Net News July August 2020 by New South Publishing

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ATLANTA LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION, INC.

ALTA, WHERE ATLANTA COMES TO PLAY

JULY/AUGUST 2020

ALTA IS BACK! p. 28

No Pandemic Playbook p. 30 Summer Getaways

p. 33

League News

p. 44

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CONTENTS

JULY/AUGUST 2020 VOLUME 30 NUMBER 4

28 FEATURES 28

ALTA is Back!

30 No Pandemic Playbook 33

Summer Getaways

EXTRAS

50 LEAGUE NEWS 44

Thursday Women

Sunday Women

46 Men 47

Senior Day

60 COURT CUISINE 60

Drink Up!

IN EVERY ISSUE 4

President’s Letter

Trivia Contest Winner

48 Juniors

ALTA Calendars

50 Mixers

Heard Around Atlanta

Sandy Bishop, Glen Abby Thursday Women, the winner of last issue’s trivia contest.

Tennis Headlines

Net News Trivia Contest

Good Question

Enter our trivia contest for a chance to win a great prize pack.

2020 Photo Contest

IMPROVING YOUR GAME 53

Jensen Zone

54 Importance of Peripheral Vision

63 Classifieds 64

About ALTA

HEALTH & FITNESS 56

Rolling for Recovery

NUTRITION 58

Sport Nutrition/ Hydration Update for Upcoming Georgia Summer Heat

ON THE COVER Winners from our May/June ALTA member cover photo contest! Turn to p. 16.

Net News, USPS 553-850, is mailed bimonthly by New South Publishing Inc., 9040 Roswell Road, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA 30350 and is the official publication of the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association, Inc., © Copyright 2020. Copies are mailed to members as part of their annual dues. Periodicals postage paid at Atlanta, Georgia and additional mailing offices. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: ALTA, 300 Colonial Center Parkway, Suite 140, Roswell, GA 30076. 2

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

TENNIS IS ON THE RETURN. Here’s $50 Off To Celebrate. As you slowly take to the courts again, we wanted to make your return a little sweeter. Right now, take $50 off a new Blade, Clash, or Ultra when you trade in your old performance racket. Trade-ins will be donated to the USTA Foundation to help grow the sport we’ve been missing. Visit wilson.com for offer details. *Offer vailid 6/1 to 7/14 *Only (1) $50 credit per new racket transaction

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

ALTA Is Back!

e know it has been a very long spring

This summer season will look different for sure — gone

for all of us. So much of what we love

are the great refreshment “spreads” so often at our matches

has vanished from our lives because of

(even though not required); gone are the handshakes and

COVID-19. Yet, our eyes were opened to

high fives, but we all talked just fine at our six-foot distance

so many other things — spending more family time; developing

after the match. And as an effort to help our facilities with

new hobbies; reaching out to help others, including healthcare

the “gathering” requirements, gone are our full third sets,

and frontline workers; and simply enjoying the many things

replaced with the mandatory third-set 10-point tiebreaks for

we have always taken for granted. We knew it couldn’t last

this summer season. ALTA will continue to ask our members

forever, and as things start to open back up, ALTA is once

to follow the CDC Guidelines and other governmental

again offering league play for the summer. ALTA is back!

regulations, but with tennis, we can play our matches and

It was so exciting and invigorating to be back on the tennis

still adhere to being smart and safe. We are all collectively

court for my first ALTA match for the summer. Yes, my “play”

responsible for one another’s safety during these challenging

is a bit rusty… but all of us were a bit rusty! I loved seeing my

times.

teammates, meeting the opponents, and having just a great,

If you’re already a member, we can’t wait to have you back

competitive match. We all “physically distanced,” but still

on the courts. If you’re thinking of joining ALTA, we would

“socialized” and caught up on our past three months of life.

love to have you! It is now documented by several health

Our opponents were fun, happy, and great players. It almost

officials that tennis is one of the safest activities in which you

seemed that some of the “petty irritations” (like line calls) that

can participate. ALTA continues to be the greatest way to be

might occur in a match were not even present. Could this

social and stay active, while meeting many new and potential

be because we have now realize how MUCH we love this

lifelong friends.

game and being on the court? Playing this first 2020 summer

ALTA is back! We can’t wait to see you on the courts!

match made me realize what a large part of my life, my social being, and my physical health ALTA tennis contributes to my everyday life. I sure have missed ALTA over these past three

Sandy Depa, 2020 ALTA President

months — and I sure have the soreness to prove just how

For the latest news, information and events.

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

altatennis.org facebook.com/Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association instagram.com/ALTA_tennis netnewsmag.com

Photo by LaRuche Creative

much my muscles/body have missed ALTA!

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2020 ALTA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 300 Colonial Center Parkway, Suite 140, Roswell, GA 30076 Phone: 770.399.5788 Website: altatennis.org President Sandy Depa

First Vice President Debbie Gaster Secretary Camille Puckett

Treasurer John Lowell

VP Men’s League Lamar Scott

VP Thursday Keri Beck Women’s League

VP Sunday Chequetta Allen Women’s League

VP Senior Day Leagues Kim Dlugolenski

VP Senior Leagues Roger Dennington

VP Mixed Cameron Turner Doubles League

VP Junior Leagues Rita Maloof VP Junior Brenda Maddaleni Challenge Ladder VP Special Programs Bob Kohmescher VP Media Michelle Ruiz Appointed Member Barbara Ingram 2019 President Bill Price 2018 President Joyce Vance ALTA Foundation Rep Candace Cole

2020 ALTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman Bob Fitzgerald

2018 ALTA President Joyce Vance

2019 ALTA President Bill Price

2020 ALTA President Sandy Depa

The ALTA Foundation Diana Burger President

2018 Elected Member Didi Chapdelaine

2019 Elected Member Larry Waters

Treasurer John Lowell Secretary/ Debbie Gaster

First Vice President

2019 THE ALTA FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Diana Burger Treasurer John Lowell Secretary Candace Cole

NEW SOUTH PUBLISHING, INC. 9040 Roswell Road, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA 30350 Phone: 770.650.1102 President Larry Lebovitz Vice President/Publisher John Hanna

Net News Editor Emmy Powell Features Editor Cory Sekine-Pettite

Art Director Tracy Stalling

Advertising & Megan Willis Production Manager

Account Executives Jennifer Gonzalez Sherry Gasaway Ginger Roberts

Circulation Manager Amy Fine

Accounting Marilyn Walker

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Direct all advertising, circulation and editorial inquiries to 770.650.1102. All information herein has been checked for accuracy to the best of the publisher’s ability. No responsibility is accepted for deletions, omissions, errors and/or inaccuracies. Printed in U.S.A. The ALTA logo is a protected trademark™.

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

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2020 ALTA CALENDAR July 3 6 7 14 24 30 31

Office Closed- Independence Day All fall leagues – roster registration begins* Run N’ Roll – play delayed/TBD* Run N’ Roll – City Finals delayed/TBD* All fall leagues – roster registration ends* Senior Women – summer play ends* Senior Men – summer play ends*

August

1 Mixed Doubles – summer play ends* 6 Senior Women – summer playoffs* 7 Senior Men – summer playoffs* 8 Senior Women – summer playoffs* 8 Mixed Doubles – summer playoffs* 9 Mixed Doubles – summer playoffs* 13 Senior Women – summer playoffs* 14 Senior Men – summer playoffs* 15 Junior Challenge Ladder – online registration ends 15 Mixed Doubles – summer playoffs and City Finals for AA 20 All fall leagues – schedules posted online 22 Mixed Doubles – City Finals for A, B, and C 22 Senior Women – City Finals 23 Senior Men – City Finals 23 Junior challenge Ladder – member orientation and kickoff party; 3-5pm; Sandy Springs TC 25 Junior Challenge Ladder – ladder opens

September

7 Office closed – Labor Day 8 Run N’ Roll – fall play begins 8 Senior Day Women – fall play begins 9 Senior Day Men – fall play begins 9 Fall mixer (senior mixed doubles) registration opens 10 Thursday Women – fall play begins 12 Men – fall play begins 12 Junior leagues – fall play begins 13 Sunday Women – fall play begins

JULY 2020

21 25

All winter leagues – roster registration begins Junior Challenge Ladder – tournament assistance application deadline- 2020 ladder participants

October 13 16 20 20 21 22 23 24 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 31 31

Run N’ Roll – fall play ends All winter leagues – roster registration ends Run N’ Roll – City Finals (rain date October 27) Senior Day Women – fall play ends Senior Day Men – fall play ends Thursday Women – fall play ends Fall mixer (senior mixed doubles) registration ends Men – fall play ends Junior leagues – fall play ends Sunday Women – fall play ends Senior Day Women – fall playoffs (rain date October 28) Thursday Women – fall playoffs (rain date October 29) Senior Day Men – fall playoffs (rain date October 30) Thursday Women – fall playoffs (rain date November 3) Sunday Women – fall playoffs (rain date November 1) Junior Leagues – fall playoffs (rain date November 3) Men – fall playoffs (rain date November 1)

November 1 1

Men – fall playoffs (rain date November 7) Sunday Women – fall playoffs (rain date November 7)

S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

AUGUST 2020 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 2 3 4 5 7 7 7 7 8 8 9 11 12 14 14 15 26 27

Senior Day Women – fall playoffs (rain date November 4) Thursday Women – fall playoffs (rain date November 5) Senior Day Men – fall playoffs (rain date November 6) Thursday Women – City Finals for all levels (rain date November 12) Men – fall playoffs (rain date November 8) and City Finals for AA (rain date November 8) Junior Leagues – City Finals (rain date November 8) Junior Leagues – fall playoffs (rain date November 10) Sunday Women – fall finals for AA (rain date November 8) Fall mixer – senior mixed doubles Sunday Women – City Finals (rain date November 10) Senior Day Women – City Finals (rain date November 16) Senior Day Men – City Finals (rain date November 18) ALTA Annual Meeting Men – City Finals for A, B, and C (rain date November 21) Junior Leagues – City Finals (rain date November 15) Sunday Women – City Finals for A, B, and C (rain date November 22) Office closed – Thanksgiving holiday Office closed – Thanksgiving holiday

December 1 8 10 24 25

Junior Challenge Ladder – ladder closes Junior Challenge Ladder – Awards Banquet All winter leagues – schedules posted online Office closed – Christmas holiday Office closed – Christmas holiday

*Dates subject to change

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

2020 ALTA CALENDAR BY LEAGUE SENIOR LEAGUES Aug. 6 Aug. 7 Aug. 8 Aug. 13 Aug. 14 Aug. 22 Aug. 23 Sept. 21 Oct. 16

Summer playoffs for Senior Women* Summer playoffs for Senior Men* Summer playoffs for Senior Women* Summer playoffs for Senior Women* Summer playoffs for Senior Men* City Finals for Senior Women* City Finals for Senior Men* Winter roster registration begins for Senior Mixed Winter roster registration ends for Senior Mixed

MIXED DOUBLES Aug. 1 Aug. 8 Aug. 9 Aug. 15 Aug. 22 Sept. 21 Oct. 16

Summer play ends* Summer playoffs Summer playoffs Summer playoffs and City Finals for AA City Finals for A, B, and C Winter roster registration begins Winter roster registration ends

MEN July 6 July 24 Aug. 20 Sept. 12 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

Fall roster registration begins Fall roster registration ends Fall schedules posted online Fall play begins Fall play ends Fall playoffs (rain date Nov. 3)

THURSDAY WOMEN July 6 July 24 Aug. 20 Sept. 10 Oct. 22 Oct. 27 Oct. 29

Fall roster registration begins Fall roster registration ends Fall schedules posted online Fall play begins Fall play ends Fall playoffs (rain date Oct. 29) Fall playoffs (rain date Nov. 3)

WHEELCHAIR/RUN ‘N ROLL July 7 July 14 Sept. 8 Oct. 13 Oct. 20

Run ‘N Roll play ends* Run ‘N Roll – City Finals (rain date July 21)* Run ‘N Roll fall play begins Run ‘N Roll fall play ends Run ‘N Roll City Finals (rain date Oct. 27)

SUNDAY WOMEN

MIXERS

July 6 July 24 Aug. 20 Sept. 13 Oct. 25 Oct. 31

Sept. 9 Oct. 23

Fall roster registration begins Fall roster registration ends Fall schedules posted online Fall play begins Fall play ends Fall playoffs (rain date Nov. 1)

JUNIOR LEAGUES July 6 July 24 Aug. 20 Sept. 12 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

Fall roster registration begins Fall roster registration ends Fall schedules posted online Fall play begins Fall play ends Fall playoffs (rain date Nov. 3)

Fall Mixer (senior mixed doubles) registration begins Fall Mixer (senior mixed doubles) registration ends

SENIOR DAY July 6 July 24 Aug. 20 Sept. 8 Sept. 9 Oct. 20 Oct. 21 Oct. 26 Oct. 28

Fall roster registration begins Fall roster registration ends Fall schedules posted online Fall play begins for Senior Day Women Fall play begins for Senior Day Men Fall play ends for Senior Day Women Fall play ends for Senior Day Men Fall playoffs for Senior Day Women (rain date Oct. 28) Fall playoffs for Senior Day Men (rain date Oct. 30)

JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

HEARD AROUND ATLA NTA REPORTED BY EMMY POWELL, CORY SEKINE-PETTITE AND JOHN HANNA

Trent Bryde and Kevin King

Smoke Rise Coaches via Zoom Exo-Tennis Exhibition Crowns Champions in Georgia Exo-Tennis is the first group to bring live professional tennis back since the pandemic began. Since May, the organization has been hosting eight-player, round-robin events in the United States and Germany. Exo-Tennis is utilizing video technology from PlaySight to provide full-service automated production broadcasts, minimizing the need for manpower and production crews. During the first four-day event held at The Fields in Peachtree Corners (May 1418), former Georgia Tech All-American Kevin King defeated UGA sophomore Trent Bryde for the championship. Tournament Director Viv Chhetri said, “I think the players enjoyed competing after a long time off. They were tired of sitting in the house. It’s good for them to interact with people in general. We understand our pro players in Atlanta and wanted to help them make some income. Everyone wins: the players, our sponsor, Tecnifibre, and chair umpires.” Chhetri, who is co-owner of the Windward Lake Club, previously worked as director of the USTA Regional Tennis Center Director in Peachtree Corners. In the second of four Exo-Tennis events for the month of May at Peachtree Corners, UGA’s rising senior Katarina Jokic found her best tennis, needing a match tiebreak to defeat former Georgia Tech player Paige Mary Hourigan. “I lost to her 12

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

two days [before this tournament],” Jokic said. “I had a match point and wanted to bounce back. I played really well this tournament. She had three match points today and I don’t know how I did it.” In the third tournament of the month, former world No. 38 Donald Young downed two-time ACC Player of the Year Christopher Eubanks. While only six years apart in age, Young, 30, has served as mentor to Eubanks, a former Georgia Tech player who has also been Young’s longtime practice partner. Friendly chatter and a few smiles were exchanged during the hard-fought match. “It was a pretty good level match for both players,” Eubanks said. “It was getting my body adjusted. I don’t remember the last time I played two matches in a day. It was probably college.” Finally, in the fourth Exo-Tennis tournament, local player Taylor Townsend defeated Sachia Vickery. Townsend reached No. 61 in the WTA rankings two years ago while Vickery topped out at No. 73 in 2018. “I honestly think that [Exo-Tennis is] a good concept,” Townsend said after her victory. “Traveling takes a toll on you and how you feel to play matches.” In July and August, Townsend will join fellow Atlanta pro Donald Young and play for the World Team Tennis’ Philadelphia Freedoms at The Greenbriar resort in West Virginia.

By Jim Richards, Head Tennis Professional, Smoke Rise County Club For the coaching staff at Smoke Rise Country Club, social distancing provided a rare opportunity to go over subjects in greater detail that cannot be covered in les sons. Each week, we gave a 40-minute talk on Zoom with a Q&A session afterwards on subjects that included: Grips, Relaxation Skills, and Match Preparation. We also did an on-court doubles tactics demonstration so members could see good and bad doubles tactics being played out. These “Zoom chalk talks” became ver y popular and showed our students that we cared and were still thinking about them. Because Zoom can record a meeting, students who could not make a class could watch the lessons later in their own time. For our junior players, we also used Zoom to launch a daily monitoring program by giving them assignments that they could do at home. Each Zoom session showed the weekly activity they had to do such as a daily 200 garage wall hit test or 3-minute jump ropes. As Jimmy Evert famously said, “The player that hits the most balls normally wins the match.”

TELL US! Send your stories, compliments, complaints and questions to altaeditor@altatennis.org.

USTA Awards PTR Full Accreditation

The USTA announced recently that the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) has received full accreditation under the USTA’s accreditation program for organizations and institutions that certify U.S. tennis teaching professionals. The goal of the program is to elevate professional tennis coaching standards by implementing mandatory pre-certification standards for those seeking to become a certified teaching pro and to provide an improved and consistent continuing education program for all current certified professionals who are members of accredited organizations. The PTR joins the USPTA as the only USTA accredited tennis teaching professional organizations. The PTR’s accreditation status will be reviewed after a three-year period. “The mission of the USTA is to promote and develop the growth of tennis across the country, and there are few individuals who have a more direct impact on this mission at the local level than tennis teaching professionals,” said Mike Dowse, USTA CEO and executive director. “We now will have a unified approach to certifying tennis professional in the United States for the first time, and by working together, the USTA, the USPTA and the PTR are best positioned to getting Americans back on the courts and ensuring that tennis thrives in our post-pandemic world.”

“We appreciate the confidence the USTA has shown in PTR by providing us with accreditation.” said Dan Santorum, PTR CEO. “We look forward to working together as partners to improve our coaches who work passionately and tirelessly to improve/grow the great sport of tennis.” Moving forward, the USTA and PTR will collaborate on a wide array of education initiatives. New certification standards will require new applicants to complete a unified set of standards before achieving status as a certified tennis professional. This will include on-the-job training along with pre-certification education, online course work, and face-to-face workshops. Additionally, with the shared goal of ensuring that tennis is a safe sport for kids, the PTR will require all members to complete the USTA’s Safe Play program, which includes a criminal background screening and education on prevention of misconduct in sport. By working collaboratively, the USTA and the two leading coaching accreditation organizations have created a system to elevate and improve tennis coaching standards that will help the sport attract, engage, and retain tennis players moving into the future.

SERVING UP BETTER LIGHTING WITH LED. DO YOU HAVE LED LIGHTS AT YOUR COURTS?

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JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

HEARD AROUND ATLA NTA

A Perfect Color and a Perfect Match It was truly a twist of fate and a love of tennis that brought Brett Bedwell and Emily Morrow together. They met last year while playing in the Red Hare tennis league, having signed up separately but were paired together. That would turn out to be a perfect match in so many ways. Following a few dates, the pair decided to become ALTA partners. “That’s where the real competition is at,” says Bedwell, who grew up near Leafmore Creek Park Club in the North Decatur area. In addition to a love of competition, this mixed doubles team has a lot in common: He and Morrow both play on a AA3 mixed team out of Bitsy Grant. He played tennis at Lakeside High School while she played at Darlington Academy in Rome. The UGA graduates both have red hair, and they recently opened a business called Red Headed Real Estate. Having so many things in common, Bedwell decided it was time to make this match official. In April, he went to pick up the ring at America’s Mart. Because of COVID-19, they were not allowed to come inside, so the folks at Harland Jewelers brought it out curbside. One weekend, Morrow’s parents visited the couple’s house, which they were renovating, and they decided to have a picnic in the backyard. Bedwell’s mother also was there, and she took Morrow to “look at the paint” in the front of the house. “I took the opportunity to get down on one knee and asked both of her parents for permission for Emily’s hand in marriage. They both cried like babies (and of course, said yes!),” says Bedwell. The idea for the tennis ball ring box came straight from his mom, Vicki, and

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

his sister, Magen Giles, who also are avid tennis players. When it came time for the proposal in May, Bedwell hired a photographer and told Morrow that his mom wanted to take some pictures on the court at Leafmore for a Mother’s Day present. Bedwell says Morrow was 90-percent sure the proposal was coming, but the funny part was he spent about 15 minutes warming her up and took the opportunity when he hit a ball into the net to come walk around the other side of the court. “Babe, is there something wrong with this ball,” he asked. This was when she was 100-percent sure it was happening. “I got down on one knee, and I popped the question with tennis racquet in hand still,” Bedwell recalled. Her initial reaction to the proposal was “OMG” and she couldn’t stop looking at the ring. Bedwell had several friends there, who popped the champagne bottles and congratulated the two red heads. They then traveled to Vicki’s house, and Morrow had hoped her parents could have been there. So that was the final surprise; little did she know that her parents had driven from Rome for the celebration. “She said it was the best day of her entire life,” says Bedwell. He says they hope to be married in early 2022 and look forward to a fun engagement and fun wedding, which might even be on a tennis court. Ultimately, Bedwell says they want to build their business so they can have extra time to spend with their kids, “so we can teach them the best game there is…tennis!”

TECH TALK Match Confirmation Confirming your spot in the lineup just got easier! Let us count the ways: 1. The Publish email has Confirm and Decline buttons to confirm your spot in the lineup without having to log in. The Publish email has the full lineup and a link to log in to the website if so desired. 2. When the lineup is republished, the Confirm and Decline buttons indicate to players who have already confirmed: Your current response is Confirmed/ Declined. Lineup changes will show in red. 3. Confirming can also be done from the Schedule & Lineup page by clicking on the opposing team or the match information on the Schedule page. 4. Schedule & Lineup > Lineup > Click on the “?”. Players can confirm here. 5. Captains can click on the “?” on the lineup screen to confirm for any of their players.

3 4

—Joan Appelbaum, ALTA IT Manager

JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

HEARD AROUND ATLA NTA

A Big Shout Out to Our 2020 ALTA Scholars The remaining months of this year’s high school senior year proved to be more than disappointing and frustrating for the thousands of students who were not able to participate in a real graduation ceremony, due to COVID-19. Many families and communities turned their attention to overwhelmingly supportive parades and outside celebrations. As seniors found a way to battle through this, they also were busy wrapping up AP exams, national testing, and working on college admission and scholarship applications. This year’s turnout and fierce competition for the L. Keith Wood Memorial Scholarship proved to be beyond impressive. The ALTA Foundation poured through dozens of applications from some incredibly smart, talented, and hard-working high school seniors but could only choose eight award recipients. Each winner will receive $2,500 from the college

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NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

• Benjamin Barre, Marietta – Blessed Trinity Catholic HS – Georgia Tech • Spencer D. Brown, Suwanee – Lambert High School – University of Georgia • Kaitlyn Chalker, Kennesaw – Rivers Academy – Washington & Lee University • Dara Grocer, Dunwoody – Holy Innocent’s Episcopal School – Elon University • Will Hawkins, Atlanta – Greater Atlanta Christian – University of Georgia • Caroline Lowenstein, Duluth – Greater Atlanta Christian – University of Virginia • Jaxon Robert, Cumming – Lambert High School – Virginia Tech • Ansley Wunderlich, Roswell – Centennial High School – University of Michigan

To be considered for this award, applicants must have played in an ALTA Juniors League or on the Junior Challenge Ladder for at least one year. Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients!

In May, we asked members to submit their favorite on-court action shots for a chance to be featured on this month's cover. We

Congratulations

Congratulations to the Atlanta Tennis community for helping make Atlanta’s only ATP event such a success!

scholarship program. The funds were donated to the foundation by the estate of past ALTA president and chairman L. Keith Wood. This year’s recipients are as follows:

received many great images, but ultimately, Jessica Cheely won out with her "ready to racquet" image. Congratulations, Jessica!

Torrey Hawkins Named Executive Director of AYTEF, Debbie Kennedy Named Director of Development Congratulations to Torrey Hawkins who has been named the executive director of the Atlanta Youth Tennis & Education Foundation (AYTEF). Hawkins was a unanimous choice among the search committee, following a thorough process of sifting through 20 qualified candidates. Hawkins, who has been a tennis coach in the Atlanta area for more than 25 years, came to Atlanta as a two-sport college athlete at both Morehouse College and Georgia State University. Since then, he has coached tennis at all levels, ranging from beginners to league players, as well as competitive tournament-level junior and international players. In addition to coaching college tennis players, he has worked with players on both the men’s and women’s professional tours. Hawkins has traveled the world, been to all four Grand Slam tournaments, and has coached many of the world’s best, including Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Hawkins brings a wealth of experience to the non-profit

world as both a proven coach and esteemed business director. He has been part owner or partner in three tennis companies over the past 15 years, has run his own tennis academy, and has worked with the largest tennis program in the country. Hawkins also has served as a USTA National Level Tournament Director and has been invited to speak for numerous tennis entities across the country. Additionally, Debbie Kennedy is AYTEF’s new director of development. Kennedy received her bachelor’s in science, technology and culture from Georgia Tech while she played #1 on their women’s tennis team. She received her teaching certification through GA State and a master’s in writing from Kennesaw State. Kennedy is responsible for AYTEF’s mission of promoting enrichment and achievement through tennis and education. She focuses on grant writing, donor engagement, fundraising, events, and overseeing the educational component of AYTEF.

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JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

HEARD AROUND ATLA NTA

TRUIST ATLANTA OPEN: THANK YOU AND LOOKING AHEAD TO 2021 On behalf of our Truist Atlanta Open and GF Sports team, we want to wish you a happy and safe summer of ALTA mixed doubles competition! The team at the Truist Atlanta Open had been working hard up until May 15, when we learned that the ATP Tour’s calendar suspension would continue through the end of July due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. As a result, the 2020 edition of the Truist Atlanta Open will not take place as scheduled, July 25 - August 2 at Atlantic Station. The ATP Tour has been closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation related to COVID-19, taking advice from medical experts and advisors, along with consulting with all local regulatory authorities. As you probably know, professional tennis events around the world since March have been suspended. In Georgia, major sports leagues and events like The Masters, Peachtree Road Race and MLB, NBA, and MLS have been moved to later in 2020 or to 2021. The health and safety of everyone associated with ALTA, tennis, the ATP Tour and the Truist Atlanta Open are paramount as we navigate the ongoing health crisis and coronavirus pandemic. Our thoughts are with everyone around the world who is being affected by COVID-19. We will continue to work with our partners to help make a positive impact on our community during these difficult times. As well, our team is now shifting focus to our 2021 event, where we plan to provide a unique and exciting experience for sports and tennis

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

fans. The 2021 Truist Atlanta Open is scheduled for July 24 - August 1, 2021. Earlier this year, we unveiled our new name and also our new logo that honors our 10th anniversary of professional tennis being back in Atlanta. Look for this celebration to continue through the summer and into our 2021 event. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without all the continued support of ALTA and its members! Once again, our dates are set for 2021: July 24-August 1! See more at www.atlantaopentennis.com and as the 2021 event approaches, you will be able to get your special ALTA member discounts once again. We always love working with our partners like OrthoAtlanta each year. OrthoAtlanta does a great job in making sure all our ATP players perform to their peak potential in Atlanta. The tennis season is long not only for the pros, but for ALTA players as well. If you or any of your ALTA teammates have a health issue or question, reach out to OrthoAtlanta for the best professional medical advice that you can receive to help you get back on the court as soon as possible. We all are experiencing historic and unique times, so we ask you all to be safe and we’ll see you at the 2021 Truist Atlanta Open! — Eddie Gonzalez TRUIST Atlanta Open Tournament Director egonzalez@gfsportsholdings.com

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF WORLD-CLASS TENNIS

JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

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Prince Phantom 100X (305): Updated with a thicker, more powerful beam, the arm-friendly Phantom 100X (305) offers impressive feel, spin and control. The low-powered beam will mainly suit players with mainl a clean technique and a fast swing.

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TENNIS HEADLINES

Har-Tru Launches Initiative to Support Players During These Challenging Times Har-Tru is piloting a program to help supplement the incomes of professional tennis players by hiring them as sale representatives. The first two players in this program are #278 ranked Jamie Loeb and #472 ranked Alex Rybakov. Loeb and Rybakov have joined Har-Tru as outside sales representatives, helping the company build connections and drive sales at some of the nation’s top tennis facilities. “This is an incredibly exciting initiative for our company, which we recognize is coming at a beneficial time for these young athletes,” said Pat Hanssen, president of Har-Tru. “Har-Tru will be able to tap into their expertise and experience at the highest levels of tennis and in return, we will provide each of them a measure of business training and experience that will benefit them now and in the future.” Loeb (La ke Nona, Florida), who currently has 16 Pro Circuit

championships to her name, was the 2015 NCAA Singles Champion out of the University of North Carolina, where she was a 3-time All-American, 2-time ACC Player of the Year, and the ITA National Player of the Year in 2014. “From Har-Tru’s presence in the USTA Pro Circuit, to my training ground at the USTA National Campus, their commitment to the game of tennis makes us a perfect pair,” she said. Rybakov (Fort Worth, Texas), a 6-time Pro Circuit champion, recently concluded his career at the Texas Christian University (TCU), where he was a 3-time All-American, 2019 NCAA Singles Semi-finalist, 2019 Big 12 Player of the Year, and 2018 Big 12 Scholar Athlete of the Year. “Growing up in Florida and playing on mainly Har-Tru clay courts, I know the brand is well known and has a great reputation. I am excited to have the opportunity to help HarTru become the best tennis court company out there,” he said.

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NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

‘Talking Tennis Southern Style’ Podcast Launched The USTA Southern Section has launched a podcast called “Talking Tennis Southern Style.” The debut episode features USTA Vice President and NCAA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Brian Hainline. During his interview, Hainline focused on shepherding sports through the COVID-19 pandemic, playing tennis safely, collegiate sports, and the health benefits of tennis. Hainline is serving on the USTA and ITF pandemic task forces. The USTA Southern podcast is scheduled for new episodes every other Thursday and can be downloaded on all major podcast download sites. Episodes are archived and are available for listening at TalkingTennisSouthernStyle.com. The podcast highlights a junior player and volunteer along with information on how tennis can improve your fitness and health. Veteran TV and radio sports personality Sam Crenshaw serves as host. The longtime weekend sports anchor of 11Alive, the local NBC affiliate, Crenshaw currently hosts weekend morning shows on 92.9 The Game. He also works as a reporter/commentator for ATL26, Atlanta TV channel, along with GPB and Georgia State sports broadcasts. USTA Southern President & CEO Bonnie Vandegrift said, “We are very excited to launch our podcast and are especially fortunate to have Dr. Brian Hainline on our first episode. His comments about our current situation shows that Talking Tennis Southern Style will focus on current events along with an overview of tennis in USTA Southern.” Committee member Kyle Blackburn, of Knoxville, Tenn., is the podcast’s audio engineer. USTA Southern Director, Communications Ron Cioffi serves as executive producer.

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Georgia Tech’s Women’s Recruiting Class Ranked No. 2 The Georgia Tech women’s tennis 2020 recruiting class was ranked No. 2 by Tennis Recruiting Network and Mizuno, the organizations announced in June when they unveiled the 2020 Top 25 Women’s Recruiting Classes. Tech’s recruiting class consists of Ava Hrastar (Duluth, Ga.), Mahak Jain (Bhopal, India), Carol Lee (Northern Mariana Islands), and Ruth Marsh (Atlanta, Ga.). The Yellow Jackets’ recruiting class features a Blue Chip recruit, five-star recruit, and two Atlanta area natives. Three signees are ranked among the top-25 recruits by Tennis Recruiting Network. Additionally, Jain boasts an 11.94 UTR rating, while Lee carries an 11.12 UTR rating. The organizations reached out to junior tennis experts to the determine the top classes, consisting of reporters, national and international tennis directors, referees, ranking chairman, and writers from across the country to vote. Georgia Tech was one of nine Atlantic Coast Conference programs to be featured in the Top 25. Three ACC programs — GT, Virginia, and North Carolina — are ranked in the top five, while Clemson, N.C. State, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Florida State, and Duke also appear in the rankings. Texas claimed the overall top spot. JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

TENNIS HEADLINES

Slinger Bag Hires Chief Operating Officer Slinger Bag announced the appointment of Tom Dye as chief operating officer. Dye brings extensive sporting and consumer goods experience to Slinger. As COO, he will be responsible for the global operational and logistical management of the business, including overseeing the company’s partnership with DSV Logistics for third-party logistics, freight-forwarding, and warehousing services in America, China, Thailand, and Belgium. Dye has more than 35 years of senior management experience in diverse consumer goods and manufacturing segments. He served as COO at Prince Global Sports, and also as VP of International Operations at Wilson Sporting Goods where he was responsible for multiple international startup operations, including launching the first wholly U.S. owned sporting goods compa-

ny in Japan. Most recently, Dye served as COO at HazTek, Inc. “Tom joins Slinger with a wealth of international operations experience having held prominent positions at some of the world’s elite tennis and sporting goods companies,” said Mike Ballardie, CEO of Slinger Bag. “I am excited to welcome Tom to our management team and look forward to working closely with him as we quickly approach our official commercial launch of the Slinger Bag in markets around the world.” “I am proud to join Slinger Bag at this exciting time,” said Dye. “I believe Slinger Bag has the potential to revolutionize the tennis industry, and I look forward to leveraging my 35 years’ experience and working closely with Mike and the rest of the management team to unlock the company’s value in the near term.”

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NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

2020 US Open, Western & Southern Open to be held in New York The 2020 US Open is set to be played in Flushing Meadows, New York, on its originally scheduled dates of Aug. 31Sept. 13. It will be immediately preceded by the relocated Western & Southern Open, which will take place at the same iconic site, the USTA stated in midJune. Though fans will not be on-site, the USTA will work with tournament broadcast rightsholders and partners to expand the way these events are delivered to fans at home around the globe, in greater and more innovative ways than ever before. “These two events are the summer’s biggest tennis blockbusters in the U.S., and we are thrilled for the players, our fans, and all of our partners, that we will be able to mark the return of tennis,” said Mike Dowse, USTA CEO and executive director. “These tournaments also serve as an inspiration to tennis players of all levels, encouraging them to get out and play given the social distancing nature of our sport.” As part of this decision, the USTA unveiled a comprehensive health and safety plan that has been approved by New York State government officials. The plan was created by the USTA’s US Open team, with input from the WTA and ATP, and in conjunction with the USTA Medical Advisory Group, other medical experts and noted security officials. According to the USTA, hosting the two events in one centralized location mitigates risk and allows for one cohesive medical, training and competition environment, with safety measures to be put in place, including testing, mitigation measures, sanitization and other protocols.

World TeamTennis Adds Stars Tiafoe, Puig, Raonic, Bouchard, & Sock as Rosters Set for 2020 World TeamTennis (WTT) has added several prominent tennis stars to an already jam-packed lineup of roster players set to compete during the 45th season, taking place at The Greenbrier “America’s Resort” in West Virginia from July 12-30. WTT has announced that each player will play the entire three-week regular season, with the Semifinals (Aug. 1) and Final (Aug. 2) to follow. American star Frances Tiafoe, 2016 Olympic gold medalist Monica Puig, three-time Grand Slam doubles champion Jack Sock, and two former Wimbledon singles finalists from Canada — Milos Raonic and Genie Bouchard — will all play this season, joining previously announced players such as reigning Australian Open singles champion Sofia Kenin, 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens, and tennis’ all-time winningest doubles team Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan. In addition, six-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters will join U.S. Davis Cup captain Mardy Fish playing for the New York Empire in 2020. “I can’t wait for the WTT season to start,” Tiafoe said. “I’ve played WTT for the last three years on the Kastles for some of their home matches in D.C. I’m excited to go to The Greenbrier to play there for the Kastles next month. Everyone knows 2020 has been a rough year so far. I am definitely looking forward to competing at such an historic venue in such a relaxed setting.” Added Stephens: “I’ve played WTT for, I think, six years now, and it’s always something I look forward to. Especially this year. I know we all miss playing tennis and seeing our friends on the tour, so I’m excited to get to The Greenbrier and get in that environment again. WTT always does such a great job with creating

a fun, but competitive, season so I’m ready for that. Plus, I’m playing on Chicago’s team, which is cool because Kamau [Murray] is the coach, so that will be fun.” Kenin, the 21-year-old Floridian who currently sits at a career-high No. 4 singles ranking in the world, will play for the Philadelphia Freedoms. Kenin could potentially match up against six-time Grand Slam winner and past World No. 1 Clijsters when the Freedoms take on the New York Empire on July 15. The International Tennis Hall of Famer Clijsters is making a return to professional tennis this season following her retirement in 2012. “Our player rosters are the strongest we’ve ever fielded for a WTT season and include players with multiple Grand Slam titles,” WTT CEO Carlos Silva said. “We have a sampling of current stars like Sloane [Stephens], Sofia [Kenin], Vegas Rollers teammates Sam Querrey and Mike and Bob Bryan, as well as a look at tennis’ future impact players with Brandon Nakashima and Caty McNally, as well as tennis greats like Kim [Clijsters] and Mardy Fish. Tennis fans are starving to see some great action on the courts and that’s what we plan to deliver all season.” World TeamTennis’ schedule will include at least three matches per day at Center Court at Creekside, The Greenbrier’s outdoor stadium. Fans can purchase tickets at WTTTickets.com.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

Last Issue’s Trivia Contest Winner Is … Congratulations! We drew our winner from a pool of readers who submitted correct answers, and Sandy Bishop, Glen Abby Thursday Women, won a HEAD bag and a Tourna Tube! Try your luck with this issue’s contest and see if you can join the ranks of our previous trivia contest winners. Here is the original quiz and the correct answers: 1. What are the opening and closing dates for registration for the ALTA Junior Challenge Ladder? May 1st and August 15 2. Who were the volunteer drivers for Rafael Nadal and Grigor Dimitrov when they came to Atlanta for the Premier Live Atlanta Challenge Exhibition and what was the location of the dinner the night before the exhibition match? Lamar Scott and Abby Brunelle. Umi in Buckhead 3. Who was known as the “First Lady of Atlanta tennis” and how old was she when she took up the game? Eleanor Swann and 37 years old

September/October Trivia Contest Enter for your chance to win a racquet from Wilson. To enter the contest, correctly answer the following three questions, in addition to submitting a new favorite courtside recipe, and mail it to New South Publishing, Attn: Cory Sekine-Pettite, 9040 Roswell Road, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA 30350. Answers and recipes may also be submitted online at netnewsmag.com. Hint: The answers can be found in this issue. Entry deadline: Friday, July 24.

Prize may differ from photo.

1. Who is the new Executive Director of the Atlanta Youth Tennis and Education Foundation (AYTEF)? ________________________________________________________

Name______________________________________________________________

2. What is the term used when you over-hydrate and put yourself at risk for diluting your body’s sodium levels which can lead to dizziness, fatigue, lightheadedness, and possible seizure?

Address____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________ 3. How many student athletes received the ALTA Foundation Scholarship from the late L. Keith Wood in 2020, and what amount did each receive? ________________________________________________________ Please submit a favorite courtside recipe along with this entry to be eligible. 26

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

City___________________________________ State________ ZIP______________ Email_______________________________________________________________ Phone______________________________________________________________ League_____________________________________________________________ Team___________________________________________________Level________

Your One Stop Tennis Shop. JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

Captain Julie Fuller and her Senior Women’s teammates from Wildwood in Loganville.

ALTA IS

BACK! BY EMMY POWELL, NET NEWS EDITOR

hen the state of Georgia shut down because of COVID-19, no one could have predicted all of the consequences of such a measure. However, we quickly learned the true value of our friends, family restaurant owners whom we support, and those simple things we take for granted. First responders, healthcare workers, truckers, and grocery and food store workers have become heroes. We also have come to understand how the game of tennis and league play affect us in so many ways. Now, tennis is returning, and ALTA is back for the summer. It’s time to dust off the cobwebs from your racquet. Just ask Brenda Garrett from Lifetime Tennis and Athletic Club in Peachtree Corners who literally did just that. Garrett was playing tennis four to five times per week until mid-March when the lockdown began. Like her, most people went cold turkey and had to stop playing tennis. So in May, after 11 weeks without tennis, Garrett pulled out her racquet for a friendly match and noticed the delicate cobweb which she had to remove to get ready to play. Now, others are getting back into the swing of things and preparing to return to tennis. Facilities are opening, and ALTA league play is underway. The participation numbers for both the Mixed Doubles league and the Senior (45+) leagues have been beyond our expectations. There are more Senior Women and Senior Men’s teams than last summer. We’ve also had

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

nearly 90-percent of our Mixed Doubles teams return for this summer. We are reminding everyone to follow your own facility’s guidelines along with the recommendations from the CDC and other health professionals as you return to the court. ALTA has a list of health and safety recommendations on its website at altatennis.org. Several tennis facilities have completely overhauled their court system, developed sanitary guidelines, are changing the way lessons are played, and are making sure their tennis locations are operating as safely as possible. One of the tennis

A-HEAD of the Game Several Atlanta neighborhoods are not wasting any time getting back out on the tennis court in a safe and responsible way. We want to give a shout out to the ladies of Blue Valley in Milton who are big HEAD racquet supporters and are practicing safe social distancing while trying to get back in shape for tennis.

centers headed by the UTA at James Creek began Phase 1 of its re-opening on May 16. Several safety precautions were implemented as part of the overall plan. Temperature checks for all instruction and 4:1 student/instructor ratios are currently part of the daily routine. Each indoor court has a sanitizing bucket with hand sanitizer as well as masks (if requested) and gloves to be used when serving. All participants in any lesson or drill format are instructed to push balls to the back curtain and/or net with their racket (no hand touching tennis balls), and tennis pros are using hoppers to pick up. Stewart Russell is one of the UTA partners at James Creek and says the amazing staff has been instrumental in helping to coordinate the “new norm” for instruction. “We all learned the importance of Zoom meetings and training prior to opening in May,” said Russell. He added that creative lesson planning includes what they call “COVID 6-feet separation doubles.” You also can see the “6 feet separation air high five,” a way to reward your partner when a good point is played. In late May, they ran a UTR event and had the 52 participants separated with cones upon check in, followed by a shotgun start for their first match. Each participant was given a different numbered can of balls to be used when serving. “It was actually really fun to watch players embrace some new sanitary ways to still compete,” Russell said.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

hen we think of spring and summer, we welcome lazy, long sunny days, walks on the beach, outdoor concert series and live sporting events, and vacations with our family. Well, this year proved to be beyond what anyone could foresee, predict or imagine. Many of us had to get creative to come up with activities to keep our kids busy. We had to home school, learn to cook, find a new hobby, and just try to create as normal a life as we had been used to living this time of year. We saw communities come together, working to help each other. Many could not continue to play tennis or enjoy other social activities, so we came up with ways to fill our days during a difficult time. We want to share some of these stories from our ALTA members and how they managed to keep it all together:

Ben Hestley, Tennis Director at Druid Hills Golf Club As a tennis coach and someone who manages other coaches, my ref lection time during all this was naturally spent on how we coach. Not necessarily the “COVID stuff,” although I did spend a considerable amount to time tackling that daunting task, but how coaches develop players, and more specifically, how do we make the learning “stick.” I had been doing some coach development of my own and dabbling in this notion of push vs. pull; pulling information from the student to guide them to the answer, instead of pushing them the information in expectation for them to remember. As this epidemic hit, suddenly I was an elementary school teacher and got to practice this concept on my own children, and in a setting completely

different than giving a lesson on a tennis court. Some days were good, and some, well, hopefully one day we can laugh about, but it was absolutely rewarding to be so involved in my children’s education. With some assignments, I certainly “pushed” to get the job done, but constantly reflected on this question: I could just give them the answer, but is that best for long-term learning? The long way home is often the most scenic. Prior to the pandemic, I was honored to be selected to serve on USTA’s ADM Task Force. ADM stands for American Development Model. Ty pically, we would have difficulty scheduling regular meetings, but quarantine gave us much time to meet virtually. Every Tuesday at 2:00 p.m., we coined “ADM Time!” For me, this was an important hour. Turn off all of the news buzz and have discussions with great cont. on p. 32

No Pandemic Playbook BY EMMY POWELL, NET NEWS EDITOR

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

WHERE ATLANTA COMES TO

PLAY

For the latest news, information and events Like us! facebook.com/AtlantaLawnTennisAssociation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Official Follow us! instagram.com/ALTA_tennis Read Net News! netnewsmag.com

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JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS 31 MARCH/APRIL 2020NETNEWS 47

cont. from p. 30 minds of our sport on developmentally appropriate coaching, athlete-centered coaching, and championing multi-sport participation. As most did, we got to spend a lot of time together as a family. It was remarkable to see my two children, eight-year-old boy and four-year-old girl, bond as siblings and really become good friends; something that hadn’t always been the case given their age and gender difference. Without a doubt, my favorite thing during this pandemic was watching a movie with my family every night. From mid-March until now, the four of us watched a movie every single night after dinner, minus a day when the kids got too unruly, so canceling movie night was the punishment. I kept hearing “there’s no playbook for this.” Well, that could be true for life. Of course, you could copy someone else’s playbook, but the playbook you dial up to deal with COVID-19 must be authentic to you; otherwise it won’t work. I realized every little thing is of the utmost importance, not just in navigating pandemic plans but in handling life. In trying to reopen the club for tennis, every move we made had to be carefully calculated. We were not trying to make the “right” decision, but rather the best decision. The best decision for us was not a copy-cat of what another club was doing and certainly not trying to “one up” our neighbors in attempt to “win the COVID race.” Getting players back on the tennis courts is not a race; it’s a timeless process. This could be a microcosm of life decisions moving forward. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but we do know that what we do today is going to help us deal with tomorrow. 32

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

Rebecca Johnson, Sceney tennis pro at Crooked Creek in Milton I started an initiative to collect handmade cards for people on the frontlines of the COVID pandemic. One of our community residents, Lori Ovington, is the House Coordinator at Northside Hospital in Forsyth. Our juniors (and even some of the adults and tennis pros) made “Thank You” cards to distribute among the hospital staff. Lori made sure that these cards made it into the hands of the often unrecognized employees, such as custodians, lab techs, and front desk staff. Players also made “Get Well” cards and wrote down inspirational messages for those who were in the hospital, whether for COVID-related illness or not. Patients were unable to have visitors at a time when they probably needed comfort the most. Many of our juniors got their scout troops, neighbors, and siblings involved in the card making. All in all, we collected about 50 homemade cards. I was really proud of everyone who took the time to contribute!

ALTA member Cheryl Smith While many people we know spent their time during this quarantine walking and jogging, cleaning house, getting rid of closet clutter, and missing tennis, others turned their attention to the greater good. Many with great sewing skills decided to make masks for our dedicated healthcare workers. One such ALTA member from Stockbridge is Cheryl Smith, who spent countless hours helping those on the frontlines and contributing her skills for masks that were donated through smahhenry.org.

getaways BY CORY SEKINE-PETTITE

f you’re anything like us here at Net News, then you definitely are itching to get back outside and to do normal things such as eating at restaurants and playing in your ALTA leagues. Certainly, part of getting back to normal is taking a summer vacation. There is definite cause for all of us to take a little break from our daily routines of late. Let’s face it, we all need some serious stress relief. So if you’re able, consider planning a weekend tennis getaway to one of the nearby resorts presented on the following pages. These destinations are all open for business; they could use our support; they’ve implemented new safety protocols as recommended by state and federal authorities; and their staffs are standing by, ready to serve. Are you ready to serve? We absolutely are!

JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

Jekyll Island JEKYLL ISLAND Jekyll Island, Georgia jekyllisland.com 912.635.4000

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

The Jekyll Island Authority is actively monitoring developments and information surrounding COVID-19’s potential impact on travel to and around Jekyll Island. Officials are continuously monitoring and participating in communications provided by Georgia state health and government officials to ensure any necessary precautions are taken. With an eye toward health and safety, beaches and other public facilities have begun opening, and hotels and resorts are now taking reservations. If you never visited Jekyll, now is a great time. Nestled under live oaks draped with moss and surrounded by manicured hedges and wild palmettos, the Jekyll Island Tennis Center is a public tennis facility featuring 13 Har-Tru clay courts. The Tennis Center also includes a pro shop with tennis racket stringing, racket rental, ball machine rental, and tennis equipment and apparel. The Tennis Center offers private instructional lessons and hosts many USTA tournaments for adults and juniors. Beyond visiting the award-winning tennis center, visitors can experience 10 miles of sun-drenched beaches, four award-winning golf courses, and Georgia’s only rehabilitation center for endangered sea turtles. Take a tour through the maritime forest. Watch the dolphins play while on a guided kayak excursion. Take a bike ride through the Historic District. From the early settlers to travelers from around the world, Jekyll Island has fascinated everyone who’s ever crossed its barrier shores.

;

Come play the Jekyll Island Tennis Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 13 Har-tru clay courts. Visit the Pro Shop for private lessons, daily clinics, equipment rental, tennis wear, and more. Visit jekyllisland.com/tennis to reserve your court.

Proud recipient of the 2018 USTA Outstanding Facility Award

JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

Hilton Head PALMETTO DUNES OCEANFRONT RESORT Hilton Head South Carolina palmettodunes.com 877.567.6513

Palmetto Dunes has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to ensure the safety of all guests, staff, and vendors. The resort has implemented numerous COVID-19 safety protocols, including enhanced cleaning procedures, occupancy limits, spacing configurations to promote social distancing, employee screening for symptoms, employee training and optional face mask requirements for workers, plexiglass shield in front of counter, and more. Palmetto Dunes representatives say they look forward to exceeding your expectations and delivering an unsurpassed vacation experience in a warm, welcoming, and safe environment. Just a 4.5-hour drive from Atlanta, Palmetto Dunes is an ideal destination for tennis players at all levels. Guests can enjoy tennis court time, lessons, clinics, and more daily at the award-winning Palmetto Dunes Tennis & Pickleball Center. The resort offers 19 Har-Tru tennis courts, four of which are lighted for night play, and a beautifully wellstocked, 1,800-square-foot tennis pro shop — Hilton Head Island’s largest. Palmetto Dunes also offers 24 pickleball courts, all of which are lighted for night play. In addition, visitors and guests may play one of the 2,000-acre resort’s three award-winning, championship golf courses, bike along the beach, kayak the 11-mile inland lagoon system or explore Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina for a variety of dining, shops, entertainment, fishing charters, nature tours, water sports and more. If you’re looking for a getaway special, the Tennis Stay and Play package includes four days and three nights in a two-bedroom resort-view villa. After breakfast at the Palmetto Dunes General Store, enjoy two free hours of court time per day, per vacation rental unit, and a onehour clinic, covering either the stroke of the day or a daily drill. Additionally, the “Extreme Tennis Vacation” package includes an 8-day/7-night stay in a two-bedroom resortview villa for four guests with three 1-hour, semi-private tennis lessons per player, two clinics per player, and daily court time.

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

SANDESTIN GOLF AND BEACH RESORT Miramar Beach, Florida sandestin.com/tennis 833.719.4711

Sandestin beach is open and ready for visitors! Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has stringent new health and safety standards focused on all touch points for guests and employees. From new check-in procedures that limit contact to increased disinfecting of all public areas, find out more about the resorts enhanced cleanliness initiatives in every area from the resort’s website. Located on Florida’s beautiful Emerald Coast, you can improve your tennis game and enjoy the many amenities that Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s 2,400 acres has to offer, including more than 7 miles of sugary white sand beaches. Sandestin was named one of the top 25 US Tennis Resorts by Tennis Resorts Online and #1 Rated Tennis Pro Shop. Guests can experience 12 world-class HydroGrid clay and three hard tennis courts. Additionally, Sandestin provides a wide range of experiences, including private lessons with USPTA and USPTR pros, a highly-ranked junior tennis program, and round robin tournaments for all skill levels. When staying at Sandestin you will have access to bicycles, boogie boards, kayaks, the fitness center, and the resort’s tram service. Then there are all the spectacular activities that have made Sandestin so popular, including four championship golf courses; a luxurious spa; dining options for every occasion; the Village of Baytowne Wharf where you will find shopping, ziplining, an arcade, and weekly events such as outdoor concerts and firework shows; and 7 miles of white sand beaches.

Miramar Beach

Stay & Play

Carolinas’ #1 Tennis Resort TOP 10 TENNIS RESORT IN THE UNITED STATES Package includes: • 4 days / 3 nights in a 1 bedroom resort view villa • 2 hours of court time daily (upon availability) • Two tennis clinics per player • Three-day bike rental per person

Starting from $200* pp/pn

CALL 866-287-2679 More Vacation Packages available at PalmettoDunes.com/NN Use promo code NET20 *Rate is per person, per night, based on beginner/intermediate package for two (2) person occupancy in a one bedroom resort villa & includes taxes & resort fees. Some restrictions apply. Subject to availability. Rate expires August 31, 2020.

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JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

Wear It Well

Sea Island SEA ISLAND Sea Island, Georgia seaisland.com 855.572.4975

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

Sea Island says the well-being of guests, members, and employees is important to everyone at the resort. While they recognize that no reasonable measures can eliminate the transmission of a virus, Sea Island is proactively taking steps to help protect guests, members, and employees. They have enhanced their already stringent cleaning guidelines. To review those guidelines, visit seaisland.com/health-hygiene. With its expansive campus, five miles of private beach, and an array of accommodations options that include private cottages as well as hotel rooms and suites, Sea Island offers guests the opportunity to vacation while maintaining standards for safety and security. Its extensive array of off-the-court activities, the availability of private lessons, custom clinics, and 16 Har-Tru courts combine to make Sea Island the perfect spot for a getaway and a place to improve your game. An exceptional resort appealing to those who appreciate gracious service and heartfelt hospitality, Sea Island is home to four Forbes Five-Star experiences — The Cloister at Sea Island, The Lodge at Sea Island, The Spa at Sea Island, and the Georgian Room restaurant — and an extensive array of engaging nature adventures and recreational experiences, including five miles of private beach and accommodations that vary from hotel to private cottages. Sea Island is a true paradise for active adults and families. The resort plays host to a 65,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, seven pools (one indoor), three championship golf courses, horseback riding on the beach, squash, six-lane bowling alley and pub, salt marsh nature tours, fishing, boating, water sports, shooting school, casual to Five-Star dining and, of course, tennis. Tennis clinics and private lessons are available daily for youth and adult players of all skill levels. Check with your resort’s tennis center for more details.

From rubico clay courts to white sand beaches. With our 12 award-winning rubico clay courts steps from a private gulf coast beach, Tops’l by Vacasa is ready to help you create vacation memories. And, with Vacasa Premium Clean you can truly enjoy your vacation knowing that Tops’l has been professionally cleaned for you and your family’s safety. Book at Vacasa.com/topsl or call 855-969-3166.

Vacation Rentals • Property Management

Big Canoe

THE RACQUET CLUB AT BIG CANOE Big Canoe, Georgia bigcanoepoa.org 706.268.3367

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

Just one hour north of Atlanta, The Racquet Club at Big Canoe is set against a backdrop of the beautiful North Georgia Mountains. Club management says they have implemented enhanced health and safety measures to keep members and guests safe while adhering to federal government protocol. Rest assured that they are concerned for everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s well-being. With 10 tennis courts (eight outdoor and two indoor) and four Pickleball courts, Big Canoe is the perfect location for your tennis getaway. Take part in one of the many clinic offerings or let the professional staff, led by Matt Motil, USPTA, set up a custom schedule for your group or team. From the first-time player to the tennis enthusiast, Big Canoe has a program to fit all skill levels. Weekly round robins for both men and women are offered, as well as clinics, and both private and group lessons. Special tennis events are held throughout the year, including holiday socials, Flex Leagues, tournaments, and charity events. Off-court activities include boating and fishing on Lake Sconti, 20 miles of hiking trails, the swim club, and a 27-hole golf club. With such amenities, it is no wonder Big Canoe was honored in 2012 by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association as having the Best Amenities Package for a large community, and it received the 2017 Bliss Award for Tennis Community of the year.

THE SEA PINES RESORT Hilton Head South Carolina seapines.com 800.SEAPINES

To ensure the health of guests and staff, and to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, The Sea Pines Resort has developed a detailed and multifaceted reopening plan with all the protective measures recommended by the CDC and other health authorities. “The detail of our plan speaks for itself,” says Mirna Tomic, Hotel General Manager. “The thorough steps we’ve taken and rigorous sanitization measures that are in place have been created with our guests’ safety and wellbeing in mind. Additionally, Hilton Head offers ample green space, beaches, and outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy a multitude of activities that allow for safe social distancing.” As coronavirus restrictions begin to ease, The Sea Pines Resort is incrementally reopening its amenities and facilities to provide guests with an outstanding vacation experience while protecting their health. To learn more about what to expect during a visit, please review the current schedule of resort services here: seapines.com/ covid-19-updates. Spanning the southern third of Hilton Head Island, and located along 5,000 oceanfront acres, The Sea Pines Resort has been a quiet retreat for more than 60 years. In this era of social distancing, this oceanfront paradise encourages secluded exploration, as visitors refresh their spirit in a relaxed, luxury resort environment. For tennis fanatics, Sea Pines includes 20 clay courts, four of which are lit; a full-service pro shop; as well as clinics and lessons. Several tennis weekend tennis packages are available, including the Stan Smith Super Series. Join American tennis legend Stan Smith and his staff for a fun-filled weekend of tennis instruction. The nine-hour class will feature video analysis of your serve and stroke, strategy instruction, footwork, and many practice drills. With a maximum student-to-pro ratio of 4:1, you are guaranteed to garner plenty of personal tips. In addition to tennis, the resort offers an array of outdoor activities, including five miles of sandy beach shoreline and a 15-mile network of manicured paths. All are within a short distance of a variety of accommodations and Hilton Head Island’s premier hotel, The Inn & Club at Harbour Town.

Hilton Head

G A M E . S E T. M AT C H . November 13-15th 3.5 Ladies Team Challenge 4 Matches Guaranteed Daily Breakfast Welcome Gift Awards to the Winning Teams Unlimited Drinks Unlimited Court Time and Prizes.

866.628.0371 • SANDESTIN.COM

JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

Destin TOPS’L Beach and Racquet Resort Destin, Florida TOPSL.com 850.267.9292

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

Since TOPS’L Beach and Racquet Resort (Vacasa homes) opened in 2009, it has been serviced and cleaned in line with a set of consistent, high standards. The resort’s professional team is committed to providing clean and safe homes for guests and owners each and every stay. Now, on top of these standard cleaning guidelines, TOPS’L has launched an enhanced protocol for vacation rental cleanliness: Vacasa Premium Clean. This new cleaning program meets or exceeds CDC recommendations and aligns with guidance from hospitality industry experts, such as the Vacation Rental Management Association’s SafeHome guidelines. As markets across the U.S. reopen and we start welcoming guests more widely, TOPS’L’s goal is to provide even more support and protection to everyone in the Vacasa community. Bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and a serene nature preserve just west of the Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, a stay at TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort offers opportunities for relaxing at the beach, playing tennis or racquetball, or hiking, kayaking, and paddle boarding. A free resort shuttle ensures you can get to it all with ease. The gulf-front pool deck at The Blue Dunes Grille hosts family-friendly activities daily during the summer months. Moms, dads, and kids all enjoy dive-in movies, and arts and crafts activities like building personalized stuffed animals, making shark tooth and pearl necklaces, and tie-dying t-shirts. For tennis fans, TOPS’L amenities include USPTA Certified Elite Tennis Professionals; private and group lessons; weekly events, including round robins for social play; 12 rubico clay courts/10 are lighted for night play; ball machine rental, and more. TOPS’L offers one-hour weekly clinics every day, and tournaments throughout the year. Its most well-attended tournament is the Helen Drake Invitational tennis tournament sanctioned by the USTA every year in April. This past year, TOPS’L also hosted two collegiate team tennis events, the first being in the TOPS’L Battle at the Beach, featuring the men’s teams of LSU, Tulane, Oklahoma, and FSU! The second event was the TOPS’L Bayou to the Beach, hosting both the men’s and women’s teams from the University of New Orleans, Nicholls State, Louisiana Tech, and Xavier! Both events were great for our members and guests of TOPS’L, watching some of the highest level tennis our area has ever seen in the Panhandle.

;

Proud recipient of the 2018 USTA Outstanding Facility Award

JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

LEAGUE NEWS

THURSDAY WOMEN

9:30 a.m. Thursdays Fall seasons runs Sept. 10-Oct. 22

Counting the Days Until The Second Thursday in September BY KERI BECK, THURSDAY WOMEN’S LEAGUE VICE PRESIDENT

et’s get ready for weekday tennis! Let’s look forward to our normal routines — kids in school, sunny days, and tennis Thursdays! Look forward to some fun competition and the familiar camaraderie with ladies who share a common passion — sounds like heaven! I appreciate all of you who provided your input on the ALTA survey. If you have not done so, please take a moment to complete the questionnaire. We are getting really great feedback

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

for our league, which we will use as we plan for Fall 2020 and beyond. Be sure to sign up your Thursday team beginning July 6. Play is scheduled to begin September 10. Of course, we will all heed state and local restrictions for safe play as we return to the courts. I hope you’ll join me in our big step forward back to normal!

SUNDAY WOMEN

SUNDAY WOMEN 1:00 p.m. Sundays Fall seasons runs Sept. 13-Oct. 25

A Collective Sigh of Relief BY CHEQUETTA ALLEN, SUNDAY WOMEN’S LEAGUE VICE PRESIDENT

ennis is back! All of our anxious anticipation has been relieved, and we have all breathed a collective, socially distanced sigh of relief. I could not have been the only person who was feeling like all the cleaning, organizing, rehab projects, cooking experiments, and online shopping were good, but there was still a void and a lot of pent up energy that could only be resolved by getting back on the court. Tennis was the missing piece. It was such an integral part of so many of our lives, and its absence was noticeable. While tennis might have been absent from my weekly schedule, I never stopped being ready for its return. I walked three to four miles per day to stay fit, and I even lost a few pounds along the way. With that, I fully expect to be lightning-fast this fall. My tennis wardrobe has been refreshed with newly ordered court attire. Neck gaiters were added to my tennis wardrobe but, honestly, those were in the works before there was ever any COVID-19. An allergy to sunscreen products on my face makes them a necessity; COVID-19 just added a sense of urgency for the purchase. My husband was even kind enough to purchase a tennis ball rebounder self-training tool so that I could hit alone. It took weeks to arrive, but it saved me from

illegal hitting. I played enough Tennis Clash online to work on strategy and to work off a lot of frustration about the very same challenges I had previously encountered on a real tennis court. I took very good care of myself while I was away from the game. That shoulder issue I had has healed. I read at least four books during my time away. I’ve better organized my life, and now I’m more prepared than ever to partake in some fall Sunday Women’s League tennis action. Surely, I’m not the only person who misses my team and the weekly competition. I’m sure the captains and team members have poured some extra energy into recruiting new players to beef up their teams’ rosters. The suspension of the Sunday Women’s League spring season left 18,654 ladies sitting courtside. So, I feel like there are least 18,653 more ladies who feel the same way. Like myself, these women were very understanding of the public health crisis, and they have been patiently awaiting the fall season. They’ve had time to spread the word and build up some fervor for Sunday tennis. I’m expecting a lot of excitement and a reinvigorated energy in the air. I have no doubt this long-awaited fall season will culminate into one that exceeds our expectations. JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

LEAGUE NEWS MEN 9:00 a.m. Saturdays Fall seasons runs Sept. 12-Oct. 24

Mental Toughness: The Key To Being A Better Partner BY LAMAR SCOTT, MEN’S LEAGUE VICE PRESIDENT

eing away from tennis for months has most of us eager to get back on the courts. As we prepare ourselves physically to resume league play, we also must prepare mentally. We all know the wise old saying that tennis is just as much of a mental game as a physical game. According to 17-time Grand Slam Champion Gigi Fernandez, tennis is 84.2 percent mental. At times, it can be a daunting task to prepare for our weekend opponents, but playing doubles isn’t just about getting primed; it’s also about preparing mentally for our partner. It’s your responsibility to not only keep yourself focused, but also to keep your partner focused. Here are a few things you can do to prepare to be a great partner on the court:

MEN

Maintain perspective You and your partner need to start working together for the one cause — to win the match. The best way to do that is for both of you to get your heads into the match as soon as possible. That means that all of your thoughts are centered entirely on the match; anything else is a distraction. Help keep your partner strong mentally by staying in the “present” if you want to maximize your performance and minimize interference from any mental hurdles. This means that any dialogue between the two of you (and to yourselves in your head) must strictly be about what is happening in the match because it is the only thing you can control. Avoid statements like “I can’t believe how bad I was in the last service game,” or even, “How good was the drop shot I just played?” Your concentration must be fully focused on what is happening now, which means the next point.

Encourage your partner Staying positive and being encouraging seems obvious, but a lot of doubles teams don’t do this, and it can be draining on a team’s mentality. The key is to ALWAYS be encouraging your partner. When they’re playing well or hit a good shot, tell them. When they’re in a slump, it is your job to get them out of it mentally. Stick with positive phrases like “We’re good, we have the next one.” Positive Language/Energy

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Positive Thoughts

Better Performance

Help your partner play his or her strengths Whether you’re the stronger player or not, you need to help your partner get in the best position for their doubles style based on their strengths as a tennis player. That might mean changing your mental doubles strategy. Especially if you’re the stronger player, you need to find a way to help your partner get in position where they are most comfortable. This will help them take advantage of their strengths and help your doubles team win. Take ownership (especially if you’re the stronger player) Taking ownership or blame for a lost point or game is uncommon in many doubles teams. When you’re the stronger player, you should be taking the pressure off your partner and letting them play their game. Don’t be negative with yourself, and don’t let your partner do that either. For example, if you’re partner misses an overhead, you can say something like “No problem, I should have ended the point earlier on that volley.” Do not say things like “That’s my fault, I’m blowing it.” Always ending language on a positive note is important. Taking ownership on the court shows your partner a few things: • My partner has my back. • We’re a in this together. • It’s not your fault; I have to be better, too. This will take pressure off your doubles partner, help them feel supported, and let them play with confidence. Communication Obviously, communication is important. One characteristic of a good mental leader is that the people around them feel like a team and on the same level. This is true with the mental game of doubles as well. One easy tip for becoming a better doubles partner is to avoid the word “you” in any negative context. Doubles is a team effort, so it almost always should be “we.” Unless you prepare mentally to support your partner, you could be in for a frustrating match. Following these guidelines on how to be a good doubles partner, combined with developing a good strategy, will help your doubles team win more matches this season and beat teams that might be more talented than yours.

SENIOR DAY

SENIOR DAY Women 10 a.m. Tuesdays Men 10 a.m. Wednesdays Season runs September 8-Oct. 21

Fun In The Fall BY KIM DLOGOLENSKI, SENIOR DAY LEAGUE VICE PRESIDENT

fter an unexpected break from tennis, it is time to get out in the fresh air, relieve stress, and get some social interaction at a safe distance. Senior Day is a fun ALTA league that plays in the spring and fall. ALTA members may join a Senior Day team anytime during the year of their 55th birthday. The women play at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesdays, and the men play at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. The Senior Day leagues only play three lines of doubles for each match, so you only need eight players to form a roster. Since there are only three lines, the match is typically over by 1:00 p.m., so the rest of the day is open for whatever plans you may have. If your job or work schedule has changed and you now have some flexibility in the morning, give ALTA Senior Day a try. The league is a good way to play within your own age group and meet new friends. The Senior Day Leagues continue an 8-percent increase in teams for the men and a 4-percent increase for women. There was a 6-percent increase in players for the men and a 4-percent increase for the women. In the fall of 2019, an additional level of C3 was added for Senior Day Women. Prior to that there was only one level for C’s which was C1. So, if you are 55 and over and play C-level, consider forming a team with your friends and neighbors for Senior Day.

The goal each season is to place teams where they can play competitive, fun matches, and at the same time manage travel issues. Navigating Atlanta’s traffic can be a challenge; as the Senior Day Leagues continue to grow by adding more teams, this should mean less travel for matches. I hope all of you completed the survey you recently received by email from ALTA. One of the questions for the Senior Day Leagues was “Would you rather play the same, closer teams twice, or travel farther to play teams only once.” Many of you chose to play the same teams twice. We will continue to do what we can to make the travel as easy as possible. Roster registration for fall is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 6 and end on Friday, July 24. So spread the word and help grow our Senior Day Leagues. To submit a roster, the only requirements are to be 55 years young and have at least eight players. The last few months brought on many changes to our work and home lives. Our free time was spent cooking, baking, doing yard work, organizing, puzzles, etc. Now is the time to get ready for fall tennis. Get outside, take a walk, and set up a practice match with friends, as many of us will be adjusting to get our “quarantined bodies” back into tennis form!

JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

LEAGUE NEWS

The Serenade 18u B1 girl’s team

ALTA Junior Leagues: Girls Just Want to Have Fun! BY RITA MALOOF, JUNIOR LEAGUES VICE PRESIDENT

JUNIOR

there, each of them reached out to other girls they knew and invited them to join us. We had girls from several different schools on our roster. It was nice watching them get to know each other and develop friendships. Playing ALTA is nice for these teenaged girls because it’s just girls! The timing of the season is great and worked well with everyone’s schedules.

ow. Times have changed. I’ve been playing ALTA for more than 40 years. When I started as a junior, ALTA was the only game in town. Everybody in Atlanta — moms, dads, kids, teens —played ALTA. It was fun; it was what we did. Now, the options for youth tennis in the five-county metro area are endless, and the competition for court time is fierce. Is it still fun to play in the ALTA junior leagues? Are we offering a product that is relevant with the times and attractive to kids today? What makes us different from everybody else out there? Is our participant experience one that still initiates young players into our unique ALTA fraternity and creates lifelong members and friends? I needed to know. On July 9, 2019, I received an email from Ana McWethy (parent and team manager) asking if it was too late to enter a roster for the fall 2019 Junior Leagues season. She had a group of teenage girls, all but two new to ALTA, that she was trying to pull together to form an 18U team out of Serenade. It wasn’t too late and McWethy got her roster submitted. I decided to reach back out to her to see if she and her players would be willing to share their ALTA experience with us. McWethy and some of her players, Kylie Mudie, Nyhri Mudie, Becca Latty, Molly McWethy, and Noémi Reynders agreed.

Kylie: What makes ALTA different than high school matches is that you get to meet so many different people. When you’re playing high school matches, you already know all your teammates from school. During the ALTA season, you play with people you might never have otherwise met, giving you the ability to create friendships outside of your school environment. Nhyri: You play different girls from all around Atlanta, not just close by and within your district. Becca: They are different than high school matches because I get to spend time with my friends that attend other schools! Molly: ALTA matches tend to have the same level of players, which makes the matches more fun and challenging. In high school matches, teams can have a wide range of levels.

How did you convince the girls to try ALTA?

What did the girls enjoy most about their ALTA season?

Ana: Most of the girls had played some sort of team tennis, and the idea was to play team tennis leading up to high school tennis tryouts so the girls would get some practice. We started with a handful of girls who knew each other from school. From

Kylie: What I liked most was our team spirit and how close our team became. I enjoyed bonding with everyone over the sport we all love! Nhyri: I liked getting to play tennis with friends when we

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Most of the girls on your roster played high school JV tennis. What made their ALTA matches different from their high school matches?

– CHANGING THE GAME PROJECT

were not in the high school tennis season. It helped with friends from the high school team create more on court chemistry. Becca: I enjoyed getting to play with some of my friends and cheering them on as well! Molly: I like meeting other players from around Atlanta and competing against them. Noémie: The thing that I liked most about playing ALTA is the kindness from everybody playing and the bystanders. Everyone was always super friendly and helpful, and if I had a problem or concern, they made it so much easier. Did the ALTA season have any social/developmental impact on the girls’ and their friendships?

Ana: I think the ALTA season did definitely impact their friendships, some of the girls had never met, and they quickly became friends and enjoyed playing together even after the season ended! I love watching them cheer for each other, win or lose. They were so positive with each other and encouraging. The developmental impact for them was very positive. Some girls didn’t normally play doubles, and they quickly learned how to handle that type of game. I loved watching the doubles matches, the girls celebrating a good point and also encouraging each other when they were down. It was amazing watching how their competitive and positive attitudes came out over the course of the season. Becca: Absolutely! I always think that playing matches allows me to improve, and I also agree that my friendships were strengthened as I got to know my teammates. Noémie: Playing ALTA helped develop my competitiveness and determination to play well. By regularly playing matches, I improved my mindset on the court and my stress levels of losing went down. Was there any moment of “girls just being girls” that stood out during the season?

Ana: What I loved was the sweet bond these girls created with each other. This team really was all about having fun, and as we started winning and realizing that we could go to City Finals, their support and excitement towards each other became even more special. They really wanted to win city finals. They realized that team dynamics helped get them there. I told them

all the time “one winning line doesn’t get us to City Finals; we need the whole team to get us there!” Every girl was a huge contributor to our win, and I know they all felt that way, whether or not they played in the finals. I loved seeing all the girls show up for the City Finals and when they won, they were so happy and hugging each other. I loved seeing them taking pictures and being typical teenagers with each other to keep the memories. I love hearing them talk about that day even all these months later about how much fun that was! Kylie: What stands out most to me was that the team always cheered each other on, win or lose, no matter what. Nhyri: What I liked was that we were all from different schools and backgrounds, but we all were so unified when we played tennis together. Becca: What I really enjoyed about ALTA was that our team got along really well and we all wanted to play our best and get better every time. Molly: What I liked most was that our team was all about supporting each other. Even when some of the girls weren’t in the lineup, we would still come out and cheer and support our teammates. We also never let each other give up! We cheered each other on every time. We also ALWAYS complimented each other on our outfits! Noémie: Another reason why I liked playing ALTA is because it brings people together. Before, during, and after the games, everybody was always chatting with each other, and they all had a great time.

JUNIORS

The #1 reason kids quit a sport is because it is no longer fun. 70% of children are dropping out of organized sports by the time they are 13.

Would you recommend ALTA as an outlet/safe haven for teenage girls?

Ana: Absolutely! We played the nicest teams during the season. The parents and girls from the other teams were great! It is a place for girls to have fun and play organized matches with other girls their age and with the same interest of trying to improve their game. It’s great to see that on the tennis court. More importantly, my daughter feels like she can be herself 100 percent on the court. She’s not judged on how she looks, dresses, who she is friends with, what her grades are, who she has lunch with... and with this team, she was just was so happy. Tournaments can be so lonely and stressful. Molly prefers team tennis. It’s what works for her and what she enjoys the most. Do you have any other comments you’d like to share?

Ana: Yes. We realize that we can’t do this without your organization. I hope you understand the impact YOU and ALTA have on these girls. At City Finals, all of the girls felt so special and important. They felt appreciated for all their hard work and walked away with feelings of great accomplishment! We love ALTA! The Serenade 18u B1 girls’ team won their fall 2019 City Finals match. They did not enter a spring 2020 roster as the girls were spread too thin between school activities and weekend commitments, but are looking forward to defending their title this fall. Moving up to A1 will be challenging, but win or lose, these teens will be back. You see… these girls… just want to have fun! JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

LEAGUE NEWS

NEXT MIXER Nov. 8- Senior Mixed Doubles

ALTA Mixers BY BOB KOHMESCHER, SPECIAL PROGRAMS VICE PRESIDENT

MIXERS

t’s July, and we’re finally back on the courts! You should be in the middle of your senior and mixed doubles seasons. ALTA has even more tennis scheduled for you this year. Unfortunately, because of the uncertainty of the health regulations and COVID-19 and not knowing what crowd capacities will be allowed in one location, we have to cancel the summer mixed doubles mixer. We are continuing to monitor the situation, so keep a close watch on our website at altatennis.org. for any updates. We are still planning to host one more mixer this fall, so for those of you in the prime of your life (45+), we have a mixer just for you. At the end of the men’s/women’s final season of the year, you’ll have a chance to participate in the senior mixed doubles mixer. If you’ve been watching some of the small tournaments (no audience) on the Tennis Channel, you’ll notice that the format is no-add games and four game sets. We’ll be playing a similar

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

format, but with six games sets, e.g., 6-0 or 3-3. Each doubles team will play three sets — against a different team for each set. You’ll get a chance to meet more players during these mixers — not just one doubles team. You can talk to your opponents about how their season went and whatever else comes up. To make the competition as fair as possible, we’ll have three levels of play: A, B, and C. Within each level, there will be a high and low level. For example, the high As (A1-4) will be playing against each other and the low As (A5-8) players will be playing each other. Some of you are very competitive players. You’ll enjoy this event because you’ll get to prove yourself on the courts against three different doubles teams. If you’re like the rest of us (just like to play), you’ll just enjoy playing with a variety of opponents. I look forward to seeing you on the courts again in late fall.

The 17th Annual Net News

Photo Contest

Get ready, grab your camera or even your smartphone, and go! This is your chance to show the world and your fellow netters how talented you are with a camera (or how lucky you were to be there when the unexpected happened). The 17th Annual Net News Photo Contest will showcase the best “frames” of ALTA players in the November/December 2020 issue. We’re looking for photos of solid play, unusual play or court scenes, and any notable photo relating to the game of tennis. The contest, sponsored by Head Penn Racquet Sports, will award one Best Overall Winner, plus winners in each of the categories. Category and overall winners will receive a variety of outstanding prizes from Head Penn’s collection of quality tennis gear. So, get out your cameras and start taking pictures or pick out your favorite from that stack of stills sitting in your desk drawer. You just might have a winner! Jean Christian

ALL PHOTOS MUST RELATE TO TENNIS. Prizes courtesy of

Photography Contest Rules and Regulations

1. You must be a member of ALTA. 2. Photos must relate to tennis and/or tennis play. 3. All contest submissions must be postmarked by Sept. 16, 2020. 4. Decisions of the judges are final. 5. Limit three entries per ALTA member. 6. Each photo entry must include a completed entry form (see below). Photocopied forms are accepted. 7. Judges reserve the right to title photos if no title is provided and to change the category into which a photo has been entered. 8. Photos not taken by the entrant must be accompanied by a release form signed by the photographer. ALTA and Net News are not responsible for any copyright violations. 9. Judges reserve the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet the above rules and regulations.

Submission Guidelines

1. Mail all entries to: Net News Photo Contest, 9040 Roswell Road, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA 30350. 2. Both digital and printed images will be considered. See specifications. 3. You may not want to submit irreplaceable or precious images. Contest organizers and sponsors WILL NOT be responsible for lost or damaged photos. (See waiver of responsibility on entry form.) 4. If you want your picture returned, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your entry. Pictures will not be returned if they are not accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. 5. All winning photos will be featured in the annual November/December edition of Net News. 6. Questions may be addressed to production@ knowatlanta.com or 770.650.1102, ext. 126.

NET NEWS PHOTO CONTEST ENTRY FORM Name______________________________________________________________________________________ Address____________________________________________________________________________________ City_____________________________________________State________________ ZIP____________________

Digital Photography Specifications

We advise that you take and submit the photos in as large a file size as possible, preferably no smaller than 2,400 pixels tall or wide, because small images may not be reproducible in the magazine (familiarize yourself with the settings on your camera before taking photos). Nonreproducible images will not be considered for the photo contest. Upload original digital photos through the Net News website at netnewsmag.com/photo_contest.

Vintage Photography Specifications

We advise you to have the image printed at 8x10 in. Please tape one entry form to the back of each photo. If submitting an original, please keep in mind contest organizers and sponsors will not be responsible for lost or damaged photos.

Please check the categor y this picture is being en tered in: ■ Ac tion ■ Children ■ Cour tside ■ Humor/Novelt y

■ Pets ■ Still Life ■ V int age

Email______________________________________________________________________________________

Title of photo:___________________________

Phone (H)_______________________________________Phone (W)__________________________________

Description of picture (where the picture was taken, who is in the picture, what is in the picture, etc.):

Waiver of Responsibility: I hereby remise, release and forever discharge the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association, Net News magazine, New South Publishing, Inc., and any Net News Photo Contest sponsor from any action, suits or claims arising as a result of the loss or damage of any photograph(s) I submit to this contest. Further, I hereby grant my permission for the reproduction and printing of my photograph in Net News magazine.

________________________________________ ________________________________________

Signature________________________________________________________________Date____________________

________________________________________

Submit photos by Sept. 16, 2020, to Net News Photo Contest, 9040 Roswell Road, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA 30350. This form may be photocopied or downloaded at netnewsmag.com.

________________________________________ ________________________________________

JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

GOOD QUESTION

HITTING THE TOP OF THE NET My service return at the net player appeared to hit the tape, and then bounced over him. He stopped play immediately and claimed the ball went through the net. Upon inspection of the net by all players, the net appeared to be in perfect condition. He claimed the point. I conceded, but should I have? Lamar Scott, Men’s League Vice President This is the opponent’s call, a “through,” under The Code, Item 20. You can certainly try to reason with your opponent(s), pointing out that there’s no apparent stretching or damage of the net where a ball could have penetrated, but it’s their point.

DESIGNATED PLAYER? When it lists captain and co-captain, and a designee, does your designee have to be on your roster and be on your team? Chequetta Allen, Sunday Women’s League Vice President You may select any ALTA member to assist in the management of this team. Designees may be a member who is not on the roster and can be removed when their assistance is no longer necessary. If the roster creator is not named as captain or co-captain, they will automatically be given designee status. To select another member for this function, click “Add Designee.”

ROSTER ERROR I made a huge mistake and added a player that hasn’t authorized me to add her to my team. Could you please remove this player from my Sunday Roster? The last date for players to be removed from a roster is on the roster correction deadline. This information is part of the

Roster Information packet. It is also a part of the General Rules Adult League. See I. “Teams and Players;” G.4 No player may be removed from a roster after the roster correction deadline, regardless of how they came to be on that roster. It is also stated on page 15 of the Captain’s Handbook.

ADDRESSING THIS EMAIL QUESTION I see that the schedule shows email addresses for some captains. How can I have my email address shown? Debbie Gaster, First Vice President Our system is set up to hide your email address unless you authorize us to show it. You can change this to show your email address to the other team leaders (captains, co-captains, managers, and designees). Many team leaders find this makes it much easier to communicate with their opponents. To do this, go to the ALTA website. Log in> Member Portal> My Account> My Preferences. Check the box to allow your email address to be shown, and be sure to save the changes.

DROPPED RACQUET During my match last week, one of our opponents dropped her racquet in the middle of a point. Can our opponents call a let? Keri Beck, Thursday Women’s League Vice President No, your opponent cannot call a let when dropping her racquet. The situation is explained in the Code in Friend at Court under Hindrance issues. According to rule: a hindrance refers to a situation in which a player hindered from making a shot by anything that is not within the player’s control other than a permanent fixture of a spectator’s outcry. Therefore, a player cannot call a let for a hindrance caused by something within a player’s control such as when a player’s racquet comes of his or her hand, when a player’s shoe comes off of when a player trips over his or her own hat. One key note, however, is that an opponent may call a let in the case of the player’s hat coming off, as long as it’s an immediate call with no delay.

DID YOU EVER WONDER ABOUT … ? If you’ve ever had a situation occur in a match where no one on the court knew the rule that applied, send your inquiry to Good Question. Submit your question, along with your name, league, team name and level to altaeditor@altatennis.org. 52

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

JENSEN ZONE Luke Jensen

When You Take To The Court Again, Be Patient

ensen Zone fans: We are ALL in tionally, YouTube has been a great tool this together! I mean, one big, glob- for digging into classic matches and al team getting back up from the spending productive time learning from latest hit that knocked us down. I am classic tennis heroes. I also expanded on the practice swings so enthusiastic with the knowledge that that I’m a big fan of for we have the ability to total body coordinamove forward and come The quarantine tion and tempo. These out of this even greater practice swings are as a global society. I feel also let me designed to improve anyone’s greatest learnreassess where footwork and balance. ing tool in anything you I am in my own Further, just watchdo in life is to listen and ing the pro game on watch what is going on journey, and I feel various live events in your world locally and I made significant without fans has been globally. Tennis gave me the gift through hard progress in finding excit i ng , but a lso watching live tennis at work to see the world. I more time to do have met very interestthings that I deeply any level is awesome! I even tuned into the ing and smart people value such as National Corn Hole from cultures that some only read about. spending time with Championships beThe quarantine also family and friends. cause I am craving competition; I need to let me reassess where I watch anything with am in my own journey, and I feel I made significant progress pressure. Soon, tennis tournaments, players, and in finding more time to do things that I deeply value such as spending time with fans all will be slowly coming back and all with a new appreciation of the game family and friends. I also was able to reconnect with we love and the people around us from people for whom I normally never had around the world who enjoy the game as enough time. Similarly, many of my ten- well. When you do take the court again, nis friends have been finding new ways be patient. Allow your game to come to work out and connect with improving back to you and don’t force it. Enjoy the impact of a solidly hit shot their games. Since the lockdown, I have held many online classes for my student and the creativity of a drop shot. athletes, focusing on mental toughness exercises as well as tactical sessions that — LUKE JENSEN help them use more tools to win. AddiFRENCH OPEN DOUBLES CHAMPION JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

IMPROVING YOUR GA ME

Importance Of Peripheral Vision And Being Aware Of Your Opponent VANAKA GUNAWARDHANA, FORMER TENNIS PROFESSIONAL, ANSLEY GOLF CLUB

“Peripheral vision helps a player take other details into consideration while watching the ball or being aware of it.”

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

e often hear players shout “watch the ball,” while possibly losing sight of other important factors that may be affecting their shot selection. Peripheral vision helps a player take other details into consideration while watching the ball or being aware of it. Key variables that you need to be aware of while “paying attention” to the ball are your positioning as well as that of your opponent/ opponents. Here are some details on why paying attention to your opponent is important and how it should affect your Drills ideas to practice opponent shot selection. awareness The speed and spin on the ball are a couple of variables a player can pick up on Have your hitting partner switch their posieven before the opponent hits the ball. tioning randomly between service line and Their preparation will give a lot away. A middle of the service box. The service line is big backswing with a closed racquet face position 1 and middle of the box is position will probably mean they are getting ready 2. When they adjust their position during the to hit an aggressive shot, and it may be a rally, call out the position they are adjusting good idea to back up off the baseline and to. You also can do this with how they prepare get ready to play some defense. their racquet — call out the spin or the type Also, being aware of your opponent’s posiof backswing they are taking. In other words, tioning will help you make better choices open, closed, or backspin and topspin. on the court. In other words, if your oppoPractice your awareness of opponents and nent is getting really close to the net, a lob see your consistency level go up as your is probably a better choice than a passing reactions improve, your shot anticipation deshot. If they are drifting back toward the velops, and you begin making better choices service line, hit your shot at their feet. on the court.

HEALTH A ND FITNESS

Rolling for Recovery BY MELISSA BAUDO MARCHETTI, PT, DPT, SCS, MTC

Each muscle resemhe best kept secret to bles a rubber band; the maximizing your perforThe foam roller is one of the farther you stretch it, mance and keeping you most effective the farther it will launch active is simple: “Recover better.” all-around, selfwhen you let it go. If you The use of a simple piece of foam maintenance can increase the elasticcan help you optimize recovery, tools you will find ity in the muscle by imwhich is ideal for tennis players proving your flexibility, of all levels and ages. the result will be increased power and Why foam rolling? Tennis may lead to increased tension/stiffness in your improved performance. The foam roller is one of the most efmuscles and joints, which can alter joint motion and lead to poor movement pat- fective all-around, self-maintenance tools terns, a faster rate of fatigue, and injury. you will find, as it releases chronic musSelf-massage exercises (self-myofascial cular tension and pain (caused by playing release) on this simple piece of foam can tennis). It is simple to use; your own body immediately reduce soft-tissue weight massages away restrictions to nortension and speed mal soft-tissue extensibility. Whatever your athletic level or age, up the recovery process. foam rolling should be an integral part of

your daily routine. It is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to improve recovery, alleviate aches and pains, and improve flexibility. Use the roller directly after tennis or workout (prior to your cool-down stretching) and remember that areas that hurt need more attention. A quicker recovery can help keep you active and translates to a better performance the next time you play. Dr. Baudo Marchetti is an instructor at Emory University and a board-certified sports clinical specialist at One on One Physical Therapy, a multidisciplinary private practice in Atlanta. She also worked five years as a sports physiotherapist for the WTA Tour. Learn more by visiting www.onetherapy.com or email melissa@ onetherapy.com.

Foam rolling: • prevents joint stiffness and possibly reduces injury risk; • increases flexibility and joint range of motion and function; • enhances the recovery process; and • is portable, lightweight and easy to travel with.

*Reprinted from the Sept/Oct 2018 issue of Net News. 56

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

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NUTRITION

Sport Nutrition/Hydration Update for Upcoming Georgia Summer Heat BY PAGE LOVE, MS, RDN, CSSD, USPTA

s you return to play this summer, make sure to practice appropriate hydration tactics to be ready for the increased heat your body may not be ready for! Georgia is expecting to have one of the hottest summers on record, and some of your ALTA matches will be in the highest temperature of the day. So, start working on your hydration regimen now. Most of us will need a range of 3 to 4 liters per day of hydrating fluids, which can include fluids from food sources (such as citrus fruits, melon, and tomatoes) as well as decaffeinated fluids. Here are some simple reminders to keep your hydration on track this summer:

Drink up to 2 cups (16 oz) of fluid per meals and snacks and aim for the same between meals. These beverages can include water, milk, juice, sport beverages, smoothies, and decaffeinated coffee or tea.

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

Pre-hydrate before your match, starting after lunch for evening Senior matches and the night before for Thursday and weekend morning matches. Add at least another cup (8 oz.) to your last meal before match time, and also plan on sipping a 24-32 oz water or sport beverage for 2-3 hours before match time.

Learn about your personal sweat rate. A simplified approach to this is to weigh yourself before practice or match play in the heat, then weigh yourself after play. The difference will tell you the sweat losses. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs the morning before you play and you weigh 148 when you return home after you play, you will need to replace 2 lbs worth of sweat losses â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ideally by your next mealtime. One pound of sweat is equal to 2 cups or .5 L of hydrating fluids. Salty beverages such as sport beverages are your best choices at this time.

Do not be afraid to use extra salt this summer in your diet! When it is more humid and hot, you will be sweating out more sodium, the primary electrolyte lost in sweat. So feel free to lightly salt your foods and choose visibly salty foods before and after match play such as pretzels, crackers, tomato juice, salted nuts, dried meat jerkies, etc. Some of you will need 5,000 mg plus per day of sodium to meet heavier sweat loss needs. Remember, salty carbohydrate sources are best for before match play for pre-fueling, and salty proteins are best for after play for helping muscles rebuild and recover.

Drink until your urine is “lemonade” yellow, not clear. Clear urine is a sign that you may be over-hydrating, which means you may be at risk for diluting your body sodium levels lower than needed. This can set the stage for increased risk for “hyponatremia,” which can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, and possible seizure. So you can drink too much.

Try Something New! Explore new sports hydration products this summer. Try different brands and flavors to see what helps your performance the most. Remember to try these out before practice vs match play for the first time. Knowing what works for your performance for match play is key. Here are a few examples: • Body Armour — The new kid on the block for sport beverages and close third in sales for sport beverages that are more natural (based on natural fruit juices) but contains a lower sodium level than the tried-and-true market leaders. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that individuals partaking in vigorous exercise for one hour or longer consider drinking a carbohydratebased sports beverages, especially if they are sweating heavily. • Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Powder (single serve) provides all six electrolytes (magnesium, sodium, chloride, calcium, and phosphorus) and provides more complex carbohydrate to give you longer lasting energy on the court. • Liquid IV may be an appropriate choice if you have had frequent muscle cramps. Similar to Pedialyte and comes in handy sachets to add to .5-liter bottles to better meet your sodium losses. • Nuun Sport Electrolyte tablets are a great option for a lower carbohydrate, moderate electrolyte option for lower-temperature electrolyte needs on the court. • Salt Stick Fast Chews — an even higher salt (50 mg per chew) and electrolyte option for heavy sweaters and is a popular choice among professional players.

Page Love is an avid ALTA participant and sport dietitian in private practice in the Atlanta area and also a consultant to both the WTA and ATP professional tennis tours. She is a member of the USTA Sport Science Committee. You can find her at nutrifitga.com. JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

COURT CUISINE

Drink Up! This ALTA season will be quite unique as the long-standing tradition for league play includes fabulous spreads, crockpot dishes, salad recipes, and more. We often see some great concoctions of tasty drinks as well. While we are discouraging any community refreshments for this summer, we thought we would feature some world-famous beverages along with some of your local favorites that you might look to share in the future

American Tradition

English Tradition

Summer Treat

U.S. Open Honey Deuce

The Wimbledon Pimm’s Cup

1 ¼ oz. vodka (Grey Goose recommended) 3 oz. fresh lemonade ½ oz. raspberry liqueur 1 or more honeydew melon balls

1 ¾ oz. Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur 5 oz. lemonade or lemon-lime soda 1 orange 3 strawberries 1 cucumber Optional – add mint or ginger ale

Creamy Courtside Cooler Drink Meisha White, McGhee Tennis Center, Sunday Women, B5

What the mint julep is to the Kentucky Derby, the Honey Deuce is to the US Open, and it’s the official cocktail of the tournament. It’s a nod to the most competitive score in tennis; that is…a tie at 40-40. And yes, the garnish is a balled honeydew melon, which is supposed to remind you of tiny tennis balls. Directions: Place honeydew melon in the freezer beforehand, and then create melon balls with a melon baller. Fill a chilled Collins glass with ice. Add vodka, then top with fresh lemonade and raspberry liqueur.

Transport yourself to Wimbledon for this refreshing summer cocktail, perfect for sipping all summer long. The origin of the Pimm’s Cup dates back to 1832, when London oyster bar owner James Pimm started offering guests a gin-based beverage containing quinine and a secret blend of spices. It’s popularity grew over the years, and the first Pimm’s bar opened at the 1971 Wimbledon tournament. Today, more than 80,000 pints of Pimm’s and lemonade are sold to tennis spectators each year. Directions: Pimm’s says to “pile all the ingredients in a tall glass, mix and sip.” The ingredient amounts aren’t specific, but a few slices of each fruit and a couple of mint springs should suffice.

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

Lite & Lively Vanilla ice cream or yogurt ½ cup Cranberry juice ½ cup Diet/regular lemon-lime soda Place two scoops of ice cream (or yogurt) in a tall glass. Fill glass with cranberry juice and lemon-lime soda. Garnish with mint leaves. Serve immediately.

Tea It Up! Orange Iced Tea Lauren Phillips, Spalding Corners, Sunday Women C2

FROM THE VAULT Reprinted from ALTA: Its History, Humor & Hors D’Oeuvres by John Williams.

Fizz Whiz Very Cherry Pomegranate Fiz Submitted by Amy Bergin, Grand Cascades, Thursday Women AA3 ¼ cup POM Pomegranate Cherry Juice cup Cherry Bubbly Sparkling Water 3-4 frozen tart Cherries Lime wedge Combine juice and sparkling water over ice, squeeze lime wedge into drink and drop frozen cherries and lime wedge in. This a refreshing, summer drink that is very cherry and not too sweet!

4 ¼ 2

bags of black tea cup sugar oranges, sliced in rounds Mint springs

Boil 8 cups of water. Put sugar in large glass pitcher. Pour in boiling water and add tea bags. Steep for 15 minutes. Remove tea bags and add half of the orange slices and a few sprigs of mint. Chill in fridge. To serve, strain tea into glasses filled with ice. Add remaining orange slices and mint.

Concentrated Caffeine Cold Brew Coffee Barbie Schaffer, Sandy Springs, Thursday Women C2

10 cups of cold water 1 lb. coffee, medium ground

Place ground coffee in large container. Pour water over coffee. Refrigerate for 12-24 hours. Strain through coffee filter; twice. Refrigerate. Serve over ice. JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

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ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

CLASSIFIEDS Employment

Your Serve Tennis – We are looking for new members of the YST team. YST provides a relaxed, fun work environment where our focus is the game we all love — TENNIS! Flexible hours available and weekend availability is required. We have positions available at all of our locations (Buckhead, East Cobb, Johns Creek, Milton, Sandy Springs, Suwanee and West Cobb), ranging from part-time stringers to store managers. We are also hiring for office and shipping/receiving positions out of our Roswell Home Office. For more information visit yourserve.com/jobs or submit your resume/application to jobs@yourserve.com. PGA TOUR Superstore is looking for fun,

Don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did. Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid. Elton John

COURT CUISINE

Sausage Muffins

California Quinoa Salad

Linda Smith West Smyrna S&T Thursday Women C4 1 lb. ground sausage 1 can cheddar cheese soup 3 cups Bisquick 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated soup Brown and drain sausage. Mix with mixing and Bisquick. Add 3/4 can water, regular or well. Drop in greased muffin tins, bake at mini. Top with grated cheese and 375 15-20 minutes, or until brown.

Peanut Butter Balls

Lisa Gravlee, Woods of Parkview Sunday Women B1 1 cup large flake rolled oats 1/2 cup all natural peanut butter 1/4 cup honey 2 Tbsp. ground coffee 2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, chopped 2 oz. white chocolate, chopped Mix ingredients together well. Refrigerate (makes for 20 minutes. Roll into 1-inch balls approximately 20).

Jenni Steines, Parkbrooke Sunday Women AA2

2 cups mixed quinoa 4 cups water 1 pkg. frozen mango or 2-3 diced fresh mangoes 1/2 large red onion, diced 1 medium to large red pepper, diced 1 small bunch cilantro, chopped 1-2 cups shredded, unsweeted coconut 3/4-1 cup unsalted, dry-toasted slivered almonds 1/2 cup raisins 2-3 cups frozen edamame, thawed 4-5 limes, juiced 1-4 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

When Rinse quinoa well, cook as directed. Add all done, fluff and spread out to cool. cold. other ingredients and toss. Enjoy

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Taylor Aycock, Buford City Parks Juniors 12U [pls ck] 1 3/4 3/4 1 2 2 1/4 1 1 2

cup butter, softened cup white sugar cup brown sugar, packed tsp. vanilla extract eggs cups all purpose flour

NOW YOU CAN SHARE YOUR FAVORITE COURT CUISINE RECIPES ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

tsp. salt tsp. baking soda cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

and In a large bowl, beat butter, sugars Add vanilla extract until ight and fluffy. Gradually eggs, one at a time, beating well. until well add flour, salt and baking soda Spread in blended. Stir in chocolate chips. for 14-inch pizza pan. Bake at 375 degrees cooling 20-25 minutes. Cool in pan or on rack. Decorate as desired.

energetic tennis enthusiasts to join our team. We are seeking part-time and seasonal sales associates and experienced racquet stringers for our Duluth, Roswell, and Kennesaw locations. For more information, please inquire in person to one of our stores.

Services

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SHARE YOUR RECIPES! at via email to Lindsay Penticuff Send your recipes for Court Cuisine Court by mail to New South Publishing, lindsay@knowatlanta.com or 210, Atlanta, GA 30350. Cuisine, 9040 Roswell Road, Suite

JULY/AUGUST 2020

2017 NETNEWS MARCH/APRIL

COMES TO PLAY ALTA, WHERE ATLANTA

ALTA IS BACK!

p. 24 Nadal Exhibition Recap p. 44 2020 Gear Guide p. 55 Winter Champions

Visit netnewsmag.com for our published Court Cuisine recipes.

G.COM NETNEWSMA NETNEWSMAG.COM

TO ADVERTISE: Call John Hanna at 770.650.1102, ext. 125

DEADLINE: September/October 2020 issue: Friday, July 24, 2020 JULY/AUGUST 2020 NETNEWS

ABOUT ALTA Contact Us at 770.399.5788

Questions?

ll ALTA vice presidents (below) have phone extensions at the ALTA office, but do A not work in the office on a regular basis. Voice messages are checked frequently and answered in a timely manner. n The phone number of your league coordinator is in your captains’ packet. n To contact a member of the Executive Committee, call the ALTA office at 770.399.5788 and dial the extension listed next to the officer’s name.

ALTA office personnel cannot answer your league-related questions. Team members should first contact their captain. If unable to answer, the captain should contact a league official. n Questions about rules must be directed to league officials, which include coordinators, overall coordinators and league vice presidents. n Concerns about team placement and levels should be directed to league officials. n Credit card questions? Call ext. 107. n Want information about new facility requests? Contact Diane O’Brien at ext. 105. n IT issues? Contact Joan Appelbaum at ext. 103.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

EXT

President – Sandy Depa

ALTAPresident@altatennis.org

113

First Vice President – Debbie Gaster

FirstVP@altatennis.org

114

VP Men’s League – Lamar Scott

MensVP@altatennis.org

116

VP Thursday Women’s League – Keri Beck

ThursdayVP@altatennis.org

118

VP Sunday Women’s League – Chequetta Allen SundayVP@altatennis.org

117

VP Senior Day Leagues – Kim Dlugolenski

SeniorDayVP@altatennis.org

120

VP Senior Leagues – Roger Dennington

SeniorVP@altatennis.org

121

VP Mixed Doubles League – Cameron Turner

MixedVP@altatennis.org

122

VP Junior Leagues – Rita Maloof

JuniorVP@altatennis.org

119

VP Junior Challenge Ladder – Brenda Maddaleni JrChallengeVP@altatennis.org

123

VP Special Programs – Bob Kohmescher

SpecialProgramsVP@altatennis.org 124

VP Media – Michelle Ruiz

MediaVP@altatennis.org

125

Directions & General Information The ALTA office is located at 300 Colonial Center Parkway, Suite 140, Roswell, GA 30076. From GA 400 North, take exit 8 (Mansell Road) to Colonial Center Parkway (1.3 miles west). ALTA office: 770.399.5788 ALTA office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, except for major holidays. n Membership dues: Adults – $30, Juniors (18 and under) – $15. Dues are for the calendar year and expire at the end of the fall league season. n ALTA website: altatennis.org n ALTA’s calendar of important dates can be found on the website and in each issue of Net News. n Your membership number is printed on the Net News mailing label and is also available on the ALTA website. n To update your mailing address, log in to your account on the ALTA website and go to My Profile. n n

NETNEWS JULY/AUGUST 2020

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Net News July August 2020

Articles inside

Classifieds

Drink Up

Sport Nutrition/ Hydration Update for Upcoming Georgia Summer Heat

Rolling for Recovery

Importance of Peripheral Vision

Mixers

Jensen Zone

Good Question

Juniors

Senior Day

Men

ALTA is Back

No Pandemic Playbook

Summer Getaways

Thursday Women

ALTA Calendars

Sunday Women

Tennis Headlines

President’s Letter