New York Tennis Magazine September - October 2018 by United Sports Publications

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

nytennis New York Tennis Magazine

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

Lee Seidner Staff Photographer

Kyle Gower Intern

Kayla Tan Intern

Jason Hirsch Intern

Caroline Lee Intern

Rena Zervakos Intern

Alex Flicker Intern

Sarah Schwartz 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.

Table Of Contents

SEP/OCT 2018 • Vol 8, No 5

2018 U.S. Open Preview

The stars of the men’s and women’s tours return to New York City for the final Grand Slam of 2018, the U.S. Open. See page 14

Photo credit: USTA

Highlights 10 12 34 40

NY Open Bringing Skills Challenge to Local Clubs and Events Junior Player Spotlight: Nicholas Steiglehner By Brian Coleman 2018 New York City Girls High School Preview By Brian Coleman 2018 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players

Features 4 8 24 28 30 31 32 36 38 52 54 57 58 60 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 70 72 73 74 76 77 79

Across Metro New York NYJTL Hosts Annual Boathouse Bash USTA Eastern Metro Region Update: September/October 2018 The Top Five Things a Coach Should Not Do By Gilad Bloom Kids Day Debuts in the Hamptons at Shinnecock Tennis Club Adult League Wrap-Up: USTA Leagues Update Crest Hollow Hosts Two NYBT Summer Events Sports Made East Hosts Adult, Junior Tournaments at Queens College The Jensen Zone: How Mentally Tough Are You? By Luke Jensen Court Six: New York Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column By Emilie Katz Net Benefits: When and How to Move Forward Successfully to the Net By Chris Lewit Top-Seeded Rubin Captures Men’s Singles Championship at Centercourt By Brian Coleman How to Sleep Better and Improve Your Tennis Game By Dr. Rob Silverman At the Net With Lisa Dodson By Brian Coleman GLTA Hosts Annual Liberty Open inPhorm: Setting the Trend in Tennis Apparel in 2018 Wake Forest Men’s Program Takes the NCAA Title! Let’s Take a Closer Look By Todd Widom What You Can Learn From the U.S. Open By Barbara Wyatt Metro Corporate League Recap, Presented by Advantage Tennis Clubs Reasons and Ways to Stay in the Game During Your Pregnancy By Eliana Cardozo The “Mental” Game: How to Train Your Brain for Success By Amanda Ferranti POP Tennis New York Open Hits National Tennis Center Play More Points in the Present: Accept-Breathe-Concentrate By Rob Polishook The Choking Process By Petar Kanev Confidence: A Player’s Secret Weapon, How to Find It and How to Use It By Dr. Tom Ferraro What’s In Your Backyard? USTA/Metropolitan Region 2018 Tournament Schedule New York Rankings

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Across Metro Ne Gazda Victorious at L1B 12U On Serve Challenger

Ross School’s Lependorf Captures Summer Open Title

Victoria Gazda, who plays out of the CourtSense Training Center, won the title at the L1B 12U On Serve Challenger in Mahwah, N.J. Gazda was the tournament’s top-seed and defeated Nicole Okhtenberg, 6-3, 6-4, in the championship.

Eva Lependorf of the Ross School Tennis Academy took home the title at the L2 Ross Summer Open. Lependorf defeated the top-seed in the opening round and then the number two seed in the semifinals en route to winning the championship.

West Side Tennis Club Hosts PowerPlay NYC St. John’s Names Pottish New Men’s Tennis Coach

Former NCAA Division III Singles Champion Dillon Pottish was named the new Head Coach of St. John’s Men’s Tennis. “I am extremely excited to be at St. John’s, and the potential for the program is very high,” said Pottish. “As a native New Yorker, I’ve always been a fan of St. John’s, so to be named Men’s Tennis Coach is something I’m very proud of. I came here to win Big East titles, make runs in the NCAA Tournament and help these young men grow, on and off the court.” PowerPlay NYC, a group that advances the lives of girls through sports, visited The West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills to play some tennis and receive lessons from the Club’s Director of Racket Sports, Luke Jensen. 4

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

New York

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

Sportime World Tour Makes Stop at Randall’s Island

Rolle and Huber to Lead High Performance Academy at Cary Leeds Center

The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning is launching a program specifically designed for top-level females. The Women’s High Performance Academy, led by former top professionals Liezel Huber and Ahsha Rolle, will feature customizable plans, singles and doubles strategies and cardio fitness.

Cruz Commits to Vanderbilt Marcella Cruz, who trains out of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, has committed to Vanderbilt University. “Happy to have committed to Vanderbilt,” Cruz said via social media. “Immense love and gratitude for the support from my family, friends and coaches all these

The Sportime World Tour has been a fixture on Long Island in recent years, but the popular 10U event made its first stop in New York City at Sportime Randall’s Island. Competitors in Red, Orange and Green Ball levels took to the courts for the New York World Tour, showing off the progress they have made in their recent classes.

Wen Claims 14U World Cup Title for Team USA Evan Wen (pictured here on the far right), who trains at Centercourt Performance Tennis Academy, had the honor of being selected to Team USA for the 14U World Cup Championships in Prostejov, Czech Republic. Not only was he named to the roster, but Wen helped lead his team to the title.

years!! Can’t wait for the chapter ahead.”

continued on page 6

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

across metro new york continued from page 5

MatchPoint NYC Participates in Red Ball Battle at Cunningham Park

Many players from MatchPoint NYC’s tennis program took part in USTA Eastern’s JTT Red Ball Battle at Cunningham Park. The event was played in a team format, featuring both singles and doubles as part of Net Generation. In addition to the tennis, there were other games and giveaways for the participants.

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New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

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NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

NYJTL Hosts

Annual Boathouse Bash

Photo credit: Sylvain Gaboury/PMC

The New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) Boathouse Bash, formerly known as the Summer Gala at The Boathouse, took place at the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park. The annual fundraiser raises money to support the NYJTL and its free tennis and education programs for children throughout New York City’s five boroughs. In all, the event raised $220,000. The bash featured a buffet dinner and cocktails, music by DJ Dippa, a photo booth, magicians and tarot readings. Also featured were a raffle and a silent auction which featured prizes including round-trip airfare for two from JetBlue, with all the proceeds going towards NYJTL’s mission. 01 NYJTL Director Larry Leeds, and NYJTL President and CEO George Guimaraes at the 2018 Boathouse Bash 02 Cary Leeds Center Executive Director of Tennis Liezel Huber and Director of High Performance Tennis Tony Huber, with NYJTL’s Secretary Polly Scott 03 Arik Zeevy and Aibika Kalsarieva, Intensive Training Programs Coaches at the Cary Leeds Center, enjoying the 2018 Boathouse Bash 04 Harold Lloyd, Emcee and father of Boathouse Bash Chairperson Deanna Lloyd 05 Attendees at the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park showing their support for NYJTL 8

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

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NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

2019 New Y

February 9

New York Open Bringing Skills Cha

he New York Open and its ownership, GF Sports, have unveiled a new event promotional platform this summer called “The Skills Challenge.” The multi-purpose content and event platform is tennis’ version of a grassroots skills competition that has been produced in conjunction with many of the major sports leagues. Similar to the NFL’s “Punt, Pass and Kick,” MLB’s “Hit, Pitch and Run,” and the PGA’s “Drive, Chip and Putt,” the platform being brought to the market by GF Sports will measure a tennis player’s ability to hit accurate groundstrokes, volleys and serves. “Measurement is the best tool for improvement at all playing levels,” said GF Sports Senior Executive and New York Open’s Tournament Director Josh Ripple. “Our goal is to develop the Skills Challenge as both a standalone event platform that will eventually provide for a local, regional, national and even international series of Skills events, while at the same time, enable our ATP Tour franchises to benefit promotionally from naming the regional competitions in con-

junction with the New York Open and the Atlanta Open.” During the summer, The Skills Challenge has been rolled out in both GF Sports markets. At the recent BB&T Atlanta Open, the Skills Challenge was made available to players of all age categories and levels, and was featured during several sessions of the ATP Tour event on Stadium Court. Even ATP Tour star Bob Bryan tested his ability on the Skills Course. Lucky winners were provided tickets to GF Sports’ suite during the U.S. Open, as well as tickets to the 2019 Atlanta Open. In the New York, New Jersey and Long Island areas, the Skills Challenge was displayed and used at Centercourt Athletic Club of Chatham in Chatham, N.J. during the Saint Barnabas UTR Championships—where again kids and adults had the ability to test their skill in order to achieve prizes and tickets. Even 2018 New York Open player and the eventual winner of the Saint Barnabas event, Noah Rubin, put his skills to the test. “We find that when you combine competition and measurement, tennis players seem to focus while having a great deal

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

of fun going up against their peers, coaches, parents and others that participate,” said Director of GF Sports Events and Skills Challenge Director Peter Lebedevs. “The aspiration is to offer clubs, pros and various tennis and recreational facilities a unique programming tool that can be integrated into their daily or weekly content, while at the same time, establish the bona fide skills competition for tennis that can become a massive event platform.” The Skills Challenge provides participating organizations the competition layout and scoring system. GF Sports leaves it in the hands of the clubs themselves as to how they want to add entertaining elements, such as music and prizes, to enhance the player’s experience. Several New York/New Jersey-area clubs have started to test the Skills Challenge in addition to CenterCourt. The platform has been tried at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Sportime, World Gym Setauket, MatchPoint NYC, Orange Lawn Tennis Club, Willowbrook Tennis Club, as well as Bridgehampton,

w York Open

y 9-17, 2019

Challenge to Local Clubs and Events

just to name a few. Atlanta facilities such as Bitsy Grant and Ansley Golf Club have been testing it too. According to Lebedevs, who is also the Assistant Tournament Director at the New York Open, the Skills Challenge will be implemented in the months leading up to the New York Open. A regional competition will take place where the finalists in the various

age groups will playoff on Stadium and Grandstand Courts at the ATP Tour event in February. “GF Sports strongly believes that we have a powerful platform that will improve everyone’s tennis and frankly make an engaging introduction of the sport to non-players more interesting and compelling,” said Lebedevs. “While we may need a few years to

completely have this fine-tuned and brought to the market, just like our bringing the New York Open to the region, it will soon become a tradition and a great opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy the platform and test their skills.” For more information about The Skills Challenge, please contact Peter Lebedevs at PLebedevs@GFSportsHoldings.com.

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NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

NEW YORK TENNIS MAGAZINE’S

J U N I O R P L AY E R S P O T L I G H T BY BRIAN COLEMAN

NICHOLAS STEIGLEHNER hen he was fiveyears-old, Nicholas Steiglehner picked up a racket for the first time, hitting around a few Nerf balls before advancing to regular tennis balls. “My dad introduced me to tennis. He taught me the basics at a young age and still helps coach me today,” said Steiglehner. “He’s a great role model and I look up to him. He helped create my love for tennis.” Nicholas played a multitude of sports growing up, including soccer, basketball and baseball. He was a very good pitcher and also played some third base, but after making the travel baseball team, the commitment of practices every day and multiple games on the weekend became too much to balance alongside his tennis. He then made the decision to fully commit to tennis. “I liked tennis more and decided I would rather spend my time playing competitive tennis instead of baseball,” said Steiglehner. “That’s when I really knew tennis was what I wanted to pursue.” Fast-forward and Steiglehner is now preparing for his freshman year at Friends Seminary High School in Manhattan. As an eighth grader last year, he played in the first singles spot for the

Friends Seminary Boys Varsity Tennis team. “It was a great experience, and it was fun to be a member of the team,” Steiglehner said. “It was also special for me because I became friends with upperclassmen, kids I never thought I would meet, let alone befriend them!” As he prepares for his freshman year, Steiglehner has been putting in a lot of work this summer to improve his game. He

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

spends much of his time training at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club (RIRC) and the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA), both of which provide a great environment for tennis players to grow. “I have known Javier [Luna] and Mr. [Gordon] Kent at Roosevelt Island for a couple of years now … they are great,” said Steiglehner. “They have a great facility that is only a train ride away from my home. It is super convenient and provides me the flexibility to work on specific parts of my game and to compete against a variety of players and styles. Javier is a great person, thoughtful, understands the game well and knows what it takes to win. He pushes me to be my best.” “As a developing player, finding the right mix of coaching chemistry, teaching skills, access to court time and appropriate commute from home at the right cost is a complex equation,” Steiglehner said. “Finding people who really care about my development as a person and player is very important for me. For these reasons I play at a few different places to help different facets of my development.” Those reasons and challenges are ones faced by many top junior players growing up in New York City, and Steiglehner is no exception.

“During the school year, it’s hard to find time to practice when leaving my house at 7:00 a.m. and getting home at 4:00 p.m., with a full day of class and homework,” explains Steiglehner. “Given the lack of easily accessible courts, I always have to plan days ahead to get a court, or leave hours before my start time in a tournament. Often, I have to play late at night. It is one of the hardest places to play tennis and get good at it as a young person. But playing in New York City with limited and expensive resources forces you to make each minute of practice court time count. It also makes you stay focused. There are a lot of great players here—and also a lot of great former players who built their game here, so I can learn from them as well.” Steiglehner’s work ethic is evident in his development as a player, and he will continue to work on his game, trying to improve all aspects of it. He is currently ranked 114th nationally and inside the Top 20 of Boys 14s in the Eastern Section, and recently helped lead his team to

victory at the Zonal Championships in Kalamazoo, Mich. “My goal is to continue to grow as a player and become as good as I can possibly be,” said Steiglehner. “Tennis is teaching me a lot about myself, others

and the world … I love it.” Brian Coleman is Senior Editor for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached by phone at (516) 409-4444, ext. 326 or email BrianC@USPTennis.com.

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2018 U.S. Open Preview August 27-September 9, 2018 USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center l Flushing Meadows, N.Y.

What to watch for at the 2018 U.S. Open Will the youngsters turn the corner? On the men’s side, the Grand Slams have been dominated by just a handful of players for the better part of the last decade, but will that change at this year’s US Open? Players like Alexander Zverev, 21, and Dominic Thiem, 24 (pictured), have been mainstays inside the Top 10 now, and both had their best Grand Slam showings earlier this year at the French Open, Thiem a finalist and Zverev a quarterfinalist. It will be interesting to see if they can translate that onto the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, and add their name to the list of Grand Slam champions.

Can Djokovic double up in second half of 2018? It was a welcome sight seeing Novak Djokovic back in top form at Wimbledon, where he won his first major title since the 2016 French Open. “I had many moments of doubt, I didn’t know if I could come back to this level to compete,” Djokovic admitted afterwards. The Serb may have climbed back to the level that saw him dominate the ATP Tour for a stretch of time in 2015 and 2016. The U.S. Open will be a big test for Djokovic to see if he can maintain that level over the course of back-to-back Grand Slams.

Defending champ Stephens seeks repeat The 2017 U.S. Open women’s final was a dazzling display of American tennis, as Sloane Stephens defeated Madison Keys, and Stephens hoisted the first Grand Slam trophy of her career. Stephens has followed that big victory up with some successful tournaments in 2018, winning the Miami title and reaching the French Open final, but has since been up-anddown with her play. She lost in the opening round of Wimbledon and bowed out early at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. Stephens is the type of player who embraces the big matches, and as the defending champion, she hopes to have plenty of big matches over her two weeks in Flushing Meadows.

How will Halep follow up on French Open title? World number one Simona Halep won the first Grand Slam of her career at the French Open this year after three previous defeats in major finals. Although she bowed out early at Wimbledon, the Romanian is without a doubt a contender at this year’s U.S. Open. With championship pedigree under her belt, one key thing to pay attention to will be if she can avoid having a letdown in the early rounds of the tournament as she looks to double up on her maiden Grand Slam title.

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

2018 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW Which version of Andy Murray will show up in Flushing Meadows? When you pull up Andy Murray’s page on ATPWorldTour.com, it looks strange to see his ranking listed as 375th in the world. But before June of this year, Murray hadn’t played a match since last year’s Wimbledon as he battled a hip injury. He played inspiring tennis at the Citi Open where he fought through three consecutive three-set matches, one of which didn’t end until 3:00 a.m. He did not compete at Wimbledon because he said his body wasn’t ready to take on best-of-five set matches, but will be ready to do so at the U.S. Open? A former U.S. Open champion, Murray will be eager to show that he still has what it takes to compete for Grand Slam titles as he begins his run at the U.S. Open. Anderson seeks continued success in the Big Apple After winning the inaugural New York Open in February, Kevin Anderson said one of his goals for the year was to win more titles. Now he hasn’t won any titles since his triumph on Long Island, but he has still played great tennis this year. Anderson has reached the quarterfinals in Miami and Indian Wells, and the semifinals in Madrid, before powering into the Wimbledon finals. His last two tournaments in New York have seen him reach the U.S. Open final and win the New York Open title, what will this tournament bring out of Anderson?

With Serena back in fold, is she the favorite? Despite a lack of match play and just a year removed from giving birth to her first child, Serena Williams enters the women’s field at the U.S. Open as one of the favorites. The key question will be how her body handles the two weeks, especially considering her time off the court leading up to the tournament. If her run to the Wimbledon finals a couple of months ago is any indication, be on the lookout for a deep run at the National Tennis Center by the now 26th-ranked Serena. Isner and the American men It seems that every time we preview a Grand Slam, one of the talking points is whether or not we see the drought of American men come to a close. John Isner seemed poised to do that at Wimbledon earlier this summer when he reached the semifinals, before falling in one of the most epic matches in tennis history, a six-and-a-half hour defeat to the aforementioned Kevin Anderson. There is certainly pressure on the Americans every time they step out on the court of their home turf at the U.S. Open, and this year, the ninth-ranked Isner will feel that pressure to a greater degree.

Revamped Louis Armstrong Stadium to Debut at 2018 U.S. Open Photo credit: Ashley Marshall/USTA

At the 2018 U.S. Open, the brand new Louis Armstrong Stadium will be unveiled, a revamped 14,000-seat court with a built-in retractable roof. The new Stadium will feature nearly 40 percent more seating than the previous capacity of 10,200. A total of 7,400 seats in the upper bowl will be general admission, while the remaining 6,600 seats in the lower bowl will be reserved for Louis Armstrong Stadium ticket holders. A key feature of the new Stadium will be a retractable roof, complete with natural ventilation that allows for air flow throughout the entire Stadium, making it the first ever naturallyventilated tennis stadium with a retractable roof. The opening of Louis Armstrong Stadium marks the completion of a five-year, $600 million transformation of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, a project privately continued on page 16 NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

2018 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW Revamped Louis Armstrong Stadium to Debut at 2018 U.S. Open continued from page 15

funded by the USTA. Other upgrades over the past two years include a retractable roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium as well as LED lighting, a new 8,125-seat Grandstand Stadium, a new Food Village adjacent to Grandstand Stadium, and an expanded southern campus that includes new tournament courts and enhanced fan amenities, including platform seating for 3,000 so that fans could enjoy an unobstructed view of U.S. Open-seeded players while practicing. “The new 14,000-seat Armstrong, with its built-in retractable roof, gives the U.S. Open a second stage that is second to none,” said Katrina Adams, USTA President and Chairman of the Board. “It allows us to present a reliable and predictable schedule that will be unaltered by weather. Now, with two stadiums with

roofs, you know that if you’ve got a ticket to the U.S. Open, you’re going to see tennis regardless of the weather conditions.” Armstrong Stadium will feature 14,250 individual terra cotta louvers on the exterior to help circulate air throughout the venue, similar to horizontal window blinds. The louvers keep driving rain and some direct sunlight out, while allowing for fresh air to come through and ventilate the seating bowls. Even when the roof is closed, air will circulate around both the upper and lower seating bowls. The USTA announced that Armstrong Stadium will feature five matches per day, one more than Arthur Ashe Stadium— including two Night Sessions for continuous tennis action all day long.

U.S. Open Prize Money Hits New Record Payout

Prize money at the U.S. Open will reach a record $53 million for the 2018 installment of the final Grand Slam of the year. Each singles champion will receive $3.8 million, the largest payout in U.S. Open history and a $100,000 increase from last year. Similar to the past three years, the USTA is improving the 16

payouts for the first three rounds of the tournament to drive more of the increases to the majority of the players. “2018 is a significant year in our history,” said USTA Chairman of the Board and President Katrina Adams. “Not only is it the 50th anniversary of the tournament, we also have completed the five-year transformation of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. We know that we are poised for incredible growth moving forward.” Prize money at the U.S. Open has increased by 57 percent since 2013. The U.S. Open was the first tournament to offer equal prize money to men and women competitors in 1973. The total $53 million purse for the 2018 U.S. Open is more than a five percent increase on the $50.4 million offered in 2017. In the men’s and women’s singles tournaments this year, players will earn $54,000 for playing in the main draw, $93,000 for reaching the second round and $156,000 for advancing to the Round of 32. They will take home $266,000 for reaching the fourth round, $475,000 for contesting the quarterfinals and $925,000 for making the semifinals. Reaching the final is worth $1,850,000, an increase of $25,000 over last year.

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

2018 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW Both the men’s and women’s doubles champion teams will earn $700,000, the highest in U.S. Open history. First- and second-round losing teams will earn $16,500 and $27,875, respectively. Teams reaching the Round of 16 will

receive $46,500, quarterfinalists will win $85,275 and semifinal teams will take home $166,400. Finalists will collect $350,000. In addition, the U.S. Open Qualifying Tournament will offer more than $3 million in prize money for the first time.

Round-by-round individual prize money for the US Open is as follows: Singles l Winner: $3,800,000 l Runner-Up: $1,850,000 l Semifinalist: $925,000 l Quarterfinalist: $475,000 l Round of 16: $266,000 l Round of 32: $156,000 l Round of 64: $93,000 l Round of 128: $54,000

Doubles (each team) l Winner: $700,000 l Runner-Up: $350,000 l Semifinalist: $166,400 l Quarterfinalist: $85,275 l Round of 16: $46,500 l Round of 32: $27,875 l Round of 64: $16,500

U.S. Open to Utilize Serve and Warm-Up Clocks In a joint initiative between the USTA, ATP and WTA, the 2018 U.S. Open will use a serve clock and a warm-up clock to try and increase the pace of play. The clocks were initially used in the Qualifying, Juniors and Wheelchair draws of last year’s U.S. Open, as well as the American Collegiate Invitational and the Champions Invitational, and will now also be used in all main draw matches. Serve Clock l Players will have 25 seconds to begin their service motion, although a chair umpire will have the ability and discretion to pause the clock. They will have the ability to resume the clock from the same time or reset the clock to 25 seconds. l During a game, this 25-second clock will begin once the chair umpire has announced the score following the previous point. The receiver is responsible for playing to the server’s reasonable pace. l If the player has not started the service motion at the completion of the 25-second countdown, the chair umpire will issue a time violation. l After even-numbered games, the chair umpire will start the clock when the balls are all in place on the server’s end of the court. Warm-Up Clock l A one-minute clock will begin when the second player or team entering the court arrives at their chair(s). l If, at the end of that one minute, a player is not at the net, they will be notified by the chair umpire and subject to a

post-match fine, although this will not be a time violation. l A five-minute time clock will begin following the coin-toss and begin the warm-up period. During this time, the chair umpire will make announcements informing the players of the three-minute, two-minute, one-minute, 30-second and endof-warm-up marks. l Following the conclusion of the five-minute warm-up period, a one-minute countdown will commence. At the end of this countdown, a player must be ready to play. l If a player is not ready at this juncture, the chair umpire will announce a start-of-match violation, and the player will be subject to a post-match fine. This will not be a time violation. U.S. Open to Have Electronic Line-Calling for All Matches The USTA has announced that the U.S. Open will become the first Grand Slam to have electronic line-calling for every match this year. Last year, the tournament had seven courts with the capability of electronic calls. Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium, Grandstand and Court 17 will all have an instant-replay team within the arena, and there will be a centralized office to handle the electronic review process for matches on all other courts. “We think it’s the right thing to do,” said U.S. Open Tournament Director David Brewer. “It’s the fair thing for the players. We should provide a tournament where the conditions from court to court, no matter whether it’s Court 15 or Arthur Ashe Stadium, are as close to identical as possible.”

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

2018 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW Where to Eat at the U.S. Open Along with the best tennis and entertainment in the world, the U.S. Open offers premium dining experiences—from Mojito Restaurant & 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, the restaurants on the grounds at the U.S. Open can cure any craving. Aces: Located on the Club level in Arthur Ashe Stadium between Gates 3 and 4, Aces is available to Courtside Box seat holders and Luxury Suite guests. Loge and Promenade Subscription Series ticket holders may purchase restaurant passes. Enjoy local and seasonal seafood creations by Chef/Innovator of Restaurant Associates and creator of Ed’s Chowder House, Ed Brown, with sushi prepared by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Open for lunch, dinner or after the matches. Champions Bar & Grill: Also located on the Club Level in Arthur Ashe Stadium between Gates 3 and 4, Aces is available to Courtside Box seat holders and Luxury Suite guests. Loge and Promenade Subscription Series ticket holders may purchase restaurant passes. Champions Bar & Grill is a modern take on the traditional clubhouse atmosphere, with classic leather and wood accents in a contemporary setting. The Grill features premium steaks, hearty salads and fresh seafood prepared by Michelin Star Awarded Chef Marc Forgione of American Cut. You won’t miss a moment of the action with live matches on our many TVs. U.S. Open Club: The U.S. Open Club is located on the ground floor of Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Club is available to all Subscription Series ticket holders for a nominal entrance fee and is included in select Loge seat subscriptions. With its striking contemporary décor, the U.S. Open Club is famous for its Chef’s Table and seasonal selections of eclectic American cuisine. Open for lunch, dinner or after the matches. 18

Heineken Red Star Patio Café: Soak up the beautiful surroundings of the US Open grounds at the charming outdoor Heineken Red Star Patio Café, located outside the US Open Club. Enjoy fresh selections of seasonal foods paired with a Heineken or a summer specialty cocktail. The Heineken Red Star Patio Café is available for all ticket holders. Stop by for lunch, dinner or after the matches. Mojito Restaurant & Bar: Located on the ground floor of Arthur Ashe Stadium near the Heineken Red Star Patio Café, Mojito features a menu inspired by Chef Marcus Samuelsson. Experience Mojito’s luscious flavors with Latin specialties in our whimsical garden enhanced by multiple TVs showing the live matches. Mojitos is available for all ticket holders. Join us for lunch, dinner or after the matches. Emirates Sports Café: The Emirates Sports Cafe is located on the west side of the South Plaza, adjacent to Court 7 and positioned above the U.S. Open Collection Store. With a spacious, ideal setting to unwind and keep track of the matches, guests can enjoy the café’s laid-back atmosphere and assortment of food and drink offerings. Emirates Sports Cafe is available for all ticket holders. Food Village Enjoy regional cuisine and specialty items at the U.S. Open Food Village where you can grab and go or find a seat to relax and take in the U.S. Open atmosphere, including: l l l l l l l

Angry Taco Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Shop BLT Fish Shack Creperie Curry Kitchen Farm to Fork Franks & Fries

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

l l l l l l l

Fuku Grey Goose Bar Hill Country BBQ Korilla BBQ Lavazza Cafe Melt Shop Neopolitan Express

2018 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW Kelly Clarkson to Headline Opening Night Ceremony at NTC Music superstar Kelly Clarkson will headline the Opening Night Ceremony at the 2018 U.S. Open during a special celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the event. The Grammy Award-winning artist and first-ever “American Idol” winner will take the stage inside Arthur Ashe Stadium prior to the Evening Session on Monday, Aug. 27. Clarkson’s performance will be the centerpiece of a ceremony that will include former U.S. Open champs and other special guests. The ceremony will conclude with a special rendition of the National Anthem by a performer to be named later. “We are honored to have such a talented performer join us in this very special year,” said USTA Chairman of the Board and President Katrina Adams. “Kelly Clarkson’s musical versatility,

her unparalleled presence and, of course, her voice will make this a night to remember.” Texas-born Clarkson, who recently released her eighth studio album, “Meaning of Life,” is among the most popular artists of this era, with total worldwide sales of more than 25 million albums and 36 million singles. The Nashville-based singersongwriter first came to fame in 2002 as the winner of the inaugural season of “American Idol.” Clarkson’s debut single, “A Moment Like This,” followed and quickly went to number one on Billboard’s Hot 100, ultimately ranking as the year’s best-selling single in the U.S. This past year, Clarkson hosted the “2018 Billboard Music Awards,” in addition to appearing and winning as coach on the 14th season of “The Voice.”

Top reasons to love the U.S. Open Celebrity sightings Celebrities, like the rest of us, love tennis. Spotting athletes, actors and musicians in attendance throughout the tournament becomes quite common, with the U.S. Open bringing out celebs such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Ricky Martin, Alec Baldwin, Michael Jordan, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Sean Connery, John Hamm, Bruce Willis, Ben Stiller, and many more to Flushing Meadows. When you are on grounds this year, keep your eyes peeled for your favorite celebrities! Entertainment from start to finish From live music to interactive games and kids tennis sessions, there’s something for everyone at the 2018 U.S. Open. It starts with Arthur Ashe Kids Day on

Saturday, Aug. 25, 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 Grounds Festival will feature Net Generation Tennis on 14 courts, and a wide range of activities for children of all ages and skill levels. The Stadium Show will feature musical performances from Echosmith, In Real Life and more, along with appearances from defending U.S. Open Champions and world number one Rafael Nadal, 2018 Wimbledon Champions and past U.S. Open Champions Novak Djokovic and Angelique Kerber, and 2017 U.S. Open Finalist Madison Keys, with co-hosts Skai Jackson, Alex Aiono and Radio Disney’s Morgan. Tennis under the stars 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 Zealand’s Onny Parun defeated American great Stan Smith at the West Side continued on page 20

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

2018 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW Top reasons to love the U.S. Open continued from page 19 Tennis Club in Forest Hills, N.Y. 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, “At 1:15 a.m. for 20,000 people to still be here … I wasn’t the winner, tennis was. I don’t know if I’ve ever felt this good here before.” 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. Practice court access 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 and track down your favorite stars on the grounds of the National Tennis Center. The stars shine brightly in Flushing Meadows The best players in the world are in our own backyard, competing here in New York for three weeks (including qualifiers and practice days). Whether you are a fan, casual player or a serious 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 final Grand Slam of the year.

2018 U.S. Open Schedule (Schedule subject to change) Session 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 22 23 23 24 24

Day Monday Monday Tuesday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Friday Friday Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday Monday Monday Tuesday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Friday Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday

Date 08/27 08/27 08/28 08/28 08/29 08/29 08/30 08/30 08/31 08/31 09/01 09/01 09/02 09/02 09/03 09/03 09/04 09/04 09/05 09/05 09/06 09/07 09/07 09/08 09/08 09/09 09/09

Session Time 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Noon 4:00 p.m. Noon 4:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

Matches Scheduled Men’s & Women’s R1 Men’s & Women’s R1 Men’s & Women’s R1 Men’s & Women’s R1 Men’s & Women’s R2 Men’s & Women’s R2 Men’s & Women’s R2 Men’s & Women’s R2 Men’s & Women’s R3 Men’s & Women’s R3 Men’s & Women’s R3 Men’s & Women’s R3 Men’s & Women’s Round of 16 Men’s & Women’s Round of 16 Men’s & Women’s Round of 16 Men’s & Women’s Round of 16 Men’s & Women’s Quarterfinals Men’s & Women’s Quarterfinals Men’s & Women’s Quarterfinals Men’s & Women’s Quarterfinals Women’s Semifinals Men’s Doubles Final or Mixed Doubles Final Men’s Semifinals Mixed Doubles Final or Men’s Doubles Final Women’s Final Women’s Doubles Final Men’s Final

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2018 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW New Yorker Rubin, Wawrinka, Azarenka and Kuznetsova Headline U.S. Open Wild Cards

ormer U.S. Open champion Stan Wawrinka, Americans Tim Smyczek, Michael Mmoh, Noah Rubin, 2018 USTA Boys’ 18s National Champion Jenson Brooksby and U.S. Open Wild Card Challenge winner Bradley Klahn have been awarded Men’s Singles Main Draw Wild Cards into the 2018 U.S. Open. Nineteen-year old Frenchman Corentin Moutet was awarded a Main Draw Wild Card by the French Tennis Federation as part of its reciprocal agreement with the USTA, and Tennis Australia awarded its reciprocal agreement Main Draw Wild Card to Jason Kubler. On the women’s side of the draw, former world number one Victoria Azarenka, 2004 U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, and rising American teenagers Amanda Anisimova and Claire Liu will receive Main Draw Wild Card entries into the U.S. Open, joining USTA Girls 18s National Champion Whitney Osuigwe and U.S. Open Wild Card Challenge winner Asia Muhammad as Main Draw Wild Card recipients. France’s Harmony Tan and one Australian woman to be announced at a later date will also receive U.S. Open Main Draw Wild Cards, by virtue of the wild card exchange agreements between the USTA and those two Grand Slam nations. The 2018 U.S. Open Main Draw will be played Aug. 27Sept. 9 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. Both the men’s and women’s singles champions this year will earn $3.8 million. The 33-year-old Wawrinka of Switzerland is a three-time Grand Slam champion, winning the U.S. Open in 2016. The former world number three is currently in the midst of a comeback from a knee injury that forced him to miss the opportunity to defend his title in 2017. Wawrinka has won 16 career titles, including victories at Roland Garros in 2015 and Wimbledon in 2014. Twenty-two-year-old Long Island native Rubin is currently ranked a career-best 139th in the world. He returns to the U.S. Open Main Draw for the second time, after receiving a 22

wild card in 2014 as the USTA Boys 18s National Champion, the same year he won the Wimbledon Boys Singles Title. To date, Rubin’s 2018 season includes a title at the $75,000 USTA Pro Circuit Challenger in Tallahassee, Fla., which clinched him the Roland Garros Wild Card Challenge and a berth in the French Open Main Draw. Smyczek, 30 of Milwaukee, Wis., is making his seventh appearance in the U.S. Open main draw. Once ranked as high as 68th in the world, he reached the semifinals of the ATP 250 event in Newport, R.I. earlier this summer, as well as the second round of the Australian Open in January. Twenty-year-old Bradenton, Fla. native Mmoh is making his second U.S. Open Main Draw appearance after receiving a wild card in 2016 for winning the singles title at the USTA Boys’ 18s National Championships. He earned his first two ATP-level wins at the ATP event in Brisbane, Australia in January. This summer, Mmoh qualified for the main draw at Wimbledon and reached the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 event in Los Cabos, Mexico. Brooksby, 17, of Sacramento, Calif., earned the wild card allotted to the USTA Boys 18s National Champion. He has been successful at nearly every rung of USTA junior competition, having won the 12s National Singles Title, been the runner-up at the 16s level, and won the 18s Singles Title at the prestigious Easter Bowl junior tournament earlier this year. Brooksby is committed to play college tennis at Texas Christian University. The 27-year-old Klahn of Poway, Calif. is a former NCAA champion and made his last appearance in the main draw of the U.S. Open in 2014. Multiple back surgeries then kept him out of the game from February 2015 to November 2016, during which he contemplated retirement, before eventually returning to competition on the USTA Pro Circuit. He qualified and reached the second round at Wimbledon this summer, marking his first Grand Slam main draw appearance since 2014. Moutet, 19 of Boulogne-Billancourt, received his wild card

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

2018 U.S. OPEN PREVIEW as part of the USTA’s reciprocal agreement with the French Tennis Federation that allowed Noah Rubin to make his Grand Slam main draw debut at Roland Garros this year. Twenty-five-year-old Kubler of Brisbane, Australia received his wild card as part of the USTA’s reciprocal agreement with Tennis Australia, which allowed Tim Smyczek to play in January’s Australian Open. Azarenka, 29 of Belarus, is a two-time U.S. Open finalist (2012 and 2013) and is a two-time Australian Open champion. She has won 20 career WTA singles titles and is currently ranked 87th in the world. Kuznetsova, 33 of Russia, won her first of two Grand Slam Singles Titles at the U.S. Open in 2004, at 19-yearsold. Currently ranked 88th, she’s a former world number two and won her 18th WTA title this summer in Washington, D.C. Sixteen-year-old Anisimova of Aventura, Fla. is the second-youngest player ranked in the Top 200, at 173, and the 2017 U.S. Open Girls Singles Champion. She earned her first Top 10 win this year by defeating world number nine Petra Kvitova to reach the fourth round at Indian Wells. Eighteen-year-old Liu of Thousand Oaks, Calif. is a former junior world number one and the 2017 Wimbledon Girls Singles Champion. Currently ranked 158th in the world, she

qualified for the 2017 U.S. Open and Wimbledon this summer, where she reached the second round and pushed eventual champion Angelique Kerber to three sets. Osuigwe, 16 of Bradenton, Fla., won the USTA Billie Jean King Girls 18s National Championship and will make her U.S. Open Main Draw debut. Osuigwe won the French Open Girls Singles Title in 2017 and was the world number one junior. Twenty-seven-year-old Muhammad of Las Vegas won the U.S. Open Wild Card Challenge to earn her first U.S. Open Singles Main Draw appearance in 10 years. Muhammad reached the U.S. Open doubles quarterfinals with Taylor Townsend in 2016. Tan, 20, will make her Grand Slam main draw debut after winning the French Federation’s Wild Card Playoff. The USTA and French Federation exchanged Main Draw Wild Cards into the French and U.S. Opens this year for one man and woman from the opposite country. American Taylor Townsend earned the reciprocal wild card into Roland Garros this year, where she reached the second round. The USTA and Tennis Australia have the same arrangement with the 2018 U.S. and Australian Opens. The Australian women’s wild card recipient will be announced at a later date.

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

USTA Metro Region A Message From USTA Eastern Metro Region President Pablo Sierra

Battle of the Boroughs Puts Neighborhood Pride on the Line The Sixth Annual Battle of the Boroughs was a two-month adult recreational tournament played throughout New York City parks, culminating in the finals at Flushing Meadows, Corona Park. The tournament, presented by USTA Eastern and with the support of City Parks Tennis, featured some of the best team tennis in the area as neighborhood pride was 24

put on the line with teams from the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island. “The Battle of the Boroughs Tennis Challenge allows adult players in our parks to again compete in a friendly atmosphere and represent their own neighborhoods and boroughs,” said Mike Silverman, Director of Sports for City Parks Foundation. In the end, it was the team from Queens, captained by Jon Bonnet, who claimed the Battle of the Boroughs title, and will hold the city’s bragging rights until next year’s tournament.

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

USTA Metro Region

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

USTA Metro Region Flex Leagues Available Throughout New York City

USTA’s Flex League is designed to fit in your schedule—allowing you to play when it’s convenient for you. l l l l l

Matches are arranged directly with your opponent at a mutually agreed upon day, time and location. Each session is approximately two months long. Players can anticipate six to 10 matches during each session. Once registration closes, you can access a list of opponents and suggested play-by dates. Match scores are recorded online. USTA membership is not required and Flex League matches do not affect, nor generate, a USTA rating.

Ready to try Flex League? l Go to https://goo.gl/owQBE6 to search for and register for Flex Leagues. l Choose your division: Adult Men’s Singles or Adult Women’s Singles. l Select New York and then the area you wish to play in. l Registration is $35 ($25 for USTA members). Registration is currently open for NYC (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens & Staten Island), Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk), and Westchester for the Fall League. For more information about Flex League, e-mail FlexLeague@live.com.

USPTA Comes to Brooklyn Junior Tennis Brooklyn Junior Tennis Clinic enjoyed a fun time with teaching professional Paul Fontana of the USPTA Eastern Section providing a valuable review of tennis basics and techniques. Paul is an excellent instructor and highly charismatic teaching kids of all ages. I have seen Brooklyn Junior Tennis Clinics in the past, and they are a well-motivated and fun group to watch, and they certainly LOVE the game of tennis.

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

The Top Five Things A By Gilad Bloom

s the old saying goes, “You should always learn from your mistakes.” I add to that you should also learn from other people’s mistakes. Throughout my coaching career, I have tried to learn from my mistakes and just like everyone else, I certainly made lots of them over the years. The trick is to not repeat those mistakes and as you reduce the number of those mistakes, you become a better coach. Being a former player, I remember some of the mistakes that my coaches used to make, and I try not to repeat them. Here is a list of the top five most common mistakes that coaches make. I have been guilty of these mistakes early in my coaching career and I try to avoid repeating them every time I step onto the court.

1. Pointing out technical or strategic mistakes of students by telling them what they did wrong As a young coach, I would let my students know that they “didn’t bend their knees,” or “should have hit a ball cross-court.” But as you evolve as a coach, you realize that a better way of teaching is by asking the student, “Why do you think you missed that ball in the net?” or “If you could play this point again, where would you hit that running forehand you just missed”? By asking the student questions such as these, you instill the ability to analyze their mistakes and for them to come up with a solution on their own. Most of the time, they will know what they did wrong right away. When they come up with an answer on their own, they internalize the instructions better than if I told them. 2. Getting emotional or confrontational with students As a young coach who went straight from the pro tour into teaching, I was very intense, competitive and sometimes, emotional with students. I was passionate about the game, and I would take it personally if the student didn’t perform well or was not committed enough. Over the years, I have learned that there is only so much a coach can do and that it is not productive or professional for a coach to show anger of any kind. The kids look up to the coach and expect them to always be in control. Over the years, I have learned to absorb unpleasant situations and react accordingly. Sometimes, I will create “fake anger” in practice just to shake up things if I see the students are lethargic, but that “anger” is controlled and calculated, never personal. The main thing is to finish the session with a smile and a handshake. 3. Over coaching As a young player, I used to hate it when my coach would talk to me too much during practice. Most of the times when I missed, I knew it and I didn’t need to hear what I did wrong every time I missed a ball. As a young coach, I was often guilty of that mistake myself. Over the years, I have learned that sometimes, less is more. It is one thing to hear the same instructions over and over while performing repetition drills, but

gs a Coach Should Not Do during match play, the student needs to develop their own character and deal with different situations on their own, so I instruct the pros in my program to say very little during point play and let the kids play it out. Tennis is an individual sport and players need to be at peace when they play. I find that when you talk to students less, the meaning of the words increases and the students listen better. It is better to sum up the match at the end of the set. 4. Getting stuck on a certain dogmatic system of coaching I grew up being taught the sport of tennis by people who played with wood rackets and hit groundstrokes with a Continental Grip. I had great coaches and mentors, and I still believe in many of the “old school” ways of teaching … most of them still work. However, the game has evolved so much … the rackets, the grips, the style

of play, and certainly the way people practice. As a young coach, I was very rigid in the way I taught. My thinking was that the methods worked for me so, it will work on my students. But I quickly realized that a coach should keep evolving with the game and make constant adjustments to their style of coaching. The ever-changing game and the characteristics of the new generation requires the coaches to be on their toes constantly and to be able to come up with new fresh drills. In fact, as a tennis coach, you have to constantly re-invent yourself. 5. Teaching everyone the same way As a former pro on the tour who turned coach, I knew a thing or two about playing the game, but coaching is a different game altogether. Early on in my career, I used to put all of my students through the same “grinder,” but I soon found out that due to

the individuality of the game, each player is different. The challenge as a coach is to find the right key to each player’s brain and to give each student what they need. Some students need an “Iron Fist” approach and like to get pushed to the limit. Some students need a “softer” approach. Most kids need a combination of the two. The coach really needs to be aware and show some sensitivity and act as a sports psychologist to figure out the best way to teach each student and it can get even more tricky when teaching a group of kids that are inevitably different from each other. That is what makes the job of a tennis coach so interesting! Gilad Bloom, former Israeli Davis Cup player and two-time Olympian, played on the ATP Tour 1983-1995, reached the fourth round of the U.S. Open in 1990, reached a highest ranking of 61 in singles, was Israel Singles Champion three times. Bloom has been running his own tennis program since 2000 and also was Director of Tennis at John McEnroe Tennis Academy for two years. He can be reached by e-mail at Bloom.Gilad@Gmail.com.

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Kids Day Debuts in the Hamptons at Shinnecock Tennis Club

or the very first time, the USTA Eastern Long Island Region and Long Island Tennis Magazine presented Kids Day in the Hamptons at Shinnecock Tennis Club. More than 100 kids from Future Stars Tennis Camp, the Suffolk County YMCA and other organizations came out for a day of tennis and carnival games. “It was really a great day. The kids seemed happy and we had a great turnout,” said Shinnecock Tennis Club Owner Daniel Oliva. “Having people come from different organizations that we really

don’t get to associate with normally has been very rewarding. I hope to continue to do things in a cooperative and communitybased way in the future as a way to bring the East End together. We’re all so fragmented and separated, that it makes it difficult to take a breather and host a fun event under one umbrella, whether it’s here at Shinnecock or anywhere else. I was very happy to host Kids Day and proud to be the first one out here to host this type of event.” DJCM was spinning beats all day long and the New York Open Skills Challenge was on hand to give kids a chance to win

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

prizes by showing off their tennis talents. “We’d love to see this event build, and do more things like this out here on the East End,” Oliva added. Terry Fontana, Chair of USTA Long Island’s Kids Days, said, “The Kids Day event at Shinnecock Tennis Club was just great. Daniel Oliva has wanted to get involved with the USTA and this was his first event. The New York Open, Future Stars Tennis Camp and Sportime Kings Park all contributed their talents to this wonderful event. The plan is to go ahead and continue to hold this event in the Hamptons for years to come.”

adult league U S T A L E A G U E S U P D AT E The end of this summer saw many competitive Regionals throughout USTA Eastern’s Metro Region. The following teams and their respective captains will be representing the Metro Region in Schenectady, N.Y. at the USTA Eastern Sectional Championship. Good luck to the Metro representatives! Men’s Divisions 3.0 Division 3.5 Division 4.0 Division 4.5 Division 5.0 Division

Bill Mazurek (Manhattan) Jeffrey Dietz/Lily Lee (Queens) Scott Rader/Shien Lee (Bronx) Michael Doane (Manhattan) Gerard DiChiara (Manhattan)

Women’s Division 3.0 Division Sharon Tai-Yap (Queens) 3.5 Division Lily Lee (Brooklyn) 4.0 Division Nicole Tavernier/Lisa Newell (Queens) 4.5 Division Maria Salnikowa (Manhattan) 5.0 Division Pam Glick (Manhattan)

The Metrotennis CTA is starting a World Team Tennis (WTT) league, starting in October 2018. WTT leagues are fun, exciting and competitive, exactly what NYC players are looking to join. If you want to bring in a team or just play, please contact Joe Miano at JoeMiano@Metrotennis.com for details.

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NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

Crest Hollow Hosts Two

NYBT Opens Summer Season With Battle on the Beach The New York Beach Tennis (NYBT) Summer Series kicked off at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, as guys and girls took to the club’s pristine sand courts to compete in the summer’s first tournament: The Battle on the Beach. As an internationally-sanctioned tournament by the International Federation Beach Tennis (IFBT), world ranking points were on the line and the players competed for every last point. All throughout the day, players could enjoy the beautiful Crest Hollow pool, as NYBT supplied beach games such as

Cornhole, Kan-Jam and Spikeball for players to relax and have fun in between their matches. DJ Curtis McCalla (DJCM) kept the energy going all day and Jamba Juice setup a tent to give out free smoothies to keep players refreshed and hydrated. After an exciting round of pool play in the morning, the knockout rounds began in the afternoon. Marcia Balbinot & Julia Koulbitskaya took on Sara Burinato & Ivana Andric. While experienced beach tennis players, this was the first time that Balbinot & Koulbitskaya played as partners, and they quickly found their chemistry as they defeated Burinato &

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New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

Andric in straight sets to win the championship. “We played well together,” said Koulbitskaya. “We were able to win and had a great time too!” “We thought we were very consistent throughout the day and tried to fight for every point,” said Burinato. “But it was a really long day, and our first beach tennis tournament, so that became tougher to do in the final.” On the men’s side, NYBT Founder David Sickmen and his partner, Alex PopMoldovan, took on Matt Garavaglia & Brad Berger in the finals. Sickmen & PopMoldovan took the match 6-2, 6-4 to capture the title. “Alex came in for the weekend from Florida and it’s always a pleasure playing with him,” said Sickmen. “We hadn’t played together since February, but we played well when we needed to. Overall, the tournament went great! We make sure everything is lively and kept moving. As the organizer but also a player, I know it’s vital to create a tournament environment that keeps people coming back. Our group is very close, has fun both on and off the court together, and we keep getting bigger!” Balbinot echoed those sentiments: “Good spirits and good friends. That’s what it’s about. It is a great environment to get quality people and players together and play all day long. We call it our beach tennis family. The energy is amazing and the weather was perfect.”

wo NYBT Summer Events

NYBT Returns to Crest Hollow for Second Summer Event New York Beach Tennis held its second tournament of the summer, the NYBT Open, an IFBT Sanctioned World Ranking Tournament at Crest Hollow Country Club. In the Men’s Division, Kevin Pim, who is a Beach Tennis Coach in Monaco, made the trip to New York, and teamed with NYBT Founder and defending champion David “The Iceman” Sickmen. They defeated Whitney “The Sandman” Kraft & Brazilian Johnny Fonseca in the semifinals, and in the finals, took on former Adelphi tennis player Roey Heymann & former Fordham tennis player Harris Durkovic. Heymann & Durkovic are each 6’4” so they had the height advantage, but Sickmen & Pim proved to be too strong on this day, using their experience to overcome the size discrepancy, and pull out a 6-2, 6-2 victory. On the women’s side, Sara Burinato, a former NYIT tennis player, teamed with Sportime teaching pro Kim Stubbe for the first time. They breezed to the finals where they faced off against current NYIT player Ivana Andric & a Beach Tennis veteran, Marcia Balbinot. With both teams paired together for the first time, much of the match would be decided by who could work best together and who could raise their level in the final. Burinato & Stubbe were able to do just that, winning 6-3, 6-2 to claim their first IFBT title. The tournament had all the features of a

typical NYBT event … great competition on the court and tons of fun off the court. DJCM kept the energy high and players took part in beach games, while the Crest Hollow food area and pool were hot spots between the matches. “The best part of these tournaments is how well they are run, even before players arrive. NYBT sends out e-mails and texts to notify players of everything. Then once you arrive the tournament runs efficiently,” said Durkovic. “The tournament went perfectly, but what makes it so successful is the group,” said Sickmen. “We have a mix of experienced players and new players,

high school tennis players, college tennis players and adults. It’s a great mix, but everyone gets along on and off the court. We have had a great group this summer!” A special thanks to the host club, Crest Hollow Country Club for the use of its facilities and to the Crest Hollow staff for all of their assistance in ensuring the day ran smoothly. Many thanks also to the sponsors for their prizes, giveaways, overall support and for being a part of the NYBT family: Sportime, John McEnroe Tennis Academy, The New York Open, GF Sports, New York Empire, My Game Solutions, inPhorm, 30fifteen, Jamba Juice and PGA Superstore.

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NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

2018

NEW YORK GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW By Brian Coleman

2018 Team to Watch: Brooklyn Tech ast season, the girls from the Brooklyn Tech Engineers upended Beacon 3-2 in the PSAL “A” Division Championship to claim the New York City title. It was a long time coming for the Engineers, who saw their seeding in the playoffs gradually improve year-by-year recently, culminating in a top seeding last year. The team validated that seeding with a dominant run to the finals, and a thrilling victory over New York City powerhouse Beacon. “I’ve watched the progress of the girls’ team over the past four years. Years ago, the boys and girls both played in the spring season, so we practiced at the same time,” said Scott Anderson, the boys head coach at Brooklyn Tech who was an assistant coach for the girls team last year. “It was exciting watching Nicole [Semenov] come back from a set down to clinch the victory.” Anderson is now the Head Coach of the girls team as well, taking over for Cristobal Petersen, and entering his first season as he hopes to lead the Engineers back to the city championship. “I don’t think there will be any major adjustments,” Anderson said of taking over the head coaching role. “Both Cristobal and I emphasize how to play doubles correctly. A lot of kids play mostly singles and are still figuring out the nuances of doubles, so being able to teach that is important.” If Brooklyn Tech is to repeat, it will have to make up for the loss of its top horses from a year ago: Chelsea Williams and Nicole Semenov. Williams and Semenov played first and second singles, respectively, for the Engineers, and were two of the top players in all of New York City. They combined to go 13-1 in singles play last year, and will leave some big tennis shoes to fill as the Engineers prepare for this season. “Losing your top two players is certainly

The Brooklyn Tech Engineers are looking to repeat as PSAL “A” Division champs in the fall of 2018

The top three finishers in the PSAL Singles Championships last year, Christina Huynh (Bronx Science), Nadejda Maslova (James Madison) and Miriam Aziz (Staten Island Tech) return this fall for the 2019 New York City Girls High School Season difficult,” said Anderson. “But that is always going to happen in high school tennis. It’s happened many times with the boys’ team. We just have to move the next player into those positions.” Michelle Kleynerman will be the one to

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

make the jump into the first singles role. Kleynerman played third singles as a freshman last year, and will be tasked with being the leader of the lineup this season. “I presume Michelle will step into the number one singles spot,” said Anderson.

2018

NEW YORK GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW “She is an exceptional player. She practices daily and plays a lot of tournaments, and we are confident that she can step into that role nicely.” She was an impressive 8-1 last season, including winning all three of her matches en route to the city title, and will look to build off of that in her sophomore season. Anchoring the doubles lineup will be the first doubles pairing of Alina Abramoff & Maryna Bohdanovska, the junior-senior combination, who bring their experience and chemistry to the lineup. The program also has several talented freshman waiting in the wing and eager to try and make the lineup this season. With a wealth of young talent and a multitude of experienced players at the top of

the lineup, the Engineers are excited for what is to come this season. It is never easy for a team to lose its top two singles players, but Brooklyn Tech still has high expectations for itself and is ready to try and defend its title. “We should do very well this year and

make another run in the playoffs,” said Anderson. “I haven’t done a lot of studying on the other teams and what players they have lost from their teams, but we’re ready. There is no pressure on us. We are just going to go out there and play tennis as usual.”

2018 players to watch l l l l l l l l

Alleyah Ally, Francis Lewis Miriam Aziz, Staten Island Tech Kyra Bergmann, Beacon Lorraine Bergmann, Beacon Christina Huynh, Bronx Science Celina Liu, Stuyvesant Nadejda Maslova, James Madison Emily Moczulski, Cardozo

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www.cen ntercourtacademy.com NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

Sports Made East Hosts Adult, Junior Tournaments at Queens College By Brian Coleman

ueens College Indoor Tennis Center recently hosted a unique tennis tournament, as Sports Made Easy presented its firstever Adult Prize Money and Junior Fun & Frolic Tournament. The players in the draw were organized by their Universal Tennis Rating (UTR). In the Adult Prize Money Tournament, $1,500 was the purse up for grabs, as a pair of former St. John’s players, Gustavo Loza & Gary Kushnirovich, were slated to take on Cameron Silverman & Quinton Vega in the draw’s championship match. Unfortunately, Loza & Kushnirovich were forced to withdraw from the finals, resulting in Vega & Silverman being crowned the winners. “This is a great way to keep current pros sharp and in shape, while giving touring players a chance to financially support their dreams,” said Vega. “We were hoping we could establish a prize money circuit for current players in the local New York-area.” Despite not being able to make the final, Kushnirovich was pleased with how the tournament was run in its first year. “Sports Made Easy did a good job organizing the event,” said Kushnirovich. “I think implementing UTR ratings into tournaments is a great idea. Watching the jun36

iors battle it out at different ages— but similar skill level—was extremely entertaining. Thank you to Neil Parthasarathy [President and CEO of Sports Made Easy] for promoting competitive tennis!” After the round-robin stages on the first day of the tournament, the juniors battled it out in the semifinals and finals on the tournament’s final day. In the Girl’s Doubles final, where the players held a UTR of 8-9, Christina Huynh & Celina Liu defeated Beyonce Blake & Nia Dabreo in the finals. “I think we definitely started to be Christina Huynh & Celina Liu were winners of the Girls more aggressive at the net,” said UTR 8-9 Doubles at the first-ever Adult Prize Money and Huynh of what allowed them to take Junior Fun & Frolic Tournament control of the match late in the first set. “We both volley well, so we knew if we it was more about finding out our came in more that it would put more pres- opponents’ weaknesses and trying to capitalize.” sure on our opponents.” Below is the full list of winners and finalDespite not playing a lot of doubles ists of the Adult Prize Money and Junior together normally, the team of Huynh & Liu Fun & Frolic Tournament: are friends off the court, which helped l Boys UTR 6-7 Doubles Champions: them develop such strong on-court George Arteaga & Iswar Idnani chemistry. l Boys UTR 6-7 Doubles Finalists: “We’re really close off the court, so it’s Adam Sujica & Lucas Kavulich easy for us to talk to each other when on l Boys UTR 8-9 Doubles Champions: the court … communication isn’t a Kuzmenok Andrew Ena & Petro problem for us,” said Liu. “So on the court,

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

l Boys UTR 8-9 Doubles Finalists: William Kofmam & Jeffery Yu l Girls UTR 8-9 Doubles Champions: Christina Huynh & Celina Liu l Girls UTR 8-9 Doubles Finalists: Beyonce Blake & Nia Dabreo l Adult Prize Money Champions: Cameron Silverman & Quinnton Vega l Adult Prize Money Finalists: Gustavo Sports Made Easy President and CEO Neil Parthasarathy Loza & Gary presents Boys UTR 6-7 Doubles Champions George Kushnirovich Arteaga & Iswar Idnani with their trophies “Our junior tournament kindled a lot of interest in the community to have the players competing in different formats such as UTR rating instead of an age bracket. Allowing people to play one set in a round-robin gives them the satisfaction and experience they are

Boys UTR 8-9 Doubles Champions Andrew Ena & Petro Kuzmenok celebrate their victory

looking for to play big matches,” said Neil Parthasarathy, President and CEO of Sports Made Easy. “The Adult Prize Money tournament also attracted some top talents in the Tri-State area. I feel like we are able to support the local tour players financially and keep them in

competition mode, while accommodating their busy schedule.” Brian Coleman is Senior Editor for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached by phone at (516) 409-4444, ext. 326 or email BrianC@USPTennis.com.

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NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

How Mentally Tough Are You? By Luke Jensen atching the U.S. Open and all the Grand Slams are so much fun! What always stands out to me is the moment in every match when the players win or lose based on how they handle turning points. More specifically, how the champions handle pressure! Pressure will pose this question to you before, during and after your matches: “Are you any good?” To me, dealing with this foe called “pressure” is the greatest challenge. Tennis is a simple game played by very complex individuals. My brother, Murphy, tells tennis players this all the time before he talks about tactics or techniques. It is

the complexity of the competitor that makes us all difficult to coach. What works for Roger Federer may not work for Roger Rabbit. The coaching approach to every student is an art, and the best coaches find a way to connect their players to the best approaches to dealing with pressure. The bottom line is that the player must decide what kind of pressure player they are: Do they lean into pressure or fold under it? I feel all of my success came down to tremendous coaching. My parents were a critical component as my life coaches to give me a healthy approach to competition and pressure. I was very lucky to have my parents as former ultra-competitive athletes, but also coaches at the high school level. I grew up in an environment that was always

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

based on an extraordinarily positive mental approach towards the pressure of competition. The tough work ethic reflected the price that had to be paid to be great. No matter what the result was, success was always built around effort and attitude. If I won that battle every time in practice and in matches, I always gained approval from my parents and coaches. As my skills grew on the court, another aspect entered into my effort and attitude approach. This was a great addition that really turned my performances into more consistent wins. As soon as I began putting more balls in play from the serves, groundies and volleys in practice, my parents and coaches added consistency to my winning formula. It was made clear that making a ton of errors was not acceptable in matches. It was tough for me at first because I was a big hitter and many of my shots were more like home runs than productive tennis shots. Back then, every massive winner was at the cost of hitting four to five errors in the process. Nothing frustrated my parents and coaches more than a bad attitude, followed by spraying the ball all over the court. It was drilled into me that my game followed my attitude. If I had a positive approach, my game would respond positively. If I would get mad and frustrated, my game would follow that downward approach. When the best players compete under pressure, it is a consistent approach that wins the day. Accepting the pressures that

come with big matches produces big results. For you to become a better pressure player defines what makes you a great pressure player. Know that even Roger Federer feels nerves and those butterflies are normal. So the next time you watch the pros and high performers, count the length of the rally. You would be amazed that even with the enormous pace being hit, that the rallies can go for long periods of time. Once you do, take your rally length research and hit the practice courts and count the number of balls you put in play. Even in doubles, where the rallies are short, keep a count of your shots between misses. You will be amazed that focusing on making shots helps you create more winning points. Always remember our game is lost, not won, so keep your errors lower than your opponent and you will win more pressure-packed matches. The best ways to approach pressure is with a confidence that does not depend on the outcome of the point. I have always believed I was a positive

pressure player. I can win or lose, but my pressure approach is still a positive one. Build that mindset into your game and you will win more pressure points! 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. He may be reached by phone at (315) 443-3552 or e-mail LukeJensen84@yahoo.com.

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

2018 Guide the Top for Clubs/Programs 2016 Guide to the Topto Clubs/Programs New York Tennis Players for New York Tennis Players

Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning 1720 Crotona Avenue • Bronx, N.Y. • (718) 247-7420 • CaryLeedsTennis.org • CaryLeedsInfo@NYJTL.org The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning houses a two-story, 12,000-square foot clubhouse, educational spaces, and access to 20 courts (10 bubbled for winter/indoor use) and two stadium courts that seat up to 800 spectators. Seven-time Grand Slam Champion, Liezel Huber, leads a world-class team of tennis professionals offering programs and private lessons for juniors and adults of all skill levels. The Center also hosts summer camps, tournaments and community-based events. The Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning is the flagship home of New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL), the largest youth tennis and education non-profit in the nation. In serving its larger mission, the Cary Leeds Center provides 6,000 hours of free tennis court time to the community. 40

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

2018 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players

Centercourt Performance Tennis Academy 65 Columbia Road • Morristown, N.J. (973) 539-2054 • CentercourtAcademy.com • SportsAcademy@CentercourtClub.com Centercourt Performance Tennis Academy can be summarized by one phrase: “Culture of excellence.” From its training to academics to tournament travel; the coaches, academic advisors, tutors and support staff are what make Centercourt a great training base, as well as a place to call home. Centercourt’s facilities are comprised of six New Jersey locations, with more on the way. Centercourt’s Performance Tennis home base is located in Morristown, N.J., conveniently located 45 minutes from New York City with transportation and boarding options available. While Centercourt encourages a tennis culture of excellence, Centercourt also places a strong emphasis and focus on academics and work ethic. Since its full-time academic inception two years ago, Centercourt’s scholar-athletes have committed to play collegiate tennis at strong academic institutions such as Columbia University, Wake Forest University, New York University and more. Centercourt offers schooling through both Laurel Springs and The Dwight School, a prestigious preparatory school located in the heart of Manhattan. There is a strong sense of team and family at Centercourt that is pivotal in complimenting strong tennis training. Centercourt’s fulltime athletes reside in a beautiful home setting on a 60-acre estate providing the luxury of a family environment. On the weekends when players are not competing, Centercourt makes sure they take advantage of its prime location by providing excursions to New York City shows or a night of bowling. Centercourt is truly a performance athletes’ home away from home. Visit CentercourtAcademy.com for more information on after school, weekend and full-time training.

Chris Lewit Tennis Academy 3997 VT-100 • Londonderry, Vt. • (914) 462-2912 • ChrisLewit.com • Chris@ChrisLewit.com Chris Lewit Tennis Academy (CLTA) is a serious high performance academy set in the natural paradise of Vermont. Players have the opportunity to train personally in very small groups with Chris Lewit, one of leading high-performance junior development coaches in the United States. Chris is known as an expert in technique and biomechanics, and in Spanish training methods. He has developed numerous top 10 nationally-ranked juniors, many of whom are now graduating to the pro circuit. He also has experience building the foundations of many young prodigies. Players live in a charming Vermont Inn and have exclusive use of a private tennis club, CLTA Vermont, which offers both outdoor red clay courts and indoor hard courts in the event of rain, gym, yoga studio and clubhouse. CLTA offers a unique teaching system based on the Bruguera Method from Spain, as well as other European influences based on Chris Lewit’s travels abroad. Author of the best-selling book, The Secrets of Spanish Tennis, Chris has spent the last 11 years studying with many of the legendary coaches in Spain and Europe. He brings the most cutting-edge training methods from Europe back to the U.S. for his students. All students receive personal coaching and mentoring directly from Chris Lewit, and are supported by his trained staff of top college and ATP players. For more information, contact Chris directly to discuss your player’s development plan by e-mail at Chris@ChrisLewit.com, call (914) 462-2912 or visit ChrisLewit.com. NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

2018 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players

CourtSense Tennis Training Centers at Tenafly and Bogota Racquet Club 195 County Road • Tenafly, N.J. • (201) 569-1114/(201) 489-1122 • CourtSense.com CourtSense offers the best tennis facilities in Northern New Jersey and provides a comprehensive program of tennis instruction delivered by professional coaches, using the finest techniques and technologies. With CourtSense, you’ll achieve your personal best, because our training is of the highest professional caliber—and easily tailored to suit your age and skill level. Children under 10 years of age benefit immensely from a proper training foundation—eliminating poor techniques that could mar their game later in life. If you’d like yours to take up the challenge, CourtSense is the best place—we’ll make them as great as they can and want to be. CourtSense Tennis Training Centers have a whole range of activities to support junior and adult tennis lovers. From teddy tennis and after-school clinics to high-performance full-day program, cardio tennis, internal and USTA leagues, and private and group sessions, we have something to suit everyone. CourtSense students have access to 15 indoor tennis courts (10 PlaySight smart-courts), worldclass strength and conditioning centers and luxury players’ lounges. CourtSense’s club in Bogota, N.J. primarily specializes on the high-performance and tournament players. We have worked with players who have become ATP- and WTA-ranked players, U.S. Olympians, as well as many college scholarship athletes. CourtSense’s high-performance coaches, in collaboration with its fitness staff and a sports psychologist, have developed a program that maximizes athletes’ strengths, both on and off the court. CourtSense uses tennis as a vehicle to teach life lessons by tapping into the spirit of every player, with passion, expertise and character. CourtSense wants its juniors to be the best tennis players they can possibly be, but at the same time, be prepared to be successful in anything they want to be once their tennis careers are over. Another unique aspect to CourtSense’s facilities is the fitness programming provided in partnership with Magnus: Expand Human Potential. Magnus’ team has the ability to assess, correct, enhance and reassess an athlete–giving you everything you need to compete like a winner. CourtSense members have access to cutting-edge strength and conditioning technology, private sessions, nutritional counseling and psychological skills training. For more information on CourtSense programs, call (201) 569-1114 and (201) 489-1122 or e-mail Info@CourtSense.com. Registration is now open for the fall clinics at CourtSense.com.

Gilad Bloom Tennis (914) 907-0041 • Bloom.Gilad@gmail.com Gilad Bloom Tennis has been operating in New York City since 2000 and is a boutique junior program geared for juniors ages six through 18, who want to take their game to the next level. It is a year-round program which offers group sessions, private lessons and tournament travel, seven days a week. The program is personally run by Gilad Bloom, there’s a strong emphasis on technique and footwork, and a lot of personal attention, as well as attention to detail, with a maximum of four kids per court, Gilad Bloom Tennis also offers two match play sessions on weekends for kids who enroll in the program (match play takes place Saturday-Sunday from 3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.). During the Fall/Winter Season, Gilad Bloom Tennis runs sessions at Riverdale Tennis Center (September/October), Cary Leeds Tennis Center and New York Tennis Club (November-April 2017). Bloom is a former Israeli Davis Cup player and two-time Olympian, who has been running his own tennis program since 2000. Gilad served as director of tennis at John McEnroe Tennis Academy for two years. He played on the ATP Tour from 1983-1995, reaching the 42

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

2018 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players fourth round of the U.S. Open in 1990. Gilad reached a career-high singles ranking of 61st in the world and was Israel’s singles champion on three occasions. For more information, e-mail Gilad Bloom directly at Bloom.Gilad@gmail.com.

Gotham/Stadium NYC 725 Exterior Street at East 152nd Street and the Harlem River • Bronx, N.Y. • (718) 665-4684 • StadiumTennisNYC.com Gotham Stadium NYC 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,” featuring 16 cushioned, newly-surfaced U.S. Open-style DecoTurf hard courts, including 12 indoor courts, which are now open for year-round 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. 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” features a brand new state-of-the-art lighting system to complement its high indoor ceilings and spacious backcourts. These offerings 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 newly-remodeled 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.

Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club 450 West 43rd Street • New York, N.Y. • (212) 594-0554 • 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 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-arNYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

2018 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players ranging, 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 tennis-teaching 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 Junior Program Administrator Gabriel Slotnick at (212) 594-0554.

MatchPoint NYC 2781 Shell Road • Brooklyn, N.Y. • (718) 769-0001 • MatchPoint.NYC MatchPoint NYC Mill Basin 2350 East 69th Street • Brooklyn, N.Y. • (718) 444-3600 • 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 two-time 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 Director of Tennis Sergey Igel (U.S. Open Official Hitting Partner, 2011 MAAC MVP of the Year, USPTR Certified Coach). 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 USPTA-certified 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 in Matchpoint’s specialized studios or outdoor field, 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!

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

2018 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 HarTru courts for year-round use and four outdoor HarTru 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 can accommodate your needs! 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 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 home of The Manhattan Tennis Academy (TMTA), New York City’s premier Junior Development Program. TMTA offers afterschool 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 Mike@AdvantageTennisClibs.com • NYTCTreasurer@gmail.com Founded in 1886, New York Tennis Club is the oldest active tennis club in New York, with the year 2018 marking their 132th consecutive season. Throughout the years, the Club has maintained a reputation for its restful atmosphere, congeniality of its members and its professional approach to a truly popular sport. With a patio and viewing deck and six HarTru 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 onsite 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 shadow-less, non-glare lighting, with hourly court time at rates between $43-$80 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. NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

2018 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players 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 Club has a program for you. The Tennis Program, directed by Tennis Director Salif Mohammed, offers year-round classes, camps and programs for all ages and levels, including a High Performance program. There are QuickStart classes for ages four through 12, 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 • RIRCTennis.com • GKent@AdvantageTennisClubs.com Now in its 26th 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 HarTru courts under new bubbles with shadowless, non-glare lighting, heated and air conditioned for comfortable year-round 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, 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 three and older, 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. RIRC 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 Steve O’Keefe or Kimberly Latif at (212) 935-0250.

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

2018 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players

Ross School Tennis Center 20 Goodfriend Drive • East Hampton, N.Y. • Ross.org/Tennis • Tennis@Ross.org • (631) 907-5162 Ross School Tennis Academy (RSTA) is the premiere training center in the Hamptons, boasting a beautiful tennis facility that is open to the public and located on the Ross Upper School Campus in East Hampton, N.Y. The Tennis Center features six HarTru courts that are enclosed by a bubble from mid-fall through mid-spring, allowing for year-round play. The Tennis Center features state-of-the-art amenities such as spacious locker rooms, lower level lounge, convenient snack bar, and ping-pong tables, and the staff provides a fun and supportive atmosphere that allows for the greatest amount of success. After-school programming, a dynamic program for junior players, and specialized summer programs are offered to make Ross Tennis Academy the place to play tennis in the Hamptons. After-school Programs (Pre-K–Grade 12) l Nursery-Grade 4: Specialized one-hour training program where players build a strong foundation through a variety of gamebased and cooperative activities using 10U age appropriate (Red, Orange or Green) balls and nets that will prepare them for eventual full court play. l Grade 5-Grade 12: Players build off their 10U foundation to further develop fundamental skills and techniques as they transition into yellow balls and prepare for full-court tournament competition. Ball control, strategy, and work ethic are all emphasized in this 90-minute session of drills and point play. Players in kindergarten and higher are required to play twice per week in this program. Integrated Training + Academic Program Designed for USTA/ITF players in grades seventh through 12 and postgraduates, RSTA is the first in the New York City area to have a full academic program with a complete physical and mental conditioning program. In addition, unlike other tennis academies, RSTA is a small, intimate program that allows student-athletes to develop lasting relationships with coaches, while receiving personalized instruction. Students who attend the Academy experience high-performance tennis training, while studying alongside their peers in a stimulating college preparatory learning community following a regular academic year (Ross.org/Tennis). Lessons and Court Rentals: Ross Tennis Academy also offers adult clinics, court rentals and private and group instruction for all ages and levels. The Tennis Center is also used for a variety of special events and is available for private parties.

Sportime Randall’s Island, Home of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy and the 501(c)(3) Johnny Mac Tennis Project One Randall’s Island • New York, N.Y. • (212) 427-6150 • SportimeNY.com/Manhattan • JohnMcEnroeTennisAcademy.com JMTPNY.org • JKarl@SportimeNY.com Sportime Randall’s Island, a state-of-the-art, 20-court tennis and training facility located on Randall’s Island in Manhattan, is home to the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) and the 501(c)(3) Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP). 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 HarTru clay tennis courts. This extraordinary club also features a functional training and NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

2018 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players fitness center; comfortable lounge areas with excellent viewing; a junior lounge/computer lab; a pro shop featuring top brands and 24hour stringing; complimentary nursery care; member locker rooms with steam; a café serving healthy food, snacks and beverages; and classrooms, party rooms and meeting facilities. In September 2010, Sportime and tennis legend John McEnroe together launched JMTA at Sportime Randall’s Island. The Academy is led by Sportime/JMTA Managing Director Bennett Schlansky, General Manager Michael Ward, Directors Lawrence Kleger and Patrick McEnroe, who has trained and coached more nationally-ranked and world-ranked juniors than anyone in the history of the USTA Eastern Section, Director of Sports Performance and Junior Athletic Development Director Richard-John Mensing Jr., and other worldclass Sportime/JMTA directors. The Sportime/JMTA tennis and athletic development coaching staff is comprised of more than 40 experienced professionals from around the world, all selected by Johnny Mac and the Sportime/JMTA leadership team, who, under that team’s guidance, implement the innovative and unique vision of JMTA. Sportime/JMTA is proud to have developed hundreds of players who have received full or partial scholarships to top academic universities, and top tennis universities. Current JMTA pro players include Noah Rubin, a top 200 player on the ATP Tour and 2014 Junior Wimbledon and Jamie Champion, who was the ACC Player of the Year at Wake Forest University and NCAA singles finalist in 2015; Loeb, current WTA top 250 and the 2015 NCAA singles champion from the University of North Carolina. In addition to world-class group training for top juniors, Sportime offers a wide variety of programming for players of all ages and levels, including the “Tennis Whizz” program for preschoolers, Sportime’s trademarked Under 10 Red and Orange Ball programs for younger, developing players, and the best group programming and facilities in New York City for adult players. Sportime Randall’s Island also offers private tennis lessons, private athletic training, private mental toughness training, physical therapy, special events, and more. Also based at Sportime Randall’s Island is the Johnny Mac Tennis Project, which provides scholarships for Sportime/JMTA players and introduces the sport of tennis as a life-long health, fitness and social activity to thousands of under-resourced New York City area kids, particularly those living in the two neighboring communities of East Harlem and the South Bronx. JMTP’s mission is to change young lives by removing the economic and social barriers to success through tennis. It’s all on Randall’s Island under the RFK/Triboro Bridge. Contact Director of Membership Sales and Services Jay Karl at (212) 4276150 or e-mail JKarl@SportimeNY.com for more information and to schedule a visit.

Todd Widom Tennis 2800 Sportsplex Drive • Coral Springs, Fla. • Todd@TWTennis.com • (954) 296-5610 • TWTennis.com Located in Broward County, Fla., TW Tennis LLC is owned and operated by Todd Widom. TW Tennis is South Florida’s premier small group/private tennis training geared exclusively for the high performance junior collegiate, or professional tennis player. Under Widom’s personalized approach, every workout–be it tennis or physical fitness–is geared towards the needs of an individual, as each and every player has different abilities and a different physique. Since the summer of 2010, TW Tennis students have attended Princeton University, Brown University, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, Wake Forest University, University of Miami, University of Arkansas, University of Tennessee, Florida Atlantic University, Lynn University, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Stetson University. Widom competed in USTA junior tennis in South Florida from 1989-2001, obtained a number five ranking in U.S. Boys 16s and, in 2001, held the number one ranking in U.S. Boys 18s. Widom received a full athletic scholarship from the University of Miami where he was named MVP of the team and conference and earned the All-American status during both freshman and sophomore years while playing the number one singles slot. After reaching the semifinals of the NCAA tournament in 2003, Widom turned professional and joined the ATP Tour. Widom retired in 2010 after six years on the ATP Tour due to injury and began TW Tennis. TW Tennis uses the tennis courts at the Tennis Center of Coral Springs with 12 green HarTru and four Deco Turf courts. 48

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

2018 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players

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 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, level-of-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 year-round 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 Tudor-style 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 NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

2018 Guide to the Top Clubs/Programs for New York Tennis Players the Long Island Railroad. West Side maintains 38 tennis courts on four different surfaces: Grass, HarTru, Red Clay and Deco-Turf and provides year-round tennis utilizing its 10-court indoor facility. Former French Open Grand Slam Doubles Champion Luke Jensen is the new Director of Racquet Sports, and Akemi Kinoshita, who competed at all four Grand Slams, is the Associate Director of Racquet Sports. 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 funfilled 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.

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New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

COMING IN NOVEMBER 2018

Distribution scheduled for 11/01/18

This edition will feature: • Top Coaches Roundtable Discussion • Tennis Travel Destination Guide • Holiday Gift Guide Feature • 2018 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 2018! Facebook-www.Facebook.com/NYTennisMag Instagram-@NYTennisMag • Twitter-@NYTennisMag Submissions for both advertising and editorial are due by2018 October 1,Tennis 2018Magazine 51 NYTennisMag.com • September/October • New York For more information, please call 516-409-4444 or e-mail Advertise@NYTennisMag.com

courtsix New York Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column By Emilie Katz Paire Has $16K Racket Meltdown

Frenchman Benoit Paire has been fined $16,500 after a racket-smashing meltdown during a recent first-round loss at the Citi Open to Marcos Baghdatis. No stranger to ill temper displayed on the court, Paire smashed three rackets and kicked over a courtside bench as he was booed off the court after appearing to give up on match point down. Paire was fined for “audible obscenity, unsportsmanlike conduct and a lack of giving best effort.” Paire’s fine was more than double the appearance money he made at the tournament.

Sid the Kid Hits With Isner

don, American John Isner hit some balls with National Hockey League superstar Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins at Aorangi Park. “I got to practice with him … actually got him out on the court for 15, 20 minutes and got to meet him and talk to him and see what he does to stay in shape,” Isner said. “That dude works his tail off. That’s why he’s the best hockey player in the world. It’s cool. So I’ve gotten to know, through tennis, a lot of other very unique athletes and through that I have learned a lot.”

And Hingis!

Less than a year after retiring as the world number one in doubles Martina Hingis tied the knot, marrying former sports physician Harry Leemann in front of 140 guests in Switzerland. The pair met in 2016 when Leemann was the doctor for the Swiss Fed Cup team. Hingis is a coach supporting the Fed Cup captain.

While on a run to the semifinals at Wimble52

Stephens Takes Home ESPY

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

Sloane Stephens was recently in Los Angeles to pick up her 2018 ESPY Award Best Female Tennis Player Award. The reigning U.S. Open champion Stephens beat out Garbine Muguruza, Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Halep in the competition for this year’s Best Female Tennis Player Award. Stephens was also up for the Best Breakthrough Athlete Award, but lost that to NBA player Donovan Mitchell. Stephens was a surprise 2017 U.S. Open champion, winning her first Grand Slam title just two months after coming back from foot surgery, and has since won the Miami Open, advanced to the finals at Roland Garros, and has risen to number three in the world in the WTA Women’s Singles Rankings.

Ymer Donates Swedish Open Prize Money to Ethiopia

Nineteen-year-old Swede Mikael Ymer received a wild card into the main draw of the Swedish Open in Bastad, defeating Denis Istomin in the opening round before losing in the second round to Fabio Fognini. Although born in Sweden, Mikael and his older brother Elias have parents from Ethiopia. Mikael announced that he will donate the entire prize money from the Bastad tournament to help the underprivileged children in Ethiopia. “I’ve chosen to donate all my prize money from the Bastad ATP tournament to a cause that is very important to me, where my family and I will help underprivileged children in Ethiopia,” said Ymer. “We want to build a tennis court and give the children opportunities to enjoy and participate in sports. I’d especially like to thank my long-time sponsors Adidas and Babolat, whom both have supported me for many years and through that, I am able to give back to the children by bringing clothes and rackets for them. If you want to contribute also, please DM (@MikaelYmer) or e-mail me, and I will provide you the information on where to make a donation. One hundred percent of the monies donated will go directly to this cause in order to help the children in Ethiopia. No amount is too small!”

Mr. Murray Visits Washington

Andy Murray unfortunately had to pull out of the 2018 Citi Open in our nation’s capital, but made the most of his trip, visiting the White House and meeting up with D.C. United star Wayne Rooney. “I’m exhausted after playing so much over the past four days, having not competed on the hard courts for 18 months,” Murray said upon withdrawing from the Citi Open. “I also need to be careful and to listen to my body as I come back from a long-term injury.” Prior to pulling out of the event, Murray and Rooney had time for a soccer-tennis match on the Citi Open Stadium Court. They were joined fellow Brit and rising star Katie Swan, who is represented by Murray’s sports agency.

Federer Braves the Elements for TV Show

Roger Federer recently appeared in an episode of “Running Wild With Bear Grylls,” a show where host Bear Grylls brings a different celebrity along on his adventures. Federer and Grylls journeyed to the Swiss Alps, repelling down a waterfall and sampling fish eyeballs during the episode. “I really hope that my tennis skills are actually going to help me a little bit, with balance maybe, making sure I get through the snow and ice here in the Swiss Alps,” said Federer during the episode. “I’m just a very

normal guy that likes to do normal things besides playing tennis. So I think that intrigues a lot of people, to see the other side of the person. I’m sure it’s going to be an epic experience. I believe it shows another side to the person people might know. With me, maybe they see this very focused, strong tennis player who never cracks under pressure and it’s all nonsense at the end of the day. We’re all the same. We all have our fears and I’m very scared of many things, especially when it comes to doing adventurous stuff.”

Wedding Bells Ring for Tsonga …

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga married his fiancée, Noura El Swekh, in a ceremony in France in a French chateau in the Beaujolais region. The couple had been dating since 2014 and have a one-year-old son, Sugar.

And Pliskova …

Karolina Pliskova also recently tied the know, marrying Michal Hrdlicka in a ceremony in Monaco. The pair have been dating since 2016 and were engaged a year ago. Hrdlicka, is a television host who also works as Pliskova’s manager. Among the guests were Pliskova’s twin and fellow WTA player Kristyna, as well as Hrdlicka’s daughter from a previous relationship.

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

Net Benefits: When and How to Move Forward Successfully to the Net By Chris Lewit have many players who come to me from New York and around the country who have been taught to attack the net relentlessly, but often without much forethought or caution. They may not make good decisions about when to attack the net, and they often harbor misconceptions about the smartest strategies to move forward. To approach the net with abandon without understanding the dynamics of geometry and strategy is a fool’s errand indeed. In this article, I will explore some of the tactics and postulates that I discuss with my players on the court to help them make smarter decisions when moving forward.

Making a smart decision “Smart” to me means that the player makes a determination about the relative merits of moving forward, quickly calculating the odds of success. In this way, the player will gain a greater benefit when moving forward in terms of a higher rate of success. Smart does not mean taking every short ball and going in. For example, I often ask players after a net approach, “Why did you go to the net?” They commonly answer, “Well, it was a short ball.” Short balls aren’t the only factor when deciding to move forward. 54

Players need to understand the other factors that are important: 1. Did they attack the opponent’s weaker passing side? Oftentimes, the attacker doesn’t think about which side of the opponent is weaker. 2. Was the approach strong and effective? Was the opponent hurt? I frequently see players moving to the net after hitting a poor attack shot that is weak or in the middle of the opponent’s court. Players need to discern whether they have hit a strong or weak approach shot and use that as a decision-maker about whether to move forward or move back and wait for a better opportunity. 3. Did they make the opponent take more steps to the ball than the steps required to make it into good position for net coverage? In other words, did the passing shot player have to cover a longer distance to the ball than the attacker’s distance to the net. I call this “step differential” and the principle was first conveyed to me by the legendary Spanish coach William Pato Alvarez. If the passing shot player has a short distance to the ball and the attacker has a longer distance to optimum net position, it’s a negative step differential and the player should stay back and wait for a better opportunity.

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

The key is to be selective and judgmental when approaching, not foolishly consistent in one’s movement towards the net. Smart attacking also means understanding that the net can be a dangerous place where many points can be lost quickly. I meet too many players who are under the assumption that being at the net means they have the advantage in the point. In fact, there are many good counterpunching players who like it when their opponent comes to net. They like a target and are very dangerous with their passing shots. Players need to understand that against a good counterpuncher or defender, coming to net can be risky. If you come to net against someone like Rafa, it better be behind something really good—a very tough shot—and even then he could still come up with the goods on the pass. My point is that the net cuts both ways: It can be an advantage, but can also be a disadvantage and a danger. In my experience, many players (and coaches) don’t see the net that way. They assume they are in control if they are up there—and that is not always the case. I teach my students that they need to identify when they have a clear advantage— and then move forward behind a strong forcing shot to the opponent’s weakness. I teach them that if they go to net indiscriminately and without good judgment they are placing themselves at high risk of losing the point. Oftentimes, a quick statistical check will reveal how smart the decision making is: What

is the percentage of points won to overall net approaches? I like to see a percentage of 70 or more rather than the typical recommendation of 50 or so. When a player is winning seven or eight out of 10 approach points in a match, I know they are being selective and smart. When the net winning percentage is low, the coach and player will frequently say that they need to work more on the volley—that the volley is not good enough. This may well be the case. However, many players are simply making poor decisions about attacking and that is making them worse than they really are at net. Good decisions to move forward make every player better at net. A decent volleyer can look like a genius up there—time and time again—if he comes in behind a strong, big shot that hurt his opponent, at the right time in the point. Smart attacking also means using the right type of approach shot to disrupt the opponent’s pass. For example, some players don’t like low balls and a slice approach may be effective. Some players may not like high balls and a high bouncing topspin shot could be the best approaching style. Some

players have trouble with pace and a fast approach speed can work well. Some players don’t move well and an angled approach could be better than a deep one. Players have to think strategically about their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and attack not only at the appropriate moment in the rally, but also with the most effective choice of approach shot. Three myths 1. The myth of approaching down the line only I hear this myth a lot—“Never Approach Crosscourt.” The logic is that, geometrically, the crosscourt approach opens up too much space for the down the line passing shot. There is more court for the net player to cover. While this is true, you can’t go in to battle and only attack the net one way. It’s important to keep the passer guessing and to mix up the style and direction of the approach. I tell my players that they can’t approach every time to the same place—it’s too predictable. In addition, if the opponent’s weaker side is cross court, I would rather approach there than down the line to the strength.

One of the most famous Spanish players, Emilio Sanchez (now a legendary coach), used to approach very successfully crosscourt, but he knew to anticipate and cover the down the line pass and the lob. 2. The myth of approaching with slice As mentioned previously, the slice can be useful to attack a player who doesn’t like low balls, but it should not be used as the primary approach to the net, the way it used to be in the classic grass court game. On grass, it’s a great play, but on other surfaces that are more common nowadays, power attacks are the primary method of moving forward. Passing shot players have become more adept at returning slice approaches over the past decades. Slice approaching is just not as effective as it used to be. 3. The myth of “applying pressure” This is a very common myth. Players go to the net with a low percentage of success, but justify the strategy because they are applying pressure and they assume the oppocontinued on page 56

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NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

net benefits

continued from page 55

nent will eventually breakdown. attacking to the strength. This is another strategy from the past 3. Approach selectively not habitually or classic game that just does not hold up in constantly: Approach when there is a today’s modern game. If a player is coming clear tactical advantage based on the in frequently and losing, that indicates to me SMART advice above. Don’t approach that they are doing something wrong tactijust because the ball is short or out of cally, either with the decision to attack or habit. It’s better to approach from time with the volley itself. Players shouldn’t justo time rather than constantly. This tify losing lots of points at the net by thinkkeeps the opponent out of rhythm and ing they are doing a good job applying will lead to a higher percentage success pressure that will eventually break their opat net. ponent down. Getting in shape Three postulates How does being in better physical condition These are the three guidelines I teach all my relate to the soundness of net approaches? players: In my experience, many players approach 1. Approach using the primary weapon: the net because they know either conThis is usually the forehand, but can sciously or subconsciously that they do not sometimes be the backhand. have enough gas in the tank to rally longer 2. Approach to the weaker passing until they get a better ball to attack. Thereshot: Find your opponent’s weaker fore, being in better physical condition is an side and primarily attack there, but al- important factor in the smart decision makways mix it up and surprise them by ing process about going to net. Players need

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

endurance or they will inevitably make premature, poor net approach decisions when their heart rate becomes too elevated during backcourt rallies. The net results To get an edge when moving in, consider the principles above and teach yourself or your players to approach selectively and thoughtfully. With these considerations, you will see a higher percentage of points won when moving forward and build more overall confidence at the net. Chris Lewit, a former number one for Cornell and pro circuit player, coaches in the New York City area and also runs a high-performance boarding summer camp in Southern Vermont. He specializes in training aspiring junior tournament players using progressive Spanish and European training methods. His best-selling book, Secrets of Spanish Tennis, has helped coaches and players worldwide learn how to train the Spanish way. He may be reached by phone at (914) 4622912, e-mail ChrisLewit@gmail.com or visit ChrisLewit.com.

Top-Seeded Rubin Captures Men’s Singles Championship at Centercourt By Brian Coleman

entercourt Athletic Club of Chatham recently hosted the St. Barnabas Medical Center UTR 15K Men’s Singles Championships, featuring Long Island native and current ATP World Tour professional Noah Rubin as its top seed in the Men’s Open Division. The event culminated on the final day with the championship matches of the Men’s Open and Men’s 40 draws, followed by a BBQ and live music. As part of the event, the New York Open Skills Challenge gave participants the chance to win prizes including tickets to the New York Open in 2019 and tennis accessories from Dunlop. “It was a wonderful tournament, and I received tremendous positive feedback from the players and the fans. It was more than just tennis, and that’s what made this such a great event,” said Clay Bibbee, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Centercourt. “We had food trucks, an open bar with cocktails, an interactive NY Open Skills Challenge area, an ice cream truck, pool slide, raffle, ball

boys and girls, etc. … you name it, we had it.” Rubin faced Croatian Matija Pecotic in the finals as the late afternoon turned into evening, and spectators gathered around Court 12 at Centercourt Chatham to take it in. Rubin dialed up some near flawless tennis throughout the match, winning the title with a 6-1, 6-3 victory. “I was really focused on this final,” said Rubin. “I knew Matija from the Tour, and know how good of a player he is. I’m really excited to play the way I did, and it was a great weekend as a whole. Centercourt ran a great tournament with a great crowd, and I’m really excited for what’s to come for this event.” Preceding the Men’s Open final, Martin Bengtsson defeated Raj Vaswani 6-4, 6-3 in the finals of athe Men’s 40 Division, as the two players dazzled the crowd with long rallies and many exciting points. “Today was a tough match, the whole weekend was tough in fact,” said Bengtsson. “When you don’t practice as much as you used to, playing for three straight days gets difficult, but it was great,

it was so much fun. Centercourt is a great club with great facilities. Clay [Bibbee] does a fantastic job of getting people here. The set up when you are playing on Court 12 is great. The outdoor house is right behind us, plus the bar and swimming pool which creates a really nice atmosphere. It feels like you’re almost playing in a party, and I like that.” Throughout the day, spectators could enjoy food and drinks at stations that were set up by Mexican Spice Cocktails and 13th Street Cocktails, and the finals were followed by live music by Poet Section. “I want to send a huge shout out to our title sponsor, St. Barnabas Medical Center. Without their support, this awesome event would have never taken place,” said Bibbee. “We do have some ideas to grow the event, including increasing the prize money or adding a Women’s Professional Division.” Brian Coleman is Senior Editor for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached by phone at (516) 409-4444, ext. 326 or email BrianC@USPTennis.com.

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

How to Sleep Better and Improve Your Tennis Game By Dr. Rob Silverman leep experts say we should get seven to nine hours of sleep each night, but as many as one third of Americans sleep for less than six hours regularly. Athletes, in particular, require sufficient sleep—not only to recover between matches, but to improve their overall performance. Here’s how tennis players can start getting better sleep tonight.

Choose a quality mattress A good night’s rest starts with the mattress you sleep on each night, so if you’re not sleeping well, changing your mattress could make a world of difference. Most of us know that we should replace a mattress at least every 10 years, but how do you choose the right one? For starters, a mattress should provide firm but comfortable support to keep your spine in alignment while sleeping on your side or on your back. When you lie down, your mattress 58

should give you a sense of floating, not sinking. Memory foam mattresses are a great choice because they conform to your body’s shape and eliminate pressure points. You should also choose a mattress that will help you sleep cool and provide the same feel, no matter the ambient room temperature. Finally, be sure to pair your mattress with the correct pillow to keep your body aligned. Take your home sleep routine on the road Professional tennis players spend an inordinate amount of time on the road, traveling from tournament to tournament. While this lifestyle suits some, it also takes a toll on regular sleeping habits. One way to combat irregular sleep patterns is to take your home sleep routine on the road. While it’s not realistic to completely replicate your home environment when traveling, there are a number of small fixes that can make a big impact. To start, many tennis players will travel with their own pillow, not only for the comfort and consistency but quality as

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

well. Avoid wrestling with an uncomfortable hotel pillow the night before a big match— bring your own and get a better night’s rest. Another way to replicate your home sleep routine is to go to bed and wake up at your normal times. This will help balance sleep cycles and enhance the body’s natural repair processes for optimal health. Finally, sleep at the same temperature as you do at home. Sleeping too hot or too cold may interrupt your sleep, and studies have shown that disrupted sleep can impair memory, judgment and overall mental health, as well as damage your metabolism and undercut immunity. Eat to sleep As an athlete, you’re all too familiar with the importance of what you put into your body. Outside of foods that fuel you, there are a variety of foods that can help support relaxation and better sleep. Tryptophan, the amino acid that’s abundant in turkey, can do more than put us into a mild food coma after Thanksgiving dinner. It also helps us relax and repair. Bananas and lentils are

also good tryptophan sources and provide additional relaxing minerals like magnesium and potassium. Carbohydrates, in moderation, can also help tennis players sleep. Don’t eat too much before bed, however, as the extra digestive efforts can negatively affect sleep quality. Support your sleep with natural supplements When choosing supplements for quality, restorative sleep, tennis players can look to ingredients that help ease tension, support deep sleep, and—most importantly—promote physical regeneration during sleep: l L-theanine enables the body to produce other calming amino acids, such as dopamine, GABA and Tryptophan and helps support concentration, focus, deep muscle relaxation and improved quality sleep. l Abhwagandha contains active constituents called glycowithanolides, which mimic certain corticosteroids, supporting healthy cortisol levels and the circadian rhythm. l Melatonin supports sleep onset, quality

of sleep, increased REM time, deep sleep and dreaming—all factors that lead to better quality sleep and produce greater mental, physical and emotional rejuvenation. Melatonin can decrease the amount of time required to fall asleep, increase the number of sleeping hours and support daytime alertness. I recommend taking just five milligrams of melatonin, as taking too much can impair the body’s natural production of it and may cause us to become dependent on the artificial form. Put your devices away At bedtime, your electronic devices can lead to unwanted alertness due to changes in your eyes and brain, as well as the suppression of melatonin by the bright light emanating from screens. These physical reactions ultimately lead to sleeplessness. As a rule of thumb for getting better sleep, turn off your electronic devices at least 30 minutes prior to heading to bed. Rather than scrolling through social media or camping out with Netflix, do something that doesn’t involve exposure to a screen,

like meditating or reading your favorite tennis magazine. If making changes to your sleeping habits sounds daunting, start small. Choose one action to incorporate into your routine tonight, and then make gradual changes as the nights continue. You’ll be sleeping soundly—and noticing the difference a good night’s rest has on your tennis game—in no time. Dr. Robert G. Silverman is a White Plains, N.Y.-based sports chiropractor and certified clinical nutritionist, specializing in functional medicine and the treatment of joint pain with innovative, science-based, nonsurgical approaches. He is also on the advisory board for the Functional Medicine University and a health contributor to various major TV networks. He is the author of Amazon’s Number One Best-Seller, InsideOut Health. In 2015, he was honored with the prestigious Sports Chiropractor of the Year award by the ACA Sports Council. He can be reached by phone at (914) 2876464, e-mail Info@DrRobertSilverman.com or visit DrRobertSilverman.com.

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NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

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net With

Lisa Dodson BY BRIAN COLEMAN

rowing up, Lisa Dodson was always a big-time athlete. A four-sport athlete in high school, and the only person ever to be named All-County in four sports in Westchester County, Dodson went on to play basketball and tennis at the University of North Carolina. She was a walk-on for the Tar Heels Tennis team, and admits that playing in college was the first time she really took tennis seriously. In doing so, Dodson carved out a nice collegiate career, and a couple of years after college, decided to make a run at a pro career. “I was able to get a sponsor and played on the Tour for about four years,” Dodson said. “I didn’t have the experience the other players had, so I became a serve and volleyer. I ended up earning a world ranking in singles and doubles … it really came out of nowhere. It was then that I realized I really loved tennis, and decided

G 60

to make a career of it.” After playing on the Tour for a few years, Dodson entered the coaching world, working full-time at The Stanwich

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

Club in Greenwich, Conn., quickly rising up the ranks to becoming The Stanwich’s Director of Tennis. She found that she had the ability to look at a player’s game and break it down in order to provide the right instruction. “I started thinking about my game and what I do, and then looked at other’s games and found out what was right for that particular person,” said Dodson. “I have the ability to break things down for players and help them progress. I am very direct. I don’t string them along, and I try to draw the very best out of them.” That direct approach has been at the heart of Dodson’s career. She has carved out a career in what is a predominantly male industry because he has worked tirelessly and showed great perseverance. “As a teacher, I didn’t really run into any obstacles personally,” said Dodson. “Maybe I got lucky, or maybe I’m just good. Once I got my foot in the

door, the only concern from members was: ‘What are you going to do for us?’ But being a woman is always in the background. And even now, if I sought a job at a different club, it would be tough to get that job considering my age and the fact that I am a woman. While I haven’t met any opposition in terms of that, I know women who have experienced that.” As someone who has never let those sorts of barriers impede her career path, she does have some advice for aspiring women looking to break through in the tennis industry. “What you have to do is prove to people that you are as good, or better, than the other candidates, and that isn’t necessarily based on your playing records,” said Dodson. “You have to be creative and go after the position, which many times, women don’t do because they assume or think they won’t get the job. Be prepared, just go after it and apply. If you have to work seven days a week for five months, then that’s what you have to do. And if you can’t, then you are not qualified for that job. Show them in interviews that you are confident and have experience. I sometimes think women are too timid or not confident enough when applying for a position. You need to be proactive and do something about it.” Dodson’s career has gone beyond simply being a coach and has ventured

into the entrepreneurial world. A while back when she was teaching in California, she was injured and was sidelined for about a year. She decided to put that time to good use and started to develop a tennis teaching tool. “I had never really thought about creating a product before,” Dodson said. “Even though I had always made up little things and tools for people to use, this was the time I decided to try and make a real product out of this.” The product was designed to help with the serve, and her original prototype featured tools from her garage: Jump rope, weights and a cord. “I knew someone who had a rubber company, and the next thing I knew, I had someone interested in helping me and I decided to manufacture it locally,” said Dodson. “I knew nothing about manufacturing or creating a business, or how to get patents and market a product. It took me awhile and I went stepby-step, and I really took my time with it.” And with that, the ServeMaster was born. Dodson made sure to create videos and tutorials on how to use the product, because, as she says, “It takes a bit of education to use ServeMaster. The average person can’t use it … it takes watching videos and learning, or having someone help you with it. Because some people can look at it and think it’s a gimmick or a toy.

It’s hard to conceptualize, especially in a still picture.” Dodson funded the project completely on her own and the product has helped her become a better teacher as well. “It’s an incredible experience and it has made me an even better teacher and manager,” she said. “It refined my skills, and taught me how to run a business my own way.” In addition to running ServeMaster, Dodson currently works as the Director of Tennis at Shenorock Shore Club in Rye, N.Y. She still loves what she does each and every day, and even has plans to launch another product in the near future. “I have a patent on a second product, it’s called ‘TossMaster,’” Dodson said. “I funded the first project on my own, and don’t want to do that with this one, so I am still looking for funding. The goal is to have it on the market by next spring. I’m crazy busy, but I love the game of tennis. I enjoy trying to dissect the sport, make sense of it, and use that to help other people. Whether they want to rally with their husband, make their high school tennis team or compete on the pro tour, I am enthusiastic about it and get caught up in the excitement of teaching. That’s really what I get out of it.” Brian Coleman is Senior Editor for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached by phone at (516) 409-4444, ext. 326 or e-mail BrianC@USPTennis.com.

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GLTA Hosts Annual Liberty Open Photo credit: Sidney Beal III

he Gay & Lesbian Tennis Alliance (GLTA) and Metropolitan Tennis Group (MTG) held the 2018 Liberty Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. This was the 28th year that the Liberty Open was held, and once again some fantastic tennis was played on the courts of the U.S. Open with players in a number different divisions battled it out as they sought the title of Liberty Open champion. The following is a list of the winners from each respective division:

l Men’s Open Singles Winner: Tavaris Delaney l Men’s Open Singles Finalist: Michael Amico l Men’s A Singles Winner: David Stephen Kinder l Men’s A Singles Finalist: Nagesh Chetan l Men’s B Singles Winner: Artemisa Villaroja l Men’s B Singles Finalist: Duy Quang Ngo l Men’s C Singles Winner: Ricardo Rust l Men’s C Singles Finalist: Yves Pouliot l Men’s D Singles Winner: Frank E. Skivolocke l Men’s D Singles Finalist: Charlie Vreeland 62

l Men’s B Singles 40+ Winner: Jack Lafata l Men’s B Singles 40+ Finalist: Rodney Ferrell l Men’s C Singles 40+ Winner: Nicholas M. Estavillo l Men’s C Singles 40+ Finalist: Truett Lee Vaigneur Jr. l Men’s Open Doubles Winners: Jake Bishop & Jon Guerrica l Men’s Open Doubles Finalists: Tavaris Delaney & Garnett Taylor l Men’s A Doubles Winners: Edsel Calvin Colaco & Marko Daigle l Men’s A Doubles Finalists: Isaac Halpern & Dennis Malone l Men’s B Doubles Winners: Rudy Villamar & Artemisa Villaroja l Men’s B Doubles Finalists: Jose Martinez-Santiago & Martin Trautmann l Men’s C Doubles Winners: Christian Bartelink & Mikhail Zurov l Men’s C Doubles Finalists: Jean-Sebastien Charron & Francois Tetu

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

Setting the Trend in Tennis Apparel in 2018 nPhorm is a U.S.-based brand of distinctive collections of tennis, golf and active lifestyle wear that has now expanded into the global market place with distributors found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Singapore and Switzerland. Creating environmentally-friendly international designer active and leisure wear has been inPhorm’s mission since the company launched in 2008. inPhorm has stayed true to its original DNA, and is dressing women in feminine and on-trend performance and tennis wear that is

truly unique and flattering to all body types. Predominantly made of recycled fibers and most often offering sun protection of 50 UV, inPhorm is constantly devising new processes and developing technology to reduce the environmental impact of its apparel manufacturing, while still enabling its wearer more technical properties with cutting-edge, built-in accessory add-ons. While positioning itself as a global leader in manufacturing ethics, inPhorm is careful to never forfeit quality, from start to finish. inPhorm has once again increased its sponsorships of pros on the tour and has

added tennis star and celebrity player, Melanie Oudin, and model, Jeana Frey, as ambassadors for the brand. You can read about inPhorm’s pros, ambassadors, as well as inPhorm’s most recent efforts in its Pay it Forward campaign by visiting their Web site at inPhormNYC.com. On the most famous courts in the world or at your local country club, inPhormsponsored athletes define athleticism and beauty with an eco-conscious pedigree! Follow inPhorm on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest! See you at the U.S. Open!

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NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

Wake Forest Men’s Program Takes the NCAA Title! Let’s Take a Closer Look By Todd Widom ongratulations and a job well done to my friend Tony Bresky for bringing a National Title to Wake Forest. It is an incredible achievement for a coach to bring a team of players together to win a National Title. His team consisted of both American and foreign tennis players, but no American was in the starting lineup for Wake Forest. If college coaches cannot recruit the top Americans to come to their schools, they go the foreign route and recruit foreign tennis players to have a fighting chance at competing. College coaching is a profession and it is very difficult to land a great college coaching position, so the coaches are always searching for the best talent with the toughest mentalities to represent them and their program. The starting lineup for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons was very impressive. Of their top six players, five of them currently had ATP rankings when they won the National Title and the rankings ranged be-

tween being ranked 600th and 1,100th in the world. The sixth player did not currently have an ATP ranking, but once did have a ranking in the 900’s on the ATP Tour. When I played for the University of Miami from 2001-2003, I was constantly facing players at this level. In fact, I was playing against players who were 20- or 21-year-old freshmen at the number one spot. These players had extensive professional experience not only on the ATP Tour, but also throughout Europe playing Club League events. Club League is a chance to play for a tennis club in Europe and play other professionals, while earning a salary for your efforts. The level in Club League is quite high, and what many of the players have realized is that they tried the ATP Tour and it was not for them or were unable to crack into the upper echelon of professional tennis. They then came to the realization that they could use their tennis to attend some amazing universities in the United States and earn scholarships and degrees while still playing a very high level of tennis. If your child has a realistic chance and shows the ability to maybe one day play at

a high amateur or professional level, as the parent, you need to know who you are hiring to help guide your child to where they realistically could and want to be. This allimportant individual, not individuals, better take a tremendous and priority interest in your child and have a proven record of accomplishment in developing high-level players. I am not talking about the occasional one-hour tennis lesson. If you look at the credentials of these players, do you think playing more junior tennis is the right move or should your child have extensive experience playing professional tennis before they enter the college tennis arena? This is for your coach to decide what is best for your child. The coach should be the one guiding you and your child to where you could realistically go. Many parents get very excited that their child is ranked a certain ranking on the ITF Junior Circuit. The experience that these six Wake Forest players have in the starting lineup is far superior than the vast majority of juniors who are running around the globe beating other juniors. These men have beaten men to achieve these rankings. From my first days of coaching, I have heard parents and kids express how they would love to play the Junior Grand Slams. As a junior player, I played the Junior U.S. Open one time. It sounds exciting, and it is, but if you want to be playing at the highest level of college tennis, the proof is in the pudding. Play men or women to prepare your child to play men or women at the highest level of amateur tennis. Todd Widom is a former top 200 ATP professional in both singles and doubles, and owner of TW Tennis, South Florida’s top small group/private tennis training geared exclusively for the high-performance junior, collegiate or professional tennis player. Todd may be reached by e-mail at Todd@TWTennis.com or visit TWTennis.com.

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

What You Can Learn From the U.S. Open By Barbara Wyatt n Sept. 10, 2018, two phenomena will begin. First, tennis players will rise from their living room couches, pick up rackets and return to the courts after a two-week hiatus. Second, their tennis skills may have improved—if they were watching closely. The date marks the end of the 2018 U.S. Open, a time where recreational players will have spent two weeks of near-total immersion watching the world’s best tennis players compete in person at Flushing Meadows or live on television. When you watch people doing the right thing nearly all the time, the visual image is remembered as though it had been recorded. You’ve learned this since your first tennis lesson. The instructor told you where and how to hit the ball, then demonstrated a tennis stroke. You were asked to mimic all the steps, from preparation to follow-through. Over a few weeks—or months for some—tennis strokes begin to

resemble those of your instructor. You used a social learning technique called “Observational Learning.” You watched, retained, and then replicated what you saw. Think of the questions you asked at your first lesson: How far do I pull back? Where do I put my right foot? Left foot? How do I make the ball land inside the white lines? Instinctively, you knew what to ask to improve your tennis stroke and you did it. You mastered basic strokes. Observational Learning is available when watching U.S. Open matches. Only the questions have changed. Select a favorite pro and pose questions that could lock in dynamic improvement to your game. Watch your pro for the answers. Where do you aim your first serve? Toward the forehand, backhand or the center of the serving box? What tactics do you use when you are down 30-40? Is it different from what you do at 40-30? Where do you aim your return-of-serve? Where do you stand to receive the first serve? Do you change your position for the second serve? When you watch a match, your brain

thinks it is playing the match. This is why your respiration and heart rate increase when your player is caught in a tough rally. This is why you jump to your feet when they finally win a point with a killer putaway. This is why you pump your fist at a smashing cross-court angle and your head drops in despair when the next rally ball hits the tape and drops on the other side of the net. Your favorite pro does the right thing with the best stroke nearly every time. Prepare your questions. Engage your best observational techniques and prepare for a quantum leap in your game. You’ll learn almost as much from watching a professional match with intention as you did at your first tennis lesson. Barbara Wyatt is a Writer, Photographer, USTA Official, and Mobile App Developer of iKnowTennis!, the tennis rules app. Her poem, Ode to Tennis, an amusing poem on the joys and frustrations when learning tennis, is available at Amazon. She can be reached by e-mail at BarbaraW@iKnowTennis.com.

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NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

The team from Bloomberg (Vighnesh) was crowned Metro Corporate Summer 2018 Advanced Division Champs

Dechert LLP took home the title in the Metro Corporate League’s Advanced Intermediate Division

In the Metro Corporate League, the Intermediate Division crowned Deutsche Bank (Eike) champions for the Summer 2018 season It was another successful season for the Metro Corporate League, as the Summer 2018 Season recently came to a close. The Summer 2018 Season, which ran from June through August, concluded with its Finals and End-of-Season Party at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, as six teams competed to be crowned champions in the league’s three divisions. l Advanced Division Champions: Bloomberg l Advanced Division Finalists: Proskauer Rose LLP l Advanced Intermediate Champions: Dechert LLP

l Advanced Intermediate Finalists: Bloomberg l Intermediate Champions: Deutsche Bank l Intermediate Finalists: KPMG

The Fall 2018 Season is now approaching for the Metro Corporate League, and rosters and teams are beginning to fill up. For more information on how to create a team, join a team or on the Metro Corporate League in general, visit MetroTennis.com under the tab labeled, “Corporate,” or contact Luis Espinoza by e-mail at Luis@MetroTennis.com. 66 New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

Reasons and Ways to Stay in the Game During Your Pregnancy By Eliana Cardozo, DO, FAAPMR, CAQSM taying active during pregnancy has been shown to have many benefits both for the body and the mind. In the medical community, our views and guidelines relating to physical activity and its impacts on pregnancy have evolved and changed significantly over the years, as empirical research has shown its many benefits. In the past, pregnant women were often discouraged from engaging in physical activity, even though there were no studies supporting any advantage to such recommendation. We now recommend that in uncomplicated pregnancies, women engage in moderate intensity aerobic and resistance exercise throughout their pregnancy. Some of the benefits of exercise during pregnancy include positive psychological effects, maintenance of long-term fitness for the mother-to-be, and studies have even shown decreased interventions during labor, such as cesarean section and the use of pitocin (a medication to facilitate contractions and help labor progress.) Other benefits include faster postpartum recovery and lower rates of gestational diabetes in exercising moms. If you enjoy playing tennis, it is a great

way to stay active and strong throughout your pregnancy. That being said, there are some specific considerations to take into account and ways to prevent injuries. The first rule is to be evaluated by your medical provider and cleared for physical activity, including tennis. Staying active during pregnancy is all about adapting to your changing body and making modifications. A good rule of thumb is that your workout should not be more strenuous than your typical exercise pre-pregnancy Also, during the first trimester, it is especially important to stay well hydrated and avoid playing in extreme heat and humidity. As your baby grows into your third trimester, your center of gravity will be shifted and you should be extra cautious about your balance and avoiding falls. For tennis specifically, this means avoiding far reaching movements, and listening to your body if you feel fatigued. During pregnancy, the body goes through tremendous changes as hormonal, cardiovascular and even pulmonary systems are all adapting and changing, just to name a few. The hormonal changes, in particular, are thought to be the cause of increased ligamentous laxity (i.e. looser joints) seen with pregnancy. This can contribute to pain and injury, particularly in the lower back and pelvic regions. Ways to prevent and combat this include incorpo-

rating a regular core and pelvic floor toning program, which may also help your tennis game by improving your endurance. Regardless of whether you are a tennis player or not, I generally recommend a gentle abdominal toning program throughout pregnancy, with many exercises done in the quadruped (or hands and knees) position. This will prevent injuring the abdominal muscles which are already stretching during your pregnancy. Some of my patients may choose to work with a prenatal physical therapist under my direction in order to tailor a specific exercise program for them and ensure they are performing the exercises properly. I also recommend that my pregnant patients “cross-train” and incorporate activities such as prenatal yoga or swimming into their routine. Again, before starting or continuing any type of exercise program during pregnancy, you must be evaluated and cleared by your Ob-gyn physician. Eliana Cardozo, DO, FAAPMR is an Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Cardozo treats a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, both in athletes and in active individuals. Dr. Cardozo has authored several articles in physical medicine and rehabilitation journals, as well as book chapters related to sports medicine.

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

The “Mental” Game:

How to Train Your Brain for Success By Amanda Ferranti t is undeniable that there is a major “mental” component to competitive tennis, but what does that really mean? And better yet, how can you improve the “mental” game? It is widely accepted to break down sports into four distinct areas (Physical, Technical, Tactical, and Mental) to help organize goals and develop strategic training plans. For example, I will focus on building confidence (mental goal) if I notice that I am afraid of making mistakes (mental obstacle) just as I would focus on endurance (physical goal) if I noticed that I felt fatigued before the end of the match (physical obstacle). Although logical, the way in which we label our goals dictates the way in which we train to improve them. So how do you train to build confidence? Is it on or off the court? During or after practice? With a tennis or mental performance coach? In actuality, the game of tennis is a series of decisions made by synchronizing the brain, heart, lungs and muscles to outmatch the opponent. So instead of using words like “mental” or “psychology”—which are vague, difficult to measure, and overwhelming to players—start to focus on what you can do to develop the functions of your brain. Below

I have outlined four valuable functions to help competitive tennis players become more organized in their training. 1. Game Insight: A player’s Game Insight or “Sport IQ,” is demonstrated by one’s ability to make quick and effective decisions throughout the course of the match. It is developed over time through a combination of playing, learning, and watching the game and is critical for confidence because it builds your sense of competence, preparedness, and overall trust in your ability to succeed. For players looking to improve Game Insight, experience and time is essential. 2. Cognitive processing skills: In tennis there are two distinct phases of play: (1) During the point when there is little time to make decisions and you must rely more on intuition and instinct; and (2) In between points, games and sets when there is more time to analyze and strategize. When making instinctual decisions, a player must be fully aware of the most important cues in the environment and assertively commit to what they believe would be the best choice of action in that particular moment. To help improve instinctual decision-making, you must work to develop your cognitive processing skills, such as spatial awareness, working memory, task switching

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

and divided attention, etc. Such skills can be improved through playing and experience, but studies have also shown that you can significantly improve your cognitive processing skills by engaging in computer simulated brain training games (IntelliGym.com). For example, many of my players enjoy using an App called Lumocity to supplement their training and develop decision-making skills off the court. One very important thing to consider is that cognitive task switching requires glucose (energy)– so be sure to monitor and balance the timing and duration that you play these games. I recommend doing it on a rest day or lighter day for no more than 30 minutes and I would deter you from doing it before practices or matches. 3. Knowledge and awareness of physiological connections: In the moments between points, games and sets, there is much more time for you to think and process information. For many, these are the moments where you may “over-analyze” or become hyper critical of yourself, which can have a profound impact on the physiological state of your body, and therefore, your performance. Before working to change your physiological state, you must first understand how your body systems interact and then develop awareness around your responses to triggers during competitions. Ask yourself, what happens to my heart rate, oxygen levels (lungs),

and muscles when I feel frustrated, disappointed, anxious or embarrassed? Where in my body do I feel discomfort (i.e. rapid thoughts, stomachache, jittery, etc.)? And what triggers me to change physiological states (i.e. mistakes, lost points, losing, etc.)? In becoming more physiologically knowledgeable and aware, you can gain insight on your emotional triggers in tennis and then use your brain to develop the necessary strategies to ensure that your heart, lungs and muscles are synergized and functioning at their best. 4. Emotional management: Emotional management is the final component of brain training and arguably the most influential obstacle to quick and effective decision-making. For example, if you’ve ever experienced indecision, confusion, doubt or fears during the decision-making process, then you must learn better emotional management skills. As opposed to emotional control, emotional management is the act of allowing yourself to truly connect with and feel your emotions as they are experienced–regard-

less of whether they are positive (confident, happy, proud) or negative (frustration, disappointment, embarrassed). As competitors, we’re pleasure seeking and pain avoidant, however you must remember that you cannot remove negative emotions from tennis and therefore must learn to cope with the uncomfortable feelings that will inevitably occur throughout a match. To help you cope, remember that emotions are intertwined with physiological changes in your body and those changes cannot be instantaneously reversed. For example, after losing a point I immediately feel discouraged and my physiological state changes as a result. I must accept that I am in a new state of discomfort, but also remember that emotions are temporary feelings that will eventually go away and they don’t define who I am as a player (just because I feel disappointed doesn’t mean that I am a disappointment). To move past the discomfort quicker, you first must accept the reality of the situation or the facts–I made a mistake. You are not a failure, you just made a mistake. And since this is still a somewhat uncomfortable real-

ization, you must then boost your self-esteem by remembering who you are (think of your character traits) and what you do well (think of past performances that make you feel proud). By utilizing these strategies, you will start to build trust in your “mental” game, which leads to more assertive decisions and greater risk-taking. The outline of the four fundamental functions of the brain are organized in a way that promotes integrated training. To truly develop physical, technical, tactical and mental skills, you must play the game of tennis and learn to synchronize your brain, heart, lungs and muscles to make quick and effective decisions that outmatch your opponent. Amanda Ferranti is the Director and Founder of Ferranti Empowerment, where she has established herself as an AASP Certified Mental Performance Consultant for youth athletes, teams and coaches. Amanda also has years of athletic experience as an ex-professional soccer player and Princeton graduate. She can be reached by e-mail at AFerranti@FerrantiEmpowerment.com.

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

POP Tennis Mixed Doubles finalists Melissa Tu-Internicola & Brian Wan with Mixed Doubles winners Enrique Catter & Florentina Hanisch

POP Tennis New York Open Hits National Tennis Center ome of the top paddle tennis players in the country arrived in Flushing Meadows this summer as the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center hosted the POP Tennis New York Open, featuring four Pro Divisions and three Intermediate Divisions played over the course of two days. Played on a shorter tennis court with low compression balls, POP Tennis combines paddle and regular tennis for a fast-paced version of the traditional sport. The tournament featured some thrilling competition and exciting matches in both the Pro and Intermediate Divisions. The tournament was sponsored by Babolat, USTA Eastern, USPTA Eastern, the New York Open and David Lee Graphic Design who all combined to make the event a tremendous success.

Women’s Doubles Winners Issa Kintanar and Tristen Dewar celebrate their POP Tennis New York Open victory

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

The winners included:

Mixed Doubles l Winners: Enrique Catter & Florentina Hanisch l Finalists: Brian Wan & Melissa Internicola

Men’s Singles l Winner: Brian Wan l Finalist: Enrique Catter

Intermediate Co-Ed Singles l Winner: Hemraj Dhakal l Finalist: Aishika Yadav

Men’s Doubles l Winners: Austin Doerner & Grant Aronson l Finalists: Enrique Catter & Mitch Kutner

Intermediate Men’s Doubles l Winners: Leandro Fajardo & Tom Tvedt l Finalists: Hemraj Dhakal & Leon Lipo

Women’s Doubles l Winners: Tristen Dewar & Issa Kintanar l Finalists: Kelsey Anonsen & Michelle Sulahian

Co-Ed Youth 8-12 Singles l Winner: Aidan Bart l Finalist: Andre Bart

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NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

Play More Points in the Present Accept-Breathe-Concentrate By Rob Polishook, Mental Training Coach MA, CPC remember it like it was yesterday, coaching the Zonals for the 16 & Under age group. The competition was fierce with top kids from the country. Inevitably, various issues came up before matches. For example, I received a late-night text from my number two player saying her friend, our number three player, was really nervous about tomorrow’s match. She asked, “What should I do? How can I help her?” Or the other scenario, where my number four player was sitting at the changeover telling me how many lines his opponent had hit in the previous two games. So, what’s a player to do? Conventional sports psychology might tell you to ignore your feelings and just play, or even to forget about the score—get back out there and compete. Both ideas sound good, but in fact, they really don’t address the reality of the situation. What is the player experiencing at this exact moment, and what’s the starting point to moving forward? I’d like to introduce what I call the “A, B, C’s” to regaining your focus when a distraction occurs. Well, wait you say … “sounds kind of gimmicky.” Call it what you want, but this simple acronym is your roadmap to getting back on track once your concentration has wavered, or you have full blown lost it. The key to the “A, B, C’s” is to be aware that you have lost your concentration. From this point, they can be exercised to help you regain your composure, focus and game. Let me explain what each letter stands for and provide a description and how to use it given the previous examples:

l “A” stands for Accept: Using the example of my number two player who was nervous, accept the means to simply accept that you are nervous. Being nervous isn’t bad or good. In fact, I would say that it means that there is a match you care about and feel challenged. If you didn’t attach emotion to it and simply accepted it, you might say “Okay, I’m nervous” and just let it be. By fighting the nerves, you only make things worse and create an internal dialogue of what will happen next with the nerves. It’s okay to be nervous. Furthermore, if you are nervous, guess who else is likely to be nervous? Yes, that’s right … your opponent! Lastly, your name isn’t nervous, a part of you is nervous. Who wouldn’t be? You are getting ready to put yourself on the line. l “B” stands for Breathe: Yes, breathe! Using the example of my number four player who was complaining that his opponent was painting the lines. We discussed the simple truth that yes, he painted lines during the last six points, unheard of, but true. No need to fight it, it happened. Then, the work became to shift my player’s focus away from the past to the present. He brought his attention to his natural anchor—his breath. Little known fact, breath is always in the present. In order to connect to the present, you can simply just observe it, notice the sound, feel or rhythm for a few seconds. Or you can breathe in to a count of three, hold it for two counts, and breathe out to a count of three … you choose the pattern. Or simply breathe in and out. Not only does this shift of focus

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

connect you to the present moment, it will help you relax, stay calm and slow down. l “C” stands for Concentrate: Specifically, we are talking about making the choice to focus on what you can control and let go of what you cannot. In the case of my number three player, instead of concentrating on her nervousness, she could concentrate on what she needs to do to prepare for her match the evening before, and then how she wants to play. What is her game plan going to be? In the situation of my number four player, he can concentrate on playing his game, maybe keeping the ball away from his opponent’s forehand where most of the winners came from. And most importantly, know that he cannot control his opponent’s shots. He can only control his shot selection, his effort and how he competes. Concentrating on what you can control doesn’t guarantee winning, however, it’s your best path. The “A, B, C’s” are a surefire way to get your game back on track when you lose your focus. Watch any of the top players and you can see when they move through these steps. Make no mistake, the “A, B, C’s” are simple, but are not easy. 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 InsideTheZone.com.

The Choking Process By Petar Kanev hoking is one of the biggest fears of many athletes in competitive sports, and it is caused by thinking about the outcome, rather than the process. This causes the explicit (controlled) learning system to dictate the player’s actions. When the player first learns to hit a ball, they usually think about the skill in a basic and mechanical fashion. Position your feet, set up with your hands, turn your shoulders, take the racket back, step to the ball, and the list goes on. In contrast, implicit (automatic) learning can be seen as learning without the player’s awareness. It is the fine nuances in force, touch, timing and accuracy that the player develops as the abilities grow. High performance athletes have exceptionally developed implicit (automatic) learning systems. Novak Djokovic’s ability to place a shot with perfect precision just over the net, and on to the court, just by his opponent, in a crucial moment of the match is an excellent example of a well-developed implicit system. Despite all players’ efforts, regardless of their level of play and mental toughness, to concentrate on performance over outcome, there will be occasions when specific results

or goals mean so much that pressure will inadvertently rise. Whether it is winning a tournament, beating a nemesis, getting a better ranking, failure of performing at his/her best in such circumstances gives the speculation that the player choked. In this article, we will describe the process of choking, and look at the physical and psychological sensations that players are most likely to encounter. As we mentioned earlier, a big match, critical point, improving ranking, try-outs, performing in front of peers, parents, and big crowd, could be perceived as a physical and/or psychological “danger.” As a result, players will experience increased muscle tension, racing heart rate, shallow breathing, inability to focus and a decrease in self-confidence. All of this leads to rushing shots, timing and coordination breakdown, poor decision-making, muscle tightness and soreness, frustration and anger. Feeling tight, tense, shaky, weak, heavy, tired, rigid, awkward, beaten, scared, weak, dominated, upset, panicked, worried, rushed, confused and overloaded is how players outline their physical and psychological sensations during choking. There are countless ways both on and off the court to improve emotional control, and help players understand and deal with the choking process. Breathing control, vi-

sualization, self-talk, music, relaxation techniques, cognitive strategies, etc. Coaches and parents could help players identify the optimal arousal stage, needed for peak performance, and teach different strategies to achieve it. Make it easy for players to express and talk about their feelings. Using positive reinforcement in practices and competitive environment increase players confidence. Encourage mistakes to be seen as productive building blocks for future success. Create and practice a game plan, which players can rely on when the pressure rises. Choking happens when players really care and want to perform well, but does not have the tools to deal with the pressure that builds up. Let’s help them, not label them! Petar Kanev is Assistant Director of Player Development of CourtSense at TRC. He has been a professional tennis coach since 1995. Petar maintains USPTA P-2 and PTR Professional Level certifications, and received an Etcheberry Certification in Strength, Conditioning and Movement in Sport. Prior to coming to the USA in 2004, Petar was the hitting partner for Maggi Maleeva (Bulgarian former professional tennis player) from 2000-2004 and was the Maleevi Tennis Club Coach and Program Director from 2000-2004.

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

Confiden

A Player’s Se How to Find By Dr. Tom Ferraro ne of a player’s greatest tools is confidence, yet very few know how to develop this state of mind. Most tennis matches are won or lost before the first serve is struck based upon who holds the most confidence. It’s true that practice, excellent ground strokes, a powerful serve, good coaching, proper rest, natural talent, sufficient support and proper nutrition all matter a great deal, but all those things are still no guarantee that you bring confidence onto the court. Young players are often aware of who their opponent is and how highly they are ranked. This fact usually determines confidence and also the outcome of a match. This is based upon a number of psychological theories, including Leon Festinger’s “Cognitive Dissonance Theory.” Festinger was a Stanford University Professor in Social Psychology who suggested that people desire mental equilibrium and that they desire to fulfill inner expectations. Expectations have a large impact on a person’s behavior and ability to succeed. When applied to tennis, this means that it is mentally conflicting for a player of lesser rank to beat a player of higher rank. Reputation matters and matters a great deal. The more you are aware of your rank compared to your opponent, the more power it will have over the outcome of the match. I have seen this dramatically demonstrated many times across a variety of sports. I recall watching a first round match on an outer court at the U.S. Open years ago where a virtual unknown was in the process of beating a highlyranked and highly-favored opponent.

ence:

Secret Weapon, nd It and How to Use It The unknown was up four games to none in the second set after winning the first set easily. It couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been more obvious that this unknown was on the verge of beating one of the tournament favorites. Then, something odd started to happen. It was as if the unknown player had lost all memory of how to play tennis and proceeded to lose point after point until she finally lost the match. I would say that the reputation of the highly-ranked player was what actually defeated the opponent. The Cognitive Dissonance that was felt inside the unknown was so great that it forced itself upon the player and insured that the match would end as everyone expected it to end with the more highly ranked being on top. This scenario happens time after time and is due to the sudden loss of confidence brought on by the awareness that the unknown was going to do the impossible. Every tennis player on Earth knows

that this issue is real, but the question is what can be done about it. Here is how I coach my players: 1. Do not look at rankings at all before your match. The rankings may satisfy your curiosity, but they in no way help your mental state. If you are more highly ranked, you will go easy on the opponent and not take them seriously. If you are of a lower ranking than your opponent you will lose confidence, feel intimidated and expect to lose. 2. When you get to the match try your best to ignore your opponent, do not socialize and essentially stay in your bubble. This is the time to gather all of your strength, all your focus and your will to win. Silence tends to be your friend, silence and the will to win. Opponents will often do things either consciously or unconsciously to distract you, and it is your job to ignore it all. Act like a duck and have all these social distractions be like water rolling off your back.

3. You will find that if you can maintain your focus, remain silent and have minimal visual and verbal interaction, you will feel more confident, be far less prone to feel intimidated and find yourself winning more and more. Confidence can be established by winning more often and by recalling your wins. Confidence turns out to be a fragile thing, and you must learn to guard it jealously. One way to do this is by ignoring your opponent and everything about them. The best at this was Tiger Woods who ignored his opponents so well that they actually began to feel invisible. They watched him, he never watched them and the next thing they knew, he was hoisting another trophy with a great big smile. This is how a winner stays a winner. For consultations, treatment or on-site visits, contact Dr. Tom Ferraro Ph.D., Sport Psychologist, by phone at (516) 248-7189, e-mail DrTFerraro@aol.com or visit DrTomFerraro.com.

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extreme water feature, cooking at an outdoor kitchen, or breaking a sweat on a multi-purpose game court, let the FX Design Team create the backyard of your dreams! FX Design’s talented staff has accomplished many award-winning water features both on Long Island, as well as in other states. Swim in grottos, and walkthrough caves entice guests of all ages, complete with a fun-filled slide for the complete waterpark experience. FX Design’s extreme water features have been credited as being a highlight to clients. Many homeowners prefer to enhance their culinary skills by cooking on their own outdoor kitchen. These include functional sinks, ice makers, refrigerators,

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New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

USTA/Metropolitan Region

2018 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE For detailed information on these and all USTA tournaments, visit tennislink.usta.com/tournaments. SEPTEMBER 2018 Sunday-Sunday, September 2-9 U.S. Open Junior Tennis Championships USTA 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 7-9 L1B September Classic 2018 at Randall’s Island Sportime @ Randall’s Island 1 Randall’s Island New York, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12-18 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Sept. 3 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail MattyTrumino@gmail.com or call (212) 427-6150. Saturday-Sunday, September 8-9 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 14-16 (NEF) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $43.50 per player (deadline for entries is Tuesday, July 10 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail AlleyPondTennisCenter@gmail.com or call (718) 264-2600. Saturday, September 8 Youth Progression Orange Ball L2 New York Tennis Club Indoors 3081 Harding Avenue Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Orange Level 2 Boys’ & Girls’ 10 and Under Singles: 60’ Orange Ball 10 (NEF) Surface Type: Clay Entry Fee: $48.88 per player (deadline for entries is Saturday, Sept. 1 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail WWiese@NYJTL.org or call (718) 239-7919.

Friday-Sunday, September 14-16 L1B Staten Island Tennis September Challenger Staten Island Community Tennis Center 2800 Victory Boulevard Staten Island, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14, 18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 for first singles; $28 for first doubles; maximum fee charged per player is $75, plus the processing fees for the number of events you select (deadline for entries is Monday, Sept. 10 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail KLastique@yahoo.com or call (718) 982-3355. Friday-Sunday, September 14-16 L1B Haffen Park September Challenger Haffen Park Sports Association 2748 Eastchester Road Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12-16 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $48.88 per player (deadline for entries is Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail EBWaldron@aol.com or call (917) 609-3648. Friday-Sunday, September 14-16 L1B Sportime Randall’s Island September 2018 Challenger Sportime @ Randall’s Island 1 Randall’s Island New York, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Sept. 10 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail TournamentsRI@Sportimetfm.com or call (212) 427-6150. Friday-Sunday, September 21-23 L1B NYTC Fall Challenger New York Tennis Club Indoors 3081 Harding Avenue Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14, 18 (SE) Surface Type: Clay Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Saturday, Sept. 16 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail MarkKeye@gmail.com or call (718) 239-7919.

Friday-Sunday, September 21-23 L1B Sportime Randall’s Island September 2018 Challenger Sportime @ Randall’s Island 1 Randall’s Island New York, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Sept. 17 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail mattytrumino@gmail.com or call (347) 393-0225. Saturday, September 22 Youth Progression Orange Level 2 Fresh Meadow Cunningham Tennis 19600 Union Turnpike Fresh Meadows, N.Y. Divisions: Orange Level 2 Boys’ & Girls’ 10 and Under Singles: 60’ Orange Ball 10 (NEF) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $48.88 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, Sept. 16 at 11:59 p.m.) For more information, e-mail Victor@CunninghamTennis.com or call (718) 740-6800. Friday-Sunday, September 28-30 L1B NYTC September Challenger New York Tennis Club Indoors 3081 Harding Avenue Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12-18 (SE) Surface Type: Clay Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail MarkKeye@gmail.com or call (718) 239-7919. Friday-Sunday, September 28-30 L2 Staten Island Tennis September Open Staten Island Community Tennis Center 2800 Victory Boulevard Staten Island, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys’ & Girls’ Singles & Doubles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $54.25 for first singles; $28 for first doubles; maximum fee charged per player is $75, plus the processing fees for the number of events you select (deadline for entries is Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail KLastique@yahoo.com or call (718) 982-3355.

NYTennisMag.com • September/October 2018 • New York Tennis Magazine

USTA/Metropolitan Region

2018 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE For detailed information on these and all USTA tournaments, visit tennislink.usta.com/tournaments. Friday-Sunday, September 28-30 L2 Mill Basin Matchpoint NYC Open Matchpoint NYC Mill Basin 2350 East 69th Street Brooklyn, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys’ & Girls’ Singles & Doubles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 for first singles; $28 for first doubles; maximum fee charged per player is $75, plus the processing fees for the number of events you select (deadline for entries is Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail KLastique@yahoo.com or call (718) 982-3355.

OCTOBER 2018 Friday-Monday, October 5-8 L2 NYTC October Open New York Tennis Club Indoors 3081 Harding Avenue • Bronx, 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 14, 18 (SE) Surface Type: Clay Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, Sept. 30 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail MarkKeye@gmail.com or call (718) 239-7919.

Friday-Sunday, September 28-30 L1B Cross String Tennis Academy September Cup Queens College 6530 Kissena Boulevard Flushing, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12-18 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player For more information, e-mail Steve.Beatty2584@gmail.com or call (718) 997-2754.

Friday-Sunday, October 5-7 L1B Cross String Tennis Academy Girls October Challenger Queens College 6530 Kissena Boulevard Flushing, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player For more information, e-mail Steve.Beatty2584@gmail.com or call (718) 997-2754.

Saturday, October 20 Youth Progression Orange L2 Bronx Stadium Tennis Center 725 Exterior Street Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Orange Level 2 Boys’ & Girls’ 10 and Under Singles: 60’ Orange Ball 10 (NEF) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $48.88 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, Oct. 12 at 11:59 p.m.) For more information, e-mail Lauren@StadiumTennisNYC.com or call (718) 665-4684.

Friday-Sunday, October 12-14 Eastern Super Six at Queens College presented by Cross String Tennis Academy (National L4) Queens College 6530 Kissena Boulevard • Flushing, N.Y. Divisions: Super 6 Event Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 18 (FIC-R16) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $124.13 per player (deadline for entries is Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail Steve.Beatty2584@gmail.com or call (718) 997-2754.

Saturday-Sunday, October 20-21 L3 APTC 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 14-16 (NEF) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $43.50 per player (deadline for entries is Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 5:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail Hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600.

Friday-Sunday, October 12-14 L2 Mill Basin MatchPoint NYC Open Matchpoint NYC Mill Basin 2350 East 69th Street Brooklyn, 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; maximum fee charged per player is $75, plus the processing fees for the number of events you select (deadline for entries is Monday, Oct. 8 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail KLastique@yahoo.com or call (718) 982-3355.

Friday-Sunday, October 26-28 L1B NYTC Fall Indoor Challenger New York Tennis Club Indoors 3081 Harding Avenue Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14-16 (SE) Surface Type: Clay Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player For more information, e-mail MarkKeye@gmail.com or call (718) 239-7919.

Friday-Sunday, September 28-30 L2 Sportime at Randall’s Island September 2018 Open Sportime @ Randall’s Island 1 Randall’s Island New York, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14-16 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Sept. 24 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail mattytrumino@gmail.com or call (347) 393-0225. Saturday-Sunday, September 29-30 L3 Alley Pond Tennis Center UPS Alley Pond Tennis Center 7920 Winchester Boulevard Queens Village, N.Y. Divisions: Entry Level Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Green Ball 12 ,78’ Yellow Ball 14-16 (NEF) Surface Type: Hard Entry Fee: $43.50 per player (deadline for entries is Thursday, Sept. 27 at 5:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail Hemco2@aol.com or call (718) 264-2600.

New York Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • NYTennisMag.com

Friday-Sunday, October 19-21 Eastern Empire Cup at New York Tennis Club Indoors (National L4) New York Tennis Club Indoors 3081 Harding Avenue Bronx, N.Y. Divisions: Boys’ & Girls’ Doubles: 78’ Yellow Ball 18 (MFIC) Surface Type: Clay Indoor Entry Fee: $48.88 per player (deadline for entries is Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 1:00 p.m.) For more information, e-mail WWiese@NYJTL.org or call (718) 239-7919.

NEW Boys & Girls Sectional Rankings (as of 08/06/18)

BOYS Sectional Boys 12 SinglesMetro Region Rank....Name..........................................City 3........Darren Huang ..................Whitestone, N.Y. 3........Dominick Mosejczuk ......East Elmhurst, N.Y. 10......Nicolas Iantosca..............New York, N.Y. 12......Andrew R. Ena ................Rego Park, N.Y. 28......Neel Krishnaswamy ........New York, N.Y. 33......Arjun N. Agostinho ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 38......Marco Ziets-Segura ........New York, N.Y. 44......Theodore R. Murphy ......New York, N.Y. 46......Jordan Chang..................Oakfield Gardens, N.Y. 51......Ty Justin Staco-Towns ....Brooklyn, N.Y. 56......John Patrick Popowich ..New York, N.Y. 60......Tyler Bush ........................Staten Island, N.Y. 64......Frederick Lundquist ........New York, N.Y. 65......Christian Floyd ................Bronx, N.Y. 68......Aaron Dozsa ....................Rego Park, N.Y. 70......Jacob Mann ....................New York, N.Y. 77......Oliver Meyer ....................New York, N.Y. 78......Brian Hila..........................Brooklyn, N.Y. 83......Christian Yeagley ............New York, N.Y. 85......Adrian Avanesov..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 90......Dev Gehlaut ....................New York, N.Y. 94......Zane Nippon....................New York, N.Y. 96......Nate Roberman ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 100....Lukas Frangenberg ........New York, N.Y. 102....Andrew Gordon ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 105....Bassil Touban ..................Maspeth, N.Y. 113....Jimmy Wey ......................New York, N.Y. 114....Mateo Pouso ..................Beechurst, N.Y. 115....Lev Seidman....................New York, N.Y. 119....Justin Chong ..................Corona, N.Y. 123....Michael Suleymanov ......Queens Village, N.Y. 125....Jesse Yang ......................Fresh Meadows, N.Y. 126....David Clarke ....................Bronx, N.Y. 129....Daniel Potievsky ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 131....Jonathan Muravchik........Brooklyn, N.Y. 137....James Spiegel ................New York, N.Y. 141....Jose Pouso......................Beechurst, N.Y. 143....Rhys Spano ....................New York, N.Y. 144....Sean Grossman ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 145....Christian Pak....................Auburndale, N.Y. 148....Benjamin Zaslavsky ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 150....Timotey Stofa ..................Astoria, N.Y.

Sectional Boys 14 SinglesMetro Region Rank....Name..........................................City 2........John-Tomas Bilski ..........New York, N.Y. 5........Donovan Spigner ............New York, N.Y. 7........Cooper Williams ..............New York, N.Y. 8........Ty Switzer ........................New York, N.Y. 10......Jace K. Alexander ..........New York, N.Y. 12......Sebastian Sec..................New York, N.Y. 19......Nicholas Steiglehner ......New York, N.Y. 22......Ari Hercules Cotoulas......Brooklyn, N.Y. 23......Sacha Maes ....................New York, N.Y. 24......Sachin Palta ....................Forest Hills, N.Y. 28......Alexander Aney ..............New York, N.Y. 29......Nicholas Murphy ............New York, N.Y. 30......David Krasner ..................Staten Island, N.Y. 38......Cal R. Wider ....................New York, N.Y. 39......Adrien Svilen Jippov........New York, N.Y.

YORK

54......Giuseppe Cerasuolo ......Bayside, N.Y. 61......Nicholas Zagora ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 63......Rafe Photopoulos............New York, N.Y. 64......Damian Stellings..............New York, N.Y. 67......Safin Shaikh ....................Long Island City, N.Y. 81......Santiago Espejel..............New York, N.Y. 84......Luca Photopoulos ..........New York, N.Y. 86......Astro Brundo Pilipovic ....New York, N.Y. 90......MG Nastase ....................New York, N.Y. 91......Ryan Friedman ................New York, N.Y. 92......Zecheng Fang..................New York, N.Y. 97......Dylan Lachmanen............Brooklyn, N.Y. 105....Gabriel Garcia..................Staten Island, N.Y. 109....Romero Jones ................New York, N.Y. 111....Aris Kirkorian....................Sunnyside, N.Y. 113....Nicholas Laffont ..............New York, N.Y. 122....Bobby Duskin ..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 125....Akash Hongal ..................Flushing, N.Y. 126....Benjamin Kantor..............New York, N.Y. 129....Alejandro Espejel ............New York, N.Y. 134....Max Meyer ......................New York, N.Y. 136....Erik S. Johansson............New York, N.Y. 137....Julian Joaquin Vasquez ..New York, N.Y.

Sectional Boys 16 SinglesMetro Region Rank....Name..........................................City 9........Maxwell Igor Kachkarov..Flushing, N.Y. 11......Marcos Souza Lee ..........New York, N.Y. 17......Harrison Saladini ............New York, N.Y. 18......Hudson Beaudoin ..........New York, N.Y. 21......Tyler Korobov ..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 26......Eitan Khromchenko ........Staten Island, N.Y. 29......Brandon T. Cohen ..........New York, N.Y. 33......John-Thomas Bilski ........New York, N.Y. 34......Robbie F. Werdiger ..........New York, N.Y. 35......Jeffrey Fradkin ................New York, N.Y. 43......Joseph RWilkanowski ....Long Island City, N.Y. 47......Noah Eisenberg ..............New York, N.Y. 49......Oliver Obeid ....................New York, N.Y. 52......Kai Yuminaga ..................Oakland Gardens, N.Y. 54......Harry Portnoy ................New York, N.Y. 57......Zachary Portnoy..............New York, N.Y. 58......Sachin Palta ....................Forest Hills, N.Y. 62......Noah Edelman ................New York, N.Y. 66......Wesley Zhang ..................Staten Island, N.Y. 70......Cooper Williams ..............New York, N.Y. 73......Neel Epstein ....................New York, N.Y. 76......Paul Eighouayel ..............New York, N.Y. 80......Bradley Bennett ..............New York, N.Y. 82......Milan Jain ........................New York, N.Y. 83......Benjamin Ebanks ............New York, N.Y. 85......Nicholas Steiglehner ......New York, N.Y. 87......Jeffrey Yu ........................Forest Hills, N.Y. 88......Alex Portnoy ....................New York, N.Y. 89......Oliver Worth ....................Forest Hills, N.Y. 93......David Krasner ..................Staten Island, N.Y. 94......Albert Y. Wan ..................Forest Hills, N.Y. 98......Sebastien Sec..................New York, N.Y. 101....Michael Pertsovsky ........Brooklyn, N.Y. 109....Eric Dubilerer ..................Little Neck, N.Y. 114....Daniel Gordon..................New York, N.Y. 116....Sidharth Chawla ..............New York, N.Y. 124....Ty Switzer ........................New York, N.Y. 126....Donovan Spigner ............New York, N.Y. 132....Allaksei Bogdanets..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 138....Jace K. Alexander ..........New York, N.Y. 141....Nicholas Murphy ............New York, N.Y. 146....Kole Moses......................New York, N.Y.

RANKINGS Sectional Boys 18 SinglesMetro Region Rank....Name..........................................City 2........Ethan Leon ......................Woodhaven, N.Y. 13......Alexander Nielsen............New York, N.Y. 18......Steven Daniel Nazaroff....Brooklyn, N.Y. 24......Shawn Jackson ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 27......Lantis Wang ....................New York, N.Y. 28......Jonah Jurick ....................New York, N.Y. 31......Blake Frank......................New York, N.Y. 38......Oliver Obeid ....................New York, N.Y. 40......Christopher Tham............Flushing, N.Y. 50......Maxwell Igor Kachkarov..Flushing, N.Y. 52......Gabriel Rissman ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 55......Derek Raskopf ................New York, N.Y. 63......Sam Vagner ....................Staten Island, N.Y. 64......Dylan Friedman ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 66......Harry Portnoy ..................New York, N.Y. 68......Gary C. Fishkin ................Staten Island, N.Y. 70......Kai Yuminaga ..................Oakland Gardens, N.Y. 71......Alex Portnoy ....................New York, N.Y. 75......Robbie F. Werdiger ..........New York, N.Y. 80......Zachary Jordan Lieb ......New York, N.Y. 82......Simon Camacho..............New York, N.Y. 87......David Mizrahi ..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 95......David Krasner ..................Staten Island, N.Y. 99......Julian Szuper ..................New York, N.Y. 106....Nicholas Steiglehner ......New York, N.Y. 109....Zachary Portnoy..............New York, N.Y. 112....Donovan Brown ..............New York, N.Y. 115....David Pines......................New York, N.Y. 116....Harrison Saladini ............New York, N.Y. 127....Jeffrey Fradkin ................New York, N.Y. 135....August LePique ..............New York, N.Y. 137....Eugene Fishman..............Rego Park, N.Y. 138....John Bricker ....................New York, N.Y. 140....Nicholas Pustilnik ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 149....Peter Frelinghuysen ........New York, N.Y.

GIRLS Sectional Girls 12 SinglesMetro Region Rank....Name..........................................City 2........Linda Ziets-Segura..........New York, N.Y. 5........Nina Wiese ......................Flushing, N.Y. 6........Patricia Grigoras..............Middle Village, N.Y. 11......Julia T. Werdiger ..............New York, N.Y. 12......Sophia Cisse-Ignatiev ....New York, N.Y. 15......Claire An ..........................New York, N.Y. 16......Rachel Roth ....................New York, N.Y. 17......Charlie Eve Liss ..............New York, N.Y. 19......Caitlin Bui ........................Flushing, N.Y. 20......Olivia Benton ..................Rosedale, N.Y. 30......Chantajah Mills ................New York, N.Y. 38......Nicole Sniadowski ..........Staten Island, N.Y. 45......Ava Li................................Forest Hills, N.Y. 46......Stoney Cooks..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 48......Jadah Bentham ..............Bronx, N.Y. 49......Stella Kirby ......................New York, N.Y. 52......Summer Chandler ..........Jamaica, N.Y. 53......Nicole Okhtenberg ..........Brooklyn, N.Y. 55......Naomi Williams................New York, N.Y. 56......Imani Jean........................Brooklyn, N.Y. 57......Julia Sniadowski..............Staten Island, N.Y. 60......Nadia Barteck..................New York, N.Y. 62......Ronit Khromchenko ........Staten Island, N.Y. 64......Astrid Greene ..................New York, N.Y. 70......Leena Kuittinen................Bronx, N.Y. 71......Diya Emine Chawia ........New York, N.Y. 73......Sophia Luo ......................Staten Island, N.Y.

76......Rianna Mariotti ................Forest Hills, N.Y. 78......Sophie Ahlberg................Flushing, N.Y. 79......Uma Pogrebivsky ............Kew Gardens, N.Y. 80......Leena Friedman ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 83......Kira Diaz ..........................Richmond Hill, N.Y. 84......Sophie Sands ..................New York, N.Y. 86......Reese Sibley....................New York, N.Y. 89......Sofia Guzzoni ..................New York, N.Y. 93......Ahniya Vustsina ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 94......Anias Jenkins ..................Bronx, N.Y. 95......Simran Makkar ................New York, N.Y. 98......Isabella Jaramillo ............New York, N.Y. 99......Sabrina Shvartsman........Brooklyn, N.Y. 101....Ella Farahnakian ..............New York, N.Y. 103....Olivia Chin........................Bayside, N.Y. 116....Solene Luttway................New York, N.Y. 120....Margaux Vasilescu ..........New York, N.Y. 123....Jenna Kleynerman ..........Staten Island, N.Y. 125....Ellie Carpenter ................New York, N.Y. 131....Anastasia Pleskun ..........New York, N.Y. 134....Kayla Moore ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 138....Chloe Mitchell..................Jamaica, N.Y. 147....Illiana Dearmas ................Maspeth, N.Y. 148....Sara Novo........................Staten Island, N.Y. 150....Flora Haberman ..............New York, N.Y.

Sectional Girls 14 SinglesMetro Region Rank....Name..........................................City 7........Natalie Eordekian ............Woodside, N.Y. 11......Sarah Lucy Youngberg....New York, N.Y. 31......Nina Wiese ......................Flushing, N.Y. 34......Sofia Iantosca..................New York, N.Y. 44......Catalina Haberman ........New York, N.Y. 52......Blakely Duskin ................Brooklyn, N.Y. 53......Rosie Isabella Seccia ......New York, N.Y. 56......Michelle Ryndin ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 60......Arina Oreshchenkova......Rockaway Beach, N.Y. 74......Patricia Grigoras..............Middle Village, N.Y. 76......Lulu Jenkins ....................Bronx, N.Y. 78......Bianca Dumitru................Forest Hills, N.Y. 82......Bukky Alalade..................Rosedale, N.Y. 84......Isabella Saul ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 85......Imani Jean........................Brooklyn, N.Y. 92......Kaitlyn Mendoza..............Rego Park, N.Y. 93......Ava Dahl ..........................New York, N.Y. 96......Sophia Koval....................Rego Park, N.Y. 97......Juliana Gomez ................Jamaica, N.Y. 106....Caitlin Bui ........................Flushing, N.Y. 116....Abigail Hammer ..............Astoria, N.Y. 117....Taylor Overstrom ............New York, N.Y. 132....Clara Novo ......................Staten Island, N.Y. 135....Rachel Roth ....................New York, N.Y. 137....Julia T. Werdiger ..............New York, N.Y. 138....Abigale Marants ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 139....Laurentia Bentivoglio ......New York, N.Y. 141....Alyssa Koval ....................Rego Park, N.Y. 143....Natalie Bergmann............Forest Hills, N.Y. 150....Angelina Bittan ................Brooklyn, N.Y.

Sectional Girls 16 SinglesMetro Region Rank....Name..........................................City 2........Nadejda Maslova ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 4........Rosie Garcia Gross ........New York, N.Y. 10......Perene Wang ..................New York, N.Y. 13......Shawnte Beale ................Bronx, N.Y. 19......Daniella Benabraham......New York, N.Y. 30......Michelle Kleynerman ......Staten Island, N.Y. 31......Lelia Epstein ....................New York, N.Y.

NYTennisMag.com â&#x20AC;˘ September/October 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ New York Tennis Magazine

NEW 36......Rebecca Eliana Fisch......New York, N.Y. 42......Carolyn Brodsky..............New York, N.Y. 44......Deliala Friedman..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 45......Natalie Eordekian ............Woodside, N.Y. 47......Gabriella Eitkis ................Brooklyn, N.Y. 49......Julia Lendel......................Staten Island, N.Y. 51......Dakota Fordham..............New York, N.Y. 54......Khyanna Singh ................Queens Village, N.Y. 55......Lorraine Bergmann..........Forest Hills, N.Y. 62......Sofie Shen........................New York, N.Y. 74......Zoe Kava..........................New York, N.Y. 78......Nathalie Williams ............New York, N.Y. 81......Anna Borovinskaya ........Bronx, N.Y. 87......Jordan Ben-Shmuel ........New York, N.Y. 89......Catalina Haberman ........New York, N.Y. 90......Alyssa An ........................New York, N.Y. 98......Sofia Allinson ..................New York, N.Y. 102....Nadzeya Fliaha ................Brooklyn, N.Y. 110....Sarah Lucy Youngberg....New York, N.Y. 128....Alina Abramoff ................Brooklyn, N.Y. 131....Nia Dabreo ......................Brooklyn, N.Y. 133....India Lottt ........................Flushing, N.Y. 142....Rebecca Sitkovetsky ......Staten Island, N.Y. 149....Julianna Gomez ..............Jamaica, N.Y.

Sectional Girls 18 SinglesMetro Region Rank....Name..........................................City 4........Michelle Sorokko ............Little Neck, N.Y. 6........Rosie Garcia Gross ........New York, N.Y. 9........Sonia Tartakovsky ..........New York, N.Y. 14......Perene Wang ..................New York, N.Y. 25......Nadejda Maslova ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 29......Shawnte Natalique BealeBronx, N.Y. 35......Anastasia Koniaev ..........Forest Hills, N.Y. 36......Dasha Kourkina ..............Brook;yn, N.Y. 37......Amy Kaplan ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 42......Christina M. Huynh..........Astoria, N.Y. 44......Khyanna Singh ................Queens Village, N.Y. 46......Dakota Fordham..............New York, N.Y. 48......Miriam Aziz ......................Staten Island, N.Y. 58......Kyra Bergmann................Forest Hills, N.Y. 59......Katherine Kachkarov ......Flushing, N.Y. 68......Chelsea Williams ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 71......Diana Sosonkin................Brooklyn, N.Y. 76......Josephine Kimball ..........New York, N.Y. 82......Anna Borovinskaya ........Bronx, N.Y. 84......Nicole Semenov ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 94......Zoe Kava..........................New York, N.Y. 97......Daniella Benabraham......New York, N.Y. 103....Sabrina Boada ................Woodhaven, N.Y. 115....Michelle Kleynerman ......Staten Island, N.Y. 123....Natalie Eordekian ............Woodside, N.Y. 131....Amalia M. Parrish ............Queens Village, N.Y. 132....Grace Kennedy................New York, N.Y. 139....Carolyn Brodsky..............New York, N.Y. 143....Lorraine Bergmann..........Forest Hills, N.Y. 145....Jordan Anyta Ben-Shmuel New York, N.Y.

YORK

Boys & Girls National Rankings (as of 08/08/18)

BOYS National Boys 12 SinglesMetro Region Rank ..Name............................................City 62......Darren Huang ..................Whitestone, N.Y. 84......Nicolas Iantosca..............New York, N.Y. 89......Dominick Mosejczuk ......East Elmhurst, N.Y. 114....Andrew R. Ena ................Rego Park, N.Y. 137....Neel Krishnaswamy ........New York, N.Y. 525....Marco Ziets-Segura ........New York, N.Y. 888....Jordan Chang..................Oakfield Gardens, N.Y. 940....Jesse Yang ......................Fresh Meadows, N.Y. 947....Adrian Avanesov..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 948....John Patrick Popowich ..New York, N.Y. 953....Zane Nippon....................New York, N.Y. 970....Bassil Touban ..................Maspeth, N.Y. 978....Theodore Murphy............New York, N.Y.

National Boys 14 SinglesMetro Region Rank ..Name............................................City 14......Ty Switzer ........................New York, N.Y. 15......John-Tomas Bilski ..........New York, N.Y. 34......Cooper Williams ..............New York, N.Y. 75......Donovan Spigner ............New York, N.Y. 83......Jace K. Alexander ..........New York, N.Y. 114....Nicholas Steiglehner ......New York, N.Y. 116....Sebastian Sec..................New York, N.Y. 172....Sacha Maes ....................New York, N.Y. 192....Cal R. Wider ....................New York, N.Y. 225....Sachin Palta ....................Forest Hills, N.Y. 253....Astro Brundo Pilipovic ....New York, N.Y. 286....Alexander Aney ..............New York, N.Y. 335....Ari Hercules Cotoulas......Brooklyn, N.Y. 400....Darren Huang ..................Whitestone, N.Y. 488....Nicolas Iantosca..............New York, N.Y. 498....Dominick Mosejczuk ......East Elmhurst, N.Y. 551....Andrew R. Ena ................Rego Park, N.Y. 556....Adrien Svilen Jippov........New York, N.Y. 578....Nicholas Murphy ............New York, N.Y. 627....Neel Krishnaswamy ........New York, N.Y. 859....David Krasner ..................Staten Island, N.Y. 895....Zecheng Fang..................New York, N.Y.

National Boys 16 SinglesMetro Region Rank ..Name............................................City 118....Eitan Khromchenko ........Staten Island, N.Y. 157....Hudson Beaudoin ..........New York, N.Y. 162....Maxwell Kachkarov ........Flushing, N.Y. 185....Jeffrey Fradkin ................New York, N.Y. 238....Ty Switzer ........................New York, N.Y. 249....John-Tomas Bilski ..........New York, N.Y. 302....Zachary Portnoy..............New York, N.Y. 311....Marcos Lee......................New York, N.Y. 313....Tyler Korobov ..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 338....Brandon T. Cohen ..........New York, N.Y. 349....Cooper Williams ..............New York, N.Y. 370....Noah Eisenberg ..............New York, N.Y. 415....Oliver Obeid ....................New York, N.Y. 449....Harry Portnoy ................New York, N.Y. 490....Joseph Wilkanowski ......Long Island City, N.Y. 517....Donovan Spigner ............New York, N.Y. 529....Robbie F. Werdiger ..........New York, N.Y.

RANKINGS 545....Jace K. Alexander ..........New York, N.Y. 603....Wesley Zhang ..................Staten Island, N.Y. 626....Nicholas Steiglehner ......New York, N.Y. 631....Sebastien Sec..................New York, N.Y. 673....Alex Portnoy ....................New York, N.Y. 687....Noah Edelman ................New York, N.Y. 721....Kai Yuminaga ..................Oakland Gardens, N.Y. 747....Sachin Palta ....................Forest Hills, N.Y. 768....Sacha Maes ....................New York, N.Y. 797....Harrison Saladini ............New York, N.Y. 961....Alexander Aney ..............New York, N.Y. 965....Paul Elghouayel ..............New York, N.Y.

National Boys 18 SinglesMetro Region Rank ..Name............................................City 153....Ethan Leon ......................Woodhaven, N.Y. 205....Gary C. Fishkin ................Staten Island, N.Y. 217....Zachary Jordan Lieb ......New York, N.Y. 258....Steven Daniel Nazaroff....Brooklyn, N.Y. 280....Alexander Nielsen............New York, N.Y. 281....Danny Thomas ................New York, N.Y. 369....Lantis Wang ....................New York, N.Y. 400....Jonah Jurick ....................New York, N.Y. 412....Oliver Obeid ....................New York, N.Y. 483....Derek Raskopf ................New York, N.Y. 493....Maxwell Igor Kachkarov..Flushing, N.Y. 496....Jeffrey Fradkin ................New York, N.Y. 576....Zachary Portnoy..............New York, N.Y. 595....Eitan Khromchenko ........Staten Island, N.Y. 651....Harry Portnoy ..................New York, N.Y. 695....Hudson Beaudoin ..........New York, N.Y. 706....Alex Portnoy ....................New York, N.Y. 767....Dylan Friedman ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 862....Gabriel Rissman ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 863....Peter Frelinghuysen ........New York, N.Y. 901....Marcos Lee......................New York, N.Y. 967....Tyler Korobov ..................Brooklyn, N.Y.

GIRLS National Girls 12 SinglesMetro Region Rank ..Name............................................City 19......Linda Ziets-Segura..........New York, N.Y. 23......Nina Wiese ......................Flushing, N.Y. 33......Patricia Grigoras..............Middle Village, N.Y. 77......Sophia Cisse-Ignatiev ....New York, N.Y. 87......Olivia Benton ..................Rosedale, N.Y. 100....Julia T. Werdiger ..............New York, N.Y. 125....Claire An ..........................New York, N.Y. 133....Caitlin Bui ........................Flushing, N.Y. 194....Charlie Eve Liss ..............New York, N.Y. 242....Rachel Roth ....................New York, N.Y. 477....Chantajah Mills ................New York, N.Y. 547....Naomi Williams................New York, N.Y. 602....Stella Kirby ......................New York, N.Y. 808....Stoney Cooks..................Brooklyn, N.Y. 809....Leena Friedman ..............Brooklyn, N.Y. 817....Summer Chandler ..........Jamaica, N.Y. 848....Kira Diaz ..........................Richmond Hill, N.Y. 866....Reese Sibley....................New York, N.Y. 869....Anias Jenkins ..................Bronx, N.Y. 871....Sophie Sands ..................New York, N.Y. 898....Ava Li................................Forest Hills, N.Y. 909....Flora Haberman ..............New York, N.Y. 916....Cymone Crump ..............Bronx, N.Y.

New York Tennis Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ September/October 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ NYTennisMag.com

National Girls 14 SinglesMetro Region Rank ..Name............................................City 60......Daniella Benabraham......New York, N.Y. 141....Sarah Lucy Youngberg....New York, N.Y. 142....Natalie Eordekian ............Woodside, N.Y. 200....Nina Wiese ......................Flushing, N.Y. 311....Linda Ziets-Segura..........New York, N.Y. 323....Michelle Ryndin ..............Staten Island, N.Y. 361....Patricia Grigoras..............Middle Village, N.Y. 399....Sofia Iantosca..................New York, N.Y. 518....Sophia Cisse-Ignatiev ....New York, N.Y. 542....Olivia Benton ..................Rosedale, N.Y. 583....Julia T. Werdiger ..............New York, N.Y. 628....Catalina Haberman ........New York, N.Y. 652....Claire An ..........................New York, N.Y. 666....Caitlin Bui ........................Flushing, N.Y. 789....Charlie Eve Liss ..............New York, N.Y. 817....Rose Seccia ....................New York, N.Y. 892....Rachel Roth ....................New York, N.Y.

National Girls 16 SinglesMetro Region Rank ..Name............................................City 12......Rosie Garcia Gross ........New York, N.Y. 17......Nadejda Maslova ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 71......Daniella Benabraham......New York, N.Y. 96......Perene Wang ..................New York, N.Y. 168....Shawnte Beale ................Bronx, N.Y. 338....Dakota Fordham..............New York, N.Y. 398....Rebecca Eliana Fisch......New York, N.Y. 424....Michelle Kleynerman ......Staten Island, N.Y. 568....Lelia Epstein ....................New York, N.Y. 695....Sarah Lucy Youngberg....New York, N.Y. 704....Natalie Eordekian ............Woodside, N.Y. 706....Carolyn Brodsky..............New York, N.Y. 776....Nathalie Williams ............New York, N.Y. 777....Delila Friedman................Brooklyn, N.Y.

National Girls 18 SinglesMetro Region Rank ..Name............................................City 6........Michelle Sorokko ............Little Neck, N.Y. 29......Sonia Tartakovsky ..........New York, N.Y. 46......Rosie Garcia Gross ........New York, N.Y. 67......Dasha Kourkina ..............Brook;yn, N.Y. 141....Nadejda Maslova ............Brooklyn, N.Y. 295....Perene Wang ..................New York, N.Y. 345....Daniella Benabraham......New York, N.Y. 436....Dakota Fordham..............New York, N.Y. 592....Amy Kaplan ....................Brooklyn, N.Y. 660....Shawnte Beale ................Bronx, N.Y. 744....Anastasia Koniaev ..........Forest Hills, N.Y. 890....Katherine Kachkarov ......Flushing, N.Y. 990....Rebecca Eliana Fisch......New York, N.Y. 994....Mirian Aziz........................Staten Island, N.Y.

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