New York Tennis Magazine September / October 2015 by United Sports Publications

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MAGAZINE

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

Table Of Contents

SEP/OCT 2015 • Vol 5, No 5

Pursuit of History By Brian Coleman Serena Williams continues her quest for her 22nd Open Era Grand Slam title when the U.S. Open takes over the New York area for the final Grand Slam event of 2015. See page 30

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 Matthew Cohen Director of Business Development (516) 409-4444, ext. 306 Emilie Katz Assistant Marketing Coordinator Beverly Bolnick National Sales Manager (516) 409-4444, ext. 316 Scott Koondel VP of Operations (516) 409-4444, ext. 324 Jacob Mishkin Intern

Jessica Haverlin Intern

Alyssa Gorman Intern Trevor Mitchel Intern

Samantha Sklar Intern Sarah Sklar Intern

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.

Featured Stories 20 2015 New York City Girls High School Preview A look at the girl’s high school season. 33 2015 U.S. Open Preview The stars of the sport get set to take over the New York area for the final Grand Slam of 2015. 50 2015 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players A closer look at the top clubs and programs.

Featured 4 16 17 18 22 28 46 48 65 72 80

NYJTL Hosts 500-Plus for Annual Summer Gala With the Stars Best Lights: Perfecting On-Court LED Lighting Boca West Country Club Offers Pro-Worthy Tennis Center Courtside … With Skip Hartman Ball Hubs Offer Unique Combination of On-Court Branding & Functionality Drink Up! By Elizabeth Right Reiss Women’s Grass Court Nationals Wraps in Forest Hills By Ashley Brownstein MBR Builders Brings Experience and Skill to Indoor Tennis Renovations What Was Is … Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary What Happened to Decency? By Richard Thater High Country Ski and Tennis Launches U.S. Open Campaign

Featured Columns 6 10 12 14 24 60 63 64 66 68 71 74 76 79

Court Six: New York Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column By Emilie Katz Across Metro New York Fitness & Nutrition By Suzanna McGee The Jensen Zone By Luke Jensen USTA Eastern Metro Region Update New York Tennis Magazine’s Charitable Initiatives Adult League: USTA Leagues Update Sports Medicine: Dealing With Lower Back Pain By Dr. Michael Mizhiritsky More Than an Athlete By Rob Polishook, MA, CPC Tips From the Tennis Pro By Lisa Dodson Metro Corporate League Recap, Presented by Advantage Tennis Clubs How to Become the Alpha Player on the Court By Dr. Tom Ferraro New York Rankings USTA/Metropolitan Region 2015 Tournament Schedule

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Roosevelt Island Racquet Club 12 Har-Tru indoor courts 281 Main St., Roosevelt Island, NY Contact Gordon Kent: 212.935.0250, gkent@ advantagetennisclubs.com

Find out more today—then choose your NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine Advantage club! advantagetennisclubs.com

NYJTL Hosts 500-Plus

Annual Summer Gala

for

With the Stars n a beautiful August night in New York City, more than 500 attendees took part in the New York Junior Tennis League’s (NYJTL) Annual Summer Gala With the Stars. Luminaries from the worlds of tennis, finance and the New York social scene came out to support one of the largest tennis and educationthemed organizations in the country. Former New York City Mayor David Dinkins, NYJTL Founder Skip Hartman and other supporters helped celebrate

the efforts of the group, which reaches out to more than 75,000 New York City youth. “In the two weeks of the U.S. Open, $750 million is generated to the economy of New York, more than the Knicks, Rangers, Mets and Yankees combined, and this is the kickoff event” said Dinkins. More than 500 partygoers honored the NYJTL's work and, in particular, the grand opening of the $26.5 million Cary Leeds Center for Tennis and Learning in the Bronx's Crotona Park. Through silent auctions and donations, the Summer Gala With the Stars is expected to raise

more than six figures. Polly Scott, NYJTL board member and director of development, said that it is the younger members of the tennis community that make the event the success that it is. “The young people in the tennis community make this event so special, this is really about reaching out to the kids of NYC through the tennis community,” said Scott. “Young tennis players, old tennis players … this is a way for all of us in the tennis community to reconnect as we do every year before the Open.” In addition to the spread of food and open bar, guests enjoyed entertainment, including a live band, photo booth, gondola rides and a magician. A silent auction was also conducted, with prizes ranging from hotel and vacation stays, to Legends seats at Yankees Stadium. “Everybody has a good time, it’s a lot of young people, and it’s a really diverse event in terms of age,” said Hartman. “It’s got a lot of energy to it. This event is about bringing new people in to make contact with the organization.”

Providing the highest quality orthopedic care for NY & NJ. Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine l Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Our expert orthopedic doctors treat all bone, joint, and musculoskeletal injuries of tennis athletes. Dr. Leon Popovitz is a former orthopedic surgeon for the US Open. Main Location 205 E. 64th St., Ste. 402 l New York, NY 10065 l Phone: (646) 693-3194

www.nyboneandjoint.com NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

courtsix New York Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column By Emilie Katz The Mardy Fish retirement tour Former top 10 American Mardy Fish announced that the U.S. Open will be his last tournament before he retires. The fan favorite Fish reached a career high ranking of seventh in the world before anxiety issues forced him to take time off. In a July tweet, Fish said, “My schedule this summer will be Atlanta, Cincinnati and I will finish my career at the U.S. Open … #lastride.”

Kirilenko gives birth Former top 10 player Maria K i r ilenko announced on Twitter that she has a new baby with her husband, Alexei Stepanov. The two married in January of this year. Kirilenko, who has not played since last September, has not yet decided whether to return to the WTA Tour.

HBO airs “7 Days in Hell” tennis mockumentary

Federer opens schools in povertystricken Malawi

(played by Kit Harrington, who portrays Jon Snow on HBO’s “Game of Thrones”). The show featured appearances by real life tennis stars Serena Williams, John McEnroe and Chris Evert.

del Potro not close to returning Juan Martin del Potro has stopped working with his longtime coach, Franco Davin. He appears to be a long way away from returning to the ATP Tour after another left wrist surgery. The 2009 U.S. Open champion has played just two tournaments this year. Davin began coaching del Potro in 2008. “I wanted to tell you that Franco is no longer part of my team,” del Potro wrote on Facebook. “I’m really grateful for the years we’ve worked together, and I wish them the very best. I’m also thankful to their families for their warm support that goes beyond tennis.”

Troubles for Tomic Seventeen-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer spent some of his summer in Malawi, spending $13.5 million to open 81 schools in the poverty-stricken nation. “I believe every young child should have the opportunity to spend some years in such a center, because early education is the foundation of learning,” Federer said during his visit. 6

HBO recently aired a hilarious “mockumentary” called “7 Days in Hell.” The special reminisced on a fictional 2001 first round Wimbledon matchup between Aaron Williams (played by Andy Samberg of Saturday Night Live fame) and Charles Poole

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

Australia’s Ber nard Tomic was in the news a great deal following his loss to eventual champion Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon. He stirred the pot with Tennis Australia, claiming that the federation does not support him and other players properly. He was then arrested at a Miami hotel after throwing

a party in his room. After guards came to the room following a noise complaint, Tomic refused to come out and was subsequently arrested for trespassing and resisting arrest. Tomic later apologized for the incident, saying: “It was definitely my fault. I was asleep on several occasions when they complained at first, but you know, it was just a noise complaint. I’m sorry for the police and the disturbance I caused. I’m just happy I got out and no one got hurt.”

tionship. “We experienced wonderful moments together. I wish her much happiness and success in life and in tennis,” said Dimitrov. “Now I’m concentrated entirely on the game, and I’m sure the results will soon be seen. This is the summer of the new beginning for me.”

Wedding bells for Berdych

Sharapova/Dimitrov end relationship One of the sport’s biggest power couples recently ended their relationship. Top 20 Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov and five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova announced that they had amicably ended their rela-

Andy Roddick (@AndyRoddick): @travismathew hat in my coffee! Bam!

Photos recently surfaced from the wedding day of Tomas Berdych and his wife, model Aga Radwanska (@ARadwanska): Getting Ester Satarova. It was reported to be a ready for the U.S. hard court season small gathering, with around 20 family and continued on page 8 friends in attendance.

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NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

court six continued from page 7

Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki): Love the latest style from @adidas and @finishlinewomen. These look great in any situation #thedebut Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal): I was the chef today. First course, salad with olives! #Wimbledon #RafaNadalAlimentosEspaña

Roger Federer (@RogerFederer): I feel grateful to be able to share time with these amazing kids

Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole): Thank you to my team, to my #NoleFam and to all the people cheering and supporting me here @Wimbledon. Ideeemoooo!

Venus Williams (@VenusesWilliams): Taking it all in at The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul—the oldest mall in the world. Victoria Azarenka (@Vika7): Last day of being 25

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

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NYTennisMag.com â&#x20AC;˘ September/October 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ New York Tennis Magazine

Across Metro N Ossining, N.Y. declares Aug. 3rd “Jamie Loeb Day” Jamie Loeb, who trains at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy at Sportime Randall's Island, recently received a huge honor from her hometown of Ossining, N.Y. The town declared Aug. 3 as "Jamie Loeb Day" to honor Loeb’s accomplishments on the court. “It’s something that I’ll remember all my life,” Loeb told The Journal News. “It’s really nice giving back, helping the youth program out, and hopefully, have them become successful tennis stars in the future.”

Staten Island’s Kalieva win National Clay Court Championship Staten Island’s Elvina Kalieva won the USTA Girls 12 National Clay Court Championships singles tournament in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Kalieva came back from a set down to defeat Boca Raton’s Charlotte Owensby 1-6, 6-4, 63. Soon after, she competed in the Girls 14 Singles draw of the USTA National Warm-Up Tournament, going all the way to the finals.

Centercourt hosts Wilander on Wheels Tour

Centercourt Athletic Club of Chatham recently hosted the Wilander on Wheels Tour, as it made a stop at their club for a day of tennis training and lessons from International Tennis Hall of Famer and former world number one Mats Wilander and his training partner, Cameron Lickle. There was personalized coaching, fast-paced energy drills and the day concluded with a luncheon. "This has been my third time working with Mats and Cameron,” said Michael Smookler, USPTA New Jersey District president and Centercourt Advantage Program manager. “They do such a wonderful job of putting everyone at ease. The energy and passion Mats and Cameron bring to the courts is infectious. I look forward to working with them again." 10

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

ew York New

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

North Shore Towers wraps up Summer Championships North Shore Towers Country Club in Floral Park, N.Y. recently hosted its Summer Championships, one of the most competitive clay court junior tournaments. The tournament was a success, and the winners are as follows: l Boys 16 Singles: Spencer Brachman of Commack, N.Y. l Boys 18 Singles: Peter Lohrbach of North Port, Fla. l Boys 16 Doubles: Timothy Nacca of Garden City, N.Y. & Gabriel Sifuentes of Flushing, N.Y. Spencer Brachman

Peter Lohrbach

Mautner captures top prize at Roosevelt Island’s Annual Men’s Tournament Roosevelt Island Racquet Club recently hosted its Fifth Annual Men’s Prize Money Singles Tournament. The tournament draw featured 16 top singles players and consisted of both college players and adult players. Kyle Mautner (pictured right), who will be playing tennis at the University of Pennsylvania this fall, defeated Christopher Grant in the tournament’s final. Mautner went through the whole tournament without dropping a set, and walked away with the $700 prize. Grant took home $400, while the semifinalists each won $200.

Success for two HJTEP members at ATA National Championships Congratulations to New York City’s Ameer Hosain (pictured here right), who recently captured the Boys 16s Championship at the 98th American Tennis Association (ATA) National Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Donovan Spigner (pictured here left) of New York City also had an excellent showing, finishing in second place in the Boys 12s Division.

Columbia Women’s Tennis preps for big 2015 season The Columbia Women’s Tennis team will be welcoming in the highest-ranked recruiting class in the program’s history this fall. The class is ranked sixth by TennisRecruiting.net, and features Star Makarome and Andrea Kevakian as blue chip recruits, Rani Rachavelpula as a five-star recruit and Sara Hu as a four-star recruit. “Our 2015’s are the highest-ranked recruiting class in the history of Columbia Women’s Tennis,” said Columbia Head Coach Ilene Weintraub. “Not only are they really good, they are positive and fun people, and will add to our team dynamic.” NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

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

Nutrition for Optimal Tennis Performance By Suzanna McGee laying tennis makes tremendous demands on the human body. You spend hours on the courts, grinding and practicing, and later in the gym, working on your tennis-specific fitness to optimize movement, power, explosiveness and the prevention of overuse injuries. Today’s elite athletes are similarly skilled in the training techniques, and what distinguishes the best from the rest is nutrition. Novak Djokovic is a prime example of how his new gluten-free and junk-free diet made him unbeatable “overnight.” Nowadays, most people are overfed, yet undernourished. They eat too many nutritionally empty calories. Your main nutritional goals are:

l Fueling the body with quality nutrients to decrease inflammation from training and physical and emotional stresses l Delivering the optimal amount of quality calories to sustain heavy training and to support muscle repair and recovery. You cannot go wrong choosing a completely plant-based lifestyle. It is nourishing, filling, healing and light. It is fresh and full of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, fiber and enzymes. 12

Eat as many fresh vegetables and fruits as you can It is hard to overeat fresh fruits and vegetables because you get full and satisfied before you eat too many calories. People fear fruits for their sugar content, but fruits deliver fiber, water and quality nutrients. Fruits serve as an amazing snack to fuel your workouts.

Add protein sources, such as legumes, seeds and nuts Eating lentils, beans, chickpeas and green peas delivers the protein you need for building and repairing your muscles. Compared to cooking, sprouting your legumes unleashes many healthy nutrients and enzymes.

Pay close attention to oils, nuts and seeds Due to their high fat content, it is easy to eat too many calories. Add a handful or two for the taste and to get the essential fats, then get the rest of your calories from carbohydrates, as carbs serve as the best fuel for a training body.

Eat as few (if any) animal products as possible They are highly acid-forming and hard to

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

“Today’s elite athletes are similarly skilled in the training techniques, and what distinguishes the best from the rest is nutrition.” digest. You want to create an alkaline environment in your body for optimal recovery and digestion. If you dare to feel the best of your life, eliminate meat, poultry, fish, dairy and eggs. You will feel heightened energy levels, unreal recovery and the ability to train more frequently and with higher intensity. Your body composition will reach optimal, lean levels and you will become healthier in the process. Suzanna McGee is certified by National Academy of Sports Medicine and also holds a Certificate in Plant Based Nutrition from eCornell University. She is an author of Tennis Fitness for the Love of It and The Athlete’s Simple Guide to a Plant-Based Lifestyle. For more information, e-mail sixftlion@gmail.com or visit TennisFitnessLove.com.

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Nothing Like a Late Summer Grand Slam Catching the excitement of the U.S. Open

By Luke Jensen Hey tennis stars … the summer of 2015 is flying by, and I am still trying to figure out who is leading the points race in the U.S. Open Series! Ahhh, the U.S. Open: The big, bad boy on the Grand Slam block. The Aussie is the “Happy Slam.” The French Open is the “Fashion Slam” and Wimbledon is the “Traditional Slam.” Now, as the summer begins to fade away and back to school ads seem to be everywhere, the massive 22,000seat Arthur Ashe Stadium will greet players and fans with a brand new look for 2015. Towering like a massive military top secret project, the retractable roof structure will be ready to give poor Aaron Krickstein a break from the 1991 Jimmy Connors defeat in the 2016 U.S. Open. This will be the last U.S. Open rain delay to replay the Krickstein-Connors thriller!

The U.S. Open is the bad boy on the block because the conditions will test even the mentally tough pros. Traffic from the city can be hectic and the noise from nearby planes and trains tell you this is NOT a quiet country club. Then, while you are in a heated match, the smell of burgers and hot dogs from the food court will make you woozy!!! But give me New York City! Give me the crowds and the passion of a rrrrrrroar on a winner to break serve. Let me high five the fans in the front rows and throw wristbands and hit balls into the top rows to get the American crowd fired up! I wish you all could experience exactly what the U.S. Open is! The Open was my kind of animal. It is a beast of intimidation and feasts on the weakest of players. From the outside courts, the presence of that massive star of Arthur Ashe Stadium is always present. From the first ball to the last ball hit of the tournament, the U.S. Open is intensity per-

sonified! Now I have played on all of the courts since 1983, but my all-time favorite is the Grandstand. This will be the very last year for the court before it is torn down for a brand new show court. At some point this year, I will sneak down and kiss the net and say goodbye. My brother Murphy and I had some amazing moments on the Grandstand court that I will always treasure. The crowd is literally above you, looking over from Armstrong Stadium. One time while tossing the ball up to serve, there was a guy with some shirt that said “Boston STINKS” on the front. I guess he was a New York Yankees fan, but even after all of these years, I still remember looking up to hit the ball and seeing this guy and saying to myself, “This is NOT Wimbledon!” It is the players’ final shot to capture a real Grand Slam run in 2015 and they know it. It is a long ride until the Aussie Open in 2016, so picking up a momentous run is on every player’s agenda. Watch for Roger Federer … his game is priceless and if the draw can break open for him, maybe he can win Grand Slam number 18. Don’t forget history and Serena Williams going for Steffi Graf’s record 22 Grand Slam titles and the calendar Grand Slam. Tons of storylines and excitement will unfold at the 2015 U.S. Open … let’s take it all in!!! 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.

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

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• We offer a full-range of junior and adult programs for recreational and tournament players in partnership with Gotham Tennis Academy, a leader in developing and operating tennis programs in New York City and the Hamptons. • Our professional tennis staff has some of the most talented, personable and engaging tennis professionals in NYC. For more information about our pros, please visit www.stadiumtennisnyc.com • Sign up now for our popular programs, private lessons, seasonal court rentals, unlimited play memberships, tournaments and adult leagues. • Sixteen BRAND NEW – JUST RESURFACED! US Open style deco-turf tennis courts with spacious backcourts • For the convenience of our regular players and their families, the Tennis Center offers complimentary on-site parking. In addition, an adjacent clubhouse features a pro shop, café, locker rooms and lounge areas, Wi-Fi computer access, a workspace where children can do schoolwork and read, and a tennis library.

Stadium Tennis Center at Mill Pond Park www.stadiumtennisnyc.com | www.gothamtennis.com

(718) 665-4684

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

Best Lights: Perfecting On-Court LED Lighting Best Lights has spent the past three years researching and developing its Triangular LED™ 630-watt indirect series. Its design incorporates stable, economical and durable components. Through the use of a proprietary reflector Best Lights is able to produce more light using less wattage and has solved many of the frustrating problems associated with LED luminaries. By introducing its Triangular LED™ design, Best Lights gains superior stability

and light performance, while protecting the LEDs from bugs and dust collecting on top of them. This design also allows the elimination of the need for lenses, which reduce light output by 20 percent. LEDs create a tremendous amount of heat, and if that heat is not drawn away from the back of the LED board through heatsinks, the LED will lose life and light output. Best Lights’ heatsink system and active air design allow superior performance protecting the LEDs

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New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

from overheating, allowing them to operate well below the maximum temperature rating, which in turn, allows the LED to produce more light and last longer. Manufacturing indirect lights over 21 years, Best Lights has perfected its reflectors. They magnify and reflect the light out of the luminaire at the correct angles with the intensity to reflect off the ceiling, eliminating hot spots or hot lines seen on the ceilings in other designs. The outer housing has a stiffing rib rolled into the side, which strengthens it for durability. The silent dimmable electronic drivers are inside the luminaire. Whether installing new lights or replacing existing lights, installation is simple and easy. Best Lights’ designs utilize the existing wiring and attachment points. Best Lights 630-watt Triangular LED™ Indirect series produces more light than a brand new 1,000-watt HID lamp in your existing fixtures. When your goal is to reduce energy cost, Best Lights’ luminaire pays for themselves through electricity savings. Having the best-lit facility will generate new members, thus leaving your competitors in the dark. Just another benefit to having Best Lights. For a quote, energy analysis or light layout, contact Best Lights at (800) 545-2928, (248) 588-4980 or visit BestLights.com.

Boca West Country Club Offers Pro-Worthy Tennis Center Top-shelf facility wows with WTA rising star, USPTA pros and 31 Hydro-Courts

oca West Country Club, located in Boca Raton, Fla., is renowned for its first-rate recreational activities. The Country Club's reputation in golf is equaled by its $1.8 million Tennis Center. Fully dedicated to the racquet sport, there is a lighted stadium court and seating for more than 300, plus access for members to U.S. Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) staff for tennis clinics and private lessons for instructions, drills, techniques and strategies. The number one residential country club in the United States is also the proud recipient of the 2013 USTA Outstanding Tennis Facility Award. Tennis enthusiasts looking for superb amenities in a beautiful private country club setting have the opportunity to see many WTA and ATP touring pros and other world-class players who frequent the courts. Adding cachet to the Club’s brand is its recent 2015 partnership with WTA rising star Christina McHale, who, according to USA Today, has “long been considered a couldbe next star for the U.S. on the women's

tour.” Known for competing hard and pushing players such as Maria Sharapova and Jelena Jankovic, McHale is currently ranked 59th in the world. She was ranked 26th in the world as a 19-year-old heading into the 2012 London Olympics. Boca West’s Tennis Center courts carry a feature-worthy status of their own. There are 31 Hydro-courts, three are lit for night play, along with one hard court with four Pickleball courts. “Our Tennis Center courts have been designed to improve endurance and to provide members with the opportunity to develop an allcourt game,” said Jay DiPietro, CCM, president/CEO/general manager of Boca West Country Club. The Tennis Center is a sought-after draw

and destination, hosting championship tournaments and exhibitions, including the USTA French Open Wild Card Tournament, held from 2006-2010. First-rate former and current players are the norm at such events, and have included Chris Evert, Jennifer Capriati, Martina Navratilova and the Bryan Brothers, among others. Competition isn’t limited only to the pros. Boca West offers eight men’s leagues and five women’s leagues that challenge other clubs in Palm Beach County. An award-winning community that was originally developed by Arvida Corporation in 1971, it is home to 6,000 residents (3,380 families) in magnificent residences, including townhomes, patio homes, villas, garden apartments and single-family homes. Boca West is the number one private residential country club in the country and number one private club, of all types, in Florida statewide. Boca West is a Platinum Club of America, Five-Star Private Club since 1997, and is proudly recognized as a Distinguished Emerald Club by Board Room Magazine since 2013. For more information, visit BocaWestCC.org.

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

Courtside… With Skip Hartman The New York tennis landscape is always growing and evolving. There are a myriad of options both indoors and outdoors for a local tennis player to choose from. So how does a successful tennis entity separate themselves? How does a successful club increase their player base and continue to grow? New York Tennis Magazine sat down with Skip Hartman, owner of three of the local area’s top tennis entities, The Advantage Tennis Clubs, to get his take on the current state of tennis in New York and how he has found success for so many years with his clubs. What was the goal when you brought your three clubs (Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club and New York Tennis Club) together a few years ago under The Advantage Tennis Clubs umbrella? Skip Hartman: Our goal was to develop a stronger brand. We had offered many programs at several clubs for many years, all with different names. Sometimes, at the same club, there were different names for programs that were not even associated with the club's name. This reflected our philosophy that it was the personal skill and commitment of each program director and club man18

agement team that dictated their success. Also, advertising was very expensive years ago. We felt word of mouth was the best way for a club or program to build a following and that it was best triggered by a dedicated manager or program leader. We still believe deeply in the importance of these underlying factors. However, times have changed. Technology has made continuous communication with the market much less expensive. People are bombarded by so much information now that a simpler message is stronger and has a better chance of being heard. Also, we have more competition today than 10 years ago. By combining the marketing budgets and the image under a single brand, Advantage Tennis, of our three clubs [Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club, Roosevelt Island Racquet Club and New York Tennis Club], we could send a stronger message to our customers and potential customers. We remain committed to having excellent program leaders and managers dedicated to helping each player be as good as they can be and derive enjoyment from tennis. How can you continue to grow under this model? Hartman: Our club facilities have room for

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

participation to grow at their current sites, although our 42nd Street Club is pretty full. With respect to our youth programs, we still have room to grow at existing sites, and we are adding more sites every year. What is it about Advantage Tennis Clubs that make it unique and different than most other tennis facilities? Hartman: For 45 years, we have tried to provide more personal service. Our motto, "We've Got Your Game," stresses our commitment to each player. We have many customers, their children and grandchildren who have been with us for more than 40 years. Tell us about Roosevelt Island Racquet Club. Hartman: Roosevelt Island is very convenient to get to and has 11 indoor Har-Tru courts with an adjacent pool that members can use. What is special about Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club? Hartman: Location, location, location! It’s hard to beat a club right on 42nd Street. Manhattan Plaza is now year-round indoors, and boasts cushioned, all-weather courts and a full-service health club with a pool.

What makes New York Tennis Club stand out? Hartman: Outdoor courts set in a lovely area with trees and grass, a very pleasant escape from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan during the summer. In the winter, the six Har-Tru courts are a few minutes longer to get too from Manhattan, but are less than half the price of Manhattan clubs. What is your view of the current state of tennis in New York? What are the pros and cons? Hartman: This subject is complex and worthy of a separate article or book. There are different opportunities and challenges from the perspective of the players and their families, facility operators, land owners, which in New York, is often a public institution, the people who have made tennis their careers as instructors, managers and operations staff. New York City remains a very strong market where it is possible to play both inexpensively and very expensively. That is good. What are some of your fondest memo-

ries of your life/career in tennis? What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment? Hartman: One of my biggest thrills was defeating a very good player after being down 5-0, 40 love, in a sanctioned 35 and Over Eastern Tennis Association tournament. But then again, I just play for the fun of it. I was fortunate enough and privileged to grow up at the same time the sport of tennis started to grow, as it became more of a broad-based public pastime and sport of a lifetime. So I had an opportunity to contribute to that growth. I taught tennis with Darlene Hard when I was 18-years-old at Camp Robinson Crusoe in Massachusetts. I promoted group instruction with Eve Kraft when I was at Princeton, and later when she became active, doing so nationally with the USTA. I worked on developing indoor tennis facilities on public and private land, using the air structure, with my partner for 36 years, Bob Kelton, who had been my high school tennis coach, and now, with Bob’s son Rob, and Gordon Kent,

Joel Ross, Gertrud Wilhelm, and my Chicago partner, Alan Schwartz. I have worked with Gene Scott, Arthur Ashe, Sherry Snyder, Charlie Pasarell, Donald Dell and Ray Benton to develop the National Junior Tennis League and it's New York Chapter (NYJTL) … so many wonderful relationships came from that. Of course, the many tennis playing buddies I have met over the years. I have had the privilege to work with David Dinkins and the irrepressible Harry Newton. We had the chance to help the City's public schools be better, more welcoming and enriching. With Jim O'Neill, we developed the Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation in 1992 with the help of Ross Sandler, Roger Alcaly, Jerry Kohlberg, Frank Macchiarola, Ed Aquilone, Kirby Coughlin, Alan Dobrin and Burt Sacks. I mention these folks because I want to be responsive to your questions, but I am in big trouble because I cannot do justice to the naming of so many people who have joined me and have enriched my life while promoting youth development and tennis.

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NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

2015 New York City

Girls High School Preview ast spring, the Beacon Lady Demons once again reigned supreme as the best team in New York City. The Demons topped McKee Staten Island Tech 3-2 in an excellent city championship. Not only did Beacon win the team championship, a pair of Beacon players, Alexus Gill & Michelle Khaimov, won the Doubles Championship at the 2015 Mayor’s Cup. The girls season in New York City has now been moved to the fall, and will give a chance for the top players to compete with the rest of the state at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) State Championship at the end of the season.

Players to watch l l l l l l l

Alexus Gill, The Beacon School Tamila Latif-Zade, James Madison High School Anastasiya Malinouskaya, Staten Island Technical High School Sarah Rahman, Bronx High School of Science Victoria Sec, The Beacon School Nicole Semenov, Brooklyn Technical High School Brianna Williams, Bronx High School of Science

Teams to watch Manhattan: The Beacon School The Beacon School won its third consecutive PSAL title this past spring, edging McKee Staten Island Tech 3-2 in the city championship. The girls from Beacon are the favorites to repeat as city champions for the fourth straight year this fall, returning nearly its entire roster from last year. Michaella Estevez, who played second doubles with Sofia Pascual last season, was the only senior on the roster. Alexus Gill, Victoria Sec, Michelle Khaimov and the aforementioned Pascual will lead Beacon to what it hopes will be another city title.

bles players and its second singles player, Nicole Stay returns at first singles and Jean Soo at third singles. Head Coach Wayne Zweigbaum calls Stay one of the best players in the city, and will be counted on to lead the Patriots deep into the city playoffs. Bronx—Bronx High School of Science The Bronx High School of Science Wolverines might have the best 1-2 punch in all of New York City in Brianna Williams and Sarah Rahman atop the singles lineup. Williams is a two-time Mayor’s Cup Singles Champion and Rahman recently reached the semifinals at the New Balance High School Tennis Championship. Joining the duo is Sofie Levine, who went 10-2 as a freshman last year. This three-headed monster will look to lead the Wolverines to a city championship. Brooklyn: Brooklyn Technical High School The Brooklyn Technical High School Engineers lost a close match to Tottenville High School in last year’s tournament, falling 3-2, and will be looking to build on this fall. The Engineers are led by sophomore Nicole Semenov, who didn’t lose a match all season as a freshman. Right behind her is another sophomore, Chelsea Williams, giving Brooklyn Tech an excellent duo at the top of their card. Despite losing some key doubles players, the Engineers should be a major threat come playoff time. Staten Island: Tottenville High School The Pirates of Tottenville High School had a very successful campaign this past spring, reaching the city quarterfinals. The Pirates will lose the first doubles tandem of Katherine Villarroel & Stephanie Le to graduation, but still have a deep lineup that should make them a contender. The top three singles players— Autumn Greco, Karina Karazhbey and Paulina Daugis—will again be called upon to lead Tottenville, and the experienced seniors Nicole Galabrese and Valerie Awad will look to dethrone McKee Staten Island Tech as the top team in Staten Island.

Queens: Francis Lewis High School The Patriots of Francis Lewis High School enjoyed an excellent season last year, reaching the city semifinals, before falling to McKee Staten Island Tech. Despite losing a couple of its top dou20

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

Key dates: New York City Girls High School Tennis Coaches Clinic

Wednesday, Sept. 2

Newtown High School

3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Coaches Clinic

Wednesday, Sept. 9

Newtown High School

4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Matches Begin

Wednesday, Sept. 16

Girls Invitational Tournament

Saturday, Sept. 26

TBA

8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Individual Singles & Doubles Qualifier Tournament Saturday, Oct. 17

TBA

8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Seeding Meeting

Monday, Oct. 19

PSAL Office

4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Girls A & B League Team 1st Round

Tuesday Oct. 20

Higher Seed

4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Girls A & B League Team 2nd Round

Wednesday, Oct. 21

Higher Seed

4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Girls A League Team 3rd Round & B League Team Quarterfinals

Friday, Oct. 23

Higher Seed

4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Girls A League Team Quarterfinals

Monday, Oct. 26, 2015

Higher Seed

4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Girls B Team Semifinals

Monday, Oct. 26

TBA

3:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Girls A Team Semifinals

Tuesday, Oct. 27

TBA

3:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

A & B Team Finals

Wednesday, Oct. 28

TBA

3:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Singles & Doubles 1st & 2nd Rounds

Friday, Oct. 30

TBA

3:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Singles & Doubles Quarterfinals

Tuesday, Nov. 3

TBA

3:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Singles & Doubles Semifinals

Wednesday, Nov. 4

TBA

3:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Singles & Doubles Finals

Thursday, Nov. 5

TBA

3:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

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 9, 2015 to June 21, 2016. 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!

Centercourt Performance Tennis Academy 65 Columbia Road, Morristown, NJ www.CentercourtAcademy.com

Contact Clay Bibbee: clay@centercourtclub.com NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

Ball Hubs Offer Unique Combination of On-Court Branding & Functionality If the word “let” causes tennis players at your facility aggravation when playing or practicing, CourtHarbor has developed the perfect solution. With their Ball Hubs, players will enjoy more tennis while feeling like they are playing on their own court. The Ball Hubs are strategically positioned between courts and have been developed at just the right size to stop the maximum number of balls along the back fence without interfering play. By keeping the balls within their court, the pace of play is improved and the frustration level is decreased. In addition to CourtHarbor’s benefits to your teaching pros and players, your facility will be enhanced aesthetically without needing to use a fence or curtains. Unlike a fence or curtains, CourtHarbor’s Ball Hubs provide excellent sight lines for spectators who are watching matches. Each Ball Hub allows for a full color, digitally printed design measuring 3-feet X 3-feet. The custom design is included as part of the Grand Slam, Championship, and Tournament Packages. If you prefer just a solid color Ball Hub for its functional use, then the Baseline Package is for you. 22

In case you are wondering what kind of custom designs might be placed on a Ball Hub, below are a few suggestions: l Your facility or school logo l Information regarding your tennis academy or private lessons l Information to promote items sold in your pro shop l Logos of sponsors and names of donors who support your facility or school We finished the suggestions with logos of sponsors and names of donors because you can utilize the Ball Hub as a true revenue generating product! Through the sale of sponsorship packages and recognition of donors, CourtHarbor’s Ball Hubs can generate revenue for your facility or serve as a fundraising tool for your team. CourtHarbor will even provide resources that lead to successful sponsorships and fundraising, including sponsorship/donor forms and print-ready brochures. By complying with USTA rules, the free standing, easy-to-assemble Ball Hubs are a perfect solution for your adjoining courts.

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

“CourtHarbor has developed a unique product that I personally believe does not come along very often.” —Kelly Jones, Head Men's Tennis Coach, Furman University Isn’t it time you provided your players and coaches with a facility enhancement that maximizes their playing time and reduces the number of “lets?” As Ball Hubs are becoming increasingly popular, CourtHarbor is excited to offer your facility special 2015 discounts. Contact CourtHarbor today so they can help Redefine the Tennis Experience at your facility for 2016 and beyond! For more information, call (844) 8553441, e-mail sales@courtharbor.com or visit CourtHarbor.com/CourtHarbor.

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NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

USTA Metro Region A Message From USTA Eastern Metro Region President Jackie Clark It's hard to believe that it is time for the U.S. Open, as the summer has zoomed by and what a fun summer it has been! It is wonderful to see how tennis has become such a big part of the New York City culture. Whether it is at NYC’s parks, tennis clubs, community tennis programs or local schools, there is so much opportunity for everyone to play tennis. The USTA Eastern Metro Region Board volunteers have been active throughout the summer, with the first summer Junior Team Tennis League, Youth Tennis Leagues, organizing tennis fests and play days, supporting local community programs, continuing to give out grant money, growing our volunteer base, and helping to get kids and adults from all backgrounds to play tennis. This sum-

mer has been a blast, and I cannot thank my Metro Board volunteers enough because they are quality people and simply the best! In the hopper! l Want to get involved, have fun, meet people and make a difference? Contact me at USTAEasternNYC@gmail.com. l We have a new community service program for high school students who want to volunteer at local events. For more information, e-mail USTAEasternNYC@gmail.com. l NYC ACES, the young professionals group for those ages 21 through 35, has many events coming up! Check out MetroRegion.USTA.com/NYC_Aces for more information. Jackie Clark, President • USTA Eastern Metro Region

Players compete for bragging rights at Battle of the Boroughs Tennis Challenge

USTA Eastern and City Parks Foundation teamed up to present the Third Annual Battle of the Boroughs Tennis Challenge, an adult recreational tournament held in June and July in New York City parks. The tournament featured the best of team competition and neighborhood pride to benefit CityParks Tennis, which provides free tennis lessons and activities for children at 40 parks citywide. "The event allows many of the best adult tennis players to compete in New York City’s parks and help children learn the sport of a lifetime," said Jenny Schnitzer, assistant executive director of USTA Eastern. 24

The tournament culminated at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, on the outskirts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The final was a battle between the last-standing boroughs as Prospect Park of Brooklyn, captained by Nigel Griffin, defeated Silver Lake Park of Staten Island, captained by Danny Ursommano, 96 games to 90 games in a tightly-contested mixed-doubles match to take the Flight A Division (players with a NTRP rating of 4.0 or higher). Manhattan's Central Park team, captained by Theresa Hall, knocked off Harlem's Fred Johnson Park in Flight B (players with an NTRP rating of 3.5 or lower).

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

USTA Metro Region Knickerbocker Field Club presents free clinics Credit photos to Jackie Weisberg Photography

The Knickerbocker Field Club located in the Prospect Park South neighborhood of Brooklyn offers a free neighborhood tennis clinic for children ages six through 18, two afternoons a week throughout the summer. The program began in 2003, with about 30 neighborhood children, and has grown to more than 75 kids of all ages and skill levels. With the help of four pros and a dozen wonderfully-talented volunteers, club members and high school players, they are able to

integrate tennis instruction into fun games and drills that engage the kids and get them running for increased levels of fitness. The USTA Eastern Metro Board provided a $1,000 grant to cover the expense of additional teaching equipment, as well as replacing worn items, such as teaching carts, tennis balls and junior-sized tennis racquets to accommodate the increased number of children and teens who come for instruction.

Metro Board members lend a hand at Flavor of the Open event USTA Eastern Metro Board members Jackie Clark and Joani Akpan, and USTA Eastern Staff member Jocelyn Cruz, helped out at the U.S. Open pop up restaurant Flavor of the Open at Grand Central Station. Jackie, Joani and Jocelyn are pictured on the left with Aussie tennis great and 1987 Wimbledon Champion Pat Cash. Also pictured here (on the right) is Eastern Metro Region Board Member Ogbonna Chilaka (center) with Joani Akpan (left) and Jackie Clark (right) at Grand Central Station. NYTennisMag.com â&#x20AC;˘ September/October 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ New York Tennis Magazine

USTA Metro Region SBTA helps take a bite out of crime

Night Out Against Crime is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, better places 26

to live. Members of the South Brooklyn Tennis Association (SBTA) recently took part in the annual Night Out Against Crime event, lending a hand with tennis drills and instruction.

New York Tennis Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ September/October 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ NYTennisMag.com

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

Drink Up! By Elizabeth Right Reiss

our aspiring athlete is on a roll. They have been taking the initiative and working on their own, focusing on wall exercises, practicing with coaches and friends, and even getting enough sleep. They are taking the time to watch their opponents, studying their strengths and weaknesses, watching the pros play and has even started some visualization to give them a leg up on the mental side of the game. But, they seem to be lacking energy halfway through their lesson or match, even when practicing wall ball activities. Let’s discuss the concept of hydration. When our athletes get tired, the first thing that comes to mind is, “He or she is not eating enough.” That might very well be the case, however, we cannot forget about hydration; especially with the extreme activity levels that these athletes endure. The recommended daily water intake for kids ages five through eight is one liter, which is about five glasses of water. For nine- through 12year-olds, 1.5 liters is suggested and for kids ages 12 years and above, two liters or approximately eight to 10 glasses of water, is the suggested daily intake. It does not seem like a lot, but if we do not get water consumed early in the day, it is often too late to aid in the body’s hydration process to help with energy levels. Unless we are truly focused, we might totally forget! So, just how do we get our kids to drink more water? Below are some suggestions for your athlete to help get water consumed early in the day and throughout. When children are away from caregivers, these suggestions can empower children to remain motivated in their hydration challenge.

Drink water the moment you open your eyes Have a glass, maybe even two, by your athlete’s bed. Before they even get out of bed, have them “chug” that water! Make it fun by selecting a cool Nalgene, sippy-cup or Bkr Bottle, which is fun and colorful. Let them choose which one fits them the best! Before breakfast, have another glass Children often model behavior, so have a glass of water with them! This can be a great way to be a role model and you might not be getting enough either! That is already two to three glasses down before the day has started! Try to get in the majority of the water early in the day, before you are thirsty. Some specialists stress that if you become “parched,” it’s a little too late. 28

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

Practice your hydration Before practice, make sure to drink another eight-ounce glass or water bottle. During your match or practice, see if you can be challenged by drinking at every side change or every ball pickup. Ask yourself mindful questions that make you in charge of your water consumption, such as, “Do I feel like I had more energy than when I didn't drink much? Could I have played longer if I had to?” Digital reminders There are many apps available to remind kids to drink water. If kids do not have a phone, parents should set it on their phones, and when the reminder goes off, it’s water time! Invest in a cool water bottle Going online or to a sports shop and finding one you’ll love and won’t mind taking with you is a great way to promote hydration. This way, you put the water control in their power and it is also

a bit more eco-friendly than using multiple plastic bottles. What about the children who don't like water What about the children who don't like it, complain and feel like it’s worse than pulling teeth to get water down? Empower them. Ask them about solutions. Could you cut the water with a little pure orange, cherry or apple juice? What about sports drinks? Too much sugar is not really beneficial, but adding a little flavor is no problem at all. With all of their activity, a little sugar can actually be helpful. After they get in the habit of it and see how their game responds when they are hydrated, less and less juice will be needed. Back to school When kids head back to school, there is no reason to halt water intake. Continue with the morning routine and find a cool looking water bottle for them to head off to school

with. Have them try to fill it up after every class, or have the younger ones see if they can drink one bottle before recess, another before lunch and another before dismissal. Of course, it depends on the size of the bottle, but there are some great kid-friendly and teenage-friendly options available. Oh, and just a reminder: In the beginning, drinking water throughout the day might seem like a hassle … one more thing to think about. But like every routine, once you get into the swing of it, it will grow to become second nature. And just like you developed the habit of brushing your teeth every morning, you will start to reach for that important and refreshing glass of water! Elizabeth Right Reiss works with a variety of student-athletes ages in small groups, teams and privately. Her work involves fitness, sports, exercise, mindfulness, nutrition, confidence building and athletics. She may be reached by phone at (303) 9183140, e-mail elizabeth.right@gmail.com or visit www.ElizabethRightReiss.com.

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New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

BY BRIAN COLEMAN

ot since 1988 has a woman’s player won all four Grand Slams in a calendar year. That year, Steffi Graf dominated the rest of the women’s field, as the 18-year-old won her second career Grand Slam at the Australian Open, and proceeded to rattle off titles at the French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open. Twenty-seven years later, 34-year-old Serena Williams has a shot at the Golden Slam. She has already completed her second career “Serena Slam,” winning last year’s U.S. Open and the first three majors of 2015, and a win at this year’s U.S. Open will tie her with the aforementioned Graf for the most Grand Slam titles with 22 in the Open Era. At her age, what Serena has been able to do over the past 10 months is nothing short of remarkable. At any age, the feat would be great, but to be playing at the top of her game in her mid-30s only further demonstrates her dominance over the rest of the sport. The question heading into the final Grand Slam of the season is: Can anyone in the women’s game beat Serena? Many have speculated as to what the difference is in Serena’s game that sets her apart from the rest of the pack. It is not just her power, but the consistency with which she uses power that makes her stand out. No one on the WTA Tour serves with as much speed and accuracy as Serena, making it nearly impossible to break. With the U.S. Open being played on hard-courts, her power becomes even more of a factor. In addition to her sheer power, there might not be anyone on the Tour who plays with as much passion and intensity on every single point than Serena. Her emotions were on full display in the French Open final against Lucie Safarova as she was yelling at herself, and in her Round of 32 match at Wimbledon against Heather Watson, she turned to the crowd to say “Don’t try me” in reference to the British crowd favoring the hometown favorite Watson. For someone who is so dominant, it almost seems that Serena still plays with the same chip on her shoulder that helped propel her and her older sister Venus into stardom more than 15 years ago. It is what keeps her drive at full throttle and still motivates her to be the seemingly unbeatable force that she remains to this day. Sure, there are times where she drops sets and looks to be on the brink of defeat, but at this point in the season, winning two sets out of three against her feels like an impossible assignment. “I was really excited to achieve that ‘Serena Slam,’” said Serena. “It was really important for me to do that. Just holding all four trophies at the same time, two times in one career … I feel okay about

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in pursuit of history continued from page 31

my game. I’m always looking to improve. I’m never too comfortable. That’s when I think you are susceptible to losing.” That is the scary part for opponents. Serena is not yet satisfied and is still hungry for victory even to this day. There doesn’t seem to be a complacent bone in her body,

as her desire for victory and pulling out dominant performances has become her forte. Another trait that separates Serena from her compatriots on the WTA Tour is her ability to hit another gear in the match’s biggest moments, evident in some of her Grand Slam wins. When the lights are on

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

the grandest of stages, as they often are for Serena on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, she shines her brightest. Sixteen years ago, a then 17-year-old Serena captured her first Grand Slam title in Flushing Meadows at the U.S. Open. If she wins this time around, she will tie Graff’s record of 22 career Slams, and only add to her ever-growing and legendary legacy. She is the odds-on favorite to hoist the trophy for the sixth time in her career and win her fifth consecutive major title. “Hopefully, people will be cheering me on to push me over the edge, give me the extra strength needed for this historic moment,” said Serena of playing in front of the U.S. Open audience. “I think, in a way, it also makes things easier for me because I feel like I have nothing to lose. I feel like I can go in there, do the best I can and just hope for the best.” While she may be trying to tame expectations, Serena is undoubtedly the odds-on favorite to extend her reign in Queens once again.

2015 U.S. Open Preview A Look at the 2015 U.S. Open Men’s and Women’s Draws BY JACOB MISHKIN

n the heels of the final Grand Slam of 2015, the U.S. Open descends upon New York to bring the pageantry and electricity that only the backdrop of NYC can bring. If last year is any indication with the 14th-seeded Marin Cilic defeating the 10th-seeded Kei Nishikori, upsets may be abound, as any player at any time can score a shocker in Flushing Meadows en route to the championship match.

The Men’s Draw The contenders … Coming off a 2015 Wimbledon Championship, world number one Novak Djokovic had a very lopsided 48-3 record on the year in early August, winning more than 94 percent of the matches he has played this season. His winning percentage so far this year by far eclipses that of world number two Roger Federer (85 percent)

and world number three Andy Murray (87 percent). Djokovic is also 20-1 in Grand Slams this year, a true testament to his consistency at the most pressure-ridden tournaments. If Djokovic manages to win the last Grand Slam of the year at the U.S. Open, he would earn his third Grand Slam title of 2015 and his 10th Grand Slam crown overall. Look for Djokovic to finish off the year the way he started it—strong. The tennis world knows Andy Murray is back. After a disappointing 2014 where Murray made only one semifinal appearance in a Grand Slam at the French Open, Murray has made the finals of the Australian Open and the semifinals

of Wimbledon in 2015. In the semifinals of Wimbledon, Murray played superb tennis, however, ran into a resurgent Roger Federer. There was simply nothing he could have done to beat the Swiss Maestro on that day. The Andy Murray of the past wouldn’t be able to push that loss aside. However, the new Murray, under the guidance of two-time Grand Slam Champion Amélie Mauresmo, has done a great job of transitioning his game

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

2015 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW both on and off the court. After Wimbledon, Andy led Great Britain to a Davis Cup quarterfinal victory over France, with wins over world number 12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and world number 11 Gilles Simon. Murray followed those wins up by beating world number one Djokovic in the finals of the Rogers Cup. The 2012 U.S. Open Champion has won beneath the bright lights of Arthur Ashe before and Murray will be on a mission to end his remarkable run in 2015 with his first Grand Slam title in two years. Stan Wawrinka possesses unlimited firepower. His forehand is huge, his backhand is colossal, and his serve is untouchable at times. His quarterfinal loss to Richard Gasquet inn early July at Wimbledon was an anomaly, as Stan has played some of his best tennis this year. Wawrinka won the 2015 French Open Championship and has a 16-2 record in Grand Slam events this year. Stan has won a hard court Grand Slam before at the 2014 Australian Open, and will look to use his

pure strength to put his opponents on edge. Consistency for Stan will be key in hopes of winning the U.S. Open. If Stan is off or going for too many lines, he could exit Flushing Meadows earlier than expected, but if he is playing close to his peak, Stan “The Man” will be a tough man to defeat. The pretenders … Spaniard David Ferrer, ranked seventh in the world, never gives up. He plays every point like it’s his last, he runs for every ball, keeps the rally going, and is always in peak shape. This year, however, has been a struggle for Ferrer. He has had knee and wrist issues, which forced him out of Wimbledon, and he owns losses against world number 59 Marco Baghdatis and world number 66 Pablo Andujar. Though Ferrer has won two hard court tournaments this year, he did not face the likes of Djokovic, Federer, Murray or Wawrinka in any of those ATP events. He did beat world number seven Tomas Berdych and world number five Kei Nishikori, but can he maintain that

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

consistency on a regular basis? It would be great if Ferrer proved his doubters wrong, but the U.S. Open is not the best place to get over injuries. It’s still hard to believe, but Rafael Nadal is currently ranked 10th in the world. In back-toback tournaments in June and July, Nadal suffered a first round loss to world number 75 Alexandr Dolgopolov at the ATP AEGON Championships at The Queen’s Club, and was defeated by world number 81 Dustin Brown in the Round of 64 at Wimbledon. Even though those losses were on grass courts, they were still poor losses for Nadal. Most importantly, Rafa lost to world number 41 Fernando Verdasco and world number 122 Michael Berrer in 2015. Both of those losses were on outdoor hard courts and do not forecast a successful 2015 U.S. Open for the 14-time Grand Slam champion. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, in early August, slipped from the 12thranked player in the world to the 24th-ranked player in the ATP Men’s Singles Rankings. Though he had a nice showing at the 2015 French Open and 2015 Wimbledon, Tsonga has not won any ATP titles this year, and owns a pedestrian match record of 13-8 to date. Tsonga always seems to have bumps and bruises, and just weeks ago, was working through an abdominal injury. Only he knows if he is truly healthy and if he is, Tsonga might turn some heads at the U.S. Open. Tsonga may not be in top-form as we approach the Open, having not played many

2015 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW tournaments since Wimbledon. While his forehand is one of his strengths, you can attack his backhand for some easy points. He struggles with big serving so he will need to step up his return game to be exploited in Flushing. The sleepers … Vasek Pospisil, the 25-year old Canadian and the 29th-ranked player in the world, is coming off his best results in a Grand Slam. By far, 2015 has been Vasek’s best when it comes to Grand Slam finishes. Pospisil made it to the third round of the Australian Open and advanced to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon. While his 13-13 match record this year is middle of the road, Pospisil’s confidence should be at an all-time high after such strong showings at the Slams. If the Canadian rides his Wimbledon momentum into the U.S. Open, look for him to make a heavy push in Flushing Meadows. Kevin Anderson, the 6’ 8” South African, has played well as of late. The former University of Illinois standout has used his big serve to notch wins over Stan Wawrinka and Gilles Simon en route to the finals at the ATP AEGON Championships. He also made it the Round of 16 at Wimbledon before losing in five sets to eventual champion Novak Djokovic. He had control of his Wimbledon match with Djokovic, and the loss might have been difficult to shake off, but Anderson knows if he plays like that,

he will have a chance to sneak into the latter stages of the U.S. Open. For the 2015 season, Anderson owns a career high 79 percent first serve percentage points won. It is the highest it has been throughout his career, and if Anderson continues to serve near that percentage and keeps hanging with his opponents at the baseline, Anderson might go deep into the second week at the year’s final Slam.

The Women’s Draw The contenders … Who else would be the favorite to win the U.S. Open besides Serena Williams? Serena has been a woman on a mission. She has gone 40-1 on the year and has won 82 percent of her service games. Serena is three for three in Grand Slam events this year and will look to achieve the “Golden Slam” in Flushing Meadows. The 21-time Grand Slam winner will look to get her 22nd title and tie Steffi Graf for

first place on the list of major championships won in the Open Era. Twenty-one-yearold SpanishVenezuelan Garbiñe Muguruza is at the top of her game. She made it to the finals of Wimbledon this year and defeated Angelique Kerber, Caroline Wozniacki and Agnieszka Radwanska before losing to Serena Williams in a tightly contested 4-6, 4-6 defeat. Her run at Wimbledon was her highest finish ever in a Grand Slam and she should take her confidence and young legs with her to Flushing Meadows. Keep your eyes peeled for Muguruza, as she could very well be the future of the WTA tour. After injuries caused Victoria Azarenka to take some time off from tennis, the Belarusian is back. The 19thranked player in the world is not actually the 19th

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

2015 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW best player in the world as her ranking does not do her justice. When healthy, Azarenka is a top three player in the world and one of the few players who can compete with and beat Serena Williams. This year alone, Azarenka lost to Serena three times, yet she split sets in all three of the matches that they have faced off in. Behind Serena, Victoria is the best baseliner on the WTA Tour because of her ability to attack with her forehand and backhand. If Azarenka can get a favorable draw at the Open and avoid a top-seeded player early on, don’t be shocked if you see Azarenka make it to the last day and possibly earn the third Grand Slam title of her career. The pretenders … Though she remains ranked third in the world, Simona Halep’s best tennis seems to be a thing of the past. In two tournaments prior to Wimbledon, Halep has lost to world number 70 Mirjana Lucic-Baroni and world number 43 Kristina Mladenovic. At Wimbledon, she lost to the 106th-ranked Jana Cepelova in the first round. Halep did have hard court

success early in the year, but a coaching change, along with recent poor play, will be difficult to overcome on such a huge stage. It’s no secret that Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro’s best results have come on clay. The hard courts of the U.S. Open don’t suit her topspinheavy shots and craftiness. Although she is in the top 10 of the world, Navarro has never made a semifinals appearance in any Grand Slam tournament and will have trouble doing so in New York. While Agnieszka Radwanska has been a consistent player on the WTA Tour for years, a Grand Slam title has yet to be in her cards. She has made deep runs into past Grand Slam tournaments, but she has only made one Grand Slam final (2012 Wimbledon). As Radwanska progresses into the deep

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stages of these Grand Slams, her style doesn’t bode well. Radwanska is an extremely consistent player who has touch, footwork, craft and patience, but she has little offensive weapons to defeat the very best. If Radwanska hopes to contend for a Grand Slam, she will need to take more risks and practice being more offensive. Caroline Wozniacki is very similar to Radwanska in that she simply does not have the offensive game to keep her opponents on edge. Similar to that of Radwanska, she has the finesse, speed, smarts and racquet skills, but that alone will not be enough to beat those who have Grand Slam Championships on their resumes. Wozniacki made the finals of the U.S. Open last year, but in 2015, she has shown some inconsistent play at the Grand Slams, as she has failed to advance past the fourth round in all three events. The sleepers … Twenty-year-old Madison Keys has the chance to make some noise onthe court at this year’s U.S. Open. She has the serve and powerful shotmaking skills to creep into the last few days at Flushing and will undoubtedly cause the boisterous American crowd to root her on every step of the way. Keys advanced to the semifinals of the 2015 Australian Open and should attempt to equal or better that results on a very similar and familiar surface. I can already hear the U.S. Open crowd chanting … “USA, USA, USA!”

2015 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW In the last seven years, Flavia Pennetta has reached the quarterfinals or better at the U.S. Open five times. With her best result coming in 2013, a semifinal appearance, Pennetta will search for that form once again. For her career, Flavia has gone 24-10 at the U.S. Open, which is her best record in all of the Grand Slam events. Though she is 33-years-old, she brings needed experience to Flushing Meadows. Though she did not have a great Wimbledon showing, she made it to the Round of 16 at this year’s French Open and she defeated Azarenka in March at the hard courts in Miami. She also came out victorious against Maria Sharapova at the hard courts of Indian Wells in March. If she can beat Azarenka and Sharapova on the hard courts, she is definitely someone who deserves attention when the U.S. Open begins.

Americans Headline U.S. Open Junior Championship Field orld number one junior Taylor Fritz, Wimbledon Boys Champion Reilly Opelka, French Open Boys Champion Tommy Paul and reigning ITF World Junior Champion CiCi Bellis (pictured above) headline the Americans entered into the boys and girls singles fields at the 2015 U.S. Open Junior Championships, which will be played Sept. 6-13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. Top-10 world-ranked juniors Michael

Mmoh, a 2015 French Open boys semifinalist, and William Blumberg, who reached the boys singles quarterfinals at Wimbledon and the boys doubles final at Roland Garros this year, are also entered into a U.S. Open boys field that included 24 of the Top 25 juniors in the world when the International Tennis Federation released the entry lists last week. Bellis, the breakout star of the 2014 U.S. Open with her upset of Dominika Cibulkova in the first round of the women’s draw, headlines a girls field that includes other top American prospects, such as Katerina Stewart, Sofia Kenin, Usue Arconada and Claire Liu, among others, along with Wimbledon girls champion Sofya Zhuk of Russia, and Australian Open Girls Champion Tereza Mihalikova of Slovakia. Tornado Alicia Black, a 2013 U.S. Open Girls Singles Finalist, is entered into qualifying. The full list of Americans entered into the U.S. Open Junior Championships: Boys–Main Draw Taylor Fritz Michael Mmoh Reilly Opelka William Blumberg Tommy Paul Nathan Ponwith Ulises Blanch Sam Riffice Boys–Qualifying Emil Reinberg Girls–Main Draw CiCi Bellis Usue Arconada Sofia Kenin Michaela Gordon Raveena Kingsley Francesca Di Lorenzo Ingrid Neel Claire Liu Katerina Stewart Girls–Qualifying Kayla Day Alexandra Sanford Tornado Alicia Black

Locals Loeb and Elbaba Selected for 2015 American Collegiate Invitational he USTA has announced that 2015 NCAA champions Jamie Loeb (pictured left) of the University of North Carolina of Ossining, N.Y., and Ryan Shane of the University of Virginia, will lead the group of top American collegiate players selected to play in the second annual American Collegiate Invitational at the 2015 U.S. Open, Sept. 10-12 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. Joining Loeb and also representing the New York area will be Winston Lin, a senior at Columbia from Williamsville, N.Y., and Oyster Bay, N.Y.’s Julia Elbaba, a junior at the University of Virginia. The American Collegiate Invitational, open only to American college players, began last year as a way to spotlight college tennis during the U.S. Open. Eight men and eight women will again play single-elimination singles tournaments Thursday to Saturday during the second week of the U.S. Open, with the winners receiving a wild card into the 2016 U.S. Open, main draw or qualifying, depending on their ranking next summer. “It is important that college tennis continues to be a part of the U.S. Open,” said U.S. Open Tournament Director David Brewer. “We are excited to once again feature a high level of competition between some very talented players with the American Collegiate Invitational.” The men’s field will consist of (italics indicates that the player is a

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

2015 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW graduating senior and/or has turned pro/exhausted collegiate eligibility): l Gonzales Austin, a senior from Vanderbilt from Miami, Fla. l Mitchell Frank, a senior at Virginia from Annandale, Va. l Thai-Son Kwiatkowski, a sophomore at Virginia from Charlotte, N.C. l Winston Lin, a senior at Columbia from Williamsville, N.Y. l Mackenzie McDonald, a sophomore at UCLA from Piedmont, Calif. l Quentin Monaghan, a junior at Notre Dame from Chatham, N.J. l Ryan Shane, a junior at Virginia from Falls Church, Va.

senior and/or has turned pro/exhausted collegiate eligibility): l Robin Anderson, a senior at UCLA from Matawan, N.J. l Brooke Austin, a freshman at Florida from Indianapolis l Julia Elbaba, a junior at Virginia from Oyster Bay, N.Y. l Lauren Herring, a senior at Georgia from Greenville, N.C. l Josie Kuhlman, a freshman at Florida from Ponte Vedra, Fla. l Jamie Loeb, a sophomore at North Carolina from Ossining, N.Y. l Maegan Manasse, a sophomore at Cal from Redondo Beach, Calif.

The women’s field will consist of (italics indicates that the player is a graduating

In addition to the participants listed, the USTA will issue one men’s and women’s wild card to fill out each field

of eight. The fields are comprised of the top two players in the ATP/WTA rankings (as of June 1) and the top five players in the year-end Intercollegiate Tennis Association singles rankings (excluding those selected by pro ranking), including at least two graduating seniors or players who have turned pro/exhausted their collegiate eligibility. The men’s/women’s American Collegiate Invitational champions will receive main draw wild card entries into the 2016 U.S. Open if either is ranked 120th or better by the U.S. Open entry deadline next summer. Otherwise, the winners will receive qualifying wild cards. The champions will also get wild cards into two USTA Pro Circuit events, while each runner-up will get one.

Total U.S. Open Purse Surpasses $40 Million Mark men’s and women’s doubles champions will earn $570,000, the highest in U.S. Open history, and overall doubles prize money has been increased by 8.4 percent. The U.S. Open Qualifying Tournament will now offer more than $1.7 million in prize money, a 12 percent increase over 2014. In the last three years, US Open main draw prize money has increased by 67 percent.

he USTA has announced that the total purse for the 2015 U.S. Open will increase by $4 million dollars, bringing the total purse for the tournament to a record $42.3 million and a 10.5 percent increase over the 2014 U.S. Open. Both the men’s and women’s singles champions will earn $3.3 million, the largest payout in U.S. Open history. Each round of the singles competition will see double-digit percentage increases over last year’s record payouts, with the minimum increase of 10 percent for the champions and up to a 14.4 percent increase in the Round of 32. Both the

“We continue our commitment to ensure that the U.S. Open offers one of the most lucrative purses in all of sports,” said USTA Chairman of the Board and President Katrina Adams. “As we have stated, total player compensation at the U.S. Open will reach $50 million by 2017.” Round-by-round individual prize money for the U.S. Open is as follows:

Singles

Doubles (each team)

Winner: $3,300,000

Winners: $570,000

Runner-Up: $1,600,000

Runners-Up: $275,000

Semifinalist: $805,000

Semifinalist: $133,150

Quarterfinalist: $410,975

Quarterfinalist: $67,675

Round of 16: $213,575

Round of 16: $35,025

Round of 32: $120,200

Round of 32: $21,700

Round of 64: $68,600

Round of 64: $14,200

Round of 128: $39,500

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

2015 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW

Five Reasons to Love the U.S. Open 5. Night tennis

winner, tennis was. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know if Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever felt this good here before.â&#x20AC;? The magical run by Jimmy Connors at 39-years-old in 1991 included a five-set win over Patrick McEnroe that ended at 1:35 a.m. You never know what to expect at the Open, but it is often worth staying up late to find out.

When you are on grounds this year keep your eyes open for your favorite celebrities! 3. Practice court viewing area

4. Celebrities Night tennis at the U.S. Open is where fans will create memories for years to come. Late-night tennis has been a tradition at the Open since 1975, when New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Onny Parun defeated American great Stan Smith at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, N.Y. Last year, two top 10 players did battle under the lights, as Kei Nishikori won a four-hour, 19-minute match over Milos Raonic that ended at 2:26 a.m., tying the record for latest finish at the U.S. Open. And who can forget Andre Agassi, at the age of 35, coming back from two sets down to defeat James Blake in five sets in 2005? After the match, Agassi said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;At 1:15 a.m. for 20,000 people to still be here â&#x20AC;Ś I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the

Celebrities, like the rest of us, love tennis. Spotting athletes, actors and musicians in attendance throughout the tournament becomes easy. The U.S. Open has attracted the likes of former U.S. President Bill Clinton (pictured above), Ricky Martin, Eva Longoria, Michael Jordan, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Sean Connery, Ben Stiller and many more to Flushing Meadows.

A two-story practice gallery debuted at the 2014 U.S. Open. This allowed fans a better view of their favorites stars as they warmed up for matches on the practice courts. What made this area even better is that you could view Courts 4, 5 and 6 from the same spot by simply turning around. The practice courts are always packed with fans looking to catch a glimpse of players or get autographs, but this new viewing area allowed people to be a bit more spread out. Make sure to stop by this new spot at the 2015 U.S. Open.

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2015 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW 2. Entertainment

From live music to interactive games and kids tennis sessions, there’s something for everyone at the 2015 U.S. Open. It starts with Arthur Ashe Kids Day on Saturday, Aug. 29, which features games and activities all over the grounds of the National Tennis Center, as well as a stadium show in the afternoon featuring top stars from the worlds of tennis and music. The American Express Fan Experience offers great family fun for all ages throughout the tournament. Kids can take part in youth tennis sessions, while adults can have their swing analyzed by a teaching pro. Fans can also sit in on interviews with top players on the Fan Court or get an autograph from their favorite stars at the WTA booth. The U.S. Open includes plenty of live music, with performers ranging from solo singers to jazz bands, which can be heard throughout the tournament at the South Plaza and President’s Gate.

practice days). Whether you are a fan, casual player or a serious tennis player, you will not want to miss out on your chance to get up close with the best players when they come to town for the biggest and best tennis tournament in the world!

2015 U.S. Open Restaurant Guide long with the best tennis and entertainment in the world, the U.S. Open offers premium-dining experiences—from Mojito, a Cubaninspired restaurant and bar, to Champions Bar & Grill, a classic American steakhouse. Whether you are in the mood for a light snack, lunch, dinner, meeting friends for cocktails or satisfying a sweet tooth, restaurants on the grounds of the National Tennis Center can cure any craving. Come experience all that the U.S. Open has to offer.

U.S. Open Club

Aces and Champions Bar & Grill

1. The stars

Well this one is simple … the best players in the world are in our backyard, here in New York for three weeks (including qualifiers and

Aces features vaulted ceilings, vibrant colors and a casual but elegant wine and sushi bar, combined with superlative seafood offerings, making Aces the ultimate dining experience. You can also enjoy Aces’ flavorful and sumptuous cuisine in your suite with the Aces Platinum Package Series. Open for lunch, dinner or after the matches. Champions Bar & Grill features a contemporary setting with classic leather and wood accents. Champions Bar & Grill is a modern take on the traditional clubhouse atmosphere. The Grill offers premium steaks, hearty chops, fresh seafood, salads and a wide variety of wines. Join us for fun, delicious menu items and the finest cuts of meat and more. Bring your friends for lunch, dinner or after the matches, and you won’t miss a minute of the action with live matches and other sporting events on Champions’ many TVs.

Both are located on the Club level in Arthur Ashe Stadium, between Gates 3 and 4, and are available to Courtside Box seat holders and Luxury Suite guests. You can access both restaurants by using the elevators on the east side of Arthur Ashe Stadium adjacent to the U.S. Open Club. Loge and Promenade Subscription Series ticket holders may purchase passes for the duration of the tournament by calling the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Ticket Office at (718) 760-6363. Reservations are recommended for both Aces and Champions Bar & Grill.

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

The U.S. Open Club is located on the ground floor of Arthur Ashe Stadium. The U.S. Open Club is available to all Subscription Series ticket holders for the duration of the tournament for a nominal entrance fee, and is included for Silver Loge Box seat holders. The U.S. Open Club, with its striking contemporary décor, is famous for its Chef’s Table and seasonal selections of eclectic American cuisine. Open for lunch, dinner or after the matches. Restaurant passes are required. To purchase passes, call the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Ticket Office at (718) 760-6363.

2015 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW Patio Café

Heineken Red Star Café

winners with VIP tickets to that evening’s match. Rejuvenate by the Fountains

Soak up the beautiful surroundings of the U.S. Open grounds at the expanded charming outdoor Patio Café and bar located outside the U.S. Open Club. Enjoy fresh selections of seasonal sandwiches and salads paired with summer specialty cocktails. The Patio Café is available for all ticket holders. Open for lunch, dinner or after the matches. Mojito Restaurant & Bar

The new Heineken Red Star Café is located next to the South Plaza Fountains. Sitting on the top level of the two-story building, it provides guests a spacious, ideal setting to unwind and keep track of the matches while enjoying the café’s laid-back atmosphere and enhanced menus. The new U.S. Open Collection Store, located on the ground level, will feature a complete assortment of U.S. Open merchandise and mementos alongside a limited selection of Heineken-branded offerings. Heineken House

Mojito, a Cuban-inspired restaurant, transports you to a dramatic setting in a tropical oasis reminiscent of 1950s Havana. Experience Mojito’s luscious flavors with Latin specialties and cool cocktails either inside or outdoors in our whimsical outdoor garden. Mojito is available for all ticket holders. Open for lunch, dinner or after the matches, Mojito is located on the ground floor of Arthur Ashe Stadium near the Patio Café.

A trip to the U.S. Open isn’t complete without a stop at the Heineken House, located above the Food Village. You’ll be able to grab a few Heinekens from one of the three bars on-site, relax in cabanas, play games with friends, and even purchase limited edition Heineken-branded clothing from the Pro Shop. TVs will be set up throughout, so you won’t miss a moment of the action on the courts, while relaxing with a cold beer. You can also compete in the “Heineken Perfect Pour” each afternoon with local New York City bartenders judging the best, and awarding

Visit the refreshing food destinations by the fountains, including the South Plaza Café, Cuppa Spotta, Carnegie Deli and Ben & Jerry’s. l Oyster Bar is located on the Club Level in Arthur Ashe Stadium and offers fresh oysters, lobster rolls and crab cakes in a unique setting. l Come quench your thirst with a full-service bar that includes premium wine upgrades at Baseline Cocktails. l Sample Mediterranean flavors with wines to match at Wine Bar Food. l Located in the Food Village, the Grey Goose Bar features the Grey Goose Honey Deuce, the U.S. Open signature cocktail, along with Grey Goose specialty cocktails and a full service bar. l Enjoy regional cuisine and specialty items at the U.S. Open Food Village.

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

2015 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW

New Upgrades at the 2015 U.S. Open he USTA has announced a series of physical improvements, fan and player upgrades, and new sponsor activations that will be unveiled at the 2015 U.S. Open.

Strategic transformation of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Roof superstructure over Arthur Ashe Stadium

More than 6,000 tons of steel now surround Arthur Ashe Stadium in a technological first–constructing a standalone support system for a retractable roof over an existing stadium. With the final piece of steel placed in late spring, the structure that ultimately will hold the retractable roof is now in place. At the conclusion of the 2015 U.S. Open, work will continue on the two retractable panels, as well as the installation of a chilled water ventilation system to control humidity inside the Stadium when the roof is closed, so that the retractable roof will be ready for the 2016 U.S. Open. When the roof becomes fully operational, it will be the largest of any tennis stadium in the world, with a 62,500-square-foot opening. Six thousand tons of steel form the superstructure, which contains 1,700 structural beams and 115,000 bolts. A total of 176 steel and concrete-filled pilings, driven 180 feet below the surface, anchor the 24 steel columns which rise 150 feet above ground to support the superstructure. 42

Technological upgrades elevate the in-Stadium experience

The completion of the roof superstructure has allowed the USTA to upgrade all technologies within Arthur Ashe Stadium including the lights, sound and video boards. In 2015, a total of four big screens (up from two) will be utilized in the stadium. Additionally, an LED lighting system has replaced the former light towers, providing sharper, more energyefficient lighting for competitive play. Finally, a completely new sound system has been installed throughout the stadium taking advantage of the roof trusses and catwalks.

West Stadium Courts and Practice Gallery An immediate fan sensation in 2014, the West Stadium Courts and Practice Gallery will continue to be one of the most desirable fan areas in 2015. With seating for more than 3,000, fans can watch tournament action, as well as the top seeds practicing. The West Stadium Courts also will be the home of the second annual American Collegiate Invitational, which will take place from Thursday, Sept. 10, through Saturday, Sept. 12.

Fan enhancements at the 2015 U.S. Open “Doubles on Us” at the U.S. Open (Thursday, Sept. 10)

Grandstand construction

Construction has begun on a new 8,000 seat Grandstand and a new Food Village in the southwest corner of the campus; both are slated to open in 2016. The Grandstand will provide a one-of-a-kind fan viewing experience in a completely modern and state-of-the-art stadium setting.

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

For the first time at the U.S. Open, complimentary grounds admission will be offered to all fans who come during the day of the tournament’s second Thursday, Sept. 10. The day’s action will be filled with doubles play, including the Men’s Doubles Semifinals and Women’s Doubles Semifinals, as well as semifinal action in the Champions Invitational, a showcase of former Grand Slam tournament champions and finalists. The free grounds admission also will enable fans to watch competition in the American Collegiate Invitational, featuring top American collegiate players, taking place on the West Stadium Courts.

Also on that day’s slate, the world’s top boys and girls will be competing in the U.S. Open Junior Championships; and top wheelchair athletes will see action in the U.S. Open Wheelchair Tennis Competition. Nightly light show

The USTA has installed new lighting trusses in each of the upper concourse entryways in order to conduct a nightly light show which will highlight the steel truss and catwalk system now surrounding Arthur Ashe Stadium. The light show will take place between the two evening matches in concert with the performance of “America the Beautiful” by the USTA’s Casting Call winners.

U.S. Open television ESPN ... new partnership

This is the first year that ESPN will be the exclusive live domestic media partner of the U.S. Open. Over the course of the 2015 U.S. Open, ESPN and ESPN2 will combine to air more than 130 hours of live match play with more than 1,100 hours of first-to-last ball coverage to be seen on ESPN3, which also will be available on the U.S. Open official Web site, USOpen.org. ESPN will enhance its coverage with a host of cutting-edge camera systems in Arthur Ashe Stadium, including the return of Spider-Cam (to be used for the first time during the entire tournament), a new rail-cam contained within the southern baseline wall and freeD replay technology for the first time at a Grand Slam event. NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

2015 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW

2015 US Open Schedule Date

Session

Time

Featured Matches

Monday, August 31

1 Day

11:00 a.m.

Men’s/Women’s 1st Round

Monday, August 31

2 Evening

7:00 p.m.

Men’s/Women’s 1st Round

Tuesday, September 1

3 Day

11:00 a.m.

Men’s/Women’s 1st Round

Tuesday, September 1

4 Evening

7:00 p.m.

Men’s/Women’s 1st Round

Wednesday, September 2

5 Day

11:00 a.m.

Men’s/Women’s 2nd Round

Wednesday, September 2

6 Evening

7:00 p.m.

Men’s/Women’s 2nd Round

Thursday, September 3

7 Day

11:00 a.m.

Men’s/Women’s 2nd Round

Thursday, September 3

8 Evening

7:00 p.m.

Men’s/Women’s 2nd Round

Friday, September 4

9 Day

11:00 a.m.

Men’s/Women’s 3rd Round

Friday, September 4

10 Evening

7:00 p.m.

Men’s/Women’s 3rd Round

Saturday, September 5

11 Day

11:00 a.m.

Men’s/Women’s 3rd Round

Saturday, September 5

12 Evening

7:00 p.m.

Men’s/Women’s 3rd Round

Sunday, September 6

13 Day

11:00 a.m.

Men’s/Women’s Round of 16

Sunday, September 6

14 Evening

7:00 p.m.

Men’s/Women’s Round of 16

Monday, September 7

15 Day

11:00 a.m.

Men’s/Women’s Round of 16

Monday, September 7

16 Evening

7:00 p.m.

Men’s/Women’s Round of 16

Tuesday, September 8

17 Day

11:00 a.m.

Women’s Quarterfinal/Men’s Quarterfinal

Tuesday, September 8

18 Evening

7:00 p.m.

Women’s Quarterfinal/Men’s Quarterfinal

Wednesday, September 9

19 Day

11:00 a.m.

Women’s Quarterfinals/Men’s Quarterfinal

Wednesday, September 9

20 Evening

7:00 p.m.

Men’s Quarterfinal/TBD

Thursday, September 10

21 Evening

7:00 p.m.

Women’s Semifinals

Friday, September 11

22 Day

12:00 p.m.

Mixed-Doubles Finals/Men’s Semifinals

Saturday, September 12

23 Day

12:00 p.m.

Men’s Doubles Finals/Women’s Finals

Sunday, September 13

24 Day

12:00 p.m.

Women’s Doubles Finals/Men’s Finals

Kids Comment on the U.S. Open Experience very summer, New York Tennis Magazine visits dozens of local tennis camps. This summer during our travels, we asked kids the following question: "If you had a chance to play in the U.S. Open, how would you feel and who would they want to play against?"

E 44

Here are some of the answers from our local tennis players: l Francie Brewster (12-years-old), Riverside Summer Camp: "I think it would be really cool to play at the U.S Open, but I don't think I would

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

win against the pro players. I would want to play against Serena Williams because she is the best female player in the world. It would be cool to meet her because I think she's an inspiration to female tennis players."

2015 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW l Nicolaus Doupsas (12-yearsold), Stadium Tennis Center: “I would want to play Roger Federer. He is my idol. I think many people idolize him. I’ve always admired him and personally, I think he is better than everyone else. He’s the greatest of all time. I guess it would be fun to play him on the court as well. I would go all out if I were to play him because I know I would lose. I would also want to see what he does and learn from him.” l Julian Greenfield (eight-yearsold), Roosevelt Island Racquet Club: “I would play Rafael Nadal, because I like him very much. I would try to hit the ball on the lines so he cannot get it.” l Justice Hollins (10-years-old), Alley Pond Tennis Center: “My favorite is probably Roger Federer. If I played him at the U.S. Open,

I'd probably lose 32-0, but it would be a cool experience." l Vienna Marszalek (13-yearsold), USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center: “I would want to play against Serena Williams. It would be an honor, because she has won so many Grand Slams." l Luca Nickoila (13-years old), Tennis Innovators: "I would feel really excited and nervous because I've only been playing for two years. I would want to play against Novak Djokovic because he's a really nice guy and never gets upset, even when he loses a point. He makes the game fun." l Matteo Nickoila (12-years-old), Tennis Innovators: "I would feel nervous because I've never played in a tournament before, but it would be really exciting to

do it in the majors. I would want to play against my older brother because we always play together." l Hyatt Oyer (13-years-old), Stadium Tennis Center: “I would want to play Roger Federer. He’s my favorite player, and I look up to him, so it would be a dream come true.” l Maxime Promeyret (nine-yearsold), Roosevelt Island Racquet Club: “I would play Roger Federer because he’s my favorite player and I would learn from him. He is liked by everyone.” l Simkho Shimonov (14-yearsold), USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center: "I don't really have high hopes of playing in the U.S. Open … it would be pretty amazing though. I'd play Rafael Nadal, but I don't expect to beat him."

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

Women’s Grass Court Nationals Wraps in Forest Hills By Ashley Brownstein or 39 years, the Women’s Grass Court Nationals has taken place in Forest Hills, N.Y. at The West Side Tennis Club. More than 100 women from across the country gathered to take part in this historic event. From Hawaii, Nevada, California, Florida, Georgia and Arizona, women trekked to West Side to play on some of the best grass courts in the country. So what is it about this tournament that separates it from others? Bob and Dina Ingersole have created a tournament that attracts women of all levels—ranging from ex-tour players, to those who only picked up a racquet for the first time as an older adult. Player Anne Schwartz has called it a “labor of love” from the Ingersoles, who have run this tournament for the past 12 years. Participants range in background as well. Some are involved with tennis, either as teaching pros or coaches. However, there are others ranging from a diplomat, a

math professor and a firefighter/paramedic. The more I speak with Anne, the more I begin to realize this tournament is more of a reunion than anything else. The main reason to play in this tournament is the friendships forged amongst the players. The patio is constantly crowded with players looking on, not to size up their next opponent, but to simply see how their friends are doing. Sure, there are some upsets in the seeds, which can make for exciting matches, but the participants are all supportive of each other. “This is the most hyper-competitive group of women you’ll ever meet on the court … and then go out later for dinner and a drink,” Anne said. “I literally get homesick when I leave.” When the players depart, it’s not radio silence either. They stay in touch and support one another outside of their tennis lives through Facebook once the tournament is over. It seems that in today’s age, the words “friendly” and “competition” do not go hand-in-hand with one another, especially when it comes to the women’s

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

draw. Yet, as I reflect on this event, it seems that nothing highlighted it more than sportsmanship. As I end my conversation with Anne, she asks me, “Do you have everything you need? I want to go watch my friend finish her match before I head home.” I couldn’t think of a better sign-off than that. The following are the results from the 2015 Women’s Grass Court Nationals: Women’s 30s Singles: Round Robin l Round Robin: Irene Paulus defeated Ji-Yeon Choi, 6-2, 6-4 l Round Robin: Pamela Mogul defeated Ji-Yeon Choi, 6-0, 6-0 l Round Robin: Pamela Mogul defeated Irene Paulus, 6-0, 6-0 (Finals) Women’s 40s l Singles: (4) Amanda Parson Siegel defeated Mercedes Michel, 6-1, 6-1 l Doubles: Amanda Parson Siegel & Trish Riddell defeated (1) Adriana Isaza & Mutsumi Shirai, 6-1, 6-2

Women’s 50s l Singles: (1) Susan Wright defeated (2) Vesna McKenna, 6-3, 6-2 l Doubles: (1) Vesna McKenna & Susan Wright defeated (2) Mary Dailey & Erika Smith, 6-3, 6-4

Women’s 70s l Singles: (1) Betty Wachob defeated Carolann Castell, 6-2, 6-1 l Doubles: (3) Lee Delfausse & Susan Kimball defeated (2) Carolann Castell & Judy Louie, 6-4, 7-6(0)

Women’s 60s l Singles: (1) Tina Karwasky defeated (2) Sherri Bronson, 6-2, 6-2 l Doubles: (1) Tina Karwasky & Jan Kirkland-Cochran defeated (4) Lilian Peltz-Petow & Betsy Savitt, 6-2, 6-2

Women’s 80s Singles: Round Robin l Round Robin: (1) Burnett Herrick defeated Irene Bretzel, 6-0, 6-1 l Round Robin: Laurine Leach defeated Fay M. Martin, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4

l Round Robin: Fay M Martin defeated Irene Bretzel, 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(3) l Round Robin: (1) Burnett Herrick defeated (2) Dorothy Matthiessen, 6-1, 6-0 (Finals) Ashley Brownstein is a 2009 graduate from Marist with a major in communications, radio/TV/film and a minor in business. A former USTA junior player, Brownstein is currently working for West Side Tennis Club as an administrative assistant in marketing and social media, as well as tennis reporting.

PGA National Resort & Spa BallenIsles Country Club Palm Beach Gardens, Florida December 4-9, 2015 Boys & Girls: Ages 8-14 Singles/Doubles/Mixed Doubles “Little Mo” Yellow Ball: Ages 8-14 “Little Mo” Green Dot: Ages 8, 9, 10 “Big Mo”: Ages 13 and 14

To register, visit www.littlemoflorida.com For more info: www.mcbtennis.org Contact: cartennis@aol.com

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

MBR Builders

Brings Experience and Skill to Indoor Tennis Renovations

MBR Builders is a nationwide expert in all facets of construction and renovations of metal buildings for the indoor tennis market. With more than 50 years of combined experience of their highly qualified staff, MBR offers a full range of services for your tennis club. Besides being a Certified Butler Builder for new construction and re-roofing systems, MBR Builders also works closely with their clientele to provide easy and cost-efficient ways to lower operating

costs of their existing buildings. With a multitude of high-quality insulation and lighting systems, MBR Builders can match your individual club needs to the perfect energy-efficient system for your facility. MBR’s offers LED lighting systems, such as The Watt Slayer Series, which have been extremely successful in reducing energy consumption, while giving their clientele the light levels they desire. MBR Builders also offers a quality line of

SIGN UP NOW FOR OUR POPULAR TENNIS PROGRAMS! REGISTER ONLINE at www.gothamtennis.com Now accepting registrations for 2015-2016 Tennis Programs Gotham Tennis Academy is dedicated to providing high-quality tennis instruction in the most conveniently located facilities in New York City. Our PTR-certified tennis professionals are some of the most talented, personable and engaging pros in New York City. For more information and to register, please visit WWW.GOTHAMTENNIS.COM or call (646) 524-7069 48

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

indoor tennis accessories, including custom backdrop curtains and divider nets. Check out MBR’s Web site at MBRBuilders.com to learn more about their services or request a free estimate. MBR’s services include: New construction, re-roofing, interior ceiling systems, lighting systems, curtains and wire work, and tennis accessories. Take that first step to the exceptional tennis facility of your dreams!

COMING IN NOVEMBER 2015

Distribution scheduled for 11/01/15

This edition will feature: • Top Coaches Roundtable Discussion • Tennis Travel Destination Guide • Holiday Gift Guide • 2015 Girls High School Season Recap

Distribution across New York at 300+ locations: • Indoor tennis clubs • Country clubs • Restaurants and health food stores • Tennis camps • Retail stores • Gyms • Supermarkets and • Many more!

Don’t miss the advertising opportunities in the next edition of New York Tennis Magazine November/December 2015! Facebook-www.Facebook.com/NYTennisMag Instagram-@NYTennisMag • Twitter-@NYTennisMag Submissions for both advertising and editorial are due by2015 October 1,Tennis 2015Magazine 49 NYTennisMag.com • September/October • New York For more information, please call 516-409-4444 or e-mail Advertise@NYTennisMag.com

2015 Guide to the Top Clubs/Progra for New York Tennis Players

Alley Pond Tennis & Sports Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. (718) 264-2600 AlleyPondTennisCenter.com Like us on Instagram: AlleyPondTennisCenter Alley Pond Tennis & Sports Center is a multisport facility. During the 50

winter season, Alley Pond offers tennis on our 11 hard courts, as well as rental field time to soccer and lacrosse teams. Alley Pond Tennis Center takes great pride in teaching and coaching its students. You will find they are one of the nicest, friendliest and most caring tennis facilities in the Queens, N.Y. area. All students, from kids to adults, are encouraged to accomplish their goals in tennis. Alley Pond is proud to say its kids go on to play high school and college tennis. Offered by Alley Pond is a Super Adult Drills Program on the weekends, which continues to be a big hit each year. Also offered are Adult Tennis Classes on weekday mornings, 90-minute classes with a combination of teaching and match

New York Tennis Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ September/October 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ NYTennisMag.com

play. The Evening Adult Tennis Classes are one-hour sessions, and all of the classes are a 1:5 pro to student ratio. If you like to socialize, you will love the APTC Adult Tennis Parties, hosted on Friday or Saturday nights, depending on the month. It's so much fun you can come by yourself or bring your partner and play multiple doubles matches against other players. The most popular tennis class is the Junior Development Program for children ages five through 17-yearsold, encompassing all levels of play. These classes meet once a week for one hour or 90-minutes. Also offered is a Quick Start Program for kids ages three-and-a-half to fiveyears-old. This is a great startup program for young kids and a great way to introduce them to tennis.

ams

New for this coming indoor season, Alley Pond is introducing its APTC Junior Tournament Training Program for advanced level players who are getting ready to start playing USTA tournaments, and junior and high school tennis. This program was kicked off in July 2015 and plans are to continue the program through the indoor season. Alley Pond’s coaches are dedicated to taking its students to the next level of their tennis development. Also offered are children’s tennis birthday parties, featuring one-hour of on-the-court instruction, lots of fun games, and 45-minutes for cake and pizza. We hope to see you on the courts of Alley Pond soon. Let Alley Pond make your tennis experience a fantastic one.

Boca West Country Club 20583 Boca West Drive Boca Raton, Fla. (561) 488-6975 BocaWestCC.org Boca West Country Club is renowned for its first-rate recreational activities. The Country Club's reputation in golf is equaled by its $1.8 million Tennis Center. Fully dedicated to the racquet sport, there is a lighted stadium court and seating for more than 300, plus access for members to USPTA staff for tennis clinics and private lessons for instructions, drills and strategy sessions. The number one residential country club in the United States is also the proud recipient of the 2013 USTA Outstanding Tennis Facility Award. Tennis enthusiasts looking for superb amenities in a beautiful private country club setting have the opportunity to see many WTA and ATP touring pros and other world class players who frequent the courts. Adding cachet to the Club’s brand is the recent 2015 partnership with WTA rising star Christina McHale, who, according to USA Today, has “Long been considered a could-be next star for the U.S. on the women's tour.” Known for competing hard and pushing players such as Maria Sharapova and Jelena Jankovic, McHale is currently ranked 61st in the world. Tennis Center courts carry feature-worthy status of their own. There are 30 Hydro-courts, with

three lit for night play. Keeping up with the times, they’re adding one U.S. Open cushion court, which converts to four Pickleball courts to be completed by September of this year. An award-winning community in Boca Raton, Fla. originally developed by Arvida Corporation in 1971, Boca West Country Club is home to 6,000 residents (3,380 families) in magnificent residences including townhomes, patio homes, villas, garden apartments and single-family homes. Boca West is the number one Private Residential Country Club in the country and number one Private Club, of all types, in Florida statewide. Boca West is a Platinum Club of America, FiveStar Private Club since 1997, and is proudly recognized as a Distinguished Emerald Club by BoardRoom Magazine since 2013. For more information, visit BocaWestCC.org.

Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning 1720 Crotona Avenue Bronx, N.Y. (718) 247-7420 CaryLeedsTennis.org Following its mission to develop the character of young people through tennis and education for a lifetime of success on and off the court and with a vision to serve the youth of New York City, NYJTL has opened the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning, a world-class facility for children and families. The Cary

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

2015 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players Leeds Center will provide youngsters, who would not otherwise have the chance, opportunities to learn and play tennis. Commercial offerings include a comprehensive range of Junior and Adult Programs for players of all levels, Private & Group Lessons, Hourly & Seasonal Court Rental and Space Rental. The Cary Leeds Center, a $26.5 million dollar project, constructed in partnership with the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, was originally envisioned nearly 15 years ago. The ground breaking took place May 22, 2013 and had its grand opening on June 15, 2015. It houses a 12,000-square-foot clubhouse and educational facility, and is the flagship home for NYJTL coaches to provide free year-round instruction and play for young people from beginners to nationally-ranked junior players, ages five through 18. The Center will serve more than 30,000 families and children in and around Crotona Park, annually providing more than 6,000 hours of free tennis court time to the community. But the tennis programs are only part of the story. The Center also provides space for educators to help students improve their performance in school. In the facility’s three classrooms, teachers and counselors will offer young people a quiet and safe place to benefit from a wide range of programs centered on academics, healthy living and character education.

Centercourt Performance Tennis Academy 65 Columbia Road Morristown, N.J. (973) 635-1222 CentercourtAcademy.com The Centercourt Performance Tennis Academy is a one-of-a-kind program fully-dedicated to the development and performance of tennis players. Centercourt’s philosophy is if you want to improve, you need to train. While you don’t have to be exceptionally talented, you do need to be seriously committed to your training. The mission is to help every student-athlete trained to realize their full potential— athletically, academically and within life itself. Centercourt believes that the trials and tribulations that its student-athletes endure in the tennis pathway will develop young athletes into leaders both on and off the court. Players respect the game, their peers, parents, environment and coaches. Players are coached to not only become great players, but to become hardworking, self-sufficient individuals. The Centercourt curriculum features on-court and off-court lesson programs, which include comprehensive tennis instruction, complimented with both physical and mental conditioning, conducted by performance specialists; all of whom are

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

committed to developing players into champions. Total athletic training programs are designed to increase player development and facilitate higher overall performance by incorporating mental toughness, nutrition counseling, speed/movement, communication and vision/reaction skills in all players. Centercourt Performance Tennis Academy’s culture is simple …they live the sport! Seven days a week, 365 days a year. Continually striving for improvement, Centercourt does not celebrate mediocrity. Centercourt strives to get the most out of all its players. If you are serious about your tennis and want to be the best athlete you can possibly be, you owe it to yourself to experience the Centercourt Performance Tennis Academy, firsthand!

Photo credit: MPRC member Sam Kanter, courtesy of MPRC

Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club 450 West 43rd Street New York, N.Y. (212) 594-055 AdvantageTennisClubs.com Milos@AdvantageTennisClubs.com Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club (MPRC), an Advantage Tennis Club, is located at 450 West 43rd Street (between 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue) in New York City (open Monday-Sunday from

2015 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players 6:00 a.m. until midnight). MPRC offers luxury tennis in the heart of Manhattan, with five indoor championship hard courts, air conditioning in the summer, a luxurious duplex clubhouse with terrace, a new tennis bubble, private lessons and group lessons for all ages and levels, game arranging, quality tennis programs for members and non-members, leagues, tennis camps, parties, doubles play, tournaments, a pro shop with stringing services, and nice locker rooms. MPRC membership includes a full membership to Manhattan Plaza Health Club. MPRC members can fully access the Health Club’s many fitness classes, climbing walls, gym, glass enclosed swimming pool, sundeck, sauna and more. There is indoor parking also available on the premises. MPRC’s most popular program for members is game arranging that follows the NTRP Rating System. MPRC has some of the best tennisteaching professionals in New York City who offer private lessons and group lessons. MPRC offers several categories of membership, including the Advantage Passport Tennis/Sports MultiClub Membership to Roosevelt Island Racquet Club & Sports Park and the New York Tennis Club. For membership information, contact MPRC Assistant Manager and Membership Director Lauren Hartman at (212) 594-0554. MPRC also offers season/open tennis time, and for more information on these opportunities, contact MPRC Manager Milos Vojvodic at (212) 594-0554. For more information on tennis lessons and Adult Tennis Programs, contact MPRC Assistant Tennis Director Bruce Barney at (212) 594-0554. MPRC also offers QuickStart Junior

Programs, for more information, contact MPRC’s Youth Program Administrator, Gabriel Slotnick at (212) 594-0554.

MatchPoint NYC 2781 Shell Road Brooklyn, N.Y. (718) 769-0001 MatchPoint.NYC MatchPointComplex@Gmail.com MatchPoint NYC is the sports and fitness destination for the entire family, located in Brooklyn, N.Y. only 20 minutes away from downtown Manhattan. Spread across 120,000-square feet, MatchPoint’s premier health and fitness complex features a cutting-edge tennis facility that includes nine indoor tennis courts. MatchPoint’s Tennis Coaching Team is led by Numrud Nino Muhatasov, co-founder and director of MatchPoint NYC (a former coach of top WTA and ATP players, former captain and number one singles and doubles player for the St. John's University Tennis Team, Big East Conference Finalist and twotime Most Valuable Player), together with featured Coach Alona Bondarenko (Australian Open Doubles Champion in 2008, ranked in the top 20 in the world in singles and top five in the world in doubles) and Head Pro Alexander Demidenko (Davis Cup Team

Member, head coach of the former USSR Girls National Team). MatchPoint NYC’s world-class junior tournament training programs (by invitation only) are comprised of highly-ranked players on national and international levels. The club offers personalized coaching for each player, plus private lessons, intensive drills, match play, tennis-specific fitness conditioning and mental conditioning. MatchPoint has a wide range of programs for all levels, including adult leagues, QuickStart, Junior Development (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) and private lessons taught by accredited USPTAcertified coaches. MatchPoint NYC’s WiFi-enabled Café is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Relax and unwind after a game, grab a bite to eat or relax while you watch your child on the court. Enjoy a healthy snack or get refreshed with a smoothie at the juice bar. Stop by the Pro Shop if you forgot something or if you need your racquet restrung. Free parking is also offered on premises. Additional club features include a luxury full-sized gym, three group fitness studios, a Junior Olympic pool, a basketball court and a variety of youth and adult recreational and competitive training programs. MatchPoint NYC-certified instructors and personal trainers are friendly, approachable and ready to assist in your individual fitness objectives. The group swimming and exercise classes, health metrics assessments, and one-on-one training will get you the desired results in your quest for a healthier lifestyle. Complete your day of health and fitness by winding down and relaxing in the steam sauna. Join MatchPoint NYC and FIND YOUR GAME!

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

2015 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players

Midtown Tennis Club 341 8th Avenue New York, N.Y. (212) 989-8572 MidtownTennis.com Midtown Tennis Club is Manhattan's original indoor tennis facility, conveniently located in the heart of New York City. Situated on 8th Avenue, between 26th and 27th Streets, Midtown Tennis Club is easily accessible by public transportation. In a city filled with commitments and membership dues, it’s a breeze to reserve at Midtown for an hour or more of court time, a private lesson or one of Midtown’s clinics. Midtown has four indoor Har-Tru courts for year-round use and four outdoor Har-Tru courts which are bubbled and heated during the winter months. Midtown’s outdoor season enables City-dwellers to play on our open-air courts with spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline. Midtown offers an extensive team of tennis professionals who are available to provide lessons to all ages and levels. If you are looking to develop your existing skills, learn new techniques, get a great cardio workout or prepare for your next tournament, Midtown has a pro for whatever your interest. Midtown’s clinics are offered for total beginners and all levels up to competition players. Sign up for one month, one day or all year. The 54

Friday Night Round-Robin is a popular event in the winter season which attracts intermediate to advanced players looking for friendly doubles matches. It is a great way to meet new tennis friends. Midtown is the home of The Manhattan Tennis Academy (TMTA), New York City’s premier Junior Development Program. TMTA offers after-school classes for juniors of all ages (four years of age and up) and levels. TMTA features the QuickStart program, as well as a competitive training program, and offers small classes throughout the school year.

New York Tennis Club 3081 Harding Avenue Throgs Neck (Bronx), N.Y. (718) 239-7919 AdvantageTennisClubs.com Indoor Courts, Lauren Hartman: LHartman@AdvantageTennisClubs.com Outdoor Courts, Mike Weisberger: NYTCTreasurer@Gmail.com Founded in 1886, New York Tennis Club is the oldest active tennis club in New York. In fact, the year 2015 marks their 129th consecutive season. Throughout the years, the Club has maintained a reputation for its restful atmosphere, the congeniality of its members and its

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

professional approach to a truly popular sport. With a new patio and viewing deck and six newlyresurfaced Har-Tru courts, the Club is a haven in a quiet corner of the City. Convenient to Manhattan, Queens and lower Westchester, it’s also the best value in the Tri-State area. Sit back and relax in the recently renovated clubhouse and lounge, grab a bite to eat at the snack bar or unwind in the remodeled locker rooms. There is also on-site racquet stringing in the pro-shop and ample free parking located on the premises. New York Tennis Club is a club for all seasons. For the upcoming indoor season, mid-October to the end of April, New York Tennis Club offers high-quality courts at competitive rates. The two climate-controlled bubbles are equipped with shadowless, non-glare lighting, with hourly court time at rates between $36-$74 per court, as well as seasonal court options. Hours of operation are 7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., seven days a week, and no membership is required. The rest of the year is outdoor season, when the Club offers unlimited play—as much tennis as members wish. Tennis lovers can soak up the sun on lush lawns surrounded by flower gardens, sit in the shade of willow trees or have lunch on a covered patio or in the clubhouse, which offers dining facilities, locker rooms and showers. For additional information, visit NewYorkTennisClub.com. The Club offers adult programs for skill sets of all levels. Program offerings include singles and doubles leagues, a comprehensive game arranging program for both singles and doubles players, private and group instruction for all levels, cardio tennis classes, and tennis parties, where guests are welcome. Whether you are new to tennis, or want to take your game to the next level, New York Tennis

2015 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players Club has a program for you. The Junior Tennis Program at New York Tennis offers year-round classes, camps and programs for all ages and levels. There are QuickStart classes for ages four through 10, summer and holiday camp programs, after-school programs, tournament training for advanced competitive players and match play. During the school year, classes are offered both after-school and on Saturdays. The Junior Tennis Camp offers one-week sessions during the month of August. One more special feature: The Advantage Passport Membership, which offers members a whole new level of benefits and access. Passport memberships include free summer court time on reserved courts at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club (RIRC) and New York Tennis Club, plus membership privileges at Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club, Manhattan Plaza Health Club and New York Tennis Club. For more information, call (718) 239-7919. See you on the courts!

Roosevelt Island Racquet Club 281 Main Street Roosevelt Island, N.Y. (212) 935-0250 GKent@AdvantageTennisClubs.com RIRCTennis.com Now in its 22nd year of operation, Roosevelt Island Racquet Club (RIRC) is part of Advantage Tennis

Clubs. Roosevelt Island Racquet Club is conveniently located on beautiful Roosevelt Island, New York City’s oasis on the East River. The Club features 12 Har-Tru courts under new bubbles with shadowless, non-glare lighting, heated and air conditioned for comfortable yearround play. The exercise room includes a treadmill, exercise bikes, elliptical trainers and free weights to accommodate almost any workout. The Club boasts a completely stocked pro shop, locker room facilities, two social lounges, Riverview Lounge with a breathtaking view of Manhattan’s skyline, a snack bar and free parking. RIRC is easily accessible by tram, subway or car (free on-site parking). The Roosevelt Island Tram (from 60th Street and 2nd Avenue) stops adjacent to the Club, and the subway (F Train) stops one block from the club. Members also have use of an indoor swimming pool and fitness center next door in the Sports Park. RIRC offers a range of adult programs for players of all levels. Program offerings range from the Advanced Singles League for the experienced competitive player, to Beginner Group Lessons for people new to the sport of tennis. Cardio tennis is one of the Club’s most popular programs and is offered daily for those looking to combine a cardio workout with tennis. Whatever your goal, there is a program for you! The Advantage All-City Junior Tennis Program offers year-round classes, camps and programs for all ages and levels. There are QuickStart classes for ages four through nine, summer and holiday camp programs, after-school programs, tournament training for advanced competitive players, and match play. During the school year, classes are offered both after-school and on Saturdays. The Advantage All-City Junior Tennis Camp offers

one-week sessions from mid-June through the end of August. Roosevelt Island Racquet Club offers a Gold Membership that includes full Club privileges, 14-day advance reservation privileges, member court fees with an average savings of $35 per court hour, game arranging and member discount on all programs. The Club is excited to offer Advantage Passport Membership, which offers members a whole new level of benefits and access. Passport Memberships include free summer court time on reserved courts at RIRC and New York Tennis Club, plus membership privileges at Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club, Manhattan Plaza Health Club and New York Tennis Club. For more information, contact Gordon Kent, Tom Manhart or Kimberly Latif at (212) 935-0250.

Saddlebrook Tennis Academy 5700 Saddlebrook Way Wesley Chapel, Fla. (813) 973-1111 Saddlebrook.com Saddlebrook Tennis Academy, located on the 480-acre property of Saddlebrook Resort, was acquired in 1986 from the legendary Harry Hopman. Harry's philosophy and focus on fitness made Hopman one of the most successful tennis coaches in history, and became the foundation of the Saddlebrook program. The Hopman Tennis

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

2015 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players Program at Saddlebrook offers programs for players of all ages and ability levels. Saddlebrook’s renowned facilities attract enthusiasts from across the globe, and is home to 45 courts, including all four Grand Slam surfaces. Saddlebrook Tennis has the ability to cater to the true tennis fanatics who choose to participate in our demanding five-hour a day program, offered 365 days a year, while also providing corporate meeting attendees with an opportunity to fit in a quick lesson or a few sets of competitive play. The combination of tranquility, privacy and exclusivity on property, coupled with the energy of the world's top players training to reach their goals of ATP and WTA success has made Saddlebrook a historic and legendary training ground. In fact, guests have enjoyed watching some of the world's best players during their training at Saddlebrook, including Jim Courier, Pete Sampras, Martina Hingis, James Blake, John Isner, Jack Sock, and Bob and Mike Bryan. Hundreds of talented players come to Saddlebrook each year to vastly improve their game through training, hard work, discipline and motivation. Saddlebrook’s program includes onand off-court performance routines, including specialized drills for consistency and accuracy, as well as supervised match-play under the supervision of a professional coaching staff. After years of experience and proven success with professional players, Saddlebrook’s junior program has been designed to improve each camper’s technical, tactical and mental games. Juniors train up to five hours daily, in addition to making new friends and enjoying fun social activities with other campers. In addition to the tennis facilities, Saddlebrook boasts 95,000-square56

feet of versatile meeting space, two Arnold Palmer Golf courses, a newly renovated golf training area, a halfmillion gallon pool, state-of-the-art fitness center and an international boarding school. Saddlebrook Preparatory is a premier destination for education and aspiring junior golf and tennis athletes who wish to get the intensive training offered at Saddlebrook, whilst enjoying the luxuries of a world-class resort year-round. Some of the school’s past alumni include Andy Roddick, Jennifer Capriati and Ashley Harkleroad.

SPORTIME Randall’s Island, Home of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy One Randall’s Island New York, N.Y. (212) 427-6150 SportimeNY.com/Manhattan JohnMcEnroeTennisAcademy.com JKarl@SportimeNY.com SPORTIME Randall’s Island, a stateof-the-art, 20-court tennis and training facility located on Randall’s Island in Manhattan, is home to the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA). New York sports legend John McEnroe partnered with SPORTIME to open his world-class training academy in the world’s greatest city in September 2010. JMTA is led by Academy Director Lawrence Kleger, who has trained and coached more nationally-ranked and world-ranked

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

juniors than anyone in the history of the USTA Eastern Section, as well as JMTA Performance Director Andrew Small, and JMTA Associate Directors Felix Alvarado and Nate Emge. The JMTA tennis and athletic development coaching staff is comprised of more than 40 experienced professionals from around the world, all personally selected by Johnny Mac and Lawrence Kleger. Recent JMTA graduates include Noah Rubin, a top American tennis prospect, who just launched his pro career after a stellar year at Wake Forest during which he lost in the finals of the 2015 NCAA Championship. Noah won the Boys Wimbledon Championship in singles and the Boys National Championship in singles and doubles in 2014. In addition to world class group training for top juniors, SPORTIME offers a player pathway for children of all ages and levels, including the Tennis Whizz program for preschoolers and, red and orange ball programs for younger, developing players. SPORTIME Randall’s Island also offers private tennis lessons, private athletic training, private mental toughness training, and the best group programming and facilities in NYC for adult players of all levels. SPORTIME Randall’s Island features 160,000-square feet of tennis courts and amenities, including five indoor and five indoor/outdoor Deco-Turf tennis courts, and 10 indoor/outdoor Har-Tru clay tennis courts. This extraordinary club also features a functional training and fitness center; comfortable lounge areas with excellent viewing; a junior lounge/computer lab; a pro shop featuring top brands and 24-hour stringing; complimentary nursery care; member locker rooms with steam; a café serving healthy food, snacks and beverages; and

2015 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players classrooms, party rooms and meeting facilities. It’s all on Randall’s Island under the RFK/Triboro Bridge. Contact Director of Sales and Services Jay Karl at (212) 427-6150 or e-mail JKarl@SportimeNY.com for more information and to schedule a visit.

Stadium Tennis Center at Mill Pond Park 725 Exterior Street at East 152nd Street and the Harlem River Bronx, N.Y. (718) 665-4684 StadiumTennisNYC.com Stadium Tennis Center at Mill Pond Park is located two blocks south of Yankee Stadium at East 152nd Street and the Harlem River. This popular facility is quickly shaking its label as “the best-kept secret in New York City tennis.” Stadium Tennis Center is the flourishing “go-to” tennis facility in NYC–with16 cushioned, newlysurfaced U.S. Open-style Deco-Turf hard courts, including 12 indoor courts, which are now open for yearround indoor play. Stadium’s first indoor season came at the end of 2010, and today, the staff, players, and families are thrilled with the success and tremendous growth of their favorite facility. Stadium Tennis Center is certain to become your new popular public tennis facility, too. The “Bubble” continues to reign as

one of the largest tennis bubbles or tennis domes of this type in the world, covering an area of over four million cubic feet and a footprint of more than 75,000 square feet. The “Bubble” will soon feature a brand new state-ofthe-art lighting system to complement its high indoor ceilings and spacious backcourts. These offerings will certainly please the playing public and the many tournament level, interscholastic, and collegiate players who compete at and call Stadium Tennis Center their “home court.” Stadium Tennis Center also offers complimentary on-site parking to the north of the facility. The newlyremodeled Café and Clubhouse will welcome you to host special events, birthday parties, and tennis gatherings for all of your family and friends, and the updated Pro Shop offers all your tennis necessities. The Clubhouse also features clean, secure locker rooms and lounge areas, Wi-Fi computer access, a workspace where children can do schoolwork and read, as well as an always-growing tennis library. This highly-touted facility offers a full complement of tennis programs for juniors and adults of all skill levels and ages. In partnership with Gotham Tennis Academy, a leader in developing and operating tennis programs in New York City and the Hamptons, Stadium Tennis Center employs high level, experienced tennis professionals from all over the world who have established a strong sense of ownership in the success of the total Stadium Team. Stadium’s Elite High Performance and Junior Development Programs continue to expand exponentially, and the 10 & Under Program has been reinforced to follow the true Gotham Pathway to tennis .For adult players, fast-paced group clinics and cardio tennis workouts are offered daily, in addition to indoor seasonal court rentals, private lessons, game-arranging,

leagues and tournament play. More information about Stadium Tennis Center at Mill Pond Park, visit StadiumTennisNYC.com or call (718) 665-4684. More information about Gotham Tennis Academy, visit GothamTennis.com or call (646) 524-7069.

Super Stars Tennis 1461 First Avenue, #241 New York, N.Y. (646) 284-0514 SuperStarsTennis.com SuperStarsTennis@Gmail.com With more than 20 years of tennis teaching experience, Super Stars Tennis has introduced thousands of children to the sport of tennis in the New York metropolitan area. With 14plus convenient locations in Manhattan, Queens and New Jersey, Super Stars Tennis welcomes all ages and levels. From the beginning novice player to the advanced tournament player, a wide variety of programs are offered including their Tiny Tots (ages three to five), Mighty Mites (ages six through eight), Super Stars (ages nine and 10), Varsity and junior varsity team tennis, and Junior Development Programs. In addition, adult tennis programs, group classes, private and semi-private instruction are all offered. For children ages 10 and under, the USTA QuickStart format makes learning tennis easier and more fun than ever! Our programs introduce tennis-sized right for kids so they develop skills and have fun right from

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

2015 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players the start. Using modified equipment and courts tailored to a child’s size and age, kids will learn, rally, play and compete quickly and in a way that is both enjoyable and rewarding. The Quick Start format fosters slowermoving and lower-bouncing balls, shorter and lighter racquets, and smaller courts. The smaller courts will give kids the confidence and ability to cover the entire court. The shorter, lighter racquets will allow kids to control the racquet and discourage extreme grips. The balls will slow play down, bounce at a height equal to the kids’ playing abilities and provide longer rallies, allowing kids to better develop their court skills, tactics and strategy. All classes are taught by a staff of certified professionals, who will teach your child the game of tennis, the sport of a lifetime. For more information on Super Stars Tennis programs and adult tennis programs, contact Director of Tennis Justin Hogh at (646) 284-0514 or e-mail SuperStarsTennis@Gmail.com. Online registration is now available at SuperStarsTennis.com.

Tennis Innovators Academy 110 Lake Street White Plains N.Y. (914) 428-2444 TIAcademies.com Located in White Plains, the heart of Westchester County, Tennis 58

Innovators Academy (TIA) serves the local tennis community and is quickly becoming the main hub for the recreational and competitive adult player, and high-performance juniors. As you walk in the lobby, you enter a tennis mecca. Modern, sleek design of the clubhouse, large glass viewing windows, and a friendly staff get you in the mood to go out there and grind. The facility offers eight brand new hydro Har-Tru courts, LED lights, and a pleasant upbeat environment. With hydro-court technology, the court conditions are truly the best in Westchester County, offering elite playing performance for all levels. In the coming months, the club will install Playsight Technology, a total game-changer in the industry. It allows coaches to analyze a player’s game, movement patterns, shot selection and spins, measure the speed of serve, as well as line-call challenges. The clubhouse is equipped with a special conference room where you sit down with the instructor and go over the analysis. Both adult and junior programs are structured, with a walking director enforcing the quality of the programs and established curriculum. The management of the Academy believes in a good balance between high quality instruction, a great workout, and lots of fun, but always geared towards development. The ratio on-court never exceeds a 4:1 student to pro ratio, including the 10 & Under Academy. Every age group and level has a clear curriculum and themes change bi-weekly. For the Adult Academy players, USTA competition is offered during the indoor and outdoor season, with a dedicated traveling coach attending the matches. As a player, you are constantly learning and climbing the ladder within the academy. Whether you are a junior or an adult, there are numerous classes and clinics to choose from including private

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

lessons, adult clinics, match play sessions for juniors, cardio-oriented sessions for adults, and others. The packages are all customized and tailored to each individual player depending on their goals and availability. The staff, led by Cesar Andrade, consists of premier teaching pros from around the world. They know exactly how to fine-tune your game. The level of devotion and attention towards the students is beyond anything you have experienced. The TIA pro staff constantly contributes to the development of the sport by participating in various workshops and conferences in addition to their daily responsibilities. TI Academy makes players … come and check it out! Tennis Innovators also offers a variety of programs in numerous New York City locations.

USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Flushing Meadows Corona Park Flushing, N.Y. (718) 760-6200 NTC.USTA.com The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, is the largest public tennis facility in the world. It is, most certainly, a “Tennis Welcome Center.” The Tennis Center is open to the public year-round and offers exciting programming, as well as

2015 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players numerous events throughout the year. Programs are offered for all ages and levels, as well as clinics, private lessons, leagues, tours, field trips, summer camps, corporate events, birthday parties and tournaments. The NTC also supports all USTA Community Tennis and Player Development initiatives. The professional staff of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center also conducts community tennis programs, including 10 & Under Tennis for children 10 years of age and under to learn tennis in a fun and dynamic way; USTA Junior Team Tennis for youth match play; USTA League Tennis for competitive, levelof-play competition, and an official Cardio Tennis site for on-court heart pumping fitness. Initiatives for USTA Player Development include an Invitational USTA Competition Training Center for ranked players, Player Development programs for top-ranking juniors residing in the Northeast, and a yearround USTA Tournament Training Program for ranked juniors. The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis also provides for diverse community outreach programs including; the New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL), the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, the Queens District Attorney’s Star Track/Say Yes to Tennis, No to Violence program for Queens at-risk youth. The NTC hosts various tennis opportunities for special populations, including wheelchair tennis instruction for the physically-challenged from the months of October through July, HERO (Help Expand Recreational Opportunities) for developmentally challenged adults and tennis for autistic children through NYFAC (New York Families for Autistic Children). There is an extensive summer camp program which provides basic tennis instruction starting as young as 10 and under up through and including

Academy level players. Camps include instruction and fitness programs; the encouragement of good sportsmanship leading to general character building for the children of all ages and levels. These services are provided at nominal cost, making it affordable for youngsters who would not otherwise get the chance to attend camp or receive tennis instruction. Lastly, the Project ACES (Alternative Classroom Environment for Students), implemented at the NTC in 2009, is geared towards children from schools from the New York City Metropolitan Area. This program provides students the opportunity to visit the NTC and learn about the history and the game of tennis. The kids are given a tour of the entire site, including Center Court in Ashe, a video presentation on the history of tennis and the great players of the sport, followed by an hour of on court tennis instruction.

West Side Tennis Club 1 Tennis Place Forest Hills, N.Y. (718) 268-2300 ForestHillsTennis.com West Side Tennis Club is well-known for hosting the U.S. Open Tennis Championships. Today, it is home to 830 members, maintaining the best of a celebrated past and rich history. West Side Tennis Club often surprises first-time visitors. Anchored by its historic stadium, the renowned Tudorstyle clubhouse, along with a junior

Olympic pool complex, West Side's 12 acres are both a majestic setting and a tranquil oasis in the heart of New York City. West Side Tennis Club is located just 20 minutes from the bustle of midtown Manhattan, easily accessible by car, bus, subway or the Long Island Railroad. West Side maintains 38 tennis courts on four different surfaces: Grass, Har-Tru, Red Clay and Deco-Turf and provides yearround tennis utilizing its 10-court indoor facility. Members can take advantage of group or private lessons, clinics, tournaments, ladders, arranged matches, round-robins and a yearround junior program, including summer camp, a pro shop and swimming lessons. West Side Tennis Club also offers a full-service restaurant and bar with spectacular sunset dining, and private party and corporate outing facilities. Platform tennis, bridge, and fun-filled activities and social events for all ages at all levels are scheduled year-round. On weekends and weekdays, it’s a fabulous warm weather getaway for families, with a tennis day camp that is the perfect summer activity for children. So convenient, what better way to end a day at work than with a game of tennis, a dip in the pool, and watching the sun set having drinks on the club house patio. And for getting business done in a special way, it’s a unique place to spend quality time with customers, business associates and colleagues. There is even wireless Internet access available anywhere in the clubhouse. Want to do a truly special event for a small or large group of people, West Side Tennis Club has everything you could want to create a special occasion. There is something for everyone at the West Side Tennis Club. For more information, visit ForestHillsTennis.com or call (718) 268-2300.

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

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charitabl Beautiful Weather and Great Tennis Mark Annual New York Open BY HERBERT GLENN

The men’s finalists gather for a photo with their trophies The coaches take a break from the action he inaugural New York Open Tennis Championship was held at the historic West Side Tennis Club (where the U.S. Open was founded) in 2013. To increase access to the general public and provide free tickets to fans, Tennis in New York Inc., the non-profit running the tournament, moved the event to the legendary Central Park Tennis Courts near 93rd street and Central Park West in 2014. The tournament, which accepted the best professional and amateur tennis players living or visiting New York City on the July 4th weekend, returned to the Central Park Tennis Courts this year. “This year’s tournament exceeded all expectations,” said Dale Caldwell, a former USTA board member and founder and tournament chair of the New York Open. “We had great weather, wonderful spectators and fantastic matches. All of the finalists in both the Men’s and Women’s Singles tournaments were international touring professionals with global rankings.” Spectator Velvor Rhone, who has attended all three New York Opens, stated, “This year’s New York Open was the best

The women’s finalists gather for a photo

Kids and coaches enjoying the clinics held during the 2015 New York Open one yet. The tennis and weather were fantastic.” Winston Lin, a full-time touring professional, the former number one Columbia University player and winner of the 2013 New York Open, won the Men’s Singles Championship in a thrilling two-hour three-set match against touring pro and former number one St. John’s player Gary Kushnarovich, 6-7 (1), 6-1, 6-4. The score of the Women’s Singles Final was not as close, however, it was a very competitive match with Russian touring pro

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

Participants in the First Annual New York Open Mindfulness Festival, led by Trish Miele and Clarisa Romero, gather for a group photo Nika Kukharchuk beating Malika Rose, a touring pro from Florida, 6-1, 6-2. The winners of the Men’s and Women’s Championships received $2,000 and a silver plate. The Finalists each received $1,000 and a silver plate for their efforts in the tournament. On July 4th, children and adults were given free tennis lessons to celebrate the New York Open’s “David Dinkins Family Day” named in honor of the former New York City Mayor who has been a big supporter of both Tennis in New York Inc. and the New York Open.

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le initiatives “I had never picked up a racquet before, but I had a lot of fun,” said Donald Tiller, an adult participant in the free tennis lessons. “I am still sore from using muscles I had never used before.” In addition to great tennis and weather, this year’s tournament included the First Annual New York Open Mindfulness Festival, led by Trish Miele and Clarisa Romero. “Tennis and mindfulness became linked forever after the best-selling book, The Inner Game of Tennis by Tim Gallway, outlined how being present in the moment was the secret to great tennis,” said Miele. “We started this event to let New Yorkers know how mindfulness is an es-

sential tool for personal and professional success.” Romero mentioned that, “The Mindfulness Festival included extraordinary speakers, like Dawn Brekke, Dave Charny, JJ Bruno, Joanie Terrizzi, Fran Swart, Roxanne Chess and Mercedes Luna providing mindfulness classes in Spanish to expand the reach of this life tool." To demonstrate that tennis is a sport for people with special needs, the event included the first Annual New York Open Autism Support Festival, sponsored by the New York Chapter of the National Autism Association (NAA) and Sidekicks Respite. The Festival took place over all three days of the tourna-

ment, and included daily hikes through Central Park, tennis lessons, face-painting, water balloon games and discussions on ways that mindfulness and yoga can help students on the Autism spectrum. “Participants in this year’s Festival had a phenomenal time,” said Ken Siri, an organizer of the New York Open Autism Support Festival. “We are looking forward to expanding this program next year so that this event will become a July 4th weekend destination for families touched by Autism.” Herbert Glenn of WeCarePartners Inc. may be reached by phone at (973) 847-1983 or email info@wecarepartners.com.

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

charitable initiatives Local Talent Aims for John McEnroe Tennis Academy Scholarship Credit photos to Brian Coleman

he John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) at Sportime Randall’s Island has concluded its annual tryouts for its premier tennis facility, offering a year-long scholarship to train at and learn from some of the best tennis coaches in the area. Tryouts consisted of multiple evaluations, ranging from attitude, to tennis skill, to work ethic. Hundreds of aspiring tennis players came out for a chance at the scholarship. “Not only do we have a lot of kids here, we have a tremendous amount of really good and talented players,” said JMTA Director Lawrence Kleger. “It is nice in one way, but also tough at the same time, because it means we have to make some really tough decisions.” The Academy stresses a player’s character more than anything else. While skill and athleticism are important, taking in a player with the proper mindset is something the coaches and directors are looking for in candidates. “We’re basically evaluating them on six things: Attitude and effort, coachability, athletic potential, compete level, mental toughness and tennis IQ,” said Kleger. “At the Academy, we are very big on character. We don’t want someone who is mopping around or throwing their racquet.” Some of JMTA’s top players have made their way through via the scholarship. Felix Alvarado, coach of Sabrina Xiong who received a JMTA Scholarship a few years back, said this scholarship is a way for the facility to develop a tennis player. “We are looking for young kids we can develop and see just how athletic they are and how hard they will work,” said Alvarado. “We don’t worry too much about technique, the way they hit or any of that, because that is something we can work on.”

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

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

The 3.5 Men’s team, led by captain Erwin Avila

The 3.0 Women’s team, led by Allison Creekmore and Mignon Winston, are headed to the Sectional Playoffs

The 3.5 women’s team, co-captained by Ashley Rowe and Ariane Querishi

Congrats to the USTA Eastern Metro Region 4.0 Women's team, headed to the Sectional Playoffs in late August he USTA Eastern Metro Region's 2015 Spring/Summer Season concluded with the 2015 Regional Playoffs, the weekend of July 31-Aug. 1. There were 17 matches played over the course of two days at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis and Learning in Crotona Park. Metro Region teams will compete at Sectionals for a chance to advance to National Playoffs later in the year. Looking ahead to the Fall, the Metro Region Schedule will be slightly different. The 40 & Over Men/Women’s Season will now start in the middle of September. A 40 & Over Mixed-Doubles League, which will start around February 2016, will be added.

Congratulations to the following teams for winning their respective levels and advancing to the Sectional Playoffs. 3.0 Women..................Allison Creekmore/Mignon Winston 3.0 Men ..........................................................James Snow 3.5 Women ............................Ashley Rowe/Ariane Querishi 3.5 Men ..............................................................Erwin Avila 4.0 Women..............................Debra Bricker/Fredrica Ford 4.0 Men ..................................Ron Johnson/Daniel Bindler 4.5 Women ................................................Maria Salnikowa 4.5 Men..................................Mitchell Low/Jonathan Dorin 5.0 Women......................Chiara Ciabatti/Mercedes Michel 5.0 Men........................................................Michael Doane

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

SPORTS MEDICINE

Dealing With Lower Back Pain: On and Off the Court By Dr. Michael Mizhiritsky Lower back pain is one of the more common complaints to a doctor. Almost everyone will experience lower back pain at least once in their lifetime. Inactivity, lack of proper exercise, being overweight, smoking, family history, jobs or tasks that require heavy lifting, or frequent repetitive activities are just some of the risk factors that can lead to lower back pain. Weekend warriors or competitive athletes may also develop lower back symptoms. There are many sources of pain generators in the back, including discs, nerves, bones, joints and soft tissue, such as muscles, tendons and ligaments. If someone is experiencing back pain that is also associated with shooting, tingling, numbing, burning pain down the legs, there may be a herniated disc, and/or a pinched nerve. If there is a direct trauma, a fracture should always be ruled out. Medical attention should be sought in those situations. Diagnostic testing, such as X-rays, MRIs and nerve tests, may need to be performed. Once a diagnosis is established, a specialist will be able to prescribe and perform treatments, such as 64

proper physical therapy and injections. Injections can include trigger point injections, joint injections, and at times epidural injections and nerve blocks. In rare instances, surgery is also considered when conservative measures fail, or if there is the presence of significant neurologic deficits, such as a foot drop, bowel and bladder disturbances. The good news is that a majority of the time, lower back pain is due to soft tissue injuries, pressure and inflammation of the joints. Due to the nature of the sport of tennis, which includes overhead motion, repetitive rotation, flexion, extension, and occasional falls, lower back pain is a high risk. Muscle imbalance is very common amongst tennis players due to overuse of one side of the body. In episodes of acute lower back pain, especially within the first 48 hours, the best advice is to place ice on the affected area for 20 minute intervals, relative rest and anti-inflammatory medications. If pain does not improve, a doctor should be seen. For pain to diminish, physical therapy modalities, such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation are used. Physical therapists and trainers will also begin manual techniques, such as myofascial release and massage. The most important step on the

New York Tennis Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ September/October 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ NYTennisMag.com

road to recovery is stretching exercises. To further your recovery, strengthening of core posture (abdominal and back) muscles and aerobic exercise is a must. The next step is prevention. When returning to play, it is important to properly warm up, including stretching, foot movement, and gradual increase of swing velocity. At the end of play, a set of stretching exercises is also recommended. Proper footwear should be used, and a clay court is easier on the back than a hard court. In summary, back injuries should be treated seriously. Specialists like orthopedic surgeons and physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors will establish a diagnosis, and prescribe proper treatments, which should lead to recovery and prevention of future injuries. Dr. Michael Mizhiritsky is a board certified physiatrist and specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with NY Bone and Joint. He graduated from Stony Brook Medical University where he completed an internship in Internal Medicine at the University Hospital at Stony Brook. Dr. Mizhiritsky specializes in the conservative and non-operative treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. He may be reached by phone at (646) 491-7963.

What Was Is … Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary This year marks the 50th anniversary of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and the celebration of one man’s vision a half-century ahead of its time—a resort both at one with nature and the epitome of luxury. Laurance S. Rockefeller, an environmentalist before environmentalism, envisioned the hotel to be “invisible,” and so it would be. A pair of stepped-back galleries blends seamlessly with the hillside. The blue-tiled lobby opens to the sky and the ocean view carries clear through to the threshold of the porte-cochere. Rooms have broad lanais and doorways facing garden atriums rather than dark corridors. On opening day, Mauna Kea set the standard for luxury in the Islands. Now a $150 million restoration has raised it. True to his vision, today, even baths have been re-mastered for ocean views. Many baths have deep soaking tubs, window-front showers and separate private lanais. The Beachfront Wing, just barefoot steps to the sand and surf, has its own surprise … a picture window view from the tub through the room to the ocean. Mr. Rockefeller expected to draw outdoor-minded people. “What we look for are people who have enough inner resources to enjoy an unorganized environment, to appreciate

peace, serenity, beauty and reasonable comfort,” said Mr. Rockefeller. Then, of course, there is the great outdoors, itself—none greater than Mauna Kea’s golden crescent beach on Kauna‘oa Bay. Tennis-loving guests enjoy an equally beautiful ocean vista at the 11-court Seaside Tennis Club. The resort also sports the 18-championship holes of Mauna Kea Course, its third hole arguably the most beautiful in the world. And now, golfers can surf their way around the course on Mauna Kea’s new “Golf Boards”—great fun that saves 30 minutes per round.

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A timely opportunity: “Fall Into Winter” at Mauna Kea Guests staying Oct. 1-Dec. 18, 2015 will be rewarded with daily breakfast buffet for two at the hotel’s signature Manta Restaurant overlooking the bay. Also included is a onetime resort credit from $300-$1,000 based on room category selected. Credits can be used for dining and activities during the stay. Some restrictions and blackout dates apply. For “Fall into Winter” promotion information and reservations, along with Mauna Kea 50th Anniversary packages, call (866) 977-4589 or visit TimelessMaunaKea.com.

We are open to the public 11 months of the year and feature: • • • • •

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NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

More Than an Athlete Ten Myths That Need to be Busted By Rob Polishook, Mental Training Coach MA, CPC Can you remember a time you played effortless tennis? The ball looked as big as a grapefruit, your mind was free of distracting thoughts, your body relaxed, and you seemingly floated from shot to shot. Roger Federer, in his book, Quest for Perfection, described it this way: “At the time … I was in the famous zone. Suddenly, everything was running on automatic. I had the feeling that I couldn’t do anything wrong.” In the previous installment, we unveiled the seven biggest fears that take an athlete out of the zone. They were: Fear of not being good enough, fear of failure, fear of the unknown, fear of being judged, fear of not meeting expectations, fear of success, and fear of injury or re-injury. In this fifth installment of the “More Than an Athlete” series, we will unveil 10 commonly held myths that

“The key point is being able to let go of the previous point and the emotions that go with it and begin the next point in a relaxed, aware and balanced place.” we hear all the time, but that nonetheless are simply not true. The following are the top myths and subsequent myth-busting: 1. Winning is ALL about talent, skills and technique It’s clear these things are important to a good performance. Metaphorically, they can be thought of as the armor a warrior wears. Without them, the warrior would be at an extreme deficit when competing. However, these things are only half of the equation, half the warrior, not the whole warrior. What is crucial is what is behind the armor, the athlete’s spirit, soul, story

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and inspiration. When an athlete can bring who they are to what they do in competition, magic happens. That combination can unlock the unlimited. It’s the combination of the inside with the outside, not one or the other. 2. Great players do it ALL themselves In individual sports, it’s so common to think that an athlete’s success is 100 percent about them. Certainly, again the athlete is a key component. However, look at many recent Grand Slam winners— from Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka and Serena Williams. They all have a box full of supporters and coaches. Each one is supporting the player in a different way. So if you want to stand taller, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Pay tribute to those who have come before you, even meet with them to understand their journey. Then, jump on their shoulders and reach higher! 3. Work harder, succeed more This certainly sounds like a logical equation. Growing up, it was a mantra. Now, I’m not disputing that hard work, resiliency and determination are keys to the success equation. However, there is also a point where you work so hard (grind) that you metaphorically “strip the gears.” Part of work is rest and rebooting the body and mind. This should

not be an afterthought. The greatest players build “down-time” into the equation. This allows them to rejuvenate and deposit physical rest and mental recovery into their next performance. Djokovic spoke about how he took time off after his French Open loss to rejuvenate and get his head on right for Wimbledon. We all know he beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon! 4. Great players have NO weakness When looking at the top professional players or even the top seeds in a tournament, it’s easy to put them up on a pedestal and overlook their weaknesses. All players have weaknesses, the great ones are just better at hiding them and playing to their strengths. They know how to amplify their strengths. For example, Pete Sampras wasn’t the best baseliner, but he covered that up with a huge serve. Even when he was pinned to the baseline, he often overplayed his backhand and baited his opponent to hit into the open court. The open court was his lethal running forehand. The key is to understand what game plan provides you the best chance to win, then strategizing, moving, and hitting those shots. 5. Great players show no emotion Yet another myth that couldn’t be further from the truth! The great players do show emotion, however, they are also exceptional at letting it go so it doesn’t impact the next point. The key point is being able to let go of the previous point and the emotions that go with it and begin the next point in a relaxed, aware and balanced place. This will allow you to make the appropriate adjustments and/or adapt to what is happening in the present. This past Wimbledon, Djokovic was livid as he gave up a 6-3 lead in the second set tie-breaker to Federer. After dressing himself down for everyone to see on TV, he recomposed himself and won the next two sets in a straightforward fashion. So remember, it’s not the emotion that’s bad, but what happens after it, does the player let it go? Remember when Andy Murray cried after losing at Wimbledon, he then followed it

up with a U.S. Open and Olympic victory! That’s what I call a good cry! 6. Winning is supposed to be easy Nothing is further from the truth! How many times do you see a junior player walking on the court and expecting an easy match or not respecting their opponent? This puts them at a huge deficit before the competition even begins. They are not in the present but already far into the outcome and future. When the match gets tight or challenges present themselves, they are so surprised that they are not able to manage the adversity and have no resiliency to battle. However, if a competitor walks on the court respecting their opponent, and expects a hard match, when they get to the high pressure points they will not be surprised and just play like any other point. The moral: This game is hard, expect pressure, expect to be challenged, expect to make adjustments and expect that nothing is easy! 7. Seeded players are always better than unseeded players If this was true, there would be no reason to play a tournament. A player’s seed simply shows their body of work in the past, it has nothing to do with what will happen in the present. Matches are won and lost on the court, not on the paper that the seeds are printed on. 8. Great players only focus on their goals This reminds me of my brother Mark’s saying: “Focus on the path, not the peak.” Certainly it’s important to know where you want to go, this piece provides purpose, inspiration and passion. However, once a goal is set, the focus needs to shift from the peak to the path. What are the specific steps that must occur in order to reach the peak? I often think of it like dominoes, in order to knock over the last domino, the one before that must fall. Essentially, it starts with the first domino, and once that falls, momentum is built and it can be easier. Goals are never achieved simultaneously, rather they are a se-

quence of actions that happen one at a time until the last domino or outcome happens. 9. If you lose, you weren’t prepared enough Have you ever played in a tight match where you lost a heartbreaker? Certainly, if you didn’t train, then you could have been better prepared. However, assuming you trained hard, slept right, did your mental training and hydrated yourself, the result cannot be blamed on a lack of effort. Remember, winning and losing is not something a player can control. They can only control their effort, adjustments and choices. There is an opponent that has at least 50 percent in the outcome. The key is to enter a match knowing you controlled what you could and then let go and play. 10. Being nervous is bad and shows weakness Another myth that must be busted. Being nervous shows that you are alive, that you care, and that you are entering a competition, not knowing what will happen in the future. Being nervous is never a problem, it’s how you respond to it. Many junior players enter competitions nervous and then get scared that they are nervous, this then leads to a downward spiral. Nervousness is okay, so acknowledge it, accept it and shift your focus to what you need to do next in the match. Whether you are a player, coach or parent, the above myths need to be busted! They are erroneous thoughts that can weigh you down and hurt your performance. I highly encourage you to reframe and BUST these myths to set the stage so you can play your best, unlock your unlimited, and be more than an athlete! 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, e-mail rob@insidethezone.com or visit www.insidethezone.com.

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

Pair the Grip and Toss for Serve Variety By Lisa Dodson There are four main types of serves in tennis: Flat, Slice, Topspin and Kick. A Slice, Topspin and Kick Serve each have a specific direction of spin. The central focus of every serve is pronating. Pronating simply means that, at contact, the hand naturally moves from an inside to outside position by means of the wrist, forearm and elbow. How and when you pronate, using the correct grip, gives you the ability to hit different serve types and different spins. The grip and the ball toss location need to be compatible for success in hitting all serves. First, you need to know what type of serve you are hitting and have an un-

derstanding of what you are trying to make the ball do. Typically, players simply toss up a ball and try to hit it (usually hard) or they attempt to hit a specific serve type without the correct grip and corresponding toss. If you are a player who does not hold the grip in the Continental Grip direction or cannot place your ball toss, then your first task is to understand how important this is to your serve. Most players do not realize that the serve simply cannot be hit without the correct toss and corresponding ball location. The difficulty is this: The grip directly affects how your arm can move and which part of the ball the strings will strike on the ball. Also, the toss location will either let the strings get there or not. A poor grip can

make a good toss fail and a good grip becomes less effective with poor toss location. Why is the grip so important? How you hold the racket sets the angle of the racket face and it either allows your hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder to move naturally or not. Comfortable movement produces an effortless energy flow and keeps us healthy. The joints in your wrist and arm cannot move properly with a “flat” or forehand grip and will only allow you to strike the face of the ball. You cannot hit an effective spin serve of any kind with a forehand grip. The grip creates racket face angle and allows you to strike a specific location on the ball. This is essential to hitting a serve

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with spin. A spin serve will always provide variety and a high percentage of serves in. Pictured below are the two primary grips for the serve: The Continental and Eastern Backhand.

grips. Grips with the V to the right of center are not used for the serve. For the Continental Grip, the V is on the first left bevel. For the Eastern Backhand, the knuckle is on the top of the racket. The grips in between these two places are also good for the serve as well. What is so important about ball toss location? Where the ball is located in relationship to your head and your hitting shoulder is critical for natural and comfortable movement of the arm and the driving force of the body. Good ball toss location will let your racket face access the part of the ball you want to strike and let your arm and racket drive for power and spin. Let’s match the grip with the ball toss location in the pictures to the right:

Continental Backhand

Eastern Backhand

Notice that the grip placement shows the “V” of the hand (between thumb and forefinger) is to the left of center for both

Flat Serve l Toss: Notice for the Flat Serve, the ball toss is forward (into the court) and to the right. The Flat Serve contact will be somewhere between the head and the hitting shoulder.

l Grip: The Continental Grip is recommended. Hitting up and letting the forearm, wrist and hand pronate will allow a flat hit to occur. Remember that every ball has some spin and will not be completely flat. An Eastern Forehand Grip can be used, but is not shown or recommended. continued on page 70

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tips from the tennis pro continued from page 69 Slice Toss

This creates a spin that rotates diagonally forward, causing the ball to curve from right to left (righty) and left to right (lefty). Flat and Slice Tosses travel straight up and down with no spin or arc. Kick Toss

l Toss: The Slice Toss is also into the court, but is slightly further to the right than the Flat Toss. It will land approximately the same distance inside the baseline as the Flat Serve. This will differ depending upon personal preference and the amount of spin being hit. l Grip: The Continental Grip is a must. For more spin, modify closer to the Eastern Backhand. Using the toss and grip correctly will allow the edge to travel to the ball before the hand pronates. Typically, you’ll be instructed to hit up to 1:00 or 2:00 on the ball, with the leading edge of the racket.

l Toss: The Kick Toss contact location is over the head. If you were to let your toss hit the ground, it would land in a place behind your left and right heels. The ball is placed here so that you can drive straight up with your body and front racket edge. l Grip: The Eastern Backhand is a must. The racket edge traveling straight up

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

the ball creates a left to right movement of the strings across the ball giving the ball a diagonal/forward spin. Thinking in terms of a clock face, your racket will start at 7:00 and sweep to 1:00. On this serve, you must swing very hard and skim up the ball to achieve maximum spin. The ball travels high over the net and bounces to the right for the righty and to the left for the lefty. It bounces the opposite direction of the slice. A big misconception Many players think that all serve types can be hit from the same toss. While some of the top players can do this, it is not recommended or even possible for the rest of us. The serve can be a complicated stroke, and there is much more involved than what is covered in this piece. If you remember that the most important action in the serve is the act of pronating, then the grip and toss combination will become your best friend. The correct grip is essential to pronating. All you have to do is decide the serve you want to hit, choose your grip and put the ball in the path of the moving racket head. You’ll be serving with variety, consistency and accuracy in no time. Lisa Dodson is owner of Servemaster at The Total Serve, a USPTA Elite Pro, a formerly world ranked player and radio show host. She may be reached by e-mail at lisa@thetotalserve.com or visitwww.thetotalserve.com.

he Metro Corporate Tennis League, presented by Advantage Tennis Clubs, is a joint initiative of the Metrotennis Community Tennis Association (MCTA) and USTA/Eastern–Metro Region. The League is divided into three levels of play, Intermediate (3.0-3.5), Advanced Intermediate (4.0) and Advanced (4.5+). The Metro Corporate Tennis League also offers an Advanced Beginner Clinic program for teams not ready to compete. The League hosts more than 50 teams. However, during the Summer Season, it can only accommodate 25-plus teams. The following is our roster for the Summer Season:

Advanced Division II 1. Bank of America 2. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP 3. Corcoran Group 4. Nielsen 5. Google

Advanced Division I 1. BNP Paribas (Pierre) 2. Bloomberg (Vighnesh) 3. Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP 4. Ernst & Young 5. Horizon Media

Intermediate Division II 1. Bloomberg (Ankur) 2. BNP Paribas (Nicolas) 3. Sullivan 4. Deutsche Bank (Armen) 5. Barclays 6. Moody's

Intermediate Division I 1. Bloomberg (Aditya) 2. D.E. Shaw & Company 3. White & Case 4. Deutsche Bank (Elena) 5. Akin Gump 6. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP 7. The Corcoran Group 8. Google

Advanced Beginner Division 1. Bloomberg (Peggy) The season began on June 3 and concludes with the championships on Aug. 26, culminating with an end-of-season party at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club. The 2015 Summer Season is currently in the playoffs stage. The following are the playoff matchups for the Advanced and Intermediate Divisions when this issue went to print. Advanced Division 1. Bloomberg (209 points) vs. Bank of America (166 points) 2. Corcoran (215 points) vs. BNP Paribas (158 points) Intermediate Division 1. Deutsche Bank (214 points) vs. Moody’s (170 points) 2. Bloomberg (205 points) vs. Akin Gump (182 points)

For more information, visit Metrotennis.com/Corporate/main.html, or call Luis Espinoza at (347) 886-3117 or e-mail Luis@Metrotennis.com. NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

What Happened to Decency?

By Richard Thater wearing and temper outbursts dominated tennis headlines this year. In the weeks leading up to Wimbledon, it seemed that the big controversy was going to be about coaching during matches. After all, according to the Daily Mail online, Boris Becker divulged that he and Novak Djokovic have ways of communicating when the Serb is on court. The rules clearly say that in-play coaching is cheating. But Djokovic would be guilty of a much worse offense—he made a young ball girl cry. I realize that playing for a place in history does not guarantee choirboy behavior. Still, I think his behavior tarnished his title. Audible obscenities are against the tennis rules of conduct, yet The New York Times reports that stars like Serena Williams and Andy Murray drop Fbombs on courts all over the world. No doubt younger players like Jack Sock

and Nick Kyrgios would feel comfortable listing foul language as part of their equipment during a Tennis Channel Bag Check. What are these words and how often are they used? John H. McWhorter wrote in The Wall Street Journal that “At street level and in popular culture, Americans are freer with profanity now than ever before.” In Medieval times, swearing tended to focus more on religion and religious authority than on body parts or sexual activities. “By the late 18th Century, sex, excretion and parts associated with same had come to be treated as equally profane as ‘swearing’ in the religious sense,” said McWhorter in the article. What is swearing today? I found a clearly written set of guidelines from the Mobile Tennis Center in Alabama, where players are required to abide by these facility rules of behavior both on and off the court. These rules also apply to

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

parents, coaches, siblings and other guests of the player. l No use of the word “Suck” or any form of the word spoken or spelled l No use of expressions of frustrations with references to deities (i.e. “Oh my God,” “Jesus,” “Jesus Christ,” “Christ,” “God,” etc.) either spoken or spelled l No use of “Freaking,” “Frigging,” “Fricking” or variations of such words either spoken or spelled … l Verbal rules apply to any language. We have officials on-site that are fluent in many languages. Anyone found in violation of these rules may be subject to a Code Violation and receive suspension points. I recently had breakfast with a retired oncourt USTA official, and he said current officials are being told only to warn junior players by telling them not to say the bad words or behave poorly next time. No penalties should be given. If more of us are using profanity more frequently, it should not be a surprise to

read that children as young as three are swearing more. Of course, at that age they are mostly repeating what they have heard. Writing in The Washington Post, Travis Wright said sometimes kids will “talk dirty” to show off in front of their peers. Or, they may use words of this nature if they are frustrated, scared or angry. Though the world is full of curse words, children are most likely to hear adult language at home. A surprising soft attitude about swearing on tennis courts was expressed by Les Maddock, chief umpire of the British Lawn Tennis Association and Wimbledon, through 2010. Interviewed by The Telegraph in 2006, he “gently scoffed” at the idea that players should pay higher fines for swearing on court. He said that he hears the F-word being used all the time by government officials on British telly. He said that, given the times, if only the umpire hears a player mumbling obscenities under his breath, he probably should not be penalized. Some stories end on a positive note Listening to Justin Gimelstob today, he is

clearly an insightful television commentator, as well as an enthusiastic and successful coach. But it is hard to forget the dramatic monologue he spewed out during a radio interview back in 2008. I read the story in disbelief when it first broke in June of that year. Not content with calling Anna Kournikova a b*tch, he went on to drop further disparaging comments Anna’s way, and threatened to hurt her the next time they played. He was suspended for one match by World TeamTennis, and censured by the ATP. Whether prompted by a reality check or a “come to Jesus moment,” Gimelstob made a very articulate and comprehensive apology to Kournikova on the WTT Web site, and he made a donation to the Women’s Sports Foundation. He concluded saying there was “No excuse for his comments.” Thanks Justin for setting a great example. Can we do anything to hold back this tide of unwanted and unacceptable language? I think we can try to be more articulate

“If more of us are using profanity more frequently, it should not be a surprise to read that children as young as three are swearing more.” when we express our fear, frustration and anger. And let’s keep the profanity on a dusty shelf in the back of our minds. Richard Thater is a long-time teacher and player on New York City courts. He is PTRcertified 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) 7493255 or e-mail richthater@aol.com.

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Sign up today! Contact Paul Fontana at 646.884.9644 or pfontana@advantagetennisclubs.com. Or visit quickstartny.com. NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

How to Become the Alpha Player on the Court

By Dr. Tom Ferraro

Learning how to be the alpha wolf on the court will help you win more matches … all you have do is to understand the power of human behavior he term “Alpha” comes from animal research. As an example, in wolf packs, the strongest and largest wolf is the alpha and he is the leader of the pack. All of the rest will act submissively in his presence. The alpha first establishes this position by fighting the other wolves and winning, but when the hierarchy is established, all he needs to do is stare or growl and the other wolves will whimper, back off and walk away. The establishment of power and rank is typical of almost all species and has an evolutionary purpose. It would cause far too much blood, injury and loss of life if the challenger fought for dominance every day. So over the millennium, nearly every animal group has become programmed to understand both dominant behaviors and submissive behaviors. That goes

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

for humans as well. Let’s take sports as an example. I recall the first time I met Arnold Palmer, the world’s most loved golfer. He was an old man at that point, but I still recall the power of his gaze. This was a pure alpha athlete. And it was not only me that felt this way. A former patient of mine was a tour player and I asked him if he had ever been intimidated on a golf course. He quickly remarked, “Only one time, the day I played against Palmer. We shook hands on the first tee and I was done for the day.”

Alpha players show confidence, focus and attitude. Meeting Tiger Woods is exactly the same. When he walks into the press room, it’s like a wave of energy comes in with him and everyone gets very quiet and just watches him. This is the power of being an alpha athlete, and this power affects any-

one who is playing against them. Tennis players experience the same thing. When facing one of the game’s superstars, the opponent has many challenges, maybe the least of which relates to actual talent differentials. The superstar will walk onto the court with a swagger and a focused attitude. The opponent will become a spectator to this alpha superstar, and almost immediately lose focus, become passive, anxious and weaker. Some of this submissive behavior is a biologically-programmed response that the opponent feels, but cannot put into words, and therefore, they cannot do much about it. When an animal becomes submissive in the face of an alpha, they will back off, lower their head and become weak and act defenseless. This is biology. I think in athletes, it works the same way. When a big name players steps on to the court to play against an unknown player, the unknown player has already lost. The more established player in the group expects to win and expresses his power with a louder voice, firmer handshake and steadier gaze. He will be less chatty and less friendly. All of this takes place on an unconscious level. These types of psychological states occur in every sport, including Muhammad Ali in boxing (“I am the greatest!”), every Yankee to put on the pinstripes (the Yankee mystique) and John McEnroe in tennis (“You cannot be serious?!”) When the opponent faces them, they are playing

against not only the alpha player, but their reputation and aggressive attitude. The opponent goes into a state of heightened anxiety and heightened passivity. Laymen call this “The Choke.” I call it “The Submission Response.” What to do The way to get around this submissive behavior is to reciprocally inhibit it by acting the opposite way: 1. Keep your shoulders back after every shot you take 2. Keep your head held up and look directly at your opponent 3. When speaking, do so with a loud and deep voice 4. Give a strong firm handshake at the beginning of the match When you act as though you are the dominant player on the court, it does three things. It convinces you that you’re the dominant one, it inhibits your own fear and it strikes some fear into your opponent as well … all done non-verbally. So remember, shoulders back, steady gaze, firm voice, head up, strong handshake and you will find yourself entering the land of the alpha athlete. 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 www.drtomferraro.com.

T E N N I S

R U S H

Come play where the surf applauds every shot. The Seaside Tennis Club at the legendary Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on Hawaii Island. 866.977.4589 I MaunaKeaBeachHotel.com

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

NEW Boys & Girls Metro Rankings (as of 08/13/15)

BOYS Metro Boys 12 Singles Rank Name ................................City 1 ........Safin Shaikh ....................Bayside, N.Y. 2 ........Sabian Kosinov ..............Forest Hills, N.Y. 3 ........Joshua Staroselskiy ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 4 ........Christian Bobko ..............Bronx, N.Y. 5 ........Rafe Photopoulos ..........New York, N.Y. 6 ........Joshua Ashvil ..................Forest Hills, N.Y. 7 ........Ryan David Brandes ......Rego Park, N.Y. 8 ........Brandon Torres................Bronx, N.Y. 9 ........Sebastian Brustein..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 10......Dylan Lachmanen ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 11......Nicholas Suhanitski ........Staten Island, N.Y. 12......Isadore Jude Axinn ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 13......Andrew Mendelson ........New York, N.Y. 14......Nicholas Doupsas ..........New York, N.Y. 15......Mathias Isaac Davila ......Whitestone, N.Y. 16......Nicholas Scott Zagora....Staten Island, N.Y. 17......Jack Charles Benavides New York, N.Y. 18......Cooper Williams ..............New York, N.Y. 19......Albert Y. Wan ..................Forest Hills, N.Y. 20......Charles Robertson ..........Whitestone, N.Y. 21......Michael Zlatnik ................Forest Hills, N.Y. 22......Winter Fagerberg ............New York, N.Y. 23......Eric Dubilirer ....................Little Neck, N.Y. 24......John Hilledgar ................New York, N.Y. 25......Nicholas Laffont ..............New York, N.Y. 26......Ronald Aaron Fridlyand ..Forest Hills, N.Y. 27......Luca Photopoulos ..........New York, N.Y. 28......Gabriel de Kergorlay ......New York, N.Y. 29......Paul Elghouayel ..............New York, N.Y. 30......Marko R. Gural ................New York, N.Y. 31......Achille Sarachek..............New York, N.Y. 32......Jonathan Laforest ..........Queens Village, N.Y. 33......Jordan Rechtschaffen ....New York, N.Y. 34......Ryan Friedman ................New York, N.Y. 35......Yash Bhandari More........New York, N.Y. 36......Guy Ferrera......................New York, N.Y. 37......Noah Butler......................New York, N.Y. 38......David Dove Hendon........New York, N.Y. 39......Sunjay Dev Singh............New York, N.Y. 40......Neel Epstein ....................New York, N.Y.

Metro Boys 14 Singles Rank Name ................................City 1 ........Christopher Tham ..........Flushing, N.Y. 2 ........Daniel Leon-Maseyev ....Brooklyn, N.Y. 3 ........Solomon Brown ..............New York, N.Y. 4 ........Jonathan Glinsky ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 5 ........Jasper Hunt Thomas ......New York, N.Y. 6 ........Jack Mascone ................New York, N.Y. 7 ........Tadd Long........................Woodside, N.Y. 8 ........Igor Maslov......................Brooklyn, N.Y. 9 ........Matthew Mosejczuk........East Elmhurst, N.Y. 10......Ethan King ......................New York, N.Y. 11......Brandon Torres................Bronx, N.Y. 12......Donovan Brown ..............New York, N.Y. 13......Eugene Fishman ............Rego Park, N.Y. 14......Simon Camacho ............New York, N.Y. 15......Dylan Conner Charles ....New York, N.Y. 16......Donald James Smith ......Roosevelt Island, N.Y. 17......Sadi Guicelik....................New York, N.Y. 18......Michael Kaydin................Brooklyn, N.Y. 19......Anton Semenov ..............New York, N.Y.

YORK

20......Sachin Palta ....................Forest Hills, N.Y. 21......Christian Rabinowitz ......Bayside, N.Y. 22......Alfonso Laffont ................New York, N.Y. 23......Rohan Gold ....................Forest Hills, N.Y. 24......Milian Kavi Jain................New York, N.Y. 25......Jeffrey Yu ........................Forest Hills, N.Y. 26......Noah Hunter Kaye ..........New York, N.Y. 27......Robert Shinder ................Brooklyn, N.Y. 28......Albert Y. Wan ..................Forest Hills, N.Y. 29......Nicholas Wernink ............New York, N.Y. 30......Winter Forest Fagerberg New York, N.Y. 31......Alex Portnoy ....................New York, N.Y. 32......Noah D. Edelman............New York, N.Y. 33......Shanay Ashesh Amin......New York, N.Y. 34......Scott Fischer ..................New York, N.Y. 35......Alex Portnoy ....................New York, N.Y. 36......Connor P. Dunne ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 37......Ryan David Brandes ......Rego Park, N.Y. 38......Kevin Daniel Golub..........New York, N.Y. 39......Daniel Levy ......................New York, N.Y. 40......Justin Chen......................Forest Hills, N.Y.

Metro Boys 16 Singles Rank Name ................................City 1 ........David Krasner..................Staten Island, N.Y. 2 ........Fayed Fayaz Uddin ........Elmhurst, N.Y. 3 ........Jonathan Glinsky ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 4 ........Christopher Tham ..........Flushing, N.Y. 5 ........Nicholas Pustilnik............Brooklyn, N.Y. 6 ........Daniel Leon Maseyev......Brooklyn, N.Y. 7 ........Eli Taylor-Kerman ............New York, N.Y. 8 ........Jack Mascone ................New York, N.Y. 9 ........Mark Karpovas................Staten Island, N.Y. 10......Richard Wickman............Bayside, N.Y. 11......Lucas DeSanto................New York, N.Y. 12......Michael Kamsky..............New York, N.Y. 13......Ameer Hosain..................New York, N.Y. 14......Igor Maslov......................Brooklyn, N.Y. 15......Jonathan Shapiro............Brooklyn, N.Y. 16......Jackson Trevor ................New York, N.Y. 17......Umar Akhmedjanov ........New York, N.Y. 18......Daniel Ertel ......................New York, N.Y. 19......Illya Semenov ..................New York, N.Y. 20......Leonidas Vrailas ..............New York, N.Y. 21......Donovan Brown ..............New York, N.Y. 22......Justin Arrington-Holmes..New York, N.Y. 23......Joseph Zac Namtalov ....Staten Island, N.Y. 24......Alexander Kucherina ......Brooklyn, N.Y. 25......Jaime Gomez ..................New York, N.Y. 26......David Dylan Pines ..........New York, N.Y. 27......Leaf Fagerberg ................New York, N.Y. 28......Sadi Gulcelik....................New York, N.Y. 29......Simon Ross Heinberg ....New York, N.Y. 30......Benjamin Thier ................New York, N.Y. 31......Henry William Firestone..New York, N.Y. 32......Wiley Schubert Reed ......Brooklyn, N.Y. 33......Derek Lung ......................Brooklyn, N.Y. 34......Damon Watson................New York, N.Y. 35......Ethan Finley ....................New York, N.Y. 36......Dylan Ruhl........................New York, N.Y. 37......Daniel Schaw ..................New York, N.Y. 38......Jack Firestone ................New York, N.Y. 39......Tanner Ross Bhonslay ....New York, N.Y. 40......Marcos Souza Lee ..........New York, N.Y.

Metro Boys 18 Singles Rank Name ................................City 1 ........Nicholas Pustilnik............Brooklyn, N.Y. 2 ........Fayed Fayaz Uddin ........Elmhurst, N.Y. 3 ........Michael Dozortsev ..........Brooklyn, N.Y.

RANKINGS 4 ........Nicholas James OstrovskyStaten Island, N.Y. 5 ........David Farina ....................New York, N.Y. 6 ........Oliver Jevtovic ................Astoria, N.Y. 7 ........Douglas Nover................Bayside, N.Y. 8 ........Shawn Jackson ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 9 ........Justin Arrington-Holmes New York, N.Y. 10......Richard Wickman............Bayside, N.Y.

GIRLS Metro Girls 12 Singles Rank Name ................................City 1 ........Niki Truszkowski..............Middle Village, N.Y. 2 ........Nadejda Maslova ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 3 ........Nicolette Fundator ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 4 ........Leila M. Epstein ..............New York, N.Y. 5 ........Blakely Dushkin ..............New York, N.Y. 6 ........Alina Kargin-Utkin............Brooklyn, N.Y. 7 ........Rachel Zhang ..................Forest Hills, N.Y. 8 ........Taylor Overstrom ............New York, N.Y. 9 ........Natalie Bergmann............Forest Hills, N.Y. 10......Beyonce Blake ................Brooklyn, N.Y. 11......Sofie Shen ......................New York, N.Y. 12......Bukky Alalade..................Rosedale, N.Y. 13......Sophia Cisse ..................New York, N.Y. 14......Nathalie Williams ............New York, N.Y. 15......Sage Loudon ..................New York, N.Y. 16......Talia Helen Kahan............New York, N.Y. 17......Samantha Bentsianov ....Staten Island, N.Y. 18......Sofia Allinson ..................New York, N.Y. 19......Emma Sofia Ostlund ......New York, N.Y. 20......Fuschia Steward..............New York, N.Y. 21......Nadzeya Filaha................Brooklyn, N.Y. 22......Celina Liu ........................Forest Hills, N.Y. 23......Alyssa Pustilnik................Brooklyn, N.Y. 24......Sophia Montero ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 25......Paula Ann Maseyev ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 26......Jasmine Leon Soon ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 27......Julia T. Werdiger ..............New York, N.Y. 28......Alina Ongeyberg..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 29......Maxie Molly Karen ..........New York, N.Y. 30......Kelly Chen........................Forest Hills, N.Y. 31......Arielle Bakst ....................New York, N.Y. 32......Isabella Sofia Mandis......New York, N.Y. 33......Julia Dementyev..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 34......Catalina Haberman ........New York, N.Y. 35......Nia Lashawn Dabreo ......Brooklyn, N.Y. 36......Angelica Schell................New York, N.Y. 37......Katherine Krieger ............New York, N.Y. 38......Linda Ziets-Segura..........New York, N.Y. 39......Carolyn Finerman............New York, N.Y. 40......Nina Wiese ......................Flushing, N.Y.

Metro Girls 14 Singles Rank Name ................................City 1 ........Niki Truszkowski..............Middle Village, N.Y. 2 ........Cassie Tian ......................Flushing, N.Y. 3 ........Casey Brandes................Rego Park, N.Y. 4 ........Alanna Levitt....................New York, N.Y. 5 ........Hillary Sherpa ..................Astoria, N.Y. 6 ........Jamila Akhmedjanova ....New York, N.Y. 7 ........Nadejda Maslova ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 8 ........Nicole Koi Massa ............Astoria, N.Y. 9 ........Kristina Pali ......................Briarwood, N.Y. 10......Josephine Kimball ..........New York, N.Y. 11......Rebecca Sitkovetsky ......Staten Island, N.Y. 12......Rebecca Izyayeva ..........Staten Island, N.Y. 13......Anna Borovinskaya ........Bronx, N.Y. 14......Karolina Lankamer ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 15......Anastasya Menshikova ..Brooklyn, N.Y. 16......Rachel Zhang ..................Forest Hills, N.Y.

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

17......Beyonce Blake ................Brooklyn, N.Y. 18......Leah Margulies ................New York, N.Y. 19......Danielle P. Kezeli..............Staten Island, N.Y. 20......Emma Eisenberg ............New York, N.Y. 21......Nadzeya Filaha................Brooklyn, N.Y. 22......Isabella Sifuentes ............Flushing, N.Y. 23......Isabella T. Hartman..........New York, N.Y. 24......Theodora Vrailas..............New York, N.Y. 25......Amalia M. Parrish ............Queens Village, N.Y. 26......Alexandra Peeler ............New York, N.Y. 27......Julia Kirsh ........................New York, N.Y. 28......Kate Yamin ......................New York, N.Y. 29......Katrine Zlatnik..................Forest Hills, N.Y. 30......Celina Liu ........................Forest Hills, N.Y. 31......Elisabeth G. Schlossel ....New York, N.Y. 32......Anita Olicia Wright ..........New York, N.Y. 33......Alina Kargin-Utkin............Brooklyn, N.Y. 34......Nicolette Fundator ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 35......Mia Simone Parrish ........Queens Village, N.Y. 36......Rachel Musheyev............Forest Hills, N.Y. 37......Alina Abramoff ................Brooklyn, N.Y. 38......Jade Killikelly ..................Jamaica, N.Y. 39......Eliza Ross ........................New York, N.Y. 40......Lily Yan ............................New York, N.Y.

Metro Girls 16 Singles Rank Name ................................City 1 ........Natalie Marguiles ............New York, N.Y. 2 ........Amy Kaplan ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 3 ........Gianna Gaudio ................Staten Island, N.Y. 4 ........Mariam Shengelia ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 5 ........Tamila Latif-Zade ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 6 ........Tomi Alalade ....................Rosedale, N.Y. 7 ........Jamila Akhmedjanova ....New York, N.Y. 8 ........Nadejda Maslova ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 9 ........Barbara Podvorchani......Bronx, N.Y.’ 10......Isabella Rendon ..............Oakland Gardens, N.Y. 11......Maryna Bohdanovska ....Brooklyn, N.Y. 12......Kelsey Emma Gund........New York, N.Y. 13......Denise Marie Trerotola ....Brooklyn, N.Y. 14......Alanna Levitt....................New York, N.Y. 15......Maxine Beata Zaretsky ..Brooklyn, N.Y. 16......Emma Wrazej ..................New York, N.Y. 17......Sophia Hartman ..............New York, N.Y. 18......Rachel Okin ....................New York, N.Y. 19......Hillary Sherpa ..................Astoria, N.Y. 20......Lejla Redzematovic ........Whitestone, N.Y. 21......Alexandra Coulombe ......New York, N.Y. 22......Grace L. Kennedy ..........New York, N.Y. 23......Anastasia Lukyanovich ..Brooklyn, N.Y. 24......Joanna Urena ..................Hollis, N.Y. 25......Anastasya Menshikova ..Brooklyn, N.Y. 26......Danielle P. Kezeli..............Staten Island, N.Y. 27......Carolyn Silverstein ..........New York, N.Y. 28......Gianna Medici ................Bayside Hills, N.Y.

Metro Girls 18 Singles Rank Name ................................City 1 ........Liana Weitzman ..............Whitestone, N.Y. 2 ........Tamila Latif-Zade ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 3 ........Marian Shengelia ............Brooklyn, N.Y.

NEW Boys & Girls Sectional Rankings (as of 08/17/15)

BOYS Sectional Boys 12 Singles— Metro Region Rank Name............................City 7 ........Sebastian Sec ................New York, N.Y. 9 ........Wesley Zhang..................Staten Island, N.Y. 11......John-Thomas Bilski ........New York, N.Y. 12......Ty Switzer ........................New York, N.Y. 14......Tyler Korobov ..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 17......Cooper Williams ..............New York, N.Y. 18......Donovan Brown ..............New York, N.Y. 19......Hudson Beaudoin ..........New York, N.Y. 31......Jace Alexander................New York, N.Y. 35......Sachin Palta ....................Forest Hills, N.Y. 38......Donovan Spigner ............New York, N.Y. 40......David Krasner..................Staten Island, N.Y. 44......Jasper August Hunt ........New York, N.Y. 50......Solomon Brown ..............New York, N.Y. 54......Joseph Phillips ................New York, N.Y. 56......Noah Abels Eisenberg ....New York, N.Y. 59......Bradley Bennett ..............New York, N.Y. 60......Mitchel Pertsovsky..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 61......Kole Henry Moses ..........New York, N.Y. 64......Coby Matthew Brown ....New York, N.Y. 66......Nicholas Steiglehner ......New York, N.Y. 73......Jonathan Laforest ..........Queens Village, N.Y. 74......Luca Anthony DeMare....New York, N.Y. 79......Rafe Photopoulos ..........New York, N.Y. 80......Benjamin Ebanks ............New York, N.Y. 82......Nicholas Suhanitski ........Staten Island, N.Y. 84......Nicholas Murphy ............New York, N.Y. 86......Sabian Kosinov ..............Forest Hills, N.Y. 90......Adrien Svilen Jippov ......New York, N.Y. 92......Astro Brundo Pilipovic ....New York, N.Y. 94......Paul Elghouayel ..............New York, N.Y. 97......Jack Benavides ..............New York, N.Y. 102....Joshua Ashvil ..................Forest Hills, N.Y. 103....Jeffrey Yu ........................Forest Hills, N.Y. 107....Samuel Zeitlin..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 109....David Dove Hendon........New York, N.Y. 111 ..Eric Dubilirer ....................Little Neck, N.Y. 112....Safin Shaikh ....................Long Island City, N.Y. 113....Dylan Lachmanen ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 125....Steven Polishchuk ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 127....Ryan David Brandes ......Rego Park, N.Y. 131....Christian Bobko ..............Bronx, N.Y. 140....Nicholas Laffont ..............New York, N.Y.

Sectional Boys 14 Singles— Metro Region Rank Name............................City 6 ........Ethan Leon ......................Woodhaven, N.Y. 7 ........Lantis Wang ....................New York, N.Y. 8 ........Derek Raskopf ................New York, N.Y. 9 ........Igor Maslov......................Brooklyn, N.Y. 11......Jeffrey Fradkin ................New York, N.Y. 16......Steven Nazaroff ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 20......Shawn Jackson ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 21......Nicholas Pustilnik............Brooklyn, N.Y. 24......Shand Stephens..............New York, N.Y. 26......Brandon T. Cohen ..........New York, N.Y. 27......Noah Edelman ................New York, N.Y. 32......Robbie F. Werdiger..........New York, N.Y. 41......Marcos Souza Lee ..........New York, N.Y. 42......Oliver Worth ....................New York, N.Y.

YORK

45......Oliver Obeid ....................New York, N.Y. 54......Blake Frank......................New York, N.Y. 55......Kai Yuminaga ..................Oakland Gardens, N.Y. 56......Christopher Tham ..........Flushing, N.Y. 58......Joseph Wilkanowski ......Long Island City, N.Y. 59......Donovan Brown ..............New York, N.Y. 64......John-Tomas Bilski ..........New York, N.Y. 65......Maxwell Igor Kachkarov Flushing, N.Y. 72......Tristan Taylor....................New York, N.Y. 78......Ryan McCook..................Saint Albans, N.Y. 82......Jeffrey McCready............Brooklyn, N.Y. 83......Alex Portnoy ....................New York, N.Y. 92......David Krasner..................Staten Island, N.Y. 106....Zachary Portnoy..............New York, N.Y. 107....Anthony Cataldo ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 108....Jonathan Glinsky ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 110....Daniel Leon Maseyev......Brooklyn, N.Y. 112....Scott Fischer ..................New York, N.Y. 116....Anton Semenov ..............New York, N.Y. 122....Aleksa Pljakic ..................Forest Hills, N.Y. 127....Wesley Zhang..................Staten Island, N.Y. 128....Alexander Nielsen ..........New York, N.Y. 130....Tyler Korobov ..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 131....Donald James Smith ......Roosevelt Island, N.Y. 134....Simon Camacho ............New York, N.Y. 138....Ty Switzer ........................New York, N.Y.

Sectional Boys 16 Singles— Metro Region Rank Name............................City 18......Gary C. Fishkin................Staten Island, N.Y. 19......Sumit Sarkar....................New York, N.Y. 23......Calvin Chung ..................Bronx, N.Y. 30......Zachary Jordan Lieb ......New York, N.Y. 41......Shawn Jackson ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 47......David Mizahi ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 48......Sam Vagner ....................Staten Island, N.Y. 51......Lantis Wang ....................New York, N.Y. 53......Christopher Kolesnik ......Staten Island, N.Y. 55......Igor Maslov......................Brooklyn, N.Y. 60......Philip Belmatch ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 62......Jacob Kern ......................New York, N.Y. 65......Allan Ethan Magid ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 69......Peter Lohrbach................Little Neck, N.Y. 70......Robert Kennedy ............New York, N.Y. 79......Michael Tyutyunik............Brooklyn, N.Y. 81......Gabriel Sifuentes ............Flushing, N.Y. 84......Nicholas Pustilnik............Brooklyn, N.Y. 89......Dylan Friedman ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 91......Steven Daniel Nazaroff ..Brooklyn, N.Y. 92......Richard Zusman..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 97......Jeffrey Gorilovsky............Brooklyn, N.Y. 103....Peter Frelinghuysen ........New York, N.Y. 105....Derek Raskopf ................New York, N.Y. 125....Ameer Hosain..................New York, N.Y.

RANKINGS 71......Robert Kennedy ..............New York, N.Y. 75......Avery Bicks......................New York, N.Y. 80......Peter Lohrbach................Little Neck, N.Y. 86......Michael Gardiner ............New York, N.Y. 93......Adam Bryan Borak..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 104....Igor Maslov......................Brooklyn, N.Y. 105....Xavier Pacthod ................New York, N.Y. 106....Andreja Radevic ..............New York, N.Y. 110....Jordan D. Jordan ............Astoria, N.Y. 111....Zachary Jordan Lieb ......New York, N.Y. 116....Kevin T. Huynh ................Astoria, N.Y. 117....Leonard Margolis ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 120....Maurice Russo ................New York, N.Y. 123....Jacob Kern ......................New York, N.Y. 138....Alex Chao ........................New York, N.Y.

GIRLS Sectional Girls 12 Singles— Metro Region Rank Name............................City 7 ........Elvina Kalieva ..................Staten Island, N.Y. 10......Daniella Benabraham......New York, N.Y. 12......Miriam Aziz ......................Staten Island, N.Y. 13......Nadejda Maslova ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 14......Lorraine Bergmann ........Forest Hills, N.Y. 22......Michelle Kleynerman ......Staten Island, N.Y. 33......Natalie Eordekian ............Woodside, N.Y. 36......Shakima Hotaki ..............Flushing, N.Y. 45......Nathalie Williams ............New York, N.Y. 46......Rachel Zhang ..................Forest Hills, N.Y. 54......Alyssa An ........................New York, N.Y. 59......Sage Loudon ..................New York, N.Y. 60......Deliala Friedman..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 69......Lara Rose Berliner ..........New York, N.Y. 72......Catalina Haberman ........New York, N.Y. 75......Julia T. Werdiger ..............New York, N.Y. 76......Kassia Taylor....................New York, N.Y. 84......Alina Kargin-Utkin............Brooklyn, N.Y. 88......Leila M. Epstein ..............New York, N.Y. 90......Nicole Wooyin Lee ..........New York, N.Y. 97......Sofie Shen ......................New York, N.Y. 101....Blakely Duskin ................New York, N.Y. 112....Nina Wiese ......................Flushing, N.Y. 116....Sophia Cisse ..................New York, N.Y. 117....Emma Voykhanskaya ....Brooklyn, N.Y. 120....Taylor Overstrom ............New York, N.Y. 121....Beyonce Blake ................Brooklyn, N.Y. 124....Elizabeth Serjantov..........New York, N.Y. 127....Angelica Schell................New York, N.Y. 132....Samantha Bentsianov ....Staten Island, N.Y. 136....Natalie Bergmann............Forest Hills, N.Y.

Sectional Girls 14 Singles— Metro Region Rank Name............................City

Sectional Boys 18 Singles— Metro Region Rank Name............................City 3 ........Oliver Sec ........................New York, N.Y. 14......Christopher Paul Auteri ..Staten Island, N.Y. 16......Ananth Raghavan............New York, N.Y. 23......Ethan Nittolo....................Flushing, N.Y. 25......Marcus T. Smith ..............Little Neck, N.Y. 29......Felipe Osses-Konig ........Rego Park, N.Y. 33......James Wasserman ........New York, N.Y. 45......Mitchell Ostrovsky ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 53......Calvin Chung ..................Bronx, N.Y. 60......Cole Gittens ....................New York, N.Y. 65......Jack Haroche ..................New York, N.Y.

4 ........Shelly Yaloz......................Little Neck, N.Y. 7 ........Michelle Sorokko ............Little Neck, N.Y. 11......Dasha Kourkina ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 14......Rosie Garcia Gross ........New York, N.Y. 22......Perene Wang ..................New York, N.Y. 23......Katherine Kachkarov ......Flushing, N.Y. 27......Nadejda Maslova ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 28......Kyra Bergmann ..............Forest Hills, N.Y. 30......Chelsea Williams ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 40......Christina Huynh ..............Astoria, N.Y. 44......Amanda Solecki ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 45......Isabella Sinclair Cooper..Brooklyn, N.Y. 46......Marie Ivantechenko ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 47......Sonia Tartakovsky ..........New York, N.Y. 48......Rebecca Eliana Fisch......New York, N.Y.

59......Miriam Irfan Aziz..............Staten Island, N.Y. 60......Diana Sosonkin ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 61......Rachel Rubenzahl ..........New York, N.Y. 63......Elvina Kalieva ..................Staten Island, N.Y. 67......Gabriella Eitkis ................Brooklyn, N.Y. 70......Diana McCready ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 72......Khyanna Singh ................Queens Village, N.Y. 74......Amy Kaplan ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 75......Shawnte Beale ................Bronx, N.Y. 86......Audrey Pacthod ..............New York, N.Y. 98......Giuliana Rosa Gibson ....Bayside, N.Y. 101....Jamila Akhmedjanova ....New York, N.Y. 103....Anastasya Menshikova ..Brooklyn, N.Y. 107....Sofie Kate Levine ............New York, N.Y. 111....Zoe Kava..........................New York, N.Y. 112....Daniela Hernandez..........Corona, N.Y. 115....Sabrina Boada ................Woodhaven, N.Y. 118....Lorraine Bergmann ........Forest Hills, N.Y. 119....Medina Garunja ..............Bronx, N.Y. 120....Shakima Hotaki ..............Flushing, N.Y. 123....Isabella T. Hartman..........New York, N.Y. 126....Josephine Kimball ..........New York, N.Y. 127....Daniella Benabraham......New York, N.Y. 138....Michelle Kleynerman ......Staten Island, N.Y. 140....Rebecca Sitkovetsky ......Staten Island, N.Y.

Sectional Girls 16 Singles— Metro Region Rank Name............................City 8 ........Shelly Yaloz......................Little Neck, N.Y. 9 ........Michelle Sorokko ............Little Neck, N.Y. 13......Dasha Kourkina ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 20......Nicole Semenov..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 22......Alexus Gill ........................Brooklyn, N.Y. 25......Sarah Rahman ................East Elmhurst, N.Y. 29......Aleksandra Bekirova ......Brookln, N.Y. 34......Chelsea Williams ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 39......Victoria Sec......................New York, N.Y. 40......Alexandra Koniaev ..........Forest Hills, N.Y. 42......Sydney Lynn Katz ..........New York, N.Y. 45......Lauren Munari..................Middle Village, N.Y. 51......Dakota Fordham ............New York, N.Y. 54......Sonia Tartakovsky ..........New York, N.Y. 59......Regina Furer ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 62......Katherine Kachkarov ......Flushing, N.Y. 68......Valicia Browne ................Brooklyn, N.Y. 69......Kyra Bergmann ..............Forest Hills, N.Y. 75......Christina M. Huynh ........Astoria, N.Y. 81......Stephanie Li ....................New York, N.Y. 87......Barbara Podvorchani......Bronx, N.Y. 89......Jennifer Yu ......................Forest Hills, N.Y. 91......Nadejda Maslova ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 94......Diana Sosonkin ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 98......Kiara A. Rose ..................New York, N.Y. 99......Lia Kiam ..........................New York, N.Y. 105....Miriam Irfan Aziz..............Staten Island, N.Y. 116....Anastasya Menshikova ..Brooklyn, N.Y. 118....Rosie Garcia Gross ........New York, N.Y. 119....Brittny Jo Ferreira............Brooklyn, N.Y. 136....Khyanna Singh ................Queens Village, N.Y. 137....Amalia M. Parrish ............Queens Village, N.Y. 147....Natalie Margulies ............New York, N.Y. 148....Amy Kaplan ....................Brooklyn, N.Y.

Sectional Girls 18 Singles— Metro Region Rank Name............................City 6 ........Anna Ulyashchenko........Brooklyn, N.Y. 8 ........Sabrina Xiong ..................Fresh Meadows, N.Y. 18......Alexandra Koniaev ..........Forest Hills, N.Y.

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2015 • New York Tennis Magazine

NEW 19......Alexus Gill ........................Brooklyn, N.Y. 23......Isis Gill..............................Brooklyn, N.Y. 27......Jessica Livianu ................Brooklyn, N.Y. 32......Sheely Yaloz ....................Little Neck, N.Y. 34......Brianna Williams..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 38......Yuka Lin ..........................Kew Gardens, N.Y. 40......Patricia Obeid..................New York, N.Y. 43......Sonia Tartakovsky ..........New York, N.Y. 47......Sarah Rahman ................East Elmhurst, N.Y. 51......Jillian Rose Auteri............Staten Island, N.Y. 55......Christina Puccinelli..........New York, N.Y. 59......Michelle Sorokko ............Little Neck, N.Y. 62......Lisa Marchelska ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 63......Emma Brandes Kassan..New York, N.Y. 69......Jessica Golovin ..............New York, N.Y. 83......Sophia Kryloff ..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 90......Kiara A. Rose ..................New York, N.Y. 91......Dakota Fordham ............New York, N.Y. 97......Shayna Spooner..............New York, N.Y. 103....Isabelle Rovinski..............New York, N.Y. 104....Nicole Khorosh................Brooklyn, N.Y. 106....Sydney Lynn Katz ..........New York, N.Y. 110....Tristan Lorich ..................New York, N.Y. 113....Annie Reiner ....................New York, N.Y. 115....Khyanna Singh ................Queens Village, N.Y. 118....Miriam Irfan Aziz..............Staten Island, N.Y. 121....Dea Koiava ......................New York, N.Y. 123....Stephanie Johnson ........Richmond Hill, N.Y. 126....Tamila Latif-Zade ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 127....Katherine Kachkarov ......Flushing, N.Y. 130....Christina M. Huynh ........Astoria, N.Y. 133....Camilla Trapness ............New York, N.Y.

Boys & Girls National Rankings (as of 08/19/15)

BOYS National Boys 12 Singles— Metro Region Rank ..Name ..........................City 53......Sebastian Sec ................New York, N.Y. 56......John-Tomas Bilski ..........New York, N.Y. 67......Wesley Zhang..................Staten Island, N.Y. 90......Ty Switzer ........................New York, N.Y. 123....Cooper Williams ..............New York, N.Y. 144....Hudson Beaudoin ..........New York, N.Y. 147....Tyler Korobov ..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 233....Donovan Brown ..............New York, N.Y. 293....Jace K. Alexander ..........New York, N.Y. 296....Sachin Palta ....................Forest Hills, N.Y. 429....Donovan Spigner ............New York, N.Y. 655....Winter Fagerberg ............New York, N.Y. 664....Solomon Brown ..............New York, N.Y. 712....Kole Henry Moses ..........New York, N.Y. 714....David Krasner..................Staten Island, N.Y. 791....Noah Abels Eisenberg ....New York, N.Y. 984....Joseph Phillips ................New York, N.Y. 1000..Nicholas Suhanitski ........Staten Island, N.Y.

National Boys 14 Singles— Metro Region Rank ..Name ..........................City 52......Lantis Wang ....................New York, N.Y. 67......Derek Raskopf ................New York, N.Y. 76......Ethan Leon ......................Woodhaven, N.Y. 78......Jeffrey Fradkin ................New York, N.Y.

YORK

158....Nicholas Pustilnik............Brooklyn, N.Y. 162....Igor Maslov......................Brooklyn, N.Y. 220....Steven Daniel Nazaroff ..Brooklyn, N.Y. 296....Brandon T. Cohen ..........New York, N.Y. 360....Robbie Werdiger..............New York, N.Y. 444....Noah D. Edelman............New York, N.Y. 476....Shawn Jackson ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 486....Shand Stephens..............New York, N.Y. 571....Marcos Souza Lee ..........New York, N.Y. 735....Joseph RWilkanowski ....Long Island City, N.Y. 775....Tristan Taylor....................New York, N.Y. 779....Donovan Brown ..............New York, N.Y. 805....Maxwell Kachkarov ........Flushing, N.Y. 848....Alex Portnoy ....................New York, N.Y. 863....Kai Yuminaga ..................Oakland Gardens, N.Y. 864....Oliver Worth ....................New York, N.Y. 938....Harry Portnoy ..................New York, N.Y. 960....Christopher Tham ..........Flushing, N.Y.

National Boys 16 Singles— Metro Region Rank ..Name ..........................City 215....Gary C. Fishkin................Staten Island, N.Y. 275....Sumit Sarkar....................New York, N.Y. 316....Peter Lohrbach................Little Neck, N.Y. 319....Calvin Chung ..................Bronx, N.Y. 657....Zachary Jordan Lieb ......New York, N.Y. 683....Lantis Wang ....................New York, N.Y. 740....Robert Kennedy ..............New York, N.Y. 830....Derek Raskopf ................New York, N.Y. 834....Jeffrey Gorilovsky............Brooklyn, N.Y. 851....Christopher Kolesnik ......Staten Island, N.Y. 858....Sam V. Vagner ................Staten Island, N.Y. 894....Jacob Kern ......................New York, N.Y. 910....Gabriel Sifuentes ............Flushing, N.Y. 960....Allan Ethan Magdid ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 974....Dylan Friedman ..............Brooklyn, N.Y.

National Boys 18 Singles— Metro Region Rank ..Name ..........................City 34......Oliver Sec ........................New York, N.Y. 85......James Wasserman ........New York, N.Y. 132....Ethan Nittolo....................Flushing, N.Y. 191....Ananth Raghavan............New York, N.Y. 203....Christopher Auteri ..........Staten Island, N.Y. 346....Felipe Osses-Konig ........Rego Park, N.Y. 401....Marcus T. Smith ..............Little Neck, N.Y. 794....Cole Gittens ....................New York, N.Y. 799....Robert Kennedy ..............New York, N.Y. 946....Maurice Russo ................New York, N.Y. 965....Mitchell Ostrovsky ..........Brooklyn, N.Y.

GIRLS National Girls 12 Singles— Metro Region Rank ..Name ..........................City 11......Elvina Kalieva ..................Staten Island, N.Y. 51......Daniella Benabraham......New York, N.Y. 68......Nadejda Maslova ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 95......Lorraine Bergmann ........Forest Hills, N.Y. 230....Miriam Irfan Aziz..............Staten Island, N.Y. 239....Michelle Kleynerman ......Staten Island, N.Y. 258....Carolyn Brodsky..............New York, N.Y. 267....Shakima Hotaki ..............Flushing, N.Y. 300....Sarah Lucy Youngberg ..New York, N.Y. 429....Shawnte Beale ................Bronx, N.Y. 455....Natalie Eordekian ............Woodside, N.Y.

RANKINGS 476....Nathalie Williams ............New York, N.Y. 511....Karolina Lankamer ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 610....Alyssa An ........................New York, N.Y. 663....Rachel Zhang ..................Forest Hills, N.Y. 680....Deliala Friedman..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 974....Kassia Taylor....................New York, N.Y. 989....Sage Loudon ..................New York, N.Y.

National Girls 14 Singles— Metro Region Rank ..Name ..........................City 33......Michelle Sorokko ............Little Neck, N.Y. 34......Shelly Yaloz......................Little Neck, N.Y. 38......Dasha Kourkina ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 79......Rosie Garcia Gross ........New York, N.Y. 114....Perene Wang ..................New York, N.Y. 138....Katherine Kachkarov ......Flushing, N.Y. 171....Kyra Bergmann ..............Forest Hills, N.Y. 234....Nadejda Maslova ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 326....Elina Kalieva ....................Staten Island, N.Y. 471....Diana McCready ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 488....Sonia Tartakovsky ..........New York, N.Y. 556....Chelsea Williams ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 600....Marie Ivantechenko ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 607....Diana Sosonkin ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 632....Amanda Solecki ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 865....Rebecca Eliana Fisch......New York, N.Y.

National Girls 16 Singles— Metro Region Rank ..Name ..........................City 64......Dasha Kourkina ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 111....Michelle Sorokko ............Little Neck, N.Y. 160....Shelly Yaloz......................Little Neck, N.Y. 284....Victoria Sec......................New York, N.Y. 299....Aleksandra Bekirova ......Brooklyn, N.Y. 316....Alexus Gill ........................Brooklyn, N.Y. 331....Lauren Munari..................Middle Village, N.Y. 380....Nicole Semenov..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 445....Anastasia Koniaev ..........Forest Hills, N.Y. 548....Sarah Rahman ................East Elmhurst, N.Y. 700....Dakota Fordham ............New York, N.Y. 777....Chelsea Williams ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 875....Regina Furer ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 938....Katherine Kachkarov ......Flushing, N.Y.

National Girls 18 Singles— Metro Region Rank ..Name ..........................City 102....Anna Ulyashchenko........Brooklyn, N.Y. 129....Sabrina Xiong ..................Fresh Meadows, N.Y. 147....Jessica Melanie Livianu..Brooklyn, N.Y. 305....Isis Gill..............................Brooklyn, N.Y. 364....Alexandra Koniaev ..........Forest Hills, N.Y. 384....Brianna Williams..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 418....Camilla Trapness ............New York, N.Y. 446....Jessica Golovin ..............New York, N.Y. 498....Sonia Tartakovsky ..........New York, N.Y. 515....Alexus Gill ........................Brooklyn, N.Y. 527....Sheely Yaloz ....................Little Neck, N.Y. 573....Stephanie Johnson ........Richmond Hill, N.Y. 606....Michelle Sorokko ............Little Neck, N.Y. 634....Sophia Kryloff ..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 694....Alexandra Sanford ..........New York, N.Y. 744....Patricia Obeid..................New York, N.Y. 762....Dasha Kourkina ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 960....Julia D. Fisch ..................New York, N.Y.

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

USTA/Metropolitan Region

2015 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE For detailed information on these and all USTA tournaments, visit tennislink.usta.com/tournaments. SEPTEMBER 2015 Saturday-Sunday, September 5-6 L3 Alley Pond TC Sept 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 14-18 (RR) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $43.50 per player (deadline for entries is Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600. Sunday-Sunday, September 6-13 U.S. Open Junior Tennis Championships USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Flushing, N.Y. Divisions: Boys & Girls Singles & Doubles 78' Yellow Ball 18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $3 per player For more information, e-mail usopenjrs@usta.com or call (718) 760-6200. Friday-Sunday, September 11-13 L1B HPSA Challenger at Crotona Park Crotona Park Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78' Yellow Ball 12-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $43.50 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, Sept. 4 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, call (917) 609-3648. Friday-Sunday, September 18-20 L1B Stadium Tennis Center Fall Challenger Stadium Tennis Center 725 Exterior Street Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78' Yellow Ball 16 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, Sept. 11 at 8:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail lauren@stadiumtennisnyc.com or call (718) 665-4684.

Friday-Sunday, September 18-20 L2O APTC Fall Open Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78' Yellow Ball 12 (FMLC); Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78' Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE); and Intermediate Boys & Girls Doubles 78' Yellow Ball 12-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 for first singles/$28 for first doubles (deadline for entries is Monday, Sept. 14 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600. Friday-Sunday, September 18-20 L2R City Parks Series Invitational Flushing Meadow Corona Park Park Road Flushing, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78' Yellow Ball 12-14 (SE) Surface Type: Hard For more information, e-mail tomtvedt@yahoo.com or call (718) 760-6985. Friday-Sunday, September 18-20 L1B 10U City Parks Series Invitational Flushing Meadow Corona Park Park Road Flushing, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls 10 and Under Singles 78' Green Ball 10 (FMLC) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $3 per player For more information, e-mail tomtvedt@yahoo.com or call (718) 760-6985. Saturday-Sunday, September 19-20 L3 Alley Pond TC Sept 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 14-18 (RR) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $43.50 per player (deadline for entries is Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600.

Saturday, September 26 PSP 3; Bill Holloway Metro Orange Series #5 Harlem Junior Tennis Program 40 West 143rd Street New York, N.Y. Divisions: Entry Level Boys & Girls 10 and Under Singles: 60' Orange Ball 10 (NEF) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $28 per player (deadline for entries is Saturday, Sept. 19 at 11:59 p.m.) For more information, e-mail dantebrown@hjtep.org or call (212) 491-3738. OCTOBER 2015 Friday-Sunday, October 2-4 L1B APTC Fall Challenger Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78' Yellow Ball 12-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Sept. 28 at 9:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600. Friday-Sunday, October 2-4 L2O Staten Island Community Tennis Center Summer Open Staten Island Community Tennis Center 2800 Victory Boulevard Staten Island, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78' Yellow Ball 12 (FMLC); Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78' Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE); and Intermediate Boys & Girls Doubles 78' Yellow Ball 12-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 for first singles/$28 for first doubles (deadline for entries is Monday, Sept. 28 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail klastique@yahoo.com or call (718) 982-3355. Friday-Sunday, October 9-11 L1 Stadium Tennis Center October Championships Stadium Tennis Center 725 Exterior Street Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls 10 and Under Singles 78' Green Ball 10 (FMLC) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, Oct. 2 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail lauren@stadiumtennisnyc.com or call (718) 665-4684.

NYTennisMag.com â&#x20AC;˘ September/October 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ New York Tennis Magazine

USTA/Metropolitan Region

2015 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE For detailed information on these and all USTA tournaments, visit tennislink.usta.com/tournaments. Saturday-Monday, October 10-12 USTA National Selection Tournament-October Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Boys Singles 78' Yellow Ball 16 (FIC-R16) and Boys Doubles 78' Yellow Ball 16 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $134.88 for one event; $135.38 for two events; additional fees may apply if registered in three or more events (deadline for entries is Thursday, Sept. 10 at 11:59 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600. Friday-Sunday, October 16-18 L1B APTC October Challenger Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78' Yellow Ball 12, 16 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Oct. 12 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600.

Saturday-Sunday, October 17-18 L3 Alley Pond October 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 14-18 (RR) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $43.50 per player (deadline for entries is Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600.

Friday-Sunday, October 30-November 1 L1B Fall Challenger at APTC Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78' Yellow Ball 14,18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, Oct. 23 at 5:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600.

Friday-Sunday, October 23-25 L2O APTC October Open Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78' Yellow Ball 12 (FMLC); Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78' Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE); and Intermediate Boys & Girls Doubles 78' Yellow Ball 12-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 for first singles/$28 for first doubles (deadline for entries is Monday, Oct. 19 at 9:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600.

High Country Ski and Tennis Launches U.S. Open Campaign igh Country Ski and Tennis, one of New Jersey's premier tennis specialty shops, has announced that it has launched a marketing campaign during the U.S. Open where they will promote both their store and the sport by placing billboards across the local area during the Open. "Our philosophy is to promote the game of tennis as much as our company,” said High Country Owner Bill Silverman. High Country Ski and Tennis been in existence for more than 27 years, and with great customer service and competitive prices, the store continues to grow. A unique ski and tennis specialty model, as well as strategic advertising, has proven successful.

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2015 • NYTennisMag.com

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LIMTED TIME OFFER!

Try a Tennis Whizz or SPORTIME U10 Class - FREE! Call SPORTIME Randall’s Island or SPORTIME Lake Isle to take advantage of this offer. But hurry, offer expires September 30, 2015. Certain restrictions may apply. May not be combined with any other offer or discount. NYTennisMag.com • September/October

SPORTIME U10TENNIS

2015 • New York Tennis Magazine 114

Join Us ! Experience our new facility in our Inaugural Indoor Season â&#x20AC;˘ 10 indoor courts

â&#x20AC;˘ Award Winning, State of the Art 12,000 square foot clubhouse Amenities Include: â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ Lockers and showers â&#x20AC;˘ Pro shop with full service stringing Groups are forming now for: â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ Lessons

For more information visit us at: www.caryleedstennis.org

Hourly & Seasonal Court Time Available

A better game is closer than you think... Cary Leeds Center 1720 Crotona Avenue Bronx, NY 10457 York Tennis Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ September/October 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ NYTennisMag.com 115 New (718) 247-7420 caryleedsinfo@nyjtl.org

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