USPTA Southwest September 2023 Newsletter

President’s Message

Amy Badger - USPTA Southwest President

Dear USPTA Southwest Tennis Professionals,

Hope you all are doing well, and your summer was a great one! The kids are back in school, and we swing into fall as busy as ever with programming, clinics, lessons, league play, social events, and lots of tournaments. What a great life!

We have outstanding education coming up with our World Conference September 24-28 in Orlando, Fl. No better way to refresh and reenergize your programming ideas, teaching methodologies and professional connections and friendships! We’ll hear from legendary hall of fame inductees, Chris Evert and Kirk Anderson. Included in the amazing five days of educational sessions which covers 45 speakers, we’ll have equally outstanding social opportunities starting with our division party at TopGolf on Tuesday, Sept 26th and then an open poolside party at the Rosen Shingle Hotel on September 27th. If you are on the fence, I highly recommend attending…you’ll love it! Please go to uspta.com to register now!

Pickleball certification is alive and well at Paradise Valley Country Club with our head tester Ryan Johnson. He is doing a tremendous job growing our number of certified pickleball pros. Offered monthly through December, you don’t want to miss this opportunity to add to your education and expertise. Please go to uspta.com to register!

Our Facebook page is up, active and looks great! You will find a lot of information on local, divisional, and national goings on. Follow USPTA Southwest Division! Use this as an opportunity to post and spread the word on your past or upcoming events or great things you are doing in your community! Contact our hard-

working Executive Director, Jack Michalko, with any questions or posts at jack.michalko@uspta.org.

As I head into the home stretch of my term as your president, I want to begin thanking you for the support you have shown myself and the Board. It has been a truly humbling and rewarding experience to serve you. I’ve learned so much (and continue to learn) through our organization and our top-notch divisional teaching professionals. Our USPTA pros are simply THE BEST!

Look out for our newest event - the USPTA/USTA Southwest Pro-Am at the Village on Camleback November 18th! More exciting information is coming soon! Also, we will be returning to beautiful Arrowhead Country Club May 17-18, 2024. Mark your calendars!

I look forward to seeing many of you at the USPTA World Conference in Orlando. If I or anyone on the Board can help in any way with your tennis teaching journey, please allow us the great pleasure to serve you by contacting us. See you soon!

USPTA

Southwest Tennis Legend JIM REFFKIN has passed away!

It is with great sadness we report that USPTA Master Professional Jim Reffkinpassed away on August 27, 2023. Jim was a legend in the tennis industry and left an incredible legacy to our sport. For over 50 years as the Director of TucsonTennis Jim served as an innovative program developer, administrator, speaker,coach, and teacher. In our section, he was a USPTA Southwest past president andSouthwest Professional of the Year winner. In 1979 Jim’s volunteer efforts topromote tennis earned him the USTA National Community Service Award. Jim was.the national president of the USPTA from 1986-1988, and in 1996 was named asthe Alex Gordon National Professional of the Year. IN 1987, the International Tennis Hall of Fame gave Jim the prestigious Education Merit Award. As a coachhe won state championships at Salpointe High School and NJCAA championships. at Pima College. Jim was inducted into the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame in1996, the USTA Southwest Sectional Hall of Fame in 2005, and the USPTASouthwest Hall of Fame in 2022. In 2009, the City of Tucson named the 25-court.facility formerly known as Randolph as The Jim Reffkin Tennis Center. Jim’s impact on tennis in Tucson, the Southwest and around the globe cannot be understated, and he will be greatly missed.

LAKE NONA, FL, Aug. 24, 2023 — The United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), Inc. is pleased to announce a three-year agreement with Selkirk Sport. Per the agreement, Selkirk Sport will serve as the Official Pickleball Ball and the Official Pickleball Net of the USPTA.

“We are thrilled to partner with USPTA,” said Selkirk Sport Co-Founder and Co-CEO Mike Barnes. “As more tennis players try their hand at pickleball, we are excited to bring both awareness to the sport and Selkirk’s high-performance equipment to USPTA’s vast network of tennis professionals.”

Founded in 2014 by brothers Mike and Rob Barnes and their father Jim, Selkirk Sport entered the industry at a time when Google Trends indicated the sport was overtaking racquetball in popularity. Pickleball has continued to see adoption across the United States, with a Sports & Fitness Industry Association study naming an average growth rate of 158.6% over the past three years that marks it as America’s fastest growing sport. As pickleball’s growth skyrocketed and Selkirk Sport’s products met meteoric success, the company expanded equipment offerings that now include nets and balls.

USPTA professionals will receive discounts on pickleball balls and nets from Selkirk. Click here to register for a Selkirk.com account to take advantage of the Selkirk x USPTA Program Benefits and to access the discount codes currently available to USPTA members for Selkirk nets and balls.

About Selkirk Sport: Selkirk Sport, a made-in-the-USA manufacturer of pickleball paddles and accessories, is a family-owned and operated company. Selkirk Sport is based in Hayden, Idaho, in the shadows of its namesake, the Selkirk mountain range. Founded in 2014, Selkirk Sport was born from a passion for sport and the Western outdoor leisure lifestyle that was afforded to the company’s founders, Rob and Mike Barnes, along with their father Jim, who is Selkirk’s production manager. Backed by the philosophy of always pushing the limits, Selkirk Sport is committed to manufacturing products that deliver the highest performance with unmatched quality and service. Selkirk Sport has become one of the industry’s fastest-growing companies, with paddles used by many of the game’s premier players, such as Tyson McGuffin, Catherine Parenteau, Parris Todd, Dylan Frazier, Mary Brascia, Maggie Brascia, James Ignatowich and a host of others premier players and national/regional champions.

Phoenix, Arizona

by Leslie Banks

Anyone else feel the inferno?

Summer was hotter than usual and everyone who could leave did and probably stayed away longer than usual. Although tennis usually dies here during the summer, we had some great events here in the valley and had pros traveling the globe to watch and enjoy some professional tournaments.

the meeting to grace us with his knowledge.

There were 3 main topics of conversation that came up while we discussed celebrations and concerns. The coaches who work in the community shared two major concerns.

First: the state of the public courts. Some are being taken over by homeless shelters, some are becoming skate parks, and of course some are becoming pickleball courts. Rosenbaum is a high school teacher at the frontlines of the sport’s growth, and the resources are not trickling down to the local schools.

Summer camps went on throughout the Valley in June and into July. Serve the Future had ours all the way through the end of July. We doubled the numbers from last year! Holding it in two locations in Phoenix simultaneously gave students in those areas a better ability to learn and play our life-changing sport.

In July the Phoenix area tennis coaches gathered at the Village Camelback to meet and get to know one another. There were 14 of us who attended, and we opened it up to coaches who are not certified USPTA. Josh Rosenbaum, who is the boys’ Camelback HS Tennis Coach, joined the mix (Rosenbaum helped me run Serve the Future’s Summer Camp, and asked to join and contribute to the discussion.). Brian Cheney, a well-known coach and revered player jumped into

The second concern is the local parks and recreation governments. The governing entities are not concerned with the growth of the sport as shown particularly at the Indian School Park and Scottsdale Ranch Park facilities. Claudio Toscano’s academy, formerly at ISP, is looking for a new home. Tracy Lawson’s academy, “Limitless,” lost the courts and 350 students, of which she believes 85% are no longer playing tennis. Lawson is now concentrating on growing tennis by holding monthly USTA 10U camps. She is looking for young coaches to help, they must be a USTA Level 1 or above. Please contact her or me if you are interested.

The third concern came from the Country Club Tennis Directors who attended, Tatum Prudhomme and Steve Edgington. They are perplexed as to how to harness Pickleball into a revenue generating sport. This issue is a concern for more than the Country Clubs, area pros are wondering the same thing. There is hope because some programs in the valley have figured it out, such

as Melissa Tafoya in Mesa and the Pickleball Pro at Arizona CC.

Special shout out to Greg Prudhomme, the Village Tennis Director, for graciously offering to host. Look out for the next one this fall, and we hope you will attend and give voice to your celebrations and concerns.

nation and strengthened ties to those in Phoenix. The Summit was an amazing experience for those who went and is sure to be bigger next year!

The PVCC tennis department seemed to have an amazing summer at some of the major tournaments in Europe. Ryan Johnson, Jeffrey Smallwood and Alejandro Clarke all enjoyed getting out of the heat.

Serve the Future is holding our annual fundraising Triples Tournament on September 30th at the Phoenix Country Club. Please sign up @servethefuture.org for FUN and to enrich the lives of our Phoenix area youth from underserved communities.

On a personal note, I was nominated by the SW USTA section for the premier “Champions of Equality” Event at the US Open and was selected by the National USTA Committee to attend and be recognized. The following is from;

The second big event of the season was organized by the SW section of the USTA. They held the first Women’s Leadership Summit in Scottsdale. Several local Phoenix USPTA coaches attended as well as many from other cities in Arizona and across the nation. The Summit Panels covered: “The Tennis Experience,” “Health/ Wellness,” and “Team Culture.” We had two amazing speakers: Michelle Fortin and Kathy Rinaldi. Kathy Rinaldi is a former top 10 player and currently the USTA Lead National Coach and Head of Team USA. We learned so much from her mindset as a player and her approach to getting the best out of her players. We all made new connections across the

Lew Sherr CEO and Executive Director United States Tennis Association

Dear Leslie,

A prominent part of the US Open this year is our inaugural ‘Champions of Equality’ event… [It] will feature an equality-focused panel discussion, led by Billie Jean King, Venus Williams, and several other pioneering women, and will recognize one female leader from every USTA Section who embodies that same spirit – someone who ignites change, with an eye toward the next generation.

Leslie, I’m writing to congratulate you on being selected as the honoree from USTA Southwest. Your passion for tennis and dedication to equality are vital to the present and future of our sport and its next generation of leaders, and I would love nothing more than to recognize you alongside some of our game’s greatest trailblazers.

Hopefully the worst of the heat is behind us!

September 2023

Northern New Mexico

by Dick Johnson

Hi everybody!

It is finally cooling down here in Northern New Mexico. Whew! What a summer.

It is going to be a busy time this fall with tournaments and a great deal of tennis play. The Corley Cup is coming up in October and this tournament has been the premier tournament for our players as scholarships are given out and Mr. Corley has been a huge backer in junior tennis.

The USPTA National Conference is slated for September 24-28 in Orlando, Florida. I hope many of you all can attend. This will be the farewell for our CEO, John Embree. John has done a fabulous job as our leader and I want to wish him the best. Thank you, John!

I am celebrating my 45th year as a member of the USPTA. This membership has enabled me to network with hundreds of talented professionals throughout the world. My life has been enriched by this membership.

That’s it for now everybody. Have a wonderful fall and I hope to see you soon!

Dave Shambach:

Dave Shambach is the sole Parks and Rec instructor for the Fall session, ages 7-adult, in Rio Rancho, NM. In addition to volunteer coordinating that program, he also does the same for the Rio Rancho Middle School teams (and coaches one) in conjunction with the Northern New Mexico USTA.

This summer he co-coached two JTT teams. The 18unders won the consolation. finals in regional competition and the 14-unders, 3rd place in Sectionals. He teaches privately in his “spare

time”. He is also playing, for the first time, in one of the largest Albuquerque area doubles tournaments, run by fellow USPTA Pro Joe Felice.

This Fall he will celebrate 40 years of USPTA teaching by hitting on the grass courts at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, a gift from his wife, and a “bucket list” item. As part of the trip, he will “return the favor” by having his wife tour West Point for the first time. (Ironically, she has seen the academies at Annapolis and Colorado Springs; Dave has two brothers, one younger and one older, who are West Point grads, but well before Nancy and Dave met!)

Dave is sorry he will not be able to attend the Orlando conference and to wish John Embree a happy retirement in person. He is proud of the success of Jessie Pegula, who hails from Buffalo, near his birthplace and residence for nearly 6 decades of Lockport, NY.

Amy Badger:

Busy summer with lessons, clinics, running junior tournaments for the USTA and gearing up for another season of middle school tennis coaching. Amy will be headed to New York City at the end of August to participate in the USTA Coach Developer workshop. She also has been active on the USTA national high school committee and liaison to the USTA national Tennis on Campus committee. She’s excited to bring news of the committee’s work to our region. Amy is headed into the last quarter of her presidency of the USPTA Southwest board and is looking forward to seeing many of our fellow teaching professionals at our World Conference in Orlando, Fl this September. If anyone has any questions at all about the conference, please reach out to her.

See you all soon!

John Damgaard:

NNM Tennis News

USTA League 2024 40+ Teams in NNM 3.0 W EG Webster

3.0 W Alto Park McLin

3.0 M Alto Park Ginocchio

3.5 W SFTSC Knight

3.5 W EG Bella

3.5 M Alto Park Harrison

3.5 M EG Baker

3.5 M LATC Kurennoy

4.0 W EG Lusher

4.0 W SFTSC Keay

4.0 M EG Martin

4.0 M LATC Cunningham

4.5 W EG McLin

Joe Felice:

Nice article in the new Racquet Sports Industry Magazine about Joe Felice. Had another successful Super Senior Tennis Program for Seniors over 60 years old. The Sierra Vista Grand Prix Doubles Tournament has been one of the most popular Tournaments in the Southwest.

Joe completed the Pickleball Certification Course with Ryan Johnson at the Paradise Valley Country Club. Joe continues to Captain many USTA Leagues Teams even though his play has been limited with a bad back and hip.

As a closing note, Forked Lightning Racquet Club and First Serve Academy in Santa Fe, NM are looking toward a spring 2025 grand opening date.

Northern Arizona

by Andrea Meyer

Director of Racquet Sports for Forest Highlands Golf Club, Nicole Chambers unveiled a new $4 million Pickleball facility on July 9. The new facility has eight courts with a State- of – the - art club house and pro shop. Forest Highlands begins the expansion to the tennis facility on October 7, 2023. These new expansions will mean new opportunities for private and public tennis and pickleball events in 2024. Forest Highlands will be hosting USTA northern Arizona teams for the 40 and over season. USPTA coach Garrett Lakey and USPTA Elit Pro Nicole Chambers will be hosting clinics and mock matches in preparation for the season.

In Prescott, USPTA Elite Pro Chris Howard joins a community of tennis players sending off his student Andrew Bogdanov to the US Open Wheelchair Championships! After winning a bronze medal in the World Cup this year, Andrew earned one of 16 wild card spots to the US Open.

Pro Sterling Fetty, also of Prescott, finally began coaching his Advantage Tennis Academy on his own brand new PHS post - tension courts after long bouts of inclement weather stalled their completion. Fellow pros Chris Howard, Dave Hibbs, and Zach Hackerott have joined him, moving their lessons and clinics over from Yavapai College after fees rose. Prescott pros will also be helping with the Mile High Tournament August 25-27 at Yavapai College.

The new PHS courts, available to the public for a small fee even during school hours, will feature a new automated gate-control and reservation system accessed online. Sterling is hopeful that the system works well enough that other schools will adopt the system and allow school-hours access to their courts. Leyton and Camden Fetty, PHS graduates and Sterling

and Janelle’s twin sons, headed off to college this month, with Leyton earning a scholarship spot on Paradise Valley Community College’s tennis team and Camden enrolled at Yavapai College.

Sterling has assumed additional USTA responsibilities, adding Adult League Coordinator to his Tennis Service Rep role. He’s enjoying his new role but says that learning the ropes has been “like drinking water from a firehose.”

Sterling and Verde Valley Pro Andrea Meyer took two JTT teams to Albuquerque Sectionals the last weekend in July where their 12U team won first place. “This 12U team was the best example of what junior tennis should be—a joyous challenge, Andrea says. “One of our girls did these spontaneous cheerleader jumps and donkey kicks—just these quick little leaps of glee every now and then when she hit a great shot. So different from the usual fist-pump and almost angry-sounding ‘C’mon!’ we typically hear. One of our 12U boys also won his first tournament match ever that weekend after coming from a 1-4 deficit. “

Sterling Fetty high-fiving his 12U’s

The NAZ 12U first place team with coach Andrea Meyer, JTT Albuquerque Sectionals in July

Master Professional Larry Lineberry, Sedona, notes that he is “out of excuses for his mishits” after successful cataract surgery in both eyes. Larry will again serve as emcee for our NAZ USTA Awards Picnic in October at Oak Creek Country Club.

As founder of the annual Oxendale Auto Group Championships, Larry joined Sedona Elite Pro Jake Worseldine and Andrea Meyer in welcoming adult competitors (and top juniors in the Opens) to the tournament in Cottonwood October 6-8. Players not only will play exciting tennis but will also enjoy the amenities of the Verde Valley’s kayaking, wine tasting rooms, Verde Canyon Railroad, and award-winning restaurants in Old Town Cottonwood.

Jake has been coaching quickly rising juniors Grace and George Hakopian. Grace reached the semifinal of a Mesa level 3 tournament this April and won a Las Vegas level 3 in March. Grace reached the round of 16 August 5 at the G18 Nationals in San Diego.

Andrea Meyer will be starting her Tennis in the Schools USTA program in September, with after-school and PE class- tennis in all the five Cottonwood-Oak Creek District schools. This will be the broadest exposure for youth tennis undertaken in the Verde Valley.

Southeastern Arizona

by Amanda Fink

John Perry

Ronnie Smith and John Perry had another busy summer with camps and events at Reffkin Tennis Center. Tucson summer is always challenging so it helps to have some fun theme days.

Continuing a yearly tradition, we held our Wimbledon Woods and Whites Wednesday. Wood rackets, white clothing and strawberries and cream tennis made everyone feel like they were at the All-England Club.

A new tradition - Barbie Day (and Ken’s as well)!

In August I took a trip to Kalamazoo for Boys Hard Court 18s National to see my son win on the big stage as well as to watch the next generation of American stars.

La Paloma is getting ready to gear up for another season of leagues, social events and tennis/pickleball fun!

Tennis camps were a success and early morning pickleball was in full swing.

Amanda had an opportunity to be on a panel of professionals at the USTA Southwest Women’s Tennis Leadership Summit. Tucson’s Jil Feldhausen, Gretchen Schantz and Amanda were representing Tucson on these panels.

Amanda is also due to have a baby on October 10th.

Britt

Feldhausen

Britt’s Tennis Academy plans to re-open as of October 1. We will be having a full contingent of groups and private adult and junior lessons. Also looking forward to carnivals and round robins for our students.

Jil Feldhausen also was a speaker for the USTA Southwest Women’s Tennis Leadership Summit in Scottsdale.

Amanda Fink Moore

Elevating Player Engagement

by Ashley Owens

In tennis and pickleball clubs, driving player activity is crucial for success. To achieve this, clubs can harness the remarkable potential of CourtReserve’s Organized Play, Player Matchmaking, and League modules. By utilizing these powerful tools, clubs can create a more social atmosphere, foster healthy competition, and boost revenue. This blog will explore how these modules can revolutionize tennis and pickleball clubs, emphasizing the compelling reasons for their adoption.

Enhancing Social Connectivity: Tennis and pickleball clubs are vibrant communities, and CourtReserve’s Organized Play module catalyzes social interaction. This module enables multiple players to sign up for a single event and utilizes an automated system to generate court placements based on player rankings. Players can be linked as partners through the system and assigned to the court together. The Organized Play module streamlines administrative efficiencies and coordination among players, fostering stronger relationships and camaraderie.

Personalized Player Experiences: Player Matchmaking, one of CourtReserve’s standout features, allows clubs to cater to players’ needs. This module enables players to find suitable opponents based on skill level, ensuring more enjoyable and competitive games. By offering personalized player experiences, clubs can enhance player satisfaction and motivation. Players feel valued when their preferences are considered, leading to increased engagement and a stronger sense of belonging within the club. This feature encourages spontaneous games and impromptu gatherings, cultivating a vibrant and socially engaging environment within the club.

Fostering Healthy Competition: Competition is an intrinsic motivator for many players. CourtReserve’s League module provides a platform for organizing and managing competitive leagues within clubs. By utilizing this module, clubs can add extra excitement to the sporting experience. Engaging in friendly rivalries and tracking progress through rankings creates a dynamic and thrilling environment for players. As a result, clubs can fuel players’ competitive spirits and elevate the overall level of play.

Unlocking New Revenue Streams: Implementing CourtReserve’s modules doesn’t just enhance player experiences; it also presents opportunities for clubs to generate revenue. With its efficient court reservation system, the Organized Play module minimizes idle court time and maximizes facility utilization. This optimization helps clubs optimize their resources, reduce costs, and ultimately increase profitability. Additionally, the League module opens doors for clubs to organize fee-based leagues, attracting club members and players from outside the club. These revenue-generating events bolster financial stability and enhance the club’s reputation and standing in the tennis and pickleball community.

By embracing these transformative tools, clubs can establish themselves as dynamic engagement hubs and elevate their players’ overall experience. The integration of CourtReserve’s modules can reshape the landscape of tennis and pickleball clubs, paving the way for vibrant, thriving, and financially sustainable communities.

USTA Southwest News

GENERATION GAP TOURNAMENT, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8

USTA Southwest and the Southwest Tennis Foundation will be hosting a unique tennis tournament for all ages on Saturday, October 8 at Scottsdale Ranch Park Tennis Center, an event called the Generation Gap Tournament. ENTER HERE - https://playtennis.usta.com/Competitions/southwesttennisfoundation/Tournaments/Overview/ a095dacb-0469-4f7f-bd11-1c07472003c3

This half-day event will be a fundraiser event to benefit grassroots tennis programs and underprivileged youth via the Southwest Tennis Foundation.

The format is a doubles combo event featuring and adult player (19+ years old) and a junior player (18 and under). Examples of team makeup: Father/ Daughter, Mother/Son, Grandfather/Grandson, Coach/Student, etc.

Interested in being a sponsor?

Email Jeff Sikes at sikes@southwest.usta.com.

Please help us support this cause by considering a partnership for the event. Your donation may be tax deductible to the extent allowable by federal and state tax codes; consult your tax advisor.

EVETNT FORMAT:

* Play will begin at 9 a.m. Some teams in a Round Robin Group may have later start time. Round Robin group play will be around 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

* Doubles teams compete in a 4 or 5 team Team Round Robins; Teams are placed in round robins by World Tennis Number, NTRP, ranking, age and other available information to create level-based play for enjoyable event.

* Timed matches, you are playing for most total games in your round robin!

* 3-4 hour time period for event

MICHAEL KOSTA IN SCOTTSDALE, SEPT 22-23

Come join fellow tennis players for two fun comedy nights out with Michael Kosta at Copper Blues Live at Desert Ridge in Phoenix, September 22-23.

Kosta is currently hosting a show on Tennis Channel “Warm and Fuzzy”, is a The Daily Show with Trevor Noah correspondent, and was a former professional tennis player and college coach at the University of Michigan.

Kosta will perform four shows over two nights, two each on Friday and Saturday (7 and 930 PM shows) at CB Live, one of the top comedy venues in Phoenix. Kosta has made appearances on The Tonight Show, Conan, Seth Meyers, and hosts his own weekly Tennis Anyone podcast

Get tickets here: https://phxevents.cblive.com/events/74212

Use source code “TENNIS10” for $10 tickets (plus taxes and fees). There is a two-drink minimum per person.

USTA SOUTHWEST CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS AT DESERT MOUNTAIN IN SEPTEMBER

Channel your inner clay court beast and slide into an amazing tournament experience with this year’s 2023 USTA Southwest Clay Court Championships, held Sept. 13-17 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Put your game to the test on the courts at Desert Mountain, one of the finest tennis and recreational communities in the Southwest, and a beautiful backdrop for this year’s tournament.

This is the fourth year our Clay Court Championships will be held at this majestic private facility, which boasts five perfectly manicured green Har-Tru courts, a gorgeous clubhouse, and court amenities galore, including water misters in the shade areas on changeovers. They are opening up this facility from strict member usage to allow us to play, so this is quite a treat, and one our players should really appreciate!

You’ll want to get this tournament on your playing calendar now, as NO LATE ENTRIES will be accepted after the deadline!

The tournament is limited to 185 total entries and no more than 16 in any one division of play. Check the tournament link above to see the full listing of the divisions of play that are offered at this year’s USTA Southwest Slam Series Clay Court Championships.

For more info on this year’s event, please contact tournament director Matt Gleason at gleason@southwest.usta.com.

World Tennis Number in the United States

If you’ve played with the USTA within the last 5+ years, either singles or doubles, you have an ITF World Tennis Number.

ITF World Tennis Number is for:

* Tennis club members who play a couple of times a week

* Park players who get on court a few times every summer

* Kids and adults who are just starting out

* Seasoned pros playing ITF circuit tournaments. Even if you haven’t played in years, your ITF World Tennis Number will make it easy to get back on court with players of a similar standard. There are currently two ways you can access your ITF World Tennis Number, either by searching player ratings on worldtennisnumber.com or by clicking on USTA member ratings on USTA.com

USTA SOUTHWEST TO INDUCT LAURIE MARTIN, TODD ELLENBECKER AS 2023 HALL OF FAME CLASS

Legendary high school tennis coach and former USPTA Southwest president Laurie Martin, along with acclaimed sports doctor Todd Ellenbecker will be inducted into the USTA Southwest Hall of Fame Saturday, November 4 in Scottsdale.

Martin, who passed away tragically in spring of 2022, was an enormously successful high school tennis coach at Xavier Preparatory in Phoenix. She was one of the early pioneers of no-cut tennis programs, a multi-time state team champion coach for Xavier, the founder of the Arizona High School Coaches’ Association, a local, regional and national representative for both the USTA and USPTA, and a truly mythic personality for tennis in the Phoenix area.

Ellenbecker is an acclaimed doctor of physical therapy, who has become the go-to pain reliever and surgery consultant for countless tennis players, famous and not. He’s been a member of the USTA Sports Science Committee since 1989 (chairing from 2003-2014), and has been a consultant to Arizona State University, the ATP Tour, the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, in addition to working with Maria Sharapova, Alja Tomljanovic, and several other ATP and WTA players.

Ellenbecker helped invent the “Heat Index chart” for unfavorable tennis court conditions which is used today by the USTA and professional tours. He is a vaunted researcher and author in tennis-specific health issues, and has published 14 books.

TENNIS IS BOOMING

The USTA recently announced that tennis participation increased for the third consecutive year (2020-2022) in the U.S. Tennis participation grew by one million players last year with more than 23.6 million people playing the sport. This number, when added to the previous two years, represents an increase of 5.9 million, or 33 percent, since the start of 2020. This information was compiled by the Tennis Industry Association.

“The increase in tennis participation for the third year in a row is not only important for the health of our sport, but also for the health and wellbeing of those who have made the game a part of their lives,” said Brian Hainline, Chairman of the Board and President, USTA. “Tennis has a multitude of benefits, ranging from the mental to the physical, and we are excited to help lead the continued growth of a sport that helps players of all ages and ability levels stay active and healthy.”

The growth and health of the sport was not limited to just participation, as a variety of key efforts and initiatives were focused on increasing access to the game and making the overall tennis experience better for all players.

To learn more, visit www.usta.com BE AN OFF COURT HERO: DONATE TO THE SOUTHWEST TENNIS FOUNDATION WITH A MONTHLY GIFT

Make a monthly donation to the Southwest Tennis Foundation and help support the charitable efforts to grow

tennis in the Southwest. Your small donation can help support youth tennis, underprivileged tennis players, adaptive programs, innovative tennis programs, and just about anything you’d like to earmark for tennis activities that our Foundation supports.

To learn more, visit the donate area of the www.swtennisfoundation.com website. Your donations may will go a long way to making our game flourish and prosper in the Southwest, and also may be tax deductible.

What is Tennis Advocacy and Why is it Important?

Advocacy for tennis involves taking our knowledge and passion for tennis and connecting it to the needs of communities, schools, colleges and local governments. Advocacy is the ability to demonstrate to decision-makers how tennis programs can benefit the community.

The sport of tennis can be an important part of improving communities, schools, the health of individuals and the quality of life for all. As members of the tennis family, we know how this sport can make a difference in people’s lives. As advocates for tennis, our mission is to share the benefits of our sports with decision makers in the public, private and non-profit sectors to gain their support.

How to be a Tennis Advocate

Advocating for the sport of tennis is something that can be done by passionate players, parents, coaches and fans. Empowered with knowledge, tennis advocates can be one of the driving forces for change in your community. Locating and assisting individuals and organizations that can move tennis forward is a great way to get started on your tennis advocacy mission.

Tennis Industry United is providing valuable turnkey materials to help you advocate for tennis in your local community. To learn more, visit www.usta.com/advocacy

Senior Moment

Brett Hall

USPTA Elite Professional

USPTA Certified Pickleball Professional

1. How did you get started in tennis as a career?

I moved to Houston, Texas in 1968 at age 13 where I worked and played tennis at Memorial Park Tennis Center near downtown Houston. It was right in the middle of the tennis boom. We had 10 clay courts and 12 hard courts that were full almost every day. It was also the beginning of the teaching tennis profession. One of the professionals didn’t show up one day and the client asked me if I would give him a lesson. Of course, I said I was not qualified but went out to hit and give a few tips. I was hooked and knew at age 16 becoming a teaching professional was what I wanted to do as a career. My plan was to play college tennis, get certified with the USPTA, and land my first assistant professional job which I did in El Paso, Texas. The rest is history!

2. Describe your different positions in the tennis industry?

I started off in 1978 as an Assistant Professional at Tennis West Racquet Club (a private club) in El Paso, Texas. I got my first Head Professional position at Coronado Country Club in El Paso from 1980-88! I then spent two years from 1989-90 as the Director of Tennis at Ventana Canyon Golf & Racquet Club in Tucson, Arizona (a combination local club and resort). My next job was Director Of Tennis at the University Club (a CCA corporate club) from 1990-91 in Dallas, Texas. I then moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1991 where I was the Director of Tennis at Umpqua Valley Tennis club (12 outdoor courts and 3 indoor courts). It was a combined public/private facility. In 1993 I moved to the Courthouse Tennis Center (six indoor courts) where I spent 18 years as Head Professional, Director of Tennis, and Manager. The club was sold in 2012 and I ran Angel Fire Resort Tennis Program in New Mexico for six summers until 2017. I currently spend my winters (January through April) running my own business TWBB, LLC where I teach tennis to kids and now pickleball to adults at Freestone Park in Gilbert, Arizona.

3. What are some of the major contributors to your success as a tennis Professional?

I feel there are several things I learned early in my career that contributed to my success! I ran lots of programs at my clubs which helped with member retention along with generating tennis lessons. I also expected my professionals to attend all programs to connect and develop relationships with the members. I learned we are in the business of enriching the members’ lives on and off the court.

4. Describe how you have given back as a volunteer or administrator of charity events?

I am very proud as a leukemia survivor to help raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. At my resort in Angel Fire New Mexico, my wife Becky and I ran the New Mexico Texas Shootout Team Tournament from 20132017! We raised $60,000 and received the 2018 Southwest and National USPTA Lessons For Life Award!

5. Who are your mentors in and out of the tennis industry?

My mentors in tennis for programming were Harry Parten from Houston, Texas, and Jack Michalko from Phoenix, AZ. Another mentor was also the great Arthur Ashe.

6. What advice would you give younger pros coming up in the tennis industry?

Enjoy your members and develop relationships with them. Your learning should be constant and never ending! Try to attend as many USPTA conventions as you can. Network and learn from your fellow professionals. Learn from your students. Get certified to teach Pickleball. Clubs, owners, managers, and members are demanding it! Above all work hard and have fun!

7. What is your definition of retirement?

I will work in a semi-retirement seasonal role as long as I can. I also plan on volunteering in the Serving Love Foundation bringing tennis, pickleball, and wellness to the American Indian Communities.

8. How have you benefitted from your involvement with the USPTA on a personal and professional level?

I owe most of my success in the tennis industry to the USPTA! Lifelong learning and networking have been invaluable. Most importantly, is the lifelong friendships I have developed that I cherish: Jack Michalko, Dick Johnson, Larry Lineberry, Kurt Edelbrock, Jim Moss, and Jerry Winder!

SOUTHWEST OFFICERS

President

Amy Badger 505-379-6728

badgertennis505@gmail.com

Regional VP

Suk Ong 602-881-0467

sukong.uspta@gmail.com

Vice President

Greg Prudhomme 602-301-1394 pruperformance@gmail.com

Secretary

Ryan Johnson 480-267-0725 m.ryanjohnson@gmail.com

Treasurer

John Perry 520-403-8290 jptennis25@gmail.com

Past President

Dave Moyer 480-342-7240 davemoyertennis@gmail.com

Executive Director

Jack Michalko 602-740-0126 jack.michalko@uspta.org

SOUTHWEST COORDINATORS

Northern New Mexico

Dick Johnson 505-507-6795 lctenniscamps@gmail.com

Phoenix

Leslie Banks 419-302-7663 lesliealison16@gmail.com

Southeastern Arizona

Amanda Fink Moore 818-624-7107 afink15@gmail.com

Northern Arizona

Andrea Meyer 928-300-4352 andreameyertennis@gmail.com

Southern New Mexico & l Paso

TBD

Head Tester

Greg Prudhomme 602-301-1394 pruperformance@gmail.com

A Publication of the USPTASouthwest Division

Jack Michalko / editor

77 East Missouri Avenue, Suite 62, Phoenix, AZ 85012 602-740-0126 / e-mail: jack.michalko@uspta.org

The Southwest Magazine is published quarterly by the Southwest Division of the United States Professional TennisAssociation. The opinions expressed in the Southwest Magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Southwest Magazine or the USPTA Southwest Division.

Copyright© Southwest Division/United States Professional TennisAssociation, Inc. 2023. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this newsletter is not permitted without written permission from the USPTA Southwest Division. Advertising information: All ads must be camera ready and in color if possible. Prices are per issue.

Full Page.............$150

Half Page............$100

1/4 Page..............$70