May 2022 is National Tennis Month
43 new ENDORSEMENTS 45 WHAT TENNIS TEACHES US IF I COULD 47 ONLY PLAY LIKE I WARM UP 51 UNIVERSAL TENNIS to ELEVATE TENNIS
USPTA WORLD
CONFERENCE
55
2 0 2 2
courageous 56 act 2021 USPTA 59 FINANCIALS WHAT’S 60 THE DILL? Left: Tracy Almeda-Singian, USPTA Vice President Right: Serena Williams, American professional tennis player
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From the CEO USPTA
New Endorsements John R. Embree, USPTA CEO
I
suspect many of you have received our recent communications announcing several new endorsement agreements that have surfaced over the past couple of months. What is exciting to know is that companies recognize the value of associating with the USPTA and the business that our members can generate through an affiliation with us. One of the long-term hazards of our profession is the damage that the sun does to our eyes over the course of many hours and years of being on the court. Most everyone does their best to protect their face and bodies against skin cancer with the application of sunscreen or wearing UV protective garments and hats. And while sunglasses are essential accessories to our usual equipment, are the glasses that we wear preventing our eyes from being impaired? I have always believed that we should be partnered with an eyewear company that not only offers protection against harmful sun light, but that also helps with visibility. For that reason, I am wildly excited about our new endorsement relationship with REVO Eyewear which was announced in early March. Founded in 1985, REVO Sunglasses utilize NASA-based technology to create a lens that protects, enhances, and improves the way we see the world. They use an exclusive, lightweight, high-impact resistant material for the base and then apply a series of unique coatings to the front and back of the lens to maximize protection and performance. Cliff Robinson, President, is a passionate tennis advocate who believed the USPTA would be a perfect partner to re-introduce his brand to the tennis
marketplace. USPTA pros can purchase any number of high-performance models at a 40% discount for their own personal use. Should a member be interested in carrying REVO in their pro shop for retail, there are attractive sales programs to consider. Plus, REVO will make a 5% contribution from all purchases made by any professional that has a Supplemental Savings Account. Another new endorsement agreement that was recently consummated is a bit unusual for the USPTA. With so many high-performance junior players being home schooled or whose families may be contemplating an on-line option that would fit with their child’s intensive training schedule, the ICL Academy may fit the bill. The ICL Academy is a fully accredited on-line college preparatory school, offering a comprehensive education model fostering customized Impact Learning combined with a successful track record of academic excellence developed by youth education experts. For those of you who are familiar with online schooling, Kirk Spahn’s family created the Dwight Global preparatory academy, which is considered the standard in online education. Having been an accomplished junior player himself, Kirk fully understands the challenges that aspiring players face when trying to balance academics with intensive tennis training. This is the only school tailored and focused around tennis players with champion mentors like the Bryan brothers, Tommy Haas, Monica Seles, etc. Thus, the ICL Academy was born. The benefit to USPTA professionals is that any child whom they recommend to the ICL Academy and who actually enrolls, the
member will receive a 5% commission for making that introduction and the family will receive a 10% discount against the already modest tuition cost. Not every USPTA member has top ranked juniors in their program but those that do, this affiliation can enhance the passive income that a professional can earn while also offering added value to your junior development program. Finally, I am pleased to announce a renewal with SportMaster Court surfaces. SportMaster has been an endorsee of the USPTA for more than fifteen years and they have agreed to an extension for another two years. If your facility needs to renovate your hard courts, please consider SportMaster as your preferred supplier. Contact them for free referrals to qualified contractors throughout the United States. SportMaster is installed by experienced installers, and they offer training to new or existing contractors to ensure the highest brand standards. Please call 800-395-7325 and speak to Jeff Gearhart for more information. Thanks for your support of the USPTA, Jeff! With the addition of these two new endorsees plus the renewal of SportMaster, USPTA now has fifteen companies who believe in the value of our membership. Each offers fantastic discounts on their products and services along with opportunities to generate additional income for our pros that does not require being on the court. I hope you will take advantage of everything that our endorsees provide.*
May 2022
ADDvantage Magazine 43
BLADE V8
RETURN TO THE WILD The new Blade v8 celebrates the return to your natural element of competitive tennis — renewed and reconnected to the game you love.
Vice President’s Message USPTA
What Tennis Teaches Us Tracy Almeda-Singian, USPTA Vice President
T
racy Almeda-Singian is a USPTA Elite professional & Board member, former WTA Tour player and current VP of Marketing for CCU Florida. In celebration of National Tennis month, let’s take some time to recognize the impact that tennis has had on all our lives. I thought it would be fun to share a little bit of what tennis has taught me and highlight a few things that I think I am more appreciative of now that I’ve worked in other sports. And just maybe, we can appreciate things we may take for granted having grown up in the sport?!
As a Player
Confidence: Being able to walk on a court, call your own scores, figure out how to get through the peaks and the valleys of a match on your own at a young age…it’s a really unique way to teach inner strength and tenacity from the get-go. You are responsible for your own outcome. Having the emotional intelligence to persevere is essential. There really is no better way to gain independence and find your swagger. Strategic thinking: How many times have you analyzed
your opponent in the warm-up to come up with an initial game plan? How many times have we found a way to problem solve and come from a set and a break down? Understanding patterns, identifying strengths and weaknesses on the court, also translates to off the court and in business. We know how to deal with any situation and know how much we can adapt, so we can find a way to win. Discipline: We all understand the word sacrifice and great players never quit when the chips are down. Our season is the longest of any sport and being able to understand the ups and downs and come out of it stronger is just like real life. Being able to keep a strong mindset and discipline throughout is not easy, but what makes things great is when everything falls into place.
As a Tennis Teaching Professional
Entrepreneurship: We are all small business owners. At most local parks and facilities, our programs are what we decide to make them. We are able to select what types of players we want to teach, programs we want to run and how we ensure we are profitable. You have to be marketing, selling, and servicing all at the same time. Having the ability to be versatile is what we do, and these skills apply to the everyday entrepreneur. This could help us too if we want to have a side hustle or expand our current business! Networking: Tennis provides us access to a global contact list and the ability to reach beyond the walls of our own club or park. The relationships that I have been fortunate enough to build through the years as a
USPTA professional have helped introduce me to the people that would recommend me for my next job. Never underestimate the power of relationships and keeping in touch. If your friend doesn’t know the answer themselves, someone in their network does. It’s not the six degrees of Kevin Bacon, it’s probably closer than that! Creativity: To keep members engaged and promote our adult and junior programs, we always need to be creative. How do we keep it fresh to have them coming back for more? For me, running a USTA Pro Circuit event was one of the first creative things I did in a marketing capacity. I admired how the Dow Corning Classic made a challenger in Midland, MI in mid-February feel like a tour event. Thus, I was inspired by their efforts to do something similar for our Space Coast lifestyle in Eastern Central Florida. We had a Free Beer Night sponsored by a local brewery, had customized jewelry for the winners, Mercedes for our player cars, a players’ party on the beach, board shorts in the player kits and raised six figures for a local nonprofit. That is what catapulted me to what I do today. Now creativity is a big part of my daily life.
Creativity provides opportunity.
There is a lot that makes tennis special, and these are just a few things I love about it. Hopefully, we can use this as a reminder for our students, a way to market the sport, leverage to promote tennis and develop as professionals. *
May 2022
ADDvantage Magazine 45
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Member Feature USPTA
If I
Could Only Play Like I Warmup Rod Heckelman, USPTA Elite Professional
I
f I had dime for every player that has made that statement…well… I’d have a lot of dimes. There are a few simple explanations that are often used. The player is more relaxed, there is no challenging footwork involved, no serve or serve return taking place…the usual references. But these reasons should be further addressed, as well as several other, less recognized issues that deserve better understanding. Let’s take it one step at a time to see the challenges and the possible solutions. Here’s what we already are aware of:
1
player. Movement that starts properly, provides balance, and facilitates a smooth
To improve your footwork, you need to practice successfully, not just practice
return to the ready position, is usually an easy task during the warm-up, but the spontaneity of play and the demands of full court coverage presents an entire new challenge. To help address this problem there is a simple solution. Try to improve in your coverage through practice or drills that do not have predictable patterns. Also, know your limits and how much court you should be able to cover. Work on finding your comfort zone of coverage and improve within that area before expanding to greater distances and challenges.
hard. After all, that’s how people learn to dance, try to make the footwork in tennis a beautiful dance.
Why more relaxed?
No scoring, no concern about the results or about what may happen in the future. Why can’t that be a common frame of mind during a match? Simple answer, we tend to dwell on moments we feel are most important statistically and emotionally. It’s a real challenge to overcome the natural approach to prioritizing the seemingly more important thoughts. The solution is common for all players at all levels. We need to continue to work on staying in the moment, a practice that is often best achieved by focusing only on the quality of contact with the ball. The mantra, “Just make good contact” should become the ritual phrase before any ball is put into play.
What is the key to footwork and movement? Footwork is not all about being quick or fast. Great footwork is about efficiency of movement for any level of
Do most players really warmup their serves and serve returns? Remember, the serve and the serve return are the first strike of the ball for all players. This means that there is time to prepare and set up a ritual that will help develop a more automatic response or motion. Too much thinking is an issue
May 2022
ADDvantage Magazine 47
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for most players before their serve and serve return, creating a ritual can help you transcend from creative thinking to a more automatic movement. Here’s some new considerations: When warming up, the position a player takes is very consistent and constant. Watch many players during match play, and for various reasons, they will often tend to migrate back a few feet or up a few feet where they feel they can best react to the occasional compromising balls. As an example, players who tend to take the serve return earlier, will tend to play inside the baseline, vulnerable to playing the rest of the point in “No person’s land.” Other players who are up against hitters with high slow balls, will naturally start to play deeper. Essentially, both situations are moving you out of your “batter’s box” where you have the best common judgement for all balls and are most likely to properly execute the strokes you own. Most players also do not realize that their focus on watching the ball is often better in the warm-up than when playing. When results of points begin to be all important, the nature of a player is to seek more information and evaluation. This is a lot like typing for many people. They can type like a demon when only hitting the common keys, but once they must hit a number or an exclamation key, they stop and look. The eyes go where the information can be secured, good for avoiding errors, bad for timing and flow of execution.
1
2
3
Breathing is very important when playing. When warming up, a player is relaxed, and the energy level used creates a mature breathing pattern. No fatigue, no anxiety, no worries that can impact breathing. When the points begin, the combination of all those issues kick in and breathing becomes erratic. Without that natural flow of oxygen, the player’s entire performance is negatively impacted. The answer is often to get a player to exhale when hitting every ball. If they exhale, they will naturally inhale. Try to warm up your entire game. This includes approach shots, high backhand overheads, drop shots, you name it…if you intend to use any
shot, you need to get a feel of that stroke. During most regular short pre-match warmups, that may not be available, so consider a pre-pre-match warm up. All of this takes time to adapt to and engineer into a player’s game. It may be the most important step for any player to transition from recreational or practice playing, to competitive tennis. *
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ADDvantage Magazine 49
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May 2022
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Endorsee Feature USPTA
USPTA Teaching Professionals & Clubs Partner With Universal Tennis To Elevate Tennis Nina Pantic, Manager of Marketing and Communications
O
ver the last year, USPTA teaching professionals and clubs have embraced an exciting new partnership. With Universal Tennis as the USPTA’s Official Club Software & Rating System, clubs have signed new software licenses to run level-based events at their facilities. “The UTR Rating is giving the tennis industry and our members the ability to create level-based play for their programs, which is crucial to player growth and retention in the sport,” said USPTA CEO John Embree. “Universal Tennis’ tools and technologies elevate and amplify the work that our teaching professionals are doing at their club or facility each day.” “USPTA members now have the opportunity and flexibility to run any size internal or external event, in the format they need, set the entry fee price of their liking, and schedule on the day and time that is best for their facility.” The Universal Tennis Engagement Platform currently has 2,000+ clubs, academies, and event providers from 70+ countries running 2,500 events per month. The facilities are both public and private and vary in size from small to large. The users include many of the leading tennis clubs and academies globally, such as Life Time, Midtown Athletic Clubs, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Rafa Nadal Academy, IMG Academy, and Mouratoglou Tennis Academy. Cliff Drysdale Tennis has 18 locations using the Universal Tennis Engagement Platform and has had success with colored ball events, match play, and internal junior and adult club events. Recently, they have May 2022
ADDvantage Magazine 51
Endorsee Feature USPTA also hosted UTR Pro Tennis Tour events at their club locations in Weston, Florida and Rome, Georgia. “Cliff Drysdale Tennis is committed to providing the complete pathway for all our juniors and adults of all levels,” said Cliff Drysdale Tennis Chief Operating Officer Scott McCulloch. “We aim to provide programming and play options: simply put, the Universal Tennis platform provides flexible and easy formats to accomplish that goal.” Universal Tennis allows providers to group players appropriately to ensure the best experience for everyone. “Our clubs that are activating UTR Verified events for our grassroots level players have seen a significant
participation increase and higher retention rate of juniors in the programs since they have been exposed to level-based play options,” added McCulloch. Currently, 28 Life Time clubs are using the Universal Tennis software to run successful internal events and adult leagues. “We chose to work with Universal Tennis to provide match play experience for our junior tennis players and for our adult leagues which is very important to our clubs,” said Life Time Tennis League Manager Mary Cornell. “Universal Tennis has been working with our team closely as they develop their new Adult League product. Life Time has been instrumental in giving Universal Tennis the feedback they need to launch the product this year.”
Universal Tennis is proud to support and endorse the USPTA’s efforts. “Universal Tennis makes it easy for USPTA members to attain a software license and onboard their club within the same day,” said Universal Tennis Senior Director Mike Miringoff. “We understand the important role USPTA teaching professionals play in making tennis accessible, inclusive, and fun for players—all of which aligns with our goals as a brand.” To learn more, visit www.universaltennis.com/clubs and use the Get In Touch Form to start a 45-Day free trial.*
May 2022
ADDvantage Magazine 53
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May 2022
ADDvantage Magazine 55
USPTA Current Events
Courageous Act John R. Embree, USPTA CEO
L
ike all of you, I have watched with horror the events that have unfolded in Ukraine. The human suffering and loss of innocent lives is heart wrenching and incomprehensible. Never, in a million years, did I think that an unprovoked war in Europe could possibly happen. But it is… And, if you are like me, frustration would overwhelm me as I sat in front of the news, helplessly watching this disaster evolve. I would wonder: how could I help? What could we do, as Americans, even though we are thousands of miles away, to lend a hand? Enter John Gerard, USPTA Director of Multimedia, here in Lake Nona. He just could not stand by and witness the tragedy
56 ADDvantage Magazine
taking place. He felt compelled to take matters into his own hands and do something about it. Along with his life partner, Kattia, the two of them made arrangements to fly to Krakow, Poland in mid-March so they could spend 10 days or so helping out the overflowing refugee population coming across the Ukrainian-Polish border. Not knowing what to expect nor what jobs they would be performing; serving food, cleaning, emptying garbage, comforting babies, whatever, it made no difference. They just had to go and be there to assist in any way that they could. I could not be more proud of John for making this commitment. And as I told him before he left, this will be a life changing event! We made sure he was prepared for the inclement conditions with plenty of cold weather clothing and gifts which the staff contributed. Through a PayPal page, he was able to raise several thousand dollars from colleagues and friends so he could buy food, water, other supplies for the refugees he would encounter. Most importantly, we wished him a safe return. We cannot wait to have him back and to report on this incredible experience. Here was John’s first communique upon arrival: “We just got our first taste of the hardship here. The need is immense, unimaginable, heartbreaking, and overwhelming. Thousands of families living on the floor of the Krakow central train station. On the upside, the support is
May 2022
Current Events USPTA
strong. Hundreds of volunteers distributing food, water, toys, tissues, and other essentials. And this is only one location. There are dozens, if not hundreds of other places like this one.” As the days have progressed, John has continued to keep us updated. “The pastor of the soup kitchen where we are located advised that they were short on supplies for sandwiches. After a shopping spree of bread, meats, cheeses, and condiments which filled a grocery cart full, it was taken to the shelter where everything was gone within three minutes. Some smile in thanks, others are too frightened, exhausted, or shell shocked to respond.” “We have seen families being herded onto buses, headed for an uncertain future.” It is heartbreaking to see. “The work we are doing here is only the very first step in an extremely complicated process for these women and children.” “These families need to find more permanent homes. They need to learn to speak a new language. They have to adapt to a social structure they don’t understand. They have to find ways to make money. It is an incomprehensible problem that will not be fixed for years or possibly even decades.” “With that said, all we can do is try to offer them some temporary relief. A sandwich. A bowl of soup. A stuffed animal. And a compassionate smile to let them know we also ache for the suffering they are being forced to endure.” “I am happy to be here to help provide
temporary relief to people in so much pain. But in reality, the number of people we are helping is miniscule. This tragedy is so vast, and the need is beyond belief. And, I am angry, angry because this never should have happened.” *
Bravo, John Gerard! You are a shining example of humanity at its finest.
May 2022
ADDvantage Magazine 57
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Financial Update USPTA
2021 USPTA Financials John R. Embree, USPTA CEO
I
n our effort to be transparent about our financial performance annually, we are publishing the charts below to display our Actual Revenue and Expenses as compared to our Budgeted Revenue and Expenses for Fiscal Year 2021. As you see, we had budgeted a loss due to an anticipated downturn in membership caused by the ongoing pandemic. Instead, the offer to subsidize annual dues helped maintain our membership roster from the previous year. In addition, we secured a PPP loan which also reduced our budgeted expenses. In all, we were able to achieve our ninth straight year of a surplus of Revenue over Expenses in the amount of $42,392 Net Income. *
Revenue
2021 Budgeted Revenue
$3,922,365
$4,038,936
1%
1%
25% 49% 9%
23%
54%
7% 10%
Expenses
USPTA Actual Revenue as of December 31, 2021
7% 6%
2021 Budgeted Expenses
$4,358,147
USPTA Actual Expenses as of December 31, 2021
$3,996,544
4%
5%
20%
19%
63%
62%
5%
8%
5% 5% 4% 3% 5%
May 2022
ADDvantage Magazine 59
USPTA What’s The Dill?
Membership Department Update Dillon Chustz, USPTA Director of Membership
I have always loved the phrase “small but mighty.” It describes an underdog: a dark horse; a David among Goliaths. It describes someone who packs a punch, regardless of the preconceived notions about them. I cannot imagine anyone fitting into this archetype more than Kara Borromeo of Palmetto Bay, FL. At a whopping 5 feet tall, you can imagine how often Kara has been underestimated throughout her career. I can confidently say that those betting against this tiny powerhouse would find themselves on the back foot. Not only has Kara continued to usher new members into the USPTA, but she also continues to serve grassroots tennis in ways that continue to inspire me and my team. I first interacted with Kara in 2021, when she was upgrading her own certification from Professional to Elite Professional. She mentioned to me that a group of five young players were regularly assisting her with her large group classes, and she wanted them certified by the USPTA. I quickly realized just how mighty Kara was by how strictly she held her young coaches’ feet to the fire, getting them certified without a single hitch. “I told them that they needed to be involved in USPTA if they were going to continue coaching with me,” Kara told me. Since earning USPTA certification, those coaches have helped to grow her clientele and have even gone on to earn jobs at other clubs while in college. She mentioned that one of her newly
certified coaches enjoys their new coaching gig “much better than flipping burgers!” You can’t argue with that! It is so fulfilling to see first-hand how the USPTA can open doors for its members. The Membership Department recently encountered an applicant who possessed an incredible amount of passion and drive to earn their certification, but their skillset simply did not meet our benchmarks. This
many character-driven youth programs in Palmetto Bay, for which there is a hefty waitlist. Kara encourages all her junior players to take the life lessons learned on court and apply them in their community through volunteer work and community service. Simply put, Kara is not only championing players and teaching pros, but she is also cultivating good humans. I love it! Kara was recently named 2021 USPTA
is an unfortunate position for everyone involved. We decided to reach out to our contacts in Miami in hopes of finding a mentor for this applicant. To no one’s surprise, Kara stepped up to the plate and has since spent months as their mentor, imparting wisdom and experience that only someone with Kara’s patience can provide. Kara has done all of this while still maintaining her
Miami Pro of the Year, and rightfully so. The work she continues to do down in Palmetto Bay is a perfect representation of why USPTA members are the best of the best. My team and I are so proud of everything you all continue to accomplish in the name of our association. Keep up the excellent work, folks! *
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...................................................................................................... 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
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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.