Tennis

caught the bug. Courts have been filling up, more groups have formed, and new players are emerging. This is all so exciting for tennis! And the fun continues this year as well. Now it 2022, more of this remains the same as activity continues to skyrocket. Not only in tennis, but other variations of racquet sports as well. Pickleball, Padel, Touch Tennis, and even Beach Tennis! And we encourage you to try these new different tennis games, as it’ll help your “true” tennis immensely. We’ve got a consistent Pickleball group thanks to our membership and Tennis Staff/Pickleball Instructor, Wesley Edwards. And we even have some permanent pickleball courts soon! The new year also calls for new resolutions. And what better way to practice self-improvement than through tennis. If you’re one of those players who caught the bug Spring 2020 during quarantine, now is a good time to really push yourself and give yourself some goals. Maybe now instead of practicing strictly on a ball machine, try practicing with another hitting partner. If you’re already there and hitting with folks, think about making it a goal to participate in some competition such as League, Match Play, or Team Season! Your goals can be as big as winning the upcoming Spring Season, or even as simple as perfecting that one-handed backhand slice.

And you don’t have to be a brand new player to have goals. You can be a player with years of experience under your belt and still fix some aspects of your game and learn something new. I, myself, have had a racquet in my hand for 20+ years, and my most recent goal is to fix my serve. I’ve never had the strongest serve (it’s tough when you stand at 5’3”!), but I’ve gotten great tips and advice from our Director of Tennis, Jerome Millet! I also made it a goal in 2021 to play in a tournament, my first one in 8 years. My goal this year is to play in another tournament and actually win a match this time! Whatever your goals are, now is a great time to shoot for them. No matter how big or small your tennis resolutions are, as long as they keep you on the court, it’ll surley make for another great year of tennis!

By Jason Abante, Tennis Coordinator

TIPS FROM THE PROS

By Jerome Millet, Head Tennis Professional Struggling with that backhand? Uncomfortable at net with that low volley? A great time to multiply repetitions and gain confidence on those shots is in between seasons. Force yourself to get out of your comfort zone and practice those weaker shots. During practice matches, using the ball machine, with a sparring partner or a tennis professional.

on court? Try out some tennis with us at Four Seasons! Lessons, clinics, tennis 101 are all great options. Let us know how we can help and we’ll be happy to assist! Even if you are a beginner and completely new to the sport, or is someone that hasn’t tried it in years or even decades, we encourage you to come on out and get your feet wet. Don’t forget about Tennis 101/ 201 geared for newcomers to the game of tennis! Tennis 101 and 201 are 8 week programs divided into 2 sessions of 4 weeks. Tennis 101 will teach the technique basics of each stroke, as well as movement. Tennis 201 will cover strategy, understanding of scoring and etiquette, along with technique and footwork development. Continuing on this month and throughout the year!

Team Members: Kristian Riley (C), Aimee Rodriguez (CC), Laura Adams, Joanna DuPont, Lisa Fine, Beckey Fuller, Gale Ianni, Trish Jolliffe, Estera Kuhlmann, Sharon Roewe, Kim Sheffield, Laurie Spicer, August Wood, Shereen Yasin

Team Members: Chasti Gest (C), Jana Hughes (CC), Denelle Alexander, Lisa Armstrong, Colleen Christl, Marybeth Conlon, Delia Cruz-Bruno, Astyn Davis, Beckey Fuller, Anne Givens, Dawn Goodrich, Liza Hameline, Clare Holbrook, Dee Jones, Katie Lewis, Pam Newton, Kerry Schonwald, Elizabeth Smith

Joanna Dupont (C), Elva Firstenberg (CC), Laura Adams, Kelly Ehlmann, Beckey Fuller, Elizabeth Garrow, Sherri LeVan, Kristian Riley, Sharon Roewe, Kim Sheffield, Queenee Syre, Bonnie Uzelac, Jill Westkaemper, Stacy Woodard

Amber James (C), Chris Harner (CC), Lisa Croley, Mike Dunlap, Tad Deupree, Tony Farinholt, Stella Gola, Dawn Goodrich, Steve Goodrich, Julie Harner, Huck Hibberd, Wendy Hibberd, Steve Hoel, Steve James, Joe Johnson, Tom Manley, Maria McGee, Ainsley Pierce, Asal Rahimi, Phyllis Slocum, Rachel Stoll, Scott Stoll, Matt Vittitow, Jacie Walker, Dan Wilhelm, Sue Wilhelm Congratulations again, and we look forward to another season with you all!

BRINGING BALANCE By Wesley Edwards, Tennis Staff/Pickleball Pro to Your Pickleball Doubles Team

Communication and balance are elements that are vital in any partnership, but especially a pickleball doubles partnership! Teams who are able to communicate and maintain synchronicity often find the most success in this sport. When there’s a lack of communication or a disruption in a team’s strategic flow, opponents have better chances to take advantage time and time again. Here are tips to keep in mind that will help maintain a balanced and effective doubles partnership.

On a pickleball court things happen quickly. Although the court is relatively small, it’s easy for players to get their teammates in tough positions by not understanding what shot to hit and when. The best players know how to think one step ahead in order to protect and propel their teammates into successful outcomes. When you begin to think about your partner and aligning your gameplan to best suit both your style of play and theirs, sometimes you might have to play outside of your comfort zone. For example, under pressure your go to shot may be the lob, but it might not be the best idea to go for a lob from the back of the court while your partner and opponents have all transitioned to the kitchen line. In a scenario like this, a less than perfect execution will leave your partner helpless and vulnerable to an overhead smash. On another note, in a scenario where your partner has been pulled off the court and is in need of time to get back into position, although you may be a power player, a finesse shot, such as a soft off-paced dink into the middle portion of the kitchen might give your partner the chance to recover, while also taking the angles away from your opponents. These examples highlight the type of mindset that a player should develop to maintain balance on court.

Aside from knowing how your shot selection may affect your partner, it is equally vital for pickleball doubles partners to transition in unity. Once a po int has begun, whether a team chooses to stay at the baseline, or move to the kitchen line, it is important that they do so together. Unlike tennis, strategically, remaining in a staggered formation (one up, one back) throughout an entire point is oftentimes ineffective. It is easier for opponents to spread the court and find openings when a team is staggered. Moving in unison helps to avoid creating any gaps that an opponent might try to use to their advantage!

It’s hard to imagine effective communication taking place when there’s no speaking or signaling happening. As a team, whether you’re winning or losing, it is important to consistently regroup, reset, and reconvene after each point. In a match setting, as each player will typically observe and learn more about the opposition the longer the match goes on, it is important to notify and update your partner on the things that you’re observing that they may not be. It is equally imperative to ask your partner about any strategies that they have in mind as well. This will ensure that you and your partner remain aware and well prepared as a match progress. Maintaining ongoing communication and balance is a sure way to increase your winning percentage and get the most out of your pickleball game. Remember more than anything, always stays positive and encouraging no matter what! Having fun is what it’s all about!

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America, and Four Seasons is in on the action! There’s been quite the buzz on this fun racquet (or rather, paddle) sport. Just about anyone can play – all ages and all skill levels from different athletic backgrounds, from experienced tennis players to folks who have never even held any type of racquet.

PICKLEBALL COURT HOURS Pickleball is available on Court #11! Saturday – 5:00pm to 9:00pm Sunday through Thursday – 8:00am to 9:00pm *Reserved for Golf & Tennis Members Only. Call Membership Services at 972-717-2525 to make a court reservation.

TENNIS EVENT

Come join us for our Tennis and Pickleball Happy Hours. We set up several pickleball courts right on the tennis court, where you’ll learn the game’s rules, rally a few, get a hang of the pace, and play a few matches. And of course, plenty of drinks and foodies will be waiting for you courtside. So come join in on the fun! No need to bring your own paddle or equipment, we’ve got plenty available. Hope to see y’all there!

In this program, your children will learn basic tennis technique, the rules of the game, the importance of staying active, and sportsmanship, all while growing a love and passion for the game! We have three different age groups (ages 4-6; 7-9; 10 and up) where they will fit in and learn each skill set appropriately. We utilize the Quickstart USTA method that allows our juniors to play the game and learn in accelerated fashion. So come on down with your future stars and check it out!

Continuing this Winter/Spring LITTLE STARS (Ages 4-6) Monday – Thursday 4-4:45pm & Saturday 12-12:45pm

FUTURE STARS (Ages 7-9) Monday-Thursday 4:45-5:45pm & Saturday 1-2pm

FOUR SEASONS ACES (Ages 10 and up) Monday-Thursday 5:45-7pm

Four Seasons Racquet Sports Association (RSA) is a social, tennis group that connects Tennis Members of Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club through tennis activity on both a competitive and social level. For 2022, the RSA is planning four to six events for RSA Members. SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS Racquet Sports Association Kick-Off Cocktail Party Thursday, January 13th 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Byron’s OPEN TO ALL FEMALE GOLF & TENNIS MEMBERS

“It’s a Love Thing” Women’s Play Day Monday, February 14th 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Exclusive for RSA Members

To be a Member, you must be a Tennis or Golf Member of the Club, but mostly importantly want to play more tennis and have fun! For the inaugural year, we are focusing the Membership of the Association on female tennis driven events and activities. RSA plans to expand to men and other racquet sports in the near future. RSA annual dues for 2022 are $50 and will billed in full in January following the KickOff Cocktail Party. Dues will be used to offset event costs year round for participating RSA Members. Events throughout the year may have nominal fees associated with them. Dues are subject to change each year based on the RSA benefits and calendar of activities. Be on the lookout for a Membership application and sponsorship opportunities for 2022! If you have questions, please feel reach out to the Tennis Staff and they will connect you with one of the RSA Board Members.

Mary Jo Douglass, President Lisa Croley, Treasurer Penny Jones, Secretary Chasti Gest, Sponsorship & Media Kim Sheffield, Social Cindy Anderson, Events Carolyn Strickfaden, Membership Kaylea Schultz, Advisory