Long Island Tennis Magazine January / February 2018

LITennisMag.com • November/December 2017 • Long Island Tennis Magazine 109

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110 Long Island Tennis Magazine • November/December 2017 • LITennisMag.com

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Saturday, February 10, 2018 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

FREE EVENT New York’s largest grassroots tennis event is back!

Join us to learn, play, shop and be part of growing the game we all love.

INTERACTIVE SEMINARS STARTING AT 11:00 AM Session 1 – The Road to College Scholarships Session 2 – Taking Your Game to the Next Level I Take part in the New York Open Draw Ceremony which will take place during the Expo I Meet and get autographs from ATP Stars

I Playing opportunities on stadium court used by the Pros I Watch the ATP Stars Practice I Chances to Win Tickets to the New York Open

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: I Indoor Activity Zone Featuring

I Kid Zone Featuring

N Speed Serve Booth N Hit For Prizes N 10 & Under Tennis N Beach Tennis Arena N Hit with Local College Players

N Face Painting N Bouncy House N Mascots

N Carnival Games N Prizes and More ...

I New York Islanders Ice Tour featuring Slap Shot Booth

For FREE tickets and parking register at newyorktennisexpo.eventbrite.com For more information on Sponsorship and Exhibiting Opportunites, contact: 516-409-4444 info@USPTennis.com

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2018 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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litennis Long Island Tennis Magazine

MAGAZINE

Long Island Tennis Magazine 1220 Wantagh Avenue • Wantagh, NY 11793-2202 Phone: (516) 409-4444 • Fax: (516) 409-4600 Web site: www.litennismag.com

Staff David Sickmen Publisher (516) 409-4444, ext. 309 • david@usptennis.com Joel M. Berman President (516) 409-4444, ext. 310 • joel@usptennis.com Eric C. Peck Editor-in-Chief (516) 409-4444, ext. 312 • eric@usptennis.com Brian Coleman Senior Editor (516) 409-4444, ext. 326 • brianc@usptennis.com Joey Arendt Managing Art Director Francine Miller Advertising Coordinator (516) 409-4444, ext. 301 • francinem@usptennis.com Emilie Katz Assistant Marketing Coordinator Scott Koondel VP of Operations (516) 409-4444, ext. 324

JAN/FEB 2018 • Vol 10, No 1

Table Of Contents

2018 New York Open Preview: Bryan Brothers Headline Inaugural New York Open Doubles specialists lead crop of stars into NYCB Live, home of The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum for first time ATP event on Long Island. See page 12

Highlights 3 30 32 40

Features 4 6 8

Sidney Beal III Staff Photographer

Lee Seidner Staff Photographer

22 24 25

Advertising To receive any information regarding advertising rates, deadlines, and requirements, call (516) 409-4444 or e-mail info@usptennis.com.

Article Submissions/Press Releases To submit any material, including articles and press releases, please call (516) 409-4444 or e-mail info@usptennis.com. The deadline for submissions is the first of the month preceding the target issue.

Subscriptions To receive subscription information, contact (516) 409-4444 or e-mail info@usptennis.com or check out our Web site: www.litennismag.com. Fax subscription changes to (516) 409-1600.

Statements of fact and opinion in Long Island Tennis Magazine are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of United Sports Publications Ltd. Long Island Tennis Magazine reserves the right to edit, reject and/or postpone the publication of any articles, information or data.

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New York Tennis Expo Returns on February 10!

2018 Australian Open Preview 2017 Long Island Girls High School Recap Your 2018 Guide to Long Island Tennis Magazine’s Top Clubs & Programs

26 28 35 38 50 52 56 59 60 62 63 64 66 68 69 70

Adult League Wrap-Up By Kathy Miller Across Long Island … News and Notes From Across the L.I. Tennis Community Junior Player Spotlight: Daniel Pellerito, John McEnroe Tennis Academy By Brian Coleman High School Seniors Prep for the Next Step Court Six: Long Island Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column

By Emilie Katz Albany Tennis Academy in The Bahamas, Combining Academics With Atmosphere Are Junior Tennis Tournaments a Social Gathering? By Todd Widom Sportime Brings the China Open to Kings Park Lux-Craft: Unmatched LED Lighting Upgrade at Tennis Facilities USTA Eastern Long Island Region: January/February 2018 The Future of U.S. Tennis Growth By Steve Kaplan A Look Back at the Year That Was 2017 By Emilie Katz Swing Away on Both First and Second Serves By Lisa Dodson 10 and Under Tennis By Vinicius Carmo Long Island Tennis Charitable Initiatives The Mental Game: Mindful Eating Practice By Rob Polishook You Are More Than That Number By Barbara Wyatt Tennis and Social Class in America By Dr. Tom Ferraro The Privilege of Playing Collegiate Tennis By Lonnie Mitchel Fitness & Nutrition: Healthy Holiday Food Swaps

By Irina Belfer-Lehat RD, CDN The Jensen Zone: Destination … Tennis! By Luke Jensen USTA/Long Island Region 2018 Tournament Schedule

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com Long Island Tennis Magazine is published bi-monthly by United Sports Publications Ltd. • Copyright © 2018 United Sports Publications Ltd.

New York Tennis Expo Returns on February 10!

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he Long Island and New York tennis communities have been anxiously awaiting the return of the New York Tennis Expo, the community’s largest free, grassroots tennis event. On Saturday, Feb. 10, that wait is over as the 2018 New York Tennis Expo arrives at NYCB Live, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The Expo will be held in conjunction with and will serve as the lead-in event for the inaugural New York Open, the ATP World Tour 250 Series tournament, which features top players such as John Isner, Kei Nishikori and the Bryan Brothers. As a part of being the lead-in event for the tournament, the New York Open Draw Ceremony will take place at the Long Island/New York Tennis Magazine Broadcast Plaza in the center of the Expo Hall and there will be professional players on hand to sign autographs and take part in meet and greets. The Broadcast Plaza will also feature oncamera and radio interviews with sponsors, speakers and attendees discussing the day’s event.

“We are thrilled to kick off the first annual New York Open with the New York Tennis Expo on Saturday, Feb. 10,” said Josh Ripple, New York Open Tournament Director. “The Open and Expo’s mutual goal is to create compelling, interactive content for tennis enthusiasts and afford industry leaders a unique chance to expose its products and services to as many people as possible. By integrating the ATP Tour into the Expo, we believe that exhibitors and attendees will have a rare opportunity to be the first to see how the tournament venue will look, hit on the competition courts and meet ATP Tour players. And it provides many New Yorkers the chance to reconnect with Nassau Coliseum following its $180 million renovation. A win-win for everyone.”

This free and family-friendly Expo will also once again feature informative and topical discussions featuring industry experts on subjects including “Road to College Scholarships” and “Taking Your Game to the Next Level.” Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions during the speaker sessions and learn from some of the best minds in tennis.

The Expo will have something for the whole family and won’t be limited to only tennis enthusiasts. The expansive Activity Zone will feature the New York Islanders Ice Tour, who will have its mascot, Sparky, on hand as well as a slap shot booth for attendees to show off their hockey skills. There will be 10 & Under Mini Tennis Courts sponsored by USTA Eastern for kids to play on, and opportunities for attendees to play on the stadium courts, which will be used by the professionals during the New York Open.

The Activity Zone will also play host to a Speed Serve booth provided by Sportime so you can see if your serve measures up with the professionals!

Face-painting, a bouncy house and other games will be prominently featured in the Kids Zone which will make sure you stay entertained throughout the whole day. The large exhibitor hall will feature the best in tennis clubs/programs, court builders/suppliers, travel destinations, sports medicine, training facilities and much, much more.

New to this year’s Expo will be the addition of Beach Tennis and a Tennis Apparel Fashion Show, which adds a new layer of tennis fun to the event. Come try your hand at beach tennis and have some fun in the sand despite the winter weather outside. You can also check out the latest in tennis fashion with our Fashion Show, which will showcase our local high school and college tennis players modeling the latest in tennis apparel.

We are honored to once again bring our community the New York Tennis Expo, and are especially excited to partner with the New York Open to make the event possible. We encourage tennis fans and non-tennis fans alike to come to Nassau Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 10 for a free day of family fun and see what the Expo is all about.

If you preregister for the 2018 New York Tennis Expo, you will receive complimentary parking on the day of the event. Visit NewYorkTennisExpo.Eventbrite.com for your preregistration ticket, as well as to stay up-to-date on the latest news and announcements regarding the Expo.

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2018 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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B Y K AT H Y M I L L E R

huge congratulations to Long Island’s 55 & Over 7.0 Ladies team who won Nationals! What an amazing accomplishment! The team plays out of Huntington Indoor Tennis and is captained by Andrea Woods. The following are the best 7.0 players in the country: Captain Andrea Woods, Anne Johnson, Betsy Radecki, Cathleen Callahan, Coleen Gussaroff, Cora Brettler, Deborah Lynn Dreher, Jacqueline Iversen, Jacqueline Heise, Kathy Nicolette, Linda Moskowitz, Nancy Ambrosio and Stacey Margey. Job incredibly well done!

The Tri-Level 4.5, 4.0 and 3.5 League is finishing up. The men’s playoffs will be played between the first place team Sportime Lynbrook, captained by Mitchell Low, and the second place team from Sportime Syosset, captained by Ian Shapiro. Good luck to both teams!

The Women’s Division was decided in a playoff match between first place Sportime Lynbrook, captained by Jill Markowitz, and second place Sportime Roslyn, captained by Gigi Banks and Alyssa Bonadonna. Lynbrook

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won the match, 2 courts to 1. Congratulations!

Both the ladies and the men’s winning teams will advance to a Sectional Championship in late January at Lifetime in Westchester, N.Y. Good luck to both teams!

The 18 & Over and the 40 & Over Mixed Doubles League is starting up at the 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0 Levels. The mixed doubles matches consist of three courts of doubles at combined ratings (9.0 would be two 4.5 players or a 4.0 and 5.0, etc.). Play is on weekends and matches are played until midApril, immediately followed by playoffs.

Teams can add players until Feb. 1, so if anyone is looking to get on a team, please let me know and I will pass your name along to the team captains.

The 18 & Over, 40 & Over, 55 & Over, and 65 & Over Men’s and Women’s Leagues will begin organizing in February. At that time, I will be in contact with last year’s captains and clubs to begin the registration process. If anyone is interested in captaining a team that has not done so in the past, please let me know so I get the registration information to you.

The 55 & Over 7.0 Ladies team out of Huntington Indoor Tennis, captained by Andrea Woods, has won Nationals

Upcoming rule changes When a team gets to the playoff level, you cannot share more than 30 percent of the same players with any other team that has advanced to playoffs, not only in the Long Island Region, but any other region in the Eastern Section as well.

In timed matches, if the super tiebreak is started but not completed, a team will only receive an extra point if they were ahead in that tie break by three or more points. Otherwise, it just stands like an unfinished game would.

The roster fee will be $29 from $28 and match fees will rise to $22 from $20 which is paid to the clubs. Those are the main points for now with more details to follow.

I look forward to hearing from you all, and wish everyone a very Happy and Healthy New Year, full of good tennis and good sportsmanship!

Kathy Miller is Manager of Carefree Racquet Club and is also the Adult League Coordinator for USTA/Long Island. She may be reached by e-mail at KathyM65@aol.com.

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Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

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Across Long Isla Oyster Bay’s Hohmann Wins Eddie Herr 16U Title

Long Island’s Howard Rubin Takes Part in Maccabiah Games Howard Rubin, a longtime member of Point Set’s “Early Birds,” a group that plays in the early morning hours at the Club, traveled to Israel to compete in the annual Maccabiah Games.

Rubin competed in both singles and doubles in the 70 & Over Division, taking home the Gold in doubles, along with his partner, Andrew Harrison.

Oyster Bay’s Ronald Hohmann captured the title at the Eddie Herr International in Bradenton, Fla. Hohmann, who trains with Todd Widom Tennis, dropped just one set in his six matches en route to the title. Seeded 13th, he defeated the fifth-seed, fourth-seed and third-seed in the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals, respectively, to win the championship.

“The main thing I was doing well was keeping my head focused on the game plan. I knew if I did this I would be able to win those matches,” said Hohmann. “Winning a tournament like this gives me a lot of confidence. I feel like I can beat anybody.”

Rubin Supports Raymar Children’s Fund at Carefree

Christopher Morley’s Cannon Kingsley Wins National Indoor Championships in Kansas

Noah Rubin, a current ATP Tour player and past Carefree P.A.L. student, stopped by for a hit with Brandon Raymar.

Noah donated his time, and Carefree donated the court for the Raymar Children’s Fund fundraiser.

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Cannon Kingsley of Christopher Morley Tennis captured the title at the USTA Boys’ 18 National Indoor Championships in Overland Park, Kansas. Seeded 14th, Kingsley (pictured here, second from left) did not drop a set all tournament long, and beat third-seeded Carson Haskins 6-3, 6-0 in the finals.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

land

… News and notes from across the L.I. tennis community Bethpage Park’s Maloney Qualifies for New York Open

Sportime Kings Park Staff Spreads the Word of Tennis The Sportime Kings Park staff continues to go out into the local community to try and promote the sport of tennis. Most recently, the Sportime Kings Park crew traveled to Bretton Woods Elementary School in Hauppauge to teach tennis, and also attended Career Day at Commack Middle School.

Golod Wins USTA L1 Ross Championship Vitalina Golod of Ross School Tennis Academy won the title at the recent USTA L1 Ross December Championships.

Playing on her home courts, Golod didn’t lose a set in the tournament, and captured the title in the Girls 16s draw.

The New York Open is giving local players the chance to compete with the professionals with prequalifying tournaments happening throughout Long Island and New York-metropolitan area. Patrick Maloney, who trains at Bethpage Park Tennis Center, won the first of these tournaments by downing Fayed Uddin, 6-0, 6-0, at Lifetime Athletic Club in West Harrison, N.Y.

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LITennisMag.com • January/February 2018 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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LONG ISLAND TENNIS MAGAZINE’S

J U N I O R P L AY E R S P O T L I G H T

BY BRIAN COLEMAN

DANIEL PELLERITO JOHN MCENROE TENNIS ACADEMY ext fall, William & Mary will have a new addition to its roster when Daniel Pellerito steps onto the school’s Williamsburg, Va. campus for his freshman season.

The high school senior is currently the eighth ranked player in New York, according to TennisRecruiting.net, and signed his letter of intent to play for the William & Mary Tribe earlier this fall, one of five outgoing seniors from the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) who will be heading off to play Division I tennis next fall.

“William & Mary had everything I was looking for,” said Pellerito. “Head Coach Jeff Kader and I connected right away, and that bond only grew stronger throughout the recruiting process. I believe Coach Kader knows how to maximize my potential as a tennis player and how to lead a winning team.

William & Mary is well-known for its superior education, and that was of great importance because the ‘student’ part of ‘student-athlete’ really matters to me. I’m really excited to represent the Tribe at William & Mary in the fall of 2018.”

Pellerito began playing tennis when he was five-years-old, joining some groups and taking private lessons at Sportime Syosset, whose facility is just down the road from where he grew up.

Jump ahead 12 years later, and Pellerito

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still trains at Sportime Syosset and is a fixture at the JMTA’s Long Island Annex. For the last five years, he has been a student of Mike Kossoff, whose rigorous training regimen has helped elevate Pellerito’s game.

“He’s very committed to becoming the best he can be and is an extremely hardworker,” said Kossoff, who is the Tennis Di-

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

rector for Sportime Syosset and JMTA Long Island. “I can push him to the limit and he takes everything I throw at him.

Daniel is in tremendous shape, playing four hours a day and does a great deal of off-the-court training.”

Pellerito added: “Coach Kossoff works me. I have seen great improvement, day to day, month to month, year to year. His teaching style is tough, but at 12-years-old, he had to take some of the weakness out of me. The intense mental and physical training at JMTA has definitely positioned me for success playing Division I tennis.”

At 5’7’’ and 134 pounds, Pellerito is small in stature, but possesses a big game, including a big serve that even impressed John McEnroe during a singles match they played earlier this year.

Because of his size, he plays a physical type of tennis which requires him to be in top shape, something he and his coaches at Sportime have invested a lot of time into.

“He doesn’t have the physical attributes of someone who is 6’5’’, so he has to earn every point,” said Kossoff. “His physical and mental toughness has come a long way and it is becoming a strength in his game. He doesn’t lose focus nor is he negative. He will be very tough in college because of that.”

His progress as a tennis player was halted a couple of years ago when a back injury side-

lined him, his first real confrontation with adversity as an athlete. He had never faced a layoff like that before and was forced to be off the court for months, unable to play. The first doctor he saw said he may never be able to ever play tennis again.

But being the tennis junkie that he is, Pellerito still vowed to work on his game despite the injury. Although he couldn’t play, he would go down to Sportime and analyze some of his past matches, while also watching his peers play, and analyze what they were doing.

“I would watch my friends and competitors on the court, analyze what they were doing, and think of patterns that would work for me, while also giving them feedback,” said Pellerito. “The most important thing was staying positive and focusing on coming back stronger.”

He would indeed come back stronger. With a tougher mental game and his physical strength returning, Pellerito captured the title at a USTA Sectional Tournament in Schenectady, N.Y. only about two months after coming back from the injury.

“He couldn’t be away from tennis,” added Kossoff. “He would come to the club and chart points of other players, and talk about what players should have done on the court.

Mentally, he was still playing the game. The injury made him hungry.”

That hunger has helped catapult Pellerito’s game in the two years since the injury, and he is now preparing himself for the next stage of his tennis career. Currently 36th in USTA National Rankings, he wants to climb inside the top 20 before his time as a junior player runs out.

Pellerito is also considering playing for the

Syosset Boy’s Tennis Team this spring, a team that has won 52 straight matches. In his senior season, Pellerito wants to be a part of that team atmosphere, which will only help to prepare him for William & Mary in the fall of 2018.

“The team aspect is not something I am used to,” said Pellerito. “If I played for the school team, I would put my all into it.”

Regardless of what he does this spring, the dedication and work ethic that has helped Pellerito get to where he is now will play a big factor in his tenure as a collegiate tennis player. He has simple goals: Get an education from a top institution, while playing four years of college tennis.

“Freshman year in college is challenging for everyone, especially for the student-athlete juggling school and sports, but many years of excellent training at JMTA have me

ready to go out and win,” Pellerito said. “I’m going to be playing more college-style tennis leading up to it, and academics wise, I am taking challenging classes in school, trying to mimic what I am going to be doing throughout college.”

William & Mary is getting a good one in Pellerito, who will hope to lead his team to its first Colonial Athletic Association conference title since 2015.

Kossoff, a former Division I player himself, had some advice as well as expectations for his pupil: “I want him to go out there and enjoy the experience,” Kossoff said. “I want him to be a leader in college. There is nothing like being a student-athlete. I want him to go out there and do as well as he can, and not worry about where he is playing. Wherever the coach puts you, just go out and compete.”

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G Exhibitor Hall: Featuring top programs, camps, products, apparel, sports medicine, travel destinations and much more G Tennis Courts: Use of the two main courts the pros will use during the New York Open G Kids’ Zone: Featuring a bouncy house, face painting, music, games and more G Speaker Sessions: Learn from a panel of ATP stars and top coaches G Chance to Meet the Stars of the ATP Tour: Autograph signing and photo opportunities with the sport’s top stars G Fashion Show: Featuring the latest and trendiest tennis apparel G Activity Zone: Featuring 10U tennis courts, beach tennis courts, a speed serve booth, product demos and more

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Bryan Brothers Headline Inaugural New York Open Doubles specialists lead crop of stars into NYCB Live, home of The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

By Brian Coleman he inaugural New York Open has the Long Island tennis community excited for the return of professional tennis, and only adding to that appeal was the announcement of Mike and Bob Bryan as headliners in the Men’s Doubles draw.

“We love firsts, and the idea of bringing the tour to New York in February is going to be great,” said Mike Bryan. “ATP tennis is back in a big way, and we’re happy to play on Long Island at NYCB Live, home of The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.”

The identical twins from Camarillo, Calif. are arguably the greatest doubles duo of all-time and, at 39-yearsold, don’t seem to have missed a beat. The pair finished 2017 at number 11 in the ATP World Tour Doubles Rankings and took home two titles.

While this past season was not the typical dominant season that the Bryans have had throughout their career, the two are still at the top of the doubles game, and just remaining healthy and competing still remains a top priority.

“Staying healthy and enjoying the game,” said Bob Bryan when asked about the goals moving forward. “We’ve had such great success in our careers already, our goal is to end on a high-note, injury free and continue to make it to the Slams.”

One of the early stops on their calendar will be at NYCB Live, and the pair is excited to bring their show to Long Island.

“There’s an electricity from the New York crowd,” said Mike Bryan. “The fans bring an incredible amount of energy, while in other cities, tennis crowds are traditional and subdued. It’s a great vibe. New York fans are loud and seem to love the sport of tennis just as much we do.”

The pair are three-time champions of the Memphis Open, which makes up a small percentage of their 114 career titles together, and will hope to reclaim the tournament’s title when it makes its debut on Long Island.

“We were raised by our parents to stick together through thick and thin. Communication and honesty is key,” Bob Bryan said on the duo’s success. “Because we work together, we need to be as honest and open with each other as we can be. Any partners in business need clear lines of communication.”

Two of the most recognizable players in the sport, the Bryans have kept busy this offseason before their 2018 campaign begins. They do a lot of work with their charity organization, the Bryan Brothers Foundation, and recently partnered with legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus and the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation for golf and tennis pro-ams featuring stars from each sport.

The event raised $1 million for the foundations, and was another example of the impact that Mike and Bob Bryan have on and off the tennis court. That sort of impact should translate to a successful New York Open debut for them, as the Long Island and New York crowds will embrace the two all-time greats.

“We love competing in the New York market,” said Bob Bryan. “Fans seem to have an extra passion for tennis in New York. We’re looking forward to a great environment and a renovated facility in its first year. We’re so happy that the tournament has invited us to be a part of it.”

The two are now ready for the 2018 season, one where they hope they can continue the success they have achieved over the course of the last two decades. They begin the inaugural New York Open as one of the favorites in the doubles draw, and will begin their play the night of Tuesday, Feb. 13. The Long Island crowd hopes to see a lot of the patented chest-bumps the brothers have become famous for after victories.

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Brian Coleman is Senior Editor for Long Island Tennis Magazine. He may be reached by phone at (516) 409-4444, LITennisMag.com • January/February 2018 • Long Island Tennis Magazine 13 ext. 326 or e-mail BrianC@USPTennis.com.

New York Open Debuts With Opening Night Premiere

he return of the New York Tennis Expo will kick off the New York Open on Saturday, Feb. 10 at NYCB Live, home of The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, while the tournament begins the next day, first with the qualifying rounds, followed by an electrifying Opening Night Premiere that will thrill Long Islanders.

New York’s own John McEnroe, Hon-

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orary Ambassador for the New York Open, will help usher in the tournament with the Opening Night Premiere, where he will be joined by James Blake, 2017 U.S. Open Champion Sloane Stephens and Eugenie Bouchard.

McEnroe will take on Blake in an exhibition, followed by Stephens playing Bouchard in eight-game pro sets. Afterwards, the four will compete in a

mixed-doubles match.

“I love New York, and obviously have some amazing memories there,” said Stephens. “I’ve never been to the Coliseum before. It’ll be great for me, playing against my friend Genie, and I’m really looking forward to it. We grew up playing together at the same academy with the same coaches. We play doubles together, and I spent a lot of time with her, but like any other match, I’ll just go out there and compete and try to play my best.”

New York Open Tournament Director Josh Ripple said, “The New York Open will quickly become the winter classic for tennis fans and entertainment seekers in the New York area, and kicking off this first year with the likes of John, Sloane, Genie and James is a tremendous start.

Having men and women play together to celebrate our opening will be great fun for the fans, and we are excited to bring back champions that the New York market will want to see.”

Querrey, Harrison Join New York Open Player Field he player field for the New York Open will feature some of the best talent in the world and it only continues to get better. The latest commitments into the main draw of the tournament include world number 13 Sam Querrey, Next Gen ATP Finals Champion Hyeon Chung of South Korea, and defending champion Ryan Harrison,

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who won the event last year in Memphis.

The three players join the growing list of players who will make up the field at the inaugural tournament in Uniondale, N.Y. in February.

“I’ve always loved playing the Memphis tournament in the past, and now having it move to Long Island should be really fun,” said Querrey, who reached the semifinals

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open quarterfinals in 2017. “To have a second tournament in New York will be great. And hopefully the fans come out and support the event. I’m looking forward to getting out there.”

Chung is one of the top young talents in all of tennis and he proved that towards the end of the year in Milan. The 21-year-old

February 10-18, 2018 NYCB Live, home of The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum won all five of his matches at the Next Gen ATP Finals in the event’s first year to take home the trophy.

Harrison captured the Memphis Open title in 2016 for his maiden title on the ATP World Tour, and would also win the French Open Men’s Doubles title, alongside Michael Venus of New Zealand to highlight his season.

With the addition of Querrey and Harrison to a field which already features John Isner, the Bryan Brothers, Steve

Johnson, Donald Young, Frances Tiafoe, Jared Donaldson, and Long Island native Noah Rubin, the New York Open will surely be an excellent showcase for American men’s tennis.

“We’re probably at an all-time high in terms of the last eight years … I feel like we have a good group right now,” said Querrey.

“Last year, guys won a lot of big tournaments, and we don’t have that Grand Slam yet, but I think we are doing a lot of other good things. Men’s tennis is in a great place

right now, and it’s only getting better, especially with all the young guys out there.”

In addition to Chung and the group of Americans already committed to play, alltime aces leader Ivo Karlovic of Croatia, Japan’s Kei Nishikori, South African Kevin Anderson, and Israel’s Dudi Sela, have entered and will be on hand for the inaugural New York Open. continued on page 16

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New York Open 2018 Player Bios (All records as of 12/20/17)

Bob & Mike Bryan Country: United States of America Birthplace: Camarillo, Calif.

Birth date: April 29, 1978 Residence: Sunny Isles Beach, Fla. Turned pro: 1998 Career doubles titles: 114

Hyeon Chung Country: South Korea Birthplace: Suwon, South Korea Birth date: May 19, 1996 Residence: Suwon, South Korea Turned pro: 2014 Career singles record: 51-43 Career singles titles: 1

Ryan Harrison Country: United States of America Birthplace: Shreveport, La. Birth date: May 7, 1992 Residence: Boca Raton, Fla. Turned pro: 2008 Career singles record: 93-129 Career singles titles: 1

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John Isner Country: United States of America Birthplace: Greensboro, N.C. Birth date: April 26, 1985 Residence: Tampa, Fla. Turned pro: 2007 Career singles record: 359-220 Career titles: 12

Kei Nishikori Country: Japan Birthplace: Matsue, Shimane, Japan Birth date: December 29, 1989 Residence: Bradenton, Fla. Turned pro: 2007 Career singles record: 331-155 Career titles: 11

Steve Johnson Country: United States of America Birthplace: Orange, Calif.

Birth date: December 24, 1989 Residence: Redondo Beach, Calif.

Turned pro: 2012 Career singles record: 122-116 Career singles titles: 2

Sam Querrey Country: United States of America Birthplace: San Francisco, Calif.

Birth date: October 7, 1987 Residence: Santa Monica, Calif.

Turned pro: 2006 Career singles record: 321-257 Career singles titles: 10

Ivo Karlovic Country: Croatia Birthplace: Zagreb, Croatia Birth Date: February 28, 1979 Residence: Miami, Fla. Turned pro: 2000 Career singles record: 346-307 Career titles: 8

Noah Rubin Country: United States of America Birthplace: Long Island, N.Y. Birth date: February 21, 1996 Residence: Long Island, N.Y. Turned pro: 2015 Career singles record: 3-9 Career singles titles: 0

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

New York Open 2018 Player Bios (All records as of 12/20/17)

Dudi Sela Country: Israel Birthplace: Kiryat Shmona, Israel Birth date: April 4, 1985 Residence: Tel Aviv, Israel Turned pro: 2002 Career singles record: 136-184 Career singles titles: 0

Donald Young Country: United States of America Birthplace: Chicago, Ill. Birth Date: July 23, 1989 Residence: Atlanta, Ga. Turned pro: 2004 Career singles record: 121-175 Career titles: 0

NY Open Teams With Breast Cancer Research Foundation he New York Open has announced that it will be partnering with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) to raise funds through two Play for P.I.N.K Nights during the tournament at NYCB Live, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum On Sunday, Feb. 11, the New York Open’s Premiere Night will feature a women’s Play for P.I.N.K matchup between 2017 U.S. Open Champion Sloane Stephens and Canadian Eugenie Bouchard, which will benefit BCRF. Each year, more than 30,000 devoted women, men, children and families organize Play for P.I.N.K. (Prevention, Immediate Diagnosis, New Technology and Knowledge) fundraisers across the U.S. and donate 100 percent of all proceeds to BCRF in support of its mission to eradicate breast cancer by advancing the world’s most promising lifesaving research.

“We are thrilled to partner with the New York Open,” said Stephanie Hamburger, Executive Director of Play for P.I.N.K.

T

“The money raised through the Premiere Night will help fund critical, lifesaving research and impact the lives of countless individuals and families affected by breast cancer.”

BCRF is also the special session bene-

ficiary for the tournament’s Tuesday, Feb. 13 evening session, when the Bryan Brothers play on Stadium Court.

“We are excited to have the world renowned Breast Cancer Research Foundation be part of the New York Open,” said Tournament Director Josh Ripple. “Play for P.I.N.K. has made a significant impact on many lives, and it’s truly special that we can work together on making a positive impact on breast cancer research awareness and raising money.”

A special co-branded New York Open and BCRF item will also be available for purchase on site, with proceeds to benefit BCRF. As the special session(s) sponsor, BCRF will also receive signage throughout the Nassau Coliseum, public address announcements, a booth display, and a meetand-greet with a New York Open player.

In addition to the sessions that benefit the BCRF, the New York Open will have an array of promotional nights and special activities for fans to enjoy throughout the week including one on Valentine’s Day. Individual tickets range from $38 to $72, and VIP packages range from $172 to $343 for the session and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, NewYorkOpen.com and NYCBLIVE.com, or by calling (800) 7453000. Tickets can also be purchased in-person at the Ticketmaster Box Office at the Coliseum.

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Q&A With New York Open Tournament Director Josh Ripple Josh Ripple is the Tournament Director of the New York Open and was integral in moving the tournament from Memphis to New York. Long Island Tennis Magazine sat down with Josh to talk about the tournament making its move to Long Island and what the future holds for the newest ATP World Tour event.

Talk a little bit about your background … who is Josh Ripple?

I am just a small town boy from Rockland County, N.Y., who was fortunate enough to play tennis and eventually work in the business of tennis. I graduated from Ramapo High School in Monsey, N.Y., and then went to George Washington University in Washington, D.C., playing four years of varsity tennis.

Upon graduation, GWU hired me as their Men’s Varsity Tennis Coach and then I was lucky to land a job with one of the major sports marketing companies of that time called ProServ. Donald Dell’s group employed me for just about 14 years, and then I signed on to be part of a spin-off company called StarGames before going to the WTA Tour where I served as President and COO. The journey then took me to several fun nontennis roles before becoming a resident of Las Vegas where I became part of a group that opened The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, serving as its Head of Entertainment and Sponsorship Sales in 2011.

In late 2013, I joined another Las Vegasbased company called Life Is Beautiful as its COO, and was part of an amazing team that created one of the world’s largest and best music, culinary, art and learning festivals. In early 2015, the formulation of GF Sports began, and in July of that year, we opened our doors as owners and operators of the ATP Tour properties in Atlanta and Memphis.

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Discuss how the New York Open came about?

When we created GF Sports in July 2015, one of our objectives was to relocate some of our properties closer to our home headquarters in New York. When we learned through one of the world’s largest entertainment companies, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, that Nassau Coliseum was going through a massive renovation, there seemed to be an opportunity to move the only United States indoor tournament on the ATP Tour to this “new” indoor venue which would allow us to present a professional sporting event as we think it should be produced. Once we determined that the facility not only could accommodate the needs of an event such as ours but also be an important destination for the New York-metropolitan area, the decision was quite simple to make it happen. In April of 2017, the deal was struck with Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, as our partners, and the New York Open was born.

What should the Long Island and New York-metropolitan area community expect from the tournament?

It is interesting that with the advent of the New York Open, professional tennis in the United States actually begins and ends in New York. Being bookends with the U.S. Open is quite interesting and presents a great opportunity for fans to have both a summer and winter tennis destination. While the U.S. Open is perhaps the greatest tennis event in the world, the New York Open should fill that fix for people who want to see major professional tennis more than once a year. People should expect that we will create a multi-dimensional entertainment property that is immersive, from an experiential standpoint and compelling as an ATP World Tour tournament. The goal is to for the New York Open to be about tennis, music, lifestyle activities, and up close and personal interaction between the fans and players that most tennis people don’t get at larger championships like

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

the U.S. Open. On top of all that, the community should expect us to be great neighbors, and with a 10-year commitment to the Coliseum, we have already started to grow roots.

What makes the return of the New York Tennis Expo the perfect lead-in event for the New York Open?

Any time you have the opportunity for people to see, touch and taste the product, then there’s a good chance that they will want to engage. The premise for our relationship with the New York Tennis Expo is to create compelling content and interactive opportunity for businesses and attendees to experience the importance of this very cool expo and get a behind-the-curtain peek at what the New York Open is all about and how it will look.

The halo effect that we believe will be created from the New York Tennis Expo should bode well for the New York Open. Likewise, the association of the Expo with the New York Open hopefully provides that credible, big-time event benefit that will attract large numbers of people.

What is your goal for the tournament, both long-term and short-term?

The overall goal is to build the New York Open to be the best ATP World Tour event in the United States, with the short-term goal to be the best 250 Series level property on Tour. Our team is determined to win a Tournament of the Year Award, and we are confident that it will happen. But, we are about entertainment and creating a compelling option for people and corporate partners to pick us as THE place to park their dollars. It may take a few years to gain the traction we seek, but we know if we are successful in our outreach to the tennis community, then the core fan will have a save-the-date mindset every year. If we create a fun and exciting experience that transcends tennis, then the non-core person will invest as well.

We start in year one with the largest seating capacity of any 250-level event in the world (6,300 seats), and we will work hard to fill those seats. But the goal is to not only to hit 6,300 in the first few years, but to be able to attract the players and the fans that will allow us to start with two courts at 6,300 seats, and by mid-week, transition to one court and allow our capacity to reach 12,000. A tremendous opportunity that we have with the Coliseum is that we have enough seats to make the math work to procure some of the game’s top players. It’s exciting to think that we can get there.

And behind all of this is the backdrop of our GF Sports mission to build the sport of tennis here in America. We will continue to provide opportunities for the young players in the USTA Development program by offering wild cards and a major stage to play. And, we are equally passionate about creating a special

chance for kids and adults to be exposed to tennis—a game and business that our leadership has made a massive investment to support and help grow.

What sort of promotional nights will you be hosting as part of the New York Open?

In year one, it will be about attracting as many tennis clubs, players and local businesses to attend. So, we will be looking to have promotional nights for these types of groups to come out and experience the tournament. Equally important, we are about providing promotional opportunities for various New York-area charities to raise awareness and hopefully money to help people in need.

At the moment, we are excited over the involvement of the Breast Cancer Research Fund (BCRF) and Play for P.I.N.K., NetGeneration, which is a critically important USTA grassroots program, the Johnny Mac Ten-

nis Project, NYJTL and many more that will come on board over the next several weeks.

College night, Valentine’s Day Night, etc., all great platforms to create excitement and engagement.

How has the feedback been from the local community?

As of this interview, so far so GREAT! Long Islanders are extremely excited over the prospect of professional tennis being a part of their winter calendar. Tickets are selling, and businesses are interested and want to become involved. We will see in early February how that truly translates, but we think it will prove to be a great success. People really need to see the new NYCB Live, home of The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. It’s definitely not your dad’s Cadillac. As we like to say, it’s our “Fifth Beatle,” and we think that once people experience NYCB Live, then they will want to come back many times.

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2018 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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New York Open 2018 Schedule Date

Event

Time

Details and Players

Saturday, February 10

2018 NY Tennis Expo

10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Free Tennis Day

Sunday, February 11

Qualifying

11:00 a.m.

Round 1

Sunday, February 11

Opening Night Premiere

7:30 p.m.

Opening Night Premiere and Play for P.I.N.K. Night

Monday, February 12

Session 1

1:00 p.m.

Final Round Qualifying/First Round Men’s Doubles

Monday, February 12

Session 2

7:30 p.m.

First Round

Tuesday, February 13

Session 3

1:00 p.m.

First/Second Round

Tuesday, February 13

Session 4

7:30 p.m.

First/Second Round: Hyeon Chung/Bryan Brothers/Play for P.I.N.K. Night

Wednesday, February 14

Session 5

1:00 p.m.

First/Second Round

Wednesday, February 14

Session 6

7:30 p.m.

First/Second Round: Kei Nishikori

Thursday, February 15

Session 7

1:00 p.m.

Second Round

Thursday, February 15

Session 8

7:30 p.m.

Second Round: John Isner

Friday, February 16

Session 9

1:00 p.m.

Quarterfinals

Friday, February 16

Session 10

7:30 p.m.

Quarterfinals

Saturday, February 17

Session 11

1:00 p.m.

Semifinals

Saturday, February 17

Session 12

7:30 p.m.

Semifinals

Sunday, February 18

Session 13

1:00 p.m.

Final

February 10-18, 2018 NYCB Live, home of The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

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Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

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Distribution scheduled for 03/01/18

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High School Seniors Prep for the Next Step USTA Eastern Hosts 31st Annual College Showcase Day

STA Eastern hosted its 31st Annual College Showcase Day at the Saw Mill Club in Mount Kisco, N.Y., bringing in more than 70 of the top high school tennis players in the Northeast to come to connect with 50 college tennis coaches from Division I, II and III collegiate programs. The Showcase provides these college-bound players an opportunity to show off their competitive skills by playing abbreviated matches against their

U

peers, while college coaches observe their play. The Day is also a venue for players and their parents to connect with college tennis coaches, collect information on schools and take seminars and clinics from tennis experts who have navigated the college recruiting process and carved out a career in tennis.

One of those tennis experts was USTA National’s Scott Treibly, who has more than 20 years of experience in college recruiting as a Player, Coach and Administrator, and has placed hundreds of

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Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

student athletes in colleges. Treibly spoke to players and their parents about athletic and educational aspects of college recruiting.

“I believe educating players and families about the recruitment process helps them come to the all-important conclusion that finding a college tennis team is a process, not a race,” said Treibly. “I opened the presentation telling the groups that finding a college that is right for you requires a huge time commitment. This includes communication with college coaches, the process of admissions, SAT/ACT timeline, college visits and the process behind the NCAA.” In between seminars, players headed to the courts to compete in matches while the coaches made their way around to evaluate players.

“This event is a great educational opportunity for players and families. Players get to compete in front of coaches and learn about colleges that they might not have known about before,” said Treibly. “Exposure to the college placement process is important so that high school players and their families understand the next steps.”

To help players and parents understand the academic side of the college

recruiting process, Joe Consentino, Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Enrollment at Manhattanville College, gave a presentation on the admissions process, which can vary from one school to the next. Consentino also discussed academic qualifications, such as essay writing and SAT/ACT scores.

Former Columbia standout and current tour player Max Schnur was also on hand to provide a clinic for the coaches in the morning. Schnur, who owns five doubles

titles on the ATP Challenger Tour, discussed the keys to doubles play and stayed on hand afterwards to answer questions from players and coaches and everything from doubles play to navigating the college landscape.

For more than three decades, the College Showcase Day has been an invaluable resource that USTA Eastern has provided to college-bound players and coaches.

“We’ve hosted this event for 31 years as

a service to our junior players and their parents, many who are navigating the college athletic recruitment progression and its NCAA regulations for the first time,” said Julie Bliss-Beal, Senior Director, Competition, USTA Eastern. “This can be a daunting process, and through the Showcase, we aim to make it as easy as possible for these players to entertain the myriad of opportunities that are available to them and consider how they want stay in the game during their college years.”

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2018 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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BY

Hingis Calls It a Career … Again

E M I L I E

KAT Z

“Looking back now, it’s hard to believe that almost exactly 23 years ago I made my professional debut,” Hingis said on her Facebook Page while at the tournament.

“The years that followed have been some of the most rewarding years of my life, both personally and professionally, but I believe the time has come for me to retire, which I will be doing after my last match here in Singapore.”

Wozniacki posted a picture of her engagement ring on Instagram with the caption: “Happiest day of my life yesterday saying yes to my soulmate David Lee.”

Venus Robbed of $400K-Plus

Wozniacki Engaged For the third time, Switzerland’s Martina Hingis has retired from professional tennis. The 37-year-old announced at the WTA Finals in Singapore that it would be her final tournament after winning 25 Grand Slam titles, five in singles, seven in mixed doubles and 13 in women’s doubles.

She said “Yes!” Danish superstar Caroline Wozniacki got engaged to boyfriend, former NBA player David Lee.

While making a run into the U.S. Open semifinals, someone was making a run at Venus Williams’ belongings. The American star had $400,000 worth of goods stolen, according to a police report, after burglars broke into her Florida home during the U.S. Open.

Isner Weds Madison KcKinley in CountryThemed Gathering John Isner married longtime girlfriend Madison KcKinley in a country-themed wedding in Montage Palmetto Bluff, S.C. 24

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

Albany Tennis Academy in The Bahamas, Combining Academics With Atmosphere

L

ocated on New Providence in The Bahamas, Albany Tennis Academy is set on the 25-acre campus of Windsor High School, adjacent to the renowned, luxury resort community of Albany.

The unique day and boarding school combines an academic curriculum based on the Cambridge system with unprecedented athletic and training academies for both tennis and golf.

Powered by former world number one Lleyton Hewitt, Albany Tennis Academy delivers an intensive training and development program for aspiring student-athletes, with personalized instruction, conditioning and guidance from an expert team of coaches and staff, including Albany Tennis Academy Director Grant Doyle.

Student-athletes train on Windsor High

School’s cutting-edge facilities, which include the latest PlaySight smart court technology, a fully-interactive technology which monitors and tracks all activity on the court and offers professional-level analysis and evaluation tools.

“At the Albany Tennis Academy, we prepare student-athletes both physically and mentally for the game’s highest level,” said Hewitt, who has welcomed student-athletes from around the world.

Student-athletes participate in physical training and tennis instruction daily, in addition to overall player development—from nutrition and mental training, to college placement and preparation.

For parents or families visiting Albany Tennis Academy student-athletes, the ideal place to stay is the luxury resort community of Albany. The collective vision of its

founders–Joe Lewis and Tavistock Group, along with golfing greats Tiger Woods and Ernie Els–Albany features an unparalleled combination of surroundings, architecture, service and sporting amenities, including an 18-hole championship golf course; a megayacht marina; fitness center with lap pool, boxing ring and CrossFit course; spa and salon; a racket center with HarTru courts and a paddle court; numerous pools, including a kid’s waterpark; and a variety of restaurants.

Albany’s boutique hotel is made up of a collection of private residences, from villas to luxury marina residences, providing some of the finest accommodations in the Caribbean.

To learn more about Albany Tennis Academy, contact GrantDoyle@WindsorPrep.com, call (242) 823-5979 or visit WindsorHighSchoolAtAlbany.com.

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2018 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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Are Junior Tennis Tournaments a Social Gathering?

By Todd Widom find it quite amusing when I attend junior tennis tournaments and see the teenagers huddled around either socializing or trying to snap a photo for social media.

Then, suddenly their name is called and they need to rush to the court to play a match. They may win or lose, but if they do not perform up to their parent’s standard, it will be a rough car ride home or back to the hotel. The “cool”

I

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kids that love going to tournaments so they can see their friends usually do not do well. Their mentality and preparation is wrong. For the serious kids, socializing is for outside the tennis facility. For the serious kids, when you are at the tournament, there is one thing to do … win!

The next time you attend a junior tennis event, take a step back and see who is hanging around at the courts all day with no purpose. It is going to be the vast majority of kids, but also keep in mind that the vast majority of kids do

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

not have goals and a purpose for why they play tennis. There will be a couple of kids sprinkled around the event away from everyone else warming up, stretching, re-gripping their rackets and maybe listening to music in a quiet secluded setting. They are not around many other kids socializing and listening to all the noise around them. These teenagers are there at this event and have a purpose.

My tennis background was training with a couple of Argentine disciplinarian coaches, from six-years-old all the

way to 26-years-old, who produced some of the best amateurs and professionals in the United States. Tennis, for me, was a blast from day one, and I was obsessed with everything about it.

I had two main coaches who truly cared for their students. They trained you multiple hours every day and were truly there to produce a champion. Tennis was a way to better my life. I felt the love from my coaches because they knew I would run through a wall to win a point or perform a drill properly. When there is this mutual desire by both parties to go the extra mile, there was no way I could not be a serious, prepared tennis player at any tournament. To goof off at a tournament meant that I did not respect what they were doing for me, and what my mother was doing for me, since there were tremendous sacrifices to see how good I could be.

I was a reflection of their phenomenal teachings, and I would not let them down if I could avoid it.

Playing junior tennis in Florida in my generation was very difficult, as the tal-

ent pool was large. If you did not prepare well in practice or in the tournament arena for your matches, you were not going to be successful. I would watch some of the top players and I knew that to ever beat them, things had to be done properly. I knew that if something was off with my game, it would be a quick match and I would not win. These players would be away from the rest of the competition at events, and you knew they were getting ready for a prize fight. There was no socializing for these players. They were there for one reason, and that was to win. When I went to tournaments, I rarely stayed at the tournament hotel because, for me, the competition took place on the courts and I did not want to spend time or socialize with the competition outside of the “boxing ring.”

In closing, if you ever wonder how you fulfill your potential in this game, it is to perform many aspects of preparation well, but to have the proper guidance so that your goals can be-

come a reality. I am not saying that your child should not socialize, but the tennis facility is there for tennis. The socializing for the serious children is outside of the tennis facility. It is very easy to see who these focused children are at a tennis tournament. What many children and parents need to realize is that tennis can open countless doors, and the skills they learn on the tennis court can be lifelong. Many of these skills are not taught by studying out of a book in a school. There are kids all over the globe trying to get college scholarships or make it on the ATP or WTA Tour. What separates your child from the rest? Remember, if it were easy, everyone would be doing it.

Todd Widom is a former top 200 ATP professional in both singles and doubles, and owner of TW Tennis, South Florida’s top small group/private tennis training geared exclusively for the high-performance junior, collegiate or professional tennis player. Todd may be reached by e-mail at Todd@TWTennis.com or visit TWTennis.com.

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LITennisMag.com • January/February 2018 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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Sportime Brings the China Open to Kings Park

S

portime Kings Park hosted the latest installment of the Sportime World Tour series, as kids came together for a Beijing-themed event. The first World Tour event in nearly eight months paid homage to the China Open, and saw players taking part in different drills and games as they rotated around the clay and hard courts of Sportime Kings Park.

DJ CM was on hand to keep everybody entertained by playing the latest hits, and the kids and parents were treated to Asian-inspired cuisine.

The goal of Sportime’s World Tour events is to bring together students from all Sportime clubs to meet and compete in an ageand level-appropriate format based on Pro Tour competitions.

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“We were very pleased with the turnout for this event,” said Sportime World Tour Director Jason Wass. “We were able to fill up every session and now our challenge is finding ways to create more space for even more players!”

The next installment of the World Tour will be held Saturday, Jan. 20 at Sportime Syosset with Melbourne, Australia and the Australian Open as the theme.

“We are always experimenting with new wrinkles to keep it fun and exciting for both the on-court and off-court portions of our program,” said Wass. “For updates and future event registration, parents should go to our Web site, SportimeNY.com/WorldTour.

Pictures and videos from this weekend’s event, as well as previous World Tour events are posted there for all to see.”

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2018 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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2018 Au he Australian Open will begin the Grand Slam season in 2018, as we are all set for another great year of professional tennis. Fans around the world were treated to a spectacular event in Melbourne last year, as Serena Williams played Venus Williams in the women’s singles final, and Roger Federer met Rafael Nadal in the men’s singles final, and we are excited to see what the 2018 installment of the tournament has in store.

Here is what to watch for in 2018 …

T

New Champion On Women's Side Serena Williams won her 23rd Grand Slam singles title in Melbourne a year ago, defeating older sister Venus in the final. While two sisters in their mid30s battling for a Grand Slam title is remarkable in itself, what made the feat even more legendary was the fact that Serena was in the early stages of pregnancy. Serena would not play after the Australian Open and gave birth in September. Serena had hoped to return to action in Melbourne this year but is not ready just yet, which means we will have a new champion at the Australian Open on the women’s side.

Two-Time Champion Azarenka Gets Wild Card Victoria Azarenka went through a turbulent 2017 season. A bitter custody dispute forced her to pull out of the U.S. Open and the Fed Cup Final as her native Belarus lost to the United States, and her ranking has dropped to 210th in the world. But Azarenka 30

will be eligible for the main draw of the Australian Open as she was granted a Wild Card into the tournament. She won the title in Melbourne in 2012 and 2013.

“I’m so excited about coming back to Melbourne for the Australian Open, it’s my favorite tournament,” Azarenka said. “I’ve won there twice and always feel so comfortable on court and the city is great.”

Can the Americans Shine Through?

It seems that around every Grand Slam, one of the constant talking points is the title drought that the American men have had in the majors: No man from the United States has won a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick at the U.S. Open in 2003. Next year marks the 15-year anniversary of Roddick’s triumph, but 2018 could put an end to that, as the topranked American men finished last year with a lot of confidence having found success in big tournaments. Sam Querrey reached the Wimbledon semifinals and U.S. Open quarterfinals, while Jack Sock (pictured above) reached the semifinals of the Nitto ATP Finals at the end of the season. With a talented crop of young players who will be in the main draw as well, one thing to follow in Melbourne is the results of the Americans.

Djokovic's Return From Injury It was a difficult 2017 season for former world number one Novak Djokovic as he was forced off the court with an elbow injury. He hasn’t competed since Wimbledon last year but should be ready to return for the

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

Australian Open. His injuries, coupled with Andy Murray’s absence, helped give way to the resurgent seasons for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Djokovic is a six-time champion in Melbourne and will be a welcome site to the ATP World Tour when he returns.

Sharapova Set for Full Season One of the biggest storylines last year was the return of Maria Sharapova following her suspension after doping violations, and the Russian star is ready for a full calendar in 2018. She reached the fourth round of the U.S. Open in September and would later capture her first title in two years in Tianjin in October in China to cap of a successful return to the game. She won the Australian Open 10 years ago, and with more match play under her belt, could be a force to be reckoned with as we enter the first Grand Slam of 2018.

Lleyton Hewitt Coming Out of Retirement to Play Doubles Australian tennis fans will have another chance to see their nation’s greatest player ever as Lleyton Hewitt announced that he is coming out of retirement to play in the men’s doubles draw in Melbourne. He will partner with compatriot Sam Groth, who plans to retire himself after the tournament.

“It’s going to be a bit of fun, that’s what the Australian Open is about,” said Hewitt.

“I’m going to really enjoy it. We’ve been hitting a lot of balls, hitting every day, and we’re not just going out there making up the

Australian Open Preview

BY BRIAN COLEMAN

numbers. We want to give it a fair crack.”

Federer-Nadal Rematch?

The primary storyline throughout the 2017 season was the resurgence of both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (pictured left), two beloved alltime greats who each compiled one of the best seasons in their respective careers. The signature moment of the renewed rivalry was the epic final between the Swiss and the Spaniard in Melbourne, a thrilling five-set victory for Federer. The two players are now number one (Nadal) and number two (Federer) in

the ATP Rankings, so a rematch of last year’s final remains a possibility, and nothing would bring more eyeballs to the tournament’s final than if the two all-time greats squared off yet again.

Innovative Use of Shot Clock

begin at the end of one point and run until the serve of the ensuing point. The format was originally trialed during the U.S. Open qualifying tournament last year as well as at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan. While the 25 seconds is a five-second increase from the usual allotment of time, a running and visible shot clock on court will take the decision on whether to penalize a player away from the umpire.

Brian Coleman is Senior Editor for Long Island Tennis Magazine. He may be reached by phone at (516) 409-4444, ext. 326 or email BrianC@USPTennis.com.

The 2018 Australian Open will use a shot clock as part of a new set of measures to save time and speed up the pace of play. It will use a 25-second shot clock which will

www.windsorhighschoolatalbany.com

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2018 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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2017 Long Island Girls High Port Washington Beats Ward Melville for Long Island Crown

Port Washington defeated Ward Melville 5-2 to capture the 2017 Long Island Championship

t was a dream season for Port Washington this past fall, as the Vikings defeated Ward Melville 5-2 in the Long Island Championship at Half Hollow Hills West High School.

Rain suspended play on the day the championship was initially supposed to be played, and play was resumed the following week. The first doubles tandem of Brittany Polevikov & Sofia Walzer of Port Washington defeated Julia Hu & Ella Anderes 6-0, 6-0 in the only match to finish up before rain stopped play.

“It was nice to have a win under our belt and come here and cheer on the girls,” said Polevikov.

The McGowan Sisters, eighth-grader Martine and Tiffany, a senior, quickly added to the Port Washington lead with their wins at second and third singles, respectively.

The clinching match for Port Washington, just like in the Nassau County Championship, came on the third doubles court, as Mia Froccaro & Kelsey Sy

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Casey Fanous (pictured here) paired up with Charlotte Forman of Port Washington, during her Long Island Championship victory at second doubles

knocked off Ellie Berger & Sam Sloan 60, 6-1 to seal Port Washington’s first Long Island title since 2008.

“The season has been a dream come true. You couldn’t write a better script than this,” said Port Washington Head Coach Shane Helfner. “We won our conference; we had the Nassau doubles champions who finished fourth in states; we won our county and then we won Long Island. Everything seemed to go our way this year, and the credit goes to the girls. They worked really hard to get here.”

Port Washington’s fifth victory came at second doubles as Casey Fanous & Charlotte Forman won 7-6(6), 6-2 over Ward Melville’s Dara Berman & Leah Sugrue.

Ward Melville got wins from first and fourth singles, as Anna Ma beat Ada Amarghioalei 7-5, 6-3 at fourth singles, while Denise Lai outlasted Thea Rabman 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

The Long Island Championship was the 17th straight win for Port Washington, as

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

they won every match since losing its season opener to Great Neck North.

“It’s going to be sad leaving you guys. You’ll always be in my heart,” Tiffany McGowan said to her teammates after the win. “I never thought I would be able to have this experience.

It feels really good to get this done before I graduate.”

Port Washington proved to be the best team on Long Island this season and that could be the case again next year, with players like Thea Rabman and Martine McGowan at the top of the lineup and loads of depth throughout the roster, this season could be the beginning of a long run for the Vikings.

“I think all the girls know we’re getting more girls coming in next year, and everyone knows they’re going to have to put in a lot of time in the offseason to be ready for next year,” said Helfner.

“Competition is good. It’s going to bring out the best in everybody. Port Washington tennis is a great place to be right now.”

RECAP

gh School

Nassau County Champion Rachel Arbitman Embracing High School Tennis

or many top junior tennis players across the United States, the decision on whether or not to play for their high school varsity programs can often be a difficult one.

With strenuous tournament and training schedules occupying much of a player’s time, committing to play for one’s high school team is usually not in the cards.

But that wasn’t the case for nationallyranked Rachel Arbitman, who began her freshman year at Hewlett High School this past fall. Arbitman, currently ranked 13th in the country by TennisRecruiting.net amongst freshman, was eager to play high school tennis.

“I really wanted to play, and it was one of the best choices I’ve made in my life,” said Arbitman. “Since tennis isn’t a team sport, having that team atmosphere was great. It was so much fun being part of a team.”

Arbitman played in the top singles spot and helped lead the Bulldogs to an undefeated regular season record and a Conference II-A Championship. Hewlett

F

would fall to eventual Nassau County and Long Island champion Port Washington in the playoffs, but it was still a fantastic season for the Bulldogs.

For Arbitman, personally, the freshman was nearly unbeatable. She went unbeaten and took home the Nassau County Singles Title and qualified for the New York State

Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) tournament.

“It was really fun travelling up to states, rooming with the girls and having dinners with the whole section. We all came together,” said Arbitman. “It was a great excontinued on page 34

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2017 Long Island Girls High School perience, and I started out playing really well. Through the quarterfinals and semifinals, I was playing some of my best tennis.”

In the state semifinals, Arbitman defeated Great Neck North’s Amy Delman to book her spot in the final and into a showdown with 2016 finalist Julia Andreach of Our Lady of Mercy High School.

Despite her outstanding play leading up to the final, Arbitman didn’t have her normal confidence going into the last match.

“I usually don’t get nervous, but that night [before] I knew something was off,” she said. “At dinner, I wasn’t in a good mood and didn’t feel like myself. I had trouble sleeping. We had no warm up and the courts were playing fast, and I did not go into the finals performing to the best of my abilities. It was actually one of the worst matches I played in a while, but Julia is an amazing player and she played great.”

Andreach would defeat Arbitman 6-4, 6-2 in the state finals, but it did not diminish the successful freshman campaign that she put together. She wants to continue playing high school tennis, and will for sure be a favorite to win the county and state titles next fall.

Until then, Arbitman is still working on improving her game. She trains at Christopher Morley Tennis in Roslyn and has seen

huge growth in her game since she joined the program a couple of years ago.

“She is a very competitive girl and loves winning,” said Andrea Retolaza, Junior Director at Christopher Morley, who has coached Arbitman over the last year. “She will do whatever it takes to win a match.

During the last few years she has been working hard adjusting her forehand and serve techniques in order to be a more aggressive player.”

That aggressiveness is something Arbitman is still adding to her game. Her backhand is and always been the strength of her game, and she has developed a strong forehand.

“I’m working on making my forehand more of a weapon,” she said. “It’s getting

RECAP close to my backhand.”

Her play at the net is also something Arbitman is diligently working on to make her game more well-rounded. Her conditioning and fitness has improved greatly in her time since joining Morley which has complimented her strong technical game.

Recently, she reached the semifinals at the USTA Girls 16s Indoor Championships in Minnesota, competing against some of the best players in the country, as she continues to climb the national rankings.

She has come a long way from the girl who, as she put it, couldn’t get more than three balls inside the court when she first started playing. Now she is a blue chip recruit, and has goals of playing collegiate tennis down the road, and would love to be able to attend and play tennis for an Ivy League school.

But until then, she will continue to expand her game and get better. Arbitman still plans on playing high school tennis for the remainder of her tenure at Hewlett High School, something she believes is beneficial to her tennis career.

“I know I definitely want to play in all my years of high school,” she said. “I love the experience and it’s great for me.”

Just a freshman and still getting better, be sure to remember Arbitman’s name in the years to come.

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Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

Lux-Craft: Unmatched LED Lighting Upgrade at Tennis Facilities

ux-Craft Inc. is a leading LED lighting manufacturer for indoor and outdoor sports facilities. Located in Hicksville, N.Y., Lux-Craft is dedicated to the latest technological advances, resulting in the most advanced LED solutions for the sports industry.

Lux-Craft’s third-generation 540-watt fixture outperforms all other competitors.

In 2016, the company introduced highlyadvanced outdoor fixtures. The indirect na-

L

ture of the outdoor model reduces glare and improves playability like no other fixture on the market.

Lux-Craft is continuously working to make improvements and advances in LED lighting technology. The company is determined to manufacture high-quality luminaires for sports facilities.

All assembly and testing is done locally in New York, and with a five-year standard guarantee, Lux-Craft is confident that they

can vastly improve the lighting systems at tennis clubs. All of that, combined with substantial energy savings, is guaranteeing that we are going to see more LED technology in the future of the tennis industry.

Local clubs have greatly benefitted by converting to LED lighting systems, and the ability to have relationships with local manufacturers has made the confidence and convenience as a major decision factor.

For more information, call (718) 934-3600.

Learn To Play Tennis or Just Improve Your Game Adults: 14 Week Learn & Play Session • Beginning January 15th • 4 students in a group with pro for 1 hour each week plus 1-1/2 hr. practice time each week.

• Day, Night & Weekend Times Available, Groups Now Being Formed

Juniors: 14 Week Session • Beginning January 15th • Group, Semi Private & Private Lessons Available • Ladder Match Program • Saturday & Sunday Practice Time

1414 Jerusalem Avenue, North Merrick, NY 11566 • 516-489-9005 LITennisMag.com • January/February 2018 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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LITennisMag.com • January/February 2018 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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U S TA E A S T E R N L O N G I S L A N D R E G I O N

LI Votes for Net Generation USTA Eastern Long Island Region

Baldwin School District’s Physical Education Teachers will introduce Net Generation over the next few months.

In Glen Cove, teachers in all four of the District’s elementary schools will soon be launching Net Generation programming

The votes are in and the winners are local kids, thanks to the USTA’s new Net Generation program, which held several events on Election Day across Long Island. “Net Generation Day” featured five separate events throughout the day, all supported by Neil Thakur, USTA Eastern Section Tennis Service Representative for Long Island.

Programs included teacher training workshops in at the NY Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance – Suffolk Zone Conference and in the Glen Cove, Baldwin and Hauppague school districts. Net Generation also was promoted heavily at the Suffolk County Girls Varsity Awards Dinner.

“Net Generation is our new youth program which offers free cur-

Hauppauge’s Physical Education Teachers get on-court training in junior tennis during their Teacher Training Workshop

riculum, free equipment and free training to each school that enrolls,” Thakur said. “The school year has started with several schools implementing the program in their elementary schools and we look forward to adding more as the school year progresses.

As a game for life, studies show that kids who are exposed to tennis early are better students and learn wonderful life skills. Our elementary school program also helps feed the JV and Varsity teams by getting new players in the game.

For more information on Net Generation including questions about launching tennis programming in your school, please contact Thakur@Eastern.USTA.com.

Professional Tennis Returns to Long Island at the New York Open

Professional tennis returns to Long Island in February when the New York Open ATP Tournament (formerly Memphis Open) makes its debut at the NYCB Live, home of The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The week-long event (Feb. 10-18, 2018) is presented by GF Sports 38

LLC and Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, with sponsorship support from USTA Eastern and USTA Long Island. The NY Open will bring top U.S. and international tennis stars to Nassau County, including Kei Nishikori, John Isner, Mike and Bob Bryan, and Long Island’s own Noah Rubin. The New York Open’s Opening Night Premiere on Feb. 11th will feature exhibition matches between John McEnroe and James Blake and Sloane Stephens against Eugenie Bouchard. For ongoing updated news and information about the NY Open, visit NewYorkOpen.com.

USTA members will receive special discounts on tickets throughout the event including 15 percent off for the Bryan Brothers (2/13), Nishikori (2/14), Isner (2/15) and 20 percent off the 2/16 night session. Visit https://oss.ticketmaster.com/aps/nassau1/EN/promotion/home to buy tickets and use USTA Member Promo Code: USTANYOPEN.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

U S TA E A S T E R N L O N G I S L A N D R E G I O N

Nominate Now for Long Island Awards

Each year, the USTA Long Island Region recognizes the achievements of individuals, facilities and organizations who have gone above and beyond, both on the court and off. Some of those awardees are honored for their tennis play and/or rankings, while our Prestigious and Excellence Award Winners are nominated by their peers, the Long Island tennis community.

Nominations are now open for the 2018 Awards Dinner, which has been scheduled for May 2nd at the Chateaubriand in Carle

Place, N.Y. Please visit LongIsland.USTA.com for a complete list of award categories, instructions for making nominations and to see a list of past winners.

“If you know of a worthy nominee, please visit our Web site and nominate that person yourself,” said Jonathan Klee, President, USTA Long Island Region. “Don’t assume someone else will do it. Our goal is to honor the best Long Island has to offer, and we need your help to do it.”

USTA Eastern to Host Annual Conference and Awards The USTA Eastern Annual Conference will be held Jan. 26-28, 2018 at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel in White Plains, N.Y. In addition to an Awards Dinner on Saturday evening that will recognize several hard-working and influential people involved with tennis across the Eastern Section (including Long Islanders), the Conference, “On the Fast Track of Tennis Innovation,” will feature customized work-

shops with best practice-sharing, on-court training using the latest teaching techniques, networking opportunities with industry-leading tennis professionals and a new and more user-friendly track format.

Three session tracks will focus on Business Development, Player Development and Community Development.

For more information and to register, please visit Eastern.USTA.com.

USTA Eastern to Host Annual Conference and Awards The USTA Long Island Regional Board was pleased to present all the Nassau and Suffolk girls competing at States with sweatshirts. Shown here are Nassau’s team and Suffolk’s team.

The 2017 girls’ high school season saw several important achievements, with Port Washington defeating Ward Melville to win the Long Island Championship, a new focus on No Cut Tennis Programs Island-wide, fundraising and awareness efforts on behalf of breast cancer during October, and several girls achieving suc-

cess at States. Once again, the USTA Long Island Regional Board was pleased to present all of the Nassau and Suffolk girls competing at the New York State Tournament in Latham, N.Y. with sweatshirts. For a complete look at the 2017 season, including photos, please visit www.longisland.usta.com.

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2018 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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Your 2018 Guide to Long Island Tennis Magazine’s

Top Clubs & Programs

Long Island tennis players have great choices when it comes to where to play tennis. We have compiled a list of Long Island Tennis Magazine’s top 40 Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com clubs and programs with descriptions of what each has to offer.

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Bethpage Park Tennis Center 99 Quaker Meeting House Road, Building #4 Farmingdale, N.Y. BethpageParkTennis.com (516) 777-1358 ethpage Park Tennis Center is located just a few hundred feet from the Black Course at beautiful Bethpage State Park. Four indoor hard courts and four indoor red clay courts are air-conditioned for yearround play, along with two outdoor HarTru courts.

Bethpage Park Tennis Center offers an array of adult seasonal leagues, lessons and walk-on court opportunities. It’s free and low-cost program for seniors and special populations is perhaps the largest of its kind in New York State.

Bethpage Park Tennis Center is best known for its renowned junior development program, led by top coaches Steve Kaplan and Keith Kambourian. Collectively, they have developed more players than anyone else in the East.

Steve is the Owner of Bethpage Park Tennis Center, as well as Director of City Parks Foundation Lacoste Academy. Steve has been the long-time coach of more than 800 nationally-ranked junior players, 16 state high school singles champions, two NCAA Division I Singles Champions, and numerous touring professionals and prominent coaches. Steve’s students have been awarded in excess of $8 million in college scholarship money.

Keith, Co-Owner of Bethpage Park Tennis, has exceled as both a player and a coach. He was ranked in the top 30 nationally in the Boy’s 18 Division, received a full scholarship to Duke and was ranked nationally among the best collegiate players. He directed the Reebok Urban Youth Tennis Academy at Flushing Meadows, N.Y. and has since coached players from beginners to international touring professionals. In 1998, he was awarded the ETA Long Island Region Tennis Professional of the Year Award. Keith has a master’s degree in sports management. His level-headed approach to junior tennis ensures that students develop and maintain a positive and productive mental outlook.

In the summer, the finest players in the East join Bethpage Park Tennis for summer camp on four indoor hard courts, four indoor red clay courts that are air-conditioned, along with two outdoor HarTru courts and six nearby outdoor hard courts. Lunch is included and transportation is available. Bethpage Park Tennis Center charges no membership fee and encourages and values beginners equally with its nationally-ranked players.

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Butch Seewagen Tennis Academy 188 Maple Avenue Rockville Centre, N.Y. CATSNY.com CATSRVC@gmail.com (516) 763-1299, ext. 10 he Butch Seewagen Tennis Academy is proud to be the first of its kind on Long Island devoted entirely to the USTA’s 10 & Under Tennis Program. The Academy features three state-of-the-art, Net Generation, U.S. Open blue green courts. The Academy offers professional tennis programs for group, semi-private and private lessons, plus birthday parties and special events.

Directed by former U.S. National Amateur Champion and former top 70 player, the Butch Seewagen Tennis Academy uses USTA and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Net Generation tennis guidelines. This progressive curriculum focuses on developing children’s tennis skills on a size-appropriate scale, utilizing smaller courts, low compression balls and smaller rackets. Drills and games are played with an emphasis on developing skill sets in a fun environment.

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2013 ETA Recipient “Innovative Tennis Program of the Year” LI’s first Tennis Academy devoted to the USTA’s 10 & under Initiative.

Butch Seewagen is a former varsity coach at Columbia University.

He holds over 15 national and international titles and is the owner/program director of the Children’s Athletic Training Schools.

For Boys and Girls 3 – 10 years old.

188 Maple Avenue • Rockville Centre Phone: 516-763-1299 catsrvc@gmail.com

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Carefree Racquet Club 1414 Jerusalem Avenue, #1 North Merrick, N.Y. CarefreeTennis.com CarefreeTennis@gmail.com (516) 489-9005 arefree Racquet Club is Long Island’s premier indoor tennis club.

Carefree offers seven indoor tennis courts, two racquetball courts and a half-court basketball court.

League Coordinator Debbie Cichon offers adult singles, doubles and team doubles leagues that are always on level to insure you a good game every time you play. Carefree has many USTA teams in the Adult, Senior, Mixed-Doubles and Tri-Level Leagues. For those new to the game or just want to improve, Carefree offers two 14-week sessions of learn and play groups coordinated by Louis Vallejo. Players get an hour lesson each week, along with 90 minutes of practice time each week.

For players looking for a more relaxed social atmosphere, Karen Guigliano hosts parties on Friday/Saturday nights where food is served, and Karen arranges all games for the night. Jean Tanklowitz, Senior Program Coordinator, has many retirees who simply have a flexible schedule, playing Monday through Thursday in the afternoon. All games are arranged by Jean.

For junior players, Ben Marks, Carefree’s Director of Tennis, coordinates the Junior Development Program with two 14-week sessions starting at the age of five and running through the age of 18.

Children can take group, semi-private or private lessons and get practice time and ladder match play as well. Ben also runs a high-school prep program and an Elite program.

Carefree is very proud of its QuickStart tot program for children ages three- to five-years-old. This adorable program uses all the props to keep the children’s attention and is unmatched.

Carefree Racquet Club is managed by Kathy Miller, who is also the Long Island USTA Adult League Coordinator. Kathy, along with her assistant manager, Pat McIlwee, pride themselves on the organization and smooth running of the best indoor Club on Long Island that has never and continues to not charge membership fees.

So if you are looking to join a program or just rent a court now and then, we would love to see you at Carefree!

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Christopher Morley Tennis 500 Searingtown Road Roslyn, N.Y. CMTTennis.com Info@CMTTennis.com (516) 214-1900 hristopher Morley Tennis is (CMT) the premier tennis facility on the North Shore of Long Island, conveniently located north of the Long Island Expressway in Christopher Morley Park, a beautiful 98acre park with golf, basketball, athletic fields, swimming and more.

The state-of-the-art tennis facility features five new indoor hard courts and five HarTru courts for year-round play.

Christopher Morley Tennis offers court rentals, adult and junior private and group lessons, leagues and high performance training. Christopher Morley Tennis is known to have one of the best high performance junior programs in Long Island, with coaching by Alex Bogomolov, an ATP 33-ranked player. CMT’s top juniors are currently ranked sixth, eighth and 15th in the country for 15 & Under, and they recently achieved first and fourth place finishes at Super Nationals.

In addition, CMT’s Red, Orange and Green Ball groups cater to junior players at all levels. CMT is proud to be the home club to more than 25 USTA teams, including Junior Team Tennis, and many of its USTA teams have competed in local, regional, sectional and national competition. Due to exceeding demand, CMT has collaborated with Port Washington Tennis Academy to offer programming at their facility, providing access to an additional 17 courts.

Throughout the year, Christopher Morley Tennis holds special holiday programs, tournaments and fundraising events. During the summer, CMT has a tennis intensive camp and a high performance camp. At Christopher Morley Tennis, we strive to offer an array of recreational and competitive programming options under the direction of top-notch pro staff, with no membership fees.

For more information, e-mail Info@CMTTennis.com.

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Port Washington Tennis Academy 100 Harbor Road Port Washington, N.Y. PWTA.com Tennis@PWTA.com (516) 883-6425 ort Washington Tennis Academy (PWTA) is dedicated to young people, primarily from the ages of four through 18. PWTA was created in 1966 as a nonprofit facility to use tennis as a means of fostering educational success for children, by developing a stimulating lifelong activity that is fun, healthy, and scholastically and socially beneficial. This is accomplished by utilizing specialized techniques with a wide range of instructional programs, special in-house competitions and several USTA-sanctioned tournaments.

Additionally, graduating high school seniors get the benefit of PWTA’s many years of experiences and up-todate knowledge of schools, teams and coaches when it comes to identifying, selecting and the eventual placement at a university meeting their individual capabilities and goals. While PWTA is well-known for many world-class professional players graduating from its programs, encouraging educational excellence will always be the club’s main focus.

PWTA also offers an extensive variety of adult programs at all levels. Men’s and women’s daytime and evening leagues, private lessons, group clinics (three players plus a professional), seasonal courts, including instructional and season-ending doubles play sessions, are just part of the club’s broad spectrum of activities. PWTA is the largest indoor tennis facility on the East Coast, with 17 indoor courts (four hard and 13 HarTru) and a unique elevated quarter mile-long indoor running track.

PWTA also provides many extras not found as part of a teaching program, such as an international teaching staff, closed-circuit TV for each court, upper TV lounge for relaxed viewing, spectator viewing galleries to ensure full visibility of every court, comfortable lounge areas, extensive men’s and women’s locker rooms, meeting rooms, etc. Complimentary coffee, tea, milk, cookies, juice and potassium-rich bananas are always available to PWTA members. In addition, the Academy has a fully-stocked pro shop to meet the needs of members.

For more information, call (516) 883-6425 or visit PWTA.com.

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Point Set Indoor Racquet Club 3065 New Street Oceanside, N.Y. PointSetTennis.com Lori@PointSetTennis.com (516) 536-2323 xtreme makeover … tennis club edition! Upgrade yourself by enjoying the all new U.S. Open blue tennis courts, gleaming locker rooms, renovated lobby/office and redesigned social space of post-storm Point Set Indoor Racquet Club!

A state-of-the-art, spare no expense renovation out of respect to our customers! With 350-plus juniors in developmental programs, 60-plus QuickStart Pee-Wees, 500-plus adult players in leagues/contracts/drills, Point Set Racquet Club is working towards fulfilling its mission statement: Point Set aspires to be the most vibrant tennis club on the South Shore by integrating heart with sport in the community. The dedicated dream team staff of tennis professionals administers a top tier Tournament Training Program (TTP) for three levels of junior competitors. It addresses all aspects of competition: drills, match play, fitness and mental toughness. See what a difference the Point Set staff delivers as the facility has added airconditioning for a controlled climate for play year-round!

Point Set Indoor Racquet Club recognizes that customers are its most important asset. The collegial relationship of the staff, on- and off-the-court, translates into a friendly environment for its customers. Point Set is a full-service club and your gateway to challenging yourself to explore, enjoy and improve yourself through the great sport of tennis. Experience the difference a supportive environment makes!

Come play at Point Set, where fun meets fitness.

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Tennis @Ross 20 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, N.Y. Ross.org/Tennis Tennis@Ross.org (631) 907-5162 ennis @Ross is a beautiful tennis facility in the Hamptons that is open to the public and located on the Ross Upper School campus in East Hampton, N.Y. The Tennis Center features six HarTru tennis courts that are enclosed by a bubble from mid-fall through mid-spring, allowing for year-round play. The courts are directly adjacent to the state-of-the-art Field House, featuring amenities such as locker rooms, lounge, snack bar and ping-pong tables, and the staff provides a fun and supportive atmosphere that allows for the greatest amount of success.

After-school programming, a dynamic program for junior tennis players, and specialized summer programs are offered to make Tennis @Ross the place to play tennis in the Hamptons.

Youth Tennis Academy (Nursery-Grade 4): Specialized U10 training program designed for players of all levels entering Nursery–Grade 4. Players will build a strong foundation through a variety of game-based and cooperative activities using age appropriate (Red, Orange or Green) balls and nets that will prepare them for eventual full court play. Players in kindergarten and higher are required to play twice per week.

Junior Tennis Academy (Grades 5-8): Players build off their foundation to further develop fundamental skills and techniques as they transition into yellow balls and prepare for tournament competition. Ball control, strategy and work ethic are all emphasized in this 90-minute session of drills and point play. Players are required to play twice per week.

Ross School Tennis Academy (Grades 7-12): Designed for USTA/ITF players in grades 7-12 and postgraduates, RSTA is the first in the New York City area to have a full academic program with a complete physical and mental conditioning program. In addition, unlike other tennis academies, RSTA is a small, intimate program that allows student-athletes to develop lasting relationships with coaches, while receiving personalized instruction. Students who attend the Academy experience high-performance tennis training, while studying alongside their peers in a stimulating college preparatory learning community following a regular academic year (Ross.org/TennisAcademy).

Lessons and Court Rentals: Tennis @Ross also offers adult clinics, adult game arranging, court rentals and private and group instruction for all ages.

The Field House is also used for a variety of special events and is available for private parties.

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Sportime Tennis Clubs–Home of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy New York Region 11 locations across Long Island, Manhattan, Westchester and the Capital Region

SportimeNY.com/Tennis Info@SportimeNY.com (888) NY-TENNIS PORTIME’s courts, programs, coaches, facilities and club environments have set the standard of excellence since 1994, and we are getting better every year. With more than 150 hard and soft surface courts, indoors and outdoors, we offer great tennis programs and facilities for players of all ages and abilities. To find out more, go to SportimeNY.com.

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Programs for everyone include: l Juniors: From the Tennis Whizz program for preschoolers, to the Sportime U10 tennis pathway for red and orange level players, to the Junior Tennis Kinetics and Excel Tennis programs for green and yellow level juniors, to the ultimate opportunity to train with New York tennis icon Johnny Mac and the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) team, Sportime offers a complete menu of tennis programming for every level of play. Sportime Randall’s Island is the flagship home of JMTA, with JMTA satellite locations in Syosset on Long Island, Amagansett on Long Island (summer only) and at Lake Isle, Eastchester in Lower Westchester.

Our curriculums include world-class, age and level appropriate athletic training, mental toughness training, and more, reflecting our commitment to developing complete players. Sportime/JMTA’s games approach gets kids playing fast and blends technical and tactical learning and coaching from the very first lesson.

Sportime students turn their weaknesses into strengths, and their strengths into winning games! l Adults: Sportime’s Adult Tennis Kinetics is the largest adult group lesson program in the country. Major League Tennis, Cardio Tennis, and Sportime’s signature “Zone” high-intensity competitive games program all provide great workouts, combined with skills development, and are a lot of fun! For those looking for the ultimate challenge, Sportime offers Adult Excel, modeled after the highly successful Junior Excel and JMTA programs. Mixed-doubles parties, round-robin mixers, club tournaments and other special events round out the adult schedule throughout the year. l Sportime Camps: Sportime offers the best tennis camps anywhere and has a camp location near you!

Sportime summer and school-break camps, including U10, Excel and JMTA player development camps, utilize fun and fast-paced training methods, competitive games, technical instruction and tactical training for match play, as well as off-court athletic and mental toughness training. Multi-Sport camps are also offered.

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USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Flushing Meadows Corona Park Flushing, N.Y. NTC.USTA.com NTCPrograms@USTA.com (718) 760-6200 he USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, is the largest public tennis facility in the world. The Tennis Center is open to the public year-round and offers exciting programming, as well as numerous events throughout the year. Programs are offered for all ages and levels, as well as clinics, private lessons, leagues, tours, field trips, summer camps, corporate events, birthday parties and tournaments.

The NTC also supports all USTA Community Tennis and Player Development initiatives. The professional staff also conducts community tennis programs, including 10 & Under Tennis for children 10 years of age and under to learn tennis in a fun and dynamic way; USTA Junior Team Tennis for youth match play; USTA League Tennis for competitive, level-of-play competition, and an official Cardio Tennis site for on-court heart pumping fitness. Initiatives for USTA Player Development include an Invitational USTA Competition Training Center for ranked players, Player Development programs for top-ranking juniors in the Northeast, and a year-round USTA Tournament Training Program for ranked juniors.

The NTC also provides for diverse community outreach programs including; the New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL), the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, the Queens District Attorney’s Star Track/Say Yes to Tennis, No to Violence program for Queens at-risk youth. The NTC also hosts various tennis opportunities for special populations, including wheelchair tennis instruction for the physically-challenged from the months of October through July, HERO (Help Expand Recreational Opportunities) for developmentally challenged adults and tennis for autistic children through NYFAC (New York Families for Autistic Children). There is an extensive summer camp program which provides basic tennis instruction starting as young as 10 and under up through and including Academy level players. Camps include instruction and fitness programs; the encouragement of good sportsmanship leading to general character building for the children.

These services are provided at nominal cost, making it affordable for youngsters who would not otherwise get the chance to attend camp or receive tennis instruction.

Lastly, the Project ACES (Alternative Classroom Environment for Students), implemented at the NTC in 2009, is geared towards children from schools from the New York City Metropolitan Area. This program provides students the opportunity to visit the NTC and learn about the history of tennis. The kids are given a tour of the entire site, including Center Court in Ashe, a video presentation on the history of tennis and the great players of the sport, followed by an hour of on-court tennis instruction.

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The Future of U.S

By Steve Kaplan he future of tennis growth in this country is in team participation at a young age. While most tennis experiences at the highest level are about the individual, the team concept is the sweet spot of growth for the sport. The USTA offers Junior Team Tennis for very young players; however, in its current form, it does not result in the participation growth needed for the sport to thrive.

Accordingly, the USTA should go all in to the team format as the only format for 10 and Under Tennis, and do so for the following reasons.

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1. It’s consistent with demographic trends While overall youth team sports participation is down in this country over nine percent in the last 10 years, according to The Sports and Fitness Industry Association, with youth tackle football down over 18 percent. Most non-contact sports, like fast pitch softball, are up.

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Tennis participation is flat and is trending downward, with overall participation slightly up, but “core” participation (which is 90 percent of the tennis economic market) down according to the Tennis Industry Association (TIA). Simply stated, tennis is good at bringing new players into the sport, but not good at retaining players, with a high attrition rate. Team tennis will stop the revolving door of tennis participation and drive the market by getting new young players to love the game through healthy, fun and positive early competitive experiences.

2. It reduces barriers to entry Ask most parents why their children don’t play tennis more seriously and they will likely identify two reasons: The cost and the culture. Training is expensive and tournaments are, as one parent of a young student describes, “a free-for-all.”

Tennis will achieve cost efficiencies by pooling resources, while encouraging a less isolated, insular tournament environment dominated by the most aggressive parents. A team concept for young tournament players will encourage an atmos-

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phere of engagement, learning and teamwork.

3. It promotes the value of team engagement Adults who have played competitive junior tennis tell me with very few exceptions that their fondest tennis experience was as a member of a college team because they loved the feeling of being a part of something greater than themselves. Alas, you need to reach a high level of play to enjoy the team experience at a college level and it’s a shame that more coaches are not encouraging their top students to play high school tennis. I read with concern in last month’s Coaches Roundtable Discussion (see page 46 of the November/December 2017 issue of Long Island Tennis Magazine), the philosophy from one group that expressed “we encourage tournament players to play high school tennis, as long as the coach is flexible with the players schedule to allow them to train.” While that might be a useful practical compromise for the player and coach, it is also a philosophy

S. Tennis Growth of entitlement and that is not consistent with the value of team membership. Tennis is an isolating sport for many juniors, but it’s the sport of a lifetime because it encourages—not limits—socialization.

The solution Eliminate all 10 and Under individual tournaments and recast them as team events. This change would transform the goal of entry from winning as an individual, to playing and winning or losing as a team. Let’s not forget that the idea of scaled down playing environments was sold by the USTA as an attempt to be more like Little League, Junior Basketball and other team sports which scale.

Further, the success of The Laver Cup clearly demonstrates that a team event, run the right way, can be great for the sport. Players who enter 10 and Under events will be randomly placed on teams and the play will be similar as before.

With USTA support, it can include professional coaching, skill development, and support and encouragement during play. Team tennis at a very young age is a great way to encourage children and parents to love the sport.

I expect there will be resistance and growing pains to the elimination of the individual 10 and Under format, and I see some practical implementation issues,

but you cannot change the cutthroat culture that limits the growth of the sport with soft tennis balls, short rackets and blended lines, alone. Cultural change comes from bold, progressive action.

Steve Kaplan is Owner of Bethpage Park Tennis Center, as well as Director of Lacoste Academy for New York City Parks Foundation. Steve has been the longtime coach of more than 600 nationallyranked junior players, 16 State High School Champions, two NCAA Division 1 Singles Champions, and numerous touring professionals and prominent coaches. He may be reached by e-mail at StevenJKaplan@aol.com.

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Answer! You can by being part of the New York Tennis Expo on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at the New York Open at NYCB LIVE home of Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The New York Tennis Expo opens a week of New York Open professional tennis. The first professional tennis tournament on Long Island in almost 20 years! l For an investment as little as $599.00 for the day you can be an exhibitor and be part of this historic and exciting event. l Exhibitors receive custom designed invitations to blast to their database. l Includes our extensive e-mail, media and social media marketing campaigns for the Expo.

For sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities please call 516.409.4444 or e-mail Info@USPTennis.com LITennisMag.com • January/February 2018 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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A Look Back at the Year T

By Emilie Katz

Melo concluded 2017 atop the Emirates ATP Rankings. The duo jumped into the top spot after beating Ivan Dodig & Marcel Granollers in their first match at the ATP Finals.

2017 Grand Slam Winners

Australian Open Men’s singles: Roger Federer (SUI) Men’s doubles: Henri Kontinen (FIN) & John Peers (GBR) Women’s singles: Serena Williams (USA) Women’s doubles: Bethany MattekSands (USA) & Lucie Safarova (CZE) Mixed doubles: Abigail Spears (USA) & Juan Sebastian Cabal (COL)

U.S. Open Men’s singles: Rafael Nadal (ESP) Men’s doubles: Jamie Murray (GBR) & Bruno Soares (BRA) Women’s singles: Sloane Stephens (USA) Women’s doubles: Chan Yung-Jan (CHN) & Martina Hingis (SUI) Mixed doubles: Jamie Murray (GBR) & Martina Hingis (SUI)

2017 ATP Award Winners

French Open Men’s singles: Rafael Nadal (ESP) Men’s doubles: Ryan Harrison (USA) & Michael Venus (GBR) Women’s singles: Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) Women’s doubles: Bethany MattekSands (USA) & Lucie Safarova (CZE) Mixed doubles: Gabriela Dabrowski (CAN) & Rohan Bopanna (IND)

Wimbledon Men’s singles: Roger Federer (SUI) Men’s doubles: Lukasz Kubot (POL) & Marcelo Melo (BRA) Women’s singles: Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP) Women’s doubles: Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) & Elena Vesnina (RUS) Mixed doubles: Jamie Murray (GBR) & Martina Hingis (SUI) 52

Emirates ATP World Tour Number 1: Rafael Nadal Rafael Nadal finished the season at number one in the Emirates ATP Rankings for the fourth time in his career. He won six titles including two Grand Slams, and is the oldest player at age 31 to finish the year atop the Emirates ATP Rankings (began in 1973).

[INSERT: Kubot_Melo_Pic] ATP World Tour Number One Doubles Team: Lukasz Kubot & Marcelo Melo Poland’s Lukasz Kubot & Brazil’s Marcelo

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Comeback Player of the Year: Roger Federer Roger Federer began the year at 17th in the Emirates ATP Rankings after knee surgery which forced him to miss the second half of 2016. He responded in 2017 by winning two Grand Slams and seven titles overall, finishing the year at number two in the rankings.

Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award: Roger Federer For the 13th time, Roger Federer was selected with the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award.

ATP Star of Tomorrow Award: Denis Shapovalov The young Canadian burst on the scene with a semifinal showing in Montreal, and he backed it up in Flushing. Shapovalov

ar That Was 2017 won three qualifying matches to earn a spot into the U.S. Open main draw, and proceeded to reach the tournament’s fourth round. Shapovalov beat Juan Martin del Potro and Rafael Nadal in August at the Coupe Rogers in Montreal on the way to becoming the youngest ever semifinalist at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000.

Most Improved Player of the Year: Denis Shapopolav The 18-year-old Canadian finished the

year ranked 51st in the world, amassing a 12-13 record in 2017 and $762,664 in prize money. He jumped nearly 200 spots in the ATP Men’s Singles Rankings, having started the year at 250th in the world.

Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year: Horia Tecau Romania’s Horia Tecau was honored with the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year Award, due to his work in championing

children’s rights and educations in his home country.

ATP Coach of the Year: Neville Godwin Neville Godwin, Kevin Anderson’s coach for four years, was chosen by his peers as the winner of ATP Coach of the Year Award. The Award honors the coach who helped guide their player to a higher level of performance during the season.

Godwin, a former world number 90 and winner of one ATP World Tour title (2001 Newport), guided Anderson back into the Top 10 of the Emirates ATP Rankings and to his first Grand Slam final at this year’s U.S. Open.

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a look back at the year that was 2017 continued from page 53 Ron Bookman Media Excellence Award, the first Latin American journalist to earn the award. Salatino currently works for Fox Sports Argentina and has covered the sport of tennis since 1976.

ATPWorldTour.com Fan Favorite Singles: Roger Federer Roger Federer was voted ATPWorldTour.com Fan Favorite for 2017.

Federer said, “I love it. To receive this one, voted on by the fans mean a lot to me. I like interacting with them, talking with them, signing autographs, taking pictures, hearing their support. This is a big shout out to those who’ve voted for me and supported me and tennis in general for all these years and still like to see me play.”

ATPWorldTour.com Fan Favorite Doubles: Bob and Mike Bryan Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan were voted by fans as the ATPWorldTour.com Fans Favorite for the 13th year in a row. The 39year-old American duo extend their record reign in the doubles category, winning two titles in 2017, in Atlanta and Eastbourne, and reached the Australian Open final and the semifinals of the U.S. Open and at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments in Rome and Miami.

2017 WTA Award Winners

Player of the Year: Garbiñe Muguruza In 2017, Garbine Muguruza became the second player from Spain and 24th overall to earn the world number one ranking. She captured the title at Wimbledon by defeating Venus Williams, and made her third straight appearance at the WTA Finals in Singapore.

Doubles Team of the Year: Martina Hingis & Chan Yung-Jan The duo of Martina Hingis & Chan YungJan compiled a record of 49-6 in an absolutely dominant season, which saw them bring in nine titles, including the U.S. Open crown. In each tournament they played this year, they reached at least the quarterfinals and were a perfect 9-0 in tournament finals.

Ron Bookman Media Excellence Award: Guillermo Salatino Guillermo Salatino was honored with the 54

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

Most Improved Player of the Year: Jelena Ostapenko Latvian Jelena Ostapenko climbed 37 spots in the rankings since the beginning of 2017 as the 20-year-old rose to fame following her triumph at the French Open where she captured the title, becoming the lowestranked and first unseeded player to win at Roland Garros in the Open Era.

Newcomer of the Year: Catherine Bellis American CiCi Bellis had her first full season as a professional and it saw her reach a career-high ranking of 35th in the world towards the late summer. She reached the semifinals in Mallorca and Stanford, and reached the third round at the French Open.

Overall, Bellis notched six wins over top 20 players this past season.

Comeback Player of the Year: Sloane Stephens The Comeback Player of the Year Award went to American Sloane Stephens, who fought back from injuries to claim her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2017 U.S. Open. Foot surgery in January led to her ranking falling to 957th in the world and she wasn’t able to make it back onto court until Wimbledon.

After first-round exits at Wimbledon and then in Washington, D.C., Stephens started her incredible late-summer run, which culminated in the U.S. Open championship.

announced his retirement in 2017. After officially turning pro in 2001, the left-handed Fyrstenberg developed a greater penchant for doubles over singles, forming the all Polish duo known as “Polish Power” with fellow countryman Marcin Matkowski. With Matkowski, Fyrstenberg reached the U.S. Open finals in 2011, falling to Jurgen Melzer & Philipp Petzschner.

Jerry Diamond ACES Award: Angelique Kerber The Jerry Diamond ACES Award is presented to the player who consistently goes above and beyond in promoting the sport of women’s tennis to fans, media, and local communities by performing off-court promotional and charitable activities. This year’s award went to Germany’s Angelique Kerber, who took part in clinics, activities and fanfriendly events across the world to help bring the community and the sport closer together. Martina Hingis Martina Hingis of Switzerland ended her career and retired from professional tennis Retirements in 2017 in 2017. Hingis won 43 career singles titles and 64 career doubles titles, including 25 career Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles and mixed doubles. The 37-yearold exits the game following three decades in the sport, 209 weeks as the singles WTA world number one, with 70 weeks as the doubles WTA world number one, and an induction into the International Tennis Hall Kimiko Date of Fame in 2013.

Former world number four Kimiko Date retired in 2017 after her loss at the Japan Women’s Open to the 13th seeded Aleksandra Krunic. The 46-year-old Date, who retired once in 1996 and made a comeback in April 2008, had been hampered by pain in her knee and shoulders. Date won eight WTA Tour titles, reached the singles semifinals in three of four Grand Slams—the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon. She placed fourth in the world in November 1995 for her highest singles ranking.

Melanie Oudin Former world number 31 Melanie Oudin announced her retirement from professional tennis in 2017. The 26-year-old American thrilled the crowd at Flushing Meadows with a run to the quarterfinals in 2009 as a 17year-old. Ranked 70th in the world, Oudin coined a signature phrase of “Believe” as she rolled through the draw with victories over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Elena Dementieva, Maria Sharapova and Nadia Petrova, before falling to Caroline Wozniacki.

Radek Stepanek Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic called it a career in 2017, after failing to recover from back surgery earlier in the year.

The 39-year-old Stepanek won five ATP singles titles and reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2006 when he reached a career-high eighth in the world rankings.

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LITennisMag.com • January/February 2018 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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Swing Away on Both First and Second Serves

By Lisa Dodson ll serves can, and should be, hit with an identical swing pattern and a fast swing speed. Sound crazy? It’s not. First and second serves are often taught and thought of as two different strokes. This approach makes the already difficult stroke more physically complicated and mentally stressful, especially for women.

Swing speed on the first and second serve should be the same, if not faster, on the second. How can we accomplish this?

The key lies with using one swing pattern and overcoming fear.

All statistics show that a high first serve percentage results in winning more points.

A good day yields more easy points and a bad day can be devastating, especially if the second serve is weak. Unnecessary pressure is placed on the first serve. Fear of a weaker second serve looms in the background and directly takes confidence from your entire game.

The simple solution is to develop one swing pattern with varying grips, a consistent tempo and informed ball toss location.

This will, in turn, create consistent timing and movement for a service motion that is used for all serve types. You will need sev-

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eral basic grips to be a fast swing speed server. Grips will change dependent upon what type of serve is being hit. The grip needs to be paired with ball toss location for specific serves. Grips and toss locations change but swing patterns do not.

Pairing the correct grip with the correct ball toss location (contact point location) is a simple and essential concept for developing a variety of fast swing serves. This simplification takes away the physical and mental threat of having to learn a different “first” serve and “second” serve. Concentration on one technique and one swing speed leads to more consistency, builds confidence and removes fear.

Simply, all you have to do is choose what type of serve you want to hit (flat, slice or kick), pair the grip and ball toss location.

This is how you develop different amounts and types of spin. The more spin you create, the faster you have to swing. You’ll learn to depend upon a fast swing speed instead of fearing a second serve miss.

You’ll also quickly develop a variety of serve types naturally. This concept is the key to: l Reduce double faults l Hit a higher percentage of first serves l Develop a variety of serve speeds and spins l Control placement

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

l Create weaker returns and get more free points One swing pattern The serve is a patterned swing that has shape and rhythm. There are many variations of patterns and shapes and some are definitely more efficient and less riddled with excess movement that cause problems and missed serves.

Consistent and powerful servers use one consistent movement pattern. In other words, if you look at each individual serve, they look basically the same. So, in essence, there really is no “first” serve or “second” serve in the way that we usually think of them. There is no marked technique difference besides moving grips and ball toss locations. They both use the same pattern and speed but typically the second serve will have more spin for safety. The spin comes from moving grips and ball toss locations, not from changing the swing pattern.

How can that be?

If we keep the pattern the same and match a corresponding grip to the ball toss, then the body will make natural and appropriate changes within the swing pattern. The pattern remains the same, but modifications happen because of how you are holding the racket and where you will

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 2

Good grips have a range Did you know that the beveled areas on the grip are different sizes? When the racket is on edge, the beveled area that corresponds with the edge is approximately 1.5 centimeters. The beveled area to the left of that is approximately one centimeter. These are small areas. So, when you are asked to move your grip, those adjustments are usually very small if you are in the right range.

(See Figure 1) Correct serve grips vary in a range. The term “Continental” is used most often and players often do not understand that grip modifications can be made to form a larger range of grips. All of these modifications are made by shifting the hand to the left.

The Continental Grip is originated on the first left bevel with the V created by your

thumb and forefinger.

With this grip, you can hit an effective flat and slice serve, but not an effective kick or topspin serve (see Figure 1 with the green V marker for Continental Grip and Figure 2 with hand placement).

Moving your hand to the left of Continental, in very small increments, will create more spin for a slice serve and if moved more drastically (see Figure 2 with blue V marker) you can will change the edge angle and develop the ability to hit a kick or topspin serve (see Figure 3).

Incorrect serve grips are anything to the right of the first left bevel or in the direction of a power forehand That is not to say that one cannot hit a flat serve with the grip with a quarter-inch move to the right of Continental. This small change can work for some players but it is essential not to move any further to the right on the grip (see Figure 1 with red V marker for incorrect grip).

FIGURE 3

contact the ball. Make sense?

So, if we simply toss a ball up into the air and use a forehand grip, we’re going to get a lot of failure. An unknown contact point or flawed ball toss location cannot work with an unmatched grip and often causes joint pain, wear and tear and injury.

Tempo is everything We’ve all seen some pretty odd looking serves on the courts. They usually look like a lot of work and effort for not much of a result. Good looking serves are generally more efficient and have a good swing pattern and rhythm. In a word … effortless.

The tempo of the swing is the basis of all good serves. Effortless serves coordinate all movements of the body and limbs. The beginning tempo sets the tone for how you will get the ball toss to a good contact point and how you will effectively get your racket to that contact point at the right time.

Of course, the start of any motion sets the path to the result. The beginning tempo of the serve is critical to successful timing of toss and hit.

Servers need to be mindful to create a slow downswing or take-back in conjunction with the toss arm. This enables the server to incorporate the entire body (legs, torso, arms and head) that leads to the accelerated movement to contact point.

Think of it as a one/two movement or slow and go. The initial phase is slow and then GO (acceleration) happens as the racket is dropping into racket head drop position. The entire body is ready to make this powerful move.

If beginning tempo is fast or unorganized then power, efficiency and timing are gone with the wind. continued on page 58

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swing away on both first and second serves continued from page 57

Determine where you want your ball toss to go The toss is sort of a complicated deal for most people. After all, you’re using your non-dominant hand and arm to do a very specific and detailed task. Not to mention that the rest of your body is doing lots of other stuff.

One thing that helps everyone is determining where you want your toss to go before you serve. Forget about the how and concentrate on the where. Look up to that place before you initiate the serve and watch the ball come into that spot. Work on some toss technique over time but use this method for success at all levels We’ve discussed grips so now you need to know about which grip goes with which toss. For a flat or slice serve pair your Continental Grip (green V marker) with a ball toss that lands about 12-18 inches forward of the baseline and to the right (in line with

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your hitting shoulder). The flat toss will be at the further distance and the slice serve will be slightly closer but also about sixto-12 inches further to the right.

For the topspin or kick serve, your grip will be left of Continental (in the range of blue V marker) and your ball toss will arc back for contact over your head. If you let it fall, it would drop in the range of on top of your head to slightly behind your heels.

Notice that there is no mention of a ball toss for the forehand serve grip (red V marker).

If you work within some grip and toss guidelines you’ll improve drastically and will likely reduce wear and tear, pain and the likelihood of injury.

It’s time for a major upgrade for your serve and therefore your entire game.

Considering your serve motion as a swing pattern and not a HIT is critical. If

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

you start to get this concept then YOU will be able to swing away on first and second serves.

The first and second serve feed on each other physically and mentally. The cycle of fearing the second serve can be broken when you learn to depend upon a fast second serve swing speed.

In turn, a consistent swing speed will increase your first serve percentage, help create a neutralizing second serve and boost the overall confidence of your entire game.

Now doesn’t that sound like a plan?

Lisa Dodson is the Developer and Owner of Servemaster, a USPTA Elite Professional and a former WTA world-ranked player. She is currently the Director of Tennis at Shenorock Shore Club in Rye, N.Y. She may be reached by e-mail at Lisa@TheTotalServe.com or visit TheTotalServe.com.

10 and Under Tennis

By Vinicius Carmo hile 10 and Under Tennis has been growing over the past few years, I feel there is more growth in store. There are a few coaches on Long Island who are starting to realize how important the 10 and Under format is for tennis, in general, but we still find a lot of resistance among parents and coaches who say that this is not “real tennis.”

I would love to invite these parents and coaches to watch an Orange Ball Level 1 or Green Dot Level 1 tournament. These players are having long rallies, hitting balls at different angles, heights and speeds. They are hitting slices, drop shots and every ball that a complete tennis player can possibly hit. We are one of the last countries in the world to adopt this method. In Europe, they have been using this format for a long time which, to me, explains why they turn out some of the top players in the world.

The result of kids developing these skills and being able to compete and enjoy the game at such an early age will lead to having better and more complete tennis players in the United States. We are in desperate need of top professional players who our kids can look up to, especially on the men’s side.

Teaching young kids is not for everyone, and requires a great deal of skill and knowledge. I believe that it is much harder to teach a 10 and Under program than a High Performance program with older juniors.

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The USTA has a tough job pleasing everyone who thinks they understand tennis. If we all work together supporting 10 and Under Tennis, we are going to have more young tennis players and more business for everyone. How many times does a young tennis player stop playing and opt instead to play soccer, basketball, baseball or other sports where they play on a smaller and more appropriate-sized court or field and can start to compete right away? It’s just so much easier … a no brainer.

The USTA has just created and launched a program called “Net Generation,” where they are trying to educate coaches and parents, and inform the media about 10 and Under Tennis. It’s a bunch of fun videos of kids doing tricks with rackets and tennis balls, wearing

more hip and less traditional tennis clothes and shoes, and shows kids competing as a team and not individually. All of these things need to happen in order to keep kids interested in tennis as a sport.

I hope the coaches and parents realize that “10 and Under Tennis” is essential for all young players on the right path to become “real” tennis players in the future.

Vinicius Carmo is Tennis Director of The Ross School Tennis Academy and Coach of the Boys and Girls Varsity Tennis Teams. As a player, Vinicius was ranked among the top five junior players in Brazil and played several international junior tennis tournaments. He attended the University of Tennessee for four years on a full scholarship.

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charitable initiatives Commack Tennis Raises Money With “Tennis With the Teachers” Event

ach year, the Commack tennis program hosts a “Tennis With the Teachers” fundraiser to raise money. The annual event combines tennis players with teachers from the school district to compete in doubles play to raise money for local organizations.

“The event was started by the former

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coach, and the team enjoyed it so much that we kept it going. Aside from raising money for such an important cause like Breast Cancer Research, the aspect that is most special is for the athletes to have an opportunity to play tennis with their teachers,” said Commack Head Coach Jackie Clark. “The girls love and respect

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Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

their teachers so much, and to spend time with them out of the classroom in this setting is so special. We are so thankful to the teachers for taking the time out of their very busy lives to compete. They also have such a great time playing and many look forward to this event every year.”

Carefree Racquet Club Joins the Fight Against Diabetes

arefree Racquet Club helped raise $537 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) as it hosted a “Fight Against Diabetes” event.

The event came together after one of the players in Carefree’s junior program told the club about a walk she was doing for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation,

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and the Club immediately knew it wanted to help.

“We knew we wanted to do something to help raise money. We very quickly threw together a clinic where all of our pros donated their time and 100 percent of the funds went to Juvenile Diabetes,” said Kathy Miller, General Manager at Carefree

Racquet Club. “Carefree donated the courts, pizza and soda, and had a couple of great raffle prizes. So many of the kids from our junior program attended to support one of their fellow students. It was great see that support, and we look forward to putting together a bigger event next year!”

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The Mental Game Mindful Eating Practice

By Rob Polishook, Mental Training Coach MA, CPC Watching the top tennis players is akin to watching Houdini escape from ropes and chains tied. Be it Roger Federer or Serena Williams, the greats have an uncanny ability to escape and, further, to turn adversity into opportunity.

The big question is … how do they do it? If you asked them they might say, “I just competed, it’s not over till it’s over.”

This may be true, but one thing for certain is that they are able to manage their emotional energy.

If you’re a competitive player, coach or parent, you’re probably thinking, “Sign me up! How can I get some of that energy?” The answer is … you already have it, it’s within you. The key is you have to be aware and grounded. Riding the waves of obstacles, success and challenges requires staying balanced emotionally.

Here is a simple practice that I learned that will help you manage your energy. It can be practiced each time you eat or

drink during the day. It’s called “Mindful Eating.” It’s very easy … it only takes commitment, intention and awareness.

The purpose is to slow down, ground yourself and be present in what you are experiencing. Sound familiar? The same things you want to do on the court.

I have found, and clients have told me, that when they practice Mindful Eating, they enjoyed their meal more. Why? Because they didn’t mindlessly gobble down their food and tasted what they ate! But the bigger bonus is they felt calmer during and after the meal. The practice helped them to re-connect to themselves. Therefore, they were able to easily transition into the next activity in their day.

The good news is that we all know how to eat, hopefully food that is healthy!

But for this practice, the focus is on staying present to whatever you’re eating. To set the conditions for the practice, when you sit down for a meal, notice yourself sitting firmly in a chair, then take a few breaths, and bring up the imaginary chain of events it took for the meal to reach your table.

Next are the key points for the actual

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eating/drinking part of the practice: Once you use your utensil to gather and transfer the bite to your mouth, place the fork/spoon back on the plate and chew.

Only when you finish chewing, do you then pick up the utensil for the next bite.

Even better would be to take a breath and/or sit back in your chair for a moment between bites. You might also pick up your drink before the next bite, but again, once you lift the glass to your lips and drink, place the glass back on the table.

This prevents gulping, or what I call double or triple pumping!

As a reminder, when you are chewing, your hands should be on the table or your lap. The fork should be sitting on its own.

This will help you to avoid pre-loading, pre-arranging, or shoveling the next bite when there is already food in your mouth.

Essentially, the idea is to finish chewing, take a breath, lean back or take a sip.

Then you arrange the next bite with your utensil.

Through this practice, a transformational thing may occur—you will become aware when you are full. You will have a more relaxed and enjoyable meal, which will translate into the rest of your day. Mindful Eating and drinking will provide you the opportunity multiple times a day to re-connect to yourself. The practice will help you become more aware, centered, and grounded to what’s happening around you.

Imagine if you could do that on the court?

Kinda Houdini, Roger or Serena like!

Rob Polishook, MA, CPC is Founder and Director of Inside the Zone Sports Performance Group. As a Mental Training Coach, he works with athletes and teams, focusing on helping athletes gain the mental edge. Rob is Author of Tennis Inside the Zone: Mental Training Workouts for Champions. He may be reached by phone at (973) 723-0314, e-mail Rob@InsideTheZone.com or visit InsideTheZone.com.

You Are More Than That Number

By Barbara Wyatt My USTA year-end tennis rating, and possibly yours, popped out of the NTRP, National Tennis Rating Program in December.

Within minutes, maybe seconds, of the publication of those ratings, a handful of players pushed the “appeal rating” link. They could not believe they were that number. Some wanted to be bumped “up,” while others wanted to be bumped “down.” But, the vast majority gave their rating a thumbs up with a nod of the head, “Yep, that’s how I play.”

Developed in 1978, the year-end rating was designed to create a competitive adult tennis league throughout United States. In the early 1990s, the USTA added the computer calculation process of the dynamic rating that added 50 more assessments to each level because of a rounding to the hundredth decimal point. A 3.5 player falls between 3.01 and 3.50.

The dynamic rating is calculated every night using an algorithm that takes the current match and averages up to three of the most recent dynamic results. Year-end ratings are based on a player’s cumulative dynamic rating during the season and a comparison to an appropriate benchmark, such as a seasonal opponent who played at Sectionals.

If you want to move up the rating ladder, here’s what you do: l Play better than expected. At each match, the dynamic rating predicts an expected score between opponents.

Perhaps, in a match between you, a 4.30 player, and your opponent, another 4.30 player, you win 7-6, 6-2.

The calculation predicted it would be a closer match, but you proved it wrong.

You may be awarded additional hundredth decimal points to your dynamic rating and an equal amount moved from your opponent’s rating. At the end of the match, you may be a 4.35 player and your opponent, a 4.25. l Review how you play … not wins and losses. In your next match, you, a 4.35 player, are pitted in a match against a 4.01. You are expected to win soundly, perhaps 6-2, 6-1. It’s not sandbagging, you are the higher rated player. The team captain will jump for joy with your 6-2, 6-1 win. However, it may do nothing for your dynamic rating. You won, you performed as expected.

Nothing may change! If the final score was 6-4, 7-6, you won the match, but you should have won 6-2, 6-1. Your dynamic rating could decrease and your opponent’s increase because you did not play as expected.

l Play in a higher league. Inspired by your strong 4.0 skills, you are invited to a 4.5 team. In your first match, against a 4.55 player, your scores were 3-6, 5-7. The opponents won the match. But you challenged them competitively as a lower rated player.

Your captain will be disappointed with the loss. But your dynamic rating could go up. l Doubles is a team sport. Dynamic points are awarded equally. If you and your partner won the match, perhaps 6-1, 6-1 against an equally rated team, you and your partner could earn .25 rating points each. The opponents will be knocked down .25 rating points each.

If you want to move up, practice, take lessons, attend clinics, and work on the technical and mental aspects of your game. Because you are not that number.

You are more … much more!

Barbara Wyatt is a Writer, Photographer, USTA Official, and Mobile App Developer of iKnowTennis!, the tennis rules app. Her poem, Ode to Tennis, an amusing poem on the joys and frustrations when learning tennis, is available at Amazon. She can be reached by e-mail at BarbaraW@iKnowTennis.com.

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A Mental Gym for Athletes

Tennis and Social Class in America

By Dr. Tom Ferraro We all know that Wimbledon requires the players to wear white and that the audience sips champagne, eats strawberries and cream, and rubs shoulders with royalty. But we also know that tennis gave us Jimmy Connors, Ilie Nastase and John “You Cannot Be Serious” McEnroe.

Tennis, perhaps more than any other sport, struggles with its social identity. Its history came from the 12th Century Cloisters in France where it was called “Jeu de 64

Paume.” The game was adopted by European royalty and finally converted into lawn tennis by Great Britain, where it remained connected with an upper class lifestyle.

The birth of tennis in America was on Staten Island, N.Y. in 1872 and it spread throughout the nation. In America, tennis remained somewhat staid and upper class and as recently as the 1970’s, we still had Arthur Ashe with his fine manners playing with ultimate sportsmanship and courtesy at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills.

But then came Connors and McEnroe, and it all seemed to change gears.

Tennis, almost overnight, became loud,

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

vulgar, profane, aggressive and rude. This continued with “image is everything” Andre Agassi, and the in your face toughness of the Williams Sisters. There can be no doubt that these superstars energized and popularized the game of tennis, but one can ask the question at what cost.

As a psychoanalyst, I am often asked to discuss the underlying or embedded meaning of a variety of environments or behaviors. And the most interesting of questions is “How does a particular sport and its history influence those who play the game?” This is referred to as “The Zimbardo Effect” based upon The Stan-

ford Prison Experiment, which found that when you put subjects into a jail setting, they will begin to act like they belong there. The film in 2010, “The Experiment,” with Forest Whitaker and Adrien Brody, was about an experiment where participants assumed the identities of inmates and prison guards in an empty jail, with the promise of a $1,000-a-day reward.

Before long, the prisoners find themselves at the mercy of their keepers, and all the test subjects discover how easily violence and cruelty can manifest itself in human behavior. The impact of one’s environment is so strong that the world was sure that Donald Trump would begin to act presidential when he entered the Oval Office. This only shows us that the exception does prove the rule.

The fact that an environment impacts the people within that environment means that a particular sport will unconsciously impact the player who participates. The upper classes in Europe and America have always chosen to play tennis, golf, polo and sailing for a variety of reasons.

They have the discretionary income, the

time, they enjoy these sports and they also understand how social capitol works, where power is found and is a major way how social networking functions. The upper classes have always shied away from the more violent sports like boxing, wrestling, football, and even tend to ignore team sports like basketball and baseball.

Up until the arrival of Jimmy Connors, almost all tennis players exercised self-control, good manners and behavioral restraint in all their reactions. These values are part of upper class etiquette and not a trivial thing to learn. All parents harbor the hope that their children will be upwardly mobile and that certain sports, though they may be expensive, will also be of great benefit to their child. This is one reason the smart parent encourages young ones to engage in certain sports. Some call this elitist, but yet everyone wants to be a part that that group.

Years ago, I was invited to play golf at Pine Valley Golf Club, considered to be one of the finest and most exclusive golf clubs.

The most notable thing I witnessed there, outside of all the private planes and the famous athletes walking around, was how

older, very wealthy looking, white-haired members would be walking about or eating in the dining room, followed by younger men who had the distinct look of CEO’s in training. Private golf and private tennis clubs are training grounds for the upper classes where young ones are learning things like how to dress, how to act and how to sound.

One can naively assume that tennis functions in a vacuum and is only about groundstrokes and trophies, but the reality is that tennis is only one of a handful of sports that is a breeding ground for the upper class in America. This is why so many parents are willing to invest in all of those lessons and club fees for their kids.

And it’s also why one of the most important functions of the professional tennis player is to represent their sport with dignity, refinement and class.

For consultations, treatment or on-site visits, contact Dr. Tom Ferraro Ph.D., Sport Psychologist, by phone at (516) 248-7189, e-mail DrTFerraro@aol.com or visit DrTomFerraro.com.

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The Privilege of Playing Collegiate Tennis

By Lonnie Mitchel ver the past six years, I have lived a charmed life, taking over the Division III tennis program at Oneonta State in both the men’s and women’s programs, along with coaching several national teams. I get to be around college students who are energetic, entertaining and part of a program supported by an administration spiritually and financially. The best part is that during half of the school year, I get to be around the tennis courts, whether it is at a practice or a match.

An entitlement of this privilege does not come just because you show up to school ready to play. What I am noticing with many young people is that the opportunity presented to a student/athlete to succeed at this level is being taken for granted.

Let’s begin with a journey, a journey which I embark on probably 20 weekends throughout the year … the journey of re-

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cruiting a potential player. On one weekend, I can easily spend several hundreds of dollars on travel, car rental, hotels and meals, and tap into a great deal of my time.

I speak to interested student/athletes who potentially can play at the collegiate level who have communicated a desire to compete and work hard. The time and communication, along with expediting admittance to the college of choice is something that requires a great deal of effort and steadfastness. The investment in dollars, time, entertaining the potential student on campus, introducing them to their teammates, is an emotional outlay as well.

We celebrate and get energized when a student/athlete finally commits to play at the college. Then, we count down the months and days to their much celebrated arrival.

We as coaches cannot wait to get the student/athlete on campus to help begin their new college life, begin practicing and get them into competition. Then, we provide free athletic training, access to top-

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

notch athletic equipment, world-class tennis courts, transportation to matches with free hotel and food, along with access to 30-plus years of coaching experience. The notion that Division III athletes may not be getting athletic scholarship money is maybe not presented in their admittance letter, but you can be sure that these tennis players are getting an incredible value/rebate back just because they are playing collegiate athletics. A coach and the college provides these young men and women the opportunity to live the dream and play tennis against top competition from all over the Northeast and nationwide, while spending time with friends/teammates. Parents, I ask you, what is better than that?

What I ask for in return are some simple things. To work hard in the classroom; be a good citizen on campus; respect each other, along with the coaches, be on time for practice, compete hard each time out and be on time. I ask parents to be supportive of these efforts and have their child

understand the privilege they have and encourage them to succeed when the coach dares to challenge them in a variety of ways on and off the court. That is all I ask for. The college is already into thousands of dollars of an investment so that the student/athlete can play tennis, so what I ask for in return is more than fair or reasonable.

I do not believe that these views are oldfashioned and this outlook does offer great validity, even with the social media, technology-savvy generation of students I spend so much time with. I bring to the table, in addition to nearly three-decades of tennis coaching, concurrent employment in the corporate world by such highprofile organizations such as the Walt Disney Company. I can express, as clear as day, that teaching these students to play collegiate tennis is more than just a privilege, it is an education that will be augmented in the working world. The values that we want our players to embrace will be highly similar to what they find waiting for them in the working world. If you are not a good corporate citizen, respectful, appreciative and productive, I promise you

a pink slip is in your future. A phone call from a parent will not help and the opportunity to earn money from the working engagement will end quite abruptly. A married person with children, a mortgage and other responsibilities will suffer the same fate, and the company will not care what your financial responsibilities are while also taking away your health insurance. A tough lesson!

When a student/athlete shows up to school, the first thing they need to understand is that this is a privilege and lifechanging opportunity. It’s an opportunity to learn not only to play better tennis, but is an opportunity to get a leg up when the working world becomes a reality. Employers do indeed embrace collegiate student/athletes as potential employees, because they know time management skills, they commit to a purpose in a team environment with dedication, to completion. They feel that taking a chance on a past successful student/athlete is good bet and strong investment.

You bet this student/athlete collegian role is a commitment and privilege. You are

in the minority of the student body and are a role model, whether you accept this as fact or not. Parents, make sure when you send your son or daughter off to play collegiate sports that they have a deep understanding as to what is being provided to them and the privilege they have. It’s a four-year window that closes way too fast.

If a parent is enabling that child to not do the right things because their son/daughter sold you a bill of goods stating they do not have enough time and the commitment is hard, you are being taken for a ride and being sold the Brooklyn Bridge for a quarter. You are sending them to a college for an education, to challenge them to become overachievers and successful. It’s a huge privilege, not an entitlement, and will pay off handsomely in the long-run.

Lonnie Mitchel is Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach at SUNY Oneonta. Lonnie was named an Assistant Coach to Team USA for the 2013 Maccabiah Games in Israel for the Grand Master Tennis Division. Lonnie may be reached by phone at (516) 414-7202 or email LonnieMitchel@yahoo.com.

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Healthy Holiday Food Swaps

By Irina Belfer-Lehat RD, CDN

extra curry and red pepper flakes to make it more exciting and flavorful.

Creamy, buttery comfort foods have a way of creeping back into our diets during the holidays, and the average American gains five to seven pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Not only do we eat more, but also we have less time to be active. Don’t wait to start your diet, try to make healthier and lighter food swaps to stay fit now. As a Registered Dietitian, I analyzed some popular swaps and experimented in my own kitchen to make sure that these healthy swaps are tasty, even for the most pickiest of eaters! Here are some ideas, from my kitchen to yours!

Sweet potato casserole Healthy holiday swap: Baked sweet potatoes As a rule, casseroles have extra empty calories and sugar that spikes blood sugar and is responsible for even more cravings. Toppings such as marshmallows or a sugary crumble makes the dish more like a dessert than a side dish. Instead, try to bake sweet potatoes and drizzle them with cinnamon and coconut flakes.

Mashed potatoes Healthy holiday swap: Cauliflower mash

Cream cheese dip Healthy holiday swap: Hummus Dips and crackers add extra calories and fat. Most people, will eat over 500 calories just on pre-dinner snacks! My solution, serve hummus instead of a cream cheese-based dip. You can make hummus more interesting by blending already bought classic hummus with different herbs. Hummus, blended with tomatoes and fresh rosemary, is absolutely delicious. Try different variations and see

Every spoonful of mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving dinner is more than 300 calories, with added butter and gravy. Cut calories and empty carbs by making mashed cauliflower instead.

Mashed cauliflower has the same texture and is similar flavor. In addition to being more friendly to the waistline, cauliflower is loaded with Vitamin C. I like to add 68

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what you prefer. Add an array of fresh, colorful veggies to the plate for dipping— it’s an quick and easy substitute for chips or crackers and can add nutrients like Vitamin A from carrots, folate and Vitamin C from bell peppers, and Vitamins B and Vitamin C, plus fiber from raw broccoli.

Pasta Health holiday swap: Zucchini noodles, “Zoodles” Swap out noodles for spiralized zucchini. Not only does it tastes great when served with garlic and tomato sauce, but it also cuts out on simple carbohydrates and fills your plate with vitamins and fiber. I am all about saving time in the kitchen and simplifying meals, I recommend buying “Zoodles,” already cut into a spiral shape for your convenience.

For more swaps, complete nutrition evaluation and meal plans that designed just for you, please call my office to schedule a visit at (917) 769-8031.

Irina Belfer-Lehat of Nutrition Solutions PC in Great Neck, N.Y. is a New York State-licensed dietitian and certified dietitian-nutritionist. For more information, call (917) 769-8031, e-mail IrinaLehat@gmail.com or visit IrinaLehat.com.

Destination ... Tennis!

By Luke Jensen Hello Jensen Zoners … greetings from London, England!

I’m not sure if you travel to tennis events around the world, but I highly encourage you to add to your bucket list any number of massive tennis events. I have one that is very unique and fun to be a part of.

The Nitto ATP Finals in London has become one of my aces to attend. I just finished the experience and I am all in London in November. Compared to most events that are one and done for your favorite tennis stars, the Nitto ATP Finals is a round-robin competition where you can see Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and others in three matches, barring injury. Rafa pulled out of the event after the first match in round-robin play due to injury.

Another great advantage is there are only eight of the top 10 players in the ATP Rankings invited to compete. So if you come to watch, you will see the best versus the best from the first to last ball. There is also doubles play in the mix with the top eight teams going for the world title.

I played in this event when it was in South Africa in the 1990s. It was so much fun! It’s really competitive and intense, with big money and ATP ranking points on the line every match.

The ATP is starting its run of celebrations over the next few years with the Open Era of tennis turning 50-years-old. Back before 1968, if a player turned pro, he or she couldn’t play in Grand Slams. After 1968, both pros and amateurs competed at the biggest tournaments. Arthur Ashe won the first Open Grand Slam in New York. The birth of the U.S. Open! Ashe was still in the U.S. Army and an

amateur player when he won. He couldn’t collect the $14,000 winning check. Today, the winner of the U.S. Open men’s or women’s event earns $3.9 million!

Tennis has sure come a long way! With the changing of the legendary old guard passing the torch over the next five years, it will be fun to watch and see what stars shine the brightest of the young talents playing the game.

Now, for your Jensen Zone tennis technique tip …

How many of you want a little more bite and pop in your forehand groundstroke? Many players I observe lose a ton of opportunity to hit a bigger forehand because they lock their wrist at impact with the ball. I’ve been producing some really good results in helping players at all levels to unlocking this stiff wrist by making players aware of the hidden power in an enhanced wrist snap through the contact point.

So many of these locked up players were

not aware how stiff they were at the point of contact with the ball. I stress that they look at the swing as more of a whip than a stable point of contact. At first, the balls fly around like bottle rockets until the player dials it back and finds the range with the new found power.

Next time you go out to hit, unlock that forehand with a wrist snap Rafa would be proud of!

See you on the courts!

Born in Grayling, Mich., Luke Jensen’s resume includes 10 ATP Tour doubles titles and singles victories against Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg and Jim Courier. Jensen and his brother, Murphy, won the 1993 French Open doubles title. Luke is currently Director of Tennis at Sea Island Tennis Center in Georgia. He may be reached by phone at (315) 443-3552 or e-mail LukeJensen84@yahoo.com.

PREVENTATIVE NUTRITION HEART DISEASE & DIABETES ADOLESCENT BODY IMAGE SPORTS NUTRITION For groups and individuals

irinalehat@gmail.com 917.769.8031

www.irinalehat.com LITennisMag.com • January/February 2018 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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USTA/Long Island Region 2018

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE For detailed information on these and all USTA tournaments, visit tennislink.usta.com/tournaments.

JANUARY 2018 Friday-Sunday, January 19-21 L1B GHRC January Challenger Glen Head Racquet Club 95 Glen Head Road Glen Head, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 16-18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Jan. 15 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail Vasco.D.Antunes@gmail.com or call (516) 676-9849.

Friday-Sunday, January 19-21 L2 LBTC Winter Whiteout Open Long Beach Tennis Center 899 Monroe Boulevard Long Beach, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FRLC); Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE); and Intermediate Boys & Girls Doubles 78’ Yellow Ball 1218 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 for first singles, $28 for first doubles, $28 for additional doubles (deadline for entries is Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail Andrew@LongBeachTennisCenter.com or call (516) 432-6060.

Friday-Sunday, January 19-21 L1B PWTA January Challenger Port Washington Tennis Academy 100 Harbor Road • Port Washington, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14 (SE) Surface Type: Clay Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, Jan. 14 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail Ruiz.Clark@yahoo.com or call (516) 883-6425.

Friday-Sunday, January 19-21 L1B Point Set January Challenger Point Set Tennis 3065 New Street • Oceanside, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, Jan. 14 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail Ruiz.Clark@yahoo.com or call (917) 991-0088.

Saturday-Sunday, January 20-21 Youth Progression L1 Green Ball-Glen Cove Robbie Wagner Tournament Training at Glen Cove 60 Sea Cliff Avenue • Glen Cove, N.Y. Divisions: Green Level 1 Boys & Girls 10 and Under Singles 78’ Green Ball 10 (FMLC) Surface Type: Clay Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, Jan. 14 at 11:59 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail Stephenaalcala@gmail.com or call (516) 759-0505.

Saturday, January 20 Youth Progression Orange L1-East Setauket World Gym Racquet & Sports Arena 384 Mark Tree Road East Setauket, N.Y. Divisions: Orange Level 1 Boys & Girls 10 and Under Singles 60’ Orange Ball 10 (NEF) Surface Type: Clay Entry Fee: $48.88 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, Jan. 12 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail VTAPR@hotmail.com or call or call (631) 751-6100.

Sunday, January 21 Youth Progression Orange Level 1: January Open Long Beach Tennis Center 899 Monroe Boulevard Long Beach, N.Y. Divisions: Orange Level 1 Boys & Girls 10 and Under Singles 60’ Orange Ball 10 (NEF) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $48.88 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, Jan. 14 at 11:59 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail ACamacho77@hotmail.com or call (516) 432-6060.

Sunday, January 21 Youth Progression Orange L1: East Hampton Ross School Tennis Academy 18 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, N.Y. Divisions: Orange Level 1 Boys & Girls 10 and Under Singles 60’ Orange Ball 10 (NEF) Surface Type: Clay Indoor Entry Fee: $48.88 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, Jan. 14 at 11:59 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail CSidor@Ross.org or call (631) 907-5162.

Friday-Sunday, January 26-28 & February 2-4 L2 Long Island Open at Deer Park TC Deer Park Tennis Club 30 Burt Drive Deer Park, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles & Doubles 78’ Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE), and Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FMLC) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 for first singles, $28 for first doubles (deadline for entries is Friday, Jan. 19 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail DeerParkTennis@optimum.net or call or call (631) 667-3476.

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Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

USTA/Long Island Region 2018

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE For detailed information on these and all USTA tournaments, visit tennislink.usta.com/tournaments.

FEBRUARY 2018 Friday-Sunday, February 2-4 Eastern Empire Cup National Doubles at RWTTC Robbie Wagner Tournament Training at Glen Cove 60 Sea Cliff Avenue Glen Cove, N.Y. Divisions: Boys Doubles 78’ Yellow Ball 16 (MFIC) Surface Type: Clay Indoor Entry Fee: $43.50 per player (deadline for entries is Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail RWagner968@aol.com or call (516) 759-0505.

Friday-Sunday, February 2-4 L2 Bethpage State Park Winter Open Bethpage Park Tennis Center 99 Quaker Meeting House Road Farmingdale, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14-16 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Jan. 29 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail RBecker06@yahoo.com or call (516) 359-4843.

Friday-Sunday, February 2-4 L1B Sportime Syosset February Challenger Sportime-Syosset 75 Haskett Drive Syosset, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, Jan. 28 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail KSorokko@SportimeNY.com or call (516) 364-2727.

Friday-Sunday, February 2-4 Eastern Empire Cup National Doubles at GHRC Glen Head Racquet Club 95 Glen Head Road Glen Head, N.Y. Divisions: Boys Doubles 78’ Yellow Ball 18 (MFIC) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $48.88 per player (deadline for entries is Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail Vasco.D.Antunes@gmail.com or call (516) 676-9849.

Friday-Sunday, February 2-4 L2 February Freeze Open Long Beach Tennis Cente • 899 Monroe Boulevard • Long Beach, N.Y. Divisions: Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FRLC); Intermediate Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14-16 (SE); Intermediate Boys & Girls Doubles 78’ Yellow Ball 12-16 (SE); and Intermediate Mixed Doubles 78’ Yellow Ball 12-16 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 for first singles; $28 for additional singles; $28 for first doubles (deadline for entries is Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail ACamacho77@hotmail.com or call (516) 432-6060.

Friday-Sunday, February 2-4 Eastern Empire Cup National Doubles at PWTA Port Washington Tennis Academy 100 Harbor Road • Port Washington, N.Y. Divisions: Boys Doubles 78’ Yellow Ball 14 (MFIC) Surface Type: Clay Indoor Entry Fee: $48.88 per player (deadline for entries is Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail Ruiz.Clark@yahoo.com or call (516) 883-6425.

LITennisMag.com • January/February 2018 • Long Island Tennis Magazine

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USTA/Long Island Region 2018

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE For detailed information on these and all USTA tournaments, visit tennislink.usta.com/tournaments.

Friday-Sunday, February 2-4 Eastern Empire Cup National Doubles at Point Set Point Set Tennis 3065 New Street • Oceanside, N.Y. Divisions: Girls’ Doubles 78 Yellow Ball 16 (MFIC) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $48.88 per player (deadline for entries is Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail Ruiz.Clark@yahoo.com or call (917) 991-0088.

Friday-Sunday, February 9-11 L1B Bethpage State Park February Challenger Bethpage Park Tennis Center 99 Quaker Meeting House Road • Farmingdale, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Monday, Feb. 5 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail rbecker06@yahoo.com or call (516) 359-4843.

Saturday-Sunday, February 3-4 Youth Progression LI Green Ball, Glen Cove Robbie Wagner Tournament Training at Glen Cove 60 Sea Cliff Avenue • Glen Cove, N.Y. Divisions: Green Level 1 Boys & Girls 10 and Under Singles 78’ Green Ball 10 (FMLC) Surface Type: Clay Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Sunday, Jan. 28 at 11:59 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail Stephenaalcala@gmail.com or call (516) 759-0505.

Friday-Sunday, February 9-11 L2 Sportime Syosset February Open Sportime-Syosset 75 Haskett Drive • Syosset, N.Y. Divisions: Level 2 Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FRLC) and Level 2 Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14-18 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player For more information, e-mail KSorokko@SportimeNY.com or call (516) 364-2727.

Saturday-Sunday, February 3-4 L1B World Gym February Challenger World Gym Racquet & Sports Arena 384 Mark Tree Road • East Setauket, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player For more information, e-mail VTAPR@hotmail.com or call or call (631) 751-6100.

Saturday, February 3 Youth Progression Orange L2: East Hampton Ross School Tennis Academy 18 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, N.Y. Divisions: Orange Level 2 Boys & Girls 10 and Under Singles 60’ Orange Ball 10 (NEF) Surface Type: Clay Indoor Entry Fee: $48.88 per player For more information, e-mail PWilliamson@Ross.org or call (631) 907-5162.

Friday-Sunday, February 9-11 L1B World Gym Winter Challenger World Gym Racquet & Sports Arena 384 Mark Tree Road East Setauket, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys & Girls Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 14 (SE) Surface Type: Clay Entry Fee: $54.25 per player For more information, e-mail VTAPR@hotmail.com or call or call (631) 751-6100.

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Friday-Sunday, February 9-11 L1B Deer Park February Challenger Deer Park Tennis Club 30 Burt Drive • Deer Park, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 16 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Thursday, Feb. 1 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail DeerParkTennis@optimum.net or call or call (631) 667-3476.

Friday-Sunday, February 9-11 L1B Point Set Challenger Point Set Tennis 3065 New Street • Oceanside, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 18 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Thursday, Feb. 1 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail Ruiz.Clark@yahoo.com or call (917) 991-0088.

Saturday-Monday, February 10-12 USTA National Level 2 Tournaments Robbie Wagner Tournament Training at Glen Cove 60 Sea Cliff Avenue • Glen Cove, N.Y. Divisions: Advanced Boys’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 16-18 (FICR16) and Advanced Boys’ Doubles: 78’ Yellow Ball 16-18 (SE) Surface Type: Unknown Entry Fee: $145.63 per player (deadline for entries is Thursday, Jan. 18 at 11:59 a.m.)

For more information, e-mail RWagner968@aol.com or call (516) 759-0505.

Long Island Tennis Magazine • January/February 2018 • LITennisMag.com

Friday-Sunday, February 16-18 L1B February Fourteens Challenger Long Beach Tennis Center 899 Monroe Boulevard Long Beach, N.Y. Divisions: Challenger Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14 (SE) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, Feb. 9 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail Andrew@LongBeachTennisCenter.com or call (516) 432-6060.

Friday-Monday, February 16-19 L1A Huntington Presidents’ Championships Huntington Indoor Tennis 100 Broadway • Huntington Station, N.Y. Divisions: Championships Boys’ & Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 18 (SE) Surface Type: Clay Indoor Entry Fee: $54.25 per player (deadline for entries is Friday, Feb. 9 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, call (631) 421-0040.

Saturday-Monday, February 17-19 Eastern Super Six at RWTTC (National L4) Robbie Wagner Tournament Training at Glen Cove 60 Sea Cliff Avenue • Glen Cove, N.Y. Divisions: Super 6 Event Girls’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 18 (FICQ) Surface Type: Clay Indoor Entry Fee: $124.13 per player (deadline for entries is Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail RWagner968@aol.com or call (516) 759-0505.

Saturday-Monday, February 17-19 Eastern Super Six at GHRC (National L4) Glen Head Racquet Club 95 Glen Head Road • Glen Head, N.Y. Divisions: Super 6 Event Boys’ Singles: 78’ Yellow Ball 14 (FIC-R16) Surface Type: Hard Indoor Entry Fee: $124.13 per player (deadline for entries is Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail Vasco.D.Antunes@gmail.com or call (516) 676-9849.

Saturday-Monday, February 17-19 Eastern Super Six at Port Washington (National L4) Port Washington Tennis Academy 100 Harbor Road • Port Washington, N.Y. Divisions: Super 6 Event Boys Singles 78’ Yellow Ball 12 (FIC-R16) Surface Type: Clay Indoor Entry Fee: $124.13 per player (deadline for entries is Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 1:00 p.m.)

For more information, e-mail Ruiz.Clark@yahoo.com or call (516) 883-6425.

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