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

Staff David Sickmen Publisher (516) 409-4444, ext. 309 • david@usptennis.com Joel M. Berman President (516) 409-4444, ext. 310 • joel@usptennis.com Eric C. Peck Editor-in-Chief (516) 409-4444, ext. 312 • eric@usptennis.com Brian Coleman Senior Editor (516) 409-4444, ext. 326 • brianc@usptennis.com Joey Arendt Managing Art Director Francine Miller Advertising Coordinator (516) 409-4444, ext. 301 • francinem@usptennis.com Emilie Katz Assistant Marketing Coordinator Scott Koondel VP of Operations (516) 409-4444, ext. 324

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

Table Of Contents

MAY/JUN 2017 • Vol 7, No 3

Mighty Muguruza: Spaniard Seeks to Defend French Open Crown By Brian Coleman Will 22-year-old Garbine Muguruza repeat this year on the clay courts of Roland Garros? See page 28

Cover photo credit: Sidney Beal III

Highlights 32 36 44

2017 French Open: 10 Things to Look For By Troy Haas Tennis in the Hamptons NYTM’s 2017 Guide to Top Tennis Apparel Providers

Features 4 6 8 12 16 18 22 23 24 34 38 40 42 48 50 52 53 54 56 57 58 60 62 64 65 66 68 71 72 74 76

Cary Leeds Center Unveils Two New Stadium Courts in Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Tennis Books to Fire Your Game By Barbara Wyatt Beyond the Baseline: John Klenner Nutritional Treatment for Rotator Cuff Tears (Part II) By Dr. Rob Silverman The Jensen Zone By Luke Jensen At the Net With Patrick McEnroe By Brian Coleman Munchkin Tennis By Danny Ostrometsky and Khrystsina Tryboi NYC Parks to Cut Annual Tennis Costs USTA Metro Region Update: May/June 2017 The Volley: To Teach or Not to Teach By Gilad Bloom Andrade Brothers Bond Over the Sport of a Lifetime By Brian Coleman Metro Corporate League Recap, Presented by Advantage Tennis Clubs New York Empire to Bring WTT Action to NTC This Summer Importing the Spanish Style By Brian Coleman Making Beating Adversity a Habit By Emilio Sanchez-Vicario Speed Development for Tennis Players By Philip Feingold Why Can’t Anyone Come in to the Net Anymore? By Stephen Annacone Athlete Driven Progressions and Empowerment By Asher Salam The Return of the Return of Serve By Mike Williams One-on-One Doubles Action Returns to National Tennis Center Freedom to Play Your Best Game By Dr. Tom Ferraro It’s Time to PLAY! By Rishan Kuruppu Warm-Ups and Workouts By Richard Thater JMTA Hosts Seventh Annual Scholarship Tryouts Adult League Update: May/June 2017 Stretching for Injury Prevention and More Importantly Enhancing Your Tennis Game By Dr. Reuben S. Ingber Grip, Throw, Serve: It’s Simple If You Start Early By Lisa Dodson Untangling the Knot: Try Softer Not Harder By Rob Polishook Spanish Movement and Footwork Secrets By Chris Lewit Court Six: New York Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column By Emilie Katz Team World Downs Americas at 10th Annual BNP Paribas Showdown

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Cary Leeds Center Unveils Two New Stadium Courts in Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony ew York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) and the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis and Learning recently celebrated the unveiling of its two new stadium courts at Crotona Park in the Bronx, N.Y. “Today was a joyous celebration for New York Junior Tennis & Learning and the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning as the official opening of the Pershing Square and Victor Kiam Stadium marks the completion of a 10-year passion project for the organization,” said Joe Ceriello, NYJTL’s director of marketing. “NYJTL is primed to serve more children and expand its vision to enable children to Grow with the Game.” The afternoon was the culmination of a decade of construction work and thanks to both private donors and public funding. There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony to reveal the two stadium courts, which hold

800 spectators, followed by a cocktail reception and the kids from NYJTL took to the newly-unveiled courts to show off their skills in different drills. “Without public parks like we have here, I would have never made it to the top,” said Billie Jean King, who was on hand for the ceremony. “I have a younger brother and we were both parks and rec kids. It’s really important that kids have these opportunities. This program is so wonderful and has been around for so many years. This where dreams happen and where kids can get their start.” Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. was on hand for the ceremony and couldn’t be happier about what the program and the Cary Leeds facility is doing for his constituents. “I’m excited about it. I believe so many future generations are going to benefit from this facility,” Diaz said. “NYJTL did

something decades ago that was unheard of in introducing tennis to kids in the Bronx and so many of them have taken to the sport. Even though I haven’t played tennis, I want to be a part of this, and that is the reason why we allocated $2 million into this facility.” NYJTL and the Cary Leeds Center will continue to enrich kids live through tennis and education while providing not only the Bronx, but New York City, with world-class courts and programming, and hopes to even bring in a professional tournament. “With the completion of the stadium courts, NYJTL is committed to bringing back an annual professional tennis tournament,” said NYJTL President and CEO George Guimaraes. “NYJTL is all about the kids. By 2019, our goal is for the children to see world-class tennis players who are role models for what can be achieved with hard work.”

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Tennis Books to Fire Your Game By Barbara Wyatt I decided to read a tennis book to improve my game, and complement my practices in drills and lessons with instructors. But let’s face it … I need more than a book, I need a library. To begin my learning-tennis-by-thebook quest, I started with Game, Set and Match (2015) by Mark Hodgkinson. It was there that tennis professional, Maria Kirilenko, ranked 10th in the world in 2013, spoke directly to me from the pages and instructed me to take many little steps, a minimum of 10, between points to improve my footwork. Gael Monfils, ranked sixth in the world in 2016, suggested yoga and hiphop classes to improve flexibility. I picked up a copy of Tennis Science for Tennis Players (1987) by Dr. Howard Brody. As I turned the pages of this book, rich in tennis physics and mathematics, Brody seemed to sit down beside me and plot the conditional probability of my serves. If my first serve goes in 40 percent of the time and I win 70 percent, and my weaker second serve goes in 85 percent

of the time and I win 60 percent, what is my serving strategy? Only use my second serve? Use first and second? Answer: First and second. I opened the pages of Tennis Science: How Player and Racquet Work Together (2015) by Machar Reid, Bruce Elliott and Miguel Crespo. One diagram illustrates how a less skilled player will randomly catch a few hints during an opponent’s serve, then watch the flight of the ball to calculate where the opponent’s ball will land. A highly skilled player can systematically zero into specific cues within the 300 milliseconds before the ball hits the opponent’s racquet. I also need mental conditioning to improve my game. This could get ugly, which meant one thing … I dove into the pages of Winning Ugly: Mental Warfare in Tennis: Lessons From a Master (1994) by Brad Gilbert. I vowed to incorporate his fiveminute dynamic warmup, as well as his pre-match game plans. More wisdom awaited me in The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance (1997) by W. Timothy Gallwey’s and Zen Tennis: Play-

ing in the Zone (2015) by Bill Scanlon & Dr. Joe Parent. Gallwey begged me to trust my body and visualize where I wanted the ball to land. Drs. Scanlon & Parent educated me on the strategies to achieve good tennis more often. Then, I called on the master himself, Vic Braden, who spoke to me from the pages of his book, Mental Tennis (1994). I learned an approach on how to deal with opponents who have difficulty calling my balls in. Lastly, I read one of my own works, Ode to Tennis (2017), a small gift book that illustrates tennis is a game of many brilliant strokes, followed by a few boneheaded ones. Ode to Tennis reminds us that tennis is a fun passionate journey of exercise, competition and friendship as we move toward better tennis. Barbara Wyatt is a writer, photographer, USTA official, and mobile app developer of iKnowTennis!, the tennis rules app. Her poem, Ode to Tennis, an amusing poem on the joys and frustrations when learning tennis, is available at Amazon. She can be reached by e-mail at BarbaraW@iKnowTennis.com.

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BEYOND THE BASELINE

beyond the

baseline JOHN KLENNER BY BRIAN COLEMAN

STA Eastern has hit the ground running in 2017. With a strong strategic vision and focused leadership, the organization is poised for success. The local tennis community welcomed a strong leader at USTA Eastern’s Annual Tennis Conference held in January. During this time, John Klenner was appointed as USTA Eastern’s President following his previous role as the organization’s Treasurer. “I never really saw myself being in the tennis business, and I still don’t consider myself in the tennis business now,” said Klenner. “I consider myself a volunteer; an advocate for the tennis industry.” Klenner joined the Board of Directors as Treasurer eight years ago and has been committed to the cause ever since. He is a Certified Public Accountant by trade and a Partner at Marcum LLP. He wasn’t much of a tennis player growing up in Los Angeles, but picked the game up in his mid-twenties when he moved to New York in the early 1990s. He started playing on a local court in Brooklyn and fell in love with the game. “I got to a point in my life, about nine years ago, when I determined that I had the resources, ability and time to give back in

some charitable manner,” recalled Klenner. “I received an e-mail that Eastern was looking for a treasurer, and I thought there was no better way, for someone who is an accountant, to give back by being the treasurer at a notfor-profit. Little did I realize that it would turn out the The gavel of USTA Eastern leadership was passed to John Klenner by outgoing president Mark McIntyre way it has.” Klenner takes over the presidency from Klenner. “We want to continue to devote Mark McIntyre who helped bring stability more of our resources to promoting the and vision to the organization. As game. If we can devote more of our funds President, he wants to continue to build on from National to promoting and growing the initiatives put in place over the last the game, and Eastern can become more couple of years to enable a sense of self-sufficient in terms of running continuity and achievement for staff and programming, tennis in our section will be tennis providers alike. in a better position. Throughout our three “I want to make clear that this is not strategic pillars the common theme is about me. This organization is meant to diversity and inclusion, which is to engage grow the game of tennis, and that’s what populations that would not otherwise have we intend to do. I am not going to come in access to or be interested in the sport.” and make a right or a left turn because I An example of this approach is want to do something different,” said Eastern’s application and acceptance of

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

BEYOND THE BASELINE

the 2017 Hispanic Outreach Grant from USTA National, becoming one of only eight sections to receive the $10K award. Klenner wanted to ensure he began his administration surrounded with knowledgeable and experienced individuals. He brings a solid business and financial background and looks to other board members, namely, Vice President Amber Marino and Secretary Olga Harvey to lend their grassroots tennis industry expertise. “It’s important to note that under Jeff Williams’ administration and McIntyre’s administration, the officers acted as a unit,” he added. “Now, we meet on a regular basis in order to make sure we are aligned on key initiatives. Amber and Olga come from grassroots tennis, and our Treasurer Perren Wong comes from a similar professional background as me, so everyone brings their own talent to the board. I’m there to lead the board, but not be the face of the organization.” The new board will continue to oversee USTA Eastern’s strategic plan. One of its first endeavors is to re-write the bylaws in accordance with Eastern’s size. In addition, Eastern will focus on developing and creating innovative ways to enhance participation. One aspect of that includes promoting Net Generation, which is intended to facilitate the connection between the player and provider and foster better

BEYOND THE BASELINE

communication amongst all parties regardless of USTA membership. Klenner believes that tennis participation in the section is in a good place, but says there is still Members of the new USTA Eastern Board were sworn in at the USTA Eastern work to be done, Annual Meeting and is ready to take on those challenges with the help of his team at USTA Eastern. For example, while Eastern’s league participation numbers were up by 2,775 players from last January, John Klenner and members of the USTA Eastern board discuss issues with the section is still the membership at the USTA Eastern Annual Meeting looking for to thrive and I don’t think providing additional ways to engage new subsidies are a good solution as they audiences. rarely create self-sustaining programs. “The state of the game is improving. I What we need is more people playing think a challenge we face at Eastern is tennis. Our major challenge is to generate producing the next generation of players. players and if we can do that than the rest We need more places for them to play and of the tennis economy, including USTA develop,” said Klenner. “We need to make membership, will improve.” sure that our courts and facilities are able

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

Across Metro Ne CourtSense Duo Captures Empire St. John’s Coach Leo Cup National Doubles Title Sets School Record CourtSense’s Stephanie Yakoff and her partner Elizabeth Tkachenko captured the title at the recent Empire Cup National Doubles Girls 12 Division Championship at Alley Pond Tennis Center. The duo won all four of their matches in straight sets and lost just seven games total on their way to the title. Yakoff followed that victory up by winning the singles title at the New Shrewsbury April Championships.

QuickStart Talent on Display at MatchPoint NYC

Credit photo: St. John’s University Athletics

St. John’s Women’s Tennis Head Coach Lauren Leo etched her name in the record books following a 4-3 win over Seton Hall. With the victory, the second year head coach set the program record for the most wins in a coach’s first two seasons with 29, surpassing the mark set by Sheila Wildermuth from 1974-1976. Leo (center) is pictured here with the team’s two seniors, Anna Morozova (left) and Stephanie Elgegren (right).

Tennis Innovators’ Vora Wins Girls 12s Division

MatchPoint NYC held its annual Advanced QuickStart Orange Balls Tournament to showcase the progress and talent of its young players. In the end, Mathew Rakov won first place in the competition, while Katherine Krupnikova came in second and Rebecca Kvurt finished in third place.

JMTA’s Kleger Honored as USTA Eastern Organizer of the Month John McEnroe Tennis Academy’s (JMTA) Lawrence Kleger was named the USTA Eastern Organizer of the Month for April. “I’m proud to say that I’ve had probably 15-20 students who have received USTA Eastern’s annual sportsmanship awards,” Kleger said. “Sportsmanship is everything to me. It is a big part of the process of becoming the best player you can be.” 10

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

Maya Vora of Tennis Innovators captured the title at the recent L3 Sportime Harbor Island April UPS in the Girls 12s Division.

New York

… News and notes from across the New York Metro tennis community

NYJTL’s Akhmedjanova Receives USTA’s David N. Dinkins Scholarship NYJTL’s Jamila Akhmedjanova has received USTA Eastern’s David N. Dinkins Scholarship Award, earning a one-week scholarship to the Evert Academy in Boca Raton, Fla. Growing up in Uzbekistan, Akhmedjanova has been playing tennis since she was six-years-old and has been a part of NYJTL’s tournament team since 2014. Jamila currently trains out of the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning. Pictured here is Olga Harvey, senior director of Development at NYJTL, presenting Jamila with the David N. Dinkins Scholarship.

Gilad Bloom Tennis’ Bennett Captures April Flowers Challenger Title Bradley Bennett of Gilad Bloom Tennis captured the title at the L1B Alley Pond Tennis Center April Flowers Challenger in the Boys 14s Division. Bennett, the number two seed, won all of his matches in straight sets, defeating Nicholas Steiglehner 6-1, 6-1 in the tournament’s final.

Columbia’s Men Win Fourth Consecutive Ivy League Title

Centercourt Seniors Sign Collegiate Letters of Intent

Photo credit: Colombia University Athletics/Mike McLaughlin

It’s that time of year where high school athletes make their decision on where to continue their athletic careers. Centercourt Tennis Academy hosted its National Letter of Intent Day where its graduating class made commitments to where they will continue their tennis careers.

The Columbia Men’s Tennis team has won its fourth straight Ivy League title, beating Yale 5-2. “I had never done three consecutive Conference Championships, and I thought that was a great accomplishment because we lost four guys and almost everybody was new last year,” Columbia Head Coach Bid Goswami told GoColumbiaLions.com. “The older guys did a great job with the younger class, and with their help, it bodes well for our future.”

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

Nutritional Treatme By Dr. Rob Silverman

hen you play a racket sport like tennis, you make a lot of overhead serves and shots that put strain on your shoulder. A common result is a rotator cuff injury—a tear in one of the tendons that hold the muscles and bones of your shoulder joint together. A rotator cuff injury is painful and can keep you off the court for weeks. If properly treated, however, a rotator cuff injury can heal faster and better, so you can be back in action sooner and are less likely to reinjure yourself.

What causes rotator cuff injuries? Rotator cuff injuries in tennis players tend to be caused by repetitive stress, and simple wear and tear. Poor posture adds to the likelihood of an injury, but the biggest risk factor for the average athlete is simply being active, combined with age. In most cases, a rotator cuff injury starts when the tendons in the area become irritated and start rubbing against the bone. The result is inflammation and scar tissue, which makes the tendons weaker and less flexible. Eventually, a strong overhead motion like a serve leads to a tear in a tendon. Rotator cuff injuries aren’t inevitable, but the longer you’ve been an active tennis player and the older you get, the more likely an injury is. Good nutrition, strong warm-ups, and good form all help avoid rotator cuff injuries. Treating the injury All rotator cuff injuries cause pain, weakness and loss of range of motion in the shoulder. You’ll know it’s your rotator cuff and not simple muscle soreness if activities that make you reach above your head, like combing your hair or reaching for something on a top shelf, become painful. When the pain first begins, icing your shoulder can be very helpful. For the first two to three days after the injury, use ice three times a day for about 20 minutes at a time. Ice is most effective for those first few days. Natural anti-inflammatory supplements can be very helpful for relieving pain and swelling. Proteolytic enzymes, including trypsin, chymotrypsin and bromelain are a great way to reduce swelling without upsetting your stomach. Others natural anti-inflammatories, including Boswellia, turmeric, ginger, and vitamin C help bring down the pain and swelling. Again, they work well without causing digestive problems. To protect the damaged area, the muscles around it contract, causing additional pain. Nutrients that relax muscle tissue, including calcium, magnesium, lemon balm and valerian, can be very helpful. They relax the clenched muscles without making you groggy. Ice, natural anti-inflammatories and nutrition are important as

ment for Rotator Cuff Tears (Part II) immediate self-help. The pain and limited range of motion, however, are telling you it’s time to seek active help to modulate the inflammation and speed up the healing process. Waiting more than a few days will only make the recovery process slower.

Therapeutic exercise Rotator cuff injuries hurt. You might be tempted to take it easy for a while by avoiding anything that makes your shoulder hurt or by using a sling. Immobility is actually counter-productive. If the pain is severe, take it easy for a few days, but keep moving. Gently move your arm and shoulder through their full range of motion several times a day. Once the injury is past the acute stage, you can move to more active exercise to start restoring mobility and rebuilding strength. Gentle stretching is key here—do it several times a day, every day. In addition to stretching and exercises to

strengthen the shoulder, I always recommend exercises to strengthen the shoulder blade (scapula) as well. All too often, weakness or misalignment in the shoulder blade is the true cause of the tendon damage that can lead to a rotator cuff injury. The scapula stabilizes your shoulder and keeps it moving smoothly. If it’s out of alignment in some way, it’s likely to cause shoulder impingement—a tendon in the rotator cuff rubs up against the bone. The tendon gets squashed and inflamed, which can lead to a rotator cuff injury. Exercises to strengthen the scapula help it stay in place and prevent further shoulder impingement and re-injury. The way you position your neck can also have an impact on your shoulders. As part of their therapeutic exercise program, I have my patients do neck exercises to help correct a forward head posture that puts strain on the vertebrae of the neck and on the shoulders.

Low-Level Laser Therapy Rotator cuff injuries take a long time to heal completely. The healing process can be sped up by using Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT). This treatment uses laser light—coherent light at specific wavelengths. The light passes through the skin and reaches the damaged area. The wavelength is designed to stimulate the biological processes that reduce inflammation and switch on the healing process. It stimulates the cells in the area to stop producing the natural chemicals that continue inflammation and gets them to switch over to producing the anti-inflammatory enzymes and other chemical messengers that reduce pain and improve mobility in the joint. I use a highly effective handheld LLLT device that is FDA-approved and extremely safe. continued on page 14

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rotator cuff tears continued from page 13 LLLT treatments are quick and painless— there’s no sensation of heat and a treatment usually takes less than five minutes. A study in the prestigious journal Clinical Rheumatology concluded that the combination of therapeutic exercise and lowlevel laser therapy was more effective for improving pain and loss of range of motion from shoulder impingement than exercise alone. Active Release Technique (ART) Active Release Technique (ART) Injury Care is a highly effective technique for resolving soft-tissue injuries. When you have an injury such as a rotator cuff tear, your body produced tough, dense scar tissue as part of the healing process. The scar tissue is a natural response to injury, but it binds up and ties down the tissues. It’s also permanent—your body doesn’t have a natural way to remove scar tissue. The body can adapt to and tolerate a certain amount of scar tissue, but unless it’s treated, the affected join will never again function optimally, and the chance of re-injury is increased. The scar tissue from a rotator cuff injury causes tension on the injured tendon, makes the muscles in the area shorter and weaker, and can trap the nerves in the area. It all contributes to ongoing pain, loss of strength, and reduced range of motion.

ART Injury Care uses precise techniques to help remove the scar tissue that forms when the shoulder is injured. When I work with rotator cuff patients using ART, I use my hand or thumb to evaluate painful area of the shoulder. I then put that area under tension and have you move your shoulder and arm through a specific range of motion. I’ll feel the tissues slide under my fingers as the scar tissue breaks up and lets the area move freely again. An ART session takes only about 15 minutes. Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) Sometimes, the adhesions and scar tissue of a rotator cuff injury are extensive and deep. In those cases, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization techniques are more effective for detecting and treating these areas. When using IASTM, a stainless steel instrument is moved along the joint and acts as a sort of adhesion stethoscope, detecting bands of scar tissue that cause restriction. The instrument is then used to break up the adhesion. FAKTR (Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehabilitation), for example, is a highly-effective rehabilitation system that involves stretching and strengthening exercises, while instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization is being performed. This

helps promote a healthy realignment of the tendon and muscles fibers. Kinesiology Tape TheraBand Kinesiology Tape—thin, elastic adhesive tape—can be applied to sore areas as a way to reduce swelling and make joint motion smoother. TheraBand tape is made of stretchy cotton fibers. Compared to traditional athletic tape, the elastic fibers in the tape allow much greater range of motion after it’s applied. The tape works by microscopically lifting up the skin and holding it away from the sore muscles. This decompresses the area and helps reduce swelling. The tape also sends a signal to the nerves in the skin, telling the brain to minimize pain in the area. Functional Movement Assessment Rotator cuff injuries often indicate an underlying problem with body movement. Poor posture, for instance, can get your shoulder blades out of alignment, which sharply increases the risk of injuries to the shoulders and back. To prevent re-injury to your damaged rotator cuff and to avoid future injuries, a Functional Movement Assessment to detect and correct imbalances can be very valuable. Mixing Modalities Any one of the treatment modalities I’ve mentioned here will help you return to full activity faster after a rotator cuff injury. When they’re carefully combined, however, healing is accelerated. The sooner your pain is reduced and your strength and range of motion are restored, the sooner you can get back on the tennis court. Dr. Robert G. Silverman is a White Plains, N.Y.-based sports chiropractor and certified clinical nutritionist, specializing in functional medicine and the treatment of joint pain with innovative, science-based, nonsurgical approaches. He is also on the advisory board for the Functional Medicine University and a health contributor to various major TV networks. He is the author of Amazon’s Number One Best-Seller, InsideOut Health. In 2015, he was honored with the prestigious Sports Chiropractor of the Year award by the ACA Sports Council. He can be reached by phone at (914) 287-6464 or e-mail Info@DrRobertSilverman.com.

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NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

The Development of Character in Today’s Juniors By Luke Jensen cannot wait for summer tennis! I love all of it … from hard courts to clay courts with all the heat and humidity. The entire country has tennis action for all levels and the courts are packed! There are some really good pro tournament options from coast to coast. The summer season ends at the U.S. Open in New York City, but one of my favorite events is in the A-T-L. Atlanta has an ATP event for the mega fan who wants to see the game up close and personal. Atlanta is one of the best tennis cities in the world and the talent behind the racket is evident in every club and subdivision tennis court. So when the ATP Tour comes to town with all the global tennis talent, the energy is amazing. Now add one of the coolest venues

to play a tournament in Atlantic Station and the BB&T Atlanta Open should be a stop on your tennis list this summer. My own summer tennis calendar is filling up from May through September with tennis camp and club appearances, plus some World TeamTennis action on the TV side of the ball. I’m pumped for tennis this summer, and one thing I really enjoy doing is talking to young players about our great game. I try instilling a passion for what is possible through tennis if you apply yourself. I tell them about my family’s journey in tennis and how all of us are still part of the game in different ways after 50 years involved with the sport. I have found a magic within the game that I want to share with young players. When I ask young players why they play tennis, I usually get a blank look back in my direction. When I speak to tournament players about their confidence under pressure,

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they seem to avoid the question. As I have explained to the next generation of our game, tennis needs to be fun. No matter what the outcome, playing happily is paramount. I go to tournaments these days with my nieces and nephews, and am saddened to see so many kids on court who are not having fun. I’m going to really sound old, but way back when I played, there was a buzz in the game. So many of us had a hunger and desire for greatness. Climbing up the rankings and developing new skills to improve was always the theme in practice sessions. My junior tennis development was always based on a tomorrow’s game approach. At the point when I was around 17- or 18-years-old, my physical skills were ready for anyone on the planet, but my tennis skills had to be there as well or I was going to be too far behind. I was blessed with amazing parents who were athletes and understood this approach, gracing both myself and my brother with very talented coaches. One of those was at the perfect time in my development as I was entering my sophomore year in high school and began working with Brian Marcus. Brian was a standout at the University of Michigan and played on the pro tour before slowing down to raise his family with his amazing wife Donna. Brian taught me the Jack Kramer “Big Game.” Kramer, a legendary Wimbledon champion, revolutionized the attacking style that dominated the game, the serve and volley on both serves, while returning and attacking on second serve returns. Brian knew my game of tomorrow would be about moving forward. The first four months of training was about the big game every day and in everything I did. By the end of the four months, I had a complete game due to an endless stream of consistent ground-

strokes with added tactical punch with the serve and volley. After just two years with Brian, I was playing in my first U.S. Open. Brian moved his family to be a cornerstone of the Atlanta Athletic Club tennis family. I think it was because of the golf and sand trap right next to his office. I was influenced by other mentors like Dick Leach, my college coach at USC, who was a master in match tactics. Others like Brian Gottfried, Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King taught me the work ethic of a professional and the understanding of how to play under pressure better during big points. All of the coaches, like my first tennis coach Don Dickinson, taught me the fundamentals, and most importantly, how to have fun through all the ups and downs of development. All of these mentors were tremendously high-character people that had a deep faith in giving back to others. I was honored to work with all of them, and owe everything I have accomplished in tennis to them. I often wonder, when I watch juniors compete and practice today, what values of life and learning are being instilled in them? The USTA has built the National Campus in Orlando, and I call it “The Death Star!” The largest tennis facility on the planet for all levels of play, but mainly to develop American tennis champions. Millions of dollars have been poured into this project, but I wonder how much character is being developed in these approaches to develop a player’s greatness. It doesn’t take millions of dollars to teach fundamentals in character building … it just takes coaches and mentors who believe in developing the person first and the player second. The greatest gift from all my coaches was to treat the two imposters—victory and defeat—one in the same. Once I mastered that, I could lose a match but was never defeated. Have a wonderful summer of 2017! Born in Grayling, Mich., Luke Jensen’s resume includes 10 ATP Tour doubles titles and singles victories against Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg and Jim Courier. Jensen and his brother, Murphy, won the 1993 French Open doubles title. Luke is currently director of tennis at Sea Island Tennis Center in Georgia. He may be reached by phone at (315) 443-3552 or e-mail LukeJensen84@yahoo.com. NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

at the net wit h

p a t r i c k

m c e n r o e

by bri an co l em an

arlier this year, Sportime and the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) announced that Patrick McEnroe would be joining their team as co-tennis director at its Randall’s Island location. “I had discussions with Sportime years and years ago when they first had this concept, before they had even built Randall’s Island,” said Patrick. “That was around the same time the USTA came to me, I was also the Davis Cup captain at the time, and said they were interested in having me take on player development. I decided to do it because it was a huge challenge and undertaking.” Patrick stepped down from his post with the USTA in 2014, but not before laying the foundation there that has helped produce many of the up-and-coming young Americans who are already having an impact on the pro tour. “Our goal was to create a lot of good players, because I don’t think you can necessarily produce a great player, one that can be number one in the world,” he said. “I’m really proud of what were able to build, working as a team and with the private sector. Now, we have a solid group of top players, and they’re going to keep pushing each other to be better.” After his time at the USTA, he continued 18

“I’m roaming the courts, observing the drills and trying to provide feedback to the coaches on what they are doing. I didn’t really have the opportunity to do that much when I was with the USTA because my job was more administrative.” —Patrick McEnroe, Co-Tennis Director, Sportime/John McEnroe Tennis Academy with his broadcasting career at ESPN, but wanted to get back into the coaching world, specifically, with junior tennis locally. Patrick told his brother John he was interested in getting involved with something

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

else, and the two agreed that if he were to do something in this field, joining Sportime/JMTA made the most sense. After a few meetings with Sportime President Claude Okin and Vice President/Managing Director Ben Schlansky, it became official. “I am very pleased that my brother Patrick has decided to join us at JMTA as we continue to refine our model and expand our impact,” John said. “There probably isn’t anyone who understands American tennis and New York tennis better than Patrick, and nobody in the world that has better or more experience coaching talent at the highest levels of the game. Patrick is going to help us make a difference.” Patrick McEnroe comes to Sportime/JMTA following nearly a decade as the head of player development for the USTA, and brings many years of experience to Sportime as a player and a coach. “I started in January and we were able work things out pretty quickly in terms of what my role would be, understanding that I hadn’t really done anything like this in the past,” Patrick said. “Coming on to work with Lawrence Kleger as co-director and get the feel of the staff and how things are done, it’s been a really fun learning process for me over the last few months. I’ve taken a lot in and have seen how things are done here … I’m

enjoying it a lot. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just trying to add something positive to the program and hopefully make it better.â&#x20AC;? One of the things that Patrick missed while serving in his role with the USTA was being on the court working with players. He spends most of his day at Sportime/JMTA going on the court during group sessions, injecting his knowledge into the coaches and players, while learning from the coaches as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One thing I missed that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really enjoying now, which I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do with the USTA, is being on the court pretty much the whole time,â&#x20AC;? said Patrick. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m roaming the courts, observing the drills and trying to provide feedback to the coaches on what they are doing. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really have the opportunity to do that much when I was with the USTA because my job was more administrative.â&#x20AC;? Junior tennis is a new venture for Patrick, and he says he learned a lot about running small groups from Jose Higueras while at the USTA, and is now doing the same from Kleger. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He [Kleger] likes to remind me that he used to watch me when I was a junior,â&#x20AC;? Patrick joked. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always had a lot of re-

spect for guys who have been in what I call the trenches of junior tennis for a long time. But I think now being involved in it, I have even more respect for those guys. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m trying to learn from them, while at the same time, bring some of my experiences as a player, as

well as someone who has been in the game my whole life.â&#x20AC;? Growing up playing in the Eastern Section and now with daughters currently playing in continued on page 20

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at the net

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the Section, Patrick is as knowledgeable as they come regarding tennis in the local community. He understands both the positive aspects as well as the challenges of being a tennis player in the New York area. “I think one of the biggest challenges we have as a Section is finding available court time, and that’s a factor for all New York City kids. I think the tournaments are very wellrun, but sometimes you have kids who are 12 and under playing matches at 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.,” McEnroe said, recalling a time when his daughter called him from a Super Six at 10:00 p.m. having not played her consolation match yet. “We like to say that toughens you up, that’s part of what makes our players tough. You have to deal with things like that and playing in different weather conditions. I think that’s a positive in our area because there is a lot of passion in doing it that way, and that’s the only way we can do it. It’s not like being in Florida or Southern California.” The McEnroe’s are perfect examples of the

toughness that comes as a result of growing up playing tennis in the New York area, and it’s something they look to pass on to the more than 700 kids in the Sportime/JMTA program. The two are also excited to be working alongside one another which, despite both being tennis lifers, hasn’t always been the case. “My brother and I have been around tennis our whole lives and the sport has created amazing lives for us. We’ve been sort of doing the same kinds of things, but not together,” said Patrick. “I always worked at ESPN, and for years, John worked for everyone else besides ESPN. He was here at Sportime/JMTA and I was at the USTA for those years. So it’s nice to come back full circle. We’re both in our 50s now and it’s great to be working together. The good thing about it is that we can disagree, and we can hash it out. I think that’s a healthy thing for both us and the program. It’s no secret that we haven’t always agreed 100 percent on what’s the best player development path, but there

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

are a lot of things we do agree on, and there has got to be a give and take. For example, doing more drilling and technical work in group sessions. Obviously still focusing on competitiveness, which is John’s number one thing, but I’m also someone who really believes, especially with younger kids, that they should be doing more work on stroke production and understanding what it takes to produce a certain shot.” So as Sportime Randall’s Island and the John McEnroe Tennis Academy continues its growth and expansion, Patrick McEnroe is excited to be a part of that and help build on its already successful formula. “They’re running a great program already,” said Patrick. “I can bring something to the table and help make it better. In doing so, it’ll help the kids improve, have fun and be competitive players and people. The experience here will be a part of building their character, not just as a tennis player, but as a human being.” Brian Coleman is senior editor for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached by phone at (516) 409-4444, ext. 326 or e-mail BrianC@USPTennis.com.

C O M I N G I N J U LY 2 0 1 7

Distribution scheduled for 07/01/17

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Munchkin Tennis: How to Emotionally Engage a Toddler

By Danny Ostrometsky and Khrystsina Tryboi e run programs for children as young as four, and the QuickStart programs are great in building skill sets essential for tennis players. However, one of the challenges in teaching tennis specific activities to groups of kids this young, is addressing the many differences in what they are individually capable of. For this reason, it’s very helpful to have a lead up program in which kids are gradually introduced to facets of the sport, fostering an interest and love for the sport of tennis. One way to nurture children between the ages of two and four and prepare them for QuickStart lessons, is to have short 45minute lessons that promote essential tennis skills: Perception, reception and projection, all the tools necessary for proper development of young tennis players. In this program, parents can accom-

pany their kids on the court, and play interactive games with foam balls and easily maneuverable 17-inch rackets. Making sure there is little to no standing in line, children play all the time and are being instructed simultaneously. For these young athletes, it’s very important to discover the features of their surroundings, and they are encouraged to explore how they fit in this new environment. Simple movement exercises around the court, with and without their rackets, are incorporated to develop balance, body coordination and a feel for various body positions. Lessons can be broken into several parts: Warm-up, skill development, agility training, coordination and hand rallying. Hand rallying plays a critical role in every lesson, because it recreates real-time sce-

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

narios that take place during a tennis match. This way, children quickly learn the essential tennis skills of timing, point of contact, depth perception, alignment prior to using a racket, etc. Key takeaways l The key to emotionally engaging toddlers is to have every class offer amazing new experiences to ensure that children are always looking forward to the next lesson. l It’s also important for children to make shots, this way they feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. Danny Ostrometsky is assistant director of QuickStart Program. MatchPoint’s Khrystsina Tryboi is a tennis pro at MatchPoint in Brooklyn, N.Y.

NYC Parks to Cut Annual Tennis Costs

YC Parks announced that it would seek to cut adult annual tennis permit fees from $200 to $100, and to open online registration to first-time registrants, who could previously only buy permits in person. “As host of the U.S. Open, New York City is one of the great global tennis cities—and with 550 tennis courts, there are opportunities to play in nearly every neighborhood,” said New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Mitchel J. Silver. “Now we’re advancing our vision for equity and accessibility by cutting adult fees in half, and making registration easier than ever.” In addition to the new fees and online system, Parks has added eight more locations where players can buy permits in-person, bringing the citywide total to 14. IDNYC cardholders receive a 10 percent discount on annual permits. Permits for seniors 62 and over are $20, and permits for juniors below 18 cost $10. Single-play and reservation tickets cost $15. “As New York City’s Park system is

home to more than 550 courts across the five boroughs, nearly every community has the ability to play tennis right in their own neighborhood,” said Council Member Mark Levine, Chair of the City Council Parks Committee. “However, by halving fees to $100 a year, and streamlining the application process for New Yorkers, playing tennis will be even more accessible to a wider

population, including those with lower incomes. I applaud the Parks Department for taking this extraordinary step towards making New York’s recreational facilities more accessible to all New Yorkers, and look forward to working with them on similar initiatives in the future.” Heather Lubov, executive director of City Parks Foundation, said, “We strongly support lowering the permit fees for tennis. Any action that helps eliminate barriers to play will ensure that tennis is more accessible to New Yorkers.” City Parks Foundation is the only independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to offer programs in public parks throughout the five boroughs of New York City. City Parks Tennis brings high-quality instruction and equipment into neighborhoods where few tennis or other organized athletic opportunities exist. The program— held on 39 public courts in parks in all five boroughs—teaches tennis basics to more than 7,000 kids, ages 5-17 each year, while providing opportunities for advancement through multiple levels of progressively challenging instruction.

At Gotham Tennis Academy, we’re passionate about teaching tennis. From beginners to rising stars, Gotham’s PTR certified pros are experienced in teaching the fundamentals while stressing sportsmanship, hard work, and fun. With our prime locations throughout Manhattan and the greater NYC metro area (including Stadium Tennis Center–NYC’s newest and largest indoor/outdoor tennis center), we’re only a short trip away from you. And with our growing number of offerings at locals schools, it’s more convenient than ever to get your kids into the game.

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NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

USTA Metro Region Metro 10U Advanced JTT Players Enjoy Fun Fiesta, Super Sports Day and Evening Tennis Party

Round one of the Metro 10U Advanced Junior Team Tennis Tournament featured “Tennis, Fiesta Style,” with moustache whistles, chips and salsa, sombreros, and of course, excellent tennis at Cunningham Tennis. Seven teams representing the top players in

the Metro area competed in the first round of the Junior Team Tennis 10U Advanced Division. The teams included Cunningham Tennis, 10U Smashers, MatchPoint Fire, MatchPoint Flame, Metro 10U, West Side Tennis Club and Tennis Innovators.

Round two’s theme was “Sports Day” at Cunningham Tennis, featuring a mix of sports including basketball, foosball, tennis and ping-pong. During breaks from tennis, the players were able to sneak in a few basketball games, which kept everyone busy and having fun. “We wanted to do something different this year for the 10U Advanced JTT group. So, we turned each of the matches into a themed event,” said Joan Akpan, Metro Junior Team Tennis coordinator. “It’s important for the players to have fun and get to know one another off the court and it makes it special for the kids.”

The third round of the themed events was a Tennis Party at MatchPoint NYC. The event brought all the teams together for an exciting evening including two rounds of tennis. 24

Former world number one Dinara Safina was on hand to take pictures and sign autographs for the kids, and there was also a Dream and Goals Workshop thanks to Ivivva Athletic Wear.

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

USTA Metro Region Queens College Wins First ECC Title Since 2012 For the first time since 2012, the Queens College Men’s Tennis Team won the East Coast Conference (ECC) Championship, ending the four-year reign of the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT). Queens College had fallen to NYIT in the last three ECC finals, but would not be denied this time around. Entering the finals with confidence having snapped NYIT’s 29-match winning streak earlier in the season, the Knights played a complete team match to earn the title. Queens won two of the three doubles matches to take the early

advantage, as sophomore Cosme Jubera & junior Mui Mao won 8-4 at second doubles, and Gabriel Mendez & Lucas Martinez won 8-3 at third doubles. With the lead entering singles play, Roman Laga notched a 6-1, 6-2 win over Jaime Salvador at sixth singles to push the lead to 3-1. Soon after, Sharvill Nawghre won at second singles, and Gabriel Mendez won at third singles to seal the victory and give Queens the ECC Championship. The win also established Queens College as the top seed in the East Region of the NCAA Division Two Championships.

NYC Aces Gather at West Side Tennis Club

NYC Aces, the group for tennis playing young professionals in New York City, once again brought people together for a tennis social at West Side Tennis Club. The event brought together 35 young players from all over New York City, the winners of the doubles competition walked away with tickets to a New York Empire match later this summer.

The night consisted of food, drinks, meeting old friends and making new ones, as busy professionals made time on a Friday evening to play the sport they love, including eight players who played the sport for the very first time. To learn more about the NYC Aces and its events, check out the group on Facebook.com/NYCAces.

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

Mighty Muguruza Spaniard Seeks to Defend French Open Crown By Brian Coleman

ast year, 22-year-old Spaniard Garbine Muguruza became a household name by defeating Serena Williams to win the French Open title, becoming the first woman from Spain to win a major title since Arantxa Sanchez Vicario won the last of her four Grand Slam titles on the same Roland Garros clay. “For Spanish people, this is THE tournament,” Muguruza said after hoisting the trophy. “When you’re a kid and practice on clay, you’re always, ‘Oh, I wish I could win Roland Garros.’” Muguruza was actually born in Caracas, Venezuela to a Spanish father and a Venezuelan mother. She began playing tennis at just three-years-old and soon after, would move with her family to Spain where

her tennis training really took off. Training in Spain prepared her for success on clay. She is a product of the famous Bruguera Tennis Academy just outside of Barcelona, ran by Lluis Bruguera, the father of Sergi Bruguera, who won back-to-back French Open titles in 1993 and 1994, and the man many consider to be the father of modern Spanish tennis.

Muguruza began training at the Academy with her two older brothers when she was just seven-years-old, and immediately exhibited a competitive nature and work ethic which impressed Lluis. Despite some early losses as a junior, Bruguera knew that Muguruza had what it took to become a top player on the WTA Tour. So it surprised no one when she claimed her maiden major title on the familiar red clay, a surface where she harnessed her determination and willingness to fight. “She learned tactics, consistency, movement and footwork, patience, stamina and sacrifice, all hallmarks of the Spanish training system,” Chris Lewit, who is trained in continued on page 30

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the Spanish method, told WorldTennisMagazine.com. What may have been a bit of a surprise in that French Open final was the way in which she dismantled Williams. The year prior, Muguruza fell to her in the Wimbledon final, but was able to learn from that defeat and move forward. “I just thought at Wimbledon, I was very nervous,” she recalls. “I put that aside. I was like, ‘Come on, let’s go for it.’” That mentality led her to a 7-5, 6-4 triumph over Williams, and at just 22 years of age, it looked as if it was just the first of many Grand Slams to come, an opinion shared by Sanchez-Vicario. “She likes to play top players and is probably the up-and-coming player I see is improving each year,” Sanchez-Vicario said. “She has the level, the game. She just needs to get more consistent throughout the year, and mature as well. Once she gets that, she will be even more dangerous.” But that consistency is something she has struggled with in the time 30

since that Roland Garros triumph. In her first match after winning the French Open, she lost to Kirsten Flipkens in the opening round in Mallorca, and then headed to Wimbledon. She entered the AllEngland Club as the defending runner-up, got past Camila Giorgi in three sets in her opener, before taking on 124th-ranked Jana Cepelova of Slovakia. Muguruza put forth one of the poorest performances of her career and was dispatched by Cepelova in straight sets, winning just five games overall in the match.

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

After the loss, she reflected on the whirlwind she had gone through after winning the French Open, and evaluated how much more difficult things can get after reaching the top. Jumping into a hectic schedule immediately after winning the French Open may have fatigued Muguruza mentally and physically. Muguruza said, “[It’s not so much] more expectations from other people. But honestly, for me, I was very clear it was going to be a rough tournament for me after winning a Grand Slam and coming here (to Wimbledon) with everybody looking at me. I know all the matches are very tough. Nothing is going to happen if I lose today. It’s normal. It’s part of the game. I think it’s part of being at the top level. I would not change that. I know every time I step on the court, they want to beat me. They play loose because they have nothing to lose. But I like that. It [means I am] in a good situation.” Muguruza would once again bow out early at the next Grand

Slam, dropping a 5-7, 4-6 match to Anastasija Sevastova in the second round of the U.S. Open, and it seemed as if, despite her saying she relished in being the hunted and not the hunter, that the pressure of being a major champion could be having an effect. “I don’t think about the French Open at all. It’s in the past. Everybody’s looking forward to the next one, the next tournament,” she said after the U.S. Open defeat. “Of course you have in your mind it’s a great achievement. No matter what, it’s a Grand Slam trophy. But I’m not thinking at all when I come here that I won the French Open. This is a new tournament.” She would finish 2016 playing up and down tennis, which included losing two of her three matches at the WTA Finals in Singapore, and headed into 2017 looking to reclaim the fearless playing style that led her to the title at Roland Garros. She notched the best performance of her ca-

reer down under by reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, and would go on to reach the quarterfinals in Indian Wells. Now, as the tennis year shifts to the claycourt season, we should see the Muguruza that became a household name with her triumph at Roland Garros a year ago. She is currently ranked sixth in the world, and the

WTA field could be vulnerable to another deep run from the Spaniard. Her opponent in last year’s final, Williams, is out for the rest of the year after announcing her pregnancy, and with Angelique Kerber playing inconsistently, Muguruza, despite her own inconsistent play, could find herself as one of the favorites heading into Roland Garros. She was born and bred to play on the clay, and she will use that training as well as her past triumphs to once again seek a deep run at the French Open. “I spent a lot of hours playing on clay when I was younger,” she said. “I was brought up on clay, so every time I go back to it I feel: ‘This is my territory.’ I know some people think that my game style is not ideal for clay, but I think I play well on it.” Brian Coleman is senior editor for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached by phone at (516) 409-4444, ext. 326 or e-mail BrianC@USPTennis.com.

Centercourt Performance Tennis Academy (CPTA) is a one of a kind facility dedicated to the development and performance of tennis players. CPTA features eleven hard courts, one red clay court, a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center, an indoor turf field and an academic center. Our mission is to help every student-athlete realize his or her potential athletically and academically. Our players respect the game, their peers, parents, and coaches. Our curriculum features comprehensive tennis instruction as well as physical and mental conditioning. CPTA offers both full-time and after-school programs 7 days per week with tournament coaching and travel. Both programs have rolling admissions from September 12, 2016 to June 11, 2017. CPTA also offers an 11-week summer training camp, with van shuttle transportation available for players located in the New York area. Contact us to schedule an appointment and discover the place championships come to train!

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Contact Clay Bibbee: clay@centercourtclub.com NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

2017 French Open: 10

BY TROY H

1. Roger Federer. Needless to say, all eyes are on Roger as he stands 19-1 to date in 2017 and is 7-0 against players ranked inside the top 10. Federer won his 18th Grand Slam title in Melbourne back in January, and continued his dominance by winning Indian Wells and Miami back to back. Currently ranked fourth in the world, Federer has picked up more than 4,000 ranking points already this year. He plans to skip all tournaments leading up to the French Open, so look for Federer to be fresh going into the year’s second Grand Slam. 2. Rafael Nadal. Following right behind the early success of his old foe Roger, Rafa Nadal seems to be playing his best tennis in years. Nadal ripped through the draw in Melbourne before meeting Federer in the finals where he lost a five-set epic match. Rafa would again play Federer at Indian Wells, and in Miami met him in the finals, but lost in straight sets on both occasions. The nine-time Roland Garros champ had to withdraw from last year’s tournament with a nagging wrist injury, but looked very dangerous on the dirt as always. The upcoming clay court season looks promising for “The King of Clay” who has only ever lost two matches in Paris in 12 years playing the event. Look for a 32

gritty Rafa to make the push for his 15th major title and 10th taste of the French Open trophy. 3. Kerber’s test. With Serena Williams out for the rest of 2017 after announcing her pregnancy, Angelique Kerber is expected to reclaim the world number one spot ahead of Roland Garros. The two-time Grand Slam champion from Germany hasn’t always fared well in Paris as her best showing was a quarterfinal appearance back in 2012, and she was bounced by Kiki Bertens in the first round last year. Kerber hasn’t played her best tennis so far in 2017, but look for her to reverse that trend at this year’s French Open. 4. If you don’t know Garbine Muguruza by now … she’s a big serving, powerful baseliner who unexpectedly beat Serena Williams in straight sets in last year’s French Open final. Although the reigning Roland Garros champion has had success here before, Muguruza has been inconsistent and unpredictable since her first taste of Grand Slam glory. While this is the case, don’t count her out of the running for this year’s title because she knows her way around a clay court.

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

5. Did somebody say Nick Kyrgios? The flashy, young Aussie has been nothing short of entertaining this year, just as he has been since bursting onto the scene in 2013. The difference four years later? He’s been playing consistent tennis which has been backing up his flashy shotmaking and outspoken personality. He defeated Novak Djokovic twice in two weeks in the month of March, in Acapulco and again in Indian Wells. Kyrgios is 9-2 since the beginning of March and has been hitting highlight reel shots in what seems like every match. Look for Kyrgios to be both winning and entertaining at the 2017 French Open. 6. Slumps. It’s almost scary how similar these two have started 2017. Both Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray began their respective seasons in Qatar, where they met in a three set final which could have easily gone either way (Djokovic won). In Melbourne, Djokovic was ousted by Denis Istomin in the second round, while Murray lost in the fourth round to Mischa Zverev. At the Mexican Open in Acapulco, Djokovic bowed out

10 Things to Look For

TROY HAAS

in the quarter finals to Nick Kyrgios, while on the other side of the world, Murray picked up his lone title in Dubai over Fernando Verdasco. Just when it seemed both players were finding their stride, they both suffered early exits in Indian Wells where Murray failed to win even one match. Both players then withdrew from the Masters in Miami, citing the same exact injury just days apart. Both Djokovic and Murray are 12-3 in 2017, both have only one title, both suffered early exits in Melbourne and Indian Wells, and both players cited elbow injuries right before Miami. But don’t expect their struggles to continue for much longer, and the two greats will look to bounce back after a rough start to 2017. 7. Look for Jack Sock, plain and simple. The guy is on fire in 2017. Sock has a record of 185 and has already racked up two titles (Delray Beach and Auckland). He started 2017 ranked 23rd in the world, but has climbed to 14th in the world since then. He battled his way to the semifinals at Indian Wells, beating Dimitrov and Nishikori, and easily made it to the quarterfinals in Miami. Who did he lose to? None other than Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal who are arguably the best players so far in 2017. Sock has been trending upward recently, so look for a big win against a top player at Roland Garros.

8. The young and up-andcoming (men). Be on the lookout for a handful of young guns in the men’s draw. Alexander Zverev, Lucas Pouille (pictured above), Karen Khachanov, Frances Tiafoe and Jared Donaldson are all top 100 players who can make some noise at any Grand Slam and some will likely get direct entry into the main draw of the year’s second Slam. Leading the pack is the 19-year-old Zverev, who has quite possibly the most potential of his generation. Zverev won his second career title in Montipellier where he beat veterans, and home crowd favorites Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet. In Miami, Zverev triumphed over big serving American John Isner, and three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka before losing to Nick Kyrgios in a nail-biter of a quarterfinal. These guys are capable of stringing together a couple solid wins, so look out for the youngsters at Roland Garros. 9. The young and up-andcoming (women). All eyes should be on Daria Kasatkina, Ana Konjuh, Jelena Ostapenko, CiCi Bellis (pictured above) and the other members of the under-20 club. Bellis is the youngest of the crew at just 18-yearsold and has begun 2017 under the radar due to an injury, but began the year as the youngest player in the top 100 after

turning pro last year. She recorded her first top 10 win over Agnieszka Radwanska in Dubai to reach the quarterfinals, which catapulted her 14 spots in the rankings to world number 56. In 2015, Bellis started out ranked 248th in the world. Be on the lookout for these young ladies, as they can most definitely make some noise if provided the right draw. 10. The Maria Sharapova Comeback Tour. After a reduced, 15month ban for a doping violation, two-time French Open champion Maria Sharapova finds herself unranked and needing to get a wild card into the event. Although there has been much debate on the tour whether or not she should be receiving wild cards, she has, in fact, received three other wild cards to clay court events leading up to Roland Garros. Sharapova has found Grand Slam success in Paris, playing the event 13 times in the past 14 years. In that span, she has made the quarterfinals or better eight times and is 53-11 in matches at Roland Garros. It would be sad to see her not replicate that success in 2017, but rules are rules. If we see Sharapova receives a wild card into the draw, there’s no way of knowing how her tennis will be, but she is probably more motivated than ever to compete for a third French Open title and sixth Grand Slam championship. Troy Haas is a contributor to New York Tennis Magazine. He can be reached at THaas909@gmail.com.

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

The Volley: To Teach or Not to Teach … That Is the Question By Gilad Bloom n today’s day and age, 99 percent of the players use a two-handed backhand and most players are playing a typical baseline style that is indicative of this era of high tech rackets with a power game that has ruled tennis over the past two decades. Approaching the net, volleying and having a transition game are something of a lost art. Long gone are the days that players like John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg and Pete Sampras were on top of the tennis world rankings with their dominating serve and volley style. Up until the late 1980s, there were quite a few net rushers, top 20 players who chipped and charged the net at any opportunity, such as Paul Annacone or Christo Van Rensberg, who had a simple strategy—keep the point as short as possible, make the other player hit only passing shots, no baseline rallies at all. It was quite a mental challenge playing those types of players. The best way to play them was to take the net away from them by coming to the net yourself and making

them hit passing shots. Today, there is one player who plays similar to that style, and he is more of a fringe player, Dustin Brown. I love watching that guy! Today’s players don’t face such tactical challenges as we did back in the day because everyone plays a variation of the same style. Most players today use their groundstrokes to win points, trying to force errors or hit winners, mainly running around their backhands and opening up the court with the inside out forehand. The serve is rarely used for serving and volleying, but more as a weapon to get free points or simply get an advantage in the beginning of the point so that the server can dictate the point. Even in doubles, many of the top teams on the ATP Tour don’t come to the net after the first serve, which was unthinkable back in my time and embarrassing to say the least. As a coach, you are facing a dilemma. Since most matches are played from the baseline, it is not that practical to spend much time on the net game, especially in the younger age groups and intermediate levels when you are trying to get them interested in the game. Kids cannot imple-

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

ment their volley skills in a real match because it’s usually a moon ball festival and most kids revert to what they do best, which is slugging it out from the baseline. Many coaches neglect the net game and don’t even spend time teaching it. In many cases, they (the coaches) are from a generation that grew up playing the modern game of extreme grips, a two-handed backhand and no net game, with a coach who didn’t teach them how to volley. My approach is still the “old school approach.” I still insist on spending time on teaching kids the fundamentals of volleying from an early age. It is a long-term investment, and the results don’t show sometimes until the kids are well in their late teens. I have learned that my insistence on teaching the volley game has produced healthy tennis players who have an all-court game which allows them to mix up their style, throw off their opponents and achieve a high level in doubles, which can be very helpful in high school and college tennis. The thing about the volley is that it is actually the easiest shot to teach in tennis, especially if you start it early on. I find that when you start it from a young age, it be-

comes a natural shot for the rest of their career. I actually begin every group or private lesson with a few minutes of mini tennis with only one hand allowed using a Continental Grip. Using the one hand only allows the kids to feel the ball on the string like a natural one-handed player, develop a slice backhand and is a great introduction to the volley. Once the player learns how to hit with a Continental Grip, the next stage is to feed them very easy balls close to the net and do this every time they play for a few minutes in order to get that particular wrist muscle stronger since having a firm wrist is essential. The next level is to combine the volley with an approach shot so the kids can put it in the right context of point construction. As the kids get more skilled at the net, I will blend in some quick volley games and transition game point playing situations where the kids are forced to play a point with one always coming into the net. These games are highly intense, with quick volley exchanges and passing shots. Most kids

love playing those types of games. In the short term, it can get a little frustrating for the kids because of the size and the low rate of success at the net, but I found that it is very helpful later in their career and gives them a better chance of doing well at the higher levels. I love it when I see young players who are using all parts of the court to win points. I also believe that in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game when everyone plays more or less the same style, you need to separate yourself from the pack by adding different elements to your game. Although it is difficult to implement a serve and volley style as a main strategy (it is too predictable and the returns are too powerful), it is a very good weapon as a Plan B or a surprise tactic. It could also be used when you are tired or have run out of ideas. The ability to change your game and attack the net can give you an edge that you need, improve your doubles game and prolong your tennis career as you get older. The volley technique is pretty simpleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; once you establish the Continental Grip

and a firm wrist, it is all about keeping the racket out front with a solid ready position and staying low. The rest is all about moving (closing in) and attitude (being aggressive). The best way I found to describe the volley is by describing it as the opposite of a groundstroke: A groundstroke has topspin, a swing and a follow through, while a volley has a little slice, no swing and no follow through. You simply redirect the ball with minimal racket movement, and when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done right, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poetry in motion. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe me, go watch some old videos of Johnny McEnroe or Pat Cash. Gilad Bloom, 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 by e-mail at Bloom.Gilad@Gmail.com.

The West Side TTeennis Club Forest Hills, New York August 21-26, 2017 Boys & Girls: Ages 8-12 Singles/Doubles/Mixed Doubles

NYTennisMag.com â&#x20AC;˘ May/June 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ New York Tennis Magazine

TENNIS IN THE HAM n the summer, people across Long Island and New York City flock to the Hamptons. When the hot weather arrives, hoards of people leave Manhattan for the luxury confines of The Hamptons where they can 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, but one thing that remains the same is the amount of activities to be done whether it is going to the beach, kayaking, biking, trips to the wineries or taking in the East End nightlife, there is something for everyone. Tennis may be the favorite activity of the Hamptons life 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 spots to play tennis, as well as the places to shop for the latest equipment and apparel. Whether you are in Westhampton Beach, Amagansett or anywhere in-between, we look forward to seeing you on the courts in the Hamptons this summer!

Gotham Tennis Academy 2155 Montauk Highway • Amagansett, N.Y. GothamTennis.com/Hamptons.html Gotham Tennis Academy in the Hamptons offers a full range of tennis programs and camps at the Napeague Tennis Club in Amagansett. Its membership offers unlimited court usage and priority booking, as well as free private lessons. Can’t get out to the club? That’s no problem, as Gotham offers home lessons. It can dispatch one of its friendly and certified tennis professionals to your home court anywhere in the Hamptons.

Clubs/Programs

Peter Kaplan’s Eastside Tennis Academy is the only tennis academy in the world that the USTA selected to be a part of the USTA members benefits program to both juniors and adults. Located in Westhampton Beach, the facility features 12 fast Dri Courts, as well as a basketball court, and is offering discounted memberships, which include stringing services and private instruction, for the upcoming summer. The experienced staff has taught players of all levels and ages, and programs are tailored to fit the individual’s needs. Day camps and overnight camps, as well as nightly and weekend stays at the beautiful Grassmere Inn are available to get the full Hamptons treatment.

Future Stars Southampton 1370A Majors Path • Southampton, N.Y. FutureStarsSouthampton.com Future Stars Southampton is located just a couple miles north of the Village of Southampton in North Sea Park, and is a year-round training facility with eight state-of-the-art outdoor tennis courts, four Har-Tru and four Deco Turf, for the spring, summer and fall outdoor seasons. In the summer, tennis camps offer the perfect mix of match play, drill work, strategy sessions and off-court activities to challenge players of all levels. The program is designed to improve every facet of the game, including technical, tactical, physical and mental components under the guidance of experienced and enthusiastic tennis professionals.

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

Peter Kaplan Tennis Academy 7 Beach Lane • Westhampton Beach, N.Y. WestHamptonBeachTennis.com

Ross School Tennis Academy 18 Goodfriend Drive • East Hampton, N.Y. Ross.org/TennisAcademy The Ross School is 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

AMPTONS

Sportime Quogue 2571 Quogue Riverhead Road • East Quogue, N.Y. SportimeNY.com/Quogue Sportime Quogue is a year-round, full-service tennis, fitness, summer competitive tennis training. The school is the first in the New York camp and sports facility City area to have a full academic program with a complete located in East Quogue, physical and mental conditioning program. The small, intimate N.Y., but serves the program is designed for USTA/ITF players in grades seventh surrounding towns of through 12th and is tucked away in beautiful East Hampton. Westhampton, Remsemberg, Quogue, Sag Harbor Park Tennis/Annacone Southampton, Hampton Bays, Eastport, Riverhead, the Moriches and Tennis Management the North Fork. The facility features four indoor Har-Tru clay courts 395 Main Street • Sag Harbor, N.Y. and 22 outdoor Har-Tru courts, in addition to an outdoor pool, fullSagHarborParkTennis.com • AnnaconeTennis.com service health and fitness club, a multi-sport court, child care, locker Sag Harbor Park Tennis rooms, a full-serve spa/wellness center and café. Sportime Quogue is located in serves tennis players starting at the age of three, and features junior Mashashimuet Park pathway programs, as well as adult tennis. and is home to Annacone Tennis Shops Management, led by Set Point Tennis Steve Annacone and 471/2 Main Street • East Hampton, N.Y. • SetPointEast.com his staff of former Set Point Tennis is located professionals. The in East Hampton and facility features eight Har-Tru Clay Courts, as well as two all-weather provides the Hamptons Hard Courts. Sag Harbor Park Tennis offers some of the best rates in with an ideal place to not the Hamptons, and has programs and instruction for players of all only find the latest tennis levels and ages. They customize and implement the perfect program products, but also provide for each individual’s tennis needs, whether you are a recreational or shoppers with competitive player. professional and personalized advice. Set Sportime Amagansett Point Tennis has an array of the newest tennis products, from rackets 320 Abrahams Path • Amagansett, N.Y. to apparel, from brand-names to the latest trends, as well as racquet SportimeNY.com/Amagansett stringing services. Set Point Tennis has racket specialists that will not Located in the heart of only fit you to your ideal racket, but also provide stringing services, as the Hamptons, well as racket demos and half-hour hitting sessions. Sportime Amagansett has it all. Sportime Tennis East Amagansett features 73 Main Street • Southampton, N.Y. • TennisEast.com 33 outdoor Har-Tru For nearly five decades, Tennis East has been a staple of the tennis courts, one tennis community on deco-turf tennis and Long Island’s East End. multi-sport court, a Tennis East offers an 1,500-square-foot outdoor swimming pool, a mini-basketball court extensive selection of and playground, three natural turf sports fields, two club houses and men’s, women’s and a camp house, in addition to a pro shop and snack bar. Sportime junior’s rackets, apparel, Amagansett offers dynamic programming and instruction for both sneakers, strings and juniors and adults, as well as a wide range of tennis and social accessories. Tennis East events. 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 paddle ball or pickle ball. Stringing services and demo rackets are also available. NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

Andrade Brothers Bond Over the Sport of a Lifetime Tennis Innovators founders discover their love of tennis in NYC’s parks By Brian Coleman

CESAR ANDRADE

JUAN ANDRADE

hen they were just kids, Tennis Innovators’ Cesar and Juan Andrade came to the United States from Ecuador with their family, first settling in Malverne, Long Island before going to live in Queens. It is there, where the two brothers’ love for tennis began. Along with their two sisters, the Andrade’s would attend free morning programming held by the City Parks Foundation on the weekends at Juniper Valley Park. “I think all of our siblings ended up playing at the camp at Juniper Valley Park. Our mother used to take us there in the morning,” recalls Cesar. “That program really instilled the concept of playing tennis for all of us. Everybody started playing, at least during the summer because indoor tennis was expensive, and that’s how we really got started playing.” Cesar was about nine when his family came over to the U.S., and he remembers his dad giving him lessons back in Ecuador when he was younger. While he liked the sport, soccer was his first love, but that would quickly change to tennis the more and more he attended those programs with his brothers and sisters. Juan, who is just a few years younger than Cesar, also immediately took to the game. “It was just kids from the neighborhood playing. There were a bunch of pros who took a liking and an interest in making sure we had access to all the benefits that City Parks had available, like the Reebok Program, NYJTL, etc. My mom made sure she

was always looking into that stuff. And from there, tennis was huge for us.” The two would both go on to have solid playing careers and found themselves entering the coaching world, carrying with them the same values and principles instilled in them through those free community programs. The Tennis Innova- Juan Andrade with kids during a Tennis Innovators clinic tors brand was born inside Juan’s midtown Manhattan apartment, like feel no matter where he popped up the with those same philosophies in mind. The program, whether it was in midtown or Harlem. two were both working at Sportime Harbor He got a sense of the tennis landscape in New Island and had worked their way up the York City from his time at the Central Park Tenranks. In his free time, Juan began brain- nis Center, and wanted to improve upon it. storming ideas and crafting new concepts for “Little by little it grew. I knew that if I could 10U programs in New York City. bring this club atmosphere to such a fast city, “He started to get the itch to do his own and make people feel as if we were connecting thing,” Cesar said of his brother. “Being in the with them, and growing with them and their city was sort of an inspirational environment kids and that their level of tennis is improving, for him to be in. He made a bold move and that we could build something positive,” said started crafting concepts for 10U programs. Juan. “It goes back to those tennis pros you He is the founder of the brand, the logo, and remember when you’re little. Someone always the whole concept. has to be there opening the door for you and He was able to go to colleges and schools helping you out. And that’s exactly what hapand asked if he could rent their space, pened. We bring the same energy and quality whether it was gyms, cafeterias or basketball of instruction everywhere we go.” courts. He really established the brand and a Juan continued to go around the city to rent name from that little room.” space and bring his innovative programming One of Juan’s goals was to create a club- to all corners of New York City. From there, he

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

began a summer camp and Tennis Innovators was taking off. Now, the program has expanded throughout New York City, and back in January of 2015, they were able to launch their first flag ship location in Delfino Park, White Plains, N.Y., Tennis Innovators Academy (TIA). TIA is an eight-court indoor/outdoor facility catering to all ages and levels with curriculumbased academy programs, private lessons and seasonal courts. Cesar is the director of operations and owner at this facility, while Juan manages the vision behind the marketing and branding of all TIA business as the marketing director, and the owner and operator of all Tennis Innovator NYC business. “It’s a perfect balance of creativity and organization,” Juan said. “He keeps me in check when I want to do some crazy marketing thing, and I help as much as possible to make sure we keep the program new and fresh, and avoid complacency.” While the programs in the city and the academy in White Plains differ, the core principles and values of their teachings remain the same. “What we look for in coaches is similar, we

Cesar Andrade with a student of the Tennis Innovators Academy want those who are inspirational to our students,” added Cesar. “We want hard-working coaches. Kwame Griffith is a great example of that. He started at Juan’s program in the city, and he is now a full-blown director in White Plains. I think the situation we provide for both the coaches, as well as

the students, is the opportunity to grow and get better with us.” The quality of the programming is another similarity between New York City and White Plains. While Juan is in the city and is somewhat limited because of space and the costs of court time, bringing high-quality tennis instruction with passion is something that is the basis of Tennis Innovators, regardless of where it is located. The desire to provide kids, from whatever background or demographic, with tennis is engrained in both Juan and Cesar from their days as kids playing in New York. “I think there is definitely a natural connection for us in wanting to seek talent and get young kids, especially less privileged kids involved,” said Cesar. “Of course, the other side of things is making sure you are running a business that is profitable. But there is no question that the spirit behind what we do is definitely shaped around the concept of providing an environment that kids will really remember. I want my students to look back and remember me for those types of things, because I have a few people throughout my lifetime that I feel that way about.”

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Credit Agricole Repeats as Advanced Division Champions, Bank of America Wins Advanced Intermediate Title

Bank of America captured the Advanced Intermediate Division Championship for the Winter 2017 season

Captains from Team HBO celebrate winning the Metro Corporate Tennis League’s Winter 2017 Intermediate Division Championship

oosevelt Island Racquet Club recently played host to another Metro Corporate League end-of-season party and finals, as the two teams left standing in the Advanced and Advanced Intermediate Division Winter Finals squared off. The matchups were comprised of six different flights (Women’s Singles, Men’s Singles, Women’s Doubles, Men’s Doubles and two Mixed Doubles) with the final score the accumulation of the games won by each team in those six matches. The Advanced Division finals were a rematch of the Fall Season’s showdown, as Credit Agricole took on Bloomberg. In the fall, Credit Agricole ended Bloomberg’s reign of three straight titles with a 33-24 win, and it followed it up by beating Bloomberg once again, this time by the score of 29-24. “It feels very good, especially against a great team like Bloomberg,” Credit Agricole Captain Eric Tomasini said of his

Members of the team from Credit Agricole, winners of the Metro Corporate Tennis League’s Winter 2017 Advanced Division Championship

team’s back-to-back championships. “The ladies kept us in the match. We got a big win in singles, we didn’t play that well on the men’s side, losing both doubles and singles. We were able to come through in the mixed doubles and that was the difference.” The Advanced Intermediate finals saw Bank of America take on Moody’s and the matchup was evenly played across all courts, resulting in a 26-26 score after the six flights, forcing the match to be decided by a super tiebreaker. The back and forth tiebreaker would go the way of Bank of America, winning 15-13 to clinch the championship. “I think we just stayed focused, went back to the fundamentals and tried to let them make the error, which is what happened,” said Bank of America Captain Tom Holz. “It’s great to win the championship. We’re looking forward to playing in the higher level next season.” In the Intermediate Division, HBO defeated PwC, 30-20.

For more information, visit Metrotennis.com/Corporate/Main.html, call Luis Espinoza at (347) 886-3117 or e-mail Luis@Metrotennis.com. 40

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

New York WTT Act

he New York Empire, presented by Citi have selected Mylan WorldteamTennis (WTT) veteran and ATP World Tour No. 23-ranked John Isner, WTA Tour player Eugenie Bouchard and longtime former ATP Tour veteran Mardy Fish as its marquee players for the 2017 summer season. The Empire

has also announced the team will play its home matches at a new venue this summer, moving from Forest Hills Stadium to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. International Tennis Hall of Famer and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Gigi Fernandez will serve as head coach for the second-year franchise.

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

The Empire will host seven home matches on Court 17 at the National Tennis Center, which is named after WTT co-founder Billie Jean King. The 2017 Mylan WTT season begins Sunday, July 16. Court 17 is an intimate world-class 2,800 seat stadium court on the southeast corner of the NTC grounds. “Some of my favorite memories from my tennis career are winning World TeamTennis championships with the New York Sets and the New York Apples, and I am thrilled the New York legacy will continue when the Empire opens their 2017 season at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center,” said WTT co-founder Billie Jean King. “The National Tennis Center is it is one of the largest public-park tennis facilities in the nation, and as a product of the public parks, I could not be happier that the New York franchise has found a new home in Flushing Meadows.” Isner said, “I have had some memorable moments at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, so it’s great to play there this summer for the New York Empire. There’s no venue in tennis that matches the energy level and excitement of playing in New York City. The competition in World TeamTennis is intense, and I love the pressure of playing on a team. It’s an awesome

ork Empire to Bring ction to NTC This Summer

atmosphere for both the players and fans.” Veteran event producer Michele Cope, who will serve as the team’s general manager, said that being on the grounds of the National Tennis Center will only add to the fan experience. “Court 17 is a great showcase court for New York Empire matches,” said Cope. “Fans will be close to great professional team competition, and also enjoy a fanfriendly and entertaining atmosphere.” The team previously announced the acquisitions of Isner, Bouchard and Fish as part of the league’s Marquee Draft, and the roster will be filled out by Belgian Kirsten Flipkens, American Maria Sanchez and Argentina’s Guido Pella, who returns to the Empire for the second straight season. For more information, visit NYEmpireTennis.com. New York Empire 2017 Home Schedule Marquee players are subject to change l Sunday, July 16 at 5:00 p.m. NY Empire vs. Philadelphia Freedoms (featuring Sloane Stephens) l Wednesday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m. NY Empire (featuring Mardy Fish) vs.

Philadelphia Freedoms (featuring Sloane Stephens) l Thursday, July 20 at 7:00 p.m. NY Empire (featuring Mardy Fish & John Isner) vs. Orange County Breakers l Thursday, July 27 at 7:00 p.m. NY Empire (featuring Mardy Fish & Eugenie Bouchard) vs. Orange County Breakers

l Friday, July 28 at 7:00 p.m. NY Empire (featuring Mardy Fish & Eugenie Bouchard) vs. San Diego Aviators l Sunday, July 30 at 7:00 p.m. NY Empire (featuring Mardy Fish) vs. Washington Kastles l Monday, July 31 at 7:00 p.m. NY Empire (featuring Mardy Fish) vs. Springfield Lasers

• Outdoor session at Riverdale Tennis Center, 3671 Hudson Manor Terrace, Riverdale • Indoor sessions at Cary Leeds Tennis Center and NYTC Indoors • Groups, Private lessons, Tournament Travel, 7 days a week • Certiﬁed ATP coach with 20 years of HP experience • 13 years on the pro tour playing ATP, Davis Cup and Olympics • Former 3 time Israeli singles champion

Call 914-907-0041 or E-mail BloomGilad@gmail.com NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

Grand Slam Tennis 214 Commack Road Commack, N.Y. (631) 499-6444 What are specialty stores? Specialty stores are a place to go and receive extensive, dedicated, and welcoming services that do not include the click of a mouse while sitting at your computer desk or on your phone. Jim and Chase Donnelly are the proud owners and operators of Grand Slam Tennis and have been for 30 years! With the help of Jim’s son Chase managing Grand Slam, Jim has had the opportunity to expand his interest in growing tennis. Grand Slam is a welcoming environment for any tennis player, whether you’re a recreational, club or tournament level. Their services provide an array of possibilities: Tennis racquet, badminton, squash and racquetball re-stringing/re-gripping, tennis attire (women’s, men’s and children’s), tennis tutor ball machines (sales, services and trials), tennis nets, ball hoppers, tennis bags, tennis racquet sales, tennis sneakers, accessories, and a whole lot more. Grand Slam Tennis is 1,800-square feet of tennis equipment, with one side dedicated solely to tennis attire, and the other as pictured to tennis racquets, sneakers and four top of the line stringing machines. Your experience at Grand Slam Tennis is guaranteed to be different from any other store. The staff is very experienced, knowledgeable and willing to help. When looking to buy a tennis racquet or ball machine, you are able to demo the equipment through our demo program. The demo program is geared toward the player, and is based on your feedback; therefore, you can be guided in the right direction in purchasing the right racquet for you. At the point of purchase, all of your information is stored in the computer database for future reference. See you on the court!

High Country Ski & Tennis 465 West Mount Pleasant Avenue Livingston, N.J. (973) 994-3630 HighCountrySkiAndTennis.com High Country Ski & Tennis is one of New Jersey’s premier tennis specialty shops. In existence for more than 27 years, High Country has New Jersey’s largest tennis showroom from March through September, and it is shrunk down in the winter months to focus on skiing and snowboarding. High Country prides itself on providing the best in clothing, equipment and customer service. As owner Bill Silverman says: “Our philosophy is to promote the game of tennis as much as our own company.” High Country carries the top manufactures and clothing providers in tennis, including Wilson, Babolat, Prince, Nike, Adidas and many more. High Country offers 24-hour racket stringing, grommet installs, re-gripping and free demos. With great customer service and competitive prices, High Country continues to grow each year. For more information, call (973) 994-3630 or visit HighCountrySkiAndTennis.com.

New York Tennis Magazine •

PGA Tour Superstore 1254 Corporate Drive Westbury, N.Y. (516) 824-3000 PGATourSuperstore.com/Tennis PGA Tour Superstore is more than just a hub for golf lovers and is quickly making its tennis presence felt on Long Island. Located at 1254 Corporate Drive in Westbury, N.Y., PGA Tour Superstore has everything tennis players and fans are looking for, carrying all of the latest tennis rackets and equipment from the top names in tennis, including Prince, Babolat, Head, Wilson and more. They also carry a wide selection of tennis apparel and footwear from leading brands, such as adidas, Asics and Nike, as well as grips, strings and other accessories PGA Tour Superstore offers on-site stringing and its expert staff are players just like you, so they can help you out with any questions on stringing and products, and make sure you walk away with the product that is right for you. PGA Tour Superstore hosts in-house events and fundraisers year-round, and can help customize your event or tournament by offering gift cards, products, memberships and much more. For more information on the products and services we offer, call (516) 824-3000 or visit PGATourSuperstore.com/Tennis.

Set Point Tennis 47 1/2 Main Street East Hampton, NY (631) 324-5881 SetPointTennisEastHampton.com Info@SetPointEast.com Tennis enthusiasts find Set Point Tennis the ideal place for top of the line tennis racquets, sneakers, apparel, paddle tennis, accessories and more, catering to adults and kids at all skill levels. High Performance Tennis Coach Ricardo Winter is committed to providing you with personalized service, professional advice and a high-quality shopping experience: “Our mission is to engage people with innovative and inspiring products. We carefully track market trends to present a diverse array of merchandise. Customers can shop for the well-known tennis brands with a mixture of on-trend, active wear and golf attire.” Set Point Tennis provides in-store teaching professionals to take your game to the next level. We can set you up with one of our tennis pros for lessons at home or other locations and arrange games. Our racquet specialists, who have strung for top ATP players, can recommend the latest racquets, strings and grips. You can sample a demo racquet or book a half-hour test hitting session that would be applied to your purchase. Stringing is performed with Set Point’s high-tech stringing machine, using a broad selection of the highest-quality strings to accommodate all skill levels. For frequent stringing clients, special promotional programs are offered. Providing a unique experience with customers is key. Catch a live match in the store or discuss your perfect swing. Ultimately, customer service must be amazing. If you are a seasoned player or nurturing your inner champion, you can be confident that we will find products that suit your caliber, thanks to its welcoming and knowledgeable staff. Check us out on Facebook and Instagram.

NYTennisMag.com • May/June

Tennis East 73 Main Street Southampton, N.Y. (631) 283-9535 TennisEast@optonline.net For more than 45 years, Tennis East has been the year-round, full-service tennis store of choice for East End racket sport enthusiasts. Tennis East offers an extensive selection of men’s, women’s and junior’s rackets, apparel, sneakers, strings and accessories for players of all ages and skill levels. More so, Tennis East carries a complete line of 10 & Under Tennis equipment so that kids will have more fun playing tennis. Tennis East carries the most popular and latest product arrivals, so that its customers can use the same gear that the top tennis pros are using. The store stocks a full line of Nike, adidas, FILA, Babolat, Wilson and Head products. In addition, Tennis East has expanded its women’s apparel offering to include several new fashion designers. Allow Tennis East’s knowledgeable and friendly team members to assist you choose the proper new tennis, paddle or pickle ball racket to elevate your game. Tennis East has an extensive selection of rackets to demo and all daily fee charges will be credited towards your new adult racket purchase. Tennis East continues to string all customer and demo racquets on the Wilson Baiardo, which is the state-of-the-art stringing machine on the market. Tennis East is the conveniently located, one-stop shop for all your racquet sport needs, and is committed to providing personalized service, professional advice, competitive pricing and a unique shopping experience. Please look for special offers on Tennis East’s social network sites. For more information, contact us by phone at (631) 283-9535 or email Tennis East at TennisEast@optonline.net.

TopSpin Tennis & Fitness 218 Jericho Turnpike • Syosset, N.Y. (516) 364-9470 TopSpinTennisLI.com 500 Searingtown Road • Roslyn, N.Y. (516) 484-4200 • TopSpinTennisLI.com TopSpin Tennis & Fitness is Nassau County’s top tennis specialty shop. TopSpin relocated five years ago and is now centrally located at 218 Jericho Turnpike in Syosset, N.Y., directly across from Syosset Hospital. The second shop is located at the new “State-of-the-Art” tennis complex at Christopher Morley Tennis at the park in Roslyn/Manhasset. TopSpin provides one-hour expert stringing at both facilities. Known as the home of “Clothes for the Pros,” TopSpin has been serving Long Island tennis pros and players with equipment and the top fashion in the sport for more than 30 years. TopSpin’s staff is known for its expertise and high-quality service. You will find all the premier tennis brands of equipment, apparel and shoes at TopSpin for the whole family, including Nike, Adidas, K-Swiss, Asics, Babolat, Wilson, Head, Prince and many more. TopSpin carries the actual outfits and footwear worn at the U.S. Open and other major events by Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. TopSpin carries a full line of fitness and workout apparel and running shoes, so you can go from the court to the gym in style. Their racket wall contains a large selection of frames, bags and accessories at great prices. Your racket can be strung while you wait. Ask any tennis enthusiast on Long Island and odds are they will be familiar with TopSpin as a great destination for tennis. TopSpin’s staff will ensure that, with the right equipment, you will reach your highest potential as a player and just as importantly, look great too.

New York Tennis Magazine •

Peter Kaplan's

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Individual membership—$669 • Couple memberships—$995 • Juniors—$279 NO ADDITIONAL DUES OR COURT FEES UNLIMITED COURT TIME FOR 5 MONTHS MAY 7 - OCTOBER 7 EACH MEMBER RECEIVES 5 HOURS OF PRIVATE INSTRUCTION FREE (value $500) (this includes juniors despite $279 membership fee!) FREE STRING JOB AT KIMBERLY'S—$35 value PRIVATE INSTRUCTION ALL SEASON—$59 - $69 per hour • JUNIOR ACADEMY—$195 per week TENNIS CLINICS—$24 per hour • PRIVATE INSTRUCTION FOR SOCCER AND BASKETBALL—$35 per hour We were annually chosen among the top 25 teaching academies world wide and #1 in the East. We are the only academy in the world, the USTA selected to be part of its Members benefits program for both juniors and adults. We hope to recapture a vibrant membership on our 12 court facility Upgraded bathrooms • Reconditioned Courts • Great staff • Incredible pricing and value

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142 Montauk Highway, Westhampton 914-234-9462 NYTennisMag.com l 631-288-1540 • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine www.westhamptonbeachtennis.com l peterkaplan2002@yahoo.com

Importing the Spanis By Brian Coleman

Chris Lewit, pictured here (left) with Spanish coaching legend Jofre Porta (right)

or 10 years, Chris Lewit spent a month each summer living in Barcelona, traveling around Spain to learn from the country’s legendary tennis coaches. “It was an interesting evolution for me to study and travel to Spain, I spent about 10 years doing that,” said Lewit, who grew up a very good basketball player, but fell in love with tennis, partly because his father was a tennis coach. “In Spain, they focus a lot more on the tactical side, and things like footwork and movement … not the spe48

cific technique, but what you want to do with the ball, so it was a nice evolvement for me as a coach.” It was a contrast to the type of coaching Lewit had done before and learned under. He was a student of Gilad Bloom, the former professional player from Israel who played 13 years on the ATP Tour. Lewit credits Bloom for much of what he learned on the technical side. “Gilad was probably the biggest influence on my coaching career,” said Lewit. “When I spent time with him as a player/coach, I re-

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

alized that you could have a career in coaching, that being a high performance coach is something you could do. I always thought of coaches at the local club who taught recreationally until I saw what Gilad was doing, and I thought I should try it.” Bloom was a mentor to Lewit for many years, and taught him the ins and outs of the technical side of the sport. Lewit refers to Bloom as a technical genius, and that is where the bulk of his knowledge in teaching that aspect of tennis comes from. But it is those yearly trips to Spain that

nish Style have shaped Lewit’s methods and are what makes him a unique part of the tennis landscape in the Northeast. Finding the proper balance between the Spanish method and the pure technical side of tennis is the key to teaching each individual player, according to Lewit. “They’re both really important,” Lewit said. “When you work with a young player, they have to have a base of techniques, so to have the technical knowledge to teach them is very important. But depending on the player, as they get older, they don’t need that as much. As their technique becomes more refined, they need more work holistically and tactically. They need to think the game from a more strategic standpoint, and that is where the Spanish system really shines. But for those who may need extra help with the technical aspect, you need to be able to use that side

Chris Lewit injecting Spanish tennis techniques to the U.S. game

of teaching as well. That’s where I made my name in the beginning, and having that balance is so important.” The Spanish system has become synonymous with world-class tennis players and the ability to harness that and pass it on to his students is what makes Lewit’s program one-of-a-kind. He brought his methods to New York about 12 years ago, and has established a high performance program in New York City, producing many top Sectional and Nationally-ranked players. Lewit faces some of the same challenges that most high performance coaches in New York City deal with, such as the cost and availability of court time, as well as managing time in a city that isn’t always the easiest to maneuver. But he knows there is talent everywhere throughout the New York Metropolitan area, many of whom come from families who can support an intensive

high performance program. “It’s a big tennis city,” Lewit said. “We have the U.S. Open and tennis is a really popular sport here. We have kids into tennis and who really love the game. So it’s difficult, but not insurmountable.” Recently, Lewit purchased a club in Vermont which offers a sleep away camp on 15 acres of land, featuring red clay courts, and he will continue teaching the Spanish method he has refined to his players as he hopes to further produce top-level talent. “If you go there, it’s going to look just like Barcelona,” he said. “We offer legitimate Spanish training, and are running an authentic Spanish system.” Brian Coleman is senior editor for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached by phone at (516) 409-4444, ext. 326 or email BrianC@USPTennis.com.

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

Making Beating Adversity a Habit By Emilio Sanchez-Vicario I’m writing from the terrace of the players’ lounge at the Indian Wells event, where the view is incredible, and the desert mountains in the background resemble a postcard. Fernando Verdasco just finished his match, as the hot temperature reached its peak around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. It was a tough loss … Fernando couldn’t handle adversity the way I was hoping he could. We had practiced these types of situations a little, but after analyzing the match, it has become clear that these practices haven’t become a habit yet. There were chances and opportunities presented to him, but he could not make them materialize in results, as he was more focused on fighting with himself than his opponent. It was a frustrating sensation. As I’m writing, I keep thinking of how I could have turned this situation around, and to find the solution, I need to ask myself: Why does he get so angry with himself when he plays against the best Spanish player ever? Why is he so tough on himself? 50

World number 31 Fernando Verdasco getting some tips from coach Emilio Sanchez-Vicario in Indian Wells, Calif. during the BNP Paribas Open I’m sad because I was very motivated to get positive results quickly, and this was a good opportunity, as he was playing against Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic before the semifinals. Can

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

you believe this difficult draw? It could have been an incredible opportunity to beat an entire tennis history in the same event, but it just wasn’t meant to be this time.

When we talked after the match, I explained to him, as I do many times to the students, that we cannot focus on results, we just have to focus on enjoying the ride and the fight. To enjoy these types of matches, you have to become resilient, and to get to that state, you need to face adversity. If he manages to become more resilient against the top players, he will be able to handle the pressure much better, face his problems, control his negative emotions, activate his abilities in difficult moments, learn from mistakes, recover better and survive any adversity thrown his way. I have realized once again that tennis is such a difficult sport. As I was leaving the court, I felt like a tennis player again. I felt the competition, looked into the opponent’s eyes, felt the desire to succeed, the frustration after a mistake in a key point, and I lived the visualization of what was going to happen. What I found most difficult was reading the opponent’s game. Still, I was happy to be there. It was great to be in the front row again, and it was an amazing feeling to be rooting

for a player who has an amazing game and can dominate against anyone. I hope next time I can help him a bit more, and create new habits in practice that will make him believe in his game. I just had a long conversation with him about the match, and he believes in himself, but he is also aware of his weaknesses and knows he has to be more resilient. It won’t be easy, but I love challenges … the more difficult, the better. After so many years away from the Tour, a lot of faces have changed, but the work and the positions are exactly the same: l We have young trainees (new players) who have a great work ethic and nothing to lose. l We have players at their career peak (top players), who are tough and indestructible, and whose skills are almost perfect technically, tactically, physically and mentally. l We also have senior players who have a lot of experience and are mentally tough, but might not be as physically fit anymore.

With some minor exceptions, the players from these three categories are equal in a match, but they have the same opponent: adversity, and its power to generate anger and fear. Don’t let adversity inspire the worst in you—you must learn to control it. It’s going to be a great challenge for both of us, but looking at the horizon and the mountains around Indian Wells, I can guarantee that I will keep dreaming and believing. We will face our next big encounter with improved competitive skills and will be more capable of conquering that eternal foe, adversity. Emilio Sanchez-Vicario is an ex-ATP player who was ranked as high as number seven in singles and number one in doubles. He won 50 ATP singles titles and 50 doubles titles, including three Grand Slams, in his career. He is USPTA Master Professional Elite Certified and RPT Master Professional Certified. He is the CEO of Sanchez-Casal Academy and is the coach of current ATP pro Fernando Verdasco.

We have the best clay courts in New York. We offer after school programs, private instruction, daily clinics for adults, and court rental. We offer special clinics for moms every morning. Emilio Sanchez is coming to town to present the Academia Sanchez-Casal school for local juniors on August 22nd - 23rd. We will be hosting Wilander On Wheels in August Please call us to reserve your spot. Located in upper Manhattan 5 minutes away from the city. 3671 Hudson Manor Terrace, (enter at West 236th Street & Douglas Avenue), Riverdale, NY 10463

Please call RTC 718-796-7400 l www.riverdaletennis.com Arthur Bobko 941-544-4778 NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

Speed Development for Tennis Players By Philip Feingold Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s obvious that speed plays a key role in tennis. However, speed is more than just how fast a player moves on the court. It also refers to reaction time, readiness and the ability to make tactical decisions on the spot. Good tennis players have perfect command of all of these skills. They can move around the court quickly, complete various maneuvers with skill, return the opponentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s serves efficiently, and react to unexpected strokes in a timely fashion. The ability to react and move fast can be developed, and it depends primarily on the strength of the muscles. For this reason, it is important to pay a lot of attention to the development of a playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s muscle strength, using a set of special exercises. In professional tennis, â&#x20AC;&#x153;explosive powerâ&#x20AC;? is the goalâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a sudden acceleration that is achieved through muscle strength in the legs and good joint mobility.

Specifics of speed skills development in tennis As I have mentioned, â&#x20AC;&#x153;explosive powerâ&#x20AC;? is achieved through the development of leg muscles, as well as knee, ankle and hip joint mobility. To achieve this level of fitness, regular exercises are required. Professional coaches put special emphasis on developing the speed skills of tennis players ages 11-14. Later, these skills are developed by an increasing complexity of exercises, number of repetitions, length of distance and running speed. Types of exercises for speed development To achieve the most balanced development of leg muscles, an individually tailored exercise plan should be followed. Such a plan includes: l Relay races and outdoor games (usually practiced in youth tennis during the early stages of learning).

l Various types of sprints (speed run, running with acceleration, running with change of direction, etc.). l Jumping and squats (to develop leg strength). l Ball throw exercises with weighted baseball and tennis balls (to work out the muscles of the upper back using powerful throws that require considerable strength). These exercises are always performed under the condition that the player is in good physical health, and allowing for a period of rest and recovery. Philip Feingold is the founder and owner of Philgym Academy in Red Bank, N.J. He was a centerpiece of the Israeli Track and Field team from 1992-1999, and has a lifetime of training experience with worldclass athletes, including Dudi Sela and Elina Svitolina. He can be reached by phone at (347) 480-8074 or e-mail Philgym@gmail.com.

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Why Can’t Anyone Come in to the Net Anymore?

By Stephen Annacone I have been increasingly perplexed and frustrated by the current day professional tennis players who refuse to work their way in to the net. As most people know, I have coached players and played my own game with the idea that it is an advantage to be the volleyer and a disadvantage to be the player having to hit passing shots and lobs. I have seen it work in my game and in my students’ games. Why are more professional players not using this strategy? The game has changed The equipment, the athleticism of the players, and in general, the speed that things happen on the court, all contribute to why the baseline game is now the dominant strategy. However, the biggest reason for the lack of aggressive net rushing players is that tennis professionals and coaches have not adjusted their methods to help the modern day player succeed when coming to the net. First, it is extremely difficult to come in to the net after one shot—whether it is a serve or a great first ball—there is little time to recognize and execute the movement and the split-step while advancing towards the net. There often needs to be an additional shot on the way in to the net, and most players are not capable of hitting this ball since very few players practice the extra transition shot mentioned above. Second, players spend way too much time hitting and practicing groundstrokes, rather than improving their approach shots and refining their volley technique. Most players these days have no idea where to position themselves at the net because their

execution on the way in is not consistently sufficient to get their opponent in trouble. They do not know what to cover because the opponent can hit the ball to many different spots and make it tough on the volleyer. Finally, I don’t think the players are committed, nor do they believe in, the strategy. Roger Federer, arguably the best volleyer on Earth at the moment, is one of the few players still using this strategy (be it on a much more limited basis) successfully and consistently. I had the pleasure of coaching my brother, Paul Annacone, and watched him get passed at the net over and over, yet still manage to win the match. Paul once came in to the net 150-plus times in a three-set match against Stefan Edberg and won the match 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 in the finals of an ATP event in Los Angeles. Part of coming to the net is accepting that you will be passed. If you come in 10 times and they pass you three and you miss one volley, you are still in great shape on six out of 10 of the points.

I am not advocating running in to the net every point. If someone could do it a few times a game and also play the modern day baseline points well, that would give them a big edge against the majority of today’s players. The net play makes the baseline game that much more effective. I believe, and hope, that we will see Federer do even more of what I have just stated in the very near future. His great start to 2017 should give him the confidence to be even more aggressive, and once again, separate himself from the best of the best. That should lead to a resurgence in the net rushing style, and in addition, make me very happy. Stephen Annacone, USPTA Elite Pro, is the director of Annacone Tennis (AnnaconeTennis.com). For details on lessons and camps in Sag Harbor and throughout the Hamptons this summer, contact SAnnacone@AnnaconeTennis.com or Management@AnnaconeTennis.com

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www.dringber.com NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

Athlete Driven Progressions and Empowerment By Asher Salam y understanding of what a progression is, is to use a systematic scheme to accomplish goals. Using progressions as a tool to teach any subject matter is not a new concept. For tennis players, this type of planning can minimize the dependency cycle a player can have for a coach’s approval. Progressions bring accountability for both the player and the coach. Accountability allows both player and coach the ability to grow in many different ways. This development can really allow empowerment of the individual to take on the many challenges tennis can impose. On the coaching side, using progressions are helpful because it involves planning with clear goals in mind. However, with having a plan, there becomes the pressure of being able to execute the plan. This pressure can bring out the best in a coach. It provides an opportunity for the coach to constantly grow and learn. This can help the coach adapt to the organic obstacles that constantly occur when dealing with people. As every player is different, it allows for creativity from the

coach to execute a plan, whether it deals with footwork, strokes or strategy. When you are trying to help people who learn in different ways systematically accomplish a task, the energy involved can be infectious. Providing the steps for a student to accomplish their goals becomes a transformative opportunity where the player can take on responsibility and not just rely on their coach. The player can now have a simple plan in place in order to solve problems. From the player’s standpoint, progressions can create a clear map of how their game will be developed and where it can go. The individual can use this map to quickly asses why situations turn out the way they do, instead of feeling lost. Confidence can really grow with this ability. This map can introduce perspective to the athlete. Having perspective can allow the player look at the average of their practices and match play, as opposed to looking so acutely at misses. Perspective from the progressions can put the player in a position to develop a sense of maturity about how their tennis game has developed. It then becomes the development of the skill set of the individual player instead of the coach.

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

The end result will have multiple people on the same page. With that synergy, other team members or family members can find more clear roles. Fitness staff can have the information to maximize all efforts in their process. Nutritionists can have a full understanding of energy used developing a proper diet. Parents can really support players with a clear understanding of the overall goals. Coaches can gain a great sense of trust with the player. The player can then be in the driver’s seat of their own game. With this sense of empowerment, everyone can feel good from having a well thought out and flexible plan, I believe it will always be worth it to spend the extra time to develop a progression for each player. Asher Salam is a high performance coach at CourtSense Bogota Racquet Club. He graduated from Bucknell University as the player with the most wins in the school’s history. Before joining the CourtSense team in 2010, he was the assistant coach for the women’s tennis team at Swarthmore College. Asher has worked with multiple players, both top 100 nationally, as well as top 10 in the Eastern Section.

Memphis Open to Make the Move to Long Island New Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum to host ATP event F Sports, a live events and sports media entertainment company, has partnered with Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment (BSE) to move the Memphis Open men’s tennis tournament to NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. As part of the long-term agreement, the Coliseum, which recently reopened following a nearly two-year, $165 million renovation, will host the tournament for the first time from Feb. 10-18, 2018. The Memphis Open, which was acquired by GF Sports in 2015, is one of the longest-running American tournaments on the ATP World Tour and the only indoor ATP event contested in the United States. “We are proud to partner with Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment to bring the historic Memphis Open to the new Coliseum,” said Gary Fuhrman, managing partner at GF Capital and board member of GF Sports. “The spotlight of New York will help to elevate this important tournament and this move is part of GF Sports’ larger goal of reestablishing American tennis as a global powerhouse within the sport.” The New York Metropolitan area has a rich tennis history, highlighted by the U.S. Open. The arrival of this ATP World Tour event will add another major tennis event

to the New York sports calendar, and marks the first time in its 45-year history that the Coliseum will play host to a sanctioned tennis tournament. “This event diversifies our programming mix at NYCB LIVE’s Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and further delivers on our promise to bring major sporting events back to Long Island,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. The Memphis Open is an ATP World Tour 250 event that was established in 1976 and boasts a who’s who in the tennis world as former champions, including Andre Agassi, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Jim Courier, Stefan Edberg, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe, Kei Nishikori, Andy Roddick and Pete

Sampras. In recent years, young American players have emerged at the tournament, including 2017 winner Ryan Harrison and 2016 runner-up Taylor Fritz. “GF Sports has shown a strong commitment to invest in professional tennis with a particular focus on the United States,” said Chris Kermode, ATP executive chairman and president. “They have demonstrated their ability to operate ATP tournaments, including the Memphis Open, with the goal of growing the sport. The relocation of the Memphis Open to New York and to the newly renovated Coliseum is consistent with their vision, and will elevate this tournament, with over 40 years of history, to a new level of excellence.”

TENNIS RUSH Come play where the surf applauds every shot. The Seaside Tennis Club at the legendary Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on Hawaii Island. D I R E C TO R O F T E N N I S , C R A I G T. PAU T L E R 8 6 6 .9 7 7. 4 5 8 9 M AU N A K E A B E AC H H OT E L .CO M

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

tips from the tennis pro The Return of the Return of Serve By Mike Williams The battle between the serve and return is a quintessential case of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object, and this clash of styles has given us some epic matchups over the years. Every tennis player wants the biggest serve on the block. Who doesn’t want to pop one off, maybe two aces per service game and throw in a service winner or two? It’s tennis with no mess, and no fuss. Right? Not so fast bombardier! In singles, we serve half of the match and we only serve a quarter of the time in doubles. Given this truth, I will argue that the return is the most important stroke in tennis, yet players only dedicate a small portion of their practices to its development. Players such as Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi, Chris Evert and Novak Djokovic, to name a few, have become legends by dedicating themselves to the craft of the return, striking fear into some of the biggest and baddest servers of all time. Here are five steps to tipping the return game in your favor ... Clear your mind Returning a serve is an event. Everything else that has occurred previous to this moment should be put out of your mind in order to give yourself the best chance of winning this next point. You never know when or where the breaking point of your opponent will happen. It may take a ripping return or it could be a squeaker that barely 56

makes it over the net. Take a couple of deep breaths and get yourself into an athletic “ready” position. You never know what you are going to get and you just have to be ready for it. Anticipation A common characteristic that the great returners possess is the ability to anticipate where the server is going next. As the match progresses, you should be able to get a better understanding of which is your opponent’s favorite serve. Do they like to hit it to the “T,” or do they prefer the wide serve? They will most likely go to their best serve in the biggest moments and you will be there waiting for it. Shorten your back swing The return of serve stroke is really a hybrid. A cross between a volley and a groundstroke. It takes a ball traveling at 100 miles per hour approximately a half-a-second to cover the 78 feet from baseline to baseline. That’s little more than the time it takes to blink your eyes and certainly not enough time to take much of a backswing. I teach my students to prepare like a volleyer (using a volley backswing), keeping the follow through after they’ve struck the ball. The short backswing ensures that they have ample time to connect with the ball and the follow through will help control the ball by keeping the ball on the strings. Pick your target early Knowing where you’d like to go will keep the process simple by eliminating as many variables as possible. A common misconception for returners is to play the return

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

without any notion of where they want to hit the ball. I like to have a plan going into each return point. I may choose to return the ball down the middle of the court, or I may decide that I’m going to hit it up the line. In either case, I have an idea where I want to go when the ball arrives and I will do my best to execute the plan knowing that I can make an adjustment if I need to. Determination There is nothing more frustrating for a big server than to hit their best serve only to have it come back again and again. The goal for any returner should be to make the server play each point. As the returner, you are in a reactionary situation. You cannot directly control what the server is going to do, or how they will perform from point to point. But forcing the server to play each point will have a cumulative psychological impact over the course of the match. So get out there and practice your return of serve each time you play. Keep at it and you never know when “your break” will come. Mike Williams is the tennis director at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club (RIRC). He captained the Clemson University Tennis Team and played on the Satellite Tour following his collegiate career. He won the Men’s Open Doubles Championship in 2013 and has more than 20 years of coaching experience, dedicated to helping players of all levels by focusing on the fundamentals of the game and designing programs that will help each individual reach their highest level. He can be reached by e-mail at MWilliams@AdvantageTennisClubs.com.

One-on-One Doubles Action Returns to National Tennis Center

ne-on-One Doubles Tennis, the half-court serve-andvolley singles game played cross-court including the alley, returned to New York City as the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center hosted The Innovations Tennis Challenge, a USTA National Category III tournament. “I just love the game, and think the serve and volley in tennis certainly should be revisited even at the highest level of the game. It’s the greatest youth development game for sure, because you are becoming a better singles and doubles player simultaneously,”

said USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Director Whitney Kraft. “I find that the points are very interesting because you have to play through a player, so you see topspin lobs, drop shots and half-volleys and you chase down lobs that you don’t get as frequently in the traditional game. The event featured three playing divisions: Men’s 35 and Over, Men’s 45 and Over, and Men’s 55 and Over. “It was a real thrilling time to have the NTC host our Tourney! A big thank you to Whitney Kraft and his great team for adding the party with the live rockin’ blues band,” said Ed Krass, One-on-One Doubles founder. “The

atmosphere was truly electric! “The One-on-One Doubles Tournament was a perfect combination of tennis and music. So much fun,” said Rob Polishook, who played in the event. “It’s a must for all players who want to improve their all court game.” In addition to the One-on-One Doubles Tournament, there were many other racquet sports being played, including POP Tennis, a sport that can everyone can play immediately and is a great family activity. The National Tennis Center will be hosting the New York Pro Open, one of the stops on the POP Tennis Pro Series Tour, from July 29-30.

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

Freedom to Play Your Bes By Dr. Tom Ferraro t’s a truism that the best way to play well in competition, you need to relax, have fun and play freely. The moment a player starts to worry about outcomes or overthink the serve, is when tightness sets in and you begin to play weakly.

To win on the court, one must have a free risk-taking, gunslinger type attitude. But to play freely and with ease is no easy thing when you are under real tournament pressure. The reason it’s so tough to play with freedom is that most serious tennis players have many of the same expectations as their coaches, parents, opponents and teammates … it takes tremendous focus to be able to

screen out expectations and worries. The best state of mind has varied names including “The Zone,” “Being the Alpha on the Court,” “Playing Your Own Game,” “Playing With Joy,” or “Playing With Aggression.” When you learn to screen out all of those inner and outer distractions, you will do far better and have more fun. The very best at being “in the zone”

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est Game was Tiger Woods in golf. I have stood next to him before he was to tee off in a tournament, and he was so focused that it was as if I was invisible. You may not know this about Tiger, but his mother was a Buddhist and his training in the art of focus began at the age of five. He was trained in how to meditate and also trained for many hours in self-hypnosis by a psychologist when he was young. If you are a tennis player and want to learn how to play with freedom and joy, you’ll need to know how to screen out all of those inner and outer demons. It is often wise to find insight into solutions by either watching films or read-

ing books. Many coaches prepare their teams for big games by showing a film clip to inspire their players or to teach them something. The following film is a good one to watch if you want to learn more about freedom to play your own game. The scene is at the very end of the Academy Award-winning film “Braveheart,” both starring and directed by Mel Gibson. The film is the true story of William Wallace who, in the 13th Century, led the first Scottish uprising against King Edward Longshanks of England. Towards the end of the film, William Wallace has been captured by King Edward and is being tortured in the town square with the town folk looking on. The executioner whispers to him that the torture can stop if Wallace merely cries out, “Mercy.” But rather than submitting, Wallace screams out, “Freedom!” This cry for freedom eventually became a rallying cry for the world as the rule of monarchy dissolved and the rule of democracy emerged by the 18th Century.

This scene relates to our concerns about the athlete finding their freedom of play and is a good example of role modeling. Every athlete must fight off the inner and outer demons that wish to rule over them and defeat their efforts. It takes tremendous courage and strength like that shown in the film for the athlete to be able to separate themself from all of those distractions and anxieties and get into the zone. You can watch that film and remember Braveheart’s scream for freedom as you travel to the next big match. It takes that type of commitment to your own self in order to screen out both inner and outer tyrants. The ability to play with freedom will help you a great deal and one way to learn it is to use a favorite film like “Braveheart” and then incorporate that feeling into your mind as you play. For consultations, treatment or on-site visits, contact Dr. Tom Ferraro Ph.D., sport psychologist, by phone at (516) 248-7189, e-mail DrTFerraro@aol.com or visit DrTomFerraro.com.

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

It’s Time to PLAY! By Rishan Kuruppu often hear the phrase “PLAY” used by coaches to begin a drill or scenario to emphasize the starting of a point. Play is a creative term used to elicit a behavior of imagination and randomness to help discover what experiences really mean. The word “PLAY” sounds fun, but I believe we can use it to deliver a message far more valuable.

P for Preparation I love the phrase “Prepare or Repair” because, as players, we are either connecting with the ball with comfort or discomfort. Everyone has used the

phrase “you’re late” a phrase nationally recognized by all coaches. As a solution, coaches must be observant to help their players prepare so they create time, maximize options and feel confident with their decisions. Two simple ways to help your players with preparation is by saying, “Get your racquet back before the incoming ball crosses the net” and “Keep your feet in constant motion.” These two simple reminders provide the biggest advantage from swing timing to movement. Seeing the difference will help you understand that preparation is prevention! Getting your players to fight for each second and each step will determine their day of tennis! The quality of points is sure to improve everyone on court.

L for Learn How often do we win or lose a point? Instantly and constantly, we are exposed to changing outcomes, which is why we need periodic and reflective learning! Whether you win or lose the point, coaches can help players understand why? Every action has a reaction, so winning or losing can be understood by thinking backwards after the outcome has told us the truth. Every coach can turn to technique, positioning, distraction and execution to further learn the patterns of “Why!” I can guarantee that every coach has heard a player respond with, “I know, I know,” as if you are a broken record! But the truth is they really do not know all the details, just the last detail that

showed up to determine the outcome. So what if we can help our players learn the missing details? They become self-aware problem-solvers who fill in the blanks so that coaches can either validate or add to their solution. “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link” … let’s neglect none and learn from the process. A for Adaptability Do all players who attend clinics, team practices and organized group classes play the same way? Of course not! There are always small delineations that create differences in player styles. So what is adaptability? To me, it is the perspective of not replacing the environment or personalities within it, but rather an egoless way to embrace unpredictable stresses to develop one’s calm and confident approach to handle all things. As coaches, we must teach our players how to be adaptable. Here are two things to keep in mind that are sure to help your players: “Expect your best or worst shot to come back, regardless of who you play” and “ Your opponent is yourself, and your job is respecting the

shot you receive.” Tennis players must be constantly adapting to days, times, styles, partners, opponents and environments, therefore teaching how to adapt is a crucial component of player development.

ers develop determination levels and belief systems to dig deep when needed. If we can emphasize “You” more often, we can lead players to self-mastery and potential best practices.

Y for You It is 9:30 a.m. and it’s match time … where’s your head? Millions of thoughts compete for our attention at all times, the skill of focus in tennis is really the engine that runs your potential. I believe success or difficulties begin before stepping on the court. For example, a player must concentrate, be disciplined and determined to compete for desired results. During drills and practices, coaches can shed light on these principles! “Get ready, get ready, get ready,” should be constantly repeated by coaches, so players can stay in concentration mode. Discipline can be addressed by coaches referencing shot selection patterns and high percentage thinking. I love to see hustle and effort, so encouraging your players is very important. Sayings such as “You got it!” “Go, go, go!” and “C’mon, you’re there!” will help your play-

The next time you are on the court, use the “PLAY” mentality and the meaning of each letter to elevate the quality of points, enrich the quality of emotional states and create a collaborative culture! The sport, its players and its purpose will be your movement of exceptionally understanding people. It’s show time … let’s PLAY! Rishan Kuruppu is director of adult tennis at Proform Tennis Academy and tennis director at Roton Point. A native of Vancouver, Canada, he is a former top five-ranked Canadian player and represented Canada in international events worldwide. He teaches all ages and abilities and has been nationally-recognized for leading USTA women’s teams. Rishan is a USPTA and PTR professional and can be reached by email at Rishan.Kuruppu@gmail.com or visit RishanKuruppu.com.

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

Warm-Ups a By Richard Thater t seems strange to start an article about warmups with a note about cooling down (many teaching plans include a period for warming up and cooling down during a lesson). The New York Times recently printed a piece outlining how cooling off after athletic exercise was mostly unnecessary. For high-level athletes training to the max, a deliberate period of cooling off makes sense. But for most of us, a simple walk around the block after an afternoon of tennis seems to be enough of a cool down. My point is that sometimes we can overcomplicate our tennis lives. I’m calling on grandma’s ghost here (simple is usually best) to define a warm-up as a way to help us prepare to play the game, mentally and physically. A simple way to transition from the real world and prepare for some enjoyable rec time is to get to the courts early. Before going on court, you should perform some simple hip rotations, shoulder shrugs, wrist rotations and calf lifts. It might be helpful to touch your toes with bent knees, and try some squats for your quads. You want to loosen up your joints and muscles and feel limber and ready to play. Some teachers and coaches recommend running around the court a few times to warm up. I would rather see players take shuffle steps from left to right as a warm-up, since 80 percent of the movement in tennis is sideways. If you are at the courts early (a strong suggestion) you might want to try a simplified application of a program called SyberVision, whose foundation is neuro-muscular training via muscle memory programming. The key to this program is to repeatedly watch video of Stan Smith’s groundstrokes and serves. I confess I am a sucker for the self-help development programs from the 80s, and I still own a copy of SyberVision. But since my VHS player has long gone to the thrift store, I wondered if there were some modern ways to benefit from this information. I recommend that you stand behind the best player on court before starting to play and let your mind try matching how they move their body on their strokes and forget about strategy and points and just absorb the athletic efficiency. Once you are on the court, you can start with mini-tennis, and concentrate on foundations, focusing on take back, and point of contact. Then hit volleys, overheads and move to the baseline and hit forehands and backhands. Avoid starting your warm-up by gripping and ripping groundstrokes. And don’t forget the serve. Limit your warm-up to no more than five minutes, which is what

and Workouts you are allowed in most sanctioned tournaments. I once played a man in a poorly regulated tournament who felt he could use the warm-up to practice every shot he ever hit, and even some he only dreamed of. Five minutes ... please! Workouts are very different than warmups. The old adage tells us that the bestconditioned athlete usually wins, and many of us have developed programs to work and develop our muscles. My experience is that an overall healthy body produces better results than tailoring your gym work to develop specific sport-related strengths. A few cautionary notes about workouts. I recently spoke with a good player

who raved about his personal trainer and the regimen prescribed. His only complaint was that his exercise plan was not producing results on the tennis court. As we spoke further, I learned that his trainer had him doing an intensive half-hour workout just before going on court for a match. This confusion about workouts and warm-ups brings to mind the old chestnut about not leaving your game in the locker room. Set achievable goals. As a 135 pound 18-year-old in the army, I could do 15 pull-ups before each meal. A few years ago, I wanted to see if I could match those numbers. Between pull-up one and two, I twisted myself off balance and

pulled a muscle in my side. I lost months of gym time, court time and suffered through many sleepless nights. I have outlined a simple, efficient way to warm-up before a match, and pointed out some of the pitfalls when working out. Do you have plan? Is it realistic? I may once have dreamed of hitting forehands like Roger Federer or powerful backhands like his compatriot Stan Wawrinka, and I marvel at how the pros slide on hard courts at the U.S. Open. But, my fitness dreams have changed. Today, I have more reasonable goals, and any results from working toward that goal should easily transfer to tennis success. Richard Thater is a long-time teacher and player on New York City courts. He is PTR-certified in both Junior and Adult Development, and has played in senior tournaments in the Greater New York area. Richard currently teaches at the West Side Tennis Club. He may be reached by phone at (917) 749-3255 or e-mail RichThater@aol.com.

NYTennisMag.com â&#x20AC;˘ May/June 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ New York Tennis Magazine

JMTA Hosts Seventh Annual Scholarship Tryouts

or the seventh consecutive year, young hopefuls from across the Tri-State area came out in force at Sportime Randall’s Island, the John McEnroe Tennis Academy’s (JMTA) flagship location, as sought to discover untapped tennis and athletic talent at the Tryout and the Athletic Scouting Combine. The goal of the event is to award full or partial scholarships to Sportime and JMTA programs at Sportime Randall’s Island, starting in the fall of 2017. The event is a joint initiative of Sportime/JMTA and the Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP). A 501(c)(3) charity, JMTP changes young lives by removing the economic and social 64

barriers to success through tennis. Offering free tennis programs and scholarships to under-resourced kids and dedicated athletes from the NY Metropolitan area, JMTP provides a pathway to success through competitive tennis, often leading to college scholarships, careers in the industry, and for a few, professional tennis careers. Participants were evaluated by a Selection Committee, consisting of Sportime/JMTA directors, coaches and leaders, including Lawrence Kleger, JMTA co-director, and Patrick McEnroe, who recently joined JMTA as Kleger’s co-director. The tryout includes tennis and athletic drills, and point/match play.

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

“The tryout and combine have become ‘can’t-miss’ events for aspiring young tennis players and athletes at various skill levels,” said Kleger. “It’s part of our mission to make tennis available to any talented player, regardless of financial means.” Participants engaged in a variety of physical tests and games to assess speed, strength, agility and hand-eye coordination. Other attributes, such as attitude, concentration, energy and competitive spirit are considered in the awarding of scholarships. Scholarship winners for both the Tryout and the Athletic Scouting Combine will be notified at a later date.

adult league U S T A L E A G U E S U P D AT E

May/June 2017 The 18 & Over Queens Mixed Playoffs took place throughout late April at both the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and Queens College. The following are the winners in the 18 & Over Division … l 6.0 Level: Jeffery Dietz/Lily Lee

l 7.0 Level: Hazel Zaldivar/Vineet Sahni

l 8.0 Level: Hazel Zaldivar/Beng Lee

We will have results of the 40 & Over Manhattan Mixed Playoffs, played at City View Racquet Club, and the 18 & Over Mixed Regional Playoffs, played at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club and the National Tennis Center, in the July/August 2017 issue of New York Tennis Magazine. USTA Adult Summer Leagues will be starting soon in New York City. Please contact Coordinator Joe Miano at JoeMiano@MetroTennis.com for information: 18 & Over Bronx (starts May 15) l Men (All Levels) l Women (All Levels) 18 & Over Staten Island (starts June 5) l Men (All Levels) l Women (All Levels) 55 & Over Manhattan (starts Aug. 1) l Men (All Levels) l Women (All Levels)

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

Stretching for Injury Prevention and More Importantly Enhancing Your Tennis Game By Dr. Reuben S. Ingber ou wouldn’t take your expensive Ferrari out for a race without properly warming it up. So why when going out to do battle on the tennis court as a weekend warrior, unless of course, you are fortunate enough to be a tennis pro or an exercise trainer, don’t you properly warm up your precious machine, to maximize the body’s power output? The muscles are the body’s main producers of force. Enhancing your speed and power is the way to optimize your game. To throw or serve faster you cock-back to fire, so to speak. To jump higher, you crouch deeper. To enhance your sporting ability, every activity has a pre-load phase. For example, in a backhand stroke, you move the

racket head behind the body before swinging forward and following through. Properly stretching muscles and tendons before playing is not only for injury prevention, but also for the enhancement of power and speed. In a study of power lifters doing bench presses, Wilson reported in the Journal of Applied Physiology in 1991, that by doing a pre-stretch move in a bench press, weight lifters could lift six percent more weight. Just imagine what some weight lifters would do to get a six percent improvement in strength. Not only were they stronger, but they were able to reach their peak lift 33 percent faster. So, if you want more power and speed, properly stretching will get more out of your muscles’ fibers. I learned that from training in martial arts, where you spend a significant part of the warm-up stretching muscles. To properly stretch, you must first isolate

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

the target muscles with proper positioning (and at the same time, be careful not to over-stretch or strain). Then, you have to apply the proper: l Force (not hard and no bouncing, less is more); l Duration (25-30 seconds); l Rate (only move three or four millimeters or a quarter of an inch with each breath); and l Repetition (three stretches for each muscle). Another important enhancement for optimizing the stretch is coordination of the gain (lengthening) on the exhale. A stretch technique called “hold-relax” (hold the position on the inhale, relax and gain on the exhale) optimizes the muscle stretch. Once you stretch the target muscles in the Level 1 stretch, Level 2 and Level 3

stretches for that muscle moves deeper and then finally ballistically. Ballistic stretching is not bad, but it is not primary. After all, don’t you warm up with light overhead smashes or serves, gradually increasing to a full power serve? The upper body muscles to target for tennis are: l The anterior and inferior rotator cuff; l Lateral epicondylar (outside elbow) muscles; and l Cervical spine (yes, the neck is needed because of the emphasis on the use of the arms and is especially stressed in overhead arm activity). To stretch the shoulder, and most importantly, the dominant arm, use a wall to assist in stretching. There are three muscle bundles in the subscapularis muscle (the cocking/acceleration muscle): l A vertical component; l A diagonal component; and l A horizontal component. For the vertical component, stand a few inches away from the doorway and gradu-

ally, on the exhale, lean into the wall, for five breathes, feeling a gentle, gradual increase in tension in the rib area. For the diagonal component, ease up, lower the arm slightly, step forward and gradually, on the exhale, move down and forward, on a diagonal (you’re stretching in the angle of the serve), feeling the stretch in the armpit. Finally, for the horizontal component, ease up, lower the arm to slightly above side arm and stretch forward, moving gradually on the exhale for five breathes, feeling the stretch in the pectoralis (chest muscle). Second level shoulder stretches would be circumduction stretches, doing circles clockwise and counterclockwise five or six times and cross-chest pulling stretches. Third level (early ballistic) shoulder stretches would be throwing the arm four to five times in the overhead, then diagonal and then side arm positions simulating the earlier three-position wall stretches. Forearm stretches require mobilizing the lateral (outside) and medial (inside) epicondylar muscle groups. Since these muscles cross both the elbow and wrist, the elbow must be maintained in full extension,

while stretching the wrist down with the palm facing down (lateral group) and with the palm facing up. Neck stretches include side bending by gradually letting the ear fall towards the shoulder. Second level (maybe not for the older crowd over 50) is circumduction. The entire process of upper body stretching takes at least 10 minutes, but added to the pre-game warm-up should power up your game. Now take it out for a test drive. Dr. Reuben S. Ingber earned a doctor of medicine degree from the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center. He completed specialty training in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Weil-Cornell Medical Center. He is double board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain medicine. For more than 30 years, Dr. Ingber has been at the forefront of musculoskeletal treatment, combining diagnostic skills with innovative and progressive, non-invasive rehabilitation to help alleviate sports injuries and chronic pain and return to full function.

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Grip, Throw, Serve: It’s Simple If You Start Early

Figure 01 By Lisa Dodson Here is the big question: How can we expect players to do something as complicated as serving when they cannot throw and release a ball directly out of their hand? In this article, I am going to stress the importance of the grip and a throwing release as central principles to a great serve. We’re going to target kids with a special importance emphasis on girls. Let’s look at two critical commonalities between throwing and serving. The first one is pretty obvious, but the second one is not. l The grip is the same to allow natural arm movement [see Figure 01]. l The release point of a throw equals the contact point of a serve [see Figure 02]. It all starts with the grip: We’ve all heard the statement that girls cannot throw, so in turn, they cannot serve. That can go for many people, not just girls. So, why not teach players to throw first? Now we can say that if girls can throw, then they can 68

serve and consequently, anyone can serve. It’s much easier to learn to throw than to serve, so it only makes sense to do the easier and more productive thing first. We also assume that boys and men can throw, but that is not necessarily true. They will need throwing basics, too. It’s time to stop talking and start doing by using the throw as a stepping stone to serving. It’s obvious that some kids, boys in particular, serve more naturally. Boys just throw more things than girls as they grow up: Rocks, toys, sticks, balls, etc. Who would have thought that skipping stones on a pond would lead to a great slice serve motion? Kids who evolve and throw well seem to adopt a grip on an individual item that works. That’s it. Their bodies understand how to produce efficient movements simply because that is how the human body works best. Some tennis pros have players throwing things like footballs, baseballs, rackets and cones, but they are in the minority. Throwing things is great fun and keeps things simple for learning the serve. Whatever you are throwing will go further, harder and higher if it is gripped

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

Figure 02 properly. All players, girls in particular, need to be taught this simple principle from the beginning. The release point and how it equals contact point One cannot achieve an efficient release point or contact point with a poor grip. The hold on a ball or racket determines how the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, bicep and shoulder can move. If the start

Figure 03 is off, then the chain of movement up to the shoulder will be off. Not only does this inhibit power, accuracy and efficiency, but causes debilitating short- and long-term injuries. Releasing a ball out of the hand is a pretty basic task once you get the hang of it, and it’s somewhat obvious that the release point will dictate the direction, height and distance the ball will go.

Release equals the contact point When contacting a served ball on the strings [see Figure 03], the arm and hand move in the same way as it does when you release a ball to throw. This is called pronation (the action of the hand going from an inside to an outside position by means of the wrist, forearm, elbow and bicep, not necessarily involving the shoulder). If you can find those similarities, then you’re on your way. There are many similarities between throwing and serving but here are two big differences that all players should be aware of: l The racket stays in your hand, instead of releasing it as you would with a throw. l Throw up for a serve, as opposed to throwing down or out for a pitch or close target throwing. The throw and the serve: How they are alike and how they differ Never allow a child to serve until they have some proficiency with throwing. Let’s keep

this really simple. It’s much easier to throw so learn throwing first. Use these simple check points to teach kids to throw and therefore to serve: 1. Hold the ball (grip) or racket grip with the same left/right orientation. 2. Always give them a target. The target should be close to start. 3. Set the student up sideways to the target with the front foot tipping in at a 45degree angle and the back foot at a 90-degree angle (more or less). Legs are flexed. 4. Start with the throwing hand behind the head with the ball facing the back of the head for the throw and the racket handle and fingernails toward the head for the serve. 5. The triceps should be parallel to the ground and the elbow back to the fence for both. 6. Stretch the non-throwing arm and hand across the body. For the throw, the palm will be facing the ground or tipped to target point. For the serve, continued on page 70

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out hitting. Then they will have the best chance to learn, change and improve.

grip, throw, serve continued from page 69

Figure 04

Figure 05

the palm of the hand is angled up with the ball in it. 7. Before initiating the throw, start pulling the free arm and hand across the body and rotate the back foot so that the heel is coming up and the bottom of the foot will be flat in back. For the serve start pulling the toss arm down and across the body. 8. Release/Contact: Initiate the throw, releasing toward target and finishing with the palm away from the body. Initiate the serve, pronating hand at contact (move the hand to an outside position for finish with the butt of the racket coming out the right side of the hand)

leaving palm facing away from the body. Eyes are always on the target for the throw and on the ball for the serve. 9. Finish the throw with free arm tucked to left of the body, eyes forward, throwing arm across body and back foot rotated. Finish the serve similarly, but with the upper body more upright and eyes now on the opponent. Things to do daily on court or off to reinforce grip and contact point Players of all ages and levels make their biggest strides when not hitting a ball. Encourage them to feel the movements with-

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1. Partner throw: Start inside the service line, gradually moving back a few paces at a time. Depending upon the age they may finish up throwing baseline to baseline. This reinforces the grip, non-dominant arm use and pronation 2. Partner throw over the fence: Start 1215 feet back from the fence and end up two or three feet from the fence. This will promote upward hitting for the serve [see Figure 04]. 3. Abbreviated pronation exercise: Start in abbreviated position and swing up to contact. Let the racket head move in a natural arc over a mostly still hand. Finish with the hand at shoulder height with the butt of the racket coming out the right side of the hand (for right handed players) [see Figure 05]. Do the right thing The most likely scenario for a successful serve is to spend five to 10 minutes a day throwing to reinforce grip and to feel natural movement. The legs and non-dominant arm will learn to do what they need to do simply because they are given the opportunity to figure it out with repetition. The sure way to set kids up for failure on the serve is to allow them to start serving with a forehand grip. The correct grip is an issue that tennis pros attempt to reinforce with a tennis racket and with little success. We put a racket in a kid’s hand and expect them to persevere, fail a lot and stick with it. Ha. When that fails, because we want success, we allow them to use a forehand grip and leave transitioning for later or, more likely, for someone else. Learning to play tennis is all about technique and not about hitting a ball. Spend more time working on core basics for easier and more natural learning. Learn to throw in order to serve. You’ll be happy that you spent your time wisely. Lisa Dodson is the developer and owner of Servemaster, a USPTA Elite Professional and a former WTA world-ranked player. She is currently the director of tennis at Shenorock Shore Club in Rye, N.Y. She may be reached by e-mail at Lisa@TheTotalServe.com or visit TheTotalServe.com.

Untangling the Knot Try softer not harder By Rob Polishook, Mental Training Coach MA, CPC e have all seen “It,” either as a player, coach or fan. The “It” I am referring to is a player in the throes of a slump. Maybe “It” is a tournament winless streak like Novak Djokovic is currently experiencing due to what he calls “personal issues.” Or maybe “It” is missing the last six months of the 2016 season like Roger Federer due to an injury. Or even saying flat out, “you don’t have what it takes,” like Sergio Garcia said in 2012, prior to winning the 2017 Masters. Sometimes the “It” is a perfect storm where the personal, injuries and mental issues accumulate and create a big tangled knot! The most common “way out” is by trying harder, maybe hitting 1,000 more serves, or maybe grinding by adding more tournaments to get in more match play, or even increasing your intensity by being uber-serious and forcing your game. However, this never works, it’s common knowledge that all this does is make the knot, slump or block tighter. It just adds more frustration, anger and anxiousness to the equation. Sometimes it leads to a shutdown of the athlete because they feel like there is no way out. But indeed, there is a way out … It starts with awareness to the knot (slump) and not following the traditional route of trying harder, which makes it close to impossible to untangle the knot. Instead, we want to try softer by untangling the knot, ending the slump and starting fresh. Below the surface, from an emotional perspective, the idea is to “be” with the tangle, not to struggle and inadvertently tighten it. By “being” with

it, you can become aware, shift your focus and learn what might be holding you back. In my work with clients, I call it providing yourself CPR. Yes, I’m talking about emotional cardio-pulmonary resuscitation! Certainly, if your best friend was in a high stress situation, rushing and on the verge of a shutdown, you wouldn’t think twice about jumping in and helping. Let me suggest you do the same for yourself. How? By providing some much-needed CPR to get yourself back to a place of balance, stability and focus. It’s a three-step process … l Compassion for self (and others): Here we are talking about allowing yourself to be imperfect. In fact, being perfectly imperfect! Being yourself. Compassion is about accepting and loving yourself, no matter what happens. Giving yourself unconditional acceptance without comparisons and not valuing your worth based on the results. Recognizing that what happens on the court is not a reflection of who you are as a person, rather what happened in the competition. l Patience: Here, we are talking about focusing on the process and away from the outcome. Breaking elements down into small pieces where the focus is on what you can control. When you lose focus, not getting angry and calling yourself a “head case!” But rather, refocusing on what you can control. It means taking your time, allowing things to unfold and sticking to your rituals. l Resiliency: When a player has compassion for themselves and is

patient, they will be able to be resilient under pressure. Here what happens is actually not the most important thing, but rather, being aware, adapting and adjusting to what happened. We have all seen some players (think Nick Kyrgios) unravel when a fan screams from the crowd. Whereas, if the same situation happens to Roger Federer, he will acknowledge it and move on. Having a wide range of resiliency allows a player to experience ups and downs, but not get off track. In summary, missed shots, lost sets and tournament losses will happen. However, the key is not to panic, label yourself as mentally weak, or struggle against what’s happening. Your call to action to attain peak performance will come from being aware, centered and relaxed. Not from rushing, over-trying and applying more pressure. No matter the situation, give yourself CPR. You are worthy of it! The capacity already exists within you, it’s not something you acquire from the outside. Only when you’re compassionate with yourself, patient and resilient can you untangle the knot. Then, mental skills such as breathing, visualization and rituals can be layered in so you can be your best both on and off the court. Rob Polishook, MA, CPC is founder and director of Inside the Zone Sports Performance Group. As a mental training coach, he works with athletes and teams, focusing on helping athletes gain the mental edge. Rob is author of Tennis Inside the Zone: Mental Training Workouts for Champions. He may be reached by phone at (973) 723-0314, email Rob@InsideTheZone.com or visit InsideTheZone.com.

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

Spanish Movement and Footwork Secrets By Chris Lewit I have players from all over the world coming to me to learn the secrets of movement and footwork in the Spanish system. On the pro tour, Spanish players are known for being the best movers … think Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer and many others. How do the Spanish teach footwork and movement so well? They start with the concept of “Receiving” and “Sending” the ball, which are important common phrases in the vernacular of the Spanish coach. Receiving the ball well means adjusting the body during the flight of the incoming ball in the most economical way and to achieve optimum balance in the shot. Sending the ball well means maintaining good posture and body control during the hit itself. “Reading” is another common term in Spanish coaching. One of my longtime mentors, the legendary Spanish coach Lluis Bruguera, is obsessed with the way the eyes track the incoming ball and the 72

quick reaction of the feet to get into position to “Receive the Ball.” Reading The player must see the ball coming off the opponent’s racket very early and send a signal to the feet to move in a quick manner. Spanish players practice reading and reacting with many hand-fed and racketfed drills that develop these skills. Receiving Players must be able to move well, 360 degrees. If the ball is coming deep, they must be able to give ground and retreat, or defend effectively. If the ball is coming shorter, they must be able to take ground, move forward and attack. The ball should generally be received between the “hip and shoulder,” a commonly used saying in Spain, which means in the best possible strike zone. Sending Players must maintain perfect balance with the back straight and head still during the

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

hit. Spanish coaches often talk about not excessively “using the body.” They want the player to organize the body well to send the shot in the most efficient way, and to create acceleration using the kinetic chain, but without excessive body noise or a loss of balance. With this simple framework of Reading, Receiving and Sending, Spanish coaches are able to build players with the best movement, footwork and balance. The results are players with impeccable efficiency and grace as they move around the court with incredible consistency. Spanish players get to a lot of balls and rarely give away unforced errors. Moving well and consistently are key pillars of the Spanish style of training While many systems I have studied teach footwork techniques very well, they are complicated and skill-focused. Russian, Eastern European and Israeli styles do an excellent job building individual footwork skills, such as general coordination, recovery, adjustment steps, split-steps and other specific movement patterns. The Bailey Method, developed by David Bailey

from Australia, is another excellent system of teaching the various skills needed to move around the court. Developing these specific skills, especially at a young age, is very important. In Spain, however, the coaches tend to focus on the big picture of movement: Reading, Receiving and Sending. Perhaps because the players grow up on slippery red clay, many of the important skills and coordination steps are helped naturally by the surface, and are not needed to be taught as specifically as other systems in other regions of the globe. In my teaching here in the United States, I like to emphasize the Spanish approach with players who are natural movers with good overall coordination and a good mastery of the essential specific footwork patterns needed to succeed at a high level of tennis. In my experience, some children are blessed with naturally good movement instincts and skills, and do not need as much footwork training as players who are less gifted. But for most players, movement and footwork on the court can be a struggle. If

general coordination is lacking and the player does not have a complete mastery of the essential skills, I like to pull from the Russian, Israeli or Eastern European approach, or the Bailey Method, to help those players with specific skills. However, I strongly believe that there is a danger in getting too complicated in footwork training and wasting a lot of time teaching and repeating skills that are not necessary or already acquired. I also see many coaches who are too rigid when they teach footwork and they try to force all players into one cookie-cutter form of moving on the court. Some coaches who are good at teaching footwork are obsessed with it and waste valuable time teaching skills that are not essential, or they reinforce skills that are already mastered. One aspect of Spanish footwork training that I love is that it’s flexible—not dogmatic or rigid. So long as players move fast, efficiently and with balance, they are allowed to move in distinct ways that support their individuality. Spanish footwork and movement training is also very simple and easy to learn. It is a system that gets players

moving well faster than other approaches. If a child is struggling with their movement, parents need to assess why this is. Does the player need help with coordination, split-step, recovery step and other specific footwork techniques? Does the player struggle with eye-tracking, reaction and balance? Whatever the movement issue, try to find a coach who is an expert in teaching the various individual skills, as well as the big picture Spanish concepts of Reading, Receiving and Sending to get your player on the path to better consistency! Chris Lewit, a former number one for Cornell and pro circuit player, coaches in the New York City area and also runs a high-performance boarding summer camp in Southern Vermont. He specializes in training aspiring junior tournament players using progressive Spanish and European training methods. His best-selling book, Secrets of Spanish Tennis, has helped coaches and players worldwide learn how to train the Spanish way. He may be reached by phone at (914) 462-2912, e-mail ChrisLewit@gmail.com or visit ChrisLewit.com.

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courtsix New York Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column By Emilie Katz Kerber Feels the Heat in Miami

Iguana Interrupts Haas-Vesely Match

Azarenka Set for Late July Comeback

World number one Angelique Kerber stepped off the hard courts and onto the hardwood during her time at the Miami Open, attending a Miami Heat game at the American Airlines Arena. She was given a customized jersey and stepped onto the court to hit tennis balls into the crowd.

During a match between Tommy Haas and Jiri Vesely at the Miami Open, there was a delay because an iguana entered the court. It climbed down the scoreboard and scampered across the court before hopping up on another scoreboard. Despite not paying for a ticket, the iguana got the best seat in the house.

Former world number one and two-time Australian Open Champion Victoria Azarenka announced that she will make her return to the court at the Bank of the West Classic, July 31-Aug. 6 in Stanford, Calif. The Belarusian stepped away from the court last year after announcing she was pregnant, giving birth to her baby son Leo in December.

What do Nadal, Serena, Federer, Djokovic and Murray all have in common? They have a chiropractor on their side.

Give yourself the added advantage.

Dr. Robert Silverman 2015 Sports Chiropractor of the Year

311 North St. Ste. G1, White Plains, NY 10605 Ph: 914.287.6464 email: DrRobSilvermanNY@gmail.com

www.DrRobertSilverman.com 74

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

Harrison Ties the Knot

American Ryan Harrison has tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Lauren McHale (pictured here left), a former standout tennis player in her own right at the University of North Carolina. McHale is the older sister of Christina McHale (pictured here, right), who is currently ranked 45th in the world.

the Court of Arbitration for Sport in his match-fixing case, the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) announced. Garza had been suspended for six months and fined $5,000 after the TIU said he “attempted to influence the outcome of a match” at a Futures tournament in California in 2015. He is eligible to begin his playing career once again.

Federer Defeats Murray in Swiss Exhibition

Boland to Lead USTA Player Development Fresh off of his title at the Miami Open, Roger Federer took on world number one Andy Murray in an exhibition match in Zurich, Switzerland in The Match for Africa 3, which benefits the Roger Federer Foundation. Federer won the match in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(6).

University of Virginia Head Coach Brian Boland, who has guided the Cavaliers to three National Championships over the last four seasons, was named the new head of men’s tennis for USTA Player Development. Boland takes over the role from Jay Berger, who stepped down after nine years in the role.

Serena announces pregnancy

Serena Williams announced to the world, albeit accidentally, that she was pregnant with her first child. Serena, who is engaged to Reddit Co-Founder Alexis O'Hanian, posted a picture to Snapchat with the caption "20 weeks.” After social media went abuzz with the news, she later confirmed the rumors, but said she didn't mean to reveal the news just yet. “I’ve been so good about it, but this was the one time it slipped. It was a good moment,” Serena said. “I was only going to wait five or six more days.” Serena will miss the rest of 2017, but plans on returning to the tour next year.

Garza Has Suspension Overturned

Mexico’s Daniel Garza won his appeal to NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

Credit all photos to Sidney Beal III and Lee Seidner

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

Team World Downs Americas at 10th Annual BNP Paribas Showdown

he 2017 installment of the BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden had a new format and many fresh faces, and once again delivered a fun and exciting night of tennis to the New York City crowd. In the end, it was Team World, comprised of Lleyton Hewitt, Nick Kyrgios, Kei Nishikori and Garbine Muguruza, who came out victorious, beating Team Americas, made up of Venus Williams, Andy Roddick, Jack Sock and Juan Martin del Potro, 29-24 after the six-flight, World TeamTennis-style matchup. The first match up was men’s doubles, as the team of Australians, Hewitt & Kyrgios, took on the American duo of Sock & Roddick. Neither side was able to muster up a break point and it headed into a tiebreaker, which was won by the Australians to give Team World the early advantage. Following the doubles match, Hewitt

and Roddick remained on court to play the second flight, pitting the two all-time greats of their era together against one another. Once again, this set would be decided in a tiebreaker, and Hewitt was able to outlast the American to bump the Team World lead to 10-8 heading into the third flight. Team World continued to hold off any attempt at a Team Americas’ comeback, as Muguruza & Nishikori hung on to beat Venus & del Potro 5-3 in the mixed-doubles flight. This was one of the more exciting matches of the evening, as both sides volleyed back and forth during long rallies and Nishikori hit the shot of the night, a volley at the net with a 360 spin to chase down another volley to win the point. Venus would give the Americas its only victory, as she came back to beat Muguruza 5-4(7-2) in the women’s singles match. The crowd got really excited when Venus was subbed out for a USTA Play for Life Ambassador to play a point against

Muguruza, and then Muguruza was subbed out as another one of the young players came out to play a point against Venus. In what was probably the most intriguing matchup, the next generation of tennis stars took the court as Kyrgios faced Sock in the fifth flight as the two big-hitters traded blows and even threw in some tweeners to the delight of the MSG crowd. At one point, Sock’s good friend and Olympic Gold Medalist in fencing, Miles Chamley-Watson, came out of the crowd to play a point against Kyrgios, and even tried his hand at a tweener, but was unsuccessful. Once again, this set was played into a tiebreaker, and Kyrgios came out victorious to all but ensure the victory for Team World. The final set of the night saw del Potro take on Nishikori, and the fifth-ranked Nishikori outlasted the Argentinean in a tiebreaker, clinching the victory for Team World.

01-Venus Williams battles against Garbine Muguruza at Madison Square Garden 02-Andy Roddick teamed with fellow American Jack Sock in men’s doubles action 03-Japan’s Kei Nishikori entertains the MSG crowd 04-Garbine Muguruza on the court at Madison Square Garden in her match with Venus Williams 05-Juan Martin del Potro battles Kei Nishikori in the final match of the evening 06-The next generation of superstars were on display as Australia’s Nick Kyrgios takes the courts at MSG 07-American Jack Sock serves in his match against Nick Kyrgios

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NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

USTA/Metropolitan Region

2017 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE For detailed information on these and all USTA tournaments, visit tennislink.usta.com/tournaments. MAY 2017 Friday-Sunday, May 12-14 L1B Cary Leeds Mid-May Challenger The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning 1720 Crotona Avenue Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12-14 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, April 28 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail WWiese@NYJTL.org or call (718) 247-7420. Friday-Sunday, May 12-14 L2 Stadium Tennis Center May Open Stadium Tennis Center 725 Exterior Street Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FMLC) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, May 5 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail Lauren@StadiumTennisNYC.com or call (718) 665-4684. Friday-Sunday, May 12-14 & May 19-21 L1B Sportime Randall’s Island May 2017 Challenger Sportime Randall’s Island 1 Randall’s Island New York, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, May 8 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail MattyTrumino@gmail.com or call (646) 783-5301. Saturday-Sunday, May 13-14 L3 APTC May UPS Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Entry Level Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Green Ball 12, 78’ Yellow Ball 14-16 (RR) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $43.50 per player (deadline for entries is Tuesday, May 9 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail AlleyPondTennisCenter@gmail.com or call (718) 264-2600.

Friday-Sunday, May 19-21 & May 26-28 L2 Sportime RI May 2017 Open Sportime Randall’s Island 1 Randall’s Island New York, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14-16 (SE) Surface Type: Clay Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, May 15 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail MattyTrumino@gmail.com or call (646) 783-5301. Saturday-Sunday, May 20-21 Youth Progression Green Level 1 Fresh Meadows Cunningham Tennis 19600 Union Turnpike Fresh Meadows, N.Y. Divisions: Green Level 1 Boys & Girls 10 and Under Singles 78’ Green Ball 10 (FMLC) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, May 14 at 11:59 p.m.) For more information, e-mail Victor@CunninghamTennis.com or call (718) 740-6800. Saturday-Monday, May 20-22 L1B Cary Leeds Center Late May Challenger The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning 1720 Crotona Avenue Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12, 16 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $43.50 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, May 5 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail WWiese@NYJTL.org or call (718) 247-7420. Friday-Sunday, May 26-28 & June 2-4 L1B Sportime Randall’s Island May 2017 Challenger Sportime Randall’s Island 1 Randall’s Island New York, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14-16 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, May 22 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail MattyTrumino@gmail.com or call (646) 783-5301.

Friday-Monday, May 26-29 L1A Memorial Championships at Alley Pond Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Championships Boys Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 16 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, May 22 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail AlleyPondTennisCenter@gmail.com or call (718) 264-2600. JUNE 2017 Friday-Sunday, June 2-4 L2 Perform Series Open II at St. Johns St. John’s University 8000 Utopia Parkway Jamaica, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FMLC) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, May 29 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail Bow4We@gmail.com or call (718) 990-5549. Friday-Sunday, June 2-4 L2 Stadium Tennis Center June Open Stadium Tennis Center 725 Exterior Street Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys’ Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14 (FMLC) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Wednesday, May 24 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail Lauren@StadiumTennisNYC.com or call (718) 665-4684. Saturday, June 3 Youth Progression Orange Level 2 Fresh Meadows Cunningham Tennis 19600 Union Turnpike Fresh Meadows, N.Y. Divisions: Orange Level 2 Boys & Girls 10 and Under Singles 60’ Orange Ball 10 (NEF) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $48.88 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, May 28 at 11:59 p.m.) For more information, e-mail VCaraballo08@aol.com or call (718) 740-6800.

NYTennisMag.com • May/June 2017 • New York Tennis Magazine

USTA/Metropolitan Region

2017 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE For detailed information on these and all USTA tournaments, visit tennislink.usta.com/tournaments. Saturday-Sunday, June 3-11 Mayor’s Cup All-Scholastic Tennis Championships The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning 1720 Crotona Avenue Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles & Doubles 78’ Yellow Ball 12-18 Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $3 for first singles, $3 for additional singles/$3 for first doubles, $3 for additional doubles For more information, e-mail MayorsCup@NYJTL.org or call (718) 247-7420.

Saturday, June 17 Youth Progression Orange Level 1 Fresh Meadows Cunningham Tennis 19600 Union Turnpike Fresh Meadows, N.Y. Divisions: Orange Level 1 Boys & Girls 10 and Under Singles 60’ Orange Ball 10 (NEF) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $48.88 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, June 11 at 11:59 p.m.) For more information, e-mail Victor@CunninghamTennis.com or call (718) 740-6800.

Friday-Sunday, June 9-11 L1B Cunningham Tennis June Challenger Cunningham Tennis 19600 Union Turnpike Fresh Meadows, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12, 18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 for first singles, $28 for first doublesmaximum fee charged per player is $75 plus the processing fees for the number of events you select (deadline for entries is Monday, June 5 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail KLastique@yahoo.com or call (718) 740-6800.

Saturday-Sunday, June 17-18 Youth Progression Green L1, Bronx The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning 1720 Crotona Avenue Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Green Level 1 Boys & Girls 10 and Under Singles 78’ Green Ball 10 (FMLC) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: Maximum fee charged per player is $45 plus the processing fees for the number of events you select (deadline for entries is Sunday, June 4 at 11:59 p.m.) For more information, e-mail WWiese@NYJTL.org or call (718) 247-7420.

Friday-Sunday, June 16-18 L1B Haffen Park Tennis Challenger Haffen Park Sports Association Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14-16 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $43.50 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, June 2 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail EBWaldron@aol.com or call (917) 609-3648.

Saturday-Sunday, June 23-25 L1 Cary Leeds June Championships The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning 1720 Crotona Avenue Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Championships Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, June 16 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail WWiese@NYJTL.org or call (718) 247-7420.

Friday-Sunday, June 16-18 L1B Thomas Blake Memorial Tournament Fordham University. 441 East Fordham Road Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12-14 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, June 9 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail CoachSimone@HJTEP.org or call (212) 491-3738.

Monday-Wednesday, June 26-28 L1B Cunningham June Challenger Cunningham Tennis 19600 Union Turnpike Fresh Meadows, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles & Doubles 78’ Yellow Ball 16-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 for first singles, $28 for first doubles (deadline for entries is Thursday, June 22 at 11:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail KLastique@yahoo.com or call (718) 740-6800.

New York Tennis Magazine • May/June 2017 • NYTennisMag.com

Friday-Sunday, June 30-July 2 L1 Cary Leeds Independence Championships The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning 1720 Crotona Avenue Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Championships Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, June 26 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail WWiese@NYJTL.org or call (718) 247-7420.

Editor’s Note: USTA Eastern’s Junior Competition Committee is currently reworking its Junior Regional Standings and it will be replaced by a system similar to UTR and NTRP. The Junior Rankings are not available at this time.

NEW YORK TENNIS CLUB ADVANTAGE QUICKSTART TENNIS Paul Fontana–Director Various Manhattan Locations • (646) 884-9649 PFontana@AdvantageTennisClubs.com QuickStartNY.com CARY LEEDS CENTER FOR TENNIS & LEARNING Rick Ferman—Executive Director of Tennis 1720 Crotona Avenue • Bronx, N.Y. (718) 247-7420 Conpetire10s@gmail.com CaryLeedsTennis.org CENTERCOURT PERFORMANCE TENNIS CENTER Clay Bibbee—Managing Partner and Academy Founder 65 Columbia Road • Morristown, N.J. (973) 635-1222 Clay@Centercourtclub.com CenterCourtClub.com CHRIS LEWIT TENNIS ACADEMY Tennis Club of Hastings 100 River Street• Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. (914) 462-2912 ChrisLewit@gmail.com • ChrisLewit.com COURTSENSE TENNIS TRAINING CENTER Gordon Uehling—Founder and Managing Director 195 County Road • Tenafly, N.J. (201) 569-1114/(201) 489-1122 Info@CourtSense.com CourtSense.com FUTURE STARS SOUTHAMPTON 1370 A Majors Path Southampton, N.Y. • (631) 287-6707 Info@FutureStarsSouthampton.com FutureStarsSouthampton.com GOTHAM TENNIS ACADEMY— STADIUM TENNIS CENTER Joel Kassan—Executive Director Eric Faro—Director of Tennis 725 Gateway Center Boulevard • Bronx, N.Y. (718) 665-4684 Joel@GothamTennis.com StadiumTennisNYC.com MANHATTAN PLAZA RACQUET CLUB Milos Vojvodic–General Manager 450 West 43rd Street • New York, N.Y. (212) 594-0554 Milos@AdvantageTennisClubs.com AdvantageTennisClubs.com