Summer 2022 The mission of the USPTA Board of Directors is to grow tennis and to facilitate the success of all USPTA Pros. This newsletter is one tool we employ to fulfill our mission. Therefore, our newsletter provides information, tips, and resources to help you succeed and grow the game of tennis.
Letter from the President — Andy Zodin Dear Intermountain ProsI'll start by asking you to ponder this question: What would you do or say if you were hired to be Nick Kyrgios' coach?
If you have an answer to that one, my hat's off to you! Hopefully your jobs this summer have not involved anything nearly that daunting, and your season has been successful and fulfilling.
As we move toward the end of summer, I hope that many of you are doing what you can to get to New Orleans for the World Conference, September 19-23. It sounds like they've got a great cast of presenters this year, both in and outside of our sport. So plan on a few cool new wrinkles in the schedule. To that point, we will follow suit with our own conference in late February. But first things first, I hope to see you for a hurricane in the Big Easy in September!
Andy Zodin Director of Tennis, Columbine Country Club President, USPTA Intermountain Division Host, KickServeRadio.com 303.520.7676
Summer 2022
From the Executive Director — Tom Van de Hey Unsportsmanlike Conduct is on the Rise in Tennis The recent display of poor sportsmanship at Wimbledon in a featured match between Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas was notable. Despite the high level of tennis being played, the conduct of both players was over shadowing their play. Kyrgios was fined $4000 for “audible obscenity” after being hit with a code violation during the match. Tsitsipas received a $10000 fine for “unsportsmanlike conduct” after being handed two code violations for ball abuse during the match. As a member of both grievance committees and grievance appeal committees, I was exposed to the following situations: This past spring, a certified teaching professional was suspended for reporting bogus scores to qualify for a senior playoff. It was only discovered because this player appealed his tennis rating. Two players were suspended this summer for fraudulently registering for a second membership by using different information. One player used her maiden name in order to play in a second league at a higher level, therefore violating a league rule. The second player changed his age in order to play with his friends in an age required league. In a mixed doubles league, a player in her sixties was suspended for driving her shoulder into another player on the opposing team as she was leaving the court. The USTA has developed a League Suspension Point System that is specific to the type of violation. The points vary from 2-24 depending on the seriousness of the infraction. The suspensions can range from 3 months to a year plus. It is my belief that unsportsmanlike behavior is occurring more frequently. The culture in our society seems to find lying, cheating and violent behavior acceptable today. My suspicion is that reflects a change in societal norms. Until there is accountability, this problem will continue. It is up to us to file grievance complaints to provide this accountability. As teaching professionals, we are not just teaching people to play our sport, but we need to establish standards of behavior for those involved. It especially important for the young people that we bring to the game. As role models, we must also reflect those high standards as well.
INTERMOUNTAIN EVENTS Submit your events to Glen at tma@massageadvantagelv.com. Include date, name, url, location, and contact info.
AUG 2022 14: Tennis Exhibition - Mats Wilander The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs 5-6:30pm—$35/person Space limited, RSVP: 719.471.6174 Karen Schott Director of Racquet Sports
SEPT 2022 23 -25: National Open + 5.5 Team Championships, Las Vegas Womens Divisions: 18+ & 40+ Mens Divisions: 18+ & 40+ Mixed Division: 18+ Registration Link Danny Maccanello Tournament Director
OCT 2022 10-16: Henderson Tennis Open Henderson, NV Womens ITF 80K Tournament Site tbd: Las Vegas Tennis Open Las Vegas ATP Challenger Tournament Site
Summer 2022
District Updates Mark Chomko, Colorado Pickleball Certification Testing Kicks Off Strong in Colorado On June 18th, we conducted the first Intermountain Pickleball certification and training event at the Ken Caryl Ranch Community Center in Littleton, Colorado. The USPTA professionals who attended were Leslie Davis, Marshall Carpenter, Michael Manning, Hugo Jimenez, and Emma Larson, who came all the way from Montana.
Karen Schott, Colorado Women’s 15 ITF at The Country Club of Colorado The Country Club of Colorado at Cheyenne Mountain Resort hosted a women’s ITF $15,000 tournament on June 20 – 26, 2022. Katarina Kozarov, the #3 seed from Serbia defeated wild card entrant Veronica Miroshnichenko from Ukraine 6-3. 6-4. Veronica, who was the runner-up in both singles and doubles, has been sending her earnings back home where her parents are living in a bomb shelter in Ukraine. Vernonica hasn’t been home in three years.
Katarina Kozarov
Veronica Miroshnichenko
The next certification event will be at The Club at Flying Horse in Colorado Springs on Sunday July 31st from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Go to the USPTA web page to register. Contact Mark Chomko at markchomko@icloud.com if you have any questions.
Mark Chomko USPTA Intermountain Pickleball Tester markchomko@icloud.com
Karen Schott Director of Racquet Sports, The Broadmoor USPTA Colorado District President PPR Pickleball Coach Summer 2022
District Updates Bill Gray, Idaho
USPTA Idaho Tennis News
USPTA Idaho Tennis News cont.
The summer of 2022 in Idaho is starting off to be a very hot one, not only in terms of the weather but also in terms of tennis happenings. The heat has included several 100°+ days already so far around the state, during which time several tennis tournaments are being held. Folks are continually being reminded of things they can do to prevent heat stress which can then lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Suggestions include:
1. Wear light-colored, loose fitting and lightweight clothing 2. Wear hats with larger brims 3. Prevent sunburn—wear and reapply sunscreen SPF-15+ often especially when sweating or using towel to dry off
4. Sit in the shade or under an umbrella on changeovers and during breaks
5. Stay well hydrated—drink plenty of cold fluids continually
during the day regardless of how active you are; replace lost salt and electrolytes with healthy, electrolyte-filled drinks; keep alcohol and caffeine to a minimal 6. Try to schedule tennis during mornings and first half of day before it the hottest parts of the day or in the evening hours 7. Take several breaks 8. Spritzing yourself with water and sitting in front of a fan can help cool off your body 9. Be aware that certain medications can increase chances of heat intolerance by decreasing sweating (allergy meds, decongestants, blood pressure meds, antidepressants, etc.) 10. Get acclimated to the heat by playing in it for small amounts of times and increasing those times little by little 11. Maintain a healthy weight 12. Limit tennis when you are sick and running a fever 13. Try to play indoors during height of the heat 14. Listen to your body and stop if you feel overheated; no tennis match is worth risking your life for! 15. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion for your fellow tennis players; seek immediate medical care as needed if you are concerned. 16. Signs of heat exhaustion include increased sweating, red or flushed face, pale/cold/damp skin, goosebumps, nausea, vomiting, rapid or weak pulse, light headedness when standing up, muscle cramps or weakness, confusion, aggression/irritability, and shallow/rapid breathing. Heat stress and exhaustion can lead to serious ramifications including damage to your brain and other organs. So please be careful this summer.
In other Idaho news, the Boise Racquet and Swim Club is looking for a part-time tennis professional and a tournament director. Please contact Kevin Conner at (208)376-1052 for more information.
Bill Gray USPTA Elite Professional USPTA District President of Idaho USRSA Certified Racquet Stringer Boise Racquet & Swim Club (208) 514-6162 cell
Summer 2022
District Updates Scott Potter, Montana
Glen Alex, Nevada
USPTA Montana Moment
Pressure Is A Privilege
PEAK Health and Wellness in Missoula, Montana hosted its first USTA Coaches Workshop on June 25-26, 2022.
As a Clinical Social Worker, it was difficult for me to watch the Wimbledon Men’s Final after the first set. I was frustrated by Kyrgios’ self-destruction, especially since he had managed himself well enough during previous matches to make the Finals.
Several high school coaches and Park and Recreation coaches drove up to 6 hours from around the region to partake in the workshop hosted by USTA.
Kyrgios’ skillful externalized implosion was the real life version of what my clients who suffer from depression and anxiety disorders do to themselves. They tend to keep their angst on the inside and implode, while Kyrgios externalized his stuff and projected it upon his box. By doing so, Nick confirmed two things about his psyche that negatively impacted his performance: he feared success and he did not believe he was worthy of winning. You’re probably thinking, W ow Glen, really?
Tennis Director Scott Potter dropped in each day to make sure the workshop was going well. Everyone had a great time and we would love to host another workshop ion the future.
Scott Potter, Director of Tennis Peak Health and Wellness District President Montana scott@peakmissoula.com 406-251-3356 Ext 11
Yes, really. You see, when one is on the verge of achieving something they don’t believe themselves worthy of (fear of success) then self-sabotage comes into play. The mental part of the game may be more important than any one technical aspect of the game. Think of the players you admire for their guile and craftiness and tennis IQ. Those intangibles far outweigh tennis skill. And mindset encompasses one’s beliefs about self and their worthiness. Then think of Swiatek and Jabeur. Both have mental health professionals traveling with them. They both have reached new heights in their careers. Swiatek is a 2-time French Open Champion and she recently broke Venus Williams’ 35 match win streak. And Jabeur is #2 in the world—the first Arab woman to reach that ranking and a major final. And when Andy Murray stopped projecting his anxiety onto his team, he won Grand Slams. Continued next page
Summer 2022
District Updates Pressure Is A Privilege, by Glen Alex cont. Now, think of the top players who could afford such care yet use ‘mental health issues’ as explanation for their poor performances. Please allow me to share that the WTA provides mental health services at tournaments and offer mental/emotional support year-round. The ATP may offer something similar as well. I worked with the best, the Bryan Brothers. Their professionalism, work ethic, and on-court conduct were admirable. I also worked with other tennis professionals privately and in Indian Wells, Cincinnati, and Las Vegas, as well as professional athletes from boxing, basketball, and baseball.
Jason Harman, Nevada Backhand Slice Return Use the backhand slice return of serve from a higher kick serve. This will help keep the ball lower and at your opponents feet, especially if they are serving and volleying. If you always hit top spin, slicing can change up the rhythm of your opponent.
So I saw firsthand how training the mind along with the body results in growth and success. And I used it with the tennis teams I coached. Being present was part of every practice then and with clients now. My answer to President Zodin’s question, if I were Nick’s coach then I’d go Pat Riley and Phil Jackson on him and incorporate mindfulness into his game. Mindfulness is being fully aware of what is happening within and around you. It is being present.
Mindfulness, being present, diminishes the impact of anxiety or depression. Being present also promotes self confidence, problem solving, and resilience, thereby opening the door to the full expression of talent.
“Pressure is a privilege.” --Billie Jean King Glen Alex, USPTA Intermountain Secretary Clinical Social Worker Host of The Glen Alex Show Licensed Massage Therapist Author of Living in Total Health
Jason Harman General Manager, Club Ridges USPTA Professional
Summer 2022
District Updates Hassan Humayan, Nevada
Karl Jones, Nevada
Tennis Essentials 3 Workshop
A local player to look out for - Janae Preston
We will be hosting a Tennis Essentials 3 Workshop in Denver, Colorado on December 11-13, 2022. This is the first TE3 Workshop in the Intermountain section.
Janae is an 11 year old phenomenon. She is extremely talented and loves working hard daily to improve.
The workshop will be conducted by Sid Newcomb, Director of Certification/National Tester, and Hassan Humayun, USPTA Tester. Below are details on the three-day workshop.
Janae has had an tremendous year to date. Since January, she has won 28 straight matches without dropping a set. Her only lost this year was the at the National Clay Courts in Boca Raton, FL in the quarter finals.
Day 1 On-court and classroom interactive learning, primarily focusing on group lessons Day 2 On-court education & stroke production exams Day 3 On-court education & presentation of group lessons
Stay tuned for registration information.
We are looking forward to certifying more professionals in the Intermountain area.
Janae is coached by Adolph Huddleston out of Dragon Ridge Country Club, located in Henderson, NV. Janae is an excellent student who loves swimming and eating hamburgers and milkshakes. Her goal is to be a professional tennis player one day.
Hassan Humayun USPTA Intermountain Head Tester USPTA Intermountain Past President
Karl Jones USPTA Regional Vice President
Summer 2022
District Updates Josh Cossitt, Wyoming
Michelle Rawstorne, Utah Utah Highlights
Greetings from the Cowboy State
Lindsay Rawstorne and his staff at Advantage Tennis Utah have been busy this summer running junior camps, regular classes, adult beginner courses, adult workouts, leagues, tournaments, and social events.
Our summer kicked off starting in May, as we hosted a level one USTA Coaches workshop in Casper with Feisal Hassan, Amanda Shaw and Frank Adams coming in to train the future hopefuls. I also attended to support the trainers and students as a representative of USPTA and USTA Wyoming.
The junior classes at each facility (Sunpro Tennis & Pickleball Club and Ivory Ridge Swim & Tennis Club) have been participating in the “AT Cup Race”. This consists of teams of about 6 players from each class who play weekly matches against the “rival club across town” of the same level class. The event will end this weekend with a tournament and the winners of each division will claim the large trophy to proudly display at their club until the next race begins. This has been a fun event that has brought a team atmosphere and given our players a lot of match play. One of the highlights of our summer has been the Wimbledon Ladies Social we held for our members at each facility. Everyone wore white, played some fun and competitive tennis, were awarded prizes, and served strawberries and cream, English Sandwiches, and Pimms.
We love the sport of tennis and are so grateful to be sharing it with those who have the same passion and love for this most classic and beautiful game!
If you have staff that will pursue certification, this is the new first step. The focus is much less on what to teach and more on how to teach, which is certainly beneficial to young or inexperienced pros who many of us rely on for summer staffs or camps. In mid-May, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed a proclamation to declare May National Tennis Month in Wyoming. This helped kick off community grassroots events across the state. I was also given a chance to speak in front of Governor Gordon and the crowd about my journey from a rural Wyoming high school player to USPTA Elite Professional and USTA Team coach. Wyoming will send 4 Junior Athletes along with 2 from Colorado to form Team CoWybunga and compete at World Team Tennis Junior Nationals in Orlando at the National Campus in Lake Nona. This will be my 7th year coaching WTT Junior Nationals and we are hoping for a top 4 finish. The kids will experience a trip over to USPTA Headquarters and will also receive a private tour of the High-Performance side of the National Campus, courtesy of Team USA Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach Satoshi Ochi. I will coach the WTT Team and then head to Omaha to coach the USTA 12’s Zonal event.
Luke Jensen was spotted on ESPN coaching CoCo Vandeweghe at Wimbledon wearing his USTA Wyoming gear courtside, so we are going to claim him as news up here. He’s also a great friend of many High School tennis programs around the state. I continue to be proud out front working and volunteering to grow tennis, not only in my community but in my native and home state of Wyoming. Happy Trails,
Michelle Rawstorne USPTA District President Utah
Josh Cossitt USPTA Wyoming District President
Summer 2022
Intermountain Excellence 8 team tournament played in one night… marathon tennis matches. Win 3 matches in a row to win the Challenger. 1st Place = $300 Gift Card to House of Tennis 2nd Place = $200 Gift Card to House of Tennis Fun night of tennis! Dan Maccanello, District President Nevada
Summer 2022
Do Tell Please share your tennis knowledge and tips with Intermountain Pros. Simply write an article and send it in a Word doc or text in an email along with pics to Tom Van De Hey: tomuspta1@gmail.com.
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Intermountain Board of Directors and District Presidents Andy Zodin, President arzodin@aol.com
Tom Van De Hey, Executive Director tomuspta1@gmail.com
Karl Jones, Regional Vice President karlos.jones@hotmail.com
Karen Schott, District President Colorado kschott@broadmoor.com
Marshall Carpenter, Vice President mc10s@yahoo.com
Bill Gray, District President Idaho wgstrings@yahoo.com
Matt Helm, Vice Pr esident mhelm@denvercc.net
Scott Potter, District President Montana scott@peakmissoula.com
Laurie Lambert, Treasurer llambert@utahtennis.com
Dan Maccanello, District President Nevada dmaccanello@gmail.com
Glen Alex, Secretary tma@messageadvantagelv.com
Michelle Rawstorne, District President Utah michelle0215@yahoo.com
Hassan Humayun, Past President tennishassan@live.com
Josh Cossitt, District President Wyoming farnorthtennis@gmail.com
Summer 2022