MARCH - APRIL 2024
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
Matt Pressman
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Kevin Connaughton
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Dr. Richard Cohen, Deborah Hobbs, Dave Kozlowski, Cameron Mofid, Todd Pechter, Adam Ross, Phil Secada, Zach Shahan
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Fred & Susan Mullane (CameraworksUSA), Pat Parsons, Christine Pechter, Art Seitz OFFICE
Florida Racquet Sports LLC 4800 N. Federal Highway, Suite B200 Boca Raton, FL 33431
ADVERTISING info@floridatennis.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS
1 Year (6 issues) $39.95, 2 Years (12 issues) $69.95 US subscribers only
WEBSITE floridatennis.com
FACEBOOK facebook.com/floridatennismagazine
INSTAGRAM instagram.com/fltennis
YOUTUBE
youtube.com/@floridatennismagazine
COVER PHOTO ATP TOUR
The Voice of Tennis in Florida since 1992
Winner USTA National Media Excellence Award
In Loving Memory of Florida Tennis Founder Jim Martz
Florida Tennis is published bi-monthly by Florida Racquet Sports, LLC. Florida Tennis is proudly printed in Florida.
All images, text, and other content appearing in this magazine are protected under U.S. copyright law and may not be reproduced in any way without prior written consent from Florida Racquet Sports LLC. While every care was taken during the production of this magazine, Florida Racquet Sports LLC cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information and/or any consequences arising from it. Florida Racquet Sports LLC accepts no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts and/or photographs and reserves the right to edit, rewrite, or refuse material and is not responsible for products. Florida Racquet Sports LLC gives no warranties, guarantees, or assurances and makes no representations regarding any products or services advertised in this issue.
World No. 1s Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek will headline this year’s Miami Open presented by Itaú, taking place at the iconic Hard Rock Stadium, March 17 – 31, with the world’s top ranked ATP and WTA players on the entry list.
Owner of a record-breaking 24 Grand-Slam titles, Djokovic returns to the Miami Open for the first time since 2019 as he looks to add to his remarkable tally of six Miami Opens and claim his first title of the 2024 season.
Swiatek, who consolidated her position at the top of the WTA rankings with a straight-sets win over last year’s Miami Open runner-up Elena Rybakina recently in the Qatar final, is seeking a second Miami Open title, having previously triumphed in 2022, beating four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka in the final.
Defending champion Petra Kvitova is not playing this year, having announced her pregnancy at the start of the year. Kvitova will have plenty of inspiration for making a speedy return to the court with new mom Osaka playing in Miami this year. Having returned to competition only six months after having her daughter Shai, she enjoyed her first back-to-back wins since her return in Qatar, beating world No.20 Caroline Garcia in the first round.
Defending men’s champion Danill Medvedev and finalist Jannik Sinner are back, with Sinner having reversed the result of last year’s Miami Open final at the 2024 Australian Open, where he came back from two sets down to become the first Italian man to win a Grand Slam title since 1976 and is undefeated since on a 12-match win streak.
World No. 2s Aryna Sabalenka and 2022 Champion Carlos Alcaraz, are both returning to the Miami Open working to reclaim their No.1 rankings at the top of the agenda. Sabalenka started her year emphatically, repeating as Australian Open champion, this time without dropping a set.
Alcaraz, who at age 20 already has a Wimbledon and US Open title, four ATP Masters 1000 and a half dozen other titles to his name, will be looking to get back into the winner’s circle for the first time in 2024.
Leading the home challenge are Florida residents Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys, sitting at No.3, No.5 and No.16 in the WTA rankings with Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton at No.10, 14, 15 and 16 on the ATP rankings, all in with a chance of becoming the first American singles champions at the Miami Open since Sloane Stephens and John Isner won in 2018.
Gauff, the global superstar from Delray Beach, Fla. who turns 20 on March 13, won the Miami Open doubles title with Pegula last year, before going on to win the US Open singles title. She sits at a career high ranking singles ranking of No. 3.
Known for its world-class fan experience, the Miami Open presented by Itaú will again welcome tennis fans to Hard Rock Stadium, complete with the only tennis stadium court in an NFL venue, and its sprawling campus in Miami Gardens. Boasting more than 30 of Miami’s leading restaurants and bars, organizers will once again aim to infuse tennis with the iconic culture of Miami through award-winning culinary offerings.
The year’s edition of the Miami Open presented by Itaú will also feature more on-court action for fans than ever before. Taking place in the second week, the Miami Open Wheelchair Invitational and Major League Pickleball Showcase are also new additions to the program, marking the first time both events will take place at any 1000 series tournament.
For ticket information and to learn more, please visit: www.miamiopen.com.
In a record-breaking Delray Beach Open this year, the Americans led the way. This year was the first time in the tournament’s 32-year history that the four singles semifinalists (Taylor Fritz, Marcos Giron, Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe) were all players hailing from the United States.
And with Taylor Fritz ranked No. 9 in the world and Tommy Paul at No. 14, it turned out to be the highest-ranked final in tournament history. Fritz successfully defended his title against Paul in straight sets 6-2, 6-3. This DBO will be Fritz’s seventh career ATP Tour title.
Florida Tennis sat down with Taylor Fritz and asked why he’s able to consistently elevate his game when it counts. With a bit of swagger, Fritz said, “I feel like I have a good thought process on those points. I know what shots I want to do. I know what my opponent is maybe thinking I’m going to do. And I know what my opponents are trying to do.”
Looking back, the Delray Beach Open attracted a total of 67,175 over the 10 days and 17 sessions of the event, an all-time record. Session records were
also set for four sessions, and daily records were set Thursday and Saturday. Even rock star Jon Bon Jovi stopped by the DBO to check out the action.
Seven DBO sessions were sold out and it was the second-highest attendance for a finals day with a crowd of 5,823 — especially noteworthy considering the final was moved to a Monday due to rain.
The DBO also hosted a variety of special on-court exhibitions and events including the ATP Legends, Legends Clinic, Pro-Am, USTA Florida kid’s day and wheelchair tennis exhibition, and Love Serving Autism clinic to name a few.
Meanwhile, the off-court events drew big crowds and plenty of smiles from attendees. Ladies Day Luncheons, Burgers, Bourbon and Brew, PRIDE Night, Tacos, Tequila and Tennis, Game, Set, Pour, and Championship Weekend Brunches kept party goers busy between the matches.
It has been my honor to have coached many tennis players, at all levels, over the past 30 years. I’ve seen thousands of people either begin, advance, or even end their tennis lives with me. Tennis has benefited their lives, and mine, on and off the court. It even has followed many into their jobs and careers.
When we talk about those benefits, the usual things come to mind. In having discussions with my players here are some of the most common, in no particular order:
It promotes overall physical fitness, including increased muscle strength, flexibility, and agility.
Tennis can boost self-confidence and self-esteem through skill development and achievement.
Our sport can enhance mental toughness, resilience, and the ability to handle pressure and stress.
Tennis fosters social connections and offers opportunities for networking and building relationships.
Tennis can instill sportsmanship, teamwork, and fair play values.
It encourages strategic thinking, problem-solving, and quick decision-making.
Of course, this is just a partial list. Anyone who has played tennis can think of many more benefits that can be put on this list.
Parents should be made aware of what this could mean for their juniors when they take up tennis. Sometimes tennis is not all about winning in the moment. Encouraging your junior during the tough times will be a good lesson for them when they become parents themselves. A parent’s actions should not short-circuit the life benefits that are to be had for their player. Make tennis something in their life that they will always cherish. You will all enjoy the memories more.
This is also true for coaches as well as “Teachers”. We should worry about the player as a whole person, not just your meal ticket who is going to make a name for yourself. Don’t let your ego scar an individual for the rest of their life. Do the right things. Be that coach that they will look up to in the future who taught them the values and lessons that will help them in life.
I’ve left one thing off the list of benefits till now; Leadership Our world needs future leaders. They will be needed for busi-
ness, in schools, and in all areas of public service. It’s widely accepted that athletes make good leaders.
For parents who like to push your juniors, 95% of Fortune 500 executives participated in high school athletics.
As a college coach, I constantly remind my players that not only are they here to play tennis and get an education, but they’re here to help set up the rest of their lives. We try every day to help them become the best adults they can be.
There is nothing better for me than to see a player that I’ve worked with come back to me and tell me that their tennis experience has influenced their life in a positive manner and shaped them into the person they are today. It’s why I do what I do.
It’s been my honor to travel around the Florida Section this past year to meet as many of you as I can. I plan to meet a lot more of you. I have met so many people from so many walks of life who play tennis. Teachers, doctors, judges, waiters, city workers, waiters, bartenders, and even musicians (for those who know me), and there are so many more. They all share their love of the game of tennis.
It makes me think of how this sport and its benefits have changed their lives. Let’s Keep Changing Lives!
There are over 70 public, private, and community colleges in Florida, and over half offer collegiate tennis. With hundreds of Florida players competing for National Championships and receiving an education, everything is overseen by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).
“College tennis is strong,” said Intercollegiate Tennis Association Chief Executive Officer Dr. Timothy Russell, “especially in Florida where there are a total of 61 men’s and women’s varsity program across four divisions.”
Founded in 1956 by UCLA men’s tennis coach, J.D. Morgan, the ITA has been a key part in advancing collegiate tennis in the United States. The ITA is the governing body of college tennis, which organizes men’s and women’s tennis for NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, and Community Colleges.
“College tennis is a vehicle for higher education and the connective tissue for American tennis. It is an aspirational goal of junior tennis players in Florida, across the country, and around the world that ultimately provides them with a college education, while also serving as a viable high-performance pathway to success in life...a possible career in tennis...and for some as a professional tennis player,” added Russell.
When it comes to competition, the ITA sticks out as the frontrunner for many major collegiate national championships. Spread across the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter seasons, the ITA hosts many team and individual events.
With the 2024 ITA Spring Championship off and running, there are a handful of Florida teams that are looking to make some noise in both Men’s and Women’s tennis this year. In the NAIA Men’s and Women’s Indoor Team Championships, Southeastern College (Lakeland), was one of the final eight teams for both divisions. In the Women’s draw they made the final four, before falling to Xaiver. St Thomas University (Miami) was also a final eight team for the Women’s draw.
In addition to competitions, the ITA provides support for all college tennis programs, coaches, and players. This includes educational workshops, coaching certification programs, and access to training and development opportunities. The USTA and its sections also work close -
ly with the ITA to assist in any means necessary and works to promote the values of sportsmanship, integrity, and teamwork within the collegiate tennis community.
Overall, collegiate tennis in Florida has become a staple for tennis excellence at this level. While on- court success has been captured with National Championships from schools such as the University of Florida for Men’s and Women’s, Barry University, which has won 4 straight Men’s NCAA Titles, and 6 in Women’s, Embry-Riddle winning an NAIA Championship a couple years back, Florida collegiate tennis is thriving off the courts as well.
In 2023, women tennis athletes had a graduation rate of 97% across the country, while men posted a 93% rate. Both of those numbers are up 10% in the last decade. Within the state, last year the University of Florida, had a 100% graduation rate for all Men and Women tennis athletes. In the last 10 years, the University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, Barry University, Florida State University, and many more of the 61 programs in the state have posted perfect graduation rates.
While the ITA and USTA are helping give players a platform to compete on, they are working tirelessly to support these student-athletes and make sure they can be successful when their playing careers may end.
Back in July of 2020, USTA Florida launched the AMPLIFY Project, to engage and boost tennis participation from the Black community across the state. Now, USTA Florida has revamped the initiative, putting an emphasis on coaches and volunteers, partnerships, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
One area of focus that must be tackled is increasing the number of people, specifically coaches and volunteers, to help teach and organize tennis within black communities. By offering more tennis pro -
gram opportunities to black communities, there will be growth of participation among black players. “We need to stay active, turn over those rocks and really explore new areas that nontraditional tennis has,” said George Henry, Director of Tennis at Play Tennis Gainesville, and member of the AMPLIFY Project Team.
Another key aspect of the project is creating official partnerships that foster inclusivity with the Black community. Since AMPLIFY was created back in 2020, USTA Florida has worked with Organizations like
the American Tennis Association but hope to keep advocating for further official partnerships. The goal will be to determine what services we can offer in a meaningful consistent way and to evolve existing relationships into working partnerships.
USTA Florida also is committed to growing participation at Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs). With this commitment, USTA Florida has launched a 5-goal initiative, which will support the growth of African American participation. The five goals are listed below:
1. To ensure all four HBCUs in the state of Florida have sustainable tennis programs and quality coaching.
2. To provide incentives for black youth in the state of Florida to attend HBCUs and play tennis.
3. To encourage administrators at HBCUs to fund and provide full support for tennis programs and coaches.
4. To introduce tennis to communities surrounding HBCUs and the alumni, many of whom have not played previously but can play now.
5. To attract and retain black coaches at HBCUs and empower them to build best-in-class, sustainable programs.
Finally, with the AMPLIFY relaunch, USTA Florida has revised the webpage, creating a new home for everything AMPLIFY related. Want to get involved with coaching, volunteering, certifications? Want to listen to our podcast about Increasing African American Tennis Participation at HBCUs? Visit ustaflorida.com/amplify for more information.
The organization also wants to educate tennis participants on the history of black tennis and HBCUs. “It’s a disservice to blacks and to tennis to not know the history and involvement of our community within the sport,” Henry added, who also coached tennis at Bethune-Cookman University, a Florida HBCU.
For the past 75 years, the state of Florida has witnessed an evolution in tennis, highlighted by the inspiring journey of Black individuals who have played crucial roles in shaping the sport’s landscape. From the early pioneers who broke racial barriers to the young talent who continue to make history, the Black community in Florida has seen incredible growth in the tennis space.
Tennis was first played in the United States back in 1874 and in the mid nineteenth century, tennis was often seen as an exclusive sport, with limited opportunities for Black athletes. However, pioneers like Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe paved the way for future generations. Gibson, a graduate of Florida A&M University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) nestled in Tallahassee, Florida, became the first Black player to compete in and win major tennis tournaments. Her first Major win came in 1956, and she would go on to win 11 Grand Slams across her career. Gibson’s success at the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Nationals, now known as the US Open, in the late 1950s marked a turning point in the history of Black tennis.
Another hero in tennis emerged onto the tennis scene in the mid-1900s in Arthur Ashe. In 1963, he became the first black male selected to the United States Davis Cup team and in 1968 he was the first black male player to win a Grand Slam title. Throughout his career he won 5 Grand Slams between Singles and Doubles. He retired in 1980, but his legacy would only grow. In 1983, Ashe accepted a job with Florida Memorial College, another HBCU in Florida, and taught a class called “The Black Athlete in Contemporary Society.” Ashe also wrote a three-volume book called A Hard Road to Glory, which highlighted the journeys of many Black athletes in the history of sports. He became very involved in Miami, as it was a notable hub for tennis in the late 1900s. Ashe helped
provide many Black tennis players with a platform to showcase their tennis skills including establishing USTA Schools back in 1995. Today, there are a couple schools, including Arthur Ashe Middle School in Fort Lauderdale, named in honor of him.
The legacy of Gibson and Ashe helped pave the way for future generations as organizations and athletes were inspired to continue their work to break barriers and encourage black tennis participation. According to a tennis report, more than 10% of Florida’s 1.8 million players come from the Black community, but USTA Florida wants to increase participation more over the next 75 years.
Throughout the past 10 years, two black female tennis pros have been performing extraordinary on the courts. Sloane Stephens, born in Plantation, Florida, won the US Open in 2017 and reached a peak ranking of No. 3 in the world.
Another superstar, Coco Gauff, who was born in Delray Beach has taken the tennis world by storm the past few years. At the age of 15, she qualified for the Wimbledon Main Draw and made it all the way to the
fourth round. In 2023, at 19 years of age, she won the US Open, the first American teen to do so since Serena Williams did in 1999. She currently sits as the No. 3 ranked women in the WTA and was the highest paid female athlete in 2023.
As we celebrate 75 years of Black excellence in Florida tennis, the legacy continues to thrive. USTA Florida initiatives like AMPLIFY work to create more opportunities for the black community.
The 75-year journey of Black tennis in Florida is a testament to resilience, excellence, and the power of community. The contributions of Black athletes have transformed tennis into a more inclusive and dynamic sport. As Florida continues to be a hub for tennis development, the legacy of Black excellence remains an important part of the state’s tennis narrative. The next 75 years promise even greater strides, as the Sunshine State remains committed to nurturing a tennis community that reflects its diversity.
Althea Gibson
In celebration of Women’s History Month in March, USTA Florida takes pride in honoring the remarkable contributions of women in the sport of tennis. Throughout history, there have been several women that have played pivotal roles in shaping the landscape of tennis, breaking barriers, and inspiring future generations of athletes.
From Florida legend Mary Joe Fernandez to modern-day champions like Florida’s own Coco Gauff, women have continuously elevated the game with their talent, perseverance, and determination. These on court heroes aren’t the only ones going above and beyond. There are many members within the community, such as Florida’s amazing volunteers that are helping make a big difference in grassroot tennis.
In Florida, many women have left their mark on tennis, either as players or leaders within the tennis community. From grassroots programs to professional tournaments, women have been at the forefront of promoting and nurturing the growth of the sport across the state.
USTA Florida recognizes the importance of empowering women in tennis and strives to create inclusive opportunities for female athletes of all ages and backgrounds. Through initiatives such as the Women in Tennis movement, USTA Florida celebrates the achievements of
women in tennis while providing support and resources to help women thrive in the sport.
In March, USTA Florida hosted its first 75th Anniversary major event at the Biltmore Hotel, in Miami. Here, the organization honored the legendary Mary Joe Fernandez, a pioneer for young girls not only in the state but around the world. In 1985, at age 14, Fernandez became the youngest player to win a main draw match at the US Open. She was inducted into the USTA Florida Hall of Fame in 1999.
USTA Florida also inducted the late Susan Allshouse into the Hall of Fame. Allshouse served on a handful of committees in Florida and Nationally, including Community Tennis, Youth Tennis, 10 and under, Leadership Development, Grant Reviewer, and the Foundation Board. She received many awards, such as Volunteer of the Year and USPTA service awards, she wanted to change the world on and off the court and was an excellent mentor in the tennis community. Unfortunately, Allshouse passed away on November 5, 2020. Her legacy will live on forever as part of the USTA Florida Hall of Fame.
The organization conducted research from Clarity Writing and Research on women in tennis. This provided USTA
Florida with a comprehensive study – including a deep review of existing efforts and research – to identify issues and assert how the organization can make meaningful change.
Those results are now here, and Clarity Writing and Research suggested the following. “Clarity encourages USTA Florida to clarify the initiative’s mission, making sure to pay particular attention to the alignment of mission, goals, and feasible scope.” USTA Florida is actively working on reshaping the Women in Tennis project, with a focus on sharpening the initiative’s mission, working to get more women coaches involved, and tackling gender inequality with young girls.
USTA Florida is determined to lead the charge when it comes to making a change for women and girls in tennis. Looking ahead to the next 75 years of women in tennis, the organization is confident that with a proper initiative in place, the world will see an increase of female participation when it comes to playing, coaching, and being an industry leader. Together, we can ensure that the future of tennis is bright, inclusive, and filled with opportunities for women to succeed on and off the court. For more information on USTA Florida commitment to growing Women in Tennis, visit ustaflorida.com/womenintennis.
As the tennis world awaited the highly anticipated 2024 Delray Beach Open, USTA Florida was happy to host special events at this year’s tournament. From Kids Day festivities to a Wheelchair Tennis Showcase, the organization had a full lineup of events to support the growth of tennis at the 2024 Delray Beach Open.
USTA Florida kicked off the excitement with Kids Day, transforming the tennis courts into a playground of enthusiasm and tennis fun. Geared towards introducing kids to the joy of tennis, the event was determined to bring a day filled with tennis activity, exercise, and laughter. Kids of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels attended and nothing but smiles could be seen on everyone’s face.
As part of USTA Florida’s commitment to providing inclusive tennis opportunities, USTA Florida hosted a Wheelchair Tennis Showcase. This highlighted the skill and determination of wheelchair tennis athletes, proving that tennis is for all.
Throughout the tournament, USTA Florida had a booth set up, where the organization proudly celebrated 75 years of Florida tennis. Visitors joined in on the festivities by sharing their favorite USTA Florida memory and were encouraged to learn more about how they could join in on the year-long celebration by visiting ustaflorida.com/75th-anniversary/.
On top of all the USTA Florida excitement, the matches were phenomenal, creating a great atmosphere for everyone who attended. USTA members received a discount on tickets and were able to enjoy the matches with family, friends, and even USTA Florida Adult League teammates.
USTA Florida was delighted to join forces with the Delray Beach Open as the two shared a collective commitment to making tennis accessible to all. As proud partners, USTA Florida celebrated the sport’s diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that tennis went beyond the courts and welcomed players of every background and ability.
With all the fun-packed action from matches to the events, it was something not to be missed.
Inside the ATP Top 20, there were three Americans at the Delray Beach Open who all happen to live in South Florida. Taylor Fritz: Miami. Francis Tiafoe: Boca Raton. Tommy Paul: Boca Raton. So why is Florida so popular for pro tennis players?
Florida Tennis got a chance to sit down with Tommy Paul at the Delray Beach Open and he was absolutely effusive in his praise for the tennis scene in the Sunshine State.
“There’s no secret why all players love practicing down here. Obviously, where the players go is kind of where the hub is going to be and I love it,” Tommy told Florida Tennis.
Nevertheless, Tommy still has good memories from his younger years in North Carolina. But when asked about living in Florida, he explains, “I’ve grown to absolutely love it. Like I don’t think I’ll ever leave South Florida. I think it has a lot to do with the weather. We can play here year-round outside and there’s nowhere in the [United] States that’s better for training... South Florida is absolutely the spot for it.”
“I’ve been in West Boca for so long since I was 14. We had such a good group of players to train with. That was the main thing that got me down here and then I really just started loving the area,” Tommy explained. He told me that he spent the last few years living in Boca Raton with former DBO champ Reilly Opelka as his roommate but recently decided to move.
“Last year I finally decided to get my own place. And I was basically looking nonstop for a year. Then I found a place,” explains Tommy.
And, apparently, his new home is located in the ideal location. It turns out that Tommy trains at the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton. “And I mean, everything is just super convenient. Obviously, there’s quite a few airports that we can fly in and out of. That’s pretty important in our job... and I mean, I couldn’t live somewhere that didn’t have the ocean. I love the ocean.”
Did Tommy’s life radically change since he had a starring role in the new Netflix Break Point series? “Not really, I mean, I’m not very famous, you know. I’m here and it’s like one of the tennis capitals in the United States — South Florida — and I could pretty much walk anywhere and I don’t get recognized,” he laughed.
Could playing here on his hometown turf turn out to be an advantage?
Does all his love for the tennis scene in South Florida mean that Tommy Paul just might be a contender for the Miami Open this year?
Keep in mind: Tommy Paul just won the Dallas Open and made the finals of the Delray Beach Open. So Tommy’s got the wind at his back. He’s coming into this tournament with real momentum. He told me, “I’m just excited. Obviously, I’ve lived down here for a while so I have quite a few friends that want to come watch me play. So I’m excited to play in front of them and hopefully give them something to cheer for.”
He paused, thought for a moment, and added, “I’m just super-excited.”
Indeed. So are tennis fans all over Florida.
On the ATP Tour, many players quietly admit that Tommy Paul might be the fittest player in their ranks. That’s high praise for the Boca Raton-based player. And it could fuel further victories at the Miami Open this year.
A glance at Tommy’s brutal workouts with trainer Franco Herrero on Instagram could put fear into the heart of any competitor. He explained, “I know that I can normally last a long time on-court and I try and use it to my advantage.”
Living and training in South Florida’s searing heat definitely helps. Reflecting on his grueling sessions at the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, Tommy said, “I mean you like to walk on-court with the idea that you’ve worked harder than your opponent... I like to walk on court thinking that, so I think it does help.”
When it comes to fitness, I asked Tommy what he recommends for younger tennis players. His answer was surprising. He said hoops can help: “I’m a big believer that playing a lot of sports when you’re young helps. Like playing a lot of basketball. The lateral movements are pretty similar and in a lot of ways it helps overall agility — with basketball you need it.”
So what’s the secret to Tommy’s training now? He told me, “Ladder drills, sprint work, all of it is so important, but I can’t stress enough that you can’t do that stuff over and over without taking care of your body. When it comes to physio work or stretching, you need to do that stuff. It’s the most annoying stuff in the world. I hate doing it. It took me forever. People [were] just telling me, in my ear non-stop, that I need to start doing it. And I finally bought in and it’s made a huge difference in my career.”
In addition, Tommy told me he uses cold therapy for recovery: “I go through phases where I’ll do a lot of ice baths... I now have one at my house. I just got one called The Plunge. And I’ve been using it a bit. I’m not like one of those people that do it every day, but I’ll use it and I do think it helps.”
I caught up with Natasha Pyka, co-owner of Boca Cryo and former college tennis player, at the DBO prior to one of Tommy’s matches. Pyka told me Tommy also uses the cryotherapy chamber at Boca Cryo to help speed recovery.
As Tommy Paul gets ready for the Miami Open, look out for his elite fitness training (and chilly recovery methods) to play a key role late in matches. After winning the Dallas Open and making the finals of the DBO, Tommy remains dialed in.
Photo: Andrew Patron / Delray Beach Open
With record attendance at the luxurious Saddlebrook resort in the Tampa area, the PTR’s International Racquets Conference took place in February and featured a bevy of highprofile speakers including James Blake, Mary Pierce, Gigi Fernandez, Ivo Karlovic, Martin Blackman, Emilio Sanchez, Johan Kriek, USTA Florida Executive Director Laura Bowen and many others.
Babolat is partnering with the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center in Zephyrhills, Florida. Under this collaboration, SVB will introduce Babolat’s cutting-edge products to its elite athletes, members, and guests of the facility. In addition, Babolat will host a series of exclusive workshops and events spearheaded by the US Babolat team at SVB.
Kids and adults living with autism spectrum disorder had a wonderful experience at the Delray Beach Open with Love Serving Autism students working on their social skills as they greeted guests and participated in the Love Serving Autism tennis clinic, including both neurodiverse and neurotypical participants.
The Emilio Sanchez Academy recently hosted men’s and women’s pro tennis tournaments at its venue in Naples. The tournaments, part of the ITF World Tennis Tour and ITF Pro Circuit with a prize pool of $25,000, featured top talent from around the world.
Based in Bradenton, IMG Academy just locked in another multi-year deal with Dunlop — the partnership has already seen IMG Academy alumni ink professional deals with Dunlop including Michael Mmoh, Kevin Anderson, Miomir Kecmanovic, Jamie Murray, and Liam Brody.
South Florida startup The Fifth Set is a tennis apparel company that provides patented “SweatRoute” technology to keep tennis players dry, comfortable, and at the top of their game. Their collection centers around their men’s shorts, available exclusively on www.thefifthset.com.
David Ensignia Tennis Academy, a leader in sports instruction and athlete development in South Florida, recently announced the launch of DETA Friends, a nonprofit dedicated to providing sports programs and access to racquet sports like tennis and pickleball to youth, adults and families in underserved communities and with special needs.
A special thank you to Frank Veltri Tennis Center for hosting a “Celebration of Life” on their stadium court to remember Florida Tennis Founder Jim Martz on Friday, March 8th at 2pm. Visit the Florida Tennis Facebook page for more information.
A new event, RacquetX, will taking over the Miami Beach Convention Center on March 24-26. The conference and event will be a global first —encouraging ideas and collaboration between industry professionals in tennis, pickleball, padel and beyond. RacquetX recently announced the support of the USTA for its debut festival as well. To learn more, visit racquetx.com.
Lucky in Love is featuring a number of moving videos about the journey of professional tennis player Ema Burgic. She is currently based in Wellington and discusses her challenges as a mother, going through a recent divorce, and her decision to go back on tour. Burgic won her first WTA Tour event at the age of 16 and achieved a career-high world ranking of no. 145. Follow Lucky in Love on social media to learn more about her comeback.
The Credit One Charleston Open recently added Elina Svitolina, Paula Badosa and Leylah Fernandez to their starstudded line-up. Other top stars include Jessica Pegula, Ons Jabeur, Maria Sakkari, Madison Keys, and Sloane Stephens. The largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America was recently named “WTA 500 Tournament of the Year” for the second year in a row. For more information and to order tickets, visit creditonecharlestonopen.com or call 843-856-7900.
Save the date! The “Little Mo” East Regionals (ages 8-12) will take place April 27-29, 2024 and the “Little Mo” Internationals (ages 8-16) are scheduled for December 6-11, 2024 at the Palm Beach Garden Tennis Center in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Registration opens soon at mcbtennis.com.
Cruise Control Gear has been a proud sponsor of USTA Middle States and it’s Foundation for many years. Their mission is to bring tennis and education together to change lives for under-resourced youth; individuals with disabilities; and wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans and their families. Cruise Control Gear designed a shirt featuring the USTA Middle States logo and 20% of proceeds for this speciaity shirt will be donated directly to the foundation.
The One-On-One Doubles Rock N’ Roll Tournament Event, with $4500 in prize money, is headed to Jacksonville, FL to celebrate UNF Athletics 40th Alumni Anniversary on Saturday, March 23rd. The event day will kick off with a 10:00am Alumni & Friends One-On-One Doubles Prize Money Tournament for both men and women. Learn more at oneononedoubles.com.
Sofibella Activewear recently launched their women’s Diamond Rush Collection for stylish players found on the best tennis courts in Florida. And SB Sport remains a great look for men as well.
Coach Ed Krass’ 36th Annual College Tennis Exposure Camp has announced its schedule for 2024. The program will start June 1-2 at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Florida. Two brand new locations for this summer include Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, June 29-30, and Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut July 27-28. The camp will return to Lehigh University July 13-14 and Mercer County Tennis Park in Princeton, New Jersey, July 20-21. For more information, visit collegetennis.com.
Sarasota got its present-day professional tennis “Sarasota Open breakthrough” when in 1999 Rob Coseo, tennis teaching professional, “Latest Racquet Magazine” founder, and tennis marketing agent, brought in the USTA $25,000 Women’s Challenger. Boston native Erika de Lone won the event. She reached a WTA career high of 65. The following year the tournament grew to a $75,000 purse. It was won by Megan Shaughnessy who reached a career high of eleven in the world and registered some inspiring wins over Venus Williams, Monica Seles, Justine Henin, and Conchita Martinez. Coseo skipped a year of pro tennis promotion. The 2001 $75,000 Sarasota Open was picked up by Lakewood Ranch Country Club’s Paul Lederman and yours truly. Yes, Paul and The Koz supervised this USTA pro women’s circuit event. The tournament had attracted two previous 1999 Wimbledon semifinalists when they were both 17 years old, Alex Stevenson and Mirjana Lucic. The elation did not stop there. IMG called and asked if we wanted to grant a Wildcard to its client Maria Sharapova. Maria was going to turn 14 years old. Unequivocally, we granted the Wildcard. In fact, she played her first pro match on her 14th birthday, the minimum age to play professional tournaments. The up-coming 14-year-old phenom Maria Sharapova was in our tournament. Yes, we still vividly remember her debut day.
Legendary coaches Robert Lansdorp, coach of Tracy Austin, Pete Sampras, and Lindsay Davenport and International Tennis Hall of Famer Nick Bollettieri, coach of eight world ranked number-one players, were sitting side by side on the first row of the stadium court bleachers. Two buses had arrived with a hundred students to cheer on their IMG colleague. At the scheduled match start-time, the sky was still a bit gloomy. Then suddenly it became an indelible sight as Maria walked out onto the court, the sun broke through. Hometown representative, 24-yearold Karin Miller, who played at Duke before turning pro, was the opponent. It was a great matchup of unlimited potential eminence versus established pro tour experience. This epic hard-fought match allowed Miller’s experience to deny the young upcoming star her first pro win. The young Sharapova showed tremendous maturity and potential promise. The event was filming a live-to-tape Fox Sunshine Net broadcast of the finals, which was won by Virginia Ruano of Spain, who reached career world rank of 28. Promising phenom Sharapova appeared at the finals as a spectator. In our interview when I asked her if we might see her back at our Challenger next year, Maria re -
plied “I will be back, if I am not on the main tour. Maria did not return. In less than a year Maria played her inaugural main draw WTA Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells. Now the tournament is called the BNP Paribas Open – a WTA 1000.
The tradition of the Sarasota Open identity continued. This time it was a full-fledged WTA Tour level. Coseo was moving up the professional tennis tournament ladder and became co-owner of the 2002 Sarasota Open, a WTA Tier IV $140,000 event. He brought the big time show to the Meadows C.C. with its permanent stadium and old southern pines ambience. 19-year-old Jelena Dokic of Croatia won the tournament and four months later was at a career high of number four in the world.
The Sarasota Open then had a five-year hiatus. Then enters Tony Driscoll a Tournament manager and multiple events marketing agent. Driscoll shared the excitement of his Sarasota Open with several locations. In 2008 he launched his leg of the Sarasota Open with El Conquistador Country Club, he continued with Longboat Key Resort Club, Lakewood Ranch C.C., United Tennis Club, and Laurel Oak C.C.
Three dominant Sarasota figures Bollettieri, Ray Collins, Barbara Lancer were very strong proponents to the tournament. Nick enhanced the event by offering free clinics to the kids and several years adding his name to a supplement women’s draw. Lancer provided the charity for the event with The Joey Gratton Foundation benefiting The Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota and Desoto Counties. The talented and charismatic Collins, with his TV broadcast career and passion for the sport, spent around the clock time on court emceeing and providing on court interviews. “The most interesting part for me is announcing these guys--many of whom are teenagers--and then years later, they are household names in the Grand Slams,” Collins said.
In 2017 Elizabeth Moore, one of Sarasota’s most prominent and influential community leaders along with her passion for philanthropy and love of tennis became the title sponsor. She has remained an integral part of the Sarasota Open team. The esteem of the Sarasota Open continued to grow as more household names were added to the list entering the draws. More and more players were advancing into household name status after their Sarasota accomplishments. Names like: Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe, Mischa Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, Sam Querrey, James Blake, Kei Nishikori, Steve Johnson, James Ward, Jesse Levine, Daniel Altmaier, Alex Kuznetsov, Tennys Sand-
gren, Daniel Elahi Galan, Kei Nishikori. All brought a flair and left a story. When I said to Kyrgios at his courtside championship interview he had “entertaining qualities” little did I know how versatile and widespread that his entertainment was going to be. The comedy continued as Tommy Paul during our championship interview decided to remove my straw hat and wear it as his champion’s garb. Mischa Zverev was told by his tour buddies that he would never win a tournament again. Going through an eight-year drought of not winning a title, Mischa Zverev started the 2016 ranking year at number 171. After winning the SRQ Open, he went on to finish his career world rank of number 25. It was incredible what winning a title can do for confidence. Mischa is the older brother of Alexander Zverev who has a career high of number two in the world. Colorfully witty Tennys Sandgren certainly has one of the more intriguing first names in our sport. However, his mother did not name him in honor of our sport. She christened her son after his grandfather and a Poetic Laureate Lord Alfred Tennyson. This Elizabeth Moore SRQ Open champion chose to relax after the matches and do some of our interviews in the Laurel Oak swimming pool.
As everywhere Covid shut down the tournament for two years. In 2022 a pair of two successful tennis and business pundits Remington Reynolds and Steve Gareleck purchased The Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open. Reynolds is the Co-Founder and CEO of Premier Live and owner of 11 successful companies in technology, real estate, sports marketing, nonprofit sectors, and his own apparel line. Gareleck is the owner of Atlanta’s largest tennis club, the Racquet Club of the South. In 2002, he started The National Tennis Foundation partnership with the USTA. Their mission was to add a new and elevated experience. The location moved to the city of downtown Sarasota and the Payne Park Tennis Center, a municipal facility with12 Har Tru courts. Reynolds and Gareleck have added Bruce Flory to be the Tournament Director of the Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open. Flory will be bringing a lifetime of experience with the US Open Series The Southern & Western Open, now returning to its original name of The Cincinnati Open, an ATP 1000 and WTA 1000 tournament. “We are looking forward to welcoming many of the best tennis players in the world to Payne Park. We cannot wait,” shared Flory.
It has been a joy for this tennis media person to work with all the team members of the Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open.
Legendary tennis coach Rick Macci hosted a “VIP meet-up and fireside chat” at his tennis academy in South County Regional Park in Boca Raton. Macci’s students were in attendance along with parents and other sports industry luminaries.
Macci invited the co-host of his popular “Game, Set, Life” podcast, David Meltzer, to sit alongside Macci’s co-author Dr. Nivedita Uberoi Jerath of new book, Billion Dollar Mind: A Practical Guide to the Game of Life, to discuss what it takes to be successful in tennis, business, and life.
It was a power-packed presentation as these industry experts offered up sage advice for a crowd looking to achieve their maximum potential in life. Background on each of the speakers showcases their unique understanding of how to win in different disciplines.
David Meltzer is co-founder of Sports 1 Marketing and formerly served as CEO of the renowned Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment agency — the inspiration for the hit movie Jerry Maguire. Meltzer is also a three-time international best-selling author who’s been honored by Variety as “Sports Humanitarian of the Year”.
Harvard educated Dr. Nivedita Uberoi Jerath is currently Director of Neuromuscular Medicine in Orlando where she specializes in solving challenging neuromuscular cases. As a junior tennis player, she was undefeated playing in the Southern Tennis Association for years. Part of her success, in both tennis and life, can be chalked up to her coach Rick Macci.
Rick Macci is a world-renowned USPTA Master Professional with the distinction of having trained five players who reached number one in the tennis world including: Andy Roddick, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Jennifer Capriati. Actor Jon Bernthal actually portrayed Macci in the Hollywood blockbuster King Richard about the Williams sisters.
The three speakers, Macci, Meltzer, and Jerath discussed their own secret ingredients to success. As Macci told the attendees, their collective advice could be utilized as “self-talk” to help improve the future. Whether it’s tennis, business, or challenging life circumstances, these three speakers at the Macci Academy delivered the goods.
It is only fitting that the title of tennis journalist and historian Richard Evans’s most recent book published in 2021 is “The History of Tennis” because Evans has seen it all. The genius of Evans’s writing over his sixty plus years covering the sport is that his prose puts us in the seat next to him at these events. And for the late founder and publisher of Florida Tennis, Jim Martz, that was often the case in stadiums and press rooms throughout the tennis world where they watched great matches, shared good times and enjoyed a great friendship. Evans has covered tennis as both a writer and a broadcaster. He is part of the 2024 Hall of Fame class and will will be enshrined in the illustrious Contributor category joining other legendary tennis journalists such as 1984 inductee, Bud Collins and 2017 inductee, Steve Flink. Evans has covered over 200 Major tournaments beginning with Wimbledon in 1960 and
Roland Garros in 1961. Other books include 2017’s The Roving Eye which focuses on his expansive career. In addition to writing and broadcasting tennis, he worked for ATP’s European office and with grassroots tennis initiatives. He was also a founding member of the ITWA, the International Tennis Writers Association, and its president from 2001-2004. You can find him watching and writing about tennis all over the world. Most recently he was honored in an on court ceremony at the 2024 Delray Beach Open.
Adam Ross is a contributing writer for Florida Tennis. He is a volunteer for the USTA Florida and the Vice-President of the Tennis Collectors of America/TCA. He welcomes your questions and comments at robinadam@comcast.net.
The History of Tennis by Richard Evans
Autographed Title Page: From upper to lower: Murphy Jensen; Taylor Fritz; Tommy Haas; Sam Querrey; Mike Bryan; Bob Bryan and Luke Jensen. Richard Evans at 2024 Delray Beach Open (Andrew Patron/Delray Beach Open)
The Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) recently hosted its International Racquets Conference at the Saddlebrook Resort. This multi-sport conference included industry-leading speakers, workshops, a trade show, and networking opportunities across a variety of racquet sports including tennis, pickleball, and padel.
Nestled in the beautiful Tampa Bay area, Saddlebrook is not only a premier vacation destination, it’s also one of the world’s most preeminent athletic training facilities. Top ATP and WTA players have trained at Saddlebrook, including Jim Courier, Pete Sampras, Martina Hingis, Andy Roddick, Alex Zverev and John Isner.
The conference was actually a precursor to an even bigger move for the PTR to Saddlebrook. According to the PTR, the organization is also moving its headquarters from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina to Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Florida.
Florida Tennis attended the conference and sat down with PTR CEO Dan Santorum. According to Santorum, “It’s a bit of a homecoming for me because I went school to University of Florida. Some 40 years later and I’m back. It’s good to reconnect with my roots, so to speak.” Santorum anticipates the move will happen in April of this year.
PTR’s Board Chair Lynne Rolley explains, “The new office at Saddlebrook Resort is not just a location change; it’s a strategic decision to position ourselves for sustained growth and excellence. We believe this move will empower our team and strengthen our commitment to delivering excep-
tional service for our membership.”
Saddlebrook International Sports Vice President Patrick Farrell added, “Saddlebrook continues to be the premier destination tennis resort in the US, partnering with PTR complements both entities at an amazing level.”
In addition, Mast Capital is leading a comprehensive master plan to redevelop Saddlebrook. Founder and CEO Camilo Miguel, Jr. of Mast Capital explains, “Welcoming [PTR’s] headquarters to the property will further enhance the resort’s positioning in the market along with the major renovation and expansion that we have underway aimed at strengthening its iconic status. We look forward to a successful partnership with both organizations for many years to come.”
Photos: Saddlebrook Resort
“Excellence
Strength and conditioning programs are crucial to the success of any athlete and tennis players are no exception. Studies show that a periodized, multi-set program for resistance training far exceeds the single set to failure approach for strength. We also know, through sports science, that a sprinter can improve his/her aerobic capacity by training distance but a distance runner cannot significantly improve his/her sprint times by training fast. Enter the concept of “Training Specificity”.
Training Specificity simply describes a training program that uses exercises, energy systems and rest periods that mimic those used in the sport. For instance, when designing a resistance-training program for tennis, one would consider using a program focused on power endurance. Being able to reproduce powerful shots, repetitively, requires high muscular power, with minimal rest.
Here are some key aspects to consider when designing a strength and conditioning program for tennis players:
Bioenergetics
Although tennis may contain long matches, which require endurance, studies have shown that the main energy source is the Phosphagen System (short bursts of high intensity). Understanding this, emphasis should be placed more on anaerobic bouts of conditioning, with less emphasis on long, slow aerobic training. Keep in mind that the aerobic contribution required in tennis is necessary for recovery between such high intensity bouts. Over-emphasizing aerobics can come at the cost of diminishing Fast Twitch Type II muscle fibers, which are responsible for the strength and power production.
Strength Training
Focus on full-body strength to improve power and stability. Include compound exercises like squats, Olympic lifting movements (snatch pulls/clean pulls), lunges, as well as upper body lifts such as varied dumbbell presses and specific shoulder strengthening exercises. Emphasis should be placed on full range of motion and biomechanically sound technique.
In addition, core strength plays a vital role in rotational movements and stability during ground strokes and perhaps more importantly, serves. Various versions of the plank are most beneficial here but adding ballistic work with medicine balls can be the real “power” generator.
Plyometrics
Muscle spindles are located in the belly of every skeletal muscle in the human body. These are protective mechanisms in the muscle, which protect it from damage upon rapid stretch. The simplest example of this mechanism is the knee-jerk test we all receive during our annual physicals. This reflex is also called the “myotatic stretch reflex”
(fastest reflex in the human body),
Plyometric exercises are a series of jumping, hopping and bounding exercises, which maximize this myotatic stretch reflex, producing quicker, more powerful movements. The upper body can also benefit from this type of training in the form of plyopush ups and varied medicine ball tosses (specific to the motor patterns of tennis).
Speed and Agility
Tennis requires rapid changes in direction. Although on-court practice does include these changes in position, implementing speed and agility drills such as ladder drills, cone drills, and shuttle runs, can only enhance on-court movement.
Periodization
Begin with the end in mind! Working toward peak performance in a specific timeframe requires a plan. Once the big tournament date is selected, a plan working back in time is developed. Periodization is a planned programming, which constantly manipulates intensity and volume of training variables. In this way, the athlete can train for their goal, over a longer period without the risk of overtraining.
These phases should build on each other. For example, a four month cycle might consist of a conditioning block (4 weeks), followed by a strength block (4 weeks) followed by a power block (4 weeks) leading into the peaking block (4 weeks). This final stage is when the tennis player would be tapering dramatically from resistance/high intensity conditioning and focusing more on perfecting their game.
Olympic athletes in some countries plan four years in advance, due to the Olympic schedule. In sports, such as tennis, shorter plans are more advisable.
Remember that individualization is key, and a program should be tailored to each player’s specific needs, fitness level, and any existing injuries. Consulting with a certified strength and conditioning coach or a sports physiotherapist can provide personalized guidance and ensure the program aligns with the player’s goals and overall well-being.
Ian Pyka was a two-sport collegiate athlete and three-time All-American who made the Olympic team. Pyka went on to become the strength and conditioning coach at the Florida Panthers and New England Patriots. Pyka currently teaches at FAU’s Exercise Science Department and owns Boca Cryo (located at 1200 Yamato Rd. in Boca Raton) which recently added EWOT training to their portfolio of services. Visit bocacryo.com to learn more.
Boca Cryo is a wellness company which offers healing and recovery through state of the art technologies, all non-invasive and drug-free. We offer 7 different therapies in our center.
Our flagship service is WHOLE BODY CRYOTHERAPY, which treats inflammation, pain, stiffness, sleep disorders and helps performance improvement. Three minutes of sub-zero temperatures (-160 F) using safe, cold air in a “true” whole body chamber, leaves you with a rush of endorphins and other pain modulators. This short stay in the cold also boosts your metabolism while strengthening your immune system! Our specialized chamber is equipped with speakers which play your favorite tunes while moving freely about. Unlike our competitors, we DO NOT use liquid nitrogen.
We also offer LOCALIZED CRYOTHERAPY for those specific areas of pain and inflammation. This can be administered a La Carte or in conjunction with WBC.
BOCA CRYO FACIAL is another popular therapy. If you are looking for less wrinkles and puffiness, and want tight skin and a younger look, this is for you! This 10 minute therapy, in conjunction with WBC, is shown to increase collagen production. As one of the most abundant proteins in the body, collagen helps make the skin look younger and fuller without injections and expensive creams.
MAGNETHERAPY is yet another treatment offered, using a state-of-the-art device called the Magnesphere. This is a low level magnetic resonance device which helps relax the body by balancing your Heart Rate Variability or HRV. Our Autonomic Nervous System is divided into Sympathetic (fight or flight) and Parasympathetic (rest and digest) systems. By bringing these two systems into balance, the body begins to heal itself! All of our clients, who have used this device, relax so much that they fall asleep during the session.
Our COMPRESSION THERAPY focuses on the lower body. This pneumatic system, developed by a physician for circulation-challenged patients, inflates sleeves covering your legs. Systematically, the compression helps eliminate the by-products of exercise and aids in venous return to the heart. Athletes and weekend warriors, as well as people with circulatory insufficiencies, can benefit from this therapy.
Our SALT THERAPY is a form of therapy which entails relaxing in a room infused with medical-grade salt crystals that are inhaled and help with respiratory issues ranging from asthma, COPD and sinusitis, to mention a few. Salt therapy is a tremendous therapy and healer for skin disorders such as acne and psoriasis.
Our newest technology from Prague, Czech Republic, is called EMSCULPT. It is the first FDA approved device to increase muscle by 16% and decrease fat by 19% on average. In the world of aesthetics, this is rapidly becoming very popular in our center.
Ian Pyka received his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiological Sciences at the University of Maryland and completed his Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology at the University of Tennessee. His first job was at the University of Massachusetts, as their first Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. Four years later, he accepted the same position at Tulane University. He later accepted the position of Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the New England Patriots. In 1994, he managed a preventive medicine center in Scottsdale, Arizona, working with a retired population, establishing diet and exercise regimes to improve quality of life and longevity. Then in 1998, he was hired by the Florida Panthers to be their Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. In 2002, he started Power Play Fitness, a company which focuses on the sports specific and comprehensive training of athletes as well as any motivated individuals interested in improving their overall fitness and health. He presently teaches Kinesiology, Biomechanics and Advanced Strength and Conditioning Methods, in the Exercise Science Department at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. He is certified as a strength and conditioning specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Ian was also a three time All-American (Track &Field) while at Maryland and earned an alternate spot on the 1980 US Olympic Track and Field Team.
The
The Lake City/Columbia County Tennis Association (LCCCTA), with assistance from the Youth Tennis Foundation (YTF), and others, including the USTA-FL, is rapidly expanding and moving closer to its goal of becoming a major tennis community in NorthCentral Florida. The adults are dedicated and the kids are showing up! Keep up the great work!
UFSportTennis.Org (877) 665-3860
QUESTION
I have good tennis skills, but do not win matches because I lose concentration while playing a tournament. Do you have a solution?
ANSWER
Yes, concentration is a skill that can be practiced and developed. You can practice techniques to develop exceptional concentration, and become like a horse with blinders. An excellent technique is staying within the here and the now. The here means to just focus on what is happening on your court. Do not pay attention to the noise, the crowd, or the match on the court next to you. Focus only on the match on your court. The now means to stay in the present and the current point. Do not think about the past, e.g. a point that you just lost, and do not think about the future, an excuse if you lose, or how to celebrate if you win. Instead, stay
in here and the now. The more you practice these techniques, the better your skills will become. As your skills develop, just as muscles develop, and become more automatic, you will transfer these techniques to tournaments. Furthermore, concentration skills are multifactorial and can be transferred to other areas of your life, such as in school, and later in a career. So work on your concentration, and I think you will do better in tournaments. Good luck.
Dr. Richard Cohen is a board-certified Psychiatrist. He has won 16 USTA National Championships (Gold balls). If you have any questions or comments you would like to address, please contact Dr. Richard W. Cohen at: rwcohenmd@gmail.com
