January 2019 Tennis Industry

REPORT MANAGEMENT EVENT
The demanding but A code of conduct Join the industry at

rewarding work of and clear rules are Racquet & Paddle
stringing for pros key for your facility Sports Conference
January 2019 / Volume 47 / Number 1 / $5.00

ALSO
INSIDE:
C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S TO :
LARRY ELLISON • DOUG CASH • THE CLUB AT IBIS • TOM KELLEY • TENNIS PLAZA
MCCONNELL & ASSOCIATES •TONI WILEY • A.C. NIELSEN TENNIS CENTER • DIANE HAMM-VIDA
PEOPLE FOR PALMER PARK TENNIS • JANE MORRILL • KEVIN HEIM
LORNIE KUHLE • BURNS PARK • CITY OF ROSWELL • TODD RUBINSTEIN • NEW HYTES • CRAIG MORRIS
USPTA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY • LISA PUGLIESE • DROP SHOTS TENNIS LEAGUE
BERT COLE • MARK FABER • USTA MIDWEST
Footwear
Mizuno to distribute
performance
tennis shoes in
U.S. market t
7
2018
CHAMPIONS Racquets
OF TENNIS
Babolat releases
newest generation
of Aero frames
12
PLUS:
pg.25
Our annual awards honor those who are making

a difference in this sport and industry.
Strings
Our team puts
Tourna Grit 17 to
the test
46
9
.4
TA pg
USP
ating
or
corp
In
TEAM BABOLAT PRO PLAYERS MAY PLAY WITH A CUSTOMIZED OR DIFFERENT MODEL THAN THE EQUIPMENT DEPICTED.
The Future of Clay Court
Irrigation Arrives This Year
Introducing the Har-Tru HyQ Court
From the makers of HydroCourt comes a new kind
Hy of subsurface irrigation system. Backed by 90 years

of manufacturing experience, Har-Tru’s HyQ Court
takes clay court irrigation to the next level.
Look for HyQ — Bringing Technology to the Court

and other new The HyQ Court is an irrigation system with smarts. Its intelligent
technologies — design will optimize installation and operation while increasing
coming to a court the speed and accuracy of irrigation. It’s all part of our
near you in 2019. commitment to helping you create a better place to play.
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www.tennisindustrymag.com
TennisIndustry
Contents January 2019

DEPARTMENTS
4 Our Serve
7 Industry News
18 Racquet & Paddle Sports
Conference
20 Facility Management
22 TIA News
40 Tournament Stringing
44 Tips & Techniques
46 String Playtest:
Tourna Grit 17
48 Your Serve
INDUSTRY NEWS
7 USPTA offers equivalency
pathway for PTR members
PRESENTS
CHAMPIONS
7 Racquet & Paddle Show
Jan. 23-25 in Orlando
7 Mizuno picks Tennis Specialty
as U.S. footwear distributor
8 PTR Tennis Symposium set
OF TENNIS
for Feb. 12-15 on HHI
8 IPTPA to host pickleball
certification at USPTA events
8 Ashaway introduces
racquetball, badminton strings
10 LSI creates new positions
10 Lucky in Love apparel teams
2018
with Mattek-Sands
11 Wilson, RecycleBalls partner
to recycle 2 million balls
12 Babolat releases new Pure Aero
13 PPR holds first conference, p.25
plans second for Hilton Head
13 Drysdale Management
launches Professional Tennis U
14 All Racquet Sports creates first
U.S.-made padel court
17 Dunlop launches CX Series
frames
PLUS
50 From the CEO
p.49 54 Vice President's Message
54 Inside Coaching
56 Master Pro Corner
50 56 61 64
USTA Hosts Encouraging Mind Your P's Why Your 61 Inside Coaching
Industry Cross-Sport for Perfecting Facility Should 63 RacquetFit
Summit at Athletes in Play Consider 64 Platform Tennis/IPTPA
USPTA HQ High School Platform Tennis 67 Member News
68 Career Development
Visit ADDvantageUSPTA.com for more articles and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
2 TennisIndustry January 2019 www.tennisindustrymag.com

O F F IC IA L
S U R FAC E
O F T H E U S P TA
id e in st al le rs .
ts , w it h ex pe ri en ce d na ti on w
re pa ir pr od uc
en t- qu al it y sp or t su rf ac in g &
To ur na m
sportmaster.net
TennisIndustry
OurServe PUBLISHER
JEFF WILLIAMS
EDITOR
PETER FRANCESCONI
EDITOR'S NOTE
Inspiring and Motivating MANAGING EDITOR

SCOTT GRAMLING
Our ‘Champions of Tennis’ winners CREATIVE DIRECTOR

IAN KNOWLES
know that sharing this sport is one of the SENIOR EDITOR

ED McGROGAN
most important things they do. ART DIRECTOR

CRHISTIAN RODRIGUEZ
PRODUCTION EDITOR
SAM CHASE
T

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
BOB PATTERSON
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
here are a lot of positive Section’s annual “Tennis Weekend” in CYNTHIA CANTRELL, PEG CONNOR,
DAVID LASOTA, KENT OSWALD, NATE PAGEL,
things going on in the Newton, Mass. First, I need to applaud CYNTHIA SHERMAN, MARY HELEN SPRECHER
tennis industry, but the section for a fantastic event, which
sometimes, it’s hard is all about giving tennis providers the CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
BOB KENAS, DAVID KENAS
to see the good stuff knowledge and tools to grow this sport.
through all of the All sections should be doing an event ASSOCIATE EDITOR
challenges we face. That’s why, for me, like New England’s Tennis Weekend— TIM McARTHUR
this first Tennis Industry issue of the new especially now, since USTA national EDITORIAL DIRECTION
year is so important. discontinued its Community Tennis 10TEN MEDIA
This is our annual “Champions of Development Workshop. Local tennis
TENNIS INDUSTRY
Tennis” issue, when we honor people, providers are truly where the rubber 250 Park Avenue, Ste 825, NY NY 10017
organizations and companies doing a meets the road in this industry, and we 646-381-8735
great job promoting tennis and touch- should be supporting them as much as info@tennisindustrymag.com
ing lives. Many of our award categories possible with events like this.
honor local tennis providers—those who For many people, myself included, ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
are the true engines that power our sport. events like Tennis Weekend have a
JOHN HANNA
770-650-1102, x125
regenerative effect. You realize firsthand hanna@knowatlanta.com
how amazing and dedicated the people
are who are in the trenches delivering
I’m continually amazed, tennis. It makes you proud to be a part of
APPAREL ADVERTISING
CYNTHIA SHERMAN
inspired and motivated by this sport and industry, and it provides 203-558-5911
the people in tennis who do motivation and inspiration to carry on. cstennisindustry@gmail.com
everything they can to share The two awards I presented, our NJTL
Chapter of the Year to New HYTEs, and
this great sport. our Grassroots Tennis Champion of the Tennis Industry is published 10 times per year:
Year to Toni Wiley of Sportsmen’s Tennis monthly, January through August with combined
Researching, selecting and recognizing and Enrichment Center, were incredibly issues in September/October and November/
December, by Tennis Media Company, 250 Park
our award winners never fails to renew well-received—and well-deserved. Avenue, Suite 825, New York NY 10017. Periodical
my faith in this sport and industry. These It often seems this industry can’t get postage paid in Duluth, GA and at additional mailing
offices (USPS #004-354). January 2019, Volume 47,
winners may not get all the attention, out of its own way when it comes to Number 1 © 2019 by Tennis Media Company. All rights
and they may not have massive dol- figuring out how to grow and improve. reserved. Tennis Industry, TI and logo are trademarks
of Tennis Media Company. Printed in the U.S.A. Phone
lars and resources to throw at trying to Yet I’m continually amazed, inspired and advertising: 770-650-1102 x 125. Phone circulation
promote the game (although it would be motivated by the people in tennis who do and editorial: 646-381-8735. Yearly subscriptions
$25 in the U.S., $40+ elsewhere. POSTMASTER: Send
great to see what they could do with those everything they can to share this great address changes to Tennis Industry, 250 Park Avenue,
sorts of resources). But they truly know sport. Let’s celebrate them. Suite 825, New York NY 10017. Tennis Industry is the
official magazine of the USRSA, TIA and ASBA.
what this sport is all about, and what
tennis can mean to players, to fans and— Peter Francesconi
Looking for back issues of Tennis Industry/Racquet
especially—to kids. Editor Sports Industry? Visit the archives at our website
As we were finishing up this issue in Peter@TennisIndustryMag.com at TennisIndustryMag.com for free digital versions.
mid-November, I had the good fortune

to present two of our Champions of
Tennis awards at the USTA New England

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IndustryNews Information to help you run your business
TEACHING PROFESSIONALS
Racquet & Paddle Show Set
For Jan. 23-25 in Orlando
USPTA Offers Equivalency
Pathway for PTR Members
The inaugural Racquet & Paddle Sports
Conference (RPSC) will be held Jan. 23-25
at the Orange County Convention Center
in Orlando, Fla. The event also includes
the TIA’s annual Tennis Owners & Manag-
ers (TOM) Conference.
Organized by the TIA and Reed
Exhibitions, the RPSC will bring together
racquet sports professionals, industry
leaders, tennis providers, retailers and
manufacturers. While co-located with the
PGA Merchandise Show, the RPSC will be
a stand-alone event.
The conference will include a curated
“One2One” buying summit and an
exhibit pavilion of racquet, paddle and
tennis vendors and organizations. It also
will feature a hands-on product demo ex-
T
perience and opening welcome party at
the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona.
For more information, visit Racquet-
he USPTA board of direc- USTA provisional accreditation, and in PaddleSportsShow.com or TheTOMCon-
tors approved an equiva- September, USTA CEO Gordon Smith ference.com.
lency pathway to USPTA announced a partnership with the
membership for current USPTA. In addition, several USPTA Mizuno Picks Tennis Specialty
and former certified PTR divisions have established agreements As U.S. Footwear Distributor
members. The program, which will run with corresponding USTA sections. The
through 2019, allows PTR certified ten- USPTA is working with the USTA to
nis professionals an expedited process become officially accredited.
that will consider their current and “It is critical to the growth of ten-
former certified membership status. nis in America that we have the best
“As the only USTA-accredited tennis- trained teaching professionals pos-
teaching association, we felt it was sible,” adds USPTA CEO John Embree.
S H U T T E R S T O C K ; C O U RT E S Y M I Z U N O
important to offer a pathway for PTR “Our board, led by President Trost, has Global sporting goods company Mizuno
members with the minimum road- been very forward-thinking in devel- has selected Tennis Specialty Inc. of Louis-
blocks possible,” says USPTA President oping this program. Our relationship ville, Colo., as its U.S. distribution partner.
Gary Trost. “There will be many new with the USTA is stronger than ever, so Tennis Specialty will be responsible for sales
benefits for certified professionals from we thought it imperative to offer this and customer service with the introduction
an accredited organization and we felt USPTA membership pathway to all of Mizuno performance tennis footwear
all certified professionals should have qualified PTR professionals.” across the United States.
the opportunity to take advantage of For more information on the PTR Tennis Specialty is led by President
these benefits.” to USPTA pathway, visit uspta.com/ Wally Craig and V.P. Rich Wonnacott. Sales
This past spring, USPTA received PTRtoUSPTA. reps for the company include Bob Strimmel,
www.tennisindustrymag.com January 2019 TennisIndustry 7

IndustryNews
Paul Shlien, Paula Smart, Todd Granius

and Jim Wonnacott. Initial Mizuno tennis
footwear releases include the Wave Exceed
Tour 3 AC ($140 suggested retail) and
Wave Impulse AC ($120) for both men and
women, available Jan. 15.
“Globally, tennis players are seeing first-
hand the performance benefit of Mizuno
footwear,” says Tomohiro Ota, chief mar-
keting officer of Mizuno USA. “We want to
extend access to tennis players in the U.S.
and give them the option to choose Mizuno
as their next tennis shoe, like many profes-
sional players on tour currently do.”
Visit MizunoUSA.com for more.
NoSweat Offers Disposable EQUIPMENT

Hat Liners
Ashaway Introduces New
Strings for Racquetball
and Badminton
A
shaway Racket Strings has introduced a new polyurethane (PU) based,
multifilament nylon string for racquetball, along with a new badmin-
ton string with a proprietary textured surface coating to enhance feel
and control.
For racquetball, Ashaway’s MultiKill 17 uses new polyurethane technology,
designed to add toughness and durability for players who like to really cut and spin
the ball. The new badminton string, ZyMax 68 TX, utilizes Ashaway's proprietary
NoSweat has created disposable BETA polymer fibers and is constructed using the company's special ZyWeaVe
performance liners for hats and visors string core technology. For more information, visit ashawayusa.com.
that absorb sweat instantly while
preventing odors, stains and even acne.
NoSweat thin liners peel and stick to the session. The cost for the five-hour work- Mike Barrell, Emma Doyle, Gigi Fernan-
inside of headwear and feature Sweat- shop is $240, which includes pickleball dez, Frank Giampaolo, Ann Grossman,
Lock technology engineered to absorb certification testing, access to the specialty Dr. Ben Kibler, Dr. Mark Kovacs, Dr. Jim
sweat. The liners also preserve hats and course, and a one-year membership with Loehr, Judy Murray, Craig O’Shannessy,
keep the inside looking fresh. the IPTPA. Emilio Sanchez and Sarah Stone.
NoSweat liners start at $4.99 for a “We condensed our workshop into a Topics will range from tennis
pack of three and $37.99 for a pack of format that will allow USPTA members to business and sport science to teaching
25. Visit nosweatco.com. recognize the distinct differences of pickle- tactics and techniques. Networking with
ball while becoming familiar with the IPTPA fellow attendees and speakers takes
IPTPA To Host Pickleball methodology, which has become the world place throughout the Symposium.
Certification at USPTA Events standard in teaching pickleball,” says IPTPA Professional development special-
The USPTA has entered into a three-year CEO Seymour Rifkind. ized education courses will also be
partnership with the International Pick- conducted, and coaches will have the
C O U RT E S Y N O S W E AT; A S H AWAY
leball Teaching Professional Association PTR Tennis Symposium opportunity to be the players at the PTR-
(IPTPA) to certify USPTA professionals in Set for Feb. 12-15 on HHI UTR Championships. There also will be
pickleball. Starting in 2019, the IPTPA will The PTR will host its premier coach a Trade Show with a day of demo courts,
host specialty courses in pickleball across education event, the PTR International and a pickleball court that will be set up
USPTA division conferences, where pros Tennis Symposium, from Feb. 12 to 15 in the hotel lobby. (The Tennis Sympo-
can earn Level I certification in pickleball. on Hilton Head Island, S.C. sium will be followed by a pickleball
The pickleball certification course will More than 40 industry experts coach education event, the PPR Confer-
include classroom sessions, on-court will conduct on-court and classroom ence, Feb. 15-16.)
teaching sessions and an on-court playing presentations, including Leo Alonso, For more details, visit PTRTennis.org.

IndustryNews
iGENIE
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IndustryNews
Lighting Company LSI Industries total sales organization and markets for all Tennis Racquet Performance
Reorganizes, Creates New Roles LSI products and services. at Specialty Stores
Lighting company LSI Industries Inc. The company also will seek a chief mar- January-September, 2018 vs. 2017
announced it will reorganize operations to keting officer, a new role for LSI that will Units 2018 453,160
better serve its customers and streamline also include leading new product develop- 2017 462,940
services. Among the moves, the company ment, and it will name a senior vice presi- % change vs. ’17 -2%
is creating the position of chief commercial dent of product development and man- Dollars 2018 $73,923,000
officer, to be filled by Jeff Croskey, who will agement to oversee development of all 2017 $72,335,000
be responsible for leading the company’s lighting, graphic and technology products. % change vs. ’17 2%
Price 2018 $163.13
2017 $156.25
% change vs. ’17 4%
TENNIS APPAREL
Lucky in Love Apparel Top-Selling Racquets

at Specialty Stores
Teams with Mattek-Sands By year-to-date dollars, Jan.-Sept. 2018
• Best Sellers
G
1. Babolat Pure Drive 2018 (MP)
2. Babolat Pure Aero (100) 2016 (MP)
lobal tennis brand Lucky in Love has announced an exclusive 3. Wilson Pro Staff 97 CV Black 2017 (MP)
collaboration with eight-time Grand Slam champion and Olympic 4. Wilson Blade 98 (16x19) CV (MP)
gold medalist Bethanie Mattek-Sands for a series of limited-edition 5. Wilson Ultra 100 CV 2017 (MP)
capsule collections. The first of the series debuts Jan.1. • “Hot New Racquets”
“We pride ourselves on taking a unique twist to traditional tennis wear, and we (introduced in the past 12 months)
feel that Bethanie’s style perfectly resonates with our brand,” says Brad Singer, 1. Babolat Pure Drive Lite 2018 (MP)
CEO and founder of Lucky in Love. This is the first time the fashion brand has 2. Babolat Pure Drive Team 2018 (MP)
joined forces with a top tennis pro. 3. Head Graphene Touch Radical S (MP)
“I love the vibrant and playful nature of Lucky in Love,” Mattek-Sands notes. 4. Head Graphene Touch Radical MP (MP)
“The clothing aligns with my approach to not only fashion, but also my lifestyle, 5. Babolat Pure Drive 107 2018 (OS)
so this collaboration felt natural.”
The collaboration kicks off with the Australian Open Capsule Collection. The Top-Selling Tennis Shoes
four-piece line introduces a high-waist skirt and features smoother fabrics and at Specialty Stores
more comfortable fitting mesh inserts. The outfits include mesh crop tops and a By year-to-date dollars, Jan.-Sept. 2018
“Love Down Under” limited-edition bomber jacket. Visit shopluckyinlove.com. 1. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express
2. Nike Zoom Vapor X 2018
3. Nike Zoom Cage 3
The collaboration with 4. Asics Gel Resolution 7
Mattek-Sands marks the first
time Lucky in Love has joined 5. Nike Z Vapor 9.5 Tour 2017
with a top tennis pro.
Top-Selling Strings
at Specialty Stores
By year-to-date units, Jan.-Sept. 2018
1. Babolat RPM Blast
2. Wilson NXT
3. Wilson Sensation
4. Head Synthetic Gut PPS
5. Luxilon Alu Power
(Source: Tennis Industry Association)
Nominations Open
C O U RT E S Y LU C KY I N L OV E
For USPTA Awards

The USPTA is accepting nominations
through March 18 for the 2019 National
Awards Program. Awards are presented in
every facet of the tennis business in which
USPTA members work.
The awards will recognize the USPTA

professionals' achievements that
occurred during 2018. Only certified
Professional-level members are eligible
to be nominated. Recipients will be rec-
ognized during the 2019 USPTA World
Conference, Sept. 24-27, at the Westgate
Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.
For more information, including
award categories and to nominate, visit
uspta.com.
Parkkonen Promoted
To PTR COO
Brian Parkkonen
Brian Parkkonen is the new Chief

Operating Officer of the PTR. Besides
overseeing organizational develop-
ment and staff collaboration, Park-
konen’s priorities will be to ensure
quality standards and create a unified
and efficient approach to the overall
member experience.
THE EXPERTS IN
Parkkonen joined the PTR staff
in May 2014 and has had a series of
STRINGING MACHINES
promotions during his tenure. Prior SALES AND SERVICE
to his new post as COO, he served as
director of education.
“Brian has done a stellar job at Since 1934, Tennis Machines has been selling, servicing, and repairing
PTR,” says CEO Dan Santorum. stringing machines from every major brand in the industry.
“Moving forward, technology,
education and our delivery system EXCLUSIVE
will be key components. Brian has CALL US SHOP USA DISTRIBUTOR
FOR ALL
the knowledge and experience in this TODAY! ONLINE PRINCE
MACHINES
area to help PTR continue to grow and
improve.”
STRINGING MACHINE SERVICES
• Lockout and constant pull tension head repair • Base clamps •
Wilson, RecycleBalls Partner • Activation switch • Potentiometer • String clamps • Dog kits •
To Recycle 20 Million Balls
• Calibration • Brake disc • Turntable repairs • Load cell • Sensors •
Wilson and RecycleBalls are partnering
to collect, recycle and repurpose tennis • Circuit boards and power switch •
balls across the U.S. The partnership
aims to recycle 20 million tennis balls
over the next three years.

RecycleBalls is a non-profit organization
C O U RT E S Y P T R
St. Louis • Nashville • Memphis • Online

founded in 2014, with the goal of collecting
and recycling the 125 million tennis balls
that end up in U.S. landfills each year and 1.800.572.1055 WWW.TENNISMACHINES.COM ST. LOUIS, MO
then converting these tennis balls into

IndustryNews
innovative and sustainable products.

“Wilson and RecycleBalls are mak-
ing a commitment to keep tennis balls
out of landfills and repurposing them
into socially relevant products like ten-
nis courts, playgrounds, turf and more,”
says RecycleBalls founder Derrick Senior.
“To date, our growing partner network
has kept nearly 1 million tennis balls out
of U.S. landfills.” For information and to
participate, visit recycleballs.org.
Babolat Releases New

Pure Aero Generation
Babolat has debuted its newest
generation of Aero racquets, the Pure
Aero, developed in collaboration with
Rafael Nadal. The company says the
new racquet has added stability and
feel and is “spin-friendly.”
The Pure Aero is designed for play-
ers who hit with heavy spin and are
looking for a fast racquet. The new
frame includes a carbon ply stabilizer
by Chomarat—carbon fibers to pro-
vide torsion stiffness for stability and
control. The frame has a 100-square-
inch head and weighs 10.6 ounces
unstrung. Suggested retail is $229.
The racquet family also includes the
Pure Aero Tour, Pure Aero +, Pure Aero
Team, Pure Aero Lite and Pure Aero
Junior. Visit babolat.com.
C O U RT E S Y B A B O L AT

Wimbledon Agrees To
Final Set Tiebreakers
Wimbledon has agreed to introduce a
final-set tiebreaker to its matches when
the score reaches 12-12 in the deciding
set, starting this year. This means the
epic 70–68 fifth set won by John Isner
over Nicolas Mahut in 2010—in a match
that lasted more than 11 hours over
three days—will never be surpassed.
The US Open starts its final-set
tiebreakers at 6-all. Both the Australian
Open and French Open still play out the
final set in singles, until a player wins by
two games.
PPR Holds First Conference,

Plans Second for Hilton Head
Pickleball providers met in Indian Wells.
The Professional Pickleball Registry

(PPR), a subsidiary of the PTR and the
official certification partner of USA
Pickleball Association, held its first
PPR Conference on Nov. 12 in Indian
Wells, Calif., at the conclusion of the
Congratulations
USAPA National Championships.
The one-day conference focused
on coaching education for pickleball,
one of the fastest growing sports in
the U.S., and brought in 25 attendees.
A PPR Certification Workshop was
also conducted during the event.
Speakers included Sarah Ansboury,
PPR’s educational consultant and lead
clinician, along with Caerwyn Evans, GRASSROOTS TENNIS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Dean Hollingworth, Jason Jamison
and Adam Jasick.
Toni Wiley
A second, two-day PPR Conference
will be held Feb. 15-16 on Hilton Head NJTL CHAPTER OF THE YEAR
Island, S.C., immediately following
the PTR International Symposium New HYTEs
(which runs from Feb. 12 to 15).
Visit PTRTennis.org for more infor-
mation or to register.
C O U RT E S Y P T R / P P R
Cliff Drysdale Management

Launches Professional Tennis U
Cliff Drysdale Management has
partnered with the John Newcombe
Tennis Ranch to offer a new elite tennis

IndustryNews
PADDLE SPORTS
All Racquet
Sports Creates
First U.S.-
Made Padel
Court
A
ll Racquet Sports says the
first “made in the USA”
padel court was recently
completed outside of Read-
ing, Pa. The sport of padel started in
Mexico, found its way to Argentina and Reading, Pa., is the site
of the first "made in the
exploded in popularity in Europe. It is USA" padel court.
now a $600 million industry worldwide,
with 12 million players in 78 countries, “Our goal was to create a court where Sponaugle, president of All Racquet
35 international federations, over the components could be sourced and Sports. “With the growth of other
30,000 courts and a World Padel Tour, constructed in the U.S.,” Grote says. The racquet sports, padel is well positioned
with TV broadcasts and venue stops court uses an Amish U.S. steel fabrica- to appeal to 25- to 55-year-olds looking
around the globe. tor from Lancaster, Pa., a turf playing for a great workout, social connections
The Reading padel court was surface from Dalton, Ga., and tempered and diversity in their health and well-
designed and built by Scott Grote, glass walls manufactured in Pittsburgh. ness activities.”
president of Padel Court Construction “Social, fun and addictive are words For more, visit AllRacquetSports.com
and Design with All Racquet Sports. used to describe the sport,” notes Lee or email lee@allracquetsports.com.
People
Watch
Ola Malmqvist has been promoted honors in tennis, Smith received the University’s LeRoy Peddy Tennis Center
to director of coaching for USTA Player USTA’s 2017 Eve Kraft Community Service during “Robin Bateman Night.” Bateman
Development. Fed Cup captain Kathy Award. In 2002, he was the first recipient is the longtime tennis coordinator at
Rinaldi will replace Malmqvist as head of of what has become known as the Hollis Tattnall Square Tennis Center and
women’s tennis, while director of player Smith Lifetime Achievement Award, spon- has been a freelance tennis writer for
identification and development Kent sored by the National Public Parks Tennis over a decade.
Kinnear will become head of men’s tennis. Association and the USTA.
Daniil Medvedev, playing with the new
Pro tour player Dominic Thiem and Head Penn racquetball player Tecnifibre T-Fight 305 XTC racquet with
C O U RT E S Y A L L R A C Q U ET S P O RT S
Babolat have extended their partnership. Paola Longoria dominated the women’s Razor Code strings, won his first ATP
Thiem plays with the Babolat Pure Strike professional singles draw at the US Open 500-Level title in October at the Japan
racquet with a hybrid string setup using Racquetball Championships, dropping Open in Tokyo. The 22-year-old Russian
RPM Blast rough and VS. just one game on her way to her eighth beat Kei Nishikori in the final.
US Open title.
Longtime grassroots tennis advocate Cary Collins has been named director
Hollis Smith of Indio, Calif., passed away Macon, Ga., tennis advocate Robin of tennis and pickleball at the Toscana
in early November. Among his many Bateman was honored recently at Mercer Country Club in Indian Wells, Calif.

IndustryNews
management training program, the Western Canada Tennis Centre, located Seven ATP Players Donate
Professional Tennis U (PTU). Beginning in the city of Burnaby, British Columbia. To Rehab Houston Courts
in 2019, candidates will be selected for The facility will be part of the Burnaby Lake The two tennis courts at Sunnyside Park
an immersive experience in tennis pro- Sports Complex and will include 12 indoor in Houston, which is one of 44 neighbor-
gramming, marketing and media, and 12 outdoor courts. hood facilities where the Houston Tennis
human resources, or finance. The new facility will be developed by Association holds NJTL programs, got
Professional Tennis U will see trainees Tennis Canada in partnership with the city of a major facelift in September, thanks
receive 1,200-plus hours of on-court Burnaby. It will offer a daily training environ- in part to the generosity of seven ATP
coaching experience while refining their ment for Tennis Canada's national junior tour players who participated in the U.S.
education, knowledge and skills through training program and wheelchair program. Men’s Clay Court Championship at River
daily coursework, seminars and plan-
ning sessions taught by tennis industry
leaders and guest speakers.
LOVE LOVE
Upon successful completion of the
12-month program, participants will
receive USPTA certification as well as
job offer assurance at CDM- and Troon-
managed locations. Club members and students will LOVE facing
Applications are now being accepted off against the phenom. You will LOVE
at CDTJobs.com. Ten candidates will be offering the added advantage.
selected for the program.
Wilson to Debut ®
New Clash Racquet

follow lobste
t rsports on
te play more. win more.
®
For more information, please call 888.380.9460 or visit www.lobstersports.com
The Clash will be available in February.
In November, 650 tennis players

and coaches around the world started
receiving prototypes of the new
Wilson Clash racquet as part of a
worldwide playtest, says Wilson. The
new frame will be introduced globally
Feb. 1, and available at retail Feb. 15. Add length to racquets and paddles with the new
To create the racquet, Wilson says
it “broke apart every element of the XTP–Xtended Tennis Product!
traditional racket design—from the
throat to the beam to the strings to
Patented XTP butt cap installs
the head—to look for novel ways to
quickly, easily and securely.
deliver” power, control and feel to
C O U RT E S Y W I L S O N
players. Visit theracketrevolution.com. www.xtptennisbuttcap.com

Tennis Canada Plans USRSA Tested • Dealers Wanted
24-Court Facility in B.C.
Plans are in the works for developing

IndustryNews
Oaks Country Club last April. tended their partnership, where CSS is ner, director of sales for CSS. "We look
The two courts at the park were under the Official Court Surfacing Provider of forward to working with them for years to
water last summer when Hurricane Har- the ITA. In addition, CSS brands, which come to help grow and support the game
vey hit Houston. But through the tourna- include DecoTurf, Plexipave, Rebound of tennis.”
ment, ATP stars Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan, Ace and Premier Sports Coatings, will be
John Isner, Steve Johnson, Sam Querrey, recognized as the Official Tennis Surfaces New 51-Court Facility
Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock commit- of the ITA. Approved in Raleigh
ted to donate funds to the resurfacing ITA members who are interested in In October, the Raleigh, N.C., city coun-
project. In addition, the players, along CSS installation will be offered best avail- cil approved a 50-year lease for a new
with ESPN tennis commentator Brad able pricing and, at no additional cost, racquet sports and health & wellness
Gilbert, visited Sunnyside to meet with ITA member programs will be provided facility in Brier Creek. The venue would
NJTL participants. on-site technical assistance and technical be located on a 48-acre lot owned by the
resources prior to, or during, CSS surface city of Raleigh.
California Sports Surfaces, installation. Triangle Racquet Sports LLC will de-
ITA Extend Partnership “We’ve been working with the ITA for velop the project, with support from the
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association nearly 15 years and there are no better USTA. “Triangle Racquet Sports will be a
and California Sports Surfaces have ex- partners in the industry," says Tom Mag- facility where health and fitness, racquet
Short
Sets
Tecnifibre is the official partner of the USPTA has partnered with InsureSTAT ming will cover cities including Reston,
Petits As – Le Mondial Lacoste tourna- to provide long-term disability insurance Herndon, Falls Church, Alexandria,
ment, which will be held Jan. 17-27, as at a discount for USPTA members. Visit Vienna and Fairfax.
well as a prequalifying event in the fall. insurestat.com/uspta for info.
Tecnifibre will be the official ball of the The International Tennis Hall of Fame
tournament and official stringer of the Tennis Channel debuted an original has officially opened TeamFAME, a new
main-draw event. series in November called The Ten. The chapter of the National Junior Tennis &
countdown show highlights a different, Learning (NJTL) network. TeamFAME,
The Czech Republic beat the U.S. in debate-spurring list each week, and which is an acronym for Future Aces
the Fed Cup final on Nov. 11 in Prague, began with an episode ranking the 10 Modeling Excellence, provides out-of-
3-0. The U.S. will begin its 2019 Fed Cup greatest men's tennis players of all time. school programming that promotes
campaign with a first-round tie against Actor Jason Biggs hosts the new series. academic achievement, leadership de-
Australia in Asheville, N.C., Feb. 9-10 velopment and healthy lifestyles through
at the U.S. Cellular Center, which also Dunlop is a Gold Partner of the Next activity-based learning and tennis.
hosted the U.S.’s first-round Fed Cup Gen ATP Finals. In a multi-year deal that
tie in February 2018 against the started this past November, the compa- The Intercollegiate Tennis Associa-
Netherlands. ny will supply the Dunlop Fort All Court tion, University of Tulsa and Tulsa Sports
Tournament Select ball. Commission announced that beginning
Selkirk Sport, a leading pickleball in 2019, the ITA Women's All-American
paddle and accessories manufacturer, The Australian Open has landed a Championships will join the ITA Men's
has signed Morgan Evans, one of profes- partnership with leading Chinese liquor All-American Championships in Tulsa,
sional pickleball’s most widely recog- brand Luzhou Laojiao in the largest with tournament matches taking place at
nized coaches, to a three-year extension Chinese sponsorship deal in the history multiple sites.
to remain a member of the Team Selkirk of the tournament.
Professional Advisory Staff. Evans is the The International Tennis Federation
director of pickleball at Shadow Moun- The partnership between TGA Premier has established an independent ITF
tain Resort in Palm Desert, Calif., and an Tennis and the USTA Mid-Atlantic Section Ethics Commission to define, review and
instructor for the sport’s elite players, has expanded to include after-school enforce the ethical principles outlined in
including Tyson McGuffin and Kaitlyn and out-of-school tennis enrichment the ITF Code of Ethics. Sandra Osborne is
Christian. programs in Fairfax County, Va. Program- the chair of the new commission.

sports, sports medicine, orthopedics,
and technology converge,” says Rob
Autry, founder of Triangle Racquet
Sports.
The venue will include 51 tennis
courts (32 clay and 18 hard courts,
indoor and outdoor), pickleball and
squash courts; a public park includ-
ing trails, a playground, shelter and
restrooms; a family zone for use free of
charge; and health and fitness facilities.
USRSA Names MRT, CS, PRA

Master Racquet Technicians
•Roberto Velez, Caguas, Puerto Rico
•Randy Orebaugh, Gambrills, Md. Germany based company Mauve Sports-MSV
Certified Stringers is looking for a distributor who wants to:
• Hughes Londergan, Narberth, Pa. • Sell highly rated strings and grips to
• Dean Tsamas, Fort Myers, Fla. racquet stringers and retailers in the US.
• Sebastian Bruno, Buenos Aires
• Spencer Wood, Austin, Texas • Benefit from very attractive margins and
Professional Racquet Advisor an agreement without financial risk.
Also vistit us on
• Dustin Bowie, Lilburn, Ga. Get the MSV distributor info package.
Send an email to: mauve@msv-tennis.com
Dunlop Launches New
CX Series Racquets
Kevin Anderson
Dunlop recently unveiled its pre-

mium CX Series tennis racquet range,
which the company says is its most
technologically advanced to date.
Powered by Srixon technology, the CX
Series was developed to provide play-
ers with increased power, comfort and
control, says Dunlop.
The company says the CX Series has
a 30 percent larger sweetspot. Dunlop
Tour Team players Kevin Anderson will
use the CX 200 Tour 18x20 during the
2019 season. The CX range includes
the CX 200 Tour 18 x 20, CX 200 Tour
16 x 19, CX 200, CX 200+, CX 200 LS
C O U RT E S Y D U N L O P
and CX 400. All CX Series racquets will

be priced at $219.99, except the CX
400, which will retail at $199.99.
Visit dunlopsports.com for more
information.

TennisIndustry
IndustryEvent
The inaugural Racquet & Paddle
Sports Conference will be co-
located with the massive PGA
Merchandise Show, taking
advantage of natural synergies that
exist between the two sports.
RACQUET & PADDLE SPORTS
Grow Your Business! We have a tremendous

opportunity to highlight and
The first Racquet & Paddle Sports grow the business of tennis
Conference in Orlando will showcase and racquet sports.
new products and further education. “Innovation & Technology Demo Day,”
where attendees can playtest the latest
gear, and attend a Welcome Party.
On Thursday, back at the OCCC, the
T
finalists in the fourth edition of the Ten-
nis Industry Innovation Challenge will
he inaugural Racquet & Conference, held at the OCCC, offer- present in a “Shark Tank”-like competi-
Paddle Sports Confer- ing education sessions by top experts tion. Other sessions will include “The
ence (RPSC), held Jan. and consultants. There will also be a Changing World of Racquet & Paddle
23-25 in Orlando, Fla., “One2One” curated buying summit, and Sports,” a roundtable on “Cashing In
will break new ground plenty of networking opportunities. on Pickleball and Other Short Court
in this industry in a number of ways. Importantly, the conference not only Sports,” a roundtable on “Promoting
The RPSC, a trade show for industry includes tennis, but also other racquet Tennis As a Fitness/Wellness Sport,”
professionals, will be at the Orange and paddle sports, such as pickleball, and “Model Clubs and Best Practices.”
County Convention Center (OCCC) and POP tennis, platform tennis and padel. Friday will start with “Implementing
co-located with the PGA Merchandise Manufacturers and organizations in UTR Into Your Business,” followed by a
Show—the first time a major tennis and these sports will be located in the RPSC “Guide to Online Facility Management
racquet sports conference has shared area in the OCCC’s exhibit hall, and a Software.” Roundtable discussions will
space with the golf industry’s premier 60-foot multi-use court and a full-size focus on “Winning Digital Marketing
showcase. The Tennis Industry Associa- padel court are being planned. Strategies,” and the final session will
tion is working with Reed Exhibitions, The conference opens on Wednesday, include an Open Forum for all attend-
which puts on the PGA Show, to also Jan. 23, with a session that will include ees. Friday afternoon also will include
produce the RPSC. research and industry insights. That optional breakout sessions.
“Reed has helped to grow the PGA will be followed by the Disney Institute For the complete updated schedule,
Show into the ultimate resource for on “Creating a ‘Disney Experience’ at visit racquetpaddlesportsshow.com. •
the golf industry,” says TIA Executive Your Business.” Other sessions on the
Director Jolyn de Boer. “The PGA Show first day include “How to Transform, For industry professionals, registration
draws more than 40,000 attendees, and Modify and Reinvent Your Facility,” a for the exhibit hall portion of the RPSC
many natural synergies exist between roundtable on “Innovative Marketing, is free. For the TOM Conference, the
the golf and tennis industries. We have Promotions and Programming,” “Hiring cost is $395 for TIA members and $495
a tremendous opportunity to grow the and Staffing,” and “The New ‘Business’ for non-TIA members. Register at
business of tennis and racquet sports.” of Tennis Development.” racquetpaddlesportsshow.com; for
The RPSC also includes an expanded At 3:30 p.m., the action shifts to questions, contact the TIA at meetings@
Tennis Owners & Managers (TOM) the USTA National Campus for an tennisindustry.org or 843-686-3036.

TennisIndustry
Facility Management
CODE OF CONDUCT Club members need to

ensure their guests are
Play By the Rules fully aware of a club's

rules of conduct.
Make sure your facility has a clearly of people using the club. “This can be
defined code of conduct for members both behaviors that are expected—such
as vacating a court immediately upon
and guests that is consistently enforced. completion of court time when others
are waiting—or behaviors that are unac-
By John Torsiello ceptable—such as wearing jean shorts or
other types of designated attire,” he says.
“The easiest and most critical point
of contact is the club member,” adds
McMahon, who is a USPTA Master
A
Professional and former USPTA Profes-
sional of the Year. “Most clubs have,
verbal scuffle breaks out of America. “This provides transparent or should have, a member policy that
in your club when one expectations to your members and their clearly defines that members are respon-
group of players is coming guests regarding general standards of sible for the actions and behavior of their
onto a court. You rush to conduct. These may contain important guests. From the first communications
see what the issue is, hop- information about the culture of your received when becoming a member, to
ing to maintain the peace. While you may club, including your dress code, mobile ongoing reminders about important
not to be able to mend any friendships, phone usage, guest usage policies, etc.” rules in the monthly newsletter, a club
you and your facility will be best served Mark McMahon, president of McMa- should clearly outline the rules and code
if you approach such a situation with an hon & Associates, a consulting firm that of conduct in place when using the club.”
established code of conduct in hand. helps clubs recruit and hire directors Many clubs deliver this information
SHUTTERSTOCK
“For any club, it is a best practice to of tennis and head professionals, says during a member’s initial joining pro-
have a clearly defined policy of member that similar to most successful busi- cess, and review it during new-member
and guest conduct,” says Jeff Morgan, nesses, members and their guests need a orientations. Any changes to the club’s
CEO of the Club Managers Association clear understanding of the expectations rules of conduct should be clearly com-

TennisIndustry
Consistently applying and enforcing the rules and a code of conduct

will mitigate any sense of unfairness or favoritism.
municated to all members. owner or general manager that de- Disagreements and misunderstand-
“It is incumbent upon your members cides to waive a rule because he or she ings with members will happen. But if
to ensure their guests are fully aware of doesn’t want a conflict with a member your facility has clear, written rules and
the club’s rules of conduct,” Morgan says. only undermines the staff and invites a code of conduct, communicates both
Chances are issues with or between a future line of members who come to clearly and frequently to members, and
members won’t reach a stage where believe that the rules are for everyone enforces them consistently, you’ll most
attorneys get involved. However, it’s but themselves.” likely avoid uncomfortable situations. •
always a good idea to make sure your
lawyer is aware of any club rules or code
of conduct you put in place.
Club bylaws should include a griev-
ance procedure, providing clear guide-
lines for how member discipline is
handled. In some clubs, a discipline issue
may be handled by written notice to the
member, and subsequent or more severe
infractions may be referred to a board of
directors. Adherence to these grievance
procedures is important in the event the
issue becomes chronic.
“It’s important for an owner or gen-
eral manager to be consistently visible
around the club so that members have
the opportunity to have informal con-
versations on a regular basis,” McMahon
notes. “This allows the owner/general
manager to build relationships with
members, which in turn promotes con-
sistency around rule enforcement. Con-
sistently applying and enforcing the rules
and a code of conduct will also mitigate
any sense of unfairness or favoritism.”
JoAnn Lee, tennis director for the
Creekside Tennis and Swim Club in
Mount Pleasant, S.C., says her facility
posts signs with the basic rules for all
to see. “We do not have a policy stating
appropriate behavior for people playing
on the tennis court, but we have basic
policies regarding proper tennis attire,”
she says. “It’s a good idea to have general
rules, and the club manager should enf-
orce the rules, as well as the staff, so the
club is a pleasant environment for all.”
McMahon says a “good owner or
general manager will trust and empower
senior staff” to enforce club rules and a
code of conduct. Where things can get
sticky is when a member challenges the
authority of a staff member or the valid-
ity of a rule, and appeals to the owner or
general manager directly.
“In these situations, it’s critical for the
owner or general manager to support the
staff member,” McMahon says. “An

TOM Conference Highlights
Racquet & Paddle Sports Show Powered by the Tennis Industry Association
The sixth annual Tennis Owners & Managers (TOM) For questions regarding the TOM Conference, contact the
Conference will take place Jan. 23-25 at the Orange County TIA team at meetings@tennisindustry.org or 843-686-3036. For
Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Fla. The expanded inquiries about exhibiting, contact Stephen McCullough at
event includes an added focus on facilities, innovation and smccullough@reedexpo.com For all other inquiries, contact
technology and is part of the inaugural Racquet & Paddle the RAPS team at inquiry@racquetpaddlesports.com.
Sports Conference (RAPS).
The TOM Conference (visit TheTOMConference.com) will
showcase education sessions by top experts and consultants TOM Conference Schedule
both inside and outside of tennis and racquet sports. Sessions (Subject to change; visit TheTOMConference.com for the latest
will include facility design and innovation, hiring and staffing, schedule and speakers or call the TIA at 843-686-3036.)
innovative marketing and management, event management
and hospitality, and much more. In addition, the TOM WEDNESDAY, JAN. 23
8:00 a.m. Welcome & TIA Industry Insights
Conference includes the popular “TOM Talks” series, the 8:30 a.m. Creating a “Disney Experience” at Your Business
fourth edition of the Tennis Industry Innovation Challenge, 9:30 a.m. How to Physically Transform, Modernize and Reinvent
Friday afternoon breakout sessions and multiple networking Your Facility
opportunities. 10:30 a.m. Networking Break
Both the TOM Conference and the RAPS area in the 11:00 a.m. TOM Talk #1 – Innovative Marketing Promotions &
Programming to Drive & Retain Business
Convention Center include not only tennis, but also other 12:30 p.m. Networking – Visit RAPS Vendors
racquet and paddle sports, such as pickleball, POP tennis, 1:15 p.m. Hiring & Staffing for Success
platform tennis, padel and more. In fact, two temporary 2:15 p.m. The New ‘Business’ of Tennis Development – Connecting
courts—a 60-foot universal court and a full-size padel court— Corporate & Local Businesses to the Sport
are planned for the RAPS area inside the Convention Center on 3:00 p.m. Travel to USTA National Campus at Lake Nona
3:30-7:00 p.m. Innovation & Technology Demo Day +
which attendees will be able to play various court sports and Welcome Party at USTA National Campus
try out new equipment.
The conference kicks off on Wednesday morning, Jan. 23, THURSDAY, JAN. 24
at the OCCC, then in the afternoon moves to the state-of-the- 8:30 a.m. TIA Tennis Innovation Forum & Challenge
art USTA National Campus at Lake Nona for the Innovation & (Winner Announced)
9:30 a.m. The Changing World of Racquet & Paddle Sports –
Technology Demo Day and a Welcome Party. At the National Meet the Leaders!
Campus, USTA senior directors will welcome attendees and 10:30 a.m. Networking Break
offer tours, and conference attendees will have the chance 11:00 a.m. TOM Talk #2 – Connecting & Cashing in on Pickleball
to test racquets and equipment from RAPS exhibitors on the and Other Short Court Sports
courts. For Thursday and Friday, the action is back at the 12:30 p.m. Networking – Visit RAPS Vendors
1:30 p.m. How to Keep Your Players Engaged and Your Pros
Convention Center. Employed
The inaugural Racquet & Paddle Sports Conference is a 1:50 p.m. TOM Talk #3—Positioning Tennis as a Fitness/Wellness
B2B event bringing together racquet sports professionals, Sport–Become a Tennis Wellness Center
industry leaders, established suppliers and emerging brands. 3:00 p.m. “Club Talk”—Model Clubs and Best Practices
Co-located with the PGA Merchandise Show at the OCCC, the 4:30 p.m. Networking Break
Racquet & Paddle Sports Conference also includes a curated FRIDAY, JAN. 25
“One2One” buying summit and a pavilion of racquet, paddle 8:30 a.m. Implementing UTR Into Your Business
and tennis vendors and organizations. 9:00 a.m. Your Guide to Online Tennis Facility Management Software
Admission is free to the RAPS demonstration, exhibition and 10:00 a.m. Networking Break
networking events, and registrants also will have complimentary 10:30 a.m. TOM Talk #4—Winning Digital Marketing Strategies
11:45 a.m. Where We Are Headed?—Open Forum
admission to the PGA Merchandise Show floor. For the TOM 12:30 p.m. Networking Break
Conference, registration is $395 for TIA members and $495 for 1:30-3:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions (Perfect Leadership is as Easy as
non-members. Register at racquetpaddlesportsshow.com. Counting to 10; Pro Shop Strategies–Staying Relevant in an
E-Commerce World; Learn How to Create and Implement a
Google Ads Campaign)
22 TennisIndustry January 2019
WED. - FRI., JAN. 23 - 25
Orange County Convention Center CHARL
What You Can Expect at the 2019 TOM
The sixth annual Tennis Owners & Managers
Conference will be Jan. 23-25 at the Orange
County Convention Center in Orlando,
together with the inaugural Racquet & Paddle
Sports Conference.
Leadership &
The expanded TOM Conference (TheTOMConference.com) features education sessions taught
by top experts and consultants both within and outside of the tennis and racquet sports industry.
The conference format—including the unique “TOM Talk” segments and many networking
opportunities—engages participants in ways that allow them to share ideas, experiences and
best practices with their peers. Through focused and relevant presentations, panel discussions,
roundtables and demonstrations, TOM Conference participants will gain insights and knowledge
that they can bring back to their facilities and staff.
On Wednesday afternoon, Jan. The finalists in the fourth
CHARL
Te n n i s I n d u s t r y
23, the TOM Conference moves Tennis Industry Innovation
to the state-of-the-art USTA ORLANDO
2019 innovation Challenge will present their
National Campus at Lake Nona C H A L L E N G E new product or service
for the Innovation & Technology to a panel of judges, and
Demo Day and a Welcome in front of an industry audience, in a “Shark Tank”-like
Party. Conference attendees will have the chance to test competition on Thursday morning, Jan. 24, at the Orange
racquets and equipment on the courts. County Convention Center.
For more information or to register, visit TheTOMConference.com,

or contact the TIA at meetings@tennisindustry.org or 843-686-3036.
Leadership & Powered by the Tennis Industry Association

PRESENTS
CHAMPIONS
OF TENNIS
2018
For the past 18 years, Tennis Industry’s annual Champions of Tennis

Awards have spotlighted the unheralded heroes of this sport and this
business. These individuals and organizations continue to go above and
beyond in helping to make a difference in this industry. Their stories and
their service should serve as inspiration to the thousands of dedicated
“champions” who, every day, continue to move this industry forward.
C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S TO :
LARRY ELLISON • DOUG CASH • THE CLUB AT IBIS • TOM KELLEY • TENNIS PLAZA • MCCONNELL & ASSOCIATES • TONI WILEY
A.C. NIELSEN TENNIS CENTER • DIANE HAMM-VIDA • PEOPLE FOR PALMER PARK TENNIS • JANE MORRILL
KEVIN HEIM • LORNIE KUHLE • BURNS PARK • CITY OF ROSWELL • TODD RUBINSTEIN • NEW HYTES • CRAIG MORRIS
USPTA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY • LISA PUGLIESE • DROP SHOTS TENNIS LEAGUE • BERT COLE • MARK FABER • USTA MIDWEST

CHAMPIONS
2018 OF TENNIS
PERSON OF THE YEAR
Larry
Ellison
Larry Ellison is on a mis-
sion. Over the past decade,
the co-founder, executive
chairman and chief tech-
nology officer of software INDUSTRY SERVICE
giant Oracle has set his AWARD
sights on improving tennis
in the U.S. His interest and Doug Cash
investment in growing this
sport has earned Ellison Chances are, if you’ve
Tennis Industry’s 2018 attended educational
Person of the Year award. events for this industry,
An avid tennis fan you’ve run into Doug Cash.
and recreational player, You’ve probably heard him
Ellison broke into the share his expertise about
tennis world in 2009, growing business in this
spending $100 million to often-challenging market-
buy the Indian Wells Ten- place. And you’ve certainly
nis Garden, home to the brought home key points
BNP Paribas Open. Since about increasing your bot-
then, he has spent at least In 2015, Oracle part- Oracle also recently tom line.
that much in upgrading nered with the Intercol- partnered with Universal Cash began his career as
and improving the facility legiate Tennis Associa- Tennis, the company a tennis teaching profes-
and event, which is why tion, sponsoring the ITA’s behind the UTR global sional and joined Tennis
it’s perennially one of the rankings, the Oracle ITA tennis rating system. Corporation of America in
favorite stops on the pro Masters tournament and “We’re excited to have 1974, where he advanced
tours. The other 50 weeks the Oracle ITA Champi- Larry on board,” says Uni- to COO, overseeing the
of the year, recreational onships. The ITA also ad- versal Tennis Chairman company’s growth (and
players reap the benefit of ministers the Oracle U.S. and CEO Mark Leschly. creating TCA University).
Ellison’s investment in the Tennis Awards—$100,000 “His unparalleled com- He retired from TCA in
Indian Wells property. grants to two players commitment to a sport he 2005 and formed his own
“I think we simply ing out of college to help loves has improved the consulting business, aptly
have to do something to with expenses in the pros. overall experience for named CashFlow Tennis.
improve the quality of “I think Oracle, Hurd players and fans alike,” His social media posts
American tennis,” Ellison and Ellison view college says Hurd. "Tennis is succinctly describe his
told Bloomberg Business- tennis as the connective better because of him.” mission: “Growing tennis,
AP; TENNIS INDUSTRY ASS OCIATION
week. To that end, Ellison, tissue for our sport,” says —Peter Francesconi one club at a time.” For
who has a net worth of ITA CEO Dr. Timothy his unceasing dedication
about $60 billion, con- Russell. in that goal, we’re pleased
tinues to charge ahead, “What Ellison, Hurd to honor Cash with TI’s
creating partnerships with and Oracle are doing for Tip for Success Tennis Industry Service
key groups within tennis. American tennis is trans- Innovative technology Award.—Peter Francesconi
An important ally is Mark formational,” adds USTA can democratize tennis
Hurd, CEO of Oracle and Player Development and drive participation,
Tip for Success
also a big tennis fan. Hurd General Manager Martin making the sport more Whether employees or students,
played at Baylor Universi- Blackman, who also helps accessible and enjoyable teach the fundamentals of the
subject, the philosophy of why
ty, where the tennis center choose Oracle U.S. Tennis for players, coaches, things happen, and how to make
is named in his honor. Award recipients. organizers and fans. decisions. Then, get out of the way.

We offer programs [our members] can easily participate in,
and staff them with pleasant, friendly people.
P R I VAT E / C O M M E R C I A L FA C I L I T Y O F T H E Y E A R
The Club at Ibis

It takes more than top-notch facilities and a luxurious
environment to create an award-winning location at which
to play tennis. There also needs to be attention to detail
and service. All of this is present at The Club at Ibis in West
Palm Beach, Fla., Tennis Industry’s 2018 Private/Commer-
cial Facility of the Year.
The lush, nearly 2,000-acre facility, with about 1,850 SALES REP P R O / S P E C I A LT Y
member households, features 16 Har-Tru Hydrogrid OF THE YEAR R E TA I L E R O F T H E Y E A R
courts, four pickleball courts, three Nicklaus-family
designed golf courses, a resort-style pool and a spa. But for Tom Kelley Tennis Plaza
the 500 regular tennis players—of which about 200 par-
ticipate two to four days a week in lessons, clinics, leagues The stereotypical Partnering with brother
and socials—that’s not all that matters. The club, under the salesperson talks a mile Felipe and going from an
direction of Sports Director Chuck Gill, a USPTA Elite Pro- a minute and browbeats 850-square-foot store
fessional, creates a winning tennis environment by putting customers. But in reality, in 1990 to eight stores
their members’ needs first. an admired salesperson throughout Florida,
“We pride ourselves on making tennis as accessible and doesn’t go for a quick sale Tennis Plaza owner Leon
easy to play during the times that our members like to that may burn bridges, but Echevarria has a lot to be
play,” Gill says. “We offer programs they can easily partici- instead builds bridges for happy about.
pate in, and staff them with pleasant, friendly people who the long term. “We were a couple of
share our passion for tennis.” —Kent Oswald Listening and respond- tennis nuts with a ton of
ing to what customers passion for the sport,” he
want has been a hallmark says. “Becoming the offi-
of Tom Kelley’s 20 years cial racquet retailer for the
Tip for Success with Head Penn, and is Nasdaq 100 in 2003 put us
Hire for attitude, and train for the skill. why we celebrate him as on the map.”
TI’s Sales Rep of the Year. Today, Tennis Plaza is
Kelley, one of only nine virtually synonymous with
people inducted into the tennis in Florida and has
company’s Hall of Fame in gained traction nationally
the past two decades, built with its website. For 2018,
up a formidable sales op- the business is honored as
eration in Atlanta before our Retailer of the Year.
COURTESY THE CLUB AT IBIS; HEAD; TENNIS PLAZA
moving to the San Diego Each store supports

region. He exceeds his local tennis events, area
sales numbers regularly. clubs and pros. And while
“As a manager, there Tennis Plaza’s web busi-
is nothing better than to ness continues to grow,
have a longtime customer Echevarria believes in the
come up and rave about in-store experience and
the extra effort Tom makes the need for “person-to-
in all areas,” says Greg person interaction.”
Mason, president of Head “Leon makes it look easy,”
USA Racquet Sports. says Wilson’s Jim Will-
—Kent Oswald werth. —Cynthia Sherman
Tip for Success Tip for Success

Make business at least a little Focus on what you can do
personal: The connection between better, rather than blaming the
individuals is what makes for a competition or the industry.
long-term sales relationship.

CHAMPIONS
2018 OF TENNIS
BUILDER/CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR
McConnell &
Associates
Here’s a universal truth: whether installing or upgrading a
tennis court, people want to work with a company they can
trust. That’s why Rob McConnell of McConnell & Associ-
ates, a multi-generational family firm located in what he
I N N OVAT I V E T E N N I S GRASSROOTS TENNIS terms “the heart of America,” believes in doing everything
EVENT OF THE YEAR CHAMPION OF THE YEAR “just like you’d be doing it if it were in your own backyard.”
McConnell & Associates, now in its 53rd year, started
USPTA Toni Wiley as a pavement contracting firm in 1965, then segued into
Leadership building and renovating sports venues. The Kansas City,
Academy Toni Wiley saved Mo.-based company has been an active member of the
Sportsmen’s Tennis Club. American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) for nearly 30
A decade ago, the Dorches- years. During that time, McConnell & Associates has been
The two-and-a-half-day ter, Mass., facility—built involved in many aspects of the ASBA, including sending
USPTA Leadership Acad- in 1961 and the first indoor individuals through the Certified Tennis Court Builder
emy is designed to educate non-profit tennis club program—along with the ASBA certified builder programs
teaching pros and coaches created by and for the for other sports, as well.
on making the transition African-American com- “You always try to build it right,” says McConnell, “and
from teaching long hours munity—was struggling then you stand behind it.” —Mary Helen Sprecher
on-court to off-court roles to stay open. But thanks
and leadership positions to Wiley’s leadership as
within the industry. executive director, Sports-
The inaugural Acad- men’s Tennis and Enrich-
emy took place in July in ment Center (STEC) is Tip for Success
Orlando, Fla., and a second now home to one of the It’s all about taking care of the customer and then
was held in October in biggest and best NJTL standing behind what you build. All you have to go
COURTESY USPTA; USTA NEW ENGLAND; MCCONNELL & ASSOCIATES

Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. chapters in the country, on is your reputation.
Participants examined transforming the lives
case studies, performed of over 5,000 inner-city
self-assessments, and youngsters each year.
worked on group projects Among the programs she
and exercises. created is Volley Against
Led by USPTA First V.P. Violence, which makes
Feisal Hassan, USPTA connections with local
Master Pro Ajay Pant, police. That program has
USPTA Elite Pro Sara been adopted nationally by
Morse and USPTA Elite the USTA Foundation.
Pro Jose Pastrello, the Wiley and STEC have
Leadership Academies received many honors
received excellent reviews over the years, and for
from participants, and for 2018, Tennis Industry is
2018, they are TI’s Innova- pleased to name Wiley our
tive Tennis Event of the Grassroots Tennis Cham-
Year.—Cynthia Sherman pion. —James Maimonis

Take advantage of opportunities Support other organizations
to network and problem-solve with as they consider how they
your peers. can expand or deepen their
community impact.

USTA MIDWEST
expresses their
sincere gratitude
to the many
volunteers, staff,
providers and
members on
being named
#MIDWESTPROUD
YOU’RE
USTA MIDWEST
CONGRATULATES THE AMAZING
2018 CHAMPIONS OF TENNIS
AMAZING!
#MIDWESTPROUD
DOUG CASH AC NIELSEN TENNIS PEOPLE FOR PALMER MARK FABER

TENNIS INDUSTRY SERVICE CENTER PARK TENNIS USPTA MEMBER OF THE
AWARD MUNICIPAL TENNIS CTA OF THE YEAR YEAR
FACILITY OF THE YEAR
CHAMPIONS
2018 OF TENNIS
C TA O F T H E Y E A R STRINGER OF THE YEAR
People for Diane Hamm-Vida

Palmer Park
“It all starts with asking
the client, ‘Is your racquet
In 2010, Detroit sought to match-ready?’” says Diane
close 77 parks, including Hamm-Vida, owner of D &
C O U RT E SY A . C. N I E L S E N T E N N I S C E N T E R ; P E O P L E FO R PA L M E R PA R K/ U S TA M I DW E S T; D I A N E H A M M -V I DA
the 296-acre Palmer Park, D Tennis in Shallotte, N.C.
MUNICIPAL TENNIS FACILITY OF THE YEAR in order to save money. Hamm-Vida operates a
A.C. Nielsen
Although the courts were full-service company that
in disrepair, the park was stresses matching the best
Tennis Center
used regularly by a group string and racquet technol-
of players, who, along with ogies to optimize players’
many others, staged march- on-court performance.
es protesting the closing. A USRSA member
Tennis Industry’s 2018 Development, A.C. Nielsen As a result, the city kept for more than 13 years,
Municipal Tennis Facil- has a “continuous desire to all the parks open, and in Hamm-Vida became a
ity of the Year, the A.C. make tennis accessible for 2011, the People for Palmer Master Racquet Techni-
Nielsen Tennis Center, all ages and abilities.” Park (PFPP), a 501(c)3, cian nine years ago, an
has outstanding physical The tennis center was formed, with the instructor five years ago,
facilities—eight indoor continues to expand its Palmer Park Tennis Acad- and for the last two years
and 12 outdoor courts, a offerings. The culture at emy as one of the first pro- has been a USRSA Certifi-
pro shop, a locker room, the club also encourages grams. Today, PFPP is run cation Tester, encouraging
and a child-care nursery. staff to buy into consis- by a volunteer, 18-person people to join this indus-
Plus, it has a full comple- tent performance evalu- board—and it’s our choice try and to continue to
ment of USPTA and PTR ation, along with outside for Community Tennis expand their knowledge.
teaching pros, inexpensive training on how to keep Association of the Year. And for 2018, she also is
ball machine rentals and improving services. It all “Our main goal is to Tennis Industry’s choice
tournaments from juniors means support for the teach the fundamentals of for Stringer of the Year.
to an ATP Challenger. facility’s mission: “We’re the game,” says Leonora “Diane is dedicated to
But more than that, committed to giving King, tennis director and her craft and the epitome
A.C. Nielsen has built a everyone an opportunity coach, and PFPP board of a professional racquet
tennis community that to play,” says manager secretary. “We also teach technician,” says Bob
goes beyond the 12,500 Patrick Fragassi. good sportsmanship to Patterson, executive direc-
residents of Winnetka, Ill. —Kent Oswald children and instill quali- tor of the USRSA. “She
USTA Midwest TSR Erika ties that carry over into continues to learn and is
Wentz-Russell praises the their everyday lives.” passionate about teaching
facility for the “great job of —Peter Francesconi others.” —Nate Pagel
partnering with organiza- Tip for Success
tions to grow the sport.” Give customers the Tip for Success Tip for Success
Adds Beau Fieldsend, widest range of offerings Find coaches and volunteers who Use USRSA tools to enhance
have a great passion for the game— your knowledge and your
USTA national coordinator budget allows and that and love to share it. customer service.
for Community & Facility can be properly managed.

CHAMPIONS
2018 OF TENNIS
PUBLIC PARK OF THE YEAR
Burns Park
Look at an aerial view of North Little Rock, Ark., and an
expanse of green catches your eye. Burns Park contains a
host of facilities—golf, soccer fields, baseball diamonds and,
of course, tennis.
The Burns Park Tennis Center is operated by USTA
Arkansas in conjunction with the North Little Rock Parks
JUNIOR TENNIS W H E E LC H A I R T E N N I S and Recreation Department. The sprawling facility boasts
CHAMPION OF THE YEAR CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
24 full-size outdoor courts, 12 36-foot courts and six full-
Lornie Kuhle Kevin Heim size indoor courts that are booked throughout the year.
There also is a pro shop, tournament building and the
Arkansas Tennis Hall of Fame. For 2018, Burns Park is
In the world of pro tennis, Whether it’s in his Tennis Industry's Public Park of the Year.
Lornie Kuhle has seen it all: hometown of Lincoln, Burns Park has hosted the last two USTA Southern
manager and coach for Neb., or halfway around Mixed Doubles Sectional Championships, drawing more
Bobby Riggs, longtime the world in the Nether- than 1,200 players each. Many USTA League champion-
hitting partner for Jimmy lands, Kevin Heim’s pas- ships, junior tournaments and recreational leagues are also
Connors, marketing mas- sion for wheelchair tennis played at Burns. USTA Arkansas Executive Director Deanna
termind behind the 1973 was on full display in 2018. Garretson says the facility is a boon for local play.
Riggs vs. Billie Jean King Heim, the director of “All the activities in the 1,700-acre park help draw people
“Battle of the Sexes.” But tennis at Woods Tennis to tennis who might not otherwise even see tennis courts,”
it is his work and dedica- Center in Lincoln, works she explains. —Ron Cioffi
C O U RT E SY L O R N I E KU H L E ; U S TA M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y; U S TA A R K A N S A S / U S TA S O U T H E R N
tion on the national junior closely with adult and
tennis scene that has had junior wheelchair indi-
the most impact, and is why viduals and groups, many
Kuhle is TI’s Junior Tennis of which he connects with Tip for Success
Champion of the Year. locally through Madonna For parks and facilities, partnering with a USTA district
Five years ago, Kuhle, Rehabilitation Hospitals. provides a link to host state and sectional events.
74, of Encinitas, Calif., He serves as a regional
bought the rights to the representative for USTA
USTA Spring Nationals wheelchair tennis and
Adidas Easter Bowl and conducts training clinics.
moved the event to the Also, he coached the USTA
Indian Wells Tennis Gar- National Wheelchair Quad
den, where it remains one Team at the World Team
of the crown jewels on the Cup in the Netherlands.
USTA national schedule. His dedication is why
Two years ago, he was Heim is Tennis Industry's
tapped to direct the USTA Wheelchair Tennis Cham-
Girls’ 18s and 16s National pion of the Year.
Championships. “Kevin has totally
“Lornie has been an in- embraced the wheelchair
credible forward-thinker,” community,” says Mary
says Kent Kinnear, USTA Buschmann, executive
head of Men’s Tennis. director of USTA Missouri
—Steve Pratt Valley. —Andrew Robinson

Look for any angle to make events Look for new opportunities by the
more impactful and enjoyable for USTA that will offer regionalized
players, parents and coaches. training and resources so providers
can engage communities.

CHAMPIONS
2018 OF TENNIS
HIGH SCHOOL COACH T E N N I S A DVO C AT E

OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR
Todd Rubinstein Jane Morrill
Todd Rubinstein of When it comes to pro-

Miami is no stranger to moting the many great
COURTESY CITY OF ROSWELLL PARK & RECREATION; TODD RUBINSTEIN/USPTA; DALLAS TENNIS ASS OCIATION
awards. Most recently, things about tennis, it’s
Rubinstein, who is the hard to find a more dedi-
head tennis coach at cated advocate than Jane
Alonzo & Tracy Mourning Morrill of Lucas, Texas.
PARK & REC AGENCY OF THE YEAR Senior High, was named A longtime volunteer,
City of Roswell, Ga. the 2018 USPTA High

School Coach of the Year.
He was honored by the
Morrill is the vice presi-
dent for advocacy on the
board of the Dallas Tennis
USPTA Florida Division Association, and for all her
In 2017, Roswell Park & winning tennis program in 2017 as the pro of the efforts to help grow this
Rec won the NRPA’s Gold that operates on 28 city year, and he was Mourning sport, she is TI’s 2018 Ten-
Medal Award for Excel- courts at five locations, the Senior High’s coach of the nis Advocate of the Year.
lence in Parks and Recre- largest being the 12-court year in 2016 and 2017. A lifelong player, Morrill
ation Management. Roswell Area Park. Now, he can add Ten- joined the DTA board in
“We’re very excited All courts have blended nis Industry’s 2018 High 1995. She’s been heav-
about this distinction,” lines for youth and begin- School Coach of the Year ily involved in the DTA’s
says Scott Laakso, the ner play. Under current to his impressive list of charity arm, the Dallas
city’s athletic coordinator. Tennis Supervisor Witton recognitions and awards. Tennis and Education
Laakso, who has a de- Carlisle, “We offer a ton of Rubinstein, who is also Academy. Her advocacy
gree in recreation admin- programming, especially a special education teach- role with the DTA involves
istration and a masters for kids,” Laakso says. “I er, runs a no-cut program, fund-raising from non-
in sports administration, have the best staff and best coaching both the boys’ USTA and other sources.
deals with all sports for job in the entire city.” and girls’ teams. She’s also reaching out to
the city, but his heart, and “Roswell has been a “It’s so important to other professional sports
much of his experience, is pilot and an example for get the kids involved and organizations and teams
in tennis. And that dedica- many CTAs and parks interested in tennis,” he to help support tennis.
tion to the sport is why across the country,” says says. “It helps them be a “We need to do a better
Roswell Park & Rec is TI’s Todd Carlson of the USTA part of something, make job of marketing and pro-
2018 Park & Rec Agency of national staff. new friends and facilitate moting what we’re doing,”
the Year. —Peter Francesconi positive qualities like con- she says, “not just here,
A dedicated USTA vol- fidence and self-esteem.” but for tennis in general.”
unteer at all levels, Laakso —Cynthia Sherman —Peter Francesconi
became Roswell’s tennis
supervisor in 2002 and Tip for Success Tip for Success Tip for Success
moved to his current posi- Grow and promote the Let passion, intensity and desire Use tennis as the hook, but make
tion in 2017. In that time, team aspect of tennis, create a winning attitude, both on
and off the court.
sure education is the goal.
he has created an award- especially for kids.

CONGRATS!
USTA Southern congratulates
four Champions of Tennis
from our nine-state section!
Adult Tennis Provider of the Year
Drop Shots
USTA Kentucky
Stringer of the Year
Diane Hamm-Vida
Shallotte, NC
Park & Rec Agency of the Year

Roswell Recreation & Parks Dept.
Roswell, GA
Public Park of the Year
Burns Park
Operated by USTA Arkansas
North Little Rock, AR
SouthernTennis.com
FB/USTASouthern IG/USTASouthernTennis @USTASouthern
USTA Southern-TI ad 0119.indd 1 11/21/2018 10:31:21 AM

CHAMPIONS
2018 OF TENNIS
ADAPTIVE TENNIS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Lisa Pugliese
Tennis, as we know, can be an important answer for
all types of situations. For Lisa Pugliese of Palm Beach
Gardens, Fla., tennis is a key to help children and adults
with autism.
Pugliese is the founder and CEO of Love Serving Autism,
a nonprofit that provides tennis, communication and life
NJTL CHAPTER YOUTH TENNIS PROVIDER
skills training to children and adults with autism spectrum
OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR
disorders. Since its opening at the Palm Beach School for
New HYTEs Craig Morris Autism, Love Serving Autism has provided tennis classes to
250 children and adults at the Els for Autism Foundation,
charter schools and community tennis centers in Florida.
Since its inception in Craig Morris either has A former Duke University and University of Florida ten-
2003, New HYTEs has the toughest job in the nis player, Pugliese is a speech-language pathologist who
been at the forefront industry or the best job in has specialized in the evaluation and treatment of children
of serving New Haven, the industry. with autism for 14 years. She founded Love Serving Autism
Conn.’s economically dis- In his native Austra- in August 2016 after working with children for six years as
advantaged youth through lia, Morris succeeded in program director for a national non-profit for autism.
tennis and education. increasing youth par- In August, Pugliese received the USPTA Star Award,
Its flagship afterschool ticipation in tennis. At the which recognizes members who have a commitment to
program is the highly suc- end of 2015, he joined the grassroots tennis. Now, she is the inaugural winner of
cessful Tennis Education USTA from Tennis Austra- Tennis Industry’s Adaptive Tennis Champion of the Year
and Mentoring (TEaM), lia, tasked with creating award. —Peter Francesconi
allowing kids to develop the USTA’s first-ever uni-
their love for tennis while fied youth tennis brand—
learning through aca- Net Generation, designed
demic enrichment. New for ages 5 to 18. Tip for Success
HYTEs also runs success- In January 2018, Morris Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed
COURTESY NEW HYTES/USTA NEW ENGLAND; USTA NATIONAL; USPTA

ful Junior Team Tennis was promoted to USTA citizens can change the world.
and Tennis in the Neigh- chief executive of Com-
borhood programs. munity Tennis. But it’s his
Mavi Sanchez-Skakle, direction of Net Genera-
who was named execu- tion that continues to
tive director in 2014, has influence the growth of
elevated New HYTEs’ pro- this sport, and important-
gramming, broadened the ly, the future direction of
organization’s footprint the industry. It is also why
through strategic part- Morris is TI’s Youth Ten-
nerships, and strength- nis Provider of the Year.
ened ties to the USTA “Our goal is to have a
Foundation’s National single platform for youth
Junior Tennis & Learning tennis in the U.S. to make
network. And for 2018, it really easy for consum-
New HYTEs is TI's NJTL ers to connect to a local
Chapter of the Year. program,” Morris says.
—James Maimonis —Peter Francesconi

Find caring mentors who inspire Net Generation provides a
you to start and continue doing the kid-friendly, safe connection
great work you’re doing. to the sport.

Congratulations to the 2018
Champions of Tennis
award winners
2018 Winners
P
Innovative Tennis Event of the Year U
K
USPTA Leadership Academy
Faber W
I
o
USPTA Member of the Year t
fi
Mark Faber
2
n
P
Adaptive Tennis Champion of the Year Pugliese
A
Lisa Pugliese
Tennis Industry Service Award

Doug Cash Cash
Private/Commercial Facility of the Year

Club at Ibis, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Chuck Gill - Director of Sports Gill
Municipal Facility of the Year

AC Nielsen Tennis Club, Winnetka, Ill.
Alexander Shubny - Director of Tennis Shubny
High School Coach of the Year

Todd Rubinstein
Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High Rubinstein
CHAMPIONS
2018 OF TENNIS
U S P TA M E M B E R O F T H E Y E A R
Mark Faber
Why did Mark Faber become a tennis professional?
For his career, he says, “I wanted to wear shorts, a short-
sleeved shirt, and do something athletic, so I decided to try
professional tennis management.”
Things appear to have worked out for him. A USPTA
member for 25 years, Faber received one of the organiza-
tion’s highest awards this past August, the Alex Gordon A D U LT T E N N I S P R O V I D E R PTR MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Bert Cole
OF THE YEAR
Professional of the Year. And for 2018, Faber is TI’s choice
for USPTA Member of the Year. Drop Shots
The director of tennis at Twos Athletic Club in Toledo,
Faber is a vice president on the USPTA’s national board.
Tennis League When it comes to chang-
He has been a no-cut high school coach for 24 years, has ing lives through tennis,
presented at USTA, USPTA and high school divisional and With Drop Shots Ten- Bert Cole of Arlington,
national education events, and is involved locally, section- nis, fun is the name of Texas, is in a class by
ally, divisionally and nationally on committees and boards, the game—on and off the herself. Her most recent
including as chair of the USTA National High School Com- court. The Kentucky social honor was the 2018 USTA
mittee. He also gives his time for charitable causes. league is designed for ages Foundation NJTL Found-
When Faber first started teaching, “I just tried to get as 21 to 40, and players enjoy ers Service Award, for her
knowledgeable as I could—not for myself; I want the people grabbing a beer and a bite dedication to helping kids
I’m on court with to feel they’ve had success.” after the match as much as develop strong life skills
—Peter Francesconi the on-court competition. and pursue education—all
In 2015, Drop Shots was while using tennis to bring
launched in Louisville and opportunities.
Paducah by Bryan Hash, Cole has been a
Tip for Success USTA Kentucky’s manager pillar of the Dallas tennis
Remember—especially young professionals—that you of competitive and recre- community, engaging
do make an impact on people’s lives, and that this ational tennis. The league youth and adults. A PTR
industry makes a tremendous impact on your life. started with 102 players member since 2004, and
C O U RT E SY U S P TA ; U S TA K E N T U C KY; DA L L A S T E N N I S A S S O C I AT I O N
but has now expanded to a PTR Certified Coach
five cities across the state, since 2005, she’s paved the
with a total of more than way for many players and
900 participants. Just as coaches at the grassroots
importantly, it’s bring- level, serving as the direc-
ing lapsed players back tor of Junior Tennis De-
to tennis. For all of these velopment for the Dallas
reasons, and more, Drop Tennis Association.
Shots is Tennis Industry's Cole also holds annual
Adult Tennis Provider of PTR training sessions for
the Year. her staff and has overseen
“I love the low-pressure the training and certifica-
atmosphere, the friendly tion of nearly 100 coaches.
people, and the chance to For all her efforts—and
hang out afterwards,” says successes—Cole is TI’s
Erin Staley of Louisville. 2018 PTR Member of the
—Kim Lonnemann Year. —Peter Francesconi

Keep it fun and listen to what your Strongly support your coaches,
players want. and urge them to continue their
education and become certified.

2019 STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT
AND CIRCULATION
1. Title of Publication: Tennis Industry
2. Publication number: 4-354
3. Filing date: 11/6/18
4. Issue Frequency:
monthly (January-August)
bi-monthly (Sept/Oct & Nov/Dec)
5. Number of issues published annually: 10
6. Annual subscription price: n/a
7. Complete mailing address of known office of publication:

Tennis Channel
250 Park Ave. Suite 825
New York, NY 10177
Contact: Tim McArthur (646-381-8735)
8. Complete mailing address of headquarters or general business

office of publisher:
2850 Ocean Park Blvd. Suite 150
Santa Monica, CA 90405
9. Full names and complete mailing addresses of publisher, editor

and managing editor:
U S TA S E C T I O N O F T H E Y E A R Group Publisher: Jeff Williams, same as no. 7
USTA Midwest
Editor: Peter Francesconi, same as no. 7
Managing Editor: Scott Gramling, same as no.7
10. Owner:
Tennis Channel
Tenniswise, the Midwest has a lot to be proud of. Not only 2850 Ocean Park Blvd. Suite 150
is the section pushing tennis participation with increased Santa Monica, CA 90405
registrations for Junior Team Tennis and other youth pro-
11. Known beholders, mortgages and other securities: None.
grams, but its social tennis leagues continue to pull in more
young adult players. 12. Tax Status: Has not changed in the preceding 12 months.
Participation, though, is only one part of the section’s
13. Publication Title: Tennis Industry
recent success. From Net Generation promotions, to
industry meetings, to pro events like the Laver Cup and 14. Issue for circulation data below: Nov/Dec 2018
Western & Southern Open and much more, USTA Midwest
is kicking tennis into high gear. And for 2018, it is Tennis 15. Extent and nature of circulation:
Industry’s USTA Section of the Year. Average no. each No. of copies
Last August, the section brought together industry issue during of single issue published
members at its second Midwest Industry Summit. The precedin12 months nearest to filing date
section committed $15,000 for youth programming at e. Total 16,128 15,792
refurbished public courts in Chicago, and in conjunction Free or Nominal
with USTA Central Indiana, passed out 1,000 Net Gen- Rate Distribution
eration racquets and balls at the Riley Children’s Health f. Total 16,128 15,792
Distribution
Sports Legends Experience.
g. Copies 450 450
“We’re fortunate to have a great team of section and not Distributed
district volunteers and staff who have worked side-by-side e. Total 16,578 16,242
to make 2018 an exceptional year of tennis,” says USTA
COURTESY USTA MIDWEST
(sum - f and g)
Midwest Executive Director Mark Saunders. e. Percent Paid 0% 0%
—Cynthia Sherman
I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and
complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or
misleading information on this form or who omits material or
information requested on the form may be subject to criminal
Tip for Success sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions
Focus and concentrate on the big picture, but also make (including civil penalties).
sure to keep things fun and enjoyable. Jeff Williams, Publisher

TennisIndustry
D I S T I N G U I S H E D F A CSI LT IRTI Y-
N GOSF - T H E -Y E A R A W A R D S
CBOEUHRITN DC OTNHSET RS UC EC NT IEOSN
Road Warriors
For tournament stringers, the workload may be
daunting, but the job is rewarding.
By Bob Patterson
USRSA Executive Director
F
or many racquet “Meeting other stringers from around top tennis players. “I get asked all the
stringers, stringing the world and learning from them to time, ‘Did you get to watch any tennis?’”
at a professional improve your own techniques are major says Master Racquet Technician Dustin
tournament is benefits,” says Sam Chan, who has more Tankersly, who has strung for more
a major goal for than 30 years of pro tournament string- than 50 pro tournaments and for vari-
their careers. Who ing experience, including at all four ous stringing teams, including serving
wouldn’t want to Grand Slams. as the captain in 2016 for the Wilson/
work for the very “The chance to share skills, knowl- Luxilon team. “My answer is, yes, on TV
best tennis players in the world? edge and abilities provides a sense of in the stringing room while stringing
I’ve worked dozens of tournaments in achievement,” adds Albert Lee, who has more racquets.”
my long career—from junior tourneys been stringing professional events for
to regional NCAA events to professional more than 25 years, including Wimble- The Pace and The Grind
Challengers to Grand Slams. About five don, Roland Garros and the US Open. Everyone has a busy day in the shop, but
years ago, I retired from tournament “The greatest benefit is getting at a tournament, it’s an entirely differ-
stringing—or so I thought. to learn from the best in the world, ent level. Racquets need to be ready in
This past year, I was asked to be a then taking all that information and 24 hours at the most—and many in just
part of the team stringing at the BB&T tweaking your own processes and best hours or even minutes.
Atlanta Open, an ATP 250 event, practices,” says Tennis Industry’s 2017 During the qualifying rounds and the
alongside longtime colleagues Chuck Stringer of the Year, Ray Wendeln, who first couple of days of a tournament,
Hakansson and Todd Mobley. I was has been stringing at tournaments for most of the players are still playing, and
happy to accept and get back in the two years. “This can set your string- each one will need two to 10 racquets
game, and to connect with others in this ing service apart from the competition strung for each match. With a 64- or
great profession. when return home.” 128-player draw, even the most well-
After the first day, though, I quickly Other than putting strings in rac- staffed team is put to the test.
realized why I had retired. While quets, tournament stringing is nothing Tankersly explains the grind: “Wake
tournament stringing can be extremely like stringing in your everyday shop. up and eat breakfast. Transportation to
rewarding, the work itself can be brutal. There is no stopping to sell a pair of the tournament. String racquets all day
shoes or explain the differences in two and most of the night. Transportation
Relationships and Education racquets to a customer. As a matter of back to the hotel. Go to sleep. Get up the
First and foremost, though, my expe- fact, there is often no time to stop at next morning and do it all over again. It’s
riences over the decades showed me all—even to eat or visit a restroom. For a lot like the movie Groundhog Day.”
something: the networking a tourna- a tournament stringer, planning and Early in a tournament, it is not unc-
ment stringer experiences, along with efficiency are vital. ommon for stringers to start working at
the education that comes with working The life of a tournament stringer, 6 a.m. and continue until well after mid-
side-by-side with some of the world’s even at the top of the sport, is not night. As players drop out of the tourna-
best, are truly hard to beat. glamorous. It’s like being a “roadie” for ment each day, the total number of

Setting a pace is essential. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
The stringer must know their own limitations—misjudging
this can lead to disaster.
racquets needed to be strung declines. players, pros are extremely sensitive to and coaches. The saying “under-
But at bigger events, it’s common for their racquet setup. If a player requests promise and over-deliver” is never
some team members to also leave as the four racquets be at the same tension, more appropriate.
draw shrinks, so the workload remains they can usually “ping” the string- While you want to meet the needs
full for those stringers who stay. beds and tell in which order they were and expectation of the player, some-
strung—based on the slight decline in times it’s just not possible. Though it
Demanding Clients tension from one to the next. may not be comfortable to inform them
“Touring pros are some of the most “We need to keep in mind that their that you cannot fulfill their request, it is
demanding customers you will ever racquets are an extension of their arm, nothing compared to having to explain
meet,” says Wendeln. “Special requests and tennis is how they make a living,” later that the racquets are not ready as
are common—pre-stretching by hand says Josh Newton, MRT with the Babo- promised, which can affect their prac-
or machine, two knots or four, power lat Stringing Team. tice and play.
pads or tubes at specific locations.” Under tournament conditions, mis- “Never promise something you can-
These are just some of the demands takes are bound to happen. But when I not deliver,” warns Liam Nolan, the di-
from players or coaches. Unlike your was a team leader, my philosophy was rector of the UKRSA, who works several
shop customers, pros don’t often seek it’s not a mistake unless it ends up in the squash and tennis tournaments each
your advice or guidance; they have their player’s hand. I told stringers to speak year and has been on the Wimbledon
own string and know what tension they up if they saw or made a mistake, so we stringing team for many years.
like. Most will fine-tune their tension at could fix it prior to the player picking up
each tournament. the racquet.
“They will usually do a few racquets
when they arrive to test the tension of It’s All In The Timing
the machines,” says Tankersly. “Once If you’re working for a few high-volume
they lock in on a tension, our job is to pro players, it doesn’t take long for your Author and USRSA Executive
reproduce that same stringbed stiffness to-do box to go from empty to overflow- Director Bob Patterson (at
left) joined the stringing team
throughout the event.” ing. On large teams, the flow should be at the BB&T Atlanta Open
Consistency and attention to detail is controlled by the team leader and the in July, alongside stringing
colleague Todd Mobley (right).
key—just as it should be for your work in front desk, but at smaller events you Patterson strung at the French
the shop. However, unlike recreational may be dealing directly with players Open (center) in 2006.
P H O T O S BY B O B PAT T E R S O N

TennisIndustry
D I S T I N G U I S H E D F A CSI LT IRTI Y-
N GOSF - T H E -Y E A R A W A R D S
CBOEUHRITN DC OTNHSET RS UC EC NT IEOSN
The greatest benefit is getting to learn from the best in the world, then
taking all that information and tweaking your own processes and best practices.
This can set your stringing service apart from the competition.
Often players will want their racquets While the team leader or front desk dates often said, “I can string a racquet
back as soon as possible, especially if controls this flow, it is also important in 12 minutes.” Most of the time these
they don’t yet have a relationship with that the stringer manage his or her individuals never got a second inter-
you. They’ll want to make sure every- own timetable. It is easy to get behind, view. My experience told me that if
thing is done properly and on time. and difficult to catch back up. Wendeln speed was their main focus, they would
Trust must be established. refers to this as “box management,” never survive as a tournament stringer.
For pro events, there are times when because at most events, each stringer Speed is necessary, but being able to
the schedule of play for the next day will have a box or bin for their to-be- maintain a steady work flow for long
isn’t set until late the night before. Since strung racquets. hours and produce consistent, quality
players aren’t sure when they will be results is more important. And that’s
playing, most request their racquets be Set the Right Pace for You what all stringers need to do, whether at
ready first thing in the morning, often Setting a pace is essential. It’s a mara- a pro tournament, or in their pro shop.
resulting in the team working furiously thon, not a sprint. Some frames may
all night, only to sit through the next be simple and can be strung in 15 min-
day without much to do. Some racquets utes, while others may take 25 minutes.
that were requested for 8 a.m. may not The stringer must know their own limi-
be picked up until late afternoon. tations—misjudging this can lead Activity in the BB&T Atlanta
To help alleviate this, most teams will to disaster. Open stringing room was
constant for stringers Fabrizio
establish a policy of having racquets Many stringers who haven’t worked Rivera (left) and Chuck
ready for pickup two hours before the a tournament think it’s all about speed. Hakansson (center). Patterson
(right) has stung at dozens of
match, which can help space requests When I would receive inquiries about tournaments, including the
out throughout the day. joining my pro stringing team, candi- 2010 Memphis event.
P H O T O S BY B O B PAT T E R S O N

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TennisIndustry
Tips&Techniques
Machine Moving the Easy Way
Ever had to move a stringing machine
across the room? If so, you know that
the weight, balance and shape of new
(and bulky) electronic machines make
this an awkward and difficult process.
You either have to partially disassemble
the machine or find someone else to
help you.
I discovered that Teflon furniture-

moving pads are great for this task.
The machine just glides! Moving even
a heavy stringing machine is a one-
man job. All you need to do is tilt the
Racquet Storage thing, including string stretch, etc. machine enough to be able to kick the
I use a plumbing wall flange, screwed pad under each of its feet. For example,
into a wall stud, to hang racquets. Sim- 5 sets of Wilson Super Spin 16 to: Yonex machines need three pads,
ply screw in a PVC threaded connector Sue Kimball Wilson machines need four pads. I
to the flange, add a section of PVC pipe, Oak Bluffs, Mass. always take these pads with me when
and finish with a PVC cap. I’ve found a doing tournament stringing.
1/2-inch pipe to be the best size.
Pre-Stringing Prep 5 sets of Laserfibre Native Tour 17 to:
5 sets of Tourna Black Zone 17 to: When time permits in the evening, I Sam Chan, MRT
Mitch Case, MRT measure and cut the mains and crosses Australia
Burlington, Conn. for each racquet I’ll be restringing the
next morning. I use wooden clothes-
pins marked “M” for mains and “C” ‘Free’ Grip Bands
Exact Lengths Revisited for crosses to separate and enclose the I use the heavy rubber bands grocery
I read your reply about finding out lengths of string. Wooden clothespins stores put around broccoli to go over
exactly how much string is needed are soft enough not to damage even the the tape at the top of my overgrip. They
when using a reel (“Exact Lengths,” Ask most delicate uncoated natural gut. I are just the right size to keep the ends
the Experts, June 2018), and I thought just coil each section of the string and of the tape flat.
your answer was way too complicated. capture it with the clothespin.
I find that it's easier to measure the 5 sets of YTEX Quadro Twist 16L to:
lengths of the string before starting, 5 sets of Gamma Ocho TNT 16 to: Tom Owen
C O U RT E S Y M I T C H C A S E , S A M C H A N
then string the racquet, cut off and Carl Melin Atlantic Beach C.C.
measure the excess, and then subtract Hot Springs National Park, Ark.
that measurement from the initial
measurement. Tips and Techniques submitted since
For example, if you measured 20 feet 1992 by USRSA members and appearing
and cut off 15 inches at the end, then in this column have all been gathered
you only really needed 20 feet minus 15 into a searchable database on
inches (plus a little more to reach the www.racquettech.com, the official
tension head to pull the last string). I website of the USRSA. Submit tips to
think this will take into account every- Greg Raven at greg@racquettech.com.

TennisIndustry
StringPlaytest
Playtester Ratings:
Ease of Stringing
(compared to other strings)
Much easier: 2
Somewhat easier: 3
About as easy: 14
Not quite as easy: 4
Not nearly as easy: 1
Overall Playability
(compared to the string played most often)
Much better: 0
Somewhat better: 4
About as playable: 6
Not quite as playable: 8
Not nearly as playable: 6
Overall Durability
(compared to other strings of similar gauge)
Much better: 3
Somewhat better: 9
About as durable: 10
Not quite as durable: 2
Not nearly as durable: 0
Rating Averages
From 1 to 5 (best)
EQUIPMENT Playability: 3.4
Durability: 4.1
Tourna Grit 17 Power: 3.4

Control: 3.7
Comfort: 3.1
By Greg Raven Touch/Feel: 3.1

Spin Potential: 3.8
Holding Tension: 3.1
T
Resistance to Movement: 3.8
ourna Grit is a fourth- conclusion for more information about The string was tested for five weeks
generation textured getting a free set to try for yourself. by 24 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP
co-poly blended with ratings from 3.5 to 6.0. These were
carbon fiber nanopar- In the Lab blind tests, with playtesters receiving
ticles. According to We tested the 17-gauge Tourna Grit. unmarked strings in unmarked pack-
Tourna, the materials The coil measured 40 feet, 9 inches. ages. The average number of hours
then undergo a thermal process to bond The diameter measured 1.25 mm prior playtested was 22.9.
the nanoparticles to the poly-polyether to stringing, and 1.20 mm after string- The textured surface makes it feel as
prior to extrusion. The nanoparticles ing. We recorded a string-bed stiffness if Grit may be a geometrically-shaped
make Tourna Grit extremely elastic, of 74 RDC units immediately after string when you first take it out of the
which makes the string very lively. stringing at 60 pounds in a Wilson packaging, but it is easier to handle
Tourna says the combination of Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x 18 pattern) on a than the typical geometric string.
carbon fiber nanoparticles with constant-pull machine. Because of the texture, you might
advanced co-poly materials gives the After 24 hours (no playing), string- imagine that you can feel the “grit” in
string a gritty surface that grabs the bed stiffness measured 68 RDC units, the string, but installation is similar to
ball and imparts massive spin. Graph- representing an 8 percent tension loss. other poly strings, even when pulling
ite filaments less than 1/10,000th the Our control string, Prince Synthetic the crosses through the mains.
thickness of a human hair, yet 100 times Gut Original Gold 16, measured 78 RDC No playtester broke the sample
stronger than steel and 80 percent units immediately after stringing and 71 during stringing, five reported prob-
lighter, make for a very durable string RDC units after 24 hours, representing lems with coil memory, three reported
C O U RT E S Y U N I Q U E S P O RT S
with feel and pop. a 9 percent tension loss. In lab testing, problems tying knots, three reported
Grit is available in 16, 17 and 18 in Prince Synthetic Gut Original has a friction burn, and two reported other
Silver only. It is priced from $9.49 for stiffness of 217 and a tension loss of 11.67 problems.
sets of 40 feet and $87.95 for 660-foot pounds, while Tourna Grit 17 has a stiff-
reels. For more information or to order, ness of 177 and a tension loss of 18.83 On the Court
contact Tourna at 770-442-1977, or visit pounds. Tourna Grit 17 added 16 grams Our playtest team liked the spin
uniquesports.us. Be sure to read the to the weight of our unstrung frame. potential of Tourna Grit, rating it 20th

TennisIndustry
of the 201 strings we have playtested for 4.0 male all-court player using Dunlop volley.” 4.5 male all-court player using
publication. They also liked its excel- 5Hundred Tour strung at 59 pounds Wilson Blade strung at 58 pounds CP
lent control. Durability and resistance CP (Wilson Natural Gut/Gamma Moto (Gamma Live Wire 16)
to movement were judged to be well Soft 17)
above average. “Playability was comfortable for a
No playtester reported premature “I loved this string. This string poly string. I would recommend it to
fraying or peeling, one reported buzzing, grabbed the ball very well. It was others looking for a poly string with
and nine reported notching. Four broke very easy to feel the ball—especially more comfort, control, power and
the sample during the playtest period, on volleys.” 4.5 male all-court player durability.” 4.0 male all-court player
one each at 5, 11, 20, and 25 hours. using Babolat Pure Storm strung at using Weed Open 135 Tour strung at 47
44/42 pounds LO (Babolat RPM Blast pounds CP (Diadem Solstice Power 16L)
Conclusion 15L)
Tourna Grit’s high marks in the dura-
bility-related playtest categories will “This was a nice poly. It was FREE PLAYTEST STRING PROGRAM
certainly prove attractive to big hitters, comfortable with good control on Tourna Grit will send a free set of Tourna Grit 17
to the first 200 USRSA Members who cut out (or
and its unusual construction earns it a groundstrokes and nice feel on copy) this coupon and send it to: USRSA, Attn:
look from anyone who either currently volleys. It also had good pop on the Tourna Grit String Offer, 310 Richard Arrington Jr.
Blvd. North, Suite 400, Birmingham, AL 35203, or
uses a poly string or is thinking about serve.” 4.0 male all-court player using fax to 760-536-1171, or email the info below to:
trying one. Wilson Ultra 97 strung at 50 pounds stringsample@racquettech.com. Offer expires Jan.
15, 2019. Offer only available to USRSA members
If you think Tourna Grit might be for CP (Wilson Champions Choice 16) in the U.S.
you, fill out the coupon at right to get a
Name: _______________________________________
free set to try. “It plays on the stiff side. It has a USRSA Member number: _________________________
solid feel with good control and spin Phone: ______________________________________
Playtester Comments potential on groundstrokes. It had Email: _________________________________________
“The strings were easy on my arm good controlled bite on serves and If you print your email clearly, we will notify you when your
sample will be sent.
and I had good control and power.” was solid but not powerful on the
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TennisIndustry
YourServe
The PTR and USPTA both see the high

school population as the future of not
only playing the game, but becoming
our next generation of industry leaders.
The PTR offers a membership for high-
school-age students, allowing them an
introductory experience to what a teach-
ing association can provide them. The
USPTA offers a low-cost membership
for high school coaches that provides an
entire district the ability to take advan-
tage of great resources. Other groups,
such as the National Federation of State
High School Associations, USTA sec-
tions and state tennis coach associations,
are also working toward positive goals.
High school tennis will soon have its
own space on Net Generation (www.
GROWING THE GAME netgeneration.com), with information
and resources for all levels of coaches.
Students and Prudence For middle school and high school
coaches, registering on Net Generation
Keeping high school players on the court will give you access to dozens of proven,
out-of-season play programs, along with
during the off-season is a key to growth. a 15-week season practice plan, a guide
to assist coaches in which off-season
programs fit their states' rules, and much
By Mark Faber and Denny Schackter more valuable information.
One area of high school tennis that we
see as having a potential for huge growth
T
is with junior varsity coaches and their
teams. By providing JV coaches and
here are about 340,000 How can we accomplish this? For one, players with better resources, we can
high school tennis par- start building positive relationships continue to add to the pool of tennis
ticipants in the U.S., and with local schools. If you’re at a private players and consumers, building lifelong
we’re fortunate to have or public facility, offer to provide court tennis enthusiasts.
had consistent participa- time for students and teams—this is an High school players hold the key to
tion year after year. The challenge is opportunity to increase your business the future of this industry. If we keep
that many of these participants only and attract future customers. If you’re them interested and engaged, they will
play tennis during their high school able to cut them a deal by providing become our next teaching pros, tennis
season; they don’t play consistently, or courts during the slow times at your directors, club owners, court builders
at all, during the off-seasons. facility—even better if you have indoor and sales reps. At all levels of our indus-
If we can get this massive number of courts available—everyone wins. try, we need to embrace, mentor and
high school players—the “low-hanging The USTA has a program in which connect with high school players. •
fruit” who already are involved in the facilities or Community Tennis Asso-
sport—back on the tennis court during ciations agree to partner with a school
their off-seasons, all aspects of this or school system to assist them with a Mark Faber, the chair of the USTA
industry stand to benefit. Tennis facili- variety of programs, which can be held National High School Committee, is
the director of tennis at Twos Athletic
ties will have more players throughout before or after school. The key is to
Club in Toledo, Ohio, and a national
the year, teaching professionals and connect with local no-cut programs,
SHUTTERSTOCK
vice president of the USPTA. Denny

coaches will have more students to which truly have a passion for growing Schackter is a USTA National High
teach, retailers and specialty shops will the game and providing opportunities School Committee member and
have more customers. In all, we will be for children to play on a team with their owner of Tennis Priorities Inc.
building for the future of our sport. friends and to represent their school.

Congratulation to all 2018 TIMagazine winners
January 2019
January, 2019
PHOTO
PENDING
Happy THIS IS PLACHOLDER

TEXT.
New Year!
ADDvantageJan2019GUSFinal.indd 49 11/26/2018 2:10:54 PM
USPTA FROM THE CEO
WHAT’S NEXT?
participation by bringing lapsed players
back into the game and attracting new
players to our sport. If we develop
more players, everyone wins. It was
refreshing to see that people took off
since records have been kept. If it is their “brand” hats and contributed to
any consolation, we are far better off the conversation with ideas that would
than many traditional team sports benefit the industry as a whole.
that are seeing dramatic declines in I do not have the time or the space
participation of late. in this article to dissect all the notions
It is against this backdrop that that were vetted over Nov. 2. But,
Katrina Adams, president of the USTA, without question, there were two or
gathered leaders from the different three themes that no one in the room
manufacturers, USTA sections, USTA could dispute. In order to truly grow
board members, Sr. USTA executives, the game, there must be a significant
the TIA, USPTA and multi-club influx in the quantity of tennis
John R. Embree
operators for an Industry Summit, deliverers of the game at the grass
USPTA CEO which was held in the training room of roots level. Coupled with that premise,
your USPTA Headquarters. It was an these deliverers must be of higher
I t is common knowledge that our

beloved industry is not near as
healthy as it should be. We have
honor to host this event with some of
the brightest people in our sport who
came together to talk about how to
quality, be more educated and trained
on the latest teaching/coaching trends
and be more committed to growing
the best game on the planet, yet the jump start the industry. tennis participation. Repeatedly, no
metrics for both casual and core As one would expect, there were lots matter what programs were discussed,
players over the past few years are of divergent interests in the room. The the tennis delivery system (mostly
flat to declining. Even worse, the mantra going in was that everyone USPTA professionals) must be better
manufacturers experienced the most should put the specific needs of their at what we do, and we have to offer a
challenging year for selling their respective organizations aside and focus better experience for the customers
products into the trade last year on the common goal of growing tennis with whom we work.
USTA hosted Industry Summit at the USPTA world headquarters in November.
50 - USPTA ADDvantage Magazine — January 2019

USPTA
USTA hosted Industry Summit at the USPTA world headquarters in November.
With the aging of our population of week program and then stop: it is initiatives to grow the game in their
tennis teaching professionals, the focus another to retain them, keep them respective communities. In turn, they
on developing strong Professional engaged and bring them into the fold would receive a variety of benefits
Tennis Management (PTM) programs as frequent players. That requires from various industry partners and the
is paramount if we are to be successful. extensive training that the industry USTA in recognition of their efforts to
Students that graduate from a quality is prepared to embrace, with pilot grow tennis participation. Much must
“
be done in 2019 to vet this premise so
In order to truly grow the game, there that it is attractive and viable for those
must be a significant influx in the tennis facilities who wish to be a part

of this endeavor.
quantity of tennis deliverers of the game Nothing is gained from a meeting of
at the grass roots level.” such stature unless there is consistent

follow-up and quantifiable action steps
PTM program are more prepared and programs beginning in 2019 at the are defined. I have been to too many
more knowledgeable about running USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, industry meetings over the years where
high-quality tennis programs than Florida. lots of good ideas are discussed but
many of those who have been working A third concept that evolved out nothing gets done. This cannot be the
in clubs for years. of the summit was the concept of outcome of this summit! We are at a
Secondly, we also have an aging establishing premier tennis facilities critical tipping point when an industry-
player base. So, we need more across the country. These would wide effort must be put forth that every
providers to deliver entry-level be targeted public, private and segment of our sport can endorse and
programs for beginner adults and commercial facilities that would offer activate. I, for one, will be pushing to
kids. It is one thing to give a six- and embrace a variety of new player make sure this gets done.*
January 2019 — USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - 51

USPTA

USPTA

USPTA VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
is designed to get participants thinking student doesn’t seem to be doing what
as a leader off-court. Sara Morse, a you have explained over and over? It is
presenter and executive director of the possible that they can’t physically do it,
So Cal Division said, “Anyone who is whether because of an injury or other
interested in moving into a leadership physical limitations.
role should absolutely participate I recently attended RacquetFit’s
in the Leadership Academy. It is a “Level 1: The Body-Serve Connection,”
necessary and fantastic first step in and at the end of day one all I could
building the resume that management think was “mind blown.” It honestly
UP YOUR GAME WITH is looking for.”

The interactive sessions utilize case
opened a whole new world to me, a new
way to assess players and really help
CONTINUING EDUCATION studies, self-assessments and best
practices all geared towards building
them within their potential physical
boundaries. It is important for us as
Cari Buck strong leadership skills. Additional coaches to keep adding new tools to
USPTA Vice President areas of focus include team building, our “tool kits” and RacquetFit does
communication skills, customer exactly that.
C ontinuing education in any field

is paramount to success. Every
industry evolves and changes, so why
service, time management, budgets and
HR issues. If you are looking to move
up the ladder, the USPTA Leadership
The presentation itself was so well
done, with a panel of experts including
Dr. Greg Rose, Dr. Sean Drake, Jeff
should tennis be any different? In Academy led by USPTA members Salzenstein and Dr. Mark Kovacs,
order to stand out, pros need to evolve Feisal Hassan, Ajay Pant, Sara Morse experts in their fields and an amazing
and grow with the industry. It is too and Jose Pastrello is a great way to get team. It is also very interactive with
easy to stick with what we know and started. Take a closer look at https://bit. attendees from several industries
“how we’ve always done it.” Continuing ly/2zmxFLT. including tennis, fitness and medical
education can help get you to that next RacquetFit, on the other hand, so we are all learning from each other’s
level, both on and off-court, and 2018 focuses more on-court with your different perspectives and we all had
has seen two outstanding new programs players. Their philosophy is on how the something to share. After two full
roll out: the USPTA Leadership body functions in relation to tennis and days, I was so excited to get started. My
Academy and RacquetFit, continuing believes that there is more than one colleagues are getting tired of being
education both on and off-court. way to hit a tennis ball based on what a “screened,” my serve is better than ever
The Leadership Academy is a player can physically do. It also breaks (thanks to some video analysis and a
comprehensive and dynamic intensive down the philosophy of the body and few quick adjustments from the team)
course that focuses on building how it should move in relation to and I’ve got a new tool in my
leadership skills. It is also the USPTA’s tennis-specific movements. “tool kit.”
first ever course like this. The program Ever find yourself wondering why a “By being able to assess a
player’s physical abilities, and then
understanding how those attributes
relate to their tennis-specific skills, is
what separates an average coach from
a great coach. This allows the coach to
communicate with medical and fitness
to get the results we want to see on and
off the court,” said Dr. Sean Drake, vice
president of RacquetFit. To learn more
about RacquetFit, visit RacquetFit.com.
Like the Leadership Academy,
RacquetFit is a commitment
to your growth as an industry
professional. Take the challenge, up
From left to right: Dr. Greg Rose, Dr. Mark Kovacs, Cari Buck, Jeff Salzenstein, and your game and remember there is
Dr. Sean Drake at the California RacquetFit certification . #alwaysmoretolearn. *

Our Story
A passionate company with unique history
Led by founder Jim Fromuth and CEO Pat Shields, we are

a tennis wholesale distributor based in West Lawn, PA.
We first opened our doors nearly 50 years ago. The Fromuth Family
liked and played the game of tennis, so they bought a stringing
machine and had a few tennis frames to sell in the shop. In the late
1970s, tennis began to be televised and business took a different
direction. Fromuth Tennis was born. As the tennis industry grew, so did
our selection of racquets, strings and apparel. We began helping small
pro shops get the product they needed to boost their own business.
Then & Now Today, we have a 25,000 sq. ft. warehouse. On a busy day in
CEO Pat Shields and August, UPS trucks are lined up outside waiting to load more
Founder Jim Fromuth than 800 packages. Although bigger, we are still a family-owned
operation with more than 70 employees who share a passionate
drive for tennis and helping our customers.
Since 2006
USTA Fromuth is the Official Distributor of Nike Footwear
National
and Apparel to the USPTA
Campus
Pro Shop
We lead all operations including staffing, merchandising

and stringing services at the USTA National Campus Pro
Shop. This 2,800 sq. ft. store in the Welcome Center of USTA
National Campus features the newest product releases from
top tennis brands such as Nike, adidas, Babolat, HEAD and
Wilson, as well as unique National Campus memorabilia.
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High School Cross
MASTER PRO CORNER
Sport Athletes
Alan Cutler T oday’s high school athletes are
encouraged to specialize in one
specific sport, but, as we know, to be a
that batting in baseball is very similar
to hitting a tennis ball and first-step
explosive speed is directly related to
USPTA Master Professional
well-rounded athlete it is important to running a pass pattern can aid coaches
play multiple sports. Skills gained from in identifying the most beneficial skills
Alan Cutler is one of the only different sports enhance an athlete’s to their previously specialized athletes.
dual master professionals that overall ability and talent. No single What we must do better, as
also holds two specialist degrees high school sport can fully train for the tennis professionals, is help other
(computer and competitive player mental and physical demands placed on coaches realize the direct benefit
development). He taught tennis in these athletes. of encouraging their athletes to
municipalities, leased facilities, High school administrators and participate in tennis in the offseason.
resorts, HOA’s and has held many athletic directors should encourage This may be hard to sell to coaches
levels of positions from teaching coaches to promote multi-sport and athletic directors who may believe
professional to president. He has
participation, thereby reducing any in the more traditional specialized
a bachelor’s and master’s degree
appearance of sports specialization. athlete, so it is important to have the
in computer science.
Historically, many Division I college right information and approach. We
coaches prefer recruiting athletes that need to make sure they understand
played multiple sports in high school. If we are not trying to steal their
you look back at the past few NFL, NBA athletes, but rather, enhance their
and MLB top draft picks (first round), overall athletic experience. We need
most were multiple-sport athletes. to show coaches that we also have
We need to understand that the more the best interest of their player and
athletic dexterities a player have, the program in mind and want to be their
more likely they are to be successful in partner rather than their competition.
competition. Also, by allowing them to If you cannot establish this trust,
take a break from their primary sport many coaches will not feel secure
and preventing “burn out,” athletes or understand the benefit of cross-
may become more mentally motivated sport training, and this is not going to
Mark Faber when they compete. happen. To really help an athlete grow,
USPTA Elite Professional Not all skills developed in the various a coach must put aside their personal
sports work in conjunction with each fears or selfish motives and look at
other, but by taking a careful look, developing the athlete as a whole.
Mark Faber is the director of you may find skills that are extremely Tennis is truly a sport that develops
tennis at Twos Athletic Club and similar or complementary. Specific multiple athletic moves all at once,
has been a USPTA member since attention should be given to specific versus some cross-training sports
1993. Mark has been a no-cut
player positions as, in football for that only develop one at a time. The
high school coach for 24 years,
example, an offensive lineman will following are some ideas of what
spoken at USTA, USPTA and high
have to be treated differently than a tennis brings to other sports. This is
school divisional and national
education events and is involved defensive back or wide receiver. With not meant to be a complete list but,
locally, sectionally, divisionally that said, identifying similar sports rather, ideas of how to help you sell this
and nationally on committees and skills is critical to the multi-sport concept to athletic directors, as well
boards. development of any player. Knowing other sport coaches.

MASTER PRO CORNER
Baseball Golf is the most important part of our

1. First-step explosive speed: Tennis 1. Core rotation while hitting (power message to coaches. We want to be
players need to get moving very stance and coil/uncoil): Like viewed as trusted partners in the
quickly to be able to get to the ball. tennis, the kinetic chain is from the success of their players, rather than
This skill directly relates to stealing ground up the coach that is trying to steal away
base in baseball. 2. Controlled club head a good player.
2. Hitting the ball, and maybe being acceleration: learning the Once we have explained the
able to control location of hits: difference between generating benefits of multi-sport athletes to
The sweet spot on a bat and tennis power from the legs and using the the coaches, it is important that
racquet are not that different. hands to control hitting location we provide them with enough
Understanding that the target is the and spin. information to encourage their
contact point of a hitting tool (bat 3. Angle of club face to manipulate players to consider the benefits. A
or racquet) is basically the same. ball hitting direction is very similar proper periodization schedule would
3. Picking up the spin of a pitch to club head. include an active rest period, which
faster: This is about learning to is the perfect time for participation
watch the ball as early as possible. Volleyball in another sport. We must break
4. Core rotation while hitting (power 1. Service motions are very similar down barriers and perceived threats
stance and coil/uncoil): Like for developing the ability to hit of taking good athletes away from
tennis, the kinetic chain is from the different spins on the serve. one sport to another and make sure
ground up. 2. Tracking skills and understanding everyone, including the player,
5. Angle in arm when serving or angle of attack to intercept the understands the benefits of working
throwing: This is also a very similar balls location. together to develop better athletes.
skill. 3. First-step explosive speed to get Athletic directors and physical
the ball earlier. education administrators need to
Basketball 4. Reading and anticipating of get involved at a higher level as well
1. Side to side movement: This is opponent’s movement . to make sure coaches are introduced
about first-step explosive speed as 5. Recovery between points and and trained to understand the
well as agility and balance. refocusing on tasks. benefits of cross-sport participation.
2. Athletic position: Ready position However, at the end of the day, it
with legs loaded. This helps with Football is still likely that tennis coaches
movement as well as jumping. 1. Wide receivers/defensive backs will need to sell this to the other
3. Reading and anticipating of and linebackers. coaches. We must foster a sense
opponent’s movement. 2. Tracking skills and understanding of trust and cooperation between
4. Focus on big point: Learning to angle of attack to intercept the coaches.
controls the athlete’s emotions, ball’s location. At the end of high school,
calming themselves down to allow 3. First-step explosive speed to get most athletes will not have the
for more success. the ball earlier. skills or talent to compete at the
5. Recovery between points and 4. Multiple directional changes: college level. Even though these
refocusing on tasks. Agility with speed and control. athletes may not have the ability
5. Recovery between points and to continue, it should not stop
Soccer refocusing on tasks (like between them from participating in sports
1. Quick explosive movement/short plays). as adults. Coaches need to meet
sprint as it relates to footwork and 6. Reading and anticipating of the needs of all their athletes, not
balance. opponent’s movement. just the ones that will make it to
2. Reading and anticipating of the next level. The introduction
opponent’s movement. As mentioned previously, football and encouragement to participate
3. Tracking skills: Learning how to and some other sports will be based in sports like tennis allow these
improve interception of the ball. on position. Being knowledgeable athletes to continue to find
4. Multiple directional changes: in the synergies between different recreational exercise for the rest of
Agility with speed and control. sports, no matter what they are, their lives. *

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KEEP IT SIMPLE MASTER PRO CORNER
Thumb on the thigh, thumb in the • BELIEVE, AND YOU WILL ACHIEVE
sky: Often times the student needs • DON’T RUSH-BRUSH
a checkpoint or a reference point as • WHEN LOW, GO
it relates to the starting point and • SOLVE THE RIDDLE, GO DOWN THE
finishes. MIDDLE
Perform before you bow: • DIP AND RIP
This thought helps the student to keep • GRIP IT, RIP IT
their head up and to extend up and out • SLICE IS NICE, FLAT NOT WHERE IT IS
on their serve. AT, SPIN YOU WIN (MY FAVORITE)
Michael O’Connell Track it to the racquet: • SERVE FOR SHOW, VOLLEY FOR
USPTA Master Professional This phrase is to get your students to DOUGH
think about watching the ball to the • IF YOU WANT YOUR SERVE TO RATE,
K eep it Simple. How often have we all

heard this statement when teaching
our students new techniques or even if
strings.
If you want to celebrate, then you
must accelerate:
THEN PRONATE
• IF YOU POP IT UP THEN YOU WILL
COUGH IT UP
we are working with a beginner for the This statement is to get your student • RENOUNCE THE BOUNCE
first time? I have been teaching for more to think about finishing the stroke and • FIND, FEEL, FINISH
than 40 years and have been exposed to illicit spin. • SPLIT THEM OR HIT THEM
many different styles and approaches in Meet it, don’t beat it: • THE FOUR R’S: READY, READ, REACT,
communicating, educating and delivering Most of your students take too much RECOVER
instructions. I have been fortunate to backswing when volleying and this • THE FOUR P’S: PRESENTS, POSTURE,
be able to teach hundreds of individuals phrase will help your student prevent POSITION, PRESSURE
seeking to get into the tennis industry too much backswing. • IF YOU CAN’T READ IT, YOU CAN’T BEAT IT
and become tennis professionals through If you want to score, use your core: • BACK UP THEN YOU WILL PACK UP
the program we offered at the Indiana As teaching professionals, we all know • STOP THE CHOP
University Recreational Sports Tennis the importance of utilizing the core to • LOAD AND EXPLODE
Center, “tennis training for career perform the desired stroke production. • PLAY LARGE AND IN CHARGE
professionals.” Cock it, lock it, knock it: • NO DISGRACE TO CHANGE THE PACE
Some of the most powerful and This statement is to get the student • IF YOU WANT TO WIN THE RACE,
meaningful words spoken to your to lay the wrist back, align the racquet CHANGE THE PACE
students are the simplest and most face and to stabilize. • IT IS RISKY TO BE WRISTY
effective provided you have a good If you want to compete, then move • DON’T BE CUTE, JUST EXECUTE
understanding of all the proper your feet or suffer defeat: • RECOVER TO DISCOVER
mechanics and stroke production. Often This phrase recognizes the importance • WORK FOR A CAUSE, NOT THE
these words, rhymes and isms that I will of footwork. APPLAUSE
share are reminders to the students on
what they should focus on. As you can see, there are so many The next time you are teaching
These are a few of the “mike-isms” that short words, phrases and isms that your students and you want them to
I have incorporated in my sessions and can be incorporated into your remember correct form, use keywords
adopted that my students respond to. teaching vocabulary. Here are a and phrases. These simple words will
number of other rhymes and isms make learning tennis enjoyable and
SIT BEFORE YOU HIT: that I utilize: long-lasting. *
The goal here is to get your students to
bend their knees and stay down as they
are striking the ball.
EXTEND BEFORE YOU BEND:
O’Connell was the head professional at the Indiana University Recreational
This phrase refers to the student
Sports Tennis Center from 1992-2015. He was a five-time Indiana USPTA
extending out through the contact point
Professional of the Year, Midwest USPTA Professional of the Year in 2009
before bending the arm too soon and
and was inducted into the USPTA Midwest Hall of Fame in 1998
going across the body.

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INSIDE COACHING USPTA
Mind your P’s for

perfecting play by Tony D. Adams, USPTA Professional
W hile I’ve been teaching tennis

for seven years and have been
certified for three years, I’ve been
against opponents with contrasting
and varying styles. For example, when a
player is late to the ball, by using more
my more competitive students gain
advantage during tougher points. I also
believe more patient players will serve at
playing and coaching tennis for 27 years. poise he or she can hit a high and deep a higher percentage and more effectively
As a USPTA certified professional, I’ve shot instead of a weak rally ball when win their service games through smarter,
been working within the youth tennis forced back or out of position and gain more efficient serving.
program for the USTA Mid-Atlantic more recovery time to be in position to
Section in Woodbridge, Virginia and hit the next set of shots. Having poise 3. Position
its’ affiliate, TGA. I have also been can help players remain in the shot-
coaching area high school teams, making moment, just player and ball, so
including 100-plus roster players, and that the player can finish successfully
also independently coaching players through the ball without interruption of
from more than 400 families. I played thought or emotion.
for 10 years overseas while serving in
the military and competed stateside on 2. Patience
USTA teams in league championships
and area district tournaments.
My experience in tennis helped me
to develop a successful playing and
coaching philosophy. My teaching
system includes components that
key on specific terms which helps me Achieving the best position starts with a
good ready position and split step
to communicate various skills to my
students. I would like to introduce my I expect my students to use positive
strategies that focus on six key words energy and get in a better position so
starting with the letter “P” and share they can hit cleaner, less risky shots and
them with other teaching professionals. experience fewer errors in any given
The below terms include poise, patience, match. Good footwork and finding
position, pace, placement and power in dynamic balance before and during a
the order of importance. Together, these Power up their legs for a shot player’s shots are essential ingredients.
skills help players build on a successful Patience is just what it sounds like, and Achieving the best position starts with
game plan. can be integrated into practice before a good ready position and split step,
and during a point, game, set or match. especially with more advanced players,
1. Poise I continually want my students to take so that higher-level players can quickly
Poise is related to a player’s thought more time to power up their legs for the anticipate shots and get in position to
processes/decision making during shot and set the racquet, and then hit a “hit the right shot at the right time”;
a point, set or match and is directly cleaner, stronger shot using what I call another phrase I often use in teaching.
associated with problem-solving during the “power step” with trampoline effect One point of interest for any coach
competition. Poise is concerned with falling into the shot. I find myself telling should be helping students learn how
learning to play within one’s capacity them, “bounce, bounce, pause, explode to transition to the mid-court, get into
for a given shot and change shots and smack through the ball.” This helps a nice unit turn. This is a good time for

USPTA INSIDE COACHING
skipping to a player’s open-stance for the coach and player to find this strategy when he or she is being beat at
power position and hitting around mutual understanding of what pace his or her typical game.
and up on the ball (turning the arm is correct for the given player’s shots
over). This is what I refer to as a cut- to effectively work the point without 6. Power
shot similar to how Rafael Nadal hits sacrificing silly errors. Hitting with the
his forehand, which helps to strike right pace and working the point with
through the ball and keeping it well rally balls instead of simply playing
within the court without sacrificing up to his or her limits too early in the
good racquet head speed. Further, rally or at the wrong time in a rally
I realize that patience is even more can be vital in winning close matches.
important for younger, less-confident Considering the above, it’s important
players who are working to learn to help players speed up and try to
better backhands. This happens when increase their pace with all shots to
students reach for the ball instead of allow them to play first-strike tennis
moving to and attacking the ball. For when necessary.
best results, early forward momentum
should take place prior to the bounce 5. Placement
on the backhand. Without understanding a player’s pace,
placing the ball is often too challenging.
4. Pace Learning to place the ball is not often The sixth and final “P” is power, which
practiced enough, especially at a becomes evident in a player’s game as
player’s ideal pace. While most young they compete at increasingly higher
players really enjoy hitting hard, hitting levels. Power has its biggest place in
angles and deep balls at slower speeds tennis when players utilize “first-strike”
can be tremendously effective in luring style tennis. If players are equal or
players out of position. When working challenged in the baseline game, it’s a
angles including outside-in and inside- good time to implement more “strike-
out style shots, down-the-line practice, first” style tennis early in rallies. While
high-and-deep balls and various slices, power is not necessarily for everyone
the coach should help players figure given a player’s style, today’s tennis tour
out his or her ideal patterns of play and players seem to hit the ball faster in most
pace so they can regularly play to his matches, but sacrifice errors. Basically,
or her strengths. At the same time, I when the opponent’s ball is sitting just
Ideal pace, for both forehands and try to help students learn to anticipate above the net, I encourage my students
backhands
obvious angles of their opponents’ to hit high-style attack shots with great
The fourth “P” is one of the most shots by following learned patterns or power.
important attributes of successful high generally playing cross-court angles. Implementing the six “Ps” of poise,
school players. Since emotions play The coach and player must ultimately patience, position, pace, placement and
a vital role in a high school player’s be flexible enough and have alternative power creates a great foundation for a
results, how players manage energy patterns that target noted weaknesses well-rounded game. The key is to find
and emotions is central to controlling of a given player. Players have to be the right blend between the “Ps” for
the racquet and managing the pace brave in changing his or her game your player(s). *
in his or her game. Thereby, nearly
all of my practices with my high
school students incorporate hitting
for rhythm at each player’s ideal pace
Tony Adams lives in Springfield, Virginia, and works as an independent
for both forehands and backhands.
USPTA tennis professional and teaching pro for the USTA Mid-Atlantic
For example, one of my students
Region. He started playing tennis after high school and competed while a
might have 80 percent pace on his soldier in Germany for the US Army. At his current position at Fort Belvoir, he
forehand, but only 65 to 70 percent has won the Intramural Tennis Championships the last four out of six years.
pace on his backhand. It’s important

RACQUETFIT USPTA
No Coil Characteristic and Screen by RacquetFit Team
H ow many coaches have experienced this? A

player arrives for a lesson and announces
their intention of learning to swing and serve
issue is technical or physical. Let me show you
one of the ways we teach coaches, trainers and
medical professionals to screen for rotational
like their favorite player. The coach goes to work, capabilities in our RacquetFit seminars.
offering analysis and technical cues in hopes of The multi-segmental rotation assessment
bridging the gap between their student and the tests for normal rotational mobility of the
generational athlete they hope to emulate. After trunk, pelvis, hips, knees and feet. To perform
an hour of work, progress is limited. The student the screen, stand with your back to a mirror
still isn’t doing what their favorite player is doing. (or behind your student). Stand tall, holding a
Does this mean that the student is a poor racquet behind your head. Turn as far as you can
athlete or that the coach is ineffective at to the right. If you can see your left shoulder in
communicating a desired technical change? the mirror, there’s a good chance you have the
No. Allow me to present a third option: requisite physical capabilities to coil properly
the student does not have the movement in the serve (there are two additional rotational
capabilities required to reproduce what their tests in the RacquetFit screen we use to confirm).
favorite player does. If you don’t pass the multi-segmental rotation
At RacquetFit, we’re obsessed with screen, the good news is you can still play great
understanding how the human body moves tennis. You don’t have to move like Federer to
in tennis. The sport of tennis presents unique serve well, you just have to move like Federer to
physical demands and we believe that coaches serve like Federer.
and athletes should consider how they move Our philosophy is that there are infinite
when designing how they play. ways to serve, but there’s one way to serve that
One problem with modeling your game after is most efficient for you and it’s based on how
a professional player is that the strokes you see you can move.
on TV belong to athletes who not only have elite Once we know your screen results, we give
technique, but elite movement capabilities. If you two options: you can work with a trainer
you want your athlete to copy Roger Federer, you or medical professional to move your physical
better hope they can move like Federer. capabilities or you can develop a style with your
This issue is extremely prevalent in the serve, coach that works around your physical limitation.
in part because of the mobility and stability Instructing athletes to move in a way that they
requirements. A common serve characteristic are not capable of moving isn’t just the recipe
that we see is a lack of rotation in the trophy for a frustrating lesson, it’s the recipe for a bad
pose. In order to create explosive power during lesson. Don’t guess how your athlete moves,
the serve, the athlete needs to be able to rotate or assess how your athlete moves.
coil their body during the toss phase. In order to If you’re interested in learning more about
assess whether or not you are coiling enough, the RacquetFit and how to physically screen and
front of their hip and the majority of their chest evaluate your athletes, check out our website:
should be visible from the back-camera view. If www.racquetfit.com. We look forward to seeing
you can’t see the chest or hips, we refer to this as a you at one of our 2019 Locations:
swing characteristic called No Coil.
Lack of coil isn’t just the result of physical Phoenix - 2/07-08/2019
limitations. Technical issues such as poor ball Lake Nona - USPTA 3/29-20/2019
toss, inefficient stance or inadequate forward Newark - 5/24-25/2019
weight shift can contribute to No Coil. More Dallas - 7/18-19/2019
often than not, however, the issue is physical. Las Vegas - Attached to the USPTA World
In our opinion, if you have an athlete who Conference 9/28-29/2019
wants to increase their coil, the most important Atlanta - 11/15-16/2019*
thing you can do is to determine whether the

USPTA PLATFORM TENNIS
Why your racquet sports facility should consider

adding Platform Tennis!
by Andy Sorrentino, USPTA Elite Professional & PPTA Professional
squash, as players utilize classic tennis
strokes with the ability to play shots off
of the wires. Almost exclusively played
as doubles teams, the tight confines of
a platform court make communication
and teamwork imperative. Initially,
players with proficient racquet skills
have an advantage, but unlike tennis,
many players can compensate with
thoughtful strategy and a little bit of
hustle. The inability to hit winners and
the reliance on strategy has led many to
call platform tennis the “chess game”
of racquet sports. Platform tennis
is unique in that players of varying
abilities can still enjoy a competitive
game, as the ability to use the screens
becomes a great equalizer. So, as the
court space shrinks, the tactics and
P latform Tennis, with its

multigenerational appeal, has been
exploding across the country over the
played on an elevated aluminum deck
(thus the name “platform tennis”),
approximately 1/3 the size of a tennis
strategies increase which has become
the main feature in platform’s lasting
appeal and growth in popularity.
past 10 years. Platform tennis, which is court, over a 34-inch net, with the court Of course, there are financial benefits
affectionately known as “paddle,” by its surrounded by 12-foot-high screens. The in developing a platform tennis program
enthusiastic followers, is a fun, exciting, ability to melt snow and ice with heating as well. The teaching options are
fast-paced game which is easy to learn units underneath the gritty aluminum endless, from new players, to junior
but uniquely challenging to those with surface makes platform tennis a true programming, to players with elite
advanced racquet skills. Originally all-weather sport. racquet skills desperate to learn the
thought of as a cold weather alternative At many clubs in the Northeast and intricacies of paddle strategy. Platform
to outdoor tennis, platform tennis Midwest, platform tennis has taken over tennis is easy to learn, easy to coach and
courts have been popping up in some as the number one alternative during there are many opportunities to gain
interesting warm climate locations cold weather months when racquets teaching proficiency and certification
such as Arizona, California, South enthusiasts and golfers traditionally through the USPTA. Platform tennis
Carolina, Georgia and even in Florida. go into hibernation. The mass appeal programs are a fantastic way to
Summer platform has also been gaining and party atmosphere make platform increase pro shop sales at racquet
a following thanks to the development tennis a fun, healthy outdoor activity clubs during the winter months which
of a special warm-weather ball which that can be played socially or at a highly have traditionally been the slow retail
bounces lower in warmer conditions. competitive level. Platform is truly periods. The ability to deliver an
Platform tennis was invented nearly a lifetime sport. The smaller court is entirely new line of racquets, balls and
one hundred years ago in Scarsdale, easier to cover than a tennis court and cold-weather sports apparel can create
New York by James Gogswell and the relatively quick learning curve completely new revenue streams. Clubs
Fessenden Blanchard, two avid tennis allows players of all ages and abilities can additionally benefit from the food
players looking for a way to stay active to become proficient rather quickly. and beverage opportunities that are
and hone their tennis skills during the Many people describe platform as a associated with leagues, tournaments
long east coast winters. Platform is combination of tennis, racquetball and and platform parties, which have

USPTA
become a major part of the platform that addresses each of these challenges. to a warm weather destination.
tennis culture. The increased social 3. Clubs looking to increase pro shop
appeal of platform lends itself to a more Who benefits from a platform tennis sales
festive post-match atmosphere usually program? 4. The membership who will welcome
accompanied by a meal and an adult 1. Professionals/managers looking for an outdoor sport that they can play
beverage. a fun, new, winter program for their year-round with their friends and
As the decision makers at many clubs tennis players, golfers or a whole family.
are searching for additional revenue new group of members. 5. The general manager who will be
sources, increased programming for 2. Racquet professionals who can grateful for the increases in food
its members and creative ways to continue to teach through the cold and beverage sales associated with
compensate club professionals, platform weather months with little loss of keeping members engaged at the
tennis provides a comprehensive option revenue, without having to relocate club through the winter season. *
USPTA PARTNERS WITH IPTPA TO BRING

PICKLEBALL CERTIFICATION TO THE ASSOCIATION
T he United States Professional Tennis
Association (USPTA) has entered
into a three-year partnership with
the International Pickleball Teaching
Professional Association (IPTPA.)
Under the terms of the agreement, the
USPTA will work collaboratively with
the recognized world leader in pickleball
teacher certification to certify USPTA
professionals in pickleball.
Starting in 2019, the IPTPA will host
specialty courses in pickleball across
USPTA division conferences, where
interested professionals will be able
to earn their Level I certification in
pickleball. members should have education about The courses will be hosted at USPTA
“We realize that our members pickleball,” said USPTA CEO John division conferences.
have been asked about pickleball and Embree. “The IPTPA has proven to “As highly trained teachers, USPTA
many are being encouraged to start a be a well-respected and outstanding professionals are great communicators,
pickleball program at their facilities. organization providing opportunities can break a skill down to its simplest
With that in mind, our board of to improve teaching skills through components, understand the
directors has recognized that USPTA continuing education programs. importance of a great lesson plan and
However, it is not our intent to get into are passionate about teaching,” said
the pickleball certification business.” IPTPA CEO Seymour Rifkind. “We
The pickleball certification course condensed our workshop into a format
will include classroom sessions, on- that will allow USPTA members to
court teaching sessions, and an on-court recognize the distinct differences of
playing session. The cost for the five- pickleball while becoming familiar with
hour workshop is $240, which includes the IPTPA methodology which has
the pickleball certification testing, become the world standard in teaching
access to the specialty course, and a pickleball. IPTPA is thrilled to be
one-year membership with the IPTPA. partnering with the USPTA.”*

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MEMBER NEWS USPTA
Lisa Dodson Henry Harris Eric Anderson Rex Cuajunco
Featured in the New York Henry Harris is set to be Anderson is Director of Cuajunco has been named
Tennis Magazine article At inducted into the Tennis tennis at Desert Highlands director of operations for the
the Net with Lisa Dodson. Foundation of Mississippi in Scottsdale, Arizona, SMU men’s tennis team. He
Dodson is a 40-year teaching Hall of Fame. Harris attended and was given the 2018 recently was the director of
professional and is the Copiah-Lincoln Community Outstanding Tournament tennis at The Village Dallas
developer and owner of College and then graduated Enrichment Award from for over 20 years and is a
Servemaster along with from Alcorn State University. the USTA Southwest USPTA Elite Professional and
being a WTCA and USPTA He then returned to Natchez, Section along with the a Master Racquet Technician
Professional and a former Mississippi to work as a 2018 Sally Grabham with the United States
WTA world-ranked player. policeman. 18 years later, he Tournament Enrichment Racquet Stringers Association.
She has extensive experience was transferred to the Parks award from the USTA An avid volunteer, Cuajunco
in club management, program and Recreation Department Phoenix Section. The has served in numerous
development, product (now the City of Natchez awards were given for capacities such as president of
development and professional Recreation Department). his performance as the the Dallas Professional Tennis
teaching for all levels of play. In 1976, Harris started tournament director of Association, Nominating
Lisa is also a national speaker, volunteering as the tennis the Desert Highlands Committee Chair at the
a serve specialist and has coach at North Natchez USTA Southwest Grass USPTA Texas Division, D&I
accumulated over 40 years High School. During his time Court Championships, Committee Chair at USTA
of experience in the tennis leading the Rams, they won held since 2012. Anderson Texas Section, and his
industry. Currently, she is the four division championships, also received the Industry current role as the
seasonal director of tennis at four state championships, Excellence Award during Leadership Development
Shenorock Shore Club in and two Big 8 Conference the 2018 USPTA Southwest Committee Chair for the
Rye, New York. championships. Division Convention. USTA Texas Section.
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADDVANTAGE MAGAZINE ADDvantage is published monthly by the USPTA
The opinions expressed in ADDvantage are
President...................................................................... Gary Trost Editor.............................................................................John Cornell those of the authors and not necessarily those
Managing Editor ................................................... DeVonte’ Martin of ADDvantage or the United States Professional
First Vice President................................................. Feisal Hassan Tennis Association.
Layout/Design........................................................... Gustavo Reyes
Vice Presidents..........................................Cari Buck, Mark Faber,
Editorial Assistance.......................... Tommy Cardinal, Risa Epstein, Copyright© United States Professional Tennis
Trish Faulkner, Bill Mountford, Richard Slivocka Ramona Husaru, Sid Newcomb, Fred Viancos, Ashley Walker
Association, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved.
Circulation................................................................ Trevor Trudelle Reproduction of any portion of the magazine is not
Immediate Past President.............................................Chuck Gill
USPTA World Headquarters permitted without written permission from USPTA.
CEO...........................................................................John Embree
11961 Performance Dr.
..
Legal Counsel........................................................George Parnell Orlando, FL 32827 Cover Photo by Hans Romer

USPTA CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Exams, Upgrades & PTCA Online education 2019 USPTA Division
4 Credits for PTCA I Segment Exams,
Upgrades & PTCA
Conference Schedule
Division Conferences - 6 Credits
Jan. 5 – 6 ...................................Aurora, IL
Jan. 5 – 6 ..............Mountlake Terrace, WA Watch webinars, seminars, On Court with USPTA
Jan. 6.................................. Collierville, TN January 18-20......................... NorCal Division
episodes, specialty courses and much more on Stanford University; Stanford, CA
Jan. 11 ....................... Oklahoma City, OK TennisResources.com to earn your education
Jan. 12 - 13 ....................... Boca Raton, Fl credits.
Jan. 18.............................. Kansas City, MO February 16-17........... Intermountain Division
Jan. 18................................... Stanford, CA Lifetime Fitness; Centennial, CO
Jan. 26 – 27 .......................... La Habra, CA
Feb. 2 – 3 ................. Hilton Head Island, SC Platform Tennis February 21-23.......... Missouri Valley Division
Feb. 9 – 10 ....................... Johns Creek, GA Feb. 21 ....................... Certification Course
Feb. 11 – 12 ............................ Orlando, FL Englewood, CO Crestview Country Club; Wichita, KS
Feb. 13..........................North Merrick, NY
Feb. 14 – 15 .......................Centennial, CO Feb. 24 - 25 ................. Certification Course February 21-24..........................Texas Division
Feb. 16 – 17 ............ Huntington Beach, CA Garden City, NY Horseshoe Bay Resort; Horseshoe Bay, TX
Feb. 17 ...................................Boston, MA
Feb. 21.................................... Wichita, KS Mar. 19 – 20 ................ Certification Course
Feb. 22 ................................ Mt. Kisco, NY Golf, IL March 1-3............................Northern Division
Feb. 23................................ Eau Claire, WI Fred Wells Tennis and Learning Center; St. Paul, MN
Feb. 23 – 24 ................. Horseshoe Bay, TX Apr. 21 ........................ Certification Course
Stamford, CT March 2-3...........................San Diego Division
Exam reservations must be made at least 21 days
prior to the dates listed. Each date includes an La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club; La Jolla, CA
exam, upgrade. PTCA I is included in the two day
exam. Exam cancellations must be received no April 27-28..........Southern California Division
Mar. 29 - 30................. Certification Course
later than 14 days before the exam, or a cancella- USPTA National Headquarters; Lake Nona, Fl SeaCliff Country Club; Huntington Beach, CA
tion fee will be charged accordingly. Applicant: late
cancellation fee – $95; failure to cancel – appli-
cation fee is forfeited. Certified members: late May 16-18...........................Southern Division
cancellation fee – $25; failure to cancel – $25 plus
the upgrade fee is forfeited. Registration for an-
Cardio Tennis North Hill Country Club; Raleigh, NC
other exam will not be accepted until cancellation Jan. 19 ...................Level 1 Training Course May 17-19........................ Southwest Division
fees are paid. Ferris State University; Big Rapids, MI
Location TBD
National Board Applications Available Soon May 30-June 2........................ Florida Division
T he USPTA Nominating Committee will be

seeking candidates who are interested
in serving on the USPTA National Board of
A nominating slate will be presented to the
membership by June 1, and any challenges to
the slate must be submitted by Aug. 1. If an
PGA National; Palm Beach Gardens
May 31- June 1.......Pacific Northwest Division

Directors for the 2020-2022 term. Information election is needed, it will be held in late August
and the application will be emailed to eligible so that results can be announced at the World Central Park Tennis Club; Kirkland , WA
members this month. Conference in September.
The application deadline is March 1. Phone Please note that only members in good August 15-16....................... Midwest Division
interviews will be conducted with qualified standing with a certification level of Elite Pro Western Southern Open; Cincinnati, Ohio
nominees. The selected candidates will then or higher are eligible to apply. Any candidates
be offered a live interview during the Executive failing to meet these criteria will not be
m
Committee in April. considered.
is the referring member’s responsibility to be sure

ADMIRE that the applicant includes his or her name on the
application in the field labeled
INVITE “Please provide the name of the person who
MENTOR recommended USPTA membership to you.”
• Admire the reputation of the New Member Referral Incentives & Eligibility:
prospective member • $50 discount on USPTA annual dues up
• Invite them to join our respected to $300. After that – a $50 credit for
organization the USPTA Pro Tennis Shop
• Mentoring for those interested in • Only certified members in good
professional guidance standing will be eligible and they
may only refer first-time potential
USPTA members are asked to recommend members.
admirable teaching professionals in their local area
or region who are currently instructing but not For more information, contact membership
USPTA certified. If the prospect decides to join, it at membership@uspta.org

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