New York Tennis Magazine May / June 2023

PARSA’s picks

Real

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

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

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

137 Clay Pit Sag Harbor, N.Y.

$3,499,995

5 Bedrooms

5 Bathrooms

1 1/2 Bathrooms

6,000 Sq. Ft.

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

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

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

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

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

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

1228 Wantagh Avenue, Suite 203 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

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

Emilie Katz

Assistant Marketing Coordinator

Dr. Tom Ferraro

Contributing Writer

Rob Polishook

Contributing Writer

Barbara Wyatt

Contributing Writer

Interns

Kayla Castellano

Aryn Feldman

Abby Kleiman

Brielle Marcus

Rachel Neuman

Ellie Ross

Andrea Vases

Victoria Wroblewskii

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Across Metro N

Across Metro Ne

St. John’s Men Win Big East Conference Title

Johansson Wins L4 Boys’ Doubles, Mixed Doubles Titles

For the second time in four years, St. John’s men’s tennis is the Big East champions. The Red Storm powered past Butler 4-1 in the conference final to claim the title and advance to the NCAA Tournament.

“I'm so proud of the guys for winning the Big East title," said head coach Dillon Pottish. "The goal all year was this tournament and we got it done!”

Erik Johansson, who trains at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, captured two titles at the L4 Closed event at Saw Mill Racquet Club. He paired with Mateusz Gradzki to win the Boys’ Doubles 18s title, and also paired with Erin Ha to win the Mixed Doubles 18s title.

New York

New York

Werdiger Claims L3 Championship National California

Julia Werdiger of New York City brought home the title at the L3 Open in Camarillo, Calif.. Werdiger, who trains at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning, was the tournament’s fifth seed and dropped just one set en route to the championship in the Girls 18s singles division.

Chandler, Ha Win L4 Title

Summer Chandler & Erin Ha, who both train at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, were victorious in the L4 Closed Girls’ Doubles event at Saw Mill Racquet Club. The duo came back from a set down in the semifinals, and hung on to win a third-set supertiebreaker in the championship match to claim the title.

Idnani, Uehling Win Doubles Title

At the L4 Closed event in West Orange, N.J., CourtSense Tennis Training Center was well-represented. The finals of the Boys’ 18s Doubles division came down to a battle of four CourtSense players, with Balraj Idnani & Zen Uehling getting the better of Ian Batra & Alexander Brzov to win the title.

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

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

Moore, Murray Win Title in Trinidad

The duo of Kayla Moore & Ligaya Murray captured the doubles title at the ITF J60 Tacarigua event in Trinidad & Tobago. The John McEnroe Tennis Academy players only lost one set during their run to the title, which came on the heels of them winning the ITF J30 event in Trinidad & Tobago the week before.

Centercourt Spreading Teachings To Mexico

This spring, Centercourt Tennis Academy’s (CTA) Adrian Contreras, who is the club’s Director of Performance and the Full Time Program, has been traveling around Mexico representing CTA and sharing his expertise and knowledge to multiple different academies. Contreras, a native of Mexico, and the CTA contingent visited clubs in Monterrey, Villa de Santiago and Tulum.

Professional Children’s School: Combining Education with Tennis Dreams

Youdon’t have to choose between your tennis dreams and a great education

Juggling the demands of training & competitions with traditional school can be a challenge for any young scholar-athlete however committed they and their families are to an academic education. Professional Children’s School has been helping young people and their families navigate those challenges for over 100 years.

Professional Children’s School is a “real” school with a full-time schedule of classroom learning, while offering the opportunities for distance/remote learning when it’s necessary for students to travel, train or compete. The school offers a college prep curriculum in grades 6-12 that is both challenging and engaging and tailored to each individual student’s needs. The schedule is designed to be flexible, allowing students to balance time in school with professional demands outside, and the PCS community of master educators and devoted peers provides the social and emotional support children need to excel.

A healthy teacher/student ratio ensures that students are known and cared for by many adults. Students meet regularly with advisors, who serve as their primary advocates and help balance their academic goals with their professional commitments. Understanding that each student is unique not only in their pursuits but in their abilities, the school offers the support of a full-time learning specialist. Whether a student needs help transitioning from another school, developing study skills, or working

with mild learning differences, the school ensures that students have the tools to succeed. Professional Children’s School graduates are regularly accepted in the most competitive colleges and universities in the country.

PCS is a dynamic community— students come from all over the world, from public schools and private schools, and from a host of different economic and ethnic backgrounds. The student body includes actors and singers, tennis players and ice skaters, entrepreneurs, dancers and equestrians who share a common passion—they know what it’s like not to have time for after school activities, what it’s like to balance homework and practice, and what it is to find fulfillment from reaching the highest levels of their craft.

At many schools, the myriad demands placed on professional and

pre-professional students are in competition with each other: class work and career, practice and study, mind and body, flexibility and routine. PCS ensures that homework levels are reasonable and grade level-appropriate and that the school allows the flexibility students often need, while maintaining the integrity of its curriculum. At Professional Children’s School, students’ aspirations for excellence are recognized as integral to who they are, and the school community is dedicated to helping students achieve their academic goals in partnership with their professional goals.

Located in Manhattan’s Lincoln Square neighborhood, a block from Columbus Circle, the school’s modern facilities include science labs, drama & art rooms, cafeteria, auditorium and gymnasium. At Professional Children’s School, students don’t need to choose between a great education and their dreams.

Thissummer, the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy will bring its expertise to New York as it will be running two different week-long camps at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the Bronx, the weeks of June 12 and June 19. New York Tennis Magazine sat down with Joel Figueras, Tennis Coaching Director for the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy, to discuss his tennis life, talk about the Academy’s philosophy, the decision to come to New York and much more.

NYTM: Can you talk about your tennis background?

I am currently the Coaching Director at Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy, and the founder of Educatennis, an online platform for coaches training and tennis teaching programs.

Growing up, tennis was a part of my life from a young age, and I competed in the World Junior Circuit as a player, achieving a ranking of 17th in the world at one point, before moving on to play on the pro circuit of ATP Futures and Challengers in Europe, America and Africa. When I was 25, I transitioned to a career as a tennis coach and became the coach of the Mexican Davis Cup team, and coaching top ATP players such as Carlos Costa, Joan Aguilera and Francis Roig, among others. I went on to become a coach at the USTA and helped develop players such as Taylor Fritz, Reilly Opelka and Tommy Paul. I was at the USTA between 20132015, and have tried to use my passion, dedication and expertise to help players wherever I have been. I have the highest title granted by the Spanish Tennis Federation, a Level 3 National Coach, and was named the best Spanish

Q&A with Joel Figueras, Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy

professional in 2009, as well as serving as a consultant to many tennis schools, academies and programs.

NYTM: What made you and the team decide to host a camp this summer in New York?

New York City has long been recognized as a hub for tennis enthusiasts, and we've noticed that many students, both adults and kids, come from NYC to train at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. We saw a window of opportunity to connect two major brands and bring the unique training experience of the Rafa Nadal Academy to New Yorkers. Our goal is to offer aspiring recreational and competitive players the chance to train like a pro, without having to travel too far from home. By bringing the tennis camps to NYC, we're providing a convenient and accessible option for those who are passionate about the sport and want to take their game to the next level.

And now with direct flights available from NYC to the RNA headquarters in Mallorca, New Yorkers can seamlessly travel to Mallorca to follow up their passion after the local summer camps.

NYTM: How excited are you to come here and bring the Spanish method of tennis teaching to local players in New York?

The Spanish teaching methodology, which emphasizes footwork, consistency, and power generation in forced positions, can bring several benefits to players. By practicing on clay courts, players are forced to develop better footwork, as the slower surface requires

them to move more efficiently and deliberately. Consistency is also emphasized, as clay courts tend to produce longer rallies and require players to develop a more patient approach to the game.

Additionally, the Spanish methodology focuses on developing power generation in forced positions, which can help players become more effective in different situations on the court.

By improving their ability to generate power from a variety of positions, players can become more versatile and better equipped to handle different opponents and playing conditions.

When combined with the US methodology, which emphasizes serve and return patterns and follow-up shots, players can become more complete and well-rounded.

NYTM: Can you explain the Spanish method of teaching, and the philosophy of your academy overall?

The Integrated Training methodology is designed to encompass the four key elements of tennis: hitting, strategic decision-making, emotional control, and skill development. This methodology takes into account the entire sequence of events from when the player perceives the ball to the end of the point. Coaches work with players in an integrated way, combining mental, physical, technical, and tactical aspects of the game. The information is transmitted to the player through a mental concept, which forms the basis of the training session. Unlike some educational systems that may overemphasize execution, I believe that a balanced program is key to helping players reach

their full potential. By taking a holistic approach that includes not just technical skills, but also physical conditioning, mental toughness, and strategy development, players can become more well-rounded and adaptable on the court.

I also place a strong emphasis on creating a positive learning environment that fosters teamwork, respect, and a growth mindset. Coaches work closely with players to identify their strengths and areas for improvement, and use a variety of teaching methods to keep players engaged and motivated. Overall, our philosophy and methodology is centered on creating a well-rounded, balanced program that helps players accelerate their learning and reach their full potential on the court.

NYTM: You worked with the USTA for two decades, how does the teaching methods here in the United States differ

from how you teach at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain?

American Tennis and the USTA are experiencing a resurgence of success due to the leadership of Patrick McEnroe and José Higueras between 2008 and 2015. They made a wise decision to select coaches who implemented a combination of American and Spanish-based methodologies, which resulted in a great deal of success in the past. Currently, we are witnessing the emergence of those positive outcomes.

NYTM: Why should New Yorkers sign up for the camp this summer and learn from you and your acclaimed team?

Campers should join the camps because they offer the opportunity to train like a pro without having to travel too far from home. The camps bring the unique training experience of the Rafa Nadal Academy to New York City, providing a convenient and

accessible option for those who are passionate about tennis and want to take their game to the next level. The Spanish teaching methodology, which emphasizes footwork, consistency, and power generation in forced positions, can bring several benefits to players, including better footwork, greater consistency, and the ability to generate power from a variety of positions. By joining the camps, players can become more technically skilled, mentally tough, physically fit, and able to adapt to different playing conditions.

The Rafa Nadal Academy is one of the best in the world. Our unique methodology focuses on gamification to teach technical skills, tactics, decision-making, competition, cognitive development, and footwork, all while having a great time.

You can register following the following link:

https://www.educatennis.org/rafanadala cademycamps

Parsa is undoubtedly the real estate agent you need to give you the guidance for your next move and to help you be the star in your own real estate success story.

Andrey the Giant

Rublev looks to win first career major

By Brian Coleman

At the age of 16, Andrey Rublev was victorious on the red clay of Roland Garros. The Russian teenager captured the 2014 French Open Juniors title which catapulted him to the top spot in the ITF Junior World Rankings. That victory would serve as the catalyst to Rublev turning professional and leaving his junior playing days behind, a decision that has worked out quite well eight years later as Rublev has become a mainstay in the Top 10, currently ranked sixth in the world. He heads into this year’s installment of the French Open feeling good about his game and his recent results on clay.

In the clay-court swing leading up to the year’s second major, Rublev secured the biggest victory of his young career when he hoisted the trophy at the Monte Carlo Masters. It was his 13th career title, but the biggest one of his career to date, the first Masters 1000 trophy he has earned.

“I don’t know what to say to be honest. I don’t know,” he said in his postmatch interview following the title. “I am just happy, finally. I have been struggling so much to win this freaking Masters 1000 tournament.”

Rublev was alluding to his previous failures in finals of Masters 1000 events, in Monte Carlo and Cincinnati, both in 2021.

“I was hoping deep inside that at least maybe I would have one chance," Rublev said. "Maybe at least try to play until the end. Because I remember the previous finals mentally I was not ready and when I was thinking [I had] no chance to win anymore and I was going mentally completely down. And today I was at least [thinking], 'Okay, if you're going to lose today at least please believe until the end', and that is what I was trying to do in the third set, hoping that maybe I would have one extra chance to come back or something and in the end I was able to do it.”

During that run to the title, he knocked off top 10 players Taylor Fritz, in the semifinals, and Holger Rune, in the championship match. In that final against Rune, Rublev had to fight back from 1-4 down in the deciding third set to claim the title, showing the type of mental fortitude that is required to win big matches.

continued on page 12

Photo credit: Tennis Australia/Mark Dadswell

andrey the giant

That signature win could be the precursor to a deep run by Rublev at Roland Garros as he now looks to take the next step in his career. He has established a confidence in himself that he can fight through those adverse moments, and he gives a lot of the credit to his coaching team.

“I like how I’m working now with my new team fitness-wise, treatment-wise, tennis-wise, mentalwise. I feel that this is the right way,” he said when asked if after winning a Masters 1000 title if winning a major was the next goal. “I feel that I can improve a lot. I feel that in practices I’m doing this. The thing is I don’t know when and where it will appear. In the end, I won this title, and the goal is still the same: to work hard and continue going in the right direction. I just want to try to improve as much as I can while I have this time.”

One of those coaching team members is Alberto Martin, a former ATP player who has served as an advisor on Rublev’s team this year. Martin has heaped praise upon Rublev for the kind of person

he is off the court, being well-liked by his peers and fans alike, and the necessity to find the balance between being aggressive and intense on the court, but a kind person off it. He often ends his matches by writing messages on the camera that read, “No War”, in regards to his native Russia’s

invasion of Ukraine, and has been an outspoken critic of the war.

As gentle as he is off the court, Rublev has shown a propensity to lose his cool on the court. That was evident during a U.S. Open loss to Frances Tiafoe last year where he destroyed many racquets, including banging his head against the racquet. Earlier in the year, at the French Open, Rublev fired a ball in frustration that nearly hit a courtsweeper. Martin wants to make sure he keeps that fire on the court but not go over the edge into tantrums.

“The priority when working has been finding the balance between being a bit calmer and not going crazy at the slightest opportunity. But he can’t lose the spark that he has that makes him so good or his aggressiveness,” explained Martin. “He is a player who has to play very aggressive, and if he is very passive and just pushes the ball, well, it doesn’t work. And we talked about this with the team, about trying to find this middle

Photo credit: Tennis Australia/Mark Dadswell

ground. And the truth is, I am very happy right now in this regard.”

So as Rublev continues to try and perfect that balance that makes all players great, he sets his sights on the next goals in his career. His attacking style from the baseline works well on clay, and his athletic prowess allows him to glide around the court with ease.

But the key for Rublev is being able to remain consistent throughout a Grand Slam fortnight. His best results at any of the four majors is reaching the quarterfinals, which he has done seven times, three times at the U.S. Open, and twice each at the French Open and U.S. Open.

A year ago, Rublev reached the final eight at Roland Garros, and with his solid play thus far in 2023, he will look to take the next step, and this year’s French Open could be the perfect stage for him to do so.

SPORTIME/John McEnroe Tennis Academy To Host Seventh Annual College Recruiting Combine in June

Helping young athletes attend the colleges of their choice, on full tennis scholarships when possible, is a foundational goal of SPORTIME and JMTA. With dozens of JMTA students currently competing at top colleges across the country, today the Academy announced the Seventh Annual, 2023, John McEnroe Tennis Academy College

Recruiting Combine, scheduled for the weekend of June 24-25, to be held at SPORTIME Randall's Island, the NYC home of JMTA.

The Combine, a substantial success in its first six years, will again give select rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors, from around the country and beyond, JMTA students and nonJMTA students, the opportunity to showcase their technical and tactical tennis skills, and their athletic abilities, in front of coaches from top colleges and universities. Last year, the Combine introduced a new livestreaming platform, which gave players the opportunity to perform for more coaches than ever before, as over 100 coaches from across the country “attended” the event,

virtually, joining those who attended in-person.

“One of the driving forces at JMTA is our commitment to preparing our players for college tennis, and helping them find the colleges and universities that best suit their needs,” said John McEnroe. “After an amazing first six years of the JMTA Combine, we are excited about growing it in upcoming years. As our world-class facility on Randall’s Island expands, to include more coaches and more students, we are confident that it will continue to be a great resource for both.”

Jay Harris, the Combine’s Director, emphasizing the importance of the event, added:

“The biggest mistake I see is that parents/players attempt to navigate

the arduous recruiting process on their own and without the help of knowledgeable consultants. There are so many pitfalls that prevent prospective recruits from putting themselves in a good position to be recruited by the best possible colleges and college tennis programs, and without the proper guidance, those are easy to fall into. We are striving to make the JMTA College Recruiting Combine the absolute best recruiting opportunity for tennis players anywhere in the United States!”

Coaches representing all three NCAA Divisions are expected to attend, and 2023 commitments to-date have been more impressive than ever, 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. Interested players can get more information and apply to participate in the Combine at www.SportimeNY.com/JMTACombine.

spotlight Junior Player

Natasha Rajaram

Dwight Global Online School

Despitegrowing up on the other side of the country, Natasha Rajaram has always had an affinity for the east coast. So much so, that the Cupertino, Calif. native, a five-star, blue-chip recruit, made her verbal commitment to play her collegiate tennis at Harvard University in Boston, and will be bringing her tennis talents more than 3,000 miles across the United States beginning in the Fall of 2024.

“I really enjoyed the entire college recruiting process, even though it was a bit stressful. But it was very enlightening and I learned a lot. It was fun getting to meet all of the teams and coaching staffs, but after meeting with Harvard, I knew that was the place for me,” said Rajaram. “The culture there is what set it apart for me. The team had such a strong bond, the facilities are pristine, the campus was amazing, and I felt that the coaches were so invested in not only the team success, but in the players as individuals. Of course a lot of colleges have that, but this is what really stood out to me about Harvard.

And I love the east coast; the city of Boston is amazing. All of that together made it an easy decision for me, and I’m really excited.”

By Brian Coleman

Rajaram’s love for the east coast extends to the Big Apple as well, a city she has visited many times over the course of her life.

“I absolutely love New York, everything about it,” she said. “There’s such a unique energy to the city, and it has such a balance of things where you can do something new and different every time you are there. There’s always new restaurants to try and amazing food to discover. You can’t find more diversity than you can in New York, and it’s amazing to explore.”

That diversity and multiculturalism, which is at the core of what makes New York special, is something near and dear to Rajaram’s heart. She is the daughter of an Indian-American father and a Hispanic mother from a historic New Mexican family, and has embraced those roots to form a unique, worldly outlook on life.

“I love being able to learn about my ancestors and my family history, it’s been so interesting to learn about,” said Rajaram. “We visit my family in New Mexico a lot, and traveling to the different craft markets they have with the most amazing jewelry, artwork and handmade crafts which are such an important part of the culture and have so much

symbolism. On my dad’s side, we actually recently had a celebration with a collection of family and friends, and dressed up in traditional Indian garments. I met so many of my parent’s close friends, people they went to school with, as well as cousins I hadn’t seen in a while. Meeting so many people with different life experiences and backgrounds is always something I enjoy doing, and it’s helped me in so many different ways.”

One of those aforementioned visits to New York City happened last summer, soon after Rajaram had finished her sophomore year of high school at the Harker School in California. While Harker was a top-tier STEM school, Rajaram was looking for an online school to attend to help her navigate her extensive training and tournament schedule, one that is required of a player of her caliber.

So Rajaram and her family came to NYC to visit Dwight Global Online

School, the online independent school for students from sixth grade through 12th grade, and they knew they found Natasha’s new academic home.

“It was a difficult decision to make. Harker is such a great school, one of the best in my area, but once we found Dwight though, that was it,” she recalls. “Academics in my family have always been prioritized, and Dwight provided that intensity that we were looking for. For example, this year I am taking three AP classes, which is what I was hoping to do for my junior year, while also providing the great flexibility for my tennis. I know someone there who is a rower, and she says the same thing, that there is so much more time to be able to focus on the sport that we play. They provide so much support from the teachers to the administrators, and are there to uplift you when you need it, and it has created the ideal balance for me.”

That balance is important as Rajaram

is one of the best players in the country, and that requires a lot of time to allow for training and traveling. Rajaram had a natural ability to play tennis from as early as she can remember.

Her mother, Tamara, recalls the first time they knew she had a talent for tennis, remembering taking Natasha’s older brother, Ari, out to the court to play while little Natasha tagged along. While they were trying to show him how to hold the racquet, they turned around to see Natasha, with her mini Dora the Explorer racquet in hand, hitting against the wall by herself.

The first time her parents enrolled her in lessons it was in a program where they hit with the Red Balls, but that wasn’t good enough for Rajaram. She only wanted to hit the real yellow balls, and soon after, she was competing at the highest levels of her age group, and was fully immersed in tennis.

continued on page 18

junior player spotlight

continued from page 17

One of the first signature moments of her young tennis career came at the “Little Mo” Nationals in Austin, Texas, where Rajaram captured the title in the Girls 9s division, a major milestone for her.

“I feel like even at such a young age, I realized how much that tournament meant and the rich history behind it,” said Rajaram. “To win that, and see all of my hard work pay off in the end, meant so much. It really brought all of my hard work to fruition. Before that event, I had been training a lot and doing sprints every day. It was gratifying to win, but also motivated me to get better because you can’t stop there. There were other high-level tournaments after that where I was playing against some of those same girls, so I realized that people would be gunning for me, and meant I had to continue my hard work.”

Rajaram would use that hard work to continue her ascent up the junior rankings, and she currently finds herself ranked inside the Top 10 in the country in the Girls 16s category. A major bolster to that ranking came last summer when she powered her way to the title at the USTA Clay Court

National Championships in Alabama.

Making that victory all the more impressive, and what she was most proud of in the end, was her ability to overcome the adversity that she faced in order to win the championship. She suffered an ankle injury in the months leading up to the event but did not let that slow her down en route to capturing the prestigious win.

“I had suffered an ankle injury earlier in the year and there were multiple weeks where I couldn’t play any tournaments, and I tried to do what I could in terms of training to get ready for Clay Courts,” said Rajaram. “I was confident heading into it and knew I had to try not to focus on the injury, which was tough. Clay is also a much different surface than I am used to playing on as there really aren’t a lot of clay courts here in California to practice on, so between that and dealing with my ankle, it was tough. But once the matches started, I blocked it out of my mind. Even when I felt it hurting, I tried to go to the back of the court to reset my mind, or work hard on refocusing during changeovers.”

Those weren’t the only obstacles as Rajaram also got sick right before the

final.

“I also got food poisoning and was throwing up the whole night before the final. So it was a steady stream of unfortunate instances, but to be able to overcome all of those obstacles was the thing I was the most proud of, being able to show perseverance and pushing through to come out on top.”

That perseverance is something that is a part of who Rajaram is, and has allowed her to continue taking her game to the next level, something we can expect to continue as time rolls on. In the months after Clay Court Nationals, she reinjured her ankle at Winter Nationals at the end of 2022, and is still dealing with the effects of that.

However, it did not prevent her from earning a Bronze Ball at the Fila Easter Bowl, as she paired with Florida’s Savannah Webster to finish in third place in the Girls 18s Doubles division. In her career overall, Rajaram has earned a Gold Ball in singles, as well as two Silver Balls and three Bronze Balls in doubles, with her sights set on more.

As we head into the summer and Rajaram approaches her senior year, she is eager to compete in more ITF and professional events, and aims to build up her ranking. She says one of her goals is to play in a Junior Slam sometime in the near future, and is ready to continue using her hard work to achieve her goals.

“I’m getting back into things now with a fuller training and tournament schedule, so I am excited for what lies ahead. Just trying to focus on things I can control both on and off the court. I always think back to what my coach told me which is, you are never going to be 100 percent while playing on court, so I just need to worry about the things in my control. If I do that, the results will take care of themselves.”

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

By Asher Salam

“I Can Only Get Better With Better Players”

Asa coach I need to constantly get better. I must to be able to have tough conversations with myself as well as others to find my weaknesses. Because I am always searching to improve, (many coaches are the same) I feel comfortable asking my clients to do the same. In tennis development, the mentality that "I can only play better when I play with better players" is a common and detrimental thought process for players and parents alike. Although hitting with stronger players can be helpful at times, the misconception that it is the most important way to improve can lead to negative cycles that ultimately hold players back.

Perception of a "better" player usually involves someone who hits harder, hits with more consistency and accuracy. They have the ability to face a wider variety of opponents and execute their game. However, playing mostly with stronger players can create a false sense of confidence. The higher level player sets the tempo, hitting in the player's strike zone with a more predictable and powerful ball. This leads to longer rallies at a higher rate, which can be helpful situationally, but can also cause players to stop working on their technique and start blocking shots back. Players may also adjust their game to get the ball back, resulting in less skill/tactical development.

Playing with a wide range of players allows players to build up their technique and develop their personal game. This approach allows players to adjust to a wider range of skill levels, which ultimately leads to the

development of tactical ability. Through the ups and downs of getting better with patience and progressions, real confidence can begin to grow. When players face every type of opponent, including aggressive baseliners, serveand-volleyers, counterpunchers, all-court players, and pushers, they are better prepared to adjust to the game and execute their tactics.

When players hit mostly with players who are higher level than them, they also avoid different types of pressure that allow them to grow in many facets. The level of pressure players go through when they believe they are as good or better in their mind is what sets apart "good players" who can execute mentally and physically on average what they need to win. This in and of itself is a skill. Facing the top player in the group or the number one seed in a tournament is a different type of pressure that allows players to settle in sooner and swing freely because the pressure is on the higher level player. It also allows the lower-level player to make excuses if they do not win.

If someone who is better, gets tight, and does not execute what they have been working on, it can create a false sense of the lower level player's own abilities. It could lead them to feel they do not need to develop their game on a path the coach has set forth. Players

have to put themselves in the position to execute while still adding to their game. They must learn to make adjustments rather than just mentally giving up based on what the player/coach objective is. When players avoid putting themselves in pressure situations, it prevents them from being accountable for what they are learning. It also prevents them from experiencing a level of accomplishment that comes from seeing their hard work pay off. Understanding the work it takes to get the most out of oneself/investment is something that can carry into a student's life off the court in a deep meaningful way.

In conclusion, while playing with stronger players can be helpful at times, playing with a wide range of players is the best approach to improving tennis skills. It allows players to build up their technique and develop their personal game, leading to a level of self confidence and understanding of the sport that a player may not have believed was initially possible. Playing against different types of pressure is necessary for growth and skill development, and players must learn to execute mentally and physically while still adding to their game. Finally, it is extremely important to have accountability and accomplishment in the learning process, which can have meaningful impacts on a student's life beyond the court.

Asher Salam is the Director of Tennis at White Beeches GCC and a High Performance Coach at CourtSense at Bogota Racquet Club. Salam has been at CourtSense since 2010, and he has coached multiple level of players, from top 10 nationally to top 10 in the eastern section with somw of his players winning Gold Balls, and he has also worked with players at early stages of junior development, and also running adult programs. He played Division 1 college tennis and graduated from Bucknell University with a degree in biology. In 2006, he had the most wins in Bucknell’s history.

Silent Partner Tennis Ball Machines The Machine With Muscle

SilentPartner 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.

There are a number of reasons to invest in a tennis ball machine. First, tennis ball machines provide a consistent shot so that you can benefit from repetition and really "groove" your strokes. Even the best teaching pro can't feed you the ball the exact same way each time. This is a must if you want to put a stroke into your DNA. You know you've made it when you become more consistent than the machine.

All Silent Partner Ball Machines are lightweight, compact and easy to transport. These are truly portable machines that can be easily wheeled to nearby courts or loaded into the trunk of a car. Further, all machines come with the highest speeds on the market. Standard in all models are necessary features for a productive practice like topsin, backspin, drives and lobs and a random oscillator to get you moving around the court.

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 to learn more and see all the different machines that are offered.

beyondthebaseline

Conrad

Singh & Cinto

Casanova Centercourt Unveils new dedicated Red Ball Performance Center

By Brian Coleman

Thedevelopment pathway of any tennis program is an important pipeline that not only helps create great tennis players, but also serves as a way to keep young players in a facility’s program. Establishing this pipeline from the earliest ages is a key aspect to a successful one, and with that in mind, earlier this year, Centercourt unveiled its new dedicated Red Ball Performance

Center at its Chatham location, as it aims to continue its innovative outlook on junior tennis.

“From a Centercourt perspective, we recognize the importance of a quality foundation of coaching,” said Conrad Singh, Centercourt Tennis Academy’s CEO. “So with that foundation, we wanted to make our red ball program unique. Red ball is the key to developing

and retaining players. We wanted to create a dedicated learning center for them where they aren’t cramped and bumping into each other. We developed an eight-court red ball performance center for that reason. The kids have a lot of space and are able to work on crosscourt patterns, down the line patterns, etc. It’s been working really well, and the inspiration came from just our

understanding of the importance of red ball.”

The idea to create a facility strictly dedicated to red ball players first arose at the end of 2022, when Centercourt brought in Cinto Casanova, an acclaimed talent developer who has a reputation of creating top players from his time coaching throughout Asia, Spain and Australia.

The idea to create a facility strictly dedicated to Red Ball players has been on our plans for some time. At the end of 2022 when Clay Bibbee – Centercourt Sports (Founder & Managing Partner) asked the questions on what can we do to continue to lead the Red Ball Pathway – the solution was obvious. Add to this the experience & expertise of Casanova, Director of Coaching & Talent Identification, along with Singh’s Leadership their vision was turned into a reality.

“That forward-thinking approach is why I came to Centercourt,” explains Casanova. “I always say, I came to the United States to work at Centercourt. I didn’t come here to work just anywhere, but it was specifically to join Centercourt. And it’s because of things like this. We had a vision, and then put in the work to execute it. We are always trying to find new solutions to problems, and that is a very exciting way to approach your work.”

The Red Ball Performance Center and Centercourt’s new approach to this part of the pathway features four pillars that make up its core. It begins with the first stage which is the Future Stars program, where they accept kids ranging from one-to-threeyears-old. At this stage, they use racquets and balls, but it’s more about developing the basic motor skills as opposed to hitting the ball.

From there, they progress into clinics and normal group lessons that run every day and then move into the Red Ball Personalized Programming. This is where they take part in one-on-one lessons with coaches, with the director, Casanova, supervising the development

of all the players.

“We adapted these lessons to fit with the ages of the players we are coaching,” explained Casanova. “A 12year-old junior can handle doing a one-hour private lesson, but you can’t really do that with a four-year-old. It wouldn’t really make sense, they have a hard time staying focused for that long. So the program adapts to the stage of development the kid is at, and the amount of focus and attention-span they have at that point.”

The fourth and final pillar of the program is the competitive side, where Centercourt hosts weekly tournaments, and the players can take what they’ve learned in the training and apply it to match play.

“Our philosophy is very game-based right from the start, and so those kids are competing weekly, and if not during the week, at least on the weekends,” said Singh.

“This is good not only for us, but for the sport of tennis as a whole,” said Casanova. “We want to keep these kids engaged, and have them play tennis in a fun environment that is specific to them. By doing that, we are able to retain more players and keep them involved in our sport.”

Part of that retention is establishing a connection between the coach and the player, a crucial dynamic that helps kids

stay engaged with tennis.

Casanova and Singh both a wide-range of experience in not only developing players, but developing coaches, and they spend a great deal of time identifying the skill sets of their coaches and what part of their programming would be best suited for them.

“Between myself and Cinto, we identify our coaches and determine what level they should be coaching at,” said Singh. “Some coaches may not even be aware that they have certain skills, and so it’s exciting for us to be able to maximize the abiolity of all of our coaches. The connection between a kid and a coach is hard to develop during a group lesson, so when you put one kid out there with the same coach, for 30 minutes every week, a connection develops. And we know that if the kid connects and trusts their coach, they will stay in the sport. So we emphasize the quality of coaching and establishing a player’s connection to that coach and to our facility. Our Performance Center is designed specifically for them, and when they walk in they definitively have the feeling that this is for them.”

Singh says that just in the last five weeks, they have seen 70 additional private lessons for red ball players booked, and he attributes that to the new Performance Center, and the supplementary Personalized Programming that comes with it.

“We spent January mastering what we were trying to do, February was spent training the coaches, and in March we launched the Red Ball Personlzied Programming,” he said. “And now here we are. I really take my hat off to Cinto for developing this idea, and to [Founder and Managing Partner] Clay Bibbee for his support of the idea. We are proud of the legacy and history of Centercourt, and all the players we’ve developed over the years, and are excited to see what this new center and new programming can do to continue and add to that legacy.”

USTA Eastern Metro Region

Metro Region Council Offers Regional Grants

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

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

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

USTA Commemorates National Tennis Month

For the second year in a row, the USTA will kick off a celebration of tennis throughout May. All month long, the Eastern section will work in tandem with providers across the NYC area to develop programming that attracts new and returning players to the game.

To mark the occasion, one of the organization’s tentpole events is the Asian-American and Pacific Islander Tennis Festival, which will be held May 13 at the Cunningham Tennis Center in Fresh Meadows, Queens from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Those who attend the completely free event can enjoy Asian music, dance and food while they learn more about the sport and hit the courts for a little friendly, relaxed competition and instruction. Former world No. 87 Kristie Ahn and two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Vania King (pictured) will also both be on hand to meet with attendees and speak about their experiences as two of the most prominent Asian-American alums of the professional tour. “In putting together this festival, we really want to share

all the many benefits of the sport while also showcasing and celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander diversity and culture,” said USTA Eastern director of schools and community tennis and event organizer Jocelyn CruzAlfalla. “I come from a Filipino family and have played tennis my whole life. I’m very excited to get the opportunity to combine my love of the game with the passion and pride I feel for the entire Asian American and Pacific Islander community.”

In addition to its designation as National Tennis Month, May is also considered Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. 11.6 percent of all players in the USTA Eastern section identify as Asian/Pacific Islander.

To sign up to attend the event visit this link: https://form.jotform.com/222054646505149

Tennis providers looking to get involved in National Tennis Month can learn more here: https://www.usta.com/nationaltennismonth

Photo credit: Bruce Adler

USTA Eastern Metro Region

Metro Region Junior Claire An Wins the 2023 Easter Bowl

Forthe second time in three years, an Eastern junior has claimed the girls’ 16s title at the Easter Bowl, as New York, N.Y.’s Claire An came back from a set down in the final to defeat USTA Southern’s Alanis Hamilton, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4. Theadora Rabman, of Port Washington, N.Y., previously lifted the championship hardware in the same division in 2021.

“It feels like an amazing accomplishment,” An said after the legendary junior event, which was held March 25-April 1 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California. “I knew that everyone would be playing at a high level given the significance of this tournament, so I expected to battle every day. ”

It’s not necessarily hyperbolic to say that’s exactly what she ended up doing. Over the course of the week, An played five three-setters in six matches, coming back from a one-set deficit on four separate occasions. Only her opening round match—which she won by a tidy scoreline of 6-0, 6-2—didn’t go the distance.

“I think my mental [toughness] and desire to compete are two of the greatest strengths of my game,” she said. “Throughout the tournament I was very proud of the way I was competing, just fighting until the very end.”

Those qualities were on full display as she eased her way through the draw.

“When things are not going your way, you end up battling your nerves and sometimes that can feel harder than the match itself,” she explained, reflecting on her second round duel against USTA Mid-Atlantic’s Blair Gill, the first of those five three-set contests. “I learned that it’s OK to win ugly without playing my best.”

Of course, eking out dramatic, tight victories ultimately

prepared her for the final against No. 3 seed Hamilton, a close friend. Earlier this year, the pair teamed up to play doubles together in Barranquilla, Colombia—where they reached the semifinals—and in San Jose, Costa Rica— where they finished as runners-up.

“It was a different feeling playing someone you know, and someone who knows your own strengths and weaknesses as well,” An said. “[But] I definitely think having won a number of three-setters preceding my final helped me. I felt towards the end of the second set that I was playing my best tennis of the match and dictating points much better. I became much more confident in my shots which transferred to a good start in the third.”

Overall, Eastern juniors from the area enjoyed a particularly strong showing in the 16-and-under age group at the annual championship. Brooklyn, N.Y.’s Leena Friedman—who recently captured the title at the USTA National Winter Championships—reached the semifinals (losing to Hamilton) and eventually won the Bronze Ball. Summer Chandler, of Rochdale Village in Queens, scored a Round of 16 berth (ultimately losing to An).

Past champions of the Easter Bowl include John McEnroe, Tracy Austin, Jennifer Capriati, Andy Roddick, Sam Querrey, Taylor Townsend and Frances Tiafoe. The 55-yearold tournament was originally envisioned and developed by Seena Hamilton, an Eastern parent who wanted to create more playing opportunities for juniors. Although the competition is now located on the west coast, the inaugural event debuted in the Eastern section at the Midtown Tennis Club in Manhattan in 1968. It is one of the USTA's five national championships to be held for juniors in 2023.

USTA Eastern Metro Region

USTA Eastern Teams Up with NewYork-Presbyterian

NewYork-Presbyterian

is now the official hospital of United States Tennis Association (USTA) Eastern. Through a sponsorship announced in March, the organizations will work together to promote health through the sport of tennis.

NewYork-Presbyterian leaders, physicians and wellness experts will provide health education and resources for the more than 49,000 USTA Eastern members, made up of children and adults, and the local community. NewYork-Presbyterian doctors—from orthopedists and behavioral health care providers to pediatricians and cardiologists—will be participating at USTA Eastern tennis clinics, conferences, and tournaments to educate members and the community about ways to improve their health and well-being, through the sport of tennis and in their daily routines and lives. In recent years, multiple studies have affirmed the many physical, mental, and social health benefits of the sport.

“NewYork-Presbyterian and USTA Eastern share a

commitment to improving the health of all the communities we serve and promoting an active lifestyle,” said Devika Mathrani, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at NewYorkPresbyterian. “We are so pleased to be collaborating with USTA Eastern to help New Yorkers stay amazing by prioritizing their health and well-being.”

“We are thrilled to partner with NewYorkPresbyterian,” said Jennifer Schnitzer, executive director and CEO of USTA Eastern. “We have made it a part of our mission to share the benefits of tennis to our members and the public, and we feel very fortunate to be able to do so alongside an organization renowned for its longtime commitment to community health.”

The events will be held throughout the regions USTA Eastern serves: New York, northern New Jersey, and Greenwich, Connecticut. NewYork-Presbyterian will also share content with USTA Eastern members about health and wellness through USTA Eastern’s newsletter, social media and website.

Whileparticipating in youth sports can be a healthy and beneficial activity for the development of children, it is important to select the “right” program for your kid. In order to select a program that is a good fit for your child, several aspects must be taken into consideration. The list below can help you to navigate the search in a way that minimizes “program hopping” and allows your child(ren) to have a stable program in which they can develop as they age and progress.

While the list below is not in order of importance, as that can vary depending on the situation, it hopes to depict the topics that should be taken into consideration as one navigates the search for a quality tennis program in your area.

1. Logistics: especially early in the developmental process, the Program/Club should be at a location that is convenient for you and your child and that it provides a safe and pleasant environment. This should include availability of parking and/or public transportation.

2. Costs: while tennis can be expensive at certain locations, it should not always be the case. Research options in your area and see the per-hour cost of the different programs in order to have a real comparison; as some programs are structured in 10-14 weeks sessions while others have shorter or longer durations. Also worth considering is,

How To Select A Tennis Program For Your Child

By Jay Pinho

what is the ratio of player to Pro on a regular basis?

3. Player’s objective: finding a program that fits with your child’s interest is crucial. In other words, if your child has competitive aspirations then they should be in a program that provides such opportunities as they develop. Alternatively, if they want to play recreationally, the program should also fit that vision as well.

4. Player’s age: depending on the player’s age, more significant training and sacrifices will be required (if they has more aggressive goals). Therefore, it’s important to consider “how much time” they has so that the resources can be allocated at the appropriate times. For example: a promising eight-year-old has a more limited training ability, in terms of volume and total hours per week. Consequently, balancing the player’s training schedule with his/her age is also important. While overdoing it at an early age can be detrimental, underdoing at a later age can also be significantly limiting to one’s ability to develop.

5. Level of coaching: regardless of the aspiration of the player, having experience Lead Coaches in the

programs is very important. Additionally, for those who have higher aspirations with their tennis, having access to coaches with significant experience in developing players is also a must.

6. Coaching engagement: another crucial aspect is to evaluate the engagement of the Pros who are leading the groups to ensure that they are present and paying attention to your children and his/her needs. Regardless of the Pro’s experience, it is imperative that they are connecting with the player in real time and trying to assist him/her as needed. While that does not necessarily mean “correcting” the player on every single shot (as that can lead to overthinking and other issues) there should be a clear connection between the players and pros while on-court.

Finding the balance of all these aspects can be difficult, and at times, players/parents may do some trial and error in order to find the best fit. At the USTA BJK National Tennis Center we strive to provide robust programs, for juniors and adults, that allow players to develop in a progressive manner, and find an environment that suits his/her needs, regardless if that means playing recreational or competitive tennis.

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

TENNIS IN THE HAMPTO 2

In the summer, people from across Long Island and New York City flock enjoy the sun, while sitting by the pool or ocean, and taking part in an activities. One of those activities, and perhaps its most popular, is tennis favorite activity for Hamptons-goers, and there is no shortage of tennis opportunities to play out on the East End, from hitting around at local pa up and playing on a private court in a luxurious Hamptons home. In this feature are just some of the places you can find your game out

Places to Play

Annacone Tennis Management

AnnaconeTennis.com

info@annaconetennis.com

865-300-7323

ONS 2023

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 worldclass 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.

Future Stars Southampton

1370A Majors Path Southampton, N.Y. (631) 287-6707

FutureStarsSouthampton.com

ck to the Hamptons, to an array of outdoor nis. It may be the courts or parks or lacing them east this summer!

In 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. Each town in the Hamptons has its own unique feel, with a variety of activities available from simply going to the beach, to kayaking, biking, trips to the wineries or taking in the East End nightlife.

TENNIS

continued from page 29

HAMPTONS 2023

Tennis may be the favorite activity of Hamptons-goers and there is no shortage of the sport in Eastern Long Island. There is no better way to spend a sunny morning or afternoon than getting some exercise on the court with friends. Below is a list of some of the locations to play tennis, as well as where to shop for the latest equipment and apparel, and where to stay.

Whether you are in Westhampton Beach, Amagansett or anywhere in-between, we look forward to seeing you on the courts and in the shops of the Hamptons this summer!

Future Stars Westhampton Beach

36 Aspatuck Road

Westhampton Beach, N.Y.

(631) 287-6707

FSCamps.com

Future Stars Tennis Camp at Aspatuck Tennis Club will offer a premier tennis program that is individually-

designed to methodically challenge players of all levels, ages six through 16. Throughout the week campers are encouraged to enhance their strokes and strategies via group lessons, skill building drills, organized play, individual attention, video sessions, target training and fitness routines. Campers will receive three to four hours of top flight tennis instruction, including fundamentals, stroke production, point play with strategy emphasis, and match play competition. All campers are carefully grouped based on age and skill level.

Ross School Tennis Academy

18 Goodfriend Drive

East Hampton, N.Y. (631) 907-5162

Ross.org/TennisAcademy

Ross School offers a unique and dynamic tennis program for both national and international junior players. It combines an 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 7–12 and is tucked away in beautiful East Hampton.

TENNIS IN THE HAMPTONS 2023

Sportime Amagansett

320 Abrahams Path

Amagansett, N.Y.

(631) 267-3460

SportimeNY.com/Amagansett

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, locker rooms, and café. Sportime Quogue offers members and Hampton visitors dynamic programming and instruction for both juniors and adults, as well as game arranging and a wide range of tennis and social events.

Places to Shop

Tennis East

73 Main Street

Southampton, N.Y. (631) 283-9535

TennisEast.com

Located in the Town of East Hampton, Sportime

Amagansett’s 23 acre campus features 33 outdoor Har-Tru tennis courts, one hard-surface tennis and pickleball court, a heated outdoor swimming pool, a mini-basketball 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

For nearly five decades, Tennis East has been a staple of the tennis community on Long Island’s East End. Tennis East offers an extensive selection of men’s, women’s and junior’s rackets, apparel, sneakers, strings and accessories. Tennis East keeps up to date with the latest and most popular products to make sure its customers are always up to date with the newest gear, and it even features a complete line of 10 & Under Tennis equipment, as well as a line of other racket sports, such as paddleball or pickleball. Stringing services and demo rackets are also available.

Experience SPORTIME in Quogue! Sportime Quogue is a year-round, full-service tennis, fitness, 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

TENNIS IN THE HAMPTONS 2023

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Places to Stay

Baron’s Cove

31 West Water Street

Sag Harbor, N.Y.

(844) 227-6672

CapeResorts.com/Barons-Cove

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.

Upcoming Hamptons Tournaments

The newly-renovated Baron's Cove Hotel is the Hampton's preeminent All-American 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

Long Island Tennis Magazine will once again be hosting part of its summer series out east in The Hamptons, and are excited to be offering two Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge events this summer.

The first tournament will be held on Saturday, June 10 at Sportime Quogue, featuring eight different divisions of play, four Men’s Doubles categories and four Women’s Doubles categories. The event will feature all of the amenities players have become accustomed to at the LongIsland Tennis Magazine Challenges, including competitive and well-organized doubles play, catered lunch, complimentary happy hour, prizes for winners and features in Long Island Tennis Magazine.

You can visit www.LITennisMag.com/Events/LITMJuneChallenge.

Later this summer, another Long Island Tennis Magazine Challenge will be held on Saturday, September 9, which will also be at Sportime Quogue.

Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa is a Hamptons icon and the only year- round 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

“We are excited to host the LITM Challenges this summer in the Hamptons for the fourth year in a row,” said David Sickmen, Publisher of Long Island Tennis Magazine. “Sportime Quogue has proven to be the perfect host site as they accommodate our large draws on their outdoor courts, and we are able to bring people the amenities they have become used to on Sportime’s large pool deck. We look forward to seeing everyone back on the courts for fun in the sun this summer.”

More information to come on these events, and be sure to visit LITennisMag.com for the latest information.

Distribution scheduled for 07/01/23

This edition will feature:

• Look Ahead to the 2023 U.S. Open

• Boys’ High School Recap

• Hamptons’ Summer Events

• Pickleball in NYC

Print distribution across New York at 300+ locations.

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

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

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

Submissions for both advertising and editorial are due by June 2, 2023

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

The Pickleball Phenomenon and What Should We Do About It As Tennis Pros?

FirstI tried to ignore it. It was like an annoying bug, and for a while I couldn't tell the difference between pickleball and paddle, nor did I know the rules of the new racquet sport that is supposedly taking over the country. I personally refuse to play pickleball; at my age I don't need another sport to master or to teach, I still like the crisp sound of a tennis ball hitting the sweet spot of a tennis racquet, and the mental battle of a tennis match.

But I'm not blind. I see the clubs converting tennis courts into pickleball courts, and I read about the new "circuit" that is already generating some interest with the help of former tennis pros who help to promote the new game. And primarily. I hear the (annoying) loud sound of the ball hitting the wood frames and the players hunching over to play what looks, to me, like a version of a (boring) mini tennis game with a hollow plastic ball that doesn't have too much sophistication in it nor the tactical depth or any appeal at all compared to tennis.

Should we as tennis pros be worried about this new trend? Is tennis going to be extinct in 50 years and talked about like an ancient sport? Is there going to be a Wimbledon for pickleball in the future? Will the sport have a Federer-type star? Is the number one player in the world going to be a well-known figure? I doubt it. So far the game is picking up new fans but it is doubtful if this trend is going to spread in Europe as it has in the USA.

On the other hand, what do I know?

I think that pickleball is probably here to stay, the economics of it are appealing to clubs, it's cheaper than tennis, easier to master (so I hear), you can cram four courts into the space of one tennis court. It's an easy decision

for a club to start a pickleball program, but I wonder if it's going to become a legit pro sport that actually competes with tennis, even with all the problems that tennis has. If anything, the pickleball frenzy should be a wake up call to the tennis industry.

The irony of it is that men's pro tennis in the USA has not looked this "healthy" in two decades, since the last time an American player won a major (Andy Rodick in 2003). Earlier this year we had 15 American men in the top 100 for the first time since 1995, three men made the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and Tommy Paul made the semifinals. With Taylor Fritz becoming a legit top 10 player it seems like American players are restoring some of the pride of American tennis that was a bit lost on the men's tour, which has been dominated by three players for almost 20 years, all Europeans. So what does this surge in the rankings mean to American tennis? Unfortunately not much. Tennis was never a sport that was going to take over the country or bite into the popularity of the major team sports. It was always a niche sport for the upper middle class, an expensive sport that requires many lessons, expensive equipment and access to a court. On top of that it is hard to master and hard on the mind because of the nature of individual sports. The chance of becoming a pro in it is highly improbable, even to just become an average college level player requires years of sacrifice and parents who can afford all the lessons, travel expenses and other challenges. And there is never a guarantee that all that hard work will pay off.

Historically, though, the United

By Gilad Bloom

States was always considered a tennis nation. In the 70s, 80s and 90s, and long before that, American tennis produced world champions that not only won majors and held the number one spot, but also became national and global icons. Arthur Ashe, Stan Smith, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras were all superstars that couldn't walk down the street without being recognized. It is not the case today for the top American players.

The harsh reality is that it would take a player of that stature who would light up the imagination of the young generation to bring tennis to the center stage as a spectator sport. 15 players in the top 100 can't hide that truth. Perhaps newcomer Ben Shelton will be the one, perhaps Tommy Paul will have a late bloomer campaign and maybe Frances Tiafoe will add that missing ingredient to his game and crack the code of winning a major tournament

So what happened to American tennis that it became a sport that has to deal with tennis clubs virtually converting the courts into pickleball ones? The world happened.

In fact what did change in the last 30 years is that tennis developed and grew in other parts of the world and became a global sport, new sophisticated coaching methods got developed and US tennis fell a bit behind and has been trying to catch up since the early 2000s. Thanks to the success and popularity of the "Big 3", the game really picked up in Europe and the competition was very strong. As a result, the USA has been reduced to just another country and not the power house it used to be.

And not for lack of trying. In the last 25 years we had quite a few American players who were , like Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe and Taylor

Fritz are now, consistent top pros on the verge of greatness. Great tour players such as James Blake, Mardy Fish, Robert Kendrick, Sam Querrey, John Isner and Jack Sock were all hovering around a top 10 ranking at their peak and had meaningful and long careers, some even made deep runs in majors, but none of them won any and none of them came close to making a popularity splash in the local arena. The last one that came close to it was Andy Rodick who got to the world’s top-ranking (for a short time) and won his only major in 2003. But Roddick was unfortunate to be born in the same era as Federer who robbed him from a few more majors by, well, simply being Federer. Is there a connection between the rise of pickleball and the lack of a top 5 American player ? Perhaps. Is tennis in decline? I'm not sure. In New York City, where I operate, the tennis clubs I know are thriving and it's impossible to get a tennis court during

the season. The fact of the matter is that American men's tennis is in a good place compared to past years, having 15 guys in the top 100 in such a competitive sport is respectable, having three guys in the top 20 is very respectable, and it shows progress. But tennis as a sport is competing with other (more popular) sports and is currently losing the most athletic, talented youth to those sports. There's a chicken and egg situation here: The pool of talent that tennis coaches work with is getting smaller which makes it tougher to produce world class players, but without a top tier player it's hard to get new kids to play the game which is the ultimate goal of any sport to facilitate growth.

So what is the solution? There is no

magical one of course. We as teaching pros will continue to try to produce the next champion and improve as professionals, the USTA and other bodies will continue to market and promote the game, build new programs, certify coaches, run tournaments and do what industries do. But the players on the court are the ones that are carrying the sport, and it would really help the sport if one of those 15 guys in the top 100 would break the spell. I still remember the spark in the eyes of the kids on the day after Andy Roddick won the U.S. Open all those years ago.

So to the new crop of American players: no pressure! But frankly if you don't win a major soon we will have to all start playing pickleball. I’m joking, of course…sort of.

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 can be reached at bloom.gilad@gmail.com.

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Elasticity and the Modern Spanish Forehand

By Chris Lewit

Themodern forehand at the professional level, especially on the men’s side of the game, is typified by parabolic swing shapes, leg explosion and hip rotation, mid-air ball striking, lower, reversed and inverted finishes—and most of all—elasticity.

Looking back at the evolution of tennis technique over the past 30-40 years, the dramatic change is striking. In the 1970’s and 1980’s for example, the typical forehand technique was mostly linear, grounded and relatively rigid, with an emphasis on weight shift, firm wrist and extension out to a high finish in front or around the neck.

What’s remarkable is that even with the enormous change at the top level of

the game, coaches still teach the outdated forehand mechanics of the 1970’s and 80’s to young children, and then try to sell it to players and parents as “Learning solid fundamentals.”

This is a joke.

If your kid is stuck with a coach or club that insists on teaching technique from a bygone era, don’t just walk away— run—and find a teaching environment that emphasizes modern technique and builds players for the future of the game.

While it’s possible to learn an old fashioned stiff technique and then later on morph it into a modern, elastic stroke, why risk it? And why put yourself or your child through such an inefficient learning process?

It’s much faster and better to learn an elastic and whippy forehand based on the modern model from day one. Ingrain one motor program in the player, a motor engram that doesn’t have to be upgraded or changed later.

In Spain, there are still coaches in the old guard—even legends like Luis Bruguera and Toni Nadal—who stress the “old school” fundamentals first, but many in the younger generation of coaches are embracing a more modern style of technical development.

In my school and at my summer camp, we try to focus on building the forehand foundation in this modern Spanish way, using special exercises from Spain—but wasting as little time as possible—and

preparing the technique to allow a powerful and massive RPM shot in the future. This continues the classic Spanish philosophy of making the heavy topspin forehand the primary weapon of the player—but uses a more efficient method than has been traditionally used in Spain.

Toni Nadal calls the forehand “the most important shot in the game.” I agree that it is important—maybe not the most important shot—but critical. However, I want to develop the essential motor program from day one, rather than build one motor program and then wait for a second one to replace the first.

Back here in the United States, I see so many kids under 10-years-old who have been taught stiff, linear forehands, closed stances and follow-throughs to the ear or neck—often from mediocre RedOrange-Green U10 programs. This style of teaching ruins more forehands than it helps. Most players end up scarred for life with outdated form, overly flat shots and difficulty generating a heavy ball.

Sometimes, hitting flat and hard can work on the indoor hard courts of New York and New England, but players are in for a rude surprise if they ever aspire to play well on outdoor slow hard or clay courts, or on the red dirt in Europe. Next time you are taking a class or watching a kids’ class, observe if the technique being taught reflects the modern game or if it’s from the old school textbook. You should look for the following keys:

• Open and semi-open stances taught early alongside closed stances

• Parabolic swing path with pronounced arm pronation and rotation (windshield wiper movement) in the forearm after contact

• Controlled explosions with players allowed to leave the ground

• Good hip rotation creating lag in the racquet and a whipping effect in the forward swing

• A loose, elastic arm

• Inverted finish (racquet tip pointing down) with the racquet frequently wrapping around the side of shoulder, waist or even the hip

• Significant topspin generated

Make sure your coach understands modern biomechanics and can teach the modern forehand clearly and efficiently. You or your player will improve faster with this approach rather than learning outdated fundamentals first.

Vamos!

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

The Top Ten Tennis Tips of All-Time Part Nine: The mental talents of a champion

By Dr. Tom Ferraro

Itis clear to athletes and sports fans alike that the champions in every sport, including tennis, possess a combination of both physical and mental talent. I am no expert in the area of physical talent but thanks to treating professional athletes in a variety of sports, I know quite a bit about mental talent and the mental traits that separate the champion from the rest. One way to demonstrate the differences between the champion’s mental talent and that of the amateur is to compare and contrast them. So let’s go down the list of the key mental talents one must possess if one is to win tournaments:

Focus

The talent of the champion is found in

their outstanding ability to focus on the play at hand and not on internal worries or doubt. Invariably, the amateur mind is filled with distraction and not focused on the play at hand. I first saw this difference in the paddock of horse racing before the race. My family owned horses and I got to meet

both famous and not so famous jockeys prior to a race. The successful jockeys like Pat Day, Angel Cordero and Jose Santos would not be distracted by chit chat with the owners but instead spend their focus on watching the horse they were about to mount. Was the horse calm or skittish? Was it broken out in a sweat or relaxed. On the other hand, the lesser talented jockeys would always be willing to chat with the owners and seemed to ignore the horse. The champion tennis player is focused on the game they are about to play and not on the fans, the audience or any other irrelevancy.

Forgiveness

Uniformly, the mental talent of the champion means that they are extremely forgiving of themselves after a bad point. They may get temporarily angry like a John McEnroe but very quickly they refocus and forgive themselves for any misstep, bad call or bad stroke. On the other hand, the amateur and especially the young amateur tennis player will chastise themselves for any mistake they make. They have an inability to let go of the mistake and this only serves to destroy their flow, confidence and focus.

The Ability to Seperate

The greatest champions have an outstanding ability to separate from others and be alone with themselves. This may be their greatest strength. Pete Sampras was a good example of this quiet loner type of guy. Tiger Woods in golf has an extraordinary ability to be

Focus is one of the traits of the champion

separate from others. I recall years ago I was standing alone with him on a putting green at Shinnecock Golf Club during the US Open and his focus and separateness was so strong that it was the first time in my life that I actually felt invisible. This skill is valuable for the champion because it allows them to excel, stay focused, not waste energy of social niceties and leave others behind without feeling guilty. An athlete I work with is slandered with the nickname TFO (Table For One) but I always tell him that his independence got him to the top of his sport so do not change a thing. His character trait of independence is one of his greatest weapons. On the other hand, amateurs often will have the compulsion to be nice and friendly which often induces guilt if they try to beat their opponent. They are often dependent on others for approval and seek it out.

Belief

The talent of the champion is connected to self-belief. The champion often has

unwavering belief that they are the best and are destined for greatness. This is intimately connected to the concept of forgiveness. do not destroy their own belief with self-attack. The amateur is often filled with doubt and lack of confidence. This is partly due to constant self-attack which serves to empty self-belief and destroy it.

Having a Plan

The mental talent of the champion is having a plan of action and sticking to it. They live by “Murphy’s Law” which states that whatever can go wrong will go wrong so you had better have a plan for it. They carefully strategize their game plan against an opponent and stick to their plan. It is almost like a planned military operation and they know what they want to do and when to do it. On the other hand, the amateur

comes into a match willy-nilly and kind of wings it. They do not have a clearly thought out action plan and so are often controlled by the opponents. I have watched and listened to Tiger Woods plan every shot he was about to hit that day, factoring in wind direction and distances, and then practice these shots on the range. He learned this strategy from his dad who was a Green Beret in the military. If you want to win a tennis match, treat it like a military operation and have a plan that you stick with.

Summary

To win in tennis you need to have mental talent of the pros. These talents invariably include focus, forgiveness, the ability to separate from others, protect ones selfbelief and have a plan that you develop and stick to. Do this and I guarantee you win more matches.

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.

2023 French Open Preview 202

The second major of the year is nearly upon us as the world’s best tennis players will soon arrive in Paris, France to compete in the French Open. The famous red clay of Roland Garros is one of the most well-recognized sights in all of sports and will have the eyes of the sports world upon it this May.

Last year, Rafael Nadal won his 13th French Open title, continuing his domination in France, which also gave him his 22nd major title, while Iga Swiatek claimed her third major title overall, and second French Open title.

This year’s installment of the French Open will run from May 28 to June 11. Long Island Tennis Magazine has broken down some of the top contenders, pretenders and sleepers for the year’s second Grand Slam:

Men’s Singles Contenders

Novak Djokovic

The world’s top male player comes into the French Open in search of a record-setting 23rd major singles title following his triumph at the Australian Open at the beginning of the year, and he looks every bit like a player who is on a mission. Djokovic had an up-and-down year in 2022, being barred from certain events due to his lack of COVID19 vaccination, and those same issues arose during Miami

and Indian Wells earlier this year, but all of that has led to an even more motivated Djokovic as we head into the spring. The French Open has been the least successful of the four for Djokovic, but is still a two-time winner in Paris, and as long as he is healthy, he is still the player to beat in the field.

Rafael Nadal

There are certain things that just go together in life, like

Photo credit: Seth Sarelson

French Open Preview 2023 French Open Pr

spaghetti and meatballs, and Rafael Nadal and the French Open are one of those pairings. It’s hard to think of one and not think of the other, and the Spaniard has made the south of France his home away from home for nearly two decades. Nadal is the owner of an incredible 13 French Open championships, the most by any player at any specific event, and despite his rising age and lingering injuries, Nadal has to still be considered a tournament favorite. He has won five of the last six French Open titles, and despite him not being the same player he once was, Nadal carries a certain aura inside Roland Garros, and has proven nearly impossible to beat on the red clay.

Stefanos Tsitsipas

The Greek star is still in search of his maiden major title, and the 2023 French Open could be the setting in which he claims that win. He has had success on clay over the years, winning the 2021 and 2022 titles in Monte Carlo, as well as reaching the finals of the French Open in 2021. In that final, he held a two-sets-to-love lead over the aforementioned Novak Djokovic, before coughing up that lead in what was the most heartbreaking loss of his young

career. But Tsitsipas has not let that loss deter him, and he has looked like one of the best players in the world in 2023. He reached the Australian Open final at the start of this year, and will be one of the more motivated players at this year’s French Open. This could be the event where Tsitsipas earns his first ever major singles title.

Women’s Singles Contenders

Iga Swiatek

Three years ago, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the postponement of the French Open, a little-known Polish teenager became a household name. Iga Swiatek captured the French Open title, which that year was held in September, to claim her place in the conversation of top women’s tennis players. Fast-forward a few years, and Swiatek has a firm grip atop the world rankings, and has added to her resume since then, including winning the French Open and U.S. Open in 2022. She has expressed her love for the clay surface, and has found great success on the clay, which includes titles at the 2021 and 2022

continued on page 42

2023 French Open Preview 2023 Frenc

Italian Opens and Stuttgart in 2022, in addition to her two French Open titles. Swiatek is the player to beat at the 2023 French Open on the women’s side as she seeks to win her second straight title at Roland Garros, and take home her fourth Grand Slam.

Jessica Pegula

Can this be the tournament where Jessica Pegula finally breaks her dreaded quarterfinal curse? The top-ranked American has reached the quarterfinals at five different majors in her career, yet has never been to a major semifinal in singles. She hopes to end that in Paris in May. She reached the quarterfinals at the French Open in 2022

and could be in store to make another deep run. While she has not won a title on clay in her career, she did reach the Madrid final last year, and showed she can advance to the second week at Roland Garros. Pegula has the game to succeed on clay with her relentless defending and consistent shot making, and will look to make it to at least the second week for a second consecutive year.

Elena Rybakina

The tall, big-hitting player from Kazakhstan made her name known last year as she powered her way to the Wimbledon title, claiming her first Grand Slam title. She backed that win up by reaching the finals of the Australian Open earlier this year, and would go on to win the title at Indian Wells. All of that success came on either grass or hard courts, and it will be interesting to see how Rybakina’s power game translates to clay. Only one of her career singles titles has come on clay, and that was back in 2019, but Rybakina has reached the quarterfinals at the French Open, in 2021, so she has shown she can succeed at Roland Garros. With championship pedigree now on her side, Rybakina is a threat to claim her second major title this spring.

Men’s Singles Pretenders

Daniil Medvedev

Over the years, Daniil Medvedev has not hid his feelings for the clay surface.

“I’m not hiding this—I don’t like clay,” he said two years ago. “Honestly, there’s nothing I like on clay. There’s

Preview 2023 French Open Preview

always bad bounces, you’re dirty after playing. I really don’t enjoy playing on clay.”

And his results bear that out. The French Open has been the least successful, of the four majors, for Medvedev. He was bounced in the first round each year from 2017-2020 before reaching the quarterfinals in 2021 and the fourth round last year. But Medvedev has struggled to generate his typical power from the clay and he has never won any title on the surface. While Medvedev is no doubt one of the top players in the world, the clay has been his kryptonite over the years which could cause him to suffer an early exit.

Taylor Fritz

Similar to Medvedev, Taylor Fritz has never been a huge fan of the clay surface. Like many American tennis players,

there is not a lot of experience of playing on clay, and that shows in the discomfort they have competing on it. Fritz has never made it to the finals of any clay event during his career on the ATP Tour, and has never made it out of the third round at the French Open specifically. The last two years in particular, Fritz has been bounced in the second round at Roland Garros, and that could be a trend that continues this year. Fritz has been ranked inside the Top 10 for a year now, and has established himself as one of the world’s most consistent players, but his struggles on clay historically don’t bode well for his chances at this year’s French Open.

Carlos Alcaraz

It is a bit strange to list Carlos Alcaraz, one of the game’s top young stars and a major champion already, as a pretender, but this year’s French Open may prove to be a difficult one for the Spanish sensation. While he was practically raised on clay like so many of his Spanish compatriots, including Nadal, Alcaraz has been dealing with injuries for essentially the entirety of 2023. He missed the Australian Open due to a hamstring injury at the beginning of the season, and then aggravated that injury again in February which forced him to miss time. Most recently, he had to withdraw from Monte Carlo due to arthritis in his hand, and all of this has led to Alcaraz unable to find a rhythm so far this season. That lack of match play could affect his stamina as he aims to play his best tennis for the full Parisian fortnight,

continued on page 44

and despite his immense talent and championship experience, Alcaraz could be on upset alert in the first week.

Women’s Singles Pretenders

Aryna Sabalenka

At the beginning of this year, Aryna Sabalenka captured the biggest title of her career as she won the Australian Open, her first-ever major championship. That win from the power-hitting Belarusian came on the heels of her finishing 2022 by reaching the finals of the WTA Finals, and has catapulted her to the No. 2 in the WTA Rankings. Those results all came on hard courts however, and as you would expect from a player who hits the ball as hard as Sabalenka, that is her preferred surface. So that makes the prospect of her making a deep run at the French Open this year a difficult one. She has never been that successful on clay, failing to ever make it out of the third round at Roland Garros, and those struggles may well continue this time around.

With a crafty and dynamic playing style, Ons Jabeur’s game is certainly suited for the clay surface. She hits all

Ons Jabeur

sorts of slices and volleys, and moves around extremely well on clay. But for some reason, most of Jabeur’s success, especially at Grand Slams, has come on the other two surfaces. She reached the finals of both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 2022, but has failed to ever make it out of the fourth round of the French Open in her career. Despite her major success last year, don’t be surprised to see Jabeur suffer an early exit at Roland Garros.

Maria Sakkari

The Greek star reached the first major semifinal of her career at the French Open in 2021, and would finish out that season by reaching the semifinals of the U.S. Open, and qualifying for her first ever WTA finals. But outside of that semifinal in 2021, Sakkari has never really played her best tennis on the red clay in Paris. She has been eliminated in the third round twice, the first round once, and the second round twice, including an upset loss a year ago. While she has now been a mainstay inside the Top 10, she has been inconsistent at the French Open over the course of her career, a trend that could continue this spring.

Men’s Singles Sleepers

Andrey Rublev

Fresh off of a title on the Monte Carlo clay, Andrey Rublev

2023 French Open Preview

is prepared to make some serious noise at this year’s French Open. That Monte Carlo title was his first Masters 1000 championship and up to this point is the biggest win of his career, and reinforced his success on clay. In his career, he is 53-29 on clay, and that includes two different runs to the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, both last year and in 2020. With his intense footwork and offensive approach from the baseline, Rublev is a difficult opponent to face, and if his twohanded backhand is working, Rublev is someone no one will want to see in their draw.

Holger Rune

The casual tennis fan may not be aware of Holger Rune just yet, but that could change after this spring. The young Dane, just 20-years-old, has already shown how much he likes the clay surface in just a short time on tour. One of his three ATP singles titles came in Paris at the 2022 Paris Masters, the biggest win of his career to date, and last year, in his debut at the French Open, he reached the event’s quarterfinals. Just recently, Rune reached his second Masters 1000 finals, as he powered his way to the finals of the Monte Carlo Masters before losing to the aforementioned Rublev. Don’t be surprised if Rune makes another deep run into the second week of the French Open, and continues the success of his young career.

Matteo Berrettini

When he is on his game, Matteo Berrettini is one of the best players in the world. Unfortunately for the Italian, however, injuries have prevented him from playing his best tennis over the last year-plus. Because of that, he has slipped outside the Top 20 in the rankings and has been unable to consistently play matches, which included having to withdraw from the Monte Carlo Masters in April with an abdominal injury. But as we approach the French Open, if Berrettini is able to remain healthy, he is a threat in the draw. He is a former quarterfinalist in Paris and has had success on clay through the course of his career, which includes three of his seven career titles coming on clay. Health is the key factor for the Italian, and if he is indeed feeling good going into the French Open, he is capable of making a deep run.

Women’s Singles Sleepers

Belinda Bencic

After a long-time away, this year has saw a return to the Top 10 for Belinda Bencic, the former world No. 1 junior from Switzerland. Bencic has seemingly returned to the form that made her a top player for several years in the late 2010s, and that has been demonstrated by her winning titles in Adelaide and Abu Dhabi. She followed that up by reaching the finals in Charleston, a clay surface tournament, which

should provide her with some confidence heading into the French Open. The red clay of Roland Garros has not always been kind to Bencic, with her best showing being just a thirdround appearance, but don’t be surprised if that changes this time around, as Bencic aims to put forth her best French Open performance.

Caroline Garcia

Competing in her home country, Caroline Garcia will look to win her first major at the French Open. Garcia is playing some of the best tennis of her career in the last year which included capturing the title of the 2022 WTA Finals, and reaching the semifinals of the U.S. Open, which helped bring her ranking to fourth in the world, a career-high for the Frenchwoman. Garcia has only made it to the second week in Paris once in her career, but is currently playing the best tennis of her career, and will be eager to put on a great performance in front of her compatriots. Garcia is a good mover on the court and has great hands thanks to her success in doubles, and all of that could lead to a deep run at Roland Garros.

Magda Linette

The veteran from Poland has been playing some of the best tennis of her career since the middle part of 2022, and seems to be hitting her stride. At the beginning of this year, she reached her first ever major semifinal as he made her way into the Australian Open semifinals, which moved her into the top 20 in the world rankings for the first time in her career, and will look to at least equal that result on the French Open clay this spring. She has reached the third-round twice at the French Open, including in 2021, and has won a title on clay, in Charleston last year, but look for Linette to have her best showing on the famed red clay.

Weoften discuss controlling the controllable in the sport of tennis, usually referring to preparation before arriving to the competitive court. One of the simplest and most efficient ways of doing this in today’s tennis is through developing your mental fitness. World-renowned tennis specific psychologist Dr. Anthony Ross of Mentally Tough Tennis explains mental fitness, or toughness, as two things:

• the ability to take best advantage of our physical, technical, and tactical skills in matches

• enjoying the competitive process where winning is just the icing on the cake that makes the process of competing just that much better

But why is developing mental fitness so impor tant? Often, players have the physical, technical, and tactical skills but don’t win because they can’t apply these skills in matches due to a lack of mental toughness. This is because our physical, technical, and tactical skills are reliant on our mental toughnesswithout it players just can’t win no matter how good the other elements of their game are.

So physical, technical and tactical skills are pretty much worthless unless mental fitness is also in place. This makes mental fitness the most

The Importance of Mental Fitness

By Conrad Singh

influential element of successful tennis, and also for how a player improves over time. With this in mind, here are the four key skills we need to become mentally fitter:

Purpose

Before completing an activity in practice, or before competing in a match, we should check in on our purpose. This includes the goals that we want to achieve and also the values that make= competing enjoyable and rewarding.

Attention Control

To compete well, we need to be skilled at aiming and maintain our attention in the present moment.

Committed Action

Before beginning each rally in practice, or a point in matches, we need to commit to processes that continually increase the chance of success.

Emotional Fitness

And finally we have the most

important skill of all. If we want to be mentally tough, we need to develop what can be called emotional fitness. This is the ability to respond well to the unintentional difficult thoughts and feelings like outcomes, thoughts, nerves, and frustration that frequently show up as we compete.

Together, these four key skills improve a player’s ability to appropriately control attention and commit to helpful actions, regardless of the difficult thoughts and feelings that they are experiencing.

If you listen to top professional players, you will hear them referring to the importance of mental toughness through the ability of acceptance of what’s happening and most essentially the ability to display tolerance under extreme conditions. It is essential your training programs address the process of becoming more mentally fit when on the court each day and with a constant awareness this is an area that can be developed especially well when not needing a court.

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.

Openany tennis book, and 90 percent of online technical videos, and you will find some amazing information on swing lines, impact points and grips. Much like Harry Potter can’t cast a spell without his wand we are obsessed with the role of the racket and shape of the stroke. It’s logical that when you look to improve your game you dive into the details and focus on what the racket does, but it doesn’t move on its own and so in this article I am going to shed a little light on the importance of the non-dominant arm.

Your tennis weapon of choice is wielded by a human body, and we are odd creatures of bilaterality and symmetry. Two arms, two legs, two eyes, two ears; Even when we do something as simple as walking across the room there is a coordination between our arms and legs and our left and right side. We are designed to use them both in a connected way including a (contralateral) coordination between left leg and right arm and right leg and left arm. And while we all know we have a dominant hand, although you may not realize that you also have a dominant eye, ear, and foot, that doesn’t mean that this side of the body is supposed to work unilaterally.

Bringing Balance to Your Tennis Universe

By Mike Barrell

In one article, it’s tough to examine the intricacies but let’s try to send a message to the other side of your body and help you to consider its role in good technical basics and how spending a little time focusing on it can help your game.

Balance

If I ask most people what balance as a physical skill is the response that they lean towards is “not falling over” but if I show them a set of traditional scales, they more quickly get to understand the concept. Balance is partly about using our body in unison sometimes, and in opposition at other times. The key is that there is always supposed to be a connection between the right and left sides of the body.

Preparation and Set Up

Apart from facilitating the grip change on groundstrokes the role of the nondominant arm is initially to provide STABILITY through the action. Stability is a key principle of balance, and particularly important as in tennis we cross the mid-line of our body between 500 and 700 times in three sets of tennis. On every stroke we turn to put both hands on the same side of the body but in contrast, off the court, we rarely do things with the left hand on

the right side of the body and vice versa. Just try to think of four things you did today off the court where you rotated your torso in a similar way off the court! When you move to the ball with a stable upper body you are more likely to arrive in a stronger position to hit and that is best facilitated by the non-dominant arm creating shape and posture on the turn.

Timing

But it is not just about preparation. Think of it like the non-dominant arm being the cage that keeps your monster stroke in place until it releases the door (uncoils) and allows your stroke to burst free. Without this arm “doing it’s thing” you will essentially be hitting using only one side of the body losing out on so much power and control as you are forced to swing faster to create the power you are looking for. There is supposed to be a synchronicity between the two arms in every shot in tennis.

Adjusting to different heights

The use of the non-dominant side is not unique to tennis, in many sports the non-dominant arm is used not just

to determine rotation but also the stability of the body at different heights. Watch a baseball pitcher and you will see that the nonthrowing arm stays around the height of the ultimate release and for us as tennis players the non-dominant arm moves towards the height of the eventual contact point. This supports the natural symmetry of the body and balance through the action, especially on those higher balls where we naturally have a harder time generating power.

A higher contact point starts with …

If you want to reach higher on the serve to create more power and spin the action is often described as shoulder over shoulder. After the ball toss, the dominant shoulder will drive the racket up as the non-dominant arm comes down and tucks into the body but consider that for the hitting arm and shoulder to go up the non-

dominant tossing shoulder must initially go up higher that the dominant one. For so many players the shoulders are level at the point of release. They want to go higher and there is a great focus on the racket arm doing that but the reality is that the non-dominant arm and shoulder were not set up in opposition in the first place. For others the non-dominant arm goes up to place the ball but then falls away too soon. Just like hitting a forehand without the support of the other side of the body, now the nondominant side stops providing the stability or position of strength needed to drive up or for some, even swing with force and the serve lacks punch or even worse slides into the

net. Again, before you blame your racket arm check to see if it’s just that the non-dominant side was out to lunch and not pulling its weight.

Hit the Courts

This was intended to be a quick question for you to make you more aware of that other arm and help you to get more control and power in your game by using it more effectively. Of course, every part of your body needs to be involved for great technique, but the the chances are you have analyzed every part of your swing but focused on your hitting arm way more than your non-dominant side and asking a few questions about the neglected side of your body could pay dividends to your game!

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

By Steve Annacone

Tennis: The Most Difficult Sport

Irecently saw a list of the most difficult sports to play. There were a lot of surprises, but the fact that tennis was not at the top of the list in terms of difficulty, was the most surprising to me.

There are so many complex components in tennis. First of all, each time a match is played there are different variables. The weather conditions, court surface, opponent, type of ball used, and numerous additional considerations, change

each time you step on the court. Then there is the crazy scoring which always favors a comeback for the person who is behind. You have to win at least six games to win a set, and then win two out of three or three out of five sets to win the match. Also, you have to win four, five, six, or seven matches in a row in the main draw to win a tournament. You can add two or three more matches to that if there is a Qualifying Draw for players

whose ranking is not high enough to get directly into the main draw.

The next quandary concerns the skills needed to become a successful tennis player. First, a player needs to develop good technique and fundamentals concerning their swing, footwork, and body movement. Then, consider that there are seven different shots that need to be mastered: the serve, return of serve, forehand groundstroke, backhand groundstroke, forehand volley, backhand volley, and overhead. This does not even include specialty shots like the drop shot and the lob. Once the player improves these shots, variations must be learned. More or less spin, speed, angle, direction, depth and many others are necessary to help win the point.

Eventually the player has to focus on strategy and a game plan. It is best to come up with these by using your best shots and most natural tendencies to draw a picture in your mind as to how you would like to play most of the points. The problem is that your opponent is likely to make you alter your strategy and flaunt your weaknesses. This requires a mid-

This is an extremely difficult thing to execute, even for the best players in the world. Dealing with adversity becomes the ultimate mental test in a tennis match.

Finally, tennis is an individual sport. Most professional players now have a “team” that helps them. The problem is that once you step on the court in tennis, it is all up to you. Your team cannot come down and hit the next serve for you. Even though more and more coaching is becoming part of the game during a match, the outcome is squarely on the shoulders of the player. The individual aspect on top of all of the other complexities of the sport can be daunting. Only a few other sports even

come close to having all of the components I have described above. The good news is that you don’t have to be a great tennis player to enjoy the sport. If you can serve, return serve, rally two or three balls back and forth, and do this as well or a little better than the person on the other side of the net, you have a chance to win the match. It is also possible to enjoy your time on the court even if you do not win. Remind yourself about the degree of difficulty in the sport of tennis, and try to get a little bit better each time you step on the court. I believe tennis is the most difficult sport on the planet but also the greatest sport to play.

Steve Annacone, USPTA Elite Pro, is the Director of Annacone Tennis Management, www.annaconetennis.com and MyHamptonsPro, www.myhamptonspro.com throughout the Hamptons, N.Y.

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51 NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2023 • New York Tennis Magazine

adult league wrap-up

By Christopher Dong

USTA Metro Region Adult League Update: May/June 2023

TheWinter 2023 season in the USTA Eastern Metro Region Adult League has wrapped up with champions being crowned in a variety of divisions. Below are the winners of each league represented by that team’s captain:

18 & Over Mixed Doubles Manhattan

l 6.0: Scott McHugh

l 7.0: Haley Mink/Tran Lam

l 8.0: Aaron Nelson/Sonia Danon

l 9.0: Sonia Danon/Mohammad El-Haj Ahmad

l 10.0: Samantha Lieb/Matt Hansen

40 & Over Men

l 3.0: Adam Reich

l 3.5: Tom Rinaldi

l 4.0: Brian Silvestry

l 4.5: Larry Lehman/Ian Katz

4 0& Over Women

l 3.0: Rosemary Moukad/Lorri Ahl

l 4.0: Sue Bacey/Alyssa Bonadonna/Rita Zhang

40 & Over Mixed Doubles

l 6.0: Scott McHugh

l 7.0: Hazel Zaldivar/Shanon Blue

l 8.0 Hazel Zaldivar/Aki Ogata

18 & Over Mixed Doubles Queens

l 6.0: Adam Moramarco/Alina Lekser

l 7.0: Party Team (Alina Lekser/Hazel Zaldivar)

3.5 Women's Day League

l Rene Trujillo

The Spring/Summer 2023 leagues are on the horizon with spots available in the following divisions:

l 18&Over Manhattan

l 18&Over Queens

l 18&Over Brooklyn

l 18&Over Bronx

l 18&Over Staten Island

l 55&Over Mixed Doubles NYC

l 55&Over NYC

l Tri-Level 4.0/4.5/5.0

New players, teams and captains are always welcome. I’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome in the new Adult League Coordinator for the Metro Region, Cole Newsome. He will be taking over the new role and writing the monthly columns with updates and news about Adult Leagues in the Metro Region.

For more information about all leagues, please contact Cole at newsome@eastern.usta.com Or visit the following links online:

https://www.usta.com/en/home/play/adult-tennis/programs/eastern/adult-league-coordinators.html

https://www.usta.com/en/home/play/adult-tennis/programs/national/usta-league.html

Youheard it and your opponent wanted you to hear it: a comment to belittle you and take you off your game.

He cast an insult over the net and stood smirking. The official walks onto your court and questions what was said. Your opponent feigns innocence and says he said something different. The official reminds all players that verbal abuse, heckling, harassment, personal attacks, or any negative comment is not allowed.

These statements were directed at a player and clearly heard. Which of these are examples of verbal abuse?

YesNo

q q "He can't handle the pressure."

qq "He's getting tight."

q q "Shank you very much."

q q "Shanksville."

qq "We love double faults."

q q "Choke."

q q "Yeah, that's right. You can't see the line!" (When a doubles partner corrected a close line call)

Answer each quiz question with a "yes?" Correct!

Each is an example of verbal abuse worthy of a penalty to the bully. When these statements are said with the intention to harass or demean a player, it is verbal abuse. One player is trying to gain an unfair advantage over another. Verbal abuse is defined as "a statement directed at an official, opponent, spectator or other person that implies dishonesty or is derogatory, insulting or otherwise abusive." It is against the principles of fair play and sportsmanship.

It’s About Intent

Spectators and players who resort to insulting a fellow player bring down the entire game's fairness and integrity. Anyone that picks up a racquet for a fun afternoon or competitive match does not deserve to be put through this.

On the first offense of verbal abuse by a player on court, officials may issue a point penalty. Second offense? Loss of a game. Third offense? Default.

Bench players could receive a bench warning, then if the behavior continues, a point penalty against the players on court. Harassing behavior from a crowd may receive a warning from the event management staff. If that behavior continues, the point penalty system is applied to the specific match and spectators may be removed from the

By Barbara Wyatt

facility. When a crowd is generally unruly and not match-specific, the penalties can be applied to the highest match still in progress.

Bullying behavior reflects on the bully. Their insults may be their way of hiding an inferiority complex (feeling better by making others feel worse) or needing attention (like a toddler in a tantrum).

Tennis is a sport, not reality television. Discussions after the match should be about players' use of winning strategies, good stroke techniques, and percentage of first serves in.

Bottom line? Nothing justifies these comments. Bullying is bullying.

Visit www.iKnowTennis.com for more tennis quizzes. Pick up a copy of the USTA's Friend at Court 2023.

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

“I’m So Tight! How Can I Loosen Up?”

By Rob Polishook

Inmy first book, Tennis Inside the Zone: Mental Training Workouts for Champions , I wrote a chapter entitled, “OMG, I’m Nervous …What Do I Do?” At the time I wrote that chapter, that was the top question tennis players brought to me. But there is another question tennis players experience and grapple with that is equally important. These players will say, “I was so tight, I couldn’t hit a ball!” or “I’m so tight, why? I’m going to lose!” and “How can I loosen up?”

When a player is noticing tightness, it is most often about anxiety, nervousness or fear. The description “tight” usually means the player is experiencing one or all of these symptoms: Shortness of breath, tingling, a lack of energy, clammy skin, overall impatience and rushing.

So what’s a player to do? How do we get back to a more relaxed place so the match feels more like practice?

Here are five ways a player can loosen up…

1. Stop fighting

Rather than fighting your thoughts and feelings and trying to get rid of them, try turning towards them and accepting how you feel right now. Simple acceptance eliminates the struggle and allows you the freedom to make adjustments and find your rhythm. You can talk to the feeling and say, “I’m noticing something inside of me is tight.” Then say, “I’m going to say hello to it because it’s clearly worried.”

This strategy helps you see that your thoughts are not you, nor is the tightness. Rather, it’s something you are simply aware of and notice.

Remember, your thoughts are not truths and your feelings are not fatal. They are like a movie you are watching. No need to fuse together with them and feel like they control you and highjack the moment, point, game or match.

2. Shift the focus

The anxiety a player is experiencing is most likely a result of focusing on

something you cannot control. Maybe you are trying to control the outcome or what the coach thinks, or how you “think” you should be playing. But all of these things are beyond your control. Change your focus to something you can control. You might focus on committing to your game and using strategies that set you apart. Maybe you want to try breaking up the match or the game into smaller pieces, focusing on one point and one shot at a time.

3. Shake it off

Notice where you are feeling the tightness in your body. If it is in your arm, shake the arm. If it is in your feet, shake your feet. Your shoulders? Shake them! Shaking can help the body to release tension and feel connected.

You might even ask yourself, “How would I feel if I was loose and relaxed?” Or you can ask this question about a stroke: “How would it feel if my serve was relaxed?”

Rather than answering this, allow your

body to feel, relax and release it. Right now, ask yourself, “How would my jaw feel if it was loose?” If you are like most people, you will realize you have been clenching or holding your jaw tight. Just the awareness alone will prompt you to let go and settle.

4. Breathe

Bringing your attention to your breath and breathing patterns is a secret of so many pros. This allows the player to bring oxygen into the body to replenish and reset. A little known fact is that by inhaling, you are activating the sympathetic nervous system that provides you with energy. Exhaling activates the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing for calm and relaxation. Breathing in and out calms you and helps loosen you up so you can get out of your mind. It also helps to shift the focus away from the outcome and tightness. Between points, before your serve or prior to returns, bring your attention to your

breath and breathe. You won’t be sorry.

5. Grounding

Shift your attention to your feet. Whether it’s a serve or a return of a serve, notice both of your feet touching the ground. If you are bouncing on your toes or just feeling the balls of your feet, notice the contact with the ground. By doing this, you will become aware that you are stable, balanced and centered. Being centered will help the nervous system settle. These five centering tips can be used separately or can be combined into a between-point or between-game ritual. Be creative. It’s important to remember as you are doing any of these tips to

be present while doing them. The object, for example, is not to do the breathing exercise so you can loosen up. This conditional type of thinking will only make you tighter. The idea is to breathe, and to “be the breath.” Be present to the breath or shaking or noticing your feet contacting the ground. By doing this, you have a better chance of settling down. If by chance you don’t settle in, don’t get upset that you don’t feel how you want. Stick to this process, the real game is creating the discipline to be present to the little things. Soon this will translate to bigger things. This will allow you the best chance to play the next shot, point, game and match from a centered place.

Rob Polishook, MA, CPC is the founder of Inside the Zone Sports Performance Group. As a mental training coach, he works with the whole human athlete helping them to unleash their mental edge (heart.energy.spirit) through mindfulness, somatic psychology, animal wisdom and mental training skills. Rob is author of 2 best-selling books: Tennis Inside the Zone and Baseball Inside the Zone: Mental Training Workouts for Champions. He can be reached by phone at (973) 723-0314, by e-mail rob@insidethezone.com, by visiting insidethezone.com, following on Instagram @insidethezone

Racquet ReportSport

presented by adidas Pickleball

50th Annual POP Tennis Nationals Set for Memorial Day Weekend

Thisspring, as the country honors those who have laid down their lives, St. Augustine, Fla. will play host to the 50th installment of the POP Tennis National Championships. Players from all around the country will descend onto historic St. Augustine to compete on the hard sand of the beach.

The weekend will begin with the Welcome Party/Social on Friday evening, with the mixed doubles portion of the event also beginning on that Friday. The Men’s Doubles and Women’s Doubles events will commence on Saturday.

POP Tennis is a sport that dates back to the end of the 19th century, and is the original form of Paddle Tennis. It’s the closest complementary paddle sport to regular tennis, with the same rules and scoring as tennis except players get one underhand serve. The same footwork, strokes and aggressive strategies in tennis apply to POP, just played on a smaller court, lower net, shorter paddles and slower low pressure balls. This helps to create fun and exciting rallies, and forms an equalizer where people of different ages and abilities can compete on the same court.

“Excited, thrilled and proud of our sport, our history and our great

community in so many ways,” said Mitch Kutner, the President of the International POP Tennis Association.

“Although POP aka Paddle Tennis has been around for 125 years and we’ve been fortunate to run events at high-profile locations like the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the upcoming 50th annual in St. Augustine represented so much for our sport. It’s a symbol of the years of hard work, the volunteers, the players, our business partners and the strong foundation that we’ve built. It takes a ton of loyalty, persistence, love of sport and dedication. Not to mention the mix of players from our sport’s amazing history will be wellrepresented.”

This year is special for many reasons, but perhaps one of the more unique aspects of the weekend will be the introduction of a special “Legends”

division, where past winners and returning Hall of Famers of the sport will participate.

“We expect another great upcoming Nationals event. A large turnout of players and spectators is definitely expected for the 50th annual,” Kutner added. “Since this is such an important event in POP history, we have also invited back a few old-timers aka legends of the game. Some have not been back to the tourney in decades. Some of these legends like Steve Geller won the St Augustine Nationals multiple times in the mid 70’s. Other Hall of Famers & National Singles champs like Jeff Lerner will be there as well. The tourney always gets a good number of spectators based on its longtime local history around Florida. Plus, its a public event on the beach. Players typically bring family & friends to watch & support. Some show up specifically for the event and then we also get many passers-by on the beach who like what they see and decide to stay, cheer and watch the matches. It’s free for spectators!”

To learn more about the 50th POP Tennis Nationals, visit StAugPOPTennis.com, and to learn more about POP Tennis in general, visit POPTennis.com.