Long Island Tennis Magazine January / February 2021 by United Sports Publications

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116 Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

Can Junior Tennis Players Have More Than One Coach? By Steve Kaplan

hile most sports recognize the importance of a cohesive coaching team, tennis culture maintains that multiple coaches will confuse and bewilder the fragile psyche of students. It’s the height of irony to protect players from the perils of diverse ideas while seeking to teach them to become master problem solvers in a complex game. An amusing analogy against multiple coaches is "too many chefs spoil the meal" as if developing a player is like cooking a pot roast. Still, it’s not difficult to understand why many coaches do not embrace a student hearing more than one voice. Junior tennis is an individual sport and coaches and their students are not always "team players". Moreover, it’s a sacrifice for coaches to share the glory and profit of a student’s success. Despite this resistance, an absolute multiple coach prohibition is a concept disconnected from reality because we don't live in an enlightenment bubble. Access to information is inevitable and we are all subject to ideas from varied sources. Even if a player had only one coach, they would be exposed to diverse ideas from family, friends, books, media, school and the world. If you needed a serious operation wouldn't you want to get a second opinion? How about Dads telling their

children to not listen to their Mom and see how that works out for them? Great teachers lead by actions more than words, so before demanding that students get rid of all their other coaches, shouldn't a coach first get rid of all their other students? While I see the enormous potential benefits of multiple coaches, I don't imagine this setup is suitable for every player. More than one coach is not always practical, for example, if it’s not economically feasible. Further, it’s counterproductive to have multiple coaches if students are unable to reconcile conflicting instructional messages. A coaching leadership hierarchy helps ensure fluid coordination and management of a coaching team and can be an invaluable tool to broaden the depth and breathe of a young player’s experiences. Additionally, players taught how to think critically at a young age by first taking responsibility for their development as active students will learn optimally and

help them organize, prioritize and assimilate ideas to navigate matches and beyond. Coaches too can learn what their students have internalized to guide them in the context of their aptitudes, abilities and goals. Finally, both students and coaches benefit from open and patient communication framed with humility. A skilled coach will clearly explain their role and expectations and encourage students to do the same. Coaches will assert that they have rarely seen players with many advisors succeed and that observation, while probably accurate, is misleading because poor outcomes from unavoidable information disagreements are dysfunctional, not inevitable. A cohesive team of experts working together and staying in their lane are a powerful force to promote development. As the African proverb explains, "It takes a village to raise a child." The stronger the village, the more likely a young player will ascend.

Steve Kaplan is the owner and managing director of Bethpage Park Tennis Center, as well as director emeritus of Lacoste Academy for New York City Parks Foundation, and executive director and founder of Serve &Return Inc. Steve has coached more than 1,100 nationallyranked junior players, 16 New York State high school champions, two NCAA Division 1 Singles Champions, and numerous highly-ranked touring professionals. Many of the students Steve has closely mentored have gone to achieve great success as prominent members of the New York financial community, and in other prestigious professions. In 2017, Steve was awarded the Hy Zausner Lifetime Achievement Award by the USTA. He may be reached by e-mail at StevenJKaplan@aol.com. LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

January/February 2021 • Volume 13, Number 1

Table Of Contents

litennis Long Island Tennis Magazine

American Dream

MAGAZINE

Sofia Kenin is American tennis’ newest star

Long Island Tennis Magazine

By Brian Coleman—See page 6

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Highlights

Staff David Sickmen Publisher (516) 409-4444, ext. 309 david@usptennis.com Brian Coleman Senior Editor (516) 409-4444, ext. 326 brianc@usptennis.com

10 16 18 34 38 56

2021 Long Island Girls’ High School Preview At the Net w/ Kathy Miller By Brian Coleman Your 2021 Guide to Top Clubs & Programs 2021 Australian Open Preview Beyond the Baseline: Bill Levin, Topspin Tennis By Brian Coleman Guide to the Top Tennis Travel Destinations

Joey Arendt Art Director (516) 409-4444, ext. 307 Francine Miller Advertising Coordinator (516) 409-4444, ext. 301 francinem@usptennis.com Emilie Katz Assistant Marketing Coordinator Sidney Beal III Staff Photographer

Lee Seidner Staff Photographer

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Features 1 4

Advertising To receive any information regarding advertising rates, deadlines, and requirements, call (516) 409-4444 or e-mail info@usptennis.com. Article Submissions/Press Releases To submit any material, including articles and press releases, please call (516) 409-4444 or e-mail info@usptennis.com. The deadline for submissions is the first of the month preceding the target issue. Subscriptions To receive subscription information, contact (516) 409-4444 or e-mail info@usptennis.com or check out our Web site: www.litennismag.com. Fax subscription changes to (516) 409-1600. Statements of fact and opinion in Long Island Tennis Magazine are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of United Sports Publications Ltd. Long Island Tennis Magazine reserves the right to edit, reject and/or postpone the publication of any articles, information or data.

14 30 40 42 44 48 50 51 52 53 54 62

Can Junior Tennis Players Have More Than One Coach? By Steve Kaplan Across Long Island … News and Notes From Across the L.I. Tennis Community The Tennis Guru: Yimi’s Dream By Dr. Tom Ferraro USTA Eastern Long Island Region Update Should My Kid Play Up? By Chris Lewit Course Correction: Mental Training During the Coronavirus By Rob Polishook 2020 Year in Review By Emilie Katz Mythbusters: An Analysis and Opinion on Up-and-Down For Player Development By Ricky Becker Round Hill: A Jamaican Tennis Destination Parent Perspective on Coaching, Mentoring and Life By Jayson Schwartz Creating the Two-On-One Advantage in Doubles By Mike Puc New Year, New Strings By Barbara Wyatt Developing Good Coaching Habits By Jay Pinho USTA Long Island Junior Rankings

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Across Long Isl Schorr Wins December Championships Cooper Schorr, who trains at the Bethpage Park Tennis Center, captured the title at the L5 Point Set Eastern December Championships in the Boys’ 14 Division. As the top-seed, Schorr won all four of his matches en route to the title, including a 3-6, 6-4, 10-6 comeback victory in the finals.

is the third woman from UNC to win the event as Sara Daavettila won in 2019, and New York native Jamie Loeb won in 2013.

Roti Takes Alley Pond Title Ines Roti powered her way to the title at the L6 December Open at Alley Pond Tennis Center in Queens. Roti, who trains at Glen Head Racquet & Fitness, took out the top seed on her way to the title in the Girls 18s Division, and won a third-set tiebreaker in the finals to claim the title.

Graham Wins ITAs University of North Carolina senior Alexa Graham proved to be the best player in women’s collegiate tennis as the Garden City native won the Oracle ITA National Fall Championships at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Fla. Graham, a five-time All-American, notched a 6-4, 6-2 win over UCLA’s Abigail Forbes. She

Carefree Hosts Juvenile Diabetes Fundraiser Carefree Racquet Club continues its drive to give back to the community in which it resides. It has hosted numerous charity events and fundraisers over the last few months, including a fundraiser for Juvenile Diabetes, an

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

land

… News and notes from across the L.I. tennis community

event for the American Heart Association, and most recently organizing a coat drive to help warm those in need during the cold winter months.

Sportime Lynbrook Hosts JTT Event

Karman Wins Title in All-JMTA Final Top-seed Alexander Karman defeated fellow John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) player Emil Grantcharov in straight sets to win the L4 New Eastern Sectional Championships in Glen Cove. Karman won a thrilling 1513 tiebreaker in the third set of his semifinal match before advancing to defeat Grantcharov in the championship.

RSTA’s Dangin Wins 10U Tourney Lola Dangin, a player in the Ross School Tennis Academy, won the title at the Girls 10U Orange Ball event, winning three consecutive matches en route to the championship on her home courts at the RSTA in East Hampton.

Players from Christopher Morley Tennis, MatchPoint NYC, Ross School Tennis Academy and Sportime Lynbrook gathered at Sportime Lynbrook to compete in a USTA Eastern Junior Team Tennis event. The players competed in multiple matches in a format that places an emphasis on teamwork.

Robertson Verbally Commits Charlie Robertson, who trains out of New York Tennis at Great Neck, has committed to play his collegiate tennis at Merrimack.

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comeback complete continued from page 20

American Dream Sofia Kenin is American tennis’ newest star By Brian Coleman

n what has been a tumultuous year, Sofia Kenin posted the best year of her professional career. As a result, Kenin was named the WTA’s Player of the Year for 2020, the eighth American ever to earn the honor and the first since Serena Williams won the award four straight times between 2012-2015. Although she did not reach the world’s highest ranking, it’s hard to argue that any woman on tour had a better year than Kenin, who achieved her highest career ranking, No. 4, a spot that she finished the year at. Kenin’s honor marks the 14th time (since the WTA awards were created 44 years ago) that a player other than the world number one was named the player of the year. Despite the unusual circumstances surrounding 2020, Kenin was dominating during the season and had a determined mindset throughout the year. “Winning, definitely,” she said at the French Open in the fall when asked what she loves about tennis. “That’s my answer. Losing I really hate, and I love winning. I try to do everything I can to win.” That unrelenting desire to win paid off this year, as Kenin won her first career major at the Australian Open in January 2020. After downing world number one and hometown favorite Ashleigh Barty in the semifinals, she beat former major winner Garbine Muguruza in straight sets in the finals. Before her win, Kenin saw many of her peers win their first major titles, and wanted to add her name to the list. “When I saw Naomi and Bianca win a Grand Slam, I was super excited. At that young age and winning a Slam, I mean, super exciting. You get so much attention,” Kenin told WTA Insider following her victory. “I remember I was just like, ‘you know what? What if it would be me? How incredible would that be?’ I’m just super happy and it’s an honor just to be on that beautiful trophy with so many

continued on page 8

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Photo credit: Getty Images

american dream continued from page 6

great champions. And it will forever be there. So it’s just incredible.” That envisioning has been a part of Kenin’s DNA since she was young. By now, most people have seen the videos of her as a little girl talking about returning Andy Roddick’s serve, and her getting a tour of a WTA tournament from Kim Clijsters in 2005. From the beginning, Kenin’s parents put in the necessary sacrifices in order to give Kenin a platform to succeed. Her parents, Alexander and Lena, had moved to the United States briefly, before returning to Russia for Sofia’s birth so that her extended family could assist in raising her. A few years later they would move back to the United States, where Kenin began playing tennis at the age of five and immediately showed signs of promise, most notably working with famed tennis coach Rick Macci at his academy in Florida. From the beginning, Macci recognized there was something special about Kenin. “She came to me at five-years-old and the very first lesson I gave her, her ability to focus and just the way she was locked in mentally already was really startling,” Macci told

Omnisport. “For most players, that’s the last piece of the puzzle, so that was the first thing that jumped out to me. Even though the racket was almost as big as her, I had her take the ball right off the bounce and she did it so easily, it was innate timing.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

You can teach people timing, but it can be hard to take in.” The win in Melbourne kicked off a fantastic season that also included a key doubles win in the deciding rubber match with Bethanie MattekSands as Team USA defeated Team Latvia to keep its Fed Cup championship hopes alive. The following month, she won four straight matches in three sets to win the title in Lyon, and would return to France later in the year as she reached the French Open finals in September. Despite losing the match, Kenin took a lot of positives away from her run at Roland Garros, and her season as a whole, and she knows that from now on she will play the role of hunted as opposed to the hunter. “After the Australian Open, people started to know me. Keeping this level and playing some great tennis now is really special,” she said. “I feel people definitely respect me and I’m happy. It’s not easy to get respect. It’s really easy to lose it. People respect

me. I’m going to keep it that way.” And with that mentality, Kenin is now one of American tennis’ biggest stars, and the future of the sport on the women’s side. She enters 2021 as the highest ranked American, man or woman, and begins the season with a lot of ranking points to defend at the Australian Open. The 2020 season ended early on the women’s side, with no events through the fall and winter including the cancellation of the end-of-year finals in Shenzhen, an event that Kenin would have made her debut at. But that meant that the 22-year-old was able to begin her offseason training earlier than normal, and the dedicated player got right to it. She posted photos to her official Instagram account of her hitting and running down in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and indication that Kenin would not rest on her laurels but instead aim to come back stronger than ever in 2021. Her season will, most likely, start

Down Under where she will be one of the tournament’s favorites and, of course, it’s defending champion. She hasn’t said a lot in recent weeks, including not commenting on her winning WTA’s Player of the Year, but rather has just put her head down and continued to work. While she was confident last year, and has expected to win Grand Slams since she was younger, winning that first title always comes as a shock.

“I would like to thank the crowd,” she said in 2020. “These past two weeks have been the best two weeks of my life. I love you guys from the bottom of my heart…I’m on cloud nine right now, I just can’t believe this.” That will be different in 2021 as Kenin enters the season with higher expectations, both from herself and the tennis world, as she looks to add more hardware to her collection. While Serena Williams will remain the face of women’s tennis and American tennis, even beyond when she retires, Kenin is the best American competing on tour right now. That title comes with lofty expectations and enormous pressure, but is something that Kenin embraces, and has been ready for since she was a little girl.

Brian Coleman is the Senior Editor for Long Island Tennis Magazine. He may be reached at brianc@usptennis.com.

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2021 Long Island Girls’ High f there is one thing we all learned in 2020 it’s that circumstances can change week-by-week, day-by-day and even hour-by-hour. The COVID-19 pandemic left all of us with a feeling of uncertainty, and no one knows what tomorrow will bring. That won’t end with the calendar changing from 2020 to 2021, but with promising news on the horizon, high school tennis seems poised to return this spring. The reshuffling of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) 2020-2021 season pushed both the girls and boys’ tennis seasons to the spring, with the girls’ season coming first and set to begin on March 1. “Although the season will definitely look different than our traditional girls’ season, I do think the season will happen,” said Shai Fisher, the Nassau County Coordinator for Girls’ Tennis and the head coach for Syosset. “We are classified as a low risk sport that naturally incorporates social distancing. Additionally, with all the health and safety protocol we have put in place for student-athletes and coaches, I feel that we can make the season a safe and meaningful one for everyone.” One of Fisher’s Syosset cocaptains, Alexa Brecher, can’t wait for the season to be here: “I am extremely excited for our spring season. It’s probably one of the only things getting me through this year,” she said. “I am just grateful that we have one and I can’t wait to get back on the court with all of my girls. My school has been holding intramurals so everyone has been practicing to get ready for the season.” It has been a difficult year for kids of all ages, and for

athletes, missing out on that competition leaves a void for them. “I’ve missed the competition and playing what I love amongst all my friends so the thought of being back on the courts in the spring is very exciting and I am looking forward to it,” said Islip’s Maya Levy. Her teammate, Ciara Hand, echoed that sentiment: “The competition is always tough, but it pushes us and makes us better,” she said. “I’ve missed playing with the team we have and making the new friendships among the team. I can’t wait to be back on those courts in the spring playing the sport I love!” There are concerns, of course, in returning to competitive athletics, as the COVID-19 pandemic is not over and cases have risen in recent months. But both coaches and players are dedicated to adhering to all protocols to ensure there is a season and that it will be done in a safe manner. “The only concerns that I have are making sure everyone is still safe and social distancing,” said Phoebe Levitsky of the defending Long Island champion Port Washington Vikings. “If we are able to do that in tennis, then I don’t see any other issues. I know everyone on the team has been working really hard and trying to play a lot which is great and I can’t wait for everyone to get back together.” Mepham’s captain Julia Cicchillo added: “Since we didn’t get a season this fall, I’m super excited to have the opportunity to play this spring,” she said. “I’m not too worried about playing since it’s an outdoor sport and there isn’t any contact. At Mepham, we had tennis intramurals for several weeks in order to get accustomed to the team again and get to know potential new teammates. I’m really hoping we get to have a season.” This spring season will present some new challenges for coaches in terms of practice scheduled, traveling and match play. Longtime Commack head coach Jackie Clark understands the adjustments that will need to be made, and remains optimistic that there will high school tennis later this spring. “Tennis can be played safely because there is not direct person to person contact and as long as everyone is following the safety guidelines, I believe we can compete. Hopefully we can start training indoors later this winter and work on fitness and footwork skills,” said Clark. “Since we usually play in the fall we will have to adjust too much colder weather with an early March start which will be

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

h School Preview challenging but I think the team will be happy to be back together and doing something that they are passionate about. I have missed coaching the team so much and am very excited about the upcoming season!” Allowing these student-athletes to return to competing and socializing with one another is such an important factor, and with all parties committed to make sure it is done safely, the upcoming spring should be an exciting one for high school tennis on Long Island. “Several coaches have expressed how important it is to make the season happen for their student-athletes from a social and emotional standpoint,” said Fisher. “Similarly, all have reached out with ideas and suggestions in hopes of making the season work.” Below are some of the teams and players to watch for the upcoming season.

Nassau County Teams to Watch Port Washington

There’s been no better team on Long Island over the last few years than the Vikings of Port Washington. The team has lost just one time over its last 51 matches, and went undefeated in 2019 en route to a county and Long Island championship. With young talent still at the top of its lineup, including singles players Thea Rabman and Ellie Ross, Port Washington will once again be the favorite to repeat as county champions, and have the opportunity to defend its Long Island title.

Great Neck North The Blazers from Great Neck North came up one win shy of the county title a year ago, falling to the aforementioned Port Washington Vikings. This year’s team will be without top singles player and one of the best players in the state in Amy Delman, but returns key contributors Alyssa Ghassabian and Alina Lyakhov, both of whom represented their team and the county at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Championships last year. With the two of them leading way, Great Neck North should once again be in contention for the county title. Hewlett One of the toughest teams to beat over the last couple of years has been the Hewlett Bulldogs, both because of its top-tier talent in singles, but also because of a deep roster that spreads talent across all seven courts during a match. Led by senior and Harvard-commit Rachel Arbitman, Hewlett will once again be on the radar for a county title. Arbitman won the state singles title two years ago, and partnered with Nyla Gershfeld to win the state doubles title a year ago. With those two anchoring the Hewlett lineup, the Bulldogs will be tough to beat this season. Syosset The Braves have been one of the more consistent teams over the last few years, and that should be no different in 2021. Despite losing some key contributors in its starting lineup, Syosset will be in good hands with Alex Ho and Alexa Brecher leading the singles lineup, and with depth at each position, something Syosset has been known for over the years, the team will be a tough opponent for anyone in the county.

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

2021 long island girls’ high school preview continued from page 11

Friends Academy Friends Academy should be in for a huge bump in success this coming season. A season ago, freshman Isabella Sha played first singles and won all 10 of her singles matches, something she will look to repeat and build upon this fall in her sophomore campaign. If Sha is able to have that sort of success once again, and Friends gets contributions from its doubles teams, the Quakers could be on the verge of a deep playoff run.

Suffolk County Teams to Watch Westhampton Beach The Hurricanes have been dominant in Suffolk County and have put together a great run over the last two seasons. Those seasons have ended in grand fashion with two Suffolk County titles, and a Long Island championship two years ago. Returning this year will be top player Rose Hayes, the two-time defending county singles champion, who will lead a group of girls eager to reclaim its throne as LI champions.

Commack Commack has been one of the steadiest teams on Long Island for the last several years, compiling multiple years of sustained success, and that should be no different once again in 2020. Led by one of the Island’s best players in Emily Tannenbaum, as well as a deep cast of singles and doubles talent to fill out the roster, Commack should be a serious threat to win its first county title since 2016. Islip The Buccaneers of Islip came up just one match-win shy of being the Suffolk champions and representing the county in the Long Island championship. Despite losing a host of senior talent, the Islip program will be eager to return to the county title game this fall, and go one step further than it did a year ago, led by the likes of Maya Levy, Ava Andria, Ava Delisle and Ciara Hand. Hauppauge Last year, Hauppauge was led by Andriana Zaphiris, who claimed the third-place prize at the county singles tournament. Now a senior, Zaphiris will look to build off of that success, both in the individual tournament as well as in a leadership role for her Hauppauge Eagles. Along with second singles player Melody Chang, Zaphiris and Hauppauge look to put together a season that sees it make a deep playoff run.

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Half Hollow Hills East By the Thunderbirds standards, 2019 was a bit of a disappointment, one it aims to make up for this fall. The Half Hollow Hills East program has been synonymous with winning for decades now, so failing to reach the county title match can seem like the season came up short. In 2020, look for Hills East to be a force to be reckoned with. Led by top talent such as senior Janelle Chen and junior Skylar Semon, who went to the state tournament a year ago in doubles, the Thunderbirds will be one of the teams in contention for a county title. Some players are subject to change. Stay tuned to LITennisMag.com and follow us on social media for more updates and news on the upcoming season.

COMING IN MARCH

Distribution scheduled for 03/01/21 This edition will feature: • Guide to the Top Tennis Camps • 2021 Australian Open Recap • Guide to the Top Court Builders & Manufacturers • Boys High School Tennis Season Preview Distribution across Long Island at 300+ locations: • Indoor tennis clubs • Country clubs • Tennis camps • Retail stores • Gyms • Restaurants and health food stores • Supermarkets and • Many more!

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his is the seventh installment of Dr. Tom Ferraro’s “The Tennis Guru” series. To read the first parts, visit www.LITennisMag.com. Immediately upon repeating the magic words “TIMIN” three times, Yin fell into a deep sleep and just as Rebecca had told him, he found himself in a vivid dream. He was walking out of a parking lot towards the magnificently domed All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, home of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. Apparently, he was one of the players competing. He looked down at his clothing and he saw he was all in white and carrying his tennis bag filled with rackets, bottled water, sneakers and tape. He walked towards the player’s entrance and two gatekeepers opened the doors for him to enter, giving evidence that they knew and respected him. They both bowed and said, “Good morning sir, best of luck today.” He found his way to the locker room and sat down in front of a locker with his name on it. As he was putting on his sneakers he looked up and saw Roger Federer walk in wearing his white, ubercool UNIQLO outfit with red head and wrist bands. Federer winked at him and said, “Hey Yin, good luck today. Let’s have a good match. And please, no temper tantrums.” Yin was baffled by all this and next he heard an official walk into the locker room and announce, “Gentleman, it is time to play your match. Please follow me.” Roger led the way, and as he walked onto center court he was greeted with a roar from the crowd as they set eyes on their beloved champion. When Yin entered, he heard but a smattering of applause and some snickers. He looked up to the stands and in amazement he saw a young John McEnroe with red curly hair and red headband. Seated right next to him was Bjorn Borg with his flowing main of blond hair looking like a rock star. Next to him were the Williams sisters and then

The Tennis Guru: Yin’s Dream By Dr. Tom Ferraro

came Andre Agassi, and Jimmy Connors. They all were shouting to Roger, bantering and seemed to be cheering Roger on which made Yin feel even more invisible than before. Roger just looked up at them and smiled. Before you knew it, the match got under way and was tied at two-sets all with Yin serving at four-all in the final set. Victory was now in sight, but Yin proceeded to double fault four times and walked in shame and rage to his chair as they switched sides. He heard more laughs from the crowd and he lost control, smashing a water bottle at his feet. With this the crowd started to boo him, which infuriated him even more,

and he took his racket and gauged a large chunk of turf out of the ground and then broke his racket over his knee. With the crowd became silent and the referee said, “One more outburst and you will be disqualified, sir.” Yin returned to his seat and heard the booing get louder. He was about to walk off the court and then he turned toward the people seated in the player’s box and saw Rebecca smiling at him and sending him a feeling of warmth and safety. Suddenly, his rage and shame were replaced by calmness, confidence and cool. With that he rose from his chair like a new man and proceeded to break Federer in the next game to even the set at five-all, and then won his service game and the tiebreaker to win the Men’s finals. As the applause mounted he turned to Rebecca, ran over to the player’s box and climbed the wall to embrace her as he had seen so many champions do. As he hugged Rebecca she whispered in his ear, “So now you know the magic power of love. Never forget this moment Yin.” And then she kissed him on the forehead and her lips burned his skin, leaving a small scar that would come to intimidate all opponents who faced him thereafter. He awoke from the dream and looked up into Rebecca’s eyes as she bent down and kissed him on the forehead. She told him to keep silent about the dream and that its mark would never leave his soul and would become his secret weapon. Yin asked Rebecca: “How does all this work?” She smiled at him and said, “In time you will see what this means. Be patient Yin and now let us proceed up the mountain.” To be continued…

For consultations, treatment or on-site visits, contact Dr. Tom Ferraro Ph.D., Sport Psychologist, by phone at (516) 248-7189, e-mail DrTFerraro@aol.com or visit DrTomFerraro.com.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

net at the

By Brian Coleman

with Kathy Miller

he Long Island tennis community is a tight-knit one, where almost everybody knows each other, no matter where you are from or what club, park or court you play at. And few people are more visible or known than Kathy Miller, the General Manager at Carefree Racquet Club in North Merrick. Miller has served in that role for more than two decades now, and is one of the key components of what makes the tennis community here on Long Island special. Miller grew up in Bellmore and has been part of Carefree since its inception. Her parents had their own seasonal court there when the facility first opened when Miller was in high school. “When it first started, it operated more with people renting their own seasonal court and being responsible for taking care of that court,” she said. “And then it grew into hosting leagues, offering junior programming, learn and play programs for adults, clinics, etc., and was always evolving into what it is today.” Miller began as the club’s Assistant Manager in 1985, and took over the role of General Manager 22 years ago in 1998. In all of her time running a Long Island tennis club, Miller says there has never been a year quite like 2020. “There’s nothing I can compare it to,” she said. “After we re-opened, we

had to take care of some makeups that we owed people for previous lessons, clinics and leagues we had to cancel when we shutdown. We also offered refunds to people. Money was scarce when we came back and we weren’t sure what business was going to be like. It turned out to be the opposite of what we feared. Once September came around and people began to feel more comfortable, it’s been unbelievably busy.” While Carefree’s camp participation numbers remained about the same as previous years, Miller says all other

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

aspects of its programming increased: “We’ve gotten a lot of new customers as well. I think a lot of people during the pandemic, when tennis was deemed a safe sport, a lot of people decided to pick up a racket. And I guess the people who found they liked the sport have come indoors. So we have seen a lot of new customers and it’s great.” The news of a successful vaccine now being distributed throughout the country is promising, but that does not mean we are out of the woods yet with the COVID-19 pandemic. Cases are surging here in New York and the potential of another shutdown, although not likely, remains a possibility. “I think with all the steps we’ve taken to keep the place safe has helped us a lot and made us prepared for whatever comes our way,” said Miller. “We have had a couple players here test positive, and we quickly made sure that everyone was made aware, postponed the league, and told people they needed multiple negative tests before returning. It’s unfortunate that we’ve had a few cases but we’ve handled it well, doing contact tracing and making sure we communicate to our customers and staff as well. In terms of another shutdown, we have the mentality that we won’t have to do that again, but in the back of my mind I know it’s a possibility. We saw

cases rise in the weeks after Thanksgiving, and I’m sure we’ll see them rise after Christmas as well. But we are making sure we’re prepared for whatever comes.” Miller’s involvement in the local tennis community goes beyond her running Carefree. She is part of a tennis family, one that includes her daughter and son, both of whom played at South Side High School in Rockville Centre. Her daughter met her husband at a USTA Sectional Championship event in Albany, and their two kids, ages four and six, are just starting to take tennis lessons now. For the last 32 years, Miller has been in charge of USTA Long Island’s Adult League, which operates throughout the Island with an array of divisions. When she took it over, back in 1988, there were less than 500 players, and today that number has ballooned to more than 4,000 league players. While the league has grown exponentially under Miller’s leadership,

she lends the credit elsewhere. “I’m so lucky to have great team captains,” she said. “If I hear about a player who is exhibiting bad sportsmanship, I’ll usually call the captain and tell them I’ve been getting complaints, and that he/she should talk to them before a grievance is filed. Most of the captains are wonderful and on top of that. The clubs have also always been so supportive. They are accommodating in terms of booking court time and hosting matches. Without the support of the captains and the clubs, there wouldn’t be a league.” Just like everything else this year, running the leagues during a pandemic has been a challenge. The numbers in the summer were down as people were unsure if they should play due to COVID. The numbers returned to normal during the fall with the TriLevel and 18 & Over Mixed Doubles leagues. “The feedback I got was that people

were willing to go play at the club they normally play at but not really comfortable traveling to a different place to play,” said Miller. It will be interesting to see what the numbers look like in the winter leagues, and at the time of this article Miller was beginning to prepare her registration e-mails to be sent out to the captains and teams. And as the calendar turns from 2020 to 2021, Miller will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that both Carefree and the Adult League operate safely and successfully, and remains optimistic about what the future holds for tennis on Long Island. “I think the last few months have brought a lot of new people into the game, and introduced the sport to a lot of new players, and hopefully tennis will be on the upswing again.” Brian Coleman is the Senior Editor for Long Island Tennis Magazine. He may be reached at brianc@usptennis.com.

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Bethpage Park Tennis Center 99 Quaker Meeting House Road, Building #4 Farmingdale, N.Y. l (516) 777-1358 Bethpage Park Tennis Center is located just a few hundred feet from the Black Course at beautiful Bethpage State Park. Four indoor hard courts and four indoor red clay courts are air-conditioned for year-round play, along with two outdoor Har-Tru courts. Bethpage Park Tennis Center offers an array of adult seasonal court opportunities, Men's and Women's leagues, Lesson and Junior Development Programs, Quickstart, Zone tennis and walk-on court opportunities. New this year is the addition of Pickleball and Saturday night tennis/pickleball parties. It’s free and low-cost program for special populations and veterans is perhaps the largest of its kind in New York State. The Center is best known for its renowned junior development program, led by top coach Steve Kaplan who has developed more top players than anyone else in the East. Steve is the owner of Bethpage Park Tennis Center, director emeritus of City Parks Foundation Lacoste Academy and Executive Director of Serve and Return Inc. Steve has been the long-time coach of more than 1,100 nationally-ranked junior players, 16 state high school singles champions, two NCAA Division I Singles Champions, and numerous touring professionals, prominent coaches and many prominent members of the New York financial. Steve's students have been awarded in excess of $11 million in college scholarship money. In the summer, the finest players in the East join Bethpage Park Tennis Center for summer camp on four indoor hard courts four indoor red clay courts that are air-conditioned, along with two outdoor Har-Tru courts and six nearby outdoor hard courts. Lunch is included and transportation is available. Bethpage Park Tennis Center charges no membership fee and values all of its beginners equally with its nationally-ranked players. We follow all COVID safety protocols and charge no membership fees.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

BethpageParkTennis.com

Carefree Racquet Club 1414 Jerusalem Avenue, #1 l North Merrick, N.Y. CarefreeTennis@gmail.com l (516) 489-9005 Carefree Racquet Club is Long Island’s premier indoor tennis club, offering seven indoor tennis courts, two half-court basketball courts and four pickleball courts. League Coordinator Samantha Perri offers adult singles, doubles and team doubles leagues that are always on the correct level to insure you a good game every time you play. Carefree has many USTA teams in the 18 & Over, 40 & Over, 55 & Over Men's, Women's and Mixed Doubles Leagues, along with Tri-Level Leagues. For those new to the game or just want to improve, Carefree offers two 14-week sessions of learn and play groups, coordinated by Louis Vallejo. Players get an hour lesson each week, along with 90 minutes of practice time each week. Jean Tanklowitz, senior program coordinator, has many retirees who simply have a flexible schedule, playing Monday through Thursday in the afternoon. All games are arranged by Jean. For junior players, Ben Marks, Carefree’s director of tennis, coordinates the Junior Development Program with two 14week sessions starting at the age of five, running through the age of 18. Children can take group, semi-private or private lessons, along with practice time and ladder match play as well. Ben also runs a high school prep program and an Elite program. Carefree is very proud of its QuickStart Tot Program for children ages three- to five-years-old, which uses props to keep the children’s attention. Carefree Racquet Club is managed by Kathy Miller, who is also the Long Island USTA Adult League Coordinator. Kathy, along with Assistant Manager Pat McIlwee, pride themselves on the organization and smooth running of Long Island's premier indoor tennis club that has never and continues to not charge membership fees. So if you are looking to join a program or just rent a court now and then, come down and visit Carefree Racquet Club!

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

CarefreeTennis.com

Chris Lewit Tennis Academy 3997 VT-100 l Londonderry, Vt. l (914) 462-2912 Chris@ChrisLewit.com Chris Lewit Tennis Academy (CLTA) is a serious high performance academy set in the natural paradise of Vermont. CLTA offers year-round full-time training, short-term training, and a world-famous high Performance summer camp. Players have the opportunity to train personally in very small groups with Chris Lewit, one of leading highperformance junior development coaches in the United States. Chris is known as an expert in technique and biomechanics, and in Spanish training methods. He has developed numerous top 10 nationally-ranked juniors, many of whom are now graduating to the pro circuit. He also has experience building the foundations of many young prodigies. Players live in a charming Vermont Inn and have exclusive use of a private tennis club, CLTA Vermont, which offers both outdoor red clay courts and indoor hard courts in the event of rain, gym, yoga studio and clubhouse. New this year: Visiting players and families can stay in Chris’s private carriage house apartment! CLTA offers a unique teaching system based on the Bruguera Method from Spain, as well as other European influences based on Chris Lewit's travels abroad. Author of the best-selling book, The Secrets of Spanish Tennis, Chris has spent the last 14 years studying with many of the legendary coaches in Spain and Europe. He brings the most cutting-edge training methods from Europe back to the U.S. for his students. All students receive personal coaching and mentoring directly from Chris Lewit, and are supported by his trained staff of top college and ATP players. For more information, contact Chris directly to discuss your player's development plan by e-mail at Chris@ChrisLewit.com, call (914) 462-2912 or visit ChrisLewit.com

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

ChrisLewit.com

Eastern Athletic EACTennis@yahoo.com l (631) 773-6293 Multiple locations on Long Island and in Brooklyn Eastern Athletic is family-owned and is one of the New York’s original and finest tennis and fitness facilities, offering a wide variety of programs for the tennis enthusiast and fitness buffs. Offering five locations throughout Suffolk County and Brooklyn to accommodate the ever changing needs of our clientele, Eastern Athletic has 17 Nova Ultra cushion indoor tennis courts, seven racquetball courts, eight squash courts, Indoor Pools and much more. To find out about all we have to offer, visit us at EasternAthleticClubs.com. Eastern Athletic Tennis offers season and open court rentals, private and group instruction for the pee-wee through the seasoned octogenarian. All programs, lessons, drills, clinics, zones, leagues, performance training, ladders, parties and camps are offered year-round in climatecontrolled facilities. We host one of the largest Men’s Singles Flex Ladder/Leagues on Long Island, and are home to more than 15 USTA teams. Many of our teams have competed in regional, sectional and national competition. In addition, Eastern Athletic has one of the best performance training programs, integrating tennis with athletic performance programs. Eastern Athletic has produced some of the top tennis players on Long Island under the direction and supervision of Laurie Tenney Fehrs and its renowned tennis staff. Eastern Athletic has programs for Juniors and Adults of all ages and level of play, and is confident there is something for you. For more information and to join our growing family, e-mail EACTennis@yahoo.com or visit: • EAC in Blue Point: 9A Montauk Highway, Blue Point, N.Y.— (631) 363-2882 • EAC in Dix Hills: 854 East Jericho Turnpike, Dix Hills, N.Y.— (631) 271-6616 • EAC in Melville: 100 Ruland Road, Melville, N.Y.— (631) 773-6293 • EAC in Brooklyn Heights: 43 Clark Street, Brooklyn, N.Y..— (718) 625-0500 • EAC in Prospect Park: 17 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, N.Y..— (718) 789-4600

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

EasternAthleticClubs.com

Evert Tennis Academy 10334 Diego Drive South l Boca Raton, Fla. The Evert Tennis Academy (ETA) is located in the Mission Bay area of Boca Raton, Fla. With 23 courts, pristine grounds, state-ofthe-art-equipment, a caring staff and family atmosphere combine make Evert Tennis Academy a beautiful and unique training environment. As the proud home to more than 15 Grand Slam participants and 100 Division I college athletes, Evert Tennis Academy has a proven record of success in developing champions at the highest levels. Chris Evert, tennis legend and winner of 18 Grand Slam titles, and John Evert, world-renowned developmental coach and academy director, believe in designing personalized programs that consist of a strategic balance between technical, tactical, mental and physical training. They pride themselves on handpicking some of the finest developmental coaches working in the sport who are dedicated to the instruction, development and success of each athlete Academy and Developmental Programs The Academy Program at Evert systematically addresses every aspect of a player’s game through a daily regimen of technical, tactical, mental and physical training. The Morning Training Session is composed of drilling, and strength and conditioning. The program is continued in the afternoon with a focus towards competition and tactics. The Developmental Program at Evert Tennis Academy is designed to take players to the next level by providing a very exclusive, individualized program and the difference between it and the Academy Program lies within the daily 1:1 lesson. Boarding students age 18 and younger enrolled in the Full-Time, Weekly or Camp programs, stay in our three-story dormitory. Each dorm room houses up to two students during the school year and up to four students during Camp and Summer Sessions with boys and girls being housed on separate buildings. Evert Tennis Academy conveniently provides one-on-one airport transportation for its boarding students, for a fee (subject to change), to all three area international airports: (PBI) West Palm Beach (35 minutes), (FLL) Fort Lauderdale (35 minutes), (MIA) Miami International (55 minutes). All transportation coordination is handled directly through the Academy, making it stress-free and easy for you. Please contact Evert Tennis Academy at (561) 488- 2001 for more information or e-mail Andrew.Parker@EvertAcademy.com.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

EvertAcademy.com

Glen Head Racquet and Fitness Glen Head, N.Y. l (516) 676-9849 Glen Head Racquet & Fitness Club is a boutique tennis club that provides the highest tennis standards in the North Shore Area, the reason why it was named “2018 Tennis Club of the Year!” Though the Club has been one of the pioneers in the area, gathering and forming many champions over the years, under the new ownership, Glen Head Racquet and Fitness Club has been modernized in many ways. From the elegant fully-equipped locker rooms to the cozy lounge and LED lighting, everything comes together to satisfy every client. With easy access from both Glen Cove Road and LIRR (Glen Head Station), Glen Head Racquet & Fitness has a fantastic playing facility: Six high-quality hard courts of which four can be used for pickleball and table tennis classes. The satisfaction and results of the facility’s clients are priorities for us and now you can learn from the knowledgeable, certified pros. Their programs include: •

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A wide variety of junior and adult tennis clinics are available for all ability levels. These tennis programs feature video analysis, stroke development and refinement for both basic and advanced skills, including the use of spin, repetitive/tactical drills and some competitive situations. These clinics are a great opportunity to build solid technique and to learn new skills Accommodation for groups and teams year-round. If the existing programs do not meet your needs, we can tailor a group training session just for your team. We are happy to accommodate groups and teams year-round at our site. Summer camps: Glen Head’s camps offer technical and tactical training from highly-skilled and passionate certified coaches. Players will receive world-class instruction on every stage of their game, thus aiding in the advancement of their skill level. Glen Head’s coaches push each player to perform at their highest level and although it's intense training, the coaches see to it that the week is fun and enjoyable. 10 & Under Tennis School break camps Pickleball classes Special events Private birthday parties

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

GlenHeadRAF.com

New York Tennis at Great Neck 12 Shore Drive l Great Neck, N.Y. (516) 233-2790 A hidden gem conveniently located and open to players of all ages and levels, New York Tennis at Great Neck is a short ride from anywhere in Nassau County and Queens. This scenic club overlooking the Little Neck Bay features five year-round clay courts, two outdoor season hard courts, and a highly-skilled and experienced coaching staff comprised of former ATP, ITF and NCAA players. New York Tennis at Great Neck has been serving up tennis in this location since 2010. Initially formed over 30 years ago by the late and legendary Tennis Director Howie Arons, the junior program has produced more than 90 NCAA players, 250 ranked junior players, and 1,000 high school players. The club’s adult program prides itself in having a wide array of programming, from dynamic clinics and express tennis for beginners, to high energy cardio tennis and in-club competitive leagues, ensuring adults have exactly what they're looking for. The waterfront location, accommodating staff, and friendly atmosphere has also made the club an increasingly popular destination for those looking to host events, such as birthday parties, holiday parties and corporate outings. What players enjoy most about playing at the club is the comfortable, relaxed and welcoming environment that they feel when they walk through the doors of New York Tennis at Great Neck. Passion, consistency and authenticity ring true every day at the club, where everyone feels at home and part of one big, but at the same time, tight-knit tennis family.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

NYTAGN.com

Point Set Indoor Racquet Club 3065 New Street l Oceanside, N.Y. Lori@PointSetTennis.com l (516) 536-2323 Extreme makeover … tennis club edition! Upgrade yourself by enjoying the all new U.S. Open blue tennis courts, gleaming locker rooms, renovated lobby/office and redesigned social space of post-storm Point Set Indoor Racquet Club! A state-of-the-art, spare no expense renovation out of respect to our customers! With 350-plus juniors in developmental programs, 60-plus QuickStart Pee-Wees, 500-plus adult players in leagues/contracts/drills, Point Set Racquet Club is working towards fulfilling its mission statement: Point Set aspires to be the most vibrant tennis club on the South Shore by integrating heart with sport in the community. The dedicated dream team staff of tennis professionals administers a top tier Tournament Training Program (TTP) for three levels of junior competitors. It addresses all aspects of competition: drills, match play, fitness and mental toughness. See what a difference the Point Set staff delivers as the facility has added air-conditioning for a controlled climate for play year-round! Point Set Indoor Racquet Club recognizes that customers are its most important asset. The collegial relationship of the staff, on- and off-the-court, translates into a friendly environment for its customers. Point Set is a full-service club and your gateway to challenging yourself to explore, enjoy and improve yourself through the great sport of tennis. Experience the difference a supportive environment makes! Come play at Point Set, where fun meets fitness.

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

PointSetTennis.com

Port Washington Tennis Academy 100 Harbor Road l Port Washington, N.Y. Tennis@PWTA.com l (516) 883-6425 Port Washington Tennis Academy (PWTA) is dedicated to young people, primarily from the ages of four through 18. PWTA was created in 1966 as a non-profit facility to use tennis as a means of fostering educational success for children, by developing a stimulating lifelong activity that is fun, healthy, and scholastically and socially beneficial. This is accomplished by utilizing specialized techniques with a wide range of instructional programs, special in-house competitions and several USTA-sanctioned tournaments. Additionally, graduating high school seniors get the benefit of PWTA’s many years of experiences and up-to-date knowledge of schools, teams and coaches when it comes to identifying, selecting and the eventual placement at a university meeting their individual capabilities and goals. While PWTA is wellknown for many world-class professional players graduating from its programs, encouraging educational excellence will always be the club’s main focus. PWTA also offers an extensive variety of adult programs at all levels. Men's and women's daytime and evening leagues, private lessons, group clinics (three players plus a professional), seasonal courts, including instructional and season-ending doubles play sessions, are just part of the club’s broad spectrum of activities. PWTA is the largest indoor tennis facility on the East Coast, with 17 indoor courts (four hard and 13 HarTru) and a unique elevated quarter mile-long indoor running track. PWTA also provides many extras not found as part of a teaching program, such as an international teaching staff, closed-circuit TV for each court, upper TV lounge for relaxed viewing, spectator viewing galleries to ensure full visibility of every court, comfortable lounge areas, extensive men's and women's locker rooms, meeting rooms, etc. Complimentary coffee, tea, milk, cookies, juice and potassium-rich bananas are always available to PWTA members. In addition, the Academy has a fully-stocked pro shop to meet the needs of members. For more information, call (516) 883-6425 or visit PWTA.com.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

PWTA.com

Ross School Tennis Academy 20 Goodfriend Drive l East Hampton, N.Y. TennisAcademy@Ross.org l (631) 907-5162 Ross School Tennis Academy (RSTA) is the premiere training center in the Hamptons, boasting a beautiful tennis facility that is open to the public and located on the Ross Upper School Campus in East Hampton, N.Y. The Tennis Center features six HarTru courts that are enclosed by a bubble from mid-fall through mid-spring, allowing for year-round play. The Tennis Center features state-of-the-art amenities such as spacious locker rooms, lower level lounge, convenient snack bar, and ping-pong tables, and the staff provides a fun and supportive atmosphere that allows for the greatest amount of success. After-school programming, a dynamic program for junior players, and specialized summer programs are offered to make Ross Tennis Academy the place to play tennis in the Hamptons. After-school Programs (Pre-K–Grade 12) • Nursery-Grade 4: Specialized one-hour training program where players build a strong foundation through a variety of game-based and cooperative activities using 10U age appropriate (Red, Orange or Green) balls and nets that will prepare them for eventual full court play. • Grade 5-Grade 12: Players build off their 10U foundation to further develop fundamental skills and techniques as they transition into yellow balls and prepare for full-court tournament competition. Ball control, strategy, and work ethic are all emphasized in this 90-minute session of drills and point play. Players in kindergarten and higher are required to play twice per week in this program. Integrated Training + Academic Program • Designed for USTA/ITF players in grades seventh through 12 and postgraduates, RSTA is the first in the New York City area to have a full academic program with a complete physical and mental conditioning program. In addition, unlike other tennis academies, RSTA is a small, intimate program that allows student-athletes to develop lasting relationships with coaches, while receiving personalized instruction. Students who attend the Academy experience high-performance tennis training, while studying alongside their peers in a stimulating college preparatory learning community following a regular academic year (Ross.org/Tennis). • Lessons and Court Rentals: Ross Tennis Academy also offers adult clinics, court rentals and private and group instruction for all ages and levels. The Tennis Center is also used for a variety of special events and is available for private parties.

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Ross.org/Tennis

SPORTIME Tennis Clubs Home of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy New York Region—11 locations across Long Island, Manhattan, Westchester and the Capital Region

Info@SportimeNY.com l (631) 269-1055 SPORTIME’s facilities, programs and coaches have set the tennis standard of excellence in New York since 1994. With more than 150 hard and soft surface courts, indoors and outdoors, we offer great tennis clubs and facilities, and cuttingedge programs, academies and camps for players of all ages and abilities. Faced with the challenges of COVID-19, we responded immediately with new guidelines and protocols designed to keep our players, members, guests and staff safe and healthy. To find out more, go to SportimeNY.com/Covid19_Guidelines. Programs for everyone include: • Juniors: From Bounce for preschoolers, to the SPORTIME U10 tennis pathway for red and orange level players, to SPORTIME EXCEL for green and yellow level juniors, to the ultimate opportunity to train with New York tennis icon Johnny Mac and the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) team, SPORTIME offers a complete menu of tennis programming for every level of junior development and play. Our curriculums include world-class, age and level appropriate athletic training, mental toughness training, vision training, and more, reflecting our commitment to developing complete players. SPORTIME/JMTA’s approach, including gamification, gets kids playing fast and blends technical and tactical learning and coaching from the very first lesson. SPORTIME students turn their weaknesses into strengths and their strengths into winning games! • Adults: SPORTIME’s Adult Tennis Kinetics is the largest adult group lesson program in the country. Major League Tennis, Cardio Tennis, and SPORTIME’s signature “Zone” high-intensity, competitive games program all provide great workouts, combined with skills development and lots of fun! For those looking for the ultimate challenge, SPORTIME offers Adult EXCEL, modeled after the Junior EXCEL and JMTA programs. Mixed-doubles parties, round-robin mixers, club tournaments, special events, and concierge-style game arranging, enhance adult play throughout the year. • SPORTIME Summer Camps and JMTA Tennis Training Camps: SPORTIME offers the best tennis and sports camps anywhere and has a camp location near you! SPORTIME summer and school-break camps, including U10, EXCEL and JMTA player development camps, utilize fun and fast-paced training methods, competitive games, technical instruction and tactical training for match play, as well as off-court athletic and mental toughness training. Multi-Sport, Preschool, Volleyball and Hockey camps are also offered.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

SportimeNY.com

USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Flushing Meadows Corona Park l Flushing, N.Y. (718) 760-6200 The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open Tennis Championships, is the largest public tennis facility in the world. It is, most certainly, a “Tennis Welcome Center.” The Tennis Center is open to the public year-round for court rentals and offers exciting programming, as well as numerous events throughout the year. Programs are offered for all ages and levels, as well as clinics, private lessons, leagues, tours, field trips, summer camps, corporate events, birthday parties, and tournaments. The NTC also supports all USTA Community Tennis and Player Development initiatives. The professional staff of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center also conducts community tennis programs, including 11 & Under Tennis for children 11 years of age and under to learn tennis in a fun and dynamic way; USTA Junior Team Tennis for youth match play; USTA League Tennis for competitive, level-of-play competition, and an official Cardio Tennis site for oncourt heart-pumping fitness. Initiatives for USTA Player Development include an Invitational USTA Competition Training Center for ranked players, Player Development programs for top-ranking juniors residing in the Northeast, and a year-round USTA Tournament Training Program for ranked juniors. The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis also provides for diverse community outreach programs including; the New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL), the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, various Community outreach events, the Queens District Attorney’s Star Track/Say Yes to Tennis, No to Violence program for Queens at-risk youth. The NTC hosts various tennis opportunities for special populations, including wheelchair tennis instruction for the physicallychallenged from the months of October through July, HERO (Help Expand Recreational Opportunities) for developmentally challenged adults and tennis for autistic children through NYFAC (New York Families for Autistic Children). There is an extensive summer camp program which provides basic tennis instruction starting as young as 11 and under up through and including Academy level players. Camps include instruction and fitness programs; the encouragement of good sportsmanship leading to general character building for the children of all ages and levels. These services are provided at a nominal cost, making it affordable for youngsters who would not otherwise get the chance to attend camp or receive tennis instruction. Lastly, the Project ACES (Alternative Classroom Environment for Students), implemented at the NTC in 2009, is geared towards children from schools from the New York City Metropolitan Area.

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

NTC.USTA.com

USTA Eastern Long Island Region USTA Eastern Set for Virtual Conference highlight of the USTA Eastern Tennis Conference (ETC) each year is the celebration of the best in the Section at the Saturday evening Awards Dinner. Each year, USTA Eastern honors those who have made remarkable contributions toward growing and promoting tennis at the grassroots level. In the past, recipients were recognized in January during a special dinner at the Conference. This year’s ETC will be held virtually from January 25-30, 2021 and will feature the theme “Eastern Strong.” For information on attending the event, please visit: https://www.usta.com/ETC2021 While the ETC will be virtual this year, the excitement and celebration will still be an important part of the festivities. Long Island is proud of our community members who will be honored this year with 2020-21 USTA Eastern Awards. They are:

Sportime NY: Corporate Service Award This award is given to an organization whose sponsorship of tennis and programs has helped to grow the sport in the Section. Sportime will be honored for, among other things, its early and regular communications to members about COVID-19 and ways to keep safe while continuing to enjoy tennis. Sportime has kept its members informed about its clubs’ safety protocols as well as safety measures for summer camp. The clubs’ messages have been reassuring to members and encouraged players to return to the game. Sportime made its safety planning information available to other clubs and facilities in need. Daniel Burgess, Sr.: Leslie J. FitzGibbon Tennis Man of the Year Given to a male USTA Eastern volunteer in recognition of long and outstanding service to tennis in the section, this award will be presented posthumously to Daniel Burgess, Sr. A longtime USTA Long Island volunteer, Daniel passed away in September at age 67. In addition to serving as USTA Long Island President for three terms, he led the USPTA Long Island and served on the Board of USTA 30

Eastern. Over more than three decades, Daniel was a strong advocate of bringing tennis into the community and could be seen on the local courts around Long Island introducing tennis to children and adults through events and programs like USTA Long Island Kids’ Day, Freeport and Merrick PAL tennis, street fairs and festivals, and schools tennis. Most recently, he founded the non-profit Learning Institute of Tennis, Life Skills & Sportsmanship to continue offering tennis and other programming to the local community. Jeff Williams: Press Service Award Awarded to a member of the press corps for excellence in reporting tennis in the section, this award will be presented to Jeff Williams. The tennis beat reporter for Newsday, the largest circulation newspaper on Long Island, Jeff has consistently covered high school, college, US Open and NY Open tennis for more than a decade. During the past several months of the COVID-19 pandemic Jeff has really shown his tennis expertise and his support for making sure that Long Island tennis is covered well. Throughout the pandemic and lockdown in New York, Jeff wrote stories about the tennis community in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, drawing on the knowledge and experience of the LI Council members and others to help flesh out his stories. His pandemic coverage has helped explain to the broader Long Island community why tennis could be considered a safe sport relative to COVID-19 and how local tennis players and facilities were getting back to the sport we all love in a safe manner.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

USTA Eastern Long Island Region Joan Manfredi-Carter: Louise Cilla Award Recognizing a female adult (senior) player who has exemplified outstanding sportsmanship both on and off the court and who has contributed much to the game. Joan ManfrediCarter is a longtime #1 tennis player on Long Island and in the Eastern Section. She has taught and played against many local players on Long Island and has been seen every year in the recent past at the USTA Long Island Awards Dinner receiving an award for her tennis play. In 2017, in her late 50s, she was #1 in the Eastern Section in Women’s Open Singles. Allan Silverstein & Susan D’Alessandro: USTA League Award This award is given to a captain or coordinator who has made a significant contribution in the growth and development of USTA League Tennis in the section. This year’s honorees, Allan Silverstein and Susan D’Alessandro, spearheaded the launch and fostered the growth of the 65-and-over mixed doubles league on Long Island. The number of players in this league continues to grow and the two have reached out to various tennis clubs to provide court time at reduced rates. Gavin Vander Schaaf: Profiles in Courage Award This award recognizes a tennis enthusiast or advocate who has demonstrated the ability to overcome adversity and display strength and optimism. Gavin Vander Schaaf was diagnosed at age 5 with Chiari Malformation, a disease in which parts of his brain were extending into his spine. He needed several brain surgeries and had constant headaches and chronic pain. He also was diagnosed with Celiac Disease and Lyme Disease, which caused his immune system to be at

war with its own body. He had severe vitamin deficiency, which caused debilitating nerve pain. For several years he used a wheelchair because he couldn’t stand without excruciating pain. Although his multiple diagnoses and constant pain meant he was unable to participate in sports as a child, by the time he reached 7th grade he was eager to find a sport to help him feel like the other kids. He picked up a tennis racquet and never looked back. In the Spring of 2018, he made the middle school tennis team, playing 4th singles. Two years later, he made the varsity team at his school, despite being in constant pain. Gavin says that “Unlike my wheelchair, I definitely use my tennis racquet as a crutch. A crutch to distract me from my pain, to take my mind off the stressors of the day and use my body in ways I never thought possible. Studies have shown that tennis generates new connections in the nerves in the brain, which promotes development of the brain. Being able to move past mistakes and evaluate a situation and problem solve in the moment during a point translates into my life when facing a situation, being able to accept it and weigh my options, and executive an effective and tactical approach without hesitation.” Michelle Stoerback: Long Island Region Volunteer of the Year Michelle Stoerback is the Adult Tennis Director at Sportime Kings Park/Quogue. An avid USTA league tennis player herself who has captained several USTA League teams, Michelle has been an active volunteer on the Long Island Regional Council and has donated numerous hours of her time at Long Island based tennis events including the USTA Long Island Annual Awards Ceremony, Kids Days and volunteer clinics.

USTA Eastern Long Island Regional Council Executive Committee • Jonathan Klee, Regional Director • Michael Pavlides, Past Regional Director • Sunny Fishkind, Vice Regional Director • Randi Wilkins, Secretary

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Photos courtesy of USTA

he 2021 Grand Slam season in professional tennis will begin, as it normally does each year, in Melbourne with the Australian Open, but this edition of the tournament Down Under will present a far different scenario than previous years. For starters, the 2021 Australian Open will not be played in January, instead beginning on February 8. Players will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arriving in Melbourne, meaning the qualifying rounds will be played in Doha, Qatar for the ATP Tour and Dubai, United Arab Emirates for the WTA Tour. In between the qualifying rounds and the start of the Australian Open, there will be 250-level tournaments held in Melbourne for both the men’s and women’s tours, which will lead in to the commencement of the year’s first Grand Slam. Once the players get acclimated and the tournament gets underway, the attention will turn to the play between the white lines. The defending champions on each respective side enter the event with far different career resumes, as American Sofia Kenin won her first major last year when she defeated Garbine Muguruza to hoist the Aussie trophy, while Serbia’s Novak Djokovic outlasted Dominic Thiem in a five-set thriller to win his second straight and eighth Australian Open overall. “This tournament sets a high standard for all the other tournaments around the world and it’s definitely my favorite court, my favorite stadium in the world,” said Djokovic. “I’m blessed to hold this trophy once again.”

The win was the beginning of what was an historic start to the season for Djokovic, who carried an undefeated record all the way late into the summer before being infamously defaulted at the U.S. Open. Djokovic will be the tournament’s clear favorite in 2021 as he seeks his third straight title in Oz. On the flip side, the loss only added fuel to the fire for Thiem, the Austrian native who continued to come up short in Grand Slam finals. But those tough experiences would pay off in the long run as later in the year, at the aforementioned U.S. Open, Thiem defeated Alexander Zverev in a five-set match to win his first career title. "It was tough to stay there and to still believe, but I did," said Thiem. "It's a Slam final...the belief was always there." While Thiem would falter in the French Open quarterfinals, a long layoff in the winter could refuel him for a deep run in Melbourne where he will seek a return to the Australian Open final. Speaking of belief, few players on either tour possess more confidence in their own abilities than Kenin, who is soft-spoken off the court but carries a huge game on it. Following her title a year ago, Kenin would go on to have the best year of her career which included a run to the French Open finals and ultimately winning WTA’s Player of the Year. "This is such an honor," she said afterwards. "I'm so proud of myself, my dad, my team, everyone that has been around me. We've all worked hard. We've been through tough times. We did it. We fought. I'm just on cloud nine."

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

Now Kenin is the event’s defending champion, and like Thiem, a long layoff in the offseason should provide a healthy and rested Kenin, which does not bode well for the rest of the field. The American should be considered one of the tournament’s favorites. The New Year also brings with it excitement of possible breakout stars to emerge. Kenin’s opponent in the French Open, Poland’s Iga Swiatek, still just a teenager, will look to build off of her tremendous victory at Roland Garros as she transitions from clay to hard courts. She reached the fourth round at the Australian Open this time last year, and with Grand Slam experience now in her possession, Swiatek looks to be a force on the tour, and most notably at the major events. One player to look out for on the men’s side is Brandon Nakashima, another teenager who put together a solid year in 2020. He reached the quarterfinals at Delray Beach and the semifinals at Indian Wells; most recently, he won five straight matches at the Orlando Challenger en route to the title. A fan of playing on hard courts, Nakashima could be due for a run in Melbourne, and will certainly be a tough out for whomever he encounters in the draw. The Australian Open will give fans a fascinating look into what the sport of tennis may look like in 2021 and beyond. An important factor will be how players adjust to the “bubble” like set up, and if the tournament can be held without any positive cases or breaches in protocols. The later start date, while it interferes with the schedule for the rest of the year on both tours, allows organizers to set up a safe environment for players and staff, and the goal is to have the majority of the conversation around the tournament focused on tennis, and not COVID-19.

Long Island Tennis Magazine’s Contenders, Pretenders and Sleepers Contenders Novak Djokovic The two-time defending champion is owner of eight Australian Open titles overall, and is coming off of a dominating 2020 season. While the season would end with losses at the U.S. Open and French Open, Djokovic is the world’s best hard-court player and will be more motivated than ever as we enter 2021. Alexander Zverev

Just a few points away from being a Grand Slam champion, Alexander Zverev came up just short in the U.S. Open finals a few months ago. Instead, the young German

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is still searching for his first major title. An excellent hard court player with the type of power that can help him topple any opponent, Zverev will look to build off his first Grand Slam final appearance and try to go one match further this time around.

Pretenders Gael Monfils

Simona Halep It was a bit of a quiet year for Romania’s Simona Halep, who opted not to travel to the United States for the Western & Southern and U.S. Opens. She returned when the tours moved back to Europe, and she lost to eventual champion Iga Swiatek in the French Open Round of 16. Owner of two Grand Slam titles (one on clay and one on grass), Halep could be due for her first hard-court Grand Slam victory. Sofia Kenin The defending champion, Sofia Kenin proved to the world in 2020 that she has the chops to perform on the biggest stage. Kenin won her first Grand Slam in Melbourne, and concluded the year by reaching the French Open finals. With more pressure on her this year, don’t look for Kenin to falter underneath it, but instead embrace the challenge as she aims to repeat as champion.

One of the flashiest and most enjoyable players to watch on tour, Gael Monfils is always must-see television. However, his game translates much better to the clay, and Monfils has never been able to maintain consistency for the two-week long Grand Slams. His best showing at the Australian Open was a quarterfinal appearance in 2016, which will be hard to duplicate in 2021.

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Daniil Medvedev Daniil Medvedev has been one of the best players on tour over the last couple of years, but has yet to find success at the Australian Open. Despite being a premier hard-court player, and one who is currently ranked fourth, Medvedev has failed to make it out of the fourth round in Melbourne in his career, and could struggle to do so again this year. Serena Williams The greatest player of all-time has not performed her best at the Grand Slams in recent years. She is a seven-time champion Down Under, but failed to make it out of the thirdround last year, and with another year gone, Serena may struggle to reach the second week of the 2021 Australian Open. Ashleigh Barty The top-ranked woman in the world may feel a bit of added pressure competing in her home country of Australia. She did reach the semifinals last year, before falling to Kenin, but lacks the type of power that wins on hard courts, and therefore may not be able to repeat that performance this time around.

Sleepers Grigor Dimitrov Once considered a phenom, Grigor Dimitrov will turn 30 in 2021, and could be due for the biggest season of his career. He has been successful at the Australian Open in the past, and has the type of game that could dominate on hard courts. Dimitrov has gone through a number of coaches through the past couple of years, but, now a veteran, Dimitrov has the experience and game to make a deep run Down Under.

Denis Shapovalov The flashy lefty is one of the most intriguing players on the men’s tour. Shapovalov is coming off a quarterfinal showing at the U.S. Open in 2020, and will aim to carry that success across the world to Australia where he is a real threat to make a deep run at the title. Elina Svitolina One could make the argument that Elina Svitolina is the most accomplished player on the women’s tour without a Grand Slam title to her name. The Ukrainian is a mainstay in the Top 10 and has reached two major semifinals, but expect that to change in 2021. Svitolina has the game and confidence to beat anyone on tour, and could very well breakthrough when the women’s tour returns in Australia in 2021. Jennifer Brady The big-hitting American burst onto the scene in 2020 as she reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open. Few players strike the ball harder than Brady, the former UCLA standout, and the fast courts in Melbourne suit her game perfectly. With Grand Slam experience under her belt, Brady should be considered one of the favorites at this year’s Australian Open, so don’t be surprised if she advances deep into the tournament.

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

BEYOND THE BASELINE

BEYOND THE BASELINE BEYOND THE BASELINE

e n i l e s a B e h t d on Bey

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By B

BEYOND THE BASELINE BEYOND

Bill Levin, Topspin Tennis

he rollercoaster ride that has been 2020 has seen tennis go through peaks and valleys in terms of participation throughout the year. The global pandemic led to a shutdown initially, but as tennis was deemed a safe sport, camps returned in the summer and clubs opened back up with safety protocols in place, resulting in an increased participation level, according to the USTA. One person who saw this trend was Bill Levin, Owner of Topspin Tennis in

Syosset. For more than 40 years, Levin and his family have been one of the top providers of tennis equipment for Long Islanders, and at the forefront of what he calls “Racket Science.” “Through all the ups and downs businesses typically have, 2020 has obviously been the most volatile and unpredictable year of all,” he said. “When the pandemic emerged in March and April, our sales were basically zero. But for May and the rest of the year, there was a growth of sales

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

like we’ve never seen before.” Levin explains his thoughts on why that happened. “We attribute the surge to a few factors,” he said. “First, we noticed an uptick of new players who were looking for physical activity, outside of the gym, which was socially distant and fun. And then there were those people who hadn’t played in 15-20 years who dug their rackets out of the attic or garage and headed to the courts again. These folks regained their love for the game

OND THE BASELINE

BEYOND THE BASELINE BEYOND THE BASELINE

and I believe most of them will continue our fantastic “Sport for Life”. And those frequent players continued to hit the courts with more frequency. Add it all up and we witnessed unprecedented waiting lines and crowds for the public and school courts. Also noteworthy was that we saw large tennis organizations finally come out with a TV commercial promoting the social and health benefits which was widely neglected in the past.” Levin knows a thing or two about the Long Island tennis community, and his thoughts on the state of tennis here come from his long experience as a key cog in the community. His parents started Topspin in 1977, and a few years later, Levin would buy the business and has been at the helm ever since. “The opportunity to come and own my own business was too good to pass up. And it’s the tennis business, a fun business in the best sport. So my wife and I bought the business and the rest is history,” said Levin, who played baseball and hockey growing up, but was always a tennis fan. “You learn how to do things,” Levin said of owning a tennis shop having never played the sport beforehand. “I loved watching the sport. I started taking lessons myself, and started stringing rackets, and within a year, I was on top of it. It’s a job, yes,

but it’s also a pastime.” He takes great pride in being a top provider of tennis apparel, equipment and more to local residents, and his shop has also served as a hangout place for tennis enthusiasts. “We connect with our customers. We’re similar to our corner bar, like the television show ‘Cheers’ where folks can hang out and watch the tennis channel,” said Levin. “Ironically, even with the changing retail environment, we’ve been able to thrive because of our huge selection, customer service, guaranteed satisfaction and the lowest prices. Our customers keep coming back because we have the largest inventory of shoes and rackets on Long Island. We have a comfortable atmosphere here. The people coming in are playing a sport, not going to the dentist, so they are upbeat, and it makes for a fun way to make a living.” This year, of course, has been a bit different. With social distancing and limits on gatherings, it’s tougher to be around large groups of people, but there is hope of change as we progress through 2021. As a integral member of the local tennis community, Levin has seen just how much the businesses have done to limit the spread of the virus by enacting safety measures so that the tennis business can continue to operate.

BEYOND THE BASELINE BEYOND THE “No one knows what to expect for the coming months, but there is hope the virus will end when the vaccine is widely available. By this coming summer, I believe there will be more tennis, and pickleball, being played on Long Island than ever before,” he said. “Kudos to all the operators of the tennis clubs and facilities in Nassau and Suffolk counties. They have kept to strict safety protocols which have protected the players extremely well. These measures enhanced not only their business but added to the health of the community.” Levin is confident that these measures have helped, and we will come out on the other side better than ever. As a business owner, having to adjust and adapt is nothing new, and he is optimistic for what 2021 and beyond will bring. “With regards to Topspin’s business, we must always be adaptable to changes in our industry, such as the internet, competition and other trends that keep us on our toes,” he said. “Our business has been a Labor of Love, and we will continue to participate in the continuous growth of tennis for years to come.” Brian Coleman is the Senior Editor for Long Island Tennis Magazine. He may be reached at brianc@usptennis.com.

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Should My Kid Play Up? By Chris Lewit t’s a common question parents ask: “Should my kid play up?” The correct answer depends on the kid and depends on the situation. Over the years, I have studied with many different legendary coaches, who have differing views on the subject. Curiously, it seems the coaching world is a divided house on this issue. As an elite private and consultant coach myself, I’m often in the position of recommending tournament schedules and training plans to my clients, and this is a prominent question in our developmental planning. It’s helpful to understand that there are two main philosophical positions on separate ends of the spectrum—two camps, if you will—and it’s also important to understand the difference between Training Up and Competing Up . Two Camps l The “You Must Earn Your Way To The Next Level!” Camp l Some parents and coaches adamantly believe that training and competing mainly with peers of

similar level is the way to develop. They argue that nobody should be allowed to move up in practice or competition without systematically defeating all the players at their current level. In addition, they believe a healthy mix of practice and competition levels is better for development than primarily playing stronger kids. l The “Faster Progress Is Made By Constantly Challenging Yourself Against Higher Level Players” Camp. Other parents and coaches passionately argue that playing and training up is the fastest way to improve, by continually challenging a player with stronger opponents. Training Up vs. Competing Up Training Up means finding weekly practice groups with stronger players and/or scheduling private sparring partners with partners who are a higher skill level or UTR:

Positives

1. Hitting with stronger players regularly makes players stronger and girds them to handle pace and heavy spin. 2. Players typically play better against stronger players. 3. Stronger and older players usually don’t hit as many moonballs or soft disruptive shots. They hit harder drives, which some parents and children appreciate. Players find they can get better rhythm with stronger consistent players. 4. It’s often exhilarating and motivating to hit with stronger players. 5. Players can pick up good habits just be being exposed to higher level players’ skill level, patterns, technique, and training intensity.

Negatives

1. Players don’t develop their creativity as much when always playing higher level opponents in practice. There can be no time to experiment or work on deficits. 2. It can be demoralizing and stressful to always lose in practice. Lack of success can hurt players’ selfconfidence. 3. Some players get very nervous when playing higher level kids. This can build anxiety in the player. 4. Always playing with older players can be socially isolating for some players. 5. For players who are not physically ready, playing up can increase the likelihood of musculoskeletal injury due to the higher forces being applied to the ball, racquet, and body.

Competing Up Competing Up means entering events in older and/or stronger divisions, 40

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

sometimes in regions far away from home. In addition to the positives and negatives listed above, here are a few additional pros/cons on competing up: Positives

1. New and diverse competition can be found in higher divisions and in other regions around the country and world. 2. Traveling to new foreign places can be stimulating and also builds experience for the pro tour lifestyle.

Negatives

1. The player is generally unable to experiment with new skills on the court because he is just trying to survive. 2. The player can miss out on learning how to handle pressure because playing up tends to apply less pressure in competition. 3. Traveling frequently can be a mental and emotional grind—and can

mentally fatigue a player over time. 4. Traveling can eat up a lot of training time. Some coaches prefer a local tournament schedule to allow for more training in between events and after losses. Conclusion As a parent or coach, or if you are a player yourself, you will have to balance the aforementioned pros and cons when deciding when and if to play up. Remember that there is not one correct way; rather, there are different pathways that work for different personalities. I usually search for a reasonable middle ground with my charges. For my

players, I like to see a balance: Some play against peers—combined with a healthy amount of playing up for challenge. Watch out for the physical and mental risks of playing up. Sometimes, with certain players, playing up too much can risk injury and undermine player confidence. Confusingly, with certain personalities, playing up can be incredibly motivating and healthy. Make a clear plan—and be flexible and quick to adjust the training and competition schedule based on player observation and feedback. Please check out my podcast The Prodigy Maker Show, Episode 47, for an in depth discussion on this topic!

Chris Lewit is a former number one for Cornell and a pro circuit player. He is a highperformance coach, educator, and the author of two best-selling books: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and The Tennis Technique Bible. He has coached numerous top 10 nationally-ranked players and is known for his expertise in building the foundations of young prodigies. Chris trains players during the school year in the NYC area, and players come from around the country to his summer camp in the paradise of Vermont. He may be reached by phone at (914) 462-2912, e-mail ChrisLewit@gmail.com or visit ChrisLewit.com.

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LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Course Correction Mental Training During the Coronavirus By Rob Polishook

ike many of you, I wonder how things will get back to normal post the COVID-19 crisis. The last nine months have definitely been unprecedented. Fortunately, vaccines are now being distributed to health care workers and in months the general population. So, what can tournament tennis players do in the meantime? My hope is that this sports “pause” has and will allow athletes the time to step back. What if, in some way, this pandemic has a silver lining: we have an opportunity for a “course correction” in how athletes approach their sport? The correction doesn’t necessarily have to be drastic, though it will have a positive impact on your performance. As tennis players, we are always pushing to improve technique, struggling to get stronger, forcing ourselves to be more fit, and working to reach another level. If we are honest with ourselves, we don't spend enough time re-centering and taking care of our emotional well-being. So often, when we get anxious or frustrated, we run from the present moment. When we are unhappy with an outcome or a score, we selfmedicate by physically working harder, forcing more, and ultimately grinding ourselves to exhaustion. We've all been there! But what if

this approach is not the answer? Maybe the lesson here is to notice our fearful thoughts about not being good enough, or our anxiety about not reaching our goals, and instead reset by breathing, being in the present moment and focusing on what we can control. Now with the New Year (2021) upon us, it is the perfect time to reflect and evaluate how you approach your training for the coming year. In addition to focusing on the physical, dedicate real time, effort and thought to the important mental/emotional side of who you are, what motivates you and how you play. Only then will you really experience true balance and perspective to go forward with passion and purpose.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

Billie Jean King shared her thoughts about the pandemic during a CNN interview with Christiane Amanpour and Andy Murray, she said "It’s a great time to meditate…and also think about what it means to be the best you can be…I think the greatest players in the world, it doesn’t matter what generation are the strongest emotionally. It’s also really important to have reflection time… You’ve got to come out of this [pandemic] and it’s going to be different, and you have to adapt.” The following are 10 ideas that can help you with your mental edge. Think of this list as a menu, choose what resonates with you. Use these mental and emotional course corrections to slow down, go inside, and become more aware. 1. Meditate. Breathe. 2. Make time to decide what you're grateful for. 3. Practice solo: shadow stroke, wall, games. 4. Be curious: read, watch videos, explore. 5. Take a walk or run outside. 6. Play with your pet. They are always present. 7. Hang with your arms from a tree, do yoga, or stretch. 8. Connect with family, friends and supporters.

9. Get more sleep and make healthy food choices. 10. Journal, write, draw, sing or create music. Here’s an example of a course correction: I was watching the news and feeling more and more anxious (which is what many athletes are feeling about their game right now) and my dog, Gumbo, sensing my energy, was barking non-stop, wanting my attention. I ignored her at first, then I picked her up and she settled in my arms like mush (see the sixth idea above). This in turn allowed me to settle down and turn the TV off! I then begin this article. Taking a pause actually allows us the space to move forward. To make progress as athletes, we need to step away from the noise, recenter, and reconnect with ourselves. Doing this has an added advantage as it allows us to see that sport isn’t your entire identity. Sports are what

“ ”

If we are honest with ourselves, we don't spend enough time re-centering and taking care of our emotional well-being. you do, not who you are. You are a whole human athlete, a person first with heart, energy, and spirit. Paradoxically, you’ll find bringing

this balance to your game will give you the mental edge, often the difference between winning and losing.

Rob Polishook, MA, CPC is the founder of Inside the Zone Sports Performance Group. As a mental training coach, he works with the whole human athlete helping them to unleash their mental edge (heart.energy.spirit) through mindfulness, somatic psychology, animal wisdom and mental training skills. Rob is author of 2 best-selling books: Tennis Inside the Zone and Baseball Inside the Zone: Mental Training Workouts for Champions. He can be reached by phone at (973) 723-0314, by e-mail rob@insidethezone.com, by visiting insidethezone.com, following on Instagram @insidethezone

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

2020 2 0 2020 2020 2 0 2020

Year s we turn our attention to 2021, I doubt there is anyone who is eager to look back at 2020; it has certainly been a year most of us want to forget. The tennis tours were halted for a significant amount of time during the summer, but did return in the fall with a number of events, including the U.S. and French Opens. For the first time since World War II, the Wimbledon Championships in England weren’t played, and the French Open was moved from May to September. Before looking ahead to 2021, we recap the year that was 2020 in the tennis world:

U.S. Open

Photo Credit: USTA/Pete Staples

2020 Grand Slams Australian Open Photo Credit: Getty Images

Dates: August 31- September 13 Location: Flushing, New York Results Men’s Singles: Dominic Thiem defeated Alexander Zverev 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 Women’s Singles: Naomi Osaka defeated Victoria Azarenka 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 Men’s Doubles: Mate Pavic and Bruno Soares defeated Wesley Kohof and Nikola Mektic 7-5, 6-3 Women’s Doubles: Laura Siegemund and Vera Zvonareva defeated Nicole Melichar and Xu Yifan 6-4, 6-4

Dates: January 20-February 2 Location: Melbourne, Australia Results Men’s Singles: Novak Djokovic defeated Dominic Thiem 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 Women’s Singles: Sofia Kenin defeated Garbiñe Muguruza 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 Men’s Doubles: Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram defeated Luke Saville and Max Purcell 6-4, 6-2 Women’s Doubles: Kristina Mladenovic and Timea Babos defeated Su-Wei Hsieh and Barbora Strycova 6-2, 6-1 Mixed Doubles: Nicola Mekti and Barbora Krejcikova defeated Jamie Murray and Bethanie Mattek-Sands 5-7, 6-4, 10-1

French Open Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/FFT

Dates: September 21-October 11 Location: Paris, France

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

2020 2020 2020 2020 20 0 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 20 0 2020 2020 2020 2020

in Review

By Emilie Katz

Results Men’s Singles: Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 Women’s Singles: Iga Swiatek defeated Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-1 Men’s Doubles: Andreas Mies and Kevin Krawietz defeated Mate Pavic and Bruno Soares 6-3, 7-5 Women’s Doubles: Kristina Mladenovic and Timea Babos defeated Alexa Guarachi and Desirae Krawczyk 6-4, 7-5

WTA Most Improved Player of the Year: Iga Swiatek Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/FFT

2020 Year End Award Winners WTA WTA Player of the Year: Sofia Kenin Kenin captured her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open this year. She went on to advance to her second Grand Slam final at Roland Garros. She finished the year at a career high ranking of number four on the WTA tour. WTA Doubles Team of the Year: Kristina Mladenovic/Timea Babos The duo captured two Grand Slam titles this season, first at the Australian Open and next at Roland Garros.

Swiatek captured her first title on the WTA tour at the French Open. By doing this she became the first polish player to ever win a Grand Slam title. The 19 year old finished the season at a career high ranking of number 17. WTA Newcomer of the Year: Nadia Podoroska Podoroska started the 2020 season ranked outside the top continued on page 46

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

2020 year in review continued from page 45

250. She advanced to her first career tour level semifinal at the French Open before falling to the eventual champion. Prior to Paris she never won a Grand Slam match or beaten a top 50 ranked opponent. She ended the season ranked number 48 on the tour. Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award: Marie Bouzkova Marie Bouzkova from the Czech Republic earns her first Karen Krantzcke sportsmanship award which is voted on by her peers on tour. This award is presented to the player who conducts herself in a manner fitting of a professional sports figure and observes the rules of fair play, shows respect for others and is gracious on and off the court. Peachy Kellmeyer Player Service Award: WTA Players’ Council This year’s Peachy Kellmeyer Player Service Award, which is also voted on by the players, is awarded to all 10 players that served on the WTA Players’ Council during the 2020 season: Kristie Ahn, Gabriela Dabrowski, Madison Keys, Johanna Konta, Aleksandra Krunic, Christina McHale, Kristina Mladenovic, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Sloane Stephens and Donna Vekic. The group has worked countless hours to help the Tour return safely and successfully during the unprecedented 2020 season. WTA Coach of the Year: Piotr Sierzputowski Piotr Sierzputowski, coach of Iga Swiatek was honored with

the WTA Coach of the Year Award. This award recognizes the winning coach for not only success on the court, but for serving as an ambassador of tennis and bringing coaching to the forefront of the game. Sierzputowski began coaching Swiatek in 2016 while she was competing on the Junior Circuit. He helped develop her game from juniors to the professional level and lead her to a junior Wimbledon title in 2018. He also had a huge impact on her French Open Title this year.

2020 WTA Retirements

Caroline Wozniacki In 2019, Wozniacki announced that the 2020 Australian Open would be her final tournament, and she would retire from professional tennis in order to spend more time with her family.

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Although she retired ranked 37 in the WTA rankings, Wozniacki had previously held the No. 1 spot for 71 weeks after first reaching the top spot in 2010. She also appeared in three Olympics, representing Denmark in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. In 2018, she finally secured her first and only Grand Slam title at the Australian Open after appearing in 43 Grand Slam tournaments and three major finals throughout her career. Ekaterina Makarova Ekaterina Makarova officially announced her retirement from professional tennis in January of this year nearly a year after her previous appearance on tour. Reaching a career-high singles ranking of number 8 in the world in 2015, Makarova reached the singles semifinals at the 2014 US Open and the 2015 Australian Open. Makarova is also a three-time Grand Slam champion and Rio Olympics gold medalist in doubles. She reached the doubles World No.1 ranking with compatriot Elena Vesnina in 2018, and held it for five weeks. Maria Sharapova Maria Sharapova turned professional in 2001 at the age of 14. She reached the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in 2005, at the age of 18, becoming the first Russian female tennis player to top the singles rankings. She won five Grand Slam titles: two at the French Open and one each at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. She also won the year-end WTA Finals in her debut in 2004. Sharapova called it quits on her highly successful career in February after enduring a persistent shoulder Injury. Jessica Moore Jessica Moore announced her retirement at this years Australian Open. She is a two-time WTA title winner in doubles. Moore reached 5 WTA finals in doubles and her highest ranking was 52 in the world. Johanna Larsson Johanna Larsson announced her retirement in February of this year. The Swede reached a career high singles ranking of 45 in the world. Additionally, she achieved success on the doubles court as a top 20 player, with a run to the semifinals at the 2019 French Open. Rika Fujiwara Rika Fujiwara announced her retirement in March having reached a career high ranking of 84 in singles and 13 in doubles on the WTA tour. She reached six WTA doubles finals, winning one and also reached the doubles semifinals of the 2002 French Open. Julia Georges Julia Goerges announced her retirement in October ending a 15-year career. The German reached her highest ranking

of 9th in the world in 2018 and was ranked 45th at her retirement. Goerges reached the Wimbledon semifinals in 2018 before losing in straight sets to Serena Williams. She was runner-up in mixed doubles at the French Open in 2014 alongside Nenad Zimonjic and was a finalist in the Fed Cup with Germany in 2014.

ATP Retirements

Bob and Mike Bryan The Americans were the most accomplished men’s doubles team of all time, capturing a record 16 Grand Slam men’s doubles titles together, including 5 US Opens. The pair will officially exit on a winning note having successfully defended their title at the Delray Beach Open and helping the U.S. qualify for the Davis Cup Finals in Hawaii before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the tennis tours to shut down for five months. Now 42, the Bryans finish their careers with more than 1100 wins together, 119 titles and an Olympic gold medal. Their first Grand Slam title came at the 2003 French Open and they completed a career Grand Slam just three years later at Wimbledon. Santiago Giraldo Santiago Giraldo retired October 16 following a 16 year run on the ATP Tour. Throughout his career He claimed 168 tour-level wins. The Colombian, who rose to a career-high No. 28 in the ATP Rankings also captured 10 ATP Challenger Tour trophies. Steve Darcis After 16 years on Tour, Steve Darcis is bringing is career to a close. The 5’9” Belgian captured two ATP Tour crowns during his 17-year professional career. Darcis enjoyed a breakout year in 2017, reaching a career-high of No. 38 in the ATP Rankings, but was forced to miss the 2018 season due to an elbow injury. He returned January of 2019 and recorded his first ATP Tour semi-final in seven years at his first tournament back.

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Mythbusters An Analysis and Opinion on Up-and-Down For Player Development By Ricky Becker

ne of the biggest trends for the last few years in competitive junior groups block programming is that of “Upand-Down.”

Description For those of you who might be unfamiliar, “Up-and-Down”, also known in some places as “Up-The River/Down The River”, is where you have a few adjacent courts doing pro-fed games and the winner of the game after 15-minutes moves up a court, and whoever comes in last on the court moves down. Usually, players are assigned an initial court to warm-up and after 30-minutes or so “Up-and-Down” begins. In adult circles, this format is often called “The Zone” or “The Bounce” and is done in a cardio-format, but I’m just referring to it for junior development in this article. Benefits There are a couple of benefits to Upand-Down. Firstly, it allows a player to practice against more than just the three (or, unfortunately, sometimes four players when there are five players on a court). This way, you can practice against a wider range 48

of game styles. Additionally, a player can practice closer to the level of the way everyone is practicing that day. If you are really playing well and you started on a bottom court, you can keep working your way up until you hit a ceiling! It’s also a way of proving to yourself and the people in charge of assigning groups that you can handle stronger groups. If you are one of the weaker players in the drill, it can give you a chance to play with stronger players too! Lastly, to a large degree…it’s fun! One can see how high they can move up, players interact with more people (good socially, bad Covidly) and it keeps things moving. When players are having fun they usually play better and harder. There are definitely good things about it! Drawbacks From a player’s perspective, it is very difficult to work on something either technically or strategically knowing that if you keep losing you are going to be sent down a court. Practice, especially for tournament players, should be more about improvement and less about results. Up-and-Down does help keep

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

everybody’s competitive fire going but it’s hard to slow down and work on something that you may want to work on. Up-and-Down also takes coaching out of the equation. The focus of this format is definitely with who wins and who loses. There is no time to stop for two minutes to explain that everyone is hitting too flat or that most passing shots should be hit low. As a player, I know that if I was in last place with two minutes left, I wouldn’t want the coach to use that time to explain something, even if it had to be said. I wanted to win! Yes, a coach can give you some feedback after the game is over and you leave to go on a different court, but the coach might not be with you again that day to see your correction through so it’s kind of “top-line” instruction. Generally, it’s understood when playing up-and-down that the job of the coach is more to be a professional scorekeeper rather than a coach. With that said, it is also much less mentally exerting (like picking up balls) for coaches and not as demanding on them. Depending on the age it inevitably takes a couple of minutes for kids to

change courts, gather their things, some coaches wrongfully check their phones, etc., and if you do upand down for five-rounds that is 10 minutes of wasted time each session. Lastly, if you are the very strongest in your group, it can dilute the quality of you court. Overall Analysis For the reasons I gave, Up-andDown is a good thing to incorporate into your program—just not every week. In a program where the coaching quality is low, I would recommend doing “Up-and-Down” every other week and keeping fixed courts every other week. By alternating "Up-and-Down" weeks, one can get the opportunity to play to your in different levels against a variety of different players one week. The following week that player can get more “meat-andpotatoes” substance of just being on

the same court with players of like ability and a coach who can show you how you improved on something during that session because you had that coach the whole time. At a program where the coaching is at a higher level, I would limit Upand-Down to every three-to-four weeks. This is because of the limited influence coaches have when playing up-and-down. Better coaches are truly wasting their talents in this format and junior players would benefit developmentally with their more in-depth instruction. In my opinion, doing Up-andDown every week is a little bit of a

lazy way for clubs to avoid rational and irrational parent/player complaints regarding what court they are assigned. I know this as I sat in meetings years ago that mentioned this as a big benefit to doing “Up-and-Down”! And although the program director is choosing the format, coaches don’t mind because score keeping is pretty much a mind-numbing activity and takes little energy at the end of a long day. Who knew “Up-and-Down” and diets during the holiday season have something in common…everything in moderation!

Ricky Becker is The Director of Tennis at the prestigious Pine Hollow Country Club for his ninth year, coaches high-performance juniors throughout the year and has been the Director of Tennis at three of Long Island’s biggest junior programs. As a player, Becker was the Most Valuable Player for the 1996 NCAA Championship Stanford Tennis team and ranked in the top-five nationally as a junior. He can be reached at rbecker06@yahoo.com, 516359-4843 or via juniortennisconsulting.com.

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

ound Hill Hotel & Villas is an award-winning, historic resort nestled on a 110-acre peninsula just west of Montego Bay, Jamaica. Boasting a guest list of world leaders, cultural icons and Hollywood A-listers, this classic resort continues to attract a jet-set from around the world who enjoy timeless glamour and understated luxury along with pristine natural beaches and the inimitable Caribbean waters. Award-winning accommodations include 36 Ralph Lauren-designed oceanfront guestrooms, 96 luxurious villa rooms and suites, or a selection of 27 private 2 - 6-bedroom Villas – most with private pools. Other highlights include open-air terrace dining and The Grill at Round Hill, rousing family programs and a dedicated Pineapple Kid’s Club, an infinity pool, and a world-class, award-winning Elemis spa located in a beautifully restored 18th century plantation house. One of the few Jamaica hotels with multiple tennis courts, enthusiasts can balance leisure amenities with rousing match play on one of Round Hill’s five tennis courts, including three Har-Tru green clay courts. Not just for day use, two courts are lit for exhilarating nighttime matches. Round Hill’s tennis

Round Hill A Jamaican Tennis Destination center offers racquets for daily use, inhouse professionals to provide lessons for adults and children, and leisure or tournament play with other guests. To enhance the on-property tennis experience, guests may opt for the Stay & Play Tennis package, which is

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

designed to maximize time on-court throughout their stay. Inclusive of lessons, balls, unlimited court use, and use of racquets, mixed with additional relaxing resort amenities, the package provides the ideal resort experience for anyone seeking to perfect their game or simply enjoy some freespirited play. Guests can also enjoy a set of new luxury experiences and partnerships created for travelers’ privacy and comfort, and with new safety and social distancing protocols in place. The Villa Retreat package offers premium accommodations in one of the resort’s award-winning private villas coupled with special in-villa amenities to limit face-to-face interactions and enhance safety. In response to the demand for private travel, Round Hill unveiled an exciting new partnership with evoJets, one of the most trusted names in private travel. As part of this partnership, the Ultimate Private Luxury in Jamaica package includes round trip private charted flights by evoJets, luxury accommodation, and private chef led tours and dining, as well as additional VIP amenities. Book a stay with Round Hill at www.roundhill.com.

Parent Perspective On Coaching, Mentoring and Life By Jayson Schwartz am the proud parent of two junior tennis standouts. Jonathan and Adam grew up in Nassau County and developed a passion for tennis at a young age. My passion for the game was contagious. I wanted tennis to be a vehicle for learning life skills such as setting goals, working hard, playing by the rules, demonstrating good sportsmanship, and learning how to deal with both success and failure. Winning was secondary. Disappointment is part of life. Success comes from a good work ethic and being able to get back up if unsuccessful. I wanted tennis to enable my children to get the best education possible. I knew what it has done for me. I was a tennis player myself. Ranked in the top five in each age group and fifteen in the men’s division, I went to Penn and won two Ivy titles, was elected captain and named Most Valuable Player. I received my MBA at Wharton and

was the Assistant Men’s Tennis Coach and ran Penn’s indoor tennis facility. I am a member of the Penn Tennis Hall of Fame and have always loved coaching young people. The team members spent more time with me then their parents, what an awesome responsibility to have. My goal was to teach life skills to young kids as they transition to adulthood. That experience prepared me to be a better parent. Junior tennis was a great experience. I spent a lot of time with Jon and Adam. I wanted tennis to be a wonderful experience for them. Jon was ranked in each age group and finished top 10 in the East, attended the University of Delaware, where he was a captain. Adam finished number one in the East, Nassau County Champion, State Champion, and High School AllAmerican. Following that, he attended the University of Pennsylvania where he played on the team, was captain, and named the

Most Valuable Player; just like his father 40 years before. Today Jon and Adam work together at Walker and Dunlop which is a publicly traded company providing financing services for commercial real estate. They are very successful commercial Mortgage Brokers. I believe a result of their tennis experience and good parents. Not defined by winning and losing. They are both married to the most wonderful young ladies, Jodi and Perri, respectively. The most powerful word in the dictionary is TEAM. It stands for Together Each Achieve More. In conclusion, good parenting and coaching are not defined by winning and losing. It’s about mentoring and inspiring someone to be passionate about what they are doing and what they want to achieve. The same is true in business. It’s called leadership! There is no more important role in life especially in today’s world.

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Creating The Two-On-One Advantage in Doubles

By Mike Puc

s the number one junior player in Canada on my way to joining Florida’s Flagler College tennis team, which had just won the National Championship, I was full of excitement and expectations. College matches are comprised of both singles and doubles matches with the same players eligible for both matches. I was shocked and dismayed after a few doubles matches to have the coach pull me from doubles play because I “didn’t know how to play doubles.” By this the coach meant that there was a system of doubles plays and skills such as those he coined chip and charging, rolling and rip, poaching signals, offensive and defensive schemes and my favorite, the “two-on-one situation” that must be mastered to compete effectively. The two-on-one situation is

an effective strategy where two players attack and keep the ball on one player to overwhelm them. You may create a two-on-one situation in different ways. An obvious way is to poach to the net player’s feet, reducing the opponents’ time and space. If the opponent happens to return this ball, the poacher’s partner should have moved up to join the poacher and now the two net players will keep the ball on the player nearest the net at all costs. Do not volley back to the deep player who would have an easy lob over your head while allowing the net player time to recover. Keep the ball on the close player. Lobs are virtually impossible for this player so close to the net! The classic two-onone has been executed. Driving the return of serve down the line to

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promote a weak return is a perfect time for the return team to take over the net and continue to hit the ball at the net player. The net player is too close to recover and will succumb to the pressure of the other team working together. Playing the majority of balls to the weaker player is also an obvious two-on-one situation. The weak player will often break down and, if their partner is not as supporting as they should be, it will be a quick exit to the showers. Thankfully I reacted to being pulled from doubles matches by working on my volley (which was way behind my ground game), my serve (that set my partner up at the net), the return (that set the tone of the point), the communication with my partner including poaching signals and service position, and the all-time greatest doubles point getter, the two-on-one situation. I am grateful to Flagler College’s Peter Scott who coached me and instilled doubles strategies and tactics into my game that allowed me to leave college playing doubles full time, winning a National doubles title, achieving All-American status, as well as an ATP ranking. It was well worth the effort. Mike Puc has been the Director of Tennis at Gleneagles Country Club in Delray Beach, Fla. since 1998. A winner of 15 national titles and an ATP world ranking, Mike directs 25 teams with 350 players in nine leagues, while offering the most extensive Calendar of Events in South Florida that includes tournaments, lectures and social round-robins.

New Year! New Strings? By Barbara Wyatt

“That’s exactly what I need!” Brandon said, after I told him I am picking up racquets with new strings. He plays four times a week and known for an aggressive style with powerful crosscourt shots hit with his forehand. Yet, he hadn’t re-strung his racquet in over a year. I know exactly who he needs to meet. “Let me introduce you to Marjorie, my racquet technician,” I said before stepping aside. Brandon handed Marjorie his racquet. Her eyes flew from top to bottom of the entire racquet. She punched the strings with the heel of her palm and listened. She lightly pulled on the strings as she examined their condition, wear pattern, gauge, and brand. “You’re using a 17-gauge string, does that work for you?” “I guess so. Sure,” Brandon said. This was Brandon’s problem. He was passionate about his technique, but not thorough enough to understand how much a carefully selected racquet and strings can enhance his game. Marjorie asked some routine questions: “How often do you play?” “What level do you play?” “Do you break strings? If so, how often?” “Do you have any arm injuries?” “Have you requested a certain tension? If so, which tension?” “Is there anything you’d like to improve performance-wise?” He raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Could new strings help?” The corners of her mouth raised slightly, and she said, “Let’s try.” She winked at me. “I can’t seem to hit the ball deep enough consistently,” Brandon said. “No

matter how hard I swing, the ball lands short.” “One thing I’ve noticed is that the string you’re using is stiff,” responded Marjorie. “We could talk about switching to a more elastic string that will help to get more depth.” “Sold!” Brandon said. “That’s one possibility,” she said. “Your returns may be falling short because of the stiff tension, or your racquet may be too heavy, or has too dense of a pattern.” “Prepare to be amazed,” I whispered to Brandon. “Marjorie’s an MRT, Master Racquet Technician.” The United States Racquet Stringers Association (USRSA) provides stringing certifications, including MRT, the highest level. Their members study the

differences in racquets and strings and how they interact with a player’s game. “It pains me to see players using frames that are too heavy, too light, wrong head size, or even grip size,” Marjorie said. “Players will spend hundreds of dollars on shoes that fit, then slog through elbow or wrist pain and consider surgery, without restringing their racquet with strings with a soft coating (to absorb vibrations) or a heavier racquet (to vibrate less). Within a few stringing sessions, I can show a client how their equipment can affect power, maneuverability, spin potential and comfort.” The USRSA website, www.racquettech.com, provides a list of certified stringers.

Barbara Wyatt is a writer, photographer, USTA official, and mobile app developer of iKnowTennis!, the tennis rules app. Her poem, Ode to Tennis, an amusing poem on the joys and frustrations when learning tennis, is available at Amazon. She can be reached by email at BarbaraW@iKnowTennis.com.

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For more information contact Ricky Becker at rbecker06@yahoo.com or 516-359-4843 or sign up at www.myutr.com LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Developing Good Coaching Habits By Jay Pinho

s coaches and teaching professionals, we are constantly trying to help our players develop good habits, but how often do we look at our own habits as teachers? This article will portray simple actions and behaviors that can make us better professionals.

On-court teaching As someone who spends most of my working hours on-court, it is of utmost importance that my teaching skills are highly-developed and adaptable to the player(s) I have. Here are some characteristics that have a big impact on the quality of a lesson … l Have you identified the main aspect that you want to highlight for that moment or day? Everything starts there. Once you pinpoint your theme, then creating a series of progressive drills becomes simpler. It should be clear to you and the player what the main elements being worked on are. l Creating a progression that ranges from hand-feeding, to racketfeeding, then to live ball, is often a great way for players to build their skills and be able to focus on one aspect at a time, before opening the scenario to more variables (like in rallies or points). When using any of the methods mentioned above, it’s important to consider the following: 1. Am I giving a realistic ball trajectory on my feeds? 2. Am I feeding at a speed that challenges the player, but still 54

allows him/her to maintain proper technique? 3. Am I providing a sequence of shots that is realistic and appropriate for the player? l There’s a fine line between being a demanding coach and a negative one. While some players may react well to harsher coaches, I try to err on the side of positivity. This is where the art of coaching comes into play … how can a coach be demanding, but still positive? This can vary greatly depending on the age group and commitment level of the player, but here are some guidelines I like to use: 1. Create a 3:1 ratio in terms of reinforcement of positives versus correcting “problems.” We often forget that players learn just as much, if not more, by copying the good things they already do, rather than by trying to “fix” the ones they struggle with. Ask yourself, how often do we see players hitting 10 good shots in a row with no feedback, to then have the pro “jump” on the player after a bad one? I’d recommend reversing that and make a big deal out of the good ones, while still pointing out areas of improvement on the mistakes. 2. Be very specific with the feedback. Tips like “great shot.” and other similar ones, can still be used, but can be more powerful if they pack more content. For example: “Great

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

extension on that last shot,” “I like that cross-over step!” Adding more specificity to your comments will allow players to learn more as they’ll be more certain of skills being looked for and they’ll know once they actually do it the way you want it! Developing a connection with your player It’s been said that kids don’t learn as well from people they don’t like, and I believe that is applicable to all ages. Developing a positive relationship with your players is a key skill that pros need to nurture. This doesn’t only boost the learning curve, but also improves the pro’s retention rate. Here are some simple concepts that I try to incorporate into my teaching style to develop a real connection with the player: l What are the appropriate topics that you can engage with the player during some small breaks? These can be important to get the player to relax and sometimes forget a less than ideal performance. Show curiosity for that interest and that can create a stronger bond. While this is helpful, it’s important to keep it under control so a significant portion of the lesson is not dedicated to side topics. l While we want our players to continue to develop and become as good as they can, it’s just as important to make tennis a tool to develop the individual as a whole. Character traits such as work ethic, sportsmanship, team work and discipline are concepts that should be part of your lesson plans. Using

creative ways to incorporate these elements into your teaching can make your classes and programs more robust and attractive. Knowing that you helped someone to develop a better backhand is rewarding, but impacting someone’s self-image or work ethic are much stronger contributions. Monitoring progress With the recent technological advancements, tracking one’s progress is easier than ever before. From apps that provide daily feedback, to others that empower you to utilize video analysis to track technical development, it’s important to find the right mix for your players. Here are some methods I use: l We often hear many stories that can lead us to think that “parents are difficult.” While this can be true in some instances, from my experience, most parents are fine, but simply don’t understand the complete journey of developing a competitive player. Unless they were a competitive player themselves or went through the journey with another child, they won’t know what it takes and the ups-and-downs involved with the process. It’s our job to be a facilitator in this process. Over the past two years, I’ve probably held more than 50 parent sessions. Given that most parents

take information from other parents, often who are not knowledgeable, I often start my meetings with a series of questions, including: 1. Who has played professional or NCAA DI tennis? 2. Who is a certified pro and who teaches for a living? 3. Who has had a child go on to play competitively at the national level? As you can imagine, in a room with 40-50 parents, I often get one hand up for such questions. The feedback from these parent sessions has been positive and has led to less issues and requests to their child being “moved up.” l Based on the player’s level, develop a series of competencies in order evaluate them at the end of the session. These should be pretty specific and it’s important to practice with your staff on how to “grade” them to minimize inconsistencies. Net Generation has a nice framework of competencies, and I use them as a base for mine, adjusting the content to fit my player’s level. l If you have players who you work with as a primary coach, doing

privates on a regular basis, I recommend adding video analysis and individual parent meetings to your mix. The frequency of it should be based on your ability to use that analysis, as well as the player’s needs. Doing a full recording of all strokes using an app like Coaches’ Eye twice a year is sufficient to capture major technical changes. For higher-level players, I conduct individual meetings with parents at least twice a year, quick 15- to 20minute conversations to ensure that we are all on the same page. Developing good habits should start with us as coaches. We have to use these good habits on a daily basis in order to become more effective teachers, develop a strong bond with the player, and ensure that strong communication with the parents and players is maintained. While there were many other important habits to develop, this simple list can serve as a good starting point. Incorporating some of these tips occasionally is fairly easy, though it’s the long-term application of these positive actions that will have the biggest impact on your players’ journey and your teaching career.

Jay Pinho is the Head Professional of 10U and High-Performance at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. He is a USPTA Elite Professional, a former NCAA DI coach and player, and has specialized in developing competitive junior players over the past decade. Currently, he is the private coach of three national champions and a WTA touring pro.

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Long Island Tennis Magazine’s

Guide to the

Top Tennis Travel Destinations Evert Tennis Academy 10334 Diego Drive S l Boca Raton, Fla. l (561) 488-2001 The Evert Tennis Academy is located in the beautiful town of Boca Raton, Fla., nestled in a beautiful residential neighborhood. Evert Tennis Academy’s convenient location is only a short drive from the beaches of Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, and is roughly 30 minutes away from Palm Beach (PBI) and Fort Lauderdale International (FLL) airports. The Miami International Airport (MIA) is also only 45 minutes away. Chrissie, John and their father, Jimmy Evert, established the Evert Tennis Academy in 1996. The Evert Tennis Academy quickly became, and continues to be, the home to countless national and international junior players, best college players and some of the world’s finest pros. Evert Tennis Academy offers personalized and individualized programs the all year-round for junior players worldwide, including Holiday Camps, Summer Camps, Pre-Tournament Training and Full-Time Programs (year/semester). If you are a basic player looking to get instruction that is more technical or if you are a highly-ranked national player looking for some intense competition, Evert Tennis Academy has a program for you. The Evert Tennis Academy campus contains 23 courts, which offer two types of playing surfaces, including 12 hard courts and 11 clay courts. Moreover, the Evert Tennis Academy has two secondary sites with over 25 courts to conduct its program, including a private club, which is only minutes away from the Academy. Our campus also has one girls dormitory and one boys dormitory, a cafeteria, a strength and conditioning room, a massage and athletic training room, a clubhouse, and an academic classroom.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

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Long Island Tennis Magazine’s

Guide to the

Top Tennis Travel Destinations Fisher Island Club One Fisher Island Drive l Fisher Island, Fla. l (305) 535-6000 Reservations@FisherIslandClub.com Fisher Island Club’s Mediterranean-inspired Racquet Club offers play on 17 courts, and four newly added pickleball courts. Members have access to four types of playing surfaces (two grass courts, three Decocushion hard courts), seven Har-Tru clay courts, and five European red clay courts as well as an array of tennis clinics and private lessons led by top tennis professionals. The Club’s courts are also a favorite place for pre-tournament practice by visiting pros. Experience the distinctive, luxurious amenities that make Fisher Island the ultimate private island destination and lifestyle club. Fisher Island feels a world apart, while also being a short ferry ride away from Miami Beach and premier theaters, art galleries, museums, shopping and nightlife.

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

www.FisherIslandClub.com

Long Island Tennis Magazine’s

Guide to the

Top Tennis Travel Destinations Gleneagles Country Club 7667 Victory Lane l Delray Beach, Fla. l (561) 860-8794 Membership@Gleneagles.cc With perfect temperatures year-round, every day feels like a vacation when you are a member at Gleneagles Country Club in Delray Beach, Fla. With 20 Har-Tru courts, one hard court, and four pickleball courts, the Gleneagles Tennis Center is a tropical paradise where former resident pros Ivan Lendl and Steffi Graf honed their craft. The USPTA-certified staff offers private and group lessons for all ages. Never worry about finding a game, as Gleneagles Country Club’s tennis concierge will place you in games and monitor your satisfaction. If shopping is on your mind, the Pro Shop has the latest styles at member-friendly prices. In addition to tennis, Gleneagles members enjoy some of the best amenities in South Florida, with a more than 90,000-square foot main clubhouse that features three restaurants and two bars, a brand new Healthy Lifestyle Center encompassing a spacious fitness center, tranquil spa and resort-style pool, in addition to 36 holes of Championship golf. With safety, comfort, and convenience as the top priorities, Gleneagles has adapted our country club lifestyle to the changes in our world. Set in the seaside town of Delray Beach, between Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Gleneagles Country Club is close to award-winning restaurants, shopping, museums, beaches and a vibrant downtown. Gleneagles is regarded as one of the best values in South Florida. Prices for homes and garden residences start at $100,000 and go up to $600,000. Mandatory country club joining fees start at $40,000.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

www.Gleneagles.cc

Long Island Tennis Magazine’s

Guide to the

Top Tennis Travel Destinations Round Hill Hotel and Villas John Pringle Drive l Montego Bay, Jamaica l 1-800-972-2159 1-876-956-7050 l Reservations@roundhill.com Round Hill Hotel & Villas is an award-winning, historic resort nestled on a 110-acre peninsula just west of Montego Bay, Jamaica. Boasting a guest list of world leaders, cultural icons and Hollywood A-listers, this classic resort continues to attract a jet-set from around the world who enjoy timeless glamour and understated luxury along with pristine natural beaches and the inimitable Caribbean waters. Award-winning accommodations include 36 Ralph Lauren-designed oceanfront guestrooms, 96 luxurious villa rooms and suites, or a selection of 27 private 2 - 6bedroom Villas – most with private pools. Other highlights include open-air terrace dining and The Grill at Round Hill, rousing family programs and a dedicated Pineapple Kid’s Club, an infinity pool, and a world-class, award-winning Elemis spa located in a beautifully restored 18th century plantation house. One of the few Jamaica hotels with multiple tennis courts, enthusiasts can balance leisure amenities with rousing match play on one of Round Hill’s five tennis courts, including three Har-Tru green clay courts. Not just for day use, two courts are lit for exhilarating nighttime matches. Round Hill’s tennis center offers racquets for daily use, in-house professionals to provide lessons for adults and children, and leisure or tournament play with other guests. To enhance the on-property tennis experience, guests may opt for the Stay & Play Tennis package, which is designed to maximize time on-court throughout their stay. Inclusive of lessons, balls, unlimited court use, and use of racquets, mixed with additional relaxing resort amenities, the package provides the ideal resort experience for anyone seeking to perfect their game or simply enjoy some free-spirited play. Guests can also enjoy a set of new luxury experiences and partnerships created for travelers’ privacy and comfort, and with new safety and social distancing protocols in place. The Villa Retreat package offers premium accommodations in one of the resort’s award-winning private villas coupled with special in-villa amenities to limit face-to-face interactions and enhance safety. In response to the demand for private travel, Round Hill unveiled an exciting new partnership with evoJets, one of the most trusted names in private travel. As part of this partnership, the Ultimate Private Luxury in Jamaica package includes round trip private charted flights by evoJets, luxury accommodation, and private chef led tours and dining, as well as additional VIP amenities. Book a stay with Round Hill at www.roundhill.com.

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

www.RoundHill.com

Long Island Tennis Magazine’s

Guide to the

Top Tennis Travel Destinations Sea Colony Resort (302) 537-8888 l HelpMe@SeaColony.com

Located just south of Bethany Beach, Delaware, Sea Colony is “The Premier Family Beach & Tennis Resort Community.” The Sea Colony Tennis Center is the hub of tennis activity at the beach - year round. In addition to its world-class instruction, Sea Colony is home to USTA League teams, tournaments, world-class instruction on 34 courts (six indoor, 14 Har-Tru, 14 outdoor hard courts), including weekend tennis camps, clinics, tennis programs and private tennis lessons. There is even a $25,000 USTA Pro Circuit event—The ResortQuest Pro Women's Open at Sea Colony. Lush landscaping, hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas and around the clock security make Sea Colony an oasis of peace and tranquility; just minutes to championship golf, tax-free eclectic shopping, water sports, family amusements, natural treasures and so much more. Quiet relaxation and robust activities for all ages make Sea Colony the ideal place to create memories that last a lifetime. Consisting of more than 2,200 condominiums, spacious town homes and private single family homes, the resort offers an unparalleled array of amenities. Sea Colony was ranked the number 18 resort in the country by Tennis Resorts Online in 2019. For more information about Sea Colony tennis and to learn more about all of the resort’s amenities, please call (302) 539-4488.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

www.SeaColonyTennis.net

Long Island Tennis Magazine’s

Guide to the

Top Tennis Travel Destinations Tennis Fantasies with John Newcombe and the Legends (513) 489-9700 l SteveC@TowneProperties.com Enjoy the best tennis vacation of your life! Tennis Fantasies with John Newcombe and the Legends, the original tennis fantasy camp, is your chance to play tennis and rub shoulders with the all-time greats of the game. Join host three-time Wimbledon Champion John Newcombe and his "mates" at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in New Braunfels, Texas for a most memorable tennis event. The legendary staff will include International Tennis Hall of Fame Members John Newcombe, Roy Emerson, Owen Davidson, Mark Woodforde and Charlie Pasarell, as well as Grand Slam winners Ross Case, Dick Stockton, Brian Gottfried, Rick Leach, Luke and Murphy Jensen, plus Johan Kriek, Mikael Pernfors, and Dani Visser. Together, more than 150 Grand Slam titles and hundreds of other major championships are assembled under one roof! Learn, play and mingle with tennis royalty. Tennis Fantasies 2021 offers two great programs: • March 4-7, 2021: Tennis Fantasies (Men and Women) • October 17-22, 2021: Tennis Fantasies (Men Only) On-court activities include clinics, team competition, and "fantasy" pro-am matches. After tennis, guests will enjoy the "Aussie-style" hospitality of the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch. The Ranch is located just outside of New Braunfels in the rolling Hill country of central Texas, 30 minutes from the San Antonio airport. The crystal clear water of Canyon Lake, the Guadalupe River, and the Comal River are just minutes from the Ranch. Accommodations at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch are one- or two-bedroom condominiums or a courtside room. The Ranch has 32 deco-turf and four Har-Tru courts, eight lighted and four all-weather covered courts for guaranteed tennis every day. You don't want to miss this magical tennis adventure. Join John Newcombe and his "mates" for the best tennis vacation of your life!

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

www.TennisFantasies.net

USTA Junior Rankings Boys & Girls Long Island Rankings (as of 12/14/20

BOYS Long Island Boys 12 Singles Rank Name

City

1 ........Drew Hassenbein ..................Roslyn 2 ........Sebastian Bielen....................East Norwich 3 ........Jack Kennedy........................Huntington 4 ........Sean Grosman ......................Glen Head 5 ........Zavier Augustin......................Malverne 6 ........Saje Vijay Menon ..................Mineola 7 ........Evan Lee ................................Syosset 8 ........Rocco Roti ............................Locust Valley 9 ........Benjamin Wiese ....................Garden City 10 ......Aden Gorbansky....................East Hampton 11 ......Daniel Reshtick......................Great Neck 12 ......Ishaanth Reddy Guduru........Smithtown 13 ......Ayaan Merchant ....................Roslyn Heights 14 ......Henry Cooper ........................East Hampton 15 ......Anton Perfiliev........................Port Washington 16 ......Shaan Abidi ..........................Glen Head 17 ......Patrick Kana ..........................Oceanside 18 ......Liam Raykis ..........................East Rockaway 19 ......Terrence Moy ........................Syosset 20 ......Leonardo Carmo ..................East Hampton 21 ......Patrick Krasucki ....................New Hyde Park 22 ......Piotr Andrzejewski ................Long Beach 23 ......Alan Yu ..................................Dix Hills 24 ......Prem Gandhi..........................Cold Spring Harbor 25 ......Ethan Lee ..............................Syosset 26 ......Brody Surbeck ......................Centerport 27 ......Ethan Falkowitz ....................Roslyn 28 ......Aidan Thomas ......................Port Jefferson Station 29 ......Adrien William Lee Weber ....East Hampton 30 ......Marcus Gonzales ..................Melville 31 ......Brian Toh................................Roslyn 32 ......Bartek Dziedziach ................Roslyn 33 ......Ray Hidaka ............................Shoreham 34 ......Ben Lane................................Port Washington 35 ......Aayan Mehta..........................Syosset 36 ......Alexander Rubinstein Mash..Southampton 37 ......Brij Vashist ............................Hicksville 38 ......Amogh Teepireddy ................Nesconset 39 ......Maksim Goodman ................Great Neck 40 ......Jonathan Kurian ....................East Williston

Long Island Boys 14 Singles Rank Name

City

1 ........Jordan Reznik........................Great Neck 2 ........Edward Liao ..........................Commack 3 ........Sebastian Bielen....................East Norwich 4 ........Albert Hu................................Great Neck 5 ........Aryan Badlani ........................Roslyn Heights 6 ........Zavier Augustin......................Malverne 7 ........Yu Tanimoto ..........................Great Neck 8 ........Matthew Zeifman ..................Old Westbury 9 ........Malik Trail ..............................Mill Neck 10 ......Jack Kennedy........................Huntington 11 ......Cooper Schorr ......................East Rockaway 12 ......Ethan Solop ..........................Roslyn 13 ......Maxim Zlobinsky ..................Greenvale 14 ......Giovanni Rezk........................Oyster Bay 15 ......David Anosov ........................Oceanside 16 ......Aiden Patel ............................Plainview 17 ......Avery Frekhtman ..................Woodmere 18 ......James Sacco ........................Brightwaters 19 ......Alexander Sherman ..............Hewlett 20 ......Samuel Lopez........................Huntington Station 21 ......Daniel C. Rila ........................Peconic 22 ......Bryan Volk..............................Dix Hills 23 ......Aaron Raja ............................Old Westbury 24 ......Samarth Deepudass ............Williston Park 25 ......Shashank Pennabadi ............South Setauket

26 ......Juan Perez ............................Mount Sinai 27 ......Connor Plunkett ....................Glen Head 28 ......Colin Hui ................................Syosset 29 ......Felipe Ramirez Zarate ..........East Hampton 30 ......Varun Thopcherneni ..............Roslyn 31 ......Sean Grosman ......................Glen Head 32 ......James Yu ..............................Smithtown 33 ......Harshith Reddy Pennabadi ..South Setauket 34 ......Armaan Walia ........................New Hyde Park 35 ......Alexander Weiner ..................Southampton 36 ......Anish Reddy Pylla ................Jericho 37 ......Saje Vijay Menon ..................Mineola 38 ......Nicholas Cooper....................East Hampton 39 ......Zakaria Ahmed ......................Manhasset 40 ......Evan Lee ................................Syosset

Long Island Boys 16 Singles Rank Name

City

1 ........Stephan Gershfeld ................Hewlett 2 ........Ariel Zuber ............................Great Neck 3 ........Ajer Sher ................................Jericho 4 ........Max Safir................................Old Westbury 5 ........Mark Taranov ........................Valley Stream 6 ........Edward Liao ..........................Commack 7 ........Christopher Qi ......................Centerport 8 ........Malik Trail ..............................Mill Neck 9 ........Kavin Shukla..........................Roslyn Heights 10 ......Daniel Kong ..........................Glen Head 11 ......Ansh Chadha ........................Woodbury 12 ......Julian Messina ......................Oyster Bay 13 ......Jordan Reznik........................Great Neck 14 ......Albert Hu................................Great Neck 15 ......Aron Bursztyn ........................South Setauket 16 ......Christian Pak ........................Glen Cove 17 ......Benjam Grushkovskiy ..........Woodmere 18 ......Sebastian Bielen....................East Norwich 19 ......Trevor Girandola ....................East Hampton 20 ......Aiden Patel ............................Plainview 21 ......Joseph Moran ......................Rockville Centre 22 ......Matthew Strogach ................Commack 23 ......Yu Tanimoto ..........................Great Neck 24 ......Jeffrey Rosario ......................Dix Hills 25 ......Alexander Sherman ..............Hewlett 26 ......Landon Agic ..........................Miller Place 27 ......Daniel Ellis..............................Valley Stream 28 ......Russell Notaris ......................Glen Head 29 ......Juan Perez ............................Mount Sinai 30 ......Harshith Reddy Pennabadi ..South Setauket 31 ......James Sacco ........................Brightwaters 32 ......Matthew Zeifman ..................Old Westbury 33 ......Candrin Chris ........................Port Washington 34 ......Noah Ramos..........................Huntington Station 35 ......Jack McGuire ........................Garden City 36 ......Jack Kennedy........................Huntington 37 ......Gavin Vander Schaff..............East Quogue 38 ......Benjamin Burrows ................Manhasset 39 ......Robert Monticciolo................South Setauket 40 ......Craig Papajohn-Shaw ..........Malverne

Long Island Boys 18 Singles Rank Name

City

1 ........Alexander Karman ................Port Washington 2 ........Gabrielle Brancatelli ..............Westhampton Beach 3 ........Jared Phillips ........................Plainview 4 ........Mark Taranov ........................Valley Stream 5 ........Stephan Gershfeld ................Hewlett 6 ........Arun Vankat Guruswamy ......Hauppauge 7 ........Christopher Qi ......................Centerport 8 ........Logan Chang ........................Old Westbury 9 ........Michael Weitz ........................Roslyn 10 ......Luka Markovic ......................Locust Valley 11 ......Aaron Rittberger ....................Huntington 12 ......Ajer Sher ................................Jericho 13 ......Michael Han ..........................Dix Hills 14 ......Kabir Rajpal ..........................Woodbury 15 ......Sujay Sharma ........................New Hyde Park 16 ......Michael Safir..........................Old Westbury

17 ......Kavin Shukla..........................Roslyn Heights 18 ......Matthew Kronenberg ............East Setauket 19 ......Alejandro Perez Canedo ......Selden 20 ......Ryan Shayani ........................Old Westbury 21 ......Max Safir................................Old Westbury 22 ......Ian Schunk ............................Westhampton Beach 23 ......Sebastian Bielen....................East Norwich 24 ......Henry Dornbusch ..................Sag Harbor 25 ......Aman Sharma........................Locust Valley 26 ......Arie Golubenko......................Manhasset 27 ......Logan Fliegel ........................Hewlett 28 ......Yu Tanimoto ..........................Great Neck 29 ......Samuel Middleton ................Lake Grove 30 ......Maxwell Moadel ....................Oyster Bay 31 ......Malik Trail ..............................Mill Neck 32 ......Tyler Xu ..................................Hauppauge 33 ......Edward Liao ..........................Commack 34 ......Shane Cashin ........................Syosset 35 ......Rohan Reddy ........................Glen Head 36 ......Christian Pak ........................Glen Cove 37 ......Benjamin Grushkovskiy ........Woodmere 38 ......Michael Koscinski..................Center Moriches 39 ......Nicolas Hull............................Locust Valley 40 ......Joshua Kaplan ......................East Quogue

GIRLS Long Island Girls 12 Singles Rank Name

City

1 ........Paige Wygodzki ....................Huntington 2 ........Anabelle Janczyk ..................Huntington 3 ........Madison Lee..........................Great Neck 4 ........Brooke Wallman ....................Centerport 5 ........Diane Durante........................Manhasset 6 ........Evangelina Vases ..................Manhasset 7 ........Kathryn Cragg ......................Locust Valley 8 ........Luma Teixeira ........................Southampton 9 ........Valerie Simon ........................Hewlett 10 ......Lynelle Chernavsky ..............East Setauket 11 ......Camilla Kostik........................Merrick 12 ......Ashley Pursoo........................Melville 13 ......Srihridya Vallapragada ..........Nesconset 14 ......Christiana Kent ......................Port Washington 15 ......Tiffany Lin ..............................Woodmere 16 ......Valentina Sanchez ................East Hampton 17 ......Mia Kaufman ........................Halesite 18 ......Victoria Simon ......................Hewlett 19 ......Katelyn Ho ............................Great Neck 20 ......Gabrielle Brereton..................Westbury 21 ......Christina Zhao ......................Dix Hills 22 ......Sofia Kedrin ..........................Garden City 23 ......Sienna Castellano..................Garden City 24 ......Ryann Rappaport ..................Roslyn Heights 25 ......Sophia Li................................Great Neck 26 ......Sofia Perez ............................Mount Sinai 27 ......Samantha Wiemann..............Bellmore 28 ......Alessandra Cristobal ............Saint James 29 ......Annika Wriedt ........................Locust Valley 30 ......Aleksa Brazyte ......................Ronkonkoma 31 ......Estelle Andrews ....................Oceanside 32 ......Miriam Khmelniker ................Valley Stream 33 ......Giselle Branchinelli ................Manhasset 34 ......Emma Barrasso ....................Saint James 35 ......Emanuella Odell ....................East Hampton 36 ......Evangeline Romano ..............Bayport 37 ......Madison Poon ......................Syosset 38 ......Brooke Winthrop ..................Syosset 39 ......Nicole Volman........................Great Neck 40 ......Aya Deckman ........................Greenlawn

Long Island Girls 14 Singles Rank Name

City

1 ........Christasha McNeil ................Massapequa 2 ........Ariana Pursoo ........................Westbury 3 ........Kady Tannenbaum ................Commack 4 ........Paige Wygodzki ....................Huntington 5 ........Lara Afolayanka ....................Uniondale 6 ........Tara Kurepa............................Jericho

Long Island Tennis Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ January/February 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ LITennisMag.com

7 ........Nyla Gershfeld ......................Hewlett 8 ........Angel Walia ............................New Hyde Park 9 ........Sophia Holod ........................East Setauket 10 ......Anika Tolat ............................Port Washington 11 ......Anya Konopka ......................Saint James 12 ......Lucia Donnelly ......................Locust Valley 13 ......Eleni Kontokosta ..................Water Mill 14 ......Isabella Paradisi ....................Port Washington 15 ......Ava Alfano..............................Kings Park 16 ......Emilia Romano ......................Bayport 17 ......Maria Perez Canedo..............Selden 18 ......Kati Cotek ..............................Huntington 19 ......Madison Lee..........................Great Neck 20 ......Anabelle Janczyk ..................Huntington 21 ......Kailin Gochna ........................Glen Head 22 ......Alanna Wu..............................Saint James 23 ......Eva Sun..................................Manhasset 24 ......Andrea Vases ........................Manhasset 25 ......Valerie Simon ........................Hewlett 26 ......Sophia Tarasenko..................Glen Head 27 ......Pressley Fortunato ................Rockville Centre 28 ......Diane Durante........................Manhasset 29 ......Kayla Castellano....................Garden City 30 ......Isabella Spilotros ..................Smithtown 31 ......Alexandra Raikos ..................Seaford 32 ......Scarlett McCoy......................Bayport 33 ......Lila McGlynn..........................Sag Harbor 34 ......Brooke Wallman ....................Centerport 35 ......Sara Gao................................Syosset 36 ......Kylie Person ..........................Sayville 37 ......Alexandra Krol ......................Greenvale 38 ......Zia Mukherjee........................Syosset 39 ......Matilda Buchen ....................Westhampton 40 ......Gigi Hunt................................Massapequa

Long Island Girls 16 Singles Rank Name

City

1 ........Theadora Rabman ................Port Washington 2 ........Ariana Pursoo ........................Westbury 3 ........Taylor Goetz ..........................Greenlawn 4 ........Tola Glowacka ......................Glen Head 5 ........Christasha McNeil ................Massapequa 6 ........Andrea Rios Martinez............Port Washington 7 ........Rose Hayes ..........................East Moriches 8 ........Isabella Sha ..........................Glen Head 9 ........Olivia Fermo ..........................Smithtown 10 ......Kady Tannenbaum ................Commack 11 ......Victoria Matos........................Coram 12 ......Nina Wiese ............................Garden City 13 ......Hailey Stoerback ..................Saint James 14 ......Emma Sy ..............................Port Washington 15 ......Darian Perfiliev ......................Port Washington 16 ......Natalie Phillips ......................Plainview 17 ......Lara Afolayanka ....................Uniondale 18 ......Carina Cristobal ....................Saint James 19 ......Ines Roti ................................Locust Valley 20 ......Isabella Dinulescu..................Huntington Station 21 ......Sophia Holod ........................East Setauket 22 ......Nicolette Loeffler ..................Laurel Hollow 23 ......Kira Kronenberg ....................East Setauket 24 ......Paige Wygodzki ....................Huntington 25 ......Ava Scordo ............................Glen Head 26 ......Hailey Lessen ........................Old Westbury 27 ......Tara Kurepa............................Jericho 28 ......Emelia Winter ........................Sag Harbor 29 ......Skylar Semon ........................Melville 30 ......Ellie Ross ..............................Port Washington 31 ......Cassandra Dinulescu ............Huntington Station 32 ......Taylor Overstrom ..................Locust Valley 33 ......Rebecca Suarez ....................Huntington 34 ......Nyla Gershfeld ......................Hewlett 35 ......Nicolina Giannola ..................Port Jefferson 36 ......Maria Perez Canedo..............Selden 37 ......Julia Chiovitti ........................Manhasset 38 ......Sarah Dupree ........................Sag Harbor 39 ......Francesca Corsalini ..............Bridgehampton 40 ......Karah Augustin......................Malverne

USTA Junior Rankings Long Island Girls 18 Singles Rank Name

City

1 ........Ariana Pursoo ........................Westbury 2 ........Theadora Rabman ................Port Washington 3 ........Emily Tannenbaum................Commack 4 ........Rose Hayes ..........................East Moriches 5 ........Andrea Rios Martinez............Port Washington 6 ........Christasha McNeil ................Massapequa 7 ........Olivia Fermo ..........................Smithtown 8 ........Madison Williams ..................Glen Cove 9 ........Lina Mohamed ......................Mineola 10 ......Emma Sy ..............................Port Washington 11 ......Rachel Arbitman....................Hewlett 12 ......Tola Glowacka ......................Glen Head 13 ......Kimberly Liao ........................Commack 14 ......Janelle Chen..........................Dix Hills 15 ......Catalina Haberman ..............Montauk 16 ......Hailey Stoerback ..................Saint James 17 ......Rebecca Suarez ....................Huntington 18 ......Taylor Goetz ..........................Greenlawn 19 ......Kaya Amin..............................Roslyn Heights 20 ......Amy Delman ..........................Great Neck 21 ......Paige Wygodzki ....................Huntington 22 ......Tatiana Barnett ......................Port Washington 23 ......Andrea Brazyte......................Ronkonkoma 24 ......Ines Roti ................................Locust Valley 25 ......Mary Madigan........................Sayville 26 ......Kavina Amin ..........................Roslyn Heights 27 ......Kady Tannenbaum ................Commack 28 ......Darian Perfiliev ......................Port Washington 29 ......Ava Scordo ............................Glen Head 30 ......Ada Amarghioalei ..................Port Washington 31 ......Emelia Winter ........................Sag Harbor 32 ......Sophie Rachor ......................East Hampton 33 ......Andriana Zaphiris ..................Smithtown 34 ......Hailey Lessen ........................Old Westbury 35 ......Nicolette Loeffler ..................Laurel Hollow 36 ......Victoria Matos........................Coram

Boys & Girls Sectional Rankings (as of 12/14/20)

BOYS Sectional Boys 12 Singles— Long Island Players Rank Name

City

2 ........Drew Hassenbein ..................Roslyn 3 ........Sebastian Bielen....................East Norwich 6 ........Jack Kennedy........................Huntington 8 ........Sean Grosman ......................Glen Head 9 ........Zavier Augustin......................Malverne 12 ......Saje Vijay Menon ..................Mineola 14 ......Evan Lee ................................Syosset 21 ......Rocco Roti ............................Locust Valley 26 ......Benjamin Wiese ....................Garden City 57 ......Aden Gorbansky....................East Hampton 60 ......Daniel Reshtick......................Great Neck 74 ......Ishaanth Reddy Guduru........Smithtown 92 ......Ayaan Merchant ....................Roslyn Heights 94 ......Henry Cooper ........................East Hampton 99 ......Anton Perfiliev........................Port Washington 100 ....Shaan Abidi ..........................Glen Head 103 ....Patrick Mana..........................Oceanside 109 ....Liam Raykis ..........................East Rockaway 111 ....Terrence Moy ........................Syosset 113 ....Leonardo Carmo ..................East Hampton 114 ....Patrick Krasucki ....................New Hyde Park 116 ....Piotr Andrzejewski ................Long Beach 123 ....Alan Yu ..................................Dix Hills 130 ....Prem Gandhi..........................Cold Spring Harbor 135 ....Ethan Lee ..............................Syosset 143 ....Brody Surbeck ......................Centerport 148 ....Ethan Falkowitz ....................Roslyn 150 ....Aidan Thomas ......................Port Jefferson Station

Sectional Boys 14 Singles— Long Island Players Rank Name

City

7 ........Jordan Reznik........................Great Neck 14 ......Edward Liao ..........................Commack 16 ......Sebastian Bielen....................East Norwich 18 ......Albert Hu................................Great Neck 20 ......Aryan Badlani ........................Roslyn Heights 23 ......Zavier Augustin......................Malverne 25 ......Yu Tanimoto ..........................Great Neck 26 ......Matthew Zeifman ..................Old Westbury 31 ......Malik Trail ..............................Mill Neck

35 ......Jack Kennedy........................Huntington 36 ......Cooper Schorr ......................East Rockaway 37 ......Ethan Solop ..........................Roslyn 38 ......Maxim Zlobinsky ..................Greenvale 46 ......Giovanni Rezk........................Oyster Bay 47 ......David Anosov ........................Oceanside 49 ......Aiden Patel ............................Plainview 52 ......Avery Frekhtman ..................Woodmere 53 ......James Sacco ........................Brightwaters 71 ......Alexander Sherman ..............Hewlett 76 ......Samuel Lopez........................Huntington Station 80 ......Daniel C. Rila ........................Peconic 85 ......Bryan Volk..............................Dix Hills 86 ......Aaron Raja ............................Old Westbury 89 ......Samarth Deepudass ............Williston Park 99 ......Shashank Pennabadi ............South Setuaket 101 ....Juan Perez ............................Mount Sinai 110 ....Connor Plunkett ....................Glen Head 117 ....Felipe Ramirez Zarate ..........East Hampton 128 ....Varun Thopcherneni ..............Roslyn 132 ....Sean Grosman ......................Glen Head 136 ....James Yu ..............................Smithtown 144 ....Harshith Reddy Pennabadi ..South Setauket 146 ....Armaan Walia ........................New Hyde Park 149 ....Alexander Weiner ..................Southampton

Sectional Boys 16 Singles— Long Island Players Rank Name

City

3 ........Stephan Gershfeld ................Hewlett 11 ......Ariel Zuber ............................Great Neck 18 ......Ajer Sher ................................Jericho 23 ......Max Safir................................Old Westbury 28 ......Mark Taranov ........................Valley Stream 31 ......Edward Liao ..........................Commack 43 ......Christopher Qi ......................Centerport 45 ......Malik Trail ..............................Mill Neck 46 ......Kavin Shukla..........................Roslyn Heights 49 ......Daniel Kong ..........................Glen Head 53 ......Ansh Chadha ........................Woodbury 58 ......Julian Messina ......................Oyster Bay 61 ......Jordan Reznik........................Great Neck 75 ......Albert Hu................................Great Neck 76 ......Aron Bursztyn ........................South Setauket 81 ......Christian Pak ........................Glen Cove 97 ......Benjamin Grushkovskiy ........Woodmere 107 ....Sebastian Bielen....................East Norwich 113 ....Trevor Girandola ....................East Hampton 115 ....Aiden Patel ............................Plainview

135 ....Joseph Moran ......................Rockville Centre 137 ....Matthew Strogach ................Commack 140 ....Yu Tanimoto ..........................Great Neck 150 ....Jeffrey Rosario ......................Dix Hills

Sectional Boys 18 Singles— Long Island Players Rank Name

City

6 ........Alexander Karman ................Port Washington 26 ......Gabriele Brancatelli ..............Westhampton Beach 27 ......Jared Phillips ........................Plainview 30 ......Mark Taranov ........................Valley Stream 33 ......Stephan Gershfeld ................Hewlett 34 ......Arun Venkat Guruswamy ......Hauppauge 35 ......Christopher Qi ......................Centerport 44 ......Logan Chang ........................Old Westbury 46 ......Michael Weitz ........................Roslyn 52 ......Luka Markovic ......................Locust Valley 57 ......Aaron Rittberger ....................Huntington 73 ......Ajer Sher ................................Jericho 77 ......Michael Han ..........................Dix Hills 82 ......Kabir Rajpal ..........................Woodbury 84 ......Sujay Sharma ........................New Hyde Park 85 ......Michael Safir..........................Old Westbury 88 ......Kavin Shukla..........................Roslyn Heights 93 ......Matthew Kronenberg ............East Setauket 96 ......Alejandro Perez Canedo ......Selden 103 ....Ryan Shayani ........................Old Westbury 106 ....Max Safir................................Old Westbury 107 ....Ian Schunk ............................Westhampton Beach 112 ....Sebastian Bielen....................East Norwich 113 ....Harry Dornbusch ..................Sag Harbor 114 ....Aman Sharma........................Locust Valley 121 ....Arie Golubenko......................Manhasset 134 ....Logan Fliegel ........................Hewlett 137 ....Yu Tanimoto ..........................Great Neck 145 ....Samuel Middleton ................Lake Grove

GIRLS Sectional Girls 12 Singles— Long Island Players Rank Name

City

8 ........Paige Wygodzki ....................Huntington, N.Y. 19 ......Anabelle Janczyk ..................Huntington 22 ......Madison Lee..........................Great Neck 25 ......Brooke Wallman ....................Centerport 29 ......Diane Durante........................Manhasset 31 ......Evangelina Vases ..................Manhasset 46 ......Kathryn Cragg ......................Locust Valley

CENTURY TENNIS INC. Specializing In Sports Court Construction "Expanding the game of tennis one court at a time."

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USTA Junior Rankings 53 ......Luma Teixeira ........................Southampton 61 ......Valerie Simon ........................Hewlett 64 ......Lynelle Chernavsky ..............East Setauket 67 ......Camilla Kostik........................Merrick 79 ......Ashley Pursoo........................Melville 88 ......Srihridya Vallapragada ..........Nesconset 94 ......Christiana Kent ......................Port Washington 96 ......Tiffany Lin ..............................Woodmere 100 ....Valentina Sanchez ................East Hampton 101 ....Mia Kaufman ........................Halesite 102 ....Victoria Simon ......................Hewlett 113 ....Katelyn Ho ............................Great Neck 115 ....Gabrielle Brereton..................Westbury 118 ....Christina Zhao ......................Dix Hills 121 ....Sofia Kedrin ..........................Garden City 128 ....Sienna Castellano..................Garden City 129 ....Ryann Rappaport ..................Roslyn Heights 130 ....Sophia Li................................Great Neck 132 ....Sofia Perez ............................Mount Sinai 138 ....Samantha Wiemann..............Bellmore 146 ....Alessandra Cristobal ............Saint James 150 ....Annika Wriedt ........................Locust Valley

Sectional Girls 14 Singles— Long Island Players Rank Name

City

1 ........Christasha McNeil ................Massapequa 2 ........Ariana Pursoo ........................Westbury 14 ......Kady Tannenbaum ................Commack 18 ......Paige Wygodzki ....................Huntington 19 ......Lara Afolayanka ....................Uniondale 30 ......Tara Kurepa............................Jericho 33 ......Nyla Gershfeld ......................Hewlett 36 ......Angel Walia ............................New Hyde Park 37 ......Sophia Holod ........................East Setauket 53 ......Anika Tolat ............................Port Washington 54 ......Anya Konopka ......................Saint James 55 ......Lucia Donnelly ......................Locust Valley 57 ......Eleni Kontokosta ..................Water Mill 71 ......Isabella Paradisi ....................Port Washington 80 ......Ava Alfano..............................Kings Park 81 ......Emilia Romano ......................Bayport 84 ......Maria Perez Canedo..............Selden 102 ....Kati Cotek ..............................Huntington 103 ....Madison Lee..........................Great Neck 110 ....Anabelle Janczyk ..................Huntington 116 ....Kailin Gochna ........................Glen Head 119 ....Alanna Wu..............................Saint James 127 ....Eva Sun..................................Manhasset 130 ....Andrea Vases ........................Manhasset 132 ....Valerie Simon ........................Hewlett 143 ....Sophia Tarasenko..................Glen Head

Sectional Girls 16 Singles— Long Island Players Rank Name

City

3 ........Theadora Rabman ................Port Washington 5 ........Ariana Pursoo ........................Westbury 6 ........Taylor Goetz ..........................Greenlawn 9 ........Tola Glowacka ......................Glen Head 10 ......Christasha McNeil ................Massapequa 11 ......Andrea Rios Martinez............Port Washington 13 ......Rose Hayes ..........................East Moriches 20 ......Isabella Sha ..........................Glen Head 24 ......Olivia Fermo ..........................Smithtown 29 ......Kady Tannenbaum ................Commack 33 ......Victoria Matos........................Coram 35 ......Nina Wiese ............................Garden City 40 ......Hailey Stoerback ..................Saint James 43 ......Emma Sy ..............................Port Washington 49 ......Darian Perfiliev ......................Port Washington 60 ......Natalie Phillips ......................Plainview 69 ......Lara Afolayanka ....................Uniondale 70 ......Carina Cristobal ....................Saint James 71 ......Ines Roti ................................Locust Valley 72 ......Isabella Dinulescu..................Huntington Station

77 ......Sophia Holod ........................East Setauket 78 ......Nicolette Loeffler ..................Laurel Hollow 89 ......Kira Kronenberg ....................East Setauket 91 ......Paige Wygodzki ....................Huntington 96 ......Ava Scordo ............................Glen Head 97 ......Hailey Lessen ........................Old Westbury 98 ......Tara Kurepa............................Jericho 106 ....Emelia Winter ........................Sag Harbor 115 ....Skylar Semon ........................Melville 117 ....Ellie Ross ..............................Port Washington 119 ....Cassandra Dinulescu ............Huntington Station 125 ....Taylor Overstrom ..................Locust Valley 126 ....Rebecca Suarez ....................Huntington 128 ....Nyla Gershfeld ......................Hewlett 133 ....Nicolina Giannola ..................Port Jefferson 136 ....Maria Perez Canedo..............Selden 144 ....Julia Chiovitti ........................Manhasset 150 ....Sarah Dupree ........................Sag Harbor

Sectional Girls 18 Singles— Long Island Players Rank Name

City

2 ........Ariana Pursoo ........................Westbury 3 ........Theadora Rabman ................Port Washington 5 ........Emily Tannenbaum................Commack 8 ........Rose Hayes ..........................East Moriches 18 ......Andrea Rios Martinez............Port Washington 25 ......Christasha McNeil ................Massapequa 27 ......Olivia Fermo ..........................Smithtown 29 ......Madison Williams ..................Glen Cove 30 ......Lina Mohamed ......................Mineola 38 ......Emma Sy ..............................Port Washington 43 ......Rachel Arbitman....................Hewlett 50 ......Tola Glowacka ......................Glen Head 69 ......Kimberly Liao ........................Commack 71 ......Janelle Chen..........................Dix Hills 77 ......Catalina Haberman ..............Montauk 84 ......Hailey Stoerback ..................Saint James 94 ......Rebecca Suarez ....................Huntington 98 ......Taylor Goetz ..........................Greenlawn 118 ....Kaya Amin..............................Roslyn Heights 126 ....Amy Delman ..........................Great Neck 129 ....Paige Wygodzki ....................Huntington 131 ....Tatiana Barnett ......................Port Washington 133 ....Andrea Brazyte......................Ronkonkoma 140 ....Ines Roti ................................Locust Valley 143 ....Mary Madigan........................Sayville 146 ....Kavina Amin ..........................Roslyn Heights

Boys & Girls National Rankings (as of 11/25/20)

BOYS National Boys 12 Singles— Long Island Players Rank Name

City

2 ........Sebastian Bielen....................East Norwich 24 ......Jack Kennedy........................Huntington 35 ......Sean Grosman ......................Glen Head 65 ......Drew Hassenbein ..................Roslyn 110 ....Zavier Augustin......................Malverne 130 ....Saje Vijay Menon ..................Mineola 188 ....Rocco Roti ............................Locust Valley 343 ....Evan Lee ................................Syosset 477 ....Benjamin Wiese ....................Garden City 811 ....Anton Perfiliev........................Port Washington 825 ....Ray Hidaka ............................Shoreham

National Boys 14 Singles— Long Island Players Rank Name

City

40 ......Jordan Reznik........................Great Neck 81 ......Sebastian Bielen....................East Norwich

104 ....Ariel Zauber ..........................Great Neck 150 ....Edward Liao ..........................Commack 220 ....Connor Plunkett ....................Glen Head 237 ....Jack Kennedy........................Huntington 250 ....Yu Tanimoto ..........................Great Neck 281 ....Aryan Badlani ........................Roslyn Heights 324 ....Sean Grosman ......................Glen Head 400 ....Malik Trail ..............................Mill Neck 413 ....Cooper Schorr ......................East Rockaway 435 ....Matthew Zeifman ..................Old Westbury 455 ....Drew Hassenbein ..................Roslyn 508 ....Aiden Patel ............................Plainview 570 ....James Sacco ........................Brightwaters 593 ....Ethan Solop ..........................Roslyn 653 ....Albert Hu................................Great Neck 657 ....Zavier Augustin......................Malverne 756 ....Saje Vijay Menon ..................Mineola 946 ....Rocco Roti ............................Locust Valley 997 ....Aaron Raja ............................Old Westbury

National Boys 16 Singles— Long Island Players Rank Name

City

103 ....Daniel Kong ..........................Glen Head 124 ....Mark Taranov ........................Valley Stream 135 ....Stephan Gershfeld ................Hewlett 288 ....Ariel Zuber ............................Great Neck 349 ....Jordan Reznik........................Great Neck 462 ....Ajer Sher ................................Jericho 524 ....Michael Safir..........................Old Westbury 525 ....Edward Liao ..........................Commack 707 ....Max Safir................................Old Westbury 830 ....Aron Bursztyn ........................South Setauket 930 ....Nicolas Hull............................Locust Valley

National Boys 18 Singles— Long Island Players Rank Name

City

72 ......Kabir Rajpal ..........................Woodbury 148 ....Alexander Karman ................Port Washington 199 ....Logan Chang ........................Old Westbury 301 ....Oliver Worth ..........................Hampton Bays 302 ....Rohan Reddy ........................Glen Head 312 ....Jared Phillips ........................Plainview 340 ....Gabriele Brancatelli ..............Westhampton Beach 487 ....Mark Taranov ........................Valley Stream 493 ....Sujay Sharma ........................New Hyde Park 553 ....Arun Venkat Guruswamy ......Hauppauge 558 ....Michael Safir..........................Old Westbury 669 ....Stephan Gershfeld ................Hewlett 761 ....Aaron Rittberger ....................Huntington 807 ....Ryan Shayani ........................Old Westbury 880 ....Maxwell Moadel ....................Oyster Bay 934 ....Michael Weitz ........................Roslyn

GIRLS National Girls 12 Singles— Long Island Players Rank Name

City

20 ......Paige Wygodzki ....................Huntington 245 ....Brooke Wallman ....................Centerport 253 ....Anabelle Janczyk ..................Huntington 321 ....Valerie Simon ........................Hewlett 424 ....Diane Durante........................Manhasset 473 ....Madison Lee..........................Great Neck

National Girls 14 Singles— Long Island Players Rank Name

City

43 ......Ariana Pursoo ........................Westbury 124 ....Christasha McNeil ................Massapequa 219 ....Sophia Holod ........................East Setauket 239 ....Paige Wygodzki ....................Huntington 247 ....Kady Tannenbaum ................Commack 305 ....Tara Kurepa............................Jericho 347 ....Nyla Gershfeld ......................Hewlett

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2020 • LITennisMag.com

354 ....Lara Afolayanka ....................Uniondale 596 ....Ava Alfano..............................Kings Park 720 ....Anya Konopka ......................Saint James 815 ....Lucia Donnelly ......................Locust Valley 888 ....Angel Walia ............................New Hyde Park 945 ....Isabella Paradisi ....................Port Washington 962 ....Emilia Romano ......................Bayport

National Girls 16 Singles— Long Island Players Rank Name

City

47 ......Theadora Rabman ................Port Washington 75 ......Rose Hayes ..........................East Moriches 138 ....Tola Glowacka ......................Glen Head 162 ....Taylor Goetz ..........................Greenlawn 165 ....Nina Wiese ............................Garden City 177 ....Andrea Rios Martinez............Port Washington 196 ....Ariana Pursoo ........................Westbury 273 ....Isabella Sha ..........................Glen Head 432 ....Emma Sy ..............................Port Washington 492 ....Hailey Stoerback ..................Saint James 503 ....Olivia Fermo ..........................Smithtown 576 ....Victoria Matos........................Coram 635 ....Christasha McNeil ................Massapequa 654 ....Kady Tannenbaum ................Commack 802 ....Nicolette Loeffler ..................Laurel Hollow 802 ....Daniella Benabraham............Greenvale 859 ....Ines Roti ................................Locust Valley

National Girls 18 Singles— Long Island Players Rank Name

City

19 ......Rachel Arbitman....................Hewlett 55 ......Lina Mohamed ......................Mineola 116 ....Theadora Rabman ................Port Washington 196 ....Emily Tannenbaum................Commack 261 ....Rose Hayes ..........................East Moriches 362 ....Andrea Rios Martinez............Port Washington 405 ....Ariana Pursoo ........................Westbury 435 ....Madison Williams ..................Glen Cove 577 ....Emma Sy ..............................Port Washington 598 ....Maryam Ahmad ....................Albertson 659 ....Tola Glowacka ......................Glen Head 782 ....Taylor Goetz ..........................Greenlawn 868 ....Olivia Fermo ..........................Smithtown 879 ....Janelle Chen..........................Dix Hills 937 ....Isabella Sha ..........................Glen Head

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2020 • Long Island Tennis Magazine 117

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