NetNews September October 2023

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Photo by Laura Barnard.

DARKNESS CALLS

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Ihope everyone had a nice summer. Whether you played in our Senior Leagues, Mixed Doubles, or joined our inaugural season of ALTA Pickleball, I hope you had some memorable experiences. ALTA wants members to enjoy the experience of meeting people, have a good match, and go home excited to be a member of ALTA. If you were one of our City Champions, or your team won your division, or you won a match that was fun and competitive, I hope you found something to smile about.

Speaking of memorable experiences, I hope you had the opportunity to visit the Atlanta Open at Atlantic Station. Only in Atlanta can you see the first event in the tournament series leading up to the US Open. The fun began Sunday with a showdown between Coco Gauff and Leylah Fernandez. The entertaining exhibition match was both fun and competitive. The tournament winner this year was Taylor Fritz! All three of these professional players started as world number-one junior players. Dream big juniors! One day it could be a junior ALTA member playing in our own Atlanta Open!

Fall registration is complete. Our numbers are up, and finally, the temperatures are trending down. Our fall leagues include Sunday Women, Senior Day Women, Senior Day Men, Men’s League, Thursday Women, Junior Leagues, and our Wheelchair League. If you are not already registered for one or more of these leagues, it’s not too late to find a team. You can go to the ALTA website, search for the “Find Players and Teams” page, and you can add your information for a captain to contact you.

I hope, like me, you stop and think about what a great place in which we live. There is no other city that has a local tennis league like ALTA. With your annual membership, you can play tennis year-round. And, for a small fee, add pickleball as another choice.

I like ALTA for so many reasons: I enjoy good competition, meeting people, and learning the importance of good sportsmanship. I bet you share some of the same passions. As ALTA strives to continue to grow our membership, I encourage you to spread the word to your neighbors and friends about the fun experiences you are having.

ALTA realizes growing our membership means we must expand our boundaries. In addition to our five metro counties, we currently have a pilot program in place that expands our boundaries to include all of Cherokee and Forsyth counties, in addition to areas of Hall, Jackson, and Barrow counties. If you are in this expanded area and know people who are interested in starting a team, it’s easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. Complete a Facility Inspection request to get your courts approved.

2. Check the ALTA website for upcoming leagues.

3. Register your team.

Whether you are signing up for tennis or our newest league, pickleball, you’ll be having fun and meeting people with the swing of a racquet or paddle.

My term as president is halfway over. It seems like just yesterday I was accepting the oath to do my best to lead this organization. I have enjoyed working closely with our Rules Committee and Executive Committee and identifying areas that need to be updated or changed.

Now I am asking our members, what can ALTA do for you? What are some of your suggestions? Of course, we are not able to institute every suggestion, but we listen and analyze each one we receive. Some of our best suggestions have come from you — straight from the courts! I look forward to receiving your ideas. Please send them to altapresident@altatennis.org.

I hope every player has a great fall season. Remember, it is not always about winning or losing; it is about being a good sport and enjoying the experience.

Linda Shepherd, 2023 ALTA President

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2023 ALTA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

300 Colonial Center Parkway, Suite 140, Roswell, GA 30076 Phone: 770.399.5788 Website: altatennis.org

President Linda Shepherd

First Vice President Chequetta Allen

Secretary Mimi McFall

Treasurer Larry Waters

VP Men’s League Greg McAfee

VP Thursday Karen Sullivan

Women’s League

VP Sunday Susan Levin

Women’s League

VP Senior Day Leagues Joan Marcinko

VP Senior Leagues Gina Clance

VP Mixed John Lowell Doubles League

VP Junior Leagues Wendy Fee

VP Junior Stacey Simmons

Challenge Ladder

VP Special Programs Mark LaRotonda

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VP Events & Tournaments Marla Michalewicz

President’s Appointee Tammi Copelli

2022 President Lamar Scott

2021 President Debbie Gaster

ALTA Foundation Rep Cameron Turner

2023 ALTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Sandy Depa

2021 ALTA President Debbie Gaster

2022 ALTA President Lamar Scott

2023 ALTA President Linda Shepherd

The ALTA Foundation Rita Maloof

President

2022 Elected Member Keri Beck

2023 Elected Member Mike Wright

Treasurer Larry Waters

Secretary/

First Vice President Chequetta Allen

2023 THE ALTA FOUNDATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Rita Maloof

Treasurer Larry Waters

Secretary Cameron Turner

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

Circulation Manager Amy Fine

Accounting Marilyn Walker

Copy Editor Jena Pace

Copy Editor Michelle Camay

25 Senior Day Women – Fall playoffs (rain date 10/27)

Senior Day Men – Fall playoffs (rain date 10/27)

26 Thursday Women – Fall playoffs and fall City Finals for AA (rain date 10/31)

28 Men – Fall playoffs (rain date 10/29)

Sunday Women – Fall playoffs (rain date 10-29)

Junior Leagues – Fall playoffs (rain date 10-31)

29 Men – Fall playoffs (rain date 11/4)

Sunday Women – Fall playoffs (rain date 11/4)

30 Senior Day Women – Fall playoffs (rain date 11/1)

31 Thursday Women – Fall playoffs (rain date 11/2)

NOVEMBER

1 Senior Day Men – Fall playoffs (rain date 11/3)

2 Thursday Women – Fall City Finals for A, B and C (rain date 11/9)

4 Men – Fall playoffs and fall City Finals for AA (rain date 11/5)

Sunday Women – Fall City Finals for AA (rain date 11/5)

Junior Leagues – Fall playoffs (rain date 11/7)

Junior Leagues – Fall City Finals (rain date 11/5)

5 Sunday Women – Fall playoffs (rain date 11/7)

6 Senior Day Women – Fall City Finals for all levels (rain date 11/13)

8 Senior Day Men – Fall City Finals for all levels (rain date 11/15)

11 Men – Fall City Finals for levels A, B and C (rain date 11/18)

Junior Leagues – Fall City Finals (rain date 11/12)

12 Sunday Women – Fall City Finals for A, B and C (rain date 11/19)

16 ALTA Annual Meeting

23 Office closed – Thanksgiving holiday 24 Office closed – Thanksgiving holiday

DECEMBER

1

SENIOR LEAGUES

Sept. 15 Winter roster registration begins for Senior Mixed

Oct. 13 Winter roster registration ends for Senior Mixed

MIXED DOUBLES

Sept. 15 Winter roster registration begins

Oct. 13 Winter roster registration ends

SUNDAY WOMEN

Sept. 10 Fall play begins

Oct. 22 Fall play ends

Oct. 28 Fall playoffs (rain date 10/29)

Oct. 29 Fall playoffs (rain date 11/4)

Nov. 4 Fall AA City Finals (rain date 11/5)

Nov. 5 Fall playoffs (rain date 11/7)

Nov. 12 Fall City Finals for A, B, and C (rain date 11/19)

MEN

Sept. 9 Fall play begins

Oct. 21 Fall play ends

Oct. 28 Fall playoffs (rain date 10/29)

Oct. 29 Fall playoffs (rain date 11/4)

Nov. 4 Fall playoffs and AA City Finals (rain date 11/5)

Nov. 11 Fall City Finals for A, B, and C (rain date 11/18)

THURSDAY WOMEN

Sept. 7 Fall play begins

Oct. 19 Fall play ends

Oct. 24 Fall playoffs (rain date 10/26)

Oct. 26 Fall playoffs and City Finals for AA (rain date. 10/31)

Oct. 31 Fall playoffs (rain date 11/2)

Nov. 2 Fall City Finals for A, B, and C (rain date 11/9)

SENIOR DAY WOMEN

Sept. 5 Fall play begins

Oct. 17 Fall play ends

Oct. 23 Fall playoffs (rain date 10/25)

Oct. 25 Fall playoffs (rain date 10/27)

Oct. 30 Fall playoffs (rain date 11/1)

Nov. 6 Fall City Finals for all levels (11/13)

SENIOR DAY MEN

Sept. 6 Fall play begins

Oct. 18 Fall play ends

Oct. 25 Fall playoffs (rain date 10/27)

Nov. 1 Fall playoffs (rain date 11/3)

Nov. 8 Fall City Finals for all levels (11/15)

JUNIOR LEAGUES

Sept. 9 Fall play begins

Oct. 21 Fall play ends

Oct. 28 Fall playoffs (rain date 10/31)

Nov. 4 Fall City Finals (rain date 11/5) Fall playoffs (rain date 11/7)

Nov. 11 Fall City Finals (rain date 11/12)

JUNIOR CHALLENGE LADDER

Dec. 3 Ladder closes

WHEELCHAIR - RUN/ROLL

Sept. 5 Fall play begins

Oct. 17 Fall City Finals (rain date 10/24)

REPORTED BY EMMY POWELL, CORY SEKINE-PETTITE AND JOHN HANNA

New VP Position Coming to the ALTA Executive Committee

With the addition of ALTA’s newest league, which is pickleball, a new position will be added to ALTA’s bylaws. If approved, the position, Vice President of Pickleball, will be added to the Executive Committee team and be included in the slate of officers for 2024.

The modification being proposed, which will be listed under Article IX as it relates to the Executive Committee, is as follows:

9.13 The Vice President of the Pickleball League shall coordinate and supervise the Pickleball League.

The proposed position will be voted on during the ALTA annual meeting on Nov. 16, 2023 which will be held at the Atlanta Athletic Club at 7:00 p.m.

Net News Photo Contest Celebrates 20 Years!

YEARS

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ALTA photo contest, we have added a special category to commemorate this milestone. Please send in your favorite ALTA tennis anniversary photo. No wedding photos please. Maybe it’s a photo with your multiple ALTA Championship plates or an old photo of your team/captain who has been playing ALTA for 20 years or more. Details to enter are on page 39.

Prizes courtesy of

Photo by Laura Barnard

Catch The Bouncers at Atlanta’s First Major League Pickleball Tournament

Anheuser-Busch established the Bouncers in 2023 as a Major League Pickleball expansion team for Atlanta, a city well known for its sports fandom, massive tennis community, and rapidly growing pickleball scene. With Atlanta’s equally famous bar scene serving as inspiration for the team’s name, the Bouncers are proud to be the only MLP club representing the South.

Every member of the Bouncers are pickleball heavyweights, each with their own impressive résumé — Parris Todd was the 2022 MLP MVP and has already won 20 medals in tournaments this year. Simone Jardim is Parris’ APP women’s

doubles partner and former #1 women’s pickleball play er. Pablo Tellez led the Bay Area Breakers to two MLP championships in season 1 of 2023, and Hunter John son, the season 1 captain of the Bouncers, is a 22x medalist at APP Tournaments in 2023. Despite these individual accomplishments, the Bouncers strength lies in the team chemistry, all having played with each other before and living close enough to regularly practice together, an advantage few other teams possess.

You can catch the Bouncers at Atlanta’s first Major League Pickleball tournament September 21-24 at Life Time Peachtree Corners, and follow them on Instagram @ AtlantaBouncers and on Facebook.

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Pickleball for Parkinson’s!

BY RITA MALOOF, ALTA FOUNDATION PRESIDENT

Yes, Virginia, the ALTA Foundation has also jumped on the pickleball bandwagon, awarding its first Pickleball Clinic Grant to the Center For Movement Challenges (CFMC).

The grant offers CFMC members a series of pickleball clinics, led by certified pickleball trainer, Jason Belknap. The participants can be either new to the game or experienced pickleball players.

On Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Sandy Springs Tennis Center, the “Parkie Picklers” will take to the court as they do every Monday, and for two hours everybody forgets about their Parkinson’s disease.

The “Parkie Picklers” range from novice to experienced. Most don’t even know the team has Parkinson’s as the level of play is as rigorous as others playing during the weekly matches.

Located in Sandy Springs, the non-profit’s mission focuses on those affected with movement challenges resulting from Parkinson’s and Mul tiple Sclerosis diagnosis. The Cen ter’s primary goal is to help people living with Parkinson’s recognize what’s possible, challenge them to step out of their comfort zone, and help them understand the power of having “No Limits.”

Why pickleball and not tennis? The pickleball court is smaller than a tennis court, the game is shorter to keep players engaged, and the movement is less frantic so players aren’t sprinting long distances to hit a ball as they might while playing tennis.

Ellen Bookman, CFMC volunteer and marketing consultant, recently told the ALTA Foundation, “Pickleball requires

coordination, balance, and agility — the exact same way that the Center’s “Flagship” boxing program helps to potentially lessen muscle movement issues. Visit centerformovementchallenges.org. to learn more.

18th Annual Special Pops Tennis Fall Classic

Don’t miss out on the 18th Annual Special Pops Tennis Fall Classic sponsored by the ALTA Foundation. More than 130 athletes and 300 volunteers ranging in age from 8 to 70 are expected to “Play Tennis; Make Friends; Live Life” this fall at Lifetime – Peachtree Corners.

Tournament play will begin on Friday, October 6, at noon and conclude on Sunday, October 8 at 1:00 p.m. The Fall Classic returns to a three-day event and includes social activities (dinner, dance, karaoke, off-court activities, such as arts and crafts) in addition to competitive tennis for the participants during the tournament.

For more information about the Special Pops Tennis Fall Classic or to volunteer for the event, please visit specialpopstennis.org.

F A L L I N L O V E

T h i s F a l l d i s c o v e r t h e b e s t t e n n i s i n

N o r t h w e s t F l o r i d a F e a t u r i n g 1 2 w o r l d - c l a s s

H y d r o G r i d c l a y , t h r e e h a r d , a n d s i x p i c k l e -

b a l l c o u r t s , p l u s , a w i d e r a n g e o f e x p e r i e n c e s i n c l u d i n g : p r i v a t e l e s s o n s , j u n i o r s t e n n i s p r o g r a m s , a n d R o u n d - R o b i n t o u r n a m e n t s

A f t e r a d a y o n t h e c o u r t s , r e l a x a t t h e a w a r d - w i n n i n g S p a L i l l i a n a , l o c a t e d a t H o t e l E f f i e S a n d e s t i n a n d i n d u l g e i n a t e n n i s m a s s a g e f o c u s i n g o n t h e c r i t i c a l a r e a s t o s u p p o r t s a f e a n d e f f e c t i v e m o v e m e n t w h i l e y o u p l a y I m p r o v e y o u r g a m e b y p r i o r i t i z i n g y o u r r e c o v e r y !

8 5 0 . 2 6 7 . 7 1 1 4 | | S A N D E S T I N . C O M

Photo by Laura Barnard

ALTA ONLINE

BY JOAN APPELBAUM, ALTA IT MANAGER

You've got questions—we've got answers!

I’m reinstating my Senior Mixed team for the winter and see that the website requires 12 on my roster this year. Why has that changed? The website requires 12 players, 6 men and 6 women due to the addition of one more line of mixed doubles starting with the winter 2024 season.

How can I pass along an idea for the ALTA website? Please use the Feedback button on the lower

right side of the site. Make sure to include your email address for communication purposes.

Where is the best place to find season information? It’s actually in a couple places and viewable for anyone on a team. There’s a Season Information button on your schedule in My Active Teams, and Season Information in the list in ALTA Documents.

TELL

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

Kicking Off the Atlanta Open in High Style Christopher Eubanks on His Breakthrough Season

The 27-year-old shares an important message he received from former World No. 1 Kim Clijsters. Reprinted with permission from ATPTour.com

Christopher Eubanks continued his breakthrough season this past summer when he collected his maiden ATP Tour title at the Mallorca Championships in Spain and then made his way into the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.

The 27-year-old caught up with ATPTour.com to reflect on being crowned champion at the ATP 250 grass-court event.

What does this mean to you to win your first ATP Tour title?

It means everything. It means that a lot of the hard work that I’ve been doing, and the persistence that I’ve tried to have throughout the ups and downs of my career, it’s all worth it. It’s all worth it for this moment right here, to be standing here as a champion of an ATP event. It means the world and it’s something really special.

If someone said to you at the start of the season that you would win your first title this year, would you have picked grass as a surface you would do it on?

Absolutely not. My grass-court season got off to a bit of a rough start at the Surbi-

ton Challenger, I lost in the second round. I began to question whether or not I could be good on the surface. I didn’t think that I could.

But my coach, Ruan Roelofse, and I, we put in a lot of work on the grass to try and understand the footing and the shots and everything that I would need to have in order to be successful. And it all paid off this week.

Take a moment to acknowledge some of the key figures in your life and career who have helped you reach this milestone.

There’s so many of them. I have to start with my family; my family has been behind me. My mom [Carla], my dad [Mark], my older brother [Mark]. Donald Young and his family were so, so influential in my career. He allowed me to travel with

him as a practice partner from the time I was 15 years old. So, I got to see professional tennis up close and then the more you see it, the more you actually believe that you can do it.

Jarmere Jenkins and his family. He is like a big brother to me, continues to mentor me consistently. Coco Gauff and her family are like a second family, that’s like my little sister, so I’m probably willing to bet I have a text message or something from her. My college coaches Kenny Thorne, Kevin King, and Derek Schwandt, they really pushed me.

Somebody that I really want to shoutout is Kim Clijsters, because after my first week on grass, I sent Kim a text and I said, ‘Grass is the stupidest surface to play tennis on, I don’t know why we’re playing on a court that’s so uneven, I can’t have my footing!’ And Kim sent me a really positive message back, just telling me areas that she struggled on the grass and things to work on to feel more and more comfortable on it. So, I have to give her a huge, huge shout-out. I’m looking forward to giving her a call.

You started the year outside the Top 120, now you have cracked the Top 50. Did you think this was possible? What does it mean to be a Top 50 player?

I thought it was possible, I didn’t know if I would do it. I didn’t know if I could be consistent enough to really put together four, five matches multiple times. I was able to do it in Miami, I was able to do it here. So, I think it was more so a consistency question for myself, not necessarily if I have the game to do it. And I was able to do it. I think I kind of proved something to myself and now it’s added motivation to continue working harder.

How much confidence and self-belief did your quarter-final run in Miami give you?

I think it gave me a lot. It was the first time in which I’ve put together that many matches against those quality of opponents. So, after Miami, I had to sit back and look and say, ‘You know what? Maybe I can be consistent, I’m not just one hot match, one cold match, maybe I can put things together.’ I think that was a huge, huge, huge part of my success this week, just believing that I could do it.

How excited are you for your Wimbledon main-draw debut, especially coming to the event with top form?

Really, really excited. Never played Wimbledon main draw. So that’s going to be something new altogether. I’m looking forward to getting there. I have a practice set tomorrow at Aorangi [Park]. I’m really excited to hop on the plane, get to London, and get on the Wimbledon grounds. It’s going to be such an honor.

How did you start playing tennis? What are some of your early memories playing the sport?

I have an older brother who was already involved in tennis when I was born. So, when I came along, my dad was working with my older brother. And then I started out at the age where I could run and walk, it was just easy to bring me out of the house to go with them to the tennis courts. And then when I could run and I was athletic enough to kind of stay on my feet, my dad put a tennis racquet in my hand. So, it kind of started with my dad and my older brother.

What do you consider to be your biggest passion outside of tennis?

Probably broadcasting. I really, really enjoy doing commentary for Tennis Channel. I’ve been able to do it a few times. And it’s something that sparked my interest back in 2021, when I got to see some of my friends, who unfortunately were out with injuries, start to do broadcasts and I said, ‘That looks like it could be a lot of fun, maybe I should give it a try!’

I think my first time was last year during the clay-court season. I had a chance to do it and I said ‘Man, this is a lot of fun.’ It’s fun to be able to watch tennis, talk tennis, something I do in my free time anyway. So might as well go ahead and do it a little bit more formally.

How will it feel to be playing in your home city of Atlanta later this month when you’re introduced as an ATP Tour champion?

It’s going to be incredible; I’ve had so many memories at that tournament. Some of my best memories throughout my career have come at that tournament, so it’s going to be really fun stepping foot on the court and hearing them say, ‘ATP Tour champion.’

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An Outstanding Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame Class for 2023

What a night for the Georgia Tennis Foundation and its impressive award winners.

Georgia’s tennis community gathered at Marietta Country Club as Stephen Enochs and Robby Ginepri were inducted into the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame. In addition, Mary Hatfield received the “Dan Magill Impact” Award.

Enochs has enjoyed great tennis success through the years. He won five junior USTA National Championships, was ranked within the top 5 nationally as a junior, and was a member of the 1985 Junior Davis Cup Team. His accolades also include All-SEC and two time All-American while playing for the University of

Georgia. Enochs also helped the Georgia Bulldogs win their second NCAA Tennis National Championship by winning the clinching match in 1987. He was honored in his native North Carolina as a 2017 inductee into the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame.

Ginepri, who played as a junior in ALTA’s Junior Challenge Ladder, is known by many in the tennis world. He won three ATP singles titles during his playing career and achieved a career-high ranking of World No. 15. Ginepri’s best Grand Slam result was the semifinals of the 2005 US Open, where he lost to Andre Agassi. That was quite a year for Ginepri as his summer hardcourt record was 14-3 heading into that tournament. He won his first two matches, and then put together three consecutive five-set victories, defeating Tommy Haas, Richard Gasquet, and Guillermo Coria. He then lost to Agassi in five sets, making him the first player in the open era to play four consecutive five-set matches at the US Open.

The contributions made to tennis by Mary Hatfield go above and beyond. She started in the USTA family as a volunteer,

Photo by Laura Barnard

moved into the office as a staffer, and is now giving her time as committee chairman. Described as the consummate professional, the McDonough resident spent the early part of her career in the classroom, teaching middle school. Out of the classroom, Hatfield used her volunteer energy to develop the Macon Tennis Association’s (MTA) presence in the community. She was instrumental in helping the MTA and other community tennis associations (CTA) deliver a variety of tennis programs. She has been the recipient of numerous awards, including one that is named for her — the Mary Hatfield Spirit of Tennis Award. A member of the USTA Southern Tennis Hall of Fame, Hatfield has been described as a true trailblazer for CTAs across the country.

Congratulations to this year’s 2023 Georgia Tennis Association Hall of Fame Inductees!

Company Offers Unique European Tennis Adventures

Is a European tennis vacation on your bucket list? Steve Vaughan’s Wild West Tennis Camps (WWT) have been serving the needs of traveling tennis players for more than 40 years. With Grand Slam Trips to Mallorca/Roland Garros and Mallorca/ Wimbledon, WWT offers a two-part tennis vacation that is like no other.

Play and learn on clay in Mallorca, Spain with U.S. and Spanish certified coaches, swim in the Mediterranean, visit the Rafael Nadal Academy, take a boat tour and see Nadal’s new house and yacht, and make some new friends, all in the first week!

Then there’s five nights in either Paris or London for a Grand Slam! To learn more, visit wildwesttennis.com/camps. Visit wildwesttennis.com for more information and reservations. The fun camps with a western flavor!

TAYLOR FRITZ, WORLD TOP 10 WINS 6TH

ATP TITLE AT ATLANTA OPEN, AMERICANS WITHROW AND LAMMONS WIN DOUBLES

Your 2023 Atlanta Open had some amazing tennis over the course of the week and was highlighted by a 3-set singles final where top ranked American Taylor Fritz defeated Aussie Alexandar Vukic 7-5 6-7(5) 6-4. That was the only set Taylor lost all week and his great serving on the big points proved to be the difference. Taylor has been coming to Atlanta since 2016 and was very excited to finally win the title.

The doubles field, always a highlight in Atlanta, was won by Nate Lammons and Jackson Withrow over Aussies Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson, 7-6(3) 7-6(4). The match featured classic doubles net play and some amazing lobs by both teams.

Of course, our Sunday Showdown delivered by UPS featured Coco Gauff and Leylah Fernandez playing an exciting match. The match was full of long rally’s and powerful strokes with Coco taking the win. This match helped to prepare both females for their tournaments after the Atlanta Open. Coco took the Championship the next week in DC and Leylah reached the R16 in Montreal. They love playing in Atlanta and our fans love having them!

This year’s Atlanta Open featured some exciting firsts that the fans loved. First off having our own Christopher Eubanks playing as a seed for the first time after his historic run at Wimbledon was a thrill for his hometown.

Having ATLANTA written big and bold on the court for the first time allowed the world to know where this great tournament was being played during every serve!

The enhanced Inner Circle and gathering area décor was a big talking point with all the fans, and the addition of the Food Truck hospitality village provided everyone with new food option to enjoy. We welcomed the Capelli Street team that came out on court during breaks and had the fans standing up and cheering for giveaways. The ALTA t-shirts that were thrown to the crowd was a big hit.

Saturday featured the AA-2 mixed playoff final and it was amazing…coming down to the 5th match the crowd cheers could be heard on stadium court. The kind of excitement we always hoped to have when this match is played.

Finally, a big THANK YOU to all the ALTA members and staff that supported the Atlanta Open all week and have continued to do so over many years. We appreciate the support and look forward to 2024, July 20th – 28th back again at Atlantic Station.

— Peter Lebedevs EVP, Tennis Atlanta Open Tournament Director

“I want to get back to the things I love. That’s why I chose the best in orthopedic care.”

YOU KNOW THE BOUNCERS

PARRIS

SIMONE JARDIM

HUNTER JOHNSON

PABLO TELLEZ

2023 ATLANTA OPEN RECAP

PHOTOS BY LAURA BARNARD

This year’s Atlanta Open proved to be one of the best ever! The playing field was exceptional and even had great representation by both Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia. In addition to the ATP pros, we had a great women’s exhibition, meetand-greets for our ALTA captains, the ALTA AA2 Mixed Doubles City Finals, ALTA Foundation scholarship presentations, and big upgrades to the hospitality areas on the tournament grounds. Here is a photo recap of the nine-day event. For more on the tournament, see “Tourney Talk” on page 24.

THIS PAGE l It came down to the wire for the AA2 Mixed Doubles City Finalists. Laurel Park pulled out the victory over Hudlow TC after clinching a line 5 win in a third-set tiebreak. l Following the qualifying rounds, this year’s tournament featured a great exhibition match with 19-year-old Atlanta native Coco Gauff who was able to have some fun on the court and secure a 6-3, 6-3 win over Leylah Fernandez. Gauff continues to shine as she just won her biggest career title and her first WTA 500 tournament in Washington, D.C. l The men’s doubles final was as close as it gets. Americans Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow (pictured on the right) took the title over Australians Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell, 7-6, 7-6. Tournament Director Peter Lebedevs was on hand to present the trophies to these great doubles players.

OPPOSITE PAGE l

Top-ranked American Taylor Fritz capped his return to North American hard courts by winning the Atlanta Open for his second tour-level title of the season. l What a final this year for Taylor Fritz and Aleksander Vukic. In his first tournament on home soil since March, topseed Fritz was able to take down the Australian 7-5, 6-7, 6-4 for the Atlanta Open title. Despite having two championship points in the second set, Fritz held on to close out the match in the deciding set. Having been broken only once all tournament, Fritz relied on his hefty serve and first-strike tennis to be crowned the champion. l 2023 ALTA President Linda Shepherd and 2023 First Vice President Chequetta Allen, who will take over for Shepherd next year, were on hand throughout the week and presided over two separate coin tosses on ALTA Day. l Linda Shepherd presides over the coin toss on ALTA Night which featured the singles match of Gael Monfils and Thanasi Kokkinakis. What a battle as Kokkinakis pulled out the win, 7-6 in the third set.

l ALTA had quite the week with some great prizes and giveaways. Thank you to all our volunteers who beat the heat and worked tirelessly at the ALTA tent. Pictured here are ALTA’s own Bob Kohmescher, Debbie Gaster, our lead volunteer in charge Marla Michalewicz, Rebecca Williams, and Bryan Shepherd. l We kicked off ALTA Day for our Junior Challenge Ladder players who were able to hit the practice courts at Georgia Tech in a fun and motivating clinic by Luke Jensen. l The ALTA Captain’s package was a big hit, especially when players like Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton make an appearance at the meet-and-greet and take questions from our ALTA members. A big thank you to Kristin Albert, Matt Buncich, Joyce Clark, Maribeth Ledford, Maura Tapley, George Walters, and Nevin Ergul who took advantage and helped make it possible for their teammates to attend this year. l What an honor to have the ALTA Foundation scholarship winners present on ALTA Day and be recognized on the stadium court. Pictured L-R: Sahana Parekh, Avery Sisson, Asha Ahn, Sofia Arboleda, Samantha Fraser, Michael Thomas, Caroline Scott, and Samantha Ruder (not pictured: Ami Dodd-Mungin). Read more about our winners on page 42. l Georgia Tech wasn’t the only college represented well at the Atlanta Open. Ethan Quinn, the 2023 NCAA Singles National Champion and former University of Georgia player, along with fellow UGA teammate Trent Bryde made it all the way to the doubles quarterfinals but were defeated by Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell, 6-4, 6-7, 10-2. l It takes an entire village of executives, interns, volunteers, ball kids, production teams and more to pull the tournament together. The voice of the tournament, Jim Powell, and Production Director Mike Vickerman, seen here with ALTA President Linda Shepherd, worked in sync with other crew members to make each day a successful production. l

Fast Track Tennis Offers Easy At-Home Practice

Tennis practice just got easier thanks to Fast Track Tennis, a new solo training device that allows users to hit infinite balls in any small space with no tennis court, practice partner, or ball pick-up required.

Whether in a gym, driveway or garage, Fast Track Tennis helps individuals practice their strokes more efficiently and build the necessary muscle memory to become better players while having fun and improving fitness.

The patent-pending Feedback System includes a portable net with a small machine that feeds a continuous loop of real balls — one feed every three seconds for 20 hits per minute or over 1,000 hits in an hour. The product also comes with 12 long-lasting practice balls and a tripod for smartphones. “Fast Track Tennis makes learning and practicing so much easier, faster, and more fun than traditional methods. It also reduces cost and makes the sport more accessible for everyone,” said John Davey, founder of Fast Track Tennis.

To enhance user experience and add fun, Fast Track Tennis is adding connectivity with the company’s first mobile app and more releases to follow. PLAY FTT is an online leaderboard game designed to maximize practicing while also creating a competitive environment with monthly prizes. In development are PRACTICE FTT, a performance monitoring app that will track metrics such as ball speed, spin and landing position, and LEARN FTT, a platform that will offer various teaching tools.

To learn more about Fast Track Tennis, visit fasttracktennis.com.

Yonex Celebrating 40 Years in the U.S.

Yonex is celebrating its 40th anniversary in the U.S. market. On July 8, 1983, Yonex USA was established in Torrance, California. Here are a few facts you may not know about the company:

• Company founder, Minoru Yoneyama, was born in Japan in 1924.

• In 1947, Mr. Yoneyama started a business creating wooden floats for fishermen. He was soon priced out of the industry when other companies started using plastic materials. Humbled by the setback, Mr. Yoneyama vowed to never be left behind by technological advances.

• In 1957, Yonex began its first foray into sporting goods by making badminton racquets as an OEM manufacturer.

• In 1961, Mr. Yoneyama started manufacturing badminton racquets under the brand name, “Yoneyama Manufacturing Company.”

• Tragedy struck the company in 1963, when the factory was destroyed by fire. Mr. Yoneyama assured clients that a newly rebuilt factory would be up-andrunning in three days — and that’s exactly what happened.

Yonex Releases New PERCEPT Racquet

Yonex has launched the PERCEPT, a new tennis racquet series for intermediate and advanced players. The company says the racquet was developed to seamlessly act as an extension of the arm, effectively transmitting accurate ball information, which results in greater control. This enhanced feel and control is designed with the hope that it will support players in expressing their own unique and creative playing style on court.

The all-new PERCEPT features Yonex’s signature ISOMETRIC technology, creating a 7-percent larger sweet spot, which offers greater control without compromising power. Additionally, the new SERVO FILTER technology effectively reduces unwanted vibrations while providing accurate sensory feedback from the ball. The FLEXCON system in the racquet shaft extends the ball-pocketing duration, making it easier for players to place the ball accurately on court. By adding more graphite layers into the frame, the racquet’s rigidity is significantly enhanced, leading to a notable improvement in overall racquet face stability.

The frame itself features a fresh olive-green base color, complemented with accented pink designs, symbolizing a calm focus with sparks of energy.

The new PERCEPT racquet is set to be used by several top athletes, including Frances Tiafoe (USA), three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka (SUI), and three-time WTA tour champion Dayana Yastremska (UKR). Learn more at Yonex.com.

•LED Retrofits

•Custom Tennis Lighting & Maintenance for your unique application

•Private, Country Club or Neighborhood Courts

Enjoy the beauty of the north Georgia mountains and Big Canoe for your next get away with your tennis and pickleball crew! We will put together the ultimate tennis and/or pickleball get away to get you ready for the season, enjoy your spring break, and spend some quality time on the courts!

Big Canoe Racquet Club

706-268-3367

Total Pickleball Partners with DUPR

Total Pickleball, a leading provider of pickleball equipment and accessories, announced recently that DUPR is now its official retail partner. This collaboration brings together two industry leaders committed to promoting the growth and development of pickleball worldwide, Total Pickleball says.

“We are thrilled to join forces with DUPR as their official retail partner,” said Rick Kerpsack, president of Total Pickleball. “Both Total Pickleball and DUPR share a common goal of enhancing the pickleball experience for players worldwide. By offering a comprehensive range of high-quality products, we aim to empower players to reach their full potential and enjoy the sport they love.”

As the official retail partner of DUPR, Total Pickleball will offer a wide range of products that cater to the needs of pickleball enthusiasts at every skill level. With a shared passion for the sport and a commitment to excellence, this partnership will enhance the overall pickleball experience for players around the globe, says Tito Machado, head of DUPR.

“This partnership with Total Pickleball has laid the foundation for an extraordinary alliance that will propel us to new heights,” Machado said. “This strategic collaboration combines our shared vision, experience, and passion for the sport of pickleball.”

DUPR has gained recognition as the most accurate global rating system in the pickleball community. By utilizing advanced algorithms and data-driven analytics, DUPR provides players with precise skill ratings, ensuring fair competition and facilitating player matchmaking. With Total Pickleball’s dedication to offering top-notch equipment and accessories, players can now access everything they need to elevate their game.

Through this partnership, Total Pickleball also will actively collaborate with DUPR to promote events, tournaments, and initiatives that foster community engagement and player development. Together, they will work toward creating a more inclusive and accessible pickleball landscape, encouraging players of all ages and skill levels to embrace the game.

Pickleball is a Popular Google Search Term

According to a study of Google analytics by the sports betting website Betting-AZ, pickleball ranks among the most popular sports search terms in America.

The research analyzed Google Trends data for more than 45 sports of the last 12 months for search terms often associated with learning new sports, analyzing how many times terms such as “[sport] rules”, “[sport] [facilities] near me” and “how to play [sport]” have been Googled on average.

The data revealed the sport that most people are eager to learn about is golf, which had an average monthly search volume of 1,373,100. Basketball took second place, with an average of 1,329,612 monthly searches. The third most popular sport Americans Googled was football, which had an average monthly search volume of 1,275,722. Pickleball came in fourth, on average, with 1,130,299 monthly searches.

Commenting on these findings, a spokesperson from Betting-AZ says: “It’s fascinating to see which sports people are keenest to learn and play, with the data highlighting the popularity of golf at the top list and pickleball, which has recently increased in popularity.

Geoff Hedges Racquet Club Director

ghedges@bigcanoe.org

“It is fascinating to see the rise in popularity of pickleball, with many recreation centers including the sport in their facilities,” he continued. “According to the United States Pickleball Association, there are more than 10,724 locations nationwide to play, with an additional 1,557 sites including the sport as part of their roster by the end of 2022. This further emphasizes the popularity, and those yet to try the sport should get involved.”

Last Issue’s Trivia Contest Winner Is …

Congratulations! We drew our winner from a pool of readers who submitted correct answers, and Vicki Logonja, Spalding Woods Mixed Doubles A8 won a prize pack from FILA! 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. The Atlanta Open is one of the premier tennis tournaments where ATP players come to our city in July. The event kicks off with a women’s event, the Sunday. Showdown. Which two players will face off in that exhibition? Coco Gauff and Leylah Fernandez

2. What organization dedicates its mission to enrich the lives of children who have suffered a brain injury and give hope to their families by providing support and education? Team Luke Hope for Minds

September/October Trivia Contest

Enter for your chance to win a new racquet from HEAD!

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: Monday, October 9.

1. Which American tennis player was the top seed and captured the Atlanta Open singles title and whom did he defeat?

2. What is the name of the professional pickleball team in Atlanta which will compete in the MLP tournament here in September and who owns the team?

3. Who were the three people recognized and honored during the 2023 Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony?

11. Judges reserve the right to title photos if no title is provided and to change the category into which a photo has been entered.

12. 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.

13. Judges reserve the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet the above rules and regulations. 14. All winning photos will be featured in the annual November/December edition of Net News

1. Photos must be provided in a high resolution format. (300dpi at a minimum of 5" x 7") This means your photo will be a file that is between 1.5MB and 3MB in size!

2. When uploading images from your phone, always choose the "Actual Size" option.

3. Low resolution, non-reproducible images will not be considered for the photo contest.

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Saluting Our Scholars

Meet the 2023 L. Keith Wood Scholarship Winners

BY RITA MALOOF, ALTA FOUNDATION PRESIDENT

One of the premier initiatives of ALTA Foundation is its L. Keith Wood Scholarship program. Since its inception seven years ago, more than $145,000 in scholarship money has been awarded to graduating high school students who have participated in either ALTA junior programs or programs sponsored by the ALTA Foundation.

This year, a panel of six judges reviewed and scored applications received from more than 50 amazing, well-deserving applicants. Selection criteria was based on a balance of tennis play, scholastic achievement, community service, and essay responses. All recipients displayed a passion for the game of tennis and provided outstanding representation of the at-large community of ALTA.

W hile we wish we could award a scholarship to all applicants, these nine, well-rounded individuals rose to the top and received a $2,500 award toward their post-secondary education expenses. As an added perk, our winners were treated to a day of tennis and recognized on center court for their accomplishments at this year’s Atlanta Open on ALTA Day.

Please join us in congratulating our 2023 scholarship winners and their families.

ASHA AHN

Atlanta, GA

ALTA Facility: Dekalb Tennis Center

Graduate of: The Paideia School

Attending: Barnard College of Columbia University

What’s one thing you want to do your first week at college? Travel throughout New York City.

Rollercoasters: love or hate them? Love!

Favorite holiday? Halloween

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

At a publishing company.

What was the last TV show you bingewatched? “The Bear”

If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pizza

Asha Ahn

Photos by Laura Barnard

SOFIA ARBOLEDA Decatur, GA

ALTA Facility: Dekalb Tennis Center

Graduate of: St. Pius X Catholic High School

Attending: University of Georgia

A genie grants you three wishes –what are they? 1) Meet Taylor Swift. 2) Go to all the Disney parks in the world with my family and grandparents. 3) Go to all the tennis Grand Slams.

If you could pick a superpower, what would it be and why? Flying. I love to visit new places, and flying seems like a really fun way to transport yourself. Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? Live in the moment.

AMI DODD-MUNGIN Atlanta, GA

ALTA Facility: Briscoe Park

Graduate of: Atlanta Girls School

Attending: Spelman College

What is the best vacation you ever had? My favorite vacation was when my family traveled to France and Italy for Thanksgiving in 2019. The sights were amazing, and the food was so delicious. I had wanted to visit there, so it was a dream come true to walk the streets of Rome.

What was the first thing you said you wanted to be when you grew up? An astronaut. I’m still reaching for the stars now.

What talent do you have that most people don’t know about you? I can sing. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I see myself earning my Ph.D. in psychology and starting my own practice to offer therapeutic services to those in need. If you could travel back in time to any place, where would you go and why? I would travel back in time to talk to my dad and tell him about all the things I have done since he passed away.

Ami Dodd-Mungin

Sofia Arboleda

Photo by Laura Barnard

SAMANTHA FRASER

Buford, GA

ALTA Wheelchair Facility: Hudlow Tennis Center

Graduate of: North Gwinnett High School

Attending: University of Arizona

A genie grants you three wishes –what are they? 1) Travel the world. 2) Help more kids get into adaptive sports. 3) Be rich.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully, as a member of the U.S. Wheelchair Basketball team.

Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? In order to be your true self, you first have to accept yourself.

If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Chicken Alfredo

SAHANA PAREKH

Duluth, GA

ALTA Facility: Bunten Road Park

Graduate of: Paul Duke STEM High School

Attending: Emory University

Do you hope to study abroad? If so, where would you like to go and why? Yes, I would love to go to Milan and study the fashion business.

Do you collect anything? What, why, and/or for how long? I collect medallions from each national park I’ve visited. I’ve been collecting for about six years, and it helps me remember the trip.

Do you have a favorite type of music, and do you have a favorite band or singer? Indie pop and Shawn Mendes

If you could travel in time to any place, where and when would you go and why? I’d go back to the beginning of high school and do more of the things I love and study less.

If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Palak Paneer (an Indian dish).

SAMANTHA RUDER

Roswell, GA

ALTA Facility: Horseshoe Bend Country Club

Graduate of: Centennial High School

Attending: University of Tennessee

Rollercoasters – love or hate them?

LOVE!

What was the first thig you said you wanted to be when you grew up? A veterinarian.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Owning my own vet clinic.

What was the last TV show you bingewatched? “Grey’s Anatomy”

Who is your favorite professional tennis player and why? Coco Gauff. She’s made it so far; she’s so young, and she’s inspiring.

Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? Enjoy the little things — they make the biggest memories.

CAROLINE SCOTT

Dunwoody, GA

ALTA Facility: Dunwoody Country Club

Graduate of: Wesleyan School

Attending: University of Georgia

A genie grants you three wishes –what are they? 1) Ability to fly. 2) Have unlimited money. 3) Be able to control the weather.

What was the first thing you said you wanted to be when you grew up? A doctor.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully, out of med school and working in a hospital.

Is there a celebrity you would like to hang out with for an afternoon and what would you do? I’d love to go on a shopping spree with Taylor Swift.

What movie or song title best describes your life? “Sweet Caroline”

Photos by Laura Barnard

Samantha Fraser

Samantha Ruder

Sahana Parekh

Caroline Scott

AVERY SISSON

Canton, GA

ALTA Facility: Woodmont Golf and Country Club

Graduate of: Creekview High School

Attending: Georgia Institute of Technology

Do you hope to study abroad? If so, where would you like to go and why? Yes. I’d like to go to France and practice my French.

Beach or mountains? Beach!

What talent do you have that most people don’t know about? I’m a former gymnast.

Who is your favorite tennis professional and why? Roger Federer. He’s an amazing tennis player and a great guy. What is your favorite type of music, and do you have a favorite band or singer? Fleetwood Mac and Taylor Swift

MICHAEL THOMAS Suwanee, GA

ALTA Facility: Grand Cascades

Graduate of: Blessed Trinity Catholic High School

Attending: Georgia Institute of Technology

What was the best vacation you ever had? Going to Kanab, Utah and visiting the national parks in Utah and Arizona. What talent do you have that most people don’t know about you? I have a really good memory.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully, working as an engineer on a project that can change the world.

If you could pick a superpower, what would it be and why? Teleportation. I could go anywhere anytime. I’d get to skip Atlanta traffic.

Is there a celebrity you would like to hang out with and what would you do? I’d hang out with the Rock (Dwayne Johnson). We’d go to a pro tennis match and then go to the gym.

Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? Losers quit when they get tired. Winners quit when they win.

PRO-LEVEL STRINGING EXPERIENCE

Avery Sisson

Michael Thomas

The Junior Challenge Ladder Senior Spotlight

BY STACEY SIMMONS, JUNIOR CHALLENGE LADDER VICE PRESIDENT

The Junior Challenge Ladder (JCL) is one of many fun tennis experiences offered by ALTA. Each year, we recognize our graduating seniors who are moving on and hoping to make a difference in the world. We asked this year’s JCL seniors to share their memories and stories of what impact the JCL had on their lives, both on and off the court.

Maanas Junghare

Maanas Junghare was 13 when he picked up a racquet. Living in Johns Creek, he became an ALTA junior member and played for Wellington’s junior ALTA team and later for Lexington Woods. He currently trains at the Darko-Byrd Tennis Academy at the Standard Club. Junghare gives credit to his parents as an important, driving force behind his tennis game. He says he has also been influenced by Coach Charles Byrd, Pete Bauer, Viv Chhetri, and Attila Azucki, under whom he’s been lucky enough to have the opportunity to train.

“They helped me develop a love for the game,” says Junghare. Some of his tennis idols include David Ferrer, David Nalbandian, and Rafael Nadal, whom he says influenced him to be more persevering and hard-working. His advice for younger players is to practice with 110-percent effort because that will translate into how they play in matches. “Make sure to have fun while playing. If you don’t feel the fun and love for the game, take a short break because it’s necessary to enjoy the sport if you want to excel in tennis.”

He adds that tennis has allowed him to make friends from the countless tournaments he has played. “It has also taught me discipline, perseverance, and the importance of hard work.” He says his favorite memory was playing on the ladder for the first time this past year and placing first. “I met a ton of new people and reconnected with some old friends,” he said. Junghare is headed to the University of Georgia on the pre-medicine track and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in either Microbiology or Biochemistry.

Caroline Malcolm

Carolina Malcolm started playing tennis when she was 11 years old and played junior ALTA out of While Columns Country Club and played in the JCL in 2021 and 2022. “I have taken private lessons with Kim Allen since I picked up a racquet, and she has taught me the true game of tennis; the inner/mental side of how to win,” says Malcolm. She says she is also grateful for her guidance, coaching, and friendship over the past eight years.

Malcolm also trains with Taylor Johnson in the Alpharetta-Milton area and has played varsity tennis for Milton High School. “I want to also thank Coach Taylor for making the game such an enjoyable one, and for my younger sister, Stephanie, for pushing me to become a better person and player on and off the court. I would not play the level of tennis I do today if it wasn’t for her.” Malcolm also credits her father for his support and encouragement in allowing her to play tennis all the way up to the varsity level. She says tennis has given her a reason to be outside, while providing an outlet in an often-stressful high school year, as well as helped her form friendships through her academy and varsity team. “But most importantly, it has allowed me the chance to work at a challenging and competitive sport, shaping my character on and off the court.”

Her best memory was working extremely hard to climb the ladder in 2021, so she could challenge her sister who was always ahead of her. “When I finally did challenge her, we had the fiercest match of our lives. My mom even walked home because she found it too stressful to watch,” she recalls. Malcolm won in a tiebreaker and said it was quite the accomplishment. “Still, Stephanie finished a couple rankings ahead of me during the 2022 season.” She will be attending the University of Georgia in the fall to study piano performance and has some good advice for rising tennis stars. “There will always be seasons of winning and losing. Don’t let [the losses] discourage you, because without failure, there is no growth.”

Matteo Maddaleni

Matteo Maddaleni has played on the Junior Challenge Ladder for eight seasons, as he first picked up a racquet at age eight and first played at the Riverside Club where his mom worked. He also played junior ALTA for five seasons and has a City Champion title from his 10U team in 2014. Maddaleni trained at Blackburn Tennis Center and worked with the UTA team. “My mom and dad did a lot of driving over the years to practices and tournaments, so that helped me be able to play tennis,” says Maddaleni. He adds that tennis is good exercise and all the years of training have helped him stay in good shape. “I also realize how much consistency in whatever you do helps you perform better in anything you do.”

He says those off the court who had great influence on him are his first coach, Noel Wadawu, ATP former number-one player Novak Djokovic, and Arnold Schwarzenegger because they all promote and practice dedication. “I would tell a younger player to have fun in the process,” he says. “Tennis is both a mental and physical game. The biggest challenge for me was managing the nerves so I would suggest finding a way to not get nervous before matches and just have fun.”

Speaking of fun, Maddaleni says his best memory of the JCL was going to the Atlanta Open and having a clinic with other JCL players and the tennis pros. “It was pretty cool to be on the practice courts and hit with a professional tennis player,” he said. Maddaleni is currently attending Georgia College and State University’s summer program and will begin full-time in the fall. He plans to study business and entrepreneurship and is excited to participate in Greek life while in college. “I am currently focusing on weight training and body building and hope to play club tennis in college.”

At the age of seven, Samantha Ruder decided to start playing tennis and began at East Roswell Park, before working on her game out of her neighborhood with tennis pros at Horseshoe Bend Country Club. She has been on the Junior Challenge Ladder all four years while in high school. Ruder says her mom and coaches have had the biggest influence on her tennis ability. “My mom introduced me to the game of tennis after having spent several years going with her to her matches. It has proven to be one of the best additions to my life,” says Ruder.

After watching her mom play tennis for all those years and never give up, she says it inspired her to do the same in all facets of her life. “She taught me to treat every point as if it was match point against me. That sort of resolve crosses over into everyday life,” Ruder says. She also credits her coaches throughout the years who have pushed her to be the best player she can be and never gave up on her. “Tennis has provided me with so much. Not only is it an amazing outlet to work through and let go of the stress of daily life, but it also gave me a second family in the form of team tennis (ALTA and high school tennis). I have made some of my closest friends while on the court.”

R uder believes that tennis can be a daunting sport, especially when you play singles. “It’s just you out there alone on the court and it can be overwhelming. I would tell younger players to never give up, even when you feel all hope is lost in a match. All it takes is one point to turn the tide and get back into the match,” she says. Ruder is headed to the University of Tennessee this fall and plans to study animal sciences to ultimately become a veterinarian.

Caroline Scott

C aroline Scott first picked up a racquet when she was five and later played in ALTA’s Junior Leagues at Dunwoody Country Club. She worked hard on her game at her school, Wesleyan, and trained at Perimeter College at Georgia State University. She says David Stolle and Johnathon Sykes worked with her during her four years of high school tennis. “They have shaped me into not only a better player but a better person. They helped me improve my skills and my mental game throughout high school,” says Scott. She adds that tennis has given her some of her best friends and favorite teammates. “I have learned how to be a leader through being captain of my team.” Scott tells others above anything else, the key to enjoying the tennis experience is to have fun while you are playing. “Remember that being a good person that your opponent respects is more important than any win,” she says. Scott will attend the University of Georgia and is hoping to play club or intramural tennis this fall.

Kellen Simmons

W hen he was only four years old, Kellen Simmons had a racquet in his hand and later played on several ALTA teams out of Washington Park and Sweetwater Tennis Center, before adding the JCL to his tennis career during his four years of high school. He still works on his game at South Fulton Tennis Center. Simmons says his family and coaches have supported him and pushed him to be his best on and off the court. He adds, “My coaches have also kept me disciplined and put a lot of time into helping me develop my game.”

Simmons believes that competing and practicing has helped him stay in good shape and has resulted in good friends whom he met through tennis. One of his favorite highlights of being on the JCL was being a part of a professional clinic at the Atlanta Open this year. “The clinic was amazing. It was extremely fun getting to talk to professional players and learn from them,” he said. Speaking of learning, Simmons would tell young players to work on their weaknesses until they become their strengths. “There is always something you can improve in your game,” Simmons says. He plans to take a gap year following high school but hopes to play collegiate tennis in the future.

G ood luck to all these impressive JCL seniors!

Samantha Ruder

Winter registration is Sept. 15 – Oct. 13

Winter season runs Jan. 7 – Feb. 18

The Complex Process of Leveling an ALTA Team

BY JOHN LOWELL, MIXED DOUBLES VICE PRESIDENT

By the time you read this, I will have completed my final season as the Mixed Doubles Vice President. It has been my honor to serve the more than 20,000 ALTA members who have played Mixed Doubles each of those seasons. I’m devoting my final article to the most misunderstood process in ALTA — leveling of teams, as well as the effect that asking for a Request for Review can have on this process.

Leveling is one of the most difficult tasks that an ALTA volunteer faces. In the Mixed Doubles League, we have between 900 and 1,000 teams, and between 160 and 210 of them have done a Request for Review (RFR) during my tenure. Our goal, of course, is to put each team at its appropriate level to ensure fair and equitable competition. That’s not always easy.

Each division has either eight teams resulting in seven weeks of matches or seven teams resulting in six matches and a bye. That means that we sometimes must move teams to a different level to make scheduling work. Sometimes, we do that based on RFR, and sometimes we do it based simply on ALTA’s needs.

Let’s talk about RFRs. When a captain or other ALTA member submits a roster for a season, they have the option of requesting that we take a closer look at their team during leveling. They check one or more boxes and then can write a narrative explaining why their team should be placed at the requested level. With respect to the Mixed Doubles League, I can tell you that for every team that requested a level change through an RFR over the last four seasons, I looked in detail at the recent play history of every player that the team lost and gained. In addition, the appropriate overall coordinator did a similar analysis for each team within their purview. When the RFR was honest, I knew it, and when the RFR provided alternative facts, I knew that as well. Remember, this is a Request for Review, not a demand for a level to which we must adhere.

What exactly happens when you do an RFR? We evaluate

your team based on the roster you submitted. So, if you tell us you lost players and you later try to add back the players you lost, the system might not let you. Is that fair? Of course, it is. We leveled the team without your line 1 pair, for example, so when you want to add them back after you’ve been granted your lower level, we’re not going to allow that.

In fact, when you try to add a player to your roster after schedules have come out, as most of you know, the system looks first at the ranking of the player compared to the level at which your team has been placed. If you are a returning team and the player was on your roster the season before, the system will usually let you do that. A major exception occurs when your team has done an RFR. In cases where we did partially or fully grant your request to be leveled lower, the system automatically disqualifies your attempt to add that former team member as an “automatic” add. It necessitates a more complex process, and you might not be able to add that particular player.

Leveling is difficult. ALTA volunteers try extremely hard to get it right. That said, we never will. We pay extreme attention to RFRs. Evaluating them always requires a lot of judgment. There is no formula. In fact, the mere presence of an RFR means we are going outside the formula.

Frivolous RFRs do not help you or your team. When you put information in there that is simply not true, I look at everything you’ve written with a jaundiced eye. My strong suspicion is that other volunteers do as well.

When we make a big error in leveling by placing your team too high, it bothers us as much as it bothers you. What we tend to do is give you special consideration the next season. The ALTA leveling process is self-correcting, although it might take a season, or even two or three, to get it right with respect to your team.

Yes, it has been my honor; it has been my pleasure as well. I’ll see you around the courts but not wearing that VP Mixed Doubles name badge.

Photos by Laura Barnard

SENIOR MIXED Winter registration is Sept. 15 – Oct. 13

season runs Jan. 6 – Feb. 17

The New 5-Line Senior Mixed League Kicks Off This Winter

BY GINA CLANCE, SENIOR LEAGUES VICE PRESIDENT

By now, you have heard the Senior Mixed Double League will be using a five-line format beginning in January 2024 — one line of men’s doubles, one line of women’s doubles, and three lines of mixed doubles. We are very excited about this because YOU asked for it! Through a couple of surveys and in talking with ALTA members throughout the year, you said you wanted MORE senior tennis. Adding a line of mixed doubles to the Senior League will put more people on the courts! Hopefully, this will be a start to getting more seniors playing tennis. Registration begins September 15 and runs through October 13. You will need a minimum of 12 players (six men and six women) to register your team, but as always, having a few extras is smart captaining. Get your rosters in, so you don’t miss out on some fun winter tennis!

We had a fantastic summer season with the Senior Men’s and Senior Women’s Leagues! Thank you to everyone for making sure this fun league stays fun — courtside cookouts, waiting for players stuck in traffic, and playing lines early to help other teams. Good sportsmanship and common courtesy truly shine when the Georgia summer temperatures reach 90+ degrees or when a thunderstorm rolls through an hour before match time. Your ALTA volunteers really appreciate all the things you do to keep tennis fun!

Remember, ALTA needs YOU to help grow the Senior Leagues! Talk it up to tennis friends; help a new captain find players; split your roster if folks aren’t getting much playing time. The more senior teams we have, the less time you’ll spend on the road getting to matches.

See you on the courts!

Photos by Laura Barnard

WHEELCHAIR

Fall season runs Sept. 5 – Oct. 17

The Home Stretch of the 2023 ALTA Wheelchair Tennis Program

BY MARK LAROTONDA, SPECIAL PROGRAMS VICE PRESIDENT

The ALTA Wheelchair program is in the final stretch for 2023. The summer brought us fun yet competitive Run/Roll matches. Five weekly clinics were held where new players learned the basics of wheelchair tennis, while the more experienced players fine-tuned their skills throughout the season.

We will finish off the year with Fall Wheelchair Doubles matches. There is still time to come down and join in on the fun. We are at the Hudlow Tennis Center in Norcross on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.

If you are interested, please reach out to our VP of Special Programs at specialprogramsvp@altatennis.org.

Photos by Laura Barnard

WAS IT REALLY A LET?

I was serving in doubles. The first serve hit the net, went over, and hit the receiver’s foot prior to bouncing. My partner and I argued that it was our point since the ball hit the receiver prior to bouncing. They insisted that it was a let since it hit the net prior to hitting the receiver. We conceded and took a first serve. What was the correct call?

HOME OR AWAY COURTS?

Some of our facility courts are being resurfaced so they won’t be available for all our home matches. Under these circumstances, can we play our home matches at nearby courts that are available?

Susan Levin, Sunday Women’s League Vice President

A: Adult Rules IV. Dual Meets, J. If the Home team is unable to provide its home courts, then the visiting team has the first option of providing its home courts. Once you know which matches your courts will not be available, you’ll need to notify the visiting captain. If they decide to host the match on their courts, they will be the home team. But if the visiting team doesn’t provide its courts, then the responsibility reverts back to the scheduled home team which must provide courts within the approved ALTA area at the scheduled time.

PROS HAVE NO COMMENT

My partner and I had a disagreement with our opponents during our ALTA match. We were fortunate that our courts have a resident pro whom we asked how to handle it. Did we do what we should have done?

John Lowell, Mixed Doubles Vice President

The short answer is no.

ALTA Rule IV.H. specifies that “COACHING

Wendy Fee, Junior Leagues Vice President

Your opponents were correct in that it should have been played as a let because it hit the net first. According to the 2018 USTA Friend At Court (which can be found on the ALTA website), Rules of Tennis #22, page 11:22. THE LET DURING A SERVE. The service is a let if: a. The ball served touches the net, strap or band, and is otherwise good; or, after touching the net, strap or band, touches the receiver or the receiver’s partner or anything they wear or carry before hitting the ground.

IS ILLEGAL. Spectators (including teammates, coaches, and fans) may not volunteer advice on line calls, scoring, or the conduct of the match.” In addition, while your pro might have expertise on the rules of tennis, it frequently happens that they do not have expertise in ALTA Rules. What advice do we have for you? Print off and keep with you a copy of the ALTA Rules, USTA Friend at Court, and if you are a captain, the ALTA Captain’s Handbook. All of these are downloadable from the ALTA website and all may be consulted during a match.

If you still don’t have an answer, call (or have your captain call) an ALTA volunteer. Start with your Flight coordinator. And, if you can’t get in touch with them, try the overall coordinator who covers your level. You’ll almost always get an answer, and it will be one you can depend on.

WHERE’S MY NICE SPREAD?

Does ALTA require home teams to provide food or drinks at matches?

Gina Clance, Senior Leagues Vice President

ALTA has never REQUIRED teams to provide food or drinks at matches. It became a fun tradition years ago, with some teams providing full catered meals or pulling out a grill for burgers and hot dogs. In 2020, most teams stopped having food to share at matches due to CDC COVID guidelines. Some teams have chosen to continue that, but many have gone back to bringing food and drinks to share. But it is not required by ALTA. HOWEVER, as a courtesy to your visitors, it would be nice if you could let them know before match day if you will not be providing anything at all. Especially in the summer leagues, we want to make sure players have enough water/sports drinks to stay hydrated in the heat. So, please let your opponents know if you will or will not be providing any food or drinks to share at your match.

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. ALTA officials answer questions in each issue of Net News and yours could be chosen next. Submit your question, along with your name, league, team name and level to altaeditor@altatennis.org.

Photos by Laura Barnard

The Underdog

match. When the same shot that went out in the last event now hits the line when you need it most.

The Tennis Gods gifted this player with thunderous bolts of lightning from every swing he possesses. The ability to hit decisive winners from any place on the court. He also possesses an extremely high tennis I.Q. that allows him to problem-solve even the toughest situations. Oh yeah … the kid’s got a cannon of a serve!

in his hometown at the Atlanta Open. When Chris stepped on the court at the Open the stadium was sold out! Celebrities were everywhere — from athletes, musicians and politicians. Chris did not disappoint and brought that same extraordinary, passionate play to his hometown tournament.

Chris has broken into the Top 30 on the ATP world rankings and is not stopping there. This peaceful warrior has a plan for greatness and the work ethic to accomplish anything. Along the way, he will inspire and impact the world around him with his message of self-determination.

Tennis is absolutely on fire right now! The 2023 season has turned out some incredible play from the biggest tournaments in the world.

I want to focus my attention on the underdog; the competitor who goes beyond endurance and doubt to reach a level of performance of which only they can dream. These road warriors are not always on the stadium courts. They often can be found on the lonely outside courts, qualifying in the “big” tournaments while most of their travels take them to the smaller stops in the world of professional tennis.

Occasionally, these peaceful warriors do something special in the spotlight of the biggest stages in the tennis world. You can’t help but root for them. They are just like you, the fan, who dreams to play your best in the most pressure-packed moments. Where doubt was there before, now that’s replaced by confidence when you are serving for the

I’m talking about the most lethal weapon in tennis today: Atlanta’s own Chris “The Cannon” Eubanks! Chris won his first ATP Tour event the week before Wimbledon and took that momentum all the way to the quarterfinals and Centre Court Wimbledon. Along the way of that nine-match winning streak, his electrifying game and smile captivated the entire world. Chris was the first male player to reach the quarterfinals in his first Wimbledon since American Paul Annacone did it in 1984.

Chris began doing interviews beyond ESPN and Tennis Channel. It was Good Morning America (twice) and many other news outlets. It was not only his dynamic play but his calm demeanor on the court. Audiences gravitated to this supernova talent of power but cheered his humility.

When Chris arrived back in the States, the American audiences wanted everything Chris Eubanks. Chris played his first tournament after Wimbledon

He was not a highly ranked junior, and he was not highly recruited, but he landed at the perfect college culture to grow his talent at Georgia Tech. Head Tennis Coach Kenny Thorne is a veteran ATP player and accomplished coach. Georgia Tech helped Chris improve elements of his talent to All American accomplishments before turning pro after his junior year.

Once on the ATP Tour, it has been a roller coaster ride, but Chris never lost the relentless work ethic to find more game. All the pieces were there, but on the tour any weakness is exposed. Years of faith and belief in his destiny are paying off in the extraordinary outcomes we see from him today.

So, I say let’s cheer for the underdog who never lost the faith and kept going back to the practice court after heartbreaking losses because he knew one day the moment would come when he could “fire the cannons” on the biggest courts in the biggest tournaments against the greatest players in the world.

LUKE

Luke Jensen

—

JENSEN FRENCH OPEN DOUBLES CHAMPION

Mastering The Upgrade

Quick tips to help you select your racquet

BY MARK KOVACS, PHD, CTPS, MTPS, KOVACS INSTITUTE & INTERNATIONAL TENNIS PERFORMANCE ASSOCIATION

In the realm of competitive tennis, the journey from casual player to skilled enthusiast often involves upgrading equipment to match advancing skills. Choosing the perfect tennis racquet can be a daunting task, as numerous factors come into play, influencing everything from power and control to maneuverability and spin potential. The ideal tennis racquet for each player exists, but it is different for everyone based on a multitude of individual factors. Below are some important areas for players to consider when deciding on their next racquet.

Evaluating player style and skill level

Understanding tennis racquet specifications

To embark on the path of upgrading, players must have a grasp of tennis racquet specifications or work with a quality tennis professional who has strong knowledge in this area. Key elements include head size, racquet length, balance, weight, and grip size. Head size, usually measured in square inches, impacts the “sweet spot’s” size and forgiveness. A larger head size (usually greater than 100 square inches) is suitable for beginner and intermediate players seeking a generous sweet spot for better ball contact. Advanced players might lean toward smaller head sizes (<100 square inches) for enhanced control and precision.

Racquet length, commonly 27 inches, affects reach and maneuverability. Longer racquets offer increased leverage but may reduce maneuverability. For most players, a standard-length racquet suffices.

Balance refers to how weight is distributed

along the racquet’s length. A racquet can be “head-light,” “head-heavy,” or evenly balanced. Head-light racquets are more maneuverable but offer less power, while head-heavy racquets enhance power but may sacrifice maneuverability. Intermediate players often prefer a slightly head-light or even-balanced racquet for versatility. Racquet weight is critical and typically ranges from nine to 12 ounces. Lighter racquets promote easy maneuverability, while heavier ones offer stability and power. The weight range preferred by most players may fall within nine to 11 ounces. Grip size impacts player comfort and control. Several factors go into choosing the right grip based on the grips used on forehands, backhands, and serves, as well as the swing speed. A proper grip size ensures a comfortable and secure hold on the racquet.

As players progress, their playing style and skill level evolve. Identifying whether they are aggressive baseliners, all-court players, or serve-and-volley specialists is crucial when selecting the right racquet. Aggressive baseliners might prefer racquets with open string patterns (16x19) for more spin potential, while serve-and-volley players might opt for denser string patterns (18x20) to optimize control.

Likewise, players’ skill levels impact racquet preferences. Beginners should focus on user-friendly racquets with larger head sizes and lighter or moderate weights, whereas intermediate and advanced players can explore racquets with enhanced control, precision, and power.

String selection and tension

The strings serve as the racquet’s interface with the ball, affecting spin, power, and control. Players can choose between synthetic gut, polyester, and multifilament strings, each offering distinct playing characteristics. Beginners may opt for synthetic gut strings, which offer a blend of power and comfort. Advanced players might experiment with polyester strings for added control and spin. String tension, measured in pounds, further influences a racquet’s performance and should be rather individualized based on grips, swing paths, and swing speeds.

Conclusion

Selecting the perfect tennis racquet for players involves a comprehensive understanding of racquet specifications, player style, skill level, materials, and string considerations. Armed with this advanced knowledge, players can make an informed decision that aligns with their playing preferences and goals. Upgrading to the right racquet not only enhances performance but also elevates the overall enjoyment of the game. Working with a quality, certified tennis professional can help players find and upgrade to the best racquet for their tennis game.

PRO TIP: USE THE MOST UNUSED SERVE IN TENNIS

BY STEPHEN HUSS, PROGRAM DIRECTOR, HUSS 75 76 TENNIS AT CROOKED CREEK

Pros and amateurs both like to hit the “big serve,” and hitting an ace feels fantastic. But I encourage you to try the least used serve location with your first serve — the body serve. It seems counterintuitive to serve the ball straight to your opponent, but it tests their footwork and quickness to get out of the way to swing at the ball, especially against taller players who have good reach to the outside; it doesn’t allow them to take a full swing at the ball.

The body serve can be a great set-up for an easy volley or overhead for your partner at the net. A second-serve body serve is common, but not nearly as effective because the lack of speed on the serve gives your opponents more time to move and swing. So, try adding this shot to your repertoire!

Winning Doubles By Poaching Effectively

BY ALEXIS UBIERA, TENNIS DIRECTOR, MOUNTAIN CREST TENNIS CENTER

If you are poaching on a regular basis, you are using a winning formula for doubles play. The team that takes the net wins. You will put a lot of pressure on your opponents and off your partner’s shoulder.

For example, a good time to poach would be based on your partner’s ability to hit a good, strong serve; a serve into the body or down the tee to takes away angles. Another important point of poaching is based on when to poach. When the score is, 30/0, 40/15, 40/30 or 40/0 love, it is a good time to poach to finish the game or to give your team an advantage.

Communicate with your partner before each point so you are on the same page and have a game plan for the next point. Copy the professionals and talk to each other; signals can be seen by members of your opposing team and used against you. When poaching, make your move before your opponent connects with the ball.

Lastly and the most importantly, be committed to poaching on the point. Do not hesitate. When you do, you create fear within yourself which affects your timing and will most likely keep you from being successful.

See you on the court!

Hometown (City/ State): Cumming, GA.

How did you get involved in teaching tennis? As a ball-boy

Diehard fan of what sports team? Atlanta Braves

Best part of your game? Aggressive/ Strategy

Dream doubles match would be me and… Roger Federer

When I’m not teaching tennis, I’m… Spending time with my family.

My favorite tennis memory is: Traveling with my brother/coach.

My favorite professional player is: Roger Federer

#1 reason why I enjoy teaching & coaching tennis: My passion for teaching tennis is watching my students succeed.

What important tennis message do you want to promote? There is no shortcut; if you work hard and train hard, you will achieve wonders.

GPTA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT: ALEXIS UBIERA

At 50-Plus Years Old, Your Best Tennis Is Still Ahead Of You

BY NEERU JAYANTHI, M.D., DIRECTOR, EMORY TENNIS MEDICINE PROGRAM

It’s common for adult tennis players to feel that their best tennis is behind them. Some players complain they are slower, get injured more, and don’t get to play as much. I have been playing tennis competitively for nearly 40 years, and I have felt all those same things. However, at 51 years old, I still feel that my BEST tennis may be AHEAD of me. As a sports and tennis medicine physician, I do recognize that we haven’t developed an “anti-aging” formula, but there are a number of reasons that it may be possible to extend your competitive tennis career and take advantage of the many adult competitive tennis opportunities.

I’ve been so excited and impressed with the number of high-quality tennis opportunities for us “aging” tennis players. These include ALTA senior divisions; senior local, regional, and national tournaments; USTA 40+ and senior divisions; playing in open leagues (to show those younger players you still “got it”); and playing with family. There are several ways that you can have even better tennis experiences as you get older!

Health benefits

Tennis is the healthiest of all sports, according to some high-quality studies. Playing tennis or racquet sports regularly (at least three hours/week) can reduce the risk of death by 47 percent when compared to sedentary activities. This was evaluated in a published study of >80,000 adults, controlling for many other factors. More specifically, the Copenhagen Heart Study, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, of 9,000 adults who play tennis regularly live 9.7 years longer than those that don’t play tennis and are sedentary. No other sport comes close to this type of health benefit, and I believe this is not only due to the cardiorespiratory benefit of tennis, but because of the strong social dynamics of tennis and particularly league tennis.

Rehabilitation/fitness

Although progressive, degenerative changes of joints and tendons may be in large part unavoidable, the data is clear that targeted and comprehensive rehabilitation programs can treat and improve the large majority of the conditions that adult tennis players may encounter. Specifically, in hip and knee osteoarthritis, rehabilitation and water-based, low-impact exercise programs reduce symptoms. In fact, knee pain ratings are also lower on clay courts than hard courts. Most degenerative tendon problems (tennis/ golfer’s elbow, Achilles, rotator cuff, patellar tendon) have dedicated rehabilitation and strengthening pro-

grams, which have been shown to be effective in all of these conditions. This may be complemented with additional interventions (biologic injections, and/ or other procedures or surgeries) only when necessary in a minority of patients. Rehabilitation may be focused (eccentric) strengthening for certain areas such as Achilles tendon, and more complex for other areas, such as rotator cuff. Preparing the body through rehabilitation programs and optimizing fitness may prepare a player for the demands of competitive tennis (regardless of age).

Biologic treatments (regenerative medicine)

Many of us may not be able to avoid the degenerative progression of our joints and tendons. While this is a normal aging process that may become symptomatic and inhibit playing tennis for some, there may be some potential options to possibly delay this progression. In the appropriate patients who meet criteria, the use of a patient’s own cells through injection into specific joints or tendons called Biologic treatments or regenerative medicine may offer a non-surgical alternative for extending tennis participation. Limiting treatment options, such as steroid injections (which may advance degeneration) and elective surgical options when appropriate, may potentially help extend a career, while joint replacement surgery (for arthritis) and other surgeries may be better choices for advanced degenerative disease. While there are some encouraging studies and anecdotal results from these treatments, it is important to understand the specific indications for treatments such as PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) or stem cell injections (and when these treatments may NOT be effective). Common areas and indications for tennis players based on our experience and research may include the knee joint and degenerative tendons (Table 1): While these treatments may have promise for some players, they do not help all players. A detailed discussion about your specific treatment options, including traditional treatments such as rehabilitation or surgery, must be discussed with your physician.

Tennis 10+ warm up/cool down program

We’ve previously published in Net News about a tennis-specific warm up and cool down program that we created and researched in >350 adult recreational league players. The Tennis 10+ program (https://bit.ly/3KfeAR4) is essentially 10 exercises (six dynamic warm up, four cool down) that can be performed on court prior to and after playing tennis in just minutes. Our preliminary data suggest that doing this five-minute warmup (and five-minute cool down) exercise program may reduce the rate of injuries and severity of injuries in those who are compliant (i.e., >50 percent of the time). As a league captain myself, I know that one of the most common reasons for unavailability is injury, which may be preventable in some situations. I encourage EVERY adult recreational tennis player to make sure they do the Tennis 10+ warmup/cool down program to help reduce injuries and absences from league tennis!

While I sometimes tell patients that there are only two things that get better with age (wine and cheese), it is entirely possible to continue to have even more benefit from playing tennis after 50 years old (or as you age). Try to remember the immense health benefits, utilization of rehabilitation/ fitness to treat and reduce injuries, consider appropriate biologic treatment options for those proper indications, and do the Tennis 10+ warm up/cool down program before and after you play. I hope you enjoy playing and competing in tennis as you get older as much as I do!

Injury Type

Knee Osteoarthritis (+/Deg Meniscus Tear)

More Optimal results

Lower grade arthritis, Age <60, BMI (Body Mass Index <30), normal knee alignment

Less Optimal Results

Higher grade arthritis, Age>60, BMI>30, valgus or varus alignment

Degenerative tendons (Elbow, Rotator Cuff, Achilles, Patellar tendon)

References:

Failed appropriate tendon rehab, moderate to severe tendon degeneration without tear >1 cm

No accompanying rehabilitation, low grade tendon degeneration, or tears > 1cm

Oja P, Kelly P, Pedisic Z, et al Associations of specific types of sports and exercise with all-cause and cardiovascular-disease mortality: a cohort study of 80,306 British adults. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2017;51:812-817. Peter Schnohr, James H. O’Keefe, Andreas Holtermann, Carl J. Lavie, Peter Lange, Gorm Boje Jensen, Jacob Louis Marott, Various Leisure-Time Physical Activities Associated With Widely Divergent Life Expectancies: The Copenhagen City Heart Study, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Volume 93, Issue 12, 2018, Pages 1775-1785.

Table 1: Indications for Biologic Treatments (PRP and Stem Cell injections)

Should You Risk Pre-Match Energy Drinks And Caffeinated Sports Foods?

BY PAGE LOVE, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD, USPTA, AND COLTER ELLIS, DIETETIC INTERN

Drinks with higher levels of caffeine can dehydrate you more than the liquid itself hydrates, thus negating the benefit of using these beverages

From daily hydration outside or hydrating in the middle of a tiebreaker, there are many different beverage and sport food options to choose from that claim to enhance your energy levels. But should you take a risk on trying all the popular caffeinated sport foods and drinks before you walk onto the tennis court? Why do so many sport foods contain caffeine? Caffeine is a popular and common ingredient added to some of these energy and hydration products because of the perceived boost. Regarding improving performance without side effects, proceed with caution — especially when it’s hot outside.

Higher caffeine intake can increase your heart rate, adding extra stress to a cardiac system already in overload with the high anaerobic demands of tennis play. This, in turn, can accelerate dehydration, increasing your risk for heat illness from dizziness, loss of motor control accuracy or shot precision, to muscle cramps and even all out-heat exhaustion. Any one of these side effects can cause a negative match outcome or default situation!

Beware of energy drinks

Energy drinks have been around for decades and continue to gain popularity in the sport arena. They may contain vitamins and minerals, and carbohydrate energy. However, these drinks often include

multiple sources of herbal stimulants and other ingredients that are stimulatory including ma huang, guarana, ginseng, kola mate, taurine, theophylline, theobromine, glucuronolactone, and high levels of B-vitamins. Many energy drinks use multiple combinations of these ingredients (often referred to as “stacked”) with stimulants increasing risk of dehydration and heat illness! Additionally, these beverages often include the same amount of caffeine as two cups of home-brewed coffee (between 200300 mg of caffeine, on average). Other ingredients, such as taurine, can be presented in misleading ways. This nutrient has been shown to help with muscle contraction and fatigue, but while this might be beneficial by itself, the combination with other stimulants increases risk of dehydration. Also, high B-vitamin levels — especially high levels of niacin — can cause vasodilation and muscle flushing often at levels much above the safe dietary intake recommendations.

Why is caffeine of concern? Caffeine is a nervous system stimulant, causing a false sense of energy by increasing your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and increasing the rate that all organs function, including the rate your kidneys excrete urine, acting as a diuretic causing your body to excrete fluids, thus lowering body fluid levels (and less fluids for cooling muscles). These side effects are amplified when caffeine is combined with herbal plant extracts that mimic caffeine’s effects. While this may feel like a needed boost in your tennis playing performance, it can be detrimental by causing you to become tired sooner, partially from dehydration but also as the stimulation from caffeine and herbal stimulants wear off. Drinks with higher levels of caffeine can dehydrate you more than the liquid itself hydrates, thus negating the benefit of using these beverages for their original purposes to hydrate and provide real energy. Additionally, caffeine also acts as an appetite suppressant, making it more difficult to feel your hunger to fuel adequately before, during, or after your match.

What is a better choice? It is known, however, if you are a regular caffeine consumer, you may be less sensitive to caffeine and at less risk for dehydrating side effects, but the added consequences of “stacked” caffeine-like ingredients definitely outweigh any perceived energy gains you may think you have with using an energy drink.

Also be wary of preworkout drinks that contain caffeine

Pre-workout drinks that contain caffeine (and most of them do) also can be enticing, with claims of boosting your energy. These are similar to the composition of energy drinks and all have their own formulations that largely include caffeine and other similar stimulants listed above. The caffeine content in these products still can cause dehydration and work against the goal of pre-hydrating before a tennis match! Caffeinated pre-workout drinks also cause an increase in sweating, intensifying loss of body fluids before you even start playing, leading to earlyon fatigue in a match. Dehydration, fatigue, weakness, and loss of precision in shot execution all can be symptoms of becoming dehydrated.

Choose “real” sports beverages instead

Sports beverages that contain adequate electrolytes and carbohydrate energy such as Gatorade, Powerade, Liquid IV, and Pedialyte Sport are the most appropriate choices for hydration, especially for long matches or matches in the heat. Ideal composition is a 6-percent to 8-percent carbohydrate energy solution and 100 mg of sodium, as well as other key electrolytes lost in sweat such as chloride and potassium. Also, be aware that sugar-free beverages that only contain electrolytes (Gatorade Zero, Body Armour Lyte, Powerade Zero, Biosteel, etc.), will not provide energy for longer matches.

Non-caffeinated sports beverages and pre-workout beverages are superior choices for hydration before, during, and even

after tennis. And the energy drinks should be kept far from the tennis court!

What about caffeine energy gels and chews?

The last sport food to be wary of are caffeinated energy chews and gels. These are carbohydrate mixtures often also containing electrolytes in a thicker solution form. Most brands have both caffeinated and decaffeinated options. Those that contain caffeine contain much less caffeine than energy drinks, but if you are caffeine sensitive, avoid those as well. Definitely do not combine these with caffeine-containing energy drinks or pre-workout drinks! Perfect for some quick, absorbable energy and

easier to digest than more solid carbo hydrate foods, these sport food gels are quickly becoming a common choice for tennis players. Because the caffeine con tent is usually much lower than their drink counterparts (averaging 30-75 mg caffeine per serving), these can be a safer option for those who feel they can benefit from a small amount of caffeine. For those who are sensitive to caffeine, choose the decaffeinated options, so make sure to check the labels. Also, make sure to drink plenty of water with these as they do not contain enough liquid to hydrate and are really meant to be a compact energy and electrolyte source to be combined with water to fully replace a sport beverage.

Five top warning signs to consider about caffeine sport food intake

1. Many energy drinks contain between 200-300 mg caffeine, and those with heart conditions, such as high blood pressure or caffeine sensitivity, should be mindful of caffeine intake. You should limit your daily caffeine intake to 400 mg or less, bearing in mind the combined total for those who may drink more than one can a day, in addition to any coffee or other caffeine source.

2. Be aware and try to avoid the following ingredients that indicate stimulant side effects: ma huang, guarana, kola mate, ginseng, taurine, theophylline, theobromine, and glucuronolactone.

3. Caffeine is an appetite suppressant and may make it difficult to be hungry for pre- and post-workout

fueling snacks. This may also suppress overall hunger and can lead to less adequate fueling throughout the day.

4. High caffeine intake consumed within five hours of sleeping can disrupt sleep patterns. This may result in fatigue and prevent restful sleep. So, watch out for energy drinks before evening tennis, but also be aware that your next morning tennis also may be affected by inadequate sleep.

5. Caffeine-containing energy drinks can be dehydrating, especially the ones with 300 mg or more caffeine. This can cause unintentional increased heart rate during exercise with leads to increased kidney function and increased urine output.

Page Love is an avid ALTA participant and sport dietitian/nutrition advisor for the WTA and ATP professional tours, serves on the USTA sport science committee and holds a Masters in Sport Nutrition and works with players of all ages in her Sandy Springs practice. You can reach her at nutrifitga.com. Colter Ellis holds a bachelor’s in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of North Carolina Greensboro, and is a dietetic intern at Life University. She is a recreational and former high school tennis player, and is interested in both clinical and sports nutrition.

Square

Earlier this year, we had some fun with a “Well-Rounded” theme for your Court Cuisine recipes. So, for this issue, we thought we’d play with that theme again, but give it some edges. Please enjoy these square (but certainly not boring) treats submitted by your fellow ALTA players.

Crumbly Goodness

Magic Cookie Bars

Charity Muldoon, Baldwin Farms, Thursday Women B8

½ cup butter

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs

1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1 6 oz. package semi-sweet

chocolate chips

1 cups flaked coconut

1 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In 9x13 pan, melt butter in oven. Sprinkle crumbs over melted butter; pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumbs. Top with remaining ingredients, pressing down to compact. Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool; chill if desired. Cut into squares. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Dibs on these!

Tennis Bars

George Birdsong, Eagle Watch, Senior Men B3

1 18.5 oz. package yellow cake mix

3 eggs, divided

1 stick butter, melted

1 cup pecans, chopped

1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

1 16 oz. package powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine cake mix, 1 egg and butter until well mixed. Stir in pecans. Press into a greased 9x13 pan. In separate bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar, and remaining two eggs together. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake mixture. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Cool before cutting into squares.

So good!

Watermelon Salad

Vicki Lugonja, Spalding Woods

Mixed Doubles A8

5 cups watermelon, cubed

2 large cucumbers, peeled, sliced and quartered

1 ¼ cups feta, cubed

2 Tbsp. fresh mint, finely chopped

Dressing ingredients:

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 lime, juiced (about 2 Tbsp. juice)

1 tsp. honey

Make the dressing. Whisk the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Stir the salad. Stir the watermelon, cucumber, mint, and dressing in a large salad bowl. Add finishing touches. Add the feta and gently stir to combine. Garnish with additional mint if desired.

Needs a better name

Dump Cake

Sandra Thomson, Hog Mountain, Thursday Women B5

2 cans of any fruit (pineapples, cherries, peaches, apples or blueberries)

1 box of yellow cake mix

1 ½ sticks of butter, thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Dump fruit into 9x13 greased pan. Dump dry cake mix on top. Add butter slices on top, spread out evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into squares and serve.

Savory Snack

Baseline Bites

Wendy Doyle, Olde Atlanta Club, Sunday Women B1

2 12 oz. packages small sweet Hawaiian rolls

1 ½ lbs Virginia ham (hot honey ham)

12 slices Swiss cheese

1 stick butter

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

Poppy seeds, to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In two 9x13 pans, place bottoms of 12 rolls in each pan. Place ham (about 2 slices) on the rolls. Cut cheese into four parts and place two small slices on top of ham slices. Place the tops on the sandwiches. In a small saucepan, mix butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder and poppy seeds. Wait until butter is melted, mixing to combine, and then brush the melted mixture over the sandwiches. Bake for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted. (Can also let sit in fridge for an hour or overnight before baking.)

FROM THE VAULT

Chocolate Caramel Walnut bars

Submitted by Sara Roberts, Huntington Rec., 1996

1 14oz. bag caramels

cup (5 oz.) evaporated milk

1 box German chocolate cake mix

½ cup margarine, melted

1 ½ cups walnuts, chopped

1 16-oz. bag chocolate chips

Melt caramels with 1/3 cup evaporated milk over low heat. Combine remaining milk with cake mix and margarine; mix well. Press half of cake mixture into bottom of greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for six minutes. Sprinkle walnuts and chocolate chips over crust (hold back half of the walnuts for the final step). Top with caramel mixture, spreading to edges of the pan. Top with remaining cake mixture pressing into the caramel. Sprinkle remaining walnuts. Bake 20 minutes at 350. Cool slightly, then refrigerate. Cut into bars. No further refrigeration is necessary.

Two great things…

Sweet Potato Cornbread

Ann Dasher, Twin Lakes Mixed Doubles B3

2 cups self-rising white cornmeal

3 Tbsp. sugar

¼ tsp. pumpkin pie spice

5 eggs

2 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes

1 (8-oz.) container sour cream

½ cup butter, melted

Stir first three ingredients together, make a well in center. Whisk eggs and next three ingredients & add to dry ingredients. Stir until just moistened. Spoon into lightly greased 9-inch square pan. Bake at 425 degrees for 35 minutes.

Sweet & Salty! Caramel Pretzel Magic Bars

Ann Moren, Georgetown Sunday

Women B3

1 ½ cup graham cracker crumbs

6 Tbsp. butter, melted

14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

50+ pretzels (e.g., Snyder’s Snaps)

1 cup of caramel bits (Located near choc. chips at the grocery store.)

1 cup milk chocolate chips

1 cup sweetened coconut flakes

Mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter & press in a sprayed 13x9 pan. Pour about half the can of condensed milk over crust. Layer your pretzels as close together as you like over the condensed milk/crust. Sprinkle caramels, chocolate chips, & coconut flakes. Pour remaining half of condensed milk on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes until lightly brown. Let cool completely before cutting & serving.

STANDINGS SUMMER 2023

Mixed Doubles • Senior Women • Senior Men

Photos by Matthew Helton | majestickphotography.com

MIXED DOUBLES

A1 Bitsy Grant/Hard Courts (Ashley Massengale, captain)

AA2 Laurel Park (Edward Howard, captain)

AA3 Sandy Springs TC (Nisha Detchprohm, captain)

AA1 Smoke Rise Country Club (Arianne De Winter, captain)

CL 25 02 ST IVES CC 77

CHATTAHOOCHEE RE 62 SUMMIT SMOKE 60 GATES MILL SUBDI 51 PARSONS RUN 45 DOUBLEGATE 45 RIVERMIST/GWINNE 31

PEACHTREE STATIO (KANE) 28 04 LAUREL

A6 Dellinger Park (Laurie Brown, captain)

A7 Dellinger Park (Missy Bagwell, captain)

A4 Piedmont Chase (Katherine Kohl, captain)

A5 Wynbrook (Catherine Howard, captain)

A2 CC of Roswell (Ryan Singer, captain)

A3 Rock Springs Park (Hong Tuyet Huynh, captain)

A8 Havenstone (Stephanie Martin, captain)

B1 Harrison TC (Mike Rose, captain)

B5 Cooper Creek (George Draghiceanu, captain)

B4 Wildwood Springs (Clayton Reeks, captain)

B3 Creekside Golf & CC (Dale Cochrane, captain)

B2 Laurel Manor (Mark Bombulie, captain)

MARIETTA CC (BOURGEOIS) 28

SANDERS YMC 80

CE (VIVAREL) 68

54

GEORGIAN 68

C2 Bitsy Grant/Hard courts (Brandon Gzehoviak, captain) C3 Polo Golf & CC (Ted Mullen, captain)

B8 Apalachee River Club (Catherine Richardson, captain) C1 River Green (Heather Thomas, captain)

B6 Wild Timber (Lindsay Hofmann, captain)

B7 Oxford Mill (Jodie Hart, captain)

C4 Bentwater (Andy Whiten, captain)

C5 Chestnut Grove (Christopher Carroll, captain)

C6 Westchester S&T (Joni Puckett, captain)

C7 Hamilton Mill I (Gail Tucker, captain)

SENIOR WOMEN

28

03 OXFORD MILL 67

WYNTERHALL 64 ST MARLO CC 57

BROOKFIELD CC 46

GLENBROOKE 46

RIVERSIDE S&T 42

NESBIT LAKES 39

PINEWALK S&T 35

04 SUMMIT CHASE 71

STERLING ON THE 60 RIVERMOORE PARK 57

WOODS OF PARKVIE 53

BOBBY BAILEY TC 53

BUNTEN ROAD PARK 46

MORNING VIEW 28

HEBRON CHRISTIAN 28

B1

01 TRADITIONS OF BR 60

HIGHLANDS @ BRID 60

HIDDEN FALLS SUB 57

THE CLUB @ EDGEW 53

EE ROBINSON PARK 53

BRIGHT WATER 42

HAVENSTONE 42

REUNION 28

02 TOLLESON PARK 78

BURNT HICKORY RE 75

EAGLE WATCH (SUMMERS) 57

BROOKSTONE CC 50

MARIETTA CC (ATENCIO) 42

EAGLE WATCH (JANOS) 39

CREEKSIDE GOLF & 32

MARIETTA CC (OWENS) 25

03 WILD TIMBER 67

FIELDSTONE (JOHNSTON) 60

WINDERMERE/FORSY 57

DEERLAKE 57

FIELDSTONE (REED) 50

CREEKSTONE ESTAT (BRANDON) 50

EDINBURGH 32

CREEKSTONE ESTAT (FREDERI) 25

04 BRADSHAW FARM 67

HARMONY ON THE L 64

FOXHALL 60

PLANTATION NORTH 50

LOST FORREST 50

CHICKERING 42

HARRISON TC 35

LOCH HIGHLAND 28

05 SANDY SPRINGS TC 58

EVERGREEN LAKES 58

BRITTANY 58

RIVERMIST/GWINNE 25

AA2 Dellinger Park (Margaret Ellington, captain)

A1

Richard Craig Park (Lori Townsend, captain)

B1 Wild Timber (Susan Cangelosi, captain)

A9 Oxford Mill (Barbara Jordan, captain)

A7 Medlock Bridge – Wilson Road (Suanne Collmus, captain)

A5 Windsor Oaks (Diane Marine, captain)

B3 Chadds Walk (Margie Powell, captain)

B5 Towne Lake Hills (Janet Wix, captain)

C1 Ashebrooke (Roberta Carlson, captain)

C3 Cherokee Woods East (Heather Brooks, captain)

B7 Aberdeen (Heather Squillace, captain)

B9 Kensington Farms (Vaden Creamer, captain)

SENIOR MEN

A5 The Overlook @ Marietta CC (Steven Hein, captain) A9 Falls of Braselton (Brian Pham, captain)

AA1 St. Ives CC (Creig Matthieson, captain)

A1 Rock Springs Park (Albert Nelwan, captain)

B3 Rock Springs Park (Sungdo Kang, captain) B1 Village Grove (Hong Kim, captain)

B9 Lanier Springs (Stephen Rary, captain)

B5 St. Ives CC (Jeffrey Fraleigh, captain)

C1 Wild Timber (Paul Summers, captain)

B7 Plantation North (Charlie Dino Jr., captain)

C3 Waterstone Falls (Rajesh Krishnamurthy, captain)

WHEELCHAIR LEAGUE

Wheelchair League and other ALTA players and friends enjoy some great tennis courtside at the Atlanta Open. (L-R) Chris Cole, Special Programs VP Mark LaRotonda, Reggie Mobley, and David Williams.

Planning To Sell Your House?

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, 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

RACQUETTECH.COM and the US RACQUET STRINGERS ASSOCIATION are looking to make you a “KNOW IT ALL PRO”—Get connected to the most up-todate interactive information for racquet sports professionals at racquettech.com. Membership also includes the Stringers Digest, Racquet Sports Industry magazine, manufacturer discounts, free marketing samples, and the only racquet service certification program in the industry. All benefits are available with USRSA Membership - $129. Contact: USRSA, P.O. Box 3392, Duluth, GA 30096, (760) 536-1177, FAX: (760) 536-1171, Email: USRSA@RacquetTECH.com, WEBSITE: RacquetTECH.com.

Contact Us at 770.399.5788

n All ALTA vice presidents (below) have phone extensions at the ALTA office, but do 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

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE EMAIL EXT

Questions?

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 the First Vice President at ext. 114.

n IT issues? Contact Joan Appelbaum at ext. 103.

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. – 4:30 p.m. Call the office during weekdays as employees occasionally work remotely. 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.