ADDvantage February 2020

February 2020

USPTA Elite Professionals Scott & Cathy Simpson (Midwest)

USPTA From the CEO

Ramping Up 2020 John R. Embree, USPTA CEO

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his is such an exciting time at the USPTA; 2020 is going to be a great year. It’s our second year of full accreditation from the USTA, so the time has arrived when we can truly state that we are elevating the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches.

But to truly appreciate the magnitude of what is to come, let’s take a moment to appreciate all we did in 2019 to get to this point.

Membership grew by 10 percent in 2019, thanks in part to an increase in both the quantity and quality of our testing. Returning members have also increased to the point where we have surpassed membership totals from 2017. But our growth extends far beyond membership.

In 2019, Association revenues outpaced expenses, yielding an operating surplus for the seventh year in a row! A strong stock market also helped the USPTA investment account grow by 10 percent, strengthening our reserves.

We also partnered with the IPTPA to offer certification in pickleball, which is growing rapidly at clubs and facilities throughout the country. We certified more than 350 professionals and we anticipate surpassing that number next year.

Have you seen us on social media?

Look out for the Tuesday Quick Tip presented by National Head Tester Sid Newcomb. I’ve also enjoyed reading the weekly member profiles

published by our Communications team; our members have some incredible stories.

The 2019 World Conference in Las Vegas was a huge success with over 1,000 attendees. Eighttime Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi headlined a slate of over 40 educational sessions, including a full day dedicated to female speakers. We presented 18 national awards, introduced five new Master Professionals and inducted two legends, Stanford coaches Dick Gould and Frank Brennan, Jr., into the USPTA Hall of Fame.

We’ve gotten great feedback on the continuing education opportunities offered in 2019, both at the World Conference and at our two Leadership Academies in Lake Nona. More than 40 members attended those workshops, which emphasize off-court skills to help teaching professionals become better industry leaders. We will communicate details on this year’s workshop in the coming weeks.

I’m very proud of the Association’s success in 2019, but now it’s time to look ahead.

Feisal Hassan began his term as USPTA President last month and Jason Gilbert and Lane Evans joined the National Board of Directors. We had a very productive meeting with the new Board here in January and our committees and task forces are ready to hit the ground running.

I want to take a moment to thank

42 - ADDvantage Magazine — February 2020

Gary Trost for his leadership as President these last two years, and to Chuck Gill and Cari Buck for their service on the previous Board. Like those who served our Association before them, we are stronger now because of their vision, commitment and leadership.

We are thrilled to unveil a new certified membership category – USPTA Instructor – that has replaced the Recreational Coach category.

The new USPTA Instructor category is designed to offer a pathway into a career in coaching for high school and college players, part-time coaches and other tennis enthusiasts. Check out my article on page 56 of this issue of ADDvantage Magazine for more information.

I’m really looking forward to this year’s World Conference in September. We’ll be at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside where we had a fantastic conference in 2015. After last year’s success in Las Vegas, this is an event you do not want to miss.

Lastly, I want to reiterate that I am always available to speak with you. I welcome our members’ input, and I’m grateful for your positive contributions to our Association.

We have a lot to be proud of, but there is so much left to do. As we continue through 2020, make sure you’re earning your continuing education credits. Improve as a professional every day. We will all be better for it!*

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First Vice President’s Message USPTA

Help Wanted!

Rich Slivocka, USPTA First Vice President

I

that encouraged me to get involved with the USPTA. I remember asking myself and those professionals, “How do I get involved?”

I had been part of the USPTA for several years at that point, but my involvement didn’t extend far beyond the continuing education opportunities.

But make no mistake, the division and national education offered by the USPTA are great. They’re where you network and build relationships with other professionals.

When I asked that question all those years ago, I was lucky because many of those mentors were serving on division boards or national committees, or they had done Slivocka ( left) and new National Board Member Lane Evans so previously. (right) at the 2019 World Conference in Las Vegas.

Their strong reins. As they take their positions, they’ll example provided me with a road map on getting involved with the USPTA. By be looking for volunteers. And if you’ve getting your foot in the door through ever been interested in getting involved volunteering, you not only contribute with the USPTA, volunteering is a great to our Association, but you prepare way to start. yourself for the bigger responsibility Nineteen years ago, I made the of serving on the division boards and decision to give back to the Association national committees. that had given me so much. I was a Division boards are so important in young tennis professional trying to find governing our Association. Nearly all my place in the industry and I had been national board members started their mentored by numerous professionals

Gustavo Reyes / USPTA

want to first take the time to thank all the division officers and national committee members for their service and their dedication over the past two years. All those men and women dedicated their time and energy in trying to shape our Association, which has given us all so much in our professional careers.

The new two-year term has just begun, and the various Board and committee members have grabbed the

involvement at the division level. This is where you can make an immediate impact on the professionals in your area and learn what it really means to take on the responsibility of serving on a board of directors.

After serving on a division board, the next step in USPTA involvement is serving on a national committee. The USPTA has four national committees.

They and their chairs are as follows:

Education & Certification

Rich Slivocka & Trish Faulkner

Membership

Mark Faber & Lane Evans

Marketing

Bill Mountford & Jason Gilbert

Finance

Rich Slivocka

In addition, each committee has several subcommittees dealing with different issues. Serving on these is a commitment, but volunteers with passion and subject matter expertise are tremendous assets. When everyone works together, the conference calls, projects and task forces are worth it.

Everyone involved would like to leave the Association in better shape than they found it.

Just as seasoned tennis professionals offered me a road map when I was young, I hope this article provides you with the same map. Getting involved in the USPTA can change your career – really, your life – in ways you never imagined.

When the USPTA says it values its members, it’s because everyone has something, some way they can contribute. As coaches, we all know the importance of continual learning.

Getting involved in the USPTA is its own sort of education, and over time, volunteers become agents of change and progress.

If you have any questions about getting involved, please reach out to me or your division boards and we would be happy to assist you however we can. *

February 2020 — ADDvantage Magazine - 47

USPTA

A LIFETIME ON THE COURT: Scott & Cathy Simpson Lucas Casás, USPTA Communications

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his assistant for about seven years. The rest is history.

“Scott could tell that I worked well with kids so he asked if I would be interested in helping. As I was moving up the ranks with my player level, he said I should go get tested and try to get certified and I did. I think this is my 26th year with the USPTA. I just totally fell in love with the game and wanted to continue to work with kids.

It’s just been great.”

Scott stayed at Danville until 2002, when he moved to Champaign Country Club. A few years after that, Cathy took Scott’s old job as director of tennis at Danville, which she made hers over 10 years. Then two years ago, Cathy, also an Elite Professional, moved over to Champaign CC. That way, they could keep coaching lessons together.

“One of our philosophies that we’ve really been emphasizing is fun,” Scott said. “The people just like being together. We could’ve used all four courts but they preferred the camaraderie of being together on a couple courts. We work great together. She’s so easy to get along with. We don’t ever have any problems at all.”

“That was the hard part when I was running Danville, was not getting to work together as much,” she said. “Now we’re both getting to Scott and Tom Simpson set a world record for continuous doubles play by a team and an work together all summer long. We both love that.” individual in 1982.

Courtesy of Cathy Simpson

48 - ADDvantage Magazine — February 2020

Courtesy of Cathy Simpson

athy Simpson didn’t pick up a tennis racquet until she was 25 years old.

She was a life-long athlete – she played basketball, volleyball and other sports – but not tennis. Not until her cousin took her to the courts in Danville, Ill. Her life changed that day.

She found a new sport. She found a sport that would soon be her livelihood.

And she also found a husband.

Well, not at first. When Cathy met Scott Simpson, a USPTA Elite Professional, he was the director of tennis at Danville Tennis Club.

“I went from a 2.5 player to a 5.0 player in about 10 years,” Cathy said.

“Just started helping him work. I was

In March, the couple will celebrate 20 years of marriage.

$1.97 for life

Tennis wasn’t always part of Scott’s life, either.

He was about 13 years old, and a few friends were playing tennis. As soon as he joined them, he fell in love. So he got a racquet of his own.

“I bought a $1.97 racquet and broke it the first time I played,” he said. “Not temper, it was just a cheap racquet.”

He stuck with tennis, though, evidently long enough to make history.

“In 1982 my brother and I broke the world record for continuous play by a doubles team,” Scott said. “We

Courtesy of Cathy Simpson

USPTA

Scott and Cathy Simpson (middle) with their family during Thanksgiving 2019. (not pictured: Kayla and her husband Brad)

played 108 hours and two minutes.

We raised over $5,000 for the American Cancer Society.”

The rules allowed for five minutes of rest for every hour played. They took their first respite after 42 consecutive hours.

Scott’s brother, Tom, is the head tennis coach at Coker University. His sister, Kerry, played tennis at Ball State. Tom’s son, Billy, is the head pro at a club in Columbia, S.C. Scott and Cathy have five kids from previous marriages. Tara and Amy, the oldest, are Scott’s. Then come Tony and Kayla, Cathy’s kids. Chad, Scott’s son, is six months younger than Kayla.

They were blessed, they said, at how seamlessly their families came together.

“My kids love Cathy and her kids love me,” Scott said. “We have 13 grandkids between the two of us.”

Expose, but don’t push

It can be difficult for coaches not to get caught up coaching their own kids. But Scott and Cathy found a way to balance the two.

“Somehow he was able to do both, be a dad and still be my coach,” Chad Simpson said. “I think just his emphasis on sportsmanship, honoring the game. It wasn’t to be No. 1 in all these rankings or you have to win every match or beat your arch rival.

It was just, go out and give your best effort, have good sportsmanship. And he always said he’d be proud of me.”

Chad is in his fifth season as head coach at Point University in Georgia.

He and his wife, Emily, have three small children.

And for each of their first birthdays, just like the rest of their grandkids’, Scott and Cathy got them a tennis racquet.

“They’re getting exposed to it,” Scott said. “That’s the key, is not to push.

Expose them, but don’t push them.”

Their philosophy appears to be paying off. Their oldest grandson, one of five adopted boys of Tara, qualified for the Illinois state high school tennis tournament two years ago.

“Four generations of playing tennis,” Scott said. “Kinda neat.”

Today, the family is spread across the country. They were mostly able to get together over Thanksgiving, though. And even though it can be difficult to get everyone together, what they taught their kids and grandkids will be with them for the rest of their lives.

“The way he always evaluated me was, I’d come off the court from a match and he’d go through it,” Chad said. “How was your preparation, short-term and long-term? How is your effort, mental and physical?

And how is your sportsmanship?

“I think that was building to me and to my heart and to my character more than just being able to win a match,” Chad said. “The integrity and the character that he, not just said was important but took me through a process as a developing youngster. That impacted me. Now as a coach, that’s what I’m here to do, to impact young men and women to be their best and prepare them to go lead in homes and the workplace and their communities.”*

February 2020 — ADDvantage Magazine - 49

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Build Your Players’ Mental and Emotional Strength With “Compete-Learn-Honor” Peter C. Scales, Ph.D., USPTA Professional

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* The Compete-Learn-Honor or the past decade, I’ve used a slogan with the boys and girls high Habits for Strengthening Mental school junior varsity tennis teams I and Emotional Skills for Tennis: coach in suburban St. Louis to help organize our season, especially around Compete: teaching mental and emotional • Think during practice—feel skills. The slogan is just three words: during the match “Compete, Learn, Honor.”

• Physical fitness leads to mental toughness • Proper breathing leads to a relaxed Compete: We will give our best body and a clear mind effort 100 percent of the time.

• Love the battle and solve the puzzle • Have a game plan and routines Learn: We will be open, curious, • Have a purpose and a target humble learners. for every stroke • Expect the ball to come back and Honor: We will bring credit expect it to be a tough shot to ourselves, our families, our • What matters is right now, this teammates, our school, and the game of tennis, on and off the court. shot, this point • All points are big points • Use time effectively (give to you, I teach these in reverse order, take away from your opponent) Honor—Learn—Compete, because • Combat stress (by being humble, Honor is the foundation. smiling, moving, drinking water, We hang up laminated posters with a couple of these habits on them every and having a plan) day at practice and discuss them.

It doesn’t take long. But repeated Learn: every day over the course of a season, • Lose your “self”—humility allows it really makes an impact on how you to learn players think and act, on and off the • Mental toughness isn’t given, court. it’s developed Here’s what I put on the posters • Adjust-Adapt-Survive • Learn one new thing every time and some examples of how we talk on the court about them:

• Take notes and then study the notes • Improving is a better goal than winning • Mistakes are necessary to improve • Play the ball, not the opponent • Always change a losing game— never change a winning game

Honor:

• Respect all: teammates, opponents, coaches, officials • Love the game more than how you perform • Do not strive for victory—strive for grace, balance, patience, and clarity • Use positive self-talk and show positive body language • Never give up • Make no excuses • Give your all—it makes you tougher for your next match

Love the game more than how you perform

Half of competitors lose in every match. If you’re only enjoying tennis when you win, then you’re guaranteed to not have much fun! After winning his 19th Slam at the 2019 US Open, Rafa Nadal said he wasn’t playing to end up with more Slams than others.

“I play tennis because I love playing tennis,” he said.

February 2020 — ADDvantage Magazine - 51

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mental-emotional. The 80% of the time between points, thinking the right way is crucial, yes. But for the 20% of a match when you’re actually playing points, we want to help players let go of thoughts, allow the senses, instincts and feel to take over as they get more and more trusting of their mind-body system. Players will make more thoughtful decisions in matches, without thinking, because they were full of thoughts in practice!

What matters is right now

Coco Gauff ( left) and Maegan Manasse (right) shake hands after Gauff ’s qualifying win at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C., on July 27, 2019.

Never give up and make no excuses

The only reason you lost a match was that your opponent was better than you that day. That’s it. It wasn’t the sun or wind, the lights if you’re indoors, that your opponent was too quiet or too talkative, or that, if you lost in doubles, you’re “really a singles player.” And, if you wish for your opponent to tank, or double fault, etc., that’s not honorable.

Try to beat them when they’re playing their best. That’s the contest!

Lose your “self”

Real experts are humble – no expert ever feels like they have “mastered” their craft. There is always more to learn, as the constant tinkering of the top players reminds us. If the focus is on learning itself, then winning and losing and all the issues that go along with worrying about those outcomes aren’t even in the picture.

Improving is a better goal than winning & mistakes are necessary to improve At the Women’s Tennis Coaching Association conference during the

2019 US Open, Billie Jean King said her parents never asked her if she won or lost. Instead, they asked, “How did it go today?” Win or lose, they asked, “Did you give your best?

If you did, that is enough.” Players can control whether they improve and whether they give their best, not whether they win. Focus on that.

Our job is also to create a mistakefriendly zone so they can make mistakes because they’re stretching themselves. Then we help them get faster at understanding the mistakes and calmly dealing with them.

Think during practice, feel during the match

Practice is for tearing everything apart to the smallest movements and decisions, for deliberate focus and rehearsal, both physical and

USPTA Master Professional Mark Rearden tells the story of a time that an old coach asked him what the most important shot in tennis was. Mark guessed the serve. Nope. The old guy said, “The most important shot is the next one, because that’s the only one you can do anything about.” I have players focus on literally saying, “What matters is right now,” to help drive out other distracting thoughts. I also have them smell the tennis ball. That sensation can remind them of why they love playing, calm them down and get them back to present tense.

These things are not magical.

But for most players, applying the Compete-Learn-Honor approach to mental and emotional training will help them enjoy tennis more, give it their best consistently every day and stay in the game longer because they’re playing better and having more fun.* * Adapted from Peter C. Scales. (2019).

Mental and Emotional Training for Tennis: Compete-Learn-Honor.

Monterey, CA: Coaches Choice.

Peter C. Scales, Ph.D., is a developmental psychologist and a USPTA Professional.

Scales coaches the JV boys and girls tennis teams at Parkway South High, Manchester, Mo., and is the Mental Strength Consultant for the Washington University in St. Louis women’s tennis team. Scales has been a USPTA member for 11 years.

February 2020 — ADDvantage Magazine - 53

USPTA

Making the Basics Interesting: The challenge for all tennis coaches João Pinho, USPTA Elite Professional

I

n simple terms, what differentiates a highly competitive player from a less accomplished one? In most cases it comes down to their basics. While technique alone does not guarantee success, someone who has better split steps, smoother swing paths and better movement is likely to be more successful. That said, one of the biggest challenges I see in our industry is how a professional navigates the fine line between making their sessions rich in fun but poor in content, or the other way around.

It’s fair to say that we have all seen lessons in which the professional(s) did a tremendous job of getting players excited, but underachieved in providing material that will help the player develop in the medium to long term. On the other hand, we also see lessons that are full of lectures and good content, but that do not connect with the player and motivate them. While I have been guilty of both scenarios, and each has value, it is crucial to fine-tune your plans in order to find a balance that best fits the player or group that you have in front of you. This skill is more art than science. A professional should consider several factors when deciding where to draw the line.

will hopefully help you think about creating a “Fun-to-Learning” ratio that suits your classes and programs.

Develop the lesson; Content is king!

The program’s objectives and audience.

• Is your program focused on 10U? Recreational junior development?

High-performance? Adults? Clearly, each of these groups requires a unique balance between fun and content. However, the process of thinking through your lessons can be similar; more to come on that.

Regardless of the level and age group, be sure that your “meat and potatoes” are there, meaning there’s a clear and meaningful message.

• Your staff and players, should be very clear on what the focus is for that given day or drill.

The characteristics of the professional staff.

• Does your staff have experience working with that particular segment? Or do you need another coach on staff to fill a gap on your team? It’s also possible that your current personnel could be developed to fill the roles you seek.

In my experience, having a system to create your lesson plans and progressions can significantly simplify executing the lesson for the coach and enhance the learning curve for the player. The list below

54 - ADDvantage Magazine — February 2020

Err on the side of simplicity.

Tennis is a simple game. The people make it complicated!

• Focus on basic and specific skills, such as split steps or simple unit turns. Focus the drill on one or two such skills.

• As players develop, go deeper into those aspects and add variations to the concepts.

USPTA Gustavo Reyes / USPTA

Create realistic drills and games.

• While researching new drills can be helpful, ask yourself: What are the scenarios or skills that are important and relatable to this particular player or group? Your players are your best source of drill ideas! They tell you every day what they need to work on. It’s our job to interpret and deliver in the best way possible.

• Once you have an area of focus, work backwards to create drills that will isolate that skill and build from there. For example, start with dead-ball drills and progress to live-ball controls and points.

• Be sure to avoid the common mistake of the “standard class,” where the coach gives virtually the same lesson regardless of who the student is. This can make a coach’s life easier in the short term, but there will inevitably be a decline in quality and student retention.

Be a master of tweaking simple drills.

In a sport where repetition is key, it’s nearly impossible to avoid repetitive activities. However, making small adjustments to drills can significantly change the player’s experience and make the lesson more productive.

• For example, how many ways can you do a simple cross-court rally drill? You can have your students: 1. Play their inverted strokes 2. Count consecutive shots 3. Count shots into a particular zone 4. Start the rally with a serve, and so many more.

The point is we don’t always need a totally new drill to keep it interesting.

Possibilities are endless!

Pinho gave a presentation on teaching methodology at the 2019 World Conference in Las Vegas.

Turn your drills into individual and team competitions when appropriate.

• Knowing that most players prefer playing points over drills, look to create the same excitement and accountability that we naturally get when competing. You shouldn’t always use this technique; it’s important for players to learn to focus on the process. But turning dead- or live-ball drills into competitions can significantly increase player engagement.

Present your activities with enthusiasm!

• Your students’ energy is often a result of your own! Be aware of your tone, facial expressions

and other communication cues that affect how your message is received. The first person that needs to get excited about the next drill/activity is you!

As we know, our industry’s growth rate is concerning. As USPTAcertified teaching professionals, we have a huge influence on the future of our sport; our connections with players can be the difference between a tennis trier and a tennis player.

Balancing fun and learning is essential to keep players interested.

If you found this article helpful, share it with your colleagues.

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most powerful. If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact me at joao.pinho@usta.com.*

João Pinho is the Head Professional of 10U and High-Performance at the USTA BJK National Tennis Center in New York. A former NCAA Division I coach and player, he has specialized in developing competitive junior players and is currently the private coach of three national champions and a WTA touring pro. Since 2014, he has presented at many different conferences and workshops across the country, including the 2015 and 2019 USPTA World Conferences.

February 2020 — ADDvantage Magazine - 55

USPTA

So, what’s the deal with this new USPTA Instructor category?

John R. Embree, USPTA CEO

L

will also offer liability insurance. The beauty of this program is that we are making it available on an annual basis for only $199. But, to become a certified USPTA Instructor, there will be a significant requirement for additional education, which is a good thing.

First and foremost, anyone new to the USPTA who wishes to become a USPTA Instructor will be required to complete a 14-hour, face-to-face workshop called Teaching Essentials 1. These workshops will be held over two days (7 hours per day) and taught by subject matter experts that are USPTA members.

A combination of 16 hours of online education, in addition to the on-court workshop, will be required to attain the Instructor certification.

The online content will include coachyouthtennis.com, Safe Play

Photo Courtesy of Steve Keller

ast month (in the CEO message), we introduced you to a new membership category that we are rolling out in early 2020 called USPTA Instructor. Comparable to our current Recreational Coach category, this new membership is intended to attract part-time professionals, high school or college players, seasonal professionals, or those who are thinking about becoming full-time certified professionals in the future. The USPTA Instructor will be the first step for aspiring career tennis teachers or for those who want to be involved in our game by giving back through part-time teaching.

The advantage that the USPTA Instructor will have over our present Recreational Coach designation is that it will be a certified classification that

Sierra Junior Tennis Association - Reno, Nev. Teaching Essentials 1 workshop conducted by USTA.

56 - ADDvantage Magazine — February 2020

training, and a background screen, CPR/AED training, plus 3-4 hours of other online education that supports the face-to-face workshop and will be available shortly. Thus, the USPTA Instructor will have a total of 30 hours of targeted and refined education, making them much more prepared to deliver tennis than ever before.

Any current USPTA Rec Coaches who wish to convert to this category must complete the Safe Play training, be background screened (USTA will cover the cost), and attend one of the upcoming Teaching Essentials workshops. The current Rec Coach category will end at the end of 2020 as the new certification pathway begins in 2021. So, we strongly encourage Recreational Coaches to complete this process before the year ends. Yes, the Recreational Coach category that exists today will go away.

This new offering is a significant addition to our existing classification. The person who goes through the process to become a new USPTA Tennis Instructor will deliver entry-level programs for adults as well as juniors, which will help grow our game. The goal is to have a veritable army of professionals who will bring newfound expertise to clubs, parks and recreation facilities and schools. They will certainly be more educated than our existing force of part-time teachers.

Our stated mission at the USPTA is “to elevate the standards of tennisteaching professionals and coaches.”

The new USPTA Tennis Instructor will unquestionably support that mission.*

USPTA

Rhonda Rabanal Uses Human Connections to Grow Her Business Lucas Casás, USPTA Communications

manages her own business, Rhonda Tennis, teaching tennis at various courts around LA. She’s on the court roughly 50 hours a week with students, offering both private and group lessons.

“Youngest was 4, eldest was 73,” she said. “I’m genuinely passionate about teaching anyone who wants to learn.”

Her passion and motivation for teaching is essential to her Rabanal (left) with her mentor Amanda Fink (right) and success as a freelancer, but USPTA Southern Division President Kevin Theos (middle). she insists there’s more environment,” she said. to it than that.

“It looks like it’s just me, but just like It was also a tremendous learning a tennis player on the court, there is experience. Team tennis was new for a whole backbone of support. For me, her and working with other coaches that is my family and my boyfriend, and helped her see gaps in her own coaching. my friends, of course.”

Rabanal also finds support through the USPTA mentorship program. She She finds similar support in her was paired with Elite Professional clients. The parents of her younger Amanda Fink, a 2019 USPTA U30 Award students are supportive of their children, recipient from San Diego. Rabanal said driving them to and from tennis lessons the first time she and Fink spoke over the and buying shoes and racquets. But, phone was like she “had connected with importantly, they trust Rabanal. a friend I hadn’t spoken to in years.”

“It’s me and the parent teaming up to say yes, I trust you to be my son or Her intrinsic motivation cannot be daughter’s teacher,” she said. “They hire overstated, and she’s always had the me and I know that I am employed by support of her loved ones. But Rabanal the public I serve. But there’s absolutely has seized every opportunity to connect a team component there because there’s with others – to help them, to learn no way I’d be able to do this on my own from them – and to grow the game. without the support of parents.”

“My BA degree is in anthropology,” Rabanal said. “I found that being able Rabanal has added a new wrinkle to connect with people on a human to her coaching. Last year, she started level first, tennis second, is one of the as an assistant coach at Marlborough backbones of my success. I treat School, an all-girls school in LA. In both her first two years, the varsity team won every person as a human and focus on the connection. Everything else the Mission League championship. is secondary.”* “It’s more proof that I enjoy the team

Photo Courtesy of Rhonda Rabanal

U

SPTA Elite Professional Rhonda Rabanal (Southern California) graduated from UCLA in 2008, just as the economy ground to a halt.

With the job market scarce, her parents suggested she enlist in the military. After all, her father served in the Navy and her two brothers currently serve the Army and Air Force.

“They were just being realistic and presenting my options to me,” Rabanal said. “The route was either I join the Marines or I get a corporate job. I was like, I don’t want to join the Marines, so I’m going to go get a corporate job.”

She soon found work in a host of industries, including sales in Silicon Valley, wealth management and a number of volunteer opportunities.

She was successful in the corporate world, but her dream of playing professional tennis kept nagging.

That is, until one day, when it vanished. A car accident left Rabanal temporarily paralyzed from the waist up. She said it was like “a message from the universe.”

“Even though at that moment I knew going pro wasn’t for me, I was like, no, there’s something else here. My heart still wants to be on the court,” she said.

“What can I make for myself?”

For about five months as she recovered, Rabanal managed to make it out to local courts around Los Angeles, offering corrections to players. When someone finally suggested she try coaching, Rabanal was reluctant.

“Too many temperaments,” she said.

“But then as I started coaching more and more, I realized it was something I could do full-time.”

Five years later, Rabanal successfully

February 2020 — ADDvantage Magazine - 57

USPTA

The Latest Revolution in Tennis is Here:

Wilson Triniti Ball

The United States Professional Tennis Association, in partnership with Wilson Sporting Goods Co., has awarded one case and 24 canisters of the new Wilson Triniti tennis ball.

USPTA members who paid their 2020 membership dues by Dec. 15 were entered in the drawing for one case and 24 canisters of Wilson Triniti balls.

Brian Walters (Northern) is the lucky winner of the case of Wilson Triniti balls.

The 24 winners of a canister of Triniti balls are: Steve Bailey (Southern) Monty Basnyat (Northern California) Lynn Bender (Midwest) Paige Burke (Intermountain) Charles Cutler (Southwest) Mary Fink (Florida) Robert Florian (Southern) Michael Galli (Northern California) Danielle Hall (Eastern) Elizabeth Henderson (Southern) Gene Holtrey (Florida) Richard Lamb (Florida) Francisco Martinez Tovar (International) David Meeker (Florida) John Mercer (Mid-Atlantic) Marco Meza (Texas) Amy Nestle (Midwest) Jade Nguyen (Northern California) Jim O’Connell (Midwest) Jose Pastrello (Florida) Eileen Pero (Intermountain) Bob Peterson (Missouri Valley) Robert Pierce (Florida) Roger Watson (Texas)

T

he tennis ball hadn’t changed much in 40 years.

So Wilson Sporting Goods Co. set out to create a tennis ball that wouldn’t need pressurized plastic packaging to maintain liveliness. Wilson LABS, the innovation hub at Wilson, used state-of-the-art materials to redesign the tennis ball core and its felt cover.

The result is Triniti.

“We see Triniti as a big win for players, the industry, and importantly, our environment,” said Hans-Martin Reh, General Manager, Racquet Sports.

“While the tennis ball has not fundamentally changed over 40 years, it has contributed to landfill issues across the world.

We decided to re-engineer the ball from the inside out to be gentler on our world while not giving an inch on performance, actually enhancing it.”

Two key features mark the Wilson Triniti tennis ball. The first is the core, which is made of a plastomer material, which weighs less than traditional tennis ball cores and allowed Wilson product engineers to thicken the core’s walls. The ball stays in play longer, provides more control, spin and

58 - ADDvantage Magazine — February 2020

feel, and maintains its liveliness four times longer than a traditional Wilson tennis ball.

The second element is the felt. The Triniti ball is covered in STR felt, which is 50% more flexible than conventional tennis ball felt and allows for more compression. The flexible felt also leads to longer dwell times, meaning the player has enhanced feel and control because the ball stays on the racquet’s strings longer.

All of these innovations have allowed Wilson to start the latest revolution in tennis ball technology: a fully recyclable paper canister. The redesigned core and felt combine to keep the air pressure inside the ball, meaning Triniti balls don’t need to be stored in pressurized plastic PET containers to maintain their longevity and performance.

Wilson Triniti packaging is made from recycled cardboard.

Triniti balls are available in three-ball containers for $5.49 (MRP). Five percent of profits from Triniti tennis balls will support Wilson Sporting Goods’ global sustainability efforts.*

Career Development USPTA

Career Development USPTA Certification Testing Dates

Feb. 2........................................................ Haig Point Tennis Center

Hilton Head Island, SC Feb. 8..................................... McCormack-Nagelsen Tennis Center

Williamsburg, VA Feb. 8-9........................................................... Atlanta Athletic Club

Johns Creek, GA Feb. 10-11...........................................USTA National Tennis Center

Orlando, FL Feb. 12......................................................... Carefree Racquet Club

North Merrick, NY Feb. 13-14............................................................... Lifetime Fitness

Centennial, CO Feb. 15-16......................................................Sea Cliff Country Club

Huntington Beach, CA Feb. 20..................................................... Kansas City Country Club

Mission Hills, KS Feb. 22..................................... John and Fay Menard YMCA Tennis

Eau Claire, WI Feb. 22-23..................................................... Horseshoe Bay Resort

Horseshoe Bay, TX Mar. 6-7...................................................Berry Creek Country Club

Georgetown, TX Mar. 7-8.............................................. The City Club at River Ranch

Lafayette, LA Mar. 7-8............................................................ Oaks at Boca Raton

Boca Raton, FL Mar. 7-8.........................................................Sea Cliff Country Club

Huntington Beach, CA Mar. 9-10......................................... La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club

La Jolla, CA Mar. 13...........................................Oklahoma Golf & Country Club

Oklahoma City, OK Mar. 14-15..................................................Bayou Bluff Tennis Club

Gulfport, MS Mar. 15-16............................................................ ACAC Midlothian

Midlothian, VA Mar. 17-18................................................................ Glenview Club

Golf, IL Mar. 22...................................... Reed Sweatt Family Tennis Center

Minneapolis, MN Mar. 22-23..........................................................Park Crossing Club

Charlotte, NC Mar. 27..............................................................Nassau Tennis Club

Skillman, NJ Mar. 27-28....................................................... Ranch Country Club

Westiminster, CO Mar. 28-29............................................. Green Island Country Club

Columbus, GA

Exam reservations must be made by calling the USPTA World Headquarters at 407-634-3050 ext. 2 at least 21 days prior to the dates listed. Each date includes an exam and upgrade. PTCA I is included in the two-day exam. Exam cancelations must be received no later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancellation fee will be charged accordingly.

2020 USPTA Division Conferences Feb. 6-8 Midwest-Indiana...............Indianapolis Racquet Club. .

Indianapolis, IN Feb. 14-16 Intermountain.................................. Life-Time Fitness .

Centennial, CO Feb. 14-17 Northern California .................... Taube Tennis Center .

Stanford, CA Feb. 20-23 Texas........................................ Horseshoe Bay Resort .

Horseshoe Bay, TX Feb. 21-22 Missouri Valley..................................... Kansas City CC .

Mission Hills, KS Feb. 28-Mar. 1 Northern...........Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center .

Fort Snelling, MN Mar. 1-2 Midwest-Ohio............................. Marriott Northwest. .

Dublin, OH Mar. 13-14 Midwest-Wisconsin...............Hitters Sports Complex. .

Middleton, WI Mar. 7-8 San Diego....................... La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club .

La Jolla, CA Mar. 12-15 Mid-Atlantic.......................... Country Club of Virginia .

Richmond, VA May 1-3 Eastern...................International Tennis Hall of Fame. .

Newport, RI May 1-3 New England...........International Tennis Hall of Fame .

Newport, RI May 14-16 Southern.....................................Atlanta Athletic Club .

Johns Creek, GA May 15-17 Southwest............................Grand Canyon University .

Phoenix, AZ May 28-31 Florida.......................Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club .

Naples, FL June 5-6 Pacific Northwest................................ Linfield College .

McMinnville, OR Sept. 20-24 USPTA World Conference................... Hilton Riverside .

New Orleans, LA Divisions not listed have not yet set a date for their annual conference as of press time.

Visit www.uspta.com for a complete listing of certification and educational opportunities • Wheelchair • Padel • Platform

• Pickleball • RacquetFit

Visit TennisResources.com to find hundreds of exclusive educational and instructional videos, audio material, articles and drill diagrams related to all levels and aspects of the game of tennis. The user friendly video interface is great for watching on a desktop or mobile device and makes it easy to #GetYourSix wherever you are!

February 2020 — ADDvantage Magazine - 59

USPTA Get Social with USPTA Official Social Media Channels facebook.com/USPTA.Official twitter.com/USPTA_Tennis

instagram.com/uspta linkedin.com/company/ united-states-professionaltennis-association youtube.com/TheUSPTA

issuu.com/uspta

Visit TennisResources.com to learn more

In Memoriam

Michael Eikenberry (1947-2019) - Past President Michael Eikenberry passed away on Sept. 16, 2019, at the age of 72. Eikenberry first learned tennis on the Thrush Courts in Peru, Indiana, and was a two-time Indiana high school singles champion before being inducted into the Indiana High School Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Eikenberry went on to play No. 1 singles for the University of Virginia, where he earned a law degree. Eikenberry established Four Star Tennis Enterprises, Inc., a tennis academy, and provided opportunities to Peru youngsters to attend.

Eikenberry served as USPTA President from 1984-86, and was a driving force of the Association using computers in the national office.

David Muir (1929-2019) - Past President David Muir passed away on Dec. 10, 2019 at the age of 90. Muir was a graduate of Bradley University, where he also earned varsity letters in basketball and tennis. Muir taught tennis for over 60 years, coaching thousands of players, many of whom went on to collegiate and professional playing careers. Muir served the Association in various roles, including as National President from 1970-72. Muir was inducted into the Midwest Professional Tennis Hall of Fame in 1991, the Chicago Tennis Patrons Hall of Fame in 2010 and was presented with the USPTA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS President................................................................. Feisal Hassan First Vice President.............................................Richard Slivocka Vice Presidents...............Lane Evans, Mark Faber, Trish Faulkner, Jason Gilbert, Bill Mountford Immediate Past President............................................ Gary Trost CEO...........................................................................John Embree Legal Counsel........................................................George Parnell

ADDVANTAGE MAGAZINE Editor.................................................................................John Cornell Managing Editor.................................................................Lucas Casás Layout/Design............................................................... Gustavo Reyes Editorial Assistance ...........................Jacquelyn Dahre, Alegna Hollis, Ramona Husaru, Sid Newcomb, Ellen Weatherford, Fred Viancos Circulation.................................................................... Trevor Trudelle USPTA World Headquarters 11961 Performance Dr. Orlando, FL 32827 800-887-8248- www.uspta.com

60 - ADDvantage Magazine — February 2020

ADDvantage is published monthly by the United States Professional Tennis Association.

The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ADDvantage or the United States Professional Tennis Association.

Copyright© United States Professional Tennis Association, Inc. 2020. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from the USPTA.