New York Tennis Magazine May / June 2021 by United Sports Publications

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• Seasonal and Hourly Court Time • Private Lessons • Adult Clinics • Junior Development Program • Racquet Restringing

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NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New York Tennis Magazine

May/June 2021 • Volume 11, Number 3

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Table Of Contents Elite Elina

MAGAZINE

New York Tennis Magazine

Svitolina eyes first career Grand Slam

New York Tennis Magazine

By Brian Coleman—See page 28

1220 Wantagh Avenue Wantagh, NY 11793-2202 Phone: (516) 409-4444 • Fax: (516) 409-4600 Web site: www.nytennismag.com

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

Photo credit: USTA/Pete Staples

Highlights 4 14 16 20 32 42 50

Junior Player Spotlight: Caroline McGinley and Doug Yaffa By Brian Coleman Charity Focus: Love Serving Autism Tennis in the Hamptons 2021 Parsa’s Picks JMTA College Recruiting Combine Returns After One-Year Hiatus By Brian Coleman 2021 French Open Preview A Look at the Mental Side of Tennis

Emilie Katz Assistant Marketing Coordinator Barbara Wyatt Contributing Writer Rob Polishook Contributing Writer Lonnie Mitchel Contributing Writer

PG 16

Lee Seidner Staff Photographer

Interns Tyler Cohen Alex Drossman Phoebe Levitsky

Joanne Salloum Alexa Brecher

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

PG32

PG 42

Features 8

Sidney Beal III Staff Photographer

PG 28

12 24 27 31 35 36 38 41 46 48 49 52 53 54

Centercourt Chatham Hosts USTA Eastern Early Development Camp Across Metro New York…News and Notes From Across the New York Metro Tennis Community Smash Into Summer With Slinger Bag USTA Eastern Metro Region Update The Mini-Diary of a Tennis Perfectionist and an Overachiever By Khrystsina Tryboi Silent Partner Tennis Ball Machines: The Machine With Muscle Adult League Wrap-Up By Christopher Dong The Big Name Players: Why Do They Keep Winning By Gilad Bloom Forehand Folly: Eight Common Forehand Mistakes By Chris Lewit The Tennis Guru: The Oracle By Dr. Tom Ferraro Building Confidence Within Yourself to Win By Conrad Singh Settling Into a Match: All the G.O.A.T.’s Do It By Rob Polishook The Slice: An Unbelievable Tool By Saul Salazar How I Transitioned From Player to Coach By Anna Tatishvili Luckiest Recreational Doubles Player on the Planet By Barbara Wyatt It’s Not the Coach, It’s the Player By Lonnie Mitchel

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

Junior Player

spotlight By Brian Coleman

Caroline McGinley and Doug Yaffa, Dwight Global Online School Photo credit: Your Game Face

n this era of learning from home and virtual programming, the need to have an education that is right for you has never been more important. This is especially true for high-level junior tennis players who often have to balance their learning with a jam-packed training and tournament schedule, which is why many of them have chosen the Dwight Global Online School for their education. Two of those players are sophomore Caroline McGinley and junior Doug Yaffa, both of whom have benefitted from the increased flexibility they have after joining the Dwight School. McGinley hails from Essex Fells, N.J., and began playing tennis at the young age of five-years-old. She

started playing in similar fashion to a lot of other players: her older sister was a player. “She is a few years older than me, and when she started playing my parents sort of threw me into the mix just to get me out there and start doing something,” she recalls. “I ended up loving it more than anything, and so I continued to pursue it.” The more she played, the better she got and quickly rose up the junior ranks. Her first indication that she had special talent for the sport came when she started playing “Little Mo” tournaments. “I started playing Little Mo when I was eight-yearsold, and I was winning. I made it past the Regionals and into the National events,” said McGinley. “At that

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

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

point, my family and I knew tennis was something I should continue doing. Plus, I enjoyed playing, so it was something I wanted to continue doing. My parents and I felt that if I was able to win big matches like those at such a young age that it gave me high hopes for the future.” From Pre-K through ninth grade, she attended Kent Place School. As a freshman, she had the opportunity to play with her older sister Grace, who was a senior, for one season on the team. Caroline made her impact, reaching the state singles final and helping her team win the New Jersey Non-Public A state title. “I had never really been a part of a tennis team like that, and it was so much fun,” she said. “I was able to play with my older sister and being able to be together for her last year of high school was amazing. I loved the team aspect and it got me really excited to transition into the college atmosphere in a couple of years.” After that season, McGinley then made the decision to join the Dwight School ahead of her sophomore year. With the desire to put an emphasis on her training and tournament schedule it was an easy decision for her and her family: “We chose Dwight because it gave me the same highlevel academics and the flexibility I needed to continue

pursuing my tennis.” That flexibility has allowed McGinley to move down to Hilton Head, S.C. and train at the Smith Stearns Academy, which she started to do last August, and stays at the housing part of the academy. “My parents still live in New Jersey, and I go home once in awhile to visit, but for the most part I live down here to train,” said McGinley, who also sees her parents when they visit her and when they travel to attend her tournaments. “It was difficult moving away from family and friends at first, but once I got situated here, I realized it was the best decision I ever made. I love it. I had to learn to do things on my own such as doing laundry and cooking some of my meals, which was a bit difficult at first, but after being here for nine months it’s become a routine.” The focus on her training has been extremely beneficial for McGinley, and she was able to compete at the 2021 Easter Bowl earlier this year, where she reached the Round of 16 in the Girls 16s Singles division, the type of tournament she wasn’t able to play in the past due to school scheduling. She has made it her goal to earn a Gold Ball this summer at one of the continued on page 6

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New York Tennis Magazine

junior player spotlight—caroline mcginley and doug yaffa continued from page 5

national events. McGinley prides herself on being an all-court player who plays aggressively, with top-flight speed that allows her to get to every ball on the court. She wants to continue to improve tactically and develop her all-around game to be prepared for any type of player she might face. She has a strong desire to consistently work on her game, and is at her happiest when she is out being active. “I’m a very active person, I love to be outside,” she said. “I’m not the type of person that just wants to lie in bed all day and watch TV. I like to be up and doing things.” She added: “I’m looking to do well at the national events this summer. My doubles partner and I have said that this is our Gold Ball summer.” The transition to attending the Dwight School has had a similar effect on Yaffa. The Harrison, N.Y. native enrolled at the school prior to his freshman year. “It’s been amazing,” he said. “Being able to get a high-quality private education while still being

able to maintain my rigorous training and tournament schedule has been super beneficial for me.” Yaffa first began playing tennis thanks to his parents, both of whom were tennis players. Some of his earliest tennis memories are going over to the local courts and hitting with his father and grandfather. “I immediately loved the sport,” said Yaffa. “What I love most about tennis is the competition. It allows me to learn new things about myself every time I step out on court, and pushes me to become better both on and off the court.” A big-hitting right-hander, Yaffa is currently ranked seventh in New York in the Boys’ Class of 2022, according to TennisRecruiting.net, and has been enjoying the return to competitive play after a large portion of the junior circuit was put on hold last year. “It feels amazing, after not traveling for over a year it feels great to be back doing what I love the most and going out there trying to compete and give it my all in these tournaments,” he said.

With an imposing 6’5’’ frame, Yaffa possesses an array of offensive weapons that make him a difficult opponent for anyone. His primary focus in recent months has been putting on muscle and filling out that frame. “I think my size is my biggest weapon, and I have really been able to use it to my advantage and hit the ball a lot bigger than my opponent,” said Yaffa. “That’s something that I’ve been working really hard on and trying to incorporate into my matches as much as possible Yaffa is one year away from turning his attention to the collegiate tennis landscape, and should field plenty of offers from some of the county’s top tennis programs. First, he is focusing on the summer that lies in front of him and pushing his way into the later rounds at some the major national events. “My short term goals include being able to make deep runs at the Super Nationals I’ll be competing in, as well as continuing to physically build my frame,” said Yaffa. “Long term, I would love to keep on developing my game throughout college, trying to reach my full potential and bring my best for the four years that I am at college, and doing whatever I can to make my team the best it can be.” Both McGinley and Yaffa have bright futures in front of them, both on the court and in the classroom. The two have an unwavering dedication to tennis which has been supplemented by the flexibility provided to them by Dwight Global Online School. Brian Coleman is the Senior Editor for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached at brianc@usptennis.com.

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

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Centercourt Chatham Hosts USTA Eastern Early Development Camp STA Eastern held several Early Development Camps at four different locations in the Section. The camps serve as the beginning of the Team USA Player Development Camp Pathway designed to provide additional opportunities for players ages 7-10, and emphasize fundamentals and athletic development in a fun and educational environment. Centercourt Chatham hosted one of the two Green Ball camps which featured players who are preparing to move up to the 78-foot court with the instruction covering tactical and game development. In addition, MatchPoint NYC hosted the other Green Ball camp, while Cary Leeds Center and East Brunswick Racquet Club hosted the two Orange Ball camps. "These camps are designed to motivate and incentivize our Orange and Green ball players that have had good performance in tournaments and have displayed exceptional sportsmanship," said Gustavo Loza, USTA Eastern's Youth Programs Manager. "It is a great opportunity to train and play with kids of their level from different facilities throughout their region. It is great to see many coaches and clubs throughout the section support this program." The Green Ball camp is broken down into five different curriculums: l Becoming an Offensive Player

l l l l

Defending the Court Taking Control of the Point Serious Serve/Ridiculous Returner Dynamic Doubles The camps feature an array of drills as well as match play, as the players get ready to move into the next stage of the development pathway. “Centercourt Tennis Academy was delighted to invite the best juniors from Eastern for the Green Ball EDC,” said Conrad Singh, Chief Executive Officer – Tennis at Centercourt. “The team comprised of Centercourt Elite Staff from the Green Ball Edge Program which is the commencement of the Performance Pathway. The energy on the courts was excellent and the quality of instruction led by our Coaches was sensational. We look

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

forward to the next Orange and Green Ball events at Centercourt and we hope the parents had an inclusive experience in our world-class facilities.”

“...Above all, Parsa’s caring and understanding personality was something that we always leaned on; never pushy but always willing to give his expert opinion when we asked, we what was exactly right for us; we couldn’t be happier and would absolutely recommend him to anyone who is fortunate enough to work on their home search with him.” - Jeff C, Manhasset Buyer

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Across Metro Ne N Yakoff Earns Bronze Ball at Easter Bowl

RSTA Team Wins JTT Event Some of the top young players from the Ross School Tennis Academy (RSTA) teamed up to win the 10U Green Dot Spring Bowl.

Stephanie Yakoff, who trains at CourtSense Tennis Training Center, posted excellent results at the 2021 Easter Bowl. Yakoff earned the Bronze Ball in Girls 16s Doubles, alongside Valeria Ray, and reached the semifinals in the Girls 16s Singles division.

Hartmann Wins Girls 16s Title Centercourt Tennis Academy full-time athlete Samantha Hartmann powered her way to the title at the L7 Bogota Racquet Club event, capturing the win in the Girls 16s Singles division.

St. John’s Reaches Big East Championship The St. John’s men’s tennis team was dominant in 2021, posting a record of 16-2 and earning the Big East Tournament’s No. 2 seed. The Red Storm powered its way into the conference championship before narrowly losing to Depaul 4-3 in the finals.

Bui, Paul Win L3 Doubles Event

Mills Captures White Plains Championship Chantajah Mills, a freshman, captured the title in the L5 event in White Plains, taking home the title in the Girls 18s division.

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

Caitlin Bui, who trains at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, partnered with Anika Paul to win the L3 title in the Girls 14s Doubles division in Manchester, Mass.

New York

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

JMTA’s Kennedy Posts Top Results Lee Reaches Cancun Semifinals John McEnroe Tennis Academy player Jack Kennedy played excellent tennis at the 2021 Easter Bowl, earning the Bronze Ball in Boys’ 12s Singles while also winning the Boys’ 12s Doubles and earning the Gold Ball with partner Trenton Kanchanakomtorn. Kennedy followed that up by winning Boys 14s Singles title at the L3 Eastern Super Six.

Longtime Gilad Bloom Tennis player Evan Lee went down to Mexico to compete in the ITF Grade 4 Cancun Championships. Lee won three consecutive matches in straight sets en route to reaching the semifinals.

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New York Tennis Magazine

Smash into Summer with Slinger Bag linger Bag is the ultimate summer essential item to brush up on your skills after a long winter. The first truly portable and affordable tennis ball launcher, Slinger Bag is the perfect partner for tennis enthusiasts, amateurs and professionals to practice their favorite drills in their local parks, driveways, or club. Slinger Bag is the 24-7 tennis companion that can easily be wheeled whenever and wherever you need it most. During a time where tennis is growing rapidly, Slinger can keep your skills up to par for your next match. Slinger Bag was made by players, for players, and is backed by professionals such as the Bryan brothers, Tommy Haas and Nick Bollettieri—some of the greatest tennis names in the industry.

• Quick Set Up: Slinger Bag may be set up to start launching balls

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customizable dials, providing best in class in terms of shot variation. Lightweight Convenience: It is incredibly lightweight at only 33 pounds, easy to transport with a handle and wheels. Value: It is priced at approximately 50% less than its key competitors. Ideal for Players of all Skill Levels: Its ease of use is ideal for those playing tennis for the first time or tennis devotees looking to sharpen their skills. Multi-functional: It is multifunctional, transporting 72 tennis balls, a wallet, keys, towel and water bottle, and charges cell phones.

The versatile Slinger Bag is the new go-to playing partner for anyone wanting to play on their own time and brush up on their skills for upcoming matches. Visit SlingerBag.com for more information. 12

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New York Tennis Magazine

Charity Spotlight: Love Serving Autism

pril was World Autism Month, an observance created by the Autism Society of America to promote awareness, inclusion and self-determination for all. An organization that has taken that mission to heart and lives by that creed every month is Love Serving Autism (LSA). Created in 2016, LSA was founded by Lisa Pugliese-LaCroix and since then has been making a difference in the lives of children and adults with special needs. “Love Serving Autism’s mission is to expand life skills, especially functional communication, through specialized therapeutic tennis instruction to increase community inclusion and independence for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and developmental challenges,” Pugliese-LaCroix said in an interview with the USTA. “Our goal is for participants to apply these newly learned skills throughout the community, including in school, in the workplace, in social gatherings and in home settings. For tennis coaching professionals, we provide education and training for an adaptive tennis

specializing in the industry.” Pugliese-LaCroix is a speechlanguage pathologist in the field of autism and special needs, and for nearly 20 years she has specialized in the evaluation and treatment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. A former collegiate tennis player at Duke University and the University of Florida, she decided to combine her tennis experience and background in speech therapy to launch LSA, a 501(c)(3) organization. “Our vision is to better serve

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

individuals with ASD and developmental challenges to promote self-love and functional independence within the community, as well as to promote inclusive opportunities for children and adults with special needs,” she said. The organization serves about 250 children and adults in South Florida, organizing special community-based tennis clinics during ATP and WTA tournaments such as the Delray Beach Open, Miami Open and the U.S. Open here in New York. During the

Miami Open, the young adults in the programs volunteer as greeters. At the U.S. Open in 2019, the LSA flew 21 of its players up to New York and were able to go on Court 17 for a USTA Net Generation Experience clinic. Pugliese-LaCroix has received the USTA Florida Outstanding Diversity Achievement Award, and been honored with the STAR Award by USPTA Florida and USPTA National, given to members who have dedicated many years to volunteering in grassroots tennis and through initiatives incorporating multicultural and other aspects and bring the sport and sportsmanship to the players they touch. During the pandemic, PuglieseLaCroix and her team adjusted by converting its in-person classes to a virtual tennis program on Zoom for adaptive tennis players. The classes continue to be held even as the LSA re-opens its in-person classes and locations. As of March 2021, LSA has re-opened nine of its locations in Florida, and the organization has the

goal of opening an inclusive therapeutic tennis and recreational facility in South Florida, teaching tennis to both neurotypical and adaptive athletes, and offering therapies to children and adults with special needs. The LSA also plans to expand its reach in more states, including Illinois, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania. “Love Serving Autism has been a great, positive experience for David on and off the court,” said Jean Brown, a parent of a child who plays in LSA programs. “He has learned skills and the rules of tennis, spoke to tennis professionals and went to some big tennis matches, in and out of state.” Samuel Jolley, another LSA parent, added: “Love Serving Autism has provided a wonderful atmosphere for my son to be active and part of a team. He has made great friends and Saturday mornings on the courts is by far his favorite part of the week.”

Tennis has an impact beyond the wins and losses, and can be a used as a vessel to teach invaluable life skills. LSA helps kids tap into their own potential and has already made a difference in the lives of hundreds of children and adults. “We provide structured, therapeutic specialized tennis instruction and a recreational outlet for children and adults with ASD and developmental disabilities. We also are a support group and a network for special needs parents,” said PuglieseLaCroix. “In addition, LSA provides educational opportunities for student interns in the field of special needs. And overall, we’re helping to increase community understanding and acceptance for individuals with autism. For me, teaching adaptive tennis is such an incredibly different experience from junior, collegiate and professional tennis, because it isn’t about performance, results or winning matches. It's about celebrating the small successes along the way—and that truly puts life and tennis into perspective.”

To help and learn more about Love Serving Autism, visit LoveServingAutism.Org. NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New York Tennis Magazine

TENNIS IN THE HAM n the summer, people from across Long Island and New York City flock to the Hamptons, to enjoy the sun, while sitting by the pool or ocean, and taking part in an array of outdoor activities. One of those activities, and perhaps its most popular, is tennis. It may be the favorite activity for Hamptons-goers, and there is no shortage of tennis courts or opportunities to play out on the East End, from hitting around at local parks or lacing them up and playing on a private court in a luxurious Hamptons home. Below are just some of the places you can find your game out east this summer:

Places to Play Annacone Tennis Management AnnaconeTennis.com info@annaconetennis.com 865-300-7323 Annacone Tennis Management provides an array of services in the Hamptons, and can help produce programming and consulting for your neighborhood courts, country clubs, tennis clubs, resorts and more. One of the programs offered is MyHamptonsPro, which is a concierge tennis company specializing in providing the highest quality offsite tennis services in the Hamptons. This

service is available on your private court, at one of our private courts, or at your tennis facility. Focused specifically on creating the utmost in customer satisfaction, MHP provides comprehensive tennis services from world-class tennis professionals to fit all of your needs. MHP tennis pros specialize in private tennis lessons that are customized to your specific tennis goals, with flexible times and days available to meet your needs. Steve Annacone, Director of MyHamptonsPro, has been a tennis professional and coach for over 45 years. Originally from Sag Harbor, NY and a graduate of East Hampton High School, Steve has been very involved in the tennis community in the Hamptons. By understanding that each player has specific needs and creating a customized tennis experience to accommodate these needs, Steve and the MHP staff will help you get the most out of your time on the court.

Ross School Tennis Academy 18 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, N.Y. (631) 907-5162 Ross.org/TennisAcademy

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

The Ross School is a unique and dynamic tennis program for both national and international junior players. It combines an

MPTONS 2021 engaging and global curriculum with the highest level of competitive tennis training. The school is the first in the New York City area to have a full academic program with a complete physical and mental conditioning program. The small, intimate program is designed for USTA/ITF players in grades seventh through 12th, and is tucked away in beautiful East Hampton.

Sportime Amagansett 320 Abrahams Path Amagansett, N.Y. (631) 267-3460 SportimeNY.com/Amagansett Located in the heart of the Hamptons, Sportime Amagansett has it all. Sportime Amagansett features 33 outdoor Har-Tru tennis courts, one Deco-Turf tennis and multi-sport court, a 1,500-square-foot outdoor swimming pool, a minibasketball court and playground, three natural turf sports fields, two club houses and a camp house, in addition to a pro shop and snack bar. Sportime Amagansett offers dynamic programming and instruction for both juniors and adults, as well as a wide range of tennis and social events.

Sportime Quogue 2571 Quogue Riverhead Road East Quogue, N.Y. (631) 653-6767 SportimeNY.com/Quogue Sportime Quogue is a year-round, full-service tennis, fitness, summer camp and sports facility located in East Quogue, N.Y., but serves the surrounding towns of Westhampton, Remsemberg, Quogue, Southampton, Hampton Bays, Eastport, Riverhead, the Moriches and the North Fork. The facility features four indoor Har-Tru clay courts and 22 outdoor Har-Tru courts, in addition to an outdoor pool, full-service health and fitness club, a multi-sport court, child care, locker rooms, a full-service spa and wellness center, and café. Sportime Quogue serves tennis players starting at the age of three, and features junior pathway programs, as well as adult tennis.

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TENNIS IN THE HAMPTONS 2021

continued from page 17

Places to Stay Baron’s Cove 31 West Water Street Sag Harbor, N.Y. (844) 227-6672 CapeResorts.com/Barons-Cove The newlyrenovated Baron's Cove Hotel is the Hampton's preeminent AllAmerican resort destination. With 67 charming village and harbor-facing guestrooms, gorgeous lofted suites boasting sweeping harbor views, village rooms featuring intimate private gardens, and cozy dog-friendly accommodations, Baron's Cove caters to every discerning traveler seeking a relaxing getaway on the East End.

Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa 290 Old Montauk Highway Montauk, N.Y. (631) 668-2345 GurneysResorts.com/Montauk Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa is a Hamptons icon and the only yearround resort in Montauk. Providing guests with direct access to a 2,000-foot private sand beach, Gurney’s features 146 rooms, suites, and beachfront cottages, all delivering dramatic ocean views. With five unique dining and drinking venues, Gurney’s presents an array of food and beverage options, from elegant seasonal cuisine to casual fare to craft cocktails. Gurney’s also offers over 25,000-square-feet of meeting and banquet space, for hosting a wide range of business and social events. Its acclaimed spa is renowned for its healing treatments and ocean-fed seawater pool, the only pool of its kind in North America.

SPORTS CAMP This summer, train at Ross School! Young athletes ages 4–16 with a passion for sports will spend their summer training under expert coaches and sports professionals. TENNIS | BASKETBALL | MULTISPORT

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

TENNIS IN THE HAMPTONS 2021 Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge Returns to The Hamptons

In addition to luxury homes with private courts and an array of tennis clubs, The Hamptons also features first-class tennis events, and that continues this summer with three Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge tournaments out at Sportime Quogue. “We are happy to once again be able to put on the Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge. It's become an annual tournament that people in the community look forward to,” said Tournament Director David Sickmen. “And now more than ever, our community needs events that bring us together through tennis. It’s a fun day of tennis, food, drink, music and friends." Saturday, June 12 Sportime Quogue—Men’s and Women’s Doubles Saturday, July 17 Sportime Quogue—Mixed Doubles Saturday, September 11 Sportime Quogue—Men’s and Women’s Doubles The LITM Challenges are more than just your average tennis tournament. In addition to the competitive yet friendly tennis that hits the courts all-day long, there is social aspect to the events. The events feature a lively atmosphere with a catered lunch and post-tournament happy hour in a beautiful setting in the Hamptons. When you are off the court, you can sit on the poolside deck that overlooks the facilities main courts and relax as you wait for your match to start. "I've been a part of the LITM Challenge since the beginning, and there really is nothing like these events," said Michelle Stoerback. "There is great yet friendly competition, plus catered food, music, and a happy hour in a beautiful Hamptons setting which elevates it from a tournament to an event." The first of these three events is set for Saturday, June 12 with a Men’s and Women’s Doubles tournament.

There will be eight total divisions of play: Men Women 7.0 -7.5 (combined) 6.0 – 6.5 (combined) 8.0- 8.5 (combined) 7.0 - 7.5 (combined) 9.0 – 9.5 (combined) 8.0 – 8.5 (combined) Open 10.0 + (combined) 9.0 – 9.5 (combined) The events will be held outdoors across Sportime Quogue's 22 courts, and the club's COVID-19 protocols will be in place. All three LITM Challenges will run from 1:00-5:00 p.m., with catered lunch and happy hour included for all players. There will be prizes and winners will be featured in LI Tennis Magazine. Registration for all three tournaments is now open. You can register, and learn more about the Challenge, by visiting www.LITennisMag.com/LITMSummerChallenge. The Challenge Series will then shift to a Mixed Doubles event on Saturday, July 17, after a successful Mixed Doubles event took place at Sportime Quogue last year. “There was never a Mixed Doubles event like this,” said Casey Schnabel, who won the 9.0 – 9.5 (combined) Mixed Doubles tournament alongside Jackie Clark a year ago. “We really enjoyed playing this format.” Emily Yang, who won the 6.0 – 6.5 (combined) division with Barry-Glenn Gloria, agreed: “This was great,” she said after winning. “The tournament was run perfectly, and we couldn’t have asked for better weather. We had a lot of fun.” And to close out the series, the tournaments will shift back to a Men’s and Women’s Doubles event on Saturday, September 11, setting the stage for the perfect way to wrap up the summer: by spending a day out in the Hamptons with great tennis and wonderful people. You can learn more about all three of these events by visiting LITennisMag.com or contacting info@usptennis.com. These tournaments have only continued to grow over the last several years, and it should be an exciting summer with three different ones scheduled to take place at Sportime Quogue with the beautiful backdrop of the Hamptons.

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New York Tennis Magazine

PARSA’s picks eal estate in the Hamptons is some of the most sought after property in the world, and many of them are perfect for the tennis lover. 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’re showcasing three of these beautiful homes for sale. Parsa 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 evercompetitive real estate market.”

8 Hither Lane East Hampton This move-in ready home is just moments from ocean beaches, the Maidstone Club and world-class shopping. Featuring eight beds, nine baths, two ½ baths, this 11,600 sq. ft. home sits on two acres of land on one of the most coveted streets in East Hampton Village. Meticulously built with interiors designed by Tony Ingrao, the main level features a beautiful foyer that flows into the living room and is complete with an entertaining bar area, which is separated by a marble floor-to-ceiling double-sided fireplace. The professional chef's kitchen opens up into a large dining and entertainment room where wall-to-wall glass brings the outdoors in. Under the covered patio sits a state of the art outdoor kitchen, dining space, and separate sitting area with views of the 20x60 pool and the north/south facing tennis court. The court offers a reclusive setting with comfortable chairs to rest up in as you wind down those summer afternoons. Back inside, the large master bedroom features another stunning double-sided marble fireplace, dual showers and closets and its own private outdoor deck. Right off the

master is a modern office to suit anyone's needs. The lower level includes one more en-suite bedroom, game room, wine room, movie theatre, gym and a play area that walks out to a sunken courtyard garden. Radiant heat flooring is throughout all of the bathrooms along with the kitchen and the garage. This home is traditional, yet modern and offers everything that the Hamptons is known for. From the house itself to its close proximity to the beach and the village, 8 Hither Lane is a true East Hampton Gem, one you will never want to leave. Listed by Lori Schiaffino, Compass. Asking $25,995,000

New York Tennis Magazinephotos • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com 20 For more information, or to see more listings, email parsa@compass.com or call 516.965.7445.

PARSA’s picks

63 Duck Pond Lane Southampton This 16,000 sq. ft. home memorializes the spirit of classic Hamptons elegance while teeming with modern amenities. This luxury home resides on a spectacular two-acre Southampton estate with nine bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, nestled privately in a prestigious neighborhood. Featuring lavished landscaped gardens and ocean views just up the road from Cooper’s beach, this Southampton residence possess unparalleled craftsmanship and intelligent design. The home’s gated entry access opens to a stately view with the limestone fountain at the center of the home’s motor court welcoming you to an impressive traditional Hamptons-style shingle-faced exterior. The grand foyer leads to a majestic great room with soaring ceilings and Venetian plaster featuring an enchanting double-height arabescato fireplace with a wet bar and handmade SICIS mosaic art. This estate is perfect for private enjoyment and to host sophisticated soirees and grand fêtes. The crown jewel is an extraordinary outdoor cinema experience; a 15’ x 9’ LED screen emerges from an in-ground vault. This grand display can be enjoyed from every angle, for day and night entertainment, viewable from the entirety of the expansive backyard patios and multilevel terraces. An

octagonal Hollywood-style sunken tennis court with aged stone wall surround and covered stadium seating viewing area provides recreation and entertainment possibilities, making it perfect for one-on-one playing, doubles action, or even hosting your own tournament with fans. The option for winter ice skating is yet another enjoyable feature. The scintillating heated outdoor pool with transparent glass wall offers a dramatic view of the sunken lounge & firepit area. Open Listing, Asking $35,000,000.

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New Magazine 21 For more information, photos or to see more listings, email parsa@compass.com or York callTennis 516.965.7445.

PARSA’s picks

136 Bishops Lane Southampton This 2019 home from renowned developer Josh Guberman is an impeccable estate that delivers turnkey Hamptons’ luxury with sophisticated interiors, expansive grounds, pool, spa, tennis court and much more. Featuring eight bedrooms, eight-and-a-half bathroom main house plus a bright three-room pool house, this 8,000 sq. ft. estate is just minutes from the beach and Southampton Village. A soaring double-height foyer draws you into a sprawling open-plan living room, kitchen and dining room. The adjacent den features a gas marble fireplace and a well-stocked wet bar. West of the family room, you'll find a powder room and a bedroom suite with a touchscreen, high-security walk-in closet and spacious en suite bath. The stunning chef’s kitchen impresses with handcrafted cabinets, 2-inch marble counters and a ten-foot-long island. The press-worthy home has been featured in The New York Times for its remarkable, expansive lower level which integrates large walk-out patios to bring light, air and lush landscaping into the spacious lounge, state-of-the-art fitness center and three bright bedrooms: one en suite and two served by a Jack-and-Jill bath. Along the entire back of the home, an oversized bluestone deck offers two seating areas and a professional

outdoor kitchen overlooking a large lawn and over an acre of meticulously landscaped grounds. Bluestone steps and stacked-stone walls lead to the magnificent 50-foot by 100foot herringbone brick pool deck with a six-jet spa and a 20-foot by 50-foot Gunite saline pool regulated by a stateof-the-art Jandy Aqualink system. Beyond the pool, a large lawn ideal for soccer and field sports is flanked by a HarTru hydro tennis court which also features a professional-grade Porter basketball court. Listed by Matt Breitenbach, Compass. Asking $8,995,000.

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 22 For more information, photos or to see• NYTennisMag.com more listings, email parsa@compass.com or call 516.965.7445.

PRESENTED BY

litennis Long Island Tennis Magazine

MAGAZINE

nytennis New York Tennis Magazine

MAGAZINE

THE LONG ISLAND

CHALLENGE 2021

SATURDAY

JUNE

12 2021

(Rain Date: June 13th)

Sportime Quogue 2571 Quogue-Riverhead Rd. East Quogue, NY 11942

Men's and Women's Doubles Tournament Check in: 12:30 p.m. l Tournament: 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Round Robin Draw with Playoffs Men's Categories Men’s 7.0 - 7.5 (combined) Men’s 8.0 - 8.5 (combined) Men’s 9.0 - 9.5 (combined) Men’s Open 10.0+ (combined)

Women's Categories Women’s 6.0 - 6.5 (combined) Women’s 7.0 - 7.5 (combined) Women’s 8.0 - 8.5 (combined) Women’s 9.0 - 9.5 (combined)

Post Tournament Happy Hour Complimentary for players - 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Winners receive prizes and are featured in LI Tennis Magazine!

Catered Lunch Included!

litennis nytennis New York Tennis Magazine

Long Island Tennis Magazine

MAGAZINE

To register, go to LITennisMag.com/LITMSummerChallenge For more information, contact info@usptennis.com or call 516-409-4444

USTA Eastern Metro Region Metro Region Offers 65 & Over Leagues

e call it the “Sport of a Lifetime”, and there’s a reason for that. Tennis is a non-contact physical activity you can enjoy at any age. And if you are of a certain age, study after study has touted what the game can do for your mind and body. USTA Eastern offers several competitive options for senior players, including 65 & Over Leagues. Here, New York City’s Howard Helene, a participant in these Leagues, explains what he loves about the New York tennis community and what about the game keeps him coming back for more.

When did you first pick up a racquet? Helene: Well, as you know, being 65 and over, that goes pretty far back. But it was really not until I was almost 30. It was on one of the first dates I had with my now-wife of many decades, Carol (pictured, with Helene). She grew up playing tennis, and as a Columbia University alum, she was able to use their courts. So we went and played tennis. And maybe it was being with her, maybe it was being on the court, but something really clicked in terms of what the game could be, what the essence of the game is. From that moment, it's really been one of the things that is most enjoyable for me to do. 24

Since you’d never played before, did your wife beat you handily? Helene: I don't know if there was even a score—I only have a memory of the event! It was just fun, a lot of fun. And from there it's just been decades and decades of tennis camps, team play, tournament play, club play, travel play. You name it, we've managed to do it—together....I particularly loved doubles because it's just a totally different game. It's so fast, there's a lot of strategy and tactics, there’s a social aspect. It's just much more enjoyable. And I had a built-in partner. Carol is a very good player. We just played a lot, and saved I don't know how many tens of thousands of dollars in therapy [Laughs]. You’re still competing today—with your wife and in a USTA Eastern 65 & Over League. What do you enjoy about playing with that group? Helene: Mostly it's the guys. We have all reached a certain point in life. The teams I’ve played with have some really, really good players. I'm very respectful of the caliber of play. They're smart players. A lot of one-handed backhands, as you might imagine. But the competition is terrific, the people are wonderful and it's just a lot of fun. And we've been fortunate enough to go on to USTA

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

USTA Eastern Metro Region Eastern Sectional Championships and the USTA National Championships a couple of times, where the play is even better. It just keeps you thinking the right thoughts when you're in your 60s and 70s and you're playing competitively at a high level. It's terrific. Are you still looking for ways to improve your game after so many decades? Helene: There's always some way you can get better. I know that sounds like a cliché, but I actually do believe it. Even though I'm 73, I still believe. I still believe that one day I'm going to have a good backhand. [Laughs] I really do. I'm not sure when, but I'm holding out hope. Why do you keep playing? What motivates you to continue hitting the court? Helene: Well, the alternative is not very appealing. Tennis

has been known to be one of the best games to play, because it combines both your mind and your body. So that's enough. And it's also fun. It checks all the boxes for me, as it does for most of the people I play with. It gives us mental and physical exercise. At our club, the Heights Casino in Brooklyn Heights, we get to play with a lot of younger people in their 30s and 40s. We love the fact that we can compete with them. A lot of it is because of how we approach the game. We look at it as a puzzle that has to be solved, rather than “Go out, see the ball, hit the ball!” We love that tactical part of it. For more spotlights on 65 & Over players, check out USTA Eastern’s website. To learn more about 65 & Over Leagues in the Metro Region, contact Metro Adult League Coordinator Christopher Dong at cdong@eastern.usta.com.

USTA Eastern Announces the Induction of Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss into its Tennis Hall of Fame

Billie Jean King

Ilana Kloss

STA Eastern and the Junior Tennis Foundation (JTF) will induct longtime partners Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss into its Tennis Hall of Fame to honor their illustrious tennis careers and long legacy of advocacy for gender equality in sports and beyond.

39-time Grand Slam Champion King led the “Original 9” tennis players to form what would eventually become the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) in reaction to unequal pay and opportunities compared to their male counterparts. For over 40 years she has been partners

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USTA Eastern Metro Region with fellow former player Kloss, who captured two major doubles titles and was ranked as high as No. 1 in the world in doubles and No. 19 in singles. Together, King and Kloss have dedicated much of their lives to championing gender equality and LGBTQ rights. As a co-founder of World TeamTennis (WTT) over 40 years ago, King helped develop the first-ever professional tennis league in which male and female players contributed equally to achieve a team result. Kloss carried on the WTT's cornerstone mission, serving as the CEO and Commissioner of the revolutionary league— which was headquartered for many years in New York City—from 2001 until 2018. In 2014, King and Kloss launched the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative to address equality and inclusion issues in the workplace. The pair is also actively involved with the Women's

Sports Foundation (WSF), an organization King founded in 1974 to help girls and women all over the world achieve their full potential in sports. Both King and Kloss currently sit on the WSF board, and Kloss previously served as the governing body's chair. King and Kloss are also part of the ownership groups of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Sparks and Angel City FC, and they are founding board members of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The couple currently resides in New York City. With their induction, King and Kloss join fellow tennis trailblazers and notables Arthur Ashe, Mary Carillo, Althea Gibson, “Original 9” member Julie Heldman, John McEnroe, Patrick McEnroe, Renee Richards, Bob Ryland, Dick Savitt and former USTA President Katrina Adams in the Eastern Hall of Fame.

Metro Region Council Offers Regional Grants

rganizations in the Metro Region can still 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

O 26

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 2021. To learn more about eligibility requirements please visit USTA Eastern’s website.

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

The Mini-Diary of a Tennis Perfectionist and an Overachiever By Khrystsina Tryboi

any players default to a coaching career because it feels familiar and comfortable following their playing days, and there is nothing wrong with that. But when making this transition, most try to teach the game the way they were taught, forgetting that today’s game is nothing like it was 20, or even 10, years ago thanks to technological advancements and changes in the game. I personally did not want to fall into the same pattern of picking a career based on love, comfort and familiarity. I’ve always wanted to do more than just teach tennis, which inspired me to pursue a bachelor's degree in Advertising and Public Relations. That career path seemed like a great choice since I’ve always been interested in stories that came from those short films that played during the breaks on television. Recently, I came to the realization that my marketing experience was really the start of my tennis career. So if you are like me, always looking to expand your knowledge and have a passion for working and being great at what you do, read on. This article is for you. Elevating your personal brand is crucial when navigating the job market in the tennis industry. You may be saying to yourself, “I am new to the tennis industry, what should I do?” Here is some advice from a tennis perfectionist, an overachiever, and a tennis fanatic. l Step 1: Find an influencer at your club and ask them to show you the ropes.

l Step 2: Connect with your local USTA section and start getting involved with various opportunities. Start with reaching out to your Tennis Service Representative (TSR). These people are genuinely interested in helping you grow your business. USTA has countless programs designed to help you achieve your goals. l Step 3: Become USPTA or PTR certified and get involved with internal clubs where you can meet likeminded individuals and grow your network of connections. One of the reasons most people choose the tennis industry is because we want to make an impact in people’s lives. The USTA and other organizations can help play a role in your career. USTA is the number one organization that every tennis professional should be connected with. Find out who your TSR is and introduce yourself. You can affiliate on many different levels, and get involved with things such as: • Pilot programs • Section initiatives, volunteer groups • National committees • Sectional conferences • Various taskforces And the benefits of joining the USPTA are: • Certification - knowledge, frameworks, expectations

• • • •

Connections Elevate initiative Mentoring program Career advancements

l Step 4: Try to listen to at least 4 monthly podcasts related to the topics you are interested in (don’t have to related to tennis); inspiration plays a crucial role in your ability to overcome adversity and stay connected to your passion. l Step 5: Say yes to new opportunities and stretch yourself a little thin. Want to become a brand name and be a well-known person at your club? Follow these five simple steps and find out what you’ve been missing out on. Connections are everything. As a new or lifelong tennis professional, or just a person who works in our business, make an effort to connect with USTA and other governing bodies and organizations. Some of the brightest minds I’ve met since starting to work in tennis was through my USTA and USPTA involvement and joining these organizations can help you get a start in the tennis industry as well as give you a path to move forward. As for me, my next adventure is to join the Women’s Tennis Coaching Association (WTCA) and learn all there is about female athletes and how to be a better coach to them.

Khrystsina Tryboi is currently the director of marketing and a 10U tennis coordinator for MatchPoint NYC. She is a former Division II tennis player from Belarus, and is currently working for MatchPoint NYC in their QuickStart tennis program and is leading their marketing team. She is highly involved with USPTA and USTA to help grow the game. NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New York Tennis Magazine

Elite Elina Svitolina continues pursuit of first career Grand Slam title By Brian Coleman

player who enters the 2021 French Open with high hopes is Elina Svitolina. The 26-year-old Odesa, Ukraine native has been a mainstay inside the top 10 of the WTA Tour Rankings for several years now, but still finds herself on the hunt for that maiden Grand Slam title. “Well, you know if I could look into the future and tell you I would do that, but unfortunately, I don’t know. And it’s a very tough question,” she said earlier this year when asked about winning that first major. “I will do my best to compete at a high level and try to get the opportunity to go further than the semifinals. And that’s always been my goal, and it’s gonna be a goal for the next [few] years.” Svitolina has advanced to two Slam semifinals, both coming in 2019 at Wimbledon and then the U.S. Open. She has also reached the quarterfinals at the French Open three times, including last year, and the Australian Open twice, so she is no stranger to advancing well into the second week of majors. She has been one of the most consistent players on tour over the last several years, winning 15 singles titles, including winning the end-of-the-year-finals in 2018, and has not been ranked outside the top 10 since May 2017. Still, for all that success, Svitolina knows professional tennis players are measured by Grand Slam success, and understands there isn’t one cookie-cutter approach to achieving that. Svitolina’s ascent to the top of the women’s game began back in 2014 when she reached the third-round of the Australian Open at just 20-years-old. Over the next couple of years, she would accumulate titles, and would

reach her first Grand Slam quarterfinal in 2015 at the French Open. Her baseline game and defense have turned her into one of the most consistent players on tour, and they stem from the unrelenting work ethic she adopted as a kid. Born to athletic parents, her father, a wrestle,r and mother, a rower, Svitolina began playing tennis at the age of five in response to the attention her brother was getting for playing tennis. As Svitolina progressed, her and her family moved from Odesa to Kharkiv, a city more than 400 miles away near the Russian border, after a local businessman agreed to sponsor her. As a junior, Svitolina would reach the finals of the French Open Juniors in 2010 and the Wimbledon Juniors in 2012, winning the former, her biggest junior achievement. Svitolina reflected on her childhood in a post on Behind the Racquet, the platform created by Long Island’s Noah Rubin which allows tennis players to share their personal stories and give the public the opportunity to witness a side of players they don’t normally see. “I think the toughest thing was that my parents were involved in my tennis. No matter where I played, they always followed. My parents wanted me to win every match. At a certain point, it’s important for every parent to step away and my parents realized this five years ago. When my parents stopped travelling with me, I didn’t count on them anymore. If I lost a match, I only blamed myself, and through this process I found my own way,” she writes.

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

continued on page 30

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New York Tennis Magazine

Photo credit: USTA/Pete Staples

elite elina continued from page 28

Svitolina continued her honesty: “I still think about my childhood sometimes. Perhaps it could have been better if my parents hadn’t pushed me so hard. Yet these tough moments made me the person I am today. I have been on the road from a young age. It was challenging but when I thought about what I wanted to achieve, it motivated me. I would reset goals every few years so it did not feel like a constant cycle of traveling and losing, because I lost almost every week. Playing in front of crowds and winning tournaments gave me energy and motivation. Tennis gave me everything I have today. Tennis taught me discipline, introduced me to great people and showed me unbelievable places. Tennis gave me life.” Within the piece, she also describes the slow grind that is required to reach the top of the game, beginning at the lower-level events and gradually working your way the big tournaments. That fire and desire that got Svitolina onto the pro tour is the same one she hopes will propel her to that major title, the only accolade missing from her career. That competitive nature we see from Svitolina on the court differs from the positive, enlightening message you get from her social media channels. Svitolina is one of the most active tennis players on social media, and from Instagram to Tik Tok, she keeps her fans 30

entertained. Her personal Instagram page has more than 733,000 followers, and the page she shares with her fiancé, fellow professional tennis player Gael Monfils, @G.E.M.S.Life, has more than 127,000 followers. Monfils and Svitolina are a tennis power couple and were engaged back in early April, a moment they shared on their page. The two keep their fans appraised on their relationship, which dates back to early 2018, including courtside kisses, life on the road, pranks they pull on each other and more. “Yes, I was quite surprised. But I knew he was a bit nervous and that something was going on,” Svitolina said of the engagement. “So it was surprising, for sure. It was a really amazing moment for both of us.” In addition to being a lovely couple, Svitolina says the

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

relationship has also had a positive effect on her tennis. “I talk more now with my coach. I’m more open with my coach and also with Gael about tennis and my feelings,” she said. “I just always love the way he pushes me to be better, and I also try to motivate him to be a better person, a better tennis player. I think this is the way that it has to be, and you have to really support each other and push for better results.” With a stable life off the court, the 26-yearold Svitolina is locked in on continuing her pursuit for that first major, which could come at this year’s French Open. She is a three-time quarterfinalist on the Parisian clay, and is confident that her time will come soon. “In recent years, we see that tennis players have different paths to victory. Some won right away as soon as they announced themselves on the tour,” she said. “Others patiently gained experience to finally win the major. For example, Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki…It gives me hope and energy to work hard so that one day I can take this chance. The key point for me is to keep my best level for two weeks. This requires a lot of effort, both psychological and physical. Everything should work at the same time, and you need to add a little luck.” Brian Coleman is the Senior Editor for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached at brianc@usptennis.com.

Silent Partner Tennis Ball Machines: The Machine With Muscle ilent Partner Tennis, a division of Deuce Industries Ltd., was founded in 1989 by Dr. John Bassili. A recreational tennis player and psychology professor, Dr. John had a dream. He sought a reliable tennis partner. One that would play on his schedule and help improve his game. Meanwhile, John's son was progressing through the ranks as a junior. His son needed a partner that could amp up the pace, but was also consistent enough to groove his strokes. So John built a tennis ball machine. Today, Silent Partner Tennis is a leading ball machine company in North America. It has served the U.S. from Buffalo, N.Y. for over 30 years. The company remains independent and family-owned. With advanced features catering to all levels, from beginner to pro, the machine’s portability allows players to put them in their cars and bring them to their local court. The machines are also great for clubs and coaches, who can position themselves right beside their students and control the machine by remote. The machines are especially useful for group lessons, as several lines of players can be fed at once. Some machines come with programmable sequence settings and even match simulation. Because Silent Partner only sells factory direct, it offers a wide

selection of machines for the best deals on the market, and service is provided by the people who know the machines best. Check them out at SPTennis.com.

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New York Tennis Magazine

JMTA College Recruiting Combine Returns After One-Year Hiatus By Brian Coleman

he desire to make tennis a pathway to higher education for its junior tennis players is a foundational element of the mission of SPORTIME and the John McEnroe Tennis Academy. Part of that mission is connecting those rising players with collegiate coaches and programs, and to better do that, JMTA launched the inaugural College Recruiting Combine in 2016. The combine is a weekend-long event that gives select rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors, from around the country and beyond, JMTA students and non-JMTA students, the opportunity to showcase their technical and tactical tennis skills, and their athletic abilities, in front of coaches from top colleges and universities. The event had to take a year off in 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, but returns in 2021 with even more offerings. “One of the driving forces at JMTA is our commitment to preparing our players for college tennis, and to helping them to find the colleges and universities that best suit their needs” said John McEnroe. “After an amazing first four years of the JMTA Combine,

we are excited to be expanding the JMTA Combine in 2021 to include more coaches and more students, and we are confident that it will be a great resource for both.” The fifth annual JMTA College Recruiting Combine will be held the weekend of June 26-27 at SPORTIME Randall’s Island. The Combine has become an invaluable resource over its half-decade, providing a unique opportunity for both players and coaches to meet and make their

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

respective sales pitches. It also has helped ease the anxiety of the college recruiting process a bit for those who have participated. “High school players should see the Combine as a fantastic opportunity. With coaches from around the country, from different divisions coming in, a strong impression can truly be made,” said Daniel Pellerito, a junior at William & Mary. “It is a more intimate setting compared to playing a tournament, where coaches usually arrive with a set

agenda. At the Combine, players have the opportunity to gain exposure to college tennis at the same time as they develop a variety of skills that can't be learned anywhere else. I felt that the event focused really well on the development of the participants into future college players” Gabriele Brancatelli, the Port Washington standout who is headed to Purdue in the fall, reaffirmed that: “I was able to learn about how recruiting really works, and the specific attributes needed to be a successful student-athlete in college,” he said. “I suggest that all prospective collegeathletes should participate in the event. It’s a great way to learn a lot about the process. It teaches you what coaches look for and puts you in contact with many schools.” The Combine has become a meeting ground for players and coaches to connect with each other, but even if you don’t meet your future coach at the event, just participating has benefits.

“The Combine helped me a lot in the process, because by listening to the other coaches speak about their school’s processes, and just by speaking with other coaches in general, it familiarized me with what college coaches are looking for in a player,” said Commack star Emily Tannenbaum who is headed to Annapolis to join

Navy. “The Combine is a great experience for high schoolers looking to play college tennis. Some players, up until playing at the Combine, have never played in front of a college coach before, so it’s a great way to learn how to deal with the pressure of a coach watching you.” Benji Grossman, currently a sophomore on the MIT Men’s Tennis team, echoed that sentiment. “I first did the Combine during the summer heading into my junior year, and it was my first time experiencing what it was like to have college coaches looking at you,” he said. “It gave me the chance to get on the radar of these coaches and develop connections. When I came back the following summer, I felt more comfortable and was able to use the event to my full advantage. They also have tests to measure strength, speed, agility, stamina and more to allow coaches to not only see a player’s tennis ability, but also get continued on page 34

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NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New York Tennis Magazine

jmta college recruiting combine returns continued from page 33

a sense of their athleticism. Those tests allowed me also to compare myself to other players and realize which physical attributes I needed to improve.” The Combine continues to build upon its previous successes each year and that will remain the case in 2021. Thanks to JMTA’s new streaming platform, players will have the opportunity to play in front of more coaches than ever before, with coaches not only attending in-person, but also virtually. There is already a strong list of committed coaches from some of the top programs and conferences in the country, including coaches from Brown, Baylor, Cornell, Dartmouth, Penn State, William & Mary, Wake Forest, and many other top programs, with many more coaches expected to confirm their attendance before the Combine. Representatives from prestigious leagues, including the Ivy League, ACC, Big East, SEC, Big 10, Patriot League and NESCAC attended in previous years, and are expected again this year. “One of the great things about the Combine is the drive we have to make this event the very best of all the college recruiting exposure opportunities in the entire nation,” said Jay Harris, the Combine’s Director. “At the conclusion of every Combine, we do a ton of evaluating with our incredible team, and then we work to produce significant improvements each year.” Players will also receive athletic performance assessments, and will be invited to participate in Sports Vision Testing and in a College Coaches’ Panel Discussion. Combine partner, Tennis Analytics will be video-recording all matches and will offer participant packages, including match videos with detailed analytics. Included for each Combine participant is an integrated recruiting package, including the match videos, available digitally to both participants and coaches at the touch of a button on their personal Player Portals. 34

“Jay Harris is a visionary in the college recruiting process, and is always willing to try out new and creative ideas, so I believe the Combine is only going to keep growing,” added Grossman. “It stands out because it is a multi-dimensional event where you can go get exposure to college teams, learn about the recruiting process and compete with players from all around the world.” For coaches, the Combine has created a one-stop opportunity to see hundreds of potential recruits, and not only to meet with them, and to watch them compete, but to assess all the aspects that make up a collegiate tennis player. Even if the coach can’t attend in person, the new live streaming feature will allow coaches from across the country to watch matches and to evaluate tennis and fitness performances of potential recruits. “Jay [Harris] has done a great job in putting this together, and each year it’s gotten better,” said Hofstra Men’s and Women’s Tennis Head Coach Jason Pasion. “It’s not just the tennis; they do a lot of oncourt fitness testing which really helps to highlight the athletic capabilities of a player. I found my top player, Shawn Jackson, at the Combine a few years ago. He was a junior at the time and really caught my eye. When I headed to Hofstra, he committed and it has worked out really well.” Pasion also explained that the pandemic has dramatically affected the recruiting process, as the recruiting “dead period”, the months during which coaches can’t have face-to-face contact with players or parents, or even watch

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

players compete, was extended until the end of May for Division I coaches. “This year, the Combine is more important than ever,” he said. “There haven’t been a lot of events and tournaments have been limited. As coaches, we haven’t been able to really travel, so this year’s event is so crucial to our recruiting.” Making sure it’s always at the forefront of innovation, the Combine’s new live streaming platform and online player portal ensures that all aspects of the process are covered, and makes it convenient for both coaches and players. “We, of course, were very sad to have had to cancel last year’s Combine, so that is part of what will make running this year’s event very sweet,” Harris added. “This year the need for our event is so intense, as so many of the players have missed out on important opportunities to get seen by college coaches, and coaches are desperate to meet players. There is definitely a new kind of buzz circulating the across the nation about this year’s Combine, and I’m very excited to see it all come together this June 26 and 27.” You can learn more about the Combine by visiting www.SportimeNY.com/JMTACombine.

adult league

wrap-up By Christopher Dong

The Adult Leagues in the USTA Eastern Metro Region are back in full-swing. Some of the Spring 2021 leagues have finished up while others continue. The following leagues finished this past spring. Congratulations to the winning teams captained by: 40 & Over l Mens 3.5: Scott Dainton/Fred Derman l Mens 4.0: Joseph Bullaro/Frank Fattizzi l Mens 4.5: Larry Lehman/Michael Grenert

The following leagues will begin later this summer with registration now open for: l 55 & Over Men l 55 & Over Women

l Womens 3.0: Sharon TaiYap/Nerissa Lem l Womens 3.5: Nerissa Lem/Sarah Chen l Womens 4.0: Patricia Gould/Lisa Frantz l Mixed 7.0: Christine Rodeo/Susan Zeigler l Mixed 8.0: Lisa Frantz/Julie Veto Tri-Level 4.0 l Men: Jehan Bhagwagar/Shien Lee l Women: Patricia Gould/Lisa Frantz

Regionals first, before moving through to the Sectionals and Nationals. l 18 & Over Manhattan l 18 & Over Queens l 18 & Over Brooklyn l 18 & Over Staten Island

New players, teams and captains are welcome to signup for these leagues. You can contact Adult League Coordinator Christopher Dong at cdong@eastern.usta.com. You can also visit www.usta.com/en/home/play/adulttennis/programs/eastern/adult-league-coordinators.html OR www.usta.com/en/home/play/adulttennis/programs/national/usta-league.html. Christopher Dong is the Adult League Coordinator for the USTA Eastern Metro Region. He may be reached at cdong@eastern.usta.com.

Mixed Doubles Queens 18 & Over l 7.0: Chikudi Richardson l 8.0: Lisa Frantz/Julie Veto Mixed Doubles Bronx 18 & Over l 8.0: Chikudi Richardson/ Rosemarie Roopchand The following leagues are currently in progress and will run throughout the summer. There are divisions for all levels, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, with matches consisting of two singles courts and three doubles courts. Winners will advance to

Group sessions at Riverdale Tennis Club in May and June UTR tournament every Sunday at NYTC Private lessons and tournament travel 7 days a week Call 914-907-0041 or E-mail Bloom.Gilad@gmail.com www.GiladBloom.com NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New York Tennis Magazine

The Big Name Players: Why Do They Keep Winning? By Gilad Bloom espite plenty of new names coming up over the last two decades, we still see familiar faces winning trophies at the last two majors with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The two remain head and shoulders above everyone when the big titles are on the line. On the women's tour, Naomi Osaka is slowly but surely taking over Serena Williams' place as the most dominating figure. It seems almost impossible to be so dominant in such a deep, competitive and evolving sport, yet we still see the same names over and over again in the final stages overcoming their younger, more inexperienced opponents. What is it that makes those champions last at the top for so long? We can see it in other sports too; players like Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in soccer, Lebron James in basketball and Tom Brady in football. These players simply rule their sport year after year; what is the secret to this longevity? I boiled it down to three major things that make the "Big Three" in our sport who they are:

They are *almost* perfect technically They can strike a tennis ball cleanly and 36

accurately, with balance from anywhere in the court. My mentor, the great Dick Savitt (Wimbledon and Australian Open champion during his career) used to say it's all about grips and technique. Of course, the mental part is huge but the main thing about these players is that they are fundamentally sound and almost never miss or mishit a ball. In my era, I played in hundreds of matches against all different levels of player on the tour, but when I played a top five player, there was a difference. In my generation it was people like Andre Agassi, Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, John Mcenroe, Mats Wilander, Petr Korda, etc. When you played players at that level you realize that it’s a given that they can hit any shot possible, the ball was always coming back and they were always balanced and usually in control of the rally. But what I noticed mainly was their fundamentals. The main reason that these players win is because, with all due respect to the mental aspect, they are superior with a tennis racquet. My point is that it doesn't matter how strong mentally Pete Sampras was, without his technically perfect service motion he would not have won seven Wimbledons, and the same goes for McEnroe’s volley, Connors’ backhand or Agassi's return. And moving forward

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

to this generation, Serena has perfect ground strokes and immense power, plus a perfect serve, that's why she has won so much. All the players who get to those levels have come through so much and are mentally strong because of that, and it is actually technical superiority that makes the difference. In fact Serena came back from giving birth and has made four major finals relying only on her superior technique. This spring, I went to watch some pro tennis in Delray Beach, and it was great to finally watch live tennis again. The level was quite high but I couldn't help thinking that most players try to play close to the way that Djokovic plays. However, when I watch the original Djokovic, he looks like his level of accuracy is higher on both groundstrokes. In fact, both of his ground strokes are equally solid. The main thing that sets him apart is his movement, Djokovic covers the court as well as anyone ever has and manages to almost always be in balance when hitting, this helps him stay in the points long enough to claw his way back to control, and his stamina is such that allows him to not give up and play the percentage shot patiently when needed. When he hits the ball it seems like it stays on the strings longer and that is something that he shares with the greatest players. The same goes for Rafa Nadal. Yes, he is a mental beast but

what won him 13 French Open titles, among numerous others, is his heavy topspin forehand, his solid backhand and his perfect clay-court movement, and the ability to out rally anybody on the court. It's this simple basic ability to hit more tennis balls in the court; he is just too solid for anyone on the red clay. In other words, Mr. Savitt was right, it is all about having weapons and that's why we do all the work on the practice court to perfect the shots. Always improving The "Big 3", like other greats of the past kept evolving with the game, unlike some others from their generation who were happy to settle for the life of young millionaires without improving aspects of their game. That ability to keep adding elements to their game has kept them at the top for that long. Novak, over the last decade-and-a-half, has improved his fitness, his serve, his net game, and he has practically reinvented himself with a new nutrition routine. Nadal developed a slice and

upgraded his second serve and net game a lot over the last decade, he is not the pure baseliner that he was when he first emerged. Knowing that time is not on his side, he learned to play at a higher pace on faster courts and finish points with an easy volley from time to time. Federer improved his backhand by switching grips late in his career, which helped him win four more major titles late in his career despite competing against the other two who were at their peak. They have each other It is very unique to have three of the greatest players of all-time playing in the same era. Federer was the pioneer who proved that perfection was possible. For a few years in his early career, he was in total control against everyone on all surfaces and

dominated in way that wasn’t seen before. When Nadal emerged and started beating Federer regularly in majors, and even on grass, we were stunned, it seemed like he did the impossible. Federer was still beating everyone else on the tour but he was losing to Nadal in the head-to-head. Then came Djokovic, who is a hybrid of both those two styles. He can rally all day like Nadal, only he does it closer to the baseline, taking the ball earlier and doing it with more penetrating strokes. To top it all he now has a good serve which means that at this time he is actually the best one of the Big Three and, assuming he doesn't get injured, he's projected to pass the 20 majors mark set by the other two. There is no doubt in my mind that the competition between the three greats has helped all three reach the heights that they have reached.

Gilad Bloom is a former Israeli Davis Cup player and two-time Olympian, played on the ATP Tour 1983-1995, reached the fourth round of the U.S. Open in 1990, reached a highest ranking of 61 in singles, was Israel Singles Champion three times. Bloom has been running his own tennis program since 2000 and also was director of tennis at John McEnroe Tennis Academy for two years. He may be reached at giladbloomtennis@gmail.com.

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Forehand Folly Eight common forehand mistakes that coaches and players (shockingly) still make By Chris Lewit

he forehand has become the premier dominant shot in modern tennis, especially in the men’s game. Toni Nadal, the legendary Spanish coach, even goes so far as to describe the forehand as “the most important shot in the game.” Most coaches and players would probably disagree with Uncle Toni, and argue that the serve or return is more important than the forehand. Regardless of your position in that debate, the forehand is a critical shot to develop and a weapon that must be maximized. The forehand is also a shot on the pro tour that has biomechanically and technically evolved tremendously over the past 40 years. Open stances have become more prevalent and swings have become more compact to save time. Players frequently leave the ground with explosions, hip rotation has become more extreme and swing shapes have been modified to create more racquet speed and power, among many other technical adaptations.

Unfortunately, what I see in the junior development trenches with countless young players are forehands that are poorly built, and oftentimes designed with technique that is antiquated. Coaches are still teaching kids the forehand from the 1980s Handbook—which is crazy! I often see stiff or flat forehands. And I see footwork and balance that limits the player’s ability to develop a strong forehand weapon for his or her career. Here are some of the most salient and common mistakes that I see from players and from coaches too: 1. Staying on the ground This is a common one. Coaches teach players to stay grounded. Why? Most modern players leave the ground frequently on the forehand due to good lower body and hip explosion. Kids can be taught to use their legs and jump up into shots, and it’s a healthy technique to learn. The key is teaching kids how to jump and land with balance, rotating the body in midair under control.

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

2. Closed stance obsession Related to the “staying grounded” mantra, coaches often insist on always stepping forward into the ball. While the closed stance is good for middle and short court balls, kids should be taught open stances, especially for wide balls when the players are moving laterally. The open stances should be linked to good recovery footwork as well, which is another area that players struggle with. Players need the entire panoply of stances, not just the old closed stance. 3. Follow through around the neck If I see one more player choke themselves around the neck with a stiff swing and finish, I’m going to lose my mind! Can’t coaches and players wake up and stop the insanity? The technical game has evolved and most players windshield wiper the forearm (discussed below) and finish lower than the neck or top of the shoulder. Pro players usually finish with more wiper action and end the motion

with the finish around the biceps, side of shoulder, or lower around the hip. 4. Stiff arm, lower arm and wrist As alluded to above, the wipering action (pronation of the forearm at the humeroulnar joint and internal rotation of the humerus at the glenohumeral joint) typifies the modern forehand. Elasticity in the entire arm structure is another hallmark of the modern swing. Why don’t coaches teach kids to be relaxed and whippy like the pros all hit nowadays? Too often I see forehands that are tight with little rotation in the joints and a slow moving racquet head (discussed below). The wrist should lag and move, rather than be locked! 5. Poor spacing and positioning I see countless students obsessed with

their grip and swing, but clueless about how to position their bodies to receive the ball well—with good spacing. Positioning is super important, but most coaches are not teaching it! Instead, players are being bogged down with an obsession about grips and other technical minutiae. While grips are important, how the player reads with the eyes and positions the feet are perhaps the most important aspects to hitting a good consistent shot. 6. Balance and body control Related to positioning is the control and balance of the body. Why do I see so many forehands where the player is off balance, flailing, and out of control, especially when trying to accelerate near maximum velocity? Player need to be taught how to swing fast and not lose control of their head position, to maintain control of their base of

support, and avoid tilting too far forward or back. These skills are not being commonly taught U10! 7. Flat focus Too many players hit the ball flat and straight. That’s a good skill to learn, but what about spin and shape? I want my players to have BOTH. They should be able to spin the ball, shape the ball, and also rip the ball more powerfully. I don’t understand how coaches can teach just one or the other, especially in the Northeast. I see a lot of flat ball strikers who don’t have a clue about topspin. That would never happen in Spain! 8. Lack of acceleration The holy grail on the modern forehand is racquet speed. Whip. Acceleration. Why don’t coaches teach that? Even with the kids who continued on page 40

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forehand folly continued from page 39

are taught to hit hard, they are often muscling the ball with stiff swings— not ripping the ball with a relaxed, elastic arm. There is a healthy way to teach elasticity and racquet speed to young children. There is a way to teach powerful swings with good control of the body segments and with relaxation. The swing should not be gigantic either, another common error I see. Players should be taught how to accelerate in a compact way. These priorities define the art of teaching the modern forehand!

through my door, many from Red, Orange, Green systems where they are supposed to have developed higher-level technical skills. That’s not the case. In fact, I see a disturbing trend that many kids graduating from the typical 10-and-under program have terrible footwork and forehand technical deficiencies. These faults have to be fixed in the 10-14 age range or else the player will have limitations or underachieve throughout his or her entire career. Don’t believe me? Go to a local orange ball tournament in New York.

Conclusion These eight areas are so commonly flawed in the forehands that I see that I am sometimes shocked at how many kids come to me with these mistakes. Numerous players come

Chris Lewit is a former number one for Cornell and pro circuit player. He is a highperformance coach, educator, and the author of two best-selling books: The Secrets of Spanish Tennis and The Tennis Technique Bible. He has coached numerous top 10 nationallyranked players and is known for his expertise in building the foundations of young prodigies. Chris coaches in NYC and year-round at his high performance tennis academy in Manchester, VT, where players can live and train the Spanish Way full-time or short-term. He may be reached by phone at (914) 462-2912, e-mail Chris@chrislewit.com or visit ChrisLewit.com.

The technique and footwork you will see there is a joke. If you are a player, evaluate yourself based on the eight areas above. If you have fallen into bad or habits, work hard to improve and modernize your stroke. For developmental coaches out there, let’s start teaching the game the way it is played in the modern era, and let’s move away from teaching outdated skills that are biomechanically inferior to the new ways. In other words, it’s time to EVOLVE!

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The Tennis Guru: The Oracle his is the ninth installment of Dr. Tom Ferraro’s “The Tennis Guru” series. To read the first parts, visit www.NYTennisMag.com. The trio awoke the next morning, cleaned up camp and continued on their trek up the mountain to meet The Tennis Guru. Yin felt strong and happy. He had met a wise mentor in Virgil who had helped him along and he had also met the beautiful Rebecca who he had fallen in love with. This had indeed been a wonderful journey, and now he was excited to get to the top and meet The Tennis Guru who was sure to be of help to him and cure his tennis troubles. As he sped up his pace he looked back at Rebecca and Virgil and yelled to them, “Hurry up you slow pokes, we’re almost to the top!” As he looked back, he was surprised to see that they were no longer walking his way. He stopped in his tracks and ran back to them: “What’s up? Why aren’t you coming?” Virgil looked up and said, “Yin, this is as far as we will go. It is up to you to travel the rest of the way alone. We must say goodbye to you.” Yin was shocked by this and didn’t know what to say or do. Virgil looked at him with a smile and said, “You have learned enough from us. Go forward on your own. And when you get to the gate you will need to give The Oracle something. Her prophecy is valuable and you’ll be allowed to ask her one question. Her answer will always be truthful and wise and accurate. She is the only one who can see the future and

her prophecy is of great value. But she will answer in rhyme so make sure you recall what she says as she will only say it once before she disappears. You must give her an offering for her to speak. What do you have to offer her?” Yin looked down at his golden ring and said, “I could give her this ring I received from Charon.” Virgil smiled and said, “Yes that will work. Gold rings are of great value to her. She will be pleased. She will then give you her prophecy upon receipt of that ring, I am sure.” Yin was not at all happy with this but he could see that Virgil and Rebecca were serious about this and he hugged

By Dr. Tom Ferraro

them, thanked them and waved good bye to both. With a tear in his eye he went forward up the cliffs and before long he spied the giant castle of The Tennis Guru with 99 steps that led up to the gate. He climbed higher and higher and the steps became steeper and more dangerous. As he reached the top step he noticed that strange vapors were seeping from the steps and he became a little sleepy and dazed. Then he saw a beautiful woman dressed in a flowing white gown float towards him and say to him “Who is this lowly creature who stands before me? And where is your gift?” Yin was frightened but managed to say, “My name is Yin and I have come to see the Tennis Guru.” He held out his golden ring and gave it to The Oracle. “Good” said the Oracle, “Now tell me what is it you wish to know of your future?” Yin thought for a moment and then said, “I want to know how to become a champion.” And the Oracle spoke as follows: “You have come for my counsel, so this I shall say Practice and focus and often do play But the tried and true secret all champions possess, An inner belief they hold close to their chest.” With that, The Oracle vanished and the gates to the Tennis Guru’s castle slowly opened. To be continued…

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

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New York Tennis Magazine

2021 French Open Preview 202

Photo credit: Seth Sarelson

he second Grand Slam of 2021 gets underway in late May in the City of Love as the best players in the world arrive in Paris for the French Open. The event is being held near its normally scheduled time on the calendar after being played in September last year, but because of another COVID-19 lockdown measure in France, the event was pushed back one week from its original start date, and is now set to begin on May 24. The weather should be more suitable for players this year, competing in the French summer as opposed to the fall. Long Island Tennis Magazine broke down some contenders (not including Rafael Nadal, as we can all agree the 13-time French Open champion is always a contender), pretenders and sleepers for the men’s and women’s singles events at the world’s premier clay-court tournament:

Contenders Simona Halep Already in possession of one French Open title in her career, Simona Halep is one of the event’s favorites in 2021. She has always been successful on clay, reaching the finals three times at Roland Garros, including her 2018 title, and nine of her career titles have come on clay. Halep clearly enjoys 42

playing on this surface, and has the mental strength to compile a Grand Slam run. Having not played a lot of matches in 2021, she should be fresh physically for Paris. Garbine Muguruza The Spaniard is one of those players that no opponent hopes to see when they look at the draw sheet. Like Halep, Garbine Muguruza is a former champion at the French Open, claiming the title in 2016. The following year, she won her second major title at Wimbledon, but injuries halted her progress over the next couple of years. Muguruza has since returned to that previous form and is once again a contender at any major, reaching the Aussie Open finals in

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

021 French Open Preview 2021 French Open Pr 2020, and is a big-hitter who is successful on clay, making her a very dangerous opponent. Stefanos Tsitsipas The fifth-ranked player in the world is still in search of his first career major title, but he is on the verge. Earlier this year, Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas reached his second Australian Open semifinal where he recorded an epic comeback win over Nadal, and a year ago he reached the semifinals at the French Open. Tsitsipas has the all-court game to be successful on clay and has backed that up with two of his six career singles titles coming on clay. Having defeated him already this season, Tsitsipas could challenge Nadal in the late stages of this tournament. Dominic Thiem A motivated Dominic Thiem will be at the French Open this year, as the Austrian has indicated that winning the event this year is his main goal. After playing a significant tournament schedule a year ago, Thiem admitted to a bit of burnout and has not been as active in 2021. He has also been dealing with some nagging injuries but will be ready

for Roland Garros. In addition to being one of the best players in the world overall, he is perhaps the second best clay court player, and with fresh legs and strong motivation, Thiem is a legitimate contender.

Pretenders Ash Barty It is tough to label someone who has won this event in the past as a “pretender”, but Australia’s Ash Barty is in that category for the 2021 installment of the French Open. She won the Miami Open title earlier this year, a hard-court event, but lost to Spain’s Paula Badosa in a surprise exit from the Volvo Car Open in Charleston, a clay event. Barty’s clever tactical game and unique playing style can present opponents with a lot of trouble on clay, but her serve can let her down at times, and the lack of success on that shot could play a major factor in her getting upset. Sofia Kenin The American has shot up the rankings and rightfully so as Sofia Kenin has been one of the best players in the world over the last couple of years. But 2021 has not been as

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New York Tennis Magazine

2021 French Open Preview 2021 Frenc kind to the 22-year-old thus far. As she attempted to defend her Australian Open title, she lost in the second round, and since that event she has won only one match. She lost in the opening round of her first two clay-court events in preparation for Roland Garros, and that trend may continue as we head into the French Open. Daniil Medvedev Few players are more honest than Daniil Medvdev, and he is often very forthright when speaking to the media, which is why you should believe him when he says he hates

playing on clay. He said recently, “There is nothing I like on clay”, and his track record bears that out. He has never made it out of the first round at the French Open, and despite being ranked second in the world, could be on upset alert early at Roland Garros. As a player who hits a flat ball, Medvedev has never been successful on the clay surface, and doesn’t like playing on it, not a good combination for success. Diego Schwartzman In contrast to Medvedev, Diego Schwartzman is someone who does enjoy competing on the clay, but don’t look for the Argentine to make a deep run in Paris this year. He reached the semifinals at the French Open a year ago, his best showing at the event in his career, but has been upand-down so far in 2021. He lost in his first clay court match of the season, a straight-set defeat at the hands of Casper Rudd in Monaco, and his inconsistent play in 2021 coupled by a lack of a huge offensive weapon means Schwartzman could be due for an early exit at the French Open.

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UTR 7+ • A Ag ge 13 13+

nch Open Preview 2021 French Open Preview Sleepers Petra Kvitova One of the feel good stories in tennis in recent years is the return of Petra Kvitova to the tour, and her return to the form she had before she was attacked in her home in 2016. That return to form led to Kvitova reaching the semifinals at the French Open last year, and look for the 10th ranked Kvitova to still be competing into the late stages of the 2021 event. She is a two-time major champion, and has the type of all-court game that makes her a frustrating player to play against. Of her eight career titles, three have come on clay, something that should inspire confidence in the Czech lefthander. Amanda Anisimova Checking in at 38th in the WTA rankings, Amanda Anisimova is the true definition of a sleeper heading into the French Open. Still just a teenager, the American burst onto the scene in 2018, and the following year she

powered her way to the semifinals at Roland Garros. That same year, she won her first career title. Last year can be viewed as an anomaly and injuries, plus the pandemic, resulted in Anisimova not playing as many matches as 2019. But just one year removed from reaching the final four in Paris, Anisimova is a threat to make another deep run at the French Open. Jannik Sinner The young Italian has climbed his way inside the Top 20 and is one of the sport’s most promising young stars. He reached the Miami Open final earlier this year, and has already defeated the likes of David Goffin, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev in his career. Sinner has what it takes to compete on the biggest stage and defeat the toughest opponents. Last year, he reached the quarterfinals in Paris and is primed to build on that performance this time around. Andrey Rublev Russia’s Andrey Rublev has been one of the top players on tour in 2021 and has risen up to seventh in the world rankings. He has posted 24 wins on the tour this year which included a stunning victory over Nadal in Monaco, a clay event that Nadal has notorioiusly dominated in his career. Rublev is the owner of two claycourt titles in his career, and was a quarterfinalist in Paris last year. Look for the 23-year-old to build on that showing at this year’s event and he’s a serious threat to claim the title when when all is said and done.

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Building Confidence Within Yourself to Win By Conrad Singh t’s no secret that confidence is the one defining factor of winners and those who remain at the top. Confidence seems to be the reason the ball drops in when it should not, that luck is on your side and that you can come back from behind and always believe in your ability to win. Have you ever wondered why players who have a great come-frombehind-win or who get over the line in a long, tough, tight battle tend to carry their momentum for a number of weeks or in tournaments afterwards? It all comes down to the magical feature named “Confidence” which, believe it or not, is all developed behind closed doors away from the competitive stage. Confidence, put simply, is that belief that you can and will do what you have set out to achieve. Research has proven that it is the one key component that separates the best from the rest. Top players at all levels do not hope or wish to be successful– rather, they are absolutely convinced in their ability to succeed.

The question then must be asked: How do these players develop the complete ability to believe they are going to win? Is this something they are simply born with? Or is it something that is trained and trainable? The answer is that no one is born with confidence and it is completely trainable with daily routines. Leading sports psychologists have noted that superstar athletes in a variety of sports, at the very peak of their performances, understand the importance that confidence plays in their performance. When athletes feel confident, they are more relaxed and thus feel less pressure. They remain calmer under stress and have a tendency to solve problems more intelligently. We have all heard that tennis is a mental sport, and according to Jimmy Connors, it is 95 percent played in the mind. We have read that the longest distance in tennis is the 15 centimeters between the ears. So what do we do to ensure that we are competition-

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

ready with confidence to spare and wearing a bulletproof vest when we go out to compete? For highperformance players, how do we prepare to get ready for a competitive phase? Confidence comes from repetition We know that repetition is the mother of all skill development. Confidence is no different. Whether our players are training in the areas of physical skill development and biomechanical proficiency or offcourt rehearsal, it must be deliberate and planned in order for the players to have clarity and then repeated again and again under stress to be able to expect the response to come out when needed. Putting a player into a stressful situation off the court to learn how to respond to situations teaches routines and rituals that allow for the automated response to emerge when under pressure. The legendary Nick Bollettieri is renowned for waiting for

his players to find that point of complete self-stress before he steps in with his words of wisdom. It is that time when the player is prepared to learn and make changes. The military and police force all train under stressful situations to be able to click into automation when the “real life” moments arrive. Competitive tennis training should be no different. Other sports which are considered dangerous do the same thing. I was recently speaking with an America’s Cup Captain— who trains with his team of 12 seamen to cross the scariest and deepest oceans in freezing weather in the middle of the night. They simulate the responses by having to get up in the middle of the night and do routine development in the dark in a deep swimming pool. Developing confidence in tennis is no different to many other disciplines which require deliberate practice and rehearsal away from the competitive environment to master the mental skills needed. The skill of being confident is developed through: l Repetition under different circumstances in various environments l Committing to off-the-court reading, studying and work, both alone and with your coaches … becoming a student of the game. l Recognizing and taking responsibility for the mental side of your game, including developing emotional control strategies and mental plans. l Deliberate work on those components which need to be improved upon. This requires being honest with yourself, which can be difficult to discuss with support circles. l Practice, repetition: Repeat this cycle over and over again until confidence becomes an ingrained natural skill, which will take time to achieve.

Some other key things to work on to develop confidence into a natural part of your character include: l Planning: Know your own strengths and weaknesses and be clear on what you are working on in various sessions. Set performance goals and map out a pathway to achieve those goals. l Evaluation: Where are you currently at? What needs to change, and by being honest with yourself, what are you actually feeling under pressure? Ask yourself … are you doing everything within your control to develop in all possible areas or are you spending too much time in too few areas like hitting? Never undervalue self-practice time away from coaches. l Review: Analyze your training, coaching, technical skills, tactical knowledge and preferences, as well as game style, personal characteristics, nutritional habits, physical programs, recovery, off the court study, and match watching or charting. l Your beliefs: Are your beliefs helping you reach goals or are they blocking you from achieving them? Remember, beliefs either turn your dreams (or nightmares) into reality. You have the power to choose your beliefs and what you believe! l Self-talk: Do you train your inner voice (the one inside your head) to say the right things? Do you hand-write your thoughts and are you honest about keeping a training diary recording by hand your internal voice? We must learn to turn the negative inner voice to a positive. Self-talk has a

direct correlation to your outcomes. The power of positivity is something that is a challenge to some personalities, but we must challenge ourselves to stay positive in everything we do! l Goals: Set mini-goals to keep yourself on track and to ensure you are learning to achieve the stages. Each time you successfully achieve a mini-goal, it will certainly grow your confidence. l See, feel and hear: Using visualization can help to create match situations and responses. It’s been shown that players who lack confidence visually tend to see their fears as opposed to the dream. As opposed to confident players who will see, hear and feel winning shots, anticipate movements and can conquer those challenging moments in their mind before they actually are real. Meditation and visual rehearsal are proven to work. Remember that fear really means “False Events Appearing Real.” l Always act like a champion: “Fake it ‘til you make it” as we say, but acting the right way certainly goes a long distance in being the right way when it counts. Remember that body language can be a huge factor in intimidation tactics, either for you or against you. You need to maintain your posture, keep the eyes up and look for a way. “Look up and you will find a way–look down and that is where you will stay!” Confidence is the one thing that can change everything. Get to work on developing these skills both on and off the court today!

Conrad Singh is the Chief Operating Officer of Tennis & Director of Coaching at Centercourt Club & Sports. He has held Head Coach and Director positions in Australia, England, Japan and China, and has been involved in professional tennis player development for well over two decades. Singh came to Centercourt from Shanghai, China, where he helped to develop a top high-performance player program, which saw more than 200 athletes train under his system. NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New York Tennis Magazine

Settling Into a Match All the G.O.A.T.’s Do It By Rob Polishook

any in the tennis community know that Roger Federer has won 20 Grand slams, Rafael Nadal also has won 20, and Novak Djokovic is close on the trail with 18 slams. Similarly, on the woman’s side, Serena Williams has won 23 Grand slams and is on the heels of Margaret Court who has won 24 Grand slams. Behind Serena and Court are Steffi Graf, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, who have won 18 slams. Now, maybe you’re thinking this article is going to be a greatest of all time (G.O.A.T) debate. Actually, no, I’ll leave that for others. You may also be thinking that these slam titles are what make the players great and puts them in consideration to be the G.O.A.T? Well, yes and… no. It’s just not that simple, there is another dimension that I believe must be considered. This dimension is equally, if not more, important than winning Grand Slam titles. It is often forgotten or overlooked because we tend to only look at the finals. Our focus inevitably shifts to the end result, the trophies, the awards and the records, but not the journey and how the player progressed to the finals. The dimension I’m talking about is being able to win the early round matches when players are heavily favored. While some may think this is easy, most players know the extra weight of expectations they must shoulder when favored. From my experience as a mental training coach, I see how the junior players and weekend warriors struggle with playing in the moment. They usually get caught up in the end

result; the win; the expectations. They get caught up in what their friends are saying. Things such as “you got this; you’ll beat this player easily.” Or, “you beat them last time; it should be a lay-up to win this time.” Or simply, “you’re better; you’re going to crush them.” However, the G.O.AT’s know better, and we can learn from them. They know it’s sometimes harder to play an opponent when you are supposed to win! Inevitably, in this situation, the favored player often feels more vulnerable, threatened and distracted because of these expectations. The G.O.A.T’s do what I call “Settling into the Match”. This can be broken down into getting into a set, a game, a point or even a changeover. It means to stay present in the moment and don’t get ahead of yourself. Don’t try to rush and speed things up. In truth, the only way to win a match is one shot, one point, one game, and one set at a time. The G.OA.T’s brace themselves for a competitive situation no matter the opponent and understand the match will take time and their task is to play their game, breathe, and adapt to the current situation. Their mindset is on the challenge, competing and what they can control. This shifts the focus

off the vulnerability, expectations and outcome. Now you may not be a G.O.A.T at this moment. However, the next time you are favored in a match. I suggest thinking about how you can settle into the match. Here are five ideas which may help you. 1. Feel: notice your feet on the ground and the sensation of stability, balance, and rhythm as you walk to the court and even between points. 2. Breathe: take a few breaths and embrace the challenge rather than looking at it as a threat 3. See: Allow your eyes to take in the surrounding. Take a moment to just be aware. Feel, breathe, and see is a great way to help the nervous system slow down and settle into the moment. 4. Treat opponent with respect: they are someone trying to improve themselves just like yourself. 5) W.I.N.: you might still be focusing on the “WIN” rushing, trying to get off the court in a single shot or a game. Try reframing WIN to W.I.N (What’s. Important. Now.) This will help shift your mindset into the present moment and allow you to separate from the outcome. Next time you are heavily favored, make it your intention to settle into the match.

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

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

The Slice: An Unbelievable Tool and Great Weapon for Your Game By By Saul Saul Salazar Salazar

opponent’s rhythm. Changing the pace, mixing topspin and slice, will make your opponent lose rhythm and make more mistakes.

When and How To Use the Slice?

As a defensive shot If you are in trouble or losing your position in the court (defense situation). A slice is a great option to allow yourself more time for your next shot. If you are in this same, defensive position, you can use the slice as a lob.

t’s easy to think that we only use the slice when we are in trouble, overrunning, or in a defensive situation. However, in reality, if we know when and how to use it, the slice can become an excellent tool and great weapon for your game.

As a return of serve We can use it as a neutral shot, returning deep, heavy, and slow, to take a good position in the court and to not give your opponent a chance to finish the point. If your opponent serves and volleys, the slice can be a great option if you return low and to your opponent’s feet. This gives your opponent a difficult volley and can set up a passing shot on the next ball. We can use it as a chip and charge on a second serve return, putting pressure coming to the net and a slow, heavy, and deep slice will give you plenty of time to get a good position in the net and close the angle of your opponent’s next shot. As a rally ball If your forehand is your weapon, a cross-court backhand slice, is a great tool because it gives you the perfect opportunity to set up the point with your forehand. You can use it as a neutral shot when you are running, hitting crosscourt heavy and deep, gaining you time for your next shot. Also, you can use it to disrupt your

As an angle When your opponent’s shot is coming short (¾ of the court) and wide, you can use the slice as an angle, hitting short and wide, opening the court, and putting your opponent in a very bad position. As a drop shot If you are in total control of the point, after pushing your opponent back and out of the court and receiving a short ball, a drop shot is a very good option. A tip is to hide your drop shot, making your opponent think you are hitting topspin and then hitting the drop shop. This shot should be done with your legs, only using your hands to absorb the ball. As an approach shot If your opponent’s shot is short and

low, or you reach his/her drop shot, you can use the slice as an approach shot, getting a good position in the net and getting the perfect amount of time to close the angle of your opponent’s next shot.

Advice For Having a Good Slice Technique Your grip should be mostly continental and slightly to eastern. The distance between the ball and your body should be a little farther. One of the biggest mistakes in the slice backhand is when the player gets too close to the ball and the player over-rotates his body. In the setup position, your racket head should be a little below your shoulder, so your slice does not float and goes straight and low. Get into a strong loading position with your back leg and reach for the ball with your front leg, transferring your energy to the ball. When you swing, spread out your arms and squeeze your shoulder blades at the end. This will keep you sideways and will let you transfer the energy of your body in the right direction. I hope that these tips will help you to get better technique in your slice and incorporate it more into your game.

Saul Salazar is a High Performance Director at CourtSense Tennis Academy and has been part of the CourtSense team for more than nine years. Saul has been coaching tennis for more than 30 years, and was critical in the development of many top national players in Mexico. As Director of a prominent tennis academy in Mexico, Saul was known for his skill and ability to rejuvenate deteriorating clubs throughout Monterrey. Also serving as USPTR Head Pro, Saul's experience has made him a vital component to the development of CourtSense Academy. NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New York Tennis Magazine

A Look at The Mental Side of Tennis ometimes, as a tennis player, you exist on an island. Alone, solo, under the lights of your local club or drenched in the sun, there you are ... between the lines, either gaining the accolades of glory hitting the winning shot or facing the weight of defeat. There are no teammates to pass to; no backup in case you throw a bad pitch or have a bad shift; no defense to pick you up after the offense turned the ball over...it’s just you who must deal with the adversity of this individual sport. Mental toughness is what gives top players a competitive leg up over the opposition. Training one’s mind to deal with nerves, anxiety and quickly move onward past mistakes can be the difference between being crowned “champion” and “finalist.” These individuals help players focus, find their groove and enter the zone to success. It’s the ability of the player to quickly get back on track once rattled that can make the difference between bowing out in the first round of a tournament or hoisting the trophy at the end of the day. New York Tennis Magazine was fortunate enough to sit down and chat with experts in the field of sports psychology to pick their brains and gain insight into their role as one of the most vital members of a tennis player’s support staff.

Dr. Tom Ferraro is a sport psychologist with a Ph.D. from SUNY Stony Brook, with more than 25 years of experience working with professional teams, coaches and Olympic athletes across a broad range of sports. Dr. Ferraro is a boardcertified psychoanalyst, which allows him to properly diagnose and treat the symptoms an athlete may bring to his him and help them understand any underlying reasons for self-defeat. He has been published internationally and has been featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The London Times, and is a regular contributor to this publication. 50

As a mental training coach, Rob Polishook works with athletes and teams in all sports and at all levels, from middle school to professional athletes, teaching cutting-edge mental training skills and techniques, and providing the tools necessary for athletes to compete in high level pressure situations. Polishook has earned a Master’s Degree in Psychological Studies with a concentration in Sport & Exercise Psychology at Seton Hall University, and has completed his Certification in Sport Psychology from Seton Hall. Polishook is a Certified Professional Coach from

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

IPEC, an International Federation Coaching Affiliate. How would you handle a player who is down on their game because of a few recent losses? Ferraro: This is one of the most important issues in sports because many athletes are perfectionists. As a result, when they lose a few matches they begin to feel like a failure and get down, lose focus, become controlled by anger and make inappropriate changes. I always let them vent their frustration, give some reality testing (i.e. no one wins all the time) and explore the roots of their perfectionism while and providing some verbal messages to use when losing. Polishook: First off, it must be acknowledged that it hurts to lose, and with losing comes disappointment. In my book, Tennis Inside the Zone, I

have a specific chapter on this. So what to do? I would encourage the player to look at their performance beyond the result and over a longer time period like three to six months, and not just a few recent losses. Failure provides feedback, a top player will break down their game and identify aspects which need work such as serve, returns, patterns, patience, and the ability to bounce back, to name a few. This reflection will enable them to see what is breaking down and create a specific practice plan to work on these aspects of their game. Without proper self-reflection a player will generalize and say, “I suck!” This is not helpful in re-tooling what needs to improve. The player must keep the focus on what they can control such as their attitude, resilience, preparation, and the intention to play their game. Then let go of things they cannot, such as the outcome. What is the best mental preparation a player can do before a match? Ferraro: Pre-game preparation to help them enter the zone. I recommend: reduced socializing about three days before a big match; make sure they get at least eight hours of sleep per night; if they do not have a nutritionist I review dietary intake, and reduce alcohol and drug intake. Often, athletes are social and also anxious and will tend to use drugs to facilitate their social life and reduce anxiety as well. Overall strategies against opponents are established, as well as how they will handle mechanics and deal with setbacks. Polishook: There is not a one size fits all to this question, all players respond to different things. Most players, be it the favorite or the underdog, are nervous prior to a match. Therefore, pressure release practices such as breathing exercises, meditation, walking and physical warm-up are all great. A player may want to refer to their own match notes or strategies prior to a match. It’s important not to make a match bigger than it is, each match is another match

and should not be built it up into anything more. Players want to begin a match respecting their opponent. What’s the best advice you can give to someone who has a strong temper that they can’t control on court? Ferraro: We discuss their anger at length. I let them vent frustrations and also explore unresolved anger from the recent and distant past. They may be too demanding on themselves (perfectionist) and we explore the benefits and drawbacks of this personality trait. Finally we develop coping statements and/or behavioral strategies to release the anger more effectively. Polishook: The good news is that a strong temper indicates a lot of passion, caring and energy. However, the bad news is that this energy is not helpful and usually leads to a continuous negative downward spiral. The challenge for this player is to maintain the energy but channel it in a way that will be helpful to their performance. All players want to WIN, but they need to stop to reflect that W.I.N stands for What’s. Important. Now? This simple acronym can help bring a player back to the present and focus on strategies for the next point. In today’s day-and-age, there have never been more distractions for kids to be occupied with, especially with social media. How can coaches/parents help their kids remain focused? Ferraro: The addictive nature of social media is a big problem for the entire society and kids are no exception. It helps to have a long discussion about the cost of wasting time with social media and the hours spent using these things are very high. After a thorough discussion of the cost and benefits of using social media, one needs to use what is called “response cost” which is a method to allow some use, but where penalties are incurred for overuse.

Polishook: In order to connect, you must disconnect! And this means with your phone and social media accounts. I highly recommend kids staying off their cell phones and social media a few hours before their match. This time can be spent settling down, relaxing, and charging their energy (instead of their phone!). The focus should be on the match, not what others are saying about them What are some of the mental challenges/obstacles that you have found tennis players face as opposed to athletes in other sports? Ferraro: Tennis is unique in the amount of shame that the player is exposed to during a match, given the fact that he/she plays in front of an audience and does not have a helmet that disguises their face. He is alone in front of the world and golfers also must handle these kinds of shame-inducing moments. I teach a method of physical posturing with shoulders back and head held high no matter what is happening on court. It is a method of maintaining pride and good attitude, no matter what is occurring on the court. You “fake it till you make it’ when it comes to pride. Polishook: I work with athletes in all sports, levels and ages. Interestingly enough, the challenges are actually very similar, whether it be soccer, basketball, softball, baseball, etc.. Most athletes get nervous, scared, and anxious because they are focusing on things which they cannot control, such as the outcome, expectations, and how the match will affect their UTR rating or college prospects. Again, all these things are future-based and uncontrollable. What’s important now is focusing on what you can control, what’s directly in front of you, maybe the current point or match. I highly advise a player to look at only one match at a time; that’s the most important match. Not to project who they might play. Break the draw up into singular pieces, one match at a time. The next match doesn’t matter until you finish the last one.

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New York Tennis Magazine

How I Transitioned From Player to Coach By Anna Tatishvili don’t remember myself without tennis. I first picked up a tennis racket at the age of four and ever since then we have become inseparable. A lot has changed in my life over the course of these many years but tennis is and always will be a significant part of me. The love for the game, for me, is unconditional. Every time I step on the court I still get excited the same way I did when I was a child. I turned pro at the age of fifteen and was fortunate enough to have a very long-lasting and successful 15 year career, right up until injury that tormented me for two years and forced me to eventually retire from professional competition. A life of a pro tennis athlete is definitely not ordinary, it’s extremely interesting, unpredictable and, on many occasions, very empowering, but behind all the glitz and glamour are passion and determination, discipline, daily hard work and the huge desire to succeed. Over the course of my career I was blessed to be surrounded by the strong individuals who happened to be my coaches. Besides psychological and technical aspect of the game they have taught me lifelong lessons. I still remember what one of my coaches

has told me “Anna it’s very easy to give up and lose and afterwards go to the locker room… anybody can do that, what differentiates the top athlete from everyone else is that hunger and the desire to succeed, to show up no matter what every single day and give 110 percent effort, win or lose”. Deep down we all know if we have given our best and if we tried our hardest. These are the sorts of things I try to convey to my students now that I am a coach. My transition from competitive player to a coach happened quite smoothly. This was facilitated by the long (two-year) treatment of my injury, during which I was rethinking and analyzing my tennis career. I was thinking a lot about the strengths and weaknesses of my tennis, what I could have done to have a more successful career, and how should I proceed in the future. These thoughts are an important initial impulse in coaching. Of course, all the knowledge and

experience that I have acquired over the course of my career is beneficial towards my coaching because I can truly relate to my students, most of the time I know exactly what or how they feel because I went through the same experience. Besides teaching my students the physical and the technical aspect of the game, my goal as a coach is to impact the life lessons which I learned throughout my long career and to develop them into the strong characters, in return, they motivate me to keep doing what I truly enjoy. The decision to end your playing career is a difficult one for any athlete and knowing when your time is up is challenging to realize. But make sure you are always looking forward and anticipating the next shot life throws at you. For me, it was a life of coaching, and just like my students I also continue to study the game, learn and improve on a daily basis.

Anna Tatishvili is the Associate Director of High Performance and Adult Programming at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning. Tatishvali is a former Top 50 ranked player in singles and doubles, and represented the Republic of Georgia at the Fed Cup on multiple occasions. During her career, she won 11 singles and eight doubles titles on the ITF tour, and won the doubles title at the WTA event in Linz, Austria. She may be reached at atatishvili@nyjtl.org.

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

Luckiest Recreational Doubles Player on the Planet By Barbara Wyatt

I am the luckiest recreational doubles tennis player on the planet. When I step on a tennis court with Noel, our opponents’ knees are already knocking because of his ability to deliver a ball one inch over the net which then drops like a cannonball. On another USTA team, I partner with Kathi, a tall, slender player who can wind up her forehand or backhand like the great baseball pitcher Dennis Eckersley, and deliver a formidable cross-court. My partner Frank has a wingspan like the Northern Royal Albatross, able to cover nearly the entire net (normally, I would say Frank’s span is like the Wandering Albatross with its slightly wider span, but Frank deserves the title, “royal”, with his booming laugh and joy having a racquet in his hand.) If an opponent pops a return to my partner Sheila, their only option is to run away. Jeff is the partner who flies about the court with the winged sandals of a Greek God. Misaat at the net? WHAM. Point over. We win. Lee’s slice? It is a wonder-to-behold from my perspective, and a brutal weapon against opponents. How did I become so lucky to have these partners and others? These are the traits I look for in a partner:

match. They will slam, poach, lob, and throw in a drop shot they practiced in a recent drill or lesson. If that new skill is not quite working, they go back to the game of consistency. They know just what to do when a stroke is not working well at that moment in the match. 3. They balance me out. My tennis game is not perfect, but I have a few strengths. My partners bring their talents, which make us a formidable team. They recognize my weaknesses (there are a few) and gracefully support me. 4. They share observations. We will share quick notes during a match: “she’s a leftie”, “his forehand is weaker than his backhand”, “lob her, because

he’s not running”. Only about the opponents, never about each other. 5. They forgive me; and quickly. After I slam another ball into the net, my partners forgive me without hesitation. We move onto the next point, when I will deliver the ball over the net and inside the white lines. 6. They work on their game. Together or separately, we practice shots in drills or at lessons to build our tennis talent because we love the game of tennis. Interested in discovering if you and I would get a kick out of a fun, competitive match as a solid pair? I collect good people.

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

1. They enjoy the game of tennis. Players’ personalities come out on court. I observe how they handle the ups and downs in a match. Nothing I love more than accidentally running into my partner as we both charge to a ball. There is a burst of laughter and we agree that more communication is needed. 2. They use new weapons in a NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2021 • New York Tennis Magazine

It’s Not The Coach, It’s The Player By Lonnie Mitchel he title of this article may be precarious for a full-time collegiate tennis coach, a guy who teaches college courses and has taught tennis for more than 30 years. I returned to coach a college team after a 12-month hiatus from competition because of the COVID19 pandemic. It was great to get back to some semblance of normalcy and coach a collegiate team and prepare for competition again. There was nothing better after a year off, and nothing has me made me feel normal again like being around young people and hearing the ball hit a racquet. During the 12-months that passed without competition I met with my collegiate team once a month via Zoom to let them know the importance of staying in tennis shape and practicing using all the resources they had. Then we ended the meeting, and I sent the athletes on their merry way and checked on them every week individually followed by our monthly ZOOM get-togethers. After the weekly check-in and monthly Zoom, I could only hope that they were following the protocol which was designed

for them to succeed when we eventually returned to practice and competition. I had the student-athletes keep a journal and report in. However, did I really know? Was their journal a novel of sorts? Time will tell. We now fast forward to March 2021, one year since our last match competition and practice. I said to myself at the first practice, “Now we will see who likes to put stories in a journal and who really does the work.” After just one practice for the men and another for the women, it was easy to see. The ones who were motivated did the work and those who like to coast did so for a year hoping to retain their roster spot that they had the year prior. As a coach you can find out a lot about your players in these uncertain times. With the game of tennis, we were fortunate in that one can still practice social distancing and play as our game shut down for just a few months. As a coach I would often say, and still do, “Sports (tennis) does not build character, it reveals it”. The first practice after a year was certainly the day that the

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2021 • NYTennisMag.com

rubber met the road and we were able to separate the college varsity athletes from those who just wanted to be on a team. One day is all it took. I cut two players from the men and one from the women’s team after the first practice, which might sound harsh after a year away from varsity tennis to take such a drastic measure. We were about to embark on a four-week season, short yet intense, and there was little time for a training camp to prepare. We hit the ground running and there were no shortcuts to be found. In addition, we had to follow strict COVID testing and protocols that took time and stretched my budget to the limit. I just could not afford to pick up the slack for stragglers while also investing time and energy to those who were committed. I think it might have been one of the most important lessons I could teach the studentathletes. The nation was going through a deep recession and a pandemic, and we were all affected in some way. We all knew someone who had the disease and may have even died. As a nation,

adversity hit us all in the face and HARD! It was a coaching and teachable moment for those players who lost a roster spot for lack of preparation which paled, quite frankly, in comparison to the heap of COVID-19 madness that was thrown at all of us. If you think I was hard on these young people who only lost a roster spot, it is certainly an opinion you have the right to own. However, the roster spot will be given back to those same individuals in the fall if they do the work over the summer in preparation for our 2021-22 season. That seems fair enough to me. John Wooden, who was one of the most famous collegiate coaches of all time and whose players won 10 National Championships in a 12-year span including seven in a row, had a quote that really resonates with me: “Discipline yourself, and others won’t need to.” I cannot think of anything that is

more powerful to present in this piece. “If it is going to be, it will be up to me,” is something I also share with my students. It is not the coach; it is you the player/student/pupil that will bring success. The coach is a vitamin supplement, but the supplement is not good unless you eat meals that are nutritious. The metaphor is the work you put in will yield results. I have so much experience with people and parents who pay money for lessons for their children, and then wonder why the lessons are not getting the result that you would hope for. Why? It

is practice! It is the time you put into it away from the coach. So many juniors who take lessons at clubs will at many times have very cheap access to court time to practice. It is always the same individuals that take advantage of this. Those are the ones who improve rapidly and excel. I am just the coach, but I need a partner in the goals that we set together. I plan the work and the student works; the plan is in partnership with the coach. If the partners are not in sync, I promise it will not work. Do not expect from your coach…expect from yourself!

Lonnie Mitchel is head Men’s and Women’s Tennis coach at SUNY Oneonta. Lonnie was named an assistant coach to Team USA for the 2013 Maccabiah Games in Israel for the Grand Master Tennis Division. Also coached for Team USA in Berlin and Chile in 2015 and Team USA Maccabiah for the Open Division working with Division I players and professionally ranked in the Israel Games in 2017. Was also named “Coach of the Year” in 2015 for State University of NY Athletic Conference. He may be reached by phone at (516) 414-7202 or e-mail LonnieMitchel@yahoo.com.

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