New York Tennis Magazine July / August 2023

Stars to Arrive in New York for 2023 U.S. Open

Aswe approach the middle of the summer, it means we are that much closer to the start of this year’s U.S. Open. Each year, the best tennis players in the world bring their blistering forehands and unmatched star power to the city that never sleeps, creating an exciting couple of weeks in the Big Apple.

A year ago, the 2022 U.S. Open gave us a glimpse into the future with two young champions claiming the singles title, as Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek won the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles championships, respectively.

This year will once again provide New Yorkers with thrilling tennis, and will be extra special as this year marks the 50th year of equal prize money offered at the event.

“The USTA is incredibly proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of awarding equal prize money at this year’s US Open, and to honor Billie Jean King’s efforts to make this a reality,” Brian Hainline, USTA Chairman of the Board and President, said. “No individual has done more to secure equality for female athletes than Billie Jean King. Her impact goes far beyond the tennis court, and there is no better time to celebrate her legacy than on the anniversary of this historic milestone.”

“It’s not just about the money, it’s

about the message,” said Billie Jean King. “Every generation does have to fight for equality and freedom.” The event begins on August 22 with the first day of Qualifying, and will run through Sunday, September 10, culminating with the men’s singles championship.

There are plenty of intriguing storylines as we head into this year’s U.S. Open, the final Slam of 2023. Will we see Novak Djokovic go after the calendar Slam, or will Swiatek be seeking her fifth major title overall?

In the next edition of New York Tennis Magazine, we will have our comprehensive 2023 U.S. Open Preview, featuring predictions, who to watch for, tips for attending the Open and schedules.

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Across Metro N

Across Metro Ne

Cary Leeds Center Team Wins Eastern Cup

Teixeira Reaches Two Doubles Finals

The team from the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning captured the title at the ATA/NJTL/USTA Eastern Cup. The championship team was comprised of Darwin Jose, Julia Ivanov, Summer Lopez, Calogero Brice and Tyler Lin.

Luma Teixeira (pictured left) of the Ross School Tennis Academy reached the finals of the Level 4 Doubles event alongside Kathryn Cragg in the Girls 14s doubles division and alongside Matias Reyniak (pictured right) in the Mixed Doubles 14s division.

New York

New York

Zheng Sweeps IVY LEAGUE Awards

Michael Zheng completed one of the best freshman seasons in NCAA Tennis in recent memory as the firstyear Columbia University player has earned many Ivy League and ITF awards.

Zheng, an alumni of Centercourt Tennis Academy’s Full-Time Program, was named the ITA Northeast Region Rookie of the Year in addition to being named Ivy League Player of the Year, Ivy League Rookie of the Year and making First Team All-Ivy in singles and doubles, marking the first time a player has won all four Ivy League awards in the same season.

Wang Takes Home L6 Title

Preston Wang came away victorious at the L6 event at Tennis Innovators Academy by winning the title in the Boys 14s division. Wang, who trains at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, powered through the draw and only lost five games throughout the event to claim the championship.

Kwak Captures Multiple L6 Titles

Evelynn Kwak took home two trophies after competing at the L6 tournament in Mountainside, N.J., winning the Girls 16s singles and Girls 16s doubles titles. Kwak, who plays at CourtSense Tennis Academy, did not drop a set en route to claiming the singles title, and paired with Olivia Domski to win the doubles title.

… News and notes from across the N.Y. Metro tennis community

… News and notes from across the N.Y. Metro tennis community

Reyniak Wins Multiple Titles

Gilad Bloom Tennis player Matias Reyniak has won back-to-back tournaments in the Boys 14s singles, an L5 at Ross School Tennis Academy, and the L3 Championships at Centercourt Athletic Club of Chatham, not dropping a set throughout the latter tournament.

Zaretsky Wins New England Sectionals

Elana Zaretsky, who has trained with New York City-based Chris Lewit Tennis for more than five years, captured the title at the USTA New England Sectional Championships in the Girls 14s Singles division. Zaretsky did not drop a set throughout the tournament.

spotlight Junior Player

MatchPoint QuickStart Program

The developmental pathway is an integral part of any tennis facility’s junior programming as it provides the youngest players with a fun introduction to tennis, and begins the process of progressing those players through the higher levels of the program.We decided to speak with players who are in the early stages of their tennis career and get a sense and are in the beginning part of the development pathway.

New York Tennis Magazine talked to three young players who just completed the QuickStart program at MatchPoint NYC in Brooklyn about what they love about playing tennis, and their excitement of moving on to the next stage of their tennis development.

As a young aspiring player, eight-year-old Ammar Alimov idolized Roger Federer as the Swiss Maestro was and remains his favorite player. Since he started playing

By Brian Coleman

tennis in the Red Ball programs at MatchPoint, he has seen his game improve, from learning the very basics of the sport while also developing his strokes.

“I learned how to serve and now I can do overheads, hit backhands and forehands and volleys,” he said. “I am still learning the tennis rules but the coaches are helpful.”

Alimov’s coach at MatchPoint is Pasha Bednarzh, who runs the club’s QuickStart program and makes sure to keep the programming educational but also fun. The focus is on developing agility, balance and technical fundamentals, and their comprehensive, competencybased, and collaborative curriculum is designed to have fun and actively learn to play tennis.

The next stage for these players is to prepare to play in tournaments as they move into the next leg of the USTA development pathway. MatchPoint helps prepare

for these by running in-house Red Ball tournaments for its QuickStart players which helps them not only showcase the skills they have developed in clinics and lessons, but also get used to the idea of competing against others.

“Tournaments can be hard, but I really like to play them,” added Alimov. “I’m excited.”

Nicole Felker, also eight-years-old, is looking forward to competing in tournaments and has come a long way since she first began playing.

“I have got a lot better since coming here,” said Felker, whose favorite player is Maria Sharapova. “When I first came here, I couldn’t even hold my racquet. But I love playing tennis, and I have learned to get better and win. Pasha is a great coach, he has a lot of experience, and Khrystsina is fun and makes a lot of jokes. A lot of the coaches speak Russian which helps a lot as well.”

That is part of the reason why the MatchPoint coaching staff is able to connect with their clientele and create a bond. The demographics of the Coney Island part of Brooklyn where MatchPoint’s flagship location sits includes a lot of people from Eastern Europe, especially Russia and Ukraine.

“About five or six years ago, we got involved with running USTA tournaments here, and Khrystsina was integral in bringing in the USTA’s curriculum for QuickStart, and looked at how we can utilize that here,” said Bednarzh. “We took those programs and assessments, and culturally adjusted it to the Eastern European mentality. Everything here revolves around us being a cultural hub for the people who come in, and we try to tailor our programming to fit the needs of our clients.”

It’s that combination that has helped the MatchPoint staff foster a culture of trust amongst the families who send their kids to play tennis

there, and Bednarzh’s ability to connect with those young players and help guide them along their journey is a huge factor.

“When Pasha takes a kid under his wing, he handles the tennis, helps their parents, picks the tournaments, checks the draw, talks to him/her before and after their match, etc.” added Tryboi. “He is highly involved and heavily invested, and that’s what makes the difference for him as a coach. He takes a lot of pride in that.”

Eight-year-old Matthew Dubyk says MatchPoint has helped him learn how to play tennis and since he began playing in tournaments he has seen himself achieve better results each time, but also being able to interact with so many more players,

“My favorite thing about tennis is going to tournaments and playing with different partners so I can have more experience,” said Dubyk, who wants to grow up and be like Rafael Nadal one day. “I also like playing King of the Court during practices.”

He gives a lot of credit for his improvement to Bednarzh and the way he approaches coaching.

“He is the best coach for me, because he always supports me, gives me advice and tells me how I can improve my game, so that I can correct and improve my game,” added Dubyk.

The QuickStart programs are an essential cog in any tennis facility’s development pathway engine, as it not only establishes the basic fundamentals needed to play the game, but also helps young players find their passion for tennis through fun, game-based curriculum.

For players such as Alimov, Dubyk and Felker, they are now ready to take the next step in their tennis journeys, and for coaches and directors, seeing that progress and the smiles on the children’s faces as they see themselves getting better is what it’s all about.

“While they are growing up, you can see the progress they have made from when they first started,” he said. “No two children are alike, and you have to find ways to connect with each player, and figure out the best way to coach that particular child and establish a connection with them. I love this aspect of coaching.”

Breaking New Ground The Evolution of Har-Tru

Howdid the world’s most wellknown clay court company come to sponsor one of the largest U.S. Open Series tournaments? A 90-year journey has taken Har-Tru from oldschool beginnings to the modern world of tennis.

Henry Alexander Robinson built the first Har-Tru court in 1931. He had discovered a granular crushed stone he thought would make a great tennis court surface. He was right. His wife named the company by combining Robinson’s initials (HAR) with the court’s true (TRU) green color and bounce.

The brand emerged as a leading player in the tennis industry. From the 1940s onward, Har-Tru courts became a staple in clubs and private homes throughout the U.S. The tennis boom of the early 1970s led to an explosion in demand for Har-Tru courts, propelling the brand to global recognition.

Beginning in the late 1980s, a flurry of product development helped grow the company – and by extension, the sport of tennis. The HydroCourt underground watering system was a technological breakthrough that significantly reduced maintenance and water costs for clay courts, breathing new life into the market. In 2005, that system would make its way to the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club, home of the Wimbledon Championship. Those Har-Tru HydroCourts are still actively used by club members today.

The company kept up a non-stop push to innovate its courts, products, and services. They began making maintenance products such as rollers, drag brushes, and line sweepers. They added a facility analysis survey and

consulting service. They formed an intense partnering effort with court contractors, which is still the basis of the company today. They expanded into the Chinese tennis market.

It’s no surprise then that Har-Tru’s zeal for tennis didn’t stop at clay courts. Continuing its legacy of innovation, the company expanded its tennis portfolio by creating a new line of hardcourt coatings. Launched in 2017, Har-Tru Sports Coatings have quickly grown from small-batch acrylics to the surface of choice for major tournaments, clubs, and university athletic programs.

Like the famous green clay, Har-Tru’s coatings are manufactured in a facility in Troy, Virginia. Working with industry chemists and application experts, they engineer acrylics to meet a variety of situations encountered on a highperformance playing surface. The pigments are 100% organic, creating a more vibrant color and having a lower environmental impact.

This summer, the iconic Citi Open of Washington, D.C. unites with the historic Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic. The Mubadala Citi DC Open is set to be one of the key tournaments on the global tennis calendar. Har-Tru Sports Coatings will be the official playing surface. The DC courts will come alive in Championship Blue and Green, crafted to meet the tournament’s specific pace ratings.

From the clay courts of the 1900s to the hardcourts of the Mubadala Citi DC Open, Har-Tru’s legacy is a continuous pursuit of improvement in court building and technology. The company demonstrates a commitment to meeting the evolving demands of the court by making hardcourt surfaces, hybrid courts, specialty equipment, consultation systems, and of course, their classic clay.

Har-Tru is more than just another brand; it’s a cornerstone of tennis history and a driving force for the sport’s future.

Cooper Williams, Dwight Global ‘23 (right) and his doubles partner Learner Tien.

Photo courtesy of Tennis Australia/David Mariuz.

Ivy League Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and First Team AllIvy honoree in singles and doubles

Coaches, Players Connect at Seventh Annual JMTA College Recruiting Combine

Top high school players and college coaches from across the country gathered at Sportime Randall’s Island for the sixth annual John McEnroe Tennis Academy College Recruiting Combine.

Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors, the Combine gives high school players the opportunity to compete in front of and talk with college tennis coaches. The sixth installment of the Combine featured both local and international players, and helps to bridge the gap between players and coaches in the recruiting process

“We have players from all areas coming to play here. We have kids from Singapore, Canada, China, some of the top players from those areas have come to play and it’s so fun to see how these matches have gone,” said Jay Harris, Director of Tennis at Sportime Roslyn and the JMTA College Recruiting Combine Director. “The thing these kids can showcase the most in this setting is effort, a sense of urgency, giving their all. The coaches have been noticing that.”

The Combine provides all players with a personal player portal that stores event information, draws and scores, as well as fitness and other testing results. One of the primary highlights of the weekend is the coaches panel that is moderated by Harris, where players and parents are able to ask direct questions to the coaches.

Players also receive Sports Vision testing performed by JMTA’s official

sports vision provider, Dr. Anne Reuter of Gold Coast Optometric Vision Performance, one of the nation’s top experts in the world of Sports Vision training.

Tennis Analytics record all matches and offer packages to Combine participants for purchase, including edited match videos with

detailed analytics, and a custom video player that will allow players to quickly view matches and to share them with college coaches. Players compete against one another in match play to allow the coaches to see how they handle themselves during matches, and can evaluate how he or she would fit

into their program. The match results also count towards a players’ Universal Tennis Rating (UTR).

“This is match play, we love seeing how they handle making tough calls,” said Stonehill head coach Lynne Smith. “When the pressure is on, will they make the tough call, that’s the type of thing that matters. I love the kids that make a mistake and then adjust and do what they need to do.”

Zachary Cohen, a player at the Combine, was pleased with the way he was able to showcase mental toughness to the coaches:

“I think my mental game was great today, I was down big in the second set, but I was able to fix some things I was doing wrong and I really think I played strong. I think that playing hard and showing resiliency no matter what the score is the number one thing,” he said. “I believe that’s what

matters most at a combine like this.”

The JMTA College Recruiting Combine continues to bridge the gap between high school players and college coaches to make the difficult process of college recruiting

WE'VE GOT YOU

a bit easier, for all parties involved. As the event continues to grow, the JMTA Combine staff is excited to maintain its dedication to connect high school players and their parents to college programs across the country.

The Opponent Is Your Partner, Not Your Enemy...

By Rob Polishook

Irememberit like it was a lightning bolt, my then mentor said to me: “Your opponent is your partner, not an enemy!” I thought that statement was blasphemous! My entire competitive life, I viewed the opponent as my enemy, someone whom I must defeat. The entire goal was decimation! My mentor, Jena Marcovicci, was a former tour player who learned this lesson the hard way like most of us. What I didn’t realize is how this approach hurt me. It made me tight because there was only one acceptable outcome … winning every point, game, set and match. Additionally, it completely took the focus off my process, my game and what I could control. While shifting the focus to something I couldn’t control, the outcome.

Okay, so stay with me, I know you still want to win and so do I! But, let me explain … there is another approach and the goal of winning is still the same. However, this approach will allow you to shift the

perspective and approach in competition to being your best and playing in a calm, more relaxed and aware manner.

How about looking at your opponent as your partner and even extending it out to the court conditions. What do I mean by this? Both your opponent and the conditions are there to challenge you. They are, in fact, there to make you better, hone your game and make you mentally more resilient. Isn’t that the objective? If not, play a three-year-old the next time. I promise that will get old real quick! When you approach your opponent as a partner and not as an enemy, a few good things will happen …

1. Open vs. close: As Jena said in his book, The Dance of Tennis , “You will neutralize the fight or flight mentality that can cause you to rush or over hit a ball, hesitate or lose your cool.” Rather, you will play from a

place of being centered, making good choices, sound strategic decisions and focusing on your game. You will no longer be playing from a place of crisis, high alert, and fight or flight. You won’t be out of breath because you lost a point.

2. Allow vs. force: When you allow, you will play from a less frenetic place. Not only will this be easier, but will eliminate the need to hit that ESPN highlight reel shot! You will be more apt to work the point, knowing it’s not just about your shots, but also about how your partner plays the point. When players “allow,” they play within themselves without forcing.

3. Respect vs. no respect: This one is my favorite, again, really …? You might be wondering how can I suggest respecting the opposition? It comes down to the singular premise: If there weren’t

an opponent, there would be no one to challenge you. In fact, if you respect them, your job is to beat them and “show” them what they need to work on. So yes, don’t go easy on an opponent, beat them 0 and 0! An aware partner will recognize where and what they need to practice for the next time. Conversely, if you lose 0 and 0, thank your opponent for showing you what you need to work on. Also, get their number and thump them the next time.

4. Play present vs. play in the past/future: When your focus is on the process, you are taking things step by step. Your focus is on what you can control and need to do to best compete and adapt to situations. If your focus is solely on beating the opponent, something you cannot control, you won’t see the court,

detect momentum, make percentage choices and stay patient. Rather, you will just try to aggressively hit “your” winners, no matter what is happening.

5. Win vs. lose: Yes, you will win more because you are able to play from a more relaxed, calm and centered place. You are no longer looking at your opponent as an enemy that must be beat.

More so, now it’s about being your best, bringing your game, and competing your best. However, if you don’t win, you will gain valuable feedback on what needs to be worked on in your next practice and match.

So go out, crush your opponent, respect them and their game. By doing so, you will improve yours, and no matter the outcome, you win!

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

2023 New York City Boys’ Hig

Hunter Repeats as NYC PSAL “A” Division Champions

Forthe second consecutive season, the title of the best boys’ team in New York City’s PSAL belongs to Hunter.

The Hawks captured the city’s “A” Division championship in thrilling fashion, edging Beacon 3-2, anchored by its doubles teams and a clutch win from Kyler Swiatocha at third singles.

“Coming into the preseason, it was amazing to meet this team, because they were a championship team that was still hungry,” said first-year head coach Jen Kim. “They came out in our early practices and really competed against one another for the top spots on the team, those were some of the most competitive round-robin matches I have seen from a high school team, and that really set the tone for us.”

Played across five courts inside the bubble at Queens College, the match was tightly-contested from the very first serve. Hunter struck first as Christopher Lee & Jeffrey Tsai notched a 6-1, 6-0 victory at second doubles, but the lead did not last long as Beacon would then take both the first and second singles flights. Erik Johansson posted a 6-1, 6-2 at first singles and Soren Rudin Aulenbach won 6-1, 6-1 at second singles.

With just two courts remaining, Hunter needed to lean

back on its championship DNA in order to defend its title, and it did just that. After dropping the first set, the aforementioned Swiatocha responded with a 6-3 win in the second set which forced a deciding 10-point tiebreaker. Swiatocha raced out to a 9-4 lead in the ensuing breaker, only to see that lead evaporate, as he dropped five consecutive points to even things at 9-9.

But on the changeover, Swiatocha regathered himself, and proceeded to win the next two points with the majority of spectators and teammates watching, to clinch his match, and bring Hunter within one win of the city title.

“It means everything. We’re all so close as a team. To have everyone there watching was a bit intimidating, but it also motivated me,” he explained. “I’ve been training so hard this year and it finally paid off. I hadn’t really come through lately in PSAL like I wanted to, so I’m happy that I was able to do so today in the biggest moment of the season.”

While the win wasn’t technically the clincher, it was crucial. The first doubles team of Weston White & Nikita Staniloe led 6-2, 5-4 when Swiatocha won his match, and literally moments after he won his match, Staniloe & White closed out their match 6-2, 6-4 to earn Hunter’s third victory and its second consecutive title.

igh School Recap

“There weren’t really a lot of people watching our match, Kyler had the big one at the end,” said White. “But I was imagining those cheers from that court were also for us, and tried to use that energy on our court.”

Staniloe added:

“We were also watching Kyler’s match in between points and on changeovers, we knew how important that one was. I think we did a good job of staying calm though and focusing on just playing our game.”

The first doubles team of White & Staniloe symbolize the sort of commitment to team that was at the core of Hunter’s team this season, says Kim.

“I think there is a lot of personal sacrifice that goes into this team,” she explained. “For example, Nikita played third singles last year, but got bumped down to first doubles this year. I understood if he chose not to play, he’s a tournament player, but he stayed on and played doubles for us. That says a lot. Weston is a senior and has one of the biggest serves in all of PSAL, he competed for singles in the preseason but ended up playing doubles. Those are the things I love. The singles players often get the glory, but you need guys to fill all the roles in a lineup, and that’s what makes a championship team.”

Bard Beats Curtis to Win NYC “B” Division Title

Bardcaptured the PSAL New York City “B” Division Championship.

The Raptors swept all five courts the title match, defeating the Curtis Warriors 5-0 to claim the city title.

“From day one, we were all competing with each other for spots on the team,” said Bard head coach Trevor Romanzi. “Coming together yet keeping that competition really helped develop chemistry. We had one thing in mind this year and that was to win the championship.”

Noah Feig notched a 6-1, 6-1 win at second singles while Curtis Pakgross posted a 6-0, 6-1 victory at third singles for Bard. Eli Gordon & Luther Stevens notched a 6-1, 6-1 triumph at first doubles while Matteo Weiss & Micah Killmer were 6-0, 6-4 winners at second doubles.

The clinching win came from Ben Lee, who won 6-0, 6-2 at first singles.

“It always feels good to clinch for the team,” said Lee. “Everyone played so great today, and I’m really happy with today’s result.”

2023 new york city boy’s high school recap continued from page 15

Mitchell Yon Wins Second Straight PSAL Individual Singles Championship

Heading

into the final season of his high school career, Frederick Douglass Academy’s Shawn Mitchell Yon knew how he wanted it to end.

In his junior season, Mitchell Yon reigned supreme in the PSAL Individual Championships as he captured its singles title, and defending that title this year was the goal.

“This season meant a lot to me. Since I’m a senior, I wanted to go out with a bang,” said Mitchell Yon. “I proved last year that I am capable of playing at the highest level and wanted to show it wasn’t a fluke. I had a lot of people tell me it was a one time thing and that I couldn’t do it again, so I really wanted to go out there and prove that I could do it again.”

And with that motivation, he did just that. Mitchell Yon battled past good friend Justin Chong of Townsend Harris 7-6, 6-3 to claim the title and back up the success of his junior season.

Mitchell Yon fell behind 1-4 but used his championship experience to turn the tide in the match in the opening set, and was able to take over in the second set.

“Justin is one of my closest friends, and we have been playing in numerous tournaments and finals over the years against each other,” he said. “He’s such an amazing competitor, and to have the last match of my high school career be against him was honestly amazing.”

The victory meant a lot more than just winning a NYC title for the second straight year. Mitchell Yon overcame a couple of different injuries in between his junior and senior seasons, including nearly blowing his shoulder out and dealing with a hip injury earlier this year.

So while winning the PSAL title helped prove to NYC that he could do it again, Mitchell Yon had someone more important he wanted to prove something to.

“Deep down, I wanted to prove to myself that you can come back from anything,” he said. “Dealing with those injuries was extremely difficult. There were days at night where I would tear up because the pain was too much. Mentally and emotionally it destroyed me because I thought some of my peers were surpassing me, but over time I had to realize I had to trust my training, and I used that time off the court to improve my tennis IQ. I tried to find many ways to still compete at that high level even if it meant nothing physical.”

Mitchell Yon now prepares for the next step in his tennis career as he will head to Howard University in the fall to compete for the Bison.

“I am extremely excited. The opportunity to play college tennis for Howard University is a dream of mine ever since I was a little boy. The entire process showed me that the more time you dedicate to yourself, the reward at the end will be amazing.”

Bronxville Takes NYSPHSAA Division II Championship

TheBronxville Broncos are the 2023 New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Division II Champions.

Bronxville defeated Friends Academy 3-2 in a thrilling state championship at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, becoming just the second team to earn the title.

“To win the state title in only the second year of it being held means a lot,” said Bronxville head coach Steve Klurfeld. “There is a motto or hashtag that Bronxville has taken on, ‘One Square Mile’, because in reality the town is pretty small, and to produce so much athletic success shows how hard the athletes work and how much the people in the town value athletics.”

Patrick Kenny got his team started in the championship as the freshman won at first singles, and soon after Max Monogenis notched a win at second singles to pull the Broncos within one

win of the state title. But Friends Academy would not go away quietly, as Zachary Cohen & Danny Duke won at second doubles, and Bryan Bin won at third singles to even the overall match at 2-2, bringing the state title to be determined on the first doubles court.

Charlie Clifford & Harrison Brown headed into a deciding third set at first doubles confident that they could pull off the win for the team. They had saved a match point during the second set, and then dominated the third set, winning it 6-0 to win their court and clinch the state title.

“Winning that second set tiebreak was huge for us,” added Klurfeld. “But perhaps more importantly, Harrison played nearly the perfect set of doubles. He is a well-trained player with a very big game, and when he is on, he can present major problems for opposing teams.”

Eachyear, the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning hosts the largest free junior interscholastic tennis competition in the nation, the Mayor’s Cup.

The 2023 installment of the annual event marked the first time it was rebranded the NYJTL Mayor Dinkins Cup in honor of the late Mayor David Dinkins, the first black mayor of New York City who supported tennis across the city until his passing in 2020.

More than 570 players ranging from elementary school through high school competed in this year’s event.

“This year’s Mayor Dinkins Cup was a resounding success, and we were so proud to be able to kick off the summer in this way,” said Udai Tambar, President and CEO of New York Junior Tennis & Learning. “The Mayor Dinkins Cup gives hundreds of kids the opportunity to partake in a week of friendly competition with their peers, all

while earning prizes, spending time with family, and strengthening their tennis skills.”

The event’s final day, “Family Finals Day”, featured free activities, giveaways, and more for families to enjoy, all while the final rounds of the tournament were being played. During the awards ceremony, NYJTL presented some of the area’s youth with tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships.

“This year, we were able to award $86,000 in scholarships to youth who have demonstrated what it means to be a scholar and an athlete on the court and away from it,” Tambar added. “Thanks to all who make this work possible.”

Below is the full list of the winners from each division of the 35th Annual Mayor Dinkins Cup:

• Varsity Team: Hunter College High School

• Elementary Boys’ Green Ball: Kareem Lubowski

• Elementary Boys’ Singles Yellow Ball: Alexander Ferreira

• Elementary Girls’ Singles Green Ball: Laura Jedlinska

• Elementary Girls’ Singles Yellow Ball: Anna Kapanadze

• Middle School Boys’ Singles: Abel Jackson

• Middle School Girls’ Singles: Isabella Doni

• Middle School Boys’ Doubles: Abel Jackson & Rowan Qalbani

• Middle School Girls’ Doubles: Emma Palacio & Julia Ivanov

• Varsity Boys’ Singles: Erik Johansson

• Varsity Girls’ Singles: Chantajah Mills

• Varsity Boys’ Doubles: Shawn Mitchell Yon & Erik Johansson

• Varsity Girls’ Doubles: Chantajah Mills & Jade Saintard

Cary Leeds Center Hosts Mayor Dinkins Cup, The Nation’s Largest Free Interscholastic Tennis Competition

Schooled by A Pipe-Smoking Yoda

There are some tennis memories that are burned in my mind and they will never leave me. One for example, is watching a Bjorn Borg – John McEnroe Wimbledon final, one is saving up to buy my first second hand Donnay Borg Pro racquet.

Another is the day that I learned that I was focusing on all the wrong things.

At 14-years-old, I had hit a million balls against the wall already, read Borg's My Guide to Tennis book until the page corners were tattered and browned (there is an irony that I now work for SPORTIME, home of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy. Trust me, I know).

More importantly, I had ascended to the pinnacle for any floppyhaired teenager from England, a place on the Men's second team at my local club! It actually was a big deal and a history maker for the club and myself, as my 15-year-old partner, Peter, and I were the young guns and good enough to be officially tolerated!

Our first match was to be an adventure, an away match at a little

grass court club in the deepest darkest corner of the English countryside! As we pulled our cherished arsenal of weapons from the trunk of the car, mine two much loved Donnay Borg Pros and Peter's Prince Pros, we looked across at the courts to see some elder statesmen warming up. We crossed the field to the courts sharing some snickers and juvenile jokes, which on its face should have been enough to predict what was coming.

I don't remember the names of the two players we faced that day, I only remember that both had more than sixty years’ experience on this planet, and probably quite a lot of it had been spent on that tennis court. Both wore all white clothing, Dunlop green flash, vintage tennis caps, a long since outdated style, and one squinted through rectangular eye glasses. Their shorts descended to the top of their knees and their socks extended upwards to the bottom of their knees. Those knees still haunt me, like four pink walnuts mocking me, but one thing has left more of an emotional scar!

The player with the glasses had

By Mike Barrell

another facial accessory. During the warm up he was chewing on a pipe, and when the warm up was over, I was relieved to see him stumble to his bag to put it away, except he didn't. Instead, he stacked it with Golden Virginia tobacco, lit it and took a long draw! "Puff or Smooth" he called as he spun his Slazenger Challenge No.1, surrounded by a cloud of smoke. He was already in my head.

The next hour and ten minutes was a doubles master class in slicing and dicing. Their weapons may have been out of a book never to be written, but they knew every divot, every blade of grass on this court and they could hit them with pin point accuracy. They changed speeds, heights, depths and spins, and they were never out of position. Despite our perfect technique and youthful legs, we got schooled by these two tennis Jedi Masters.

On the car journey back I tried to make sense of the pain, as Peter and I sat silently in back of the Ford Escort that was now charged as our vehicle of salvation. It was

bad enough to lose love and one but his voice bounced around my head a reminder, a tormentor, a reality check!

Our team captain, a passenger in the front seat, pivoted back:

“Those guys are tough,” he said. “They know how to play the game, and how to make the ball do exactly what they want.”

And there it was, like a bolt of lightning from the tennis gods, as if the clouds had opened to a heavenly chorus and Borg himself had spoken. We had hit, we had drilled, our strokes were refined, but we didn't know how to play, and more importantly, how to adapt! It wasn't just that specific grass court, which despite its lush appearance was full of minor hills and bumps, but how could it be that we had totally and completely missed the point of tennis. That was May 1982, but I can still smell the grass and see the faces of

Yoda and Obi Wan! Tennis is about making the ball do something that challenges your opponent. When we practice, are we looking at how we change the ball’s characteristics, changing direction, spin, speed, height and depth, or are we just trying to hit it harder and hope it doesn’t come back? So much of our focus is on technique, but this must always serve a purpose.

So this summer, have you improved your direction? Can you place the ball at the onrushing player’s feet or hit with enough height and spin that it pushes them

back? Can you change the pace of the ball and still maintain depth or push them back and use an angle to send them on a run on a challenging diagonal?

As they look down on us from tennis heaven, I am sure that both of the legends that schooled us on that day won't recall the match, the score or even that I was sporting a completely matching FILA ensemble from head to toe. But I do, and I am grateful for it, as it shaped my mind and my desire to play tennis. Thanks so much to Yoda and Obi Wan for giving me perhaps my most important tennis lesson.

Hailing from the UK and a coach for more than 30 years, Mike is the Executive Director of Tennis for SPORTIME Clubs. A coach for over 30 years he is a Level Five LTA Coach, a former PTR Professional of the Year, and ITF Expert. As a coach and consultant around the world he has worked and delivered training in over 80 countries, supporting the development of tennis in five continents. He has been a keynote speaker at three ITF Worldwide Conferences, and presented at multiple USPTA World Conferences, PTR International Symposia, plus multiple National Conferences including USTA events.

Creating an Healthy Competitive Environment for Your Child

By Jay Pinho

Asa player develops and becomes more passionate about the sport, a common next step for many is to participate in local competition. While this is an important piece of the puzzle for those who have higher aspirations with their tennis, it can also backfire and reduce the player’s enthusiasm if done improperly. In order to create a healthy competitive environment for your child, a few things are essential, these include the following:

1. Ensure that the child has the interest in participating in outside competition, in addition to his/her group training sessions, and internal competitive options (such as a match play). When parents push children to compete too early, or too frequently, it can over time impact the player’s passion for the sport and lead to burnout.

2. Select the appropriate levels so that the player can obtain a “healthy” win/loss percentage. Playing tournaments that are too advanced for the player’s current developmental stage can impact

their confidence, interest in participating in additional tournaments, and limits the player’s ability to learning how to win. If your child is young and needs to go through the orange and/or green ball tournaments, then please allow them to do so. Conquering each stage is an important part of their long-term development.

3. Know your role as a tennis parent. Unless you are also your child’s primary Coach, leave the coaching for those who are experienced in that and understand the bigger picture. While parents also play a significant role in the player’s journey, it is often better not to mix the parent & coach roles.

4. Make the ride to and from tournaments judgment free. Often the least favorite memory of juniors is related to the ride to and from tournaments while parents (despite their good intentions) lectured the player on all the things they should have done differently. Instead, just ask your child what some of their

goals are for this match beforehand, and how did they do on those goals at the end of the match. Less is often more.

5. Have consistent responses after matches. While some matches can be quite emotional and intense, parents need to be a source of stability in tournaments, instead of an additional source of stress. That means, watch your body language after your child misses a shot, and significant changes in responses based on the outcome of the match. A suggestion could be to always allow the player 5-10 minutes after the match to decompress on their own, and then you can ask them about how they did on their predetermined goals.

6. Focus on the positive things first. While players can and should learn from their mistakes they should also learn from the good things they are doing. So pointing them out is a must for that. Start with the positive and then you may mention few areas that could have been better; an overload of suggestions is also not as helpful.

In all, navigating the tournament scene can be a rich experience for both parents and players. While the above list does not include everything, it does provide some important guidelines that can smooth out the process and increase the chances that players will enjoy their competition and be more likely to stick to it for many years, and potentially their lifetime.

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

iPlayMe2 Helping Tennis Clubs

Digitize The Way Forward

Bronxville Field Club director of racquet sports Nathan LeFevre jumped on the opportunity last summer to run all of its Club’s championships in a brand new way, having the players themselves selfschedule their matches, when mutually convenient, and then selfreport the match scores, using the innovative iPlayMe2.

Nathan shared his interesting story about leveraging iPlayMe2’s app-centric solution. His “light-bulb moment”:

“Everyone these days has a smart phone in their palm, and is working remotely as often as possible. Schedules are more flexible, and less predictable. So, when iPlayMe2 came knocking on our door, with this self-scheduling tournament software, we couldn’t resist hearing them out”.

He continued: “We usually ran our Club Championships the traditional way; setting up specific days and weekend times when we’d insist our members get those matches in. But we flipped the problem on its head. Instead of our club mandating play time, blocking out courts, and cramping members’ schedules, I

offered the members to use iPlayMe2’s app to self-schedule those matches, and then, without any input from my staff’s side, enter their match score.”

iPlayMe2’s club admin portal cranked out the brackets, with tournament players then getting forwarded to a website displaying draws, and receiving e-mails, and/or texts, about whom their first round opponent was, and were suggested to use the iPlayMe2 player app to propose days / timeslots throughout the week, for that match.

Some players stayed ‘old-school’, texting each other to coordinate when to play, while others embraced this innovative app, by efficiently accepting or countering each other’s propositions on when to play at our club, all through this app. By the second round, othe member-players were jumping on the app, and making short work of the scheduling headache of offering convenient play times that suited their personal schedules. iPlayMe2 built this app to be as easy as ordering up an Uber... tap, swipe and a click.

Members loved entering their own

scores, particularly when they won. This saved the club’s staff incredible amounts of time; iPlayMe2’s tournament brackets were always fully up-to-date, and visible to all of the members through the club’s private page within iPlayMe2’s ecosystem.

For Nathan, iPlayMe2 not only digitized, and made easy, the entire process of setting up and running the club’s competitive play, but the members took more ownership of their matches, and were eager to schedule them when convenient to both sides of the net.

iPlayMe2 also handles flex leagues, round-robins, ladders as well as can generate player rankings/ratings across the entire club. It even handles Compass Draw type tournaments. For 2023, iPlayMe2 integrated all other racquet sports as well, including of course Pickleball, and Padel.

Nathan summed it up: “iPlayMe2 is very simple to use; it takes only minutes to set up a draw; the tech platform does everything else, and elegantly. Some of our members now think I’m a genius! They’re only halfright... Thanks iPlayMe2!”

USTA Eastern Metro Region

National Tennis Center Hosts USTA Eastern’s 2023 Junior Team Tennis Sectionals

LongIsland-based teams swept all four divisions at the 2023 USTA Eastern Junior Team Tennis (JTT) Sectional Championships, held June 17-18 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Squads from the Game Set Match Tennis Academy in East Setauket, N.Y. claimed victory in both 14 & Under (14U) Advanced and 18 & Under (18U) Advanced competition, while contingents from Sportime Lynbrook, in Lynbrook, N.Y., took home the championship hardware in both the 14U Intermediate and 18U Intermediate categories. The 18U champions in both divisions will now represent USTA Eastern at the World TeamTennis Junior Nationals, to be held July 17-20 at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida.

“Chemistry was big,” said 18U Intermediate Sportime Lynbrook captain Pat Mosquera while reflecting on his team’s victory. “These kids play [together] all year round. Off the court and on the court they’re all great friends, so it’s a lot of fun for them.”

Indeed, teamwork was a hallmark of the weekend overall. In JTT competition, one or two members of each team face off in five one-set matches: boys’ and girls’ singles, boys’ and girls’ doubles, as well as one mixed doubles match. Although one team wins each match, every game earned is what ultimately counts toward the final score. Sahara Ahmad—who helped Sportime Lynbrook ease past YMCA Saratoga (of USTA Eastern’s Northern Region) in the 18U Intermediate final with wins in both the girls’ singles and doubles matches—said the format made the event uniquely exciting, given how individualized the game can normally be.

“Tennis can be such a lonely sport,” she said. “Even in

doubles, it’s just one other person. Just the fact that you have teammates to cheer you on, I really like that aspect.”

Her teammate, Zecheng Fang—who contested boys’ singles for Lynbrook—echoed that sentiment, also noting that the team element served as a motivating factor on court as he battled YMCA Saratoga’s Vincent Devito in the final. Fang had the edge for most of the contest, but the pair played multiple lungbusting rallies at critical moments that tended to finish in Devito’s favor. Hearing cheers from his teammates helped Fang gut out the win.

“You’re not just playing for yourself,” he explained. “You’re playing for the team. [So] I had to stay focused, especially on bigger points, just trying not to make any easy mistakes.”

Although he ultimately lost his bout with Feng, Devito stepped back on the same court minutes later to contest the mixed doubles match with partner Bella Kaldy. Thanks in part to some strong shotmaking at the net from Kaldy, the pair came back from a break down to claim the match 7-5. The duo said that having the opportunity to compete in mixed added to the excitement of the event overall.

“Usually you’re either playing boys’ doubles, girls’ doubles or singles [at a tournament], so it’s nice to change it up a little,” said Devito, whose no stranger to versatility, will actually play for his school’s soccer team when he heads to college in the fall.

Kaldy agreed.

“I think it’s different and fun,” she said. “We’ve actually gotten to play together all season, so we’re used to it by now. And it’s helpful because [Vincent] knows how to calm me down when I miss!”

The team from Sportime Lynbrook captured the title in the 18 & Under Intermediate division

USTA Eastern Metro Region

Another exciting facet of JTT Sectionals for participants: getting to compete on the same courts as professional players who contest the US Open each year. It was particularly meaningful for Devito and Kaldy’s teammate Riley Schmitz, the reigning New York State Section II girls’ singles champion.

“My family is a very big tennis family, and my siblings are a lot older,” she said. “The one time a year that we all get to talk and be together is here at the US Open. So

it’s really fun to be in this environment. It brings up a lot of good memories.”

She’ll continue to create good memories, according to Mosquera. “I’ve been doing this for over 30 years,” he said “The kids that I taught 30 years ago are playing with me now on a USTA League team. They’ve been together 30 years, and as adults they’re still competing. The friendship goes past tennis. 30 years from now, I may not be here, but these kids in juniors will still be here playing. That’s the beauty of the

Queens Student Jude Killikelly Receives USTA Scholarship

Atthe HBCU Springcoming festival in New York earlier this April, high school senior Jude Killikelly, of Queens, N.Y., was named the recipient of the USTA Althea Gibson Scholarship. The award—which was developed in partnership with USTA Eastern NJTLs and the HBCU Puissance Scholarship Committee—is bestowed upon a worthy individual who plays tennis and will be attending a HBCU in the fall. We talked to Killikelly—who will head to Hampton University in a couple months—about his academic achievements, his love of the game and why Felix Auger-Aliassime is his favorite player these days.

Congratulations on receiving the Althea Gibson Scholarship! One requirement for recipients of this award is a strong academic background. When you look back at your time in high school, what makes you most proud?

KILLIKELLY: I would say that my biggest accomplishment in high school was maintaining a high GPA while being a student-athlete and managing all the other extracurricular activities I was involved in. That included being the Teen Vice President and Teen Treasurer of the Queens Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc. I’m proud of these accomplishments because it took lots of dedication and sacrifice, and I’m looking forward to doing greater things in college and beyond.

What are some of your personal goals for Hampton University?

KILLIKELLY: I plan on majoring in Computer Science and potentially minoring in Leadership Studies. I want to really get involved in campus [activities] and also maintain a high GPA while being an athlete.

Another requirement for the scholarship is a background in tennis. When did you first pick up a racquet?

KILLIKELLY: I started playing at age seven. I was first introduced to the sport through my sister, who currently plays college tennis at Hartwick College. I would always attend her tournaments and practices when I was younger and that led me to have an interest in it.

What made you want to keep up with it?

What do you love about the game?

KILLIKELLY: What I love most about it is how you are on the court by yourself. You need to find ways to win, no matter what the score is, all on your own. The sport calls for you to try different tactics when something isn’t working. [Through playing] over the years, I have learned to be persistent and mentally strong. There is a point where talent isn’t the deciding factor of the match. It ultimately comes down to which player is willing to fight for every point.

Do you have a favorite on-court moment or memory?

KILLIKELLY: My greatest memory in tennis was when I was down a set in my high school tennis match and I came back and won the match in a third-set tiebreaker to send my school to the city semifinals for the first time in the school’s history.

The scholarship you received is named after an incredible tennis champion, Althea Gibson. How would you say her story has inspired you?

KILLIKELLY: Althea Gibson’s legacy has inspired me as an African American in a predominantly white sport to be

Killikelly (center) will attend Hampton University

USTA Eastern Metro Region

confident in who I am as a player. Her legacy has shown me the importance of being resilient on and off the court. It motivates me to keep going even when it looks like things aren’t going my way.

You're clearly a big tennis fan. What current professional player do you love watching the most these days?

KILLIKELLY: Currently, my favorite professional player is Felix Auger-Aliassime because of the way that he carries himself on the court and also his dominant serve and forehand. Even though his forehand may sometimes break down under pressure, I feel that he has a very high ceiling and bright future on the ATP Tour. I think he will eventually break into the Top 5.

Metro Region Hosts Free Tennis Clinic for Essential Workers

Eastern’s Metro Regional Council hosted its third annual Essential Workers Appreciation clinic on Sunday June 11 at the Lincoln Terrace Tennis Courts in Brooklyn. The event— which began in 2021—serves as a gift to community members who risked their lives during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “This event is very meaningful to us,” said Metro Regional Council Director Sharon Simmonds. “Essential workers are indispensable and their dedication during the pandemic was priceless. It is an event of gratitude.”

USTA

previous years, admission, in accordance with the overall mission of the event, was free of charge for all who attended.

“We had great weather and an enthusiastic group of participants,” Simmonds said. “The attendees were very happy with their tennis experience.”

So happy, in fact, that Simmonds hopes to go bigger in 2024.

“It would be great to build on it by having one in each borough,” she said.

The record 50 participants who attended the clinic received instruction from coaches and also spent some of the session hitting with each other. Among those in attendance included health care employees, as well as others from the corrections, sanitation, education, transportation, critical retail and critical trade fields. For the first time, the council also integrated activities for kids into the schedule. As in

The event caps off a busy spring for the council. The governing body remains actively involved in the Mayor’s Action Plan (MAP), an initiative through which council members bring tennis programming to New York City housing developments. Simmonds and her fellow council members also helped organize an adaptive tennis training for New York City teachers, and they also assisted in developing a cardio tennis program in Brooklyn.

Metro Region Council Offers Regional Grants

in the Metro Region can apply for regional grant funding to support programming aimed at increasing tennis participation in the community. Special consideration will be given to: school and afterschool programming; junior competitive play; adult competitive play; diversity and inclusion initiatives; Community Tennis Associations (CTA) & National Jr. Tennis

Organizations

and Learning (NJTL) Programs; special populations and wheelchair tennis programming; and innovative programming.

Regional grant awards are up to $1,000 and are for tennis programs and events operating in 2023. To learn more about eligibility requirements please visit USTA Eastern’s website.

Over 50 people attended the Metro Regional Council’s Essential Workers Appreciation event

American Dream

Frances Tiafoe journey has taken him to the ATP Top 10

By Brian Coleman

Ona Sunday afternoon in Stuttgart, Germany, American Frances Tiafoe was playing in one of the biggest matches in his career, as he squared off against Jan-Lennard Struff in the championship of the BOSS Open.

Tiafoe was seeking his first tour-level title on grass and his third overall, but was stuck in a long third-set tiebreak against his German opponent. The young American even faced a match point in the deciding breaker, but was able to dig deep.

“That tie-break was wild. It was back and forth, crazy point at 6-5. It was neck and neck,” Tiafoe would say afterwards. “He served so well, I wasn’t able to break for three sets but I stayed with it and I could not be happier with my effort.”

On his first match point, Tiafoe closed out the championship via a stretch volley winner to put Struff away and claim the title.

“I have now won a title on all three surfaces,” he said. “It shows I am a complete player and when I am locked in I can compete on all three surfaces.”

The win was a major milestone for the 25-year-old from Maryland. Not only did it give him a title on grass, a major validation, but it also catapulted him into the Top 10 of the ATP World Tour Rankings. He joins compatriot Taylor Fritz inside the Top 10, marking the first time since 2012, when Mardy Fish and John Isner were ranked No. 9 and No. 10, respectively, that two American men are ranked that high.

Tiafoe also became just the third African-American man ever ranked inside the Top 10 joining Arthur Ashe and James Blake, just a day before the American holiday of Juneteenth, which celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans in the United States.

All of those milestones and accomplishments proceeded Tiafoe to post on Instagram:

“What a week man. Title number three for the kid. With that now I’m Top Ten in the world. Achieving this on Juneteenth. SHEESH…can’t make this up,” he wrote. “Just wanna shoutout all my close friends, family, mentors and anyone else who has helped me on this crazy thing we call life. This game is so much bigger than me. I do this for my last name, not my first. I do this to inspire kids who look like me. I do this for kids who ain’t got a damn thing [and are] against all odds, but get the last laugh in the end. All I gotta say to ya’ll [is] if I can do it, ya’ll can as well.”

continued on page 30

Photos courtesy of USTA

american dream

continued from page 28

And that is the sort of impact Tiafoe can have on the next generation and is an inspiration to a number of young athletes who may never have thought tennis was an option for them. Tiafoe’s tennis journey is one that is far different than that of his peers, and it’s part of the reason winning titles and succeeding on the tour means so much more to him than earning top prize money or climbing up the rankings.

Tiafoe’s story is the American Dream. He and his twin brother, Franklin, were born in Maryland to Sierra Leone immigrants, who fled to the United States as refugees fleeing their country’s civil war. A few years after arriving in the United States, the elder Tiafoe, who goes by Frances Sr., took a job on the construction crew that was building the new Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) in College Park.

After construction was finished, the elder Tiafoe was hired to be the on-site custodian for the facility and was given a spare office to live in at the center. The Tiafoe children lived there with their father five days a week for the next decade, and made sure to take advantage of the circumstances they had. They began playing tennis at the age of four. On the weekends, when their mother wasn’t working the night shift as a nurse, the brothers would stay with her.

“It was a pretty small room. There were two massage tables in there, and my father slept on one and me and my brother were small enough to share the other,” he recalls. “My mom’s apartment was maybe three minutes away, and we’d stay there on weekends and other days when she was off. It’s what we had to do to survive. My parents were trying to make ends meet, and Pops gave us a chance to be in a good setting after school.”

Through an arrangement with the JTCC, the Tiafoe brothers were able to train there, and when he was eight-

years-old, Misha Kouznetsov, one of the center’s coaches, began to coach Tiafoe after he witnessed the young kid’s tenacious work ethic, and the two would maintain that coach-player relationship through Tiafoe’s teenage years.

Vesa Ponkka, one of the JTCC founders and its current Senior Director of Tennis, recalls seeing a young Frances at the center.

“You’d see him sitting on the bench, but he was so small his feet didn’t even touch the ground. But he’d watch the top players, and the coaches who were working with them, and was always completely focused. Then he’d go to the back wall of the facility and mimic everything he saw. A total student of the game.”

So from a young age, Tiafoe knew what he wanted to do: be a professional tennis player, and he would stop at nothing to achieve that with the strong desire to pull his family out of poverty. Like kids in similar circumstances though, sometimes you don’t even realize you are poor or different from the other kids around

you, it’s just the life you live.

Still, that doesn’t mean kids your age, especially wealthy ones who can afford thousands of dollars of tennis lessons, won’t tease or bully you for your family’s situation, which still lingers in his head to this day, despite all of his success.

“The circumstances in my life have definitely changed,” said Tiafoe. “But those poor, poor jokes back then really hurt. It made you feel, in the back of your mind, that you weren’t cut from the same cloth.”

But as time has proven, it was those kids who were not cut from the same cloth as Tiafoe, as his work ethic, skill and determination have made him one of the world’s best tennis players, and he says he owes so much to his father, who never made him feel like he wasn’t worthy of greatness.

“I wouldn’t say anger because you knew to be grateful for what you have,” he said. “But it was tough because they’d look at what you wore and it was not great. My dad played a special role. He said, ‘Look, you could have the last laugh. You’ve got

Photos courtesy of USTA

an amazing opportunity. They’ve got chauffeurs. That’s cool, but is it theirs? No, they were born into it. You can earn yours.”

Those words continue to resonate with Tiafoe, who now seeks to take his career one step further by trying to win a Grand Slam. Last fall, he upended Rafael Nadal on his way to reaching the U.S. Open semifinals, and he has proven he has the goods to beat the greats on the biggest stages.

No matter what occurs from here on out, Tiafoe’s career and life have been a success, and he wants the next batch of kids who may be in similar straits to the ones he grew up in to know it’s possible for them too.

“I want to use the story now to inspire others. You don’t have to be from the upper echelon to be great. If you want something in life, go get it.”

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

Former professional and collegiate tennis players gathered on the courts of the Four Seasons Club in Wilton, Ct. to compete in the New England One-OnOne Doubles tournament.

One-On-One Doubles is the crosscourt serve-and-volley Singles game that includes the doubles alley. Players are required to serve-and-volley on both serves or there is a loss of point; Half volleys are allowed. All players are awarded two points for winning volleys and overheads — hit in the air — that the opponent cannot touch or reach.

The tournaments feature not only top-flight competition on the courts, but a fun environment off the court with food, live music and more. And at stake on the court was $2,000 in total prize money.

“There was a fantastic level of tennis today. It was great to have a mix of some younger players and some older guys,” said Greg Moran, Owner and Director of Tennis at Four Seasons. “The format is great because it events the playing field a bit. One-On-One Doubles is great for everybody, would be great for juniors to do, because it forces them to come to the net and volley, they are forced to develop those skills. That’s how doubles should be played.”

In the end, it was Teddy Truwit, who plays for Duke University, who came away victorious and earn the event’s top prize money.

“I served really well. I was able to get a lot of free points off the serve which always helps,” said Truwit. “Both the semifinals and finals went to tiebreakers so the clutch moments were important. I played a ton of doubles in my first year at Duke, so I love doubles and love the challenge of having someone

cracking balls at you as you have to come up to the net. It’s really fun.”

As the One-On-One Doubles events continue to grow, so does the level of competition that takes place at them. The format also forces players to change up their typical approach to the game and make adjustments, which Ed Krass, the founder and director of One-On-One Doubles Tennis, says is the intriguing part of this sport.

“I think that the hardest part for these players is getting a feel for the mid-court volley, being forced to come and make that first volley. I think that’s the exciting development of this game,” said Krass. “We had Callum Markowitz, who won the Section I high school singles title, who had never played One-On-One Doubles, but he practiced for a week using our format, and he found himself to be a great serve-and-volley player. Overall, we had a really strong level of tennis, players from Division I programs and guys from the ATP Circuit, it was a really nice mix of players.”

You can learn more about One-On-One Doubles and future tournaments by visiting OneOnOneDoubles.com.

Truwit Wins One-On-One Doubles Tournament in Connecticut

By Brian Coleman

Coaching Spotlight

Joel Richmond Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club

Coaches and teachers don’t do what they do in order to earn recognition, or to receive awards and honors that focus on them.

But still, to be honored by an organization for the efforts you put forth, and to have the work you do get noticed means a lot to anyone in those positions. So when Joel Richmond, the co-Director of the Advance QuickStart Tennis program in New York City was named the New York Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) 2023 Coach of the Year earlier this year, he was in awe.

“It’s a very humbling experience, and I’m very proud of the honor,” said Richmond, who received his honor at the annual PTR Symposium in Hilton Head, South Carolina earlier this year. “This is my first recognition in the tennis industry, and I’ve been a part of it for more than 15 years. I’ve been a member of PTR since 2012, when I got certified, and so to win this award is just incredibly humbling. I couldn’t have done it without my team who I have such incredible respect and appreciation for.”

Richmond got his start in the tennis industry like a lot of people, teaching tennis at a local club during summer camp while he was in high school. After playing collegiate tennis at Bard College, he continued his coaching and worked his way through the ranks, joining the Advantage Tennis Clubs team nearly a decade ago.

“Joel is an invaluable member of our team, and we were thrilled that he was honored with the PTR New York Coach of the Year back in February,” said Skip Hartman, Founder of Advantage Tennis Clubs. “He is an excellent leader and really engages with both his staff and the players in the program to make it what it has become.”

While he still coaches on-court, Richmond takes pride in being a leader of his staff, helping to guide his staff into creating the best possible programming for the young kids who come to them to learn tennis.

“I do think of myself more as an organizer. Our staff is mostly part time and come from all walks of life, from retired folks to high school kids, and they are great,” he said. “I love being able to help them develop professionally, and we offer trainings and things like that so they can always be improving. Partnering with the PTR has helped with that a lot.”

The connection between PTR and Advantage Tennis Clubs runs deep, as the clubs encourage employees to become certified instructors and receive continuing education for teaching tennis and working in the tennis industry. Hartman has a close relationship with PTR founder Dennis Van Der Meer in the past, and now collaborates with current CEO Dan Santorum.

Many of Advantage’s top tennis staff, including Richmond as well as Xavier Luna, Gabe Slotnick and Tony Huber are all longtime PTR members.

“I am especially gratified to know that the larger tennis community has recognized the way Advantage organizes and delivers the QuickStart program and provides opportunities to new local talent to get PTR certified and coach in our junior programs and camps,” said Richmond.

Richmond and his team take great pride in providing top-notch teaching and coaching to its young players, and making sure to do so in an engaging way. They have a very game-based

philosophy of instructing, creating a fun environment from which to learn from rather than just lining the kids up and feeding them balls.

“I still try to get out on court and teach as much as possible,” he added. “When you have a child who maybe has different expectations, and you’re able to make tennis easier to learn for them, we use different equipment and make it a fun, game-based learning experience. We make sure we put them in engaging drills right from the start.”

From there, the kids who seem to have a talent for tennis or at least demonstrate a passion for the sport, they can move up into the Advanced Red Ball portion of the pathway.

“One of the classes I teach is Advanced Red Ball. There is no bar for getting into that program, and what we look for is kids who are interested and passionate in tennis,” Richmond explained. “Those kids play longer, and then take private lessons, and we see their full tennis development. To work with them and watch them grow is amazing,

and what it’s all about.”

Richmond and his team are excited to continue the work they are doing, and are preparing for the coming summer months which always sees an increase in tennis participation across the New York City area. The sport of tennis is in a good place both locally and nationally, and it’s because of leaders such as Richmond who continue to inspire the next generation of tennis players.

“The award is incredibly motivating, and encourages me to continue working hard and always striving to be better,” said Richmond. “When I took the reins of the program soon after the COVID-19 pandemic, there were challenges at the beginning. I also did have some health issues last year which was rough. But this award is rejuvenating and motivating, and establishes a challenge for myself and my team to continue doing what we’re doing. I embrace the challenge of growing this program and always looking to innovate, which is something all of us in the tennis industry should always strive to do.”

Bloomberg Captures Metro Corporate League Advanced Championship

Intermediate Division: Paul Weiss

Advanced Intermediate Division: Bank of America

Advanced Division: Bloomberg (Vighnesh)

TheWinter 2023 season in the Metro Corporate League came to a close as Roosevelt Island Racquet Club hosted the end-of-season party and finals for the three different divisions.

The end-of-season parties wrapped up another successful installment of the Corporate League, featuring high-level competition on the courts while catered food and an open bar kept both players, spectators and fellow league members

to enjoy while watching.

The winners of the Intermediate Division, Paul Weiss, move up to the Advanced Intermediate Division for the next season, while the winners of the Advanced Intermediate Division, Bank of America, move up to the Advanced Division.

For more information on leagues, to sign up a team, or to sign up to play, visit MetroTennis.com or contact luis@metrotennis.com.

Presented by Advantage Tennis Clubs

PARSA’s picks

Real

estate on Long Island is some of the most sought after property in the world, and many of them are perfect for the tennis lover, especially those out in The Hamptons. With gorgeous landscapes, modern design and private tennis courts, among other amenities, these properties are truly one-of-a-kind.

With the help of Parsa Samii of Compass Real Estate, we wanted to showcase a current listing for sale. Samii is a former professional tennis player and coach who has transitioned into real estate, with a strong understanding of both the tennis aficionado and the home buyer.

As Compass puts it, “Parsa is the ideal professional to navigate the ever-competitive real estate market.” For more information, photos or to see more listings, e-mail parsa@compass.com or call (516) 965-7445.

137 Clay Pit Sag Harbor, N.Y.

$3,499,995

5 Bedrooms

5 Bathrooms

1 1/2 Bathrooms

6,000 Sq. Ft.

Welcometo the Hamptons Private Clay Pit Estate located near gorgeous Sag Harbor Village in this new constructed home!

This two-acre estate built by Terra Construction Group and ARCH&Co is located near Sag Harbor Village, and offers options of over +/- 6,000 square feet of living space on three levels. With 6 ensuite bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms, a theater, and a fitness center, 20 x 40 gunite pool, pool house, and tennis court, it is the perfect retreat for relaxation and entertainment.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a private circular driveway that leads to a large front porch. The two-story foyer draws in natural light and offers a view of the two-acre estate surrounded by a wooded oasis. The open floor plan and seamless indoor-outdoor living space make it ideal for hosting your friends and family. This home comes standard with over 4,200 square feet which includes two primary suites, one on the first floor and one on the second floor,

providing flexibility and comfort. Some of the homes additional available options include: a 1,800 square foot finished lower level, a 20X40 gunite pool, a tennis court, a pool house with an outdoor kitchen, a third car garage, a third floor observation deck, a 200 square foot den off the family room, a 170 square foot sitting room off the primary bedroom, a deck off the primary bedroom, a cabana bathroom, a wine cellar in the living room, and more.

“For this price point to have both a new construction home and a tennis court for us tennis enthusiasts is incredible at under $3.5 million in Sag Harbor,” said Samii. “One of the positives of buying pre-construction is the ability to customize the home to you and your family’s taste and lifestyle.”

With so many options, this home will be tailored to fit your preferences, making it a unique opportunity to have a custom-built home designed according to your taste and style. Don't miss this chance to own Private Clay Pit Estate in the heart of Hamptons.

Someof the world’s best pickleball players arrived here in New York to compete in the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) New York City Open. The competition took place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, which normally hosts the U.S. Open, but on this weekend played host to a premier pickleball event.

At that event, Andrei Daescu & Rob Nunnery teamed up to take home the Gold Medal in Men’s Pro Doubles. Long Island Tennis Magazine caught up with Daescu to talk about his pickleball beginnings, his success on the tour as well as his partnership with Viking Athletics, one of the leading brands in the racquet sport industry.

When did you first start playing pickleball? What was your introduction to the sport, and did you play other racquet/paddle sports before you began playing pickleball?

My first experience with pickleball was in the fall of 2017 at Ballenisles Country Club in South Florida. I was a tennis pro at the club and a bunch of our members asked us to hire some pickleball pros to come to our club and do a learn & play clinic for our members. During that clinic they needed an extra player for the exhibition and I got to jump in, I was hooked instantly after the first few

Top Pickleball Players Come to Flushing Meadows for the APP NYC Open

points. It was about 3-4 weeks later that I was playing in my first official tournament and everything snowballed from that moment on, I still enjoy the game as much as I did that first time I played. My racquet sports background is in tennis, I started playing when I was 6, played college tennis for the University of Oklahoma where I became an All-American in 2010 and played on the pro tour from 2010-2015. I reached a career high ranking of 126 ATP in doubles and got to compete in the 2015 US Open which is my most fun memory in tennis, there's no other place like Flushing Meadows during the US Open.

What did it mean to you to win the APP New York City Open? What were you doing well throughout the tournament that allowed you to win it?

Winning the APP New York City Open was a great accomplishment for me. The experience of playing at Flushing Meadows was fantastic, it brought back some nice memories, and I enjoyed the NYC crowd which came out in large numbers over that weekend. I was able to play my best game for a large part of that tournament and overcame some good adversity in the finals to be able to bring home the gold.

Pickleball's popularity has certainly risen over the last several years, especially at the professional level. What do you think is the reason for this shift? And also, what should people know about pickleball at the highest levels as often time the perception is it's a sport for old people?

There's no question pickleball's popularity has risen exponentially in the last few years and we now have large hedge-funds and big-time celebrities buying stock into our game. I attribute the growth in the popularity simply to how much fun the game actually is. More and more people have been exposed to the game in the last 5-10 years and I think COVID helped expose a very large number of the general population, and add to that the retention rate being extremely high, pretty much all my family and friends who have tried it are loving it and playing a lot. The game of pickleball is easy to learn which makes it fun at the start, but hard to master which keeps us coming back. Regarding pickleball being a game for old people, I used to hear that a lot in the early years of the game but now that most people have tried it you really don't hear that much at all. If you haven't tried the game yet, go

out with your friends and play some singles or doubles for 45 minutes and you'll see it for yourself how good of a workout it is.

Can you talk about your relationship with Viking Athletics? When did that come about?

My relationship with Viking came about at the start of this year. They are obviously a very established company in the platform-tennis market and were looking to make the jump into pickleball as well. I was really excited about their longterm plan and their staff so in May I decided to join their team and I am really happy with the move so far. They are a world-class company in the racquet-sports industry and this was a great opportunity for me so I hope our partnership will last a long time.

What makes Viking a great company/brand to

collaborate with?

Viking is a great brand to collaborate because of its experience and willingness to stay ahead of the game. Despite their great success in racquet sports, they always embrace feedback, their staff is extremely capable to turn that feedback into some great results and their team gives you that family feeling at all times.

What are some of your goals/plans for the summer and moving forward?

I have a really busy tournament schedule this summer that is going to take me coast to coast here in the US and will also bring me in the UK at the beginning of August. The plan for the summer is to continue to enjoy playing pickleball at the highest level, continue to expose as many people as possible to this great game and take care of my body during this process so I can do this for a long time to come.

2023 APP New York City Open Full Results

Women’s Pro Singles

• Champion: Salome Devidze

• Runner-Up: Megan Fudge

Men’s Pro Singles

• Champion: William Sobek

• Runner-Up: Vuk Velickovic

Women’s Pro Doubles

• Champion: Simone Jardim & Parris

Todd

• Runner-Up: Megan Fudge & Alix

Truong

Men’s Pro Doubles

• Champion: Andrei Daescu & Rob

Nunnery

• Runner-Up: Hunter & Yates Johnson

Mixed Pro Doubles

• Champion: Susannah Barr & Rob

Nunnery

• Runner-Up: Simone Jardim & Stefan

Auvergne

Why Traditional Spanish Methods and Philosophies Are Important for Junior Development

By Chris Lewit

Themodern pro game is typified by shorter rallies and explosive, aggressive tennis. Huge serves and dominating returns are the norm. Rally length data promoted by analysts like Craig O’Shannessy have supported the concept of aggressive first-strike tennis at the top of the game.

However, while the pro game is evolving its explosive style, juniors in development need to learn fundamentals of movement and a solid base of consistency. They need to learn a complete game—not just attack—but grinding and defense too. Moreover, they need to learn how to accelerate the racquet with control.

The Spanish Method, in the tradition of legendary coaches like William Pato Alvarez and Lluis Bruguera, offers an approach and philosophy that is the ideal training system for building the important concepts mentioned above for young players.

Movement

Teaching great movement is an obsession in Spain. Spanish coaches love to work on the positioning of the body, the footwork of a player, and stability and balance on the move.

When players focus too early on attacking and hitting big shots, they neglect their movement development. Footwork can suffer. Reaction and reading the ball are not trained enough. Fast court indoor tennis in the Northeast makes it very difficult to develop solid movers because of the speed of the courts and the

quick tempo of the points. I spent a fortune building European style red clay courts at my club in Manchester, Vermont. Why? Because I wanted slow courts to train my players on. I wanted them to learn how to adjust to the incoming ball, rally, defend and build a tactical game plan. On fast indoor courts, these qualities are often bypassed by players seeking only one objective: power!

In New York, I train players on clay as well. The slippery surface challenges the balance of my students. There are bad bounces that challenge the eyes, hands, and feet, and force the players to make quick adjustments. After a few years on clay, my students become more agile. I teach them how to slide. They become more balanced and adaptable. They learn to run and position their bodies well to receive and send the ball optimally. These aspects can be lost when training mostly on fast courts and with a first-strike only philosophy.

Consistency

Spain has an obsession with being steady and consistent. They believe that control is a priority in junior development. Too often, I don’t see this as a priority for kids in the US, especially in the Northeast. Control means you can hit targets consistently. Control means you can rally 10 or 20 balls in a row with accuracy. Control means you hit with balance and without exaggerated body movements. Control means you have the

stamina, patience and focus to keep the ball in play as long as it takes to win the point.

These basic values are often non-existent with juniors that I see coming out of most clubs in the area. In addition, patient and steady players are often demeaned and derided as “pushers” in the US. They don’t have this word in Spain, but being labeled “steady” there is the highest honor a player could have—not a scarlet letter. Now I’m not suggesting that pushing is good (see the topic below on ‘Acceleration’), but at least pushers understand the basic building blocks of tennis are running and getting the ball in play. Making fewer errors often wins matches at all levels of the game. In Spain, to make few errors is a great attribute and highly lauded.

Defense

In the US, I see few players who are proud of their defense and counterpunching skills. Players will jump to play attacking the net games, but they don’t relish passing shot or defending games. Players want to serve all the time but rarely work on their return. Many juniors spend entire careers without learning how to back up in the court, how to neutralize attacking shots, and how to survive in uncomfortable places on the court.

In Spain, all the juniors learn these skills. They love to suffer and run. They love to extend rallies, not shorten them. They take great pride in defending, not just attacking. It’s a very healthy approach to junior

development to value and prioritize defense and attack equally. Rarely do I have a junior come to me from the US who likes to play a defending game or “no winners” game. In our country, kids are obsessed with hitting winners.

Analysts like O’Shannessy really do a disservice to junior development by suggesting that juniors should train primarily the first four shots rather than learning to control the ball in long rallies. Young kids need to learn to be solid and consistent. Then as they grow older they can develop their weapons and first-strike capabilities. Too many coaches and juniors want to skip stages and jump to the pro style of aggression without first building the solid base. It’s like building a house on a weak foundation of sand.

Acceleration

Spanish coaches are obsessed with developing acceleration—racquet head speed. Before studying in Spain, I had never seen a system that addressed this area of technical development. The

racquet head speed is not just important for power, but also for generating spin. RPM is a big priority in Spain, especially on the forehand weapon, but also on the backhand. Most Spanish coaches have a toolbox of exercises that they use to build acceleration and most of them come from the genius mind of Bruguera. The Bruguera Method has the most famous drills in Spain for developing racquet head speed.

In the US, racquet head speed seems to be something people believe is inherited, not trained. Some hit the ball big but often flat and with a stiff arm. Some kids push without accelerating. I make a great living helping juniors from all over the US develop whip and elasticity on their groundstrokes. I have seen countless juniors with stiff arms and flat strokes who are not utilizing their body mechanics optimally to produce power and spin.

Conclusion

In my academy in Manchester, and with

my students in NY, I stress these important foundational Spanish elements:

• Movement

• Consistency

• Defense

• Acceleration

As players develop and get older, firststrike becomes important, but I will never progress students along without ensuring that their foundation of great movement, consistency, defense, and acceleration are well refined.

From my perspective, this step-by-step approach to junior development is a better way to build a complete player who is solid from the ground and makes few errors, but still has weapons to attack. Too often, especially in the Northeastern US, I see juniors who want to play like the pros do, but haven’t spent the time learning to be solid first. They haven’t developed their movement skills. They can’t defend. And their acceleration is wild. This is a big mistake that parents, coaches and players would be wise to avoid.

Tennis Bubbles A Grand Slam Victory Over the Elements

Tryingto figure out a way to maintain your tennis training momentum throughout the offseason? Indoor tennis is a lot more viable than you might think. New York’s harsh winters make outdoor tennis strictly a seasonal sport—unless you can move it indoors. And while indoor tennis may seem like an expensive luxury, The Farley Group keeps the game going year-round by manufacturing, installing and maintaining tennis bubbles. Bubbles are the ideal solution for indoor tennis—both economically and practically.

Tennis has always been a big deal in New York, which has driven the demand for indoor playing spaces for several decades now. With more than 30 bubbles in New York City and the Long Island area, Farley tennis bubbles have helped solidify New York as one of the top places to train and develop

tennis talent. By providing a way to train throughout the winter, tennis becomes much more accessible to those that don’t have the means or desire to travel south for the winter.

Compared to other construction methods, bubbles have a relatively short history. Bubbles first made appearances in North America in the early 1970s, and have since evolved into a top solution for sports like tennis. Ralph Farley, founder of The Farley Group, saw how well the concept worked in Europe, and brought it back with him more than 40 years ago. Since then, The Farley Group has built dozens of tennis bubbles around the world.

Stepping into a tennis bubble for the first time can be awe-inspiring. No other structure can provide as much space without any support beams or walls. It’s almost counter-intuitive at first sight: “What’s holding up the roof?” Intriguingly, bubbles require nothing but

air to do that. Fresh, filtered and conditioned air flows in, giving the bubble its rounded shape, protecting the playing surface and players underneath.

A wonderful added benefit is that tennis bubbles can be either seasonal or permanent. Permanent bubbles have the advantage of full protection from the weather throughout the year—cold and snow during the winter, and rain or high winds in the summer—while seasonal domes can go up in the fall and come down in the spring. They represent the perfect solution for outdoor courts.

And best of all? Tennis bubbles can be installed for a fraction of what other indoor tennis courts cost.

To learn more about how Farley tennis bubbles can help your club members practice their swing 365 days a year, visit TheFarleyGroup.com or call (888) 445-3223.

Hopefuls Come Out for JMTA Scholarship Tryouts

tennis hopefuls from across the New Yorkmetropolitan area gathered at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) at Sportime Randall’s Island to compete for a chance at a scholarship to the JMTA programs.

Players ranging from ages six through 17 sought to earn a scholarship for the upcoming 2023-2024 season at JMTA’s locations in Long Island, New York City and Westchester.

Participants are evaluated by a Selection Committee, consisting of SPORTIME/JMTA directors, coaches and leaders, including JMTA Co-Directors Lawrence Kleger and Patrick McEnroe. The tryout includes tennis and athletic drills, point/match play and athletic/fitness testing.

“We look forward to our scholarship tryout day each year, as it is an opportunity to meet new talented athletes and their families,” said JMTA Co-Director Patrick McEnroe. “Our mission is to provide access to quality tennis programs for those who may not otherwise have that

opportunity. We are excited to welcome young players to the Academy and look forward to another great tryout.”

The goal of both the tryout and the combine is to find young players who are deserving of full or partial scholarships to attend SPORTIME and JMTA program, starting in Fall 2023.

The event is a joint initiative of the Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP) and SPORTIME/JMTA. JMTP, a 501(c)(3) charity, changes young lives through its commitment and efforts to remove racial, economic and social barriers to success through tennis.

The organization provides free tennis programs and scholarships to under-resourced young athletes from the NY Metropolitan area, providing a pathway to success through high level coaching and competitive tennis opportunities. The ultimate goal is to lead these young people to college scholarships, careers in the industry and, for a few, professional tennis careers.

Talented But Lazy…

By Gilad Bloom

InHebrew, there is a saying that translates to: “god gives nuts to people without teeth.”

Most teaching professionals have encountered this type of player— extremely talented, but agonizingly lazy. As a coach, I always promote good practice habits, discipline, hard work, etc.

But how does a coach handle a lazy kid who hates the boring repetition drills, plays very loose in practice, yet as soon as the points start, they light up the court and beat everyone with ease. It is frustrating as a coach to work with such a player, practice sessions are often wasted because of a lack of willingness by the student to push themselves to the limit. Often, the player will play without any heart if things don’t go well early in the match. On occassion, players will tank and the level of play drastically fluctuates during matches.

When they are in the right frame of mind, it is clear that they are superior to other kids, but that solid frame of mind doesn’t come too often. One of the biggest challenges as a coach is to turn these gifted, untamed students into real players who win matches and fulfill their potential.

The first thing you need when coaching such prodigies is patience. It’s important to give those kids time to come around. They are generally artistic and inspirational, and sometimes it will take a few years for players to mature and make the leap from a talented hack to a serious player who plays with a purpose and a sense of urgency each time they step onto the court.

The gifted players I’m referring to don’t need repetitive, tedious feeding drills or to play two hours of cross-court to each corner. Hitting the ball cleanly comes easy to them. They get bored when doing drills and basically count the minutes until the points start, so they can show everyone their talent. They need

the constant stimulation of competing and trying new, different and original ways to hit the ball, often driving their coach crazy with their shot selection.

The key as a coach is to let them experiment and encourage them to explore new things. It is wrong to tame them or force them to play the conventional way.

Another key is to construct live ball drills that have an element of competition. The idea is to make them play with intensity and keep them engaged in the exercise, so they thrive in a competitive environment.

One of my first students was Dudi Sela. He was incredibly talented from a very young age. At the age of nine, he had every shot in the book, had the guts to serve and volley on big points at the age of 10, and was extremely aggressive, playing fearlessly against bigger, older opponents. He had a lot of losses between the ages of 10-12, but even during those losses, he played magnificently for parts of matches, often making his opponent look like a beginner.

However, Dudi’s mental stamina was not good at all, and many matches resulted in him leading a set and a break, and then losing the second set and tanking in the third set. He would come out of those matches frustrated and discouraged, but what I saw was that when he was playing his “A” game before the mental and physical fatigue set in, he was playing at an incredible level.

I told him, “One day you will be able put together two sets of your ‘A’ game in a tournament and when that happens, you will be the player you want to be.”

Many people wrote him off and were sure that he was not going to amount to anything because of his lack of effort in practice. But my rationale was that if and when he matured, he will realize just how good he can actually be.

Interestingly enough, Dudi Sela turned out to be a seasoned pro player known for his fighting spirit, heart and shot-making ability, making many memorable comebacks and beating many higher ranked players. He is still on the pro tour at the age of 34 and has spent almost 10 years in the top 100, having led Israel to the semifinals of the Davis Cup in that time span.

Sela, like in many cases with players of such talent, matured mentally only in his late teens. The early years shaped him into the player that he is now. He didn’t burn himself out on the practice court like so many others, and there is a freshness that comes from that pure love of the game.

Another player that comes to mind who comes from this mold is New York City’s own Aleks Kovacevic. He came to me at the ripe age of eight, and I loved his game from the first time I saw him play. He had a sweet one-hander, a smooth forehand and was like a mini-Roger Federer.

Much like Sela, Kovacevic was an artist on the court and was amazing when inspired, but also had many lackluster practices in which he was merely going through the motions, leaving me to wonder many times after practice if I was wasting my time with this kid. However, after my experience with Sela, I kept believing in Kovacevic, and despite some tough years in his late teens, he turned out to be a top collegiate player, clinching many matches for his school.

This type of talent comes along very rarely, but when it does, the coach’s job is mainly to let the player’s talent shine and not do too much taming. If you try to force those kids to play a certain way that doesn’t suit them, you will lose them. The trick is to find a way to make them work hard without them thinking that they worked hard. For this type of player, it is important to feel comfortable and happy on the court.

Distribution scheduled for 08/22/23

This edition will feature:

• 2023 U.S. Open Preview

• Girls’ High School Preview

• The Importance of Mental Tennis

• And Much More!

Print distribution across New York at 300+ locations.

Digital distribution across website and social media pages, and the e-Edition will be e-mailed out to our full database.

Don’t miss the advertising opportunities in the next edition of New York Tennis Magazine September/October 2023!

Facebook-www.Facebook.com/NewYorkTennis Instagram-@NYTennisMag • Twitter-@NYTennisMag

Submissions for both advertising and editorial are due by August 6, 2023

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

Sun Tzu’s The Art of War for Tennis Players

By Dr. Tom Ferraro

Thebasic task for any tennis player is to channel and harness all of their aggression. Another way of saying this is that tennis is war but without the bloodshed. Therefore, it is wise to learn about this by reading Sun Tzu’s treatise on the art of war written some 2,400 years ago.

“The Art of War” continues to be read by all modern military leaders and the greatest NFL coach in history, Bill Belichick, uses this book every day. It may come as a surprise but warfare is a psychological game, and so is tennis. I will provide you with ten of the greatest gems of wisdom from “The Art of War” and describe how you can use these insights to win more and lose less.

1. “Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight: whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle, will arrive exhausted.” This introduces the idea of freshness before battle. What this means for tennis players is that one must conserve energy and arrive

courtside refreshed, unhurried, unworried, having had a good night’s sleep, be hydrated and well fed. It takes energy to play tennis and the proper lifestyle matters.

2. “Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength.” Many tennis players are over trained, over played and over scheduled. This may be one of the biggest problems young talent face. Ambition and excitement and winning are prompt the player and their handlers to play them more. Sun Tzu points out that one should not be overtaxed and that strength should be protected.

3. “Defective training and nonobservance of discipline are the ways to court defeat.” This wise aphorism is followed by all champions. Tiger Woods, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have all led disciplined lives. They have all hired and worked with the best

coaches in the world. Sun Tzu is quite right. Training and discipline are keys to success and the only way to avoid defeat. There is no easy way into the winner’s circle.

4. “Whenever there is fighting to be done, the keenest spirits should be appointed to serve in the front ranks, both in order to strengthen the resolution or our own men and to demoralize the enemy.” This statement can be applied to the first game in any tennis match. You ought to have the “keenest spirit” or be trying with intensity in the first game. When you get out fast it does two things psychologically, it encourages and instills confidence in you, and it discourages and intimidates your opponent.

5. “Fortune favors the brave.” This suggests that in tennis and in life, the more one acts decisively and with boldness the more chances you have of winning.

6. “If the commander gives his orders with decisiveness, the soldiers will not wait to hear them twice; if his moves are made without vacillation, the soldiers will not be in two minds about doing their duty.” This relates to the inner decisions a tennis player gives to themselves during a match. If they follow their first hunch, they play decisively and effectively. If they second guess, however, and doubts their intuition, their play will be slower and more mistake prone. The tennis player’s mind controls the body optimally if it is clear, strong and decisive.

7. “Disciplined and calm, to await the appearance of disorder and hubbub amongst the enemy: this is the art of

retaining self-possession.” This is one of the great secrets of the champion. They understand that, in the end the opponent, will be overwhelmed, distracted by the pressure, and choke based upon the intensity of the moment. So they patiently wait for this to occur and then they pounce. Jack Nicklaus knew this in golf. Federer knew this in tennis. This can be called confidence, but I like the way Sun Tzu described the process, “to remain disciplined and calm”, and patiently wait for your opponent to self-defeat.

8. “He wins his battles by making no mistakes. Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.” This aphorism suggests that it pays to be conservative, have patience and play steadily. Great athletes tend to be conservative in approach, are unhurried and make

few mistakes. They let their opponent make the mistakes and self-defeat. Tiger Woods in golf was extremely conservative in his approach; so was Bjorn Borg in tennis who was a steady baseline player who made few, if any, mistakes.

9. “Every battle is won before it is fought.” This phrase from “The Art of War” is prominently displayed in the New England Patriots’ locker room. This statement implies that thorough physical and strategic preparation will determine who wins a match well before you step onto the court.

10. “So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.” This dictum tells us two

essential elements about wining tennis. One must first of all determine what your opponent’s weakness is. They may be unable to come to net, or maybe have a weak backhand. When their weakness is determined than one must attack to it relentlessly.

So there you have it. “The Art of War” is a military masterpiece has been around for millenniums. Tennis is war but without the bloodshed so if you want to learn about victory on the court follow the ten points outlined. Save you energy, do not over train, hire the best coaching, stay disciplined, attack hard in the first game, be decisive in thought and action, ignore all the hubbub, be conservative and relentlessly attack the opponents weakness.

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.

The All-Inclusive Competitive Pathway

By Ari Zuckerman

In this article, I will explain the benefits that come along with offering match play and tournament opportunities to kids of all ages and levels. Clubs and coaches are generally aware of the advantages of offering multi layered levels of programming to their students, so that they can see progressions, as well keeping the talent level on court similar within their programs.

Throughout the evolution of our tournament offerings, we have come to the point where we now offer competitive options for players from Red Ball Age (ages 5-8) through USTA Level 3 and College Circuit competitions. Of course, these players all compete differently, and we thus adjust the formats based on the maturity levels and ages of the players. For our Red Ball competitions, we find the most success with round robin format play, where the kids play best of three tiebreakers. The players keep score in our Red Ball matches, but we do not post the scores anywhere, since these players are slowly being introduced to competition.

The next level of match play is our

Orange Ball & Green Ball competitions. Here, we like to offer round robin options, where the players compete against other players in their groups. Playoffs are offered to this age group and scores are public here, as the kids are starting to get older and preparing for higher levels of competition. Kids who compete in Orange & Green ball competitions are usually between ages 7-10.

The next competitive progressions that we offer would be regular UTR match play and USTA Level 7 competition. Here, the main goal is to offer level-based competition, where the player experience matters a lot. This is the age where a lot of players decide whether they want to continue to train and compete or start to choose other sports. We typically offer round-robin options as well at

this level, for our players to receive a variety of opponents. It is important though to offer playoffs within these formats and to reward the winners of these events.

As we move into the highest levels of competition, such as USTA Level 3,4,5,6 and College level events, the formats become similar in terms of offering the elimination options. If players win, they move on. If they lose, they enter a back draw. These types of events typically reward the highest level of players in their draws, but it does always give opportunities for kids to “play up” and see how they rank against other kids in the area.

In conclusion, I would argue that offering the options for players of all ages to compete will produce more well-rounded players that will stay in the game longer.

Ari Zuckerman is the Vice President of the Centercourt Sports Academy and has been running tournaments and programming at Centercourt for 15 years. He was recently named the UTR Club of the Year in 2022. He can be reached at ari@centercourtclub.com.

Controlling Our Words, Thoughts and Emotions On The Tennis Court

By Steve Kaplan

Weput thoughts into words to regulate emotions. Words are incidental in producing emotions; it's the thoughts that they produce that matter. To control our thoughts and emotions, we should know that reactive thought regulation slows reaction time. Proactive thought regulation speeds reaction time. So to control emotions, we need to prepare before getting on the court during a match by practicing behaviors that calm and regulate our emotions.

The reality is that unwanted thoughts are going to happen sometimes. The challenge is to let them be by not giving them too much attention. Instead we can simply acknowledge them to keep unwanted thoughts from spiraling.

Instead of saying, "mistakes are not good or bad", it's useful to understand they are both good and bad. Mistakes keep us from our goal of success. In that regard, they are bad. There isn’t a choice between which mistakes we should accept if we wish to transform mistakes into something good. By accepting them all, we learn.

When we play, our emotions are often in conflict because our desires and our outcomes don't align. If our body goes into “fight or flight” mode, or what is also known as “Amygdala Hijack", we lose the ability to use our prefrontal cortex, or the part of our brain responsible for rational thinking at a time when making rational decisions is exactly what we need. So we can prepare for conflict by practicing the following simple behaviors:

1. Controlling our breathing: to become mindful of our thoughts

2. Focusing on our body: to "anchor" our thoughts only to the present.

3. Saying a Mantra: to maintain our thoughts from spiraling to further unwanted thoughts.

4. Acknowledging and Labeling our thoughts: to help recognize them for what they are, and to create distance from them if they are unwanted.

Some players believe that they are a "victim" of unwanted words, thoughts and emotions. We are not, but we should understand that regulating emotions on the tennis court like every skill takes practice. We can control our word thoughts and emotions if we prepare and practice.

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

Yesterday's Loss Was Due to Nerves

By Barbara Wyatt

Ilosta match yesterday and asked my coach one question: Why?

Our opponents were strong but held no skills that my partner and I couldn't handle. What happened?

Coach asked me to rate my performance against the ten athletic skills, as defined by ESPN's Jim Caple Degree of Difficulty Project.

This is how I performed yesterday:

ENDURANCE: 10/10. I never ran out of energy.

STRENGTH: 7/10. I served well, securing a few well-placed aces. Yet midway through the second set, I didn't feel as strong and confident as I did earlier in the match.

SPEED: 6/10. I remember not accelerating quickly and arriving at some balls off balance. I need to add sprinting drills into my training.

AGILITY: 8/10. I changed direction well throughout the match.

FLEXIBILITY: 9/10. Knees were bending, hips and shoulders swung

freely with each stroke.

NERVES: 3/10. This was my weakness yesterday. Nerves as defined by the Degree of Difficulty Project is "the ability to overcome fear." Bull riding (9.50 out of 10) and diving (8.38) ranked far higher than tennis at 3.0. I might not be riding a bull but I had hesitancy on my second serve when the score was 15-40 and during the tiebreak when our court win meant a team win.

DURABILITY: 10/10. After the long well-played match, I left the court without pain or aches and already thinking of our next match.

HAND-EYE COORDINATION: 8/10. Very few balls skipped past me without a strong return on the strings.

ANALYTIC APTITUDE: 8/10. When receiving a serve or in a rally, I love analyzing the position of my opponent's body, foot position, and racquet angle to predict their return.

I determined I lost the match because of my inability to stay charged and confident during key points. Coach promised to create stressful situations in our next practice by calling out stressful point scores and improving my calming rituals to stay present with an ideal state of mind.

The purpose of the Degree of Difficulty Project was to determine the toughest sport in the world. Caple had pulled together a panel of sports scientists, academicians in muscles and movement science, an athlete, and journalists to rate the demands a sport places on a player in ten athletic categories. Tennis ranked seventh out of the sixty sports. Boxing and ice hockey were the most difficult; billiards and fishing the least.

As a former college rugby player, I disagree that football (rated #3) is higher rated than rugby (#13), but Coach waved off my comments. "Argue what you want, but use these weighted athletic skills to improve your tennis practice and athlete conditioning."

She's right, again.

The full ranking is available at https://www.espn.com/espn/page 2/sportSkills.

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

Is Your Fitness Level Holding You Back on the Court?

By Phil Yoss

Whetheryou are battling sideline-to-sideline on a long point, trying to survive a 3hour match, or have more than two matches a day with little time to recover, your cardiovascular systems both anaerobic and aerobic are going to get tested. Fitness coaches know that the higher your aerobic base measured by the maximum volume of oxygen (VO2max) your lungs can use during tennis to create energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the more ready you are for competition. We realize that VO2max in tennis is only a piece of the puzzle in the readiness for competition, but it can be a game-changer for our high performance players.

The recommended method of testing an athlete's VO2 max is in a laboratory via incremental intensities on a treadmill. Doing this test requires trained professionals and specialized equipment. While it is a very valid measure it isn’t practical to expect every athlete to get this test. There are various other practical ways of estimating an athlete's Vo2 max for tennis which could be utilized like the Tennis yo-yo intermittent fitness test. These tests are very specific to tennis, but not completely practical for groups as they must be administered one-on-one with an athlete and coach. We want to measure our players VO2 max 4 times a year with the validated multistage Beep Test, so we know where every player's cardiovascular fitness is throughout the season. Oftentimes players may have not focused on fitness to concentrate on the technical components of the game, missed fitness training because of academics, or just assumed they were “in shape” compared to their opponents. The Beep Test is conducted across 20 meters on the courts and

following a pacing software. The test results are in Stages and Levels where the higher the stages the higher the VO2 max. Our software gives us the conversion of stages to estimated VO2 max. Here you can see a table of potential results for various player levels on the beep tests and the corresponding meaning of those results.

These results can help us determine where a player stands in relation to their cohort of age and sport performance level. This will tell us whether increasing cardiovascular fitness should be a priority or whether it can be put on the back burner.

Once we know every player’s VOmax we can construct a periodized plan of either off-court or on-court cardiovascular training sessions where every player has a heart rate monitor, so we can see the effect of the training on each player. It is amazing to see

players’ on-court performance improve by increasing recovery between points by requiring a lower heart rate and reduced psychological effort to maintain the same level of play. Once a player's VOmax is at a high enough level they will not fatigue during extended matches with high intensity. This is always great to hear because an increase in fatigue can cause a decrease in accuracy on court.

Our aim then in aerobic and anaerobic training is to decrease an athlete’s fatigability to make them more resilient to it. We want to have a player lose a match because the opponent’s tennis level is better on that day, not because their fitness level was too low. Hopefully with proper training, this allows players to maintain their high level of technical tennis techniques and tactics deep into a match and allow them to compete at their best deeper into tournaments.

Phil Yoss is a Level 1 Fitness Coach with Magnus Sports Performance at CourtSense. He earned his certification for personal training through the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA). Yoss got his undergraduate degree in psychology with a minor in philosophy in 2014 from Hartwick College.

Ona beautiful saturday afternoon in Quogue, 85 players came out to compete in the first New York Tennis Magazine (NYTM) Challenge of 2023, a Men’s Doubles and Women’s Doubles tournament held at Sportime Quogue.

Continuing its push to provide some of the most premier and unique adult tennis tournaments, the NYTM Challenge kicked off this year’s summer series which featured intense competition across 18 courts and six different doubles divisions. The event also included catered lunch, a happy hour, media coverage, prizes and much more, all taking place within the beautiful setting of the Hamptons.

The tournament featured roundrobin matches to ensure each team was guaranteed enough play, with those round-robin matches leading into the knockout rounds. In the Women’s Doubles 6.0 – 6.5 division, it was Tanya Mattera & Anne McConville who came away with the victory as the pairing secured the win in a tiebreaker.

“It was very key,” Mattera said of

New York Tennis Ma Hits the H

winning some decisive points in the breaker. “She knows I like playing at the net and she does a great job of setting me up there, and she was able to do that today.”

The duo doesn’t play as much doubles together as they used to, in fact, the last time they did play together was at a NYTM Challenge event two years ago. They were able to rekindle that chemistry to come away with this year’s title.

“Our schedules don’t align anymore, and the last time we played together was actually here,” added McConville. “These events are great and it’s why we came back.”

Theresa Belkin & Agne Rakauskas were the victors in the Women’s 7.0 –7.5 doubles division, and are already planning to come back next time to try and do it again.

“It was a very good level of tennis, with a lot of good teams,” said Rakauskas. “We’ll be back next time to defend out title.”

Belkin added:

“From start to finish, everything was awesome today, the event was

well-organized and well-put together. We started off slow today but were able to get our heads together throughout the tournament and kept our eye on the ball.”

Jeff Silverman & Kevin Vander Schaff teamed up for the first time as doubles partners, and quickly found the teamwork needed to win the Men’s 7.0 – 7.5 doubles title. The pairing credited their ability to not get too down during the matches, a strategy that proved to be the difference.

“We kept to our game plan, stayed focused and stuck with it even if we were down,” said Silverman. “We just wanted to keep going and focus on the next point.”

Vander Schaff added:

“The event was great, perfect weather and a beautiful club. We were happy to be here.”

After winning one of the NYTM Challenge events last year, Raimundas Rakauskas and Marijus Kuzavas were back to defend that title and did just that, teaming up again to win the Men’s 8.0 – 8.5

Women’s Doubles 6.0 – 6.5 Division Winners: Tanya Mattera & Anne McConville

Women's Doubles 7.0 - 7.5 Division Winners: Theresa Belkin & Agne Rakauskas

Men’s Doubles 7.0 – 7.5 Division Winners: Jeff Silverman Kevin Vander Schaff

Magazine Challenge Hamptons

division. It wasn’t as easy this time around, but the duo was able to lean on their experience from last year to come away victorious.

“This one was tough, we had to keep our composure, there were a lot of moments where we weren’t performing well, so I think pulling ourselves up during those tight moments was the key,” said Rakauskas. “This was great, as always. We came here last year and won so we had to come back to defend out title, plus this is a lovely event with a great staff.”

“We’ll be back next time to defend our title once again!” Kuzavas added.

Communication was the key for Francesca Roth & Dierdre Ettus as they took home the Women’s 9.0 –9.5 title.

“Francesca is a good doubles player and we’ve had success together before. We communicate a lot on the court which helps,” said Ettus. “We played a few times together over the winter so it was great to come out here and win.”

Ettus emphasized the best part of the day was just being able to be out there competing together.

“Being at a level where we are healthy enough to play, and with a great friend, makes this a fun day.”

David Maher & Alex Soyars were able to use their complimentary games to come away victorious in the Men’s 9.0 – 9.5 division and capturing the title.

“We are a good combination because I have a bit more power, and David has that touch and finesse in his game. We both move very well and there aren’t many balls we can’t get to,” said Soyars. “Our opponents in the finals were a good team, always making us hit a second shot, and played really good tennis. It was just our day.”

The key to the win was being able to win those points on the long rallies.

“We tried to make sure to get all the balls back and play out the point,” said Maher. “We were able to sustain the rally until the point was over just a little better today.”

The continued success of the NYTM Challenge events would not be possible without the commitment of the players, both returning and new ones, as well as all the people who help put the event together.

“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 this many 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, co-tournament director of the New York 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, and our NYTM Event staff, who did a fantastic job. We look forward to more community involvement, and are excited to see everyone at our next Challenge.”

& Men's Doubles 8.0 - 8.5 Division Winners: Raimundas Rakauskas and Marijus Kuzavas

Women's Doubles 9.0 - 9.5 Division Winners: Francesca Roth & Dierdre Ettus

Men's Doubles 9.0 - 9.5 Division Winners: David Maher & Alex Soyars

Racquet ReportSport

presented by adidas Pickleball

Top POP Tennis Players Come Out for 50th Annual POP Tennis Nationals

OverMemorial Day Weekend, the best POP Tennis players in the world descended on St. Augustine, Fla. to compete in the 50th installment of the POP Tennis Nationals. POP Tennis is a sport that dates back to the end of the 19th century, and is the original form of Paddle Tennis. It’s the closest complementary paddle sport to regular tennis, with the same rules and scoring as tennis except players get one underhand serve. The same footwork, strokes and aggressive strategies in tennis apply to POP, just played on a smaller court, lower net, shorter paddles and slower low pressure balls. This helps to create fun and exciting rallies, and forms an

equalizer where people of different ages and abilities can compete on the same court.

This year was special for many reasons, but perhaps one of the more unique aspects of the weekend will be the introduction of a special “Legends” division, where past winners and returning Hall of Famers of the sport participated.

Below are the winners from each division:

• Ladies Open Division: Katrina Glusac/Becca Weissman

• Ladies A Division: Jennifer Morrison/Jean Schalk

• Ladies B Division: Peg Connor/Meredith Pearson

• Ladies Master Division: Sheryl Craig/Becky Sejeck

• Men’s Open Division: Scott Freedman/Daniel Wulff

• Men’s A Division: Michael Krause/Calvin Page

• Men’s B Division: John Allan/Roger Dilorio

• Men’s Master Division: Bill Brothers/Mike Cohen

• Mixed Doubles Open Division: Becca Weissmann/Ernesto Russo

• Mixed Doubles A Division: Stacy Gaines/Calvin Paige

To learn more about the National Championships and POP Tennis in general, visit POPTennis.com.

Men’s Masters Division Winners: Bill Brothers/Mike Cohen

Ladies’ Masters Division Winners: Sheryl Craig/Becky Sejeck

Mixed Doubles A Division Winners: Stacy Gaines/Calvin Paige

U.S. Hard Court Season Approaches, A Great Time for Tennis

By Luke Jensen

Ihopethis finds you all hitting the courts and improving! This is my favorite time of the year, and with the United States summer hard-court season nearly upon us, the best players in the world will soon arrive in the States.

On the Men’s Tour, my favorite event is perhaps in Atlanta! This is a very special tournament for me because it was the first professional tournament I ever attended. I was eight-years-old and the Jensen family was on summer vacation to visit my Uncle Don Loetz and family who lived in Marietta.

It was so much fun being in a big city with so much to do, and going to the Atlanta Open was top on the agenda. My dad was a high school tennis coach so going to see professional tennis was a big priority. One early morning we grabbed the racquets and went to the Atlanta Open for the junior tennis clinic, and my brother Murphy, who was sixyears-old at the time, and I were on the court with two future Hall of Famers: Stan Smith and Dennis Ralston.

Both of these greats were Grand Slam champions in their career, and I can remember hitting a ton of balls and noticing how tall Stan Smith was. The blurry old photos are still some of my favorite memories of being a kid trying to learn the game from the professionals.

Nearly 50 years since that clinic, the Atlanta Open is still thriving and it has come full circle. Now I am the one leading the kids, adults, sponsors and

ball kids all tournament long. The tennis is world class featuring so many elite talents who are using the tournament to prepare for a U.S. Open run later in the summer. To me, though, what makes the Atlanta Open special are the fans. It’s a very festive and relaxing atmosphere where the pro players mix in with the fans. The place to be is Atlantic Station where tons of food and drink options are available with loads of great shopping. The players’ hotel is also in that area and it’s not an uncommon site to see some of the tournament players hanging out at Atlanta Station.

Another thing the Atlanta Open does well is bring in the WTA Stars! Coco Gauff is a HUGE hit. She spent many of her early years growing her game in Atlanta and her dad played basketball at Georgia State University. Coco has played exhibition matches at the beginning of the tournament week that has proved to be super entertaining, and helped bring the fans closer to the action.

The Atlanta Open also supports its local league play, and the mixed doubles season concludes at the tournament itself! The best teams play the finals on site with the fans, families,

friends and pros watching! It’s EXTREMELY competitive and even gets pretty rowdy! I have always loved mixed doubles tennis, playing it is truly an art. The teams that successfully navigate the power of the men with the creativity of the women usually win. Working together is extremely critical. The strategy is so different from basic gender doubles where every player normally plays their side of the court. In mixed doubles, the power is important but not the main factor. The consistency and well placed shots from the woman can neutralize the power of the man’s racquet. I absolutely loved playing mixed doubles. Martina Navratilova, who won 59 grand slams in her amazing career, won a ton of her titles in mixed doubles. Her last major was at 49 years old with doubles legend Bob Bryan at the U.S. Open!

I played Martina at Wimbledon and she was so tough to play. She would use my power to hit sharp angles and well placed lobs. She gave a lesson that day and it was an honor to compete against her. Next time you are on the court in mixed doubles, remember that it is a thinking and communication game more than anything. Find a partner that wants to have fun and likes to high five!! THAT is a winning combination!

Born in Grayling, Mich., Luke Jensen’s resume includes 10 ATP Tour doubles titles and singles victories against Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg and Jim Courier. Jensen and his brother, Murphy, won the 1993 French Open doubles title. Luke is currently director of tennis at Sea Island Tennis Center in Georgia. He may be reached by phone at (315) 443-3552 or email lukejensen84@yahoo.com.