July 2021
A Busy Summer for the USPTA 37
2021 World Conference Headliners 39
2021 World Conference Schedule 41
Our Democratic Association 42
2022–23 National Board Slate 43
The Magic of Padel 44
A Tribute to Carol Anderson 47
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From the CEO USPTA
A Busy Summer for the USPTA
I
am going to take a different approach to this month’s article. With no one specific topic to address, I wish to cover a variety of matters. So, it will sort of be a hodgepodge of essential subjects that I wanted to make sure is communicated. This is a busy time of year for our staff and our members, especially coming out of the pandemic. NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Team and Individual Championships: As I write this, the NCAA’s started at the USTA National Campus. Because of COVID precautions for the players and teams, spectators were limited, which is a shame. It is one of my favorite events on the tennis calendar each year, but they opened it to more fans as the tournament progressed. Next year, the Division III Championships will be here — and then in 2023, Lake Nona will play host for the first-ever to the Division I, II, and III Men’s and Women’s Championships, simultaneously. I cannot wait for that festival of collegiate tennis! HBCU Combine: Also, in late May, the USPTA supported a talent combine in Atlanta for students who aspire to play collegiately for an HBCU. As part of our partnership with the ATA, which was signed in early 2021, we wanted to showcase the USPTA in association with those participating. The hope is that some of these young people will consider a career in the tennis industry when they complete their education at an HBCU. CMAA Business Management Institute (BMI): At the beginning of June, yours truly spoke at a CMAA BMI in Scottsdale, AZ, about the state of the Racquet Sports Industry. This is the third invitation that I received to make
John R. Embree, USPTA CEO
this presentation, which is flattering. They must like what I have to say to be included for a third consecutive year! Our affiliation with club managers throughout the country is vital for many of our professionals who work in the country club space. Two new endorsees: I am pleased to recognize (even though you have probably seen previous announcements) two new endorsees to the USPTA family. First, we welcome Stā Active and their Fiix Elbow, as the official tennis elbow device, to help our members and consumers alike with the treatment of tennis elbow. There is nothing more uncomfortable than tennis elbow — and the Fiix Elbow device will get our members and their clients back on the court sooner rather than later. Second, Universal Tennis has been a partner of the USPTA for three years as the official rating system of the USPTA. The affiliation has now expanded to include tournament and club management software. Through a platform with Universal Tennis, our members can create alternative programming that will drive incremental income and grow participation at your facility. I am sure you are probably aware of the PAC study for 2020, which showed that tennis participation grew 22 percent last year, even during the pandemic. It is a real shot in the arm for our industry to know that we now have close to 22 million people playing tennis, up 4 million players. However, the challenge that we have is that we don’t have enough pros to meet this increased demand. Clubs and facilities across the country are scrambling to figure out ways
to satisfy this rise in interest without disappointing potential players and turning them away. Therefore, you have to tap into local high school players and kids in your High Performance programs to help out. We need to capitalize on this new enthusiasm for tennis, or we will lose them. And that would be a travesty! Along with the uptick in participation, manufacturers have had three consecutive quarters of stellar sales. The problem is that they are having a difficult time servicing their accounts with enough product. For example, championship balls sales in Q1 were up 25 percent versus 2020, coming on the heels of similar sales in Q4. Who would have forecasted that! As a result, there is a shortage of tennis balls. My advice, prebook your balls right away because if you place an AT ONCE order, there is a good chance you won’t get it. Finally, we are gearing up for our World Conference in Las Vegas, September 19-23. The speaker lineup is impressive, with three International Tennis Hall of Famers plus other industry icons. More details about the speaker roster, social events, and registration info are provided in the following pages. Please, come and join us at this annual extravaganza. You won’t be disappointed! There is not enough space in this column to highlight all of the wonderful things happening at the USPTA and our industry. The fervor of activity gives us reason for optimism that the pandemic is behind us and we can get back to our pre-COVID work and lifestyles. From my perspective, it could not have come soon enough. *
July 2021
ADDvantage Magazine - 37
September 19 – 23 Westgate Las Vegas 2021 USPTA World Conference Agenda *Speakers and schedule subject to change
Sunday, September 19
Tuesday, September 21
Specialty Course - WTCA - Coaching Female Players
Cardio Tennis/Wheelchair Tennis – Playing Opportunities
Emma Doyle, Tina Samara, Michelle Cleere, & Satoshi Ochi
Specialty Course - IPTPA Pickleball Certification Workshop Seymour Rifkind
Specialty Course - The Spanish System for Developing Singles & Doubles Players Emilio Sanchez-Vicario
Tennis Essentials 1 Course
Monday, September 20 Cardio Tennis/Wheelchair Tennis – Playing Opportunities USTA Staff
Own the Arena Katrina Adams Strength and Conditioning for Players of All Levels Satochi Ochi
How to Build the Necessary Programs, Play Options & Pathways to Grow Your Program/Club Post-COVID Scott McCulloch
Leading with Character Dr. Jim Loehr Cardio Tennis Games Michele Krause
Diagnosing Technical Flaws in the Strokes of Pro Players & the Implications for All Levels John Yandell
Dynamic Depth – Turning Defense into Offense Dale Evans
Creating a Strategic Plan for Your Career Development Mark McMahon & Tom Daglis
AD Staff Meetings USPTA Merchandise and Trade Show
USTA Staff
Doubles Formations and Situations Feisal Hassan
The Pickleball Reality Karen Schott
Lot of Kids, What Do I Do? Amanda Shaw & Kendra Becker
Hybrid Stringing, the Best of Both Worlds Andreas Bergen
Drills for Your League Players Paula Scheb
Performance Psychology – Motivation, Confidence & Resilience Dr. Gregory Prudhomme
Utilizing “How to Coach” & “What to Coach” Skills
Court Maintenance & Facility Upgrades Dustin Taylor
Skills & Drills for Adaptive and Inclusive Programming Lisa & Kyle LaCroix
Player Analysis – Inexpensive Ways to do Performance Analysis with Different Levels of Players David Ramos
The Art of Delivering a Successful Clinic Amanda Fink
Connecting Communities Through Your Event Scott Mitchell
Seven Stage Blueprint for Developing Players Ashley Hobson
Creating Your Brand & Capitalizing on Your Community Shikha Uberoi
Craig Jones, Sarah McQuade & Steve Keller
Powerful Moments: Master the Customer Experience Kim Bastable
General Membership Meeting John Embree & USPTA Board
Women’s Networking Session Division Parties
Thursday, September 23 Virtual Session Billie Jean King Drills for Your Teams Rosie Bareis
Let the Games Begin – Hightened Sense of Training, Learning & Playing Greg Patton
Shot Selection 101
No Direction Without Connection – How the Best Coaches & Leaders Connect with their Players & Teams Allistair McCaw
The Keys to a Successful Budget
Navigating the Unique Tennis Expansion in the Post-COVID World
Q&A with Stan Smith
TED Talks: The Magic of Padel & Platform Tennis
Wednesday, September 22 Cardio Tennis/Wheelchair Tennis – Playing Opportunities USTA Staff
Meike Babel
Ajay Pant
Getting Competition Right – More Kids Playing More Tennis at Your Facility Mike Barrell
Rod Heckelman
Marcos del Pilar & Matt Davis
Specialty Course - IPTPA Pickleball Certification Workshop Seymour Rifkind
USPTA Vice President’s Message
Our Democratic Association Rich Slivocka, USPTA First Vice President
E
very two years, in the late spring and early summer, we set out to continue the storied history of the USPTA while looking to shape its future. The nomination process for national and division boards is in full swing, and I’ve had the pleasure of being involved on both of these levels. Deciding on the future leaders of our association can be time-consuming and stressful, yet I believe one of our greatest strengths is that our members govern us. I will go into a brief description of how the process works for those of our members that might not be aware. The USPTA has a system where the Executive Committee members, consisting of the President and First Vice President of the 17 divisions, eight National Board Members, and three past presidents, govern the association. All officers are elected by division and national elections. In September of the year prior to the nominating process, the Executive Committee nominates people to serve on the Nominating Committee (the Executive Committee votes on all nominees). The Nominating Committee consists of the immediate Past President of the Board of
Directors and three persons elected by the Executive Committee. One member shall be from the prior Nominating Committee — with that person being the chair of the new Nominating Committee. Once the Nominating Committee is selected, they begin taking applications for the national board. All Elite professionals in good standing can apply for the board, and all members of the current board are required to reapply. I have had the opportunity to serve on a Nominating Committee, and I can tell you that the process of reviewing resumes, vetting, and interviewing candidates is incredibly thorough. Once the Nominating Committee determines the new slate for the following two-year term, they submit it to the CEO by June 1. The national office is then responsible for publishing it to the entire membership by June 15 electronically with further notification in the July issue of Racquet Sports Industry/ ADDvantage magazine. Once this new slate is presented to the membership, any candidate that applied for the board can then decide to run against one of the newly proposed members as
42 - ADDvantage Magazine July 2021
long as they submit their intent to run by July 1 with 120 accompanied signatures before the cutoff of August 16. According to our bylaws, the only members of the proposed slate not eligible for election are the incoming President and First Vice President. If all criteria are met, we will proceed with an election in October, voted on by all members in good standing of the USPTA. All results are then made public by the national office. As you can see, we have a fantastic system that allows for both continuity and collaboration in the election of our governing body. The Nominating Committee is responsible for assembling a board that works well together, but most importantly, one that holds the best interests of all members as its primary goal. I can tell you that of all the boards on which I have had the pleasure of serving — division or national, the mindset of what is best for our membership has always been key. The governance of the USPTA is hugely important to the success of the association, and I encourage everyone to get involved at any level. The best way to affect change is from the inside. *
The National Board USPTA
2022-23 National Board Proposed Slate
Members seeking to challenge a nominee proposed by the Nominating Committee must notify the national office by July 1 of their intention to challenge and specifically designate whom they are challenging for the board. In soliciting signatures from the membership, the Membership Nominee must use the official notification process proscribed by the national office. If there are no challenges by July 1, then the proposed slate will be accepted for commencement of the new term beginning on January 1, 2022. If an election is necessary, it will be held for a three-week period starting Friday, October 1, and ending Friday, October 22. The new slate would be announced by November 1. To challenge as a candidate nominated by the Nominating Committee, an individual must have applied serve on the board to the Nominating Committee during the current election cycle. The challenger must present their credentials confirming that they have secured the “requisite support” from the membership before August 16 of the election year. Only one nominee per office will be added to those persons nominated
by the Nominating Committee — and the one name added will have received the greatest number of nominations from the membership (“Membership Nominee”). To qualify as a Membership Nominee, the candidate must be endorsed by at least 120 members (which shall be deemed the “requisite support”). In the event there is a tie in the number of nominations obtained by the Membership Nominees, the Membership Nominee with the highest number of continuing education points during the 10 year period prior to and through July 1 of the current election year shall be added to the ballot. In the event the Membership Nominees remain tied after counting the number of continuing education points, the board shall select the name of the Membership Nominee to be added to the ballot. A Membership Nominee may not run against the person nominated by the Nominating Committee for President or First Vice President. Once the slate and Membership Nominees, if any, has been determined, each candidate shall be permitted to submit an approved video in support of their candidacy, which shall be made available to the Membership of
the Association. All videos will be two minutes total and will be filmed during the general membership meeting in Las Vegas. All videos will be prepared utilizing the exact production requirements to be promulgated by the national office. For the first time, members shall cast their votes electronically. In the event a Member cannot cast their vote electronically, the Member may request a paper ballot from the national office. In the event the candidates receive the same number of votes, the proposed nominee that has the highest number of continuing education points, as provided in subsection 1 above, shall prevail. In the event the nominees remain tied after counting the number of continuing education points, the nominee presented by the Nominating Committee shall be declared the winner. Any slight variances from the above deadlines or procedures may be authorized by the board and will be based on reasonableness and fairness to all candidates. Thanks for supporting the USPTA democratic process for the selection of our future leadership. *
The National Nominating Committee has completed its task and proudly submits the following slate for the 2022-23 USPTA National Board of Directors.
President Richard Slivocka
First Vice President Trish Faulkner
Vice President Lane Evans
Vice President Kevin Theos
Past President Feisal Hassan
Vice President Mark Faber
Vice President Jason Gilbert
Vice President Tracy Almeda-Singian
General Counsel George Parnell
July 2021
ADDvantage Magazine - 43
USPTA Padel
The Magic of Padel
t’s a fact that we all love racquet sports. The new concept of sports venues includes several racquet sports in addition to our beloved tennis, Pickleball, POP tennis, beach tennis, and, of course, the latest trend in the United States, Padel! After 50 years of history and unprecedented exponential growth in Europe, Padel is now spreading like wildfire in South America, Asia, several countries in Africa, and gaining an enormous amount of traction in the United States. Florida, Texas, California, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Virginia, North Carolina, New York, and Colorado are just some of the states embracing Padel. However, there are still questions from many players, managers, owners, and investors we would love to address. Let’s get them answered and democratize Padel! Questions we’ve received include: • What is Padel? • What is the business model behind it? • Why is it hitting so hard all over the world? • What are the opportunities? • How do I get involved? • How to bring Padel to your facility?
The significant promise of Padel is that everyone can play and have fun right away, in less than 30 minutes. Not only is it an excellent workout for all levels and ages, but Padel is also a sport for the entire family. On top of that, it’s highly social — as you can enjoy the action while hanging out and watching other matches with friends. The court is about a third of the size of a tennis court (33 x 66 ft). It is surrounded by glass on the back and part of the sides. A metal mesh fence covers the middle siding with two open side doors that can be used during play to go outside and yet still keep the ball in play. Believe it or not, it happens very often, and it makes this sport exciting and different from any other that you will experience. The rules and scoring are very similar to tennis. The only difference is that you can play off the walls (back and sides), and
What is Padel? Statistics prove that Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. It is played in more than 90 countries by 20+ million people around the globe. Padel is a racquet sport that combines tennis, racquetball, and squash — and has been called “the Swiss army knife of racquet sports.” It’s the best of all the sports combined into one fun, easy to learn, fastpaced sport.
44 - ADDvantage Magazine July 2021
the serve is underhanded after you bounce the ball. After the crosscourt serve, the ball also has to bounce and, as in tennis, you only lose the point when you miss your shot (into the net or the ball is hit directly into any wall), or the ball bounces twice on your side. When serving, your partner starts at the net. You then serve and volley to start the point, just as you would in a tennis match. The racquet is made of an EVA foam core with holes in it and is 17 inches long. The foam can be covered with various materials, from fiberglass to carbon fibers which affect the play and price of each racquet. The racquet has a strap at the end of the grip that is required at all times for safety. The Padel ball has less compression and is slightly heavier than a tennis ball for longer rallies and better playability off the glass. Photo courtesy of Marcos del Pilar
I
Marcos del Pilar, USPTA Elite Professional & Master Padel Professional
Padel USPTA Padel is almost always played in doubles (men, women, and mixed). The main goal is to get to the net as much as possible to increase your chance of making a winning shot. It is recommended that the team moves together, up and down — all over the court. Padel is straightforward enough to learn but hard to master. Strategy is key. It is a thinking person’s sport. “If tennis is checkers, Padel is chess.”
The 7 Reasons Padel is Magical Do not hesitate to contact All Racquet Sports for additional info about the business model and some essential leverages to implement Padel successfully. Padel is the perfect addition to any sports facility and is an incredible way to attract new members with no previous experience in racquet sports.
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AESTHETICS: Padel courts are an instant upgrade to your facility!
REAL ESTATE: There are many
more players in the same space. This is a more profitable usage of land.
3
BLUE OCEAN: A new non-
customer segment to be targeted and attracted. Millions of new players are on their way!
4
SOCIAL ASPECT: A new sense
of community that connects with one another. These people “belong” and therefore spend significant time at your facility.
5
CLTV (Customer Lifetime Value): More income streams
and more retention equal higher average tickets and more significant customer lifetime value. You attract and retain more members, and they participate and play more. It’s a win-win situation!
6
ENGAGEMENT: Socials, leagues,
lessons, and events. There are so many new engaging strategies to explore.
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LEADERSHIP: Padel can upgrade
your staff profiles and offer them an opportunity to develop and grow. Let´s make our people shine!
If you resonate with some of the above, you can now bring Padel to your facility with the support of the leading Padel company in the US. Contact All Racquet Sports at www.allracquetsports.com for more info.
Padel Certification and Opportunities All for Padel (AFP), All Racquet Sports (ARS), and the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) are dedicated to setting the standard for the industry with its professional-level Padel certification with the endorsement of the USPA (United States Padel Association) in North America. Coaches of all talents will benefit from the unique mentoring approach of this program. This is the best way to get involved and start your career in Padel. If you are interested in learning more, do not hesitate to contact Marcos to get certified in Padel at marcos@allracquetsports.com. Become part of the group of ambassadors that will lead the Padel wave. We are building a community of leaders all over the world and welcome everyone aboard. We’re looking forward to seeing you all on the court soon. *
More students. More opportunities. More recognition. More success. More income. MORE PADEL. – Marcos del Pilar
July 2021
ADDvantage Magazine - 45
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35 USPTA
Carol Anderson: Growing the Game in the Midwest
I
nside the February 1986 Midwest Round-Up newsletter, a classified ad stated that the MPTA was searching for someone to collect and distribute information for its newsletter and scrapbook, arrange monthly meetings, circulate minutes, and notify districts of all news regularly. That spring, the USPTA Midwest Division board hired Carol Anderson as their first Executive Secretary. Slowly, over several years, each USPTA division employed what is now known as an Executive Director. They are the stronghold for each division. Carol’s part-time responsibilities were decided by the Midwest board as they developed the position. Initial correspondence was mainly by longdistance phone calls and mail. Soon fax, then email became the communication model. Division leadership was located in the Greater Chicago/Milwaukee area before expanding to all Midwest states — and by 1998, a Midwest president came from all five states. The advent of the 21st Century brought the initial woman
USPTA Communications
president, Lee Ann Berning, followed by Mary Herrick. This first employee of the Midwest Division came after the earliest generation of indoor clubs became popular and more communities began building tennis courts. By now, tennis was expanding, with play available in public parks and commercial clubs. This tennis boom created a need for pros to obtain skills off the court, fulfilling the positions of tennis directors, club managers, and club owners. An era of team building and sharing of knowledge with other pros developed. Even though the USPTA had held national conferences for many years, as membership grew, divisions offered their own annual conferences, as well! The popular division conventions drew pros to exchange ideas with people from other states, and wisely, the Midwest Division did not limit their conference to only USPTA members. The division partnered a joint meeting with USPTA pro Gary Bodenmiller who co-founded the Detroit Tennis Workshop, catering to the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches
Association. Because some USPTA members were indeed high school tennis coaches, this natural blend made sense. Soon the Midwest Division headed due west and joined with Illinois high school coaches. Later, joint conferences were held with Indiana, Wisconsin, and Ohio, reaching all corners of the division. Ferris State University (FSU) Professional Tennis Management (PTM) has played a significant role in the Midwest Division since its inception. FSU students first came to the Midwest Conference for knowledge and to seek employment for the summer or full-time work. Students arrived dressed in a shirt and tie, or dresses, with a business card and resume in hand in the early years. The Midwest Division partnered with them to form a lending library of assets. USPTA professionals could even check out tapes of tennis industry lectures. It was a forerunner to the USPTA’s TennisResources.com. As for Carol Anderson, she has a soft spot for students and enjoys watching their career growth via the news or in person at
The Executive Directors are to be commended in keeping the divisions on track and making the entire Executive Director group atmosphere open for questions and understanding situations. – Carol Anderson
July 2021
ADDvantage Magazine - 47
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35 USPTA to both men and women players, the site is used for the Midwest Awards and the Summer Symposium for on-court education. Wonderfully, the 2000s also brought with it an extreme interest in 10 & Under tennis. Pros and parents became familiar with red, orange, green balls, 36/60 courts, and youth racquet sizes. Popular workshops filled quickly, and new material was brought back to the clubs, as the six online Coach Youth Tennis courses are now part of the requirement for certification in the USPTA. Going “online and virtual” changed Carol’s correspondence with members. Blasts, websites, links, email, social media, videos, webinars, conference calls, and Zoom meetings are now everyday practices. Still, her favorite part of the job is staying in touch with the members, especially in person. She also feels her behind-the-scenes experiences with her
USPTA Master Pro husband, Kirk, gave her a broader tennis industry perspective as they traveled to countrywide industry events and ITF events in Europe. Carol has experienced many changes as the tennis industry has grown and developed into a professionally run business with USPTA staff — and the national and division boards interacting with tennis industry leaders. The concern and devotion shared by all division Executive Directors gave a boost to the tasks they shared. Carol is quick to note that teaching pros love the sport in all periods, have excellent skills for teaching the game, directing the tennis community, and most importantly, connecting with the people they serve. She will dearly miss the active part she was given in the tennis community. All those that came in contact with Carol throughout her tenure are that much more fortunate because of it. Thank you, Carol! * Photo courtesy of Carol Anderson
various tennis events. In fact, the Midwest Division could very well have its first FSU PTM graduate as division president. Regional Vice President Matt Davis could potentially be voted in next year. FSU students have long held leadership roles in other divisions, the USTA, and throughout the tennis industry. PTM students now come to the Midwest Conferences fitted to demonstrate drills and participate in oncourt activities. Added in the last couple of years are PTM students from Hope College’s program — as both sites are led by USPTA professionals Amy Nestle, Mike Janz, Adam Ford, and Jorge Capestany. In 1993, the Midwest Division established its Hall of Fame, and in 1995, the site of the RCA Championships in Indianapolis housed the Hall of Fame monument. Unfortunately, it was vandalized in 2003 — and so a new site was found in Cincinnati. Now known as the Western & Southern Open, home
From left to right: Mike Hurley, Don Martin, Dave Saxe, Tom Gray, Kirk Anderson, Carol Anderson, Mike Owens, Jay Hardman, Jim Davis, Dale Steiss, Mike O’Connell and Mike Flynn. The group poses at the Board Meeting in Toledo, OH. Circa 1989.
July 2021
ADDvantage Magazine - 49
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Member Feature USPTA
Developing Concentration In Tennis
T
Dmytro Kovalevych, USPTA Certified Professional
ennis is a sport that requires the highest level of concentration. When this mental quality is not developed correctly, a player’s mind becomes sluggish and unfocused. Losing attention for a fraction of a second can cause a mistake. Coaches need to know how to make their players stay 100 percent focused when practicing and playing matches. Here are five tips to improve the concentration of tennis students. Concentrate on concentrating: This advice should be given at the beginning of practice to students struggling to focus. The idea is to make concentration a priority and a primary goal for the student. To illustrate, the coach can talk to the athlete before the practice starts and remind them to be present, focused, and remove any irrelevant thoughts for the duration of the session. It is essential to make concentration reminders consistent throughout multiple sessions to create a habit of becoming more focused. Once the concentration goals are established, students become more engaged and notice when their attention level drops. Use verbal cues: Coaches use cue words in training to facilitate the concentration of their athletes. Verbal cues help to activate a particular response and assist the students in staying focused. For example, the coach who works with the player on timing the split-step can have the player call “split” during the rally just before his or her partner makes contact with the ball. Cue words can be used to focus on technical elements, tactical intentions, or mental preparation. By saying the word or phrase out loud, the student is more
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likely to maintain the attention required to perform the desired action. Hit the ball with a reduced head size racquet: Failing to concentrate on the incoming ball is a cause of many unforced errors in tennis. A great way to improve the concentration of students is to have them use a racquet with a reduced head size, such as a tennis pointer. Playing with a smaller head-sized racquet forces the student to focus on the ball until it reaches the contact point. Coaches can set up goals to make a certain number of shots with a tennis pointer, such as hitting 10 shots in a row without a mistake. In addition to improving concentration, using a racquet with a smaller head develops hand-eye coordination and helps the student find the optimal contact point in the middle of the racquet. Introduce a second ball: Focusing on more than one ball is challenging for any player. It sharpens concentration and improves thinking. There is a variety of drills in which the second ball can be introduced. Those include: • Two players rally crosscourt at the deuce side; in the middle of the rally, the coach feeds a second ball to the ad side for the player to hit crosscourt on the run. Besides concentrating on staying in the rally, the student has to pay attention to the coach, who may feed the ball at any time. After hitting the second ball on the run, the players start a new rally on the deuce side. • Two students hit down the middle, with one staying at the net and the other at the baseline. The coach voluntarily feeds a second ball to the player at the net, who must react and
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hit a volley. This drill improves the concentration and reaction of the student at the net. • In this drill, students rally down the middle. The coach stays behind one player and hand feeds an additional ball which needs to be played back to the coach with a volley. The opposite student hits one groundstroke to the player on the other side of the net, turns around, volleys back to the coach, and then turns around to hit another groundstroke.
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Establish concentration routines: Different distractions can be present on the court, such as inner dialogue, random noises, and chatter from other people. Athletes use various concentration routines that help them to focus on the right cues at the correct time to eliminate distractions. For instance, the student who just finished the point may turn back, take a few deep breaths, and fix the strings on the racquet as a part of their routine. A pre-point concentration habit would be to bounce the ball and visualize the placement of the serve or bounce of the feet and then look at the server’s hand for the return. Practice concentration routines in training before you use them in the heat of the battle. Concentration is one of the most important characteristics of a tennis player’s mental preparation. Improving the ability to focus is achieved through continuous and diligent training. Adding a second ball, hitting with a smaller racquet, establishing routines, and applying verbal cues are great ways to develop concentration in practice. *
July 2021
ADDvantage Magazine - 51
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Member Feature USPTA
Bodies, Brains, & Behaviors Make Champions Jeremy Carl, USPTA Elite Professional
M
ost of your opponents will have groundstrokes, volleys, overheads, and serves equal or close to yours in skill level. What will distinguish you as a champion from them are the bodies, brains, and behavioral qualities you demonstrate during your matches’ pressure-packed times. We can see this point demonstrated in a real-life example from the 2021 PGA Masters Tournament in Augusta, GA. Even though Hideki Matsuyama, the eventual champion, bogeyed three of his final four holes, including No. 18, he kept his composure and continued trusting himself until the very last shot. In tennis, you can look back at numerous times when players like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, or Rafael Nadal showed the same qualities with their bodies, brains, and behaviors during the strenuous moments of their matches. Research shows that the amount of time spent playing during a match is much less than the time spent not playing. A 2013 article from the Wall Street Journal titled, “How Much Tennis is Played During a Match?” showed that only 17.5 percent of the time was spent playing, while 82.5 percent was not. The rest of the article gives examples that correspond with the same statistical outcomes. In other words, as coaches, we need to pay more attention to what our students are doing when they are not playing points. Therefore, I will spell out specific ways players can show championship qualities through their bodies, brains, and behaviors.
Bodies
their non-dominant hand — straightening their strings as a way of relaxing after a missed shot.
Posture: Positive body language for stance is evident when a player’s shoulders are relaxed with his or her back straight but not rigid.
Eyes: It is easy to forget to focus your eyes on the ball or the opponent during stressful times of a match. Real champions know how to avoid looking at what’s happening on other courts in between points.
Facial Expressions: During tense moments, great players keep smiling or show determination in their faces; however, they never frown. Sure, they might be stressed inside but never show it. Experts tell us that only 10 percent of our communication with others is verbal, 20 percent is visual, and a whopping 70 percent is facial! If your students show negative signs with their bodies and faces, their opponents become inspired and more confident, which can spell the difference between winning and losing close matches.
Hands: Champion players’ hands are always relaxed. Tranquil hands are beneficial on serves. The only exception is when at the net, players grip the racquet more tightly to handle a blistering groundstroke hit at close range. Just as anxious moments cause some players to stop moving their feet, nerves can cause others to have a vice grip on their racquets. Many of the best players hold the racquet in
Feet: Players keep on the balls of their feet between points. Think about how Nadal, regardless of the score, gets a spring in his step when going back on court after each changeover.
Brains Keeping Routines: All players have routines — such as how many times they bounce the ball before serving or spinning the racquet prior to returning a serve. If players stay calm during tense times, they tend to keep their routines in check.
Deep Breaths: I have learned from my junior playing days and coaching that deep breaths help ease the mind, helping overcome negative thoughts. It was also an essential part of the mental aspect covered during my USTA High Performance training. In an article titled “Breathe. Exhale. Repeat: The Benefits of Controlled Breathing” from The New York Times, November 2016 — the author points out that controlled breathing has been shown to reduce stress and increase awareness. The same article states that “Changing the way you breathe appears to send a signal to
the brain to adjust the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system, which can produce a feeling of calm.”
July 2021
ADDvantage Magazine - 53
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Behaviors Dr. Jim Loehr sums this up in his book, Leading with Character, 10 Minutes a Day to a Brilliant Legacy, when he points out that “The strength of our Character Muscles is best revealed when they are put under pressure.”
Positive Reactions: Positive reactions are expressed in fist pumps when hitting a great shot or emphatic self-talk when winning a point. It also means avoiding negative responses when missing a shot because you never want your opponent to see you frustrated.
Calmness During Changeovers: Remaining calm and not agitated while sitting between games is a crucial part of
championship play. A good test of this is when you are in the crowd and can’t tell the match’s score by watching the player’s body language and facial expressions during changeovers.
Confident Strides: All your movements between points must have both purpose and confidence. If your students do all these things well, it will enable trust in themselves while playing. So, the next time you watch your students in a match, observe and chart
what they do with their bodies, brains, and behaviors during the pressurized moments of their matches — whether they are coming from behind or closing out the last couple of games. You can then provide them with skills to help them become champions both on court and in life. The ideas in this article have been adapted from a chapter that I wrote titled “True Grit Metrics,” which appears in a book I co-authored with Tim Bainton called The Complete Player: A Brit and Texan Navigate the Junior Tennis Journey. *
Jeremy is a USPTA Elite Professional and USTA High Performance Coach. He serves as a Vice President on the USPTA Mid-Atlantic Board and as Chair of the USPTA Mid-Atlantic Diversity and Inclusion Committee. He coaches full-time at Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria, VA. Jeremy has held several leadership roles in the racquet sports industry, including Director of Junior Development, Head Tennis Pro, and Pickleball Director.
July 2021
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ThanksUSA USPTA
USPTA Renews Support of ThanksUSA and Tennis Thanks the Troops Campaign Jean Pletchette, Director of Sports Initiatives, ThanksUSA
In 2012, ThanksUSA and the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) teamed up to encourage tennis professionals and enthusiasts nationwide to raise funds to benefit military families through the Tennis Thanks the Troops campaign. After nearly 10 years, the USPTA has recommitted to assist ThanksUSA in their mission to say ‘thanks’ to our service members and their families –
by helping to close the financial gap for thousands of military spouses and kids seeking higher education and meaningful careers. ThanksUSA is grateful for the continued partnership with the USPTA and all the tennis professionals who have advanced these efforts nationwide. Please plan to join us on December 12, 2021 at the USTA National Campus for an unforgettable event to support
military families through ThanksUSA. “We are always excited to team up with ThanksUSA to provide scholarships to deserving students of military families,” USPTA CEO John Embree said. “The Tennis Thanks the Troops partnership allows our association to show our appreciation to the military and their families. This initiative is always well supported by our members and is an annual priority of our association.”
ThanksUSA is a 501(c)(3) organization that honors the men and women of the United States Armed Forces by providing need-based scholarships and enrichment opportunities for their spouses and children. Since 2006, ThanksUSA has awarded 4,850 scholarships valued at more than $15 million to military families in all 50 states and every branch of the military. Visit ThanksUSA.org to learn more.
July 2021
ADDvantage Magazine - 57
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USPTA What’s the Dill?
Membership Department Update
O
Dillon Chustz, USPTA Director of Membership
ne of the most critical aspects of coaching any sport is making it enjoyable for those involved. We can teach the technique, explain the pedagogy, and offer wisdom. However, these efforts are all futile in the attempt to attract and retain players if the element of enjoyment does not exist. When new players are looking to learn our sport and have a great time doing it, I often point them to USPTA Elite Professional Heidi Waddell. I met Heidi while working at the USTA National Campus here in Orlando, FL. In need of some laughter, inspiration, and a good sweat, I often took her evening singles and doubles workshops after work. Something about Heidi’s ability to connect with people, a combination of sincerity and wit, only adds to her
awesome abilities as a teacher and keeps players coming back for more. A hardheaded baseliner, I often went to Heidi for help with my volleys and overheads. I had confidence in her ability to instruct, demonstrate, and facilitate what I needed — lots of laughter and motivation included. Similar to a parent, you want to make her proud. Thankfully, players from all around the country have had the opportunity to learn and laugh with Heidi. Due to the transient nature of her husband’s career, Heidi has relocated several times and has worked at many universities, country clubs, and training centers like the USTA National Campus. “I’ve been able to meet a lot of great people,” Heidi recently mentioned to me. “Many of these people taught me
different things about myself as a coach. In the end, it’s the people that make the job great. It’s the players and the fellow pros that do it for me.” I’m sure we can all agree that this community mentality is one of the leading forces that attract players for life. Heidi now teaches at Canyon Creek Country Club in Richardson, TX. Like most of our USPTA Pros, her junior summer programs are beginning to launch. I’m encouraged knowing that someone with Heidi’s energy and skillset is teaching the next generation of tennis players and representing the USPTA. She is one of the many USPTA members I’m confident are making tennis one of the most enjoyable games out there. Keep up the energy, folks! *
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ADDVANTAGE MAGAZINE
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
Editor...................................................................................... Jim Burke Managing Editor......................................................... Mike Calendrillo Layout/Design.............................................................Kevin Karczewski Editorial Assistance .............................Alegna Hollis, Ramona Husaru, Sid Newcomb, Fred Viancos, Ellen Weatherford Circulation..................................................................... Trevor Trudelle USPTA World Headquarters 11961 Performance Dr. Orlando, FL 32827 407-634-3050 – www.uspta.com
60 - ADDvantage Magazine July 2021
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. 2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from the USPTA.