USPTA Mid-Atlantic Newsletter - Summer 2023

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Newsletter - Summer 2023

Pictured – Andy Murray and Lorenzo, Joelle & Celine Sisson

USPTA Mid-Atlantic Mubadala Citi Open Day

On Monday, July 31st, the USPTA Mid-Atlantic Division hosted forty members in two suites for the opening day of matches at the Mubadala Citi Open in Washington, DC.

Everyone enjoyed high-caliber tennis and terrific food and drinks throughout the day and evening. The event provided an opportunity for veteran members of the Mid-Atlantic Division to meet pros newer to the area or to the USPTA. We are very fortunate to have such a great tennis tournament here in the DMV.

Co-founded by Arthur Ashe, Donald Dell, and John A. Harris in 1969, the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, DC, is one of the oldest and most prestigious tournaments in tennis and is currently the only combined ATP & WTA 500 tournament in the world. Special thanks to Har-Tru and D.J. Butler (Fairfax Country Club) for their contributions to the “suite” experience.

MESSAGE Director’s

Let’s Connect

The USPTA Mid-Atlantic Division is interested in connecting with you. If you have news you would like to share with the division, job postings, a promotion, tennis/pickleball tips or an upcoming event, then please send the information to me at Joni.Hannah@uspta.org . Also, please follow us on Facebook and on X (formerly Twitter) twitter.com/usptama

USPTA

Devarshi Bhatt, Ashburn, Virginia

Shahryar Jahanian, Bethesda, Maryland

Neeraj Kumar, Bethesda, Maryland

Patrick Marsh, Arlington, Virginia

Kevin Nester, Patrick Springs, Virginia

Kiersten Pappas, Fairfax, Virginia

Mohsin Sheikh, Potomac, Maryland

Robert Taraschi, Washington, DC

Mid-Atlantic Division Welcomes the New Members That Have Joined in 2023!

USPTA WORLD CONFERENCE

Experience the Premier Tennis Education Event Live in Orlando!

The historic USPTA World Conference is the world's largest gathering of tennis professionals, industry leaders, representatives, manufacturers and wholesalers, and it’s returning to the largest tourism destination in the United States, the exciting and energetic Orlando, Florida on Sept. 24-28, 2023.

Experience five days of in-person learning, on-court seminars, networking, social events and the 2023 Awards Luncheon, featuring USPTA Tim Heckler Hall of Fame inductees Chris Evert and Kirk Anderson.

Set to take advantage of the gorgeous Central Florida ambiance,

this year’s venue, the Rosen Shingle Creek, offers robust dining options, low-price golf at its renowned course and tons of relaxation around its four pools.

Register now and save $100 on WC23 registration & receive elite educational training!

By registering before Sept. 1, 2023, USPTA members can attend the conference for $499 and non-members for $549. Take advantage of our early bird pricing! Beginning Sept. 1, USPTA members can attend for $600 and non-members for $650.

Tuesday evening, September 26th at TopGolf

And get in the swing of things with your fellow USPTA Mid-Atlantic Pros at our Division Party on Tuesday evening, September 26th, at TopGolf.

Take part in our specialty courses!

In addition to our five full days of tennis-teaching education and networking events, our specialty courses provide a deeper dive into key, emerging topics in the racquet sports industry.

The USPTA and WTCA are partnering to provide the Women in Coaching specialty course on Sunday, September 24th! Dr. Erin Boynton, Ann Grossman, Kim Bastable and Tracy Almeda-Singian are teaming up for a thorough conversation on what it takes to be a female player and what it takes to coach them. This specialty course is open to tennis professionals of all genders, as it will teach everyone how to best coach female athletes and meet their specific needs.

Our specialty courses also include longtime and well-known industry leader Dr. Mark Kovacs on The Correct Tennis Movement &

Footwork While Linking It With Stroke Mechanics!

In addition, a Pickleball Certification Workshop will be held on Thursday, September 28th at the USPTA at USTA National Campus.

All specialty courses require additional registration and fees. Schedule subject to change.

Questions can be directed to: education@uspta.org

USPTA begins search for NEW CHIEF

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

LAKE NONA, FL, July 24, 2023 — The United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), Inc. announces it is seeking its next Chief Executive Officer.

TeamWork Consulting has been selected as the executive search firm to assist with the search. Buffy Filippell, TeamWork Consulting's founder, will be responsible for leading the process. Filippell has recruited more than 350 leaders in the sports industry.

The CEO will report to the USPTA Board of Directors and the Executive Committee and will manage all aspects of the association including its activities and relationships between the association and its board, Executive Committee, members, guests, employees, community, government and industry. The selected candidate will be involved in the development of the new strategic plan and coordinate and administer the association’s policies. The CEO will manage a staff of about 20 and will be responsible for servicing its members by elevating the skills, standards and opportunities of tennis and racquet sports teaching professionals and coaches. Ideally, the association seeks someone with previous general management or P&L experience, with excellent leadership, business management and public speaking skills, who is familiar with racquet sports and its communities. The association seeks someone who is a strong collaborator, has and can deepen strong alliances and networks across the tennis and racquet sports universe and can grow the value of the association with its members.

The president of the USPTA, Rich Slivocka, has assembled a task force of past presidents, including incoming president Trish Faulkner and himself, to assist TeamWork Consulting with the search. The USPTA will keep its members informed as the

process unfolds over the next few months, with final candidate interviews expected to take place at the USPTA 2023 World Conference in September.

The USPTA is grateful for the interest received for such an important position.

About the USPTA: Founded in 1927, the USPTA is the global leader in tennis-teacher certification and professional development. With more than 14,000 members worldwide and 17 divisions nationwide, the association's mission is to raise the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches and to promote a greater awareness of the sport. Learn more at USPTA.com.

Anyone interested in more information or applying for this role can click on this link to the TeamWork website.

SPOTLIGHT ON

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

USPTA Mid-Atlantic Celebrates Diversity and Inclusion by promoting events and funding programs in the Mid-Atlantic Area

Mid-Atlantic’s USPTA Eddie Davis and Father, Edward “Big Dave” Davis to be inducted to the 2023 Black Tennis Hall of Fame!

Congratulations to USPTA Elite Professional, Eddie Davis, who will be inducted, together with his late father, Edward John Davis, into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame as part of its 2023 class.

The Black Tennis Hall of Fame (BTHOF) (https:// www.blacktennishalloffame.com), located in Richmond, Virginia, was founded to honor the achievements of those individuals who achieved success in tennis and life in spite of the many barriers that they faced, as well as those who helped them achieve those successes.

The BTHOF honors these individuals by permanently inducting them into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame. Eddie and his father will be honored at the 15th Annual Induction Ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220.

Both Eddie and his father, Edward, are considered regional legends for their dedication and love of tennis. Eddie has coached college tennis at numerous schools including George Washington University and Howard University. During his career he has been honored as USPTA New England Pro of the Year, USPTA Mid-Atlantic College

Coach of the year as well as MEAC College Coach of the year and USTA New England Junior Coordinator of Year. Eddie also donates his time on numerous committees and currently plays a vital role on the USPTA Mid-Atlantic’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Eddie said, “I am truly honored and blessed to receive this distinction.”

Edward, known as “Big Dave,” was a four-sport college athlete, playing football, basketball, tennis and swimming. He later became a Department of Recreation Director in the DC area where he focused on growing the sport of tennis.

Congratulations to Eddie from the entire USPTA Mid-Atlantic Division!

USPTA Mid-Atlantic Supports Asian Games 2023

USPTA Elite Professional

Chris Tran was the recipient of a USPTA MidAtlantic Diversity and Inclusion Grant to help cover costs for the recent Asian Games held in Reston, Virginia. Chris was the Tournament Director and organized the entire event which was comprised of a round-robin tournament with 72 adult participants and a junior clinic for over 50 kids ranging in ages from 6 to 16 years.

Eddie Davis

Edward “Big Dave” Davis with Billie Jean King

USPTA Elite Professional, Chris Tran with USPTA Mid-Atlantic’s Executive Director, Joni Hannah

The winning Chinese Team Captains, Richard Wang and USPTA professional Lichen Xian. Chris Tran with USPTA Pro, David Lee

USPTA Mid-Atlantic DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION GRANTS

By Jeremy Carl, Chairman of Diversity and Inclusion Committee

The USPTA Mid-Atlantic section is a strong supporter of embracing the diversity of our tennis teaching professionals and those they teach in a welcoming inclusive environment. The USPTA Mid-Atlantic Diversity and Inclusion committee is looking at ways to support teaching professionals who promote diversity and inclusion in their community.

One way the committee is doing this is through a diversity and inclusion grant. The grant purpose is to award USPTA Mid-Atlantic pros who demonstrate a high level of commitment to growing diversity and promoting inclusion throughout their tennis community.

The specifics of the grant include the following details.

Grant Uses - The grant money can be used in the following ways: Grassroots programming for players in areas lacking tennis programming

Diversity and Inclusion tennis events which are designed to bring new players of many backgrounds into the game Sponsor a co-worker (fellow coach) that needs financial assistance with continuing education costs for USPTA World Conference or USPTA Mid-Atlantic event

Amount - Up to $500 will be awarded.

Dates - The application period will be from August 1, 2023October 31, 2023. The USPTA Mid-Atlantic Diversity and Inclusion Committee will review applications and decide by November 30 which pros will receive the grant money. Pros should include diversity and inclusion actions taken from July 1, 2022July 1, 2023.

Eligibility Requirements - The pro will need to be a USPTA MidAtlantic member in good standing with the USPTA.

topic means a lot to me as a player, coach and now as a tennis parent to see opportunities for players today that I did not have growing up. I (with my non-profit Serve First Education & Tennis Foundation) have been able to buy tennis equipment and offer free tennis instruction to young players that had never been exposed to tennis.”

Below are some direct reflections on the positive difference the grant has made for USPTA Mid-Atlantic professionals who have received the grant money and what diversity and inclusion means to them.

“I think Diversity and Inclusion are crucial to the success of the growth of tennis. Encouraging diversity and inclusivity helps to create a more welcoming and supportive environment. That goes for participants in tennis, including players, coaches, and fans. This

“The grant I received in support of diversity and inclusion supports my tennis programming that includes tennis lessons for 46 families weekly for over 55 hours a week. Your support enables me to successfully teach players who are 6 to 72 years of age. Your financial and programming support helps mainly update my failing equipment such as ball baskets and new balls. My diverse lessons serve several African Americans, Koreans, Chinese, Vietnamese, multiple families from India, Pakistani, and more with female and male varsity players from 6 of 7 conference teams in our area.”

Coach Abdul, Jordan Athletics Tennis & Sports Manager, USPTA Elite Professional

USPTA Professional Tony Adams’ students

Vicki Datlow expresses her thanks for the USPTA Diversity and Inclusion Grant

Early in my tennis junior days in Baltimore I was made aware how different and difficult it was for so many of my minority tennis friends. Mid Atlantic was not a friendly place. Players were dropped out of draws and opportunities were not always available.

As Tennis Director in the early ‘70s in Columbia, Maryland I was able to host a Mid Atlantic championship for junior players when many Washington DC area clubs were not able to include minority players. Not only did we (Columbia Community) host the tournament with housing available for all but we dedicated the tournament to Dr Walter Johnson, Arthur Ashe’s coach. Dr Johnson

brought his then top junior Juan Farrow who won the championship and achieved a #1 ranking that year.

Providing opportunities for our wonderful sport has been most important to me over my long career in tennis. Throughout the years I have seen many changes and many players who have been given the opportunity succeed both in tennis and in life through tennis.

I am especially proud to present this USPTA Grant check to Jeri Ingram, former WTA Player and one of Mid Atlantic top ever players. I gave her first tennis lessons. The USPTA Grant will support Jeri’s players in her nationally acclaimed NJTL Excellence Team program for players to use at the Montgomery TennisPlex. Montgomery TennisPlex is most probably one of the largest and most diverse programs in the Mid Atlantic growing so many champions on and off the court.

I am so excited to be able to present this USPTA Grant to promote Diversity and Inclusion tennis at the Montgomery TennisPlex!

Vicki Datlow, R, presents Diversity and Inclusion

Grant to Jeri Ingram and one of her students

IMPROVE TOSS YOUR SERVICE

By Mark DiChiara

Consistency in the toss is the most valuable piece to having a reliable serve. Many people have difficulty keeping the toss accurate because if the elbow, wrist and 14 joints in the fingers aren’t coordinated, the ball toss will be errant.

One of the best ways to improve the toss is to limit the number of moving parts that can alter the toss from where you want it to go. My suggestion to you is hold the ball like you would hold a glass of water in your left hand with your left palm pointing to the right and toss the ball with your hand “on its side”.

Unlike when the palm is facing towards the sky, now the 14 joints in your fingers

don’t naturally move up and down when your palm is point sideways. This takes 14 of 16 unnecessary moving parts out of the equation. If you aren’t used to tossing like this this, it will take some getting used to…however, if you have been struggling with toss consistency, this is one of the best ways to limit superfluous movement that can send your toss awry.

Also, if you are going to practice “just the toss”, don’t just move your tossing arm…move your racquet arm in the backswing motion so you get used to how the toss is affected by your arms moving in opposing directions.

Good Luck!!!

USPTA MID-ATLANTIC HOSTS TENNISCON EVENT

The Mid-Atlantic Diversity and Inclusion Committee recently hosted TennisCon, a social outreach event intended to bring together tennis professionals from around the area to help promote diversity and awareness of the USPTA. Diversity and Inclusion’s Chair, Jeremy Carl and committee member, Eddie Davis hosted twenty tennis pros at JTCC at College Park, MD. Participants enjoyed an on-court round robin, music, pizza and soft drinks and many raffle prizes including Citi Open tickets donated by Jeremy and Eddie.

Participants of TennisCon

Diversity and Inclusion Chairperson, Jeremy Carl(L) along with committee member, Eddie Davis.

BEAT the HEAT

Cooling and hydration tips for tennis players

USTA SPORT SCIENCE COMMITTEE

When the air temperature is above 95 degrees, you can make up to 60 mistakes per hour: Hydration, fueling and cooling improperly can have negative consequences for a tennis player's overall health. Beat the heat with these tips, and you'll be sure to be able to give your best effort to beat your opponent on court, too.

The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, but rather to provide general information. Always seek the advice of your medical healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding heat and hydration recommendations.

Hydrate in advance. Dehydration can affect a tennis player’s performance in less than an hour, even sooner if the athlete comes into the practice session or match dehydrated. To avoid this pitfall, begin and maintain proper hydration practices as many as five or six days prior to competition. Upon waking, drink 1216 ounces of water to begin the hydration process

On match day, drink anywhere from 12 to 16 ounces of water to begin the hydration process, and drink another 12 to 16 ounces of water, electrolyte drink or juice between 60-90 minutes before going on court. Ten minutes prior to the match, consume another eight ounces of water or sports drink.

Remember this guideline: drink consistently, not just when thirsty. The body may be 2% dehydrated by the time thirst is experienced. For every percent of body weight that is lost during play, an athlete’s core body temperature can rise by 0.5°F. This results in the athlete’s heart working harder by 3-7 beats per minute at the same workrate.

During practice or match play, drink 4-8 ounces (4-8 normal swallows or one-fourth to one-half of a full regular-sized bottle) for a light to medium sweater and 8-16 drink (8-16 normal swallows or one-half to three-fourths of a full regular-sized bottle) for a heavy sweater, of water or electrolyte-enhanced carbohydrate fluid at every changeover. This is approximately 32-60 ounces of fluid per hour. (Don't know what kind of "sweater" you are? Learn more about sweat rate here.)

Beverages containing caffeine, alcohol or carbonation are not as effective as sports drinks in rehydrating the body. In addition, drinks that contain more than 7-9% carbohydrates (19 grams per 8 oz., or 48 grams per 20 oz.) may slow the rate at which fluid is absorbed, and are not recommended during exercise. An ideal sports drink will contain between 6-8% carbohydrates and electrolytes to help replenish lost nutrients during heavy training or match play.

Adding salt to food or on-court sport drinks (either 3 small packets or 1 large packet) can help athletes who need to replace fluid or sodium more aggressively.

Fueling: Carbs are King When fueling, you want to consume the foods that are going to give you enough energy. These include homemade meals with fresh ingredients like egg whites, baked potatoes, whole wheat pastas and breads, skinless grilled chicken, lean ground meats and fresh fruit and vegetables.

A quick tip to remember is make sure your meals are high in carbohydrates, moderate in protein and low in fat. Have your first meal like this (don't forget the fruit and veggies!) two to four hours before you play. Then, 30-60 minutes prior to play, have a snack like pretzels, jelly beans, protein or granola bars, or fruit with a sports drink, gels and water.

During the match , you'll want to take in 30-60 grams of carbs per hour by consuming sports drinks, gels, chews or pretzels with water.

After the match and off the court, have another snack that's high in carbs, moderate in protein and low in fat within 30 minutes of the match ending. (Low-fat chocolate milk is an ideal recovery drink!) Consume a meal within two hours of play with 30 or more grams of carbs and 6-20 grams of protein.

Stay cool, but not frigid. Keeping the body cool before, during and after practice or competition is helpful in maintaining an appropriate body temperature.

Keep your body cool before the match by staying in an air-conditioned room. An hour before you head on court, use an ice vest, ice blanket, or ice towels for 15 minutes, and later, take a quick 5-minute dip in a cool-pool or a cold shower 30-40 minutes prior to the match. For the maximum benefits of combined internal and external cooling, consume 8-20 ounces of slushy slowly 30 minutes prior to match.

There are many ways to stay cool during a match, starting with the gear you take on court. Wear light-colored, wicking material and a breathable hat, and change clothing, including socks, at a set break. Above your head, use an umbrella if available. Use ice sausages around the neck, ice towels in the lap, and ice vests around the back, plus ice packs under arms and in the groin.

After the match, pop in the ice bath for 5-10 minutes, and then take a cold shower for the same amount of time. Water temperature of 35°F to 59°F has been found to be most beneficial. Continue your recovery in an air-conditioned area.

Breaking New Ground:

The Evolution of Har-Tru

How did the world’s most well-known clay court company come to sponsor one of the largest U.S. Open Series tournaments? A 90-year journey has taken Har-Tru from old-school beginnings to the modern world of tennis.

Henry Alexander Robinson built the first Har-Tru court in 1931. He had discovered a granular crushed stone he thought would make a great tennis court surface. He was right. His wife named the company by combining Robinson’s initials (HAR) with the court’s true (TRU) green color and bounce.

The brand emerged as a leading player in the tennis industry. From the 1940s onward, Har-Tru courts became a staple in

clubs and private homes throughout the U.S. The tennis boom of the early 1970s led to an explosion in demand for Har-Tru courts, propelling the brand to global recognition.

Beginning in the late 1980s, a flurry of product development helped grow the company – and by extension, the sport of tennis. The HydroCourt underground watering system was a technological breakthrough that significantly reduced maintenance and

water costs for clay courts, breathing new life into the market. That system would make its way to Wimbledon in 2005, where several Har-Tru HydroCourts are still actively used.

The company kept up a non-stop push to innovate its courts, products, and services. They began making maintenance products such as rollers, drag brushes, and line sweepers. They added a facility analysis survey and consulting service. They formed an intense partnering effort with court contractors, which is still the basis of the company today. They expanded into the Chinese tennis market.

It’s no surprise then that Har-Tru’s zeal for tennis didn’t stop at clay courts. Continuing its legacy of innovation, the company expanded its tennis portfolio by creating a new line of hardcourt coatings. Launched in 2017, Har-Tru Sports Coatings have quickly grown from small-batch acrylics to the surface of choice for major tournaments, clubs, and university athletic programs.

Like the famous green clay, Har-Tru’s coatings are manufactured in a facility in Troy, Virginia. Working with industry chemists and application experts, they engineer acrylics to

meet a variety of situations encountered on a high-performance playing surface. The pigments are 100% organic, creating a more vibrant color and having a lower environmental impact.

This summer, the iconic Citi Open of Washington, D.C. united with the historic Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic. The Mubadala Citi DC Open is one of the key tournaments on the global tennis calendar and Har-Tru Sports Coatings is the official playing surface. The DC courts were crafted to meet the tournament’s specific pace ratings and came alive in Championship Blue and Green.

From the clay courts of the 1900s to the hardcourts of the Mubadala Citi DC Open, Har-Tru’s legacy is a continuous pursuit of improvement in court building and technology. The company demonstrates a commitment to meeting the evolving demands of the court by making hardcourt surfaces, hybrid courts, specialty equipment, consultation systems, and of course, their classic clay.

Har-Tru is more than just another brand; it’s a cornerstone of tennis history and a driving force for the sport’s future.