Long Island Tennis Magazine March / April 2023

Long Island Tennis

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Staff

David Sickmen Publisher (516) 409-4444, ext. 309 david@usptennis.com

Brian Coleman Senior Editor (516) 409-4444, ext. 326 brianc@usptennis.com

Joey Arendt

Art Director

Marie Santora-Lent Advertising Coordinator (516) 409-4444, ext. 301 marie@usptennis.com

Emilie Katz

Assistant Marketing Coordinator

Barbara Wyatt

Contributing Writer

Rob Polishook

Contributing Writer

Interns

Kayla Castellano

Aryn Feldman

Abby Kleiman

Brielle Marcus

Rachel Neuman

Ellie Ross

Andrea Vases

Ava Weinstock

Taylor Weinstock

Victoria Wroblewskii

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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.

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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.

Photo credit: Fiona Hamilton/Tennis Australia

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PARSA’s picks

From Tennis to Real Estate: Q&A with Parsa Samii, Compass

LongIsland native Parsa Samii was a top junior tennis player who went on to have a successful collegiate playing career before becoming a high-performance tennis coach here on Long Island. Now, Samii is one of the area’s most respected real estate agents, and is using a lot of what he learned as a high-level tennis player and coach to find success in the real estate industry.

Long Island Tennis Magazine spoke with Samii about his time in tennis and how he has used his experiences in his current profession.

How long were you in the tennis industry?

I always consider this as an interesting question. I started playing tennis at 13, and from the moment I picked up a racquet, it was love at first sight. From playing college tennis, to dabbling at the professional level, and then coaching players at the highest levels in the junior and pro game, it’s safe to say I have been in the tennis community for over 30 years.

What led you to pivot out of tennis and move into the real estate world?

I’ve always approached coaching with a high level of intensity, and I taught every lesson as if it was the finals of a tournament. As a coach, you truly are only as good as your last hour. When I began to have to alter my coaching style in order to stay healthy, it sort of took the passion away, and became more of a “job”. When that threshold was crossed, I felt like I was working to make money, it just didn’t have the same feel or excitement that I had always associated with tennis.

What are some of the similarities you found between coaching tennis and what you do now as a real estate broker?

I find that the similarities are incredible. First, the emotional and mental swings of a successful real estate transaction are so similar to the pillars of strength and belief you need to have as a coach and player. My unwavering, stoic, intense attitude in real estate is the same as a coach. If there is a will to get to the finish line, then there is always a path to that goal and we will succeed no matter the challenges that we may face. Second, I would say is relationships. You have to understand people, their needs and wants, strengths and weaknesses and tailor your advice to help them understand what they need to be doing in order to achieve success. On the tennis court I call this your “steps to success.” Lastly, being in a commission-based business you are compensated when you’ve completed a

transaction, very similar to teaching a lesson and being paid at the end of it. I can go on about this but I feel these are the three biggest ones.

How has what you have learned through tennis helped you succeed in the business world?

Tennis gave me the platform to understand so much about myself and how I approach various problems that inevitably arise. You must adjust quickly, you must maintain a true sense of self, and you must ensure that your adjustments fall within the confines of your capabilities. Tennis forces you to think strategically through different challenges. And while experience helps, it’s the problemsolving skills learned on a tennis court that have given me the confidence to always find a way. That idea of perseverance directly translates to business when different variables arise. Having that knowledge and confidence provides immense power and self-assurance in the business world. Nothing comes for free, and you have to work for what you want. I find that tennis and business both follow that principal.

What do you recommend to people who have been tennis players/coaches, but are struggling to find their way in the business world?

I actually get a lot of calls from former players and coaches who want to learn my formula for success and how I navigated through my professional transition. My response is always the same: you need to do everything in your power to be an expert in your field. No one should know your product better than you. I enjoy helping players, coaches, business people and clients find their way. I truly believe that everyone has an extraordinary gift inside them and I love to help people identify what that is.

How often do you still play tennis, and how are you balancing your life between tennis, your job and family?

The ebbs and flow of real estate are extreme. When it’s busy, it’s very, very busy. But when it’s slow, it can be a time to take a break, hit some balls and plan for the business year to come. My time on the court, as a player, varies but I probably average once a month and I still coach a few hours a week. Family wise, this unique flexible career allows me to be home for dinner almost every night but I’m working every weekend for more than half the year. It’s always a challenge to balance everything, but I do my best. Every person and their career present its own challenges, and finding balance is a constant work in progress.

Across Long Isl

Across Long Isl

Bethpage Park Bringing Back High School Coaches Workshop

Tannenbaum Reaches L2 Singles Final, Wins Doubles Title

Kady Tannenbaum was a doubles champion and a singles finalist at the L2 event in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The John McEnroe Tennis Academy player paired with Nicole Weng of Southern California to win the doubles title.

Bethpage Park Tennis Centers’ High School Tennis Coaches Workshop makes it return this spring. The event had been a staple on long Island prior to COVID, and in 2020 the headline speaker was Nick Bollettieri. High school coaches from all across Long Island are welcome to join Steve Kaplan and guest speakers for this free event as they discuss fitness, stroke production, strategy and tactics. There will also be open court time for drilling and hitting. The workshop will be preceded by a free clinic for those with special needs.

Hoo Reaches Winter Nationals Finals, Wins Singles, Doubles Titles in Georgia

Carrie-Anne Hoo started off her 2023 season with a fantastic result at the annual USTA Winter National Championships in Tucson, Arizona. In the Girls’ 14s division, Hoo, who trains at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, powered her way to the finals with six consecutive straight-set wins before falling in the championship match to finish as the event’s runner-up. Hoo followed that up by winning the singles and doubles titles at the L2 event in Macon, Georgia in the Girls 14s divisions.

land land

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

Golubenko Earns First Place at L6 Event

Maxim Golubenko who trains at Sportime Syosset was victorious in the L6 February Champions in the Boys 16s division. Golubenko did not drop a set throughout the tournament on his way to winning the title.

Adelphi Men Earn Highest Preseason Ranking in Six Years

The Adelphi men’s tennis team was selected to finish in third place in the NE10 conference for the upcoming season, its highest preseason ranking since 2017. The Panthers got one first-place vote from the conference’s coaches, and will be led by sophomore Marko Jovanovic this spring.

Teixeira Reaches Finals in New Hampshire

Luma Teixeira of the Ross School Tennis Academy made her way into the finals of the L5 tournament in Nashua, New Hampshire in the Girls 14s singles division. Teixeira came

back from a set down in the semifinals to secure her spot in the championship match, and she finished as the event’s runner-up.

Raikos Wins L6 Event

Alex Raikos took home the title at the L6 Curry in a Hurry Classic tournament in Long Beach, winning the championship in the Girls 16s division. Raikos, who trains at Carefree Racquet Club, won all of her matches in straight sets en route to the title.

Courts & Cocktails

Ithas been a year since Long Island Tennis Magazine launched Courts & Cocktails, a unique event series that provides the best of both worlds: a fun time out on a Saturday night playing tennis, socializing with old friends and meeting new ones, while also helping to raise money for a local non-profit.

Since its inception, Courts & Cocktails have lived up to those goals, and have provided a number of different events throughout Long Island. Courts & Cocktails consist of two hours of on-court tennis, with local teaching professionals leading instruction through different drills and games. The players move through the various courts

so they have an opportunity to play with different people and be guided by the different pros.

Our bartenders and waitresses mix and serve drinks including the U.S. Open signature cocktail, the Honey Deuce, sangria, wine, beer and more throughout the event. The night is also catered with a full spread dinner so that participants can enjoy the night socially on and off the court.

“It beats going to the same restaurants for the 100th time,” said attendee Danielle Contillo. “By the end of the night, everyone was talking about when we could do it again.”

Shauna Devardo, who also attended, added: “Courts and Cocktails is such a great experience. Tennis can sometimes be frustrating and nights like this keep it in perspective. Doing what you love should always be fun.”

The most recent version of this event series took place at Sportime Syosset, who provided the perfect environment for a fun Saturday night out on the facility’s Har-Tru clay courts.

Lisa Fuchs, who has attended a few Courts & Cocktails events over the last

Night Tennis s Brings Tennis Fun

year, including the one at Sportime Syosset, said:

“I have been to a number of these events and let me tell you, they are a blast,” Fuchs said. “Between the cocktails and the food, plus the amazing on-court tennis, it’s a great time. It’s great for your social life. In addition to being able to spend time

with your friends, you get to make new ones. I can’t wait to attend again.”

The next Courts & Cocktails will be held on Saturday, April 22 at Sportime Syosset.

“Our latest Courts & Cocktails reinforced the need for social tennis options,” said David Sickmen. “We love being in the community and

bringing together players of all levels. The night allowed for everyone to meet new people and get away from the monotony of the typical Saturday night plans. It was another sold-out event, and Mike Kossoff and the Sportime Syosset staff were perfect hosts. We want to thank them for helping us put this on.”

He’s Back

Novak Djokovic wins 10th Aussie Open title, equals Nadal’s all-time mark

By Brian Coleman

What a difference a year makes.

Back in January, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open for an astonishing 10th time in his career. The victory also earned Djokovic his 22nd Grand Slam title overall, equaling the record held by his peer Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic defeated third-seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in the finals in straight sets 63, 7-6(4), 7-6(5) to win his 10th Aussie title.

His triumph Down Under came a year after he wasn’t even allowed to enter the country due to his vaccination status. Djokovic spent time in an Australian airport in 2021 as he waited to hear a court ruling which was determining whether or not his entry would be permitted. He would ultimately not be let in and was barred from competing at last year’s event.

“Considering last year’s event, I was a bit more nervous coming into Australia, I didn’t know how I was going to be received by the people,” Djokovic said. “But overall it was a very positive experience.”

Djokovic’s time in Australia lasted much longer this go around than it did in 2022, and began with a win at the Adelaide International, one of the bigger lead-in tournaments to the Australian Open. That set the stage for high expectations at the year’s first major, and to kick off that fortnight he competed against Nick Kyrgios in an exhibition.

Even then, Djokovic was surprised at the reception he received from the crowd of 15,000 fans.

“I was very emotional, honestly, coming into the court with the reception that I received,” said Djokovic. “I didn’t know how that’s going to go after the events of last year. I’m very grateful for the kind of energy and reception, love and support I got.”

Djokovic reciprocated that love and support back to the Australians, and said plainly that he holds no ill-will towards the nation or its people for the turmoil and controversy caused last year.

“If I do hold a grudge, if I am not able to move on, I wouldn’t be here,” he said before the tournament. “Also, I have to say that the amount of positive experiences I had in Australia overwhelm the negative experience of last year. My impression of Australia, my vision of Australia, has always been very positive, and that has reflected on my performance.”

The reconciliation between Djokovic and the Aussies set the stage for a Djokovic title

continued on page 10

Photo credit: Fiona Hamilton/Tennis Australia

run, and reclaiming his spot atop the world rankings. And for two weeks, he played like the world’s best player, moving through the first five rounds of the event by only dropping one set. In the quarterfinals against Andrey Rublev, Djokovic made a statement by soundly defeating the sixth-ranked player in the world 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.

Afterwards, Rublev was hard pressed for words to describe Djokovic’s performance.

“He’s one of the best players, there was nothing that impressed me because he’s one of the best. I knew he’s going to be really tough. That’s it. It’s very simple,” he said. “Out of the three times we played before, today he played much better compared to our previous meetings…Today, in my opinion, he was playing much better. That’s it. I don’t know what else to say. He was serving really good, returning well. I don’t know what [else] to say.”

That is how Djokovic leaves most of his opponents after playing against them, especially in Australia. The win against Rublev was his 26th straight victory at the Aussie Open, equaling the record held by American Andre Agassi.

He would surpass Agassi’s record a couple of nights later as he ended the

run of unseeded American Tommy Paul in the semifinals, putting him into the finals against Tsitsipas. And once again, a member of the new generation of tennis, who was supposed to take the mantle from the Big Three, was denied a

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major title.

The emotions of his win, combined with all the emotions he had kept bottled inside since last year were on full display. He hugged his family and coaches in his player’s box, and laid flat on his back and was unable to hold back tears.

“I just felt this huge burden off of my back with everything we’ve been through,” he admitted. “It was a huge relief, and a huge release as well.”

What made the fortnight all the more impressive was the injury that Djokovic was dealing with since the early rounds of the event. A left hamstring injury hobbled Djokovic at times throughout his two weeks. His coach, Goran Ivanisevic, said the injury would have caused most players to withdraw from the tournament, but as he put it:

“But not him; he is from outer space. His brain is working different.”

Australian Open CEO Craig Tilley confirmed afterwards that Djokovic did indeed have a tear in his hamstring.

“Look, a lot of people doubted and still

Photo credit: Morgan Hancock/Tennis Australia

doubt that I was injured,” said Djokovic. “But again, I don’t feel the need to prove anything to anyone. But it did affect me, especially in the first week. From the fourth round onwards, I felt like it was behind me.”

And with all of that behind him, Djokovic now continues to look forward. He is back on top of the tennis world, both in terms of the current rankings and in the all-time Grand Slam title race.

“It’s a privilege to be part of the discussion as one of the greatest players of all-time. If people see me this way, of course, it’s very flattering because I know that I give as much effort and energy into trying to win Slams as anybody else,” he confessed. “I like my chances going forward. But nothing is given and I take nothing for granted.

Of course, I have the awareness that there are a lot of players that want this trophy, and want the No.1 position in the world. I’ve been in these situations so many times, that experience and I guess being in those circumstances, in those shoes, helps me to keep my mind fresh and know what’s expected of me.”

Djokovic has won at least one major title in each of the last six years, and his dominant start to 2023 only adds to the expectations, that we have for him and that he has for himself, for the rest of the year. The question of who is the greatest

player of all-time is an ever-evolving one, with many people claiming it to be Nadal during the middle of last year, but that pendulum has now swung back to Djokovic. In typical Djokovic fashion, he doesn’t dwell on what he has already accomplished, or what he still aims to achieve in his career; he is just excited to be able to continue competing.

“I don’t know how many more years I’m going to play or how many more Slams I’m going to play. It depends on various things,” he said. “It doesn’t depend only on my body. I think it’s

extremely important for me, of course, to have the support and love from those close to me, and the ability to go and play and keep the balance with my private life. But at the same time have the mental clarity or aspirations to really strive to chase these trophies. Physically I can keep myself fit. Of course, 35 is not 25, even though I want to believe it is. But I still think there is time ahead of me. Let’s see how far I go.”

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

Photo credit: Morgan Hancock/Tennis Australia

What Makes A Great High Performance Summer Camp?

By Chris Lewit

Parentswho are looking for a serious, high performance camp for their kids have a number of options both in the US and internationally. As a camp and club owner myself, I speak with parents all the time about what they need for their children at camp and the positives and negatives of certain programs.

Here are some of the most important aspects of great summer camps for serious players that parents, coaches, and players should consider before signing up, and will truly make a difference in the athlete’s long-term development:

The Guru

The head coach is the leader of the entire program who sets the tone and energy for the entire academy. The head coach defines the teaching approach and philosophy for all the staff coaches and should be active working with the players in the program. Too often the guru is MIA and doesn’t work enough on the court. Many times, the head coach is more of

a camp/office administrator, organizing practices but leaving the actual coaching to assistants. Other head coaches are very active coaching but only work with the elite players in the program. In this instance, developing players and lower UTR players can slip through the cracks and don’t have access to the elite coaching knowledge of the guru. That’s a red flag and a very common scenario at famous academies. Sometimes the head coach only gives very expensive private lessons and doesn’t work with the groups at all—another red flag. I believe that if a coach puts his name on the academy, he should work with all the kids visiting and take an active role developing all the players in the summer program—not just the elite ones.

The Ratio

Personal attention is key. Some summer programs are victims of their own success and marketing. They take literally hundreds of players and use interim staff to coach the influx of kids.

It’s very difficult to give personal attention when a camp is very large. While it can be exciting to go to a famous camp with hundreds of players, that kind of scale is typically where many kids will fall through the cracks. Many camps offer four, five or six players per court and coach. Four players per court and coach is typical. That’s not bad—but it’s also not great. I prefer the Spanish approach with twothree players per court or coach. This way, the players get more attention from the instructor and get to hit more balls. The quality of the coaches is just as important. The head coach must train the coaches and supervise them well. This is almost impossible to do well if the camp is running dozens of courts. Smaller is typically better with a tightknit team and close supervision by the lead coach. With dozens of courts running and hundreds of campers, it’s clear that quality control will be a bigger issue.

The Intensity

Summer camp is supposed to be fun,

but it also must be demanding and challenging. Coaches need to be kind but exigent. Players who are serious need serious coaching and they need to be pushed. The greatness has to be extracted. The kids need to be challenged both on the court in their tennis and off the court in the gym. This approach gets the most growth and development out of the player in the least amount of time and makes for a more productive camp experience. Too often camps water down the summer experience and make it more of a holiday camp rather than a boot camp.

The Technical Instruction

Getting good technical and footwork

instruction is a must, especially if a camper is younger and still developing in those areas. Older and higher level UTR players may not need or want as much technical coaching—and that’s fine. Younger players or those with less experience, on the other hand, need help with their skills. Many academies gloss over technical and footwork flaws either because the coaches are not knowledgeable to fix them in a short amount of time, or the coaches simply don’t want the hassle.

Make sure to find a camp with a great technical guru on board—an experienced technical coach on staff who has expertise in building the technique and movement of developing

players. Watch out for camps that teach no technique and only focus on tactics. Watch out for camps that don’t train movement and footwork. Be wary of camps that are the opposite and hyper focus on technique above all else. Those types of environments can sometimes cause more damage than teaching no technique at all by making unnecessary changes and forcing kids to analyze their games in too much detail, paralyzing them during match play.

The Tactical Instruction

Tactical instruction is just as important as technical instruction and usually becomes the priority with older and higher level kids. Most parents, players and coaches looking at summer camps want lots of real match play and help with strategy by the coaching team. Camps should have time each day for actual set play—not just baseline points and modified games. Coaches should watch the matches and provide feedback both during and after play. Some camps are very good at providing this while other camps drop the ball. One of the best aspects of summer camp is access to a variety of different players and opportunity to play lots of matches. Camps should also offer summer tournament play, preferably onsite (see below).

The Fitness Program

The summer time offers an opportunity to improve fitness and prevent injuries. Unfortunately even some of the best academies in the world offer Mickey Mouse, lowest-commondenominator physical training programs in the summer. It’s such a shame and waste of valuable time. Parents, coaches and players should look for professionally run fitness programs lead by certified strength and conditioning coaches. One of the best certifications to look for is the NSCA’s CSCS designation—the gold standard in the industry.

Psychology and Emotional Control Training

While many summer programs are beginning to recognize the importance of mental and emotional training, this area is tricky to work on at camp. Some programs are now offering a general classroom psychology education program during the camp week. Others like my own camp, prefer to work on this area of the game integrated into the on court tennis training and match play and off the court in the gym. It’s important to build character and develop mental toughness. Some camps neglect these areas completely.

continued on page 14

what makes a great high performance summer camp?

continued from page 13

Indoor Courts

Many summer camps look fantastic, but they don’t have indoor courts on site in case of rain. That is a HUGE problem if the weather is inclement during summer weeks. I have spoken with many parents who swear they will never send their kid to another summer camp without indoor courts because the rain risk is too great. Some players are also susceptible to sun and allergies outdoors. It’s great to have an indoor option for those players.

Tournaments

As mentioned previously, camps should have competition opportunities onsite or nearby for all the campers. Many camps offer verified UTR and other tournaments so that players can practice what

they have learned under pressure and build ranking or rating points. Tournament play and camp should go hand in hand.

Follow Up

It’s very upsetting for me to hear stories of players who attended summer camp and received very little follow up to continue the progress they made. What’s the point of learning new skills if the player forgets what they have learned in the weeks and months after camp? The best camps provide follow up and

even continued training opportunities year-round so that players can continue to refine what they have learned.

Many camps offer generic report cards that the staff fills out. These are usually hastily written and worth very little. The best camps offer comprehensive feedback for parents and work actively with the player’s home coaching team. Communication is key. The head coach should be available to talk about the player’s game and coordinate with the parent and home coaching team.

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.

CHRIS

#1

Discover the Perfect Tennis Bag

Bornand raised in New York, Lisa Fuchs’ tennis journey would classify her as a late bloomer. From an early age, she was involved with dance and fitness, and that would later evolve into spin, and she eventually opened up her own Spin Studio.

But after discovering tennis later in her life, Fuchs was hooked. She immediately fell in love with the sport, and as she says:

“I now live and breathe tennis, tennis and tennis!”

Fuchs had spent her professional career working in sales with some of the top fashion companies in the world, and through these client relationships she formed, she developed a real sense of fashion and style. But even more important, was recognizing and appreciating the secret of these organizations was that they were able to make women feel as good as they looked.

So with that in mind, she decided to combine her business acumen with her passion for tennis to launch her own tennis bag brand, and SassyLI was

born. The first bags were purchased right here on Long Island by Advantage Tennis in Westbury, and have become popular ever since.

The Sassy Li Royal Blue Bag is a lightweight tennis bag that offers a good amount of space for players on the go. Featuring high-tech features and boasting a fresh perspective on style, this bag is built for durability and premium functionality. You can easily organize your belongings with the backpack, which has room for two racquets, a zipper pocket to store cell phones, two side pockets to keep water bottles or tennis balls, and changeable velcro straps among others. With ultrapadded adjustable straps and a cool modern look, you’ll be traveling comfortably as well as in style!

Built from the highest-quality materials, the Ultimate White bag is a modern solution for players seeking years of durability, all-day capacity, and keen pocket organization. The bag is well customized to store two tennis racquets or your laptop when not in use on the court. The additional storage compartment includes a

zipper pocket to store cell phones, two side pockets to keep water bottles or tennis balls, and changeable velcro straps among others. The SASSY LI ULTIMATE WHITE BAG is made from 100% down quilted polyester that will persevere through years of training and tournament travel.

The Key Features for both bags are, as well as all of SassyLI’s other bags:

• A sleek minimalist design offering incredible functionality.

• Crafted with premium zippers and 100% down quilted polyester for durability.

• Separate compartments to store essential items.

• Exterior pockets to hold water bottles or tennis balls easily.

• Nicely padded shoulder straps for extra comfort. Straps feature easy length adjustment buckles.

• Changeable velcro straps.

For more information and to see more bags, visit SassyLi.com, or contact lili@SassyLI.com or 888-808-3664.

WhenJohn McEnroe and Claude Okin created the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) at Sportime Randall’s Island in 2010, and later at locations on Long Island and in Westchester, their commitment to each other was to create a diverse and inclusive tennis learning community where talented and hard-working young athletes from New York could thrive and reach their tennis potentials, regardless of their families’ financial circumstances.

A couple of years later, in 2012, with that goal still driving their shared mission, the 501c3 not-for-profit Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP) was formed. The charity’s purpose is to raise and deploy funding and resources to support free community-based tennis programs, both on Randall’s Island and in the surrounding communities, and to provide scholarships for under-resourced players to train at the Academy, all with matching underwriting support from Sportime.

While tennis remains largely inaccessible to many, it can be a powerful “game changer” for young players, providing educational and life opportunities for those who embrace the sport and excel. JMTP not only provides the necessary resources and training to allow more young New Yorkers to access tennis; it assists a growing group of talented and

Jack Kennedy Representing JMTP on International Stage

By Brian Coleman

committed juniors, who lack the resources to pursue the game independently, to reach their tennis potentials, with many of those players competing at the highest levels of junior and, ultimately, collegiate tennis.

One of the most impactful JMTP initiatives is its ongoing partnership with BNP Paribas, to create a team of young athletes aptly titled BNP Paribas Mac 1. The 10 members of the BNP Mac 1 team receive fully-funded year-round training, coaching and travel support, and have become some of the USA’s most promising and deserving young players. Chosen based on financial need and tennis merit, BNP Mac 1 players need to perform at a high level on and off court, including upholding high academic and behavioral standards. Annual means testing assures that JMTP players are part of JMTP’s mission to remove the social, racial and economic barriers prevalent in tennis.

One of JMTP Mac 1’s most impressive young players is Long Island’s own Jack Kennedy, the 14-year-old junior standout from Huntington. Kennedy has been training at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy for several years, and in 2021 was accepted into the Mac 1 program. Since then, he has elevated into one of the nation’s top junior players.

“Jack is the embodiment of how we

want our Mac 1 players to represent themselves and JMTP on and off the court,” said Ryann Cutillo, the Executive Director of JMTP. “Not only is he a very talented tennis player, he is an even better young person, who works extremely hard, cares about others, and shows leadership qualities that we rarely see in a kid his age.”

“I had been a JMTA player for many years, so my coaches knew me already and saw my potential,” Kennedy explained. “As I played more tournaments, JMTP saw my results and my sportsmanship, on and off the court, and they chose me based on this. I started in the program in September 2021, and my first tournament as a BNP Mac 1 player was the Les Petits As USA playoffs, which is a pretty big deal.”

At those playoffs, competing under the Mac 1 banner, Kennedy proved he belonged among the country’s and world’s best players, as he won the event to qualify for the Les Petis As international championships in France, the world’s most important tennis tournament for 12-14 year old players. “BNP/Mac 1 has really helped me improve by letting me receive more training and coaching than before, as well as opportunities to travel and compete in more tournaments,” he explained. “They are very supportive by allowing me to play a full schedule and by providing the training and resources that I need to improve my game.”

Kennedy’s results have reflected his opportunity. In 2022, Kennedy claimed both the singles and doubles titles in the Boys’ 14s division at the USTA National Clay Courts, and he followed that by making a run to the singles finals in the Boys’ 14s division at the prestigious Junior Orange Bowl. Those performances led to a sponsorship from Adidas for Jack to rep their products on-court.

“I was very happy to receive the Adidas sponsorship,” he said. “It’s a big deal to me, because it means that I am doing things the right way on and off the court. All my hard work is coming together and really paying off right now.”

A major part of Kennedy’s success is his approach to competing. His seriousness, composure and sportsmanship are on display at all times. While quiet and reserved off the court, Jack is a mature and calculating player on it.

As his primary JMTA coach Greg Lumpkin explains, “At the level at which Jack is competing, all the players have highly developed tools and weapons, but Jack’s discipline and dedication has really

been there for a long time.” Lumpkin added. “He’s been a uniquely disciplined and mature player in every practice and every match, and his composure and mental strength allow him to stay the course during the toughest moments. Jack takes things one point at a time and has a very professional approach on court, which you don’t often see from someone his age.”

Based on his results and commitment to his tennis, Kennedy made the decision last year to attend the ICL Academy, an online school that supports students following their passions outside the classroom by offering its students the flexibility to pursue those endeavors without sacrificing academic achievement and high standards.

“It was different at first, getting used to being online and doing all of my classes on the computer,” said Kennedy. “But now it’s great. They are so flexible, with me traveling to all these tournaments and everything. They do a really good job of letting me Zoom with my teachers and creating a great school environment. It has been so helpful for me.”

The support and cooperation of JMTP, Sportime/JMTA and many others have allowed Kennedy to fully express his work ethic and passion and to accelerate into one of the best young players in the Country. The USTA is also part of team Kennedy, welcoming him to its National Campus in Lake Nona, FL to train and supporting him when he travels to ITF tournaments as part of the USTA contingent.

Kennedy’s success reflects his commitment and hard work, the support of his family, and especially the long-term support of JMTP and Sportime, through their shared mission to help young tennis players realize their true potentials.

Jack Kennedy remains more excited than ever to continue working on his game and pursuing his dream. As he explains it, “I am just working on staying disciplined with my game, and staying solid and consistent. The goal now is to continue to get better at every aspect of my game and in general. If I can do that, the results will be there.”

Cutillo added, “We are so proud to support Jack, and we can’t wait to see that the future holds for him!”

2023 Long Island Boys’ High

Asthe winter weather slowly dissipates and we move into the spring, that means the arrival of a new boys’ high school tennis season here on Long Island. Last year, we saw the introduction of the Small School Championships for Nassau County, Suffolk County and Long Island, as well as the first-ever New York State Team Championships, where Long Island representatives competed against the best teams from across the state at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

With many top players returning this season, including Hewlett’s Stephan Gershfeld, the 2023 spring season here on Long Island sets up to be an exciting one. Last year, Gershfeld won his second straight Nassau County singles title, and went on to win the New York State championship, Below are some of those teams and players to watch for both Nassau County and Suffolk County, as well as the season’s key dates.

All names, dates and locations are subject to change. Be sure to check LITennisMag.com for the most up to date information on all things high school tennis.

Nassau County Teams to Watch

Great Neck South

Great Neck South’s Albert Hu

A year ago, Great Neck South came within one victory of reaching the Nassau County championship, and the Rebels will be eager to build on that success as we head into the 2023 season. Led by one of the best players in the county in Albert Hu, Great Neck South could be a threat in the top conference. Hu will be backed in the singles lineup by experienced seniors Chris Park and Luke Goodman to bolster the lineup, as well as seasoned players in the doubles lineup. Despite their loss in the semifinals a year ago, Great Neck South will use that playoff experience and try to build on their success this spring.

Port Washington

While their lineup may lean on the young side, Port Washington is a team that needs to be considered when talking about potential county champions for 2023. The Vikings will be led by juniors Ezra Loewy and Anton Perfiliev who both competed atop the singles lineup a year ago. Reed Paltrow, an all-state doubles player last season, will be back as well as John Funk to bolster the depth on the team, which will help keep Port Washington competitive against any team in the county. Despite losing seniors Candrin Chris, Dan Greilshemer and Amir Pazy, the Vikings’ depth will be a key factor in its success.

Roslyn

Roslyn’s Drew Hassenbein

The Bulldogs of Roslyn enjoyed one of its best seasons in recent memory in 2022, capturing not only the Nassau County championship with a thrilling win over rival Syosset, but then moving on to win the Long Island championship. Roslyn will aim to go one step further this season and capture the state championship and will return much of its lineup from last year in order to achieve that goal. Leading the way will be Drew Hassenbein at the top of the singles lineup who shined as an eight-grader a year ago, and will be backed up by varsity-veteran Ethan Solop at second singles, as well as experienced doubles players Cayden Shen and Bartek Dziedziach. The senior leadership, led by Gavin Koo and Zach Sheena, will help anchor a team full of young talent as the Bulldogs look to go one step further.

Syosset

Each year, the Syosset Braves seemingly reload its talent base which has helped make it one of the most consistent teams in the county year in and year out. This spring is a bit different in that regard in that it doesn’t have to reload

at all from last season as the Braves will return all of its starters from the 2022 team that reached the county championship. Anchoring the squad will be all-county singles player Ansh Chadha, the Bentley commit who reached the semifinals of the individual championships last spring. The projected lineup features experienced players Evan Lee and Devan Melandro rounding out the singles lineup, and Syosset always possess depth in the doubles lineup which makes them a difficult team to play.

Wheatley

In 2022, the Wildcats of Wheatley became the first team to ever win the Nassau County Small School championship. It didn’t stop there, however, moving on to win the Long Island title, and then completed the championship trifecta

by winning the New York State Small School Championship and becoming the event’s inaugural champion. Wheatley will be motivated to repeat those accomplishments this season, and will now do so with a target on its back. The Wildcats will have to replace the leadership and talent of first singles player Kavin Shukla, with that mantle falling to Aaron Raja, who played second singles a year ago and teamed with Shukla to reach the doubles final in the Nassau County individual championships. Raja will lead the way in the singles lineup this season, followed by talented sophomore Saje Menon, as well as experienced doubles players to try to lead Wheatley to a repeat of last year’s success.

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2023 long island boy’s high school preview

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Nassau County Players to Watch

(In addition to players listed with their team) Hewlett’s Stephan Gershfeld

Nassau County Key Dates

• Monday, April 3: Regular Season Begins

• Saturday, May 13 – Sunday, May 14: Individual Championships

• Wednesday, May 17: Small School and Large School Playoffs Begin

• Monday, May 22: Small School Championship

• Wednesday, May 24: Large School Championship

• Thursday, May 25: Small School Long Island Championship

• Wednesday, May 31: Large School Long Island Championship

• Friday, June 2 – Sunday, June 4: New York State Individual Championships, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

• Stephan Gershfeld, Hewlett

• Federico Garcia, Hicksville

• Matt Manesh, Great Neck North

• Aiden Patel, Plainview

• Michael Safir, Jericho

• Cooper Schorr, Lynbrook

• Friday, June 9: New York State Small School AND Large School Team Championships, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

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Suffolk County Teams to Watch Commack

Commack’s Eddie Liao

Commack was the best team in all of Long Island a season ago, moving through its entire schedule without losing, including a thrilling victory over Roslyn in the Long Island Large School Championship. While the Cougars fell in the New York State finals, the team will be ready to repeat that success this spring, and are excited to try to claim that state title. Leading the way will be junior Eddie Liao who has been at the top of the Commack lineup for a couple of years now, and is one of the toughest players on all of Long Island. The two-time Suffolk County singles champion will lead a lineup full of experienced players, including captain James Yu at second singles, who has been an all-state player before. Eric Benderly, who clinched his team’s Long Island

championship last season, will move up a spot in the singles lineup to replace outgoing senior Matt Strogach Saharsh Peddireddy and Joe Romito will also return to the lineup, and Commack has talented players waiting in the wings on its junior varsity team to add depth as the Cougars seek to repeat as county and Long Island champions.

East Hampton

Last year, East Hampton made its way into the semifinals of the county tournament to finish one of its best seasons in recent years. The Bonackers were one win away from playing for a county championship, a fact that will be motivation for this season’s squad. Led by Max Astilean, who himself reached the quarterfinals of the Suffolk County individual championships, East Hampton returns much of its lineup from last year’s semifinal team. That includes second singles player Nick Cooper, and his younger brother, Henry, who competed at both second (while his brother Nick was injured) and third singles last year. Kiefer Mitchell, Jagger Cohen, Armando Rangel, Cameron Mitchell, Miguel Garcia, Dane Schwalbe and Carlos Quintana, all players who were in the lineup a year ago, are back this season, which makes East Hampton both experienced and talented, and a potential threat to the county’s top teams. continued on page 22

2023 long island boy’s high school preview

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Half Hollow Hills East

The Thunderbirds of Hills East are one of those teams that will always put out a competitive lineup, as each year Hills East proves its one of the most consistent programs on all of Long Island. That will be no different this season, as Hills East will be led by senior captain Krithik Madisetty, an all-state player, who will anchor the lineup at first singles. Krithik’s younger brother, Lohit, is expected to play a major role atop the singles lineup, while freshman Tommy Walsh will contribute both in singles and doubles. To create the depth and experience in doubles, junior captain Jordan Heyman will play a significant role with his position at first doubles, as Hills East aims to make a deep run in the county playoffs.

Half Hollow Hills West

Entering the playoffs as the seventh seed in last year’s county tournament, Hills West reached the quarterfinals, but are eager to go further in 2023. Leading the way will be junior Bryan Volk, who has been one of the better players in all of Suffolk County over the last couple of seasons, and will be tasked with guiding a young Hills West team into competition. Helping him

out in the lineup will be Alan Yu, an all-league player in 2022, as Hills West looks to build on that quarterfinal appearance last year.

Ward Melville’s Shashank Pennabadi

The team that Commack beat in the aforementioned Suffolk County championship? The Ward Melville Patriots. Ward Melville compiled a fantastic season in 2022, going undefeated in League II and winning multiple playoff matches en route to the county final. The Patriots return a lot of its top players from a season ago which is an encouraging sign as it aims to once

Ward Melville

again make a deep playoff run. Aron Bursztyn, who paired with Shashank Pennabadi to win the Suffolk County doubles title, has graduated and will not return, but Pennabadi will be back this season to help lead his Patriots. To help with that cause will be Shashank’s brother, Harshith, as well as Bursztyn’s brother, Gabe, who was injured most of last year. Ward Melville also returns multiple all-league players from the 2022 team, including seniors Charley Du, Luke Hou and Ethan Timm, as well as junior Max Schoolman

Suffolk County Players to Watch

(In addition to players listed with their team)

Walt Whitman’s Samuel Lopez

• Ray Hidaka, Shoreham-Wading River

• Kyle Johnson, Harborfields

• Samuel Lopez, Walt Whitman

• Emil Sabovic, Connetquot

Suffolk County Key Dates

• Tuesday, March 21: Regular Season Begins

• Thursday, May 11: Large School AND Small School Playoffs Begin

• Friday, May 12 – Monday, May 15: Individual Divisional Championships

• Thursday, May 18: Small School Championship

• Friday, May 19 – Monday, May 22: Individual County Championships

• Thursday, May 25: Large School Championship

• Thursday, May 25: Small School Long Island Championship

• Wednesday, May 31: Large School Long Island Championship

• Friday, June 2 – Sunday, June 4: New York State Individual Championships, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

• Shane Duerr, Bayport-Blue Point

• Angelo Guzman, Comsewogue

• Friday, June 9: New York State Small School AND Large School Team Championships, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

• We have so much going on “on the courts”, schedule a tour with Heidi today to see the entire Racquet Sports Area

beyondthebaseline

Mike Pavlides, USTA Eastern

By Brian Coleman

Inlate January, members of the various tennis regions that make up the USTA Eastern Section gathered at the organization’s annual Tennis Conference in New Jersey. The conference represents the start of a new year across the section, and this year ushered in the beginning of the two-year term for the new council of the Long Island Region.

At the head of that new council is Mike Pavlides, a longtime fixture in the Long Island tennis community, who has taken over as the new Regional Director. “The Conference was a great event,

and I was excited to get started as the new Director,” said Pavlides. “There was a lot of information to take in because you want to make sure you are taking the philosophy of USTA Eastern and bringing that down to the LI region. It was also important to understand that now you have a budget to work with and adhere to, and the goal is to spend that budget in ways that will fulfill the Eastern mission. We want to use those resources allocated to us to make a difference.”

Making a difference is something that

Pavlides has been doing for the better part of two decades. A longtime USTA Long Island volunteer, Pavlides first began his time contributing to the region’s mission after he was asked to be the high school representative.

When asked why he has been so dedicated and such a visible part of tennis here on Long Island, Pavlides said:

“What I love about our sport is the social aspect of it, and how tennis can help you form relationships. I have made a lot of good friends through tennis, people I would have never known without

Mike Pavlides presents Hewlett’s Nyla Gershfeld with the USTA Sportsmanship Award during last years

High School Championships

it. I take that idea into how I coach and I emphasize that to my team; you can make friendships that go way beyond the game, and it is something to really cherish.”

As the head coach of Massapequa High School’s varsity tennis teams, Pavlides became the liaison between the high school coaches and organizations, and USTA Long Island.

“I was essentially tasked with reporting back to the board of what was happening at the high school level,” recalls Pavlides. “We continued a tradition of giving sweatshirts to the players who were going to the New York State tournament, and I was given some flexibility by past directors including Danny [Burgess] and Jonathan [Klee] to do more. We have given out pink wristbands to the girls’ teams in the fall for breast cancer awareness month, and in the spring gave out blue wristbands to the boys’ teams for autism awareness. We currently are giving a

Sportsmanship Award plaque to all the public high school teams on LI. It was important that we used tennis as a way to give back and make a difference in the communities.”

In that role, Pavlides helped bring back the Long Island Championship in high school tennis which had not been played for a few years in the early 2010s. The USTA Long Island Executive Cup in 2016 and 2017 represented the return of the best team in Nassau County playing the best team from Suffolk County, and eventually set the stage to bring back the official Long Island Championship.

“This was something I was given the freedom to do and it worked out,” said Pavlides. “It wasn’t just me, though. People from both Nassau and Suffolk came together, we brainstormed and said that this is what is important. And we were able to do it. The USTA Long Island was the body that helped bring the counties together, between handling

the paperwork, finding a location, buying the trophies and plaques, etc. We were able to get the Nassau and Suffolk sections to come together for the betterment of the players and local tennis.”

That has always been Pavlides mission in his time as a coach and the volunteer work he does for the Long Island Region, to use tennis as a vehicle for better things. And it is because of that dedication and selflessness that Pavlides was nominated by his predecessor, Jonathan Klee, to head up the council in this new term.

“Mike has been an invaluable member of our regional council over the years,” said Klee, who is moving on to join the Eastern council as its Secretary. “He has provided numerous hours of his time working on high school events and charity initiatives, USTA Kids Days, our Annual Awards Dinner, and both Sectional and National initiatives. I can

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beyond the baseline

continued from page 25

think of no one better to lead the Long Island Council going forward than Mike, and I have no doubt he will continue to expand upon all of the volunteer work our council has done during my tenure.”

As we finish up the indoor winter season here on Long Island and move into the spring, it continues to be an exciting time for tennis here in our community. The game’s increase in popularity and participation maintains its ascent, and Pavlides and his team are tasked with ensuring that remains the case.

“The goal is the same for all of us, and that is to continue to grow the game,” said Pavlides. “And that doesn’t just mean getting new players and

inspiring the next generation, but also making sure people who are already playing continue to do so. Whether you are a senior, middle-aged, in college or a junior, it’s our job to help keep the rackets in those people’s hands, and emphasize the fun and social components that tennis provides.”

Pavlides and the new USTA Long

Island Regional Council are excited to embark on this journey over the next couple of years to sustain the positive impact that the region has had.

“I am very excited, and what makes me confident is that everyone in the council has been so supportive of me already,” he said. “The first thing they said was, ‘how can I help?’, and for me that means more to me than anything. We are all on the same page, and committed to do what’s needed to continue growing the game, and carrying on the tradition and standards that the past councils have started.”

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

More Than Just a Club

Pine

Hollow Club is a private club that is a blend of old and new — historic architecture modernized with finesse. Our club offers members a luxury, resort style experience in the heart of Long Island, which aims to be the backdrop where memories are made for you and your family for years to come.

Pine Hollow has something to offer for everyone in the family, and takes particular pride in the its expansive tennis programming, as well as the other racquet sport activities it provides. Tucked away in the beautiful landscape of Pine Hollow’s land are seven Har-Tru tennis courts, three pickleball courts and one Padel court, one of the only places on all of Long Island to feature a padel court. There are clinics and lessons for tennis, pickleball and padel for all ages and levels.

One of the best parts of Pine Hollow’s racquet sport programming is its unique events it provides for its members. During the spring and summer, Thursday nights play host to

events such as Beer Pong Tennis, Mexican Night, Sushi and Wine Mixers, plus many more. A highlight of the summer season is the Pine Hollow Club Championships which are offered for all of its sports, as members compete against one

another club supremacy.

In addition to the immense racquet sport offerings, Pine Hollow Club has all the amenities one could need. A pristine, beautiful 18-hole golf course hugs the road as you drive into the club’s main entrance and is complimented by a driving range and short game practice area. Every Wednesday, there is a Men’s Golf League, and Ladies Golf Clinics are offered all season long, as are junior clinics for both golf and all racquet sports.

Pine Hollow features an Olympicsize pool as well as a clubhouse and poolside dining, as well as an array of fun events during the summer including live bands, Shore Dinner, July 4th fireworks, BBQs, Kids Carnival, Character Brunches, Sunday Family Dinners and more!

Find out why Pine Hollow Club is the perfect destination for your fun this summer, by visiting PineHollowClub.com, e-mailing hello@pinehollowclub.com or calling (516) 922-0300.

In the Kitchen

in-depth look at Pickleball on Long Island

An

Aspickleball fever continues to spread throughout our area, the country and the world moreover, Long Island Tennis Magazine will be bringing readers the latest news, including features, profiles, product reviews and more, on one of the fastest-growing sports here in our community. Each edition we will bring you more content covering pickleball on Long Island.

Eastern Athletic Clubs Plays Hosts to PopUp Pickleball

competitive tennis and platform tennis player who competed in leagues in both sports, she had decided to give pickleball a try.

“I had a friend, Leslie Kilgor, who had played pickleball before, and she wanted to learn how to play platform tennis, so we agreed to each teach other the sports. I tried it out, and the rest is history,” said Kessler. “And now I take great pride in being a Pickleball instructor especially being a woman in a director’s role.”

Kessler was immediately hooked on pickleball, and the more she continued playing, the more involved within the sport she got. At a time when there weren’t a lot of pickleball coaches or programs in the area, Kessler completed her certification to become a teaching professional, and found herself fully immersed in the pickleball community.

To further this, she parlayed her love of the sport and passion for teaching it into her own company, PopUp Pickleball. She began the company in the beginning of 2020, on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic.

was awesome,” Kessler said. “Then COVID shut things down and we couldn’t teach at that facility anymore. But we were able to establish a brand and reputation for PopUp Pickleball and it showed just how passionate this community was.”

During the pandemic, Kessler and her team of coaches would set up an impromptu court in the parking lot of the restaurant, Prime, in Huntington, and people who were out on their daily walks or just looking for an activity to do would stop by and participate. It emphasized the impact pickleball has, from providing a fun sport to help those remain active, but also the social interaction it helps foster.

When things began to open up again, pickleball’s rise continued and and that’s when Kessler found a primary home for her programming at Eastern Athletic Clubs in Huntington.

As an avid racquet sports enthusiast, Meryl Otis Kessler was always interested in trying out new sports. A

“We had an open house with about 70 people coming out, from pickleball players to tennis players and more. It

“Being able to marry the Eastern Athletic tennis facility with the pickleball programming has helped tremendously,” said Kessler. “It really has become my home. We teach about 180 people on a weekly basis, and I love watching people who come here for lessons or clinics meet for the

first time, and not only continue getting better with each lesson, but also become friends with those they meet here. Working under the direction of Eastern Athletic’s General Manager Alexa Sferrazza and her great team at the club has been perfect.”

This community helped launch the Interclub Pickleball League which pits teams from various clubs on Long Island against one another. Kessler says she modeled the league’s format based off USTA Adult Leagues and Platform Tennis leagues she has played in. There are matches on Monday and Tuesday nights with players traveling all across the Island to represent their respective club or facility.

Pickleball Plus Scholarship Recipients

Last year, Pickleball Plus became the first place on Long Island to introduce a junior pickleball program into its facility’s offerings. As the sport continues to grow in popularity, Pickleball Plus says it’s important to get kids involved in the sport from an early age in order to create a developmental pathway similar to the one seen in tennis.

To help encourage kids to take up the sport, Pickleball Plus creatively ran an essay contest where young people could submit essays on why they love pickleball, with the winner earning a full 10-week scholarship to its Junior Pickleball Academy.

“Pickleball Plus was built by and for pickleball players. We love being a part of this thriving community. We are proud to be the first to offer lessons for kids through our Junior Pickleball Academy, which has been growing consistently since we launched it in September,” said Dory Levinter, Pickleball Plus’ Manager. “Offering scholarships to help grow the next generation of pickleball players is just one of the many ways we can support our players and give back to our community.”

Pickleball Plus was flooded with essays from kids all over Long Island. In the end, Ocean Blaize, a 14-year-old, had her essay selected, and was granted the scholarship into the academy.

“I just wrote about how much I love pickleball and how I first began playing,” said Blaize. “I met a lot of my friends through pickleball, and it’s a great social sport where you get to meet a lot of people.”

Blaize was first introduced to pickleball through her father, who had played it with some of his colleagues at work, and one day decided to bring Ocean down to the local park to try it out.

She admits that she was a bit hesitant at first, not really knowing what the sport was beyond its funny-sounding name.

“At first I thought it was a weird sport, I actually thought it had something to do with pickles,” she said laughing. “But now I know that the name comes from the person’s dog who invented it. When we got to the park, I began playing with my dad and his friends, and now I love it.”

As she continued to play more

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in the kitchen

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often, her parents were looking for places that offered programming and lessons for kids. After trying several places last summer, they got in touch with Pickleball Plus, and have been there ever since. Blaize now participates in the Junior Academy there while her parents compete in leagues.

“The coaches are amazing,” Ocean said. “I love Coach Dory and Coach Mike. They are wonderful and are such great teachers. The group of kids there are really welcoming and nice.”

One of those kids is Evan Spolansky, who is also in the Pickleball Plus Junior Pickleball Academy, and who finished as runner-up in last year’s essay contest. Like Blaize, Spolansky loves the new friends he has made competing in pickleball.

“I really enjoy the drills and practicing my skills during the class,” he said. “I even participated in a Parent Child Social, where I got to play with my dad against other parents and their children. Pickleball is really fun and you can learn a lot of new skills. It’s a great

way to meet new people while playing an exciting new sport.”

Both Blaize and Spolansky want to encourage their peers to try pickleball, and help continue the sport’s spread among young people.

“Whenever I go to school, everyone knows I play pickleball, and they tell me, ‘Ocean, you play an old person’s sport’, and I tell them, ‘No, when you get into it, it’s really fun and competitive’,” Blaize explains as her sales pitch to her school friends. “I tell them to go for it. Don’t be afraid about what other people think; if you pursue what you like to do, and practice as hard as you can, you can do great things.”

Carefree Aims to Bring Tournaments This Spring

More than five years ago, Carefree Racquet Club was one of the first places on Long Island to lean into the ever-growing pickleball trend that had been navigating its way through our community.

In order to accommodate inquiries

from its members about pickleball offerings, Carefree put lines down on two of its tennis courts to create four pickleball courts.

“Since we did that, every minute we can offer pickleball, the courts are booked,” said Kathy Miller, Carefree’s General Manager. “Between Open Play, Pickleball Learn & Plays and Drills, if there is ever available court time, it gets booked quickly. We also have 3.0 and 3.5 leagues.”

As the sport continue to increase in participation, tennis clubs such as Carefree have made the correct decision to accommodate that need. Many clubs have converted tennis courts into pickleball courts, and leagues have started to pop up across Long Island in addition to fun weekend events.

The next step? More tournaments for competitive players, which is something that Carefree plans to bring this spring.

“We would love to run tournaments, and plan to do so when the indoor season is over in May,” added Miller. “Watch out for some tournaments then!”

Point Set Hosts Pickleball Team Tournament

there will be more innovative events such as these in order to expand on the competitive aspect of the sport. Beyond its team tournaments, Point Set’s pickleball offerings feature, clinics, lessons and open play for all ages and levels.

product reflects the desires and needs of players.

At Point Set Racquet Club in Oceanside, the club’s pickleball director Bob Kessler ushered in an innovative event for its pickleball players, creating a team event.

Modeled after USTA tennis leagues, players formed teams to compete against one another, with the events being played over the course of three different weekends. There were competitions at both the 3.0-3.5 level and 4.0-4.5 level, and the goal is to continue expanding on the success of these tournaments.

3.5-4.0 Champions: Sue Waleski, Scott Morck, Heidi Hothan, Michael Winter

4.0-4.5 Champions: Ashish Verghese, Dan Khodosh, Carina Szabo, Lisa Goldberg

As pickleball continues to grow,

Product Review: Halftime Chiller –The Cooler You Need

Inspired by a vintage oak whiskey barrel, the Halftime Chiller is a one-of-a-kind product, that has both an aesthetically-pleasing design that has everything you need. The innovative 4-in-1 design allows it to function as a cooler, seat, and dual portable storage unit.

Features include a pressure lock system which helps hold 24 bottles and cans, a comfortable padded and sturdy seat, hidden compartment under the lid to keep your personal belongings secure and accessible, and a mesh back pocket for extra storage space.

Halftime Chiller has become a staple product in the pickleball world. Go to a tournament on Long Island and you will see someone walk in with a Chiller. Because founder Ricky Mango is a pickleball player himself, his

The Halftime Chiller is the multifunction rolling cooler you need for all of your tailgating, picnic and outdoor activities. Halftime Chiller comes in a variety of styles, sizes and colors, and is the cooler you need for all your sport-playing needs, and is now offering free sponsorships for both pickleball and tennis teams. For more information or to see all of Halftime Chiller products, visit HalftimeChiller.com, contact info@halftimechiller.com or check out on social media @Halftime_Chiller.

Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide

2023 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide

Bethpage Park Tennis Center Summer Tennis Camp

99

The 2023 Bethpage Park Tennis Center Summer Tennis camp begins Monday June 26, 2023 and runs through Friday August 25, 2023, with consecutive one-week sessions throughout the summer.

Camp begins each day at 10:00 a.m. with warm-up and fitness, and continues with instruction and drills with our top level staff. We take a break for lunch from 1:00 – 1:30 p.m, and camp resumes after break and continues until 4:00 p.m. We welcome campers to bring or order their own food and drinks.

The morning session is tennis-only and will run from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., while the afternoon session will give campers the option of tennis or pickleball each day from 1:30 - 4:00 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.

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. Our record is unrivalled and unprecedented for a single facility that is not a massive academy.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.

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!

2023 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.

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 HighPerformance 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 12 –September 1, 2023.

Annual Full Time Academy with Academics commenced Tuesday, September 5th, 2023.

2023 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide

Chris Lewit Tennis Academy

Manchester, Vermont l (914) 462-2912

No Rainouts Ever! We have indoor courts onsite. Train seriously in the picturesque green mountains of Vermont!

Come train personally with elite coach Chris Lewit, who has recently developed several junior players to #1 nationally!

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 coached numerous top 10 nationally-ranked juniors, many of whom are now graduating to the pro circuit. He also has extensive 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 from NYC.

CLTA offers a unique hybrid teaching system based on the Toni Nadal, William Pato Álvarez, and Bruguera Methods from Spain, as well as other European influences based on Chris Lewit's travels abroad. Chris has spent the last 15 years studying with many of the legendary coaches in Spain and Europe. Recognized as a worldleading expert in Spanish systems, he is the only coach in the US certified in three distinct Spanish styles: Nadal, Bruguera, and Álvarez. Chris brings the most cutting-edge training methods from Europe back to the U.S. for his students.

CLTA summer camp features a new 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 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 Youtube.com/ChrisLewit or check out his Prodigy Maker Show and podcast. Visit ProdigyMaker.com for his blog and show links.

2023 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, so regardless of the weather conditions the players are guaranteed their practice sessions..

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 and older. 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 26-Aug. 25 (nine weeks), featuring 10 hours of tennis training; 5 hours of fitness and 8 hours of match/point play) for players ages 11 and older, 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 26-Aug. 25 (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.

2023 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 indoor tennis and fitness facilities, offering tennis camps during July and August. With two locations in Suffolk County to accommodate the ever changing needs of our clientele, Eastern Athletic has 12 Nova Ultra cushion indoor tennis courts, seven racquetball courts, and much more.

Eastern Athletic’s Camps are directed by Laurie Tenney Fehrs at Dix Hills and Gary Gaudio at Blue Point and the very talented tennis staff that are committed to helping their students be 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, Gary Gaudio and their 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, EACJrTennis @gmail.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 3-4

l Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa.: Saturday-Sunday, July 15-16

l Mercer County Park Tennis Center, Windsor, N.J.: Saturday-Sunday, July 22-23

l Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.: Saturday-Sunday, July 29-30

l University of Colorado, Boulder, Co.: Saturday-Sunday, August 12-13

Coach Ed Krass' 35th 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. Coach Krass' camps are still the world's only tennis camps taught exclusively by all head college coaches!

The two-day College Tennis Exposure Camp will be offered at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Fla., Saturday-Sunday, June 3-4; Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa., Saturday-Saturday, July 15-16; Mercer County Park Tennis Center, Windsor, N.J., Saturday-Sunday, July 22-23; Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., Saturday-Sunday, July 29-30; University of Colorado, Boulder, Co., Saturday-Sunday, August 12-13.

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.

2023 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 28Aug 18):

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 beach and only 30 minutes away from the Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach airports making it an easy trip from the northeast.

Extreme Tennis Academy

18900 NE 25th Ave. l Miami, Fla. 33180 l (786) 290-1546

ExtremeTennisAcademy.com l Evert@EvertAcademy.com

Extreme Tennis Academy Summer Camp 2023 is the best place for you to take your tennis game to the next level this summer!

Camps are available for kids eight-years-old and older. The High Performance Tennis Camp is run by Freddy Azucey and Carlos Maehama and their dedicated staff of top coaches.

Azucey is a PTR & Competitive Junior & Professional development coordinator, Dominican Republic Davis Cup, Former ATP/ITF Circuit Player who faced opponents such as Hernan Gumy & Wayne Ferreira among others, and helped develop Junior and Professional Players such as: Eddie Herr Winner Roy Lederman (USA) #1 National, Gabriela Paz (VEN) Top 10 ITF and US Open Junior Finalist, Adriana Perez (VEN) ITF 21, Sofia Melikishvili (GEO) WTA 250.

Maehama is an Academy Director, PTR International tester – former Japanese Junior team Traveling Coach &

National Coach, USTA Junior Team Tennis Coordinator (North Miami Dade), and has helped develop numerous College and Junior players, as well as Finalist of French Open Mariano Puerta, PTR International Tester, is also fluent in Japanese, Spanish, and English.

Housing is available for players traveling to the camp. Sign up by May 31 to receive 20 percent off.

Come train with the best tennis camp in South Florida! Visit ExtremeTennisAcademy.com for more information, see you on the courts!

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! Go to our website for more information and take advantage of enrollment savings. fscamps.com

2023 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.

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 or four 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. For additional information about Hofstra Summer Tennis Camp, call (516) 463-CAMP or visit Hofstra.edu/Camp.

2023 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide

Huntington Indoor Tennis

100 Broadway l Huntington Station, N.Y.

(631) 421-0040 l HuntingtonIndoorTennis.net l Infor@HuntingtonIndoorTennis.net

Huntington Indoor Tennis is celebrating 42 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, roundrobins, ladder matches and drill games.

Huntington Indoor Tennis offers a Full-Day Junior Tennis Camp, from 10:30-3:00pm, as well as a Half-Day Mini Camp, from 10:30am12:30pm. One-week sessions begin Monday, June 26 and run through Friday, Aug. 25.

Visit HuntingtonIndoorTennis.net or contact info@huntingtonindoortennis.net for more information.

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 junior tennis training better than SPORTIME! 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 throughout the region, this summer.

SPORTIME’s and JMTA’s training methods are fun and fastpaced featuring both technical and tactical training. Our innovative tennis training approach is rooted in competitive games, underpinned by technical development and tennisfocused athletic development. Newer players quickly learn skills and develop an understanding of tennis as a game in age and level appropriate groups. More experienced juniors receive enhanced training to prepare them for the physical, mental and emotional demands of match and tournament play. SPORTIME’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 and balls that make it possible for kids to 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 go 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 vary by location.

2023 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide

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.

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!

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 Har-Tru courts that are enclosed by a bubble from mid-fall through mid-spring, allowing for year-round play. There are also two hard courts for junior tournament training. The courts are directly adjacent to a state-of-the-art Field House, featuring amenities such as locker rooms, lounge, snack bar, and ping-pong tables. The staff here provides a fun and supportive atmosphere that allows for the greatest amount of success.

Summer Tennis Academy

Monday–Friday, June 26–August 18: 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 8-week allencompassing 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 join us again this summer to work on-site with players. Players considering the program should be serious about their commitment, consistently practicing at least three days 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.

2023 Long Island Tennis Magazine Camp Guide

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 Randall’s Island l (212) 427-6150

SPORTIME Roslyn l (516) 484-9222

Camps@SportimeNY.com l SportimeCamps.com

SPORTIME Schenectady l (518) 356-0100

SPORTIME Syosset l (516) 364-2727

SPORTIME Westchester l (914) 777-5050

EHSC@SPORTIME Amagansett l (631) 267-2267

SPORTIME Volleyball Camps l (515) 731-4432

“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, enthusiastic and caring staff members are skilled at providing camp programming that is challenging, innovative and educational - at facilities that are state-of-the-art, safe, and easily accessible. From preschoolers to pre-teens, kids who enjoy tennis, sports, friendship and fun love coming to SPORTIME summer camps. With camp programs tailored to every age group, at 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. Programs and facilities vary by location.

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 indoors and outdoors this summer.

l June 2023 - August 2023

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.4:00 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 and other multisport training activities. Along with many fun activities on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, we also offer on site spirit days, talent contests and other on site activities designed for camper involvement and team building. 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.-4:00 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, multisports, 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.

Junior Player

By Brian Coleman

Milana Vihrova Carefree Racquet Club

Last year, the Vihrova family packed their bags and left their native Latvia to move to the United States. The eldest of the family’s two daughters, Elina, had accepted a scholarship in gymnastics to Penn State University, and the Vihrova’s followed her to the States so the family could remain close.

That meant finding a new place for younger sister Milana to continue playing her tennis. Milana had begun playing when she was about eight-years-old back in her native Latvia, falling in love with the sport and beginning to compete in U10 tournaments.

“I started playing tennis about four years ago,” said Vihrova. “The first year, I just tried it out for fun, and then after that I began playing at a tennis club in Latvia which had stronger and more intense practices. And I continued to love playing.”

Upon arriving here in New York, Vihrova started playing tennis at Carefree Racquet Club in North Merrick. It was a bit of a transition for her, as one would expect. Between being in a new country where

she didn’t speak the language and didn’t know anyone, it was challenging.

“I missed my friends, and while I studied English in Lativa, I didn’t speak it that well at first,” she said. “But after coming here, it continued to get better and better with the more practice I have.”

And as Carefree’s Tennis Director Ben Marks explains, despite those speed bumps, her passion for tennis shined through right away.

“Milana came to us within her first month of arriving in the states. It was obvious right away that she loved tennis and was a great student,” said Marks. “The language barrier was there with me not speaking a word of Russian and her not speaking English either, so a lot of our lessons were me showing rather than telling her what I wanted her to do. I also took advantage of my fiancée and fellow tennis coach, Alina, speaking Russian and used her as a translator when needed.”

In the year since moving here, Vihrova’s tennis has taken a giant leap, and her assimilation into living the United States has been going well. She still takes time

to talk to her friends back home in Latvia, and of course remains in touch with her older sister, Elina, in Happy Valley.

“We are very close, and were always together before she went to school at Penn State,” said Vihrova. “We talk a lot on the phone, and she comes home on holidays, so we are definitely still extremely close.”

Vihrova comes from a family of athletes, and that foundation has helped her tennis thrive over the last few years. As mentioned, her sister is a gymnast at Penn State, and their father, Vihrovs Igors, is a famed gymnast. At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, he won the Gold Medal in the Floor Exercise category. Having a Gold Medalist as your father is a unique thing for a young person to have, and it has a profound impact on the young Milana already.

While her older sister followed in her father’s footsteps to become a gymnast, Milana never felt that pressure and was encouraged to pursue what she is passionate about.

“I did gymnastics for about three years when I was younger, but then I got into tennis,” she said. “My father knows a lot of things about sports, and what it takes to be great, so he motivates me a lot. When I chose to play tennis he was supportive and continues to motivate me.”

That support and her athletic genes, combined with her love of tennis, presents a bright future ahead for Milana as she continues to pursue her tennis career. All of that has created a dedicated young player who embraces her coaching, and is willing to do what it takes to constantly improve.

“My biggest memory of those first weeks with her was when we were working on her serve. I showed her something in her set

up that I wanted her to try differently,” recalls Marks. “A week goes by before I next see her, and as we begin serving again, she is doing exactly what I asked, perfectly remembering every single detail.”

Marks was a bit surprised by this, but was left more than impressed.

“I asked her, ‘You remembered?’, and the response I got, in the few English words she knew at this time, was, ‘Yes, you told me to do it.’ That has been a characteristic of hers in each and every lesson. You only need to tell her something once and it’s locked in her brain forever. It’s a pleasure to work with someone that is so focused and zoned in each time I am helping her with something.”

As Milana continues to play tennis and move through the different levels of the development pathway, she is excited for what’s next to come in her young life and to try and achieve her goals.

“My goal is to be a good tennis player, and do my best to play well and win matches in tournaments,” she said. “I would love to play in a Grand Slam one day, and I am hoping to be able to get a college scholarship just like my sister!”

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

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

USTA Eastern Long Island Region

USTA Eastern Honors Long Islanders at Annual Conference

Atits annual Eastern Tennis Conference, USTA Eastern honored several Long Island volunteers for their dedication to and work on behalf of growing the game of tennis in the Region.

Honorees were:

Scott Axler, Leslie J. Fitz Gibbon Tennis Man of the Year

Mike Pavlides, Long Island Region Volunteer of the Year

Steven Ferrantello, Virginia and Chuck Landis High School Coach of the Year

Jacki Binder, Press Service Award

Hilary Bressler of Christopher Morley Tennis, 10 and Under Tennis Award

Scott Axler, Leslie J. Fitz Gibbon Tennis Man of the Year, has served as one of the preeminent tournament directors in the Eastern section for over three decades. He has overseen both major sectional and national events, and thousands of juniors have played competitively under his purview over many years. Interestingly, Scott may have never joined this tennis world were it not for two very specific juniors: his son, Josh and his daughter, Liz, both of whom were very accomplished junior players. Liz won the county doubles championship all four years she played in high school. And Josh has the unique distinction of having beaten Andy Roddick twice when they played in the 14-and-unders.

It was because of his children’s experiences that Scott endeavored to get more involved in the local tennis community. He joined the Long Island region board, and shortly thereafter was hired to serve as the tournament director at Point Set Tennis in Oceanside. After several successful years at Point Set, he moved to Robbie Wagner’s Tournament Training Center in Glen Cove. Robbie had coached Scott’s son Josh; Scott became part owner of the organization. Under Scott’s supervision, the facility has run a wealth of National-level tournaments over the last two decades. From 2004 to 2009, Scott also served as the chairman of the Junior Competition Committee. From 2009-2011, he was President of the Long Island Region board. Scott has been honored by the

USTA Long Island Region as the 2003 Hy Zausner Lifetime Awardee, 2010 Madeline Zausner Tournament Director, 1999 Adult Volunteer of the Year and the 2006 USTA Eastern LI Regional Award Winner.

Mike Pavlides, Long Island Region Volunteer of the Year, is a longtime volunteer and member of the Long Island Regional Council. Most recently he was Vice Regional Director and began a two-year term as Regional Director in January. A coach himself, Mike is passionate about high school tennis and has spearheaded a wealth of initiatives for teams on the island. In 2022, he helped provide all coaches in Nassau and Suffolk Counties with a plaque to recognize one exemplary player on each team for sportsmanship. Additionally, he played an instrumental role in the council’ efforts to celebrate “No cut” teams. Mike is also very involved in organizing the Long Island Awards Dinner and annual Kids’ Days, two of the council’s biggest events each year. In addition, he is very involved with USTA Long Island website content and “On the Ball: News from LI,” the Region’s quarterly newsletter. Previous honors for Mike include the USTA Long Island 2010 Adult Volunteer of the Year, 2003 Nassau Coach of the Year and 2012 USTA Eastern Virginia and Chuck Landis H.S. Coach of the Year.

Jacki Binder, Press Service Award, first became involved with the USTA as a parent. Her son, Ross, competed in tournaments as well as on his middle school and high school team, and went on to play college tennis as well. Early on in Ross’ tennis career, Jacki was recruited to join the USTA Long Island Regional Council to help provide public relations support. One of her biggest projects was the creation of “On the Ball: News from LI,” the Region’s quarterly digital newsletter. The newsletter’s goal was to help improve communication among members of the Long Island tennis community and celebrate their on and off-court achievements. The first issue, published in

USTA Eastern Long Island Region

2011, was three pages long. Since then, Jacki has continued to publish four issues a year for the past 11 years. In that time the publication has continued to grow, both in length and in subscribers. In addition to her work with On the Ball, Jacki maintains the USTA Long Island webpage and works with local newspapers to promote the work of LI Council. She also routinely helps the section office to secure photography from Long Island events and coordinates the Long Island Council’s pages in Long Island Tennis Magazine. Jacki received the Press Service Award from USTA Eastern in 2012 and was USTA Eastern Long Island Volunteer of the Year in 2011.

Steven Ferrantello, Virginia and Chuck Landis High School Coach of the Year, is the Boys and Girls

Varsity Coach at Half Hollow Hills High School East. He has coached the boys’ team since 2018 and took over the girls’ team in 2020. During his tenure, both teams have won county championships, and the girls’ squad has captured multiple division titles as well.

What makes Steven such a great coach extends beyond results. He is incredibly passionate about this position, and he is always looking for ways to better the team, the county and the tennis community. It is not uncommon to see Steven stay after the end of a practice to talk with a student about a college decision or something similar. He always puts the kids first. He has helped his players organize fundraisers that have raised thousands of dollars for charities. In the relatively short time that he has been coaching, Steven has already received a wide range of honors and distinctions, including the 2021 Suffolk County Coach of the Year by Long Island Tennis Magazine. He was also named 2022 Suffolk Coach of the Year by USTA Long Island.

Hilary Bressler, 10 and Under Tennis Award, came to Christopher Morley Tennis in 2018 and has grown the facility’s 10 & Under operation tremendously. Within a year of her arrival, 75 students were enrolled in her classes. Even through the pandemic, her programming grew. She routinely found herself teaching over 100 kids. Today, she oversees classes with over 140 participants ages 4 through 9. Her high energy and enthusiasm for the sport is contagious. Her students smile ear-to-ear from the time they get on the court until they leave. Previous USTA Long Island honors for Hilary and Christopher Morley Tennis include 2018 Tennis Club of the Year and 2017 Innovative Tennis Program of the Year. Hilary was the 2019 USTA Eastern - LI Regional Award Winner.

Grant Money Available

USTA Eastern & USTA Eastern Long Island grants are now available for the 2023 year. Organizations are invited to apply for this funding to support programming aimed at increasing tennis participation in our local communities. Grant applications focused on the programming below will be given special consideration:

• School and After School Programming

• Junior Competitive Play

• Adult Competitive Play

• Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

• Community Tennis Associations (CTA) & National Jr. Tennis and Learning (NJTL) Programs

• Adaptive/Wheelchair Tennis

• Innovative Programs

Please go to the website below for more information. www.usta.com/en/home/coach-organize/tennissupport/grants-assistance/eastern/usta-eastern-region-grants.html

Long Island Regional Council Executive Committee

Mike Pavlides, Regional

Director

Jonathan Klee, Past Regional Director

Sunny Fishkind

Tito Perez

Jason Wass

Randi Wilkins

Neil Thakur, Manager, Schools Tennis and Long Island & Metro Region CTC

Facebook: Play Tennis Long Island • Instagram: USTA Eastern

Sportime World Tour Continues

The Sportime World Tour continued its journey across the globe as it took young players on a trip to Melbourne, Australia for an Australian Open-themed event earlier this month at Sportime Syosset.

The event features players from all of the Sportime facilities and features

an array of on-court games, as well as things to do off the court including a bounce house, food, music and more to create a fun tennis experience for some of Sportime’s youngest players.

“The World Tour is an amazing opportunity for us to offer not only a great tennis experience but also a

fun and engaging social gathering where the kids get a chance to meet and connect with other Sportime players from around Long Island,” Orobona added. “I think the World Tour Melbourne we hosted here at Sportime Syosset was a huge success! We had over 200 players registered and got to showcase everything that the players have been working so hard to learn throughout the fall session.”Throughout the day, hundreds of players hit the courts to take part in tennis games and had a chance to interact with many kids they had never met before. The fun environment helps create a memorable experience for these kids as they take the first steps in their tennis journey.

“I liked hitting the balls and winning points. I loved playing in the bounce house today,” said Charlotte Keller, a seven-year-old player at Sportime Kings Park.

Vienna Falco, a seven-year old who plays at Sportime Bethpage and Sportime Kings Park, said:

es With Australian Open Event

“I love playing tennis and this was so much fun.”

“The World Tour is a chance for our U10 players across Long Island to come together to compete, play games and just have a great day of tennis,” said Mike Kossoff, Director of Tennis at Sportime. “Parents get to see how their children have

improved throughout the session and get exposed to some friendly competition as well!” The next World Tour event on Long Island will be held at Sportime Hempstead Lake as it hosts an Indian Wells-themed event in May.

“Many of these children are just starting to learn the sport of tennis

and it is our job to make sure that experience is as positive and pleasant as it can be, added Orobano. “As we move forward and our programs continue to grow at every age group we are looking forward to continuing to engage with these new players to show them just how fun and exciting tennis can be.”

Where Is The Love For The Highest-Ranked American?

By Ricky Becker

Did you know that the highestranked professional tennis player, male or female, from the United States is also from New York? Did you know she had two major injuries when she was starting to play professionally which almost ended her career and he she had to play in dank locations around the world to get her ranking back up? What about that, by all accounts, she is very well-respected in the locker room and is very respectful to

support staff? That she is a great competitor who gets the most out of her abilities while still being a great sportswoman? Or that she started and promotes a rescue dog charity?

All of the above are facts. Does she sound like someone easy to get behind?

Now if I started this article, “Did you know that the parents of the highest-ranked American player owns the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, and are worth more than

$5.5 billion?”, would you find it as easy to root for her?

By now, some of you know I am speaking of Jessica Pegula. Admittedly, she does not have the flair, pure shot-making ability or charisma of some of the other Americans, but it actually annoys me that she is not more of a fan favorite. I think there may even be a perception that it is easier for her because her parents are so wealthy. I actually disagree and think her

family’s history makes her story more impressive and respectinducing, and it makes her one of my favorite players.

Actually, she is probably my favorite player on the tour. Why do I feel guilty saying this?

Sometimes I think people on the outside do not realize how much of a sacrifice it takes to be a professional tennis player. One of my best friends stayed at my house while he was trying to qualify for the U.S. Open when he was ranked around 150th in the world. Everything was measured, from what he ate to when he practiced to when he slept. And he was only Top 150 in the world; as of the writing of this article, Pegula is ranked fourth in the world. Money can get you top-flight coaching, it can pay for airfare which can buy a better national or international junior ranking. Money can take a player with the talent of someone ranked 900th in the world

and boost them into the top 300 by playing in frequent remote tournaments around the world.

But money won’t buy you the number four world ranking. In fact, having a family history like Pegula can provide her with every excuse in the world that she doesn’t need that ranking to have a fulfilled life.

Instead of eating Bon Bons on a beach in Bora Bora, taking a prominent-sounding role with no real responsibility with the Buffalo Bills, or a zillion other indulgent paths, Pegula took the road of discipline, dedication and grit to get to the top of her sport. In my mind, the focus it must have taken her to accomplish this is insane.

Speaking on a tennis level, I would

say she had as many or more distractions to become a top player than somebody who had limited means. I am in no way saying she had it worse or that players with less limited means would not trade places with her, but what I am saying is that the grit and focus to accomplish what she has when there are easier paths is truly commendable. And while people may be like “yuck, she’s rich” when they hear about her wealthy parents, they should look at it from a different lens and view her as someone who is to be revered. She is a professional success story who is clearly not playing for the money, and carving out her own path in life.

Ricky Becker is The Director of Tennis at Glen Oaks Club. Ricky also coaches highperformance juniors throughout the year and has been the Director of Tennis at three of Long Island’s biggest junior programs. As a player, Becker was the Most Valuable Player for the 1996 NCAA Championship Stanford Tennis team and ranked in the top-five nationally as a junior. He can be reached at rbecker06@yahoo.com, 516-359-4843 or via juniortennisconsulting.com.

Century Tennis

56 Brook Avenue

Deer Park, N.Y.

(631) 242-0220

CenturyTennis.com

Gold Coast Tennis

31 Prospect Street

Huntington, N.Y. (631) 547-5200

GoldCoastTennis.org

Info@GoldCoastTennis.org

Tennis and Sports Courts Since 1984

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.”

Laurel Gold Coast Tennis has been trusted for more than 35 years by Long Island’s top Country clubs and hundreds of homeowners to design, build and maintain tennis and sport courts. Laurel 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.

Laurel Gold Coast Tennis specializes in concrete, clay and asphalt courts. They also provide annual Har-Tru reconditioning, as well as weekly/biweekly/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, Laurel Gold Coast Tennis designs and builds the entire court environment including fencing, irrigation, lighting, panting, masonry and seating furniture. Laurel Gold Coast’s approach ensures that your tennis or sport court enhances the appearance of your home and fits with your outdoor living lifestyle.

Har-Tru LLC

166 Industrial Way Troy, VA 22974

(877) 4-HARTRU

HarTru.com

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 industry as an advocate for the sport and sponsor of tennis related activities.

SportsProsUSA

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, SportsProsUSA offers a full-line of tennis court surfaces, accessories and amenities. Since 2006, Thomas Petersen, owner of SportsProsUSA, 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, SportsProsUSA is where to look first.

In addition to tennis, SportsProsUSA 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.

The Farley Group–Air-Supported Structures

6 Kerr Crescent

Puslinch, Ontario, Canada

(888) 445-3223

TheFarleyGroup.com

VelveTop Products

1455 New York Avenue

Huntington Station, N.Y.

(631) 427-5904

Velvetop.com

The Farley Group has installed more than 30 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 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 elsy@velvetop.com or visit VelveTop.com.

Threeyears ago, right before my annual High School Coaches Clinic I sat on the couch at my club and listened to Nick Bollettieri as he told me the first thing he does with a new student:

“I say nothing. I just listen and observe.”

I've followed this principle with new students my entire career by first assessing how each player learns because learning needs are unique and meeting these needs are vital to unlocking a student’s potential. While we can talk about how matching a student to a coach, “depends on the circumstances”, such conditions for a great match can be identified, categorized and used to coach most effectively. The goal is to lead by walking side-by-side with our students to increase collaboration and reduce interference.

How to discover how students learn?

Because the methods of how we deliver instruction to our students matters, sometimes as much as the content, it is vital to access and recognize the best way to communicate based on how a student best receives and internalizes information when starting with a new student. This allows us to then modify and adapt our teaching methods to match the student’s learning style. Sometimes, as Nick pointed out, this process is passive. We can just listen and observe.

If we wish to be more proactive, however, we can discover how to deliver the most effective message

Why The Commuication Style Between Coach and Student is So Key

By Steve Kaplan

delivery method with some simple trial and error testing by explaining, demonstrating, prompting and then observing carefully. Students will almost always provide revealing feedback to well-executed testing with verbalization, eye contact, body language and attentiveness as to which style of learning they best enjoy and respond to most positively.

Some tips to make your teaching style the most effective A visual learner might be a suitable match for a coach who can demonstrate movements adeptly. An auditory learner will progress with a coach highly verbally capable in explaining details, and a kinesthetic learner will enjoy a coach who is technically proficient in prompting tactile stimulation. The best coaches have the versatility to perform all three teaching methods at the highest level to ensure that we can communicate to serve our students needs.

When meeting the demands of a visual learner we need to ensure the student can see both our instruction and feedback, clearly and fully. When providing auditory instruction, we should be certain that the student hears and acknowledges, hearing us. When meeting the essential call of

the kinesthetic learner, we need to make sure that the student is permitted to move with limited distractions, so that their right brain can translate a physical process into cognitive and neurological learning. Males tend to be more visual, and females tend to be more auditory, while kinesthetic or tactile learning are seen in both genders, and is especially well-suited for young and high-energy students. Each student can defy these guideline expectations, however, so when evaluating it is necessary to be alert and open-minded to avoid confirmation bias and stereotyping.

You can, of course, combine these teaching styles, but it is useful to have the knowledge and ability to know which style to emphasize at first, and later evolve methods of communication as the student learns how to learn. With good guidance most students will grow to better accommodate different learning styles by becoming more adaptable and more capable of integrating information and input.

Successful coaching like successful playing is enhanced by strong problem solving skills. We can teach and students can learn if we first solve the problem of how to communicate most effectively.

Steve Kaplan is the owner and managing director of Bethpage Park Tennis Center, as well as director emeritus of Lacoste Academy for New York City Parks Foundation, and executive director and founder of Serve &Return Inc. Steve has coached more than 1,100 nationally- ranked junior players, 16 New York State high school champions, two NCAA Division 1 Singles Champions, and numerous highly-ranked touring professionals. Many of the students Steve has closely mentored have gone on 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.

Adult League Wrap-Up

By Becky Bellino

Our18 & Over Mixed Doubles League is finishing up just as the 40 & Over and 55&Over Mixed Doubles Leagues are starting.

In the 18 & Over 6.0 League, Ed Sinn’s team from Syosset took the top honors and will be representing Long Island at Sectionals in June up in Schenectady, NY. Good luck to Ed and his team! For the next issue, we will have the rest of our 18 & Over winners at the 7.0, 8.0, and 9.0 levels.

The Tri-Level Sectionals for the 3.5, 4.0, and4.5 teams took place at the end of January. The Long Island’s women’s team from Sportime Roslyn captained by Seema Imberman and Jane Walsh fought hard as did the Fayez Malik and Amani Siddiqui men’s team from Long Beach. The women finished in 5th place, and the men’s team placed fourth.

A new league that has representation in our region is the women’s 5.0 tri-level league! We have two teams participating out of Carefree and Lynbrook. The winner will advance to the Sectional in early June and play for a spot in the National Invitational. This is a brand new league and is gaining traction fast! If you are interested in playing in the league next year (men and women), please feel free to contact me.

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, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 levels. 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.

Lastly, we have the 55 & Over as well as the 65 & Over leagues which consist 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 late-August.

Captains, please mark your calendar for Thursday, April 13 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. A Zoom link will be provided to registered captains.

If anyone is looking to play on a team, please reach out to me,Becky Bellino, at Bellino@eastern.usta.com.

Dates to be aware of for Sectional Championships:

• June 2-4, 2023: 18 & Over Mixed Doubles (Location: Schenectady, N.Y.)

• June 23-25, 2023: 4.0/3.5/3.0 & 4.0/4.5/5.0 Tri-level and 55 & Over

Mixed Doubles (Location: Schenectady, N.Y.)

• August 11-14, 2023: 18 & Over

Women (Location: Schenectady, N.Y.)

• August 11-14, 2023: 40 & Over Men (Location: TBD Westchester County, N.Y.)

• August 18-21, 2023: 18 & Over Men (Location: Schenectady, N.Y.)

• August 18-21, 2023: 40 & Over

Women (Location: TBD Westchester County, N.Y.)

• September 8-10, 2023: 55 & Over Adult Leagues (Location: Schenectady, N.Y.)

• September 21-23, 2023: 40 & Over

Mixed Doubles and 65 & Over Adult Leagues (Location: Schenectady, N.Y.)

Playoff and Regional dates for the men’s and women’s summer teams will be announced once schedules are completed in April.

Becky Bellino is the new Adult League Coordinator for USTA/Long Island. A native of Bergen County, N.J., Bellino played collegiate tennis at Gettysburg College, and currently plays in USTA Adult Leagues. She may be reached at bellino@eastern.usta.com.

Seriously?

By Barbara Wyatt

Inmy own head, I felt like I was playing with John McEnroe yesterday.

In the match, I played with impressive 4.0 skills, with several strokes that showed my 4.5 talents. On forehand returns, my arms remained relaxed as I rotated my hips and trunk in a perfect smooth working order and inflicted brute force on that defenseless ball.

John nodded, pleased with my returns.

Then it happened. You know that moment: a weak return from an opponent spins the ball into the air, where it hangs like a juicy orange on a limb, begging to be picked. I saw—or thought I saw—that flimsy return that needed a crushing putaway. I narrowed my eyes and went for the kill. I smacked the ball, intended for a magnificent down the line.

"Out!" Kathi, my opponent, called, with some glee. It was a good call. Perhaps I didn't follow through over my shoulder or I wasn't balanced properly on my feet. It was my fault. I could have done better.

Then John piped in, "Seriously?" I

shook my shoulders ignoring him. His rant continued, like a repetitive loop on an old video tape. "Are you kidding? Why didn't you stay in the rally? You cannot be serious. That was not the ball to change direction." He was correct, but belittling.

Yet that voice was not the real John McEnroe on my court; it was one of my many inner voices, shouting into my ear. My mind had those overplayed videos of McEnroe's outbursts against referees and turned the words into a review of my own performance.

I still wanted inner-voice John on my shoulder. I need his steady guidance to put me back into a highlevel performance for this match. John McEnroe is a player of considerable skill and finesse, immensely competitive with a wide arsenal of shots. He mastered tennis and continued onto success as a writer, musician, and television

announcer. Yep, he's the one I want on my shoulder.

Dr. Tiff Jones of X-Factor Performance instructs her clients that tennis players can master responses to mistakes on court. In the video, "Elevating Your On Court Mental Performance", she discusses the science behind mental reactions to on-court situations and what to do in response.

I had to change what was going on in my head and escape this negative input. I gave a long exhale, commonly called "Lion's Breath." I added another touch. I reached up to my opposite shoulder and flicked that negative inner voice off.

I returned to the match filled with long, fun rallies. Yes, I made unforced errors because I am still developing my tennis game. Yet, with good inner voices, a few Lion's Breaths, and removing those negative inner voice, I can control my responses to those mistakes.

Barbara Wyatt is a Writer, Photographer, USTA Official, and Mobile App Developer of iKnowTennis!, the tennis rules app. Her poem, Ode to Tennis, an amusing poem on the joys and frustrations when learning tennis, is available at Amazon. She can be reached by email at BarbaraW@iKnowTennis.com

Sportsare supposed to be fun. They are a recreational activity and they give a person the chance to use their body, and find zest and excitement in life. When the young tennis player starts out, they fall in love with the game and can’t get enough of it. But after a period of time, they become competitive, perhaps spotted by a coach, enter leagues and tournaments to play more seriously and, voila, the fun fades and gets replaced by work, anger, anxiety and stress.

One of the most common questions I am asked by tennis players I work with is, “how do I go back to having fun on the court?” This seemingly simple question is very tough to answer because a large part of the motivation to play tennis at the highest level is unconscious. Those that get to the top are driven by their dark side which consists of feelings of inferiority and shame. Whether that comes from being bullied, tormented by an older sibling or abused by a parent or coach, the fuel to stay focused and climb all the way to the top usually derives from these negative feelings of inferiority, and the need to overcompensate to overcome them. The athlete then falls into the treadmill of effort and angst, and no matter how often they win, they still harbor unconscious feelings of shame and anger. Slowly but surely, they lose the joy, fun, creativity and playfulness they had when they first started playing.

These emotions are all crucial if one is to maintain interest and passion in the game. So how does one regain the joy of playing tennis? The answer lies in two areas.

Firstly, and maybe most importantly, one needs to learn about your true motivations. The loss of joy will often be due to the intense quest to be the best, to be superior in order to overcome feelings of inferiority. Good examples are seen in Jimmy Connors, Tiger Woods and the

The Top Ten Tennis Tips of All-Time Part Eight: Finding the Joy in Tennis

By Dr. Tom Ferraro

Williams sisters, all of who had tough upbringings and faced discrimination. They all became extremely demanding on themselves and perfectionists in order to overcompensate for their childhood shame. They slowly became internally demanding and angry. They all had high expectations as a way of escaping their feelings of lowness or inferiority.

Secondly, after insight into the unconscious dynamic is acquired, (and this is not easy), one needs to begin to have the intention to have fun and be light-hearted. This is what they mean by “taking time to smell the roses.” In the examples given above with Jimmy Connors, the Williams sisters and Tiger Woods, they were all lucky enough to have a good support system to bolster their mood and sense of joy. Connors had Pancho Segura to offer solace, while the Williams sisters had very supportive parents. Tiger Woods spent countless hours with Jay Brunza, a sport psychologist and also had very

supportive parents. Their support systems kept the love of the game alive in them by providing solace when needed.

I work with many professional athletes and when they enter slumps it is often because of a combination of overwork, anger and unrelenting pressure. Our sessions are geared towards relaxed casual conversations and as they learn to relax and have fun in therapy they are on their way to having fun and actually enjoying tennis once again. Tennis is a game; it is supposed to be fun, enjoyable and is one of the pleasures of life. It is a sad irony that those that are often the best in their craft wind up having the least fun. And when that happens, slumps, injuries and illness are on the way.

So try to remember that your goal in tennis is to have fun. Try playing with people you have fun with. Try joking around more. Try laughing more. When you begin to instill fun and playfulness in your game, you will see that winning takes care of itself. For consultations, treatment or

You Are Good Enough

By Rob Polishook

Imaginethis … you just turned pro. You play a few tournaments, and in your first year, your record is 2-3. Okay, fair enough as you’re just getting into things.

In your second year, your record is 1214. You play two Davis Cup matches and lose both and then lose in the first round of all seven outdoor tournaments you entered. You also fail to reach the main draw of the U.S. Open and Australian Open Grand Slams due to losses in the qualification rounds. Okay … so this is going to be hard.

Then, in your third year, you lose in 21 out of 38 first round matches! Your season ending record is 27-30.

In your first three years as a pro, you compile an overall record of 41-47. Hardly what you expected.

If this happened to you, how would you feel about your game? What would you think of your prospects in terms of making a living as a pro tennis player? What would you think about reaching your goals?

As a mental training coach, when I ask kids these questions, most say, “It would be rough!” others have even said, “I’d look for another job!” Well, thankfully, the fellow I am talking about above didn’t look for another job. This is the story of how Roger Federer began his professional career.

Roger and his camp must have known or believed what others didn’t: That he was “good enough” to do this. Clearly, early in his career, he was not good enough as a tennis player, otherwise he would have been winning more matches. But while it would take time and experience to get traction, he must have had an intrinsic feeling that, regardless of the mounting losses, he was good enough to keep going. This spirit would act like fuel in a car. It would allow him to persevere, learn from adversity, not overreact to losses and not judge every match as an indicator of his future or if

he was good enough.

Certainly the rest is history. Federer continues to amaze. It seems at every level he plays, whether he wins or loses, he seemingly doesn’t define himself by the outcome. Rather, his focus is on what he can control: Doing the best he can, bouncing back and improving.

Similarly, if we look from the outside in at Stephen Curry and Tom Brady, both of them were not good enough early in their college careers. If people only looked at the stats, no one would ever have predicted the greatness they have achieved. It took time for them to be the superstars they are recognized as now.

Somewhere deep inside, they must have believed, “Hey, I can do this.” Seemingly, they were comfortable where they were, being good enough at the present time as a person and athlete, not trying to rush the process to be something

they weren’t. Their real game was about learning, improving, working hard and cultivating a spirit of courage, confidence, humility, resiliency and purpose under pressure, especially when others didn’t believe. Coming from this place, even if they found they were not good enough on the athletics field, they could walk away knowing they gave 100 percent. Their score did not determine their worth, and, as people, they were good enough.

I know, you’re not Roger, Stephen or Tom … so what does this mean for you? Just like them, you are good enough! No matter what level you are currently playing at, or whether you win or lose in your next tournament, you are good enough. Don’t let others or the results be an indicator of the future. You are more than an athlete. Knowing this will provide the freedom you need to let go of the results, so that you can stop feeling like you have to prove anything to anyone, and instead, focus on what you need to do to continue progressing and bring all the attributes of who you are to the court.

That’s what the players and commentators mean when they say, “So and so is playing within themselves, they are letting the game come to them and are not forcing things.” This is the point where the magic happens. When you bring your spirit, your whole self, and your heart to the competition, the results begin to speak for themselves. Then, even if you lose on the court, you still know you are good enough!

Trust your process. Trust in that little voice that says: “I can do this.”

Federer, Curry and Brady were good enough and so are you!

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

Racquet ReportSport

presented by adidas Pickleball

POP Tennis: The Padel Sport You May Not Have Heard Of

As we see a steady rise in more and more people partaking in paddle and racquet sports, most notably pickleball and tennis, there is one sport that continues to grow in popularity that you may not be completely familiar with: POP Tennis.

POP Tennis, short for POPular tennis, is a twist on paddle tennis and dates back to 1898. Played on smaller courts with shorter solid paddles, lower compression tennis balls and the same scoring and rules as tennis, POP Tennis is a great complimentary sport to tennis.

“POP Tennis is the closest complementary paddle sport to regular tennis,” said Mitch Kutner, the President of the International POP Tennis Association. “The rules and scoring are the same as tennis, except that players get one underhanded serve. The footwork, strokes and aggressive strategies from the baseline are the same as tennis, with serve & volley being a central part of the game. The court is smaller and balls are slower which helps to create fun, exciting rallies, and a lot of intense back and forth net exchanges.”

POP tennis is currently being

played in 34 states across the country, with the highest numbers of player clustered in Arizona, California and Florida. There are estimates of total players in the United States ranging between 1.25-1.5 million with hundreds of thousands more throughout Europe, India, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

Right here in New York, POP

Tennis continues to grow with courts being installed in many spots in our community. Jones Beach on the south shore of Long Island put up courts last year, as did many other beach clubs near Breezy Point and Coney Island.

In addition, Rye Raquet Club in Westchester has courts, as does Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village in New York City. Not to mention the array of private courts being put in many backyards across the Northeast.

“Seeing the growth over the past few years at country clubs, tennis facilities, retirement communities, gated communities, private residential backyard courts and many players buying portable nets and setting up temporary courts,” added Kutner. “A great workout and POP is an equalizer as players of different ages and ability levels can all get on the same court and have fun recreationally. POP is tennis, just an easier version. POP can be played year round, indoor or outdoor on all surfaces including hard court, clay, grass/artificial turf, modular sports tile and hard sand on the beach.”

You can learn more about POP tennis and find great products by visiting AllRacquetSports.com/Pop-Tennis.

Peter Cooper Village in New York City features POP Tennis

COMING IN MAY

Distribution scheduled for 05/01/23

This edition will feature:

• Tennis in the Hamptons

• Pickleball on Long Island

• LI Boys’ High School Tennis

• Apparel Store Guide

• 2023 French Open 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!

Don’t miss the advertising opportunities in the next edition of Long Island Tennis Magazine May/June 2023!

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Submissions for both advertising and editorial are due by April 3, 2023

For more information, please call 516-409-4444 or e-mail Advertise@LITennisMag.com