Long Island Tennis Magazine March / April 2022 by United Sports Publications

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2022 • LITennisMag.com

C O M I N G I N M AY

Distribution scheduled for 05/01/22 This edition will feature: • Tennis in the Hamptons • LI Boys’ High School Tennis • 2022 French Open Preview • Long Island Tennis Magazine’s Summer Series 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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March/April 2022 • Volume 14, Number 2

Table Of Contents

litennis Long Island Tennis Magazine

Amazing Aussie

MAGAZINE

Barty is first hometown Aussie Champ in 44 years

Long Island Tennis Magazine

See page 12

1228 Wantagh Avenue, Suite 203 Wantagh, NY 11793-2202 Phone: (516) 409-4444 • Fax: (516) 409-4600 Web site: www.litennismag.com

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

Photo credit: Fiona Hamilton/Tennis Australia

Highlights 4 12 16 24 34

LITM Introduces Courts & Cocktails Event Series 2022 Long Island Boys’ High School Preview Parsa’s Picks Your 2022 Guide to Court Builders and Suppliers 2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide

Joey Arendt Art Director Francine Miller Advertising Coordinator (516) 409-4444, ext. 301 francinem@usptennis.com Emilie Katz Assistant Marketing Coordinator Barbara Wyatt Contributing Writer

PG 4

Rob Polishook Contributing Writer

Features

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.

PG 12

PG 24

PG 34

18 Across Long Island: News & Notes from Across the L.I. Tennis Community 20 King Richard Reflections By Chris Lewit 27 Racquet Sport Report presented by All Racquet Sports 28 USTA Eastern Long Island Region Update 30 The Top Ten Tennis Tips of All-Time: Anticipation By Dr. Ferraro 52 Beyond the Baseline: Ricky Becker By Brian Coleman 54 Get a Cue By Steve Kaplan 56 Local Juniors Represent Long Island in France 57 Adult League Wrap-Up By Kathy Miller 58 Rafa Resilience: Beyond Rafa’s Mental Game By Rob Polishook 60 Takeaways from the 2022 Australian Open 62 Tennis Tips: Discovered By Barbara Wyatt 63 Between Point Psychology: Tennis is More Than Hitting the Ball By Allen Berger & Jim Klein 64 Court Six: Long Island Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column By Emilie Katz

LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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ong Island Tennis Magazine hosted its first Courts & Cocktails as Glen Head Racquet Club welcomed young adults for a night of tennis, food, drinks and friends. On court, tennis professionals organized drills, games and competitions, with the players moving from court-to-court to switch up the pros and players with whom they were playing with. Players had their choice of drills, games or match play throughout the evening. “It was a great night out,” said Danielle Contillo, who participated in the event and helped LITM organize it along with Tania Beck. “The group was a nice mix of regular players and spouses but everyone really

came to play. There was some competition, laughs, and quite a few cocktails.” Throughout the evening, players could visit the open bar where

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

bartenders mixed together everyone’s favorite cocktails, including the famous U.S. Open signature drink, the Honey Deuce. The event also featured catered food including pizza, pasta, wings, salads, desserts and more. The Courts & Cocktails series provides a great way for tennis players to spend an evening during the cold winter months. This event series combines tennis with food and drinks in a social environment. “Winter in the Northeast isn’t so conducive to being active; add COVID to that backdrop and things can get pretty dull,” added Contillo. “It was great to have a night out, meet some new people and bond over tennis and drinks. It

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beats going to the same restaurants for the 100th time. By the end of the night everyone was talking about when we could do it again.” The event was sponsored by USTA Eastern in partnership with Grow Tennis New York, the

501c(3) non-profit organization of Long Island Tennis Magazine. “The first Courts & Cocktails event was a success, and we would like to thank our sponsors, partners, host club and participants that helped make the night

special," said David Sickmen, Publisher of Long Island Tennis Magazine. “We look forward to hosting more of these events in 2022, as we continue to grow the game and bring the community together."

LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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layers gathered at Sportime Roslyn for the second Courts & Cocktails event hosted by Long Island Tennis Magazine, in conjunction with Grow Tennis New York, the 501c(3) non-profit organization. Participants got out of the cold and went inside to enjoy a night filled with tennis drills and games, catered food, and an array of alcoholic beverages. For two hours, everyone had an intense on-court workout, combining practice and match play. The on-court portion concluded with a game of Around the World where two winners walked away with prizes. Throughout the evening, players could visit the open bar where bartenders mixed together everyone’s favorite cocktails, including the famous U.S. Open signature drink, the Honey Deuce, and drinks were brought out to players on court as well. The event also featured catered Italian dinner plus wings, salads, desserts and more.

“It was a great time, and a refreshing change from the same old “Dinner with another couple” evening,” said Allison Moyal, one of the event’s players. “We got to spend time with friends we had not seen in a while, the casual atmosphere made

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

the time fly and the cocktails were the perfect touch!” The Courts & Cocktails event series has provided a great alternative for tennis players, of all levels, to spend an evening during the cold winter months. The event series combining music, food, drinks and tennis will continue into the outdoor season as well. “The event was so well organized, the courts had great pros and everyone was out to have fun,” said Audrie Caracciola, another event participant. “My friends and I all asked when the next one will take place so we can mark our calendars!” The next Courts & Cocktails event will be held in April. Stay tuned for new details, so be sure to look for future dates and locations as this event will move across Long Island throughout 2022. “The second Courts & Cocktails event was a success, and we would like to thank our sponsors, partners,

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host club and participants that helped make the night special," said David Sickmen, Publisher of Long Island Tennis Magazine. “Sportime Roslyn was a great location for us, and I’d like to thank Jay Harris for hosting us. I also want to thank USTA Eastern for

being a sponsor of the event, and their continued support of grassroots tennis. Everybody who participated, from the players to the staff, made the event special. We had such a good atmosphere on all of the courts, and a competitive yet social vibe

throughout. Everyone has been asking for more of these events, and the series will continue in April and May, leading up to our biggest Courts & Cocktails event which will be outdoors in the summer. It’s fun and for a great cause, everybody wins!”

LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Amazing Aussie Barty is first hometown Aussie Champ in 44 years By Brian Coleman

he year is 1978. Laverne & Shirley is the most popular show on television, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John dazzled the big screen in Grease, and in the fall, the Yankees’ Bucky Dent will break the hearts of Red Sox fans with his infamous homerun. That same year, Australia’s Chris O’Neil won the Australian Open. And for four decades, the Aussie faithful were left without a hometown champion. That changed in late-January of this year, when Ashleigh Barty put together a dominant two-week performance in Melbourne. Barty, the top-ranked woman in the world, entered the event as the favorite and made good on those expectations, ensuring that the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup remains in Australia. In the finals, she defeated American Danielle Collins 6-3, 7-6(2) to win her third career major title. “As an Aussie, the most important part of this tournament is being able to share it with so many people,” said Barty during the trophy ceremony. “You guys today in the crowd have been nothing short of exceptional. This crowd is one of the most fun I’ve ever played in front of and you guys brought me so much joy out here today. You relaxed me and you forced me to play my best tennis and against a champion like Danielle, I know I had to absolutely bring that today.” Barty has always been proud of her Australian heritage, and the array of players from Down Under who have paved the way for her, including Rod Laver, for whom the main court at the Australian Open is named for. Born in Queensland, Barty began her tennis journey at the age of four and quickly became a highly-decorated junior player. She won the Wimbledon junior title in 2011, and was on her way to becoming the next great Aussie player. “As Aussies, we’re exceptionally lucky to be a Grand Slam nation,” said Barty after the victory. “To get to experience to play at home is really special, and to be here as a champion of the tournament is really exciting. We’re extremely lucky to have the tennis history and the rich history that we do, particularly here at the Australian Open. But across all Grand Slams, we’ve had champions that have stemmed back years and years, and have really set the platform for us to come through and try to do what we do and create our own path…to be a very small part of an amazing history in tennis as an Australian is really, really neat.”

continued on page 10

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

Photos courtesy of Tennis Australia

LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

amazing aussie continued from page 8

While she is being modest, as you’d expect from Barty, she has more than just a small part in Australian tennis history, but took a unique path to get there. As a young girl growing up constantly playing tennis and making it onto the pro tour, there came a time where Barty became disillusioned from the sport; she was burnt out, plain and simple. So following the 2014 U.S. Open, at the age of 18 and with her ranking outside of the top 200 in singles, she made the decision to step away from tennis, return home to Australia and find herself again. “I felt like I got twisted and maybe a little bit lost along the way in the first part of my career, just within myself mentally and what I wanted to do,” she said. “I was very lucky to have a lot of success, but I’m still very much a homebody and I kind of lost my way a little bit with not being able to connect with my family. I even think I kind of got disconnected with my family in a way. We didn’t have the same conversation, the same depth of conversation. We didn’t lose that love or that care, but for me, I just kind of felt like there was a bit of a split.” Barty went back to Australia to spend

time with her family and reset herself mentally and emotionally. While there, she didn’t lose her competitive spirit, and began an interest in playing cricket after she spent time with the Australian women’s national team in early 2015. She instantly showed a promising

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

talent for cricket, and began competing in the Brisabne Women’s Premier Cricket Twenty20 league, before also playing in the Women’s Big Bash League. Barty was a good cricket player, and played in the WBBL through the end of its 2015 season.

At that point, Barty was ready to return to tennis, and do so with a revamped mindset and fresh outlook. “I love the sport of tennis, but I sort of got a little bit away from what I really wanted to do. It became robotic for me and that’s not what I wanted,” she said. “It’s such an amazing sport and I just really wanted to enjoy it and I lost that enjoyment and that passion. I think deep down, I knew if I kept trying to drive through it, it would drive me away completely. So it was the right time to step away and just refresh.” Helping her come to the decision to return to her first love was her compatriot and friend Casey Dellaqua, who gave her the encouragement she needed, and the two shared a special moment after Barty’s Australian Open triumph. “She brought me into the sport again. And allowed me to explore, to grow as a person, and I love her,” said Barty. “She is a bloody legend. And she is a great friend and I’m so grateful and lucky to have her. There would not be any other person that I want sitting directly across from me. When I was on the court, I was trying not to look at Casey. Looking around, trying to look everywhere but Casey, but knowing that if I needed anything, not even that there is anything to give other than the support and being there because Casey, she changed my life.” That unrelenting smile and her humble approach is what makes Barty such a likeable player on tour, and you would be hard-pressed to find a colleague of hers that has a bad word to say. That was evident by the responses that came pouring in via social media during her victory, as Barty is one of the most likeable players on tour. But beyond that, she is currently the best player on tour, and has been for quite some time now. Bolstering her already packed resume with an Australian Open title, Barty now has Slam victories on all three playing surfaces, and has shed the stigma that she was a clay-court or grass-court player with a tricky game. Her wicked backhand slice troubled opponents on grass and clay, but Barty now possess a

dominant service game that has eliminated any weakness from her play. Being successful on every surface was one of the main objectives that Barty and her early coaches emphasized, and it has come to fruition. “It’s amazing to be able to have this experience and this opportunity on three different surfaces and be really consistent across the board,” said Barty. “Ultimately, that was one of the biggest challenges that [early mentor] Jim [Joyce] set out for me when I was young was to be a complete player and be really consistent across all surfaces and be able to play on all surfaces. So to have a Grand Slam title on each surface is pretty amazing. I never thought it would ever happen to me.” Barty has ended the last three seasons in the top spot of the WTA Rankings, and has spent more than 100 consecutive weeks in that position. She is the owner of three major titles, and it’s hard to imagine that she will stop there. She is still only 25-years-old, which is remarkable for someone who has already played two sports professionally, and established herself as the dominant force in one of them. But in typical Barty fashion, she downplayed her achievements thus far, and is focused on only the work

in front of her. “Yeah, there’s still work to be done, without a doubt,” said Barty. “To be honest, I don’t really feel like I belong with those champions of our sport. I’m still very much learning and trying to refine my craft and try and learn every single day and get better and better.” The only accolade missing from Barty’s playing resume is a win at the U.S. Open here in New York, which she will have the opportunity to do later this year. If she does, she will become just the 11th woman all-time (Open Era and before) to win all four majors. But perhaps no title in her career will ever mean more to her than the one she won in Melbourne, bringing glory not only to her home country, but doing so in front of her family, including parents Josie and Robert, and older sisters Sara and Ali, and friends who got to witness her triumph up close and personal. “Being able to have that balance and understand that I’m very lucky and fortunate to be able to do what I do, I get to play a sport that I love for a living,” she said. “I get to compete, work hard, and I think I just see that as an opportunity. There are so many different things that I get to experience as a tennis player, and I’m very fortunate to do that.”

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

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LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

2022 Long Island Boys’ High

Syosset’s Ansh Chadha will look to lead Syosset to another Defending Nassau County singles champion Stephen Nassau County and Long Island title Gershfeld n just a short while, the cold weather will subside and the snow on the ground will all melt away, ushering in the spring here on Long Island. With that comes a return to the outdoor tennis courts, and a new season of boys’ high school tennis. This year should be even more exciting than previous years as for the first time, boys’ tennis teams will have an opportunity to compete against the other top teams from across the state in the inaugural New York State Boys’ Tennis Team Championships. The tournament was introduced last year during the girls’ season, and this spring will see the first-ever state tournament for boy’s teams. Last year, Syosset won Nassau County and Long Island titles, and the Braves will be back this spring to reclaim the boys’ championships. It will have to do so without outgoing seniors Brian Gao, Jeremy Levine and Chris Vallone, but have a plethora of depth prepared to move up the lineup this year. Ansh Chadha will remain at first singles for the Braves, and young talent such as Devan Malandro, Evan Lee, Nikhi Shah, Dylan Apfel & Spencer Keschner will fill out a lineup

Great Neck South’s Albert Hu looks to build on an All-State season in 2021

eager to repeat as champions. Nassau County finalists Roslyn will have to replace outgoing senior Mikey Weitz, a veteran singles player who reached the individual singles final last year, and provided valuable leadership to the Bulldogs. That vacant first singles spot will be filled by freshman Ethan Solop, who played second singles last year. Gavin Koo, who competed in the individual doubles championships with Solop, will take on a bigger role as Roslyn aims to return to the county final. Senior Candrin Chris will retain the top singles spot for Port Washington, and will look to follow up on a great junior campaign. He will lead a lineup that features sophomore Ezra Loewy, new addition junior Amir Pazy at singles, and returns veteran first doubles player Daniel Greilsheimer as well. Hewlett is an intriguing team to watch in Nassau this spring. Leading the way is last year’s singles champion Stephen Gershfeld, a junior, who will try to take Conference I’s lone south shore team deep into the county playoffs. Helping him out will be Alex Sherman and Benjamin Grushkovskiy, two experienced players

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

h School Preview

ate

Eddie Liao won the Suffolk County singles title a year ago

Aron Bursztyn will try to lead Ward Melville back to the Suffolk finals

who were All-State doubles players in 2021. With these players atop the lineup, the Bulldogs are eager to make a playoff run.

Harborfields’ Christopher Qi was a Suffolk County singles runner-up in 2021

One of Gershfeld’s opponents en route to the singles title last year was Albert Hu of Great Neck South. As a freshman, Hu used his long, lefty frame to baffle

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2022 long island boy’s high school preview continued from page 00

opponents and become one of the top players in the county. Hu will look to lead the Rebels to a successful season as a team, and also aim to return to the latter stages of the individual championships at the end of the year. More players to watch in Nassau County include Jericho’s Michael Safir, who was All-County a year ago and finished in fourth in the individual championships. Wheatley sophomore Aaron Raja is an exciting young player, as is Herricks’ sophomore Amen Walia. Friends Academy bolsters two excellent players in Zack Cohen and Russ Notaris, while Lynbrook’s Cooper Schorr is someone who could compete for a county title later this spring. Heading east on Long Island brings us to Suffolk County, where a year ago Commack put together an undefeated season and won the county title. With much of its team returning this spring, the Cougars will be out to defend its title, and take it one step further. Eddie Liao anchored the team’s success as the

sophomore compiled a dominant freshman campaign. He didn’t lose a match at first singles and would go on to capture the county’s individual singles title. Backing him up on the Commack roster is James Yu, who played second singles a year ago and should remain in that role this year. Commack does lose some key contributors from last year including Kevin Chen and Ryan Burke, but Matthew Strogach and Eric Benderly will help round out the lineup as Commack aims to win it all once again. Commack’s opponent in last year’s county final was Ward Melville, and the Patriots should once again be a formidable threat. While it loses Matthew Kronenberg, county doubles champion, to graduation, his county champion partner Gabe Bursztyn returns to the lineup as does his brother Aron Bursztyn, who played first singles a year ago. Perhaps the biggest threat to toppling Liao for the county singles title will be Harborfields’ Christopher Qi, who reached the county final a year ago. Qi has the physical tools and all-around game to be a dominant

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

player, and will be out to go one step further this season. For the Harborfields’ team, Qi will be joined by Nolan Surbeck, who played third singles a year ago, as well as the return of the first doubles duo of Marshall Singer & George White, as they try to make some noise as a team this season. One team you can never count out in Suffolk is Half Hollow Hills East. The squad returns a lot of its talent from a season ago, and with another year of experience under its belt, look for Hills East to once again compete with the likes of Commack and Ward Melville. Anchoring the lineup is junior Krithik Madisetty at first singles and senior Dylan D’Agate at second singles, while the team expects to get big contributions from sophomore Jordan Heyman & eighth-grader Tommy Walsh at first doubles. Other players to watch this season, and especially as we move towards the individual championships later in the spring, are Elwood-John Glenn senior Alon Alkelai, Half Hollow Hills West sophomore Bryan Volk and Bayport-Blue Point freshman Shane Duerr. There is a ton of young talent sprinkled throughout Long Island which sets up an exciting 2022 season of boys’ tennis. Be sure to visit LITennisMag.com throughout the season for match recaps, features, photos, updates and more.

Below are key dates for both Nassau and Suffolk County. All dates and players are subject to change.

KEY DATES Friday-Monday, May 13-16 Suffolk County Divisional Individual Championships Thursday-Saturday, May 19-21 Suffolk County Sectional Individual Championships Saturday-Sunday, May 21-22 Nassau County Individual Championships – Eisenhower Park Wednesday-Thursday, May 25-26 Long Island Team Championship Dates Thursday-Saturday, June 2-4 New York State Individual Championships – USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Friday, June 10 New York State Small School and Large School Team Championships

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PARSA’s picks eal estate on the North Shore of Long Island is some of the most sought after property in the world, and many of the locations are perfect for the tennis lover.

With the help of Parsa Samii of Compass Real Estate, we wanted to showcase a current listing for sale. With a gorgeous landscape, modern design and a private tennis court, among other amenities, this property is truly one-of-a-kind. Samii is a former professional tennis player and coach who has transitioned into real estate, with a strong understanding of both the tennis aficionado and the home buyer. As Compass puts it, “Parsa is the ideal professional to navigate the ever-competitive real estate market.” For more information, photos or to see more listings, e-mail parsa@compass.com or call (516) 965-7445.

41 Shore Drive Plandome, NY $6,698,000 Five Bed – Five Bath – Three Half Bath lending traditional, timeless design with luxurious modern living, this gorgeous stone masterpiece is set on one of the most prestigious private roads on the North Shore. Classic and breathtaking architectural

credit: Darren Carroll/USTA Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April January/February 2022more 2022 • LITennisMag.com •listings, LITennisMag.com 16 For more information, photos or to see email parsa@compass.com or callPhoto 516.965.7445.

PARSA’s picks

elements, intricate bespoke millwork, offer meticulous attention to detail and design by the prestigious architectural firm Fox Diehl. Stunning & grand entertaining spaces and breathtaking waterviews of Manhasset Bay present a rare opportunity for the discerning buyer. This beautiful property is perfect for the tennis lover because of its proximity to the Plandome Field & Marine Club. The Club features two Har-Tru tennis courts which are available for use to members on the east side of

Village Hall. Open between May and November, the stunning courts provide the perfect way to play tennis for buyers of the 41 Shore Drive home. If you want to take your boat out, the Field & Marine Club sits on Manhasset Bay and provides a beautiful outlook on the waterways of North Shore Long Island. You can learn more about this one-of-a-kind property, and all the amenities and opportunities that come with its purchase, by visiting Compass.com or contacting parsa@compass.com.

LITennisMag.com LITennisMag.com • January/February • March/April 2022 • Long Magazine 17 For more information, photos or to see more listings, email parsa@compass.com orIsland callTennis 516.965.7445.

Across Long Isl Durante, Raikos Win L5 Title

RSTA’s Teixeira Wins Multiple Titles Luma Teixiera, a student at the Ross School Tennis Academy, won multiple titles to begin the month of February. First, she captured an L5 championship in Madison, Conn., and then did not lose a set en route to winning the L5 February Open on her home courts at Ross School Tennis Academy in the Girls 12s division.

Diane Durante & Alex Raikos captured the title at the L5 Sportime Schenectady Open. The duo, who trains with the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, defeated the top-seeded team in the championship match to win the Girls 14s doubles title.

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Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

land

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

Ziets-Segura Claims Syosset Championship Marco Ziets-Segura, who trains at Glen Head Racquet Club, was victorious at the Sportime Syosset Challenger in the Boys 16s division. As the event’s secondseed, Ziets-Segura twice came back from a set down in different matches en route to the title.

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Rabman, Yakoff Hit With Aussie Open Finalist Collins Two local junior tennis players recently got the chance to hit with one of the world’s best players, as Thea Rabman and Stephanie Yakoff took part in a hitting session with recent Australian Open women’s singles finalist, and the top-ranked American woman Danielle Collins.

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LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

King Richard Reflections By Chris Lewit

finally had a chance to watch “King Richard”, one of the best tennis films I have seen— perhaps ever—and I would like to share my thoughts as both a high-performance coach and parent. Richard Williams was wonderfully portrayed by Will Smith who delivered a powerful performance. The acting—by all involved—was excellent overall and even the tennis technique was fairly close to the actual strokes of the sisters and their competitors, which helped the realism of the film. It is very difficult to find good actors who can also demonstrate decent technique and make it all work in a dramatic movie. It was cool that the actor portraying Venus even mimicked the hitch in her two-handed backhand. I’m interested in the level of accuracy of the story that was portrayed in the movie. For example, Richard Williams was a chronic smoker and this aspect was not included in the film. Another discrepancy was when Rick Macci visited the Williams family in Compton. In his excellent and highly

recommended book, Macci Magic, Rick has a slightly different version of events as they transpired. For example, Macci says in his book that Richard did not commit until months later—not immediately as depicted in the film. Another discrepancy in the film is that the breakup of Macci and Richard—which is notorious in the tennis world—is never presented. Macci discusses the split at length in his book. Richard got a deal with Reebok and bought a house in West Palm Beach, hired away a couple of Macci’s hitters, and started coaching the girls himself, according to Rick, in Macci Magic. In addition, Richard tried to change all the terms of Rick’s contract, which Rick refused to accept. Rick admits that the rift was so great that he prepared a 14 million dollar lawsuit against Richard. Yet, in the book and in many recent media interviews, Macci claims Richard and he were best friends. That’s hard to believe. Overall, however, Macci has claimed the movie is very accurate. Discrepancies aside, the movie is riveting and dramatic, and it holds

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

many lessons for parents and coaches. It is interesting that the movie juxtaposes the pressures of the father with the pressures applied by the coach. In the film, Richard clearly accuses Rick of malpractice with Capriati, highlighting her fall from grace and turn to drugs, a situation that Macci laughed off and minimized in the film. Rick, in turn, accuses Richard of putting too much pressure on the girls by billing them as the next great champions all the time. Those countervailing positions are intriguing. You have two men tied up in a business deal together with a lot of money at stake, and they are both accusing each other of pushing the girls too hard to get success. The film suggests that Richard saved the girls from a similar fate as Capriati. I wonder if this is how the story really went—or if it was Rick who tried to protect the girls from their father. The film’s condemnation of the junior circuit is striking. Richard repeatedly suggests that the junior circuit is worse than Compton, the way the kids and the parents behave.

He says that junior parents “should be shot”. This is the real dirty truth of the junior tennis game that the current powers that be do not want to address. Cheating is rampant and behavior is at a nadir for both players and parents. Rick has stated in interviews that he agrees that cheating is out of control in junior tennis. The film spends a significant amount of time presenting the contributions of Paul Cohen, who I never knew helped the sisters—and I’m in the business. The influence of his coaching is important to note for the historical record. (And the fact that he coached the girls for free and did not appear to receive any compensation, at least not as shown in the film). While I have the utmost respect for Rick Macci as a talented coach, the audience is left to wonder whether he is also an equally gifted gambler. I have argued in the past that the most successful junior coaches have the qualities of a great stock trader and

investor. I'm not sure if his portrayal in the movie was entirely positive. He is portrayed as a quirky, funny, fasttalking, charismatic and hard-charging coach. The film makes a point that his student Capriati was a tremendous prodigy but then fell to personal problems and burn out. Those in the tennis world also know that another Macci prodigy, Tommy Ho, who was mentioned in the film, didn’t accomplish nearly as much success on tour as in his junior career, a sensitive topic that Rick explains away in Macci Magic, saying that Tommy just wasn’t “athletic” enough to be make it higher than about #80 singles and #7 doubles in the world. It appears that even the most gifted coaches may need to roll the dice on talented players in order to reach superstardom. The level of financial output that Macci gave to the Williams family is shocking, and according to Macci Magic, most of the funding went unpaid back to Rick.

According to Rick in Macci Magic, he settled for a much smaller amount with the family rather then implementing the 14 million dollar lawsuit. As a high performance coach myself, I’m left to wonder if the way to the top of the coaching world inherently involves a financial gamble like the one Macci took, or if a talented coach can develop a champion without such a monetary sacrifice. Do any of our most famous coaches accept payment for their most gifted players? In Macci Magic, Rick says that Tommy Ho’s family, for example, paid him throughout their relationship. In a telling scene in the movie, Richard refers to the lower level players at Macci's academy as "chum." Macci replies, “You need a few cheeseburgers to pay for the sirloin. You sell enough sirloin you can get the filet mignon.” It's a cynical continued on page 22

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king richard reflections continued from page 21

view. I know the academy business often works that way, but I wonder if there are elite coaches who don't work that way. Or do they go out of business because they can't compete? Surely, the movie asks the question for all junior coaches that if they were blessed to encounter a player of supreme ability, would they sacrifice as much as Macci did to achieve greatness? Or would they say “no thanks,” like Vic Braden and numerous other coaches did in the film. The fascinating choice Richard made was to make his girls his family business. Rather than building a successful career himself and supporting his family, which most cultures highly value and encourage for fathers, he took an iconoclastic approach. In essence, his girls were

his family business in the most entrepreneurial sense. Thus, he operated a bare bones start up for many years with a delayed payoff. He therefore needed a stable income from his wife to help support the family. This role of father-entrepreneur is unusual in a world that typically tells men to “bring home the bacon” in a traditional job. I see this type of father or mother from time to time in my coaching. It’s an all-in gamble and approach. If the “business” fails it can be devastating for the family. Indeed, even if it works, as in the case of Richard Williams and his girls, the toll on the family unit may be severe, as it was on the relationship between Oracene and Richard. Parents have to decide what is the

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

most ethical and healthy way to raise their children and build their family. Parents must decide whether they are willing to take an entrepreneurial gamble with their kid or, rather, focus their energy into another career field to earn money for the kid’s training and expenses. I’m certain that conservatively wired parents will not be inclined to roll the dice like Richard did—too much downside risk. I am also continually amazed at the level of personal deprivation exhibited by fathers (and mothers) like Richard who take on the unusual parenting/coaching/entrepreneurial role. They sacrifice almost everything for the child, leaving little room for personal aspirations. You have to be uniquely wired to see the world this way and live this way.

Parents of champions can either make money off court and parlay those earnings into the player’s development, or they can actively make the kid’s tennis their business and life’s work. Typically you see parents who embrace this latter role when the focus is on grand slams and a big money payoff, not simply playing college ball. One key takeaway is the powerful message of the film about the poison of the junior tennis tour and the genius of Richard in being circumspect enough to keep the girls out of that cesspool as much as he could. It’s a lesson that many junior tennis players and parents and coaches should learn. It’s not always necessary to chase points and play 30+ events a year. There is another more healthy way to the top that deemphasizes tournament play or at least adjusts the frequency of tournament play down. Another key takeaway is a challenge to parents about what role

they see themselves playing in their child’s development. Will they adopt a passive role, a semi-active role, or make their child’s tennis into a fulltime entrepreneurial venture? It’s important for parents to identify what role they would like to play in their child’s tennis development. It’s also important for parents to decide whether they want to take on the risk that Richard took with his girls and family. With great risk comes great reward, but also the chance of catastrophic failure. Another thought is that coaches and parents should probably be wary to assume what Richard did can be duplicated. I have met some parents who echo the actions and

words of Richard; some who have even studied his approach in detail and copied much of what he did, assuming it will work again. All coaches and parents should be judicious and understand that the remarkable success of Richard and his daughters is truly a miracle and may not ever happen again in our lifetime. Parents, coaches and players should definitely watch this film! There is a lot to contemplate. Please let me know your thoughts by shooting me an email. You can also learn more about the junior development journey on my podcast, The Prodigy Maker Show, available on all your favorite podcasting platforms.

Chris Lewit is a former number one for Cornell and 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 nationallyranked players and is known for his expertise in building the foundations of young prodigies. Chris coaches in NYC and year-round at his high performance tennis academy in Manchester, VT, where players can live and train the Spanish Way full-time or short-term. He may be reached by phone at (914) 462-2912, e-mail Chris@chrislewit.com or visit ChrisLewit.com.

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LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Century Tennis

Gold Coast Tennis

56 Brook Avenue Deer Park, N.Y. (631) 242-0220 CenturyTennis.com

31 Prospect Street Huntington, N.Y. (631) 547-5200 GoldCoastTennis.org Info@GoldCoastTennis.org Tennis and Sports Courts Since 1984 Gold Coast Tennis has been trusted for more than 35 years by Long Island’s top clubs and hundreds of homeowners to design, build and maintain tennis and sport courts. Gold Coast’s in-house team of experienced and knowledgeable tradesmen use only the best quality materials and have the ability to address any situation to ensure your court is ready for you to play at your highest level. Gold Coast Tennis is a specialist and expert in both clay and asphalt courts, including Har-Tru, Deco Systems, and Douglas sports equipment for multi-use courts. Gold Coast provides annual Har-Tru reconditioning, as well as weekly/bi-weekly/monthly court servicing. All weather court repair incorporates the use of Rite-Way crack repair system. In addition to building and maintaining the court surfaces, Gold Coast Tennis designs and builds the entire court environment including fencing, irrigation, lighting, panting, masonry and seating furniture. Gold Coast’s approach ensures that your tennis or sport court enhances the appearance of your home and fits with your outdoor living lifestyle.

Since 1965, Century Tennis has been dedicated to the growing sport of tennis by building quality tennis courts and providing a specialized service to the tennis club industry, as well as the private community. By maintaining a high-quality of service and customer satisfaction over the years comes a trust that is ever so hard to attain. “We simply want to be the best at what we do.” In order to build great tennis courts, you have to start at the bottom with an understanding of soil conditions and converting it to a good base. Lasercontrolled road graders enable Century Tennis to build with accuracy. Building Post-Tensioned Concrete, instead of the old asphalt type courts, are proving to be a great alternative for “crack-free” tennis courts. Whether it is a hard court with the softness of Deco-Turf or Classic Turf Rubber or whether it is a soft court like Har-Tru or Hydro Court, or a surface that offers a little of both like Nova Synthetic Turfs … Century Tennis can deliver. The company is a member of the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Long Island Builders Institute (LIBI). Century Tennis’ building techniques meet and or exceed those of the ASBA and the USTA and with its “Certified Tennis Court Builder” staff assures this quality. The company’s intention is to deliver the very best tennis courts for the most demanding players and tennis club owners. “Expanding the game of tennis, one court at a time.”

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

Har-Tru LLC

SportProsUSA

166 Industrial Way Troy, Va. (877) 4-HARTRU HarTru.com

500 West Main Street, Suite 19 Wyckoff, N.J. coach@sportprosusa.com www.sportprosusa.com (877) 466-7765 As the Sport Court Tennis distributor for metropolitan New York, Long Island and New Jersey, SportProsUSA offers a full-line of tennis court surfaces, accessories and amenities. Since 2006, Thomas Petersen, owner of SportProsUSA, has overseen more than 300 court installations, refurbishing and retrofits throughout the region. Whether you are interested in a modular surface like PowerGame, a suspended surface like PREMIER COURT, premium crack repair systems like Guardian, or a cushioned or sanded acrylic surface for your all-weather court, SportProsUSA is where to look first. In addition to tennis, SportProsUSA offers event management for unique sports themed events and temporary court installation services. Our construction division also distributes and installs a full-range of products and surfaces for basketball, baseball, volleyball, futsal, soccer, team handball and more. Residential, commercial and institutional clients look to us for advice when specifying, planning and executing small and large scale projects. Our event management division specializes in unique sport themed events. From concept to execution we cover the full range of services to meet your needs.

Har-Tru, LLC is a global tennis company based in Charlottesville, VA. It is the world’s leading provider of tennis court surfaces, tennis court consultation, court equipment and accessories. The company strives to help others build and maintain the best courts in the world, leveraging its products, knowledge, and experience to most effectively meet the needs of each customer. Har-Tru stays active in the in the industry as an advocate for the sport and sponsor of tennis related activities.

LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

The Farley Group Air-Supported Structures 6 Kerr Crescent Puslinch, Ontario, Canada (888) 445-3223 TheFarleyGroup.com

The Farley Group has installed more than 20 tennis bubbles in the New York City and Long Island areas, helping tennis facilities extend their season into the winter months. For seasonal or permanently installed tennis bubbles, The Farley Group is your number one source for quality, service and dependability. As a manufacturer, supplier, installer and service provider of air-supported structures, The Farley Group works with you from conception to implementation and beyond. The company’s philosophy is built around the belief that a customer never leaves The Farley Group—from project planning and installation to ongoing service and maintenance—we become a trusted member of your team. The company’s expert staff of sales consultants, designers and highly-skilled production and service professionals are well-experienced in all facets of air structure technology, ready to help you through every phase of your tennis bubble project.

VelveTop Products 1455 New York Avenue Huntington Station, N.Y. (631) 427-5904 Velvetop.com

VelveTop Products is a family-owned and operated business since 1968. VelveTop is a stocking distributor of a full line of tennis court materials and equipment, including: • Deco Turf: The Cushioned Tennis Surface of Champions • Har-Tru: Developing Champions Since 1932 • Douglas Sports: Nets, Windscreens, Divider Nets • RiteWay Crack Repair Systems • Deep Root: Tree Root Barriers • Hadeka Red Clay For more information, call (631) 427-5904, e-mail BWalsh@VelveTop.com or visit VelveTop.com.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

Racquet Sport

Report presented by

e’ve talked in previous issues about the growth and popularity of racquet sports over the last several years as people all across the country and world have begun playing not just tennis, but sports such as pickleball, padel, beach tennis and more. With so many more people playing recreationally and professionally, it’s important to recognize the work being done by the governing bodies of these sports to maintain that growth. Take the United States Padel Association (USPA) for example. The USPA is based in Houston, which is where the sport of Padel was first introduced in the United States in 1993. And for the last 30 years, the USPA has been at the forefront of growing the sport. The organization is is set to embark on a successful 2022 season. There are tournaments scheduled throughout the country including in

All Racquet Sports

Texas, Florida, California, Nevada and more. You can learn more by visiting PadelUSA.org, where you can find more information on the growing amount of clubs featuring Padel and more places to play. “In case you were unaware there is a USPA located in Houston, Texas (United States Padel Association),” All Racquet Sports said in a statement to its distributors. “We are happy to announce Marcos del Pilar, our Director of International AFP Certification and Director at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, has been named the President to lead the organization from here onwards. Here you can find the ever-increasing number of tournaments, players and courts coming online in the US!” Padel Court at Australian Open

While you may have been enthralled with the tennis during the Australian Open, there was something exciting happening off the main tennis courts. There was a pop-up Padel court set up

on the grounds of the Australian Open, as the sport was introduced to Aussie tennis fans who had not seen it played before. “I got a little bit addicted,” one local told The Age, an Australian newspaper. “Padel is a lot easier than normal tennis and probably more accessible. I’ve noticed that some different mates who I don’t normally play tennis with come down for a hit. The court was open in Melbourne Park for the duration of the Australian Open, and it attracted many guests to try it for the first time. The pop-up came on the heels of the first Melbourne padel club opening in Lorimer Street, Docklands, last year. At the French Open last year, a similar pop-up Padel court was set up. It’s just another indicator of the continuing spread of these racquet sports, and how they have attracted new players seeking an alternative to tennis.

LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

USTA Eastern Long Island Region May Designated as National Tennis Month

STA Chairman of the Board and President Mike McNulty has announced that once again this year, May will be designated as “National Tennis Month.” This celebration will give providers and others in the tennis community the opportunity “to raise awareness around our great sport and promote it as healthy, fun, safe, and accessible to people of all ages and abilities,” he said. According to McNulty, “tennis has enjoyed some truly impressive growth—all the more remarkable in the face of the pandemic. And during National Tennis Month, the

USTA, along with many of its partners in the tennis world, will be making a concerted effort to add to the sport’s momentum by providing resources, ideas and support for coaches, facilities, Parks & Recs, Community Tennis Associations, NJTLs, and providers of all kinds to help bring new players into tennis and reinvigorate those who’ve already made this sport a part of their lives.” Various marketing and promotional resources will be available to help providers promote National Tennis Month. “I encourage all of you to be proactive in using these materials … so that we can do the best-possible job of spreading the good word about our great sport,” McNulty said. All resources are available on USTA.com/NationalTennisMonth. Materials include downloadable artwork to use for fliers, banners, t-shirts, car magnets and yard signs; customizable marketing materials, including social media posts, flyers, posters and postcards; a sample press release and tips for reaching out to local media; and sample proclamations for city councils and mayors to proclaim May as National Tennis Month. Providers are also encouraged to use the hashtag #NationalTennisMonth in all of their programming and promotions throughout May. Designating a month of promotion for tennis provides a platform to drive awareness and help bring new players into local programs, inspire lapsed players to pick the sport back up and energize existing players to play more.

Wanted! USTA High School Coach Ambassadors Are you a high school tennis coach who wants to help grow high school tennis? Apply to become a High School Coach Ambassador. This new volunteer position is a great opportunity for you to help serve as a mentor in your community, meet new people, attend trainings and events and grow high school tennis in the United States. Ambassadors will serve on the same twoyear timeline as the USTA’s National High School Committee, with an option to re-apply for each new term. The current application is for a term that runs until Dec. 31, 2022. To apply, please visit LongIsland.USTA.com. The High School Committee will review all submissions and follow up as selections are finalized.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

USTA Eastern Long Island Region USTA Celebrates Black History Month he USTA in February celebrated Black History Month, a time for reflection, awareness and continued commitment to education. According to Martin Blackman, Executive Sponsor, and Deanne Pownall, Senior Advisor, “The USTA made significant strides in 2021, beginning with welcoming Marisa Grimes as our Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. Over the last year her team has been instrumental in elevating our partnerships with the American Tennis Association and Jack & Jill of America, finding new ways to grow tennis in communities of color. The D&I department also launched the ‘Huddle Up for Equity & Social Justice’ education series led by the Institute for Sport & Social Justice, which will continue through 2022. In addition, the 2021 US Open showcased Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU), which have a rich history in our sport, at the first annual “HBCU Live at the US Open” activation. The celebration was also a day to honor the late Mayor David Dinkins, as the David N. Dinkins HBCU Fund was launched in partnership with the USTA Foundation, focusing initially on providing grants to HBCU tennis programs. The grant is designed to encourage and support HBCU players on the path to becoming certified coaches, providing valuable In 2006, Dr. Dale G. Caldwell was installed as the Black person to development opportunities for a potential career in tennis. hold the position of USTA Eastern Section President. He is shown “We are also thrilled to share the rebranding of the former ACE here next to the statue of Althea Gibson at the USTA Billie Jean King Network Business Resource Group (BRG), which is now the Black National Tennis Center Empowerment Network. This new brand was developed together with the BRG’s leadership to better reflect the community of employees it serves.”

Tennis Ladders Underway wo of Long Island’s most popular tennis ladders have announced that registration is now open the 2022 season. The Tennis Association of Farmingdale (TAF Tennis) ladder gives recreational players the opportunity to meet new people, make their own matches and have fun. Competition includes men’s and women’s singles, doubles, mixed and senior ladders. For more information and to register visit www.TAFtennis.org The Huntington

Tennis Association (HTA) is offering free membership in 2022. The group invites players to play on as many ladders as they like all spring and summer long at no cost. For information, visit HTAtennis.com. Ladders include men’s and women’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles ladders, with a championship match against the Farmingdale ladder at the end of the season.

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 Neil Thakur, USTA Eastern Manager of Long Island Follow USTA Long Island by visiting Facebook and searching “Play Tennis Long Island” LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

The Top Ten Tennis Tips of All-Time: Anticipation By By Dr. Dr. Tom Tom Ferraro Ferraro

ver the years I have learned a key intervention that helps tennis players in their effort to win is anticipating any and all problems that will occur during an event and preparing a reaction to it. This common sense approach is surprisingly neglected by all but the most elite players. In 1971, Carly Simon wrote her most famous song “Anticipation” which begins with the line “We can never know about the days to come, but we think about them anyway”. She intuitively outlined one of the most mature and crucial defenses that athletes need in order to win The realistic anticipation of future inner discomfort and surprise problems is one of the central keys to winning in any sport. This is commonly referred to as “Murphy’s Law” or that the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray so you had better be prepared for any and all problems. The bigger the event, the more likely that strange and unexpected discomfort will happen.

Most tennis players do not anticipate most things and go into events blindly and naively. Tennis tournaments are like war and as in war, you had better have a carefully prepared plan or you will soon be dead. You may have noticed that in postgame interviews, the winners of the event will often express appreciation to their team of doctors, trainers, physio guys, coaches and spouses. The team that surrounds the athlete is responsible for anticipating any and all problems and prepared the athlete to be ready. A few years ago I ran a conference and one of the guest speakers I invited was Gary Wadler, M.D., the sport medicine guru. He told a story of working with Martina Navratilova the year she won the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadow. They had anticipated very high temperatures and the possibility of heat stroke on the last weekend and so intravenous fluids were used to prevent dehydration. That is a good example of

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

anticipation. The list of problems that might occur during a tournament includes both external and internal issues. There may be traffic on the way to the event, there may be a sudden rainstorm which makes the court wet or the wind may not be to your liking. You may be paired against someone who upsets you or who has a big rep or who bores you. Maybe the opponent is a pusher and you dislike that kind of game. Perhaps the referee or your opponent makes a bad call. It might be that you are on the verge of burnout, are exhausted or got only four hours sleep the night before. Maybe you suddenly feel nausea, have back pain or you’re coming down with a cold or just coming back from an injury. Maybe there are inner demons at work like being too tense, in a slump, depressed, distracted by some recent social problem or overthinking your stroke or yipping. Any and all of these things happen to players on a regular basis and so how

does one talk about them and plan ways to cope. If one does not anticipate these events then when they hit you by surprise. You will enter the event blindly and in denial of what is to come. And the chances are you will be unprepared and the problems will inevitably distract you, overwhelm you and defeat you . Anticipation takes work. This strategy is not just a magic work. Let me give you an example of how we develop anticipation. I work with many younger players who are rising stars and not accustomed to the cameras, the interviews and the crowds that inevitably are a part of stardom. To keep them from imploding this is what we do. 1. The first thing is to help them to describe the triggers and what happens to them, their feelings and their game. What they will often say is that they become distracted, lose focus, get anxious, get tight and when this starts they fall down the

rabbit hole of doubt and despair and will lose matches that they should have won. 2 The next step is tracing this problem backwards and we explore various aspects of their past that contribute to their distractibility, anxiety and lack of defense. The answers vary in these cases and the insights gained repair the athlete a great deal and this process of real insight is what differentiates depth sport psychology for standard sport psychology. 3. After this we embark on the process of building up better defenses to cope with the crowds or the fame or the pressure. We rehearse body language, visual focus, tricks like the use of silence and a variety of self-talk strategies. Anticipation is a mature

and very high level defense because it allows one to prepare for any discomfort that is sure to arise in the course of winning matches. It is not surprising that most athletes do not do this because no one was there to teach them. If a parent happened to be a professional tennis player then their youngster will be taught this strategy. But more often the player needs to learn this from a professional coach or sport psychologist. To paraphrase Carly Simon “we can never know about the days or the matches to come but we need to think about them anyway.” Next month we will talk about the third secret all top players use to win.

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.

LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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2022 Tennis Magazine 2016 GuideLong to the TopIsland Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players

Camp Guide

Bethpage Park Tennis Center Summer Tennis Camp 99 Quaker Meeting House Road, Building #4 l Farmingdale, NY (516) 777-1358 l BethpageParkTennis.com The 2022 Bethpage Park Tennis Center Summer Tennis camp begins Monday June 27, 2022 and runs through Friday August 26, 2022. Camp begins each day at 10:00 a.m. with warmup and fitness, and continues with instruction and drills with our top level staff from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We take a break for lunch from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. We welcome campers to bring or order their own food and drinks. We continue the camp day at 1:30 p.m. with match play and individual instruction until 4 p.m. We have four indoor, air conditioned hard courts, four indoor air conditioned red clay courts and two outdoor Har-Tru courts so that players can learn and train on a variety of surfaces and conditions, and play is guaranteed: Rain Or Shine. We know that summer plans of our students don't always fit perfectly into our camp schedule. We are flexible and we can adapt a program that fits tournament, vacation and the other activities that many of today's students engage in. For over 40 years, the summer program has provided the best learning and training environment to develop more top level Student-Athletes than any program on Long Island. Our record of development with our long time students include 20 players ranked #1 nationally by the USTA, Numerous ATP and WTA and NCAA champions, over 2000 nationally ranked players, many current college coaches and more student-athletes who have gone on to play Ivy League Tennis than any other program. Our record is unrivalled and unprecedented for a single facility that is not a STEVE KAPLAN’S massive academy. Contact us for an application form or call us at 516 777 1358 for more information and to reserve your spot today. Enrollment is limited so act soon! TENNIS

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Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide Carefree Racquet Club 1414 Jerusalem Avenue l North Merrick, N.Y. (516) 489-9005 l CarefreeTennis.com Where can you find a junior summer tennis camp highlighting the excitement of competition, high-structured instruction and plenty of allaround play time? At Carefree Racquet Club, complete with seven air-conditioned indoor tennis courts, two half-court basketball courts, and four pickleball courts … that’s where! At Carefree’s Summer Camp, the staff encourages the social and healthy aspect of loving sports just for the fun of it. New this year, we will be offering a dedicated Red Ball 10 years of age and under camp with the kid's favorite, Kristen Cassidy! Camp will be Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 9am to noon where the children will learn and play tennis along with other fun activities! Come one day a week, two or all three! Summer Camp for all ages, 6 to 18 This runs Monday-Friday, June 27th to August 19th from 1:00-5:00 p.m. A typical day at camp consists of stretching and warm-up, stroke production, instruction, drills and thrills and ladder matches! Cross-training is also involved including basketball and pickleball. Contact CarefreeTennis@gmail.com, call (516) 489-9005 or visit CarefreeTennis.com to signup or for more information.

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LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide Centercourt Tennis Academy

High-Performance Full-Time Academy & Elite Camps Offered Weekly, Annually and for Specific Periods required Chatham l Florham Park l Gillette l Marlboro Just 25 miles from Manhattan (862) 308-3029 l Centercourtcta.com l Conrad@Centercourtclub.com Our commitment to Excellence at Centercourt Tennis Academy has earned our reputation as the Toughest Playground in the Northeast. With a passion for Elite Player Development and with a dedicated High-Performance Team as well as our multiple World-Class facilities from Indoor and Outdoor Clay & Hards to our Strength and Conditioning Institutes. Our players experience Only the Best in Competitive Training and an array of Tournaments and Events in one Academy. Based just 25 Miles from Manhattan Players come from International as well as the Tri - State area. We offer Additional Homestay and Transportation Options upon request.

The Centercourt Tennis Academy Points of Difference l World renowned International Tennis Coaches on Court daily in our innovative environment l Attention to detail allows athletes to improve in multiple dimensions: Technical, Tactical Fitness, Emotional & Mental l Centercourt’s list of events including USTA, ITA & official UTR tournaments provide opportunities for athletes to compete weekly and improve UTR ratings quickly. l Centercourt is dedicated to meeting the individual needs of each one of our players l Centercourt’s players results are amongst top National rankings and the ITF100 ranked players. Our Alumni are competing ay Ivy League as well as top Colleges all over the country. l Centercourt puts the needs of the player first, in a development-focused model of training l Athletes are grouped in level by UTR; featuring small group training, match play, individualized fitness plans, Mental Toughness Training and On the Spot video analysis. l Tournament Support, Supervised Practice Sets and Team coaching are all available. l Our Environment shows our commitment to develop players Holistically - we believe in shaping people from the Inside Out and guide our team in our Team based Academy setting. Centercourt Tennis Academy's Proven Superior Player Development Model has seen countless outstanding results achieved in recent times. With our athletes competing at Top Colleges around the nation we are confident in our ability to bring your Childs Ability to their potential . Centercourt Tennis Academy offers programs with rolling admissions year-round and Summer Camp from June 13 – September, 2 2022. Annual Full Time Academy with Academics commenced Tuesday, September 6, 2022.

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Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide Chris Lewit Tennis Academy Manchester, Vermont l (914) 462-2912 l ChrisLewit.com l Chris@ChrisLewit.com No Rainouts Ever! We have indoor courts onsite. Train seriously in the picturesque green mountains of Vermont! Chris Lewit Tennis Academy (CLTA) Summer Camp is a serious high performance sleepaway and day camp set in the natural paradise of Vermont. In addition to the summer program, Chris Lewit Tennis Academy also offers year-round training—with boarding—both short term and long term! Players at CLTA have the opportunity to train personally in very small groups with Chris Lewit, one of leading high-performance junior development coaches in the United States. Chris is known as an expert in technique and biomechanics, and in Spanish training methods. Chris wrote the best-selling book, Secrets of Spanish Tennis, and he is currently pursuing an advanced degree in kinesiology and biomechanics. 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. The camp focuses on players from ages 8-18, from serious beginner to national and ITF ranked players, and offers day or full boarding options. Campers 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, all set on 15 picturesque acres with a majestic river for swimming onsite. The camp features daily morning yoga and mindfulness training from a certified master yoga instructor and an injury prevention program overseen by a NSCA certified strength and conditioning coach who is training for the Olympics in Track and Field. CLTA offers a unique hybrid teaching system based on the Toni Nadal, Pato Alvarez/Sanchez-Casal, and Bruguera Methods from Spain, as well as other European influences based on Chris Lewit's travels abroad. Chris has spent the last 14 years studying with many of the legendary coaches in Spain and Europe. Recognized as a world-leading expert in Spanish systems, he is the only coach in the US certified in three distinct Spanish styles: Nadal, Bruguera, and Sanchez-Casal. Chris brings the most cutting-edge training methods from Europe back to the U.S. for his students. New this year is a character building and mindset training based on the teachings of Toni Nadal! All students receive personal coaching and mentoring directly from Chris Lewit, and are supported by his highly trained staff of top college and ATP players. This summer, the academy will host a full series of UTR tournaments, Little Mo Sectionals, U14 World Championship Qualifiers, and UTR Pro Money event featuring players as high as 200 ATP! For more information, contact Chris directly to discuss your player's summer development plan by e-mail at Chris@ChrisLewit.com, or text/call/WhatsApp (914) 462-2912, or visit ChrisLewit.com. You can also learn more about Chris’s philosophy at his Prodigy Maker Blog, and podcast, The Prodigy Maker Show. Visit ProdigyMaker.com for the blog and show links.

LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide CourtSense Tennis Training Center at Bogota Racquet Club (home of the High Performance program) 156 West Main Street l Bogota, N.J. l (201) 366-2898

CourtSense at Tenafly Racquet Club (Home of the Performance program) 195 County Rd. l Tenafly, N.J. l (201) 254-5836 CourtSense.com l Info@CourtSense.com With CourtSense, you’ll achieve your personal best, because our training is of the highest professional caliber and easily tailored to suit your age and skill level. We use tennis as a vehicle to teach life lessons by tapping into the spirit of every player, with lots of passion, expertise and character. Students have access to 17 outdoor and 16 indoor tennis courts and to CourtSense’s revolutionary PlaySight smart court system that is installed on 20 courts. High Performance Summer Tennis Camp at Bogota Racquet Club. This camp is geared towards High Performance Tournament and high level High School players for UTR level 4 and above and age group 11 to 18 years old. CourtSense has trained and is currently training players who have become ATP- and WTA-ranked players, U.S. Olympians, as well as many college scholarship athletes. CourtSense’s International High Performance Coaches, in collaboration with the fitness staff and a sports psychologist, have developed a program that maximizes all athletes’ strengths, both on and off court. l Full Day High Performance Tennis Camp at Bogota Racquet Club runs from Monday-Friday, June 27-Aug. 26 (nine weeks), featuring 10 hours of tennis training; 5 hours of fitness and 8 hours of match/point play) for players ages 11-18, and UTR level 4.00 and above. Campers will have access to outdoor and indoor hard and clay courts, with a 3:1 student-to-coach ratio. Weekly dual matches with other academies, and mental toughness training are also included. Evaluation is required prior to enrollment. Transportation service between locations is provided. l Full Day Performance Tennis Camp at Tenafly Racquet Club runs from Monday-Friday, June 27-Aug. 26 (nine weeks), featuring 8 hours of tennis training; 4 hours of fitness and 6-8 hours of match/point play) for players ages 8-12, and UTR level under 4.00. Campers will have access to a premier and very unique facility where they will be able to experience playing on all grand slam surfaces (European red clay, grass, hard court), with a 3:1 student-to-coach ratio. Mental toughness training is also included. Evaluation is required prior to enrollment.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide Eastern Athletic Club’s Summer Camp Multiple locations across Long Island and New York City EasternAthleticClubs.com l EACTennis@yahoo.com Eastern Athletic is family-owned and is one of the New York’s original and finest tennis and fitness facilities, offering tennis camps during July and August. With three locations throughout Suffolk County to accommodate the ever changing needs of our clientele, Eastern Athletic has 17 Nova Ultra cushion indoor tennis courts, seven racquetball courts, and much more. Eastern Athletic’s camp is directed by Laurie Tenney Fehrs and the multi-cultural tennis staff that all have a commitment to see their students happy and successful in all aspects of their lives. Eastern Athletic Tennis Camps integrate strength and agility training, drill sessions, group lessons and match play. Eastern Athletic offers camp from two hours up to five hours per day for one day up to eight weeks. In addition, Eastern Athletic has one of the best performance training programs, integrating tennis with athletic performance programs. All of their programs are offered year-round in a climate-controlled tennis facility. Eastern Athletic has produced some of the top tennis players on Long Island under the direction and supervision of Laurie Tenney Fehrs and a renowned tennis staff. Eastern Athletic has programs for juniors and adults of all ages and level of play, and is confident they have something for you. To find out all about what Eastern Athletic has to offer, visit EasternAthleticClubs.com. For more information and to join the growing family, e-mail EACTennis@yahoo.com or visit one of Eastern Athletic’s locations: l EAC in Blue Point, 9A Montauk Highway, Blue Point, N.Y. (631) 363-2882 l EAC in Dix Hills, 854 East Jericho Turnpike, Dix Hills, N.Y. (631) 271-6616 l EAC in Brooklyn Heights, 43 Clark Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. (718) 625-0500 l EAC in Prospect Park, 17 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, N.Y. (718) 789-4600

Ed Krass' 34th Annual College Tennis Exposure Camp® & Clinics (813) 684-9031 l CollegeTennis.com l USTA National Campus, Lake Nona, Fla.: Saturday-Sunday, June 4-5 l Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa.: Saturday-Sunday, July 16-17 l Mercer County Park Tennis Center, Windsor, N.J.: Friday-Saturday, July 22-23 l Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.: Saturday-Sunday, July 30-31 l University of Colorado, Boulder, Co.: Saturday-Sunday, August 13-14 Coach Ed Krass' 33rd Annual College Tennis Exposure Camp & Clinics, for ages 14-18, are taught exclusively by head college coaches who will work with you on-court to improve your singles and doubles match play strategies and provide college recruiting advice. Instructional drills and match play competitions will be conducted in the same style and intensity as a college team practice. The two-day College Tennis Exposure Camp will be offered at the Long Island Health & Racquet Club in Setauket, N.Y., Saturday-Sunday, June 5-6 and Mercer County Park Tennis Center in Windsor, N.J., FridaySaturday, July 23-24 Coach Ed Krass, Founder and Director of College Tennis Exposure Camp & Clinics, has coached varsity tennis teams at Harvard University, Clemson University and the University of Central Florida prior to founding the College Tennis Academy. For more information, call Coach Krass at (813) 684-9031 or visit CollegeTennis.com. Look for more camp locations at CollegeTennis.com.

LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide Elite Junior Intensive High Performance Tennis Camp Doylestown Tennis Club l 10 Weldon Dr. l Doylestown, Pennsylvania (818) 584-4795 l abphd@msn.com Get Pumped Up for the Summer Tournament Schedule The goal of this weekend elite tennis camp is to provide a training experience that will help the competitive junior tennis player take their game to the next level. The camp will run from Friday-Sunday, June 3-5. Friday, June 3 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Meet & Greet 6:30-9:30 p.m. – On-Court Play Saturday, June 4 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. – Seminar with Dr. Berger 12:00-1:30 p.m. – Lunch (On Your Own) 1:30-4:30 p.m. – On-Court Play 4:30-6:00 p.m. – Dinner (On Your Own) 6:00-9:00 p.m. – On-Court Play Sunday, June 5 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – On-Court Play 1:00-3:00 p.m. – Lunch Provided, Wrap-Up, Q&A and Pro Feedback Dr. Allen Berger and Jim Klein have created a unique opportunity for student athletes to integrate into their play an understanding of both the laws of physics that apply to tennis and the psychological laws of optimal performance. This intensive week of instruction and training will consist of both on-court and off-court instruction. Participants will learn to: l l l l l l l l

Apply an understanding of the laws of physics to help play better tennis and generate better on court strategies. Use the time when not engaged in playing a point to enhance performance (we call this between point psychology). Compete with a relaxed intensity. Increase self-awareness and use this information to perform better. Manage anxiety or anger to keep negative emotions from interfering with or diminishing performance. Apply cognitive agility, creativity, and flexibility to cope with challenging moments on and off the court. Keep perfectionism from interfering with optimal performance. Focus on what you can control during a match instead of expending energy trying to control things you can’t. l Develop attitudes and behaviors that enhance athletic performance.

Upcoming Annual USPTA Eastern Conference

Saturday-Sunday, May 14-15, 2022 The Saw Mill Tennis Club Mount Kisco, NY For more information, contact Paul Fontana at

eastern-ed@uspta.org

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

This is a unique opportunity for a select group of competitive junior players to enhance their tennis skills. Therefore, the camp will be limited to 12 players to ensure a high level of individualized instruction. For registration procedure and other inquiries, e-mail Dr. Berger at abphd@msn.com or call him at (818) 584-4795.

2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide Evert Tennis Academy 10334 Diego Drive South l Boca Raton, Fla. l (561) 488-2001 EvertAcademy.com l Evert@EvertAcademy.com The Evert Tennis Academy is located in sunny Boca Raton, Fla., and is considered by many as one of the best tennis camps in the country. John and Chrissie Evert set out to continue their father’s legacy 22 years ago by installing core values: Excellence, Resilience, Integrity and Leadership. “Our core values are the roadmap to coaching every student-athlete towards reaching their full potential.”–John Evert Evert Tennis Academy clinics will focus on technical development, tactical training and competitive settings. Players will experience a typical Evert program that includes tennis lessons, strength and fitness conditioning, mental conditioning and competitive match play against players from all over the world. Players will get a coach’s evaluation during their stay here to review at home. Top four reasons why to attend this summer (Monday-Sunday, May 31Aug. 21): 1. Coaches/program: : Our coaching staff continues to put a program together that is second to none. Each program is designed so that each player will get the personalized attention needed to improve his or her game while having fun. Whether you are an intermediate player looking to fine tune your game or a high-level nationally ranked player we have the program for you. 2. Facility/boarding: Evert Tennis Academy is one of the only academies to provide boarding services for any student wishing to stay only steps away from the courts. Its eight-acre facility provides a safe environment nestled in the beautiful and secure Mission Bay residential neighborhood, surrounded by lakes, manicured lawns and lush Floridian foliage. 3. Competition: The Evert Tennis Academy provides match play for each student every day and all levels are welcome. Although the tournament schedule is not yet confirmed, we normally host three UTR tournaments throughout the summer for any player looking to get match play prior to the Clay Court & Hard Court Nationals, Zonals or just get access to players of equal playing level. 4. Family Oriented and Personal: The Evert Tennis Academy in known worldwide for a family oriented atmosphere and a place where players enjoy both on-court training and off-court activities. Students that choose the Developmental Program will receive a taylor made personalized program that is second to none in the industry. 5. Location: Located in the beautiful town of Boca Raton, Fla., the Evert Tennis Academy is located only a few minutes away from the “Long Island’s Tennis Store” beach and only 30 minutes away Kids Apparel & Sneakers • Great Prices On Racquets from the Fort Lauderdale and West Tennis Shoes • 1 Hour Stringing • Pickleball Palm Beach airports making it an Open 7 Days • Demos Available easy trip from the northeast. Best Selection of Tennis Gear on L.I.

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TopSpinTennisLI.com LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide Future Stars Summer Camps (914) 273-8500 l FSCamps.com l Purchase College SUNY 735 Anderson Hill Road Purchase, N.Y. (914) 273-8500 l The College at Old Westbury 223 Store Hill Road Old Westbury, N.Y. (516) 226-CAMP (2267) l Farmingdale State College 2530 Broadhollow Road Farmingdale, N.Y. (631) 769-CAMP (2267) l Future Stars Tennis Club 1370 Majors Path Southampton, N.Y. (631) 287-6707 l St. Joseph’s College-Patchogue 155 West Roe Boulevard Patchogue, N.Y. (631) 572-0232 l Aspatuck Tennis Club 25 Howell Lane, Westhampton Beach (631) 287-6707 Future Stars Summer Camps offer the finest weekly tennis day camps at five outstanding locations: Purchase College SUNY, The College at Old Westbury, Farmingdale State College, St. Joseph’s College-Patchogue and Future Stars Tennis Club in Southampton, N.Y. Programs are directed by experienced and qualified teachers and coaches who share a passion for working with children. Weekly programs are offered for boys and girls entering grades K-12. Tennis camps offer the perfect mix of match play, drill work, strategy sessions and off-court activities to challenge players of all levels. The program is designed to improve every facet of the game, including technical, tactical, physical and mental components under the guidance of our experienced and enthusiastic tennis professionals. Campers will be carefully grouped according to skill level and age and will be encouraged to enhance their strokes and strategies via group lessons, skill building drills organized play, target training, fitness routines and more. At Future Stars Summer Camps, we play with confidence, enthusiasm and a genuine love of the game! Stop by our regular on-campus open house events to view the facilities, meet the directors, and take advantage of enrollment savings.

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Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide Generation Next Tennis 100 Long Island Expressway l Manhasset, N.Y. (516) 233-2790l genxtennis@gmail.com Generation Next Tennis at Shelter Rock Tennis Club is under the Direction of Brian Stein and Chris Tasso. For more than 20 years they have both developed and coached some of the top juniors in the Long Island/New York City area. They will be sure to look after every junior's personal needs, as well as instill a real competitive presence at the camp. In addition to their leadership at the camp, Brian and Chris are also the Directors of Junior Tennis at Generation Next Tennis at Great Neck Estates. The coaching staff at the camp will feature a highly accomplished set of former ATP, ITF and NCAA players, as well as current college players that were once juniors in the program and fully understand the hard work philosophy. The camp is hosted at a beautiful facility of Har-Tru courts, a large pool that campers can enjoy in the afternoons, and is centrally located right off of the Long Island Expressway in Manhasset. On days it rains, the camp utilizes several indoor courts located on-premises to keep up the tennis fun. Finally, the Generation Next Tennis’ mission is that every junior player loves going to camp and has an incredible summer tennis experience. The entire staff will be dedicated to giving campers a summer they'll never forget.

Gigi Method Doubles Camps With Hall of Famer Gigi Fernandez www.GigiFernandezTennis.com/Camps l info@gigifernandeztennis.com Camp Locations: WINTER: Half Moon Bay Resort, Jamaica SPRING: Indian Wells during the BNP Paribas Open. SUMMER: Aspen, Co. and Stowe, Vt. FALL: Innisbrook Resort, Tampa, Fl. Gigi Fernandez conducts Gigi Method Doubles Camps for adult tennis players. The camps take place throughout the year in various locations through the United States and Caribbean. This is a unique opportunity to learn the game of doubles from one of the best doubles players in the history of the game. What makes Gigi unique from other Grand Slam doubles champions is that she has spent the past decade teaching recreational the art and science of doubles and helping them maximize their potential. She also conducts camps with other Legends of the game like Martina Navratilova, The Bryan Brothers, Chris Evert and Tracy Austin. l l l l l l l

All camps include: 10-14 hours of tennis over three days or four days Four to one player to coach ratio with Gigi explaining all drills. Gigi’s staff of experienced and certified Gigi Method Coaches Two-plus hours of tennis discussions over two lunches Welcome Reception Dinner SWAG bag with Tennis Express and OnCourtOffCourt gift cards. Priority Registration for Legends Camps Legends camps take place at various times throughout the year. To attend a camp with Gigi, please visit www.GigiFernandezTennis.com/Camps LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide Glen Head Racquet and Fitness 95 Glen Head Avenue l Glen Head, N.Y. l (516) 676-9849 l GlenHeadRAF.com Summer Camp at Glen Head Racquet Club is a great place for young athletes to improve their tennis skills, work hard, make new friends and of course, have a lot of fun. Our Pros use the latest teaching methods to help youngsters to achieve the highest level and be successful. The Junior Development Program is designed for athletes that have an interest in play tennis but don’t have any intensive instruction. The students learn: l Stroke production, foot work, simple fitness drills l Decision making and tactics l Shot selection and game style strategies l Court position match play and scoring The High Performance program is a fun yet achievement-orientated environment with emphasis on a systematic approach to player development. There is a great focus on mental enhancement, proper fundamentals for ultimate strokes, footwork drills. We have indoor and outdoor locations available.

Gotham Tennis Academy Montauk Summer Tennis and Sports Camp 91 S. Fulton Street l Montauk, N.Y. (631)-267-8525 l www.GothamTennisMTK.com l Info@GothamTennisMTK.com For over a decade, Gotham Tennis Academy has become known for innovative, world-class-tennis instruction in NYC and the Hamptons. Gotham Tennis – Montauk is on a beautiful nature preserve with eight pristine clay courts, just minutes from the center of Montauk and its world famous attractions and beaches. Beginners, rising stars, recreational players, and tournament players are all welcome. Camp Hours: Weekdays from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Half Day Option :10:00 am-12:00 pm or 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm) Campers are grouped according to age and level and can expect to improve fundamental tennis skills, self-confidence and conditioning and hopefully build on a lifelong love of the sport of tennis. One of our paramount goals throughout the summer is to build confidence and keep all campers active and motivated, so that they continue to learn at the fastest possible pace. Our camp staff with international backgrounds excels at teaching junior players of all levels. Your child can expect to not only improve tennis skills, but also life skills, such as discipline, the value of hard work, sportsmanship, independence and mental toughness. Whether your child is a Beginner or Advanced level player, he or she will gain confidence and learn appropriate tennis fundamentals, strategy, match play, conditioning, and footwork, while having tons of fun during the camp sessions. And maybe most important of all, your child is sure to develop memories and relationships that will last a lifetime!

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide Hofstra Summer Tennis Camp Hofstra University l 1000 Fulton Avenue l Hempstead, N.Y. l (516) 463-CAMP l Hofstra.edu/Camp A great tennis experience for two, four or seven weeks Hofstra Summer Camps offers three unique tennis programs for beginner and experienced players to learn and refine their tennis skills. In the new USTA program “Net Generation” players in grades 2-10 learn the basics of tennis using tennis equipment in a scaled down version to fit their smaller size, and it builds confidence, respect, responsibility, cooperation and much more. All aspects of tennis are introduced and taught, all scoring, strokes and strategy, and all in a fun and entertaining way! The Elite Tennis program offers experienced players in grades 6-10 the opportunity to receive full-day instruction. Campers will participate in supervised practice and competition, while the afternoon will consist of learning new skills and strategies, as well as drills and specific games to enhance the camper’s full tennis skill set. Admission to this program is selective; campers will be interviewed to see if this is the right fit. The Sports Academy Camp is a one-week intensive program specifically designed for players competing in or striving to compete in tournaments and on school teams. Coaches and players from the Hofstra University Tennis teams coaching staff will demonstrate techniques and help develop campers’ skills in a fun, supportive and positive environment. Program includes: l Stretching and warm-up exercises l Drilling and Instruction – live ball hitting, technique development and improvement l Point and match play l Tennis specific cross-training and mental toughness training. l And More! For additional information about Hofstra Summer Tennis Camp, call (516) 463CAMP or visit Hofstra.edu/Camp.

Huntington Indoor Tennis 100 Broadway l Huntington Station, N.Y. (631) 421-0040 l HuntingtonIndoorTennis.net l HITennis@HITennisNY.com Huntington Indoor Tennis is celebrating 38 years as the top tennis facility in the greater Huntington area, and is proud to be once again offering our Summer Camp. Huntington Indoor Tennis Camp combines the learning and fun of the game of tennis through personalized instruction, interclub matches, round-robins, ladder matches and drill games. Huntington Indoor Tennis offers a Full-Day Junior Tennis Camp, from 12:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m., as well as a Half-Day Mini Camp, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. One-week sessions begin Monday, June 27 and run through Friday, Aug. 26. Lunch is included! Visit HuntingtonIndoorTennis.net or contact HITennis@HITennisNY.com for more information.

LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide IHCTA Tennis Camp (914) 345-2155 l www.IHCTennisAcademy.com l Joel@CampIHC.com The IHC Tennis Academy offers the best of both worlds—A tennis academy program combined with an incredible summer camp experience. Our all-inclusive five-day overnight tennis camp is designed to give kids high level tennis coaching while also allowing our camp culture to help them develop both on and off the court. Players will have the opportunity to play tennis, experience camp, create friendships and gain a greater sense of independence. Our one-of-a-kind program includes: l Tennis drills, stroke production, game analysis, on/off court conditioning, and nutritional guidance l Competitive and recreational UTR certified matches l Alternative activities such as: Yoga, zip-lining, water skiing, paddle boarding, rock climbing, swimming, ropes course, flag football, basketball and more Our tennis coaches work toward creating a space where each and every camper feels both comfortable and challenged. We offer group lessons & private lessons with our head coaches. At IHCTA, we take pride in providing the tools to prepare our campers not only for tennis competition, but to deal with life situations through instilling the importance of work ethics, discipline, consistency, goal setting, respect, team work, responsibilities, accountability, and compassion. Our tennis coaches are a mix of former top 500 players, national champions, state champions, PTR, ITF & USTA qualified coaches, LTA coaches & D1 college players. The IHC Tennis Academy is hosted at one of the top summer camps in America - Located just two hours from New York City! Visit www.ihctennisacademy.com for dates, rates and more information.

Enjoy Tennis, e Pickleball, Swim mming and More at Long Island’s pre emier private club, The e Hamlet Golf & Countrry Club. New Members enjo oy access to the follow wing amenities: • • • •

Pickleball - the fun new paddleball sport Six lighted outdoorr hard courts Two lighted outdoo or Har-Tru courts Leagues and tournaments

• • • • •

Tennis lessons Al fresco dining Poolside cabana bar and cafe c Kids’ poolside programmin ng Poolside beverage and tow wel service

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide John McEnroe Tennis Academy Summer Tennis Training Camps Locations on Long Island including the Hamptons, in Manhattan and Westchester: JMTA New York City l SPORTIME Randall’s Island l (212) 427-6150 JMTA Long Island l SPORTIME Syosset l (516) 364-2727 JMTA Hamptons l SPORTIME Amagansett l (631) 267-3460 JMTA Westchester l SPORTIME Lake Isle l (914) 777-5151 CampsNYC@SportimeNY.com l SportimeCamps.com/JMTA No one knows tennis training for juniors better than SPORTIME and the John McEnroe Tennis Academy! And, with multiple tennis camp locations across Long Island, including in the Hamptons, and in New York City and Westchester, aspiring tennis players can enjoy John McEnroe Tennis Academy and SPORTIME tennis training programs across the region, throughout the summer. SPORTIME’s and JMTA’s training methods are fun and fast-paced, and feature multi-dimensional technical and tactical training. Innovative tennis training techniques are rooted in competitive games and tennis-specific conditioning regimens. Newer players learn and enjoy the sport in age and level appropriate groups. Higher level training prepares serious juniors for the physical, mental and emotional demands of match, tournament and high-school and college play. SPORTIME/JMTA’s international coaching staff is dedicated to turning weaknesses into strengths and strengths into winning games. For our youngest players, ages 10 and under, campers work through clearly defined stages of development that follow an internationally accepted progression of court sizes (red 36’, orange 60’), ball types (red, orange) and net heights that make it possible for kids to actually play tennis from the moment they step onto the court. With our fun and unique “gamification” approach, our junior players don’t just take lessons—they get sent on missions, acquire skills, collect points and achieve milestones. Campers also enjoy instruction and competition in a variety of team sports activities. Visit SportimeCamps.com to find the SPORTIME EXCEL or JMTA Summer Tennis Training Camp nearest you, or e-mail CampsNYC@SportimeNY.com to find out more. Programs and facilities vary by location.

LuHi Summer Programs 131 Brookville Road l Brookville, NY 11545 l luhi.com LuHi Summer Programs offers a premier tennis experience for players of all levels, but also so much more! Located on a scenic 32-acre campus in the heart of Long Island's North Shore, LuHi Summer Programs has been the home and camp choice for thousands of Long Island children for 60 years. We provide a fun-filled learning experience in a variety of sports, educational, and recreational programs to bring out the best in each of our campers. With over 20 diverse programs to choose from, campers from all across Long Island and NYC find their home here at LuHi Summer Programs. Foster personal growth, team spirit, and perseverance in one of our varied Athletics programs designed to challenge and motivate athletes to be their best. Inspire curiosity, spontaneity, and independence in our diverse Arts programs designed to nurture creativity and expression. Spark new passions, hobbies, and friendships with well-rounded Recreation options to suit all learning styles and interests. Galvanize tomorrow’s makers, creators, and innovators with science and technology options in our STEM division that drive experimentation and investigation. LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide If all four of these programming areas sound right for your child or they just want to try them all, they may yet find their home in LuHi Country Day, where action, adventure, and discovery await them! A culmination of LuHi’s culture, LuHi Country Day offers a safe & structured environment where campers are encouraged to engage in new experiences, form friendships, and most importantly, have fun! With so many offerings, families have the opportunity to customize their summer based on their schedule and child's varying interests. The day-camp format also allows children to experience all of the best parts of camp during the day and spend time with their families during the evenings and weekends. Professionals in their specific field direct each LuHi program, providing experiences that educate, enrich, and inspire each child. We hope to welcome you to the LuHi Family for Summer 2022!

Nike Tennis Camps (800) NIKE-CAMP (645-3226) l USSportsCamps.com/Tennis Come join the fun and get better this summer at a Nike Tennis Camp! With more than 80 locations nationwide, both overnight and day options, there is a camp for everyone. Nike Tennis Camps provide young players the opportunity to improve their tennis skills, work hard, make new friends and have a lot of fun. Dedicated camp directors have a passion for teaching and a gift for helping you take your game to the next level. Locations include: Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville, N.J.); Randy Mani Tennis Academy at Hardscrabble Club (Brewster, NY); Colgate University (Hamilton, NY); Amherst College – Junior and Adult (Amherst, MA); and Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH). Please visit our website for more information as camp details and programs being offered will vary according to local regulations.

Ross School Tennis Academy and Ross Summer 20 Goodfriend Drive l East Hampton, NY l 631-907-5162 ross.org/tennis l tennisacademy@ross.org Ross School Tennis Academy (RSTA) is a beautiful tennis facility in the Hamptons that is open to the public and located on the Ross Upper School campus in East Hampton, NY. The tennis center features six HarTru courts that are enclosed by a bubble from mid-fall through mid-spring, allowing for year-round play. There are also 2 hard courts for junior tournament training. The courts are directly adjacent to the state-of-the-art Field House, featuring amenities such as locker rooms, lounge, snack bar, and ping-pong tables, and the staff provides a fun and supportive atmosphere that allows for the greatest amount of success. Summer Tennis Academy Monday–Friday, June 20–August 26: From specialized U10 programs with orange and green dot balls designed for developing competitive tennis players to our high-performance training with live ball drills and match play series for players entering middle and high school, this 10week all-encompassing summer program is our most intense and complete junior tennis education offered and is considered the best in the Hamptons. Legendary tennis coach Larri Passos will work on-site with players from July 11–August 19. Players considering the tennis program should be serious about their commitment, consistently practicing at least three days 48

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide per week year-round. All training in each age and development level includes daily fitness, match play, and gourmet lunch from our renowned café. Players ages 6–16 can sign up for this weekly, but space is limited. Tryout required (videos accepted). Boarding is available select weeks for grades 7–12. Visit ross.org/summer for more information.

SPORTIME Summer Tennis & Sports Camps Locations across Long Island, in Manhattan and Westchester and in Schenectady: SPORTIME Bethpage l (516) 933-8500 SPORTIME Kings Park l (631) 269-6300 SPORTIME Lynbrook l (516) 887-1330 SPORTIME Quogue l (631) 653-6767 SPORTIME Roslyn l (516) 484-9222 SPORTIME Schenectady l (518) 356-0100 SPORTIME Syosset l (516) 364-27274 SPORTIME Westchester l (914) 777-5050 EHSC@SPORTIME Amagansett l (631) 267-2267 SPORTIME Volleyball Camps l (515) 731-4432 Camps@SportimeNY.com l SportimeCamps.com “Last year, I had the best summer ever!” Who said that? Every kid who attended a SPORTIME Summer Camp last summer! That's because at SPORTIME summer camps, our staff of teachers, coaches and counselors makes sure that every camper has a positive and memorable experience. SPORTIME knows how to make camp fun and safe! How does SPORTIME do it? Our experienced, certified, international staff members are skilled at providing camp programming that is challenging, innovative and educational - at facilities that are state-of-theart, safe, and easily accessible. From preschoolers to pre-teens, kids who enjoy tennis, sports, friendship and fun love coming to SPORTIME summer camps, which offer programs and events tailored to every age group and interest. With camp locations across Long Island, including in the Hamptons, and in New York City and Westchester, we’ve got your summer covered! Go to SportimeCamps.com to find the perfect camp for your child, or e-mail us at Camps@SportimeNY.com for personal assistance. We are here to help! Tennis Court Equipment & Material Programs and facilities vary by Now Available:Graco SaniSpray HP location.

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2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Flushing Meadow-Corona Park l Flushing, N.Y. l (718) 760-6200 l NTC.USTA.com The USTA Billie Jean National Tennis Center will once again offer fun in the sun tennis day camps starting in June. Enrollment will soon be available online for the weekly programs: Please note that the camp will be held both indoor and outdoor this summer. l June 22, 2022 - August 5, 2022 We offer summer camps for all ages and levels from 10 and under tennis to recreational juniors to high-performance players. Space may be limited so register early. The weekly full-day program runs Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break or a twilight session from 4:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Campers work on the development of tennis techniques, tactics, sports conditioning, multi-sports, and strategy geared toward maximizing the learning experience in a fun presentation. As the juniors develop, they are advanced to more challenging groups. Tennis activities include Stroke of the Day, team games, and competitive match play. The camp also offers cross-training activities, such as soccer, softball, and basketball in the park or at the

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Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide Corona Park multi-purpose recreational facility, when possible, off-site field trips include ice skating, Mets games, and more, and full access to the many fun activities on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The program accepts junior players, ages four- through 10-years-old for the 10 & Under programs. Recreational players 11-years-old and up are enrolled in the Junior Camps (8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. or 4:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.). Advanced High-Performance Tournament training campers will also be invited to participate in an intensive Tennis Academy training program. The National Tennis Center has 18 outdoor courts, 12 indoor courts, and four stadium courts. Also on-site are ping-pong tables, ball machines, a fitness center, and other age-appropriate fun activities like arts, multi-sports, arts and crafts, and other engaging sporting events. The primary focus will be on developing tennis skills while offering other activities to enhance the learning and summer camp experience. Also offered are junior evening and weekend programs, as well as adult daytime, weekday evening, and weekend camps.

www.pinehollowclub.com • 2018 USTA Long Island Private Tennis Club of The Year • Free Weekly Member Practices • Free Bi-Weekly Sunday Events • Multiple Women's and Men's Club North Shore Long Island Club Championships • Very welcoming membership with players at all levels • Appropriate coaching for players at all levels ranging from adult beginners and tots to high-ranked juniors and serious adult players • Many extra special tennis events throughout the summer

We have so much going on “on the courts” - it is no surprise that our court usage has increased by 1000% over the past 9 years. Schedule a tour with Heidi today! Contact Heidi Stanya, Director of Membership at 516-922-0300, x115 or hstanya@pinehollowclub.com LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

BEYOND THE BASELINE

BEYOND THE BASELINE BEYOND THE BASELINE

BEYOND THE BASELINE BEYOND

beyondthebaseline

Ricky Becker By Brian Coleman

his summer, Glen Oaks Country Club will have a new Director of Tennis, as Ricky Becker will now be in charge of the club’s tennis events and programming. Becker is a Long Island native who has been involved with the tennis scene here for decades. Growing up on Long Island, Becker was one of the top junior players in the area during the early 90s. He was a standout player at Roslyn High School and captured the 1992 New York State Public High School Athletic

Association (NYSPHSAA) Singles Championship. As a collegiate, Becker helped lead the Stanford Cardinal to the 1996 National Championship, and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player. Long Island Tennis Magazine sat down with Becker to talk about growing up on Long Island, his tennis path, and his new role at Glen Oaks. Can you talk about your time growing up playing tennis on

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

Long Island? What are some of your best memories from that time? Tennis on Long Island used to be much different. The top-players weren’t homeschooled and while there were a lot of players there were not a lot of facilities structured for highperformance training so the top-Long Island players often trained together which got a lot of us closer. But honestly my best Long Island Tennis memories were in high school tennis with my coach Art Peterson, who

OND THE BASELINE

BEYOND THE BASELINE BEYOND THE BASELINE

unfortunately passed away a few years ago. I was really good friends with some of my teammates from when we were in nursery school and even though they didn't take tennis as seriously as I did growing up, we had a lot of fun on the bus rides and matches. For me the high school tennis season was when it came fullcircle. This was a time when I could be a serious tennis player, but also just one of the guys on the team, similar to how it was when I played little league and travel soccer with my friends when I was younger. At what point did you make the transition into coaching? I always had plans of playing professionally but as I got later into college, I started seeing signs that frankly I wasn't going to be good enough. After four months of playing professionally, I realized that I might very well have the potential to "almost make a living" playing tennis outside the top-200 but I didn't do anything well enough to actually make it and it was a very lonely and costly existence so I figured it was time to start my life. Problem was I didn't know what to do. I had been coaching part-time since my sophomore year of high school but I

wasn't ready at that point to shake off the stigma that kids from Long Island who get a degree from a good college should not be tennis coaches. I spent five years working at a large ad agency handling a fabric softener account, writing for a tennis magazine and working at ESPN until 3:30 in the morning every day and none of them felt right. So when I was on my honeymoon with my wife Julie, we were talking and she said to me if you really like coaching then go for it. Other than marrying my wife it may have been the best decision I ever made. You have played tennis all across the country, what makes the LI tennis scene unique and a fun one to be a part of? I don't know if it's because we are on an island here but there is definitely more cohesion among the top players than there is in other areas of the country. At nationals, it just seems like the kids from Long Island and the Eastern section have more of a bond than the kids from other sections. At the same time, and I didn't really appreciate or notice this until I was in California but kids from Long Island have a little bit more "attitude" when

BEYOND THE BASELINE BEYOND THE on the court. When my Stanford teammates heard I won the sportsmanship award here they said it was like I won a consolation tournament and all it meant was that I was the best of the worst which I thought was funny. How excited are you for your new venture at Glen Oaks? What are some of the things you will try to bring there? While I am admittedly going to miss the members of Pine Hollow, I am definitely very excited to start a new chapter at Glen Oaks. One of my former junior coaches texted me and said "You made it to the top of the food chain." Everything is first class to the point of we toured 10 of the nicest country clubs in Florida to get ideas and see how we can do things better. I'm looking forward to taking what Glen Oaks has in their tennis program and adding an inclusivity so members who haven't played before or haven't played for a long-time feel comfortable coming down and playing without feeling self-conscious about their level. With this mindset and more events, clinics, teams and coaches, I know I will enjoy coming to the courts every day and the goal is for the members to feel the same way.

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GET A CUE By Steve Kaplan

ffective coaches use words strategically so that their message has the greatest positive impact and throughout my career, I have looked to find a better cue or phrase to coach with clarity. Sometimes the improvements that I have found are subtle yet they can be meaningful. I've developed a better ability to adapt to the unique learning style of each student by focusing on my communication skills and further, I've come to recognize that the most knowledgeable coaches are lifelong students who are always leading by example and reinventing themselves. Below are some common tennis instructional phrases, or cues, that I often hear, and also my recommendation for what I believe to be better cues.

• Common Cue: "Bend your knees" • Better Cue: "Hinge your hips" or "Get your butt back" • Why: The purpose of bending is to lower your center of gravity so that your first step is quick and balanced. A focus on bending your knees may pitch you forward but an emphasis on pushing your butt back and hinging your hips will automatically lower your center of gravity and put you in an optimal starting position . • Common Cue: "Reach up on your serve" 54

• Better Cue: "Push into the ground on your serve" • Why: You get power from the ground as force is the result of an "equal and opposite action and reaction" Extension is not the goal of the serve but rather it is the result of strong mechanics as well as a great assessment that force has been delivered to the hit. Pushing into the ground will help extension to happen naturally and encourage maximum power delivery into the hit. • Common Cue:"Punch the volley" • Better Cue: "Catch the volley" • Why: The ball and the racket are lively and reliability and stability of your racket rather that power is the most important attribute of a volley. Be like a wall and let the ball mostly reflect off of your strings. Then move to your target to add force. This method takes away the critical timing needed to execute the shot because it keeps the racket face in the path of the ball and promotes a compact, reliable and consistent movement. • Common Cue: "Brush the ball" • Better Cue: "Soften your grip" • Why: When your racket exerts a force on the ball, the ball is also exerting a force on the racket. Brushing the ball takes split second timing and is very difficult to

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

modulate for all but the most expert player. In contrast, allowing the ball to compress on your strings and slightly alter the racket angle to elicit spin is passive, reliable and therefore easier to execute. • Common Cue: "Run as fast as you can to the ball" • Better Cue: “Run as fast as you need to the ball" • Why: Sprinting to the shot requires a lot of energy and slowing abruptly before the shot takes even more energy and usually causes you to lift your body at the worst possible moment. Sure you don't want to be late to the shot, but equally true and almost as disruptive to a good hit, you don't want to be early. The goal is to be on time so move smoothly, efficiently and as fast as needed. • Common Cue: "Recover fast" • Better Cue: “Finish the hit and recover fast" • Why: The most important shot in tennis is the one you are hitting, not the shot that might or might not occur. Finish first before making the common mistake of recovering before finishing the hit. Smoothness and rhythm as said above are vital when executing the shot but less important when recovering from the shot so use the energy you saved running to the hit

for a full effort from the hit to enhance your readiness for the next ball. • Common Cue: "Step in" • Better Cue: Step forward to the net" • Why: Why use vague language when you can use specific language? Say exactly what you mean and don't assume that the student knows what you mean • Common Cue: "Low to high" • Better Cue: "Drop your racket head and raise it as you swing forward" • Why: See above and say what you mean. • Common Cue: "Toss the ball" • Better Cue: Place the ball" • Why: The word "toss" is often interpreted to mean "use your arm" because that is how most people toss an object. The "serve toss" is more of a full body movement using your arm, torso, hips and legs. Saying "place the ball" conveys the message that using your full body is the goal. • Common Cue: "Racket back early" • Better Cue: "Coil your torso, early" • Why: If you want to teach a unit turn it's best to not use language suggesting that the racket is prepared without the body. Further taking the

racket back fast often causes the student to take the racket back with force which can cause many to believe that they are "late" when in fact they are simply mechanically disadvantaged. Finely referencing cues with body parts rather than racket parts are often easier for beginners • Common Cue: "Snap your wrist on your serve" • Better Cue: "Relax your elbow and allow your wrist to flex" • Why: The wrist movement on a serve is a very natural movement which will enviably happen if it is not prevented by tensing during the hit. It's a passive, not active movement because the wrist is primarily a transmitter and not a generator of force. Keep your arm loose and let the snap just happen. • Common Cue: “Get into the ‘trophy position’” • Better Cue: "Keep making circles with your elbow" • Why: Trophies are stationary objects and the goal of the serve is to be as dynamic as possible. The reference to

the static moment in time that a trophy represents can cause the serve to be choppy and disconnected. By making continuous circles with your elbow you will ensure that your serve is a connected part of the kinetic chain. These cues should be adapted to the age and experience of the student. "Push into the ground using your ankles" might resonant with a Division I college player but "squish a bug with your foot" might be simpler cue for a nine-year-old beginner. Furthermore, while not the main focus of this article, it should be noted that language cues work best when paired with object lessons. For example, before teaching someone to catch the volley, I might toss them the ball so that they can experience how much easier it is to allow the ball to be received into their hand then it is for them to dart their hand forward to intercept the ball. Telling a student is not the same as coaching a student. The best coaching practices are the ones that are a good match to the student’s learning preferences.

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. 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 • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Local Juniors Represent Long Island in France n January, the best junior tennis players from across the world met in Tarpes, France to compete in the annual Les Petits As tournament, one of the globe’s most prestigious junior tennis events. And Long Island was wellrepresented. Both Jack Kennedy of Huntington and Sebastian Bielen of East Norwich qualified for the event via their respective results at the USA Playoffs in Boca Raton, Florida at the end of 2021. Kennedy won that

Playoff, while Bielen finished in third, resulting in both advancing to the main event in France. “My training definitely helped. My coach from JMTA, Greg [Lumpkin], and I have been working really hard together over the last few months. It was a tough atmosphere down there in terms of the conditions,” Kennedy said after winning the USA Playoff. “Going from training indoors in New York to playing outdoors in Florida, it was definitely an adjustment as the wind was a big factor. But after the

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

first couple of matches I got used to it, and it worked out.” The two players did Long Island proud as each reached the Round of 16 in singles play. The two also competed in the doubles event together, but fell to Tito Chavez of Colombia and Christopher Koumba of Gabon in the opening round. “It was a great experience to go to Europe and play against people from around the world,” said Kennedy. “I had alot of fun visiting France and experiencing their food and culture. I had a great time training with and traveling with the other USA players.” Despite the losses overseas, it was an important event for the players, who got to experience a new culture, travel to Europe to compete, and test their skills against the world’s best. “The tournament was a great learning experience. It helped me to play with pressure at a high level against top players and in front of a large audience,” Kennedy added. “I think the experience I gained will help me in future tournaments, especially when I start playing ITF's and Grand Slams. I have taken away that I need to deal with the nerves and pressure and to just play your game. You need to be mentally ready for every match no matter where it is or who you're playing.”

Adult League Wrap-Up By Kathy Miller

he 18 & Over Mixed Doubles League is finishing up as the 40 & Over Mixed Doubles League is just starting up. For the next issue, we will have our 18 & Over winning teams for each level. The Tri-Level Sectionals for the 4.5, 4.0, 3.5 teams took place the first weekend of February. The Long Island’s women’s team from Huntington Indoor captained by Lisa Newell and Tracy Kleinberg is headed to Nationals! Good luck and have a great time! Our men’s team from Carefree captained by Joseph Bullaro and Frank Fattizzi placed fourth after some hardfought battles! Job well done by all. Registration has begun for the upcoming USTA league season. We will have men’s and women’s teams for the 18 & Over League which has teams at the 2.5 level, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0. The 2.5 and 5.0 level matches consist of one court of singles and two courts of doubles. The

remaining levels matches consist of two courts of singles and three courts of doubles. We have the 40 & Over League which has teams at the 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 levels. All matches for all levels consist of one court of singles and four courts of doubles. Both the 18 & Over and the 40 & Over leagues will begin in May and run through the beginning August. In addition we have the 55 & Over as well as the 65 & Over league which consists of three courts of doubles at the combined levels of 6.0, 7.0, 8.0 and 9.0. Both of these leagues will begin in mid-June and run through lateAugust. Captains, please mark your calendar for Monday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m. for the annual Captain’s Meeting where schedules will be made available, rule

changes will be discussed and questions will be answered. If anyone is looking to play on a team, please reach out to the Long Island League Coordinator, Becky Bellino, at Bellino@eastern.usta.com. Dates to be aware of for Sectional Championships: • June 3-5, 2022: 18 & Over Mixed Doubles (Location: Schenectady, N.Y.) • June 24-26, 2022: 4.0/3.5/3.0 Trilevel (Location: Schenectady, N.Y.) We will get you all the playoff, regional, and sectional championship dates for the men’s and women’s summer teams once schedules are completed in April. Looking forward to seeing everyone on the courts!

Kathy Miller is the manager at Carefree Racquet Club and is also the Adult League Coordinator for USTA/Long Island. She may be reached at kathym65@aol.com.

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Rafa Resilience Beyond Rafa’s Mental Game By Rob Polishook ennis fans were treated to a special Men’s Singles Finals at the 2022 Australian Open between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev; we all witnessed an incredible comeback. Nadal was down two sets and faced triple breakpoint at 2-3 in the third set. Nadal was clearly being pushed around by Medvedev. However, the Spaniard then began serving better, his forehands began to increase in weight, and Medvedev began feeling some pressure and missed a bit more. We all know what happened next: Nadal completed what he considers to be one of the greatest comebacks in his career, and attained his 21st Slam title, putting him one in front of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic What has always stood out when watching Nadal compete is his resiliency. He is one of the greatest competitors in all of sports, let alone tennis. Part of his greatness is his consistent ability to bounce back, never give up, stay the course, and play each point like it’s his last. After the Australian Open final, many people described Nadal’s comeback with accolades such as amazing, incredible, unparalleled, and other worldly. Tennis commentator John McEnroe lamented with his national television audience that it would be great to package this mentality for junior players. What if we could? What if young players could develop the Rafa mentality? Or what I call, “Rafa Resilience.” Rafa Resilience actually highlights more than just his incredible mental strength. It is the foundation for Rafa to be focused, balanced, and competitive even under great pressure. Developing Rafa Resilience is not a one-and-done mental skills program like rituals, goal

Photo courtesy of Tennis Australia

setting, or imagery all of which are important, but they are just tools. Rather, they are a well-blended collection of characteristics developed over years, both on the court and equally off the court from his family and environment. Admittedly, the characteristics are intangible and, unless you’re willing to take a step back, may not be entirely obvious at first glance. The following are three key characteristics which make up the foundation of “Rafa Resilience”. Please note that there are others, however, for the scope of this article we will highlight three. • Humility: When observing Rafa, it is clear that he is extremely humble. He is never trash talking or belittling an opponent. Before a match, when Rafa is asked whether he will win, he always responds with something along the lines of, and this is not a direct quote, “I don’t know, so and so is a good player, I will have to

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

play my game, play my best.” His attitude ensures that his focus is on his game, what’s important for him, and what he can control. In a Financial Times article from 2014, John Carlin writes that humility is not an affection for Nadal, rather it is a strategy. In the article, Nadal shared, “The acclaim, the success that I am as good as people seem to think, or as the numbers say I am…the moment I believe that it would be all over. I’d be finished.” Nadal is referring to the idea that he would lose his edge, be distracted, and no longer focus on what’s important in the moment and drift to expectations and outcome. Further he states, “…never do I think I am going to go out and win because I am better than the other player, I’ve never felt that.” • Equanimity: Often times, we don’t think of equanimity as being part of sports and competition. Sometimes the word has a “soft” connotation. However, let’s explore the meaning from the Oxford on-line dictionary. It lists mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation. Certainly, these would be good characteristics for any player in any match to possess. Further, the dictionary’s example of equanimity is, "she accepted both the good and the bad with equanimity." From my perspective, while Rafa certainly didn’t like being behind and on the brink of losing, only by working though that moment was he able to let go, strategize, and move forward in order to come from behind. No matter the scoreline, we saw Rafa taking his time, sticking to his routines, and building one point

at a time. Nathan Healy, former Australian professional player and now coach of Max Purcell, shared his thoughts with me about Nadal and a message Rafa often shares: “Rafa is willing to suffer, every day. He understands suffering changes and there is power in that. Just being with it, rather than fighting it. Stressful thoughts can create suffering, his willingness (ability) to stick with the thoughts and situations, rather than pushing them away, sweeping them under the rug, and not dealing with them, when you do that the same or similar situation arises just in a different way.” Certainly, one can see how this mindset can free Rafa up to play with equanimity no matter the situation. • Heart: Nadal’s heart is on display every time he takes the court. Even the most casual fan can feel his passion, his intensity, and his never

give up attitude. There is not a ball that Rafa doesn’t run for, always making his opponent win the point many times before the point actually ends. This is exhausting for opponents, knowing that they have to hit three or four “winners” before the point is really over. In the book, The Master: The Long Run and Beautiful Game of Roger Federer, author Christopher Clarey highlights a quote from Rafa where he says, “I love the competition…maybe I like more fighting to win than to win.” This statement illustrates his passion, love of the battle, and straight from his heart. Rafa brings who he is to what he

does. He is a whole human athlete bringing his heart, energy and spirit to matches and life. He plays with humility, equanimity and heart. These characteristics are the foundation of “Rafa Resilience”. They set the stage for his mental strength and allow him to let go, play free, and play in the moment. All competitive players wanting to compete like Nadal should ask themselves, how can they develop and bring these characteristics to competition? What would it look like for them when they are faced with adversity? And lastly, what other character characteristics that are unique to them? And how can they bring them to competition? Vamos!

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 • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Takeaways From the 2022 Australian Open Barty and Nadal Reign Supreme Photos courtesy of Tennis Australia

to win his second Australian Open title, and first since 2009. We will see what is in store for these two as the year goes on as they aim to build on their early-season triumphs. GOAT Debate Has Changed Nadal’s victory has thrown another piece of evidence into the debate over who is the greatest male tennis player of all-time. As we started the year, most people felt that someone would win their 21st major at the Australian Open. The prevailing thought was that it would be Novak Djokovic, but as we saw things play out, and Nadal show his fighting spirit throughout the fortnight, it was Nadal who won #21. And with the French Open looming, an event Nadal has won 13 times in the past, the Spaniard may look to bolster his lead in the majors race.

he Australian Open did not produce any new major singles champion, but it did deliver in terms of entertainment value. The hometown kid, Ash Barty, became the first Aussie in more than four decades to win on their home soil, while Nadal completed an historic comeback

Canadian Heartbreak The rise of Canadian tennis is something we have seen over the last couple of years, and it began with Bianca Andreescu’s run to the U.S. Open title in 2019. However, on the men’s side, there are two big-time young players who are threats to win major titles. Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime both reached the quarterfinals in Melbourne, and each lost five-set heartbreakers in their respective matches. Despite the tough losses, look for

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Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

these two to continue building and pushing towards a major title.

come true for me,” Kokkinakis said. “I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else.”

American Resurgence

Top-Seeded Czechs Win Doubles The best women’s doubles team in the world continued its domination, as Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova won the title with a 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-4 comeback victory in the finals. The pairing has now won four Slam doubles titles together, and has secured itself as the world’s top women’s duo. Kuzuhara, Marcinko Win Junior Titles The boys’ and girls’ junior events went the way of chalk this year with each of the top-seeds coming away victorious. Croatia’s Petra Marcinko lost just two sets en route to winning the girls’ singles championship, Bruno Kuzuhara of the United States (Florida) won an exciting 7-6(4), 6-7(6), 7-5 match over fourth-seeded Jakub Mensik in the boys’ final.

The Australian Open was an encouraging one for American tennis, on both the men’s and women’s sides. For starters, Danielle Collins was a thrill to watch as she powered her way to the women’s singles final, and showed she is capable of winning a major. Madison Keys gave us a blast from the past as she reached the semifinals. Taylor Fritz, the highest-ranked American male, and he did not disappoint, reaching the Round of 16, before losing a tough five-setter to Stefanos Tsitsipas. Joining him in the final 16 was Maxine Cressy, who put together his best showing at a major. This tournament was a good showing for American tennis, and one they can build on throughout the season. Aussie Doubles Duo Won Title Ash Barty wasn’t the only Australian who represented her country well in this tournament. Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis put on an exciting show for their hometown fans, and became the first Aussie duo to win the event since 1997. They defeated their compatriots Max Purcell and Matt Ebden in the finals. “This week has been a dream

Australia’s Alcott Announces Retirement One of the most inspiring tennis players in the world is Dylan Alcott, a wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis professional who has been at the top of the wheelchair tennis game for years. Alcott, 31, announced before the year that this would be his last Australian Open tournament, bringing to a close a career that saw him win 15 Slam tournaments. Alcott is an Australian tennis legend, and leaves behind a wonderful legacy. “Honestly, Dylan, for me, is at the forefront of that,” Barty said during her trophy ceremony. “He’s inspired a nation. He inspired the whole globe.”

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www.HuntingtonIndoorTennis.net LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Tennis Tips: Discovered By Barbara Wyatt

n pursuit of a better backhand/serve/return-ofserve/anything-to-do-with-tennis, I refuse to fall down the rabbit hole of YouTube tennis videos. During drills and lessons, I asked my pro for specific steps to better warm-ups, strategies, strokes, equipment and more. She led me to a wealth of materials that I think can help everyone, and I have outlined them below.

Dynamic Warm-Up and Mini-Tennis l The USTA provides a list of seventeen exercises with video instruction for the pre-match warmup. Can’t remember them all? USTA also offers a free bag tag featuring these exercises. l RacquetFit showcases tests to demonstrate how your body functions in relation to tennis moves. Can you stretch your shoulders behind your ears with your arms extended? If not, does that help or impede your serve? http://www.racquetfit.com/articles Court Movement and Strokes l International Tennis Performance Association, https://itpatennis.org/index.html, offers a 53-page eBook on tennis movements and footwork. Did you know there are four major footwork movements for the volley? Answer: jab, pivot, split step, recovery. l Watch some of the excellent online 62

instructional tennis videos. Some favorites are Gigi Fernandez, John Yandell, Will Hamilton, Serena Williams on MasterClass, Ian Westermann, Craig O’Shannessy, Jeff Greenwald, Florian Meier, and Jeff Salzenstein, Enjoy the freebies and subscribe to the in-depth training. Take notes then practise with your local pro and hitting buddy. l Steve Smith, www.greatbasetennis.com, includes podcasts and blogs to his instruction courses. Using comedian Jeff Foxworthy’s format in a blog, he writes “You know you’re a tennis player if….you go to the net for reasons other than picking up balls and shaking hands. You know you’re a tennis player if….you know that “Billie Jean” is much more than just the name of Andy Roddick’s dog.” Strategies l I have a copy of the classic tennis book, Winning Ugly by Brad Gilbert, on my bookshelf, and I recommend picking one up yourself. There is also a free mobile version online. Equipment l The USRSA, United States Racquet Stringers Association, offers a onemonth access to their members-only portal. Read an article about the ten reasons why strings break— and how to prevent it. Gain access

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

to the “Racquet Selector” that makes finding the perfect new racquet effortless. You enter a wish list in eight racquet attributes (from power to head size) and weight the importance of each. The algorithm spits out racquet recommendations based on your vision of the perfect racquet. Rules l During a key match point, an opponent will cry “Hindrance!” when there is no interference. Take the free Hindrance quiz at www.iKnowTennis.com. Recovery l The ITF, International Tennis Federation, provides a library of information for treating common tennis injuries. Update your knowledge about various injuries and treatments by visiting ITFTennis.com. These are only a sampling of resources to answer the questions: “What can I do to improve my tennis game today? Got any tips, Coach?”

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 e-mail at BarbaraW@iKnowTennis.com

Between Point Psychology: Tennis is More Than Hitting the Ball By Allen Berger, Ph.D. and Jim Klein

hat happens when you show up to take a tennis lesson? Typically the pro will ask you what you want to work on. Being eager to improve your game you tell the coach that your backhand was off in your last league match. “Can you help me figure out what I am doing wrong with my backhand?” you plead while secretly hoping that this lesson will finally give you a backhand that will strike fear in your opponent. Similar conversations like this occur in tennis lessons all the time. But let’s stand back and ask ourselves, what is often missing in our approach to improving our game that may also be a contributing factor to our problems with our backhand or whatever shot or aspect of our game that we are dissatisfied with and desire to improve? The answer is that we solely focus on improving our game by concentrating on strokes (on-task) or strategy rather than being more comprehensive and asking what can we do to improve our performance when we are “off-task” as well. When we learn to use off-task time to enhance on-task performance we are now playing optimal tennis. Let’s define “on-task” and “off-task” time. When you are on-task in a tennis match you are actively involved in playing the point, you are starting your ritual to serve or receive or you are executing a shot or positioning yourself to react to your opponents shot. When the point is over you are now off-task. A match flows from ontask to off-task to on-task to off-task over and over again until the match is completed. The space or time between playing points is referred to as between points and this time is regulated by the rules of the game. We have 25 seconds

between points to resume play and 90 seconds on changeovers. The time between points and during change over is considered off-task time. It may seem counter intuitive but we spend more time off-task during a tennis match than on-task. I was fortunate enough to watch the Rafael Nadal vs. Adrian Mannarino match in the fourth round of the 2022 Australian Open. We were enthralled with the level of play both players exhibited throughout the first set which ended in an amazing tie breaker, which became an instant classic. The tie breaker lasted 28 minutes and 40 seconds. They played a total of 30 points during the tiebreak and because it was a tiebreaker there was no change over, just a side change. Dr. Berger decided to record the amount of time that the players were on-task during the tiebreaker. He started the stop watch the moment a player stepped up to the service line and began his service ritual (on-task), and stopped the timer when the point ended (off-task). Guess how much time these two great players were on-task? Here’s the answer: They were ontask for 12 minutes and 58 seconds out of 28 minutes and 40 seconds. So they were on-task 44% of the time. This means they were off-task for 15 minutes and 42 seconds or 56% of the time. Here’s another interesting statistic, the average amount of time there were on-task during the tiebreak was 25 seconds whereas they were off-task for an average of 32 seconds.

Off-task time was greater than ontask time. This is typical of any match, we spend more time off-task during a match than on-task. Given the amount of time spent offtask the question becomes how can we best use this time to enhance our performance? It’s important to note that if we don’t use this time to enhance our performance we will do things that will diminish our performance. In other words we will likely sabotage ourselves. The process that will help enhance performance is between point psychology. Between Point Psychology It is a psychological law that where we focus is where our energy goes. For instance, if I begin my serve by telling myself “DON’T DOUBLE FAULT!!!!!”, then I am much more likely to double fault. You see the brain doesn’t process negative commands. It only registers “double fault.” When this happens we are focusing on cues (don’t double fault) that are task (serve) irrelevant. We do it all the time. We call this choking. Choking is caused by focusing on cues that are task irrelevant. So, if our focus determines where our energy goes we want to direct our attention to cues that are performance enhancing. Several coaches have suggested ways to use off-task time to enhance performance. There are a number of different approaches. To learn more about my preferred approach, the Three R’s approach, visit LITennisMag.com.

Dr. Allen Berger received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of California, Davis. He received his USPTA Elite Pro Certification in 2005 and was the architect of the very popular Elite Tennis Summer Camp for Juniors at UC Santa Barbara. This summer, he and Jim Klein will be running their Elite Tennis Camp. Klein, co-owner of Doylestown Tennis Club is a Vic Braden trained teaching pro for the past 37 years. You can reach them at abphd@msn.com and jklein1227@protonmail.com. LITennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

court

Long Island Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column By Emilie Katz

Tennis Hall of Fame Unveils “Breaking Boundries” Exhibit The International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island recently unveiled a “Breaking Boundaries in Black Tennis” exhibit which highlights the legacy and impact of Black tennis players and contributors from around the world, past and present. Players and moments already included in the exhibit are Arthur Ashe, Althea Gibson and Dr. Robert Johnson, and present-day stars Serena and Venus Williams, Gael Monfils and Naomi Osaka.

Serena, Venus Appear on Harper’s BAZARR Cover Serena and Venus Williams both graced the March Legacy cover issue of Harper’s BAZARR. The issue delves into how the sisters created and maintained their legacy both on and off the court, and also discussed their recent movie hit King Richard, the Hollywood version of their upbringing.

Alcaraz Earns Rivers License Watching tennis stars on television or up close, we can sometimes forget just how young some of these players are. Take Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz for example. While he is already a household name amongst big tennis fans, the 18-year-old shared on Instagram that he passed his road test in Spain, and is now officially a driver. “Goal accomplished, I’m already one more on the road,” he wrote.

Medvedev Leaves the Court for the Track

Billie Jean King Does Super Bowl Coin Toss “Pressure is a privilege” The famous quote from tennis legend Billie Jean King was put to the test when she was the honorary coin tosser at this year’s Super Bowl. The Los Angeles native delivered a perfect coin toss, which landed heads, to get the big event going inside SoFi Stadium. 64

Long Island Tennis Magazine • March/April 2022 • LITennisMag.com

To unwind from his heartbreaking defeat in the Australian Open final, Russia’s Daniil Medvedev ditched his racquet and got behind the wheel. The second-ranked player in the world showed on Instagram that he spent a day karting with friends, F1 drivers Alex Albon and countryman Daniil Kvyat. “No more tennis,” Medvedev wrote. “My training for F1 has officially started!!”

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2022 • LITennisMag.com