Letters from the Editors

Kimberly Arena Editorial Director

TENNIS TRIUMPHS AND LOSSES

Experiencing one of the most comprehensive and tragic health crises in a century, combined with an angry, polarized and violent social and political climate has left me with one certain conclusion: the world will never be the same. Fear of the unknown can be paralyzing, and I admit I’ve struggled with finding the positives amidst such drastic change. My hope is that enough of us are listening, learning, caring for one another and seeking personal growth as an outcome to these trying times.

Despite quarantines, cancelled tournaments and events and countless tennis court shutdowns during stay at home orders, this sport has been my ray of hope through the last 4 months. Tennis has kept me and my team employed despite a crashing economy. Tennis has provided me with a safe way to be outside, stay fit and have fun with friends and family during a devastating pandemic. Perhaps the most paramount, tennis has provided a global voice in bringing more awareness to systemic racism, inequality and injustice. Frances Tiafoe, Serena Williams, Coco Gauff and many other professional players of color literally brought me to tears with their “Racquet down, hands up” movement as they expressed support for the Black Lives Matter cause and to highlight peaceful protests. I have never been so proud of our industry.

All that said, pro tennis players, like the rest of us, are not immune to questionable decisions and mistakes. Not only did Djokovic’s Adria Tour not require social distancing safety measures, but did so on a public stage which many would say indicates they do not take the pandemic seriously and in turn influences others. The result of their reckless actions are a number of ATP players testing positive for COVID-19, including the world number one and head of the ATP players council himself. Will this serious misstep cause the US Open to change course and cancel their modified format tournament along with the rest of the fall season? During a time when each day seems to hand us another curveball, it seems like a looming possibility…

What the future holds for the health and wellbeing of all our citizens, the economy, and the sport of tennis is unknown, but I remain hopeful and cautiously optimistic. I ask that you all embrace that same sense of hope. Take care of each other, and remember actions speak louder than words. Listen and learn from those that struggle and are asking for help. And most definitely get outside and play some safe, socially distanced tennis to keep your optimism and spirits high.

Katie Steck

Managing Editor

Joey Hanf

Managing Editor CELEBRATE THE PRIVILEGE

Playing tennis is a privilege I, and many of our readers, have become so accustomed to that we fail to recognize it for what it is: freedom. It’s the freedom to get outside; it’s the freedom to feel the sweet spot on that perfect shot; it’s the freedom to see hard work and training come together seamlessly; it’s the freedom to experience pure enjoyment on the court with family, friends, and teammates.

At a time when so many freedoms are taken for granted, I am honored to work at an organization that seeks to amplify stories that inspire action on and off the court. In the midst of a global pandemic and with the world addressing systemic racism, players have found new ways to find inspiration in the sport we all love so much. Roger Federer and Andy Murray have entertained us with volley challenges. Our members and guests have taken the LEARN OR BE LEFT BEHIND There’s plenty of debate to be had around the general health of the internet and the larger digital media world. You can be buried in the rabbit hole of a conspiracy theory, or get caught looking at your screen for way too many hours of the day. But one undeniable fact about social media is that stories and information are widely available, regardless of who you are or where you are from. That has proven to be crucial amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as businesses that have failed to adapt are being left behind. Communication has gone digital, and every business, no less tennis clubs, must communicate on new media platforms with their audience of players and prospective players. It feels obvious that at this point, but taking extra precautions and being clear about new safety measures is a must. We’ve seen what happens when those precautions aren’t taken seriously; Novak Djokovic’s Adria Tour in Eastern Europe ignored all social distancing guidelines and led to positive tests for at least five ATP players, including world no. 1 Djokovic himself. If we are hoping to recover from forced break from the courts as a way to deepen their off-court training through online coaching, strength training, and even meal prep. Coco Gauff and Francis Tiafoe and many other pro players have pushed us to stand up for the rights of our friends and fellow tennis enthusiasts. These stories and actions, regardless of the platform given, resonate with the Cliff Drysdale Tennis family to our core.

In this issue of Experience, we highlight stories that remind us of the freedoms we must collectively continue to fight for and embrace. We celebrate Gael Monfils’s story as an international symbol for what the ‘freedom to play’ really means. Our hope for each of you is that you celebrate and acknowledge the privilege, the freedom you have every time you step on a court - no matter if it is in your driveway or at one of

our world-renowned facilities. this pandemic and open back up, there is no excuse for not taking this seriously. I hold the same sentiment for progress with the Black Lives Matter movement. Tough conversations need to be had, and our new digital landscape allows that to happen. If you remain in your tight-knit circle, you’ll never learn new perspectives or experiences. What social media has done is exposed and educated the masses on the issues our country faces and has faced for centuries. Education is a crucial step in leading to change, regardless of your political position.

Millions of Americans and people around the world have experienced hardship over the last few months, and it’s easy to feel negative about where things are headed. My plea for everyone is to see the good that has come from these immense challenges we’ve faced. Being hopeful is one of the best ways to influence your friends, family and colleagues.

Stay strong, stay hopeful, and stay safe everyone.