Long Island Tennis Magazine by United Sports Publications

LITennisMag.com • September/October 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

DEDICATION. MOTIVATION. SUCCESS. I was lucky enough to have an amazing coach that shared this incredible poem with me at a very young age and subsequently sent it every single year on my birthday. Please take a moment and read these inspiring words that I know

“Don’t Quit” When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low but the debts are high, And you want to smile but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must, but don’t you quit. Life is strange with its twists and turns, As every one of us sometimes learns, And many failures turn about When we might have won had we stuck it out. Don’t give up though the pace seems slow— You may succeed with another blow. Success is failure turned inside out— The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, You can never tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far; It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

PARSA SAMII

Long Island Founding Agent Compass Sports & Entertainment Division The Traci Conway Clinton Team Licensed Real Estate Salesperson M 516.965.7445 | O 516.517.4751 parsa@compass.com

Long Island Tennis Magazine • September/October 2022 • LITennisMag.com PARSA SAMII IS A REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON AFFILIATED WITH COMPASS. COMPASS IS A LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER AND ABIDES BY EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY LAWS.

Adult League Wrap-Up By Becky Bellino

all has officially arrived, and Long Island showed up strong this year in our 2022 Adult League season, and has now rolled right into our Mixed Doubles and Tri-Level leagues. Long Island had an incredible showing at Sectionals this season with many of our teams making the trip to Nationals. Below are some of Long Island’s Sectional champions who made it to Nationals. Congratulations to all involved!

18 & Over 3.5 Men Sectional Champions • Adam Moramarco's team from Christopher Morley Tennis Center 18 & Over 4.0 Women Sectional Champions • Jamie Stickney and Dorian Consiglio's team from EAC - Blue Point

40 & Over 3.0 Men Sectional Champions • Rob Kronenberg's team from LI Health and Racquet Club 40 & Over 3.5 Men Sectional Champions • Bill Carson's team from Sportime, Kings Park 55 & Over 8.0 Men Sectional Champions • Russ DiFazio and Owen Kassimir's team from Sportime, Kings Park 55 & Over 9.0 Men Sectional Champions • Al Rosner and Wyn Mintz's team from Jericho Westbury Tennis

With our players can’t stop/won’t stop mentality, they are now in the midst of our Mixed Doubles and Tri-Level seasons. If you are interested in joining one of these teams, registration is open until January 15. There is also an expressed interest in a 55 & Over Mixed Doubles League. Players are needed, so please reach out to me if you are interested in joining or captaining! Our 40 & Over Mixed Doubles league will start up in the early part of 2023. To register your team, an email to former captains will be sent in November so be on the lookout!

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. LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

November/December 2022 • Volume 14, Number 6

Table Of Contents

litennis Long Island Tennis Magazine

Roger’s Retirement

MAGAZINE

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

Staff David Sickmen Publisher (516) 409-4444, ext. 309 david@usptennis.com Brian Coleman Senior Editor (516) 409-4444, ext. 326 brianc@usptennis.com Joey Arendt Art Director Marie Santora-Lent Advertising Coordinator (516) 409-4444, ext. 301 marie@usptennis.com

Photo credit: Darren Caroll/USTA

Highlights 6 Courts & Cocktails Returns 8 Handelman, Forsythe Win Pickleball Open Pro Doubles Division 24 Junior Player Spotlight: Ines Roti, Glen Head Racquet Club By Brian Coleman 28 A Look Back at High School Individual County Championships… 34 2022 Long Island Tennis Magazine’s Coaches Roundtable Discussion 46 Long Island Tennis Magazine Closes Out Summer in the Hamptons 50 2022 Holiday Gift Guide

Emilie Katz Assistant Marketing Coordinator

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Barbara Wyatt Contributing Writer

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Rob Polishook Contributing Writer

PG 24

PG 28

PG 34

PG 50

Features 1 3 4 Advertising To receive any information regarding advertising rates, deadlines, and requirements, call (516) 409-4444 or e-mail info@usptennis.com.

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Article Submissions/Press Releases To submit any material, including articles and press releases, please call (516) 409-4444 or e-mail info@usptennis.com. The deadline for submissions is the first of the month preceding the target issue.

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Subscriptions To receive subscription information, contact (516) 409-4444 or e-mail info@usptennis.com or check out our Web site: www.litennismag.com. Fax subscription changes to (516) 409-1600. Statements of fact and opinion in Long Island Tennis Magazine are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of United Sports Publications Ltd. Long Island Tennis Magazine reserves the right to edit, reject and/or postpone the publication of any articles, information or data.

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Adult League Wrap-Up By Becky Bellino EPIC Long Island Hosts Don Luneberg Golf & Tennis Classic Fundraiser Across Long Island: News & Notes from Across the L.I. Tennis Community Halftime Chiller: The Cooler You Need The Top Tennis Tips of All-Time Part Six: The Problem of Guilt in Sports By Dr. Tom Ferraro USTA Eastern Long Island Region Awards Dinner Recap Remember, “Tennis, anyone?”…Now It’s, “Tennis, everyone!” 8 Keys to Hitting the Drop Shot Like Carlos Alcaraz By Chris Lewit Tennis By The Numbers: A closer look at some popular stats By Tonny Van De Pieterman Lesson Catchphrases By Ricky Becker Racquet Sport Report presented by adidas Pickleball The Split Step in Three Steps By Steve Kaplan Coaching the Whole Human Athlete: From Hot Head to Hero By Rob Polishook Hidden Delight By Barbara Wyatt

EPIC Long Island Hosts Don Luneberg Golf & Tennis Classic Fundraiser

espite the cold and rainy weather, hundreds came out to take part in and support the EPIC Long Island Don Luneberg Golf & Tennis Classic at The Mill River Club in Upper Brookville. The annual event is one of the key fundraising endeavors for the EPIC Long Island Family of Agencies, which has been serving communities across Nassau and Suffolk counties with a variety of programs that enrich the lives of individuals affected by epilepsy, developmental disabilities and emotional challenges. The event features both golf and tennis activities, with the golf portion consisting of multiple contests for putting, best ball, longest ball, as well as normal stroke play. The tennis portion featured a dedicated group of individuals who took part in a multitude of tennis drills and clinics led by tennis professionals from The Mill River Club. “Thank you to everyone who joined us and supported the EPIC Family of Agencies at The Don Luneburg Golf & Tennis Classic,” said Irene Rodgers, EPIC LI’s Associate Executive Director of Development and Epilepsy Services. “Despite the cold and a little rain, our

supporters were true champions. A full day of golf and tennis were enjoyed by all.” Off the court, the players enjoyed brunch and lunch throughout the day, and it concluded with cocktails and an awards dinner at the end. There were raffle tickets up for sale which coincided with an array of wonderful auction items including sports memorabilia, clothing accessories, U.S. Open tickets, experiences, jewelry and much more. This year’s event honored Ralph Ekstrand, the Village of Farmingdale Mayor, Supervising Pharmacist and Principal of Moby Drugs. Ekstrand is a longtime supporter of the EPIC Family of Agencies, and has an immense impact on the people who live in its residencies. As a result of his dedication and commitment to EPIC Long Island, Ekstrand was the event’s honoree and earned the EPIC Champion Award. EPIC Long Island has been serving the local community for more than 60 years, and continues to provide an invaluable service for so many Long Islanders. This year’s Don Luneburg Golf & Tennis Classic once again helped raise money for the

organization so it can maintain its level of service and continue to offer a wide-range of quality in-home, community, and site-based services. It is events like the Don Luneburg Golf & Tennis Classic, and those who come out to support the events such as this, that allow EPIC Long Island to continue providing all the services it does. “Our longevity as an organization and our success in improving the lives of so many people throughout the years is a direct result of being flexible in our response to the needs of the communities we serve, planning for change, expanding our array of services and from the generosity of our supporters,” Rodgers added. “Over the years, we have grown from a small support group for parents of children diagnosed with epilepsy to one of Long Island’s leading centers for providing care, education, advocacy, support and clinical services to children and adults with epilepsy, developmental or intellectual disabilities, and behavioral health challenges.” Visit EPICLI.org to learn more about the EPIC Family of Agencies, and all the work it does throughout the year.

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Across Long Isl Ziets-Segura, Li Take Girls 18s Doubles Title

High School Girls Host Pink Aid Charity Event

Veronica Walkin of Cold Spring Harbor and Anna Bell Young of Huntington continued their charitable work and raised money for Pink Aid through its co-ed tennis tournament fundraiser at Cold Spring Harbor High School. The event raised more than $3,500 for Pink Aid, the only national organization providing compassionate support and rapid emergency financial assistance to patients in treatment. To date, Walkin and Young have helped raise more than $10,000 in support of the organization.

Linda ZietsSegura, who trains at Glen Head Racquet Club, teamed up with Ava Li and the duo captured a National Level 4 Doubles title together in the Girls 18s Division. The partners did not drop a set en route to winning the Level 4 Open tournament at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club.

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Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

land

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

Bethpage Park Announces New Pickleball Director

RSTA JTT Team Wins NY Clash

Bethpage Park Tennis & Education Center has introduced its new Director of Pickleball. The club announced that Andrew LaCorte will take over the pickleball aspect of the facility, and head up its programming, clinics and events for the racquet Teams from all across the United States gathered at the sport. USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to compete in the 10U New York Clash. The courts were filled with some of the top young junior players in the country, and Team Eastern, led by the players from The Ross School Tennis Academy (RSTA) would come away victorious, with the USTA Middle States team finishing as runner-ups.

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LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

COURTS & C RETU

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ong Island Tennis Magazine’s newest event series, Courts & Cocktails, returned with a sold-out night hosted at Glen Head Racquet Club. As has come to be expected, the Courts & Cocktails event welcomed

adults in for a night of tennis, food, drinks and friends, with players turning up the intensity on the court and enjoying themselves in a social atmosphere off the court. “This was my first tennis event actually, and I had so much fun,” said

attendee Brett Goldberg. “Combining cocktails with tennis is an interesting concept but it was a great way to play tennis on a Saturday night in a fun setting. I would definitely do it again and look forward to the next one.” On court, tennis professionals

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www.PickleballPlusLLC.com 6

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

COCKTAILS URNS

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organized drills, games and competitions, with the players moving from court-to-court to switch up the pros and players with whom they were playing with. Players had their choice of lessons, games or match play. Throughout the evening, players could visit the open bar where bartenders mixed together everyone’s favorite cocktails, including the famous U.S. Open signature drink, the Honey Deuce, as well as beers and other mixed drinks. There was catered food including pizza, pasta, appetizers, salads, desserts and more. The Courts & Cocktails series provide a great way for tennis players to spend an evening during the cold winter months. This event series combines tennis with food and drinks in a social environment. The event was sponsored by USTA Eastern in partnership with Grow Tennis New York, the 501c(3) nonprofit organization of Long Island Tennis Magazine. The next Courts &

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Cocktails event will be held on Saturday, December 3 at Sportime Roslyn. “The Courts & Cocktails events continue to be successful and a fun time for everyone involved,” said David Sickmen, Publisher of Long Island Tennis Magazine. “We would like to thank our sponsors, partners, host club and participants that helped

make the night special. We look forward to hosting more of these events as we head into 2023, as we continue to grow the game and bring the community together." Be sure to visit Long Island Tennis Magazine on Facebook and Instagram to see more photos from Courts & Cocktails, and be on the lookout for future events.

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

P ICKLEBALL ON LONG ISLAND

P ICKLEBALL ON LONG I

Handelman, Forsythe Win Pickle

Erik Forsythe & Eric Handelman won the Pro Doubles Division to earn the $3,000 championship prize money

Gary & Spencer Heitzler won the Pickleball Open Members Only event

The Mixed Doubles winners, Courtney and Altman

n a beautiful late summer day out in The Hamptons, close to 100 players came out to take part in the Hamptons Pickleball Open at Tennis & Pickleball at The Barn in Westhampton, competing for a $5,000 tournament purse and additional prizes. The event featured three divisions of play spread out across the day, beginning with a doubles draw for club members of “The Barn”, followed by a 4.0+ Mixed Doubles division in the midday, and concluding with the Pro Doubles division in the afternoon. The Members Only event kicked off the day and consisted of intense pickleball play on the courts but a fun atmosphere off of it with breakfast and refreshments available to players and music playing in the background. When it was all said and done, the father-son duo of Gary & Spencer Heitzler captured the title, and each won a Halftime Chiller cooler for their win. “We tried to keep the ball in play as much as we could, and get better with each match. I think we were able to do that,” said Gary Heitzler. “We wanted to come out here and have a good time against some good competition. It was a really fun event.”Earlier this summer, the brother-sister combination of Courtney & Kevin Kowalsky won the Mixed Doubles title at Long Island Tennis Magazine’s first Hamptons Pickleball Open event in June, and the sibling pairing defended that title, using their chemistry and athleticism to play its best pickleball when it counted most. “I think the key was both of us staying confident and sticking to our game plan,” said Courtney. “Being brother and sister definitely helps us on the court. We grew up playing a lot of tennis together so we sort of know what the other one is thinking on court during matches, and that has applied to pickleball as well.”

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

G ISLAND

P ICKLEBALL ON LONG ISLAND

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leball Open Pro Doubles Division

ey and Kevin Kowalsky, with "The Barn" owner Barry Allen Fitzsimmons & Chris Ouellette were the runners-up at the Hamptons Pickleball Open Kevin added: “We kept our heads in it and placed the ball well. That’s how we ended up taking the win against some really tough competition here today, and it’s awesome to be able to win the Halftime Chiller cooler which I plan to use for future tournaments.” The duo has now won back-to-back Hamptons Pickleball Open Mixed Doubles titles and is looking forward to the next Long Island Tennis Magazine

pickleball event. “This is definitely the most fun I have at tournaments. It’s set up so well, there is always music, drinks, good food, and this facility is beautiful. Out here in the Hamptons, you can’t get a better location. It’s been awesome.”As the Mixed Doubles division finished up, the tournament transitioned to the Pro Doubles division which featured some of the best pickleball players in the Northeast. The players in the earlier

Thomas Finale & Frank Sciacca were the third-place finishers in the Pro Doubles Division at the Hamptons Pickleball Open divisions stayed to watch the pro division and enjoy the event’s festivities which included catered lunch and an open bar. The fierce competition throughout Tennis & Pickleball at The Barn’s six professional-grade pickleball courts was palpable as $5,000 in prize money, courtesy of the event’s main sponsor Tennis & Pickleball at The Barn, was up for grabs. After pool play and knockout continued on page 10

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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continued from page 9

rounds, it came down to the finalists with Eric Handelman & Erik Forsythe squaring off against Allen Fitzsimmons & Chris Ouellette. The Handelman & Forsythe duo built an early lead to move within just a couple points of the title, but Fitzsimmons & Ouellette did not go quietly. They fought back to make the match much closer and put the pressure back on Handelman & Forsythe. “Just gotta close it out,” Forsythe said of the pair’s strategy at that point. And they did just that, regrouping to halt the comeback from Fitzsimmons & Ouellette to close out the championship. “We took it one point at a time. They are a really good team, but we knew we were playing well, so we had to just focus in and let it come to us,” said Handelman. “It was a really high-level of competition all day long, and especially when there is a lot of money up for grabs, it ups the stakes and forces

everyone to elevate their game.” Forsythe echoed that sentiment: “The competition was top notch; everyone wanted that money,” he said. “It was such an awesome event. It ran smoothly, and this place is amazing. We’re looking forward to the next one.” As champions, Forsythe & Handelman earned the top prize of $3,000, while runners-up Fitzsimmons & Outlette won $1,500. In the third-place match, Thomas Finale & Frank Sciacca defeated Enrique Catter & Sam Kim to earn $500 in prize money.“We were thrilled to host the Pickleball Open once again. The excitement for the event was real, and the entire day of events was a wonderful success,” said Barry Altman, Owner of Tennis & Pickleball at The Barn. “It was great to see two sets of family members win titles, and that is one of the things that makes the sport uniquely fun. We’re excited to host more of these in the future, and thanks to everyone who

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

came out and supported the event.” "We have been running events for multiple racquet sports for over a decade all around the Metropolitan area, and we just recently entered into the pickleball world, and were thrilled to team up with Barry Altman and Tennis & Pickleball at The Barn," said David Sickmen, Owner of Long Island Tennis Magazine. "When we run events, we like to make sure that in addition to the competitiveness on-court, players and fans can enjoy the fun atmosphere off court. Tournament Director David Radisch did a great job making the event run smoothly, and the catered breakfast, lunch and open bar kept everyone well-fed and well-"hydrated". The best part is the pickleball world is filled with great people who were a pleasure to get to know, and we would like to especially thank our sponsors Tennis & Pickleball at The Barn, adidas and Halftime Chiller. This was a real team effort all around!”

Halftime Chiller – The Cooler You Need ave you been searching for the perfect cooler that not only holds and keeps your drinks cold, but also doubles as a storage unit for your racquet sport needs? Well, Halftime Chiller has you covered. Inspired by a vintage oak whiskey barrel, the Halftime Chiller is a one-ofa-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: Pressure lock system • Fill the bottom half with ice, drinks & snacks • Holds 24 bottles and cans • Stays cold for hours

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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. 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.

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

The Top Ten Tennis Tips of All-Time Part Six:

The Problem of Guilt in Sports ven though it’s rarely talked about, guilt is one of these hidden emotions that influences many athletes, whether they are amateurs or pros. Guilt is felt when a tennis player pities are weaker opponent, or when a player fails to win a match and chastises themselves with self-ridicule. If a

player is guilty about making a mistake, they will get angry, ruminate, get distracted, feel deflated and be unable to get beyond their mistake. This is how guilt becomes self-punishment. Sometimes winning will make an athlete feel separate from their past identity or their family and this can

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

By Dr. Tom Ferraro

produce enough guilt to produce self-sabotage. Most pros must learn how to handle guilt since they have no choice but to say “no” to the endless requests demanded of them from fans who want autographs, media who want interviews or endorsers who want time with them. And if the pro does not master the guilt of saying “no”, they will soon be saying yes to everyone and quickly burnout by overextending themselves. There is little mention of the word guilt in standard sport psychology texts, since almost all of those authors abhor Freud, who was the first to talk seriously about guilt and how it impacts most people. Guilt is a complex moral emotion and is connected to many other emotions and is seated in an unconscious part of the mind referred to as our superego. When we feel we have compromised our standard of conduct, this produces shame, anxiety, anger, and the need for punishment. Examples of

guilt are seen when a talented player tends to lose to weaker opponents. This often occurs because the more talented player unconsciously pities the weaker player and feels shame and remorse if they were to beat them. I have collaborated with boxers who have extreme guilt about hurting their opponents in the ring and when we remove this inhibiting guilt they often result in TKO’s and first round knockout wins. Guilt is a necessary emotion for humans since it allows us to control our aggressive and our sexual impulses which insures a stable society. We learn to experience guilt through parents, teachers, religious and governmental institutions. Without guilt, civilization would quickly fall into chaos. But too much guilt surely produces problems on the tennis court since it inhibits our aggression and our killer instinct.

The way I work with tennis players to remove self-defeating guilt is first by discussing these dynamics which are unconscious. When we make it conscious, we have a chance of altering it to make it more reasonable which allows the player to contact their power and will to win without any conflict. Guilt is often the player’s most difficult enemy largely because it is

invisible. A tennis amateur or professional who wants to achieve world class status must master the unconscious tendency to feel guilty when winning or making mistakes. This is one of the secret ingredients of the greats in tennis. And when guilt is removed one of the pleasant consequences is that they enjoy their matches much more and they win more as well.

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

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LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Roger’s Retirement n one of the most emotional sports scenes we have seen in quite some time, Roger Federer closed the curtain on his professional tennis career at the Laver Cup in London. There he sat, next to his good friend and rival Rafael Nadal as the nearly 18,000 fans inside the O2 Arena, as well as both competing teams, gave him a tribute that left both he and Nadal in tears. “I’m a sensitive person, when you see someone you appreciate saying goodbye, it’s hard not to get emotional,” said Nadal. “It got a little out of hand, and the worst thing is that when I went to the dressing room it happened again. It was difficult for it not to happen because of everything that was experienced that night.” Federer’s final professional match was in doubles alongside Nadal competing for Team Europe in the annual exhibition event that is the Laver Cup. They would fall to the American duo Frances Tiafoe & Jack Sock of Team World, but the match was much more significant than the final score. “I enjoyed tying my shoes one more time. The match was great. I couldn’t be happier, it’s been wonderful,” said Federer. “And, of course, playing with Rafa on the same team and having the guys—everybody here, all the legends—thank you.” To have Federer and Nadal compete alongside one another was a fitting conclusion to the pair’s tennis story together, as their rivalry become a central part of the sport, and helped propel it forward for nearly two decades. Their contrasting styles made for some of the most compelling sporting events, with Nadal’s relentless, physical style juxtaposed with Federer’s grace, seemingly moving on the tennis court as if he was running on a cloud. You can’t tell the story of Nadal’s career without mentioning Federer, and vice versa, so it made sense to see how emotional the two were as Federer said his goodbyes. “When Roger leaves the tour, an important part of my life is leaving too because all the moments he has been next to or in front of me in important moments of my life,” Nadal explained. “So it has been emotional to see the family, see all the people. Yeah, it’s difficult to describe, but an amazing moment.” The tour now moves forward without Federer, and while that signifies the end of the Big Three era, his impact will be forever stamped in the game of tennis. Turning pro before the turn of the century, Federer competed at the highest level of the game for 24

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Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

federer continued from page 14

years and racked up 103 singles titles and 20 major titles. For much of the last 15 years, the Swiss Maestro has been regarded as the greatest male tennis player of alltime. That mantle has been passed around like a hot potato, being shuffled

between himself, Nadal and Novak Djokovic, and depending on who you ask, you may get three different answers as to who the greatest actually is. While that debate will continue to linger, there will never be anyone like

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

Federer, and he had many of his greatest career moments right here in New York. He won five consecutive U.S. Open titles from 2004-2008, and he still looks back on his first triumph in the Big Apple as one of his fondest memories from his career. “For me, the most special is the U.S. Open final against Lleyton Hewitt where I won 6-0, 7-6, 6-0,” he told Eurosport referring to the 2004 final. “It doesn’t happen like this in a Grand Slam finals that you take off like that for a set, have a little wobble in the second set, then you dominate in the third again. I showed the world that I was a deserving world number one, and against a guy I respect so much. I feel like if I look back, I would almost like to play that match again.” His primary dominance came on the grass courts of the All-England Club in London, a surface and location that played host to his eight Wimbledon titles. Federer and Wimbledon just seemed like the perfect match, combining Federer’s ballerina-like grace with the charm and tradition of Wimbledon. He won nearly

half of his 20 majors there, and it was in fact the site of his last professional match prior to this year’s Laver Cup. Federer lost to Hubert Hurkacz in the quarterfinals of the 2021 Wimbledon championships, losing the final set in an unceremoniously 0-6 fashion. Just a couple of weeks prior, in Halle, Germany, was when Federer came to the realization that he probably wouldn’t be able to win Wimbledon, and started the process of him coming to the decision to retire. “What I do remember is when I lost to Felix in Halle, I cried after the match and I knew I will not win Wimbledon,” he said in the lead-up to the 2022 Laver Cup. “So I was realistic about my chances at Wimbledon. Once you are in the moment, you try to convince yourself, to go for it at all costs. I knew that it was going to be really, really difficult to win Wimbledon.” As that mindset crept in, and combined with persistent knee injuries, the process of considering retirement began, culminating with his official decision earlier this fall. He shared the message on social media, reading in part: “As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I also know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear. I am 41-years-old. I have played more than 1500 matches over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career.” His message was met with responses on social media from tennis players, other professional athletes, celebrities, politicians, world leaders, and of course, countless fans of his. And at the Laver Cup in London, the same city that was the setting for so many of his greatest career achievements, Federer said goodbye to the sport of professional tennis, surrounded by some of his dearest friends, wife Mirka, and their four children. It was a time to honor his greatness, but also represented the

ushering in of a new era, something Federer is excited for: “I’ve always been a big supporter of the future of the game and I really think it’s been a great last few years,” he said. “The game always creates superstars and creates great stories, and so for me, I never worry about the game.” He even referenced the beginning of his career, when the same sorts of concerns were being had about the future of the sport.

“People thought tennis was not so cool and great anymore once Sampras and Agassi retired. Here I was like, ‘I’m sorry, it’s kind of me also, with [Andy] Roddick and [Juan Carlos] Ferrero and [Lleyton] Hewitt especially. So for me to now look at the future, I know it’s incredibly bright and we don’t have to worry about it on either side, men or women. I think it’s going to be great and I will be following it closely of course.”

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USTA Eastern Long Island Region 32nd Annual LI Awards Dinner

he USTA Long Island Regional Council was excited to celebrate the honorees at its 32nd Annual Awards Dinner this past September. Awardees represented Nassau and Suffolk Counties, public and private tennis facilities, schools and community organizations and included those from the youngest Net Generation players to those who have been competing for many years. “The awards dinner was a wonderful evening of getting together as a tennis community and recognizing all that’s wonderful in Long Island tennis,” said Jonathan Klee, Long Island Regional Director. “Our Council members worked hard to create a great evening and we all had a fantastic time celebrating the achievements of individuals, facilities and organizations who have gone above and beyond, both on the court and off.” Below we profile some of the 2022 honorees. To see a complete list of this year’s awardees, as well as a comprehensive history of past Long Island awards, visit www.longisland.usta.com . All of the photos from the evening are available for downloading, saving, sharing and printing at www.longisland.usta.com. If you share your photos on social media, please include #ustaliawards2022.

Rich Hume: Hy Zausner Lifetime Achievement Award The Hy Zausner award recognizes a lifetime of achievement both on and off the tennis court on Long Island. It is given in memory of Zausner, the founder of the Port Washington Tennis Academy, who believed in giving back to others; he built his tennis academy in 1996 to give the community an activity, keep children out of trouble and steer them away from alcohol and drugs. Honoree Rich Hume has had a long volunteer career in the local tennis community. He founded the Tennis Association of Farmingdale, Inc. (TAF) in 1976 and continues to runs this nonprofit to provide greater opportunities for playing tennis in the area by maintaining a ladder system for outdoor play during the summer. In the 2020 pandemic year, following the USTAestablished guidelines for safe play, the TAF was able to start up the ladders; two-thirds of the members returned. While it was not at full capacity in 2020, the TAF provided a great outlet for those looking to get back on the tennis court outdoors. The 2021 season, which returned to the pre-2019 membership count, was extremely successful. In line with the pandemic growth of interest in tennis, there were 38% new members in 2021 and even more in 2022. The TAF is run entirely by volunteers and provides structured ladder play and other gatherings for its members. Most importantly, it has been a well-established tennis community within the Long Island region for over 40 years. Rick Leibman: Vitas Gerulaitis “For the Love of Tennis” Award Vitas Gerulaitis, former world #3 who passed away in 1994 at the age of 40, was a staunch supporter of tennis on Long Island. The award given in his name honors an individual who, like Gerulaitis, demonstrates his or her love of the game through

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

USTA Eastern Long Island Region volunteering, supporting tennis programs and helping grow tennis throughout Long Island. Rick Leibman has been a fixture in Long Island tennis for decades, as a teaching pro and competitive player in USTA and Europe Satellite Circuit events. He was director of tennis at the Great Neck Park District from 1983-2001 and since then has been director of tennis at Shelter Rock Tennis Center. He has been ranked as high as #2 on Long Island in USTA age group categories and was a finalist at the National Grass Courts 60's in 2016. He has played on many USTA ETA teams and has run country club leagues for many years. He also was the Coach of St. John University tennis for five years. In addition to his tennis instruction, Rick has been involved in many charity events and Pro-Ams at Shelter Rock including “Play For Pink.” Shabir Mohammed: Arthur Ashe Multi-Cultural Award The Arthur Ashe Award is given in memory of former world #1 Arthur Ashe, the first African American player selected to the US Davis Cup Team. This award is given to a tennis player who embraces diversity, serves as an ambassador for the game of tennis, exhibits unmatched sportsmanship and shares his or her love of the game with others. Shabir Mohammed is the former Director of the Nassau Tennis Center in Inwood and Head Pro at the Village of Lawrence Country Club. He has been a tennis pro on the South Shore for decades and has taught and directed programing at many clubs across Long Island. He has had a longstanding dedication to teaching and sharing his love of the game with adults, juniors and players of all nationalities and ages. Bursztyn Family: Rose Buck Scalamandre Tennis Family of the Year Award Rose Buck Scalamandre, the owner of Freeport Indoor Tennis, was an avid supporter of the USTA Long Island Region and, for many years, donated court time free of charge to the Nassau County High School Counties’ Tennis Tournament in case of inclement weather. The award in her name is presented to a family whose members foster the love of the game among new

generations and support tennis on Long Island by either playing tennis or volunteering their time and abilities to grow the game and serve the community. The Bursztyn Family – Diego, Amy, Aron (17) and Gabriel (15) -- are a true tennis family and have played at World Gym Setauket for many years. Both boys started playing at age 4 and have competed in both USTA tournaments and Junior Team Tennis. Aron is the current Suffolk County doubles champion and finished 3rd at States in 2022. He graduated from Ward Melville High this past spring and attends Salisbury University, where he won a tennis scholarship and plays for their team. He is ranked #6 on Long Island in Boys’ 18s. He also works as a junior tennis pro at Long Island Health and Racquet. Gabriel won the Suffolk County doubles title last year. He is a junior at Ward Melville, where he plays on the school team and participates in USTA Tournaments. Amy competes on several USTA League teams and has been a League Captain as well. She also plays on an A-1 North Shore Women’s Tennis League and is actively involved in several tennis charities. Diego also is a highly skilled tennis player who competes on USTA teams. Both parents spend a great deal of time supporting their boys’ tennis journey and giving back to others in the tennis community. Covert Elementary School, Rockville Centre: 10-and-Under Tennis Award This award recognizes an individual or program that is focused on introducing tennis to young children. In 2022, Covert teachers Danielle Blocker and Melanie Rubin created a tennis enrichment program for students in grades kindergarten through second. The students learned tennis skills thanks to these new “enrichment clusters.” Participants met five times with Long Island volunteers. USTA Eastern supplied Net Generation equipment and prizes. The children loved their tennis programming learned a great deal.

USTA Eastern Long Island Regional Council Executive Committee Jonathan Klee, Regional Director Michael Pavlides, Past Regional Director Sunny Fishkind, Vice Regional Director Randi Wilkins, Secretary Neil Thakur, Manager, School Tennis and Long Island & Metro Region CTC www.longisland.usta.com • Follow USTA Long Island on Facebook: Play Tennis Long Island LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

U S TA E A S T E R N L O N G I S L A N D R E G I O N

32nd ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S to All Award Winners from The USTA Eastern Long Island Region’s 32nd Annual Awards Ceremony

Congratulations to Carefree Racquet Club for winning the Daniel Burgess Sr. Community Service Award, well-deserved!

Congratulations to Steven Ferrantello on winning the Suffolk County Coach of the Year Award. You are a great ambassador for high school tennis, and your efforts are appreciated!

SPORTIME CLUBS HOME OF THE JOHN MCENROE TENNIS ACADEMY CONGRATULATES ALL WINNERS, AND ESPECIALLY OUR SPORTIME PLAYERS, MEMBERS AND COACHES, FOR BEING RECOGNIZED AT THE

32ND ANNUAL USTA LONG ISLAND REGION 2022 AWARDS CEREMONY

For a full list of winners, please scan the code or visit our website at www.sportimeny.com

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

U S TA E A S T E R N L O N G I S L A N D R E G I O N

32nd ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER Congratulations Nicholas Murphy and Jack Louchheim 2022 Winners - USTA Innovative Tennis Program of the Year BHCCRC Youth Tennis Program

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

U S TA E A S T E R N L O N G I S L A N D R E G I O N

32nd ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S to All Award Winners from The USTA Eastern Long Island Region’s 32nd Annual Awards Ceremony

Congratulations to SSLI’s Athletic Director COURTNEY ATHENAS on this well deserved award. We're so proud of you! Schechter School of Long Island Board of Trustees, Administration, Faculty & Students

Congrats to Dasha Perﬁliev & Ellie Ross, the best girls’ doubles team in New York State! Proud of how you represent Long Island on and off the court.

The Tennis Association of Farmingdale (TAF) congratulates our President, Richard Hume, on receiving the Hy Zausner Lifetime Achievement Award for his tireless efforts promoting recreational tennis on LI. The TAF ladder is 47 years old and still going strong!

Your passion for tennis is appreciated! Congrats to Michelle Stoerback on winning the Madeline Zausner Junior Tournament Director Award, and Hailey Stoerback for being named Junior Volunteer of the Year.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

Remember “Tennis, Anyone?”…Now It’s “Tennis Everyone!” fforts to bring the sport—and all the athletic, scholastic and health benefits that it can help engender— to underserved youngsters around the country, have long been a goal, not just of the USTA, but of organizations in cities around the country. They are supported by civic institutions, donors, and various groups and corporations involved in the tennis world. A current example of how an emerging international brand of tennis apparel is bringing support and joy to inner-city kids has come to our attention, and we hope it inspires others to reach out in kind. inPhorm, which produces comfortable, stylish and sustainable tennis, golf and athleisure wear, has from its inception in 2008 been aiding several programs with donations of tennis outfits. Its founder and designer, Saad Hajidin, sent us this note and photos that show the joyful reaction of the kids. It comes from Anne Star, a Board Member of the Pete Brown Junior Tennis Program in Los Angeles, which provides

inner-city kids with tennis lessons and clothing, and an involving experience that points them to better health practices, community involvement and success in school and their future lives. Pete Brown was an esteemed athlete, coach and educator with a lifelong commitment to enriching the lives of children living near the Harvard Tennis Park community in Los Angeles. He devoted his time to PBJTP for 40 years until his death in 2009. To learn more

about PBJPT, go to www.pbjtp.org Star wrote to Hajidin: “I wanted to let you know that your beautiful inPhorm clothes are being loved! I asked for donations from my friends and raised over $7,000 for our program!! And all our inner-city girls received a special assortment as well as many of the moms. Nearly every person admired how nice the quality is and how beautiful the garments are. When I handed out special bags to each of the girls, I got big hugs and there was a lot of squealing going on! Lol! You made a big group of girls very very happy today! Probably the nicest tennis apparel they have ever had! So a huge thank you, Saad! I am beyond grateful and all those hugs I received today were really for you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!” Hajidin and the whole inPhorm family sent back hugs to Anne and to PBJT’s dedicated staff — and, of course, to the kids. To learn more about inPhorm. go to www.inphormnyc.com.

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spo

Junior Player

spotlight By Brian Coleman

Ines Roti Glen Head Racquet Club or any high-level junior tennis player who is approaching the end of their high-school career, making the crucial decision of where to embark on the next chapter of their life can often times be a difficult one. For Ines Roti, she knew exactly what she wanted in her collegiate choice, exploring her different options for the one that provided an atmosphere for her to thrive both as a tennis player and a student. So earlier this fall, Roti decided to commit to Davidson College and take her talents down to North Carolina. “During my college search, the main thing I was looking for was an environment that had a competitive sports program as well as having outstanding academics, which I felt Davidson had,” said Roti. “From their rigorous liberal arts education to their amazing tennis team, I felt Davidson had the best of both worlds for me to thrive in. The coaching staff there is everything and more I could wish for in coaches, and I immediately got the sense of how invested and dedicated they are in their team, along with genuinely caring about their players on and off the court.” Roti’s journey to playing Division I tennis began when

she was about four-years-old, getting her inspiration, like a lot of little kids, from her older sibling, as watching her older brother play sparked her interest in tennis. By the time she was fouryears old, she was playing in tournaments, and was fully invested in tennis. While she would play other sports growing up, tennis was always the one that stuck out. “I participated in school sports when I was in middle school; I played soccer and lacrosse, but I never really pursued other sports besides tennis,” she said. “Tennis was always my primary sport.” She explained what it is about our sport that resonated so much with her, and how her growth in tennis has helped her deal with other aspects of her life: “My passion for it grows everyday because it makes me feel fulfilled and I don’t know where I would be without it. It is such an incredible sport, I love everything about it. The feeling I get while competing and training is the greatest feeling. In addition to that, tennis has always been an outlet from any other factors off the court.” Since she was 12-years-old, Roti has been training with Adam Lee at the Glen Head Racquet Club, where she has

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

er spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior player spotlight junior

taken that passion and talent for tennis, and combined it with the toplevel training. “I love training at Glen Head because it is such a supportive atmosphere, everyone there is like my second family,” she said. “I’m so fortunate to have a coach like Adam who has helped me immensely over the years on court, and is always 100 percent invested and dedicated in making each of his players improve.” All of that has united to form a wellrounded tennis player, and Roti has seen the fruits of all of that labor pay off, especially in this past year in particular. 2022 has been a successful season competing in various USTA tournaments around the country, both in singles and doubles play. One of her Roti’s best results this year and in her junior career came back in early July when she took out the 20th ranked player in the country, Kallista Lui, at the USTA Girls 18s Clay Court National Championships in South Carolina. Prior to that, she captured the title at the Level 5 Girls 18s Championship at Robbie Wagner Tournament Training Center here on Long Island. Those are just two of the results for Roti this year that have demonstrated the growth in her game and inspires confidence in herself as she moved forward. While her improved play is the result of the hard work she has put in on the court, it is also the product of a new mindset. “At the beginning of the year, I was definitely putting a lot more pressure on myself than what I do now. I was really concerned with my results, which was definitely not the way to think,” she confessed. “When I shifted my mentality to just enjoying being on court and competing, and playing for myself, I started having my best results. I started trusted my game more, playing more freely, which came from me having more faith in myself, and having my coaches and family support me along the way.”

A key component of that shift in her mentality was also not dwelling on losses, but rather use them as a teaching tool and motivation afterwards. “Another factor that helped me grow as a player was not letting tough losses affect me. I tried my best to pick myself up and try again, and to make the next match or practice better.” It is precisely that attitude that has created an environment for Roti to

flourish, and her results and improved play have borne that out. For the past seven or eight years, the chemistry we have developed has grown stronger and stronger, and created a certain type of energy and positivity on the court,” said Lee. “It has made her wins sweeter and her losses easier. She had a fantastic junior year, and this past summer she posted some of her best results, including a win over a Top 20 player in the nation. She is committed to the game, highly motivated and has been a pleasure to work with on court. She has a phenomenal work ethic and a great personality on and off the court. She will be missed no doubt, but I am very excited for her new chapter at Davidson.” Roti will look to continue getting better as we approach the winter, and prepare herself for that next chapter: “The team at Davidson is such an amazing group. I could tell that they are supportive and kind to one another. After seeing all the great things Davidson has to offer, I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else. It really is a dream come true to pursue my academic and athletic career at Davidson College.”

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

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

8 Keys to Hitting the Drop Shot Like Carlos Alcaraz By Chris Lewit e can all learn how to hit the drop shot better by observing the master of this shot—Carlos Alcaraz—in action. Alcaraz has recently skyrocketed up the rankings to reach #1 in the world and his dropshot has become a consistent and effective weapon that he uses to tire opponents and keep them off balance. There is a funny drop shot story that I like to tell my students and their parents: I personally love the drop shot and have tried to teach it to many of my students. Over the years, however, I have noticed a lot of pushback from kids and their parents who haven’t believed in the shot and don’t see the value in practicing it. I’ve tried for years to convince juniors and parents to consider the dropshot as a valuable tool—but the resistance has persisted. Well now—with the rise of Alcaraz—I no longer have to try

and convince anybody about the effectiveness of the drop shot; ironically, rather, juniors and parents are frequently seeking me out to help them with the drop shot. Alcaraz has simply made the drop shot cool again, and he has demonstrated the shot’s effectiveness at the highest levels of the game. Alcaraz has single-handedly shifted the perspective on the use of the drop shot and captured the creative minds of tennis players around the world. Here are eight keys to hitting the drop shot like Alcaraz: 1. No grip change or imperceptible grip change to maximize disguise I have conferred with Alcaraz’s team at Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy and they believe that one of the reasons that Carlos is so effective with his drop shot, especially on the forehand side, is because he has little to no grip

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

change. No grip change means the shot is unreadable. 2. Execute the drop shot when receiving slow to medium balls—rarely on very fast incoming balls Watch carefully and you will see that Carlos typically attempts a drop shot on slow to medium balls rather than fast balls. This improves his control of the shot. 3. Utilize forehand inside out drop shot pattern Alcaraz utilizes an unusual and surprising pattern where he often aims the forehand drop shot inside out. This catches the opponent off guard and is very effective. 4. Develop the surprise forehand inside in drop shot In addition to his go-to inside out pattern, Alcaraz has a good inside in drop shot ready to go if the opponent is handling the inside out favorite.

5. Stay away from the edges of the court Watch the way Alcaraz aims his drop shot with margin, typically away from the sidelines. Sometimes he will be very aggressive and locate the drop shot near the line, but more often than not he aims the ball with safety. That’s a good lesson for everyone. Too many players try to make the drop shot too good and often miss in the alley as a consequence. 6. Use the classic backhand down the line drop shot Alcaraz has an excellent backhand down the line drop shot that he disguises very well. Like Djokovic and other good two handed players, Alcaraz uses maximum disguise and no grip change with his backhand drop shot. The down the line backhand drop shot is the first pattern I teach players who are learning to experiment with the drop shot. It’s fundamental. 7. Use the drop shot as an approach The drop shot can make a fantastic entry to the net; it is an underrated approach shot. After executing the drop shot, the player can move in to the midcourt or net and play a volley rather than groundstroke on

the subsequent ball. A great strategy is to float to the midcourt after the drop shot and look to execute a volley lob over the opponent’s head. 8. Understand the court geometry to optimize the drop shot but sometimes break the rules In general, the best strategy is for the player to use the drop shot when he or she is inside the court. That’s standard practice. But the best drop shot players bend and sometimes break the rules. I have had some top ranked players who

occasionally drop shot successfully moving backwards and also on the run wide for example. While it’s riskier, with risk sometimes comes great reward because the opponent will not expect a drop shot in those situations. Final thoughts It’s such a breath of fresh air to see Alcaraz on the big stage playing creative drop shots. It’s a shot that adds a lot of fun and excitement to a match. I hope these eight keys help you develop your drop shot skill and effectiveness. Vamos!

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.

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

2022 Long Island Girls’ High t the time of publication, the high school playoffs on Long Island were still being played. Below are recaps of the individual county championships that were completed before this magazine was published. Be sure to check out LITennisMag.com for articles on all the high school action, and look for the full recap in the January/February 2023 edition.

Friends Academy's Sha Repeats as Nassau County Singles Champion

From Left to Right: Nyla Gershfeld (Hewlett), Nina Wiese (Garden City), Isabella Sha (Friends Academy), Nicolette Loeffler (Cold Spring Harbor) riends Academy senior Isabella Sha repeated as Nassau County singles champion, defeating Nicolette Loeffler of Cold Spring Harbor in a rematch of the 2021 county final. “I definitely focused a lot of my energy into winning this, but I tried not to think about the pressure of defending it, and instead just went match-by-match,” said Sha. “We had some great competition here this weekend so I just needed to play my best.” While she tried to avoid the pressure of being the defending champion, Sha began the

championship match with a bit of nerves as Loeffler, who defeated Sha during the regular season matchup between Cold Spring Harbor and Friends Academy, raced out to an early 3-0 lead in the opening set. But Sha made the necessary adjustments to turn the tide in the first set, and managed to win seven of the set’s final nine games to claim the opener 7-5. “Isabella is a dream for a coach. She is a great player but she also listens very well and is always willing to change things up,” said Friends Academy head coach Owen Kassimir. “She says she is

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

h School RECAP always talking to herself during the match and telling herself what adjustments to make, and we can reinforce those during the changeovers. After she went down 0-3, she did just that, stayed in the match and was able to prevail.” Loeffler would begin the second set with a break of serve, but Sha halted any chance of a comeback by breaking right back, and rattling off the next few games to close out the match, and win her second consecutive county singles title 7-5, 6-1. “I always look forward to playing against Nicolette, we’ve played a lot before both in practices and matches,

and she’s a great player,” said Sha. “I didn’t perform my best earlier this season, and I’m glad I was able to shake that off and play my best today.” The win qualified Sha for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Championships. “It’s my last season, so I am going to go up there and play my game, and hope for the best.” Joining Sha as Nassau County representatives at the state tournament will be Loeffler, as well as Garden City’s Nina Weise, who defeated Nyla Gershfeld of Hewlett 6-2, 6-2 in the third-place match.

Perfiliev, Ross Win Third Straight Nassau County Doubles Title

For the third consecutive season, Dasha Perfiliev & Ellie Ross of Port Washington are the Nassau doubles champions It’s a three-peat. Port Washington seniors Dasha Perfiliev & Ellie Ross are the Nassau County doubles champions for a third consecutive season, as the duo beat Great Neck South’s Madison Lee & Kira Diaz 6-2, 6-3 in the final. “It’s definitely exciting,” said Ross. “This year we knew there were some good new doubles teams here,

so we knew we had to get it together and play really good tennis to win. We were able to do that and pull through.” In seeking their third straight title, the pairing had to first defeat Manhasset’s Evangelina Vases & Diane Durante in the semifinals, putting them into a finals matchup with the duo from Great Neck South.

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

2022 long island girls high school recap continued from page 00

After winning the opening set, Perfiliev & Ross went up a break in the second, only to see that lead erased as Perfiliev was broken right back. But demonstrating the focus that has made them such a formidable team, the Port senior tandem turned up their focus and were able to get the break back to take the 4-3 lead. After Ross held serve to go ahead 5-3, the pair was determined to close the final out right there. It took a few tries as Diaz & Lee did not go away quietly, but after multiple match points, Perfiliev & Ross would finally close it on match point number six. On trying to win that final point, Perfiliev said: “You can’t think of it as a match point, you have to treat it as any other point, trust your game and just play tennis.” Perfiliev & Ross have been key parts of the Port Washington tennis program for several years now, and head coach Shane Helfner has seen the two grow as players over that time span. “It’s been so fun to watch them grow from the time

they came into the program until now,” he said. “What’s so special to me is that while they have always been at the top of their game, everything now seems a little finer tuned. Ellie’s serve has become much bigger and more efficient, and Dasha has become more dominant at the net, things like that. I just love that they are always looking to improve and get every edge they can get.” The duo now looks to defend their title at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Championships. “Coming into high school tennis, I never would have expected to win counties three times, and win a state title. It seems unfathomable,” said Perfiliev. “But hard work and dedication pays off, and we’re looking forward to states.” Heading up to states with Perfiliev & Ross are Diaz & Lee from Great Neck South, third-place finishers Anika Tolat & Ava Veneziano, and Durante & Vases of Manhasset.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

Matos Repeats as Suffolk County Singles Champion Westhampton Beach’s Buchen, Stabile Take Doubles he first two days of the Suffolk County Sectional Individual Championships took place outdoors on the hard courts of Smithtown East High School, but rain forced the finals to be moved indoors to the Har-Tru clay courts of the Long Island Health & Racquet Club in Setauket. Longwood’s Victoria Matos was able to overcome those challenges, and fought back from a set down to defeat Kira Kronenberg of Ward Melville 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 and claim the county singles title for a second straight season. “It’s definitely different,” said Matos. “Playing outdoors on the hard courts, the pace is a lot faster, and then coming here to play on the indoor clay was an adjustment. This is the club where I train, so I am used to it, and you just have to make sure you adjust your feet with every shot.” Between the new surface and location and the pressure of repeating as county champion, Matos came out of the gates a

bit slow in the opening set. To add to that, Kronenberg came to play and used her defensive prowess to chase down a lot of Matos’ shots, and pulled away late to win the first set. “She was playing great and digging for every ball,” said Matos. “I just had to keep rallying with her and try to stay consistent. When I did that, it helped me out mentally. I just had to forget the first set completely and reset.” Longwood’s head coach Justin Firenze added: “She was a little bit anxious and going for it very early in the points. We talked about slowing down, working the point more, and being patiently aggressive. We talked about still going for her shots, but working the point more and then going for it. Once she did and that settled down, she was playing her game.” In the third-place match, Smithtown East’s Anya Konopka defeated Maria Perez of Middle Country. The doubles championships were completed at Smithtown East High School, with the tandem of Julia Stabile & Matilda Buchen of Westhampton Beach claiming the county title. The duo defeated Bayport-Blue Point’s Emilia Romano & Ella Romano 6-3, 6-2, in the championship. The third-place match was an all-Harborfields affair, with the team of Aya Deckman & Josie Rudloff beating Isabella Frangione & Victoria Frangione.

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2022 LONG ISLAND TENNIS MAGAZINE’S

Coaches Roundtable Discussion T

he local tennis community boasts some of the top coaches in the world, and with this wealth of talent available, Long Island Tennis Magazine took the opportunity to pick the brains of some of these coaches. These coaches share their thoughts on a wide variety of tennis topics and issues, ranging from junior tennis to the professional game.

Meet the participants … Ricky Becker is The Director of Tennis at the Glen Oaks Club. He 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.

award winner and two-time national coaching champion who has spoken at several conferences and USPTA World Conferences. After playing collegiate tennis at Jackson State University (MS), he has spent an extensive amount of time coaching players and leading high-performing teams throughout the tennis industry. He holds a B.S. in Management and M.S. in Sports Management and certifications from USPTA, PTR, Academia De SanchezCasal, and IPTPA.

Vinicius Carmo is the Director of Tennis at the Ross School Tennis Academy. A former standout player from Brazil, Carmo attended the University of Tennessee on a full tennis scholarship, before moving on to direct several prestigous tennis programs in the Hamptons before going to RSTA. Carmo has expanded the program to include events, competitive training techniques and more, using his NCAA experience and extensive connections to help RSTA graduates in the next stage of their tennis careers.

Dale Evans is the Director of Tennis Operations at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Originally from Oakland, CA, he is a two-time tennis industry national

Ed Krass coached the Harvard Women’s Tennis Team to four consecutive Ivy League titles from 1986-1990. Ed is the founder and director of the Annual College Tennis Exposure

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

Camps, which are taught exclusively by all head college coaches for high school-aged players (15-18). Ed is also the founder of One-On-One Doubles tournaments, which have been played at USTA, ATP, ITA and USPTA national events. Adam Lee is the Director of Junior Development at Glen Head Racquet and Fitness. He was a threeyear captain at Wake Forest where he still holds the program record for singles victories, and achieved an ATP ranking. He has worked with Top 500 ATP Tour players as well as top nationallyranked juniors, and has USPTA, ITPA, Certified Tennis Performance Specialist and GPTCA coaching certifications. 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

2022 LONG ISLAND TENNIS MAGAZINE’S

Coaches Roundtable Discussion Manchester, VT, where players can live and train the Spanish Way fulltime or short-term. Greg Lumpkin is the Associate JMTA Director at Sportime Syosset, the Long Island annex of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy. A Long Island native, Lumpkin attended Hofstra University on an academic scholarship to study physics, and earned a spot on the varsity tennis team as a walk-on. He also spent time working under a world-renowned physical therapist from whom he learned about injury prevention, treatment and management, as well as kinesiology and biomechanics. Ben Marks is Director of Junior Tennis at Carefree Racquet Club, and Director of Tennis at Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club. He previously worked at the John

McEnroe Tennis Academy, and was the Cold Spring Harbor Varsity Head Coach for three years, earning Nassau County Coach of the Year Honors in 2014. He played number one and number two singles for Norfolk State University, and number one doubles—reaching a career-high regional ranking of ninth in the Atlantic Region. He is a 2015 National Open Doubles Champion. In 2018, he was named USTA Long Island’s Tennis Professional of the Year. David Nisenson is the director of junior development at Point Set Tennis. With more than 25 years of playing and coaching experience and an unmatched competitiveness, David has quickly become one of the driving forces behind Point Set’s junior development program.

Samantha Siegel is a tennis coordinator and coach at Sportime Syosset, the Long Island annex of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy. Originally from Houston, Texas, Siegel was a top junior player, ranked as high as #200 nationally. She attended McKendree University, where she played #1 singles and doubles and was the team captain as a senior. She graduated from MU with a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Wellness. Samantha coached at the IMG Academy and the Naval Academy before joining SPORTIME and JMTA in 2015.

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

2022 LONG ISLAND TENNIS MAGAZINE’S

Coaches Roundtable Discussion The roundtable ...

How do you find the right balance between training and rest/recovery for junior tennis players? Carmo: I think every player is different and the coach needs to understand how much rest/ recovery between training is needed for each player on an individual basis. Some players play with less intensity and still do very well. These players can go for more hours and get less recovery time between sessions. Other players are very physical and need more time to recover. We also have to consider the mental part of the recovery during competition; some players can play several matches in a row and enjoy the competition. Other players will have a lot of stress and mental fatigue after a competition and need more time for recovery. Lumpkin: Rest is one of the most important parts of the training process. I believe plenty of rest should be built into the training schedule, but a player should always listen to their body. If more or less rest time is needed the schedule can be adjusted week by week. Nisenson: Tennis is such a 36

physically demanding sport. I think players need to be in tune with their bodies. You definitely need to push through soreness but not at the risk of injury. I strongly suggest a lot of stretching and yoga to make sure the flexibility is there and injuries are prevented. Mental health is an important topic that has been brought to the forefront of athletics recently. How often and how do you engage your players on their mental well-being, both on and off the court? Carmo: It is extremely important to engage in their mental well-being both on and off the court. Coaches need to listen and understand each player individually. The coach needs to understand what is going on with their players to help them perform better. Understanding and dealing with their well-being is as important as tennis practice on the court or doing fitness every day. Coaches must take time on and off the court daily to talk to their players and support them. Lewit: Mental health is often unfortunately ignored by elite coaches. Rather, the goal is winning

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

and results only. When I’m in a longterm coaching relationship, I build up a rapport and trust with the student and that connection can open up doors to talk about the player’s personal feelings and mental health. It’s important for coaches to keep the doors of communication open with other coaches, trainers, and especially parents of junior players too. Parents are often shut out of the team by coaches who mistakenly believe the parents are the problem. I see parents differently. I see them as a valuable resource and I regularly engage them to learn about my player’s well-being off the court. Marks: Aside from my regular chat with any of my students about school, tennis, and life in general and offering some advice from my own experiences, I think if I spot a student who is having mental health concerns then it has to be referred to the parent or guardian to take them for more professional help. It is not something I, or most tennis coaches are qualified to do beyond the above mentioned talking, listening and advice. Gamesmanship and cheating are always controversial

2022 LONG ISLAND TENNIS MAGAZINE’S

Coaches Roundtable Discussion topics at the junior level. How do we begin to try and eliminate those sorts of things from the game? Evans: The key to eliminating gamesmanship and cheating is the pro-activity of coaches. As tennis industry leaders, coaches must take responsibility in players’ pursuit of realistic performance goals, players’ preparation for adverse on-court situations, and cultivation of a cohesive player-parent-coach relationship. Communicating realistic performance goals to players and parents will emphasize that not winning every match is part of developing as a player. With the proper win- to-loss ratio, players should look at losses as learning opportunities, therefore diminishing the pressure to cheat. Krass: The temptation to cheat is always going to be there for players in tournaments, but event officials can play a role in preventing this. Many College matches, especially at the Division I Level, have a ref or

umpire on every court. I recommend we start paying extra for referees and charge more to play; I bet most parents would buy into this! Nisenson: Tennis is the only youth sport that is officiated by the players. At young ages players can feel internal, parental, and coaching pressures that can create that win at all costs mentality which can turn into cheating. We are trying to get more kids involved in the sport of tennis but a bad experience unfortunately can be a deterrent to new players and they may choose another sport to play. When I was in high school I officiated youth sports as a job, and a good idea would be to hire high-school age kids to be on the courts to alleviate this problem. I’m not saying they should officiate the whole match but having someone on court through the match to help on disputes would definitely help these situations. What is the current state of tennis on Long Island? How

do we continue growing and improving? Becker: To be honest, I feel like tennis on Long Island as a whole is thriving. As an independent pro in the winter I see a lot of indoor clubs and there are fewer unused courts than I can ever remember and this has been confirmed to me by other independent pros. Outdoor club directors that I speak with indicate their clubs are busier than they have been for years as well. Hopefully coaches and clubs can focus their attention a bit more to steering their younger players towards tournaments and competitive tennis even if it does not positively affect their bottom line. Lee: Tennis on Long Island has been growing every year. I believe it is important for the current pro's to continue their education and learning to provide the best knowledge for players. On top of that, more trained professionals are needed to keep the players engaged in lessons, groups, adult

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2022 LONG ISLAND TENNIS MAGAZINE’S

Coaches Roundtable Discussion or junior clinics and tournaments. This can provide players with new ideas and different methods and philosophies to the game. Lumpkin: Tennis, and other racket sports, are thriving on Long Island. If the tennis and racket sport community continues to invest in facilities I would expect participation to continue to improve. Marks: Tennis is still booming! We are still seeing hundreds of new tennis players at each of our clubs each year and it hasn't shown any signs of slowing down! One thing that we always struggle with is our players balancing their high school sports seasons with keeping up their tennis. We need coaches to allow players to continue their lessons even just once per week so they can benefit from more professional and individualized coaching. Nisenson: I think that because we are located in the northeast we always face the challenge of tennis being an expensive sport to play because we have to be able to keep the indoor facilities open. That being said I think the growth can happen from clubs just providing the best possible product on the court. What is missing from the development of American tennis on the professional stage? Becker: I’m not sure but I think every other country would like to miss the same thing we are! We have nine men in the top-50, nine women in the top-50 and nations that the casual fan may think are thriving tennis-wise pale in comparison to this. Look at baseball, basketball and hockey to 38

see all sports that are more competitive on the international stage. For someone who wants to look at it from the lens of building a legend than you can say we had Serena, Serbia has Djokovic, Switzerland has Federer and Spain has Nadal and we are one of four. Lee: Tennis has become very globalized, introducing new fresh faces with different game styles to the professional circuit and its helped players to learn and even so the young junior players are being developed differently by their coaches. Personally, American Tennis has new and improved facilities that provide top US juniors and current US professionals with a base to train and improve their strength and conditioning. Compared to Europe, America does not offer enough clay courts which is why I see our professionals focus too much on going too big on their shots, we need to focus more on variety as well as developing an all court game. Lumpkin: On the women’s side, American tennis has been incredibly successful. On the men’s side there are plenty of young prospects. I think the level of college tennis has improved considerably and it creates a pathway for players to continue to develop even if they are not ready for the professional game at 18 years of age. Marks: I don’t really see much is missing aside from a consistent grand slam winner. We have two women in the top 10, four in the top 20 and 10 in the top 50. For the men we have nine players in the top 50 and players now beginning to make deeper runs in the slams. I think we have to give it time and we will see this current group succeed more and more.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

We saw Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek win U.S. Opens, and the retirements of Roger Federer and Serena Williams. Is tennis entering a new era? Evans: Simply stated, yes. Tennis is entering what I anticipate being known as the post-golden era. With four elite champions amassing 20 or more Grand Slams each, this era will most likely be regarded as a transitional era. This seems to be similar to the transition from the golden era of American Men’s tennis in the early 2000s which gave way to a few years of parody. Nowhere has that parody been on display more than here in New York at the National Tennis Center with the last four US Open Men’s and Women’s champions being four different players. Krass: We are entering into a new era of Tennis and I think we will see more true all court players competing at the top of the Men's and Women's game. We sure will miss Roger and Serena, but it is an exciting time of tennis for sure. Lewit: Absolutely. It’s an exciting time to be a tennis fan with many new next gen players rising up the rankings and hitting the big stage. I just recently came back from a study trip in Spain where I spent a week at Carlos Alcaraz’s training home and observed his practices up close. I must say that he is the real deal, with great talent and also charisma that is a positive for the game. On the women’s side of the game, Swiatek has been on an amazing run and is having a breakout year. One of the lesser known stories in women’s tennis is the remarkable depth developing in the pro game.

2022 LONG ISLAND TENNIS MAGAZINE’S

Coaches Roundtable Discussion Siegel: It is sad to see the retirements of Federer and Serena, however I do not feel that tennis is entering a new era in regards to the men’s side. We still have Djokovic and Nadal playing and they have won three of the four Grand Slams this past year. In regards to the women’s side I do see it entering a new era and the younger players are taking over. There has been a surge in popularity of other racquet sports in recent years. Can this be beneficial to tennis? Why or why not? Evans: It is too soon to draw any correlations between the many upand-coming racquet sports and their impact on tennis. The real question we should ask is how these sports will impact the real estate footprint of tennis courts. If they create new spaces, then I can see these sports as feeders into tennis. If they repurpose tennis courts, then I can see these sports as bleeders. With

tennis’ two- year growth rate of 27 percent, we are on the right track and look forward to any newcomers helping us increase tennis participation. Krass: Other Racquet Sports are all an offshoot of tennis and ultimately help to promote our great game. I know many are fearful about the rise in pickleball popularity, but tennis needs a rising star, in racquet sports, to truly evolve into a more exciting game for all! Lee: Definitely! One example is Pickleball which is the fastest growing sport in America right now. It can help tennis players improve their hand eye coordination, allowing players to develop skills at the net with increased hand speed, reactions, and touch. Siegel: It is great to see that many other racquet sports are up and coming and have more involvement. It is beneficial to tennis as it gives players options to still play in similar aspects and be active even if it is not necessarily tennis. The skills

such as hand eye coordination and movements are similar so it makes it easy for players to interchange along with the sports and have fun doing so. What fundamental beliefs about tennis technique have you questioned or changed over time? Becker: Looking back to when I first started coaching, I know now never to change an adult’s serve grip to continental unless they are going to take follow-through with regular lessons or else it will just mess them up. I also have started to believe that while technique on volleys counts, physicality and athleticism are just as important. Evans: My fundamental technical beliefs have remained relatively the same, with slight modifications as we evolve in sports science. Tactically, however, that is a different story in two key areas: use of the drop shot and exploitation of the court’s middle third in singles.

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2022 LONG ISLAND TENNIS MAGAZINE’S

Coaches Roundtable Discussion After traveling with many players nationally, I firmly believe the drop shot should be layered into tactics early in matches to test an opponents’ vertical mobility and set his/her baseline positioning. This will create more passing lanes in the outer thirds of the court, especially for younger competitive juniors. For exploiting the middle third, the current generation has yet to embrace moving forward willingly so using deep “point builders” can be a great tactic. Kaplan: As a coach, I believe it's essential to always evolve and grow my skill set. How can I expect my students to have a growth mindset to learn, embrace challenges, overcome failures, develop skills, and believe that effort is the path to mastery if I don't lead by my example? Therefore I have learned to recognize that I must be always learning to teach most effectively. One very important technique driven concept that I have learned from my experience is to never teach a technique to a young player that will need to be "untaught" later on. This is particularly true when teaching very young players who are capable of ingraining movement patterns that are highly inefficient to unlearn at a later age. Techniques that are unsound, should not be modified to provide students with immediate gratification with the idea that such success promotes motivation. Lewit: One of the technical concepts that I have challenged and changed is that players should stay on the ground when learning groundstrokes and the serve. I have developed a method for teaching the groundstrokes and serve with controlled jumping that is much 40

more effective than traditional methods of teaching grounded technique. The game of tennis has become dramatically more airborne over the past few decades. I’m surprised to see so many coaches teaching some old school techniques—such as always staying on the ground—that have clearly become outdated. Lumpkin: From a technical aspect I think the game has progressed a lot in the last 20 years. I think players now need to be more versatile and well rounded than ever before. The advancement in racket/string technology along with the access to information has raised the level and players need to be completely proficient in all aspects of the game. How do you teach students to solve problems? Kaplan: You teach students to solve problems by providing them with problem solving tools and presenting them with problems solving opportunities. There are no tactics without technique so that to solve a court problem you must first have the ability to hit the shots that execute a tactic. Then you can explain the goal of the tactic. Finally you can present players with object oriented drills and games to instill and reinforce this skill. Coaches must be more than managers. They must be leaders and a good leader pushes a student to learn how great they can be by helping them see obstacles as objectives for success. Krass: We need to, as coaches, ask our students more questions about where and when they experience problems. We need to have them come up with the solution with some subtle leadership involved! Marks: I like to ask lots of questions

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

when I teach to try to guide students into coming up with the solution themselves. I believe eventually this will lead to the ability to problem solve on their own. However, with the developments coming down in professional tennis where coaching is being allowed more and more will this become a lost skill? Will players become more and more reliant on their coaches and less able to "figure it out" by themselves? This is something we have all grown up as players having to do, and as coaches putting a lot of emphasis on with our players. Siegel: I allow the student to make a mistake/ problem and see how they handle the outcome first. Seeing how they react then allows me to see the best way in helping them cope through the problem. Each student is different in this aspect, I have come across players who like to try and figure out the problem first, others will like to be told what exactly they should do, and then there are those who like to talk it through and work together to figure out the best solution. How do you feel about students who question you? Becker: I like it because it makes me a better coach and players who are more assertive tend to become better players. At the same though, it’s not tough to read body language to see who really has an opinion and who just wants to be rebellious. I like to say to my students, “Absorb. Don’t just reflect.” Carmo: I feel that it is valid as long as the players respect the coaches and they have a valid point. Coaches are also learning every

2022 LONG ISLAND TENNIS MAGAZINE’S

Coaches Roundtable Discussion day and some methods work differently with each player. Players can share their ideas and ask why the coach is doing a specific kind of training and what is the purpose of the training. Players also need to trust that the coach knows what he or she is doing. Questioning is ok as long as there is an understanding that the coach wants the best for their players and players feels that the coaches want the best for them. Kaplan: The most productive studentteacher relationship is interactive so it's important that students not only listen but also question. I tell students that they should listen and carefully consider everything that I tell them and then not accept it as true unless they do the following: First, ask themselves if the information makes sense? Does it reinforce or conflict with what they know about the world? Next, is it consistent with what they see as commonality in the best players so that it is likely and fundamental and not style? Finally, if it passes the first two steps, it can then be understood if it is uniquely suitable for them? It's important because students inevitably receive input from many sources and often such input will conflict. Therefore the recognition that students must take a large responsibility for their education is vital. Lewit: It depends on the situation and tone of the questions. If the student is being blatantly disrespectful than we are going to have a serious problem. However, if the student has sincere questions and wants to start a dialogue about technique or tactics or anything in his or her game, this type of communication is valuable and should be encouraged by the coach.

It’s wrong when the coach has a huge ego and doesn’t tolerate any doubts or concerns from his or her students. Many elite coaches can fall into this pattern of behavior. I believe that no matter how high your level is as a coach or what you’ve accomplished, you are only as good as your current lesson. Nisenson: I love students who question me and I strongly encourage it. Asking questions means the student is interested in learning and that’s how the relationship is built. The more dialogue there is between student and coach, the better. A lot of coaching is just words but players need to feel things within themselves and asking questions is very important part of the process. Siegel: I highly encourage my players to ask respective questions. Players whom ask questions are showing that they are willing to learn and are engaged in what they are being told. The one thing I do not allow from my students is to ask disrespectful question to any coach.

that any one coach will be the only source of information and inspiration for a young student. All young players have more than one coach even if it is not recognized or acknowledged. It takes a village to raise a child and a player. The key to making the support team of a player highly functional can be reduced to the four most important elements: First, each member should focus on their area of expertise. Second, there should be strong and fluid communication between team members. Thirdly, the values of team members should align and those values should be clearly established by the player’s family. Finally, there should be a clear hierarchy of responsibilities for each team member. Tennis is a mostly individual sport but success in junior tennis takes a team effort.

Can and should junior players have more than one coach? Carmo: I think that one coach only should be responsible for the player's strokes and development. It can get tricky when players receive information from different coaches. There is not one right way to teach tennis. Some coaches achieve the same results using different methods of coaching. I think it is ok to have more than one coach for different things a long as everyone on the team understands that only one main coach works with the player's strokes and development. Kaplan: It's unrealistic to believe LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Tennis By The Numbers A closer look at some popular stats By Tonny van de Pieterman

hen I was a young aspiring player, I often lost tennis matches by being too adventurous, which is my attempt to avoid admitting I was very impatient. I enjoyed playing the front court as much or more than staying near the baseline, and I never saw a short ball I did not want to attack. Even by the age of twelve I would try and dominate my opponents with strong shots, or I would even serve and

volley. Naturally, a game style with this risk profile produces plenty or errors. (In addition to an occasional spectacular play). After lost matches coaches would always tell me the number of unforced errors I had made. I never knew what to do with this information. (It’s not like it was my intention.) “You made 41 unforced errors today!” a coach would say. “What does that even mean,” I would respond rebelliously.

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“You’re just going for too much.” I struggled with this feedback. How can I learn from this? In hindsight, I wish the coach would have helped me with situational play. When did the errors occur? How long were the rallies before I missed? When may I give myself permission to attack and when is patience more prudent. Certainly, an unforced error at the score of 40-0 is different from one produced at 30-40, don’t you agree? Last week I was having a conversation with one of my adult clients about her most recent match. She mentioned that she had made too many unforced errors, and then she added a few more stats that she probably got from watching tennis on televsion. I told her that I was getting the gist of what she was saying, but I still could not get a good feel for the match as stats do not always paint the entire picture. I said that some stats are completely useless, and others can be counter intuitive. “What ya talking ‘bout Willis?” (She did not actually say this) I continued by asking my Harvardeducated student the following question: “After the match, what would you

rather have the stat sheet say regarding break points, 2/3 or 4/17?” She looked at me slightly confused (She suspected it was a set up): “I want to say 2/3, but it’s probably wrong, isn’t it?” “Yes”, I continued. "Think about it, a 66.67 percent success rate (2/3) is indeed much better than a 23.5 percent (4/17), but in this case it is still better to break your opponent’s serve four times, instead of only two”. She agreed to it being counter intuitive. I only mentioned that my client was Harvard-educated to show that intelligence was not in question here. I wasn’t teaching Penny, the waitress from the Cheesecake factory (no offense if you are a waitress, or don’t like The Big Bang Theory). For some reason we look at all those break point opportunities and consider it a failure. What can we learn from this? The more opportunities we give ourselves, the better it is. A mindset of neutrality will be helpful here, an

unattached approach to the outcome: if the break happens, great. If not, great. Another stat in this realm is net points won/lost. When you look at a ratio of 4/9, you might judge it as a bad ratio. The player won four points at net, and she lost five points. What if I were to tell you that those four points won were all at break point! Then we might conclude that the nine attempts at net were not enough. If she had attacked the net twelve times for instance, she might not have needed those seventeen breakpoints! Your personal call to courage and to be brave at the right moments is a key strength for a competitor. In any case, tennis stats are helpful, but have their limitations. Match play

will still come down to being patient at the right times, being courageous at the right moments, and staying disciplined all match. Use the stats to dig into those areas more specifically. Answer the questions ‘when’ and ‘why”! Full disclaimer: I am a tennis coach and have worked with many junior tournament players. As a player growing up, I received excellent coaching. There is a good chance that I did receive the proper situational feedback from my pro, but that my 12year-old, ego-filled brain filtered him out as noise. (I will always defend hard working teaching pros). By the way, at 52 years old, I still haven’t seen a short ball that I don’t want to attack. I hope this was helpful.

Tonny van de Pieterman is a tennis professional at Point Set Indoor Racquet Club in Oceanside, N.Y. He was recently named USTA Tennis Professional of the Year for the USTA/Eastern-Long Island Region and helped the Eastern Section win this year’s Talbert Cup. He may be reached by phone at (516) 536-2323 or e-mail Tonny@PointSetTennis.com.

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Lesson Catchphrases By Ricky Becker

s we came to editorial deadline for this issue and I was a bit unsure on what I wanted to cover, the father of a couple of my students surprised me by sending what he called “Rickyisms” or what I would refer to as catchphrases that I have used over the years. I wasn’t consciously aware that I use them but if it a few short words can drive home a point, I’m all for it! Here are ten of them with many

more of them to come in the next issue! 1. You are in battle and your forehand is the sword and your backhand is the shield. Like some of the other phrases, I didn’t invent this one. Generally at the higher levels players tend to try and attack with the forehand and defend with the backhand with the intention of defending well

enough to get a chance to attack with the forehand. 2. Your left arm is looking like a lizard’s tongue. This is for a righty with their non-hitting hand on the forehand when they quickly put their left arm out during preparation and just as quickly bring it back in. Not what one wants to do. Of course, I need to have the type of relationship with the student where I can be so direct and they think it’s funny/relatable. 3. Everyone is a duck. I wrote an article on this previously. This basically means don’t get emotionally attached to your opponents attitude, demeanor and game. Everyone you play brings different things to the table and keep it about you and what you need to do to play this duck. 4. Pretend you are a revolving door. I like this analogy in relation to hip rotation through ground strokes. If the middle of a revolving door was locked it wouldn’t turn while the ends of the

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

door are stationary and the door moves fine. While the legs, hips and core help generate more power, I like using this example for the hips and especially the core. 5. What’s the difference between a tennis player and someone who plays tennis? Your answer is the split step! Pretty self-explanatory and something I think is important for any child looking to impress their school coach. 6. Bend-and-extend. This expression definitely predates me but this is where so much of the power comes from. I remember coaches telling me to bend my knees. They never told me to extend them. Did they not know? Did I do it? Who knows but so much of the power on shots comes from bending and extending the knees and/or elbows.

7. Think of your legs as a cell phone battery on your groundstrokes. See number 6. The bent knees at the lowest point is a fully-charged cell phone battery not used yet but ready. Extended legs is when the battery is at 0%. The important part is what happens in between. 8. Hit it to the moon. I like using this when somebody is pushed deep behind the baseline, they need to hit a high-defensive shot and it will be impossible for them to get enough power to hit it over the opponent’s baseline. 9. The slice brings you closer to a

50 percent chance of winning the point so don’t use it when you are controlling the point and try to use it when you fall behind. This isn’t an absolute truth but I think it does hold a majority of the time. 10. You’re playing a pusher. We know it’s going to be frustrating. Go behind the club before your match and throw your racquets in advance. This tongue-and cheek suggestion is intended to prepare my student for the frustrating points that a pusher often wins because once the match starts you’ve got to keep your cool and forge ahead. Don’t get caught being surprised!

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.

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LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Long Island Tennis M Closes Out Summer

Women's 6.0-6.5 Champions

hile the professionals were in Queens playing in the 2022 U.S. Open, the outdoor clay courts of Sportime Quogue were filled with local athletes competing in the Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge. More than 90 players arrived in the Hamptons to take part in the Challenge with play taking place across six divisions of various levels. Throughout the afternoon, the fierce competition on the court was contrasted with a friendly and social atmosphere off the court, along with catered lunch, and an open bar available to players as the pool deck of Sportime Quogue doubled as the perfect viewing area for matches. The six divisions featured roundrobin pool play with the top teams advancing into the knockout rounds. In the Women’s 6.0-6.5 division,

Women's 7.0-7.5 Champions

THE LONG ISLAND

CHALLENGE 2022

Lauren Siegel & Tanya Mattera came away victorious, using a simple yet effective strategy to claim the title“We tried to keep it simple and just go for our shots when they were available,” said Materra. A key factor in surviving the pool play and playing their best tennis in the playoff rounds was embracing the amenities that come with the Challenge events. “We made sure to have a couple of drinks which kept us relaxed,”

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

Women's 8.0-8.5 Champions

said Siegel. “I think we were a little tense in the beginning, but we made sure we stayed consistent and remained positive with each other. This isn’t our first time playing in the Challenge events, we love it.” In a tournament such as this, often times you play opponents you are unfamiliar with, making for intriguing matchups. For the Women’s 7.0-7.5 winners, Lauren Calandra & Kathy Blenk, making sure to stay ready and adjust to those differing opponents was a major factor in them winning their title. “The key was adjusting to all the different playing styles of the opponents, and we were able to do that well today,” said Calandra. “We had a lot of fun and stayed positive throughout.” The pairing doesn’t normally play doubles together, but have played

Magazine Challenge er in the Hamptons

Men's 7.0-7.5 Champions

against each other a lot recently. “We have played mixed doubles against each other all summer long, but this is the first time we paired up together,” Blenk added. “And for me, my favorite part was just being outside in the beautiful weather in this beautiful setting against some great competition.” In the Women’s 8.0-8.5 division, the duo of Jen McCormack & Morgan Milleisen joined forces and used their experience of competing on the same USTA women’s team together to triumph over the other teams at their level.“We haven’t played much since Sectionals about a month ago, and we thought this would be a fun tournament to play and it’s here on Long Island,” said Milleisen. “There were a lot of teams and great competition; it was such a fun tournament.” “There were a couple of times we were down

Men's 8.0-8.5 Champions

THE LONG ISLAND

CHALLENGE 2022

and instead of giving up, we made some changes and kept fighting,” McCormack added. “I think our mindset was the key to our success.” On the men's side, Paul Schneider & Josh Rogowsky won the title in the Men’s 7.0-7.5 division. “It’s fun to be out here and spend a day outside with a friend while beating some other friends in the finals,” said Rogowsky. “It was super enjoyable.”The pairing were one of the last entries into the

tournament, but used their prior playing experience together to remain consistent throughout the event. “We decided to play last minute and it was definitely worth it,” Schneider added. “It’s always such a friendly atmosphere, but still competitive. Josh and I play a lot together, and he was amazing today, hitting his shots with a lot of pace.” A doubles team that played together for the first time was Stephen Weiss & AJ Arena who quickly developed an on-court chemistry which resulted in them winning the Men’s 8.0-8.5 division. “I think we got better as the day went on because he figured out what I did well, and I figured out what he did well, and we were able continued on page 48

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

courts and cocktails returns continued from page 47

Men's 9.0-9.5 Champions

to communicate without talking,” said Weiss.The duo played its best tennis on the biggest points throughout the day which was a key factor in them winning both playoff rounds. “We managed to play the bigger point well. I think we had a good record on the deuce points, the ones that could have went either way, which helped us,” said Arena. “Overall it was a great day at a beautiful venue, and there is nothing better than playing on outdoor clay.” In the Men’s 9.0-9.5 division, a doubles team who used to play together regularly rekindled their chemistry from their college playing days to come away victorious in the top level of the tournament. Former Fordham Rams Harris Durkovic & Cameron Posillico teamed up for the first time since they were college teammates to capture the title.“We were doubles partners in college and haven’t really played a competitive match 48

together since then,” said Durkovic. “So it was fun to get on court together and play again.” Poscillo added: “The highlight of the day for me was Harris hitting a screaming backhand winner down the line on deuce point during the finals.” All in all, the Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge was a great

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

celebration of tennis and brought so many different players together for a fun afternoon in the Hamptons. The Challenge events continue to grow in popularity and participation as we combine competitive on-court tennis with a social mixer off the courts for the best of both worlds. “There are many options for local players when it comes to racquet

sports, and we are appreciative that so many players came out and chose our event. To get close to 100 players into this tournament was a real success. I believe this is an indication that players see the professionalism and quality we bring to the events we host, and that

they have a great time on and off the court,” said David Sickmen, cotournament director of the Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge. “I certainly want to thank our beautiful host facility, Sportime Quogue, as well as my co-director Michelle Stoerback, whose passion and energy for adult tennis is second to none. We look forward to more community involvement moving into the fall and winter, and

are excited to see everyone at our next Challenge.” The next Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge event will be held indoors as Sportime Syosset will host the Fall Challenge on Saturday, November 26. Visit LITennisMag.com/ThanksgivingChall enge for more information and to register.

THE LONG ISLAND

CHALLENGE 2022

www.pinehollowclub.com • Alina Volman: Director of Racquet Sports • 1st Padel Court on Long Island is now open! • Weekly Kids drills/camps • Men’s and ladies’ Practices • Weekly tennis, padel and pickleball clinics • We have so much going on “on the courts”, schedule a tour with Heidi today to see the entire Racquet Sports Area We have so much going on “on the courts” - it is no surprise that our court usage has increased by 1000% over the past 9 years. Schedule a tour with Heidi today! Contact Heidi Stanya, Director of Membership at 516-922-0300, x115 or hstanya@pinehollowclub.com LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 40 Love Lifestyle

39 Plandome Rd. • Manhasset, NY 11030 •(516) 570-0781 Instagram: @40LoveLifestyle Tennis inspired fine jewelry locally designed in New York by female Designer and tennis mom, the Yasmine Collection New York is the perfect gift for the tennis lover in your life this holday season. Order now in time for the holidays! Available now, these one of a kind Diamond Tennis racquet & ball necklaces in 14K yellow or rose gold, featuring pink sapphires and 0.25 carats of diamonds. Necklaces are 17” with additional loops for wearing at adjustable lengths. Custom orders available by request! Come stop by 40 Love Lifestyle to learn more about our tennis-inspired jewelry and find the ideal gift. 40 Love features an array of tennis, pickleball, racquet ball and golf apparel, accessories, bags and more, including niche items that will help you style up your game. Visit 40LoveLifestyle.com to see more!

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

40LoveLifestyle.com

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE adidas Pickleball info@allracquetsports.com A Racket Tailored to Your Needs The new ESSNOVA CARBON CTRL HD will give a new dimension to your game. The 3K CARBON composition alongside the POLYPROPYLENE HONEYCOMB CORE will give you the power you demand. Its CTRL format will endow absolute precision that will make you dominate the game at will. Power Its 3K CARBON composition and Hi-Density POLYPROPYLENE HONEYCOMB Core provides excellent power. Comfort Its CTRL format and the materials used provide excellent comfort. Materials EssnovaCarbonCtrlHd2021_PB1A2Y12_Front.jpg Frame: Carbon Reinforcement Surface: Carbon 3K Core: High Density Polypropylene Honeycomb Specifications Dimensions: 16 x 8” Weight: 7.7-8.2 oz Thickness: 14.28 mm Sweet Spot: Center Grip Size: 4 1/8 Grip Length: 4 3/4

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

allracquetsports.com

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Halftime Chiller

info@halftimechiller.com • Instagram: @Halftime_Thiller Have you been searching for the perfect cooler that not only holds and keeps your drinks cold, but also doubles a storage unit? Halftime Chiller has you covered. The innovative 4-in-1 design allows it to function as a cooler, seat, and dual portable storage unit. Features include: Pressure lock system • Fill the bottom half with ice, drinks & snacks • Holds 24 bottles and cans • Stays cold for hours No chairs? No problem • Standard stool height • Comfortable padded, sturdy seat • Telescoping handle makes it light and easy to pull • Imprinted wood grain design for visual appeal Hidden compartment under the lid • Keeps personal belongings secure and easily accessible • Removable tray Mesh back pocket for extra storage space • Perfect for clothing, towels, equipment, books, games, supplies, etc. • Two halves stack inside one another to save space when being stored The Halftime Chiller is the multi-function rolling cooler you need for all of your tailgating, picnic and outdoor activities. Halftime Chiller comes in a variety of styles, sizes and colors.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE inPhorm NYC

inPhorm, known for its “simple elegance and classic” outfits for tennis and golf, is adding a new plaid “Academy Pattern” to its holiday collection. We asked the creative director, Saad Hajidin, what inspired his color palette this season? “Vintage plaid is always popular,” he noted. “Every time we include a print or patterns in our collection, people respond positively. My thought for this Holiday was to elevate our tennis and golf looks with a plaid pattern with colors that are inspired from collegiate sports. I’ve combined Academy Blue with light shades of Bluebell, Silver Grey and White making it look traditional, classic and appropriate for the taste level that inPhorm’s customers have come to expect from us. “I was very careful to scale the patterns so that each color variation blends and compliments the others tastefully. In addition to the Academy Pattern, we also have Midnight Blue, Vapor and our Classic White — colors that work well on their own or pair with the pattern pieces.” inPhorm’s Holiday 2022 collection is replete with styles that transition from the daytime court and course to the evening’s activities — stylish tennis and golf looks that easily blend in at any occasion. In the last few months, inPhorm’s team has been engaged in conversations with its customers, gathering reviews of products, fits and functionality. “We like to say that by listening to our customers, we ‘Stay inPhormed,’” Saad says You can learn more about inPhorm by visiting its website, www.inphormnyc.com

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

inPhorm.com

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Sassy Li

lisafuchs559@gmail.com • (516) 286-5211 Discover the perfect tennis bag Sassy Li was founded by Lisa Fuchs, who spent most of her professional business career in sales working with some of the top fashion companies in the world. Through these clients, 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. The first bags were purchased right here on Long Island by Advantage Tennis in Westbury. The Sassy Li tennis bags are the perfect gift for the tennis lover in your family this holiday season, including these two in particular: 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 ultra-padded 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.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

SassyLi.com

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Silent Partner Tennis

(800) 662-1809 l SPTennis@on.aibn.com Give the gift of a Silent Partner Tennis Ball Machine this holiday season! Silent Partner Tennis has been independently owned and operated since 1989. Check us out online at SPTennis.com. Our ball machines make great holiday gifts. We have a range of portable machines to match any budget with features for beginners and experts alike. Oscillation with top spin and back spin capability comes standard on all of our machines. Our SMART model machine includes advanced features such as Match Play mode, which simulates playing points in a match, and Select-A-Drill, which allows you to input customised drill sequencies. Feature-for-feature, we are the best deal around. Plus, shipping from our factory to your front door is free. We pride ourselves on our customer service, so if you have any questions before or after buying your machine, feel free to give us a call! Here’s to your best tennis yet. Wishing everybody all the very best of the holiday season and a safe, healthy 2023.

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

SPTennis.com

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE The Heel Pad

support@rtptennis.com • Instagram: @RTPTennis The RTP Heel Pad XC is no average or ordinary shoe insole. It will change the way you feel on the tennis court and beyond as it softens the shocks absorbed by your heels, ankles and knees while you run, stop, cut and stomp during the rigor of tennis. Your enjoyment of tennis shouldn’t have negative lingering effects hours and days later. The Heel Pad XC can act as a shock absorber for your feet so that you don’t have to spend more time recovering away from the sport you love. Created from Sorbothane, the same material used in our ShockSorbs, and one of the most absorbent polymers in the world, the Heel Pad XC doesn’t need to be thick or bulky to be effective. Just a tenth of an inch thick - about the height of two pennies - the Heel Pad XC’s don’t add significant height, squishiness or bulk to the wearer’s shoes. The astonishingly thin insole is sticky on both sides and is intended to be worn beneath the full footbed insole originally included with your tennis shoes (or your favorite footwear). Once installed the Heel Pad XC’s are sometimes undetectable, though the same cannot be said about the added comfort and protection to your lower body and joints. This would make the perfect gift for the tennis player or athlete in your life that battles plantar fasciitis after playing, wears a knee brace to combat knee tension, tendonitis and general soreness.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

RTPTennis.com

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE The ShockSorb

support@rtptennis.com • Instagram: @RTPTennis The RTP ShockSorb is perhaps the world’s most effective tennis shock absorber. Not just another decorative dampener, The ShockSorb is the only tennis dampener that incorporates Sorbothane, one of the world’s most absorbent materials. If you have a tennis player in your family or group of friends that wears an arm brace while playing, struggles to avoid tendonitis or suffers from general elbow discomfort as a result of playing tennis, The ShockSorb may allow them more comfort, less pain and more opportunities to play the sport they love. This Holiday Season, you could gift a loved one the chance to get more out of their time on the tennis court, and ensure they don’t have to spend too much time recovering off the court. Rigorously refined and play-tested for the best results and design, The ShockSorb has earned the respect of tennis players of all ages and levels. A vibration dampener is a common racquet accessory - but no other product is designed to protect elbows from general discomfort to acute tension and pain quite like the ShockSorb. Considered an indispensable racquet accessory by its users, The ShockSorb is about the same size as a traditional dampener, sporting a sleek and classic look. Yet it is unlike traditional dampeners in its effectivity of reducing the shock passed from a players racquet to arm. The ShockSorb is also very stable and durable, with a compact design that rarelyever falls out of position or off the racquet during regular hitting. The ShockSorb comes in two varieties: Classic and Ultrasoft. The classics are available in black and white, and perfectly balance comfort with the feel of the ball. The retained feel yet newfound comfort may even impress players who don’t usually opt for dampeners. The Ultrasoft model is for those looking to achieve maximum comfort and absorption from their dampener, even in colder temperatures. Coming in a variety of colors, there will be one to match your individual style.

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

RTPTennis.com

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE UltraGrips Socks

support@rtptennis.com • Instagram: @RTPTennis The UltraGrip Socks are for the athlete in your life that could use more traction. Mildly compressive, the UltraGrip socks have a tacky, checkered external surface to unite the sock and the shoe as one, but also internally to grip the foot of the wearer. The double-sided grip ensures that whether you are accelerating, changing directions or slamming on the brakes, your foot, sock and shoe do it all as one unified unit. Getting clothes as a gift never felt so good! This Holiday Season, gift the athlete in your life more traction on the court or field. Not strictly for tennis, the UltraGrip sock grants unprecedented traction without stickiness, residue, unnecessary bulk or discomfort. The same thickness as most athletic socks, the UltraGrip socks have a slight compression and comfortable fit.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

RTPTennis.com

Racquet Sport

Report presented by

adidas Pickleball

Tom Brady, Lebron James, Kevin Durant and More Invest in Major League Pickleball Franchises he 2022 season in Major League Pickleball (MLP) came to a close earlier this fall as another exciting season in MLP wrapped up in Columbus, Ohio. The final event, MLP Columbus, brought the curtain down on the most successful year to date in the league. While the play on the courts was exciting enough, as pickleball continues to grow, so does the level of investment pouring into the sport and the MLP in particular. First, seven-time Super Bowl champion and arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time, Tom Brady, teamed up with four-time major tennis champion Kim Clijsters announced their part of an ownership group for a new MLP expansion team. Brady and Clijsters are part of a group led by Knighthead Capital Management. “Of course, I'm excited at the investment opportunity," Clijsters said in a statement. "But what excites me the most about becoming an MLP owner is that I get to help shape the future of pickleball, a sport I have come to love, with great people -- who also happen to be some of my best friends. I'm thrilled to help showcase professional pickleball and make an impact on the sport through my experience gained in the top levels of professional tennis.”

Prior to that, Lebron James announced that he will be an owner of another expansion team alongside his business partner Maverick Carter, as well as NBA players Draymond Green and Kevin Love, former NFL star Drew Brees, and former tennis player James Blake. Most recently, NBA star Kevin Durant and his business partner Rich Kleiman’s company, Thirty Five Ventures (35V), have bought a new expansion team in the league. “35V is committed to investing in the future of sports and emerging opportunities, and Major League Pickleball is a league we are incredibly excited about,” said Kleiman. “We can’t wait to build this team from the ground up as well as work to elevate the sport and the league to unprecedented heights. As an avid pickleball player and fan, the interest in the sport was a natural fit.” MLP is now set to have its largest expansion yet as we head into the 2023 season, growing from 12 teams to 16, increasing the amount of

events, and bolstering the player prize money and payouts to more than $2 million. “Kevin Durant, Rich Kleiman, and 35V are going to be game-changing partners for Major League Pickleball,” said MLP Founder and CEO Steve Kuhn. “They not only bring passion for the game, but also unrivaled expertise to help us to continue to grow. We’re especially excited about their plans to bring pickleball to underserved communities – something they have done with basketball for years.”

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

The Split Step in Three Steps By Steve Kaplan

he split-step is an essential tennis movement that is often misunderstood, poorly-performed and misapplied. With a little knowledge of WHY, WHEN and HOW to perform the split-step, you will move quicker and faster, and have better balance on the tennis court.

WHY do we need to Split Step? All movements have three segments: The Start, The Acceleration and The Stop. Acceleration movements can also be in any of four horizontal directions: right, left, forward and backward. If you know you are moving in

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

only one direction or linear like a sprinter, you will have a narrow base so that you maximize your stride length and turnover. However, if you must prepare to move in any of the four directions or multidirectional, as in tennis, you must have a wide base to maximize stability and versatility. All starting movements can be made in two vertical directions: downward or upward. Downward movements in tennis are inefficient because they are slow and ineffective since they must be corrected with an additional upward step. Non-vertical, sideways steps, or "slides", are useful for The Stop, but not efficient or effective for starting. Upward first steps are the quickest and fastest movements and, in order to move up, you must first gain ground force greater than your mass by pushing down. This is Newton's Third Law of Action and Reaction. The split-step, therefore, is a movement which provides a wide base and a downward push or

"load" into the ground so that the next multi-directional step can be a quick, fast upward-step. WHEN do we need to split-step? All movements need ground force as a part of the start. The split-step is nothing more than a loading movement that pushes our body mass into the ground so that the ground pushes up with greater force than our mass which helps us move up. The goal is to time the split-step at the moment when we need to make a movement decision. As tennis movements are multidirectional, the split-step might be thought of as the "decision-step." HOW do we split-step? Since the goal of a split-step is to push force into the group for the next transitional movement you must widen and lower your base. This is done first by pushing your knees

outward so that it lines up to your fourth toe, since your base is only as stable as how wide your knees are, not how wide your feet are. Concurrently, think of driving your quad's upward to your chest without raising the top of your head. The goal is to disconnect your feet from the ground without gaining height. It helps to bend or hinge from your hips and if you are moving forward fast, to push your feet forward and to land on the "balls" or mid-foot and not the toes as is commonly

misunderstood. This is because while a toe landing helps for acceleration movements during a run, a mid-foot landing is a more stable base for stopping and redirecting force. Remember, the end of one movement is always the beginning of the next movement. The split-step is the best way to transform a linear movement into a multi-directional movement to manage the uncertainty of handling a shot in tennis.

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

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

Coaching the Whole Human Athlete

From Hot Head to Hero By Rob Polishook very year I receive numerous calls from college freshmen who seemingly out of the blue have lost their feel, instincts and confidence. Their mental game used to be reliable but now they are experiencing anxiousness, anger and an unstable attitude playing for their new team. They can’t believe what they are experiencing: some describe it as becoming mechanical and tight. Others describe it as overthinking and over trying. After listening to their experiences, I usually ask them, “what has changed?” and, “when was the last time you had that feel of playing loose, relaxed and with ease?” Then I’ll dig a bit further and ask “what was happening during the last time they were playing relaxed both on and off the court?” In the case of one of my players, we’ll call them “Ari”, he told me that he was coming off a great summer of training and was really looking forward to his upcoming freshman year at college. He was eager to play in a new environment and crack the lineup as a freshman. He also shared with me how his support system on the court was rock-solid and off the court, he felt very connected to friends that always went out together. He also shared how his tournament results were more about the process and focusing on little goals. His youth coaches not only knew about his tennis game, but they knew what motivated him, and what drove him to grind and never give up. Then he shared what he was experiencing currently, as a new college freshman in the fall season.

He said, “I’m constantly worried about how I’m playing, what a missed shot means for my position on the team, what the coach thinks of me, and whether I’m doing what the coach wants.” He mentioned that his ankle is a bit sore but doesn’t want to say anything to his coach or teammates for fear of being seen as weak. Further, he said, “practice and challenge matches feel all about the outcome. If I win, I’m happy, if I lose, I’m depressed. I’ve lost my balance.” Lastly, he shared, “off the court, I don’t have non-tennis friends that I can decompress with, my girlfriends at another school and classes are way more challenging than I thought.” Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Why is this important from a coach’s perspective? Simply put, it can help put the new recruit at ease. When the coach has the best interests of their players in mind (as a person, not just an athlete) then the relationship will not be all about the results. If the coach doesn’t, then the relationship will be unstable, unpredictable and have no foundation of belief, trust and support. It’s imperative for the coach to recognize that the athlete they recruited is the same kid they spoke to, saw play, and tracked their results. The only changes, and they are huge, are the new stakes, new teammates, and new coaches. Add to this the new environment, school challenges, new friends, living alone and there is a lot going on below

Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2022 • LITennisMag.com

the surface in the mind of this player. This article will discuss three ways in which coaches, in this specific instance, college coaches, can support to their players during a challenging transition: not just as a tennis player but as whole human beings. Connection: This may sound so basic, in fact because it is, it’s often overlooked. Val Kondos, the infamous UCLA gymnastics coach, shared in her TED talk how she thought she could connect to her kids through knowledge of the sport, until they asked for a team meeting to tell her that she didn’t “get them.” Certainly, this is every coach’s nightmare. So, how can you create connections? A great place to start is discussing with your individual players exactly what motivates them? That intrinsic reason of “why” they play the game that has nothing to do with winning and losing. I call this their Big Y (see chapter 2 of Tennis Inside the Zone). Often times, players don’t even know their Big Y. They allow their wins and losses to dictate their mood and daily activities. I have had clients tell me their Big Y is: love the competition, love the problemsolving, love the fitness, and for others it is the camaraderie. A solid Big Y should have nothing to do with the outcome, but solely the process. A player’s Big Y will remain constant, despite the instability of wins or a tough loss. Discussing a Big Y allows a coach to connect with their players and will help them remember why they are playing the game, beyond the outcomes. Understand: So often we label people like jars, and more often, do

the same for athletes! It’s so important to know that tennis isn’t who the player is, but rather what they do. Often times, the players themselves lose sight of this! When a coach understands and reminds their players about this their focus is on more than tennis but on caring, developing and empowering the whole human athlete: person first. It encourages the player and the coach to not only recognize a player’s talent, technique and skills but equally uncover their intangible values, attributes and characteristics (V.A.C’s) that they bring to life both on and off the court. V.A.C’s don’t make someone better or worse than others, but rather make them who they are. These intangible things are prevalent in a player’s performance. Think Rafa and his heart, energy and spirit. Similarly, I would also encourage any players to reflect on how they could bring their heart, energy and spirit to competition. Balance: Just because something is hard to explain, doesn’t mean it is less important. In fact, in the instance of staying balanced regarding one’s mental health, wellbeing, and resiliency both on and off the court, I would say it’s of paramount importance. As coaches it’s imperative to recognize players (especially freshman) are balancing

many off and on court issues. Off court it may be living alone for first time, new academic requirements, new friends and relationships, and family. On court it may be working with a new coach, navigating new tennis friendships, being part of a team, and playing the game style which helped them gain the coaches attention. Add all these elements together and there is a lot for the freshman to balance. Key for the coach is to support their players so they can help them navigate these new demands. Equally, for the players to remember what got them there in the first place, that is focusing on what they can control, focusing on what’s important now, bringing their personal talents to the court and playing their game. In summary, tennis doesn’t define who a person is, tennis is what they

do. Apolo Ohno, the famous Olympic speed skater in his recent book Hard Pivot said “success and failures come and go and they never define who you are. Tennis players are whole human athletes: person first. They are not only bringing tennis talent but also their personal talents. It’s key for a coach to connect to their players by identifying their Big Y for playing. Understanding them and encouraging them to bring their values, attributes and characteristics to competition. Lastly, helping them to find balance both on and off the court. Not only will this strategy contribute to their mental wellbeing but also as a natural consequence it will help motivate them to bring their best self to challenges both on and off the court.

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

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Hidden Delight lob drifted two feet over my partner's head. I stepped to run behind him, but Michael turned to dash back and get in front of the ball. An errant ball from another match rolled close to our baseline. I said, "Ball on court." The opponent made their opinion clear—I didn't have the right to call "Ball on court." They said, "The point was over." Both Michael and I were racing for a return. "No, the point was not over," I said. "Your return was still in the air when I called "Ball on court." "Yeah, I know," the opponent admitted. "But your partner couldn't reach it." The truth had come out—they believed they had the right to call balls on our side of the court and predict our returns. Yet on this day, the more they raised their voice, flared nostrils, and grew red in the face, the calmer I felt. I held a hidden delight: I know the rules. I study them as an official, wrote www.iKnowTennis.com, and carry USTA's Friend at Court in my bag. According to The Code 18, "When

By Barbara Wyatt

a ball from another court enters the playing area, any player on the court affected may call a let as soon as the player becomes aware of the ball." I reviewed the key points about this rule. "Was I affected by the rolling ball?" Yes, an errant ball rolled close and distracted me. "Did I call it without unreasonable delay?" Yes, I called it immediately. "Could my partner have returned the ball?" That's never applicable. The rule is about what to do when an errant ball distracts a player. If a ball rolls into the playing area, but doesn't impede the play or distract a player, let the game continue! On this day, their lob landed in. Since I called "Ball on court," while the ball was still in play, the point is replayed. If the ball landed out? No replay, we win the point.

I didn't engage in the opponent's petulant behavior. I returned to the service line, waited for the angry diatribe to stop, then served again. Michael and I had this opportunity to bond as partners. Privately, he confessed he wasn't sure he could have returned the ball. I said, "You could have returned it, you're that good." He laughed. We played the rest of the match with compliments like, "good shot" and "great rally," tossed back and forth over the net among all players. After the match, players and spectators commented that our opponent's reputation was to raise their voice and sputter misinterpretations of one rule, or another. Most players back down to keep the peace. Michael and I knew the rules, stayed calm and ensured a competitive fun match for all players.

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

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