New York Tennis Magazine November December 2014 by United Sports Publications, Ltd.

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

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

Table Of Contents

NOV/DEC 2014 • Vol 4, No 6

Staff David Sickmen Publisher (516) 409-4444, ext. 309 • david@usptennis.com Joel M. Berman President (516) 409-4444, ext. 310 • joel@usptennis.com

Featured Stories 6

New York Tennis Magazine’s 2014 Tennis Travel Destinations Guide We take a look some of the hottest tennis travel destinations.

2014 New York Tennis Magazine’s Coaches Roundtable Discussion We get the chance to sit down with the area’s top coaches.

Bryan Brothers Reach 100 Career Titles By Andrew Eichenholz A closer look at the conquests of Bob & Mike Bryan.

2014 Holiday Gift Guide Get some great gift ideas for the 2014 holiday season.

Eric C. Peck Editor-in-Chief (516) 409-4444, ext. 312 • eric@usptennis.com Joey Arendt Managing Art Director Francine Miller Advertising Coordinator (516) 409-4444, ext. 301 • francinem@usptennis.com Matthew Cohen Director of Business Development (516) 409-4444, ext. 306 Brian Coleman Editorial Coordinator (516) 409-4444, ext. 314 • brianc@usptennis.com Emilie Katz Assistant Marketing Coordinator Beverly Bolnick National Sales Manager (516) 409-4444, ext. 316 Scott Koondel Operations Manager (516) 409-4444, ext. 324

Andrew Eichenholz Editorial Contributor

Calvin Rhoden Staff Photographer

Michael Cervantes Editorial Contributor

Samantha Sklar Intern

Gary Simeone Editorial Contributor

Sarah Sklar Intern

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

Featured 4 10 12 17 18 21 36 39 51 54 57

Midtown Tennis Club Hosts Inaugural Celebrity Chef Tennis Challenge ITC Brings Its Tennis and Life Lessons to Westhampton Beach The Stars of the Kitchen and the Court Return for Taste of Tennis Gala USTA Eastern Honors Top Area Juniors Stars Assist McEnroe & Djokovic for Worthy Cause By Andrew Eichenholz Bronx Chamber of Commerce Honors NYJTL’s Cary Leeds Center A Bold New Plan for U.S. Player Development By Steven Kaplan Loeb Captures American Collegiate Invitational Women’s Singles Title NYJTL Leadership Awards Luncheon Breaks Fundraising Record Taking Stock in the Pros for 2015 By Andrew Eichenholz Reasons to Practice the Inside-Out backhand By John W. Sherwood

Featured Columns 14 16 16 20 22 24 27 42 43 50 52 58 59 60 63

Court Six: New York Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column By Emilie Katz Control What You Can and Let Go of the Rest By Xavier Luna USTA Leagues Update Moving Toward Better Tennis By Richard Thater Four Years Come and Go By Lonnie Mitchel USTA Metro Region Update The Jensen Zone By Luke Jensen Game Changer Polishook, MA, CPC Tips From the Tennis Pro By Carl Thorsen Metro Corporate League Recap, Presented by Advantage Tennis Clubs The Serve By Lisa Dodson Upcoming Events New York Tennis Club Directory New York Rankings USTA/Metropolitan Region 2014 Tournament Schedule

If tennis is your game, Advantage is your club! Choose your favorite or join all 3 and save. Advantage Tennis Clubs serve up tennis just the way you like it! Always with a relaxed atmosphere, friendly people and 3 unbeatable locations. All of our Advantage locations offer: Private and group lessons • Game Arranging • Leagues • Instructional programming & clinics for all levels • Junior Development & QuickStart (ages 4 & up) Programs • Hourly & Seasonal court rental • And more!

Manhattan Plaza Racquet and Health Club 5 cushioned hard indoor courts 450 West 43rd St., New York, NY Contact Gertrud Wilhelm: 212.594.0554, gwilhelm@advantagetennisclubs.com

New York Tennis Club 6 Har-Tru indoor/outdoor courts 3081 Harding Ave., Throgs Neck, NY Contact Lauren Hartman: 718.239.7919, lhartman@advantagetennisclubs.com

Roosevelt Island Racquet Club 12 Har-Tru indoor courts 281 Main St., Roosevelt Island, NY Contact Gordon Kent: 212.935.0250, gkent@ advantagetennisclubs.com

Find out more today—then choose your Advantage club! advantagetennisclubs.com NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

Midtown Tenn Inaugural Cel Credit all photos to Calvin Rhoden

To celebrate the U.S. Open and the Taste of Tennis Week in New York City, Midtown Tennis Club opened its doors for the firstever Celebrity Chef Tennis Challenge. “Taste of Tennis started 15 years ago when we took the tennis players off the court and into the kitchen. Now, we are turning the tables and taking the chefs out of the kitchen and onto the court,” said Penny Lerner, CEO at AYS Sports Marketing. In this unique round-robin style tournament, celebrity chefs teamed up with guests of the Midtown Tennis Club of NYC to raise money for City Harvest in its continuing effort to feed the nearly two million

New Yorkers facing hunger each year. “We are very happy to be hosting this year’s event and cannot thank our sponsors enough for coming out to support such a noble cause. I hope we can keep doing it in the years to come,” said Jennifer Brown, director of the Midtown Tennis Club. The day started with breakfast, coffee and drinks, sponsored by Ess-A-Bagel, Voss Water and La Colombe. “Everyone out here this early without coffee and food would be really bad,” said Auriel Dicky, events associate at AYS Sports. High-profile culinary and tennis celebrities mingled with guests before

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

their matches as crowds gathered around interviews held by the MSG+, NESN-TV and NESN National networks. The events host, Top Chef Masters Finalist Kerry Heffernan, had this to say, “It’s great to get together outside the kitchen to compete and raise money for such a great charity. There are egos in the kitchen and egos on the court; we’ll see which wins today.” Some of the celebrity chefs included Marc Murphy of Landmarc, along with Daniel Holzman and Michael Chernow of The Meatball Shop. Midtown Tennis Club is home to four HarTru indoor courts and four clay (rooftop)

nis Club Hosts lebrity Chef Tennis Challenge

courts. The four rooftop courts have breathtaking views of the Empire State Building. “For me, there’s nothing better than serving up a ball and seeing the Empire State Building in the background,” said Midtown Tennis Assistant Manager Liza Davis. The doubles draw consisted of 32 players who rotated partners, with the top two overall scorers advancing to the finals. Paul Rose, a tennis professional at Midtown Tennis Club, said his “favorite” to win the event was Christian Pappanicholas, founder of the restaurant, The Cannibal in New York City, who he has hit with in the past and has seen

play throughout the years. After three rounds of round-robin doubles play came a plot twist—celebrity chef David Sharp and Christian Pappanicholas were tied. A coin flip landed in favor of Pappanicholas who advanced to the finals, where he would face off against Eric Gabrynowicz, executive chef and partner of Restaurant North. Paul’s prediction came full circle with Pappanicholas coming out on top with a 4-0 victory. “I’m still chasing the dream of trying to get to the U.S. Open, but I don’t think I’m getting any closer. There’s such an epic array of talent in this event, to win is pretty awesome,” said a humble Pappanicholas,

By Matthew Cohen

who won a custom sport jacket made by sponsor Berel & Company, along with a bottle of Bulldog Gin. The event was followed by the annual Taste of Tennis Gala at the W Hotel in New York City, with 700 guests including pro tennis players like Venus and Serena Williams; guest DJ for the night, Victoria Azarenka, 25-plus celebrity chefs, and celebrities from across the entertainment industry. Matthew Cohen is director of business development for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached by phone at (516) 409-4444, ext. 306 or e-mail matt@usptennis.com.

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

Casa de Campo

Elite Tennis Travel Inc.

(800) 336-5520 www.casadecampo.com.do

(914) 713-5074 www.elitetennistravel.com

Casa de Campo offers the widest array of experiences found in the Caribbean. The 7,000acre luxury resort offers choice accommodations, whether in hotel rooms and suites or spacious villas. The deluxe lodging options are accented by dining at acclaimed restaurants, such as The Beach Club by Le Cirque and La Caña by Il Circo. Dozens of other restaurants, bars and lounges give guest plenty of variety during their stay. For those guests seeking more of a thrill, The Sporting Life has countless options for athletic excitement. Experience 90 holes of Pete Dye designed golf courses—Teeth of the Dog, Links, La Romana Country Club and Dye Fore—Shooting Center, Equestrian Center, Polo Club, Marina for deep sea and river fishing, Yacht Club and exclusive beaches. Called the “Wimbledon of the Caribbean,” La Terraza Tennis Club overlooks the entire resort, as well as the Caribbean Sea. The club features 13 fast-dry Har-Tru courts, 10 of which are lighted for night play. Thirty-two ball boys in crisp white tennis attire chase errant shots, which not only makes guests’ matches more pleasant, but also helps local Dominican children learn the game and look forward to a brighter future. A former ball boy rose up in the ranks at La Terraza to become a Junior Pro, then Pro and is now representing the Dominican Republic in the race for the Davis Cup. In Fall 2015, La Terraza will host the 38th Annual International Tennis Open, an event that attracts over 300 players from Latin America, USA and Europe.

Elite Tennis Travel Inc. (ETT) builds exclusive tennis and cultural experiences in Spain. Tennis training: will be provided by masters at renowned clubs in Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid. Cultural activities include dinners at the chef’s tables, behind the scenes museum access, and winery tours. Programs are designed for adults, high school students, groups, and individuals. n Elite exclusive journeys for adults: Our seven-day program in Spain is a world-class tennis experience. Elite Tennis can arrange a Master-Class, a conference and lunch with Toni Nadal, Carlos Moyá or Juan Carlos Ferrero. These tennis masters will help you work on your technique, precision, strategy and match play. ETT is able to plan any or every aspect of your vacation. The one- or two-week program in Barcelona for high school students includes tennis and physical training, language lessons, cultural experiences, 24-hour supervision, accommodations, three meals daily and transportation. n Tennis development: Our coaches are former ATP players and will work on technical and tactical parts of the game. This high performance program includes four hours of tennis instruction, and two ours of off-court training. n Cultural program: During the weekends, there are planned excursions to explore various facets of Barcelona, including its culture and traditions. n Groups: Elite Tennis Travel Inc. can accommodate groups of various sizes. ETT will design an experience to the required specifications. For more information visit www.elitetennistravel.com, call (914) 713-5074 or e-mail info@elitetennistravel.com.

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Peter Kaplan’s Westhampton Beach Junior/Adult Tennis Academy

(808) 882-5420 www.maunakeabeachhotel.com What makes Mauna Kea a “Top Tennis Destination?” The legendary Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an architectural icon designed to coexist beautifully with the unforgettable landscape of the Kohala Coast is located on a silky white-sand crescent beach, Kauna’oa Bay. Escape to paradise where you will find 252 luxurious guest rooms, Laurance S. Rockefeller’s private collection of Asian and Pacific artwork, impeccable service, one of the world’s finest golf courses and tennis club plus tantalizing cuisine with unforgettable settings. The 11-court Seaside Tennis Club is one of the largest and most sought-after tennis experiences in Hawaii. Each one of the 11 courts offer an incredible view of the Pacific blue ocean and on a clear day, you can see Maui in the background. Craig Pautler and his team serve up some of the most thoughtful touches available at the best private luxury tennis clubs. Facilities and services include 11 ocean side tennis courts, a pro shop offering equipment and apparel, equipment rentals, men and women locker rooms, video instruction service, ball machine, tournament planning, racquet stringing, individual game-matching, customized special events, tennis clinics, round robin tournaments, private and group lessons. Enjoy the many other amenities offered at the resort like the weekly Lu’au and Clambake, 2,500-square-foot fitness room and spa while taking in some of the most incredible views in the world. Celebrate the timeless Mauna Kea as she celebrates her 50th anniversary in 2015, visit www.TimelessMaunaKea.com. The Club is open daily, and can be reached at (808) 882-5420 or by visiting www.maunakeabeachhotel.com.

(631) 288-4021/(914) 234-9462 www.westhamptonbeachtennis.com Peter Kaplan’s Westhampton Beach Junior/Adult Tennis Academy, and the affiliated Grassmere Inn, is a wonderful destination for beginners to nationally-ranked players of all ages. Private instruction and 90-minute clinics are offered daily. Camps and one-day through seven-day programs are available. The flexibility of the programming enables participants to enjoy the nearby beautiful ocean beaches, charming village and other East End attractions. Resident students/families/teams stay at the historic Grassmere Inn, located on quiet, tree-lined Beach Lane in Westhampton Beach, N.Y., only 50 yards from the beginning of the charming village, yet less than one mile from a beautiful ocean beach. The location could not be better. The Grassmere has 22 guest rooms, all with air conditioning, WiFi, cable television and private bathrooms. A delicious breakfast is included daily. The Tennis Academy, located three miles away, is primarily a teaching center featuring 12 soft courts. The Academy features an enthusiastic staff, renowned for its high-quality instruction and low student-to-staff ratio. The maximum ratio is 4:1, but the average ratio is 2:1. The staff is always accommodating and happy to tailor programs to fit the needs of the customer. There are also tennis pros who bring groups. For more information, call Peter Kaplan at (631) 288-4021 or (914) 234-9462, e-mail peterkaplan2002@yahoo.com or visit www.westhamptonbeachtennis.com.

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

Saddlebrook Resort

Sports Travel Experts

(800) 729-8383 www.saddlebrook.com

(800) 677-5295 www.sportstravelexperts.com

Saddlebrook Resort is the Mecca of Tennis programs. Forty-five tennis courts are nestled in beautiful surroundings, complete with all four Grand Slam surfaces that attract tennis enthusiasts from all over the world. Both junior and adult athletes train and compete, while learning cutting-edge techniques to take them to the next level. Players from the full-time preparatory school can be seen training alongside touring professionals. The program features intense instruction, luxurious accommodations, and personal attention coupled with true professionalism from our tennis and resort staff. Saddlebrook Tennis has the ability to cater to the true tennis athlete who chooses to participate in our demanding five-hour program, offered 365 days a year. Participants enjoy watching some of the world’s best players who train at Saddlebrook, including: John Isner, Bob & Mike Bryan, Tim Smyczek, Jack Sock, Sam Stosur, Melanie Oudin and a host of other ATP and WTA players. Saddlebrook Tennis offers three programs: Adult Intensive Clinics and Camps; Tournament Preparation Programs for Juniors; and the Saddlebrook Preparatory School & Tennis Academy. For more information, call (800) 729-8383 or visit www.saddlebrook.com/tennis.html.

Sports Travel Experts was founded by Karl Hale, one of the leaders in the tennis industry, to provide quality service and experiences at numerous tennis sporting events around the world. We combine some of the world's best resorts and destinations, along with the biggest tennis stars, to provide the most unique tennis sporting travel experiences and events for our guests. In 2014, Jamaica Tennis Week was privileged to have tennis great Jim Courier team up with us to put on a brilliant exhibition. Guests would wake up in their beautiful villas and enjoy breakfast on the hot white sandy beaches of Jamaica, followed by tennis camps in the mornings and matches that went into the cool evenings. This created a first-class experience and unparalleled atmosphere for our guests. Our guests loved the atmosphere so much they didn't want to leave and they are all coming back in 2015! Pick up your racquets and come join us on our Jamaica Tennis Week, April 21-26, 2015, at the spectacular Half Moon Bay Resort in beautiful Montego Bay, Jamaica. Jamaica Tennis Week is a melting pot of players from all around the world. The week’s festivities kick off with our opening ceremonies; followed by our popular tennis camp (10 hours of amazing clinics); the Second Annual Jamaica Senior ITF Championships; a Pro Charity Exhibition, featuring 2013 Wimbledon Champion Marion Bartoli; social events throughout the week; finally culminating with our closing ceremonies. For more information on Jamaica Tennis Week, please visit www.sportstravelexperts.com, e-mail info@sportstravelexperts.com or call (800) 677-5295.

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

STADIUM TENNIS CENTER

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SPECIAL OFFER ADULTS – 1 Free 30 minute cardio tennis lesson or clinic JUNIORS – 1 Free 30 minute junior clinic Call now to schedule your free lesson – (718) 665-4684 Coupon Code: NYM23 *Subject to availability and club rules

• We offer a full-range of junior and adult programs for recreational and tournament players in partnership with Gotham Tennis Academy, a leader in developing and operating tennis programs in New York City and the Hamptons. • Our professional tennis staff has some of the most talented, personable and engaging tennis professionals in NYC. For more information about our pros, please visit www.stadiumtennisnyc.com • Sign up now for our popular programs, private lessons, seasonal court rentals, unlimited play memberships, tournaments and adult leagues. • Sixteen BRAND NEW – JUST RESURFACED! US Open style deco-turf tennis courts with spacious backcourts • For the convenience of our regular players and their families, the Tennis Center offers complimentary on-site parking. In addition, an adjacent clubhouse features a pro shop, café, locker rooms and lounge areas, Wi-Fi computer access, a workspace where children can do schoolwork and read, and a tennis library.

Stadium Tennis Center at Mill Pond Park www.stadiumtennisnyc.com | www.gothamtennis.com

(718) 665-4684

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

ITC Brings Its Tennis and Life Le to Westhamp B Y M AT T H E W C O H E N

n its continuing quest to “Empower Israel’s children ... beyond tennis,” the Israel Tennis Centers Foundation (ITC) held a special fundraising event at the home of Richard and Leora Linhart in Westhampton Beach, N.Y. The Linharts had this to say, “We are delighted and happy to host such a moving and fun event. These are two things very close to our hearts–Israel and tennis.” A diverse team of Israeli players were on hand, including 10-year-old Tali Malykhin who started playing tennis at the age of five and is ranked number one in Israel’s 10 and Under age group; 17-year-old Matvey (Moty) Radionov, who has been with ITC since the age of six and is currently ranked number two for his age group in Israel Men’s Singles; 16-year-old Rotem Ashkenazy, who, in spite of being hearing impaired, plays tennis for over two hours each day; 11-year-old Ethiopian Oshri Ayalew, who is referred to as a “new immigrant;” and coach Rakefet Benyamini. The group flew into the U.S. to meet members of the West-

I 10

hampton Beach community and the surrounding area who were interested in learning more about the current conflict and how the ITC centers are playing an integral role in keeping them safe and secure. “These children represent the ITC. They are not only truly excellent tennis players, they are an exceptional group of kids,” said Irwin Shorr, board member of the ITC. Hors’ d’ourves and drinks set the mood for what was an exciting, emotional and fun-filled day of tennis. The children began by sharing some of their incredibly inspiring stories with the audience. “It is always gratifying to hear the children speak about the positive impact our organization has had on their lives,” said Jacqueline Glodstein, ITC’s vice president of global development. None were more captivating than that of Ayalew, a member of the High Performance Program at the Marjorie Sherman Israel Tennis Center in Ashkelon, who has endured countless rocket attacks and scrambling to bomb shelters for his safety. Oshri’s family made the journey to Israel from

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

Ethiopia 10 years ago and, despite the latest conflict, he dreams of being the first Ethiopian player to represent Israel in Davis Cup tournaments. His story is one of courage and determination in the face of turmoil and war. “Having Oshri here in Westhampton Beach is a true Mitzvah,” said Yoni Yair, Israel development director. What followed was a unique set of drills led by Benyamini which showcased the children’s superior tennis skills. “Kadima! Kadima!” Benyamini shouted, which in Yiddish means “Let’s go!” Even for such a young group of children, the discipline and attitude they carried commanded respect. It was clear that these children are destined for a bright future both on and off the court. Being part of this event felt like being part of some greater purpose. Hundreds of children from southern ITC locations have been transported to northern centers, away from the blare of sirens and the threat of rocket attacks from Hamas. “Missiles don’t discriminate” said

essons pton Beach Glodstein. Throughout this crisis, the goal has been to provide a caring and nurturing place for disadvantaged Israeli children of all backgrounds, a place where they can continue to learn essential life skills through the sport of tennis. “Every person in the tennis center is carefully chosen, from the people who string the racquets to the tennis coaches. They are all handpicked,” said Benyamini. “For most, the streets are more attractive than tennis; we give these children a home where they may not have a home to go back to.” It is a scary time for the people of Israel, a time where school teachers carry rifles over their shoulders, bomb shelters are a

staple in tennis centers and most put down a tennis racquet to jump into a tank. “I come from a really low social economy. The Tennis Center is like a second family to me,” said Radionov, who moved to Jaffa from Russia in search of a better life. “When I had nothing, the Tennis Center got me the equipment, shoes, racquet and clothing I needed to pursue a career in tennis. I would be lost without them.” Since opening its first center in Ramat Hasharon in 1976, the ITC has helped more than 400,000 children, many of whom come from outlying development towns throughout Israel. The ITC’s 14 centers stretch from Kiryat Shmona on the Lebanese border in

John Isner

Matthew Cohen is director of business development for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached by phone at (516) 409-4444, ext. 306 or e-mail matt@usptennis.com.

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the North to Beer Sheva in the Negev Desert in the South. With the help of the Westhampton Beach community, the ITC is looking for funding to raise $50,000 with the goal of installing two more small shelters. “I wake up every morning knowing I’m going to change a child’s life today. We don’t want to just give them the fish, we want to give them the means to get the fish,” said coach Benyamini.

5700 Saddlebrook Way ♦ Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 800.729.8383 ext. 4200

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NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

The Stars of the Kitchen and the Co 01

Credit photos to Samantha Sklar and Getty Images

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October November/December2014 2014• •NYTennisMag.com NYTennisMag.com

ourt Return for Taste of Tennis Gala

AYS hosted its 15th Annual Taste of Tennis Gala, once again putting 05 together a one-of-a-kind event which featured food prepared by some of the top culinary minds in New York City. Partnered with New York Tennis Magazine, the event’s Official Media Sponsor, AYS combined some of tennis’ biggest stars with some of the city’s best chefs for a night of food, cocktails and live music. This year, the Annual Taste of Tennis event took place at The W New York Hotel and was hosted by The Today Show’s Tamron Hall. Some of the city’s top culinary minds were in attendance to prepare, cook

and eat food with the tennis world’s brightest stars. The winners of the Long Island Tennis Challenge and New York Beach Tennis Tournament’s were guests of New York Tennis Magazine and took in an evening of

01-Dustin Brown samples a dish 02-Monica Puig samples some of the desserts 03-New York Tennis Magazine’s Megan Broderick (center) with Bob & Mike Bryan 04-Venus Williams cutting it up on the turntables 05-Victoria Azarenka testing her bartending skills

fine dining in the middle of a star-studded crowd. While the Taste of Tennis Gala has been going on for more than a decade, this year marked the first ever Taste of Tennis Week, which featured an array of events during the week leading up to the U.S. Open. One particular event was the “Party With the Pros” night, where guests enjoyed an evening of great food, hand-crafted signature cocktails and live music, while mingling with some of tennis’ most well-known players. Victoria Azarenka, Sloane Stephens and John Isner were all at the Measure Lounge at Langham Place Fifth Avenue in New York City for the inaugural event.

06-Agnieszka Radwanska samples some cheesecake 07-Sabine Lisicki smiles for the photographers 08-Sloane Stephens on the red carpet 09-Serena Williams gets a big thumbs up on her culinary creation

NYTennisMag.com NYTennisMag.com• •November/December September/October 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

courtsix New York Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column By Emilie Katz Impractical Jokers hit the Island

Tennis world bids farewell to Li Na

The truTV show “Impractical Jokers” came to Long Island recently and filmed a segment Bethpage Park Tennis Center. For those not familiar with the program, Brian “Q” Quinn, James “Murr” Murray, Joe Gatto and Sal Vulcano have entertained each other for years with hilarious practical jokes. And now, these real-life best friends challenge each other to outrageous dares and stunts … all caught on hidden camera. In these tennis scenes, four Long Island tennis players were “taught” by the comedians. The show aired in late September.

Asia’s first Grand Slam singles champion Li Na has called time on her 15-year tennis career due to “chronic” knee injuries. The current world number six won the French Open in 2011 and the Australian Open in 2014, as well as boosting popularity of the sport in Asia. “It took me several agonizing months to finally come to the decision that my chronic injuries will never again let me be the tennis player I can be,” said Li. “Walking away from the sport is the right decision for me and my family.” Serena Williams: “Congratulations to Li Na. A sad day for tennis, but I’m sure your

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

future will be bright and the star you left on our sport will never dim.” Rafael Nadal: “Congratulations on your career, and I wish you all the best in your new life.” Ana Ivanovic: “What an amazing person and champion! You will be missed on the Tour, but have an amazing new chapter ahead of you.”

Wozniacki forgets to pick up U.S. Open check Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal

After fulfilling her duties as U.S. Open runner-up following her finals loss to Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki headed back

to Manhattan, putting tennis in the rear view as she prepared to enjoy New York Fashion Week. Finishing second at the U.S. Open brings a $1.45 million runner-up check. Except in this case, it did not. So, Wozniacki’s car had to turn around to go back to Queens, and 30 minutes after leaving the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, she was back to pick up her winnings.

niebouchard and @ChrissieEvert promoting Singapore :) GET READY #GENIEARMY l Azarenka meets the Mouse: This just happened! We finally met! #mickeyandminnieVika

l l

Vic Braden: In memoriam … Long Island Tennis Magazine columnist Steven Kaplan of Bethpage Park Tennis Center remembers longtime tennis player, instructor and television broadcaster Vic Braden … One of the greatest coaches in tennis history, Vic Braden has died at the age of 85. Vic was a pioneer in the tennis instructional field. While other coaches were limiting their teaching to a reliance on personal experience, Vic was breaking barriers using science to support his instruction. Vic teamed with another pioneer, Dr. Gideon Ariel, who pretty much invented the field of computerized biomechanical analysis. Dr. Ariel was using a cutting edge “Dartfish” like system while we were walking around with 25-pound “mobile” phones. Together, these two innovators brought tennis instruction out of the stone age and integrated science and technology with human performance. Sadly, progress in tennis performance science is lacking in U.S. tennis today. Vic Braden was also a great personality and motivator. He was intelligent and made the learning of complex ideas easy and fun. He while be sorely missed.

Tweets from the pros l Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole): Stefan, our baby angel was born! I am so proud of my beautiful wife Jelena! Thank you so much for your love and support. We love you all!!! l Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert): Congrats to @DjokerNole and his wife Jelena on the birth of their son! Such a special time for them … Enjoy and appreciate! l Justin Gimelstob (@JustinGimelstob): Congrats #PeytonManning Excellence personified l Eugenie Bouchard (@GenieBouchard): Roaming the streets of Wuhan and getting asked to take pics with babies l Noah Rubin (@Noahrubin33): If you fly you must smell good … simple rule l Serena Williams (@SerenaWilliams): I

l l

miss @GreenDay any new concert news??? John Isner (@JohnIsner): Thanks to those who still support me during the tough times. I’ll get better. #KeepPounding Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki): Yeaaaahhh!!! So happy to win against Sharapova today after 3 hours and 13 min on court! It was a tough … Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal): Congrats to the Women’s @usabasketball and to the Spanish team #SelFem for the great games you played throughout the World Cup #silver @FIBA Roger Federer (@RogerFederer): Thank you to all my fans in Shanghai for making @SHRolexMasters incredible! #happyRF Venus Williams (@VenusesWilliams): Winter #olympics 2018 here I come! #love #quebec Milos Raonic (@MilosRaonic): Had a great time yesterday in Tokyo with @newbalance @NBTennis Met great fans and the Raonic Robot. #NewBalance#NB10S Lindsay Davenport (@LDavenport76): Having fun walking the streets of NY w/this crew @justingimelstob @rennaestubbs @thetracyaustin @charlosfox Aga Radwanska (@ARadwanska): So happy to be returning to Perth for @HopmanCup with Jerzy. Great event and city! #TeamPoland Sloane Stephens (@sloanetweets): Girls night out w/ grandma shopping, taking selfies and whatnot. Clearly too many things to do in Fresno!

Selfies from the stars

l Bouchard and Evert promote Singapore: Appropriate #TBT to @geNYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN AND LET GO OF THE REST

By Xavier Luna

things that aren’t worth it. Here’s a sample list:

You’re on the court, playing against a similarly skilled opponent. Suddenly, a gust of wind blows your return shot out of bounds. Now you’re behind in the match. The weather continues to be problematic all match long, making you more and more frustrated. Eventually, your frustration consumes your game and your opponent beats you. Keep your mind in your game It’s easy to become frustrated in any sport, let alone tennis. And frustration equals distraction—sometimes the hardest opponent to beat. Tennis players who want to win should focus solely on the things that they can control—and not worry about the things that they cannot. This is easier said than done, so it’s helpful to make a list of the “controllables” and the “un-controllables” to help avoid wasting time and negative emotion on

Un-controllables l Weather: If conditions aren’t favorable, remember—they aren’t favorable for your opponent either. l Umpires: They are one of the most common “un-controllables” and one of the things that can lead to the most frustration and agony. Nobody is perfect, including umpires at times, so if you think someone made a bad call it’s best to move forward. Arguing or dwelling can derail your game and your psyche. l Opponent play: You cannot control how your opponent plays, so there’s no sense obsessing about it. l Reaction: Whether it’s spectators or your opponent, you have no influence over how people react to certain things. Controllables So what can you control on the court? Yourself.

That’s right, while there are countless factors that you have no control over, you do have a say in is how you perform and act on the court. You control what shots selections you make, how you move your feet and the posture you take as you strike the ball. And you’re in charge of how you act during stoppages and the sportsmanship that you display during the game. The more you focus on the things that you can impact, the more your overall game will benefit. So if you feel yourself starting to slip and dwell on the un-controllables, review this list. Redirect your energy and focus to the parts of your game you can control. Let go of the rest. Just keep calm and play on. Xavier Luna is director of Advantage AllCity Junior Programs (Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club and New York Tennis Club). He may be reached by phone at (917) 570-9650 or visit www.advantagetennisny.com.

USTA Leagues Updates The Metro Mixed-Doubles Season will be starting up soon. The Manhattan Mixed teams begin first, with matches starting Nov. 6. For the Manhattan Season, we have 50 teams participating this year. Levels of play include 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0. The levels are based on the player’s combined ratings with the difference not exceeding 1.0. For example, for a 7.0 team, you can have two 3.5 level players or one 3.0 and one 4.0 level player. Matches consist of three doubles courts. The Brooklyn League will start up in December, and the Queens and the Bronx Seasons in January. If you are a player looking to join a team, please send an e-mail to info@metrotennis.com. Please include your full name, age and area where you wish to play. Include your NTRP Rating if you know it as well. If not, include a brief description of your tennis background (beginner, played in high school, college, etc.) Looking forward to a great Mixed-Doubles Season. See you on the courts!

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

USTA Eastern Honors Top Area Juniors USTA Eastern hosted its 2014 Junior Awards Gala to honor the top juniors in the Eastern Section. Former professional tennis player and First Vice President of the USTA Katrina Adams was a guest speaker at the event. Adams is the current executive director of the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program in New

York City. In addition, former professional tennis player and Tennis Channel broadcaster Justin Gimelstob spoke at the event. Gimelstob is a member of the Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame. The USTA Eastern Junior Awards Gala has recognized exceptional players for over 15 years. The full list of award winners is below:

Credit all photos to Calvin Rhoden

Jill Fonte, USTA Eastern executive director, recognizes the accomplishments of some of the area’s juniors over the past year

Mark McIntyre, executive director at Riverside Clay Tennis Association (RCTA)

Former pro and current Tennis Channel broadcaster Justin Gimelstob

USTA First Vice President Katrina Adams addresses the crowd and recognizes the accomplishments of the area’s top junior players

Jeffrey Fradkin from New York City, Billy Suarez from Huntington, N.Y. and Ronan Jachuck from Slingerlands, N.Y. are congratulated by Mark McIntyre (right) and Jill Fonte (left)

Boys 10s 1. Ty Switzer (New York, N.Y.) 2. Evan Wen (Morristown, N.J.) 3. Julian Wu (Tenafly, N.J.)

Girls 14s 1. Rachel Lim (Braircliff Manor, N.Y.) 2. Lea Ma (Dix Hills, N.Y.) 3. Anna Brylin (Short Hills, N.J.)

Girls’ 10s 1. Stephanie Yakoff (Fort Lee, N.J.) 2. Amaya Goulbourne (Pelham, N.Y.) 3. Hailey Stoerback (Saint James, N.Y.)

Boys 16s 1. Matthew Gamble (Webster, N.Y.) 2. Brenden Volk (Dix Hills, N.Y.) 3. Jordan Benjamin (Fairport, N.Y.)

Boys 12s 1. Billy Suarez (Huntington, N.Y.) 2. Jeffrey Fradkin (New York, N.Y.) 3. Ronan Jachuck (Slingerlands, N.Y.)

Girls 16s 1. Stephanie Schrage (Millburn, N.J.) 2. Rachel Lim (Braircliff Manor, N.Y.) 3. Sabrina Xiong (Fresh Meadows, N.Y.)

Girls 12s 1. Rosie Garcia Gross (New York, N.Y.) 2. Gabriella Price (Montebello, N.Y.) 3. Alexa Noel (Summit, N.J.)

Boys 18s 1. Daniel Grunberger (Great Neck, N.Y.) 2. Daniel Kerznerman (Brooklyn, N.Y.) 3. Matthew Gamble (Webster, N.Y.)

Boys 14s 1. Sean Wei (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) 2. Ronan Jachuck (Slingerlands, N.Y.) 3. Michael Sun (Livingston, N.J.)

Girls 18s 1. Katharine Fahey (Fair Haven, N.J.) 2. Sabrina Xiong (Fresh Meadows, N.Y.) 3. Rima Asatrian (Tenafly, N.J.)

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

The S Assist for Wo

01- Henrik Lundqvist & John McEnroe gather for a photo with Ed Norton & Novak Djokovic at Sportime Randall’s Island 02- John McEnroe and Novak Djokovic field questions during the pre-match press conference 03- World number 16 Lucie Safarova was a 6-3 winner over Jamie Loeb 04- World number one Novak Djokovic livens up the crowd at Sportime Stadium at Randall’s Island 05- Actor Ed Norton teamed up with Novak Djokovic to face the duo of John McEnroe & Henrik Lundqvist 06- Wimbledon 2014 Boy’s Champion Noah Rubin fell to Novak Djokovic in an exhibition 07- New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist talks strategy with his doubles partner John McEnroe 08- World number one Novak Djokovic enjoying the night at Sportime Randall’s Island 09- University of North Carolina and JMTA’s own Jamie Loeb takes on Lucie Safarova New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com during an exhibition at Sportime Randall’s Island 10- Guest umpire Sean Hannity enjoying an evening of tennis for a good cause

tars of the Screen and Ice McEnroe and Djokovic Worthy Cause By Andrew Eichenholz

04 orld number one Novak Djokovic headlined a charity event benefiting the Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP), raising funds to give more children in the metropolitan area an opportunity to play tennis through scholarships and other financial assistance. The event, hosted by John McEnroe at his John McEnroe Tennis Academy at Sportime on Randall’s Island, included exhibitions between current and future professionals, along with a celebrity doubles match to cap off an exciting evening. To kick off the festivities was a fun women’s singles set between current world number 16 Lucie Safarova and University of North Carolina and JMTA’s own Jamie Loeb, who spent much of her NCAA season as the top-ranked player in the country. In front of a nice crowd at Sportime Stadium, former home of the disbanded New York Sportimes of World TeamTennis, the current and future of the WTA Tour entertained a nice crowd in a 6-3 Safarova win. The next match featured two Wimbledon champions, with this year’s men’s and boy’s titlists taking to Sportime’s center

05 court. Djokovic squared off with another JMTA product, local Noah Rubin, in an eight-game pro set. McEnroe, however, had other plans for his pupil, Rubin. “I’m instructing Novak if he so desires or feels like it, to go out there and … you know … give him a little taste of reality,” McEnroe said. The duo enthralled the crowd deep into the night, with long rallies, and the speedster from Long Island even pulling off a “tweener” against the top player in the world. After an early break by the Serbian superstar, Rubin held his own in a tight affair, eventually succumbing in the lighthearted 8-5 pro-set. The proceeds from the event were added to an auction before the final match of the evening. As all of the night’s guests and players took the court, fans and spectators raised their hands to bid on exciting experiences, from U.S. Open packages, to tickets to the New York Rangers with McEnroe himself. Even media personality Sean Hannity got in on the bidding, winning one of three $10,000 Rangers packages to benefit the JMTP. Just as fans thought the night of entertainment was coming to an end, New York

06 Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and actor Edward Norton took the court with McEnroe and Djokovic respectively, surprising the crowd with their level of play, one which fans may not expect of a celebrity or a professional of another sport. As fun of a match it was, everybody involved showed signs of seriousness at certain points, with guest umpire Mike Lupica lucky to escape McEnroe’s always-entertaining antics. At three games apiece, after many rallies in which the pros showed no qualms about testing Norton and Lundqvist’s skills, it was decided that a 10-point tie-breaker would decide the match and call it an evening. With the home court advantage in their pocket, McEnroe & Lundqvist took the point and the match by a final score of 4-3. “I love the game,” Lundqvist said. “It’s great to see Novak come out here and help Mac and his foundation.” Djokovic was glad to help the cause as well. “I’m grateful, and I’m really happy that I’m able to contribute in my own way to more awareness of tennis in New York and the community,” Djokovic said in a preevent press conference.

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

Moving Toward Better Tennis By Richard Thater f you study sports movement long enough, you learn that most moves are considered to be either rotational (circular) or linear. In reality, most moves are some combination of both, but for easier understanding, it is helpful to look at them as separate moves. Many of you may remember the early teachings on how to hit a forehand. Point the racket tip toward the back fence, and follow through by pointing at your opponent. With this stroke, the racket moves along what is nearly a straight line. Heavier rackets may have needed this style of hitting just to break through inertia, but modern equipment has produced changes in forehand production. With lighter rackets that are easier to move through the air, the emphasis has changed to a rotational movement. If you consider your belly button as the center of a circle, then the stroke rotates around that center. This forehand produces more speed/power when striking the ball, and a better-balanced recovery position. I have read that one of the fundamentals for producing power in the Chinese fight-

ing arts is to always have one body part pulling while the other is pushing. A simple way to understand this is to try to hit a simulated karate punch using only one hand. Place your fist by your hip, then thrust it forward as if striking a target. Now, extend your left hand in front of you and quickly pull it back as you punch with the right fist. You should feel a surge in power using both hands. So to quickly review the circular aspects of a modern forehand we make a unit turn, keeping in mind that our belly button is the center of the circle, then stroke forward and around with our racket as we pull back and around with our nondominant hand. You will find this easier to understand by trying it rather than relying on the text. The traditional one-handed backhand is a perfect example of a linear application. It doesn’t matter if you take your racket back above the shoulder or below the waist. At some point, you will have to move forward in a straight line. And remember, you will want your hands moving in opposite directions to increase power. A fun exercise to help practice these techniques is to take a square stance in the doubles alley grasping an open page

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New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

of The New York Times with two hands about eight inches apart. Imagine you are hitting your backhand into the opposite doubles alley while upping the power level by ripping the paper in opposite directions while you lean forward simulating a backhand drive. The serve is a complicated stroke that incorporates both rotational and linear movements. A graphic way to watch how movements change from linear to rotational on the serve is to look at a pinwheel. I have not seen one for a while, but a pinwheel is simply a fan on a stick. In the modern high performance serve, we are told to drive straight up from our rear foot through our knee and then our hip (contrast this with traditional teaching that wants us to transfer our weight onto the forward foot so we can move into the court in preparation for the return of serve). When the energy has reached our shoulder, it then changes into a series of circles. The shoulder is the center of one circle, the elbow is the center of another circle, and the wrist is the center of the last circle. It might be helpful to imagine that you are looking into the back of a watch with a see-through window. You will see many wheels of different sizes, maybe even moving at different speeds. Although the serve is a continuous series of movements, breaking it down into its components can help us understand and improve how we produce the stroke. Toss the ball straight up, drive straight upward into the pinwheel, and let the turbine effect of the circles propel the ball into an unreturnable ace. At least that’s the hope. Richard Thater is a long-time teacher and player on New York City courts. He is PTR-certified in both Junior and Adult Development, and has played in senior tournaments in the Greater New York area. Richard currently teaches at the West Side Tennis Club. He may be reached by phone at (917) 749-3255 or e-mail richthater@aol.com.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce Honors NYJTL’s Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning

The Bronx is booming, and as part of its Centennial Celebration, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce has nominated NYJTL’s Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning to receive its inaugural Building Award in the Sports & Entertainment category. This year, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce is recognizing the best projects and the teams that designed and built them. NYJTL’s winning project team was honored

at a reception at the Marina del Rey, published on the Bronx Chamber Web site and in local publications, and has earned the bragging rights of being the best of the Bronx projects! Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is very excited about the beautiful design of the facility, as well as the immense benefits it will bring to the community. “The impact that the NYJTL Cary Leeds

T E N N I S

Center for Tennis & Learning will have on Crotona Park and the Bronx, bringing tennis and a wonderful educational center for the community, makes it an easy choice for the ‘First Bronx Building Award,’” said Diaz Jr. “Its architects were able to masterfully design the building to blend seamlessly with the contours of Crotona Park, while creating a functional facility for students to learn.”

R U S H

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NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

Four Years Come and Go By Lonnie Mitchel have written articles for Long Island Tennis Magazine and New York Tennis Magazine for the past five years. During that time, I have come in contact with many parents and juniors who read this publication with questions about the collegiate tennis experience. They can ask everything from how do I market myself as a potential student tennis player, to what can I expect from the academic collegiate athletic experience? The junior tennis academies across New York State and the country specialize in getting aspiring collegiate players ready for the collegiate experience in the skills department. As a collegiate coach, I want to give you another perspective that should really resonate far more. You might be one of the better players on your high school team and a highly ranked USTA

junior player. However, on most collegiate tennis teams, athletes with a similar resume also hope to make an impact. You will be competing with and against not only the new incoming players, but experienced upper classmen. You are a good player and your record in high school and in tournaments backs that fact up. However, there is a good chance you will not be the best player on the team. You will have to leave your ego at the door and start preparing yourself for the next level. If you can do that, something bigger and better comes along. Just this season, I had a young 18-yearold male player come to the college where I coach. He came to us after a year of exchanged dialogue and a very good tennis resume that gave him a chance of being a very respectable collegiate tennis player. With hard work and commitment, to time management and academics, he would have blossomed into a fine addition to our

program. He resigned after the first official practice. Apparently, the commitment to a collegiate tennis program was overwhelming after only a week into his educational experience. I failed to make the student understand the opportunity being presented to him and that the athletic experience could have had a highly weighted variable for him to stand out amongst his peers. I tried to impress upon him and other athletes that coming to college to play tennis is much more. Thank goodness I have had more successes than failures. This is the reality of what you are getting and the message parents, high school and academy coaches should be conveying. 1. Support from the coaching staff and fellow team members adds to the cooperation from professors Coaches are “there” for their team members on many levels, from helping them through emotional slumps to encouraging their academic aspirations. The synergy between the locker room and the classroom is particularly effective on a small campus. A tennis player’s GPA on the average is significantly better than the average student body. 2. Easier socialization Some studies have shown that the transition from high school to college is easier for student-athletes. Being part of a “team” as soon as you arrive on campus can jumpstart the adjustment process. 3. Better fitness Participating in athletics affords not only the benefits of regular physical activity, but a motivation to learn about and practice good nutritional habits as well.

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

4. Academic motivation We often think of athletics and academics as two totally separate things. But in most colleges, students who play sports are required to keep up their grades. For some students, being required to stay on top of their studies so that they can stay on the team makes the difference between success and failure, not only in college but later in life, as well. 5. Professional opportunities Only a very small fraction of collegiate athletes go on to play professional sports. But the social networks they develop through athletics and the teambuilding skills they learn on the court can give young athletes a head-start in the business world in establishing their professional career. Having been a team leader or a good team player in college not only prepares a student for the real world, it also speaks volumes to potential employers and graduate schools about a student’s readiness for the professional community. What is written below is from an

anonymous college athlete which I would like to share to help you understand a how quickly four years of college goes and the importance of the experience: “Four years come and go in what seems like a moment’s time. You will look back and finally understand the full extent of the opportunity that I had. You will remember the times you killed yourself alongside your teammates. You will be PROUD of the moments you did it for THEM. As you re-live every suicide drill, every ounce of sweat you left on that court, you’ll find yourself half-smiling almost in disbelief of what you once put yourself through. You will know that, even if you describe every detail in every drill you ever did, no other person will fully understand the amount of yourself you sacrificed each day for four years. You sit half-smiling because this is something you share with only your teammates, and something that not one person can ever take away from you. This pain, this secret and this bond will be what you remember. Once it’s over, there will be no way

to replace that void … that part of yourself you once gave to your teammates and your team. Once it’s over, the physical pain becomes only a memory, and you’ll find yourself asking for more.” So, take it from me … sacrifice all of yourself for as long as you’ve got left. Four years is too short to hold back for even a second. I have heard from several graduating students in the past several years who share a common theme. That theme is “now that the working world has come I now know what these four years of college tennis meant both spiritually and athletically.” The experience paid high dividends in my post collegiate life. 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. Lonnie may be reached by phone at (516) 414-7202 or e-mail lonniemitchel@yahoo.com.

Centercourt Performance Tennis Center (CPTC) is a one of a kind facility dedicated to the development and performance of tennis players. CPTC features eleven hard courts, one red clay court, a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center, an indoor turf field and an academic center. Our mission is to help every student-athlete realize his or her potential athletically and academically. Our players respect the game, their peers, parents, and coaches. Our curriculum features comprehensive tennis instruction as well as physical and mental conditioning. CPTC offers both Full-time and After-school programs 7 days per week with tournament coaching and travel. Both programs have rolling admissions from September 8, 2014 to June 7, 2015. CPTC also offers an 11-week summer training camp, with van shuttle transportation available for players located in the New York area. Contact us to schedule an appointment and discover the place championships come to train!

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Contact Clay Bibbee: clay@centercourtclub.com NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

USTA Metro Region Taking it to the Streets By Daniel Arzuaga

“Yeah I know how to play tennis!” declared Brandon Smith, an eight-year-old resident of Crown Heights when he attended the first ever “Street Tennis” clinic held in front of his building on Union Street. “I hit hard! Watch me!” Brandon hit a tennis ball clear across the other side of the street. “Well Brandon … you clearly possess tons of power. And you can clearly HIT the ball … but how about now I show you how to keep the ball inside the tennis court lines?” Brandon smiled enthusiastically and agreed. “Street Tennis” is the brainchild of Daniel Arzuaga, a USTA Eastern Metro Board member, who recalls how he grew up in an urban New York City neighborhood in the 1970’s that had no tennis courts.

“I dreamed of playing when I was a kid growing up in the Morrisania section of the Bronx, but the opportunities weren’t there for me back in the 70s,” said Arzuaga. “Now when I walk home, I see young kids on my block, like Brandon, who are just running in the street trying to amuse themselves. They have seen me with my tennis racquet in tow and have asked me many times about playing tennis, but there weren’t any courts nearby I could take them to. It was then that I thought to myself, ‘Why don’t we just MAKE a tennis court right here for the kids to play on?’” Under the auspices of the USTA Eastern Metro Board and its President Jackie Clark, Arzuaga (affectionately called “Capi-Dan” by the kids), was able to secure a net, kid-sized racquets, youth tennis balls, orange target markers and constructed a makeshift tennis court on the sidewalk of Union Street.

Tennis for Teens at Rikers Island Correction Center Members of the USTA Long Island Region Board, along with three tennis instructors from Sportime’s John McEnroe Tennis Academy, recently joined together to put on the first ever tennis clinic at the Rikers Island Correction Center juvenile jail. This was a very successful day, where many boys participated. Every player was given a copy of New York Tennis Magazine, and new racquets balls were also gifted to the facility. Rikers Island Corrections Deputy Chief Greg McLaughlin and Warden James Perrino coordinated this effort with USTA Eastern LI Board Member Bob Coburn. It took many months in order to clear the way for this event to take place. “This was a wish for a long time and only came about because of our terrific volunteers and the great leaders at Rikers who realized the benefits of offering tennis to their inmates,” said Coburn. USTA volunteers included Marian Morris, Akiko Tohmatsu, Danny Burgess and Kevin Tuohy. Jamie Moore, Sportime’s director of community outreach, and John McEnroe Tennis Academy pros Michael Moore and Chidi Gabriel represented JMTA. Discussions are already planned to develop an ongoing tennis program at Rikers Island. 24

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

USTA Metro Region The Metro Region Orange Ball Tournament Series By Esu Ma’at

USTA Eastern Metro Region Tennis Service Representative Esu Ma’at (center) recognizes Balraj Idnani (left), winner of all five tournaments in the Orange Ball Series, and Neel Krishnaswamy (right), finalist in tournaments four and five

Date

The “Dave and Buster’s” setup at Cunningham Park

Esu Ma’at; Damita Bowlers, winner of tournament 2; Vanessa Popsecu, runner up; and Larry Dillion, Manager of 10 & Under Tennis for USTA Eastern

Location

Number of Participants

June 27

Stadium Tennis Center

Balraj Idnani & Vanessa Popescu

July 26

National Tennis Center

Balraj Idnani & Damita Bowlers

Cunningham Park

Balraj Idnani & Anselma Petrie

September 13

Stadium Tennis Center

Balraj Idnani & Sophia Koval

September 20

Riverside Clay

Balraj Idnani & Vanessa Popescu

August 30

By now, even many of the most skeptical tennis purists have begun to recognize and extol the virtues of 10 & Under Tennis. The advent of slower balls played on smaller courts, combined with age-appropriate racquets have made the game easier, safer and more fun for kids to learn. At this point, the question becomes, what do you do with several hundred children who, at an early age, can successfully mirror the movement, ball striking and strategies displayed by their favorite players on the ATP or WTA Tour? Until now, competition opportunities in the Metropolitan Region were limited to Red, Orange and Green Ball Jr. Team Tennis play and a few Green Ball tournaments. The absence of more courts with blended-lines and a holistic R.O.G.Y competitive

Winners

pathway, produced parents, coaches and players who were jumping to Green Ball competition long before many kids were actually ready. This summer, USTA Eastern began addressing the situation by launching the Metro Region Orange Ball Tournament Series. With the help of Lauren Levine at Stadium Tennis Center, Tina Tapps at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Bill Racho and Kelvin Lastique from Cunningham Park, and Mark McIntyre of Riverside Park, players from the Tri-State Area competed in five one day tournaments which featured fun and competition on and off the courts. From a Section perspective, we had three goals in mind with this initiative. One, we wanted to create more play opportunities

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

USTA Metro Region for Orange Ball kids. Thus, we created the series concept. Furthermore, we added a first round consolation format, which guaranteed a minimum of two matches for each player. We also priced the tournaments at $25 and awarded participation prizes to the kids who competed the most. Balraj Idnani, Ishwar Idnani and Vanessa Popescu each received special recognition for participating in all five tournaments. Secondly, we set the participation goal at 16 registrants per tournament. Historically, local 10 & Under tournaments have struggled to attract half as many players. Of course trying something new is always difficult in the beginning. Only 10 “Bravehearts” participated in the first event. But afterwards, the series caught on! Finally, we endeavored to enhance the overall 10 & Under tournament experience. For example, “Dave and Busters” was the theme at Cunningham Park. Each player received five red raffle tickets when they checked in for their first match and for every match they won. Off the court, they received tickets for their participation in Swedish Handball, the U.S. Open Scav-

enger Hunt and the “Olympic Games.” Each time they won an event, they were handed more tickets. If their parents participated with them in any activity, they were awarded for that as well. At the end, the kids ate pizza and exchanged their tickets for cool prizes. During the boys and girls finals at Riverside Park, all of the players were invited to the courts to hit for prizes such as oversized tennis balls, new sneakers, cotton U.S. Open jackets and more. By all accounts the series was a huge success. We demonstrated the demand for Orange Ball competition. One tournament director admitted being skeptical about running the event initially, only to change his opinion after witnessing the turnout and the level of play. Several parents expressed similar sentiments. Moreover, the Metro Region Orange Ball Tournament Series was a win for the business of tennis. Not only did it generate revenue relative to court time, ball sales and player fees, it also helped create a market for families clamoring for more Orange Ball events.

USTA Metro Board in action!

USTA Metro Board President Jackie Clark and Metro Board member Daniel Arzuaga volunteering at the ACEing Autism free kids clinic prior to the start of the U.S. Open

USTA Metro Board President Jackie Clark is interviewed by CBS News at the ACEing Autism clinic

The USTA Eastern Board, with USTA Board Vice President Katrina Adams, taking in the action at the 2014 U.S. Open

The first session of the new Youth Tennis League, featuring drills and play for kids 26

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

Practicing Under Pressure: The Key to Match Relaxation By Luke Jensen see so many talented players play like pros on the practice courts and fall apart during matches. It doesn’t matter what level of play, I find the transition from practice to match player sometimes is the toughest hurdle to overcome. For example, a player once had a double fault and a toss issue. So, we went to the practice court and started to unwind the mental knots the player had with their second serve and erratic toss. A simple pressure exercise is to put 25 in a row in the box at game speed. No Sloppy Joe’s (an underhand serve). This is not easy at first. The player would reach the high teens and into the 20s, and really start to feel the pressure. After a miss, a negative emotion would show as if they failed to accomplish their goal. I simply pointed out that the 19 or 23 serves we did hit into the box is a high first serve percentage, and nearly a full set without hitting a double fault. I have found that, time after time, working with players where if the goal of 25 was not achieved, they would go into “I FAILED MODE.” What I explained was that 25 in a row is pretty hard if you are going at game speed. I also explained that these pressure drills are not about failing, but about taking the tiny steps towards a mental place where you become less nervous and anxious. Showing that through pressure-based practices, you can become a clutch player

when under pressure. Simulating the impact and importance in drills and practice match play will translate directly into better pressure play in real match situations. My coaches had me play practice sets over and over with players I HATED with a passion. I played a ton of sets through my tennis life with my younger brother Murphy. He cheated me in every situation imaginable—even when he didn’t have to cheat to win—he still did to get under my skin. It was the thousands of practice sets in those situations that helped me play great under pressure. Practice had so much riding on it, just like a tournament match. I handled pushers and cheaters better and better as I gained more experienced playing in those match ups. My advice is to make practice tougher than any match you may play and your

game will shine when the pressure is on! By the way, that double faulter I mentioned earlier eventually earned a WTA singles and doubles ranking. Hard work and smart work … well, WORKS! Born in Grayling, Mich., Luke Jensen’s resume includes 10 ATP Tour doubles titles and singles victories against Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg and Jim Courier. Jensen and his brother, Murphy, won the 1993 French Open doubles title. He was also a member of the 1991 and 1992 Davis Cup Teams. His ambidextrous play, including his ability to serve the ball with either hand at 130 mph, earned him the nickname “Dual Hand Luke.” He may be reached by phone at (315) 443-3552 or e-mail lbjensen@syr.edu.

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

2014 NEW YORK TENNIS MAGAZINE’S

Coaches Roundtable Discussion he New York metro tennis community has some of the sport’s best facilities, both indoor and outdoor, and best coaches in the world. With this wealth of talent available right in our own backyard, New York Tennis Magazine recently took the opportunity to pick the brains of some of these top coaches. What you will find below are some of the sport’s top instructors sharing their ideas and strategies from coaching those new to the game to skilled juniors, the state of tennis in the metro New York area, the role of the parent in a player’s development, to what the U.S needs to do to produce the sport’s next top star and much more. Even the best coach can always learn an extra tip or two, and the following article will provide all players and coaches with a chance to learn from the cream of the area’s crop.

Meet the participants … Cesar Andrade Tennis Innovators Academy After his family immigrated to New York, Cesar Andrade frequently played at a local park in Queens, through the warmer months of the year. The head pro at the park courts recognized Cesar’s natural ability and took him under his wing at 11-years-old. After three hard working years on the court, Cesar picked up sponsoring from a company based out of Long Island, N.Y. during his freshman year in high school. This opened many doors in the tennis world and his training took off towards high-level competition in the USTA junior circuit reaching the top 20 in the Eastern Section and top 80 in the nation. During Cesar’s high school years, he spent four months out of every year training at the Bollettieri Academy. While spending those summer months in Florida, Cesar was able to compete in the ATP Satellite circuit from 1998-2000. He moved on to play NCCA Division 1 tennis, being offered a full tennis scholarship to Iona College in Westchester. Once his bachelor’s degree in international business was completed at Iona College in 2004, Cesar began a yearround role with Sportime at Harbor Island. Currently, Cesar is director of operations of Tennis Innovators Academy. 28

Elena Bantovska NYJTL Elena Bantovska oversees player identification, selection and development for NYJTL’s Advanced Training Programs Winter and Summer Tournament Teams. She is also in charge of tournament operations and the School Time Tennis program at NYJTL. Through the Advanced Training program, Elena focuses on building players on the court and preparing them for overall success in life. Over the past 10 years, 100 percent of NYJTL’s Advanced Training Program participants have continued their education in college and received numerous academic and athletic scholarships. Elena was ranked amongst the top juniors in Bulgaria and is a former varsity women’s tennis player at St. John’s University, graduating in 2001 with a degree in computer science. She is a USTA High Performance Coach and is USPTR-certified, currently perusing her master of science in sports management degree at Columbia University. Clay Bibbee Centercourt Athletic Club Clay Bibbee is the CEO of Centercourt. He is the founder of the Centercourt Sports Academy and Centercourt Athletic Clubs. Clay is an expert in the

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

club/sports business and has successfully provided the vision and leadership for Centercourt. He has served as the CEO since the inception of Centercourt Athletic Club in 2007. Clay oversees and supervises Centercourt’s executive management team, while also managing the relationships with Centercourt’s investing partners. The portfolio currently consists of eight facilities located in New Jersey, and more in development, representing over 600,000square feet of field, ice and court space; more than 570,000-square feet of which is enclosed either seasonally or year-round. Clay has organized a top management team in all functional areas, from professional coaching staff in tennis, soccer, lacrosse, fitness, and nutrition to professional sales, customer service, administration, purchasing and accounting teams. Eric Faro Stadium Tennis Center Eric Faro, director of tennis at Stadium Tennis Center, grew up in Riverdale and attended Horace Mann, where he played number one singles for all four years and subsequently at Ohio State University. Eric is excited about his role as a director at Gotham Tennis Academy and this new phase of his tennis career in New York City and the Hamptons. Eric has an engaging personality that kids enjoy, and

2014 NEW YORK TENNIS MAGAZINE’S

Coaches Roundtable Discussion he brings a wealth of coaching experience from his extensive background at Stadium Tennis and Central Park Tennis Center. Lawrence Kleger Sportime/John McEnroe Tennis Academy A native New Yorker, Lawrence Kleger is recognized as one of the top developmental coaches in the U.S. He has trained more ranked juniors than anyone in the history of the USTA/Eastern Section. Lawrence is also the personal coach of Noah Rubin, who trains at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy and who has been Lawrence’s student since the age of seven. Noah is a top American tennis prospect and reached a career-best number six ITF junior world ranking at the age of 16. He has won two Level 1 ITF singles titles and reached the quarter finals of the 2012 Junior French Open. Lawrence’s students have won countless National and Regional Championships and 18 USTA Eastern YearEnd Sportsmanship awards. Whitney Kraft USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Since 2007, Whitney Kraft has been the director of tennis at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y. and director of player operations for the U.S. Open. Previously, he was director of tennis for the City of Fort Lauderdale Park & Recreation Department (1998-2007). He was a 1983 Singles AllAmerican for Florida Atlantic University, and inducted into their inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame class in 2006. He is a National 10 & Under Trainer, a USPPTA Platform Tennis instructor, member of the Beach Tennis USA Board of Advisors, as well as a member of the National Cardio Tennis

Speakers Team. A USPTA member since 1983, Whitney served as district director for Broward County, Florida and as president of the local CTA, Broward Tennis Association. Whitney has been the tournament director for many prestigious events, including the National Public Parks Tennis Championships (2007), ITF World Championships (2002), the inaugural U.S. Open National Sectional Playoffs (2010), USTA Boys 14 National Clay Court Championships (2000-2007) and the USTA National Open Clay Court and Indoor Championships (1998-present).

Paul Rose Midtown Tennis Club Paul has been a tennis pro at Midtown Tennis Club for more than 20 years, where he enjoys teaching players of all ages and levels. He began his tennis career in Montego Bay, Jamaica, where he was appointed to head the Western Region Junior Tennis Program. Paul is certified by both the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Ed Krass College Tennis Exposure Camps Ed Krass coached the Harvard Women’s Tennis Team to four consecutive Ivy League titles from 19861990. Ed is the founder and director of the Annual College Tennis Exposure Camps, which are taught exclusively by all Head College Coaches for high school-aged players (1518). Ed is also the founder of One-On-One Doubles tournaments, which have been played at USTA, ATP, ITA and USPTA national events.

Richard Thater West Side Tennis Club Richard Thater is a longtime teacher and player on New York City courts. He is PTR-certified in both Junior and Adult Development, and has played in senior tournaments in the Greater New York area. Richard currently teaches at the West Side Tennis Club.

Howard Moore Saddlebrook Resort Howard Moore has been the tennis program director at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa, Fla. since 1986. Howard worked under the legendary Harry Hopman, the most winning Davis cup coach of all time, from 1976-1985. Howard was also the camp director of Harry Hopman International Tennis in Bologna, Italy from 1982-1984. Howard holds a BA in hotel management from Florida International University, is a USPTA Elite Professional, an RPT Master Professional, and serves as a faculty member on the U.S. Tennis Congress. NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

2014 NEW YORK TENNIS MAGAZINE’S

Coaches Roundtable Discussion The roundtable ...

What traits must a top player possess— mentally and physically—to set them apart? Eric Faro: A top player must be mentally strong enough to believe in themself no matter the situation. When a match gets tight and into those crucial situations is when you must remember that your opponent is more nervous than you are. You need to stay loose, focus on moving your feet, and play your style that made you successful. Just focus on playing that next point. No matter what happens you need to play with confidence and believe in yourself. Do you think tennis players should have an off-season to rest? Clay Bibbee: I truly believe the issue of rest during an off-season depends on the type of student-athlete highlighted. If the athlete is a highly national or ITF level player, then I believe periods of active rest and recovery are essential during off-peak times. Rest is not only important for physical recovery, but also for both mental and emotional components, as well to recharge the competition battery. The active recovery period could also include other activities to keep a player’s fitness level at a reasonable level, such as cycling, jogging, strength training etc. Many of our players use the time after Hard Court Nationals in mid-August as their ac30

tive-recovery period. We always look and adjust our players’ schedules to break time into “blocks,” which include high-intensity training blocks, pre-tournament blocks, tournament blocks and active recovery blocks. Currently, our players are in training blocks preparing for the two upcoming Grade A ITF’s, Eddie Herr and Orange Bowl, and the Winter Nationals. Paul Rose: Yes, as in all other professional sports, I believe that tennis players should have an off-season. The athlete needs to rest and work on the areas of his/her game to improve the quality of competition without the stress of tournaments. This, in turn, will help elevate the level of competition throughout season. I think the ideal time to begin this off-season would be the first six weeks after the U.S. Open. Richard Thater: Absolutely. But the issue then becomes when should they rest, and for how long. Would there be a true off-season similar to the ones used by most of the major teams or leagues? Would that mean players could not pick up extra money playing in exhibitions? Because tennis is a series of individual tournaments unrelated to each other, coordinating an off-season would be an administrative nightmare. Some tournaments would have to fold, and many venues would lose money. The plus would be that with everyone having the

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

same time away from competitive play, there would be more time to address some of the larger issues in the sport. How can we get more people watching college tennis both in person and on television? Lawrence Kleger: Some schools actually get pretty good turnouts, and I believe that in order to achieve this, it takes a lot of promotional work by the coaches, team and athletic department. They are getting more than the girlfriends and boyfriends of the players to come to matches. Those schools make an entire “event” out of it, rather than just playing the matches. They make the entire experience “fun!” Fans become part of the event. But they don’t change the rules or formats of the actual matches to draw the crowd. As far as making it more appealing for a TV audience, that is a tougher question. You will always get die hard tennis fans watching college matches; and probably relatives, neighbors and friends of the actual players. The casual tennis fan does not seem to be all that interested in watching college matches. If golf can get TV viewers, tennis should be able to do better than we are doing. How about televising a college tennis match like a golf tournament? On a golf tournament broadcast, they jump from hole to hole based on what is exciting (as if anything at a golf tournament could be ex-

2014 NEW YORK TENNIS MAGAZINE’S

Coaches Roundtable Discussion citing!) or significant at that time. Sometimes, they have to tape something happening on another hole and replay it if they believe it is of interest. “Let’s go to the 15th where just moments ago, Tiger was putting for birdie.” Is that more exciting than? “Let’s go to Court 4 where Bobby Smith is down match point.” And then you show the replay which is a 15-shot rally ending with Bobby hitting a tweener winner! Then breaking serve to even the match at five-all in the third. And maybe it makes sense to not televise a college match live. Have it taped delayed just enough time to allow showing the action in a way that makes the overall team match exciting. If you televise it live, and one team blows the other out by winning the doubles point and then

the first three singles matches shortly after, the rest of the broadcast better be showing Jimmy Connors beating Aaron Krickstein! Just an idea. Ed Krass: We can get folks to college matches if we play the matches after work, say around 6:00 p.m. or on the weekend in the afternoon. These events need to be very fan-friendly, and include music, concessions and announcers with an exciting atmosphere. The format needs to be shorter in length and not last five hours! I like the no-ad scoring to speed up the matches and showcase more pressure points for the audience. Music could be played low throughout the matches, but kept in the background. The racquet companies could give away a free racquet, and

there could be speed serve contests at halftime, along with other contests to entice folks to participate. College matches would be cool to watch on TV if it was easy to understand and follow. All of the singles and doubles matches may be best served by showing the highlights of each match. The TV producers will need to do an excellent editing job with this part to build in a 30-minute or 60-minute show. If college tennis is seen more on TV, the game will grow fast with bigger crowds attending the college tennis matches in the future! Is there a difference between coaching girls and boys? Lawrence Kleger: That is like asking, “Is there difference between girls and boys?”

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Coaches Roundtable Discussion I wouldn’t know where to start, but I do know that it would take a lot of time to type and there are still things that I would like to do before the end of the month. So, yes … there is difference! Ed Krass: I think it is a good idea to tell the girls a few things they are doing well, before telling them what they are doing “wrong.” This may hold true with some boys, as well. I have found the direct approach works better with the boys, but not all the time. Each person is different, so your approach to coaching men and women should differ a bit. The women should both like their coach and respect their coach. The men need to mainly respect their coach and can actually not like their coach and still produce winning results. I’ve seen plenty of this type of scenario over the years! Howard Moore: One of the best lectures I ever attended was given by Lynn Roley from the USTA who discussed, in detail, the differences in coaching female athletes compared to male athletes. When coaching female athletes, coaches must be very specific in giving instructions. Female athletes take every instructional word and have a tendency to internalize so much so that they cannot sort through all of the informational pieces as quickly as male players. Female players take coaches’ statements much more personally, and often, it can turn into an emotional setback! Is it better for a junior to play up or down in ability level and why? Ed Krass: Juniors need to control their own level/age bracket before playing up. Championship-level college players learn how to become “pressure” players at the junior level. One feels the most pressure playing in their own age division, as they feel they have more to lose in that scenario. Whereas, playing up gives the players the feeling that they have nothing to lose, hence not enough pressure to truly develop 32

into a champion. There are a few exceptions to this. For example, if a player wins 80 to 90 percent of their matches, all the time, in their age division, then it is a good idea to challenge them by entering them into an age level up. At what age level, if any, does home schooling become necessary for a serious tennis player? Clay Bibbee: I believe this comes down to the players’ maturity level, both emotionally and physically. Here at Centercourt, we have more than 45 full-time student-athletes, ages ranging from sixth grade to graduating high school seniors. A lot of it comes down to the simplicity of the athletes’ desire and level of passion. Being a full-time student-athlete is much like playing college tennis, they have to first be committed and not just compliant. Student athletes must be able to manage their time wisely and take responsibility in the details, both on and off the court. If a player is lacking confidence, what is the best thing to do on the court to get them to relax and gain their confidence back? Cesar Andrade: Rituals, rituals, rituals. Like in life, we have routines that make us feel ready for our day, in a match you need routines to bring you back to feeling ready to engage in the next point. Fixing your strings, looking at the back fence while bouncing light on your toes, grunting, etc. Rituals tend to help us find our zone and feel confident about starting the next point. Elena Bantovska: Lack of confidence has a very negative impact on performance. Confidence returns with improving what we do wrong on court. Players should take their time and slow down between points— walk slower, adjust their racket strings, practice deep breathing, towel off. Focus on how to correct mistakes, instead of feeling bad about them. Think about the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, adjust

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

and change strategy. Remember their individual strengths and use them as much as possible. Take one point at a time—doing the right thing and the best you can will build confidence up. Clay Bibbee: I focus on two areas. First, is to identify whether the player is putting the work in both off and on the court, where confidence follows. Also, I assess whether they are taking care of all the details and training properly. We tell our players that every practice is a rehearsal for a tournament. We communicate with our players daily and tell them if they do the right thing day in and day out, confidence will be there when they compete. The second is winning. Winning breeds confidence. Tournament scheduling is very important. Parents and coaches should strive for a 3:1 win ratio. I feel there are times when parents or coaches rush the process and have their athletes playing up in age groups or tournament levels too fast, which can often hinder a player’s confidence. It is a simple fact that when kids are winning on any level, they feel more inclined to practice more and are more, and become just as passionate and confident about putting the hard work into their games. What is the most ignored aspect of footwork today and how could it be improved? Lawrence Kleger: I cannot imagine ignoring any aspect of footwork given the physical demands of our sport as it has evolved. The athletes are bigger, stronger and faster. Advancements in racquets and strings add speed and spin to the ball. This requires one’s movement and footwork skills to be at an extremely high level. Every aspect, from reaction, to first step quickness, to movement to the ball, to positioning, to stance and balance, to contact, to recovery are critically important. Whitney Kraft: There is so much within this

2014 NEW YORK TENNIS MAGAZINE’S

Coaches Roundtable Discussion question … however, players learning to take and give space at appropriate times is one area, service returns for example, when to approach, etc. As well, a greater focus on feet “alertness” immediately after the serve is crucial to mitigate the deep aggressive return hit directly back at the server. How important is a physical size advantage on the junior and pro levels? Eric Faro: It is extremely beneficial to have a physical advantage on both levels. A player must be physically strong enough to go the distance in any match. They must be in better shape than their opponent so a match is never lost due to fatigue. In fact, a top player should feel like they can impose their will on a match and break their opponents down physically.

Whitney Kraft: Having a size advantage is beneficial at certain ages of in the junior ranks, and disadvantageous at other times if an awkward growth spurt accompanies the size increase as it takes time for youth players to adjust. At the pro level, it becomes more evident as people like Marin Cilic demonstrated at this year’s U.S. Open, combining both his height/strength to dominate his service games and nimble movement to gain his first U.S. Open and Grand Slam title.

of tennis Grand Slams in the history of the sport. This is an outstanding statistic, as Federer currently has 17 to his name, three more than his closest challengers, Rafael Nadal and Pete Sampras. Federer truly exemplifies the embodiment of sportsmanship and athleticism. On and off the court, he is the personification of true altruism. Federer always seems to have time to talk to the media, to his sponsors and to his fans and never has a bad attitude.

If you had to choose one player on the pro tour to serve as a role model for your students, who would it be and why? Howard Moore: I would have to say Roger Federer. His position of being considered the greatest player of all-time was cemented when he became the most renowned winner

Richard Thater: I think Roger Federer is the obvious choice, but not just because of his overwhelmingly positive attitude. Federer has displayed a very real diversity of emotions. He cried after losing the 2009 Australian Open to Rafael Nadal, and does not seem to feel that he always has to be a “Boy

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Coaches Roundtable Discussion Scout.” During a match with Juan Martin del Potro at the U.S. Open, he expressed his anger at the officials for allowing DelPotro extra time with his challenges by telling the man in the chair, “I don’t give a s*#@!” Anyone who helps put perspective on the game is worth singling out as a worthy role model. During TV interviews following her loss to Svetlana Kuznetova in the 2004 U.S. Open final, Elena Dementieva said it was hard to be too disappointed in the loss so shortly after Chechen rebels slaughtered 334 people in a school in the town of Beslan. Is it better for a junior player to play up or play down in ability level and why? Cesar Andrade: Our philosophy with choosing the “right” level for our juniors is to track their winning percentage from the conventional starting point of a regional USTA tournament, all the way up to national level tournaments. If a player is winning more than 60 percent of their matches at any specific level, they should play “up” at the next level to get a sense of the next goal. In the meantime, they get to master their current level as they prepare to increase winning percentage and ultimately move on. If a player’s winning percentage is below 60 percent, there has to be an analysis on whether they should play down or keep fighting at improving within their level. Coaches need to analyze this through the player’s performance while taking losses. To be clear, any player under a 60 percent winning percentage at any level, that is losing “badly” will lose confidence in their ability to compete and win, and might lose interest in the sport. Eric Faro: I believe it is equally important. It is important to play up for obvious reasons. The primary reason being you want to play with better players to improve yourself against better competition. However, it is also equally important to play “down” matches, because a top player needs to learn how to play when they are expected to win. It is important to play with pressure because it will 34

make you mentally stronger when you play your tournaments. Remember how you train in practice will directly lead to how you play in tournaments. How important do you think it is for a junior to participate in doubles as well as singles? Cesar Andrade: At our Academy, we believe that players who engage in doubles at the 12 & Under or below levels tend to stay at the baseline, which defeats the purpose of doubles play, to improve transition, volleys, overheads, reflexes and court coverage. From the 14 & Under age group forward, we feel strongly about having our juniors play doubles one out of every two tournaments. This is excellent preparation for high school and collegiate tennis. Elena Bantovska: In order to be a top player, juniors have to have an all-court game. Doubles play develops many skills and improves player’s singles game overall. It helps a ton with developing volleys and approach shots— great doubles is played at the net. Players look for opportunities to move to the net and put away the volley; they become more aggressive. Doubles improves the serve, forward movement, forces creativity, shot variety, instincts and reaction at the net. All and all, doubles play provides a tremendous benefit, improving a player’s all-around game. Lawrence Kleger: I would love to say critically important, but I cannot. Unfortunately, at the highest levels, most top singles players do not play doubles. In college tennis, your number one singles player may not be one of the top six doubles players. That would not make that singles player any less valuable. As a developmental coach, I do believe that the skills needed to be successful in doubles do translate to singles. So at John McEnroe Tennis Academy, we give doubles play its due in terms of emphasis. John McEnroe was one of the greatest singles players of all time. Where he ranks in singles

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

is debatable. There is not much debate as to whether or not he was the greatest doubles player. If you had to choose one player on the pro tour to be a role model for your students, which player would it be and why? Paul Rose: The player I would choose as a role model for my students is Roger Federer because he is personified as the perfect example of discipline, work ethic and professionalism. Federer seems to always be there to compete and to give it his all. He takes pride in the game by always being respectful to the officiating crew, by never losing his temper, and by always being elegantly put together. Who are greatest players of all-time on each surface? Elena Bantovska: On clay, I would say Steffi Graf and Rafael Nadal. On grass, it would be Martina Navratilova and Pete Sampras. On hard surfaces, I would go with either Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, Roger Federer or Andre Agassi. Whitney Kraft: I would say David Ferrer. He is hard-working, steady emotionally, selfless, humble and respectful of opponents. For example, this year after receiving a walkover at the U.S. Open, he proceeded immediately to the practice courts to not only hit, but also work with his strength and conditioning coach doing ball chase downs, sprints and other taxing and exasperating exercises to prepare for his next match. Impressive work ethic! Howard Moore: On grass, I would choose Martina Navratilova who won nine Wimbledon singles titles. I would also have to consider both Roger Federer, who has won seven Wimbledon titles, and the awesome Pete Sampras, who also has won seven men’s singles Wimbledon titles. On hard courts, there are three gladiators, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. Touch, power and excitement all rolled into great crowdpleasing matches. On clay, I believe Chris

2014 NEW YORK TENNIS MAGAZINEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

Coaches Roundtable Discussion Evert had one of the greatest winning streaks on the clay surface (125 matches). Nadal is a heavy grinder who has rocked with seven Roland Garros titles and the always elegant Steffi Graff went to nine Roland Garros finals. Paul Rose: This is a subject that I have delight in debating with my friends. The greatest players of all times is subjective to the era in which they played: Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf. For sheer numbers, Nadal would be the logical choice on clay, and on grass, it would Sampras. On hard courts, it would be Federer. But overall, who, in my opinion, is the greatest ever? The conversation can begin with Laver, because of all the players mentioned, he must be seen as the greatest achiever of them all. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the only player on

the list to have won the Grand Slam twice and who knows how many he would have won if he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t banned for turning pro. Borgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name has to be mentioned in the conversation for his exploits on clay as well as on grass. For him to get to six consecutive Wimbledon finals after moving directly to clay is no easy achievement. On the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side, Graf for her 22 Grand Slam titles in the modern era, and Martina for her 50-plus Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles and mixed-doubles are worth mentioning in this conversation, but my choice of the greatest of them all would be Federer. My only reservation is his inability to dominate his contemporaries, and therefore, the verdict is still out. Richard Thater: Rafael Nadal and Bjorn Borg seem the best choices on clay. Their

records for successive wins at Roland Garros seem to support this argument. How many readers think they have the stamina to watch a complete match between these two on clay? Definitely extra chips and cold drinks. I would opt for Rod Laver as the best ever on grass. There is a reason they named a stadium after him in Australia. Despite his use of the Continental Grip for all of his shots, he was still able to hit either a topspin or underspin from either side. Pete Sampras gets my vote for the best on hard courts. He persevered, despite bouts of nausea and the death of his coach. It is hard not to choose Steffi Graf as one of the best on all surfaces because she simply bludgeoned her opponents anywhere. And Chris Everett and Martina Navratilova seem to have changed major titles on all surfaces during their peak playing years.

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When Being Good is Not Good Enough

NYTennisMag.com â&#x20AC;˘ November/December 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ New York Tennis Magazine

A Bold New Plan for U.S. Player Development “I have several suggestions for the USTA to grow the game through player development, but I don’t really expect all of them to be taken very seriously because they are a far departure from the status quo.” By Steve Kaplan he USTA has a whopping $30 million annual player development budget, according to The New York Times. Given their goal to “Create the Next Generation of Champions,” things are not going too well. While the women’s side seems brighter than the men’s side, the outlook for the next great American, capable of winning multiple Grand Slams is a long way off. In fact, it seems that each Grand Slam sets a new record for U.S. tennis futility such as this last U.S. Open which saw no American male reach the fourth round for just the second time in the 134-year history of the event (the first time was last year).

Patrick McEnroe is now out as the director of player development after a five-year run, and USTA Executive Director Gordon A. Smith laments, “He will be hard to replace.” The new director of player development, as The New York Times explained, “Will need to hit the ground running.” I hope the new USTA director will bring a new vision for High Performance American Tennis. I have several suggestions for the USTA to grow the game through player development, but I don’t really expect all of them to be taken very seriously because they are a far departure from the status quo. 1. The current tournament system does not allow for the economic feasibility of clubs providing sufficient

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

umpires at all Level 2 or higher tournaments. The USTA should subsidize this cost. Legendary coach Robert Lansdorp has been saying for years that junior tennis shenanigans need to be cleaned up for the sport to grow and he’s right. Many parents and children are turned off by the gamesmanship, poor sportsmanship and cheating in junior tennis. The current setup is flawed, as it’s difficult to think of another sport in which children are asked to act as their own referee. The result is that the most aggressive kids, who are the least respectful of the rules, often flourish and the kids who embrace fair play often choose between honor and honesty or pragmatism and advancement. It’s a systemically rotten choice. Add in some nervous, demanding

parents, as well as ambitious coaches sitting on the sidelines and it’s not difficult to understand why some of the best kids and their families are fleeing tournament tennis. 2. The USTA needs to do a better job at identifying, motivating and developing talent at a young age. The current “talent identification” system identifies resources and playing background more than it targets talent. You need resources to progress to the level that your ranking and skills get you on the USTA radar and many talented young players are overlooked. We need to think “out of the box” here, and go beyond the scope and reach of the current QuickStart program. I propose establishing a balance and coordination program for young children, with funding from the USTA, so that it is free to the public as an outreach program. Let’s call it “First Start.” This would not be a groundbreaking program, as other countries have embraced the idea of early development athletic training with great results.

It can be run at existing clubs and it will immediately boost a declining industry. More importantly, it “Will Grow the Game!” John McEnroe has been talking about the need for tennis in this country to “attract better athletes.” Former top 10 American Todd Martin, whose name has been thrown around as a candidate for new the role of new head of player development, recently said, “As long as the best athletes are going to football, basketball, soccer and lacrosse (I don’t want to offend lacrosse players as they are great, but lacrosse?) we’re going to struggle.” How about we attract the best young athletes to tennis by training them in critical areas at important stages of development? This program would provide an edge in athletic development, talent identification and reduce the image of the sport that it is not economically accessible to all. Imagine hundreds of thousands of families introduced to thousands of tennis facilities and staffs across the country. Even with a retention rate of just one out of 20, the growth potential for the sport can be enormous.

3. Players should be allocated funds by the USTA for training advancement. Renowned Brown University Women’s Coach Paul Wardlaw favors a system of individual funding for talented players as the costs of tennis can be staggering. Bloomberg News recently estimated that the average cost of developing a worldclass tennis player is $400,000 over a career, or approximately $50,000 annually. Thirty million a year is a lot of money. For just $10 million annually, 200 players a year could receive an average of $50,000. This money could be allocated based in part on financial need combined with the cost of local training. For example, the cost of court time in New York is higher than in Southern California, and this would need to be factored in. The players and their families would not receive the funds directly. Instead, the monies would be payable directly to those providing services so that player’s amateur status is preserved. Players may be given guidelines for spending continued on page 38

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

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a bold new plan for u.s. player development continued from page 37 funds, so that at least 15 percent must be allocated to non, on-court instructional training, such as physical trainers, nutritionists, sports psychologists, etc. These guidelines will help increase the scope of each players’ training and these specialists could be required to register with the USTA to help ensure that they follow recommended practices for high performance players. Billing guidelines could be established for those providing services to players as well. The Canadian Tennis Federation permitted Eugenie Bouchard to train outside of Canada with their financial support. That seems to be working out okay. Imagine if we used this strategy on a way wider scale. The concept of National USTA Training Centers is flawed. As day academies, they appeal only to those in close proximity. As resident academies, they place the USTA in the child care business and the results of this venture thus far have been less than successful. More than $100 million will be spent on a new tennis center in Orlando, and this is costly and redundantly inefficient. The operating budget must be at least $5 million yearly. Amortized out, that’s $200 million over the next 20 years or $10 million a year (assuming no debt service). Why spend this enormous amount of

money to compete with the many great and successful academies already in the state of Florida? U.S. Open finalist Kei Nisihkori trained at IMG Academy with the financial support of Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai since the age of 14. Why not use this money to offer to send hundreds of aspiring players to academies like IMG who have a proven record of developing top players? 4. The USTA needs to invest in performance and academic education. The first educational investment can address making U.S. tennis the world leader in sports research and development. We need to be cutting-edge in sports performance science to compete on the world stage. The USTA should take responsibility to be on the cutting edge of scientific discovery and they should fund the development of innovative technologies and methods of high performance in a dedicated research and development center. I think it’s in the plans for the new Orlando center and it’s a very worthwhile aspect of that enormous project. Of equal value is the need to guide young players to seamlessly integrate tennis training with elementary, secondary and higher education. How about the creation or hiring of an independent educational advisement service to help guide young play-

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ers and parents make the important educational decisions they may be faced with as rising tennis stars? Finally, vocational, employment and educational support services for former professionals would greatly reduce the risk of turning pro and act as a motivating safety net to those considering joining the Pro Tour. We shouldn’t cut players loose if they try and fail. The USTA is committed to the idea that to grow the sport, we need to grow U.S. champions. I’m all for it, and it can be done. It will take financial and core value accountability, bold creativity, a free market vision and a commitment to education. Steve Kaplan is the owner of Bethpage Park Tennis Center, as well as the director of Lacoste Academy for New York City Parks Foundation. Over the last 34 years, Steve has been the longtime coach of more than 600 nationally-ranked junior players, 16 state high school champions, two NCAA Division 1 Singles Champions, and numerous touring professionals and prominent coaches. Steve’s students have been awarded in excess of $8 million in college scholarship money. He may be reached by e-mail at stevenjkaplan@aol.com.

Bill Mountford, American Collegiate Invitational Tournament director; Julia Elbaba from Oyster Bay, N.Y.; Ossining, N.Y.’s Jamie Loeb, winner of the inaugural American Collegiate Invitational; and Dave Haggerty, chairman, CEO and president of the USTA

New Yorker Jamie Loeb Captures American Collegiate Invitational Women’s Singles Title Inspired by seeing her hero Roger Federer earlier in the morning eating breakfast, University of North Carolina’s Jamie Loeb of Ossining, N.Y. beat fellow New Yorker, Oyster Bay’s Julia Elbaba from the University of Virginia, 7-5, 6-1 to capture the first American Collegiate Invitational women’s singles title played on-site during the U.S. Open. With the win, Loeb receives at least a qualifying wild card into next year’s U.S. Open. “I think I started off pretty slow,” said Loeb, who trains at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) at Sportime Randall’s Island. “It was pretty hot out there, and it took me awhile to adjust to that. But as I got into the match I was able to get more serves in.” Loeb said the key to the day was a break in a close second game of the second set. “Jamie is a great girl and a hard worker,” said Claude Okin, Sportime CEO. “JMTA is

Credit photos to USTA

Jamie Loeb en route to her victory over Oyster Bay’s Julia Elbaba at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center proud to be a part of her development. She is the perfect example of a scholar athlete.” “Getting that break was huge,” Loeb said, adding she felt a little nervous at the start and that might have attributed to her slow start. “I think I’m pretty mentally tough, and I’m always going to fight to the last point.”

Besides being in the presence of her favorite player Federer before her match, her favorite memory of the week was “all the support of my family and friends.” Felix Alvarado, Loeb’s personal coach from JMTA, said, “I think Jamie was a little nervous at first, but she played better as the match went on and took control in the second set. She played great not just today, but great throughout the whole tournament.” Elbaba was disappointed with the loss. “I felt I left everything out there on the court,” Elbaba said. “I thought we put on a great match for all the supporters. Tennis is a big game on momentum, and I thought she just gained confidence throughout the match.” Elbaba said her best memory was, “playing some of my best tennis in front of some of the biggest crowds I’ve played in front of.”

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

Bryan Brothers Reach

100 Career Titles

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

Credit all photos to Adam Wolfthal

“By the end of the year, the Bryan Brothers will have ended eight of the last 10 seasons with the title of being the best players in the world …”

By Andrew Eichenholz Romanian Davis Cup heroes Ion Tiriac and Ilie Nastase ruled the tennis world, reaching the finals in 1969, 1971 and 1972. What does that have to do with the best doubles tandem to ever step onto a tennis court? Tiriac and Nastase, 39 and 32 years older than twins Bob & Mike Bryan, respectively, created a drill that would later help mold the winningest tennis players to team together in history. Most tennis warm ups consist of isolating the swing of the racquet to get used to feeling the ball off of the strings and over the net to the other side of the court. A good chunk of players do that in the form of minitennis, but the Romanian Davis Cup drill is different. Hopping around on the identical spot of the service line on opposite sides of the net has two players in a diagonal line. Once the duo starts to move in opposite directions, it is hard to keep track, but the Bryan Brothers have made a drill famous that has helped them to the throne of men’s doubles. As one brother sidesteps in one direction, the other does the same in the opposite, forcing them to not only react to pinging volleys coming as fast as a serve and a return, but to place the ball on a dime in the other direction. It is this drill, which Bob & Mike have done under the watchful eye of their father Wayne Bryan over the years, that has given them the incredible hand-eye coordination, which has carried them to history. The number 100. In school it is associated with perfection, in many aspects of the world it has a positive connotation. The Bryan Brothers redefined a number that has been known for greatness at this year’s U.S. Open. Playing the talented team of Marc Lopez & Marcel Granollers, Bob hit an inside out forehand that was not returned. Just like they have done 99 times before, the twins walked towards each other, and launched themselves in the air for their trademark chest bump. With their routine 6-3, 6-4 victory, the Bryans had done it. They became the first doubles team to win 100 titles together. With their next active challenger at the age of 42 and 85 titles to his name, it is not very likely that anybody will touch their record any time soon, if ever. Who is third on the active list? A 41-year-old with 53 championships.

The bottom line is, the Bryan Brothers are truly special. It all started in 2001, at a small tour stop in Memphis, Tenn. Fresh out of college, where Bob & Mike led the Stanford Cardinals to back-to-back NCAA team championships, and Bob won the triple crown of a singles and doubles title on top of the team victory, the twins had a difficult draw. In their first match of the tournament, they came across a team including Goran Ivanisevic, who would go on to win the Wimbledon singles title just months later. Tommy Haas, who would get all the way to number two in the world with his widely feared onehanded backhand would come later on. It was not a cakewalk, yet as they would gain notoriety for throughout their career, the Bryans came through under pressure with flying colors. Perhaps it was the pressure that made Bob & Mike as special as they have been in the sport of men’s doubles. The Bryan Brothers have thrived when they had to win a match. Nothing is more challenging than putting on the colors of your country to represent millions against the rest of the world. In the 26 matches that the Bryans have worn the stars and striped of the United States for Davis Cup competition, they have performed impeccably. Chest bumps abound, 22 times to be exact, the tandem have lost only four times. Two of those have been extended five setters, with the other losses against some of the most skilled doubles tacticians to grace the court. To think that against the best competition in the world, a team could win 85 percent of their matches, when the record for winning percentage in all of tennis is just over 80 percent is unbelievable. By the way, both twins are married, and Bob has two children. Yet, they are playing the sport as well as they ever have. By the end of the year, the Bryan Brothers will have ended eight of the last 10 seasons with the title of being the best players in the world, owning the number one ranking, including an Olympic Gold Medal in 2012. If that does not show consistency of greatness, keep an eye out. Bob & Mike Bryan are not going anywhere any time soon. Andrew Eichenholz is a journalism student at Stony Brook University, where he currently is a staff writer for The Statesman, covering tennis amongst many sports. He

grew up playing tennis at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where he learned to love the game, eventually becoming a part time tennis instructor, working for the most part with the QuickStart 10 & Under Program. Andrew has also served as a ballperson at the U.S. Open. He may be reached by e-mail at andrew.eichenholz@stonybrook.edu.

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

Game Changer:

What If the Mental Game Was Your Best Shot? By Rob Polishook, Mental Training Coach MA, CPC What are the first things we do when things are not going the way they should be? Let’s say in tennis tournaments you are not getting the results you would like. In fact, you just played in the quarterfinals of a tournament and lost in three hard-fought sets. However in the second set, you held three match points, but didn’t convert! Ugh! I bet you know the feeling … in fact, you can probably feel it now? So after a few days, you head back to the court. Time does amazing things in terms of healing the pain. Now you continue to train, doing the same things and again expect different results. Working on the forehand, tweaking it so it’s just right this time. Wasn’t it Einstein who suggested this is the definition of insanity? Mentally, the post-match refrain is similar … you “need to work harder.” If you had done this or that, the match would not have turned! In fact, some are telling you have not been working hard enough! Sure this is familiar … isn’t it always the case if we come up short, we didn’t work hard enough? Well, maybe you did work hard enough? Just maybe working harder isn’t the answer? I’d like to suggest five things you can do that will help you improve without picking up a racket. These things will not take much physical effort; however, they require you reading a few workouts from my book Tennis Inside the Zone: Mental Training Workouts for Champions. The workouts in the book focus on the mental game and will help you relax, slow down, and play calmer under pressure. However, they will take some time. I’m going to suggest we take a step back, stop pushing or pulling. Now is the time to “let go” and untangle the 42

knots which are holding you back. This requires dedicated time to the mental game. First Workout: What does it take to win: Awareness and the five A’s. If I didn’t know better, Roger Federer has been reading this workout. He has reframed his game to be more aggressive and come to the net more both from the baseline, and serve and volleying. What would you change about your game if you looked at it more objectively? What is the number one thing that could help? Second Workout: How to play in the moment? It’s as easy as breathing! How many times have you played and become overwhelmed when your opponent made a questionable call? Or, you played someone you expected to beat? The list goes on and on. Playing in the moment and staying present is key. This only happens if you can stay calm rather than spiraling out of control. Mike Bryan once told me when he gets nervous, “he always focuses on his breath.” Third Workout: You cannot be serious! Seven steps to regaining your focus. It happens all the time. Can you remember a time that your focus was spot on and then something happened which we don’t expect and there goes the focus! The key with concentration is not maintaining it 100 percent, but knowing when you lost it and how to get it back quickly. Fourth Workout: I’m better! How could I lose? Who hasn’t said this before? But you still lost? Why? Usually your focus was in the wrong place. Another funny thing about concentration and tennis … it’s not enough to concentrate! You must concentrate on the right thing! Hint: What you can control.

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

Fifth Workout: Sweet victory: Seven questions to ask after a Win (or loss). Many people think once the match is over you forget about it and go to the next one. I believe that’s the time, whether you won or lost, that all of the learning can take place. In fact, that’s when the match starts with your postmatch analysis. This workout is a great tool to help you analyze the match in an objective manner, learn from it, and incorporate your areas of improvement going forward. Certainly over the previous year, you have put a lot of sweat and tears into your game, and you should be congratulated for that. Now, for 2015, let’s purposely incorporate the mental component. Much of this work can be done off the court with the key focus being on not necessarily working harder, rather working smarter! If you are looking for a great example on the professional tour … just look no further than Roger Federer. Rob Polishook, MA, CPC is the founder and director of Inside the Zone Sports Performance Group. He works with athletes in all sports at all levels helping them to break through mental barriers and be their best both as a person and an athlete. Rob has spoken to athletes, coaches, and parents both nationally at USTA, USPTA, ITA conferences, and internationally in India and Israel. Additionally, he is author of Tennis Inside the Zone: Mental Training Workouts for Champions. His work was recently featured in ESPN’s latest 30 for 30 film called Fields of Fear. In prior years, Rob received the USPTA-Eastern Division High School Coach of the Year Award and coached USTA’s 16 and under Zonals. He may be reached by phone at (973) 723-0314, email rob@insidethezone.com or visit www.insidethezone.com.

The Importance of Proper Footwork By Carl Thorsen roper footwork in tennis is as versatile and technical as it is physically demanding. Because of this, footwork is one of the most difficult aspects of the sport to attain a high level in. Furthermore, proper movement is extremely influential on the development of strokes and tactics, which ultimately dictates what level someone can compete at. There are many different aspects of footwork, but when you look at the professionals, there are a set number of things they all do with their feet. First, they all have a wide base when they split-step and set their feet before hitting the ball. This allows them to be balanced and grounded, which ultimately leads to explosiveness moving to and from the ball. It’s logical when you think about it, tree roots grow down and out. So if my feet are directly beneath me, how can I push to my right to my forehand (assuming I am righty)? I can’t, my left foot needs to be substantially further out than my left shoulder to efficiently push to my right. Just watch Novak Djokovic on his return of serve, his split-

step is almost as wide as he is tall. Second, they all have a solid closedstance forehand and backhand. This is so important for a number of reasons. First off, it facilitates the development of a proper unit turn, weight transfer, spacing and adjustment steps. The open stance, when abused, can allow for sloppiness. For example, if I am hitting an open stance forehand and am lined up too close to the ball, all I have to do is shift my weight to my left foot to create more space for the contact point. The problem with that is I never learn what proper spacing means, I don’t learn how to transfer my weight into the court when possible, and I don’t need to adjust my feet. If you hit a closed-stance forehand and you are too close to the ball, it will force you to take some adjustment steps to get further away from the ball and create space. Lastly, all the pros understand that big steps are just as important as small steps, regardless of whether they are running, shuffling or backpedaling. If your opponent rips a ball into the corner, there is no time for small adjustment steps. The faster you cover that ground, the better, and the best way to do that is with big, explosive steps. If your oppo-

nent hits a defensive slice up the middle of the court, you have a lot of time and not a lot of distance to move. As a result, you’ll probably only take a number of adjustment steps. The majority of shots and points though will incorporate a variety of big steps to small steps. In other words, get to the general area where you will hit the ball and if you have some time, take some adjustment steps. There are other movement skill sets that pros have mastered, but these are the ones that they all do. It states that they are fundamental and necessary to tennis at a high level. Carl Thorsen is a director of Gotham Tennis Academy’s Elite High Performance Program at Stadium Tennis Center. He brings more than 18 years of experience, coaching a wide range of students from beginners to elite juniors to world-class professionals. A graduate of Cornell University, Carl spent three years on the professional circuit, winning several titles along the way. Carl currently coaches some of the top juniors in the New York metro region and nationally and internationally ranked juniors. He may be reached by e-mail at carl@gothamtennis.com or by phone at (718) 665-4684.

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

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Frank & Camille’s 482 Route 110 • Melville N.Y. • (631) 385-0606 229 Glen Cove Road • Carle Place N.Y. • (516) 333-2811 www.frankandcamilles.com A KAWAI Grand Player Piano is THE ULTIMALT ENTERTAINMENT CENTER. This grand piano will play live piano music that will entertain you, your family and friends. A KAWAI Grand Player Piano adds gracious beauty to your home … even if you don’t play. The Kawai Grand Player Piano will be the focal point of a room, adding grace and beauty to any space. And if you do play, a KAWAI Grand Piano is a quality musical instrument. The touch and tone of a KAWAI Player Grand Piano is incomparable. A KAWAI Grand Player Piano is educational … it is a wonderful music instrument for you and your children to learn to play. It will become an heirloom … a piano that will be passed on for generations to come. So, for this holiday season, why not give the gift that keeps on giving … A KAWAI Grand Player Piano! With the touch of your iPad, a Kawai Grand Player Piano will magically perform all genres of music, from classical to jazz … and from your favorites artists such as Billy Joel, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Frank Sinatra, Van Cliburn, Liberace, etc. Hundreds of artists featuring thousands of songs. Your very own KAWAI Grand Player Piano will be playing LIVE music right in your own home. It is amazing! The Kawai Grand Player Piano can be found exclusively at Frank & Camille’s showroom in Melville, located at 482 Route 110 or in their Carle Place showroom, located at 229 Glen Cove Road. Call (800) 4-PIANOS or go to www.frankandcamilles.com for more information. Or just stop in and browse … let us show you how easy it is to own and enjoy a KAWAI Grand Player Piano.

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

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Killer Doubles: Strategies and Tactics for Better Tennis Rick Altman (925) 398-6210 ricka@killerdoubles.net www.killerdoubles.net Of the many books available on tennis, almost all of them focus on singles play or on the mechanics and fundamentals of stroke production. Enter Killer Doubles, 120 pages of strategy, tactics and philosophy, all devoted to doubles players playing on club teams, USTA leagues, or in regular weekend matches. Authored by former Inside Tennis managing editor and two-time national doubles champion Rick Altman, Killer Doubles offers fresh thinking and new approaches to competition without imposing new fundamentals. “Most of us playing adult tennis aren’t going to relearn fundamentals,” Altman said. “And we aren’t suddenly going to become stronger, bigger or faster, so we have to become smarter. That’s the beauty of doubles: There is always a new way to look at the game.” Across 20 short chapters, Altman explores all facets of the game: How and when to sustain a point; when to try to end a point; how to take options away from opponents; how and when to cross and poach; the most important quality of a serve (it isn’t pace!); how to pick a partner; and the true meaning of confidence. “Rick asked me to be one of the book’s playing editors, and he might have thought that I did it just to help out a friend,” said Jon Toney, Division 1 collegiate player, NorCal coach, and now USTA league player. “But I did it because I thought it would help my own game. And I was right; it is a wonderful read, and if it can teach this old guy new tricks, it can help any player on the planet.” Killer Doubles will be available in print and electronic formats and sell for under $15. For more information, call (925) 398-6210, e-mail ricka@killerdoubles.net or visit www.killerdoubles.net.

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

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The new Ball Coach model from Pocket Radar is a speed-training tool for player development through oneon-one coaching or self-guided drills, and hands-free operation keeps it simple. By making crucial results– serve velocity and accuracy–instantly visible, the Ball Coach is the easy way to get better faster. Provide instant feedback and accurate real-time data on serves, groundstrokes and volleys by getting a feel for how fast you should swing racquet-head speed wise, you will be able to mix speeds throughout the match and keep your opponents off their game. Revolutionary new features including Constant-On Mode for standalone tripod use, new easy triggering for automatic balltracking off the racquet, and 25 deep memory for detailed speed review, make it the ideal training tool for coaches and athletes. “This is, by far, the best radar device on the market and I have used them all,” said California USPTA President Mike Gennette on the new Ball Coach radar. “Not only is it pocket-sized, but it is accurate and measures every shot. No more missed serves that upset your student and embarrass the coach. There is no way any coach should even consider any other device. The two top technologies for high performance coaches today are video analysis and the Pocket Radar Ball Coach.” A fraction of the cost of other professional radar guns, it is accurate to +/- 1 MPH, and fits inside your pocket. Use Promo Code “TMGG” at the checkout page for a special 10 percent discount on the Ball Coach. For more information, visit www.pocketradar.com/tennis or e-mail info@pocketradar.com.

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(888) 722-0444 www.SCOREBAND.net Improve focus, gain confidence and win more points with new ScoreBand wearables ScoreBand PLAY and ScoreBand PRO are the perfect tennis accessories for players of all ages and levels. Whether you are a beginner learning to play and score, or an advanced player that gets caught up in long intense rallies, ScoreBand wearables let you keep focus on the game, not the score. And with a ScoreBand on your wrist, you become the court authority. No more losing points, or rhythm due to scoring disagreements. TAKE CONTROL OF THE COURT! The one-size-fits-all ScoreBand PLAY is for basic scorekeeping, and features four modes (Tennis, Time, AllScore, Golf) available in three color options (blue, gray and pink). ScoreBand PRO, the most advanced scorekeeping device available, is available in five Modes (Tennis, Time, Stopwatch, AllScore, Golf) in two color options (black or white) and in two sizes (small/medium or large/extra large), and features DATABAR technology. ScoreBand PRO helps take your game to the next level by adding Stopwatch mode and DATABAR technology. The DATABAR offers three unique data views within each mode. In Tennis Mode, you can choose to view the current time, the elapsed match time, or the current set score, all while keeping score of the current game on-screen. ScoreBand PRO scores up to five sets, provides a server indicator, and a tie-break scoring option. After the match, use the review function to relive your victory set-by-set. For more information on ScoreBand PLAY & PRO visit www.SCOREBAND.net or call (888) 722-0444. Order from our Web site and take 10 percent off with discount code “NY10.”

Janko Tipsarevic, ATP worldranked player says: “Acing your opponent is the quickest & most intimidating way to win a point on the pro tour. Training with ServeMaster helps me maintain a dominant serve as my biggest weapon in the game.” Give the gift of an ACE! Did you know that in just 15 swings of ServeMaster, a beginner tennis player can learn to serve with the same fluid motion as a pro? Free online videos show you how to improve your serve and overhead strokes by using ServeMaster. It can be used to for forehand and backhand drills too. It’s like having a tennis coach in your bag! How it works: Follow the easy steps included in the package, watch ServeMaster videos online or get free tips emailed to you. With the Continental Grip (markings on the handle will get you in position), move slowly through your entire service motion. Because it is completely flexible, flaws such as hitches, erratic rhythm, inconsistent timing and poor technique will cause ServeMaster to “flop,” stop and bump you. With practice, you’ll have a rhythmic and flowing service motion. The ServeMaster is available in three sizes for players of all ages and abilities. Wholesale academy packages for teaching pros and group lessons are available. To find the size ServeMaster that’s right for you, visit www.thetotalserve.com. Coming soon, a full instructional video series for beginners by Master of the Serve, Lisa Dodson.

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

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Do you have tennis elbow (scientifically referred to as epicondylitis), or The string market is becoming increascarpal tunnel syndrome? Do you ingly crowded. With so many options know anyone with tennis elbow? Now available, a string has to stand out to there is finally some relief for this deget noticed. Quadro Twist from YTEX bilitating problem. Introduced at the now has your attention. New York Tennis Expo at the USTA In addition to being named the OffiNational Tennis Center in Flushing cial String of the Orange Bowl, the RacMeadows, N.Y., Tennis Elbow Grease quet Stringing Institute has rated it number one in spin production is now available in retail stores across the country and online at and number two overall. www.eliminatetenniselbow.com. When applied to the affected Our manufacturing partner is based in England and has more area three times a day, pain relief can finally be experienced. than 25 years of experience producing “cutting-edge” tennis Tennis Elbow Grease (TEG) is formulated as a topical analgesic strings. YTEX’s research and development team only design to address the symptoms of tennis elbow, as well as to aid in healstrings that will add the most value to a player’s game. ing the long term underlying problems of arm and elbow pain. UtiYTEX is always looking for a higher level of performance for tenlizing a unique delivery system, the active ingredients in the TEG nis players and have developed unique strings lines that are great formula are distributed through the sub-dermal layers of the skin, additions to our existing portfolio for players looking for additional where they can penetrate the affected muscles, tendons and skelecontrol, spin, power and comfort. The materials and manufacturtal areas. Essentially, the active ingredients in TEG target those ing processes used in these products added all the benefits of areas in need of relief, ultimately reducing inflammation and pain. long-lasting performance and most importantly, excellent tension Unlike many other topical analgesics currently on the market, hold. TEG incorporates a variety of ingredients that have been sucYTEX’s high-performance, high-quality strings, with patented cessfully proven to minimize or eliminate muscle, tendon and construction, offer minimal tension loss and virtually no string nerve pain. These include Glucosamine, MSM, Capsaicin, Curmovement to give you an edge in today’s competitive tennis. cumin, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, R-Alpha Lipoic Acid, CamHighly recommended for full restrings, but are also superb in hyphor, Menthol, Arnica and DMSO (to aid delivery and speed the brid combinations. healing process). Consequently, TEG eliminates the need to buy The YTEX Quadro Twist is a string capable of prodigious spin and use multiple, less effective products. It offers efficacy, conwith above average feel and comfort for polyester. Its extremely venience and cost savings. high spin potential allows players to push opponents around the Give Tennis Elbow Grease a try, or buy it for someone who is court and dictate play with variety. hoping to return to the tennis court sooner rather than later. Go to Wholesale pricing is available for all coaches and stringers. For www.eliminatetenniselbow.com for more information and to shop more information, call (786) 280-2138, e-mail ivor@ytexstrings.com now. Use promo code “LITM” to receive 15 percent off your puror visit www.ytexstrings.com. New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com 48chase!

COMING IN JANUARY 2015

Distribution scheduled for 11/01/15

This edition will feature: • Where to Get Fit for Tennis • 2014 Year in Review/2015 Preview • Australian Open Preview • BNP at MSG

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Submissions for both advertising and editorial are due by 2014 December 2014 NYTennisMag.com • November/December • New York 1, Tennis Magazine 49 For more information, please call 516-409-4444 or e-mail Advertise@NYTennisMag.com

The Metro Corporate Tennis League, presented by Advantage Tennis Clubs, is a joint initiative of the Metrotennis Community Tennis Association (MCTA) and the USTA/Eastern Metro Region. The League is divided into three levels of play, Intermediate (3.0-3.5), Advanced Intermediate (4.0) and Advanced (4.5+). We also offer an Advanced Beginner Clinic program for teams not ready to compete. The League hosts nearly 50 teams.

The following is our roster for the season: Advanced Division 1. Bloomberg (Amit) 2. Bloomberg (Vighnesh) 3. Ernst & Young 4. Deloitte 5. BNP Paribas (Pierre) 6. PwC (Joy) 7. Bloomberg (Patrick) Advanced Intermediate (Division I) 1. Deutsche Bank (Elena) 2. Horizon Media 3. Nielsen 4. Proskauer 5. Patterson Advanced Intermediate (Division II) 1. Bank of America 2. Cleary (ADV INT) 3. Credit Agricole 50

4. Google (ADV INT) 5. Camels 6. Mizuho Bank Intermediate Division I 1. Paul Weiss 2. D.E. Shaw & Company 3. Deutsche Bank (Tony) 4. HBO 2 5. Sidley 6. The New York Times 7. Fried Frank 8. PwC (Max) Intermediate Division II 1. Moody’s 2. Bloomberg (Ankur) 3. Deutsche Bank (Armen) 4. BNP Paribas (Nicolas) 5. AMC Networks 1

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

6. Cleary 7. Google Intermediate Division III 1. Sullivan 2. White & Case 3. Practical Law 4. ING 5. Akin Gump 6. AMC Networks 2 7. MSCI Intermediate Division IV 1. Schulte 2. MUFG Union Bank 3. Highbridge 4. Barclays 5. HBO 1 6. Ipreo

NYJTL Leadership Awards Luncheon Breaks Fundraising Record

Honoree Todd Martin speaking at the NYJTL’s 29th Annual Leadership Awards Luncheon

Lawrence B. Benenson, Ken Solomon, Larry Leeds, Deborah Antoine, Maurice DuBois, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, Dalia Leeds, Doug Conant, Todd Martin, Polly Scott

2013 honoree, Ken Solomon, with one of the 2014 honorees, Doug Conant

NYJTL raised a total of $1,880,000 in combined Leadership Luncheon and Cary Leeds Center contributions making Oct. 29, 2014 the single biggest fundraising day in the organization’s more than 40year history. The room erupted in applause and gave a standing ovation at the 29th Annual NYJTL Leadership Awards Luncheon, when Larry and Dalia Leeds texted a pledge for $1 million to the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning capital campaign, bringing the family’s total contribution to $3 million of the total $26.5 million needed to complete the project. “Larry and Dalia told us they wanted to make the first pledge at our fundraising luncheon,” said NYJTL President and CEO Dr. Deborah Antoine. “What followed was

truly an amazing outpouring of generosity from so many of our supporters in the room, raising an additional $330,000 towards our goal, which we will reach by year end.” The 2014 Leadership Luncheon featured a Text-to-Pledge fundraising appeal by 2013 Luncheon honoree and Tennis Channel Chairman & CEO Ken Solomon, who flew in from Los Angeles to lead the effort. “The goal of the fundraising appeal was to achieve a high rate of participation by the attendees, who, by their presence, we knew to be NYJTL supporters,” said Solomon. “We were blown away by both the number of gifts scrolling across the screen and the level of giving.” Among the nearly 80 pledges received, which started at $25, was an anonymous

$1,000 donation from one of Cary Leeds’s former tennis coaches, $15,000 from Women’s Sports Foundation CEO and NYJTL Board Member Deborah Larkin, and two $100,000 commitments made by Eric Hadar, a former Luncheon honoree, and John Arnhold, whose gift was made in honor of NYJTL Founder & Chair Emeritus Skip Hartman. Long-time NYJTL employee Steve Schott pledged $20,000. NYJTL Board Member Bruce Manson made a $10,000 pledge, joined by $5,000 pledges from fellow Board Members Polly Scott and Fay Ann Lee, whose pledge was made in honor of the former Mayor of New York City David Dinkins. Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer also made a $5,000 pledge.

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

: e v r Se e

k c a B e k a T e h t f o o p m e T e h T By Lisa Dodson

he tempo of the take-back is the first and most critical phase in the timing of the serve. It doesn’t matter whether you use a classic, abbreviated or somewhere in between motion. Remember you have to organize your feet, legs, hips, torso, shoulders, arms, hands and head in a continuous chain event to get to one specific moment in time: Contact point. It only makes sense that you must begin in a specific and detailed manner in order to keep coordination of the body parts moving throughout the chainlike

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event that is the serve. In other words, there is a lot to do before you can effectively strike a serve consistently. In my experience, most players are far too lax in their routine and first phase of the serve. We’re all in too much of rush to hit the ball instead of sitting the ball toss in a predictable racket path. Taking time to check the essentials before serving and centering your thoughts (your routine) and beginning the take back in a slow and deliberate manner create a successful recipe for high percentage serving. Service motion technique should be identical every time whether you are hitting a first or second serve or hitting various serve types (flat, slice, kick, etc.). This is the secret to success for world-class players. The best players in the world strive to make their process of

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New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

hitting the serve the same all of the time. We need to embrace the importance of this. Focusing on repetitive sameness ensures great timing, a perfect contact point and a high rate of successful serving. So, how do we hit various serves using the same form or technique? We vary the grip and ball toss placement. These factors will determine how the racket edge and face approach the ball and will give you potential to hit many types of serves. Once this is understood serving becomes a much easier task. Regardless of what type of serve you are hitting, consistency in tempo is critical. The main focus of this article is to help you understand how to begin your takeback consistently and efficiently. To do this, we need to look at the events that precede and therefore contribute to an effective take-back. So, here we go: Begin each serve with a deliberate routine When walking up to the service line, typically we go through a routine for serve preparation. No matter what the score or how you feel you need to stick to this routine. The purpose of the routine is to physically begin your serve the same each time. If we do things successfully and correctly in an unconscious manner through repetition, this calms the mind and the body so that we can produce these same movements under all circumstances. Before stepping up to the line we have decided what type of serve we are hitting and where we want the ball to land. Swing speed is not in question, because it will basically be the same every time. Check the grip, set your feet, bounce the ball, hold the racket and ball still for a long count, take a last look at your opponent and let it fly.

Why is routine so important to the tempo of the take-back? The simplest explanation is that if you are still and deliberate at the start you will be able to determine your tempo. Many players rush through this part by dropping and raising the toss and hit arms quickly, starting the serve fast rather than slow. You need to feel what you are doing rather than just starting to whirl the racket. The legs and hips initiate the take-back. Holding the racket hand and toss hand in a fixed start position lets the legs activate first. The tempo on the serve is “slow and go” The serve is basically two speeds: (1) Slow and deliberate through rotation of the hips, toss extension and racket arm bend in back, and (2) Faster acceleration up to the ball using leg drive, toss arm pull and racket throw (pronation). Without this slow and organized start, we cannot get our legs involved. The serve just becomes dropping the hands, tossing the ball and hitting it with the racket. Remember that all of the body is involved in the serve. We need to start it with great timing. A typical example of poor tempo is the “Three-speed” serve. This player swings fast/slow (or stop)/fast. You’ll see a fast drop and release of the ball, a stop in the back and then an attempt at acceleration. These players have no natural

rhythm or timing for the serve and lose power by swinging harder. They also have uncontrolled tossing skills. Also, the fast release of the toss and abrupt use of the racket arm doesn’t allow the legs to become involved. The tempo of one arm dictates the tempo of the other arm Let’s just say that our hands and arms like to move the same speed and act the same on either side of our bodies. They balance us out, and it is difficult to make them do very different things at the same time. This is one of the reasons tossing with a straight arm and bending the hit arm is so difficult. When the hit arm is supposed to bend to drop the racket down the back, the toss arm thinks it is supposed to bend as well. On the other hand, when the toss arm stays straight in front as it’s supposed to do, the racket arm thinks it is also supposed to stay straight. We intellectually know that the two arms have different physical functions. Getting the arms to understand their two different jobs is another matter. The only way to control and feel the specific movements of each arm is to initiate the take-back slowly and evenly. If one arm moves slowly, then the other will follow, therefore allowing better control of movement. A typical problem and solution Most of us are focused on hitting the ball

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on the serve (as opposed to creating a service motion and putting the ball in the way of the moving racket head), so naturally, we unconsciously place more importance on the racket arm and hand. This arm and hand often wrongly move fast (the three-speed serve) which dictates that the toss arm moves fast. By slowing the racket arm and engaging the legs your toss arm will move slower. This will make the toss more controllable and accurate. It will also explain the need to extend the toss hand to full extension in order for the ball to get high enough. The serve begins with an idea not an action. The idea is the type of serve and landing location of the ball. We go through a routine, so that we can unconsciously produce successful, similar motions under all conditions. We initiate the serve with the legs and hips and slow tempo of both arms. All of this is done to produce a two-speed serve with a slower-start moving, on to faster and more powerful acceleration. If you begin to examine and feel the initial movements of your serve, you will open yourself up to tremendous improvement. Lisa Dodson is owner of ServeMaster at The Total Serve, a USPTA Elite Pro, a formerly world ranked player and radio show host. She may be reached by e-mail at lisa@thetotalserve.com or visit www.thetotalserve.com.

Free Tennis All Winter visit nyjtl.org for more information

Free Court time Free Instruction All equipment provided Free tournaments Events during school vacations Culminating tournament For a complete list of sites, sessions and dates for all NYJTL Community Tennis Programs, visit nyjtl.org or call 347.417.8177

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

Taking Stock in the Pros for 2015 Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rising and w h o â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s f a l l i n g in t h e p r o r a n k s

BY ANDREW EICHENHOLZ head of the 2015 season on the ATP World Tour, many will wonder what to expect out of the familiar faces of the sport. Inevitably, there will be some surprises, as the rankings the way they stand today will not be the same. Here are some reasons to believe that certain players will continue to shine, others will maintain their ground, while some of the best players today may not keep up their level of performance.

Stock up Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden

Widely regarded as the most entertaining player in the sport, Gael Monfils brings a lot more to the

table than pure amusement. The Parisborn Monfils has a huge game, that when his mindset is right, could absolutely put him smack in the middle of the top 10 in the world for the foreseeable future. Yes, he will make the splitsecond decision to hit shots that are in ways unprofessional and have no clear purpose to winning a point, but that does not take away from his talent. There are few who can run down as many balls as Monfils, and even fewer who can generate the same power that he can at the same time, many examples of which come on the full stretch. The Frenchman has taken sets off of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal this season, showing that he has what it takes to compete against the very best.

Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal

It is hard to break onto the scene and become a top contender all in one season, but Eugenie Bouchard has done just that. After reaching the second round twice in her first year of Grand Slam action in 2013, Bouchard let the world know that she was somebody to be reckoned with on the WTA Tour. She surprised many by making the semifinals of the 2014 Australian Open, before backing it up with a run to the same stage of the French Open on the terre battue.

Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal

It seems that with his recurring wrist issues, that many have forgotten about Juan Martin del Potro. He has quietly been recovering, trying to get to 100 percent ahead of the 2015 season. Once he gets back, nobody will want a piece of his running forehand, one of the most dangerous weapons in the sport. For the first time in a while, there is not a whole lot of consistency at the top of the game, so look for del Potro to challenge the top-10 with a vengeance. Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden

Many made a big deal over Caroline Wozniacki’s media-friendly breakup with golfer Rory McIlroy, but it seemingly changed her career around for the better. Unbelievably only 24-years old, she is still entering the prime of her career, and with the form that she displayed from the summer until now, including reaching the U.S. Open final, the lead-end of the top-10 is looking closer and closer to Wozniacki. Hold that stock Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal

Since 2010, Tomas Berdych has spent pretty much every week ranked somewhere between fifth and eighth in the ATP World Rankings. The master of consistency, Berdych usually only has one blip a year in the Grand Slams, otherwise taking care of business until he is “supposed” to lose. Now, the big man from the Czech Repub-

lic has the talent and overwhelming baseline game to swarm and beat anybody in the world on any given day, but he has not shown the consistency of performing that way against the top guys match in and match out to make a believer in his chances of breaking firmly into the top five. Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden

Agnieszka Radwanska is as close to a female equivalent of Fabrice Santoro that we have in this era, using her guile and variety to earn wins over her opponent. Although 2014 has been an odd year for her, the Polish sensation rarely loses matches that she should not, and typically wins those in a commanding fashion. Radwanska does not have the firepower to disturb the likes of Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, nor does she have quite enough guile to put them off their game, but do not expect her to leave the top10 anytime soon. Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden

There is no question that there is a top-tier of servers in the men’s game, and it consists of two people: John Isner and Milos Raonic. There is nobody in the world who can serve quite as big as the Canadian point-in and point-out, but there is more to the sport than serving. In big matches against the handful of players ahead of him in the rankings, the big man’s serve has been neutralized to an extent, and Raonic has not proven that he can beat the top guys purely off of groundstroke rallies. He has plenty of time to improve and get better, but he is not quite at the top tier just yet.

Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden

It is rare that you will find a Grand Slam winner take a major title, yet not make it past the third round at a Grand Slam the rest of the season. That is the roller coaster ride of Petra Kvitova, and it is nothing new. When the lefty is on her game, she is one of few players who can test Serena Williams, but when she is off, she is a totally different player. There are no doubts that she will have another big splash next season, whether it comes in a major or not, but will she challenge Serena’s throne? Probably not. Stock down Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden

Things have happened very quickly for the Japanese phenom Kei Nishikori. In a flash, he has moved from a constant top 20 player to solidly in the top 10, especially with his big performance at the U.S. Open, where he reached the finals. Already at a career high of number six in the world, Nishikori has joined the second tier of the men’s game, but can he stay there? With injury issues in the past, it will take a lot for the youngster to not only stay healthy, but keep up his level, which in the sport of tennis, is not the easiest to do. Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal

When you look up inconsistency in the dictionary, Ana Ivanovic will not be far away. She has flashed brilliance this year, playing fantastic tennis at points, even taking Serena continued on page 56

taking stock in the pros for 2015 continued from page 55 Williams out in Australia. However, for a former number one in the world to have only reached seven Grand Slam quarterfinals in her 10-year career, there is something wrong. Ivanovic must find a way to play her best tennis, which is quite good when it comes around, in the biggest moments. Until then, it is hard to see her consistently stay in the top-10.

off of any shot at any time. After a huge moment in Stanislas Wawrinka’s career, when he won this season’s Australian Open, he has not quite been the same player. He played well for the clay season until Roland Garros, and has not been the same fiery competitor winning the big matches since. Can he maintain his spot in the game next year? Absolutely, but he will have to right the ship, and quickly.

Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden

Few had as good of a year on the ATP World Tour as “Stan the Man.” He is not one of the biggest guys on tour, yet he packs by far one of the biggest punches, capable of hitting a winner

Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden

Few had as consistent of a year as Simona Halep on the WTA tour, but the Romanian has yet to truly breakthrough. As the likes of Kvitova and Samantha Stosur walk

around with Grand Slam titles in their back pockets, Halep, arguably a better overall player than both of those still is empty handed. Any season in which a player is in the vicinity of 50 wins is going to be a tiring one, so the question remains, did Halep leave all she had out there in 2014? Andrew Eichenholz is a journalism student at Stony Brook University, where he currently is a staff writer for The Statesman, covering tennis amongst many sports. He grew up playing tennis at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where he learned to love the game, eventually becoming a part time tennis instructor, working for the most part with the QuickStart 10 & Under Program. Andrew has also served as a ballperson at the U.S. Open. He may be reached by e-mail at andrew.eichenholz@stonybrook.edu.

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New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

Reasons to Practice the Inside-Out Backhand By John W. Sherwood n today’s game, one of the most under-practiced shots is the insideout backhand. While the inside-out backhand is not the weapon of choice players enjoy with their inside-out forehand, there are key times and reasons you should include this shot into your practice schedule and match play.

Return of serve As a right-handed player, returning in the deuce court (lefty’s into the ad court), and when your opponent serves into the T, and thus your backhand, you will need to have the option of creating this inside-out angle, and be able to adjust your footwork and stance accordingly, allowing for contact to be made on the inside of the ball. The inside-out backhand return becomes more important and valuable in doubles play, given the server’s starting position, coupled with your goal as returner to create a cross-court return away from your opponent at the net. Most players should be spending more time practicing their return of serve anyway, and focusing on creating this insideout angle and proper set up. For both singles and doubles play, this will produce big dividends.

and even with some adults. Your backhand may be more consistent or your ability to control shot placement a bit better. If this is the case, your inside-out backhand will give you greater rally flexibility and the ability to hit behind your opponent as discussed above. Out of position Say for example, you have been pulled out wide to the forehand side and have not fully recovered. Your opponent has caught you out of position. You find yourself jammed, and may need to construct an inside-out backhand to stay in the point and improve your position and opportunities for future shots. Mid-court transition Here you have found yourself in mid-court transition with a short ball into your backhand. In some cases, the best open court option would require the inside-out backhand to set-up the best approach, allowing you to continue closing effectively. Footwork and balance Since the inside-out backhand is not as natural or comfortable as the inside-out forehand, players need to allocate time to

practice the footwork, stance and balance associated with the shots above. Challenging yourself here will improve your overall footwork and balance skills, making you a more complete player. Matches can be won or lost on just a few key points. Work with your coach to incorporate a few drills to address the above scenarios. Practicing the inside-out backhand will help you prepare for every situation that you may be presented within today’s game, thus increasing your success on the court. John Sherwood is a USPTA Elite Professional and USTA High Performance Coaching Graduate). He played Division I tennis for the University of Toledo, after which he embarked on a business career running national sales organizations, then structuring and operating small business turnarounds. He became chief club operating officer of Five Seasons Sports CC in Cleveland and Burr Ridge, Ill. He has coached and guided hundreds of junior players along the developmental pathway to major D1 college teams and into the professional ranks. He may be reached by phone at (216) 4031374 or e-mail j1sherwood@aol.com.

Hit behind your opponent There will be times when you find yourself with the opportunity to hit behind a moving opponent, but due to your court position, a backhand shot must be executed. The inside-out backhand, versus the cross-court backhand, may not be the shot anticipated by your opponent, thus catching them by surprise and increasing its effectiveness. You will want to create practice scenarios to prepare for this sequence. Your backhand is better than your forehand This is fairly common in younger players NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

UPCOMING

EVENTS NOVEMBER 2014 Wednesday-Sunday, November 5-9 2014 USTA/ITA National Collegiate Indoor Championships The USTA/ITA National Collegiate Indoor Championships are set for Wednesday-Sunday, Nov. 5-9 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. For more information, visit www.itatennis.com.

Sunday, November 9 2014 National One-On-One Doubles Championships The 2014 National One-on-One Doubles Championships is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. For more information, contact Ed Krass at oneononedoubles@yahoo.com or call (813) 684-9031, or visit www.oneononedoubles.com.

Fridays, November 7, 14 & 21 Midtown Tennis Presents Its Round-Robin Tennis Party Midtown Tennis Club presents its Round-Robin Tennis Parties, Friday nights, Nov. 7, 14 and 21 from 8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. The cost is $45 per person, and reservations are required. Please call Liza at (212) 989-8572, ext. 104 to RSVP. Midtown Tennis is located at 341 8th Avenue in New York City.

DECEMBER 2014 Fridays, December 5, 12 & 19 Midtown Tennis Presents Its Round-Robin Tennis Party Midtown Tennis Club presents its Round-Robin Tennis Parties, Friday nights, Nov. 7, 14 and 21 from 8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. The cost is $45 per person, and reservations are required. Please call Liza at (212) 989-8572, ext. 104 to RSVP. Midtown Tennis is located at 341 8th Avenue in New York City.

New York Tennis Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ November/December 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ NYTennisMag.com

JANUARY 2015 Friday, Saturday, January 30-31 2015 Eastern Tennis Conference On Friday, Saturday, Jan. 30-31, USTA Eastern will be holding its Eastern Tennis Conference at the Renaissance Hotel in White Plains, NY. Join USTA for an entire complimentary weekend filled with exciting workshops and an awards dinner where, with the help of your nominations, the work of individuals and organizations that have helped make tennis boom in 2014 will be recognized. For more information, visit www.eastern.usta.com. MARCH 2015 Tuesday, March 10 2015 BNP Paribas Showdown Tennis legend Roger Federer will return to Madison Square Garden to face Grigor Dimitrov and headline the 2015 BNP Paribas Showdown on Tuesday, March 10. For more information, visit www.thegarden.com.

NEW YORK TENNIS CLUB

CENTERCOURT PERFORMANCE TENNIS CENTER Clay Bibbee—Managing Partner and Academy Founder 65 Columbia Road Morristown, NJ 07960 (973) 635-1222 clay@centercourtclub.com www.centercourtclub.com GO! TENNIS AT NORTH SHORE TENNIS & RACQUET CLUB George Garland—Director of Tennis 34-28 214th Place Flushing, NY 11361-1720 (718) 224-6303 george@gotennisprograms.com www.gotennisprograms.com GOTHAM TENNIS ACADEMY Eric Faro—Director of Tennis 358 W. End Ave #3A New York, NY 10024 (646) 524-7069 info@gothamtennis.com www.gothamtennis.com MANHATTAN PLAZA RACQUET CLUB Gertrud Wilhelm—General Manager 450 West 43rd Street New York, NY 10036 (212) 594-0554 gwilhelm@advantagetennisclubs.com www.advantagetennisclubs.com MIDTOWN TENNIS CLUB Jennifer Brown—Director 341 8th Avenue New York, NY 10001 (212) 989-8572 midtowntennisnyc@gmail.com www.midtowntennis.com NEW ROCHELLE TENNIS CLUB Juan Rios—Tennis Director 114 Valley Road New Rochelle, NY (914) 633-3388 www.newrochelletennisclub.com

DIRECTORY

NEW YORK TENNIS CLUB Lauren Hartman—General Manager 3081 Harding Avenue Bronx, NY 10465 (718) 239-7916 lhartman.nytci@gmail.com www.advantagetennisclubs.com ROOSEVELT ISLAND RACQUET CLUB Tom Manhart—Membership Director 281 Main Street Roosevelt Island, NY 10044 (212) 935-0250 tmanhart@rirctennis.com www.advantagetennisclubs.com SPORTIME HARBOR ISLAND Carlos Campo—General Manager & Director of Tennis In Harbor Island Park P.O. Box 783 Mamaroneck, NY 10543 (914) 777-5151 ccampo@sportimeny.com www.sportimeny.com/harbor-island SPORTIME RANDALL’S ISLAND Flagship Home of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy Jared Karlebach—Assistant General Manager Allison Hodgkins—Assistant General Manager One Randall’s Island New York, NY 10035 (212) 427-6150 ahodgkins@sportimeny.com jkarlebach@sportimeny.com www.sportimeny.com/manhattan SPORTIME LAKE ISLE Westchester Annex of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy Harel Srugo—General Manager 660 White Plains Road Eastchester, NY 10709 (914) 777-5151 hsrugo@sportimeny.com www.sportimeny.com/lake-isle

SPORTIME SCHENECTADY Jed Murray—General Manager Philippe Ceas—Director of Tennis 2699 Curry Road Schenectady NY 12303 (518) 356-0100 jmurray@sportimeny.com www.sportimeny.com/lake-isle STADIUM TENNIS CENTER AT MILL POND Joel Kassan—Executive Director 725 Gateway Center Boulevard Bronx, NY 10451 (718) 665-4684 joel@gothamtennis.com www.stadiumtennisnyc.com TENNIS INNOVATORS NYC Juan Andrade—Executive Director 520 2nd Avenue (Kips Bay Court) 899 10th Avenue (John Jay Court) New York, NY (646) 476-5811 www.tennisinnovators.com USTA BILLIE JEAN KING NATIONAL TENNIS CENTER Whitney Kraft—Director of Tennis Flushing Meadows Corona Park Flushing, NY 11368 (718) 760-6200 kraft@usta.com www.usta.com WEST SIDE TENNIS CLUB Bob Ingersole—Director of Tennis 1 Tennis Place Forest Hills, NY 11375 (718) 268-2300 tennisdirector@foresthillstennis.com www.foresthillstennis.com/index.html

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

Dr. Drew Tortoriello, M.D. Medical Director of SIRM New York Board Certiﬁed Reproductive Endocrinologist

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Metropolitan Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine, LLC 60

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New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

NYTennisMag.com â&#x20AC;˘ November/December 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ New York Tennis Magazine

NEW Boys & Girls Metro Rankings (as of 10/27/14)

BOYS Metro Boys 12 Singles Rank..Name................................City 1 ........Brandon Torres ..............Bronx, N.Y. 2 ........Winter Forest FagerbergNew York, N.Y. 3 ........Donovan Spigner ..........New York, N.Y. 4 ........Daniel Gordon ................New York, N.Y. 5 ........Guy Ferrera ....................New York, N.Y. 6 ........Ryan David Brandes......Rego Park, N.Y. 7 ........Bradley Bennett..............New York, N.Y. 8 ........David Krasner ................Staten Island, N.Y. 9 ........Solomon Brown ............New York, N.Y. 10 ......Paul Elghouayel..............New York, N.Y. 11 ......Sachin Palta....................Forest Hills, N.Y. 12 ......Dylan Lachmanen ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 13 ......Matthew Mosejczuk ......East Elmhurst, N.Y. 14 ......Evan Friedmann ............New York, N.Y. 15 ......Sabian Kosinov ..............Forest Hills, N.Y. 16 ......Kole Henry Moses..........New York, N.Y. 17 ......Jasper August Hunt ......New York, N.Y. 18 ......Alexander Oh..................New York, N.Y. 19 ......Ty Switzer........................New York, N.Y. 20 ......Cooper Williams ............New York, N.Y. 21 ......Jonathan Rabinowitz ....Bayside, N.Y. 22 ......Alfonso Laffont ..............New York, N.Y. 23 ......Jeffrey Yu ........................Forest Hills, N.Y. 24 ......Marko R. Gural ..............New York, N.Y. 25 ......Neel Epstein ..................New York, N.Y. 26 ......Yesh Nikam ....................New York, N.Y. 27 ......Eric Dubilirer ..................Little Neck, N.Y. 28 ......Dylan Charles ................New York, N.Y. 29 ......Allen P. Brinzensky ........Staten Island, N.Y. 30 ......Gabriel E. Chiha ............Staten Island, N.Y. 31 ......Nicholas Laffont ............New York, N.Y. 32 ......Hudson Beaudoin..........New York, N.Y. 33 ......Noah Eisenberg..............New York, N.Y. 34 ......Tyler James DelZoppo ..New York, N.Y. 35 ......Christopher Rojas ..........Flushing, N.Y. 36 ......Milan Jain........................New York, N.Y. 37 ......Nicholas Murphy............New York, N.Y. 38 ......Ryuichi Nitta ..................Bronx, N.Y. 39 ......Noah Katzer....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 40 ......Mike William Shepard....New York, N.Y.

Metro Boys 14 Singles Rank..Name................................City 1 ........Igor Maslov ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 2 ........Daniel Leon-Maseyev....Brooklyn, N.Y. 3 ........Christopher Tham ..........Flushing, N.Y. 4 ........Christian Rabinowitz......Bayside, N.Y. 5 ........Blake Frank ....................New York, N.Y. 6 ........Robbie F. Werdiger ........New York, N.Y. 7 ........Donald James Smith ....Roosevelt Island, N.Y. 8 ........Jonathan Glinsky............Brooklyn, N.Y. 9 ........Leaf Fagerberg ..............New York, N.Y. 10 ......Eli Taylor-Kerman ..........New York, N.Y. 11 ......Michael Kaydin ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 12 ......Matthew Mosejczuk ......East Elmhurst, N.Y. 13 ......Alex Portnoy ..................New York, N.Y. 14 ......David Krasner ................Staten Island, N.Y. 15 ......Tyler Kats ........................New York, N.Y. 16 ......Gabriel Isaac Rissman ..Brooklyn, N.Y. 17 ......Jack Mascone................New York, N.Y. 18 ......Kermal Aziz ....................Staten Island, N.Y. 19 ......Jai Madisetty ..................Flushing, N.Y.

YORK

20 ......Alfonso Laffont ..............New York, N.Y. 21 ......Derek Lung ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 22 ......Teddy Brodsky ..............New York, N.Y. 23 ......Dylan Conner Charles....New York, N.Y. 24 ......Julian Szuper..................New York, N.Y. 25 ......Richard Wickman ..........Bayside, N.Y. 26 ......Daniel Davis....................New York, N.Y. 27 ......Michael Gechka ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 28 ......Ameer Hosain ................New York, N.Y. 29 ......David Dylan Pines..........New York, N.Y. 30 ......Ethan Finley....................New York, N.Y. 31 ......Leonidas Vrailas ............New York, N.Y. 32 ......Wesley Zhang ................Staten Island, N.Y. 33 ......Peter Frelinghuysen ......New York, N.Y. 34 ......Alexander L. Chiu ..........New York, N.Y. 35 ......Jeffrey McCready ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 36 ......Michael Lee Jozoff ........New York, N.Y. 37 ......Alexander Petrov............Middle Village, N.Y. 38 ......Sadi Guicelik ..................New York, N.Y. 39 ......Noah D. Edelman ..........New York, N.Y. 40 ......Justin S. Taub ................New York, N.Y.

Metro Boys 16 Singles Rank..Name................................City 1 ........Justin Arrington-Holmes..New York, N.Y. 2 ........Wiley Schubert Reed ....Brooklyn, N.Y. 3 ........Nicholas Pustilnik ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 4 ........Adam Lane Bernstein ....New York, N.Y. 5 ........Igor Maslov ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 6 ........Gabriel Sifuentes............Flushing, N.Y. 7 ........Leonardo Escudero ......Ozone Park, N.Y. 8 ........Fayed Fayaz Uddin........Elmhurst, N.Y. 9 ........Tanner Ross Bhonslay ..New York, N.Y. 10 ......Leaf Fagerberg ..............New York, N.Y. 11 ......Michael Kamsky ............New York, N.Y. 12 ......Andrew Zucker ..............New York, N.Y. 13 ......Oliver Jaskowski ............Bayside, N.Y. 14 ......Stephen Mai ..................Flushing, N.Y. 15 ......Joseph Zac Namtalov....Staten Island, N.Y. 16 ......Richard Wickman ..........Bayside, N.Y. 17 ......Benjamin Thier ..............New York, N.Y. 18 ......Mark Karpovas ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 19 ......Barak Harari....................Hollis, N.Y. 20 ......Christopher Tham ..........Flushing, N.Y. 21 ......Justin Belnavis ..............Jamaica, N.Y. 22 ......Eli Taylor-Kerman ..........New York, N.Y. 23 ......Simon Ross Heinberg....New York, N.Y. 24 ......Matthew Joshua Ross ..New York, N.Y. 25 ......Bryan Chu ......................Flushing, N.Y. 26 ......Bojidar Todorov ..............Rego Park, N.Y. 27 ......Daniel Davis....................New York, N.Y. 28 ......Andre Agregado ............New York, N.Y. 29 ......Robert Freitag ................New York, N.Y. 30 ......Yarden Hahn ..................New York, N.Y. 31 ......Damon Watson ..............New York, N.Y. 32 ......Ameer Hosain ................New York, N.Y. 33 ......Neil Agarwal....................New York, N.Y. 34 ......Alexander Kucherina......Brooklyn, N.Y. 35 ......Lantis Wang....................New York, N.Y. 36 ......Derek Lung ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 37 ......Arthur Elghouayel ..........New York, N.Y. 38 ......Brandon Huang..............New York, N.Y. 39 ......Jonathan Coden ............Bronx, N.Y. 40 ......Tyler Kats ........................New York, N.Y.

Metro Boys 18 Singles Rank..Name................................City 1 ........Adam Lane Bernstein ....New York, N.Y. 2 ........Nicholas Pustilnik ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 3 ........Nicholas Rudman ..........New York, N.Y.

RANKINGS 4 ........Michael Gardiner............New York, N.Y. 5 ........William J. Trang ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 6 ........Kumeil Hosain ................New York, N.Y. 7 ........Marco Vonderheide........New York, N.Y. 8 ........Arthur Elghouayel ..........New York, N.Y.

GIRLS Metro Girls 12 Singles Rank..Name................................City 1 ........Nadejda Maslova ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 2 ........Masha Serjantov ............New York, N.Y. 3 ........Rachel Zhang ................Forest Hills, N.Y. 4 ........Rebecca Sitkovetsky ....Staten Island, N.Y. 5 ........Alyssa An........................New York, N.Y. 6 ........Sage Loudon..................New York, N.Y. 7 ........Sarah Lucy Youngberg ..New York, N.Y. 8 ........Alina Kargin-Utkin ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 9 ........Katherine Krieger............New York, N.Y. 10 ......Beyonce Blake ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 11 ......Nicolette Fundator ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 12 ......Nathalie Williams............New York, N.Y. 13 ......Niki Truszkowski ............Middle Village, N.Y. 14 ......Leila M. Epstein..............New York, N.Y. 15 ......Sofia Allinson..................New York, N.Y. 16 ......Beyonce Blake ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 17 ......Samantha Bentsianov ..Staten Island, N.Y. 18 ......Karolina Lankamer ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 19 ......Michelle Kleynerman......Staten Island, N.Y. 20 ......Celina Liu ........................Forest Hills, N.Y. 21 ......Angelica Schell ..............New York, N.Y. 22 ......Nicole Bolkunova ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 23 ......Elizabeth Serjantov ........New York, N.Y. 24 ......Medina Garunja..............Bronx, N.Y. 25 ......Cassie Tian ....................Flushing, N.Y. 26 ......Shakima Hotaki..............Flushing, N.Y. 27 ......Josephine Kimball..........New York, N.Y. 28 ......Piper Sydney Brown ......New York, N.Y. 29 ......Julia Gottschalk..............New York, N.Y. 30 ......Sofie Shen ......................New York, N.Y. 31 ......Alyssa Pustilnik ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 32 ......Nia Lashawn Dabreo ....Brooklyn, N.Y. 33 ......Nicole Wooyin Lee ........New York, N.Y. 34 ......Natalie Eordekian ..........Woodside, N.Y. 35 ......Ksenia Kulakova ............New York, N.Y. 36 ......Maxie Molly Karen ........New York, N.Y. 37 ......Sheyna Esther Karen ....New York, N.Y. 38 ......Sophia Cisse ..................New York, N.Y. 39 ......Nina Wiese......................Flushing, N.Y. 40 ......Emma Eisenberg............New York, N.Y.

Metro Girls 14 Singles

19 ......Lauren Wooyoung Lee ..New York, N.Y. 20 ......Josephine Kimball..........New York, N.Y. 21 ......Nicolette Fundator ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 22 ......Nicole Sin Ming Chu ......Flushing, N.Y. 23 ......Nicole Mika ....................Staten Island, N.Y. 24 ......Julia Gottschalk..............New York, N.Y. 25 ......Shakima Hotaki..............Flushing, N.Y. 26 ......Theodora Vrailas ............New York, N.Y. 27 ......Diana McCready ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 28 ......Michelle Kleynerman......Staten Island, N.Y. 29 ......Maxine Zaretsky ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 30 ......Kate Yamin ....................New York, N.Y. 31 ......Julia Kirsh ......................New York, N.Y. 32 ......Masha Serjantov ............New York, N.Y. 33 ......Sophia Africk ..................New York, N.Y. 34 ......Bella Kaplan....................New York, N.Y. 35 ......Anastasya Menshikova..Brooklyn, N.Y. 36 ......Miriam Aziz ....................Staten Island, N.Y. 37 ......Olivia Simone Morris......Floral Park, N.Y. 38 ......Alleyah Katherine Ally ....Bellrose, N.Y. 39 ......Carolyn Brodsky ............New York, N.Y. 40 ......Mackenzie Udell ............Long Island City, N.Y.

Metro Girls 16 Singles Rank..Name................................City 1 ........Tamila Latif-Zade............Brooklyn, N.Y. 2 ........Liana I. Weitzman ..........Whitestone, N.Y. 3 ........Amy Kaplan ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 4 ........Natalie Marguiles............New York, N.Y. 5 ........Denise Marie Trerotola ..Brooklyn, N.Y. 6 ........Gianna Gaudio ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 7 ........Sophia Hartman ............New York, N.Y. 8 ........Kayla Schumacher ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 9 ........Kiara Rose ......................New York, N.Y. 10 ......Rebecca Xinyue Zhou ..New York, N.Y. 11 ......Anna Maite Kaplan ........New York, N.Y. 12 ......Sarah Hirschfield............New York, N.Y. 13 ......Gabrielle Eitkas ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 14 ......Nicole Khorosh ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 15 ......Barbara Podvorchani ....Bronx, N.Y. 16 ......Alexandra Sanford ........New York, N.Y. 17 ......Joanna Urena ................Hollis, N.Y. 18 ......Anu Alalade ....................Rosedale, N.Y. 19 ......Grace L. Kennedy ..........New York, N.Y. 20 ......Electra Frelinghuysen ....New York, N.Y. 21 ......Elizabeth Khusid ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 22 ......Shelby Lau......................Brooklyn, N.Y. 23 ......Isabella Rendon..............Oakland Gardens, N.Y. 24 ......Anastasia Lukyanovich..Brooklyn, N.Y.

Metro Girls 18 Singles

Rank..Name................................City

1 ........Amy Kaplan ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 2 ........Rebecca Sitkovetsky ....Staten Island, N.Y. 3 ........Casey Brandes ..............Rego Park, N.Y. 4 ........Nadejda Maslova ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 5 ........Rebecca Izyayeva..........Staten Island, N.Y. 6 ........Sofia Kate Levine ..........New York, N.Y. 7 ........Barbara Podvorchani ....Bronx, N.Y. 8 ........Taylor Simone Williams..New York, N.Y. 9 ........Caroline Paige Kantor....New York, N.Y. 10 ......Tomi Alalade ..................Rosedale, N.Y. 11 ......Karolina Lankamer ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 12 ......Cassie Tian ....................Flushing, N.Y. 13 ......Maryna Bohdanovska....Brooklyn, N.Y. 14 ......Sarah Anne Fassberg ....New York, N.Y. 15 ......Joanna Urena ................Hollis, N.Y. 16 ......Sarah Anne Fassberg ....New York, N.Y. 17 ......Naomi Park ....................New York, N.Y. 18 ......Rebecca MacDonald ....Brooklyn, N.Y.

1 ........Julia Zbarsky ..................New York, N.Y. 2 ........Tamila Latif-Zade............Brooklyn, N.Y. 3 ........Isabelle Rovinski ............New York, N.Y.

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

Boys & Girls Sectional Rankings (as of 10/06/14)

BOYS Sectional Boys 12 Singles— Metro Region Rank Name............................City 3 ........Jeffrey Fradkin................New York, N.Y. 4 ........Noah Edelman................New York, N.Y. 7 ........Alexander Petrov............Middle Village, N.Y. 14 ......Brandon T. Cohen..........New York, N.Y.

NEW 15 ......Joseph Wilkanowski ......Long Island City, N.Y. 18 ......John-Thomas Bilski ......New York, N.Y. 20 ......Ryan McCook ................St. Albans, N.Y. 23 ......Wesley Zhang ................Staten Island, N.Y. 25 ......Donovan Brown ............New York, N.Y. 29 ......Maxwell Kachkarov........Flushing, N.Y. 31 ......David Krasner ................Staten Island, N.Y. 35 ......Ty Switzer........................New York, N.Y. 37 ......Sebastian Sec ................New York, N.Y. 39 ......Charles William Phillips..New York, N.Y. 42 ......Anthony Cataldo ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 44 ......Sidharth Chawla ............New York, N.Y. 50 ......Jasper August Hunt ......New York, N.Y. 53 ......Winter Fagerberg ..........New York, N.Y. 57 ......Sachin Palta....................Forest Hills, N.Y. 58 ......Tyler Korobov..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 59 ......Scott Fischer ..................New York, N.Y. 68 ......Hudson Beaudoin..........New York, N.Y. 70 ......Jace Alexander ..............New York, N.Y. 72 ......Brandon Torres ..............Bronx, N.Y. 77 ......Mitchel Pertsovsky ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 78 ......Solomon Brown ............New York, N.Y. 87 ......Donovan Spigner ..........New York, N.Y. 88 ......Jeffrey Yu ........................Forest Hills, N.Y. 91 ......Benjamin Ebanks ..........New York, N.Y. 95 ......Bradley Bennett..............New York, N.Y. 100 ....Nash Crofoot Johnson ..New York, N.Y. 104 ....Evan Friedmann ............New York, N.Y. 114 ....Nicholas Murphy............New York, N.Y. 116 ....Paul Elghouayel..............New York, N.Y. 120 ....Daniel Galisteo Gordon..New York, N.Y. 125 ....Kole Henry Moses..........New York, N.Y. 127 ....Eric Dubilirer ..................Little Neck, N.Y. 137 ....Jack Benavides..............New York, N.Y. 141 ....Ryan David Brandes......Rego Park, N.Y.

Sectional Boys 14 Singles— Metro Region Rank Name............................City 15 ......Gary Fishkin....................Staten Island, N.Y. 19 ......Igor Maslov ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 22 ......Lantis Wang....................New York, N.Y. 27 ......Jeffrey Gorilovsky ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 30 ......Derek Raskopf................New York, N.Y. 32 ......Steven Nazaroff..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 33 ......Shawn Jackson..............Staten Island, N.Y. 34 ......Ethan Leon ....................Woodhaven, N.Y. 38 ......Nicholas Pustilnik ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 40 ......Oliver Jevtovic................Astoria, N.Y. 44 ......Sam Vagner....................Staten Island, N.Y. 54 ......Shand Stephens ............New York, N.Y. 56 ......Dylan Friedman ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 58 ......Alexander Petrov............Middle Village, N.Y. 62 ......Jonah Jurick ..................New York, N.Y. 66 ......Jeffrey Fradkin................New York, N.Y. 70 ......Kai Yuminaga ................Oakland Gardens, N.Y. 73 ......Alexander Chiu ..............New York, N.Y. 76 ......Jeffrey McCready ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 77 ......David Mizrahi..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 80 ......David Raphael Weiner ..Forest Hills, N.Y. 85 ......Robbie F. Werdiger ........New York, N.Y. 86 ......Gabriel Isaac Rissman ..Brooklyn, N.Y. 87 ......Donovan Brown ............New York, N.Y. 88 ......Kemal Irfan Aziz..............Staten Island, N.Y. 89 ......Alexander Nielsen ..........New York, N.Y. 93 ......Richard Zusman ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 99 ......Peter Wernink ................New York, N.Y. 101 ....Henry Hochfelder ..........New York, N.Y. 103 ....William Charles Phillips..New York, N.Y. 110 ....Daniel Leon Maseyev ....Brooklyn, N.Y. 112 ....Blake Frank ....................New York, N.Y.

YORK

114 ....Christopher Tham ..........Flushing, N.Y. 119 ....Tristan Taylor ..................New York, N.Y. 122 ....Dominik Pajor ................Brooklyn, N.Y. 123 ....Derek Lung ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 126 ....David Krasner ................Staten Island, N.Y. 134 ....Ameer Hosain ................New York, N.Y. 135 ....Tyler Kats ........................New York, N.Y. 137 ....Noah Edelman................New York, N.Y. 140 ....David Dylan Pines..........New York, N.Y. 143 ....Oliver Obeid....................New York, N.Y. 146 ....Christian Rabinowitz......Bayside, N.Y. 148 ....Ryan McCook ................Saint Albans, N.Y.

Sectional Boys 16 Singles— Metro Region Rank Name............................City 11 ......Ananth Raghavan ..........New York, N.Y. 15 ......Aleksandar Kovacevic ..New York, N.Y. 20 ......Sumit Sarkar ..................New York, N.Y. 32 ......Calvin Chung..................Bronx, N.Y. 37 ......Mitchell Ostrovsky..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 52 ......Alex Chao ......................New York, N.Y. 56 ......Jeffrey Gorilovsky ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 58 ......Cole Gittens....................New York, N.Y. 65 ......Gary C. Fishkin ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 70 ......Robert Kennedy ............New York, N.Y. 74 ......Sam Vagner....................Staten Island, N.Y. 86 ......Xavier Pacthod ..............New York, N.Y. 89 ......David Mizahi ..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 91 ......Leonardo Escudero ......Ozone Park, N.Y. 92 ......Nicholas Rudman ..........New York, N.Y. 93 ......Christopher Kolesnik......Staten Island, N.Y. 104 ....Allan Ethan Magid..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 106 ....Adam Bryan Borak ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 107 ....Adam Bernstein ............New York, N.Y. 114 ....Jared Fields ....................New York, N.Y. 121 ....Ethan Moszkowski ........New York, N.Y. 122 ....Zachary Jordan Lieb......New York, N.Y. 123 ....Gabriel Sifuentes............Flushing, N.Y. 129 ....Philip Belmatch ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 140 ....Robert Millman ..............New York, N.Y. 147 ....Shawn Jackson..............Staten Island, N.Y. 148 ....Emil Nadyrbekov............Brooklyn, N.Y.

Sectional Boys 18 Singles— Metro Region Rank Name............................City 4 ........Daniel Kerznerman ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 5 ........Oliver Sec ......................New York, N.Y. 19 ......Felipe Osses-Konig........Rego Park, N.Y. 21 ......Victor Miglo ....................Kew Gardens, N.Y. 22 ......Christopher Paul Auteri..Staten Island, N.Y. 23 ......Lucas Pickering..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 30 ......Ananth Raghavan ..........New York, N.Y. 32 ......Ethan Nittolo ..................Flushing, N.Y. 36 ......Marcus T. Smith ............Little Neck, N.Y. 53 ......Maurice Russo ..............New York, N.Y. 55 ......Artemie Amari ................New York, N.Y. 58 ......Win Smith ......................Brooklyn, N.Y. 60 ......Alexander Pintilie............New York, N.Y. 63 ......Faris Nathoo ..................New York, N.Y. 70 ......James Wasserman ........New York, N.Y. 84 ......Alexander Thrane ..........New York, N.Y. 90 ......William J. Trang ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 100 ....Leonard Margolis ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 102 ....Edan Lee Sossen ..........Oakland Gardens, N.Y. 104 ....Brett W. Jones................New York, N.Y. 106 ....Zachary Kaplan ..............New York, N.Y. 107 ....Alex Chao ......................New York, N.Y. 124 ....Jack Haroche ................New York, N.Y.

RANKINGS 134 ....Richard Sec....................New York, N.Y. 136 ....Steven Koulouris............Long Island City, N.Y. 138 ....Michael Gardiner............New York, N.Y.

GIRLS Sectional Girls 12 Singles— Metro Region Rank Name............................City 3 ........Rosie Garcia Gross........New York, N.Y. 7 ........Nadejda Maslova ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 8 ........Dakota Fordham ............New York, N.Y. 10 ......Miriam Aziz ....................Staten Island, N.Y. 13 ......Elvina Kalieva..................Staten Island, N.Y. 19 ......Perene Wang..................New York, N.Y. 25 ......Daniella Benabraham ....New York, N.Y. 29 ......Lorraine Bergmann ........Forest Hills, N.Y. 30 ......Khyanna Singh ..............Queens Village, N.Y. 32 ......Lena Kovacevic..............New York, N.Y. 33 ......Rebecca Eliana Fisch ....New York, N.Y. 36 ......Shakima Hotaki..............Flushing, N.Y. 37 ......Isabella Cooper ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 41 ......Shawnte Beale ..............Bronx, N.Y. 42 ......Zoe Kava ........................New York, N.Y. 43 ......Carolyn Brodsky ............New York, N.Y. 46 ......Karolina Lankamer ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 48 ......Michelle Kleynerman......Staten Island, N.Y. 51 ......Gabriella Eitkis................Brooklyn, N.Y. 52 ......Rachel Rubenzahl..........New York, N.Y. 53 ......Sabrina Boada................Woodhaven, N.Y. 55 ......Emily Moczulski..............Oakland Gardens, N.Y. 60 ......Natalie Eordekian ..........Woodside, N.Y. 67 ......Masha Serjantov ............New York, N.Y. 72 ......Sarah Youngberg ..........New York, N.Y. 73 ......Rachel Zhang ................Forest Hills, N.Y. 77 ......Anastasya Chesnokova ..Staten Island, N.Y. 86 ......Elizabeth Serjantov ........New York, N.Y. 87 ......Sage Loudon..................New York, N.Y. 91 ......Alyssa An........................New York, N.Y. 94 ......Nathalie Williams............New York, N.Y. 103 ....Niki Truszkowski ............Middle Village, N.Y. 107 ....Michelle ikhonko ............Forest Hills, N.Y. 118 ....Katherine Krieger............New York, N.Y. 125 ....Beyonce Blake ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 129 ....Kasia Ojar ......................New York, N.Y. 131 ....Alina Kargin-Utkin ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 138 ....Piper Sydney Brown ......New York, N.Y. 143 ....Angelica Schell ..............New York, N.Y. 146 ....Nicolette Fundator ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 150 ....Kassia Taylor ..................New York, N.Y.

Sectional Girls 14 Singles— Metro Region Rank Name............................City 6 ........Michelle Sorokko............Little Neck, N.Y. 7 ........Shelly Yaloz ....................Little Neck, N.Y. 9 ........Dasha Kourkina..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 10 ......Aleksandra Bekirova......Brooklyn, N.Y. 12 ......Nicole Semenov ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 24 ......Anastasia Koniaev..........Forest Hills, N.Y. 26 ......Katherine Kachkarov......Flushing, N.Y. 27 ......Rosie Garcia Gross........New York, N.Y. 29 ......Jennifer Yu......................Forest Hills, N.Y. 31 ......Sonia Tartakovsky..........New York, N.Y. 34 ......Christina Huynh..............Astoria, N.Y. 36 ......Kyra Bergmann ..............Forest Hills, N.Y. 37 ......Stephanie Li....................New York, N.Y. 41 ......Dakota Fordham ............New York, N.Y. 43 ......Chelsea Williams............Brooklyn, N.Y. 44 ......Katelyn Walker................New York, N.Y. 45 ......Diana McCready ............Brooklyn, N.Y.

56 ......Isabella Nicole Tushaj ....Bronx, N.Y. 57 ......Marie Ivantechenko........Brooklyn, N.Y. 58 ......Elvina Kalinova ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 60 ......Barbara Podvorchani ....Bronx, N.Y. 61 ......Diana Sosonkin ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 63 ......Miriam Irfan Aziz ............Staten Island, N.Y. 66 ......Amanda Solecki ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 67 ......Gabriella Eitkis................Brooklyn, N.Y. 76 ......Perene Wang..................New York, N.Y. 79 ......Rebecca Eliana Fisch ....New York, N.Y. 80 ......Giuliana Rosa Gibson ....Bayside, N.Y. 89 ......Nadejda Maslova ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 91 ......Sofie Kate Levine ..........New York, N.Y. 95 ......Grace L. Kennedy ..........New York, N.Y. 98 ......Audrey Pacthod ............New York, N.Y. 102 ....Rachel Rubenzahl..........New York, N.Y.

Sectional Girls 16 Singles— Metro Region Rank Name............................City 4 ........Sabrina Xiong ................Fresh Meadows, N.Y. 9 ........Brianna Williams ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 12 ......Jessica Livianu ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 18 ......Michelle Sorokko............Little Neck, N.Y. 19 ......Alexus Gill ......................Brooklyn, N.Y. 22 ......Victoria Sec ....................New York, N.Y. 25 ......Shelly Yaloz ....................Little Neck, N.Y. 27 ......Isis Gill ............................Brooklyn, N.Y. 31 ......Alexandra Koniaev ........Forest Hills, N.Y. 32 ......Lauren Munari ................Middle Village, N.Y. 35 ......Yuka Lin ..........................Kew Gardens, N.Y. 36 ......Aleksandra Bekirova......Brookln, N.Y. 41 ......Nicole Semenov ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 45 ......Dakota Fordham ............New York, N.Y. 47 ......Jillian Auteri ....................Staten Island, N.Y. 50 ......Regina Furer ..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 55 ......Stephanie Li....................New York, N.Y. 65 ......Sydney Lynn Katz ..........New York, N.Y. 68 ......Patricia Obeid ................New York, N.Y. 69 ......Jennifer Yu......................Forest Hills, N.Y. 90 ......Isabelle Rovinski ............New York, N.Y. 95 ......Brittny Jo Ferreira ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 98 ......Lia Kiam..........................New York, N.Y. 100 ....Sabrina Lee Abrams ......New York, N.Y. 103 ....Tamila Latif-Zade............Brooklyn, N.Y. 104 ....Isabel Balilo ....................Flushing, N.Y. 105 ....Emma Kassan................New York, N.Y. 116 ....Dasha Kourkina..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 119 ....Lisa Marchelska ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 121 ....Sarah Rahman ..............East Elmhurst, N.Y. 124 ....Katherine Kachkarov......Flushing, N.Y. 132 ....Kyra Bergmann ..............Forest Hills, N.Y. 137 ....Kiara A. Rose..................New York, N.Y. 142 ....Liana Weitzman..............Whitestone, N.Y. 143 ....Barbara Podvorchani ....Bronx, N.Y. 145 ....Nicole Khorosh ..............Brooklyn, N.Y.

Sectional Girls 18 Singles— Metro Region Rank Name............................City 3 ........Sabrina Xiong ................Fresh Meadows, N.Y. 5 ........Anna Ulyashchenko ......Brooklyn, N.Y. 8 ........Arnelle Sullivan ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 11 ......Ariana D. Rodriguez ......Bronx, N.Y. 13 ......Hannah Shteyn ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 21 ......Jessica Livianu ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 25 ......Isis Gill ............................Brooklyn, N.Y. 27 ......Yuka Lin ..........................Kew Gardens, N.Y. 36 ......Shayna Spooner ............New York, N.Y. 38 ......Christina Puccinelli ........New York, N.Y.

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

NEW 39 ......Jessica Golovin ..............New York, N.Y. 45 ......Alexus Gill ......................Brooklyn, N.Y. 46 ......Sophia Kryloff ................Brooklyn, N.Y. 53 ......Sofia Anouk Alsiks ........New York, N.Y. 54 ......Brianna Williams ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 55 ......Jillian Rose Auteri ..........Staten Island, N.Y. 58 ......Nia Rose ........................New York, N.Y. 60 ......Elizabeth Tsvetkov..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 65 ......Patricia Obeid ................New York, N.Y. 74 ......Annie Reiner ..................New York, N.Y. 81 ......Keren Khromchenko......Staten Island, N.Y. 84 ......Lauren Munari ................Middle Village, N.Y. 92 ......Hediye Karabay..............Flushing, N.Y. 97 ......Alexandra Koniaev ........Forest Hills, N.Y. 102 ....Shelly Yaloz ....................Little Neck, N.Y. 108 ....Jennifer Yu......................Forest Hills, N.Y. 121 ....Dakota Fordham ............New York, N.Y. 124 ....Tamila Latif-Zade............Brooklyn, N.Y. 126 ....Angeline Devanthiran ....Corona, N.Y. 136 ....Kyra Bergmann ..............Forest Hills, N.Y. 137 ....Loren Gallmon................South Ozone Park, N.Y. 140 ....Anna Tselikovskaya........New York, N.Y. 148 ....Sydney Lynn Katz ..........New York, N.Y.

Boys & Girls National Rankings (as of 10/29/14)

BOYS National Boys 12 Singles— Metro Region Rank ..Name ..........................City 7 ........Jeffrey Fradkin................New York, N.Y. 58 ......Noah Edelman................New York, N.Y. 114 ....Brandon T. Cohen..........New York, N.Y. 168 ....Alex Petrov ....................Middle Village, N.Y. 169 ....Wesley Zhang ................Staten Island, N.Y. 190 ....John-Tomas Bilski..........New York, N.Y. 242 ....Max Kachkarov ..............Flushing, N.Y. 249 ....Ryan McCook ................St. Albans, N.Y. 284 ....Joseph Wilkanowski ......Long Island City, N.Y. 500 ....Sebastian Sec ................New York, N.Y. 585 ....Charles William Phillips..New York, N.Y. 631 ....Sidharth Chawla ............New York, N.Y. 656 ....Donovan Brown ............New York, N.Y. 677 ....Hudson Beaudoin..........New York, N.Y. 697 ....Nash Crofoot Johnson ..New York, N.Y. 712 ....Ty Switzer........................New York, N.Y. 713 ....David Krasner ................Staten Island, N.Y. 727 ....Tyler Korobov..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 892 ....Sachin Palta....................Forest Hills, N.Y. 907 ....Jasper August Hunt ......New York, N.Y.

National Boys 14 Singles— Metro Region

YORK

National Boys 16 Singles— Metro Region Rank ..Name ..........................City 92 ......Aleksandar Kovacevic ..New York, N.Y. 151 ....Ananth Raghavan ..........New York, N.Y. 559 ....Sumit Sarkar ..................New York, N.Y. 595 ....Calvin Chung..................Bronx, N.Y. 624 ....Mitchell Ostrovsky..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 709 ....Cole Gittens....................New York, N.Y. 869 ....Robert Kennedy ............New York, N.Y. 871 ....Xavier Pacthod ..............New York, N.Y. 914 ....Alex Chao ......................New York, N.Y. 921 ....Sam V. Vagner ................Staten Island, N.Y.

National Boys 18 Singles— Metro Region Rank ..Name ..........................City 7 ........Daniel Kerznerman ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 87 ......Oliver Sec ......................New York, N.Y. 123 ....James Wasserman ........New York, N.Y. 154 ....Felipe Osses-Konig........Rego Park, N.Y. 192 ....Christopher Auteri..........Staten Island, N.Y. 248 ....Lucas Pickering..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 259 ....Ethan Nittolo ..................Flushing, N.Y. 393 ....Artemie Amari ................New York, N.Y. 434 ....Ananth Raghavan ..........New York, N.Y. 519 ....Win Smith ......................Brooklyn, N.Y. 758 ....Alexander Pintilie............New York, N.Y. 910 ....Victor Miglo ....................Kew Gardens, N.Y. 975 ....Maurice Russo ..............New York, N.Y. 984 ....Aleksandar Kovacevic ..New York, N.Y.

GIRLS National Girls 12 Singles— Metro Region Rank ..Name ..........................City 15 ......Rosie Garcia Gross........New York, N.Y. 25 ......Nadejda Maslova ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 65 ......Elvina Kalieva..................Staten Island, N.Y. 66 ......Miriam Irfan Aziz ............Staten Island, N.Y. 91 ......Dakota Fordham ............New York, N.Y. 97 ......Perene Wang..................New York, N.Y. 264 ....Rebecca Eliana Fisch ....New York, N.Y. 314 ....Rachel Rubenzahl..........New York, N.Y. 316 ....Lena Kovacevic..............New York, N.Y. 331 ....Khyanna Singh ..............Queens Village, N.Y. 384 ....Lorraine Bergmann ........Forest Hills, N.Y. 471 ....Daniella Benabraham ....New York, N.Y. 640 ....Shawnte Beale ..............Bronx, N.Y. 665 ....Shakima Hotaki..............Flushing, N.Y. 742 ....Anastasiya Chesnokova ..Staten Island, N.Y. 768 ....Karolina Lankamer ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 997 ....Gabriella Eitkas ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 998 ....Zoe Kava ........................New York, N.Y.

Rank ..Name ..........................City

National Girls 14 Singles— Metro Region

146 ....Gary Fishkin....................Staten Island, N.Y. 150 ....Lantis Wang....................New York, N.Y. 226 ....Derek Raskopf................New York, N.Y. 253 ....Nicholas Pustilnik ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 278 ....Jeffrey Gorilovsky ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 287 ....Shawn Jackson..............Staten Island, N.Y. 367 ....Oliver Jevtovic................Astoria, N.Y. 371 ....Steven Daniel Nazaroff ..Brooklyn, N.Y. 410 ....Igor Malsov ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 592 ....Jeffrey Fradkin................New York, N.Y. 899 ....Ethan Leon ....................Woodhaven, N.Y.

33 ......Dasha Kourkina..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 38 ......Shelly Yaloz ....................Little Neck, N.Y. 44 ......Michelle Sorokko............Little Neck, N.Y. 126 ....Nicole Semenov ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 139 ....Aleksandra Bekirova......Brooklyn, N.Y. 228 ....Anastasia Koniaev..........Forest Hills, N.Y. 249 ....Katherine Kachkarov......Flushing, N.Y. 272 ....Jennifer Yu......................Forest Hills, N.Y. 361 ....Christina M. Huynh ........Astoria, N.Y. 382 ....Sonia Tartakovsky..........New York, N.Y.

RANKINGS 435 ....Rosie Garcia Gross........New York, N.Y. 448 ....Katelyn Walker................New York, N.Y. 473 ....Stephanie Li....................New York, N.Y. 657 ....Chelsea Williams............Brooklyn, N.Y. 980 ....Elvina Kalieva..................Staten Island, N.Y.

National Girls 16 Singles— Metro Region Rank ..Name ..........................City 27 ......Sabrina Xiong ................Fresh Meadows, N.Y. 66 ......Jessica Livianu ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 146 ....Brianna Williams ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 262 ....Alexandra Koniaev ........Forest Hills, N.Y. 334 ....Isis Gill ............................Brooklyn, N.Y. 346 ....Michelle Sorokko............Little Neck, N.Y. 369 ....Alexus Gill ......................Brooklyn, N.Y. 468 ....Lauren Munari ................Middle Village, N.Y. 549 ....Shelly Yaloz ....................Little Neck, N.Y. 551 ....Dasha Kourkina..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 576 ....Victoria Sec ....................New York, N.Y. 746 ....Regina Furer ..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 754 ....Aleksandra Bekirova......Brooklyn, N.Y. 836 ....Dakota Fordham ............New York, N.Y. 919 ....Julia D. Fisch ..................New York, N.Y. 939 ....Sarah Rahman ..............East Elmhurst, N.Y.

National Girls 18 Singles— Metro Region Rank ..Name ..........................City 63 ......Sabrina Xiong ................Fresh Meadows, N.Y. 74 ......Anna Ulyashchenko ......Brooklyn, N.Y. 99 ......Jessica Livianu ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 100 ....Jessica Golovin ..............New York, N.Y. 110 ....Arnelle Sullivan ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 205 ....Ariana D. Rodriguez ......Bronx, N.Y. 288 ....Hannah Shteyn ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 365 ....Isis Gill ............................Brooklyn, N.Y. 627 ....Nia Rose ........................New York, N.Y. 709 ....Brianna Williams ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 769 ....Keren Khromchenko......Staten Island, N.Y. 821 ....Elizabeth Tsvetkov..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 827 ....Sophia Kryloff ................Brooklyn, N.Y. 871 ....Julia D. Fisch ..................New York, N.Y. 911 ....Dasha Kourkina..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 997 ....Christina Puccinelli ........New York, N.Y.

Rank ..Name ..........................City

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

USTA/Metropolitan Region

2014 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE For detailed information on these and all USTA tournaments, visit tennislink.usta.com/tournaments. NOVEMBER 2014 Friday-Monday, November 7-10 L1B Stadium Tennis Center November Challenger Stadium Tennis Center 725 Exterior Street Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 12, 16 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday. Nov. 2 at 10:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail lauren@stadiumtennisnyc.com or call (718) 665-4684.

Friday-Sunday, November 14-16 Eastern Sweet 16 at APTC Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Championships Girls Singles & Doubles 78’ Yellow Ball 16 (COMP) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $102.63 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Nov. 3 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600.

Friday-Sunday, November 21-23 L1 Stadium Tennis Center November Championships Stadium Tennis Center 725 Exterior Street Bronx, 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 Sunday. Nov. 16 at 7:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail lauren@stadiumtennisnyc.com or call (718) 665-4684.

Friday-Sunday, November 7-9 L1B Alley Pond November Challenger Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14, 18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $43.50 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Nov. 3 at 5:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600.

Friday-Sunday, November 14-23 L1B Sportime Randall’s Island November 2014 Challenger Sportime at Randalls Island 1 Randalls Island New York, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12-18 (SE) Surface Type: Clay, Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, Nov. 7 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail tournamentsri@sportimetfm.com or call (212) 427-6150.

Friday, November 28 L3 Sportime RI November UPS Sportime at Randalls Island 1 Randalls Island New York, N.Y. Divisions: Entry Level Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Green Ball 12 (RR) Surface Type: Clay Entry Fee: $43.50 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Nov. 24 at 5:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail tournamentsri@sportimetfm.com or call (212) 427-6150.

Friday-Sunday, November 14-16 Eastern Sweet 16 at NYJTL New York Tennis Club 3081 Harding Avenue Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Championships Boys Singles & Doubles 78’ Yellow Ball 16 (COMP) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $102.63 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Nov. 3 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail ebantovska@nyjtl.org or call (347) 417-8168.

Friday-Sunday, November 21-23 Eastern Super Six at APTC (National L4) Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Grand Prix Boys Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 18 (FIC-R16) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $113.88 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Nov. 10 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600.

Friday-Sunday, November 14-16 Eastern Sweet 16 at Stadium Tennis Center Stadium Tennis Center 725 Exterior Street Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Championships Boys Singles & Doubles 78’ Yellow Ball 18 (COMP) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $102.63 per player (deadline for entries is Monday. Nov. 3 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail lauren@stadiumtennisnyc.com or call (718) 665-4684.

Friday-Sunday, November 21-23 L1 NYJTL Championships New York Junior Tennis and Learning 5812 Queens Boulevard, Ste. 1 Woodside, N.Y. Divisions: Championships Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14-16 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, Nov. 16 at 7:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail ebantovska@nyjtl.org or call (347) 417-8168.

Friday-Sunday, November 28-30 L2O APTC November Open Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE), Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FMLC), and Intermediate Boys & Girls Doubles 78’ Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 for first singles, $28 for first doubles (deadline for entries is Monday, Nov. 24 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600. Friday-Sunday, November 28-30 USTA Open Regional Tournament USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Flushing Meadows Corona Park Flushing, N.Y. Divisions: Boys Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FIC-R16) & Boys Doubles 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $134.88 for one event; $135.38 for two events; additional fees may apply if registered in three or more events For more information, e-mail ntctournaments@usta.com or call (718) 760-6200.

NYTennisMag.com • November/December 2014 • New York Tennis Magazine

USTA/Metropolitan Region

2014 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE For detailed information on these and all USTA tournaments, visit tennislink.usta.com/tournaments. DECEMBER 2014 Friday-Sunday, December 5-7 Empire Cup National Doubles at APTC Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Championships Boys Doubles 78’ Yellow Ball 16 (FRLC) & Championships Girls’ Doubles 78’ Yellow Ball 16 (FMLC) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $33 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, Nov. 28 at 8:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600. Friday-Sunday, December 5-7 Empire Cup National Doubles at NYJTL New York Junior Tennis and Learning 5812 Queens Boulevard, Ste. 1 Woodside, N.Y. Divisions: Championships Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 18 (FMLC) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $33 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, Nov. 28 at 8:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail ebantovska@nyjtl.org or call (347) 417-8168.

Friday-Sunday, December 12-14 & December 19-21 +L1 Eastern Grand Prix at NYJTL New York Junior Tennis and Learning 5812 Queens Boulevard, Ste. 1 Woodside, N.Y. Divisions: Grand Prix Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14 (FICQ) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Dec. 1 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail ebantovska@nyjtl.org or call (347) 417-8168. Friday-Sunday, December 12-14 L1B Stadium Tennis Center Winter Challenger Stadium Tennis Center 725 Exterior Street Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12, 16 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Friday. Dec. 5 at 11:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail lauren@stadiumtennisnyc.com

Monday-Friday, December 22-26 L1B Sportime Randall’s Island December 2014 Challenger Friday-Sunday, December 12-14 & December 19-21 Sportime at Randalls Island L2O Sportime RI December Open 1 Randalls Island Sportime at Randalls Island New York, N.Y. 1 Randalls Island Divisions: Challenger Boys Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12, 18 New York, N.Y. (SE) & Challenger Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12, 16-18 Divisions: Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow (SE) Ball 14-18 (SE); Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Surface Type: Clay, Hard Yellow Ball 12 (FMLC); and Intermediate Boys & Girls Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Doubles 78’ Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE) Monday, Dec. 15 at 1:00 p.m.) Surface Type: Clay, Hard For more information, e-mail Entry Fee: $54.25 for first singles; $28 for first doubles tournamentsri@sportimetfm.com or call (212) 427-6150. (deadline for entries is Friday, Dec. 5 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail Monday-Friday, December 22-26 tournamentsri@sportimetfm.com or call (646) 783-5301. L1B Stadium Tennis Center Holiday Challenger Stadium Tennis Center Friday-Sunday, December 12-14 & December 19-21 725 Exterior Street +L1 Eastern Grand Prix at APTC Bronx, N.Y. Alley Pond Tennis Center Divisions: Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow 7920 Winchester Boulevard Ball 14-16 (SE) Queens Village, N.Y. Surface Type: Hard Indoor Divisions: Grand Prix Boys Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 18 Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is (FICQ) Monday. Dec. 15 at 1:00 p.m.) Surface Type: Hard Indoor For more information, e-mail Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is lauren@stadiumtennisnyc.com Monday, Dec. 1 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600. 66

New York Tennis Magazine • November/December 2014 • NYTennisMag.com

Friday-Monday, December 26-28 L2O Staten Island Winter Open Staten Island Community Tennis Center 2800 Victory Boulevard Staten Island, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE); Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FMLC) & Intermediate Boys & Girls Doubles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 for first singles; $28 for first doubles (deadline for entries is Sunday. Dec. 21 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail klastique@yahoo.com ð¿718) 982-3355. Saturday-Monday, December 27-29 L1B APTC December Challenger Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 16-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Saturday, Dec. 20 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600. Saturday-Monday, December 27-29 L1B NYJTL December Challenger New York Junior Tennis and Learning 5812 Queens Boulevard, Ste. 1 Woodside, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12-14 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, Dec. 19 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail ebantovska@nyjtl.org or call (917) 443-6751.

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New York Tennis Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ November/December 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ NYTennisMag.com