USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - March 2022

March 2022 is Women’s History Month

What a 43

Team!

Growing THE GAME OF

49

We

53

TENNIS CHANGE for the LIVES better

57 USPTA CERTIFICATION

CALENDAR

Overheads ON THE WALL 58 (Left) Rita Gladstone, Certified USPTA Elite Professional

From the CEO USPTA

What a Team!

John R. Embree, USPTA CEO

I

rarely get an opportunity to tout the staff’s expertise each day when dealing with members. Their efforts are often unheralded because so much goes on behind the scenes. Unless you have had a personal interaction with any of our team members, you do not know who they are and, likely, cannot put a face with a name.

Thus, I wanted to take this occasion to give you some insight into the people that make our USPTA world go ‘round. While we have always had a great staff, I truly believe that this current group is by far the best team we have ever assembled in my 9+ years at the USPTA. No one is prouder of how they conduct the business of our association than I am.

Being a non-profit trade association, we cannot always compensate everyone to their liking, so it is not surprising that many find other employment away from USPTA after building a portfolio of experience with us. Despite the turnover that we have experienced since we arrived in Lake Nona in 2017, we continue to employ passionate people who are committed to one of our core values which is to “Wow our Members.”

Let me share a few thoughts about each of the department heads and what they do: Education: Ramona Husaru has been with the USPTA for 14 years. After twisting her arm, she was one of the few who took a chance and relocated from Houston, embracing the vision we all had by being at the Home of American Tennis. Under her leadership, our education platform has never been better: from the outstanding array of speakers at the 2021 World Conference (WC) in Las Vegas to the virtual World Conference in 2020 and all the webinars conducted during these two pandemic filled years. She has done an amazing job providing a platform for our members to learn and she embodies our mission of “elevating the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches.”

Marketing and Communications: James Burke joined us in May of 2020 at the height of the pandemic. His team was working remotely at that time. However, he immediately provided much-needed direction with a calming demeanor that had a powerful impact. Since his arrival, his department has gone through the most transition of any, but the new staff members who joined us in January will be able to step right in and carry on the vital work that this department does.

Finance: Michael Tomassini was one of our first hires when we relocated to Lake Nona. Because of the transition from Houston, our financial systems were askew. He was able to create protocols and a consistent discipline that has put the USPTA on a solid financial footing with financial reserves that are robust. Along with our longest serving staff member, Ellen Weatherford, I have confidence that this team has positioned our association to weather any storm that could come our way.

Human Resources: Dana Dasch was another of our original Lake Nona employees. Imagine having to find 25 people with the skills for various jobs required and onboard them in the last 4+ years? And she has done all this fantastic work with infectious enthusiasm and an effervescent smile. She has been the point person for all the searches and for putting our team together. Thanks, Dana!

Membership: Dillon Chustz just celebrated his second anniversary with the USPTA. He started as a coordinator in the department but quickly proved he could lead the team after only 16 months. And boy, Dillon has been dynamite in this role.

He has assembled a relatively new group, and they are rock stars!

Data Services: Trevor Trudelle joined the USPTA in 2017. He quickly became our “go-to” guy with everything to do with our membership database, reporting, and technology enhancements. Trevor is the

man behind our World Conference registration system, new USPTA app, membership tracking, division dashboards, etc. He is brilliant, and we are fortunate to have him.

Certification: Sid Newcomb is the point person with the USTA regarding our new certification pathway, which has not been easy. We are three years into changing the model for certifying pros. He has done his best to juggle the interests of the governing body, the accrediting organization, while balancing what is best for the USPTA. He also is guiding our new Pickleball certification, managing our Platform Tennis and Padel certifications, filming Quick Tips, and overseeing the creation of the course curriculum for the certification pathway.

He has his hands full, but he is the right person for the job.

Multi-Media: Talk about unsung heroes!

John Gerard and his team are the epitome of working behind the scenes. With all the filming of our educational content, the WC streaming sessions, the video production of coursework for the certification pathway, Quick Tips, and interviews, John brings a creative savvy that I greatly appreciate. He is such an asset.

Chief Operating Officer: Fred Viancos is our second longest-serving employee, over 22 years. He knows the USPTA inside and out and takes pride in doing what is right for our members. Fred supervises our Education, Membership, Certification, and Multi-Media departments. He also is the point person for the WC, manages our office building, and looks over our IT infrastructure. He does not get the credit he deserves, and I could not ask for a better “wingman.”

Space does not allow me to comment on all team members who contribute to our association. I am fortunate to work with such a high-quality group. Your association is in good hands, and we all look forward to serving you in 2022 and beyond! *

March 2022

ADDvantage Magazine - 43

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Vice President’s Message USPTA

Importance of Networking Trish Faulkner, USPTA Vice President

A

s Rich Slivocka, our new Board President, and Kevin Theos, a new Vice President, expressed in their articles for January and February, the entire Board is very excited about the future of our organization as we move into 2022.

We have a very diverse Board which was one of our primary goals in the last two years. Although I truly admired and appreciated all of the previous Board members I had the pleasure to work alongside, I am thrilled to have two strong, experienced women joining me on the 2022-2023 USPTA National Board.

These well-deserved additions send a strong message to our membership about our DE&I goals moving forwards. Three women who have very different backgrounds and credentials have shown our hardworking female certified professionals that you will be noticed, and you will have an impact on future women leaders in our organization.

Welcome, Jenny Gray and Tracy Singian, to the USPTA Board. After working with them at our first January Board Meeting, I know they will contribute great ideas and energy to our efforts to continue improving all aspects of membership in the USPTA. As you know, I have been very active in our DE&I Committee and with our seven Task Force leaders. Thanks to the vision of Feisal Hassan, along with the hard work

and dedication of Mark Faber, we now have many active and passionate members of these groups. We are looking forward to even more advancement in our diversity efforts, which Jenny Gray will now lead. I encourage all of you to find the time to join one of the Task Force calls that are ongoing each month. As a reminder, our active Task Forces are as follows – African American, Native American, Asian, Hispanic, LGBTQ+, Women, and Adaptive, which includes wheelchair. Great things are happening, and you will want to be a part of these initiatives, which our hardworking members are spearheading.

Over the last five years, my other significant responsibility has been the awards process for both division and the National Awards. After much discussion at the Board meeting, we decided to go back to the 5-person committee process as the division liaison voting did not work out the way we had hoped. Tracy Singian will now lead the awards process, and as I did, she will be hoping for nominations from every division for all National Awards. All divisions will take self-nominations, and all National Award nominations must be submitted by the division. The best time to start the process is late February, as these are the 2021 awards we are looking to select. Further information on the awards process will be forthcoming. If any Division requires help with the forms or nominations, please email Jim Burke at the USPTA office.

At the beginning of each year, the Board and the ExComm discuss the USPTA’s updated goals and revised five pillars that guide the organization for the upcoming

twelve months. Education and Certification will be at the top of our list, which is our staff and Board’s main concentration for the first six months of 2022. The USPTA staff, particularly Sid Newcomb, John Gerard, and Ramona Husaru, have done an outstanding job in providing content for online courses, webinars, videos, and tips for all of us to access.

These days we encourage everyone to use social media to bring attention to our community efforts, our conferences, and our members and fellow professionals.

There are also effortless ways to promote USPTA and what we stand for personally.

One of the easiest is to have your name and USPTA logo placard on your ball cart. The other is to make sure you have a “USPTA Certified Professional” tag line on your email and message signature line.

I carry USPTA business cards with me all the time as I never know when I will meet someone who wants information about the organization. They are inexpensive and easy to order at uspta.com, if you do not have them. If you have a club business card, make sure you also include “USPTA Certified Professional” on the card.

Although it is not highlighted on the five pillars list, the ability to network is crucial for our members and our organization. Due to Covid restrictions, we could not hold many of our divisions’ meetings and conferences, which is critical for educational opportunities, socializing, and networking. Thanks to our outstanding staff and some of our very dedicated members, we have produced many instructional and educational videos, YouTube interviews, and tips. For

March 2022 ADDvantage Magazine - 45

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Vice President’s Message USPTA most of 2021, we had Division conferences as virtual meetings with shortened versions of the regular division efforts. However, all of this was not done in vain, as our numbers of members logging on for educational seminars attending workshops and specialty courses increased dramatically. Attendance at our DE&I shortened Symposium in December was outstanding, and best of all, the late decision to go ahead and have our in-person World Conference in Las Vegas showed us all how much we needed that personal contact in our lives.

In our business, networking is essential.

Every year corporate gurus tell their staff to pick one keyword or goal to have first and foremost in their minds. I think this year, our word, or at least my word, will be NETWORKING. When I think about my career on the tour, with the WTA, with the USPTA, and my director positions, I realize that I was able to use and count on my network of friends, business acquaintances, mentors, supporters, and students to help me make the right choices, find the perfect jobs, learn new skills, and find a good balance between family and work.

Make the most of your passion for tennis

and teaching tennis – NETWORK with your fellow members at USPTA meetings, apply to be on committees or task forces.

If you desire to progress in the tennis industry and the USPTA, you will find that NETWORKING is your greatest tool for moving forward. * COME ON, LET’S GO!! *

USPTA Teaching Essentials 3 class at the USTA National Campus with USPTA testers Ben Rakusin, Kelvin Rivera, USPTA President Feisal Hassan, USPTA National Director of Education Ramona Husaru, and USPTA National Director of Certification Sid Newcomb.

March 2022 ADDvantage Magazine - 47

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Master Professional’s Corner USPTA

GROWING THE GAME of TENNIS With a Simplified Serve Patrick Mason, USPTA Master Professional

W

e need to make learning to play tennis an enjoyable experience accessible to everyone. The majority of club players’ serves are limited by inefficiencies in their grip, toss, or serving motion. Most students experience some frustration with learning to serve. We ask a lot of beginners to 1) hold a continental grip, 2) replicate a consistent ball toss, and 3) time the racketto-ball contact using a full swing.

The simplest way to teach the serve is to start at contact. The student stands side-

ways at the center strap, the tossing hand pressing the ball against the strings up off the front shoulder. The toss arm, wrist, and fingers are straight, in line with a flat palm. The racket arm has an elbow bend and wrist laid back by the continental grip.

From this static position, students can brush the ball up and over the fingertips of the tossing hand.

Starting the serve without backswing at its point of contact has huge positives: • Eliminates the coordination of a toss

with a swing Removes the barrier of a net Facilitates a CONTINENTAL serving grip and a closed/tilted racket face • Produces a forward ball rotation/spin at a 45-degree angle • Facilitates the “up and out” racket path and natural forearm turn after contact • Most important of all is immediate play! (Short court, of course) A positive first experience learning to • •

March 2022 ADDvantage Magazine - 49

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Master Professional’s Corner USPTA serve is invaluable. Every student with SUCCESS putting the ball into play and some fun rallying will want to do more.

1

The Progression

Ball on Racket at Point of Contact The student is sideways in a closed stance with the hip at the center strap. With a continental grip, the student’s hands are extended off the front shoulder towards the service box, the ball held against the racket strings. The toss arm is straight, and the racket arm is bent, so the racket is at 45 degrees. From this stationary isometric, students brush the ball upwards off the palm and fingers of their tossing hand using leg drive and upward wrist motion.

The ball is in play, and players skip back to play mini tennis.

Wrist Adjustments for Minimal Hand Separation, Ball Placement, and Contact Toss Mechanics After gaining confidence with a static ballon-racket brush-up students can progress to a minimum separation of the hands. The tossing arm, elbow, and wrist remain straight and extended. Only the toss arm wrist position needs to change, from an open palm to gripping the ball as if it were a cup of water or ice cream cone. (We give students several choices here.) Students start with the ball on the strings, then bring the ball down to eye level. The racket remains at the point of contact, a target for the toss. The goal is to lift the ball straight up to the strings. Encourage students to use the knee bend and use body weight to lift and place the ball.

The toss hand position stays the same and keeps “the cup” level as it gets smoothly raised to contact.

The minimal toss is ½ the length of the racket and can be practiced independently,

2

beginning with short lifts and catches of just a few inches. It is important to have the empty toss hand continue up and follow the ball after the ball has left it, with students catching the ball higher than the release point. It can be helpful to have the students exaggerate opening their fingers during release and into the toss follow-through, providing a wide base for catching the ball.

Racket Arm From the ball-on-racket position, the racket head moves away from the point of contact using only wrist motion. This limited backswing flexes the racket head back towards the baseline, moving the racket head a foot or more over or behind their head. We call it “combing your hair backward.”

As students gain confidence and consistency, move them back to the service line and midcourt, increasing the separation and independence of arms. Expand the racket head “hair comb-back” to a full loop and racket head drop. Use the knees and legs for a forward weight shift and higher ball lift, and after the ball release, a full knee bend and shoulder turn for a “set to launch” archer position.

Experiment with what works for the student to keep full extension in the tossing motion.

3

Experiment with stances, shoulder turn, and swing motions to increase racket head speed.

Acknowledgments: I had the good fortune to work with the USPTA National Tester, George Bacso, for several years conducting Workshops and Certification Tests around Florida. George showed me a “ball on racket” starting position to teach a spin serve. At the time, it seemed like a gimmick, and I didn’t think much of it. But, we decided to try to develop a “start-atcontact” method with the serve as well. The results are encouraging, and our juniors are building some nice serves.

Hopefully, this method provides coaches another tool in the toolbox, another seed to help us “grow” the game, one happy server at a time.

Thank you, George!

Full Serve Ahead! *

March 2022 ADDvantage Magazine - 51

Master Professional’s Corner USPTA

WE DO MORE THAN TENNIS; WE CHANGE LIVES FOR THE BETTER Will Hoag, USPTA Master Professional

A

I look back, I have received my most satisfaction from players that I gave their first lesson and find that they are still playing and enjoying the game today.

Recently, I gave one of our new members his first lesson. Roy is a mature adult and played a little in his youth but stopped playing. By taking two lessons a week and putting time on the ball machine, Roy is now playing six days a week and raised his level from a 1.5 to a 3.5 in a very short time.

As soon as he could serve, return serve, and sustain a two-ball rally, I found him players at his level. He is now playing both singles & doubles and loving life. I also remember teaching juniors that I noticed on their first lesson didn’t want to be there and didn’t bring a lot of self-confidence on the court. But after having a good experience, Andrew became a good player with a noticeable amount of self-confidence.

I have also experienced this with adults.

They usually come for their first lesson

and tell me that they are not a good athlete and probably won’t be very good. I take this as a challenge, and with their perseverance, they become decent tennis players and are still playing while, most importantly, enjoying life. We can change a person’s life for the better, no matter what age.

But that first lesson is so important to get that person hooked on tennis. What has worked for me is the following:

1

PASSION: Get them excited by having fun and feeling good about themselves. Instill the passion in that first lesson. Who doesn’t want to come back after a great first experience?

2

GOOD TECHNIQUE: It is so important to teach good, solid technique. I have found that many players quit playing tennis because of injury caused by bad technique or frustration because they are not improving. With good technique, injuries are minimized, and improvement happens.

3

TEACH TO THE LEVEL-CHALLENGE, NOT FRUSTRATE: I always have a “short term” and “long term” plan for my students.

My short-term plan for a beginner would be to get

March 2022 ADDvantage Magazine - 53

Photo Credit: Lusia83

We propose that a working s tennis-teaching professionals, we are in a good placeconcept in time. Notof definition of the only are we making a good living, but we tennis balance is: also have the opportunity to change a perThe son’s lifeexecution for the better. of Butthe with that said, impact areintended we teaching stroke them howto to play, and are wethe keeping in the sport?landing I believe all ballthem (SIB) while of us in this profession would like to take in optimum stance from credit for developing the next Roger Fedwhich to Williams, executebutrecovery erer or Serena we can’t. We can a person’s lifeposition for the better tochange the optimum toby introducing them to our great sport. Over respond (ROPR), without my many years of teaching, I have had the opposition from reflexive pleasure to work with ranked juniors and have been lucky also to have worked muscle contractions to with a few players that played on the tour. But as prevent falling. *

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Master Professional’s Corner USPTA them to have a consistent two-ball rally and be able to get serves in. This would enable them to start playing.

My long-term goal would be to have them play league tennis for adults and to make the tennis team for juniors. In between the two goals would entail understanding all the shots and learning how to construct points. “Baby steps” in the beginning, but down the road, “running” at full speed. What I would not recommend, for example, for a 3.0 player, would be to just teach them how to hit a swinging volley but also teach them how to place the volley, not knock the cover off the ball.

4

TEACH THEM HOW TO PLAY: I ask my staff this question “why do people start taking lessons?” We may disagree on the answer, but I believe they take lessons to learn how to play tennis, not just hit tennis balls.

5

TEACH THEM HOW TO WIN: Winning isn’t everything, but it sure beats coming in second in a field of two. You can’t play every player the same and expect the same results. Some players figure this out by themselves over time and adjust, but it is up to us to give them the

“secrets and shortcuts” to winning.

One concern I do have is that two very popular programs, Cardio Tennis and Live Ball, don’t involve serving. As I have stated earlier, I believe people start taking tennis lessons because they want to learn to play tennis which involves serving. Now don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of both programs, and they have been very successful at our club and clubs across the country. Members like the idea of signing up, showing up, and getting a fun workout hitting balls. There is nothing wrong with this because it keeps players on our courts. I just believe that it is also important to have programs and events involving serving, such as ladders, round robins, leagues, and club tournaments.

One of the most passionate USPTA professionals and a good friend of mine, Shawn Craig, said to me once,

“ If you can’t

serve, you can’t win.

And if you can’t win, you always are buying the beer!”

— SHAWN CRAIG

Well said. Let’s keep it going, professionals. We are in a good place, and you are doing a great job! *

March 2022 ADDvantage Magazine - 55

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March 2022

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CERTIFICATION

CALENDAR

TENNIS ESSENTIALS 1 (TE-1)

Teaching Essentials 1: Virtual Workshop

Coaching Concepts: March 2 and 9, 2022, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. EST Concepts to Court: March 23, 2022, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST

Teaching Essentials 1: Virtual Workshop

Coaching Concepts: March 4 and 11, 2022, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST Concepts to Court: March 25, 2022, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT

Teaching Essentials 1: In-Person Workshop at USTA National Campus, Orlando, Florida Coaching Concepts: March 14, 2022, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT Concepts to Court: March 15,2022, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT; USTA National Campus

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ESSENTIALS 3 (TE-3)

Teaching Essentials 3: Barnes Tennis Center, San Diego California Teaching Groups In-Person Classroom: March 14th, 2022. On Court: March 15th and 16th, 2022.

Teaching Essentials 3: USTA National Campus, Orlando, Florida

Teaching Groups In-Person Workshop Classroom: March 21, 2022. On Court: March 22 and 23, 2022.

Teaching Essentials 3: Paseo Racquet Center, Glendale, Arizona

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March 5, 2022 - 2510 Onion Creek Parkway, Austin, Texas

March 5, 2022 – 45 Grove Street, New Canaan, Connecticut March 5, 2022 – 5668 E Orange Blossom Lane, Phoenix, Arizona March 19, 2022 – 26200 Country Club Drive, Mission Viejo, California March 26, 2022 – 7000 NW Grand Boulevard, Nichols Hill, Oklahoma March 26, 2022 – 202 Philips Road, Exton, Pennsylvania March 27, 2022 – 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley, California April 23, 2022 – 9950 Bridgebrook Drive, Boca Raton, Florida April 24, 2022 – 9950 Bridgebrook Drive, Boca Raton, Florida

Teaching Groups In-Person Workshop Classroom: May 18, 2022. On Court: May 19 and 20, 2022.

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Teaching Essentials 3: Tennis Addiction Sports Club, Exton, Pennsylvania

March 21, 2022 – Sleepy Hollow Country Club, Scarborough, New York

Teaching Groups In-Person Workshop Classroom: June 10, 2022. On Court: June 11 and 12, 2022.

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September 17, 2022 – Weed Beach Paddle Tennis, Darien, Connecticut

March 2022 ADDvantage Magazine - 57

USPTA Member Feature

Overheads on the Wall John Gruberg, USPTA Elite Professionalal

H

itting high volleys and overheads on the wall is productive and fun for all levels of play, even professionals!

Step 1

When introducing the concept to a student, it is best to have them put the racket down and simply throw the ball at the ground just in front of its juncture with the wall. See photo 1. The idea is to ricochet the ball up and catch it in the other hand at the shoulder or head level.

Tip: Remind student to throw HARD and catch with fingers extended upward.

Step 2

Again, catch the ball with fingers up, but instead of throwing, the ball is now tapped firmly with the racket. The student should be able to repeat five or six catches in a row before going on to Step 3.

“STOP and catch the ball!” This is what you tell the student after that tantalizing first hit. Make the student hit and catch, then two hits and a catch, three hits and a catch, and so on. After number five or six, you might suggest trying for ten in a row.

Or “let’s see how many you can do!” And all the while, you are adjusting footwork and encouraging a possible grip change.

Here, we have been training the subtle downward motion of a standard high volley. But at some point (maybe now, or maybe next week), the student is allowed to hit harder, and then the contact zone rises, creating the joy of an overhead!

Yes! And even though the ban on a follow-through has been lifted, control

Step 3

This is what the student has been dying to do – to strike at the ball when it returns from the wall.

But first, take some time to work the student’s arm back and forth in a short, restricted motion. Emphasize that there will be no follow-through because the racket must return IMMEDIATELY to prepare for the rebounding ball. See photos 3 and 4.

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and repetition should remain the key. The student is standing further from the wall, and six overheads in a row is now a reasonable goal.

High Backhand Volley

The high backhand volley can be trained similarly, hitting downward against the wall, although it is usually best to make the introductory hit from the forehand side.

And, of course, this is a shot worth practicing since it is, essentially, the weakest shot in the game as a one-handed motion. When struck with two hands, however, there are times when that weak-hitting zone transforms into one of the most powerful! I like to think of this stroke as a “compact” swing

Member Feature USPTA

volley – the racket head is up, and then it hammers down into the ball, accompanied by the rise of an abbreviated wrap-around finish. I make sure all my students have this two-handed crush volley in their repertoire, especially if they are already hitting with two hands on the backhand wing.

hard, thus creating a lob I have to backpedal and leap for, and that I strike above an imaginary net. Bam! A dozen of those, and I’m ready for the dubs.

John Gruberg is the author of “Tennis Hobo,” the acclaimed story of a teaching

pro. He is a former Aruban junior coach and longtime Fresno pro. Originally from Berkeley, Gruberg lives in Monterey and is the boys’ coach at Pacific Grove High School. *

High-Performance Drills

Many years ago, when I first saw overheads being hit on a wall, it was the great little lefty, Jim McManus, working out on the backboard at the Berkeley Tennis Club.

McManus was rifling one overhead after another, and each time, the ball would arc up off the wall, and then it would drop, and McManus would clock another overhead.

I’ve been hooked on backboards ever since.

And I’ve hit all kinds, including tall billboards alongside the highway and even the shaking plywood inside a moving boxcar.

A backboard is like a punching bag for advanced players, and it offers countless drills. My favorite is to hit down at the wall and get a rhythm going from high forehand volley to high backhand volley, alternating back and forth for a while. And then, at just the right time, I smack the forehand side

March 2022 ADDvantage Magazine - 59

USPTA What’s The Dill?

Membership Department Update Dillon Chustz, USPTA Director of Membership

T

he USPTA is comprised of members whose careers have spanned many decades, have earned a wide variety of accolades, and have ushered a tremendous number of players into our sport. This is all-important to our association’s representation and the growth of the tennis industry. Possibly more important, our members have the interpersonal skills and the empathy needed to be effective coaches and industry professionals. USPTA Elite Professional Arthur “Art” Jones is one member who exemplifies these qualities and then some. Art owns and directs his tennis program known as “FITT” (Finest Intensive Tennis Training) in Madison, MS, where he works with young players committed to success.

Art’s upbringing from his parents, both successful college educators, set him up for success as both a tennis player and college student. Art recently told me, “I

started playing tennis at age 7 through the influence of my parents. My mom has been the rock of the family.” Art went on to play collegiate tennis at Jackson State University and Morehouse College, where he received a full scholarship. Although the professional pathway has not always been smooth and/or linear for Art, his journey to success has imbued him with patience and an empathic disposition that keeps his students coming back. His total investment in his students and colleagues has helped him accomplish a great deal since starting FITT. Art currently serves as the Central Mississippi community representative for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, feeding his passion for his students’ success in life on and off the court. “At tournaments, I do a motivational talk before the kids go on court,” Art told me. A sample theme is

“ give Never

up, never give in, and never give out.”

I found myself writing that one down on a post-it for my personal reference! He and his fellow pros meet once a month to encourage one another and grow as a family. Art, and his team, work with students ranging from the beginner to advanced

level, all from diverse backgrounds, ages, and genders. This has made FITT one of the most successful youth athletic programs in Central Mississippi.

Art recently called me wanting to get his annual membership dues squared away.

As many of you know, the beginning of the year is a busy time for processing membership dues payments and helping to maintain our nearly 14,000 members. Art told me, “I can’t even imagine the stress that you and your team deal with this time of year. I appreciate your help.” Interactions like these remind me that the USPTA is a family. We are all working together to serve our sport and encourage each other along the way. You all make us great! *

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ADDVANTAGE MAGAZINE

President.............................................................Richard Slivocka First Vice President................................................ Trish Faulkner Vice Presidents...................... Tracy Almeda-Singian, Mark Faber, Jason Gilbert, Kevin Theos Immediate Past President.......................................Feisal Hassan CEO...........................................................................John Embree Legal Counsel........................................................George Parnell

Editor...................................................................................... Jim Burke Managing Editor.......................................................Madison Faulkner Layout/Design............................................................... Yaralismar Diaz Editorial Assistance .......................... 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

March 2022

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. 2022. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not permitted without written permission from the USPTA.