The 2019 WTCA Conference NYC is set to be the most inspirational yet, as the speaking

lineup features some of the game’s most influential men and women who have fought to achieve equality for females everywhere. With that being said, the WTCA is thrilled to announce the addition of Billie Jean King herself to the 2019 WTCA Conference NYC lineup. The WTCA has come a long way since the idea began as a Facebook Page for drills and female-specific coaching methods. To now have the most transformative female tennis player to ever step on the court as a keynote speaker at its third annual WTA Conference NYC speaks volumes of the impact the organization has had on thousands of female athletes and coaches across the sport. Billie Jean King ignited the women’s movement within tennis, and the WTCA hopes to continue to be a champion for women in the fight for gender equality. Through the support of game-changers like King, the WTCA is set for yet another monumental breakthrough at the 2019 WTCA Conference NYC. Kylie Klotzbach is director of public relations for the Women’s Tennis Coaching Association (WTCA). To learn more about the WTCA and its 2019 NYC Conference, contact Info@WTCATennis.org or visit WTCATennis.org.

Give yourself the added advantage. Dr. Robert Silverman 311 North St. Ste. G1 White Plains, NY 10605 Ph: 914.287.6464 www.DrRobertSilverman.com

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Specializing Tennis elbow Rotator cuff injuries Ankle sprains Tendonitis/tendonosis

in: · Concussion · Performance · Muscle strains · Plantar fasciitis

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

Addition by Subtraction The Path Forward Is Sometimes Backward By Rob Polishook, Mental Training Coach MA, CPC A few weeks ago, I remember seeing a sign outside of a fitness studio. The words and message struck me … It read like this: “You recharge your phone once a day, how often do you recharge yourself?” I thought this was a great message and applies so well to sports. As a mental training coach, in my experience working with athletes at all levels and sports this simple idea of recharging your batteries is so often either forgotten, overlooked or only happens after burnout. Ashleigh Barty, 2019 French Open Women’s Champion, is an extreme, yet good example of this. In her teenage years, she was a prodigy, won Junior Wimbledon at the age of 15. Everyone had her slated to be the next Australian champion. What they didn’t expect is that she would burn out and voluntarily leave the game of tennis. Then, years later, she came back, recharged, recommitted and refreshed. Anyone can see that her journey was not typical. But like all of

“You recharge your phone once a day, how often do you recharge yourself?” us, she is a unique person, with a unique journey and winning the French Open clearly a unique performance. In fact, she had discussed with the media whether she would have won without taking that break. She replied: “Absolutely not … it’s obviously a part of my life that I needed to deal with, and I feel like it was the best decision that I made at the time, and it was an even better one to come back.” Barty professed to get caught up in the expectations of others. In fact, these expectations soon became her expectations, most likely defining herself solely on her performance. Her results were never good enough to accomplish what she and others had in store for her. Stories indicate that she lost her way, lost her balance and eventually burned out. Okay, so you might say, I’m a junior player, not even a professional, what does this have to do with me? Or as a parent, how does this relate to my child’s journey? Think back to that sign, “You recharge your

• Groups, Private lessons, Tournament Travel, 7 days a week • Certiﬁed ATP coach with 22 years of HP experience • 13 years on the pro tour playing ATP, Davis Cup and Olympics • Former 3 time Israeli singles champion • Outdoor sessions in Riverdale • Summer Camp: July 8th-August 29th

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New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

phone once a day, how often do you recharge yourself?” Certainly, if electronic phones need recharging in order to perform, wouldn’t the same be true for far more complex humans? All too often, athletes of all levels charge forward chasing the adulation, victory or trophy instead of taking a step back and strategizing what’s necessary to obtain it. Why? Because we are focused on the end result, not what’s necessary to get there. If we were a car, one key component would be gasoline. It’s impossible to drive a long distance without re-fueling a gas tank. This idea of making time to re-charge may sound counter-intuitive. In sports, we think the only way forward is to grind and work harder. Now I’m not suggesting you don’t work hard or let go of goals. That would be crazy. However, I am suggesting that you stay energized and balanced, so that when adversity strikes, you have the resources within to be resilient, relentless, rested and recharged. Think of it this way … addition by subtraction! The next time you find yourself in a slump, irritable, frustrated and impatient, instead of trying to force, push harder or trying to crash through that wall, do what all the great stars from Federer to Barty, to Rafa to Serena do … they reset, reflect, reboot and recharge. Rob Polishook, MA, CPC is founder and director of Inside the Zone Sports Performance Group. As a mental training coach, he works with athletes and teams, focusing on helping athletes gain the mental edge. Rob is author of Tennis Inside the Zone: Mental Training Workouts for Champions. He may be reached by phone at (973) 723-0314, email Rob@InsideTheZone.com or visit InsideTheZone.com.

USTA LEAGUES UPDATE Metroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inaugural World TeamTennis Rec League The USTA Eastern Metro Region and Metrotennis CTA introduced the World TeamTennis Rec League this past fall, and hope to continue growing the new league format in the years to come. In this League, co-ed teams compete in six no-ad sets. One set each of menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doubles, womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doubles, menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s singles and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s singles, and two sets of mixed doubles. Just like in World TeamTennis, the cumulative amount of games won determines the overall winner. Teams that win the local league are eligible to advance to a National Qualifier within

a year of when the season has concluded. Below are the winners of the first two seasons of the League:

Bhagwager and Shien Lee l The 4.0 team, captained by Michael Doane

Fall 2018 Season l The 3.5 team, captained by Hazel Zaldivar l The 4.0 team, captained by Hazel Zaldivar l The 4.5 team, captained by Carol Conroy

The 4.0 Fall League winning team, captained by Hazel Zaldivar, went out to Las Vegas, won the National Qualifiers, and now advances to the World TeamTennis Rec League Finals, which run from Nov. 1-3 in Palm Desert, Calif. You can learn more about the new World TeamTennis Rec League by visiting MetroTennis.com. The Summer 2019 Season runs from July 15-Aug. 28.

Winter 2019 Season l The 3.5 team, captained by Jehan

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he Metro Corporate Tennis League, presented by Advantage Tennis Clubs, is an initiative of the Metrotennis Community Tennis Association (MCTA). The League is divided into three levels of play, Intermediate (3.0-3.5), Advanced Intermediate (4.0) and Advanced (4.5+). Also offered is the “Hi-Five” Clinic program for teams not quite ready to compete and just want to get a good workout while practicing tennis or need to get some rust off their rackets! The Metro Corporate Tennis League’s Winter 2019 season just concluded. Congratulations to NYJTL/Cary Leeds, Bank of America and Societe Generale for winning the Advanced, Advanced Intermediate and Intermediate Divisions, respectively. This season, the Metro Corporate Tennis League hosted 58 teams in the Winter Season. However, during the Summer Season only 40 teams can be accommodated. The roster of teams for the Summer 2019 Season includes:

Advanced Division 1. Bloomberg (Vighnesh) 2. Proskauer Rose LLP 3. BNP Paribas 4. Ernst & Young 5. PwC 6. Bloomberg (Ming) Advanced Intermediate Division I 1. Bloomberg (Vineet) 2. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP 3. Dechert LLP 4. Deutsche Bank (Armen) 5. The Corcoran Group 6. Ropes & Gray LLP

Advanced Intermediate Division II 1. Morgan Stanley 2. Deutsche Bank (Sonja) 3. BNP Paribas 4. KPMG 5. Schulte, Roth & Zabel

Intermediate Division Ii 1. White & Case 2. D.E. Shaw & Company LP 3. BARCODE 4. KPMG 5. Bloomberg (Kyuwon)

Intermediate Division I 1. Bloomberg (Aces) 2. Peloton Interactive 3. BNP Paribas 4. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP 5. Angelo, Gordon & Company 6. Ropes & Gray

Hi-Five Division 1. Bloomberg (Kathy) 2. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP 3. Bloomberg (Brett) 4. Bloomberg (Rui) 5. Schulte, Roth & Zabel LLP 6. Peloton Interactive 7. The Corcoran Group 8. Bloomberg (Prakhar) 9. Bloomberg (Innyoung)

The Summer Season will run until Aug. 1, culminating with an end-of-season party at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club. The Metro Corporate Tennis League would like to welcome the following new teams, Peloton Interactive and Morgan Stanley to the League. For more information regarding the league, please visit MetroTennis.com under the tab labeled, “Corporate.” You may also contact Luis Espinoza by e-,mail at Luis@MetroTennis.com. 50

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

Taking Your Game to Another Level

By Eric Faro Not a day goes by that I don’t hear the same thing … I am a slow starter in tournaments. What can I do to change this? When I hear this question, there are three things that I tell everyone … The first step to changing and elevating your game is changing the mentality you start your match with. When the match begins, you are alone on an island, fighting for survival. Team sports like basketball and soccer allow for dependence on teammates when your game is not quite at its peak, when you’re not playing your best. With a sport like tennis, the start of the game signals the beginning of your selfreliance on whatever fundamentals and special skills you have accumulated throughout your practices. You cannot rely on your teammates to bail you out while you shake off your nerves. Once the ball is tossed in the air for the first serve of the match, you need to be ready to rip! Another great way to prepare for a tournament match is to treat your last few practice sessions as though you are playing in a tournament. As my father used to

tell me, “Practice like you’re playing a match.” In tournaments, you get a fiveminute warm-up. You should play your practice matches with that same warm-up time. Both kids and adults want to get their rhythm going before a match by hitting cross-court groundstrokes for an hour, and then serving for 15 minutes before playing practice sets. However, when they go to the tournament, they get down an early break or two, and the first set is gone. The second step to elevating your game is to truly practice like you’re playing a match! To do this, you have to come out swinging, not just literally, but also mentally. Have you ever seen a boxer when he enters the ring right before a fight? His fight song is blasting as he enters the ring, all lathered up, bouncing around, throwing jabs in the air and he is ready to rumble. If a boxer is static, his muscles and mind are cold, and he is not ready to go, all it takes is one hard punch to knock him out! The third and final step to starting off on the right foot is to make sure that your body is fully prepared for the fight. This includes keeping well-hydrated, in top physical shape and having your body completely warmed up. To get your heart

racing and your head in the game, I always advise players to jump rope for a few minutes right before you are about to go on. Blast your iPod with whatever gets you totally psyched up. Get a little sweaty, and most of all, get your nervous energy out. Starting your tournaments off on the right foot isn’t easy, but by making a point to practice hard, maintaining a positive attitude and always coming out for your match like a caged lion, you will discover that it’s much easier to find your rhythm. Eric Faro is director of Tennis at Gotham Tennis Academy. Eric grew up in Riverdale, N.Y. and attended Horace Mann, where he played number one singles all four years and subsequently at Ohio State University. Eric brings a wealth of coaching experience from his extensive background at Stadium Tennis Center, NYC’s newest indoor/outdoor tennis center and home to one of the world’s largest, state-of-the-art tennis bubbles covering 12 indoor courts, along with four outdoor courts. He may be reached by phone at (718) 665-4684 or e-mail Eric@GothamTennis.com.

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

Tennis CHALLENGE

Credit all photos to: Sidney Beal III

The Long Island

Castellano & Zampieri Take Home Pro Division Title

or the sixth consecutive year, New York Tennis Magazine brought together tennis players of all ages and levels for a day of competitive tennis, fun, food and drinks as it hosted the annual Long Island Tennis Challenge at The Hamlet Golf & Country Club in Commack, N.Y. The headliner of the event card was the Men’s Pro Division, which had a $750 cash prize on the line, and featured top collegiate and high school players, as well as teaching pros and former ATP Pro Tour players. The tournament started with pool play, with the top two teams from each pool advancing. In one semifinal, Danny Pellerito & Finbar Talcott took on Airam Castellano & Caio Zampieri. Pellerito & Talcott hung tough early, but Castellano & Zampieri used their experience to their advantage and punched their ticket to the Pro Division Finals. In the other semifinal, it was Dmytro Kovalevych & Anton Protsenko who took 52

on Derek Difazio & Elliot Fanshell. Kovalevych & Protsenko were able to stay tough and come out on top setting up a fantastic final. The Final took place on the Hamlet’s Center Court, the same court once played on by Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and others when the Hamlet Cup was part of the ATP Tour. The match was very evenly played, with both teams battling through the first six games to bring the score to 3-3. But Castellano & Zampieri took over from there, winning three of the match’s final four games, using great angles to setup their aggressive net game. In the end, the match came down to a couple of key points and Castellano & Zampieri were able to step up in those situations, taking home their first Long Island Tennis Challenge title with a 6-4 victory. “We played really well today, and I think our level of play increased as the day went on,” said Castellano. Zampieri added, “Overall, I thought it was a really cool event. It’s played in one

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

day, so it’s a shorter type event which was really nice to play in and be a part of.” New York Tennis Magazine would like to give a special thanks to The Hamlet’s Tennis Director Bruce Moodnik and The Hamlet for hosting the event once again, as well as the pros from SPORTIME Kings Park who conducted the morning clinic. We’d also like to thank our great sponsors Elso Athletics, inPhorm, My Game Solutions, SPORTIME/JMTA, the New York Empire, the New York Open and USTA Eastern for providing prizes and giveaways to the winners and participants. “The event went very smoothly, from the opening warm-up clinic to the last point of the pro tournament,” said Moodnik. “This is the third year that The Hamlet has been the host club for the Long Island Tennis Challenge. To be able to have players of all levels play on the same courts that the top pros of the world did years ago is such a special and exciting feeling. We look forward to having it here again next year.”

l III

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

Instruction vs. Coaching By Lonnie Mitchel our tennis lesson is today. Your instructor provides you great information on how to hit your forehand, backhand and on how to work you whole arsenal—down the line, cross-court, move your feet— repetition, repetition and more repetition. All of it is great and valuable information and all you have to do is practice. If you practice, you are assured to get better. The next lesson comes and it is more repetition with the instructor shouting training tips. My question is this: Did you practice between your lessons? Did you practice your mental toughness and put the responsibility on yourself to put in the work to help you improve? The time between your lessons is invaluable, that is where dividends come. I like to compare taking lessons to a diet. The vitamin is the lesson and enhances the great diet you should be keeping. Metaphorically, a good in-

structor acts as a vitamin and your regular diet is the work done in preparation for the tournament, competition or for your next recreational tennis encounter. You might have seen or heard the term “Life Coach” and wondered if this is anything like what a tennis instructor provides. What is “Life Coaching?” The answer is guiding, assisting and inspiring to help a student close a gap between where you are now and where you want to go in your tennis and life development. Accountability is the most important thing a coach can provide to help a student improve over the long term—the attention to detail. John Wooden, arguably the greatest collegiate basketball coach of all time, developed the “Pyramid of Success.” In the pyramid diagram, there is a series of personality details that will help you simply become a harder worker and better person. Coach Wooden was so concerned about detail that he would even ask the players to tie their laces a specific way. Did it work? Using this method of developing life skills produced 10 na-

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

tional championships. At times, I disagree with my players as a collegiate coach when they expect me to give them a magic pill and help them instantly to win their match. In college, there are three doubles matches going on, followed by six singles matches. How can I be expected to solve the winning problem for each court with all contests being played simultaneously? My answer to the team is how hard did we work prior to the match? Did we properly prepare? Did we have good habits in all aspects of your life, showing discipline in all areas, specifically schoolwork, punctuality, being a good citizen and practicing as if it were a match situation. Those details are the best assurance to success. Here is an example … nobody needs a personal trainer to work out in the gym more than just a couple of sessions in order to learn how to perform a regiment correctly. Yet, many will continually hire personal trainers to keep them on track. However, when they paid for one appointment and they are truly disciplined internally, they will

go to work out because they have made a commitment to push themselves. To become the best, they make the promise to themselves to improve. With a large group of tennis players, I have to be a life coach and make players accountable. When I made the commitment to become the life coach and not just an instructor, I saw a change to the type of players we attract and the results on the tennis court eventually improved tenfold. The best season in women’s tennis history followed after years of commitment to this style of coaching and the men being invited into a conference with two nationally-ranked teams. The best part of this … in each case, the teams now has new challenges ahead. We need to improve upon that success. Coaching is not about accepting the status quo, but what one does to get to the next level. I will stay the course! John Wooden took years to get to a national title. Coaching life, not tennis, is crucial to success and is the “Magic Pill!” Twenty-five-plus years of experience working in the corporate world taught me that those good habits

work on the tennis court, but transcends into life after college. I have come to conclusion that the best thing is to help the student/athlete/tennis player come up with their own solution. I understand that tennis players do need individual attention, and I have offered my help on working on a particular stroke or issue in their game. They need to take this step to be proactive, and if they refuse, they only have themselves to blame. Did that particular student/athlete get to practice early and stay late and get that extra service or volley practice in? The student/athlete is the one who must take responsibility. In the age of the Internet, telecommunication and social media, there is no lack of information available. Tony Robbins, one of the greatest life coaches, said it best: “It’s never a lack of resources, it’s your lack of resourcefulness that stops you.” An instructor instructs, but a coach manages logistics of a team or club, evaluates talent on an ongoing basis and assists all of their athletes to become better performers, building relationships, meshing their

beliefs with many personalities. Life coaching is more of a personal process than what the typical sports coach might use. To sum up … and I thank the anonymous coach who said this, but it paraphrases everything: “The more support, accountability and training to supplement the player’s desire and passion to achieve, the more advantage over your competition.” Lonnie Mitchel is Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach at SUNY Oneonta. Lonnie was named an Assistant Coach to Team USA for the 2013 Maccabiah Games in Israel for the Grand Master Tennis Division. Also coached for Team USA in Berlin and Chile in 2015 and Team USA Maccabiah for the Open Division working with Division I players and professionally ranked in the Israel Games in 2017. Was also named Coach of the Year in 2015 for State University of NY Athletic Conference. Lonnie may be reached by phone at (516) 414-7202 or e-mail LonnieMitchel@yahoo.com.

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martphones and apps have dramatically altered our world, changing how we perform routine daily functions. Making a reservation at a restaurant, watching a movie, ordering a cab and finding a hotel room no longer require a chain of phone calls; instead, they can be quickly accomplished within a mobile app. This technological revolution has put more power in the hands of the consumer, presenting hundreds of options and price-points on a single interface, educating consumers and saving them time and money. Shockingly, the sports industry has lagged when it comes to adopting this wave of change, often relying upon receptionists and offline messaging systems to book courts and connect nearby players. Just as OpenTable has become synonymous with restaurant reservations, Uber with hailing a cab, and Airbnb with finding a place to stay, allow Sports Made Easy to become your solution for booking tennis courts and tee times, as well as connecting with nearby players. Playing golf and tennis can be very expensive and time-consuming for many, especially for those who don’t have easy access to a group of players and venues. There has not been a sufficient solution for this problem until now. Recently launched by My Game Solutions, Sports Made Easy is a mobile app connecting golfers and tennis players with each other, as well as with coaches and clubs in real-time. Through a mobile application, users can fulfill their sporting needs easily by hosting a match or league, and broadcasting open spots to active users who are ready to play. After the spots are filled, users can view all 56

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clubs and courts within their selected mile radius and timing availabilities to reserve a spot. With Sports Made Easy, users can get their USTA and UTR rankings updated automatically, which allows them to find players at their desired skill level with confidence. Users can look up other player rankings/ratings who are not part the community with a click of a button before they play them in a league or a tournament. What previously took minutes or hours can now take place in a matter of seconds, freeing up time and expanding the users’ network. Already have a group of players you play

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with regularly? Simply locate and reserve nearby courts and courses on Sports Made Easy’s user-friendly interface. After its recent launch, Sports Made Easy has steadily grown its database on the East Coast and has begun branching out nationwide. With numerous junior players and three ATP professionals sponsored, My Game Solutions’ vision of “Sports Made Easy” is being shared with the world. Join in the quest to make tennis and golf as easy and affordable as possible by downloading the Sports Made Easy app from the Apple Store or the Google Play Store today.

Teaching Technique By Stefan Ilic eaching anyone a new technique requires patience, from both the teacher and student. The teacher must have patience simply because he/she doesn’t know what is going on in their students head. Similarly, the student must have patience with the teacher because they might not fully understand what their teacher is explaining to them or teaching, but at the same time must believe what is being said is to better them as a player. Patience is crucial to the development of anything new, especially when the preliminary steps call for breaking old habits. In which case, time must be spent to break the old, bad habit down and make way for the new habit(s). Next comes the process of teaching the new technique. It behooves the teacher to

ask questions, to gather information about the thought process of their student. Simply by asking questions such as‚ “Do you agree with me?” or “Does it feel uncomfortable to do this?” when teaching something new are the middle ground which the teacher and student could use to come to understand one another on a simpler level. This can provide the cement required to instill in the student what the teacher wants them to learn. As opposed to simply bombarding the student with facts and directions, the teacher must have a sense of how their student thinks and processes the information given to them. It could break some unwanted tension, as well. In the process, the teacher has to take into account what the student has done already regarding a certain aspect of tennis. Whether it be a quirky take-back for a swing, or not seeing the ball well enough, why they do what they do may not be clear to the teacher but knowing something is

better than nothing in the transitional phases of technique. The background information is vital to analyzing and altering. Much like how an architect needs to know the ground he is working on, before they build anything on top of it. Creating a new technique requires patience, belief and strength (both mental and physical), and is not an easy thing to accomplish for the most part. So, to anyone who wishes to help their student out with their tennis, I think these few things can make a big difference in that journey. Stefan Ilic is a staff professional and associate high performance coach at New York Tennis at Great Neck. As a junior player, Stefan was ranked as high as top 10 in the USTA Eastern Section, won a PSAL Singles Title while at Forest Hills High School, was a member of a Junior TeamTennis National Championship team in 2010, and finished as four-star recruit.

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

Underhand Serve An Effective Alternative By Gino Fava he underhand serve, if executed properly, will get people out of their seats, up off the couch, and add tremendous excitement to the sport of tennis. Like the behind the back pass in hockey, or the alley-oop dunk in basketball, the scissor kick over the shoulder in soccer, these are exciting plays in the game which people love to see. In tennis, unexpected shots, like a drop shot or the between the legs groundstroke never fail to get people excited and cheer. The key to the underhand serve is racket head speed, just like a drop shot. The receiver has to come way in, almost to the net, and will struggle not only to keep the ball in play, but come up with a great shot or lose the point.

Just picture Rafael Nadal so far behind the baseline, dealing with a well-executed drop shot serve. It would be very interesting to watch. I have seen Nick Kyrgios and Kei Nishikori attempt the serve. Even John Isner, who is always atop the leaderboard in today’s game in terms of aces, would be absolutely devastating with the change of pace drop shot serve, if he were to try it. The famous baseball pitcher, Hoyt Wilhelm, made a career with one different pitch—the knuckleball. Hitters just couldn’t deal with this unorthodox pitch, which I believe is similar to the underhand serve. In today’s pro game, players are reluctant to use the serve because it has a connotation of being unsportsmanlike, unethical, or a cheap shot. This obstacle can be overcome when players see how effective the serve can be to their game. Often in a tennis match, one point can

turn the whole match around in either direction. This serve has the potential to accomplish just that, and create a feeling of uneasiness for your opponent on the other side of the net. If you are playing within the rules and keeping score, and your goal is to win matches, prize money, scholarships, or even just a trophy in a rec or adult league, then hopefully any connotations of the downside of this type of serve will become a distant memory. Gino Fava is a married father of three, who owns and operates Liverpool Carting Company in New York City. A native of Hollis, Queens and a graduate of Marquette University, Fava never picked up a tennis racket until he was 48-years-old, but now plays competitively five days a week at East Hampton Indoor Tennis Club. He can be reached by e-mail at GinoFava17@aol.com.

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What Is Your “Why?” By Mark Santucci From graceful serve-andvolleys, to grinding top-spin forehands … sky high lobs to net cord drop shots … social just-for-fun gatherings to ultra-competitive tournament play … learning the very basics of the game to high-energy calorie burn … from playground tennis to Grand Slam championships … tennis is truly a special sport because of how many styles and nuances are intertwined. It is nearly an impossible game to master, but an amazing journey to take part in, and one that can last a lifetime. So why do you play tennis? What motivates you and what are the goals you want to achieve when you go out to practice or play? What is your “why?” As you ask yourself these questions, what thoughts and feelings come to you? Most players have never focused on those question in all the days, weeks and years they have been on the tennis court, and therefore, this magnificent sport may not have been as enjoyable as it could be. It is important to understand your own motivations and to have clear goals of what you want to achieve. This can be applied to all aspects of life. Just think … the game you love can be even better! What is your WHY? Some players are looking to meet new people, make a new friend and enjoy the social aspect of the sport. Others are highly competitive players who want to train to win matches and tournaments. Perhaps you

are a fitness buff and are looking for that high step count or an insane calorie burn. Maybe you are looking to challenge yourself to learn a new skill. Already have a grasp of the game, but your backhand is a weakness and you're looking to add more spin to it? Or have you just had a long day in the office and just need to hit a tennis ball? These are just a few of the WHY’s of tennis players. Now, here is where things get interesting. Coaches and tennis professionals … do you know your players’ “WHY?” Have you asked your players what they are interested in? What parts of the game they enjoy and get them energized? This information greatly impacts how a coach runs a practice, what areas they focus on, how much feedback and what type of instruction or motivation to give. If someone comes to play tennis and is looking to get a great workout, should a coach have the player practice a basket of serves? If a player has an upcoming tournament, should a coach work on a technical change? Coaches, ask probing questions and draw answers to make the correct judgments about your often non-expressive players. Listen to what makes them tick, both on and off the court, and find out what makes them unique. Everybody is different, and everyone learns differently. To give your players the best experience, a coach needs to find these answers. With a better understanding of your players, their points of view and areas of interest, your time on the court will be much more

productive and effective, therefore resulting in a heightened enjoyable experience for both the coaches and the players. This is what separates the great coaches of the sport from the standard tennis pros. Players, think about your goals and your reasons for stepping on to the court, and then share them. Tell your coach what you like, and address the areas you feel are important to focus on. Be open and honest and share your strengths and your weaknesses. Do you know them? Strong, consistent player/coach communication is vital to any great practice session and even better match results. And then be open to what the coach has to offer. When he/she presents something that is different, out of your comfort zone, perhaps difficult for you, you must have an open mind. Learning new techniques, practicing things that are difficult, although frustrating, will lead to a better all-around game. Trust that your coach has your best interest in mind and knows your “WHY.” Take the time to find your WHY and your tennis will never be the same. Mark Santucci is director of adult tennis at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club. He came to Roosevelt Island after 10 years as director of tennis and operations, director of junior tennis and director of adult programs at Yonkers Tennis Center. A native of Rhode Island, Santucci was the captain of the Marist College Tennis team, where he helped lead his team to a conference championship and an NCAA Tournament berth. He can be reached by e-mail at MSantucci@AdvantageTennisClubs.com.

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

It’s Not About the Score, Madison By Barbara Wyatt “It’s not about the score, Madison.” Madison shoved the racket in her tennis bag and stomped off the court. She collapsed onto a bench a few feet away from me and covered her face with her hands. “You played well Madison.” “I sucked.” “It’s not about the score.” She lifted her hands from her face, cheeks red and said, “Riiiiiiight. That’s what they say to losers.” “I’m saying it, because it’s true.” Though I suspected she had turned off listening to me, I continued to talk. I reminded her of the solid serves and no double-faults. I had seen down-the-line shots delivered with a pace that won points. In the match, Madison tried more topspin on her groundstrokes, a new skill from a recent lesson. “It takes courage,” I said, “to take what you learn in a lesson and apply it in a match. Plus, your line calls were clear, loud, immediate and accurate.” Madison’s head gestured sharply to the 60

opponent sitting on the other team’s bench. “But she didn’t. She called a bunch of my shots out. And they weren’t!” “But your calls were solid. You showed sportsmanship.” “But she won.” “Madison, it’s not about the score. Imagine if I had a bouquet of flowers to give you after every match. Each stem represents an aspect of your play: Serves, down-theline shots, positioning on the court, returns, placement of balls. A stem for each skill and how you did in that match. Today, your serves were solid. That would be a beautiful radiant rose. Your sportsmanship? Another big blooming rose. Your positioning? Another rose. Your down-the-line shots?” “Yeah, I know. Some big fat rose.” Madison rolled her eyes. “Yes,” I said, “Your topspin was not as strong as you hoped. But you tried. That’s one healthy stem with a little bud. Not there yet, but will be.” “I lost the match,” she said. “I deserve a bunch of dead weeds covered in garbage.” Had I failed? My effort to use a flower bouquet as an analogy didn’t work. Madison is a talented young athlete, but much

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

too hard on herself when she experiences a loss. Her shoulders started to shake rapidly. She turned her face toward me and covered her mouth. She was repressing a grin. “I get it.” Madison said. “You want me to think of what I did right. Big fat red roses for my serving and down-the-line shots. Itty bitty buds for what didn’t work. And to remember tomorrow’s another day. Maybe my topspin or something else will be better. I could win.” “Yes!” I said. “You’re so wacked.” She raised her hand for a high-five, and I slapped it. She stood, walked a few steps, turned and smiled, “I get it.” She leaped over a bleacher seat and sat with her teammates. The game of tennis is about how you play, not necessarily the score. Barbara Wyatt is a writer, photographer, USTA official, and mobile app developer of iKnowTennis!, the tennis rules app. Her poem, Ode to Tennis, an amusing poem on the joys and frustrations when learning tennis, is available at Amazon. She can be reached by e-mail at BarbaraW@iKnowTennis.com.

He Is Talented But Lazy ... By Gilad Bloom In Hebrew, there is a sayingthat translates to: “god gives nuts to people without teeth.” Most teaching professionals have encountered this type of player—extremely talented, but agonizingly lazy. As a coach, I always promote good practice habits, discipline, hard work, etc. But how does a coach handle a lazy kid who hates the boring repetition drills, plays very loose in practice, yet as soon as the points start, they light up the court and beat everyone with ease. It is frustrating as a coach to work with such a player, practice sessions are often wasted because of a lack of willingness by the student to push themselves to the limit. Often, the player will play without any heart if things don’t go well early in the match. There will be the occasional tank and the level of play drastically fluctuates during matches. When they are in the right frame of mind, it is clear that they are superior to other kids, but that solid frame of mind doesn’t come too often. One of the biggest challenges as a coach is to turn these gifted, untamed students into real players who win matches and fulfill their potential. The first thing you need when coaching such prodigies is patience. It’s important to give those kids time to come around. They are generally artistic and inspirational, and sometimes it will take a few years for players to mature and make the leap from a talented hack to a serious player who plays with a purpose and a sense of urgency each time they step onto the court. The gifted players I’m referring to don’t need too much repetitive, tedious feeding drills or to play two hours of cross-court to each corner. Hitting the ball cleanly comes easy to them. They get bored when doing drills and basically count the minutes until the points start, so they can show everyone their talent. They need the constant stimulation of competing and trying new, different and original ways to hit the ball, often driving their coach crazy with their shot selection.

The key as a coach is to let them experiment and encourage them to explore new things. It is wrong to tame them or force them to play the conventional way. Another key is to construct live ball drills that have an element of competition. The idea is to make them play with intensity and keep them engaged in the exercise, so they thrive in a competitive environment. One of my first students was Dudi Sela. He was incredibly talented from a very young age. At the age of nine, he had every shot in the book, had the guts to serve and volley on big points at the age of 10, and was extremely aggressive, playing fearlessly against bigger, older opponents. He had a lot of losses between the ages of 10-12, but even during those losses, he played magnificently for parts of matches, often making his opponent look like a beginner. However, Dudi’s mental stamina was not good at all, and many matches resulted in him leading a set and a break, and then losing the second set and tanking in the third set. He would come out of those matches frustrated and discouraged, but what I saw was that when he was playing his “A” game before the mental and physical fatigue set in, he was playing at an incredible level. I told him, “One day you will be able put together two sets of your ‘A’ game in a tournament and when that happens, you will be the player you want to be.” Many people wrote him off and were sure that he was not going to amount to anything because of his lack of effort in practice. But my rationale was that if and when he matured, he will realize just how good he can actually be. Interestingly enough, Dudi Sela turned out to be a seasoned pro player known for his fighting spirit, heart and shot-making ability, making many memorable comebacks and beating many higher ranked players. He is still on the pro tour at the age of 34 and has spent almost 10 years in the top 100, having led Israel to the semifinals of the Davis Cup in that time span. Sela, like in many cases with players of such talent, matured mentally only in his late

teens. The early years shaped him into the player that he is now. He didn’t burn himself on the practice court like so many others, and there is a freshness that comes from that pure love of the game. Another player that comes to mind who comes from this mold is New York City’s own Aleks Kovacevic. He came to me at the ripe age of eight, and I loved his game from the first time I saw him play. He had a sweet onehander, a smooth forehand and was like a mini-Roger Federer. Much like Sela, Kovacevic was an artist on the court and was amazing when inspired, but also had many lackluster practices in which he was merely going through the motions, leaving me to wonder many times after practice if I was wasting my time with this kid. However, after my experience with Sela, I kept believing in Kovacevic, and despite some tough years in his late teens, he turned out to be a top collegiate player, clinching many matches for his school. Aleks is also known for his fighting spirit and playing well under pressure, as evidenced by him reaching the semifinals of the NCAA individual tournament. He is now on his way to turning pro. This type of talent comes along very rarely, but when it does, the coach’s job is mainly to let the player’s talent shine and not do too much taming. If you try to force those kids to play a certain way that doesn’t suit them, you will lose them. The trick is to find a way to make them work hard without them thinking that they worked hard. For this type of player, it is important to feel comfortable and happy on the court. Gilad Bloom, former Israeli Davis Cup player and two-time Olympian, played on the ATP Tour 1983-1995, reached the fourth round of the U.S. Open in 1990, reached a highest ranking of 61 in singles, was Israel Singles Champion three times. Bloom has been running his own tennis program since 2000 and also was Director of Tennis at John McEnroe Tennis Academy for two years. He can be reached by e-mail at Bloom.Gilad@Gmail.com.

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

The Secret to Finishing Off Matches and Never Giving Up Leads It is hard to understand why a player so often fails to live up to potential Photo credit: Getty Images/LightFieldStudios

By Dr. Tom Ferraro was playing golf recently with a friend who also happens to be an avid tennis player. As we walked down the seventh fairway and approached our drives, he asked me a seemingly simple question: “Tom, how do you teach tennis players to finish off their opponent and go on to win?” Indeed that does seem like a simple enough question and certainly one of the most common problems in sports. Frequently, you will see subtle momentum changes occur as one player starts to advance and dominate his or her opponent. All of a sudden, they start to make more mistakes, double fault or hit a series of unforced errors, whereas up until then, they couldn’t miss a shot. I explained to my friend that the answer to that seemingly simple question has stumped players, coaches and sport psychologists for many years, and if someone tries to tell you that they found this most precious of all secrets, you can rest assured that they are lying to you. I have worked in the field of sport psychology for more than 25 years, having researched this issue, published in the area and having treated hundreds of players and if I know anything at all, it’s that this

answer is tough to find. The reason for this is relatively easy to explain. Choking, giving up leads, failing to play to your fullest potential, getting beaten by weaker players or developing the yips are all signs of anxiety and stem from a variety of underlying issues.

finishing off a match. Defenses are things that need to be developed over time so that the athlete remains both calm and focused when coming down the homestretch of a match. Defenses allow a player to stay in the moment, rather than getting into fantasies about how it will feel when you win the match.

The cause of failure to finish 1. The inability to manage tension and anxiety: Some players have never developed adequate defenses in order to ignore or minimize the enormous anxiety felt in sports. Actually experiencing anxiety and overcoming it is one of the primary reasons we all compete. Outside of going to war, sports remains the last arena whereby we can become heroic. But it takes very strong defenses to cope with this level of anxiety. The ability to defend against anxiety is usually the thing that separates a champion from all the rest. I explained to my friend that I recently was on a panel where an audience member asked a player ranked 50th in the world what it was like to play against Roger Federer. He responded: “It is tough to beat Roger because he seems to have an aura about him.” I think the reality is that Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic all have far better psychological defenses, which enable them to remain calm and cool when

2. An underlying weak self-image: We will always achieve exactly what we feel we deserve to achieve in life. All that is determined by our underlying self-image which is usually developed in childhood and then again as a teenager when interacting with peers and coaches. Sigmund Freud was famous for saying that your personality is largely determined by the age of six. Ones self-image is mostly unconscious and the pain it holds will allow us to strive in order to overcome it. Alfred Adler was the psychoanalyst who first discussed this issue and he was the man who coined the term “inferiority complex” and the idea of compensating for this problem. Players like the Williams Sisters are perfect examples of this issue. They were born amidst poverty and violence on the streets of Compton, Calif. and their dad used this horror to motivate them to better their lives through the sport of tennis. But what happens very often is that the

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

Photo credit: Sidney Beal III

Photo credit: USTA

The mind of a champion contains remarkably strong defenses against anxiety

One of the greatest weapons a champion has is a feeling of pride, self-confidence and a good self-image

low self-image from the past will remain in the unconscious and dictate surprising losses. Tiger Woods may be the best example of this, as he fell from grace based upon reckless and self-defeating decisions probably dictated by a low self-image buried deep within. If you find that you also tend to self-defeat by giving up leads, it may be time to seek some help in order to

look within and resolve the weak self-image that is holding you back. These are just two reasons that one gives up leads and fails to finish off opponents. Other reasons may include fear of separation from your peers group, fear of jealous reactions from others or guilt about seeming to be too aggressive. My next col-

umn will address these three areas. Let me summarize by returning to my friends question of why people can’t finish off their opponents. He did seem somewhat disappointed when I remarked that it does take some time to cure these issues. Rome was not built in a day and a new psyche takes time to build as well. And that of course is the right answer. Strong psychological defenses and a new self-image must both be built over time with diligence, and trust and patience and focused effort. A serious athlete does not expect to become a world-class tennis player overnight. And it is exactly the same with the mind. In order to develop a world-class championship mind, one should understand that it too must be built up over time. Little psychological tips like taking a deep breath or someone giving you a little pep talk just won’t do the trick. For consultations, treatment or on-site visits, contact Dr. Tom Ferraro Ph.D., Sport Psychologist, by phone at (516) 248-7189, e-mail DrTFerraro@aol.com or visit DrTomFerraro.com.

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NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

Height in Tennis How Much Does it Matter? By Robbie Werdiger Tennis has become a big man’s sport, plain and simple. After the introduction of modern graphite rackets, the game began to evolve around powerful serves and groundstrokes with heavy spin. Naturally, taller athletes have an advantage in producing faster and heavier shots, which, in turn, has transformed the physical nature of the sport. In the 2018 Wimbledon semifinals, the world watched in amazement as two giants battled it out in an epic five-set match. One might have thought that power forwards from the NBA were on the court as the 6’8” South African Kevin Anderson beat the 6’10” American John Isner to reach his first Wimbledon final. The upward trend in the average height of male professional tennis players has been consistent since the beginning of the Open Era. Looking back only at the last 20 years, the average height of the top 100 male pros has increased nearly two inches from 6’0” to 6’2”, while the number of men over 6’5” in the top 100 has increased from three percent to 18 percent. Before 2007, there were no men ranked in the top 50 taller than 6’6”, and as of the latest 2019 rankings, there are 11. To put these numbers in perspective, males over 6’5” in the United States are in the 99th percentile, and males who are exactly 6’2” are slightly below the 95th percentile. When my mom played tennis as a child in the 1970’s, the average height of a male pro was a mere 5’10”. Today, there are only eight players in the top 100 who are 5’10” or smaller. Similar trends are modeled in the women’s game. The average height of women on the pro tour has jumped nearly two inches from around 5’7” to nearly 5’9” in the past few decades. Women who are 5’9” are close to the 96th percentile, making the women’s tour even more of an anomaly than the men’s game when it comes to players of average size. It is noticeable that Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic are all between 6’0” and 6’3”, not the tallest of the bunch. However, these generational players are aging and are near retirement (or one would think). Patiently waiting behind “The Big Four” in the rankings is a new generation of the tallest top 10 ever seen in the sport. Excluding Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, the rest of the top 10 has an average height

of 6’5”! If you further remove Kei Nishikori and Dominic Thiem from the top 10, you are left with five players that have an average height of over 6’7”. Alexander Zverev, Juan Martin Del Potro and Marin Cilic all stand at 6’6”, while Anderson and Isner tower at 6’8” and 6’10”, respectively. The supposed ideal height of that of The Big Four, around 6’2”, may not be so magical moving forward. In the past, big guys were renowned for their one-dimensional games centered around the serve, but now the tall guys are developing a solid all-around game with swift court coverage, clever shot selection and effective groundstrokes. Recently retired Australian Sam Groth, who reached a career high of 53rd in the world, but spent most of his career outside the top 100, was the prototypical big guy. At 6’4”, Groth recorded the fastest serve in the world at 163.4 miles per hour (MPH). Although Groth had a huge serve and hard groundstrokes, he faltered in consistency and movement. Now, the taller players are consistent, move well for their height, have killer serves and decent returns. The last time any man shorter than 6’0” won a Grand Slam was Gaston Gaudio at the

2004 French Open, and it is very possible that he will remain the last one to do so based upon current trends. Despite being at a physical disadvantage, shorter players have emerged as the exception and have achieved word-class success. Benjamin Becker of Germany (who reached a career high ranking of 35th in the world) and Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine (who reached a career high of 13th in the world) had some of the biggest serves on tour due to their lively arms, crack serves in the 140 MPH range. On the contrary, other renowned shorter guys, such as David Ferrer at 5’9” and Diego Schwartzman at 5’7”, make up for their lack of pure power on the serve and from the ground with other aspects of their game. These players have sensational footwork and speed, top five return stats, according to data collected by the ATP, and train ferociously to develop the endurance to play multiple grueling matches in a tournament. However, these qualities are mostly inherent and are only found in the most talented. In the coming years, as humans become more athletic with greater physical capabili-

ties, it is likely that taller players will dominate the field as serves become faster and points are ended quicker. In such a situation, the game will become less appealing to spectators and might cause a need for certain changes. The ATP might consider making the service box smaller, slightly deflating tennis balls, switching to new balls less times per match, or putting more tournaments on clay. We are entering an unpredictable stage of tennis and only time can tell what will come next. Robbie Werdiger is a senior at Horace Mann School in New York City. As a captain of his high school tennis team, he has received team MVP honors and has been awarded the “First Team All-Ivy” Award on two occasions, at the first and second singles positions. Individually, Robbie has competed on the national junior stage and has achieved USTA Rankings in the top 25 in the Eastern Section in numerous age groups. Additionally, Robbie has represented team USA at the world Maccabiah Games in Israel in 2017, the third largest international sporting event in the world.

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Team Eastern Wins USTA George Myers Church Cup

or just the fourth time in 30 years, the George Myers Church Cup trophy is coming back to the Eastern Section. Team Eastern traveled to the Merion Cricket Club in Haverford, Penn. to compete against teams from other USTA Sections for the Church Cup, and in the end, it was the Eastern team, captained by Hofstra Head Coach Jason Pasion, who defeated the USTA New England Section 7-2 in the finals. “It is such a prestigious tournament with such deep history,” said Pasion. “The event dates back to the early 1900s and was played by many professionals and some legends, including Hall of Famer and 10time Grand Slam champion Bill Tilden. It was also extra special winning it at the

Merion Cricket Club because that’s where the first ever Church Cup event was held.” The Church Cup was donated by George Myers Church in 1918 for a competition between men’s teams representing Boston, New York and Philadelphia, and it continued in that format until 1932. The competition was not held between 1933-1945, but returned in 1946, with the competing teams representing three USTA sectional associations: USTA Eastern, USTA Middle States and USTA New England. In 1947, what is now called the USTA Mid-Atlantic Section was admitted to the competition. The win was a little extra special for the Eastern Section squad this year following a heartbreaking 5-4 loss to the USTA Middle States last year. This year’s team was represented by Quinnton Vega, Gary

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

Kushnirovich, Marcus Smith, Shawn Jackson, Julien Wolfe, Dylan Friedman, Austen Huang and Jackie Tang. “One of the keys to winning this year’s championship was the ability for our players to change their style of play,” Pasion said. “Today’s game is played mainly from the baseline, with players hitting deep, hard groundstrokes, rather than coming to the net. I thought our players adjusted to the grass game well by serving and volleying, and chipping and charging.” Pasion and his team will now head into next year as the reigning Church Cup champions, and are already looking forward to defending the title in 2020: “We are proud to bring the Cup back to the East. We are looking forward to defending our championship next year in New England.”

USPTA Honors the Tops in the Eastern Division at Annual Conference

he United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) Eastern Division hosted its Annual Conference in late spring at the Doral Arrowwod Conference Center in Westchester County. The weekend consisted of informative workshops, taught by some of the top coaches and minds in the industry, including Mark Savage, Craig O’Shannessy and Craig Cignarelli. Classes ranged from everything from the connection between the tennis professional and the club owner, to the importance of analytics in tennis. There was a racket demo presented by Wilson, as well as a cocktail party and trade show, and attendees had the opportunity to play some of the newest and trendiest racket sports outside of tennis, including POP Tennis. “Craig O’Shannessy, Craig Cignarelli and Mark Savage highlighted the conference with exceptional presentations. The awards ceremony was a source of great pride, as Jeff Rothstein was inducted into the USPTA Eastern Hall of Fame and Laramie Gavin received the Professional of the Year Award,” said Paul Fontana, Executive Director of the USPTA Eastern Division. “The

Annual Conference continues to provide a dynamic and cutting-edge education event in the Eastern Section.” New York Tennis Magazine would like to thank USPTA Eastern for being named the organization’s Publication of the Year as one of the many award winners, among the following: l College Coach of the Year: Stephen Thirolle

l Division Tester: Rod Bailey l Facility Manager of the Year: Deanna Kernan l High School Coach of the Year: Todd Hicks l Industry Excellence Award: Wael Kilani l USPTA STARS Award: Adrienne Alteri l 30 & Under Award: Ben Marks l Publication of the Year: Long Island/New York Tennis Magazine

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

The Intangible Element to a Competitive Tennis Player By Ben Mullis veryone knows that one player who is able to elevate themselves out of the level or category they “should” be playing at from a technical perspective, i.e. stroke mechanics into an entirely different level, but not many seem to understand why or how? I will be discussing the intangible element of sport, most specifically, in the context of tennis. I would argue that this element is even more prevalent in tennis because of the multi-faceted nature of the game encompassing technical, tactical, mental and physical elements all required at a player’s disposal to use simultaneously and interchangeably in the blink of an eye. Growing up playing junior tennis, you are sizing up players who you might be competing against either that week or at another time. Of course, the first things you look at are how well they hit the ball and

their technique. At the time, I would argue that these are key indicators for improvement and analysis of a player at any level, but as a junior playing all over Great Britain, I was naïve to the “intangibles” a player can bring to the table. What about the things you cannot see? Sometimes, I would get nervous about playing someone who I felt as though had better technique than myself and would hit the ball harder, yet you would roll them easily and sometimes you would lose handedly. Why is this the case? Being involved in college tennis for a few years now, I think the fastest way to add value in a player’s game is to illuminate these intangible elements and spend time working on them. It is really just a case of asking yourself if you have left any stone unturned before stepping onto that court for a match. In other words, it is more about your own preparation as a player rather than looking at the other player. First, I would address lifestyle from a holistic standpoint, the best natural performance enhancers are hydration, sleep and

nutrition, I would then address just how well are we taking care of our body before and after practice. Are you stretching, foam-rolling, performing dynamic warmups? Once some of these more rudimentary elements are satisfied, I would want to discuss questions such as: “What is an ideal point for Player A?” or “How do you want to play the game?” This would then inform tactical coaching and playing true to that game style you have selected in a process-focused manner where we take the emotion out of the win/lose aspect. Once we are able to free ourselves from this, we can truly concentrate on competing at the highest level. Body language is something I really stress. Positive self-talk, and an in-between points routine is a huge performance-enhancer if used the correct way. You have 20 seconds between each point and 90 seconds on every changeover … use it wisely! Those who will experience long-term success in the game of tennis will, be the steely competitor who can pick up on things in a live situation and can make micro-adjustments in the moment. These intangibles start with broader and more overarching themes, and will stratify the further you move along in your tennis journey. Ben Mullis, originally from Leicestershire, England, was a graduate of Drake University, where he was a three-time all-Missouri Valley Conference honoree. He was ranked as high as 109th in the ITA Men’s Singles Rankings. After graduating, he served as assistant coach for the Utah State Aggies for two seasons, where he was named “Mountain Region Assistant Coach of the Year.” Ben went on to serve as an assistant coach at Pepperdine University before transiting to the role of director of junior tennis at North Ranch Country Club.

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

Ross School Junior Donating Time With Free Program for Girls

or the past six months, Ally Friedman, a junior at the Ross School in East Hampton, has been running a free program for young girls in the local community, helping to teach them valuable life skills through tennis. “T.H.E. B.A.L.L.,” as it’s called, stands for “Tennis Health Empowerment Building Attitude Lifetime Lessons,” and the group meets once a week for 90 minutes on the Ross School campus. “I created this program where I teach girls between the ages of seven and 10 things like tennis, nutrition and fitness. And at the end of each class, I include a few minutes of mindfulness,” said Friedman. “Basically the skills you need to live a happy and healthy life.” The desire to give back and create a program of her own came from a trip she took to Zimbabwe last year. Friedman went with a group called Hoops 4 Hope, a non-profit that takes kids off the streets and teaches them life skills through basketball and song and dance. “From the first day I was there, I could tell that it had changed me,” she recalls. “I was so happy to see all these kids having fun, and I knew that I wanted to do something to make a difference. I knew I couldn’t create a program that big right away, so I had to start small and created this girls-only program.” She began by contacting guidance counselors, teachers and even

pediatricians around her area to explain what she was doing and try to put together a group of girls to take part in this class. After making a number of calls, Friedman was able to put together a class of about 12 girls, and the program commenced in January. “I understood that some of the girls wouldn’t love tennis as much as I do, so I decided to teach them other things they may not normally be exposed to,” said Friedman. “I brought in professionals to teach self-defense, nutrition, fitness, agility and soccer. All of these different things to keep them active, and through that, building self-esteem and helping them to feel empowered.” Friedman says her school has been extremely supportive of her work. “Every single week, I have a court available to me to teach, and Ross allows me to use the rackets and balls that are here,” Friedman said. “They’ve been amazing. If I ever need advice from my coaches on how to teach something, they are there for me. Marcelo Reda, a coach here at the Ross School, has been a mentor of mine in creating the program. I’ve been teaching these girls from scratch, so I had to teach them the basics, and the coaches here have been great in teaching me how to teach.” The primary goal of the program is to help instill self-confidence in the girls, and using tennis as the focal point in doing so.

“Not only are they much more active, but they’re just a lot nicer to themselves and each other which is so important,” said Friedman. “It’s a great group of girls and I’ve not only seen them improve a lot tennis-wise, but in so many other ways as well.” Friedman has plans to continue growing the program, and has begun creating a curriculum. This way, when she graduates, there will be a structure in place so that the program lives on. “I have also applied for a grant from the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, and I find out in September if I have earned that,” said Friedman. “I would use that money to get rackets for the girls, and also bring in more instructors, so I can expand to more kids and more courts.” In addition, Friedman says she will be applying for a grant from the USTA as she hopes to further the program in order to help more girls. While her class has taught lessons to many young girls, it has also helped to teach Friedman more about herself and she has seen her own self-improvement. “The one thing I’ve definitely learned throughout this whole process has been to be flexible, and that I can only control what I can control,” said Friedman. “I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’m much more confident publicly speaking and talking to parents. So it’s just been an amazing experience, and I’m excited to continue it this fall.”

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

“Little Mo” Circuit Returns This Summer, Highlighted by Internationals in Forest Hills

or the 23rd straight year, the “Road to the Little Mo Nationals” will hit tennis courts throughout the United States as one of the nation’s most prestigious and unique junior tennis circuits returns once again. “Little Mo” consists of sectional and regional tournaments across the country, which leads to the national tournaments, and this is known as the “Road to the Little Mo Nationals,” with the national tournament taking place in late September at the Austin Tennis Academy in Austin, Texas. Players in the Eastern Section have the benefit of having a number of “Little Mo” tournaments in the local area, including a Sectional Tournament at Lifetime Athletic in West Harrison, N.Y. and Regional Tournament at The Cary Leeds Center for Ten-

nis & Learning in the Bronx, N.Y. Of course, the pinnacle of the circuit is the three “Little Mo” Internationals, which bring the top youngsters from all across the world together to compete against one another. And for the eighth straight year, The West Side Tennis Club, will host the second leg of the “Little Mo” Slam. The event is open to any player from the United States and worldwide, and features divisions in singles, doubles and mixed doubles, including Yellow Ball for ages eight through 12, and a Green Ball division for eight-year-olds. “We are very excited about the upcoming eighth annual ‘Little Mo’ Internationals in New York at the beautiful and historic West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, the previous home of the U.S. Open. Players ages eight through 12 will be coming from

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

all over the world to compete at this prestigious event in singles, doubles and mixed doubles,” said Carol Weyman, executive vice president of the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation and founder of the “Little Mo” Internationals. “Forest Hills is the second leg of the ‘Little Mo’ Slam, where players have a chance to win the tallest trophy in junior tennis at six feet tall. We also have opening ceremonies, player parties, team competition, “Mo” coins for prizes, and much more.” The final event of this year’s circuit will conclude down with the “Little Mo” Internationals in Florida at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, from Dec. 6-11. Last year, nearly 450 players from 60 countries participated. For more information on the “Little Mo” tournament, visit MCBTennis.org.

USTA/Metropolitan Region

2019 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE For detailed information on these and all USTA tournaments, visit tennislink.usta.com/tournaments. JULY 2019 Friday-Sunday, July 26-28 L2 Randall’s Island Summer 2019 Open Sportime @ Randall’s Island 1 Randall’s Island New York, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FMLC); and Intermediate Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, July 22 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail TournamentsRI@Sportimetfm.com or call (646) 783-5301. Friday-Sunday, July 26-28 L1B MatchPointNYC Summer Challenger MatchPointNYC 2781 Shell Road Brooklyn, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Tuesday, July 23 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail KLastique@yahoo.com or call (718) 769-0001. Monday-Friday, July 29-August 2 City Parks Summer Series Central Park L2 Central Park Tennis Center Manhattan, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FMLC); and Intermediate Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14-16 (SE) Surface Type: Clay Entry Fee: $43.50 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, July 21 at 10:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail TomTvedt@yahoo.com or call (718) 760-6999. AUGUST 2019 Thursday-Sunday, August 1-4 L1B APTC Summer Challenger Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, July 28 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600.

Friday-Sunday, August 2-4 L2 MatchPointNYC August Open MatchPointNYC 2781 Shell Road Brooklyn, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FMLC); and Intermediate Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, July 29 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail KLastique@yahoo.com or call (718) 769-0001.

Friday-Sunday, August 9-11 L1 Cross String August Challenger Queens College 6530 Kissena Boulevard Flushing, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $65 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Aug. 5 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail Steve.Beatty2584@gmail.com or call (718) 997-2771.

Saturday-Sunday, August 3-4 Youth Progression Green Ball L1 at Cary Leeds Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning 1720 Crotona Avenue Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Green Level 1 Boys’ & Girls’ 10 and Under Singles: 78’ Green Ball 10 (NEF) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $48.88 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, July 28 at 11:59 p.m.) For more information, e-mail MOljaca@NYJTL.org or call (718) 247-7420.

Friday-Sunday, August 9-11 L1 APTC August Championships Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Championships Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 16 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Aug. 5 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail AlleyPondTennisCenter@gmail.com or call (718) 264-2600.

Saturday, August 3 L3 Cross String Tennis August UPS Queens College 6530 Kissena Boulevard Flushing, N.Y. Divisions: Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Green Ball 12, 78’ Yellow Ball 14-18 (NEF) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $43.50 per player (deadline for entries is Tuesday, July 30 at 11:59 p.m.) For more information, e-mail Steve.Beatty2584@gmail.com.

Friday-Sunday, August 9-11 L1B MatchPointNYC August Challenger MatchPointNYC 2781 Shell Road Brooklyn, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Aug. 5 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail KLastique@yahoo.com or call (718) 769-0001.

Monday-Wednesday, August 5-7 L2 Staten Island Tennis August Open Staten Island Community Tennis Center 2800 Victory Boulevard Staten Island, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FMLC); and Intermediate Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Thursday, Aug. 1 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail KLastique@yahoo.com or call (718) 982-3355.

Friday-Sunday, August 9-11 L1 August Championships at Cary Leeds Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning 1720 Crotona Avenue Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Championships Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, Aug. 2 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail MOljaca@NYJTL.org or call (718) 247-7420.

NYTennisMag.com • July/August 2019 • New York Tennis Magazine

USTA/Metropolitan Region

2019 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE For detailed information on these and all USTA tournaments, visit tennislink.usta.com/tournaments. Monday-Friday, August 12-16 City Parks Summer Series Staten Island, Walker Park Level 2 Walker Park Bard Avenue and Delafield Place Staten Island, N.Y. Divisions: Level 2 Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FMLC); and Level 2 Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14-16 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $43.50 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, Aug. 4 at 10:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail MOljaca@NYJTL.org or call (718) 247-7420. Monday-Wednesday, August 12-14 L2 Staten Island Tennis Late Summer Open Staten Island Community Tennis Center 2800 Victory Boulevard Staten Island, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FMLC); and Intermediate Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Thursday, Aug. 8 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail KLastique@yahoo.com or call (718) 982-3355. Thursday-Sunday, August 15-18 L1 HJTEP Future Stars Showdown Harlem Junior Tennis Program 40 West 143rd Street New York, N.Y. Divisions: Championships Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Thursday, Aug. 8 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail CoachSimone@HJTEP.org or call (212) 491-3738. Friday-Sunday, August 16-18 L1 Tennis at Throgs Neck Summer’s End Championships Roosevelt Island Racquet Club 281 Main Street Roosevelt Island, N.Y. Divisions: Championships Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (SE) Surface Type: Clay Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Aug. 12 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail BillWiese4@gmail.com or call (212) 935-0250. 72

Friday-Sunday, August 16-18 L1B Cross String Tennis Mid-August Challenger Queens College 6530 Kissena Boulevard Flushing, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, Aug. 11 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail Steve.Beatty2584@gmail.com or call (718) 997-2771. Friday-Sunday, August 16-18 L1 Alley Pond TC Summer’s End Championships Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Championships Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $65 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Aug. 12 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600. Friday-Sunday, August 16-18 L1B MatchPointNYC Challenger MatchPointNYC 2781 Shell Road Brooklyn, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 16 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail KLastique@yahoo.com or call (718) 769-0001. Monday-Thursday- August 19-22 L1B Cary Leeds Pro Challenger Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning 1720 Crotona Avenue Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12-14 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail WWiese@NYJTL.org or call (718) 247-7420.

New York Tennis Magazine • July/August 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

Thursday-Sunday, August 22-25 L2 APTC August Open Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FRLC); and Intermediate Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, Aug. 18 at 8:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600. Monday-Friday, August 26-30 City Parks Summer Series Pelham Bay Park Level-2 Aileen B. Ryan Recreational Complex Middletown Road Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Level 2 Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FMLC); and Level 2 Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14-16 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $43.50 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, Aug. 18 at 11:59 p.m.) For more information, e-mail TomTvedt@yahoo.com or call (718) 760-6999. Friday-Monday, August 30-September 2 L1 Cross String Tennis Labor Day Weekend Championships Queens College 6530 Kissena Boulevard Flushing, N.Y. Divisions: Championships Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Aug. 26 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail Steve.Beatty2584@gmail.com. Saturday-Monday, August 31-September 2 L1 Alley Pond Labor Day Championships Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Championships Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $65 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Aug. 26 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600.

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Camp locations in NYC, C Westchester and Long Island,, including in the Hamptons. We’ve got your summer tennis training and n fun covered!

Regiistter To Reg Tod day ay! Visit us online at www w.Sp .SportimeCamp mps.com, to find d the camp mp nearest you. Email us at cam mps@sspportimen nyy.com for morre information.

(212) 427-6150 4 | www.Sp w.SportimeCamp mps.com p 107 New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2019 • NYTennisMag.com

Programs and services vary at eac ch SPORTIME Camp location.